TNT Fireworks named title sponsor of the 2025 Bassmaster Team Championship at Lake Hartwell
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that TNT Fireworks, the nation’s largest distributor of consumer fireworks, has signed on as the title sponsor of the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, which will be held December 3-6 on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.
The Bassmaster Team Championship marks the culmination of a yearlong grass-roots competition that gives anglers from team trails across the country the chance to fish for one of the most coveted prizes in competitive bass fishing — a berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
More than 200 two-angler teams representing B.A.S.S.-sanctioned team trails nationwide will compete over two days for the team title. The top three teams will then split up and compete individually in a two-day fish-off, where the winner will earn the final spot in the Bassmaster Classic field.
“TNT Fireworks is thrilled to be the official sponsor of the 2025 Bassmaster Team Championship,” said Carson Anderson, Managing Director at TNT Fireworks. “We look forward to watching anglers from across the country experience the excitement and energy of competition at beautiful Lake Hartwell.”
TNT Fireworks, headquartered in Florence, Ala., has been lighting up celebrations for more than 100 years. The company’s passion for bringing people together through family-friendly entertainment aligns perfectly with the community spirit and excitement of Bassmaster events.
Lake Hartwell, one of the Southeast’s most storied fisheries, has hosted multiple major B.A.S.S. tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic, and is known for its healthy populations of both largemouth and spotted bass. The deep, clear reservoir straddling the Georgia-South Carolina border provides the perfect backdrop for a championship-level event.
“The Bassmaster Team Championship is one of the most special events we host each year because it represents the heart of competitive fishing, everyday anglers earning their shot at the Classic,” said B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Manager GL Compton. “Having TNT Fireworks as our title sponsor adds an extra spark to an already exciting event. Their enthusiasm for community, celebration and competition mirrors what this championship is all about.”
Fans can follow live coverage of the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship on Bassmaster.com and across B.A.S.S. social media platforms, including live weigh-ins, photo galleries and on-the-water updates.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Team Championship Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
About TNT Fireworks
TNT Fireworks, established in 1920, is America’s bestselling brand of fireworks and the largest distributer of 1.4G consumer fireworks in the U.S. The company offers a diverse range of products including aerials, ground-based items, assortments and novelties, while also supporting fundraising initiatives nationwide. TNT’s goal is to provide safe family fun that lets consumers ignite the night!
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Family Ties and Trophy Bass: The Schwers’ Fifth Ride at the 2025 Toyota Owners Tournament
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / By Walker Smith
As the first rays of sunlight pierced over Lake Guntersville, the air hummed with the low rumble of Toyota Tundras and Tacomas backing boats down the ramps at Goosepond Marina. It was a celebration of bass fishing, family ties and the unbreakable reliability of Toyota vehicles.
Scottsboro, Alabama played host to this amateur showdown on one of the South's most legendary fisheries, a TVA impoundment renowned for its sprawling grass mats, deep ledges and trophy largemouth bass that can tip the scales at double digits.
For the uninitiated, the Toyota Owners Tournament isn't just another derby; it's a heartfelt nod to loyalty. Open exclusively to Toyota Bonus Bucks members who own or lease a 2021 or newer Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia or 4Runner, the event draws everyday anglers from across the country.
This year, hundreds of teams converged on Guntersville, braving a post-frontal chill that turned the bite tough but couldn't dampen the spirit.
For many, the real trophies weren't on the stage. They were the stories forged on the water, like that of father-son duo Steve and Ryan Schwer, whose journey to Guntersville embodied the tournament's deeper essence.
Hailing from Missouri, the Schwers have made the Toyota Owners Tournament a family tradition.
"This will be our fifth Toyota Owners Tournament and we’ll continue to try to go to as many as possible, no matter where they are," Steve shared. At 64 years old, Steve is the patriarch, a veteran of 44 years in the family business installing and repairing paint booth equipment.
"My father-in-law started the company, and it's been an interesting and fulfilling career," he said. Their work spans automotive spray booths and Toyota is even one of their customers. They also install and maintain gel coat equipment for boat brands, tying their livelihood neatly to the outdoor world they love.
Ryan, 38, echoes his dad's passion with a competitive fire honed in unexpected arenas.
"I love to fish and I don’t care where it is," he said, grinning under his Toyota sock hat.
A former professional paintball player for seven years, Ryan traveled the country chasing adrenaline before settling into bass fishing as his outlet.
"Bass fishing is my competitive outlet and I absolutely love it.”
Their bond runs as deep as Guntersville's river channels, rooted in childhood memories on Missouri rivers.
"My dad used to take me on float trips all the time when I was growing up," Ryan recalled. "We’d fish for anything that bit and always had such a good time together. We’d fish a jig, Texas rig and Carolina rig."
Those simple setups, a jig hopped along rocky bottoms, a Texas-rigged worm probing brush or a Carolina rig dragging ledges, taught Ryan the fundamentals that serve him well in competitive bass fishing.
Steve, beaming with pride, added, "I’m super proud of my son and I remember every memory with him and all my children. I have four boys and a girl, and they all grew up on the river fishing with me.”
On tournament day, the Schwers launched their boat behind Steve's 2021 Tundra. It’s his third Toyota, a testament to the brand's dependability.
"Reliability is what it’s all about to me," Steve explained. "I’ve passed down my older Toyotas to my kids and they’ve had nothing but good luck with them. My old Toyota truck is now my son’s work truck and it has 300,000 miles on it with zero problems. Pretty much my entire family has Toyota vehicles."
That Tundra hauled them seamlessly from Missouri to Alabama, a reliable steed for their adventures. Fishing together offers more than competition for the pair; it's more of a sanctuary.
"I love traveling and fishing with my dad. It’s just so enjoyable and easy," Ryan said.
Amid the casts and retrieves, conversations drift from family gatherings to business strategies, but the water tempers it.
"We talk a lot about the business at home whether it’s birthday parties or family gatherings, we’re always talking about the family business. But we do it a bit less when we’re fishing together. It gives us time to relax and enjoy nature and at events like these, meet new friends.”
Guntersville tested them, as it does everyone. The lake's famed grass beds demanded precise electronics to locate schools. They flipped jigs into matted hydrilla and dragged Carolina rigs over shell bars, adapting to the post-front blues. Their bag didn't crack the top spots but that hardly mattered.
"This is such an outstanding event every year," Steve said. "They treat you like rockstars and everything is top-notch. We cannot wait to come back.”
In a sport often dominated by solo pursuits, the Toyota Owners Tournament shines a light on shared legacies. The Schwers' story reminds us why we fish: for the tug on the line, sure, but more for the pull on the heart. As the weigh-in wrapped and trucks loaded up in the cold Alabama rain, Guntersville whispered promises of next year. But for Steve and Ryan, it's not just about the bass. It’s about the miles, the memories and the unbreakable thread that binds them, towed faithfully by their Toyota.
Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Awards Grants to Fund Six More Projects
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— For Immediate Release — Nov 11, 2025 As part of its mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors is again providing financial support to numerous conservation projects that will benefit grassroots efforts to improve the sport.
Over the past six years, the BFHOF has provided grants totaling over $127,000 to local bass fishing clubs and other organizations working with state fishery management agencies for various conservation projects.
“Thanks to our substantial fundraising success this year, we are prepared to offer nearly $20,000 in additional donations beyond our traditional conservation grants,” said BFHOF conservation committee chair Gene Gilliland. “We realized that there are a host of projects that don’t fit into the traditional bass club/agency partnership model. These groups have been selected for their foresight and commitment to improving the sport with boots-on-the-ground sweat equity.”
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- The Hall is supporting the American Fisheries Society Southern Division Reservoir Committee Jenkins Scholarship Endowment. The Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to graduate students conducting reservoir-related fisheries research who show exceptional progress in their research, education, and professional endeavors. This is a five-year commitment that will benefit both bass fishing and other freshwater fishing opportunities.
Five additional fishing organizations receiving Bass Fishing Hall of Fame donations in 2025 to enhance and preserve bass fishing were made possible by the Hall’s partnership with the Costa Compete + Conserve program. They include:
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- Friends of Reservoirs, an organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing fish habitat in reservoir systems, was awarded funds for their Small Grants program, that support smaller-scale habitat projects that bass clubs or friends groups can accomplish in a single season.
- The Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy’s PA BASS summer camp, that focuses on teaching teens about bass ecology and warm water conservation. PA BASS continues to spark passion for fisheries biology and instill a sense of stewardship in the next generation of conservation leaders.
- The Texas Bass Brigade is a unique educational program designed to educate youths from ages 13 to 17 about aquatic ecosystems and natural resource management and empower attendees with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and land stewardship. The BFHOF donation will support tuition for several students attending the 2026 Bass Camp.
- Mighty River Recovery, a Florida organization dedicated to ending the continued decline of the St. Johns River, while working to organize and unify outdoor enthusiasts. The Hall’s donation will support the Citizen Enclosure Project where volunteers assist with fencing areas of the river to allow the regrowth of essential native aquatic vegetation.
- Heroes on the Water, an organization providing free outdoor programs for U.S. active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, first responders and their families, was awarded funds to bolster their kayak bass fishing programs.
In addition to the above donations, the Hall was an important sponsor of the 2025 Black Bass Symposium in San Antonio in August. This was a meeting of state fishery biologists, university researchers, private water managers, media professionals, and anglers sharing information and ideas to plot a course for black bass management in the future.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will be issuing a request for proposals for 2026 Conservation Grants in January as well as soliciting nominations for inductees into the Hall itself. The Hall will hold its annual induction dinner on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. There will also be a concurrent auction (visit www.BassFishingHOF.com for details) as part of the annual “Celebrate Bass Fishing Week “with funds raised going to assist the Hall in funding conservation grants such as these and other worthy endeavors benefiting the sport of bass fishing.
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About the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) 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 for over 25 years. 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].
Old School Tactics Result in $20,000 Payday at 2nd Annual Costa Bass Derby
Jupiter, FL – November 10th, 2025 –
A field of over 450 anglers comprised of 230 teams came together to fish the 2nd annual Costa Bass Derby on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees the weekend of October 25-26. Freddie Stopp and Rickey Hicks caught a limit of 20.93-lbs to take the top honors for this 2nd annual celebration of Costa Sunglasses and the brand’s support of bass fishing and conservation.
Not only did Hicks and Stopp win an incredible $20,000 payday for winning this amateur only team tournament, but they also were awarded the chance to choose a conservation partner to receive a $1,000 donation made through Costa’s Compete+Conserve contingency program. The winners from Tahlequah, Oklahoma chose the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to receive the donation, which will directly benefit freshwater conservation efforts.
This conservation payout is a core component of Compete+Conserve, which rewards the highest finishing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses in over 325 bass tournaments each year. Along with the bonus payout or prize for the highest placing fisherman, Costa donates to one of five conservation partners based on the winners’ choice.
2025 marked the second year of the Costa Bass Derby, with Tulsa SCHEELS serving as the retail partner for the event. Costa and SCHEELS rolled out the red carpet for tournament participants; with registration kits valued at over $250 gifted to the first 150 boats to register, along with provided dinner the night before derby day, and a meet and greet with Costa pros Casey Ashley and Jason Christie.
The tournament winners, Hicks and Stopp, are the kind of fishing buddies we all aspire to have. They’ve been good friends and team tournament partners for nearly twenty years. Their shared passion for bass fishing is so linked together that they split the cost of their last two bass boats. The duo developed a system to co-own the boats and use the vessel to chase bass around northeast Oklahoma.
Hicks is a captain at the Tahlequah Fire Department and Stopp owns Ace Yard Company, which specializes in lawncare, landscaping, tree and fence work. They are salt of the earth people who love to spend their days off outdoors and on the water. They caught their fish with a one-two punch type of pattern, crediting old-school tactics and a reliable milk run for their good fortune.
“We are just normal fishermen who love to be on the water,” Hicks said. “We pretty much always fish the same little rotation of spots this time of year. When the fish are there, we do alright. When they aren’t, we struggle. Today the fish were there, and we got to catch them the way we like to… old school!”
“We ran three or four topwater stretches early and caught a couple key fish,” Stopp explained. “That is a hit or miss deal in the fall on Grand, so it was great to have a strong start. Then we went offshore and fished a football jig on some deeper hard spots in 18 to 22-feet of water. We caught the rest of our weight with those jigs and didn’t lose a fish all day.”
Stopp and Hicks fish hit the scales early in the weigh-in but none of the other 230+ teams could overtake their five fish limit of nearly 21-lbs. Both anglers have been wearing Costa Sunglasses for ten years or more and own multiple pairs a piece. Hicks go-to frame is the Tailfin in Blue Mirror lens color, while Stopp wears the Permit with prescription lens with the Blue Mirror.
“Costa has so many options for people with different sized faces and heads. They’re the best sunglasses out there, period,” Stopp said.
Like many of the teams, Hicks and Stopp returned in 2025 after fishing the inaugural event last year. Though they didn’t have a good finish last October, they appreciated the support they felt from the eyewear icon in 2024.
“To have big brands like Costa and SCHEELS put on this event for average anglers like us is super cool,” Hicks said. “We looked forward to this tournament all year and feel fortunate just for the opportunity to fish it, let alone win the whole thing.”
The complete results for the 2025 Costa Bass Derby can be found here. 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.
An Angler’s Plea for His Boat: “Just Work”
Opinion - Courtesy of LAUNCH Boat Protection
See for yourself as you take a walk around the upcoming winter boat shows. The cutting-edge technology that has become expected in our vehicles has now crept into our boats. Remote starters, seat heaters, multiple graphs the size of TV screens, digital gauges and incredibly detailed motor diagnostics; yes, bass boats have become just as loaded as most luxury SUVs.
Nowhere was this technology more on display than Major League Fishing’s 2025 REDCREST Expo in Huntsville, AL. Every manufacturer brought their best on full display. Those boats were awesome. How do you pick one when so many players are making excellent boats? Well, it seems their strategy is to embed as many cool electronic accessories and digital technology as they can in their boat. Boats today have full-fledged operating systems.
Of course, this drives the cost of boats higher, but that may not be the biggest issue with anglers. More anglers are starting to ask questions like “Is a battery powered key fob with a button start better for bass fisherman? What about trolling motors that need software updates? According to some veteran bass fisherman who call Table Rock Lake, Missouri their home, the answer is a resounding “NO”.
“What’s wrong with inserting and turning a key? Introducing wireless connectivity, software, and a battery to something as simple as starting your motor just creates more problems.” Says Todd J., a bass fisherman who has fished the Ozark lakes for over 30 years. “Why introduce digital gauges on expensive screens when a simple speedometer has reliably told me how fast my boats have gone for years?”
“Have you ever had your fishing trip cut short because your trolling motor needed a software update?” asks Brooks B., another Missouri angler.
They both ask valid questions that outline a sentiment that is increasingly shared by other bass fishermen. In fact, some pro anglers request the traditional key start rather than opting for the Bluetooth fob.
Somewhat fittingly, Major League Fishing’s REDCREST 2026 tournament will be held on Table Rock Lake with the Expo hosted at Bass Pro Shop’s flagship store in Springfield, MO. The same anglers who are asking for simpler efficiency in their boats will have the chance to preview the newest enhancements that bass boat manufacturers will bring with the next generation of boats.
It all begs the question, “Do we really need all these features just to catch a bass? Is it worth the added headache and repair cost?”. From a warranty perspective, manufacturers must know how much they are spending on in-warranty fixes on both hardware and software for these enhancements. When the manufacturer’s warranty expires, an angler might consider shopping for an aftermarket warranty product like LAUNCH Boat Protection just to cover these features, especially on a used boat. Simple efficiency seems to have given way to shiny new features that may or may not enhance a boat owner’s experience on the water.
A growing opinion in the bass fishing community seems to be that while all these new enhancements certainly have a cool factor, the bass fishermen’s plea for his boat is this: “Just Work”.
Guest Contributor:
Chad Burris of LAUNCH Boat Protection
SCROGGINS: 2025 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament was One for the Books
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / By Walker Smith
There’s a certain magic that lingers in the air after a great fishing event. It’s a blend of satisfaction, fellowship and a bit of wistfulness that it’s over. As I rolled out of Guntersville this year, that feeling sat heavy on my mind.
The 2025 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament was one of those special weekends where everything just seemed to click. The fishing, the people, the purpose. And if you ask Team Toyota pro Terry “Big Show” Scroggins, he’ll tell you this one might have been the best yet.
“I’ve been to a bunch of these Toyota tournaments over the years,” Scroggins said, leaning back onto his Tundra at launch with a grin that only comes from a man who’s been around the sport for decades. “But this one right here. Man, it was something special. From the food to the folks, I don’t think I’ve ever had a better time at one of these things.”
A tournament built on fellowship
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing one firsthand, the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament isn’t your average weekend derby. Sure, there’s a competitive element with $5,000 on the line for first place and an impressive pile of prizes and free gear. But that’s not what most folks remember when they trailer their boats and head home.
What sticks with them are the laughs shared under the tent after weigh-in, the smell of barbecue rolling across the parking lot and the easy conversations with anglers who’ve driven from all corners of the country.
“Toyota does this thing right,” Scroggins said. “They feed you well, they treat you right and they make you feel like part of the family. I’ve been coming to these things for years and I can tell you it never gets old. Everybody’s smiling, cutting up, swapping fish stories. It just makes you feel good.”
That feeling was on full display this year at Lake Guntersville. The lake showed off its generous side, giving up plenty of solid fish and a handful of big bass that made for an exciting weigh-in. The anglers were grinning, the crowd was loud, and the camaraderie was as thick as the morning fog that rolled off the Tennessee River.
A brand that stands behind the sport
Scroggins, who’s been a proud Toyota pro for years, doesn’t mince words when it comes to what makes these tournaments and Toyota’s role in the fishing world so meaningful.
“Toyota is the only vehicle manufacturer that supports the entire fishing industry,” he said plainly. “And that’s not just talk. You see it in events like this, in their Bonus Bucks program and in the way they back the anglers whether it’s the pros all the way to the weekend guys. Nobody else does it like Toyota.”
It’s a statement that carries weight coming from a veteran like Scroggins. The Toyota Owners Tournament is completely free to enter for eligible Toyota owners, and the prizes and giveaways could rival many high-entry events. From tackle and gear to the generous cash payout, it’s clear that Toyota isn’t just dipping a toe in the fishing world.
They’re all in.
Anglers have responded in kind. Each year, the turnout grows, with hundreds of teams traveling from across the map to share a weekend on the water. They come for the competition, sure, but they also come for something deeper: community.
“You look around and see guys from all over the country,” Scroggins said. “Different accents, different boats and different styles. But everyone’s got one thing in common. We all love fishing. That’s what makes this event so special. It’s a great representation of our sport.”
More than just a tournament
By Sunday afternoon, it was hard not to feel proud of what this event represents. The Toyota team, as always, went above and beyond to make sure every detail was nailed down from the hospitality to the prizes, to the seamless flow of the event.
But beyond the logistics and the weigh-in numbers, there was something else that made this one memorable. It was the laughter. The shared respect. The sense that for a weekend, the fishing community had come together not just to compete, but to celebrate what binds them.
The simple joy of chasing bass and the fellowship that comes with it.
Looking ahead
As the sun dipped low over Lake Guntersville and the last few boats idled back to the ramp, you could feel that sense of gratitude and belonging that Toyota has managed to cultivate year after year. For Scroggins, a man who’s seen just about everything in this sport, that feeling never gets old.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” he said. “Toyota gets it. They understand what this sport means to people. That’s why I’ll never miss one of these events.”
And that’s the truth of it. The 2025 Toyota Owners Tournament wasn’t just another stop on the calendar. It was a reminder of what makes this sport so special. The people, the passion and the companies that care enough to keep it all going.
When anglers packed up and pointed their trucks toward home, they didn’t just leave with new gear and prize money. They left with full hearts, new friendships and another memory that’ll last long after the fish stories fade.
Lake Guntersville was good to them this year but it’s much, much more that made this bass derby one for the books.
Key decision leads Vercillo and Frost to Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship win
PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Calling an audible at the line of scrimmage yielded the game-winning score for Tony Vercillo and Darren Frost, who took first place at the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Port Aransas.
Hailing from Fort Pierce and Melbourne, respectively, Vercillo and Frost placed third on Day 1 with a two-fish limit of 15 pounds, 6 ounces and held that spot with a second-round limit of 13-5. On Championship Sunday, the winners posted 12-6 and tallied a three-day total of 41-1.
Overtaking Easton Fothergill and Clark Jordan Jr., who led the first two days, by 4 1/2-pounds, Vercillo and Frost split the $75,000 top prize.
“This is a dream come true; I’ve been doing this (redfishing) since I was 5,” Vercillo said. “We’ve worked so hard to get here.”
Frost echoed his partner’s sentiment: “It hasn’t completely hit me yet, but I was about to cry three or four times (while sitting in the hot seat). I don’t remember the last time I cried.”
For two days, Vercillo and Frost had worked a two-stage plan in which they started their mornings in areas north of the takeoff site at Fisherman’s Wharf, inside Port Aransas Municipal Boat Harbor. By late morning, they would run south to the upper Laguna Madre, where they caught their better fish.
That plan likely would have worked again, but Day 3 saw a cold front unleash brutal conditions. With a forecast for 25- to 35-knot north-northeast winds, Vercillo and Frost discussed the option of fishing closer the night before, but Championship Sunday’s harsh reality prompted an easy decision.
“Our best fish were a good ways south and we’d have to cross Corpus Christi Bay,” Vercillo said. “Last night, we were 80/20. We were desperate to get to those fish. We could win if we got to them.
“This morning, it was more like 50/50 and by the time we came around the corner for check-out, I said, ‘No sir, we’re staying close.’ We both agreed. We were very much at piece; there was no argument.”
Spending their final day on the west side of Redfish Bay, north or Port Aransas, the winners targeted oyster bar habitat.
“We dedicated Wednesday’s practice to finding spots that were out of the wind,” Vercillo said. “We found two spots that were holding fish and we just let it ride. We were done by 9 o’clock. We never caught another good fish after that.”
Frost said he and Vercillo anticipated they could catch about 12 pounds in Redfish Bay, so their final-round productivity was right on point.
“That’s what we saw pre-fishing; we has a couple of low-6’s and that’s what we ended up catching,” Frost said. “We kinda knew what was there and that’s why we didn’t go there yesterday.”
Vercillo noted that similarities to their Florida home waters helped him and his partner excel in their first Port-A visit. One of the biggest was finding areas with significant mullet activity — typically considered an indication of good redfish waters.
For the first two days, Vercillo and Frost caught several of their fish on spoons. When Day 3 found the fish less willing to chase the shiny baits, they switched to more subtle presentations.
Vercillo threw a Rapala Crush City The Mayor paddletail rigged weedless on a Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook. His partner fished a Berkley Gulp! Shrimp.
“I rigged (the Gulp! Shrimp) weedless on a wide gap hook with a 3/16-ounce tungsten weight,” Frost said. “I added a little gold Colorado blade between the weight and the bobber stop to add a little flash."
In its fifth year, the Redfish Cup Championship fielded 10 two-angler teams — six comprising all redfish anglers and four pairing a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro with a redfish pro.
Representing the hybrid teams, Fothergill — the reigning Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour champion — and Jordan took the early lead with a Day 1 limit of 17-3, the event’s heaviest catch. Adding 16-8 in the second round, they held on to their lead.
Day 3 delivered an early blast with what appeared to be the day-maker, as Jordan caught an 8-pound red that measured a breath below the 28-inch maximum length.
Tournament anglers know that fish typically enter the live well slightly shorter from contracting stress, but on a day unlikely to offer many opportunities, Jordan and Fothergill decided to take their chances that the fish would remain at or under 28 inches on the tournament’s official measurement.
Unfortunately, the fish had become relaxed in the livewell so it measured just over the 28-inch mark. Weighing a single fish of 2-14, Fothergill and Jordan settled at second with 36-9.
“After we caught that big fish, we thought we had a good plan the rest of the day to catch a couple 4 1/2- to 5-pound fish and just never got bit,” Jordan said. “We pulled the plug at the last minute and came in. Easton made a good sight cast with a Berkley Gulp! Shrimp to catch that one we weighed in.”
In third place, Ryan Rickard and Patrick Marsonek turned in weights of 15-0, 11-0 and 10-8 to finish with 36-8. The game plan, Rickard said, meant devoting three days to the Upper Laguna Madre, where he partnered with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain to win the inaugural Redfish Cup Championship in 2021.
“Knowing what we had in practice, I said going into this that we just had to get bit right,” Rickard said. “I felt like if we could catch 10-12 fish a day, we would have what we needed. Unfortunately, on Day 1, we still caught 10-12 fish, we just didn’t have any great ones and that’s what bit us.
“We did all we could do and it just gave us what it gave us.”
Rickard and Marsonek caught their fish on the new 1/2-ounce gold Aqua Dream spoons.
This event was hosted by Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf.
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]
2025 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup presented by Skeeter 11/7-11/9
Port Aransas, Port Aransas TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Tony Vercillo - Darren Frost 0
Day 1: 2 13-05 Day 2: 2 15-06 Day 3: 2 12-06 Total: 6 41-01
2. Easton Fothergill - Clark Jordan Jr 0
Day 1: 2 17-03 Day 2: 2 16-08 Day 3: 1 02-14 Total: 5 36-09
3. Patrick Marsonek - Ryan Rickard 0
Day 1: 2 11-00 Day 2: 2 15-00 Day 3: 2 10-08 Total: 6 36-08
4. Bo Favre - Frank Risk 0
Day 1: 2 11-10 Day 2: 2 10-07 Day 3: 2 09-11 Total: 6 31-12
5. Recie Tisdale - Jeremy Reeves 0
Day 1: 2 10-08 Day 2: 2 12-07 Day 3: 1 07-02 Total: 5 30-01
6. Tyler Williams - Chris Cenci 0
Day 1: 2 15-01 Day 2: 2 14-03 Day 3: 0 00-00 Total: 4 29-04
7. Lance Reynolds - Austin Angel 0
Day 1: 2 13-00 Day 2: 2 10-11 Day 3: 1 04-12 Total: 5 28-07
8. Bryant Smith - Kevin Akin 0
Day 1: 2 12-08 Day 2: 2 14-08 Day 3: 0 00-00 Total: 4 27-00
9. Carl Jocumsen - Robbie Hunzicker 0
Day 1: 2 06-15 Day 2: 2 16-15 Day 3: 0 00-00 Total: 4 23-14
10. Mark Robinson - Mike Frenette 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 2 12-11 Day 3: 0 00-00 Total: 3 16-05
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 19 114-12
2 10 20 138-12
3 3 9 47-05
------------------------------
22 48 300-13
Roger Fitzpatrick Wins 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand
Missouri pro reels in $200K with three-day total of 41 pounds, 1 ounce, MLF Italy’s Giovanni Ceccarelli wins co-angler division
GROVE, Okla. (Nov. 8, 2025) – The final day of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats
on Grand Lake will go down as one the tightest of all-time. Entering Championship Saturday, four Ozark stalwarts were ounces apart – in theory shooting it out with jigs and spinnerbaits for the win. Then, the power-fishing bite crumbled, and Drew Gill, Tucker Smith and Riley Harris blitzed up the leaderboard, picking off fish after fish with forward-facing sonar.
At weigh-in, Smith and Gill both weighed over 14 pounds, by far the biggest bags of the day. But, with 11 pounds, 7 ounces, Roger Fitzpatrick had just enough to hang on, moving up from second to first with 41-1 and beating Gill for the win via tiebreak, which is previous day’s standing first and then heaviest single-day catch, both of which favored the veteran angler.
For the win, which is his 13th with MLF in nearly 250 events, Fitzpatrick took home $200,000 plus a berth in REDCREST 2026 – which just so happens to be at Table Rock Lake, where he’s won twice before with MLF. Though Fitzpatrick had come oh so close many times in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American, he’d never won it or a Toyota Series event until now. Throw in a Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title in the Plains Division, and it’s clear that Fitzpatrick waited until age 61 to have his best year yet.
As someone who has been cashing checks with MLF/FLW since 1995, Fitzpatrick has plenty of experience when it comes to winning, but he’s probably going to need to fish for another 30 years or so to replicate this one.
“When I pulled into the buoys down here, I was hoping I would stay in the Top 10,” he said. “I was never nervous all day. The whole afternoon, I thought I needed at least one good fish to have a shot at this. I left biting fish on some docks – they weren’t big, but I had two fish in there that weren’t 2 pounds. When it was all said and done and was this close, I thought I probably messed up and didn’t cull those 2-pounders out.”
At the docks, with anglers bagging fish and swapping reports, Fitzpatrick realized that instead of a definite drop in the standings, he might have done enough to win, or at least make it close.
“People started saying how tough it was, and nobody had anything,” he said. “Toby Hartsell watched the livestream, and he said, ‘It’s going to be closer than you think.’”
On stage with weighmaster Chris Jones and Gill, Fitzpatrick watched the readout on the scale with rapt attention as Jones took his hand off the bag.
“Whenever he threw it down, it went 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 – it wasn’t going 11-6,” said Fitzpatrick. “I was hoping he’d lock it at 11-8. I knew Justin [Luetkemeyer] didn’t have it. But when it locked in at 11-7, I was like ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’”
With the top four finishers all separated by just 4 ounces, it’s almost certain that each of them (and perhaps others farther down the standings) lost a fish or two that cost them the ounces they needed to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, Fitzpatrick included. But regardless of the outcome, Fitzpatrick isn’t one to sweat the small stuff.
“I can’t believe there’s a God that’s so big that he listens to a prayer of a fisherman,” he said. “I give it all to Him. You can’t stop it if He’s in control. You can’t stop it. There’s no doubt He had His hand in every bit of it.”
The amount of money won on a spinnerbait in Oklahoma and the Ozark region is pretty much incalculable, but $200,000 was added to the tally this week. Near the end of practice, Fitzpatrick hit upon the pattern, which happened to be firmly in his wheelhouse.
“I got keyed in at 4 o’clock the last day of practice,” he said. “I pulled into a spot at the mouth of Wolf Creek out by the bridge, and I caught a 5-pounder on a spinnerbait. I thought, ‘That was a fluke.’ So, I went a little further, and I caught another one. I put a little rubber deal on my hook to not catch anymore, and I got two more bites. One of them didn’t drop it; he was a big one. My plan, until then, was fishing at the dam, 20-foot boat docks with a 3/4-ounce jig. That’s what I was all-in on until this happened.”
After a day of thinking it over, Fitzpatrick decided to abandon the deep docks. Instead, he spooled up some 7-foot, 4-inch St. Croix Legend Xtreme rods with 20-pound P-Line Fluorocarbon on 8.1:1 Daiwa Tatula reels and tied on a few 1-ounce Omega double-willow spinnerbaits with a big No. 7 blade to imitate gizzard shad.
Fishing shade and cables, Fitzpatrick went to work, poking his boat in and out of the many docks that Grand Lake offers.
“If it had a cable behind the dock, it was almost automatic,” he said. “They were laying on those cables. It’s an Ozark thing. The 1-ounce also was key. Late in the day, the first two days, they got real shallow; I probably didn’t need a 1-ounce. But until that time, they were out in 5 feet of water, and that 1-ounce hugs the bottom – it immediately goes to the bottom. I could cover more water with it.”
Fishing mostly near Wolf Creek, Fitzpatrick made it up into the Elk River a little as well. On the final day, he bolstered his bag with a few fish caught on a 1/2-ounce Omega Flippin’ Jig trailered with a Bojangle Baits Nos Craw.
For most of the final day, the conditions weren’t optimal for Fitzpatrick’s bite, even though the ‘Scope-friendly calm in the morning gave way to pre-frontal winds in the afternoon.
“It didn’t get here soon enough, I don’t think,” he said. “We had a morning where it was just glass out there, and it was high pressure for the most part. I had several fish nip the blades and just not eat it. This afternoon, I thought I might catch them because it did start to blow, but it was blowing a different direction than the banks I wanted to fish. When I caught them, it was a southeast wind, and it was blowing into one pocket where I started, where I caught several big fish, and the wind did not hit it at all today.”
Still, old-school Ozark skills got it done once again on Grand Lake. Now, Fitzpatrick already has his wheels spinning for REDCREST this coming spring. There, the veteran Ozark angler will have a chance to put on a show on the biggest stage yet.
“April can be touchy; it’s probably going to be close to the spawn, if not spawn,” he said. “So, it’s pretty much anybody’s game. I don’t think it’ll be a ‘Scopin’ deal so much. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t imagine I get to go. It’s outstanding.”
The top 25 pros at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 15 bass, 41-1, $200,000
2nd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 41-1, $50,000
3rd: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 40-15, $40,000
4th: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 15 bass, 40-13, $35,000
5th: Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 15 bass, 40-2, $21,000 (includes $1,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
6th: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 15 bass, 40-1, $24,000
7th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 40-0, $23,000
8th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 39-3, $12,000
9th: Justin Luetkemeyer, Osage Beach, Mo., 15 bass, 38-14, $11,000
10th: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 15 bass, 38-11, $20,000
11th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 15 bass, 38-10, $4,500
12th: Benjamin Travis, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 38-5, $4,500
13th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 15 bass, 38-0, $4,500
14th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 15 bass, 37-13, $4,500
15th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., 15 bass, 37-10, $4,500
16th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 37-9, $3,500
17th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 37-4, $3,500
18th: Chance Shelby, Denham Springs, La., 15 bass, 37-2, $3,500
19th: T.J. Martin, Claremore, Okla., 15 bass, 37-0, $3,500
20th: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 14 bass, 36-15, $3,500
21st: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 36-13, $3,000
22nd: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., 14 bass, 36-8, $3,000
23rd: Carter Nutt, Nashville, Tenn., 15 bass, 36-1, $3,000
24th: Tyler Weberg, Eugene, Mo., 13 bass, 34-1, $3,000
25th: Shane Long, Willard, Mo., 11 bass, 31-7, $3,000
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The top-finishing boater from each division (not including the winner) earned a $10,000 bonus. Those anglers included:
Central: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 6th place, $10,000
Northern: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 3rd place, $10,000
Plains: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 2nd place, $10,000
Southern: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 7th place, $10,000
Southwestern: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 4th place, $10,000
Wild Card: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 10th place, $10,000
International: Luca Vittorio Della Ciana, Perugia, Italy, 46th place, $10,000
Overall, there were 118 bass weighing 267 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 25 pros Saturday. The catch included 21 five-bass limits.
MLF Italy’s Giovanni Ceccarelli brought four bass to the scale weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce to win the co-angler division of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship and earn a new Phoenix 518 pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard engine, worth $33,500.
Ceccarelli’s three-day total of 14 bass weighing 27-2 earned him the victory by a 14-ounce margin over second-place co-angler Jeremy Bouldin, who weighed in 10 bass weighing 26-4 over the three days of competition, good for the second-place prize of $12,600.
The top 25 co-anglers at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Giovanni Ceccarelli, Rimini, Italy, 14 bass, 27-2, Phoenix 518 pro w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountain, N.C., 10 bass, 26-4, $12,600
3rd: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 11 bass, 25-2, $10,000
4th: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., 12 bass, 24-14, $7,500
5th: Glenn Hall, Wellsville, N.Y., 11 bass, 24-4, $5,000
6th: Jakob Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., 11 bass, 24-2, $4,000
7th: Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, 12 bass, 23-13, $3,500
8th: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., 10 bass, 21-5, $3,000
9th: Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., nine bass, 20-11, $2,500
10th: Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., 11 bass, 19-12, $2,000
11th: Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, eight bass, 19-6, $1,800
12th: Les Brandenburg, Springfield, Mo., 10 bass, 19-5, $1,500
13th: Jason Wiley, Swainsboro, Ga., nine bass, 18-9, $1,500
14th: Joshua Paul, Oliver Springs, Tenn., six bass, 17-9, $1,500
15th: Will Lancett, Jacksonville, Ark., eight bass, 17-6, $1,500
16th: Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., nine bass, 17-0, $1,000
17th: Alex Moore, Chester, Ill., seven bass, 16-13, $1,000
18th: Kenny Manning, Bethpage, Tenn., seven bass, 16-12, $1,000
19th: Kyle Malone, Troy, Ohio, eight bass, 16-9, $1,000
20th: Ryan Steinhoff, Beulah, Colo., eight bass, 16-4, $1,000
21st: DJ Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., eight bass, 15-10, $900
22nd: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., eight bass, 15-10, $900
23rd: Brian Durham, Dinwiddie, Va., seven bass, 15-6, $900
24th: Noah Dickneite, Freeburg, Mo., seven bass, 13-8, $900
25th: David Johnson, Memphis, Tenn., seven bass, 13-3, $900
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats at Grand Lake was hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau . The three-day, no-entry-fee championship event featured more than 350 pros and co-anglers from around the world competing for the top cash award of up to $235,000, plus numerous contingency bonuses.
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers competed on Days 1 and 2 of the event, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day. The 2025 Toyota Series champions were determined by the heaviest three-day total weight.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the MLF 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 2025 Toyota Series Championship field featured the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional 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, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PiranhO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, 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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Fothergill and Jordan remain atop Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship
PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Early productivity played a key role for Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Easton Fothergill and redfish pro Clark Jordan Jr., who maintained their lead on Day 2 of the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Port Aransas.
After weighing a two-fish limit of 17 pounds, 3 ounces in the opening round, the leaders added a Day 2 limit of 16-8 and tallied a two-day total of 33-11. Fothergill, who hails from Grand Rapids, Minn., and Jordan, who makes his home in Pearland, Texas, head into Championship Sunday with a 4-pound, 7-ounce margin over second-place Tyler Williams and Chris Cenci.
“Who would’ve thought a kid from Grand Rapids would be out here chasing redfish,” said Fothergill, the reigning Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour champion. “Clark has been teaching me a lot about redfish and it’s been a blast watching him do his thing and learning from him.”
In its fifth year, the Redfish Cup Championship fields 10 two-angler teams — six comprising all redfish anglers and four pairing a Bassmaster Elite Series pro with a redfish pro. With a catch-weigh-release format, each team is allowed to bring in two fish per day within the 20- to 28-inch Texas slot limit.
Returning to where they fished on Day 1, Fothergill and Jordan caught their reds in the Upper Laguna Madre, south of Port Aransas. Jordan said he favors that region because it’s relatively protected and fishable in a variety of conditions.
“It’s clear water and shallow flats — the most consistent type of fishing you’re gonna find,” Jordan said. “You can locate as good a quality of fish as you can anywhere (within tournament boundaries).”
The leaders’ game plan comprised long casts with paddletail swimbaits and fast retrieves. Same as Day 1, they got the ball rolling quickly with their first keeper in the boat at 7:35 a.m. They had a limit of 14 pounds within an hour of the 6:45 takeoff.
“The way we’re fishing, we’re not getting many bites, so to get off to that fast of a start allowed both of us to slow down and really take our time through our areas,” Fothergill said. “That allowed us the confidence that we just needed two bites the rest of the day. We were just way ahead of the game early.”
Jordan said their first hour’s productivity removed the performance pressure that begins every tournament day.
“You can be as conditioned as you want, but you have a timeframe in your mind when you should have fish and if you’re not there, you’re doing something wrong, the clock’s ticking and you’re panicking,” he said. “Having those two fish early just eliminated any of that. Now we know we can follow the game plan.”
The leaders upgraded a few times throughout the day and, as Jordan noted, his team’s early start also gave them the comfort to invest a little more time in a promising area. That decision delivered major results.
“We went through an area, didn’t catch anything, made another drift maybe 50 yards from the first one and caught our heaviest fish of the day,” Jordan said. “Easton caught a real good one there in prefishing and yesterday afternoon, we caught an 8-pounder and a 7 back-to-back, so we knew that area had good fish.”
While Fothergill’s pleased with the way the first two days have unfolded, he’s mentally preparing for what will be a significantly tougher final round. A major cold front entering the area overnight will shave about 10 degrees off daytime temperatures and pummel the region with north-northeast winds of 25-35 mph.
“It’s not gonna be easy for anyone out there; it’s gonna test everyone in this field,” Fothergill said. “No lead is safe in this one. With that weather coming in, there’s no telling what’s gonna happen.
“But like I say in the bass world, the ones that test you are my favorite days. I look forward to getting out there, getting in the areas we feel good about, grinding it out and seeing what happens.”
Jordan agrees and adds: “I’m glad to have the lead we’ve got and I think that will go a long way tomorrow, but we could stumble bad tomorrow. I think a lot of people will stumble tomorrow.
“It’s good to have a little bit of cushion, but it’s gonna be tough on everybody tomorrow.”
Williams, a Bassmaster Elite Series angler, and Cenci, a Florida redfish guide, placed second on Day 1 with 15-1 and held their position by adding 14-3. Their two-day total is 29-4.
Also returning to the Laguna Madre, they fished an area in the upper lagoon and one farther south. Cenci said they started on the upper spot, later transitioned to the lower one and then returned to the starting area.
“Each of our areas was good for one fish and we only needed two,” Cenci said. “We caught one of the fish we weighed on the first spot and one on the second spot.”
Williams and Cenci caught their fish on 1/4-ounce Slayer, Inc. Predator Weedless Jigs with Slayer, Inc. SST XL Tiger Bait bodies.
Redfish pros Tony Vercillo and Darren Frost are in third place with 28-11. Their daily weights were 13-5 and 15-6.
“It was a really good day today,” Frost said. “We started off by pulling right up to a spot and caught one that was 7 1/2 within the first three or four casts.
“There was mullet everywhere and the water was coming around a couple of the points really good. It just looked right and we hammered on ’em for about 3 hours.”
Vercillo and Frost caught their fish on a mix of Precision Tackle Flats Intruder spoons, Aqua Dreams Spoons and Rapala Crush City The Mayor paddle tails.
Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. CT at Fisherman’s Wharf. The weigh-in will be held at the Wharf at 2:45 p.m.
All of the action can be found live on Bassmaster.com as well as on Roku throughout the three-day event.
This event is being hosted by Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf.
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]
2025 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup presented by Skeeter 11/7-11/9
Port Aransas, Port Aransas TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Easton Fothergill - Clark Jordan Jr 0
Day 1: 2 17-03 Day 2: 2 16-08 Total: 4 33-11
2. Tyler Williams - Chris Cenci 0
Day 1: 2 15-01 Day 2: 2 14-03 Total: 4 29-04
3. Tony Vercillo - Darren Frost 0
Day 1: 2 13-05 Day 2: 2 15-06 Total: 4 28-11
4. Bryant Smith - Kevin Akin 0
Day 1: 2 12-08 Day 2: 2 14-08 Total: 4 27-00
5. Patrick Marsonek - Ryan Rickard 0
Day 1: 2 11-00 Day 2: 2 15-00 Total: 4 26-00
6. Carl Jocumsen - Robbie Hunzicker 0
Day 1: 2 06-15 Day 2: 2 16-15 Total: 4 23-14
7. Lance Reynolds - Austin Angel 0
Day 1: 2 13-00 Day 2: 2 10-11 Total: 4 23-11
8. Recie Tisdale - Jeremy Reeves 0
Day 1: 2 10-08 Day 2: 2 12-07 Total: 4 22-15
9. Bo Favre - Frank Risk 0
Day 1: 2 11-10 Day 2: 2 10-07 Total: 4 22-01
10. Mark Robinson - Mike Frenette 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 2 12-11 Total: 3 16-05
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 19 114-12
2 10 20 138-12
------------------------------
19 39 253-08
Missouri’s Justin Luetkemeyer Takes Lead at the Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
Missouri pro leads by slim 3-ounce margin, Top 25 set for final-day in competition for up to $235,000
GROVE, Okla. (Nov. 7, 2025) – If you want some indication of how tough and volatile the fishing is on Grand Lake right now, you need only look at the leaderboard turnover. On Day 2 of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats , only four pros in the Top 10 from Day 1 managed to stay there, and the top two pros fell out of it entirely.
Moving up into the lead, Justin Luetkemeyer weighed 15 pounds, 5 ounces on Day 2 for a 29-13 total, while Roger Fitzpatrick moved into second with 15-2 to bring his total to 29-0. In third, Greg Bohannan tallied 29-5, and even Lee Livesay in 10th is within 2 pounds of the lead.
Link to Hi-Res Photo of Toyota Series Championship Day 2 Leader Justin Luetkemeyer
Link to Photo Gallery of Toyota Series Championship Day 2 Highlights
The clear trend through two days is that it’s good to be from the Ozarks. While proficiency on Ozark waters was not a guarantee of success, seven of the top 15 pros are clearly at home in the region – and, by extension, at home wrangling bass around docks, rocks and all that Grand Lake offers.
On Day 1, Luetkemeyer put together a solid bag on docks – exactly what you’d expect out of the young Lake of the Ozarks guide.
“I had a good practice. I wasn’t getting a lot of bites, but I was up here in the dirty water flipping, and I felt pretty good,” he said. “It was a grind, but I was catching bigger fish. Yesterday went well, and I don’t know what changed today. Either they weren’t there, or they weren’t biting.
“At 1:30 this afternoon, I had one 3-pounder and two 14-inchers,” he said. “We made a big run down to the dam, found some schooling fish and caught ‘em pretty quick.”
Luetkemeyer was fishing in college not long ago and actually finished eighth in the Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship on Grand Lake in 2021, when the lake was partially iced over during practice and some teams broke out crappie jigs to catch the finicky bass. Now, he’s on the cusp of a huge payday if he can make the right calls tomorrow.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” he said. “A few hours ago, I was all upset because I didn’t think I was going to come close to making a check. But that’s why we never give up and why I love bass fishing.”
As for the game plan, it sounds like Luetkemeyer is going to set the flipping jig aside, at least to start.
“I’m probably going to start down (the lake) and maybe work my way back and see how it goes,” he mused. “But I think I’m going to run to the clear water tomorrow.”
The top 25 pros that advanced to the Championship Round on Grand Lake are:
1st: Justin Luetkemeyer, Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 29-13
2nd: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 10 bass, 29-10
3rd: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 29-5
4th: Shane Long, Willard, Mo., 10 bass, 28-14
5th: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., 10 bass, 28-11
6th: Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 10 bass, 28-8
7th: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 10 bass, 28-4
8th: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 10 bass, 28-3
9th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 28-0
10th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 27-14
11th: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 10 bass, 27-12
12th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 10 bass, 27-10
13th: Chance Shelby, Denham Springs, La., 10 bass, 27-5
14th: Tyler Weberg, Eugene, Mo., nine bass, 26-14
15th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 10 bass, 26-14
16th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-7
17th: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 10 bass, 26-7
18th: Benjamin Travis, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 26-7
19th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 10 bass, 26-5
20th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 10 bass, 26-4
21st: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-3
22nd: Carter Nutt, Nashville, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-2
23rd: T.J. Martin, Claremore, Okla., 10 bass, 25-15
24th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-10
25th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., 10 bass, 25-9
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 604 bass weighing 1,325 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 141 pros Friday. The catch included 94 five-bass limits.
After Day 2, both REDCREST 2026 berths were officially decided. Luca Vittorio Della Ciana of Perugia, Italy, secured the MLF International Division title, earning a $10,000 bonus and a coveted spot in REDCREST 2026. On the collegiate side, University of Montevallo’s Brody Robison of Dawson, Alabama clinched his own REDCREST qualification as the highest-finishing member of the College Fishing National Championship team. Both anglers will now advance to compete against the sport’s best at Table Rock Lake next spring, representing their divisions – and the next generation of Major League Fishing talent – on bass fishing’s most prestigious platform.
On the co-angler side, the race is just as tight or tighter. In first but tied by weight, Michael Luckey has 21-10 on nine fish. Technically in second, Glenn Hall also has 21-10 but on 10 fish. In third, Tommy Pritchard has tallied 21-5 through two days.
The top 25 co-anglers that advanced to the Championship Round on Grand Lake are:
1st: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., nine bass, 21-10
2nd: Glenn Hall, Wellsville, N.Y., 10 bass, 21-10
3rd: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., 10 bass, 21-5
4th: Giovanni Ceccarelli, Rimini, Italy, 10 bass, 20-1
5th: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountain, N.C., seven bass, 18-13
6th: Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., eight bass, 18-13
7th: Jakob Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., eight bass, 18-7
8th: Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, seven bass, 17-3
9th: Will Lancett, Jacksonville, Ark., seven bass, 15-10
10th: Les Brandenburg, Springfield, Mo., eight bass, 15-8
11th: Joshua Paul, Oliver Springs, Tenn., five bass, 15-6
12th: Brian Durham, Dinwiddie, Va., seven bass, 15-6
13th: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., seven bass, 15-2
14th: Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., eight bass, 15-1
15th: Ryan Steinhoff, Beulah, Colo., seven bass, 15-0
16th: Kenny Manning, Bethpage, Tenn., six bass, 14-15
17th: Jason Wiley, Swainsboro, Ga., six bass, 14-12
18th: Kyle Malone, Troy, Ohio, seven bass, 14-9
19th: DJ Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., seven bass, 14-2
20th: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., seven bass, 14-0
21st: Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, eight bass, 13-13
22nd: Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., eight bass, 13-12
23rd: Alex Moore, Chester, Ill., six bass, 13-10
24th: Noah Dickneite, Freeburg, Mo., seven bass, 13-8
25th: David Johnson, Memphis, Tenn., seven bass, 13-3
The final 25 pros and co-anglers will take off Saturday at 7 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th Street, in Grove. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will also be held at the park 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 daily “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Hosted the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, the championship event features more than 350 pros and co-anglers from around the world, competing for a top cash award of up to $235,000. The field is now cut to just the top 25 pros and co-anglers heading into the final day of competition, the culmination of the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble. T he 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers competed on Days 1 and 2 of the event Thursday and Friday, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day on Saturday. The 2025 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 co-angler will earn a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the MLF 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 2025 Toyota Series Championship field features the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional 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, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PiranhO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, 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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Fothergill & Jordan take Day 1 lead at Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship
PORT ARANSAS, Texas — The Lone Star State has been mighty cordial to Easton Fothergill, both in freshwater and salt.
Late-March saw the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Grand Rapids, Minn., win the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour at Lake Ray Roberts. Seven and a half months later, Fothergill teamed with Pearland, Texas, redfish pro Clark Jordan Jr. to lead Day 1 of the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Port Aransas with a two-fish total of 17 pounds, 3 ounces.
“I’m having a blast learning all kinds of stuff about redfish from Clark,” said Fothergill, who previously had never caught this species. “It’s been a learning experience and every day, I get the hang of it a little more.”
In its fifth year, the Redfish Cup Championship fields 10 two-angler teams — six comprising all redfish anglers and four pairing a Bassmaster Elite pro with a redfish pro. With a catch-weigh-release format, each team is allowed to bring in two fish per day within the 20- to 28-inch Texas slot limit.
The first team to officially register a keeper fish, Fothergill and Jordan put a solid 7-pounder in the boat less than an hour after the 6:45 a.m. takeoff. The duo added another in the 7-pound range about an hour later and logged the day’s first 2-fish limit.
Shortly after 9, Fothergill stuck a 27 1/2-inch copper beauty that went 8-14 and culled out their first 7-pounder. A couple more culls got them to their total.
“Those were the best two fish we’ve caught all week, so it’s not like we’re on this quality fish,” Jordan said. “It just worked out today. When you have the Classic champ in the boat with you, things happen.
“We kind of over-achieved with what we expected to catch. We figured we’d have high 15-pound limits, but maybe this will help us for the rest of the tournament. Especially with (inclement) weather coming Sunday.”
Catching their fish with paddle tail swimbaits on lead head jigs, the leaders spent their day south of the John F. Kennedy Bridge, in the upper end of Laguna Madre. They chose this region because it tends to remain reasonably stable in a variety of weather conditions.
Jordan said he and Fothergill opted to trade quantity for quality by targeting areas likely to hold bigger fish. A discerning practice effort helped them identify areas with heavier fish and that allowed them to eliminate a lot of water.
“We talked about it prior to the event and this is a two-fish event and we have two anglers, so we both need one fish,” Jordan said. “We decided to fish our big stuff and swing for it.
“We could have gone to a spot and caught some 5- and 6-pounders early, but the conditions were good for fishing all day; so we just said, ‘Let’s get on our better stuff and hope for the best.’”
Fothergill said his freshwater power fishing prowess served him well, as he and Jordan covered large swaths of flats habitat to locate their fish.
“Chucking and winding is all that we were doing and I do that all the time in bass fishing, so it took a little while to dial in my cadence because we were drifting pretty fast with the boat — faster than I ever do bass fishing,” Fothergill said. “It took a little while to get a feel for what the redfish wanted, but once I got a couple bites, the confidence just kept growing.
“We got a couple of good bites really early and that got both of us feeling good right from the get-go. That’s a big deal up there because we’re not catching many fish. As long as we’re confident, I think good things will happen.”
Elite pro Tyler Williams and Chris Cenci are in second place with 15-1. Their big break came around 12:15 when Williams stuck a 27-inch fish that weighed over 7 pounds. This addition moved the team up from the bottom of BassTrakk’s unofficial standings to the No. 2 spot.
“You put me on fish and I can catch ’em here and there,” Williams said. “This is fun fishing; it’s something new to me. Probably the scariest part of this whole thing is trying to hold a redfish, they’re very slimy. Hopefully, we get to hold some more tomorrow.”
As Cenci explained, he and Williams started north of the Fisherman’s Wharf takeoff site, but after that area failed to impress, they ran south to the upper end of Laguna Madre. During practice, their better bites came in the southern area later in the morning, so the gave the northern area a look while waiting for the optimal southern period.
The anglers caught all of their redfish on Slayer, Inc. weedless jig heads and paddle tails. Their day-making fish came after a critical decision.
“I was about to move to another spot and Tyler said, ‘Let’s move over about 100 yards and make another drift,’” Cenci recalled. “That’s when he stuck the big one.”
Redfish pros Tony Vercillo and Darren Frost are in third place with 13-5. They also started on a spot north of takeoff and later ran south to the Laguna Madre.
Frost said the lagoon fish were more aggressive during practice, but despite a slower day, he and his partner remained optimistic with their main area. Vercillo surmised that the influence of Wednesday’s Beaver Moon — the year’s biggest and brightest moon — affected the fish and curtailed their feeding.
“The fish are there, we just need them to cooperate a little better,” Frost said.
The anglers ended up catching their better fish with a two-pronged strategy. Vercillo made long casts along the edge of a flat with a spoon, while Frost made shorter presentations and watched for possible sight-fishign targets with a Berkley Gulp! Shrimp on a jig head.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. CT at Fisherman’s Wharf. The weigh-in will be held at the Wharf at 2:45 p.m.
All of the action can be found live on Bassmaster.com as well as on Roku throughout the three-day event.
This event is being hosted by Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf.
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Florida’s Travis Pitt Leads After Day One of the Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
Pitt Leads by 3-Ounce Margin in the Competition for up to $235,000
GROVE, Okla. (Nov. 6, 2025) – Day 1 of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Presented by Phoenix Boats was about as tough as predicted. No pros or co-anglers caught 20 pounds, and a mere 13 pounds went a very long way. On Day 2, things are set up for a ton of leaderboard movement, but at the top, pros Travis Pitt and Tyler Weberg set themselves apart.
Leading, Pitt sacked up 18 pounds, 14 ounces and Weberg tallied 18-11 for second. In third, Greg Bohannan weighed 16-3, and, helped by a 6-pounder, Brody Luckey fished his way into fourth with 15-15.
On the co-angler side, Ben Burk caught five for 12-9 for the lead and Tommy Pritchard sits in second with 11-12. Overall, limits were pretty hard to come by for co-anglers, and the leaderboard looks ripe for movement on Day 2.
Leading the way, Pitt currently sports a Florida address (and he came out of the Southern Division), but he’s originally from the west, calling Lake Mead home. A delivery driver who fished the Toyota Series for the first time in 2025, Pitt is in the mix for some pretty big things if he can put together another solid limit tomorrow.
“Practice was bad – the worst practice I’d ever had,” he said. “If you would have told me I’d have that today, I’d have said you were nuts. It felt like I was at Mead today. The wind, the stuff I was fishing, I just settled in. I had a couple places where I was getting some bites, and today, I had a limit by 9 o’clock – they were going nuts.”
Culling three times and catching at least two limits of keepers, Pitt reacted to what he’s used to seeing in the desert.
“It’s bait,” he said. “Normally, the bait will show up, and then you’ll see bass moving in. In theory, those areas will get better. I can’t speak to this place. I pulled into some areas today and the bait was just gone [to] who knows where.”
As such, he’s not ready to declare victory just yet.
“Tomorrow could be another story,” he said. “What I’m seeing, I think it might stay, but you don’t know. Today I backed off of my stuff. I started to burn it down, but I was like, ‘Dude, this is not the day to do that.’”
One thing is for sure: Really early in the process, Pitt could make his move east pay dividends.
“I moved to try to make a run at doing something like this,” he said. “I wanted to fish something that could possibly take me someplace else. At the end of the day, I hate working. The only time I’m happy is when I fish.”
As you’d expect on Grand Lake, Ozark talent is very present on the leaderboard, but, considering that he’s never fished a tournament on Grand before, Weberg might not be the likeliest candidate. That said, he put it together as well as anyone, and he’s got the right skills for the moment.
“I’m a bank power fisherman, and this lake sets up really good for how I like to fish,” he said. “I had a good practice, so, if the stars aligned, I knew somewhere in the 18- to 20-pound range was possible today. It’s fishing tough. I didn’t get a lot of bites today. It was pretty much about making every bite count.”
Weberg is not burning through numbers by any means.
“This lake has taught me a lot,” he said. “You can’t let it get to your head; you’ve just got to keep your nose down and keep going – go back to your spots, re-fish everything, and new fish pull up. I’m nervous about tomorrow. I know how tough this lake is fishing. Just as easily as you can go out and get a good limit, you can go out and blank right now.”
The three-day, no-entry-fee championship, hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, features the nation’s best Toyota Series pros and international anglers, and is the culmination of the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season.
The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Grand Lake are:
1st: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., five bass, 18-14
2nd: Tyler Weberg, Eugene, Mo., five bass, 18-11
3rd: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., five bass, 16-3
4th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 15-15
5th: Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., five bass, 15-13
5th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., five bass, 15-13
7th: Erik Luzak, Fenelon Falls, Ontario, five bass, 15-8
8th: Nicholas Dumke, Grand Rapids, Minn., five bass, 15-7
9th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, five bass, 15-6
10th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., five bass, 15-2
11th: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 15-1
11th: Chris Macy, Diamond, Mo., five bass, 15-1
13th: Justin Luetkemeyer, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 14-9
14th: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 14-8
15th: Matt McCluskey, Ashburn, Va., five bass, 14-6
15th: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., five bass, 14-6
17th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., five bass, 13-15
17th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 13-15
19th: Shane Long, Willard, Mo., five bass, 13-14
19th: Mike Brueggen, Lacrosse, Wis., five bass, 13-14
19th: Brock Bila, Republic, Mo., five bass, 13-14
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 731 bass weighing 1,690 pounds, 12 ounces caught by 169 pros Thursday. The catch included 119 five-bass limits.
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will determine not only the overall champion, but also which standout anglers advance to REDCREST 2026. Representing the college ranks, University of Montevallo teammates Brody Robison and Peyton Sorrow are in a head-to-head race for the coveted REDCREST berth – with Robison off to a strong start in 28th place after catching five bass for 13 pounds, 3 ounces, while Sorrow sits in 77th with 10 pounds, 12 ounces. On the international side, Scandiano, Italy’s Leonardo Benassi leads the global contingent, weighing in 13 pounds, 13 ounces on Day 1 to claim 22nd place – a promising start in his fourth Toyota Series Championship appearance.
Ben Burk of Norman, Oklahoma, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 9 ounces, followed by Tommy Pritchard of Bargersville, Indiana, who weighed five bass totaling 11-12 to end the day in second place. Co-anglers are competing for a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard.
The top 20 co-anglers after Day 1 on Grand Lake are:
1st: Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., five bass, 12-9
2nd: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., five bass, 11-12
3rd: Joe Lee, Midlothian, Texas, five bass, 11-7
4th: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 11-0
5th: Glenn Hall, Wellsville, N.Y., five bass, 10-15
6th: Giovanni Ceccarelli, Rimini, Italy, five bass, 10-14
7th: Leonardo Dini, Arezzo, Italy, five bass, 10-11
8th: Jakob Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., five bass, 10-5
9th: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., five bass, 10-0
10th: D.J. Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., five bass, 9-13
11th: Brian Durham, Dinwiddie, Va., four bass, 9-11
11th: Ricky Sexton, Oliver Springs, Tenn., five bass, 9-11
13th: Kyle Malone, Troy, Ohio, four bass, 9-3
14th: Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., five bass, 9-2
15th: Ben Bromley, Odessa, Mo., four bass, 9-0
16th: Joseph Casale, Nutley, N.J., four bass, 8-14
17th: Alex Moore, Chester, Ill., three bass, 8-11
18th: Clayton Hale, Grove, Okla., five bass, 8-8
19th: Jason Wiley, Swainsboro, Ga., three bass, 8-6
19th: Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., five bass, 8-6
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th Street, in Grove. Weigh-ins will be held at the park 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 daily “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble. T he 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers compete on Days 1 and 2 of the event Thursday and Friday, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day on Saturday. The 2025 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 co-angler will earn a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the MLF 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 2025 Toyota Series Championship field features the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional 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, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PiranhO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, 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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Finding consistency will be key in final EQ at Lake Okeechobee
CLEWISTON, Fla. — To claim a spot in next year’s 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series field during the final 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops, anglers will need to find consistency on a Lake Okeechobee that has been “all or nothing” as of late, according to local guide and social media guru Kane Weekley.
“It has been super hit or miss,” the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN angler said. “One day you’ll pull into a spot and catch almost 30 pounds and the next day you won’t catch anything. It’s not the peak spawning season, but there are early spawners moving in and I think that is why it is hit or miss. As well as some cold fronts.
“There’s going to be all sorts of things going on.”
Tournament days are scheduled for Nov. 13-15. Anglers will launch from Roland Martin’s Marina in Clewiston starting at 7 a.m. ET and will return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The winner of the event will earn a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour while the Top 10 anglers in overall EQ points at the end of the tournament will earn an invitation to the Elite Series.
Since the Elite Series visited at the beginning of the year, water levels have dropped close to normal levels, which has allowed the vegetation to begin growing in earnest on the vast fishery. As a result, the water is cleaner throughout the lake than it's been in several years.
The improved water clarity and the reemergence of eelgrass, needlegrass and other grasses has Okeechobee on the upswing. Big bass have always lived in these waters, but anglers have been catching impressive stringers as of late.
“There are a lot of different areas that are fishable,” Weekley said. “I think people will spread out a lot. The community holes will still play, but there will be a lot of areas that people will be fishing in.”
Fall cold fronts have made repeating successes difficult, and the EQ field will face one of those cold fronts during practice.
Sunday’s forecasted high is 86 degrees, before the front moves through in the evening. Once the front moves through, Monday’s high will only be 72 degrees while Tuesday’s high will only rise to 67 degrees. The lows, meanwhile, will bottom out at 47 and 51 those two days, which is very chilly for south Florida.
“The first couple of days of practice will be tough for sure,” the 20-year-old said. “There is a chance it could be a little bit tougher than usual.”
While it could be a tough practice period, temperatures warm back up into the high 70s and low 80s for the tournament, and more importantly the lows will be closer to the 60-degree mark.
Weekley anticipates both prespawn and spawning largemouth to factor in this tournament, but those bites occur in completely different areas. Even though its November, water temperatures are still conducive for spawning activity. During his trips ahead of the tournament, Weekley noticed plenty of bucks in those spawning areas.
Targeting the shallow needlegrass with Texas-rigged worms, frogs and swim jigs will likely be the most productive pattern for spawners.
“The females just haven’t moved in like crazy yet,” Weekley said. “It could be next week. If the water temperatures stay between 72 to 80, that bite will still be good. The warmer the better.”
The prespawners are less predictable. The wind tends to dictate where the baitfish in the lake set up. Those prespawners can also choose to hit the bed at any time. But, if a pro can find the right group of bass, they can get a sizable limit in the box in a hurry. Spooks, swim jigs, Gambler Big EZ swimbaits and ChatterBaits will be popular baits for targeting this class of largemouth.
“There are some big fish around prespawn areas with some shad balls in the grass,” he said. “There have been times when big bass are busting shad out of the water. Depending on the wind, you can get right. But it can also be a total fail. It’s weather dependent.”
With how the weather is setting up, Weekley doesn’t anticipate a 30-pound bag being weighed-in, but he does think close to 67 or 68 pounds will be enough to win the tournament and claim a Classic spot.
“Most of the tournaments on Okeechobee are won within a single area. You Power-Pole down and stay in one spot or move around within an area. That seems to be a Florida thing. But, there might be some moving around in this tournament with how many different bites are going on. But it is hard to (pin down) the timing.”
Kentucky’s Matt Messer leads the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops standings after two events with 175 points followed closely by Michigan’s Aaron Jagdfeld in second with 174 points. Alabama’s Fisher Anaya is third with 170 points, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck is fourth with 170 points and Alabama’s Russ Lane is fifth with 164 points. Jace Lindsay (164 points), Bailey Gay (159 points), Brock Reinkemeyer (155 points), Sam Hanggi (153 points) and Jack Dice (149 points) round out the Top 10. Only 10 points separate Dice and 14th-place Pake South.
Bassmaster LIVE will be providing coverage of all three days of the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops. Days 1 and 2 will be available on Bassmaster.com and Roku from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. before Bassmaster.com carries the afternoon coverage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both the morning sessions and afternoon sessions of the final day of competition will be carried on both Bassmaster.com and Roku.
Visit Hendry County and Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort are hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Title Sponsor: Nitro Boats
2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Tackle Warehouse Renews Partnership with BAM Trail for 2026
Anglers to Continue Earning Exclusive Tackle Warehouse Rewards at Every BAM Event
Dixon, Calif. – November 2025 – The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM Trail) is proud to announce that Tackle Warehouse has renewed its Level 1 sponsorship for the 2026 season.
This continued partnership ensures that anglers competing in BAM events will once again have the opportunity to earn $250 and $500 Tackle Warehouse Gift Cards at each tournament throughout the year.
Tackle Warehouse has been a longtime partner of Bass Angler Magazine, supporting the print publication for many years before joining forces with the BAM Trail during its launch. Now entering year three of the BAM Trail, the collaboration between these two industry leaders continues to deliver value to anglers and fans alike.
“Tackle Warehouse not only offers an incredible array of bass tackle, but they’ve also been an amazing partner to work with,” said Mark Lassagne, BAM CEO. “Their continued support is much appreciated, and we’re proud to have them as part of the BAM family as we grow this trail across the West.”
Joey Reggio of Tackle Warehouse added,“As longtime partners of Bass Angler Magazine, we at Tackle Warehouse are proud to continue our partnership with BAM Trail in support of our great Western anglers. Looking forward to following the action in 2026!”
As the BAM Trail prepares for its 2026 season, anglers and fans can look forward to even more exposure, bigger rewards, and opportunities.
Stay tuned — the BAM Trail continues to evolve into one of the greatest circuits to ever grace the West Coast.
About the BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM Trail) is powered by Bass Angler Magazine’s national print, digital, and media platforms, offering unmatched exposure across TV, YouTube, podcast, and social channels.
BAM Tournament Trail Divisions:
BAM Super 60 Pro Tour | BAM Pro-Am Series | BAM Scholastic Series | BAM Kayak Series
Proud Partners of BAM Tournament Trail:
BAM Trail is honored to be associated with its title sponsor, Bass Boat Technologies, and presenting sponsor, Tackle Warehouse
The trail is supported by Bass Cat Boats, Storquest, Chicken Ranch Resort, Ford Fairfield, Power Pole, Mercury Outboards, Black Bear Diner, Bridgford Foods, Bob’s Machine, Anderson Auto Group, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Valley Outdoors and our conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.
BAM TT tourism sponsors: Lake Don Pedro, City of Oakley, Lake Almanor Chamber, the Boardman Community Development , and the Feather River Tourism Association.
Tournament events include BAM Pro Tour (Super 60), Pro-Am, Scholastic and a Kayak Tours with a no entry Championship can be viewed on YouTube. Learn more here: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
#bamtrail #bassanglermag #basscatboats #mercurymarine #bamsuper60 #bassfishingtournament
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series schedule announced
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series schedule announced
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. has announced the schedule for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, featuring six premier fisheries across the country as well as a championship event to be held in conjunction with the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Knoxville, Tenn.
“The 2026 schedule highlights some of the best and most diverse kayak fisheries in the nation,” said Steve Owens, Bassmaster Kayak Series tournament director. “From Florida vegetation to California clear water and everything in between, this trail reflects how kayak fishing continues to thrive nationwide. We’re also thrilled to once again tie our championship to the biggest stage in bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.”
GL Compton, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager, added, “The growth of the Bassmaster Kayak Series has been incredible. This lineup showcases the variety of fisheries that make kayak competition so exciting, including shallow river systems, deep clear lakes and everything in between. Each stop provides anglers with unique challenges and opportunities to demonstrate their skill and adaptability.”
The season kicks off February 7-8 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Kissimmee, Fla., one of Florida’s most famous bass fisheries known for its vast vegetation, winding canals and potential for giant largemouth.
In March, qualifying anglers from the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series season will head to Chickamauga and Nickajack lakes in Chattanooga, Tenn., March 11-13 to compete in the Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship, which will be held alongside the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. This Tennessee River stretch is renowned for its trophy-sized bass and vibrant springtime bite.
April will bring the series to Caddo Lake and Lake Bistineau in Shreveport, La., April 18-19. These cypress-filled bayous deliver scenic beauty and challenging fishing, offering opportunities to flip, pitch and power fish through heavy cover.
The next stop will take the trail east to Santee Cooper lakes in Clarendon County, S.C., May 30-31. Santee Cooper — comprised of Lakes Marion and Moultrie — is a historic big-bass fishery known for its flooded timber, shallow flats and trophy potential.
From there, the series will head west to Clear Lake in Lake County, Calif., June 6-7. California’s largest natural freshwater lake consistently ranks among the top bass lakes in the nation, offering both numbers and size thanks to its abundant forage and complex structure.
After the summer heat sets in, competitors will test their skills on the Susquehanna River in Bloomsburg, Pa., August 1-2. This shallow, rocky river is one of the premier smallmouth bass destinations in the country, where current and positioning play key roles in success.
The 2026 season will conclude August 22-23 in Appleton, Wis., at the Wolf and Fox rivers. These interconnected systems, flowing into Lake Winnebago, offer dynamic current-based fishing and the potential for both largemouth and smallmouth bass to finish the season strong.
For more information on the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, visit Bassmaster.com/kayak.
2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft Schedule
- Feb. 7-8 — Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla.
- April 18-19 — Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau, Shreveport, La.
- May 30-31 — Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
- June 6-7 — Clear Lake, Lake County, Calif.
- Aug. 1-2 — Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg, Pa.
- Aug. 22-23 — Wolf and Fox Rivers, Appleton, Wis.
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Carson-Newman Grows its Lead in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year
SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2025) – With approximately one month remaining in the fall semester, the Association of Collegiate Anglers updates the standings to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. 30 points qualifying events have been contested so far this season. The latest points update includes results from the MLF College Series tournament at Lake Hartwell, as well as numerous local and regional events.
Carson-Newman University holds on to the top spot, expanding its lead by 2,200 points. Both 2nd ranked University of Montevallo and 3rd ranked University of North Alabama did not compete in the MLF College Series event but did manage to remain in their respective spots near the top of college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system.
Top ranked Carson-Newman placed two teams in the Top 15 at Lake Hartwell. Hayden Burnett & Hunter Owens placed 7th, and Walker Larue & Joe Vaulton took 15th. Those two finishes earned Carson-Newman 2,300 points. In the previous points update, Carson-Newman led 2nd ranked Montevallo by a mere 35 points. That lead has now grown to 2,235 points, as Montevallo did not compete in the latest major college tournament.
Here is a look at teams that made significant moves up in the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia in the latest rankings:
4) Wabash Valley College – Previously Ranked 5th
5) Lander University – Previously Ranked 10th
8) Auburn University – Previously Ranked 12th
9) Bethel University – Previously ranked 13th
17) Emmanuel University – Previously ranked 23rd
19) Murray State University – Previously Ranked 25th
20) Catawba Valley Community College – Previously Ranked 24th
View the complete updated rankings.
Emmanuel University, who moved up six places, earned the most points of any team to compete at Lake Hartwell. Logan Fisher & John Michael Ortman finished in 2nd, and Stephen Brooks & Xander Patton took 3rd. The two Top 3 finishes earned Emmanuel University 2,470 points.
Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech Nears All-Six Lockdown with 115 Anglers Committed for 2026 Season
Only nine spots remain before the roster locks in to only pros fishing all six stops plus Bass Pro Tour anglers; impressive field has earned more than $24 million in MLF career winnings
BENTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2025) – The field for the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech is nearly complete, with 115 pros now committed to all six stops next season. That leaves just nine spots remaining before the field is officially exclusive – once it hits 124 anglers, participation will be restricted to pros fishing all six events and Bass Pro Tour anglers.
The latest group of anglers to join the 2026 roster includes: Daniel Blackert, Brent Chapman, (Skeeter) Wayn Crosby, Ethan Fields, Kyle Glasgow, Lake Johnson, Aidan Kerlin, Clint Knight, Parker Lambert, Cal Lane, Neal McWhorter, Grant Meisenhelter, Riley Nielsen, Ricky Robinson, Roman Ryan, Cason Sanchez and Matteo Turano. This latest group further bolsters what’s already one of the strongest Pro Circuit lineups in years. See the current 115-pro roster below.
In total, the 115 committed anglers have combined to earn more than $24.3 million in career winnings through MLF events alone, representing a mix of veteran heavyweights, young stars on the rise and seasoned regional hammers ready to test themselves on a national stage.
“This roster is as competitive as they come,” said Kevin Hunt, Tournament Director of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit. “The momentum behind the Pro Circuit right now is incredible, and with only a handful of spots left, we’re expecting to lock down the field soon. Once we hit 124 anglers that have committed to all six events, that’s it. No cherry-picking events, no one-off local entries – just a consistent field of the best anglers in the country battling it out for the title and $100,000 to $135,000 at each stop.”
The 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit season will feature six regular-season events, each offering top-tier competition, national exposure and qualification opportunities for REDCREST and the Bass Pro Tour.
The enhanced Pro Circuit, which features $100,000 to first place ($135,000 including the Phoenix MLF Bonus) and at least $10,000 to the top 33% of the field, continues to attract both new and returning competitors from across the country. The 2026 season will culminate in the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The full schedule, announced earlier this year, is available at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Anglers interested in joining the 2026 campaign can enter by phone at 270.252.1000, or if you have questions about the events, call tournament director Kevin Hunt at 270.205.5155. For the complete Pro Circuit schedule, rules and payouts, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.
For regular Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The first 115 anglers that have signed up for all six stops on the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech are:
- Charles Abshire - Lake Charles, LA
- Caz Anderson - Haysville, NC
- Allen Armour - Cumming, GA
- Kyle Austin - Ridgeville, SC
- Teimuraz (Tom) Balachvili - Scarsdale, NY
- Jay (Striker) Barnett - Locust Grove, GA
- Matt Baty - Bainbridge, GA
- Josh Bertrand - San Tan Valley, AZ
- Daryl Biron - Meriden, CT
- Daniel Blackert - Richfield, OH
- Drew Boggs - Lebanon, TN
- Greg Bohannan - Bentonville, AR
- Alex Bradley - Wellford, SC
- John Brown - Wedowee, AL
- Dennis Burdette - Pembroke, VA
- Miles Burghoff - Dayton, TN
- Brody Campbell - Oxford, OH
- Tyler Campbell - Martin, GA
- Brett Carnright - Plattsburgh, NY
- Eddie Carper - Valliant, OK
- Brent Chapman - Lenexa, KS
- Mark Condron - Murfreesboro, TN
- Kyle Cortiana - Broken Arrow, OK
- Ben Cox - Andrews, SC
- (Skeeter) Wayn Crosby - Green Pond, SC
- John Dial - Winter Haven, FL
- Boyd Duckett - Guntersville, AL
- Tony Dumitras - Winston, GA
- Charlie Evans - Berea, KY
- Ty Faber - Pagosa Springs, CO
- Ron Farrow - Rock Hill, SC
- Ethan Fields - Breese, IL
- Mark Fisher - Wauconda, IL
- Terry Fisher - Decatur, AL
- Jeff Fitts - Keystone Heights, FL
- Shinichi Fukae - Harlem, GA
- Drew Gill - Mount Carmel, IL
- Kyle Glasgow - Guin, AL
- Kyle Goldstein - Paso Robles, CA
- Robert Grabow - Morgantown, WV
- Ethan Greene - Eufaula, AL
- Christian Greico - New Bern, NC
- Mitchell Grimsley - Hiawassee, GA
- Tommy Guthke - Anderson, SC
- Blake Hall - Rogersville, AL
- Will Harkins - Blairsville, GA
- Byron Haseotes - West Newton, MA
- Brian Hatfield - Spring City, TN
- Marshall Hughes - Hemphill, TX
- Lake Johnson - Trinity, AL
- Kelly (James) Jordon - Flint, TX
- Aidan Kerlin - Nags Head, NC
- Frank Kitchens Iii - Oxford, GA
- Gary Klein - Mingus, TX
- Clint Knight - Russellville, KY
- Parker Knudsen - Shakopee, MN
- Levi Kohl - Edinburg, IL
- Parker Lambert - Riegelsville, PA
- Bobby Lane - Lakeland, FL
- Cal Lane - Grant, AL
- Christopher Lane - Guntersville, AL
- Brian Latimer - Belton, SC
- Michael Leach - Shenandoah, TX
- Robby Lefere - Jackson, MI
- John Levesque - Nashua, NH
- Jared Lintner - Covington, GA
- Steve Lopez - Oconomowoc, WI
- Harbor Lovin - New Concord, KY
- Terry Luedtke - Burton, TX
- Matt Massey - Saint Augustine, FL
- Mike Mayo - Athens, TX
- Julius Mazy - Phoenix, AZ
- Bill McDonald - Greenwood, IN
- Brandon McMillan - Clewiston, FL
- Bryan McNeal - Madison, AL
- Neal McWhorter - Hiram, GA
- Grant Meisenhelter - Decatur, IL
- Jesse Millsaps - Jasper, GA
- Chad Mrazek - Montgomery, TX
- John Murray - Spring City, TN
- Britt Myers - Clover, SC
- Britt Myers Jr. - Clover, SC
- Riley Nielsen - Murray, UT
- Andrew Nordbye - Guntersville, AL
- Hayden O'Barr - Scottsboro, AL
- Terry Olinger - Louisa, VA
- Lane Olson - Forest Grove, OR
- Bruce Parsons - Arbela, MO
- Austin Pemberton - Tuscola, TX
- Keith Poche - Cecil, AL
- Matt Reed - Madisonville, TX
- Charlie Reed Jr. - Gloucester, VA
- Dusty Rice - Breaux Bridge, LA
- Marshall Robinson - Landrum, SC
- Marty Robinson - Landrum, SC
- Ricky Robinson - Greenback, TN
- Fred Roumbanis - London, AR
- Roman Ryan - Madison, WI
- Jackson Ryley - Clinton, IN
- Cason Sanchez - Flintville, TN
- Colby Schrumpf - Highland, IL
- Terry Scroggins - San Mateo, FL
- Banks Shaw - Harrison, TN
- Blake Smith - Lakeland, FL
- Miles Smith - Houma, LA
- Robert Sparks - Heflin, LA
- Tyler Stewart - Dubach, LA
- Troy Stokes - Trenton, MI
- Mike Surman - Boca Raton, FL
- Levi Thibodaux - Thibodaux, LA
- Matteo Turano - Puryear, TN
- Jason Vance - Battle Ground, IN
- Jimmy Washam - Stantonville, TN
- Joseph Webster - Hamilton, AL
- Thomas Wooten - Huddleston, VA
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, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Shreveport-Bossier City Set to Host MLF’s Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni
Fourth and Final MLF Fishing Clash Team Series event of 2025 to take place over six days next week at mystery fisheries
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. (Nov. 5, 2025) – The fourth Major League Fishing (MLF) Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops event of the 2025 season is set to take place next week, Nov. 16-21, in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana – the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni.
Hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni is the fourth and final Fishing Clash Team series event of the 2025 season. In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Shreveport, Louisiana, was not revealed to Team Series competitors until six weeks prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Shreveport 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.
“We are so excited to partner with Major League Fishing right here in the heart of Sportsman’s Paradise,” said Sara Nelms, Director of Sports for the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. “Our waterways offer some of the best fishing in the world, and Shreveport-Bossier City will deliver nothing less than the world class hospitality Louisiana is known for.”
Fans are encouraged to follow the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream. Every minute of every event will still stream in full on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV, and Rumble, with the final period each day being broadcast live nationwide on RFD-TV. Post-produced episodes of the Fishing Clash Team Series will start in January 2026 on Outdoor Channel.
The 12 teams of professional anglers that will compete in the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, are:
Team 7Brew Coffee:
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
Team BUBBA:
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
Team Ferguson:
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Team Fishing Clash:
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Team Knighten:
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark.
Team Kubota:
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio
Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.
Team Lucas Oil:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.
Team O’Reilly Auto Parts:
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
Team Smokey Mountain:
Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Team Star brite:
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
Team YETI:
Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark.
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting May 9, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Stacked field ensures high competition for Redfish Cup Championship
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ryan Rickard has faced stiff competition before, but he’s anticipating a top-tier shootout when the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter returns to Port Aransas, Texas.
Competition days will be Nov. 7-9 with daily takeoffs from Fisherman’s Wharf at 6:30 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day back at the wharf at 2:45 p.m. With a catch-weigh-release format, each team will be allowed to bring in two fish per day within the 20- to 28-inch Texas slot limit.
The cumulative three-day weights will determine the winning team, and the top prize of $75,000 will be awarded at the end of the competition.
Rickard won the 2021 Redfish Cup Championship — also at Port Aransas — alongside Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain. This year, he teams with his Power-Pole Redfish Trail Team of the Year partner Patrick Marsonek.
With a second-place finish at the 2022 Redfish Cup Championship, again held at “Port A,” history certainly favors Rickard, but the Brandon, Fla., pro said he’s making no assumptions. If anything, Rickard’s looking forward to the challenge.
“This is the most stacked field we’ve ever seen,” Rickard said. “I know all the guys who are in this event and I know how they like to fish. This will be a very diverse tournament and that should make it very interesting for fans.”
This year’s event features six championship-caliber redfish teams and four hybrid teams, which will pair a redfish pro with an Elite Series angler. Representing the Elite Series are reigning Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour champion Easton Fothergill, Australian pro Carl Jocumsen, Bryant Smith and Tyler Williams.
The playing field is a big one, with tournament waters stretching from Port O’Connor, south to Bird Island in the Laguna Madre. This area includes several major bays, islands, oyster bars, marsh habitat and passes accessing the Gulf of Mexico.
“I think every area and every single style of fishing will come into play,” Rickard said. “The previous two times this event was held at Port Aransas, for the vast majority of time, we all liked to fish those grass flats with potholes and all the bait flow; but you have a lot of different guys this year that fish differently.
“I think that some of the northern areas might come into play, as well as the traditional guys that like to run all the way down south and get into the Laguna Madre.”
Rickard said he expects to find the Texas redfish in late-summer/early-fall transition. With water temperatures cooling, the fish will be leaving the deeper dropoffs where they spend much of the hot summer months in favor of the shallow flats where they can feed more easily.
“Those flats have a mix of pinfish, shrimp, mullet, crabs and pogies,” Rickard said. “There’s also a lot of needlefish, some ballyhoo and flatworms, as well. So, there’s a mixture of things these fish will be keyed in on.”
Rickard’s favorite redfish baits — paddletail jigs and weedless spoons — will be common choices among the field, as these baits allow anglers to cover water with a simple cast-and-wind presentation. Sizes and colors are determined by depth and water clarity, but in any scenario, Rickard suggests enhancing baits with scented gel.
“There will not be a single day where I won’t have the Pro-Cure Inshore Salt Water formula on my baits,” he said. “We’ll also see some topwater baits because, in that transitional time when those fish are pulling up on the flats, they will be looking up a little bit because of those ballyhoo, needlefish and mullet. My partner likes a Z-Man Kicker CrabZ, so we’ll see a lot of different baits play.”
While tidal flushing feels more pronounced near coastal passes, the Texas coast sees relatively small tides. Wind, on the other hand, can play a significant role in daily redfish behavior.
“A lot of us will be fishing grass flats, which will keep the water clean,” Rickard said. “If it’s windy, the water might get a little smoky (with sediment), which I tend to like. It’s clean, but it’s just not clear.
“In areas that don’t have a lot of grass to filter the water, if the wind really kicks up, it might make those areas a lot more murky. That doesn’t necessarily mean the fishing will be bad in those murky areas, but you will need to use some baits with more vibration like spoons, spinnerbaits, lipless baits and bladed jigs so the fish can feel them with their lateral lines.”
As Rickard notes, wind direction can prove just as impactful as its velocity. Tournament waters are flanked by long barrier islands with infrequent inlets, so a strong blow can create a bathtub effect.
“If you have a constant south wind, which is the typical flow of south Texas, and you get a cold front that completely flips (the wind direction), it could blow all the water in or out,” Rickard said. “That could be a really big thing because we could be practicing on a specific wind direction with a specific water level, but we might not have that on tournament day.
“The tides are minimal in this fishery, because the inlets that produce the tides are so few and far between, so it’s almost like a pendulum with the wind. If it blows one direction, it’ll blow it all out; if it blows another direction, it’ll blow it all in.”
While most of the field will likely stick to the interior habitat elements, Rickard said the jetties at Port O’Connor or Port Aransas will likely see some level of attention. As he pointed out, Michael Frenette and Mark Robinson won the 2024 Redfish Cup Championship at Florida’s Apalachicola Bay mostly by fishing the Government Cut jetties.
“You really have to know how to fish the jetties, but that can be where you find some really heavy fish,” Rickard said. “There are only a few passes (within tournament boundaries) where all the fish are coming in and going out, so that could be a big-time play for someone.
“Whether that stays consistent for multiple days, I don’t know. Usually, those jetty fish are the oversized fish, but if someone catches those slot-sized fish at the jetty, the rest of us might be in trouble.”
No question, variables are many and the pressure to perform will be sky high. However, everyone in the field is well acquainted with fierce competition and Rickard said the winning anglers will be the ones that best manage the pressure and execute on their game plan.
“Stay calm and stay focused, because there’s no telling what we’re going to get in terms of conditions,” Rickard said. “If you get off your game plan, you’re gonna start fishing scattered and you’re gonna start fishing really fast. If you get desperate, that’s gonna be a disaster.”
Tournament teams will be seeking high-slot redfish in the 7-plus-pound range. In 2021, Rickard and Zaldain won with a three-day total of 43 pounds, 4 ounces. A year later, Sean O’Connell and Edward Adams took first place with 48-3.
All of the action can be found live on Bassmaster.com as well as on Roku throughout the three-day event.
This event is being hosted by Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf.
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
MLF Executive Vice President, General Manager, Kathy Fennel, Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer
Hall of Famer to take leave of absence as she battles the disease
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2025) – Major League Fishing’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Kathy Fennel, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and will take a leave of absence from the organization as she pursues treatment.
“This all transpired very quickly, and I’m still processing the diagnosis, but what I know for certain is that I will fight, and that I am loved,” Fennel said. “The outpouring of support I’ve already received is overwhelming. Our team at Major League Fishing is the best in the world, and they will continue to provide the highest level of service to our anglers, sponsors and fans as I work toward defeating this indiscriminate disease.”
Fennel is a pioneer in the sport having served Major League Fishing and its predecessors, Fishing League Worldwide and Operation Bass, since 1982. She is a 2015 inductee into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, a 2022 inductee into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and a 2023 inductee into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. She was named to Sports Business Journal’s 2023 class of Game Changers: Women in Sports Business, and in 2025 received the American Sportfishing Association’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to her position at Major League Fishing, Fennel serves on the American Sportfishing Association board of directors, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation board of directors and Kentucky Lake Economic Development board of directors.
“This diagnosis is heartbreaking for everyone who knows Kathy,” said Major League Fishing President and CEO Boyd Duckett. “She is universally loved and admired by everyone who has ever met her. She is strong and empathetic, always looking out for those around her. Those same qualities will help guide her through this diagnosis and the treatments to come. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.”
Anyone who would like to wish her well may send correspondence to Major League Fishing, 30 Gamble Lane, Benton, KY 42025, ATTN: Kathy Fennel. Emails may be sent to information@
A Family Legacy Cast at Guntersville: The Simms Take on the 2025 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / By Walker Smith
When Andy and Harrison Simm eased their boat off the trailer and into the calm morning water at Lake Guntersville, there wasn’t much talking. Just the sound of a trolling motor humming and the light slap of waves against fiberglass. You could tell this wasn’t just another weekend for the Johnson City, Tennessee, duo. It was something they’d been waiting on for a long time.
“It’s my second Toyota Owners Tournament,” Andy said with a grin, glancing over at his son. “But it’s Harrison’s first. That makes it really special.”
The father-and-son pair grew up fishing side by side across East Tennessee. Douglas Lake is their home water and if you spend more than five minutes around them, you’ll hear its name come up. It’s where Andy taught Harrison to cast, how to follow seasonal patterns and how to slow down when the fish aren’t biting.
“This time of year, when Douglas starts dropping, it just gets good,” Andy said. “You can find ’em shallow, deep, scattered. It’s a fun puzzle. We catch a lot of fish that way in the fall. Hopefully some of that magic traveled with us down here.”
Guntersville, of course, is a whole different animal. It’s one of those storied fisheries that can make you look like a hero or send you home scratching your head. And last week, it’s leaned toward the latter for most folks.
“Our practice was tough,” Harrison admitted. “We caught a few but nothing to write home about. Still, it’s Guntersville. You’re always one cast away from everything changing here.”
That kind of optimism is exactly what you expect from the Simms. They’re competitive, sure. But it’s clear they’re more interested in what this event represents: time together, doing something they love.
A Truck, a ticket and a tradition
For Andy, the road to this tournament started with a truck. A 2022 Toyota Tundra, to be exact.
“I’ve had two Toyotas before this one,” Andy said. “Never had a single issue. Just solid, dependable vehicles. When this one qualified us for the tournament, it felt like the perfect excuse to come back.”
It’s not just Andy’s truck that tells the story, though. His old 2017 Tundra, now driven by Harrison, is part of the family lore too.
“Dad handed it down to me a few years ago,” Harrison said with a laugh. “I love that truck. It’s kind of like our family’s trophy. It hauls the boat, hauls the gear, hauls the memories. Everything we’ve done on the water, that truck seems like it’s been part of it.”
Fresh off earning his degree in Supply Chain Management from East Tennessee State University, Harrison’s stepping into this tournament as both a competitor and a student. But what stands out most about him isn’t his knowledge or confidence. It’s his demeanor.
You can tell a lot about an angler by how they act off the water and that fits Harrison perfectly. Quietly respectful. Well-spoken. The kind of young man who says, “yes sir” and “thank you” to the tournament staff without thinking twice.
“It’s not just about catching fish,” Andy said. “It’s about how you carry yourself. I’m proud of the man he’s become.”
The tournament atmosphere
Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners events have a unique energy filled with part competition and part family reunion. Hundreds of anglers fill the docks, all linked by a shared loyalty to the brand and to the sport.
“Honestly, I’m blown away by how well they treat us,” Harrison said. “The hospitality, the giveaways, getting to talk with the Team Toyota pros. It all makes you feel appreciated. It’s more than just a tournament to me.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. The camaraderie here runs deep. Even if the fishing is tough, laughter carries across the docks. Conversations about water temperature, bait selection and ‘what they should be doing right now’ fill the air.
Andy and Harrison spent their practice days sampling grass lines and shell beds in mid-lake areas, hoping to pattern something consistent. They rotated between several baits, but Guntersville can humble even the best anglers and bites were few and far between.
“You can’t get discouraged out here,” Andy said. “This lake has a way of flipping the switch. You might struggle all day and then catch a five-pounder on your last cast. That’s what keeps you going.”
Beyond the weight
The Simms didn’t talk much about weight expectations or big-fish spots. Their conversations drift toward stories and about years of fishing together, road trips and early mornings where the only sound is a reel handle turning.
“Some of my favorite memories are with Dad on Douglas,” Harrison said. “Fog on the water, cool mornings, the boat idling out… you never forget that stuff.”
That’s the undercurrent that makes the Toyota Owners Tournament special. Yes, it’s about competition. But it’s also about gratitude for good trucks, good people and good moments.
You can see that gratitude in everything the Simms do. The way Harrison politely thanks every volunteer. The way they rib each other just enough to keep things light but never cross a line.
“I tell him all the time,” Andy said with a chuckle, “You don’t realize how fast this stuff goes. Enjoy it while you can.”
The real reward
As the sun dipped behind the Alabama hills on the final day, the Simms just smiled. No stress. No frustration. Just quiet appreciation.
Whether they weighed a limit or just a couple of keepers didn’t seem to matter.
“This,” Andy said, gesturing toward the lake, “is what it’s about. Time on the water with my son. You can’t put a price on that.”
Harrison nodded. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
It’s about fathers teaching sons. Sons growing into men. Trucks that carry memories. Lakes that tell stories.
Guntersville didn’t give up its secrets easily this year. But for the Simms, the reward will never be measured in ounces or pounds. It will be measured in smiles, in laughter and in another page added to their family’s fishing story.
Because when the lines are reeled in and the boats are back on the trailer, what lingers longest isn’t the fish. It’s the bond that fishing built.
Grove, Oklahoma Slated to Host Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake
More than 350 bass anglers set to compete for top prize of up to $235,000 + REDCREST qualification in 2025 Toyota Series finale
GROVE, Okla. (Oct. 30, 2025) – The 2025 Toyota Series Championship at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Presented by Phoenix Boats is headed to Grove, Oklahoma, next week, Nov. 6-8, where the nation’s best Toyota Series pros and international qualifiers will compete for a top award of up to $235,000 cash, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a coveted invitation to REDCREST 2026 – Major League Fishing’s most prestigious event.
Hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, the three-day, no-entry-fee showdown caps off the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season, a five-division circuit that launches anglers toward the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
“We’re incredibly excited to host the 2025 Toyota Series Championship on Grand Lake,” said Brent Malone, Executive Director of the Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau. “It’s an honor to welcome anglers and fans from around the world to experience Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, and we’re ready to roll out the red carpet for them. Anytime we get to showcase one of the best fisheries in the United States – along with one of the finest facilities and a community that truly loves fishing – it’s a special opportunity. Major League Fishing has become a tremendous partner to our city, and we’re always thrilled to host their events.”
In addition to the top award of up to $235,000, the signature fall championship will deliver five-figure payouts to the highest finishers in each division, while showcasing international qualifiers who’ve earned their shot to compete stateside. The storied championship continues to open doors for anglers worldwide, providing advancement pathways that amplify their platforms and extend their impact across the sport.
Missouri pro Andy Newcomb of Camdenton, Missouri, enters next week’s Toyota Series Championship with confidence and a sense that everything might be lining up just right.
“I’m really excited,” Newcomb said. “I feel like this is definitely the best chance I've had so far in my career at a big, big win. You never know how it's going to line up, but I feel better about this one. And who knows when I'll feel this good about a big tournament again.”
Newcomb has a good history on Grand Lake this time of year. The veteran angler has posted multiple top-10 finishes on the famed Oklahoma reservoir in late fall events, thanks in part to his strength fishing shallow-water patterns.
“I've been here a couple times this time of year, and I've done well,” he said. “I think I finished in the top 10 in both of the tournaments I fished on Grand. I'm hoping that there's a shallow-water, topwater, spinnerbait or flipping kind of bite. That would be ideal for me.”
While forward-facing sonar will undoubtedly play a role, Newcomb believes plenty of quality bass will still be caught the old-fashioned way.
“There’ll definitely be a good portion of the fish that are caught up shallow,” he said. “And that’s what’s got me excited. Water conditions could make all the difference.”
Recent forecasts show surface temperatures hovering between 69 and 72 degrees, but Newcomb expects things to cool off by tournament week.
“If the kind of weather pattern we have now holds out, it's going to be in the low 60s, which is money,” he explained. “It always gets funky around 65 to 70 (degrees). But if we get temps under 65 – low 60s to upper 50s – that's when it gets good.”
Newcomb said weights will likely depend on the weather that rolls through northeastern Oklahoma over the next week.
“I think if we get some bad weather, guys will be weighing in 18-plus a day,” Newcomb said. “But I think if we get a couple days like we've got right now, sunny skies and a little bit post-frontal, I think we’ll see a lot of limits in the 16- to 17-pound range.”
“Now, if we get a real nasty day, it could be way different,” he added. “I fished here previously in November, and it was nasty – blowing rain, all that. And I don't know how many 20-plus-pound bags there were. I think there were a couple that were 26-pound bags. If that water gets below 65 and those fish start feeding, and then we get one of those nasty days, it could be a completely different lake.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th Street, in Grove. Weigh-ins will be held at the park 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 daily “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Final round on-the-water action will also be broadcast live on MLFNOW! and streamed to MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) and Rumble. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers will compete on Days 1 and 2, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day. The 2025 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 co-angler will earn a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – 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 2025 Toyota Series Championship field features the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional 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, Eswatini, Italy, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Spain, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PiranhO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, 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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Martin, O’Connell Disqualified from Bass Fishing League Regional
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2025) – Boaters Aspen Martin of White, Georgia, and Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, have been disqualified from the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional tournament held Oct. 10-11 on Lake Murray. The disqualification stems from a protest alleging the anglers violated BFL Rule No. 10, which states, in part, that contestants may not use mobile communication devices to communicate with anyone about locating or catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours.
As part of MLF’s investigation of the protest, both anglers were asked to take a polygraph, at MLF’s expense, as prescribed by tournament rules. Additionally, MLF offered to cover travel and lodging expenses related to the polygraph.
Martin cooperated with the investigation and took the polygraph as requested. The results, however, indicate deception (untruthful) responses to the relevant questions asked during the exam – resulting in disqualification. As a result of the disqualification, boater William Bates of Alpharetta, Georgia, moves up to second place in the regional and will advance to the 2026 All-American.
O’Connell declined to take the polygraph as requested and withdrew from the 2025 Toyota Series Championship after being informed that refusal to take the exam would result in disqualification from the Lake Murray Regional and ineligibility to participate in the upcoming championship. As a result of the disqualification, boater Chad Sims of Lancaster, South Carolina, moves up to third place in the regional and will advance to the 2026 All-American.
O’Connell is suspended from future MLF competition and may reapply in 2027.
Bates and Sims will receive second and third place payouts, respectively, and payouts for the remaining boater positions at the Lake Murray Regional will be adjusted accordingly.
Momentum Builds for Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech as Roster Hits 100 and Counting for 2026
Registrations remain open as the enhanced Pro Circuit draws strong early momentum heading into the 2026 season
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – With bigger payouts, an updated format and a growing list of talented pros, the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in the trail’s storied history. Already, 100 anglers have registered for the upcoming campaign – and registration remains open for those eager to fish for six-figure prizes, national television exposure and potential REDCREST qualification.
The enhanced Pro Circuit, which features $100,000 to first place and at least $10,000 to the top 33% of the field, continues to attract both new and returning competitors from across the country. The 2026 season will again consist of six regular-season events, culminating in the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The full schedule, announced earlier this year, is available at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In addition to the largest per-event payouts of any circuit outside the Bass Pro Tour, the 2026 format includes forward-facing sonar limited to a single three-hour period per day, with live MLFNOW! coverage and television broadcasts providing anglers incredible exposure for themselves and their sponsors. Each event winner will automatically qualify for REDCREST 2027, where they’ll compete for the sport’s most prestigious title and a $300,000 top prize.
“The energy and excitement that we’re seeing for the 2026 season is tremendous,” said Kevin Hunt, Senior MLF Tournament Director. “From the veterans returning to chase another title to the young anglers moving up from the Toyota Series, the 2026 field is full of talent and hunger. With the improved payouts and format changes, we are closing in on the 124 angler mark at which time the field will be restricted to pros fishing all six stops, plus Bass Pro Tour anglers. This is shaping up to be an incredible year.”
The first 100 anglers who have signed up for all six stops on the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech are:
- Charles Abshire
- Caz Anderson
- Allen Armour
- Kyle Austin
- Teimuraz (Tom) Balachvili
- Jay (Striker) Barnett
- Matt Baty
- Josh Bertrand
- Daryl Biron
- Drew Boggs
- Greg Bohannan
- Boyd Duckett
- Alex Bradley
- John Brown
- Dennis Burdette
- Miles Burghoff
- Cal Lane
- Brody Campbell
- Tyler Campbell
- Brett Carnright
- Eddie Carper
- Mark Condron
- Kyle Cortiana
- Ben Cox
- John Dial
- Tony Dumitras
- Charlie Evans
- Ty Faber
- Ron Farrow
- Mark Fisher
- Terry Fisher
- Jeff Fitts
- Shinichi Fukae
- Drew Gill
- Kyle Goldstein
- Robert Grabow
- Ethan Greene
- Christian Greico
- Mitchell Grimsley
- Tommy Guthke
- Blake Hall
- Will Harkins
- Byron Haseotes
- Brian Hatfield
- Marshall Hughes
- Kelly Jordon
- Frank Kitchens III
- Gary Klein
- Parker Knudsen
- Levi Kohl
- Bobby Lane
- Christopher Lane
- Brian Latimer
- Michael Leach
- Robby Lefere
- John Levesque
- Jared Lintner
- Steve Lopez
- Harbor Lovin
- Terry Luedtke
- Matt Massey
- Mike Mayo
- Julius Mazy
- Bill McDonald
- Brandon McMillan
- Bryan McNeal
- Jesse Millsaps
- Chad Mrazek
- John Murray
- Britt Myers
- Britt Myers Jr.
- Andrew Nordbye
- Hayden O'Barr
- Terry Olinger
- Lane Olson
- Bruce Parsons
- Austin Pemberton
- Keith Poche
- Matt Reed
- Charlie Reed Jr.
- Dusty Rice
- Marshall Robinson
- Marty Robinson
- Fred Roumbanis
- Jackson Ryley
- Colby Schrumpf
- Terry Scroggins
- Banks Shaw
- Blake Smith
- Miles Smith
- Robert Sparks
- Tyler Stewart
- Troy Stokes
- Mike Surman
- Levi Thibodaux
- Jason Vance
- Jimmy Washam
- Joseph Webster
- Thomas Wooten
- David Wootton
Anglers interested in joining the 2026 campaign can enter by phone at 270.252.1000, or if you have questions about the events, call tournament director Kevin Hunt at 270.205.5155. Once the field hits 124 pros committed to all six stops, entry will be restricted to only anglers fishing all six events plus Bass Pro Tour anglers. For the complete Pro Circuit schedule, rules and payouts, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.
For regular Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Mercury Racing® and Marsh Wear® Launch Exclusive Apparel Collection
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (October 28, 2025) – Mercury Racing®, a leader in high-performance marine propulsion, has teamed up with Marsh Wear®, the outdoor lifestyle brand known for celebrating the pursuit of good times, to launch a limited-edition apparel collection that blends racing heritage with laid-back coastal style.
This exclusive 11-piece collection features a curated mix of hats, t-shirts, and outerwear, all inspired by archival Mercury Racing designs and reimagined through Marsh Wear’s signature aesthetic. Built for outdoor enthusiasts and fans of both brands, the collection captures the spirit of adventure and timeless craftsmanship.
“The inspiration behind this collaboration was simple: two brands rooted in heritage, both driven by a passion for quality,” said Jeff Broman, Director of Mercury Racing. “Mercury Racing has always pushed the limits while honoring tradition, and Marsh Wear embodies those same ideals in clothing. The result is a limited collection that captures the essence of classic racing style in a form that feels wearable and enduring.”
Available exclusively in the United States, the collection launches today and can be purchased online via the Marsh Wear website, as well as through select retailers including Bass Pro Shops® and Scheels®. Availability may vary by location, please check individual retail sites for details.
“At Marsh Wear, we’ve always admired those who embrace the grit behind the glory,” said Logan Roberts, Founder and Vice President of Marsh Wear. “Teaming up with Mercury Racing, a brand that lives for speed and never lets off the throttle, was a natural fit. This collaboration celebrates that relentless drive and the vintage racing spirit, fused with Marsh Wear’s signature comfort and style.”
For more information about Mercury Racing, visit MercuryRacing.com and to learn more about Marsh Wear, visit MarshWearClothing.com.
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About Mercury Racing®
Based in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, is a leading provider of high-performance marine propulsion systems for discriminating boaters worldwide, offering an exciting and fulfilling power boating experience on the water. Using leading-edge technology, Mercury Racing produces high-performance outboards, sterndrives, propellers, parts and accessories. Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC), the world’s largest manufacturer of pleasure boats, marine engines, and accessories.
About Marsh Wear®
Marsh Wear was founded in 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina, by waterman and outdoorsman Logan Roberts. What began as a small idea rooted in the Lowcountry’s marshes has grown into a brand built for those who live for the pursuit of good times – on the water, in the woods, and everywhere in between. Inspired by days spent fishing, surfing, and hunting with friends, Marsh Wear creates versatile, durable gear that bridges outdoor function with everyday comfort.
Media Contacts:
Mercury Racing – Kim Chapman, [email protected]
Marsh Wear – Julia Parish, [email protected]
Matt Arey on Guntersville: The Soul of the Toyota Owners Event
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships/By Walker Smith
When you pull into Lake Guntersville this time of year, you can feel the hum of anticipation. The Tennessee River fog hangs low over the mats, the hum of outboards echoes through the morning stillness and there’s a camaraderie in the air that feels a lot like home. For Bassmaster Elite Series pro and Team Toyota angler Matt Arey, that feeling never gets old.
The 2025 Toyota Owners Tournament, one of the sport’s most beloved gatherings, rolled into Guntersville and for Arey, it’s not just another event. It’s a reunion, a celebration and a reminder of why so many anglers proudly drive with the Toyota badge on their front grills and tailgates.
“For what Toyota gives back, they are by far the leading vehicle manufacturer that does this much for the sport,” Arey said, leaning back against his wrapped Tundra between interviews. “The people who come to this tournament are diehard anglers and just fantastic human beings. That goes along with the folks who work so hard to make this tournament happen, as well.”
Arey’s been part of countless tournaments over his career, but this one holds a special place in his heart. He’s quick to point out that it’s not only the competition that makes it special. It’s the community.
“Solid payouts and great fellowship,” he said. “There are always a ton of return anglers and it’s for good reason. It’s hard to find any other event that’s this much fun and rewarding.”
That kind of loyalty doesn’t always come easy in professional fishing, where schedules are packed and commitments run deep. But year after year, anglers of all levels, from weekend warriors to seasoned veterans, circle this date on their calendar.
Guntersville magic
This year’s stop at Lake Guntersville felt like a perfect storm of timing and potential. October on the famed Tennessee River impoundment is a time when the lake can show its teeth or open its arms wide. Arey’s fished Guntersville enough to know that when the stars align here, the results can be legendary.
“With this year’s tournament being on Guntersville, we knew there would be some big bags,” he said. “Even with a sharp cold front landing on tournament day, you knew it was going to take some serious weight.”
Guntersville’s reputation precedes it. It’s the kind of place where twenty-pound sacks barely raise eyebrows and where one key stretch of grass or a single bridge piling can change an angler’s weekend.
“We had guys who fish BFL tournaments, local hammers and everything in between,” Arey said with a grin. “On Lake Guntersville, anything is possible.”
That “anything” is what keeps anglers coming back. The lake is an ever-evolving puzzle with grass mats shifting, baitfish migrating and bass moving with the current. For Arey, that challenge is part of the fun.
The Toyota connection
While most fans see Toyota’s logo on trucks, boats and jerseys, Arey sees something deeper. To him, Toyota’s investment isn’t about marketing but rather passion.
“I never want to miss one of these tournaments,” he said. “It is so rewarding and so well run. I haven’t even left here yet and I’m genuinely looking forward to next year.”
That kind of statement says everything you need to know about the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament. It’s a rare example of a corporate partnership that genuinely enhances the sport. It represents a shared belief in what makes bass fishing special. Things like hard work, good people and a deep respect for the outdoors.
Toyota doesn’t just put on a tournament. They create a space where anglers and fans can celebrate the sport together. The payouts are solid, the organization is top-notch and the atmosphere is electric.
The energy at each of these events is palpable and whether someone is a seasoned angler, a brand-new tournament partner or a full-time professional, everybody is somebody at the Toyota Owners tournament.
Don’t ‘Fall’ for the Myths
By Vance McCullough - AC Insider
Fall is falling. Even down here along the Florida/Georgia border leaves are dropping, football season is in full swing, and the ladies obsess over anything ‘pumpkin spice’.
And anglers everywhere cling to myths that may not truly explain - but that help to excuse - the inconsistent catch rates that afflict us in autumn.
Most of us anglers are master excuse-makers on par with the best defense attorneys. We often repeat theories that sound reasonable but that may not actually hold water (yeah, pun intended).
“They migrate to the backs of creeks and shallow flats.” Some do. Many don’t. “The turnover shut things down.” No, it just moved the bait and bass to areas with better oxygen, including the backs of creeks and other shallow environs, as noted above. Many lakes, especially shallow and/or current laden waters, don’t even experience a turnover because they never stratify to begin with.
Another autumnal scapegoat is the dreaded cold front. Indeed, when temps nosedive and barometric pressure skyrockets, fish can get tight to cover. Year ‘round. Except in early fall. ‘Early’ is relative to latitude. I’m preparing to fish a B.A.S.S. Nation event this weekend in Central Florida. Sure, the daytime high will reach 70, but we’ll be paddling out in 40-something degree predawn darkness to be quickly greeted by high skies, a north wind and slick water. Ingredients for a slow bite. Except when these conditions signal the first good cold snap since last spring. In this case, bass should be chewing. Cold weather stokes their fire when it signals the end of a long, hot summer.
Sure, I’m packing a flipping stick. I plan to check the mat bite, but mostly because there are big bass that never leave the mats, not because this weather will pack more of them beneath. In fact, I expect to find numbers of fish, including big ones, cruising the open lanes and holes in acres of hydrilla. I will meet them with a bladed jig.
Fall fishing is not super complex. Don’t overthink it. Not much changes, especially in the South. Many bass are doing the same things in the same types of places and eating the same bait in the fall that they were eating in summer. There’s always a population of fish that roam and follow bait. There is also a group of territorial homebodies that lie in ambush.
The ambushers are generally resident fish. The other bunch may move, but it’s in response to movements of prey. This will absolutely cause the bass to scatter, making them hard to pin down, making repeated, predictable results difficult to achieve.
The remedy? When in Rome . . . do as the Romans do. And when searching for bass in the fall, do as the bass do - get a move on! The game is to cover water in autumn. Don’t split hairs when it comes to lure selection. Don’t waste time digging through your tackle bag. Pick something that gives you a fair chance at provoking a strike and make as many quality casts as you can in a day’s time.
Is a buzzbait the best lure at any given hour of any given day? Maybe not, but if it will keep you moving, then it beats the tar out of finesse fishing or any other super slow technique that will stop you from covering the amount of water required to find a limit of bass.
You will eventually land on a hungry fish. And another. And another. You may have to piece your limit together in fall as opposed to loading the boat in one productive hole.
Simplify your lure selection and keep moving to find fall bass.
Connell & Wheeler Cruise to Championship Round Victory at Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches
Team O’Reilly Auto Parts (Connell/Wheeler) catches 46 bass weighing 70-10 in final-day shootout to earn Patriot Cup win
OXFORD, Ala. (Oct. 27, 2025) – Team O’Reilly Auto Parts – Alabama pro Dustin Connell and Tennessee’s Jacob Wheeler – capped off an unforgettable week on the Alabama pros home waters with a dominant performance Monday, cruising to a win at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches on Logan Martin Lake.
The powerhouse duo combined for 70 pounds, 10 ounces on 46 scorable bass – the first 70-pound day recorded in this week’s event – to secure a comfortable victory in the Championship Round of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops.
For Connell, the win carried special meaning – his first Team Series title, earned on his home waters of the Coosa River. For Wheeler, it marked his second straight Team Series championship win following last month’s Heritage Cup victory with Mark Daniels Jr. in Wisconsin.
“I love these Team Series, man,” Connell said. “I really enjoy getting in the boat with my buddy. We fish together a lot – anytime we have free time. For us to get together and win one of these, this means a lot. I’m not going to lie.”
Connell admitted that local knowledge didn’t necessarily make things easy.
“It didn’t really happen the way I expected,” he said. “It was cloudy and rainy, and I thought that might hurt us. But Jacob called the shot. He said, ‘Hey, let’s go try this little pocket here,’ and I said, ‘Heck yeah, this feels good.’ That’s where it all came together.”
Both pros relied on forward-facing sonar and finesse presentations, catching the majority of their bass on the Rapala CrushCity Mooch Minnow paired with VMC Redline Series Tungsten Swimbait Jigheads.
“Man, here on Lake Logan Martin, it was about a bait that has won a lot of money between the two of us,” Wheeler said. “The conditions were perfect for that Mooch Minnow bite – cloudy with just enough wind to keep the fish up. We fished the main lake, ran upriver and just bebopped around until we found the right zone.”
“We threw the albino shad and gizzard shad colors, mostly on 3/8-ounce jigheads, but we mixed in some ¼-ounce for fish that were higher in the water column,” added Connell. “You need several different weights for this technique because the fish are constantly moving up and down – that’s why you’ll see us changing rods all the time.”
“We caught about 60 bass today counting the non-scorables,” Wheeler agreed. “It was insane. Once we settled into that area and the groups started to show up, it was on.”
But the day wasn’t without drama. Midway through the second period, the duo briefly lost momentum after a fish-landing violation erased a scorable bass from their total. But instead of rattling them, the penalty lit a fire.
“Oh, man. That’s about as mad as I get,” Wheeler said with a laugh. “Right after that, we just put the hammer down. We started stacking them up, and from there, it never slowed down.”
For both anglers, the win reflected more than just a productive pattern – it was a celebration of friendship, teamwork and execution.
“Cool tournament,” Connell said. “Glad to win it with my boy. We got it done.”
Wheeler summed it up simply.
“It was an insane week here in Alabama,” he said in his post-game interview. “DC got to fish two lakes he’d never been on before, and we got to finish it right here on his home river. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Team Knighten Industries – Alton Jones Jr. and Jake Lawrence – gave Team O’Reilly Auto Parts an early scare, ending the first period just one pound behind the leaders. True to form, the forward-facing sonar specialists relied on precision and patience, stacking up 45-13 by day’s end to finish the day in second.
Team Ferguson’s Takahiro Omori and Dean Rojas finished in third place after making key adjustments late in the day. The veteran duo abandoned the main river in favor of a flat pocket loaded with baitfish and used a vibrating jig and shallow-running squarebill crankbait to climb from fourth to third with 32-4.
Rounding out the top four, Team Fishing Clash’s Bradley Roy and Greg Vinson leaned heavily on forward-facing sonar and jighead minnows in their first-ever Championship Round appearance. Vinson mixed in a spoon to trigger a few key bites, but their 28-4 total fell short, and they ended the day in fourth place.
The final four teams at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches finished:
1st: Team O’Reilly Auto Parts: 46 bass, 70-10
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 28 bass, 41-8
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 18 bass, 29-2
2nd: Team Knighten: 33 bass, 45-13
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 17 bass, 22-8
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 16 bass, 23-5
3rd: Team Ferguson: 17 bass, 32-4
Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 10 bass, 21-2
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., seven bass, 11-2
4th: Team Fishing Clash: 19 bass, 28-4
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., 13 bass, 18-9
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., six bass, 9-11
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 115 bass weighing 176 pounds, 15 ounces caught by the four teams competing in the Championship Round Monday on Logan Martin Lake. Team Ferguson pro Takahiro Omori caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a 4-pound, 2-ounce largemouth bass.
The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, the third of four Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops events of the 2025 season, was hosted by the City of Oxford and took place over six days in Oxford, Alabama. 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 Monday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams competed in a one-day shootout to determine which team was the winner of the 2025 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops features four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot, and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of $560,000 in prize money. The fourth and final event for Team Series anglers will be the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup, scheduled for Nov. 16-21, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Television coverage of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 28, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Texas’ Harris Holds on for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Lake Eufaula Presented by Mando Deodorant
Texas’ Fisher Claims Co-Angler Division
EUFAULA, Okla. (Oct. 27, 2025) – Boater Riley Harris of Orange, Texas, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 31 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Lake Eufaula Presented by Mando Deodorant . The tournament, which was hosted by Vision Eufaula, concluded Saturday. For his win, Harris earned a prize package valued at $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The Lake Eufaula event served as the Regional championship for the BFL Cowboy and Arkie divisions. The field included the top 60 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each division’s tournament winners. The top three boaters and co-anglers have also now qualified for the 2026 BFL All-American.
Harris said he focused his approach to the tournament on three areas that featured either boulders or brushpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water. He spent his entire tournament using the trolling motor to move around those boulders and brushpiles and pick off fish with a 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig tipped with a 6th Sense 4.8-inch Bodega Creature Bait.
“Friday went how I expected it to,” Harris said. “The fish were positioned how I wanted them to be. Although I lost a really big one first thing in the morning, I ended up leaving them alone because I figured I had enough to be near the top. I just spent the last hour of the day looking around to see if I could find anything different.”
Harris said he returned to that starting spot the second day of the tournament and it produced nothing for him.
“At 12 o’clock I had zero fish,” Harris said. “I had to run new water. I was able to get a limit, but it was nothing like I needed it to be.”
Harris said he ran back to his starting area for the last hour of competition, and a 3½-pound bass boosted his weight some, but Harris still wasn’t confident in his total weight.
“I didn’t think it was enough when I was running back in,” Harris said. “I thought I needed one more good bite to give me a shot at the win.”
Harris’ intuition was wrong, however, as his Day 2 limit of 13 pounds, 8 ounces, was enough to earn him the victory by a 14-ounce margin.
“I was shocked,” Harris added. “I was in the last flight, and my buddy was waiting for me at the dock and asked me how I did, and I said, ‘Not good. I only have 13 (pounds).’ And he said, ‘Man, you’re going to win.’
“It totally caught me off guard,” Harris went on to say. “I was honored and blessed to be able to pull it off.”
The top three boaters who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 10 bass, 31-6, $50,000
2nd: Austin Rose, Mena, Ark., 10 bass, 30-8, $8,223 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
3rd: Caleb Black, McAlester, Okla., 10 bass, 30-3, $3,892
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
4th: Red Ballard, Sulphur, La., 10 bass, 29-4, $2,399
5th: Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., 10 bass, 28-14, $1,803
6th: Wyatt Frankens, Corrigan, Texas, 10 bass, 27-15, $1,504
7th: Chris Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., 10 bass, 27-13, $1,355
8th: Phillip Lunceford, Stigler, Okla., 10 bass, 27-5, $1,206
9th: Haydan Marshall, Quitman, Texas, 10 bass, 27-3, $1,056
10th: Chip Hawkins, Little Rock, Ark., 10 bass, 27-3, $982
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Bobby Ammons of Waldron, Arkansas, won the Berkley Big Bass Boater award and $1,000 for landing a bass that weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces – the biggest of the tournament.
Steven Fisher of Nacogdoches, Texas, won the co-angler division Saturday after bringing a two-day total of six bass weighing 17 pounds even to the scale. Fisher earned the top co-angler award of $14,999 for his victory.
The top three co-anglers who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Steven Fisher, Nacogdoches, Texas, six bass, 17-0, $14,999
2nd: John McCullar, Benton, Ark., six bass, 16-13, $3,807
3rd: Ted Marodis, Biloxi, Miss., six bass, 15-8, $1,941
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
4th: Bill Black, McAlester, Okla., six bass, 15-8, $1,195
5th: Logan Slaughter, Lewisville, Texas, six bass, 15-4, $822
6th: Rick Habarka, North Little Rock, Ark., six bass, 15-3, $748
7th: Alan Bernicky, Dardanelle, Ark., six bass, 15-2, $823
8th: Duane Tiley, Mabelvale, Ark., six bass, 15-1, $598
9th: Blake Defoor, Waldron, Ark., six bass, 14-9, $524
10th: Quintus Lee, Whitehouse, Texas, six bass, 14-5, $487
Jason Phillips of Rison, Arkansas, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award worth $500.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season – five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, now advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the 43rd annual BFL All-American. The BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, 2026, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Rutledge’s Gordon Cruises to Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Dale Hollow Lake
Wartburg’s Kelly Tops Co-Angler Division
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2025) – Boater Jeremy Gordon of Rutledge, Tennessee, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 36 pounds, 15 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Dale Hollow Lake Presented by Mando Deodorant . The tournament, which was hosted by the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce, concluded Saturday. For his win, Gordon earned a prize package valued at $57,100, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The Dale Hollow Lake event served as the Regional championship for the BFL Volunteer and LBL divisions. The field included the top 60 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each division’s tournament winners. The top three boaters and co-anglers have also now qualified for the 2026 BFL All-American.
“My practice was really tough,” Gordon said. “But after a fog delay on the first morning, I got to my first area and they started biting fairly quickly. I had 18 pounds by noon. The rest of the day proved to be very hard to get bites.”
Gordon said the fish he targeted were in offshore groups of 10 to 20 fish in 30 to 40 feet of water. Gordon knew the fish were there; it was just like “pulling teeth” to get them to bite. Gordon said the key to his success was using a bigger bait – a 6-inch jighead minnow. At the end of the day, Gordon weighed the only five keepers that bit the first day of the tournament.
Gordon’s second day didn’t really take off for him until 10 a.m., and for the second day in a row, the 10 a.m. to noon window was the hot bite for him.
“I made a key adjustment to go to my secondary area, and I ran into some fish there,” Gordon said. “I hit a little flurry, and in an hour and a half I caught my fish. I only caught six keepers the second day, but they were the right fish.
“When I caught my fifth fish, I felt confident I was going to make the All-American,” Gordon added. “That was my goal. But I had a little 2-pound smallmouth I needed to cull. Then I caught a kicker 4-pounder, and I had a bigger bag than I had on Day 1, and I thought, “Ok. I have a shot now.’
“I’ve qualified for three-straight Toyota Series Championships, so I’ve had some shots at big events,” Gordon said. “This year I wanted to focus on BFLs. I wanted to fish closer to home and stay local. I love Major League Fishing, and my goal was to make the All-American. I had an absolutely unbelievable year in the Volunteer Division. Everything about this season exceeded my expectations.”
The top three boaters who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Jeremy Gordon, Rutledge, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-15, $57,100 (includes $7,000 Phoenix Bonus)
2nd: Isaac Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., 10 bass, 35-2, $6,264
3rd: Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., 10 bass, 34-2, $3,224
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
4th: Justin Botts, Bluff City, Tenn., 10 bass, 33-13, $2,055
5th: Gavin Clevenger, Knoxville, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-5, $1,470
6th: Harlan Thomas, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 31-14, $1,353
7th: Gavin Cloutier, Johnson City, Tenn., 10 bass, 31-11, $1,236
8th: Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., 10 bass, 30-11, $1,120
9th: Noah Morgan, Russellville, Ky., 10 bass, 30-8, $1,003
10th: Owen Stamm, Morristown, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-11, $944
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Travis Bowen of Duffield, Virginia, won the Berkley Big Bass Boater award and $1,000 for landing a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces – the biggest of the tournament.
Darren Kelly of Wartburg, Tennessee, won the co-angler division Saturday after bringing a two-day total of five bass weighing 12 pounds even to the scale. Kelly earned the top co-angler award of $11,949 for his victory.
The top three co-anglers who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Darren Kelly, Wartburg, Tenn., five bass, 12-0, $11,949
2nd: Wayne Crouch, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 11-9, $3,045
3rd: Mason Pike, Knoxville, Tenn., four bass, 9-5, $1,602
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
4th: Dawson Schultz, Russellville, Tenn., three bass, 8-5, $1,017
5th: Austin Smith, Hazard, Ky., four bass, 8-0, $725
6th: Brady Field, Gallatin, Tenn., three bass, 7-13, $666
7th: Barry Gunter, Trafalger, Ind., three bass, 6-14, $608
8th: Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 6-13, $599
9th: Andrew Farmer, Lancing, Tenn., two bass, 6-4, $491
10th: Mike Westfall, Norris City, Ill., three bass, 6-1, $462
Christopher Davis of Huntsville, Alabama, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds even to win the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award worth $500.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season – five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, now advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the 43rd annual BFL All-American. The BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, 2026, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Travelers Rest Devildog Anglers Win MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Open on Lake Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. (Oct. 27, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) High School Fishing team of Justin Gilpin and Dalton Green, representing the Devildog Anglers from Travelers Rest, South Carolina, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 14 ounces to win the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open on Lake Hartwell Presented by Columbia PFG in Anderson, South Carolina.
A field of 65 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by Visit Anderson. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The six teams that advance to the 2026 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Devildog Anglers, Travelers Rest, S.C. – Justin Gilpin and Dalton Green, five bass, 12-14
2nd: Gaffney High School, Gaffney, S.C. – Cole Hicks and Scott Varner, five bass, 12-9
3rd: Laurens District 55 High School, West Laurens, S.C. – James Pinson and Owen Satterwhite, five bass, 11-3
4th: Triangle Bass Club, N.C. – Nathan McCoy and Levi Stanley, five bass, 10-15
5th: Cartersville High Fishing Team, Cartersville, Ga. – Britton Alery and Owen Wiggins, five bass, 10-10
6th: Central High School, Carrollton, Ga. – Wyatt Harmon and Jonah Yates, five bass, 10-8
Rounding out the Top 10 teams were:
7th: Central High School, Carrollton, Ga. – Hunter Dickinson and Case Payton, five bass, 10-7
8th: Greenbrier High School Bass Club, Evans, Ga. – Evan Beard and Tyler Wilson, five bass, 10-5
9th: Devildog Anglers, Travelers Rest, S.C. – Ben Buczkowski and Holt Gonzales, five bass, 9-10
10th: Chapman High School, Inman, S.C. – Matthew Bicknell and Carson Harrell, five bass, 9-9
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% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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 Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Lander University’s Last-Minute Kicker Seals Win at MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Lake Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. (Oct. 27, 2025) – The Lander University duo of Andrew Blanton of Chesnee, South Carolina, and Garrett Smith of Mount Holly, North Carolina, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell Presented by Columbia PFG Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces. The victory earned the Bearcats’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2026 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
Blanton said the Bearcats team focused on an area on the upper end of Anderson Island, about a mile from Green Pond Landing. Sunny skies and calm waters presented a challenging bite for the team.
“We started out on an area that we knew was good, and we caught 13½ pounds pretty quickly – by about 9:30,” Blanton said. “Then we struggled all day to cull up from there. It was a really good area, but we were having a really hard time getting the fish to bite.”
Blanton said the team focused on rocky banks in 15 to 20 feet of water with a shaky-head rig and a jig.
“At 3:30 we rolled up into an area – we had about 30 minutes until we had to check in,” Blanton said. “We knew there were some big ones in there. After about 10 minutes we caught an 8¼-pounder – a Lake Hartwell giant.”
Blanton said the kicker fish fell for the shaky head, while the jig accounted for the rest of the team’s bites.
“It was crazy the way it all happened,” Blanton said. “This tournament proved it’s a game of ups and downs.
“I was disappointed with the way our day was going. I was disappointed with our execution and that we had lost a few fish. To pull up and get a win with just one fish catch is just unbelievable. It just goes to show you that you’re never out of it,” Blanton went on to say.
The top 10 teams finished:
1st: Lander University – Andrew Blanton, Chesnee, S.C., and Garrett Smith, Mount Holly, N.C., five bass, 19-13, $2,000
2nd: Emmanuel University – Logan Fisher, Commerce, Ga., and John Micheal Ortman, Douglas, Ga., five bass, 19-3, $1,000
3rd: Emmanuel University – Stephen Brooks, Comer, Ga., and Xander Patton, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 18-11, $700
4th: Murray State University – Mark Bixler, Murray, Ky., and Nathan Kallstrand, Naperville, Ill., five bass, 17-15, $600
5th: Lander University – Anderson Jones, Greenville, S.C., five bass, 17-14, $500
6th: Emmanuel University – Will Hart, Danielsville, Ga., and Max Heaton, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 17-12
7th: Carson-Newman University – Hayden Barnett, Kingston, Tenn., and Hunter Owens, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 17-4
8th: Erskine College –Tallis Morrison, Royston, Ga., five bass, 16-15
9th: Lander University – Will Hammond, Huntersville, N.C., and John Such, Simpsonville, S.C., five bass, 16-13
10th: Lander University – Wyatt Gabehart, Scott Depot, W.V., and Riley Hendricks, Hurricane, W.V., five bass, 16-7
The full list of National Championship Qualifiers and complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell Presented by Columbia PFG was hosted by Visit Anderson. It was the final Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event of the 2025 season. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing National championship, Feb. 12-14, on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
The 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI season featured college teams from across the country competing in six regular-season open tournaments. The top 15% of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Columbia PFG, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota , WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Keith and Penny Miller Win 2025 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament on Lake Guntersville
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / By Walker Smith
If you’ve ever spent time around the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament, you know it’s more than just another bass fishing derby. It’s part competition, part reunion and part celebration of the passion that drives anglers to chase green fish from daylight to weigh-in. This year’s stop at legendary Lake Guntersville was a perfect example and standing at the top of the leaderboard when the scales closed were a pair of smiling faces who embody everything the event stands for.
Teamwork, fun and a shared love for life on the water.
Keith and Penny Miller of Scottsboro, Alabama claimed first place in the 2025 Toyota Owners Tournament, earning a $5,000 prize and a truckload of bragging rights to go with it.
For the Millers, though, it wasn’t just about the check or the trophies. It was about the experience.
“We just love the camaraderie of this tournament,” said Keith, grinning ear to ear after the final weigh-in. “It’s so much fun. The people and the atmosphere; it’s just different here. To win here on Guntersville, that’s really special for us.”
A team on and off the water
Keith and Penny have been married 35 years and it shows in the way they fish together. There’s an easy rhythm between them and it’s the kind that only comes from years of shared casts, friendly competition and long days spent chasing bass under Alabama skies.
“Sometimes he’s a really good guide,” Penny laughed as they posed with their trophies. “And sometimes I can actually out fish him. But he’s taught me so much. We always make it a good time, no matter how we do.”
They’re not the loudest or flashiest team in the field but they represent what so many couples who fish together strive for. Patience, partnership and a shared joy for the outdoors.
This was the Millers’ third Toyota Owners Tournament and according to them, it won’t be their last.
“We look forward to it every single year,” Penny said. “It’s circled on the calendar as soon as the dates are announced. We just love being part of this community.”
The pattern that paid
Guntersville has a reputation for being both generous and stingy. It’s full of bass but it can humble even the best when conditions shift. The Millers found the key to consistency by targeting scattered grass in the mid-lake area, a zone that many anglers often overlook in favor of heavy mats or offshore ledges.
“It wasn’t easy with this cold front that came in. It was tough on everyone we’ve talked to,” Penny said. “We had to grind it out but that’s what makes it so rewarding. When you figure out that one small detail together, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Toyota dependability on and off the water
One of the things that makes the Toyota Owners Tournament unique is the bond between anglers and their trucks. For many participants, their Toyota isn’t just a vehicle but rather part of the team. That’s certainly true for the Millers.
Keith’s 2021 Toyota Tundra has over 84,000 miles on it, and he swears it’s never missed a beat.
“It tows our bass boat seamlessly,” Keith said proudly. “We’ve hauled it all over the South to these tournaments and it’s never let us down. That reliability means a lot, especially when you’re traveling with your wife and you want to know you’re getting there safe. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
That kind of loyalty is what Toyota Owners events are built around. Celebrating the brand’s performance while creating a platform for anglers to come together.
A professionally run, family-focused event
Every angler who’s been part of a Toyota Owners Tournament will tell you the same thing: these events are first-class from start to finish. From registration to weigh-in, the organization and professionalism are second to none.
“The folks who run this tournament do an incredible job,” Keith said. “Everything is smooth, everything’s on time and everyone is so friendly. You can tell they really care about the anglers.”
Penny agreed, adding that the event isn’t just for the hardcore tournament crowd. It’s for families, too.
“There’s something for everyone,” she said. “Even if you’re not fishing, it’s such a fun environment. You meet new friends, talk fishing, share stories and just enjoy being outside. That’s what makes it special.”
From great food and giveaways to the friendly competition among Toyota owners, the entire event feels like a celebration of the fishing lifestyle. The Millers spent their evenings chatting with other teams, laughing about missed bites and swapping stories the fishing lifestyle.
“It’s the people that make it,” Keith said. “Sure, we love to fish but the friendships we’ve made through these tournaments are what keep us coming back.”
Looking ahead
With a first-place finish now under their belts, the Millers are already thinking about the next stop on the Toyota Owners schedule.
“We’ll do everything we can to be there,” Keith said without hesitation. “This isn’t just a tournament for us. It’s something we truly enjoy doing together. Winning is great, but even if we hadn’t, we’d still have had the time of our lives.”
Their success on Lake Guntersville is a reminder of what makes bass fishing such a special pursuit. It’s the laughter in the boat and the satisfaction of spending a day on the water with someone you love.
For Keith and Penny Miller, that’s what this win represents.
As the sun set over the big lake and the crowd began to thin, the couple stood side by side, holding their trophies with the easy smiles of two people who know what really matters.
“Fishing together keeps us close,” said Penny. “We’ve been doing this a long time and it never gets old. Days like this one remind us why we started.”
And with that, they loaded up their Tundra, backed down the ramp one more time and eased their boat onto the trailer. It was another chapter written in a lifelong love story of fishing, fun and shared adventure.
Nick Trim goes wire-to-wire to win B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Nick Trim had high expectations coming into the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at the Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance.
He lives, after all, in nearby Galesville, Wis., only a 20-mile drive from the La Crosse Municipal Harbor, site of tournament weigh-ins this week. He’s fished this stretch of the river a few thousand times in his 42 years and that’s given him insight here that few other anglers at any level can rival.
And still, being favored to win on your home water is completely different than actually going out and doing it.
Trim shined under pressure, though, catching a total of 20 bass for a four-day weight of 77 pounds that earned him the win in this tournament that featured some 500 competitors from 48 states and seven foreign countries. Trim picked up a $50,000 cash prize, too, part of a total purse of more than $223,000 split among the top anglers this week, and he also won paid entry into the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series in 2026.
Finally, as one of the Top 3 anglers in the Nation Championship, Trim locked up a berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River March 13-15.
It was a lot to process, both mentally and emotionally, Trim said, shortly after holding aloft the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the victorious boater in this prestigious tournament. The trophy is named, of course, for the only angler in history to qualify for, and win, a Bassmaster Classic following a victory in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
“Today is just super special,” Trim said. “I had friends on the water and a big crowd to support me. Doing it on my home water was amazing. It’s not all set in yet — the Elite Series, the Classic.
“And the check is nice, but it’s never been about the money. I do it for this right here,” he said, clutching the Kerchal Trophy tightly against his chest.
Trim led from wire-to-wire on the Upper Mississippi, jumping to the lead with a 21-pound bag on Wednesday and increasing the margin with a 19-pound limit on Day 2. Dense fog limited anglers to only a few hours on the water on Day 3, but Trim was unfazed, catching 16-9 and taking a nearly 3-pound lead into Championship Saturday. He slammed the door on the other 10 anglers competing on the final day (a 20-7 limit put him exactly four pounds ahead of his nearest competitor in the final standings.)
The win didn’t come without work and some worry, though. Trim built his lead targeting a wintering hole that had points, knobs and hard spots ranging from 4 to 16 feet deep. But that basin wasn’t productive on Saturday, and Trim wound up working the main river, returning to familiar haunts that have won local tournaments for him here time and again.
“The fish just weren’t biting there today,” he said, referencing the basin where he had been dragging a Cast Again Tackle 1/2-ounce hammer jig to boat his best bites. “I worked my way out of there and I just randomly grabbed a jerkbait and threw it out there. Next thing I know, I caught a 5-pounder on it. First cast. The light bulb went off. I kept throwing it and had a limit before I left.
“I went all in on the river after that,” he said. “I ran everything I know. I had a magical stretch, caught three 4-pounders there. Once I got to 20 pounds, I locked back from Pool 9 and came on in. I was done fishing by 1:30 this afternoon.”
Noah Winslow, a 26-year-old resident of Naugatuck, Conn., finished second with 73 pounds weighed over four days, which won him $14,000 cash and secured his spot in the 2026 Classic. It was a full-circle moment, Winslow said, since he began fishing B.A.S.S. Junior Series events when he was in grade school, literally cutting his teeth as he progressed through the different levels of B.A.S.S. competition.
“Making the Classic hasn’t sunk in,” he said. “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I didn’t think it was even possible when we started here. I mean, I had the worst practice of my entire life. It was frustrating. But I think the cold front that got here right when we started the tournament really helped me. I was throwing a Free Rig (green pumpkin Sweet Beaver) and fishing super shallow out on the main river … The fish finally pulled out to me. It was unreal. I had two smallmouth this week and weighed 18 largemouth.”
Dylan Nutt, a 21-year-old from Nashville, clinched the third and final Classic berth up for grabs this week on the Upper Mississippi. He finished with 71-3 overall, a mere 4 ounces more than Iowa’s Chris Miller (70-15), who already was qualified for the Classic.
Nutt pocketed $13,000 cash for the third-place finish.
“The main bait I was throwing was a 4-inch Scottsboro Tackle Company swimbait,” Nutt said. “I fished rockpiles on Pool 8 and was catching a lot of fish in practice, but they were smaller. I exceeded my expectations with 17 pounds on Day 1 and it just got better from there.”
Like Winslow, Nutt said the colder temperatures (mid-40s during the day with light freezes overnight) activated his bite on the river.
“It brought the thicker fish out towards me,” Nutt said. “I prayed this afternoon for one more opportunity and on the next cast, I caught a 2 3/4-pounder that let me upgrade a half-pound. That bite gave me the few extra ounces I needed to get into the Classic. It’s just surreal.”
In all, 11 anglers competed on Championship Saturday — the Top 10 from the boater division as well as nonboater champion Wade Denney, of Nampa, Idaho, who collected $10,000 on Friday when that division’s winner was crowned.
Following the trio of Trim, Winslow and Nutt, the remainder of the field on Saturday included, Miller, fourth, 70-15; Alabama’s Zeke Gossett, fifth, 69-7; Wisconsin’s Grant Neubauer, sixth, 69-4; Alabama’s Brody Robison, seventh, 67-2; Virginia’s Ryan Lachniet, eighth, 65-11; Kentucky’s Nathan Sheehan, ninth, 64-10; and California’s Kyle Grover, 10th, 64-3. Denney caught 10-11 on Saturday to finish with 44-6 over four days, good enough for 18th place overall.
Miller won the $500 Big Bass Award with a 7-15 whopper smallmouth he caught Friday. He also collected $500 checks presented to the highest-finishing angler using a Garmin trolling motor and Garmin electronics.
Explore La Crosse hosted the week’s events.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Pr
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 10/22-10/25
Mississippi River, LaCrosse WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 20 77-00 0 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 16-09 Day 4: 5 20-07
2. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 20 73-00 0 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 17-08 Day 4: 5 19-08
3. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 20 71-03 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 17-13 Day 4: 5 17-07
4. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 20 70-15 0 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 21-02 Day 4: 5 17-12
5. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 20 69-07 0 $9,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 5 16-01 Day 4: 5 20-14
6. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 20 69-04 0 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 16-08 Day 4: 5 20-00
7. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 20 67-02 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 17-05 Day 3: 5 15-00 Day 4: 5 19-00
8. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 20 65-11 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 16-07 Day 4: 5 17-04
9. Nathan Sheehan Danville, KY 20 64-10 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 19-10 Day 3: 5 12-05 Day 4: 5 16-06
10. Kyle Grover Rancho Santa Margarita, 20 64-03 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 16-14 Day 4: 5 14-05
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 07-15 $0.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 156 1012 2578-10
2 109 782 1968-10
3 32 183 533-10
4 11 55 193-10
------------------------------
308 2032 5274-08
Team Ferguson’s Omori and Rojas Storm Back Late to Win Knockout Round 1 at Folds of Honor Patriot Cup
Team Ferguson powers from below the cutline with 13-bass final-period rally to earn spot in Monday’s Championship Round
OXFORD, Ala. (Oct. 25, 2025) – A slow start turned into a furious finish for Team Ferguson’s Takahiro Omori and Dean Rojas, who surged from below the Lucas Oil Cut Line with a late third-period flurry to win Knockout Round Match 1 of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
The veteran duo – dubbed “Team TakoRojas” by MLF broadcaster Chad McKee – tallied 17 bass for 32 pounds, 7 ounces, sealing their comeback with 13 scorable bass in the final two hours on Lake Weiss. Omori and Rojas now advance to Monday’s Championship Round alongside Team O’Reilly Auto Parts’ Dustin Connell and Jacob Wheeler, who finished second with 17 bass for 29-9.
“We just had a great day on Lake Weiss,” said Omori. “They brought us here, we never have practice, no information, and it’s really tough fishing in this format. Even catching a 1-pounder is hard. But at the end of the day, it all worked out really good, and I’m really happy they took us here.”
Team Ferguson’s late surge was sparked by a crucial decision during the second break.
“It was slow in the beginning – the first two periods were tough,” Rojas said. “I think Tak had only caught one. But I told him, during the break ‘Let’s go way back, as far as we can go, where nobody else is fishing.’ We got in the backs of those creeks and bam-bam-bam, it was on. We caught up to second place, passed them, caught the leaders, and then sealed the deal. It was just a great day, and more importantly, we made the final round.”
Omori and Rojas relied on a combination of power-fishing tactics – squarebill crankbaits and vibrating jigs – targeting isolated wood and dilapidated bridge pilings where shad were stacked in just 2 to 3 feet of water.
“All my fish today came on a small 1.5 squarebill crankbait or a 3/8-ounce white-and-chartreuse (Z-Man) ChatterBait,” Omori said. “I flipped a little, to the exact same spots, but never had a bite. Staying with moving baits was really the key.”
Rojas mirrored the approach.
“For me, it was a small squarebill and a (Z-Man EverGreen) JackHammer with a Big Bite Baits Swimon trailer,” Rojas said. “We covered a ton of water, and once we got into the right area, everything lined up – the bait, the shad, the cover. It was slow at first, but when it happened, it happened fast. It all worked out great for us to win the Knockout Round and move on.”
Omori also earned the Berkley Big Bass of the Day with a 3-pound, 15-ounce largemouth that anchored the team’s comeback – one of four fish caught off the same stretch of old bridge structure.
The Team O’Reilly Auto Parts duo of Connell and Wheeler maintained a steady lead through much of the day, using vibrating jigs and soft plastics around boat docks before shifting to the backs of pockets and culverts as the bite moved shallow. Their effort was enough to secure a comfortable second-place finish and a return to the Championship Round.
Team Lucas Oil’s Luke Clausen and Michael Neal led after the first period but couldn’t locate a consistent bite in the later frames, finishing third with 13-10 and bowing out of the competition.
The top two teams from Knockout Round Match 1 at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches that now advance to Monday’s Championship Round are:
1st: Team Ferguson, 17 bass, 32-7
Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, eight bass, 16-1
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., nine bass, 16-6
2nd: Team O’Reilly Auto Parts, 17 bass, 29-9
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., eight bass, 13-2
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., nine bass, 16-7
Eliminated from competition are:
3rd: Team Lucas Oil, eight bass, 13-10
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., two bass, 5-0
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., six bass, 8-10
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 42 bass weighing 75 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the three teams in Knockout Round Match 1 on Weiss Lake on Saturday. Team Ferguson pro Takahiro Omori caught a largemouth bass weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces, that was the Berkley Big Bass of the day.
The three teams that will compete Sunday in Knockout Round Match 2 at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches are:
Team 7Brew Coffee:
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala.
Team Fishing Clash:
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
Team Knighten:
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn.
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches is hosted by the City of Oxford and takes place over six days in Oxford, Alabama. 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 9:15 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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV and Rumble. The final period of every day of competition of the 2025 Fishing Clash Team Series is broadcast live on RFD-TV, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT.
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 Monday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2025 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops features four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot, and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of $560,000 in prize money. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2025.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 28, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
MLF Announces Pickwick Lake as Venue for 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card Tournament
COUNCE, Tenn. (Oct. 25, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that Pickwick Lake and Counce, Tennessee, has been selected to host the 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Wild Card tournament, which will take place Nov. 14-15. The two-day event, hosted by Explore Pickwick Lake/Hardin County Tourism, will launch from the Pickwick Landing State Park.
“Hosting the Major League Fishing BFL Wild Card out of Pickwick Landing State Park is a huge economic driver for our local economy,” said Beth Pippin, Tourism Executive Director for Explore Pickwick Lake/Hardin County Tourism. “We are honored to welcome the anglers and fishing fans from all over and encourage them to explore Pickwick and Tennessee.”
In order to be eligible to fish the Wild Card tournament, anglers must have entered all five events within a Phoenix Bass Fishing League division during the 2025 season, fished at least two of them, and are not already advancing to the All-American via a previous qualification.
Anglers will take off from the Pickwick Landing State Park, located at 120 Playground Loop in Counce, at 7 a.m. CT each day of competition. Weigh-ins will be held at the State Park both days beginning at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the takeoffs and weigh-ins, as well as follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The full field competes both days at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card, with winners determined by the heaviest two-day catch. The top three boaters and top three co-anglers will advance to the 2026 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine All-American, held on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, May 28-30, 2026, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
There will be no off-limits period prior to the pretournament meeting for the Wild Card. No contestant may be on tournament waters for the purpose of locating bass or potential fishing waters after the start of the pretournament meeting except during tournament hours.
Entry for the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card at Pickwick Lake opens Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at 8 a.m. CT and runs through Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT. Anglers can enter by phone at 270.252.1000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season – five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, advanced to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments – or the Wild Card – where they competed to finish in the top three and qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the 43rd annual BFL All-American. The BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, 2026, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Local favorite Nick Trim widens lead in B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
LA CROSSE, Wis. — After catching 21 pounds on Day 1 of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance, local angling ace Nick Trim said he felt the tournament was his to lose.
A day later, Trim said his confidence is even higher, which can’t be good news for those remaining in the championship field here in southwest Wisconsin.
Trim, a 42-year-old resident of Galesville, Wis., (about 20 miles from the weigh-in site at La Crosse Municipal Harbor) followed Wednesday’s 21-pound limit with five more largemouth bass weighing 19 pounds, giving him an even 40 pounds heading into the second half of the tournament.
“Everything went well again today,” Trim said. “I think I’ve been spending too much time in my starting areas, so I’m hoping to make some quicker decisions and move a little faster. I have a school that really hasn’t been messed with, and I’ve got one that’s had a lot of pressure from other guys. I think that second school can carry me through this tournament, and I’ll probably go look for some big brown fish, try to catch a smallmouth like the 6-pounder I caught yesterday. I lost one today that wasn’t quite as big, but it might have been 5 1/2 pounds.”
“That’s the plan,” he continued. “That and try not hit any wing dams.”
Clipping a wing dam with his boat was about the only thing that went awry for Trim on Thursday. He was atop the West Channel of the river and the collision took half the skeg from his boat and jammed it through the boat prop.
The boat yard was Trim’s first stop after leaving the stage on Day 2.
“I run (past) that wing dam probably 150 times a year (and no problems),” he said. “I didn’t hit it hard … but I just want to make sure everything is OK. I was on the way back in today. I can’t break down out here, obviously.”
True, because there’s far too much on the line this week for the Wisconsinite. The Top 3 in the boater standings will earn berths in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville on the Tennessee River March 13-15. The overall winner here also will claim a $50,000 cash prize in addition to paid entries into all Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments in 2026.
There’s still plenty fishing to do, but Trim currently has a 4-pound lead on his nearest competitor. He also has an intimate knowledge of this stretch of the Upper Mississippi that gives him an edge on the Top 40 boaters who survived Thursday’s cut. While many anglers unfamiliar with the river are fishing areas where they saw fish during practice, Trim is anticipating where bass are moving to as autumn begins its frigid crawl across this section of the country.
Trim said Pool 8 of the river has been crowded this week, as many of the 248 boaters in the derby have opted to stay close to downtown La Crosse. Locking downriver into Pool 9 or upriver into Pool 7 might give an angler a look at undisturbed water, but navigating the tricky lock schedule worries even seasoned locals.
“I should have probably locked down sooner today,” he said. “But I’ve been locked out so many times in my life. Each of the pools fish about the same, but (Pool) 8 gets more pressure because guys don’t want to risk it. But the thing is, these river fish just don’t handle pressure well, and my starting area has a ton of pressure. Hopefully that changes tomorrow after the cut. I might be able to do some real damage if I can stay on my best spot. I left it yesterday with 15 1/2 pounds and today with 15 and fish were biting both times. Luckily, I’ve been able to cull up after moving. If I don’t lose the 5 1/2 smallmouth I had today, I probably weigh another 21-pound bag.”
Trim said catching another heavy smallmouth or two is likely the key to winning the Nation Championship. The 6-pounder he bagged on Wednesday remains the big bass of the tournament so far.
“I know where they live. Hopefully I can get another one to eat tomorrow and get him to the boat.”
Rounding out the Top 5 in the boater division are Connecticut’s Noah Winslow, second, 36-0; Kentucky’s Nathan Sheehan, third, 35-15; Tennessee’s Dylan Nutt, fourth, 35-15; and Alabama’s Brody Robison, fifth, 33-2.
Thursday’s weather was much like that on Day 1, with temperatures in the mid-40s and wind gusting between 10-15 mph. Forecasters are calling for a light freeze overnight in the La Crosse area, but the sun should warm things to the mid-50s by late morning. The wind is expected to be next to non-existent on Friday.
Kentucky’s Nico Urso leads the nonboater division with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 28-1. Day 1 leader and Wisconsinite Jediah Barrett slipped to second with 27-11 overall. Oklahoma’s Colten Hutson is third with 24-5. Colorado’s Andrew Bowman is fourth with eight bass totaling 23-7, including a 5-pounder he caught on Day 1 that remains the heavy among nonboaters.
Anglers from each of the 48 continental states and seven foreign countries are competing this week for a total cash purse of $223,000, not counting entry fees and more incentives that will go to top anglers.
The Top 40 anglers in both boater and nonboater categories will compete on Friday and the nonboater champ will be crowned when the weigh-in is complete. The winner will claim $10,000 cash and also join the Top 10 in the boater division to compete on Championship Saturday. Any other nonboater whose weight is greater than any of the Top 10 anglers in the boater division after Day 3 also will compete on the final day of the derby.
The Day 3 take-off is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. CT from Veterans Freedom Park in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:30 p.m. CT at the La Crosse Municipal Boat Landing.
Daily coverage of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance can be found on Bassmaster.com.
Explore La Crosse is hosting the week’s events.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Pr
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 10/22-10/25
Mississippi River, LaCrosse WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 10 40-00 0
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 19-00
2. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 10 36-00 0
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 18-05
3. Nathan Sheehan Danville, KY 10 35-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 19-10
4. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 10 35-15 0
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 18-14
5. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 10 33-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 17-05
6. Kyle Grover Rancho Santa Margarita, 10 33-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 16-14
7. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 10 32-12 0
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 14-15
8. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 10 32-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 17-06
9. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 10 32-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 17-11
10. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 10 32-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 18-03
11. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 10 32-05 0
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 16-01
12. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 10 32-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 15-00
13. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 10 32-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 15-13
14. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 10 32-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 17-13
15. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 10 31-12 0
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 12-13
16. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 10 31-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 16-13
17. Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO 10 31-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-09
18. Cody Dawson Mount Vernon, OH 10 30-11 0
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 13-04
19. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 10 30-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-12
20. Rich Lindgren Lakeville, MN 10 30-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 15-01
21. Scott Hellesen Paso Robles, CA 10 30-05 0
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 12-07
22. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 10 30-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 15-09
23. Alex Korol Fairport, NY 10 29-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 16-05
24. Austin Bonjour Templeton, CA 10 29-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 14-05
25. Steve Lee Minneapolis, MN 10 29-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-13
26. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 10 29-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-08
27. Patrick Touey Santa Maria, CA 10 29-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-07
28. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 10 29-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-02
29. Aaron Orsi Millbury, MA 10 29-01 0
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 13-08
30. Nathan Reynolds Florence, AL 10 28-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 12-11
31. Shawn Smalley Sutherlin, OR 10 28-13 0
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 12-04
32. Trevor Young Spring Lake, MI 10 28-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 14-10
33. Owen Hentschel Traverse City, MI 10 28-10 0
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 11-06
34. Travis Merritt Jr Iowa, LA 10 28-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 15-05
35. Steven Griffith Schellsburg, PA 10 28-08 0
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 11-07
36. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 28-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 13-05
37. Brian Jones Magnolia, TX 10 28-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 11-03
38. Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM 10 28-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 13-08
39. Adam Neu Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 27-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 15-04
40. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 10 27-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 13-01
41. Brian Post Janesville, WI 10 27-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 15-15
42. Sieg Taylor Freeport, FL 10 27-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 13-08
43. Adrian Urso Union, KY 10 27-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-11
44. Spencer Hahn Neenah, WI 10 27-00 0
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 11-05
45. Justin Harris Hutchinson, KS 10 26-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-00
46. Roy Hawk Lk Havasu Cty, AZ 10 26-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 12-15
47. Nobuyuki Terajima Hermitage, TN 10 26-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-10
48. Brad Durden Atlanta, GA 10 26-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-12
49. Liam Blake East Syracuse, NY 10 26-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-00
50. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 10 26-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 13-04
51. Wil Dieffenbauch III Hundred, WV 10 26-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 12-06
52. David Maiorano Durham, CT 10 26-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 11-15
53. Gary Pope Jr Georgetown, SC 10 25-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 13-00
54. Reece Keeney Winneconne, WI 10 25-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-02
55. James Biggs Comanche, TX 10 25-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
56. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 9 25-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 4 13-00
57. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 10 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 10-10
58. Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI 10 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-05
59. Trevor Rogge Canyon Lake, TX 10 25-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 11-07
60. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 10 25-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-15
61. Trey Nanney III Rocky Mount, NC 9 25-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 11-15
62. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 9 24-15 0
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-13
63. Tyler Rush Clearville, PA 10 24-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-01
64. Tyler Cory Neenah, WI 9 24-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 4 08-12
65. Brent Tullis Tyrone, GA 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 09-10
66. Dustin Hollen Buckhannon, WV 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 13-08
67. Kenji Yamada Chattanooga, TN 10 24-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 11-11
68. Jaret Rushing Hampton, AR 10 24-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-07
69. Justin Royal Bridge City, TX 10 23-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
70. Mickey Soler Newington, CT 8 23-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 3 07-07
71. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 10 23-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 11-03
72. Luke Gritter Otsego, MI 9 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 10-15
73. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 9 23-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 4 10-13
74. John Mayo Maiden, NC 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 09-15
75. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-05
75. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-05
77. Zach Taylor Kimberly, ID 10 23-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
78. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 10 23-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 12-06
79. Justin Rowe Boyceville, WI 9 23-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 4 08-00
80. Sean Snover Milford, NH 10 23-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-11
81. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 9 23-04 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 13-06
82. Matthew Peter Saint James, MO 10 23-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 12-11
83. Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR 8 23-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 5 15-07
84. Ted Daniels St. Louis, MO 10 23-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 11-05
85. Ruben Tarazona Sicilia Tarazona SPAIN 10 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-13
86. Rick Sawyer Albion, IN 8 22-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 5 15-13
87. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 9 22-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 4 07-09
88. Tim Cartwright Sand Springs, OK 10 22-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-06
89. Dave Frost Mount Dora, FL 10 22-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 09-10
90. Joseph Sanderson Channahon, IL 10 22-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 11-10
91. Colby Bryant Houston, TX 8 22-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 3 10-14
92. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 7 22-02 0
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 2 04-03
93. Terry Anderson Powderly, TX 10 22-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 09-12
94. Joe Uribe Surprise, AZ 9 21-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 4 08-10
95. Braylon Eggerding Grand Rapids, MI 10 21-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 12-00
96. Nathan Delaney Jr Weyauwega, WI 8 21-10 0
Day 1: 3 08-08 Day 2: 5 13-02
97. Nick Cook Kirksville, MO 10 21-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 09-00
98. Jonathon Dewey Fort Gratiot, MI 10 21-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 12-02
99. Thomas Foster III Suffolk, VA 9 21-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 08-03
100. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 9 21-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 4 09-06
101. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 9 21-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 08-06
102. Henry Fristik Blandford, MA 10 21-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 08-06
103. Danny Grantham Bay Minette, AL 9 20-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 4 09-03
104. Josh Wilson Worley, ID 9 20-13 0
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-01
105. Bryer Pennington Prescott, AR 9 20-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 4 09-00
106. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 10 20-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-07
107. Blake Martin Dardanelle, AR 8 20-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 3 07-02
108. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 7 20-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 2 06-06
109. Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN 8 20-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 3 09-15
110. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 8 20-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 5 12-12
111. Kalib Lund Yuma, AZ 10 20-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 10-12
112. Tucker Pierce Hollister, MO 8 20-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 3 06-14
113. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 8 20-04 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 4 10-06
114. Brandon Bullinger Bismarck, ND 8 20-03 0
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 5 12-00
115. Paul Badders Joppa, MD 10 20-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 09-04
116. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 8 20-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 3 07-06
117. Todd Kline San Clemente, CA 9 20-02 0
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 5 12-11
118. Justin Soppe Caldwell, ID 10 19-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 09-01
119. Alex Torkleson Coweta, OK 9 19-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 4 10-00
120. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 8 19-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 3 07-10
121. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 9 19-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 4 09-10
122. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 9 19-08 0
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 5 10-11
123. Don Cox Russellville, AL 9 19-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 4 10-00
124. Tom Testa Port Crane, NY 8 19-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 3 06-06
125. Remington Lawrence Melbourne, AR 9 19-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 4 08-00
126. Richard Cobb Berea , KY 5 18-10 0
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Allex Conner Delaware, OH 6 18-08 0
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 1 02-07
128. Hunter Baird Flippin, KS 6 18-08 0
Day 1: 4 12-05 Day 2: 2 06-03
129. Drew Bradstreet Lutz, FL 8 18-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 5 11-03
130. Alex Klein Oroville, CA 8 18-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-05 Day 2: 4 08-12
131. Ryan West Hartsville, SC 8 18-00 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 5 11-08
132. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 8 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 3 07-09
133. Justin Hrach Rostraver Township, PA 7 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 2 04-09
134. James Kushmer Tifton GA CANADA 8 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 06-13
135. Blake Atchison Ava, MO 7 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 2 06-03
136. Samuel Anthony Independence, LA 8 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 3 06-08
137. Mike Obal Jr Springfield, NE 8 17-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 06-11
138. Jarrod Aucoin Patterson, LA 7 17-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 2 04-14
139. Timothy Garrison Jefferson, SC 9 17-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 4 08-00
140. Tony Beck Social Circle, GA 10 17-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 08-07
141. Jeff Hodges Apex, NC 9 17-05 0
Day 1: 4 06-07 Day 2: 5 10-14
142. Mike Bennett Connersville, IN 9 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 4 08-01
143. Nick Klein Chico, CA 7 16-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 5 11-09
144. Michael Nutter Charlotte Hall, MD 6 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 1 02-00
145. DJ Rebstock Norco, LA 8 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 3 06-01
146. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 7 16-05 0
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 3 05-12
147. Jeff Gilliam Gordo, AL 7 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 2 04-13
148. Giancarlo Ottolino Port St.Lucie, FL 7 16-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 4 08-10
149. Quincy Grupenhoff Clancy, MT 10 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 04-02
150. Kelley Hudson Graham, TX 8 16-01 0
Day 1: 4 07-00 Day 2: 4 09-01
151. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 7 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 2 03-12
152. Tim Birch Waterloo ONTARIO CANADA 7 15-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 3 06-07
153. Aaron Green Everett, PA 8 15-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 5 09-09
154. Brandon Stanley Howard City, MI 7 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 2 04-04
155. Jay Hotzak Whitby Ontario CANADA 6 15-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 1 02-14
156. John Smith Elkview, WV 8 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 3 04-13
157. Tanner Calhoun Nampa, ID 6 14-15 0
Day 1: 4 08-12 Day 2: 2 06-03
158. Caleb Konrad Elka Park , NY 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 2 06-08 Day 2: 3 08-06
159. Jason Gillispie Julian, WV 8 14-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 5 09-03
160. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
161. Enrico Zancanaro Rovigo ITALY 6 13-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 1 01-08
162. Takeshi Hattori Koganei JAPAN 7 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 2 04-05
163. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 6 13-13 0
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 06-12
164. Brian Tressen Corona, CA 6 13-11 0
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 2 04-03
165. James Mcallister Canadian, OK 6 13-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 4 09-13
166. Michael Lebsack Duluth, MN 6 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 1 02-09
167. Dustin Berry Dayton, TX 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
167. James Clements Sparta, GA 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
169. Dylan Maxon Sun City, AZ 6 13-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 3 06-04
170. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 6 13-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 4 10-10
171. Cesar Madrigal Tomball TX MEXICO 7 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 2 04-01
172. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 6 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
173. Luke Wenger Lakewood, CO 4 12-10 0
Day 1: 4 12-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
174. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 6 12-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 5 10-01
175. Ian Boehm Desert Hills, AZ 6 12-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 5 10-15
176. Andrew Nienaber Cape Town Western Cape 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 4 10-07 Day 2: 1 02-01
177. Mark Cobey Woodland, CA 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
177. Tim Dubuc Bowdoinham, ME 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
179. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 1 03-04
180. Keith Poulin Lisbon, ME 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
181. Mathew Koprash North Bay Ontario CANAD 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-10 Day 2: 2 03-07
182. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-00
183. Jack Albert Nottingham, NH 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 1 01-13
184. Patrick Currie Satsuma, AL 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
185. Larry Clontz Trenton, OH 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. Dustin Hartzer Mc Cook, NE 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. David Ottman Terry, MS 6 11-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 4 07-14
188. Tanner Ward Beallsville, OH 4 11-03 0
Day 1: 4 11-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
189. Michael Catt Jacksonville, FL 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 3 07-04
190. Josh Long Fraziers Bottom, WV 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Jackie Barber West , TX 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Brandon Mosley Harrah, OK 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
193. Denis Carrier Skowhegan, ME 4 10-13 0
Day 1: 4 10-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
194. Ben Nobile Livingston, LA 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
195. Joe Lay Coker, AL 4 10-05 0
Day 1: 4 10-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
196. David Chong Aurora ONTARIO CANADA 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 3 06-04
197. Connor Sirois Buxton, ME 4 10-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 3 07-08
198. Brennan Chuprinko Flanders, NJ 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
198. Julius Mazy Vinemont, AL 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Bryce Poulin Lisbon, ME 4 09-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 3 08-06
201. Kenneth Moore Red Oak, TX 4 09-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 1 03-02
202. Tom Hardy Penetanguishene Ontario 3 09-13 0
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
203. Thy Dinh Charleston, WV 4 09-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 3 08-04
204. Micah Jones Kingman, AZ 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
205. James Gibbons TIMMONSVILLE, SC 5 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
206. Branden Mowers Shasta Lake, CA 4 09-07 0
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 2 05-14
207. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 4 09-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 1 01-12
208. Paul Ersing Ogunquit, ME 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
209. Hunter Wendt Pequot Lakes, MN 4 08-13 0
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
210. Matt Marques Seneca, IL 4 08-08 0
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
211. Bobby Johnson Hemingway, SC 3 08-08 0
Day 1: 3 08-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
212. Jason Mcwilliams Magnolia, AR 4 08-05 0
Day 1: 4 08-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
213. Curtis Hughes Greenwood, IN 4 08-03 0
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
214. Joao Macide Covilha, Tortosendo POR 3 08-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 1 03-15
215. Kevin Steinruck Sodus, NY 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-11
216. David Macinnis Cannington Ontario CANA 6 07-03 0
Day 1: 3 01-07 Day 2: 3 05-12
217. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 3 06-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-14
218. Derek Dultmeier Topeka, KS 3 06-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 1 03-00
219. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 3 06-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
220. Cody Graff Glenvil, NE 4 06-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 03-02
221. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
222. Bobby Baker Midlothian, VA 3 06-02 0
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
223. Kevin Martin Crown City, OH 2 06-00 0
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
224. Jonathan Reimer Midhurst Ontario CANADA 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
225. Chris Irigoyen Henderson, NV 3 05-04 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-04
226. Wesley Kent Smithville, TN 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 1 03-06
227. Mick Pageler Tonto Basin, AZ 2 05-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
228. Kal Vaisanen Washago ONTARIO CANADA 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 1 02-02
229. Brandon Gaither Oakdale, CA 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
230. David Boyd Jr Quincy, FL 2 04-14 0
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
231. Kenny Bowen Hager City, WI 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
232. David Cook White House, TN 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
233. Vincent Hoff Branson, MO 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 1 02-00
234. Brian O'Connell Ridge Spring, SC 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
235. Justin Kohl Hastings, NE 1 04-03 0
Day 1: 1 04-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
236. Nausori Osasa Grand Isle, VT 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
237. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
238. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
239. Mark Lunsford Lexington, KY 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
240. Colt Williams Tallahassee, FL 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
241. Bobby Martin Castle Rock, CO 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
242. Tony Dulac Harpswell, ME 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
243. Wendell Potter Columbia, MD 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
244. Randall Trent Evington, VA 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
245. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 3 01-07 0
Day 1: 3 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
246. Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
246. Michael Kazmierczak Lemont, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
246. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 156 1008 2567-13
2 108 777 1958-02
------------------------------
264 1785 4525-15
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 10/22-10/25
Mississippi River, LaCrosse WI.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Nico Urso Union, KY 10 28-01 0
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-07
2. Jediah Barrett Neenah, WI 9 27-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 4 11-12
3. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 10 24-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 11-00
4. Andrew Bowman Aurora, CO 8 23-07 0
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 4 10-04
5. David Childress Bakersfield, CA 10 22-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 10-07
6. Wade Denney Nampa, ID 9 21-05 0
Day 1: 4 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-08
7. Jeremy Anibas Menomonie, WI 10 21-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 09-15
8. Jordi Torres Torroella de Montgri Z 10 20-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
9. Geoffrey Peterson Huntington Beach , CA 8 20-11 0
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 4 10-03
10. Jim Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL 8 20-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 3 07-06
11. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 8 19-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 3 09-03
12. Larry Llanes Madera, CA 9 19-05 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 09-07
13. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 7 19-03 0
Day 1: 4 13-02 Day 2: 3 06-01
14. Zach Oliver Coal Hill, AR 8 18-12 0
Day 1: 4 09-09 Day 2: 4 09-03
15. Adam Buss Bonduel, WI 8 18-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-03 Day 2: 4 08-14
16. Jeff Zeisner Arva CANADA 8 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 3 08-06
17. John Young Whiteland, IN 7 17-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 5 13-05
18. Dan Black Scottsville, VA 8 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 06-05
19. Joseph Von Hoene Erlanger, KY 8 17-01 0
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 4 08-03
20. Michael Grisham Glendale, AZ 6 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 1 02-10
21. Todd Tigar Osage Beach, MO 8 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 3 06-09
22. Larry Taylor Delmar, DE 7 16-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
23. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 7 16-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 2 04-03
24. Michael Buell Claysburg, PA 7 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 2 04-04
25. Joe Mclain Wayland, MI 6 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 1 01-15
26. Mathew Higby Lamar, AR 6 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 1 03-06
27. Renee Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 7 16-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 5 11-04
28. Allen Smith Knoxville, TN 6 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 1 03-00
29. Joe Uribe Sr Lake Havasu City, AZ 8 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 3 06-03
30. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 5 15-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 4 12-01
31. Eric Englebretson Chickasha, OK 6 15-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-08 Day 2: 5 11-12
32. Michael Schrader Harrisville, RI 7 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 2 05-03
33. Kong Moua Sacramento, CA 6 15-00 0
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 2 04-08
34. Chad Macks Robertsdale, AL 7 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 2 04-10
35. Scott Shrewsbury Rocky Mount, NC 6 14-12 0
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 2 04-06
36. Jeffery Montgomery Sapulpa, OK 8 14-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 5 08-05
37. Josh Giran Elizabeth, PA 8 14-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 5 09-13
38. Dale Westmoreland Jay, FL 6 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 1 01-15
39. Keith Adams Redding, CA 7 14-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 5 09-09
40. Greg Dennis Pilot Point, TX 7 14-02 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 3 05-11
41. Wyatt Gidcumb Oakland, OR 6 14-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 5 11-11
42. Dale Taylor Kimberly, ID 6 13-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 5 11-05
43. Kyle Boardman Waterloo CANADA 7 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 2 05-05
44. David Eades Lexington, KY 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 3 08-12 Day 2: 2 04-14
45. Tony Madrigal Auburn, CA 6 13-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 4 09-10
46. Warren Cooper Utopia Ontario CANADA 7 13-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 09-09
47. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 6 13-09 0
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 2 04-14
48. Anthony Paschall Cumberland, VA 7 13-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 4 08-05
49. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 7 13-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 4 06-10
50. Colton Underwood-Garside Riverside, CA 6 13-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 3 06-10
51. Mike Bell Ogdensburg, NY 6 13-05 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 2 03-07
52. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 7 13-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 2 03-13
53. Lalo Zermeno Tomball TX MEXICO 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
54. Bob Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL 6 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 1 01-11
55. Erik Gaffron Hanover, MN 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 2 05-09
56. Jarid Tomnitz New Lenox, IL 6 12-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 4 08-02
57. Rich Purington Bellevue, NE 6 12-09 0
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 4 06-07
58. Dennis Heusser Hutchinson, CO 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 3 07-01
59. Hunter Reece Minneapolis, MN 6 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 3 06-05
60. Nathan Minnix Goodview, VA 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
61. Stefan Grobecker Daly City, CA 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 1 02-09
62. Ian Mangino Sunbury, OH 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 6 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 1 01-06
64. Casey Cline Glendale, AZ 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
65. Benjamin Nowalk Milton, WV 6 11-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 3 05-09
66. Tim Crissman Raytown, MO 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
66. Kirk Marshall Discovery Bay, CA 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-11
68. David Pilcher Jr De Ruyter, NY 5 11-07 0
Team Lucas Oil’s Clausen and Neal Cruise to Day 2 Victory at Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W
Dominant third-period surge sends Lucas Oil to Knockout Round, 7Brew Coffee rallies to claim second advancing spot
OXFORD, Ala. (Oct. 23, 2025) – Team Lucas Oil’s Luke Clausen and Michael Neal delivered a clinic in consistency and adjustment Thursday, racking up 32 scorable bass weighing 44 pounds, 4 ounces to win Elimination Match 2 of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
Despite flat-calm, sunny conditions to start the morning, the veteran duo quickly deciphered the bite – then shifted gears perfectly when the fish changed. They posted eight scorable bass in Period 1, nine in Period 2, and 15 in the final frame to pull away and secure a “stress-free” qualification into Saturday’s Knockout Round.
“It’s been a pretty good day,” Neal said. “We only lost the lead for a brief time in the second period, so it was nice to stay pretty comfortably above that cutline. This format is all about the cut line, and we were above it the whole time. Today was fairly stress-free, which is very rare in this format.”
Early on, Clausen and Neal discovered that fish were sticking unusually tight to the bottom despite the calm, bright conditions. The duo then adjusted again later in the day when the wind picked up and pushed the baitfish higher in the water column.
“Really it was a one-two punch for us,” Neal continued. “We started off this morning kind of lost, but we found a point and got a few bites quick on a shaky head and drop-shot. Later in the day, that fizzled, so I moved toward some standing timber and stopped short – next thing I know, we’re catching them suspended. That’s what this format is all about, just figuring it out as you go.”
Clausen did much of his early damage with a finesse setup before joining Neal on the suspended bite later in the day.
“That shaky head was really good this morning,” Clausen said. “I was throwing a 3/16-ounce head with a green pumpkin worm on a Phenix 7-foot, 1-inch medium rod with 10-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line – pretty simple, but hard to beat almost anywhere in the country. Later, when they lifted up in the water column, that minnow on a ¼-ounce head was the deal. It was just a fun day making adjustments as we went.”
Beyond the tackle talk, the victory carried personal meaning for both anglers – longtime friends who hadn’t shared a boat in more than a decade.
“We don’t get to fish together much,” Clausen said. “I think the last time we fished together was in 2012 – right after (Paul) Elias won at Lake Guntersville on the Alabama Rig. I’ve known Michael since he was in high school, and it’s just fun to get out there with someone you’ve known that long and see how they fish. Especially when we’re kicking everybody else’s butt like we did today.”
“I told Luke he’s buying dinner tonight – this has been a guide trip,” Neal added with a laugh. “But this is the first two-man Team Series event where I’ve actually made it through the first round, so I’m excited. We’ve got a chance to make some more money and hopefully keep things rolling.”
Team 7Brew Coffee’s Edwin Evers and Jesse Wiggins rallied midway through the second period to briefly take the lead, finishing with 19 bass for 27-3 to secure the second Knockout Round spot. Team B&W Trailer Hitches (15-0) and Team Kubota (3-3) were eliminated from competition.
The top two teams from Elimination Round Match 2 at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches that now advance to the Knockout Round are:
1st: Team Lucas Oil, 32 bass, 44-4
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 20 bass, 26-14
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 12 bass, 17-6
2nd: Team 7Brew Coffee, 19 bass, 27-3
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., six bass, 8-13
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 13 bass, 18-6
Eliminated from competition are:
3rd: Team B&W Trailer Hitches, 10 bass, 15-0
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., four bass, 5-5
Alton Jones Sr., Lorena, Texas, six bass, 9-11
4th: Team Kubota, two bass, 3-3
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., one bass, 1-6
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., one bass, 1-13
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 63 bass weighing 89 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the four teams in Elimination Match 2 on Lake Wedowee. Team Lucas Oil pro Michael Neal caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a 2-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass.
The four teams that will compete Friday in Elimination Match 3 at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches are:
Team Ferguson:
Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Team Knighten:
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn.
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
Team Smokey Mountain:
Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.
Team YETI:
Colby Miller, Elmer, La.
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches is hosted by the City of Oxford and takes place over six days in Oxford, Alabama. 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 9:15 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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV and Rumble. The final period of every day of competition of the 2025 Fishing Clash Team Series is broadcast live on RFD-TV, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT.
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 Monday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2025 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops features four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot, and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of $560,000 in prize money. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2025.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 28, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Trim rides local knowledge to Day 1 lead in B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Nick Trim is one of only a couple true locals competing in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance.
And Wednesday, on Day 1 of the tournament, he looked every bit of the man to beat on his home water.
Trim, a 42-year-old resident of Galesville, Wis., caught a five-bass limit of 21 pounds to stake himself to more than a two-pound lead in this four-day derby in the southwest corner of the state.
Lane Clark, of Anderson, S.C., is second with 18-15 and Richard Cobb, of Berea, Ky., is third with 18-10. Another 18 anglers are within 5 pounds of the lead after battling a cold and windy day on the river.
Trim, no doubt, has the edge on experience in this field, composed of some 248 anglers in the boater field and almost as many in the nonboater division. He has, after all, fished this stretch of the Mississippi River since he was a boy and Wednesday, he called on that deep well of knowledge to pinpoint bass as they moved into traditional wintering areas.
“In practice, the water was about 60 or 61 degrees, and the fish weren’t ready,” Trim said. “But these two cool nights we just had really got them fired up. I spent the whole practice not looking for fish but looking instead for where fish were going. I really just fished local knowledge of where they winter, where they go.
“I figured that if I found fish in practice, they probably wouldn’t be there when the tournament started because of the cold weather that was coming,” he continued. “So, I took a gamble, and it paid off, I guess. I don’t know if I can do it again tomorrow, but we’ll see.”
If history is an indicator, Trim will be a tough out on the Upper Mississippi. He won the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier presented by Lowrance here in May 2024 during the spawn, with a three-day weight of 65-4. That qualified him for the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake where he finished sixth in that event last November.
Trim’s confidence is high, considering his previous experience in big tournaments. And now that he’s 20 miles from his house and fishing familiar water?
“I feel like as long as I fish clean and I keep my head on, this is mine to lose,” Trim said. “And I didn’t feel that way after practice. But after I checked things today, I feel really good. It’s set up the way I was expecting.”
Trim said he committed to a largemouth bite on Day 1 and had 17 1/2 pounds in the livewell with plenty of time to spare. So, he went hunting for smallmouth bites — a move that paid off in tremendous dividends.
“I wanted to see if the smallmouth would fire,” he said. “On my third stop, I caught a 6-pounder (the heaviest weighed Wednesday). It might be a personal best for me on smallmouth here. I really could do no wrong today. Everything went right.”
Clark, 21, also was “fired up” after weighing 18-15 following a “very tough practice.”
“I don’t think I caught a limit over three days, but I found something today,” Clark said. “They were biting today and I left them biting. The difference I think was timing. That, and the cooler weather got them biting. They weren’t really active when it was warmer. I’m not sure. It’s my first time fishing up here and I’m still learning.”
Clark said he’s fishing current for a mix of bass, though he weighed five largemouth on Wednesday.
“I caught a couple smaller smallmouth, but they didn’t make the team today,” he said. “But I had a 4-8 largemouth. I’d rather have those if I can get them … But I have mixed feelings. I’m banking on one or two places. I don’t know if it’ll hold up for four days, but I’m hoping I can hit them to make the cut and see how things go from there.”
Cobb, who won the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to qualify for this tournament, also brought five largemouth to the stage on Day 1. He said he’d prefer a mix of bass, but didn’t see any of the heavy smallmouth some locals predicted would be vital to winning this week.
Thursday’s weather forecast is expected to be much like Day 1 — temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s with steady winds blowing from the northwest at 10-15 mph. A frost advisory is in effect overnight Wednesday, with temperatures expected to drop to 34 degrees.
Wisconsin’s Jediah Barrett, 20, is atop the nonboater field with a five bass weighing 15-15. Kentucky’s Nico Urso is a close second with 15-10 and Arizona’s Michael Grisham is third with 14-3. Colorado’s Andrew Bowman caught a 5-pounder that was the heavy among nonboaters on Wednesday.
Anglers from each of the 48 continental states and seven foreign countries are competing this week for a total cash purse of $223,000, not counting entry fees and more incentives that will go to top anglers. The Top 3 in the standings after the championship will earn berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River March 13-15. The overall winner also will claim a $50,000 cash prize in addition to paid entries into the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series in 2026.
All competitors will fish Thursday, with the Top 40 in both boater and nonboater categories making the cut to Friday. The nonboater champ will be crowned after Day 3, with the winner claiming $10,000 cash. That angler, and the Top 10 in the boater division after Day 3, will advance to fish Championship Saturday. Any other nonboater whose weight is greater than any of the Top 10 anglers in the boater division also will compete on the final day.
The Day 2 take-off is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. CT from Veterans Freedom Park in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:30 p.m. CT at the La Crosse Municipal Boat Landing.
Daily coverage of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance can be found on Bassmaster.com.
Explore La Crosse is hosting the week’s events.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Pr
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 10/22-10/25
Mississippi River, LaCrosse WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 21-00
2. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 5 18-15 0
Day 1: 5 18-15
3. Richard Cobb Berea , KY 5 18-10 0
Day 1: 5 18-10
4. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 5 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 17-15
5. Scott Hellesen Paso Robles, CA 5 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 17-14
6. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 17-13 0
Day 1: 5 17-13
7. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 5 17-11 0
Day 1: 5 17-11
8. Cody Dawson Mount Vernon, OH 5 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 17-07
9. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 5 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04
9. Owen Hentschel Traverse City, MI 5 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04
11. Steven Griffith Schellsburg, PA 5 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 17-01
11. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 5 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 17-01
13. Brian Jones Magnolia, TX 5 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 16-13
14. Shawn Smalley Sutherlin, OR 5 16-09 0
Day 1: 5 16-09
15. Mickey Soler Newington, CT 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
16. Nathan Sheehan Danville, KY 5 16-05 0
Day 1: 5 16-05
17. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 5 16-04
17. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 5 16-04
19. Nathan Reynolds Florence, AL 5 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 16-03
20. Kyle Grover Rancho Santa Margarita, 5 16-02 0
Day 1: 5 16-02
21. Allex Conner Delaware, OH 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-01
22. Tyler Cory Neenah, WI 5 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-00
23. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 5 15-13 0
Day 1: 5 15-13
24. Spencer Hahn Neenah, WI 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
25. Aaron Orsi Millbury, MA 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
26. Austin Bonjour Templeton, CA 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
26. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
26. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
26. Rich Lindgren Lakeville, MN 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
30. Justin Rowe Boyceville, WI 5 15-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-05
31. Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
31. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
33. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
33. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
33. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
36. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 5 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-12
36. Steve Lee Minneapolis, MN 5 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-12
38. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 14-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-11
39. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
39. Brent Tullis Tyrone, GA 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
41. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
42. Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM 5 14-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-08
43. James Biggs Comanche, TX 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
43. Reece Keeney Winneconne, WI 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
43. Michael Nutter Charlotte Hall, MD 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
46. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
47. Liam Blake East Syracuse, NY 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
47. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
47. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
50. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
50. Trevor Young Spring Lake, MI 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
52. David Maiorano Durham, CT 5 14-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-01
53. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-00
54. Sieg Taylor Freeport, FL 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
54. Patrick Touey Santa Maria, CA 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
56. Wil Dieffenbauch III Hundred, WV 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
57. Trevor Rogge Canyon Lake, TX 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
58. John Mayo Maiden, NC 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
58. Adrian Urso Union, KY 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
60. Brad Durden Atlanta, GA 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
60. Alex Korol Fairport, NY 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
62. Dustin Berry Dayton, TX 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
62. James Clements Sparta, GA 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
62. Blake Martin Dardanelle, AR 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
62. Tucker Pierce Hollister, MO 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
66. Roy Hawk Lk Havasu Cty, AZ 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
66. Justin Hrach Rostraver Township, PA 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
68. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
68. Thomas Foster III Suffolk, VA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
68. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
68. Travis Merritt Jr Iowa, LA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
72. Joe Uribe Surprise, AZ 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
73. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
73. Trey Nanney III Rocky Mount, NC 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
75. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
75. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
75. Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
78. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
78. Luke Gritter Otsego, MI 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
78. Tom Testa Port Crane, NY 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
81. Jarrod Aucoin Patterson, LA 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
81. Henry Fristik Blandford, MA 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
83. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
83. Justin Royal Bridge City, TX 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
85. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
85. Dave Frost Mount Dora, FL 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
85. Adam Neu Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
88. Gary Pope Jr Georgetown, SC 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
89. Luke Wenger Lakewood, CO 4 12-10 0
Day 1: 4 12-10
90. Nick Cook Kirksville, MO 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
90. Zach Taylor Kimberly, ID 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
92. Kenji Yamada Chattanooga, TN 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
93. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
93. Enrico Zancanaro Rovigo ITALY 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
95. Terry Anderson Powderly, TX 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
95. Mark Cobey Woodland, CA 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
95. Tim Dubuc Bowdoinham, ME 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
98. Hunter Baird Flippin, KS 4 12-05 0
Day 1: 4 12-05
99. Keith Poulin Lisbon, ME 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
100. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
100. Jay Hotzak Whitby Ontario CANADA 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
102. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-01
103. Quincy Grupenhoff Clancy, MT 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
103. Justin Harris Hutchinson, KS 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
105. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
106. Ted Daniels St. Louis, MO 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
106. Bryer Pennington Prescott, AR 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
106. Tyler Rush Clearville, PA 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
109. Blake Atchison Ava, MO 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
109. Danny Grantham Bay Minette, AL 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
111. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
111. Jaret Rushing Hampton, AR 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
111. Nobuyuki Terajima Hermitage, TN 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
114. Patrick Currie Satsuma, AL 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09
115. Samuel Anthony Independence, LA 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
115. Colby Bryant Houston, TX 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
115. Tim Cartwright Sand Springs, OK 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
115. Jeff Gilliam Gordo, AL 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
119. Larry Clontz Trenton, OH 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
120. Dustin Hartzer Mc Cook, NE 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
121. Remington Lawrence Melbourne, AR 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
121. Ruben Tarazona Sicilia Tarazona SPAIN 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
123. Tanner Ward Beallsville, OH 4 11-03 0
Day 1: 4 11-03
124. James Kushmer Tifton GA CANADA 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
124. Mike Obal Jr Springfield, NE 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
124. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
127. Josh Long Fraziers Bottom, WV 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
127. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
129. Paul Badders Joppa, MD 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
129. Jackie Barber West , TX 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
129. Michael Lebsack Duluth, MN 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
129. Brandon Mosley Harrah, OK 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
129. Brandon Stanley Howard City, MI 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
134. Denis Carrier Skowhegan, ME 4 10-13 0
Day 1: 4 10-13
135. Dustin Hollen Buckhannon, WV 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
135. Justin Soppe Caldwell, ID 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
137. Josh Wilson Worley, ID 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 4 10-12
138. Joseph Sanderson Channahon, IL 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
138. Sean Snover Milford, NH 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
140. Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
141. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 4 10-09 0
Day 1: 4 10-09
142. Matthew Peter Saint James, MO 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
143. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07
143. Ben Nobile Livingston, LA 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07
145. Andrew Nienaber Cape Town Western Cape 4 10-07 0
Day 1: 4 10-07
146. DJ Rebstock Norco, LA 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06
147. Joe Lay Coker, AL 4 10-05 0
Day 1: 4 10-05
148. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 5 10-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-03
149. John Smith Elkview, WV 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
150. Jack Albert Nottingham, NH 4 10-02 0
Day 1: 4 10-02
150. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 4 10-02 0
Day 1: 4 10-02
152. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
153. Brennan Chuprinko Flanders, NJ 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
153. Julius Mazy Vinemont, AL 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
155. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
155. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
157. Braylon Eggerding Grand Rapids, MI 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
157. Alex Torkleson Coweta, OK 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
159. Tom Hardy Penetanguishene Ontario 3 09-13 0
Day 1: 3 09-13
160. Kalib Lund Yuma, AZ 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-11
161. Micah Jones Kingman, AZ 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
162. Timothy Garrison Jefferson, SC 5 09-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-09
163. Takeshi Hattori Koganei JAPAN 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08
164. Brian Tressen Corona, CA 4 09-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-08
165. James Gibbons TIMMONSVILLE, SC 5 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07
166. Don Cox Russellville, AL 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
166. Jonathon Dewey Fort Gratiot, MI 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
168. Alex Klein Oroville, CA 4 09-05 0
Day 1: 4 09-05
169. Tony Beck Social Circle, GA 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
170. Tim Birch Waterloo ONTARIO CANADA 4 09-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-01
170. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 4 09-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-01
172. Mike Bennett Connersville, IN 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
173. Paul Ersing Ogunquit, ME 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14
174. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 4 08-13 0
Day 1: 4 08-13
174. Hunter Wendt Pequot Lakes, MN 4 08-13 0
Day 1: 4 08-13
176. Tanner Calhoun Nampa, ID 4 08-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-12
177. Cesar Madrigal Tomball TX MEXICO 5 08-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-11
178. Mathew Koprash North Bay Ontario CANAD 3 08-10 0
Day 1: 3 08-10
179. Matt Marques Seneca, IL 4 08-08 0
Day 1: 4 08-08
180. Nathan Delaney Jr Weyauwega, WI 3 08-08 0
Day 1: 3 08-08
180. Bobby Johnson Hemingway, SC 3 08-08 0
Day 1: 3 08-08
182. Jason Mcwilliams Magnolia, AR 4 08-05 0
Day 1: 4 08-05
183. Curtis Hughes Greenwood, IN 4 08-03 0
Day 1: 4 08-03
184. Brandon Bullinger Bismarck, ND 3 08-03 0
Day 1: 3 08-03
185. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11
185. Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11
187. Giancarlo Ottolino Port St.Lucie, FL 3 07-08 0
Day 1: 3 07-08
187. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 3 07-08 0
Day 1: 3 07-08
189. Todd Kline San Clemente, CA 4 07-07 0
Day 1: 4 07-07
190. Drew Bradstreet Lutz, FL 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-04
191. Dylan Maxon Sun City, AZ 3 07-03 0
Day 1: 3 07-03
192. Rick Sawyer Albion, IN 3 07-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-02
193. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 3 07-01 0
Day 1: 3 07-01
194. Kelley Hudson Graham, TX 4 07-00 0
Day 1: 4 07-00
195. Kenneth Moore Red Oak, TX 3 06-13 0
Day 1: 3 06-13
196. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 3 06-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-11
197. Ryan West Hartsville, SC 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08
198. Caleb Konrad Elka Park , NY 2 06-08 0
Day 1: 2 06-08
199. Jeff Hodges Apex, NC 4 06-07 0
Day 1: 4 06-07
200. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
201. Bobby Baker Midlothian, VA 3 06-02 0
Day 1: 3 06-02
202. Kevin Martin Crown City, OH 2 06-00 0
Day 1: 2 06-00
203. Aaron Green Everett, PA 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
204. Jonathan Reimer Midhurst Ontario CANADA 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10
205. Jason Gillispie Julian, WV 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
206. Nick Klein Chico, CA 2 05-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-02
206. Mick Pageler Tonto Basin, AZ 2 05-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-02
208. Brandon Gaither Oakdale, CA 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-15
209. David Boyd Jr Quincy, FL 2 04-14 0
Day 1: 2 04-14
210. Kenny Bowen Hager City, WI 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
211. David Cook White House, TN 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-09
212. Brian O'Connell Ridge Spring, SC 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07
213. Joao Macide Covilha, Tortosendo POR 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
214. Justin Kohl Hastings, NE 1 04-03 0
Day 1: 1 04-03
215. David Chong Aurora ONTARIO CANADA 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
216. Michael Catt Jacksonville, FL 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
217. Derek Dultmeier Topeka, KS 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14
218. James Mcallister Canadian, OK 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
219. Nausori Osasa Grand Isle, VT 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
220. Branden Mowers Shasta Lake, CA 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-09
221. David Ottman Terry, MS 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
221. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
223. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
224. Cody Graff Glenvil, NE 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
225. Mark Lunsford Lexington, KY 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03
226. Kal Vaisanen Washago ONTARIO CANADA 1 02-14 0
Day 1: 1 02-14
227. Connor Sirois Buxton, ME 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
228. Vincent Hoff Branson, MO 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
228. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
230. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 2 02-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-06
231. Bobby Martin Castle Rock, CO 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
232. Tony Dulac Harpswell, ME 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
232. Wesley Kent Smithville, TN 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
234. Wendell Potter Columbia, MD 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
235. Ian Boehm Desert Hills, AZ 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
235. Thy Dinh Charleston, WV 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
235. Bryce Poulin Lisbon, ME 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
235. Randall Trent Evington, VA 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
239. David Macinnis Cannington Ontario CANA 3 01-07 0
Day 1: 3 01-07
239. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 3 01-07 0
Day 1: 3 01-07
241. Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Chris Irigoyen Henderson, NV 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Michael Kazmierczak Lemont, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Kevin Steinruck Sodus, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Colt Williams Tallahassee, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
241. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 156 1008 2567-13
------------------------------
156 1008 2567-13
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 10/22-10/25
Mississippi River, LaCrosse WI.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jediah Barrett Neenah, WI 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
2. Nico Urso Union, KY 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
3. Michael Grisham Glendale, AZ 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
4. Joe Mclain Wayland, MI 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
5. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 5 13-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05
6. Lalo Zermeno Tomball TX MEXICO 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
7. Andrew Bowman Aurora, CO 4 13-03 0
Day 1: 4 13-03
8. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 4 13-02 0
Day 1: 4 13-02
9. Jim Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL 5 13-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01
10. Allen Smith Knoxville, TN 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
11. Mathew Higby Lamar, AR 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
12. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
13. Dale Westmoreland Jay, FL 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
14. Nathan Minnix Goodview, VA 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
15. Ian Mangino Sunbury, OH 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
16. Michael Buell Claysburg, PA 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
17. Casey Cline Glendale, AZ 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
18. Tim Crissman Raytown, MO 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
19. David Childress Bakersfield, CA 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09
20. Bob Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
20. David Pilcher Jr De Ruyter, NY 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
22. Jeremy Anibas Menomonie, WI 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
23. Cecil Tubb Dike, TX 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
24. Dan Black Scottsville, VA 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
25. Wade Denney Nampa, ID 4 10-13 0
Day 1: 4 10-13
26. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
27. Kong Moua Sacramento, CA 4 10-08 0
Day 1: 4 10-08
27. Geoffrey Peterson Huntington Beach , CA 4 10-08 0
Day 1: 4 10-08
29. Scott Shrewsbury Rocky Mount, NC 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 4 10-06
30. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
30. Chad Macks Robertsdale, AL 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
30. Todd Tigar Osage Beach, MO 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
33. Michael Schrader Harrisville, RI 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
34. Jordi Torres Torroella de Montgri Z 5 09-14 0
Day 1: 5 09-14
35. Mike Bell Ogdensburg, NY 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
35. George Georgopoulos Belmont, NC 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
35. Larry Llanes Madera, CA 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
38. Scott Schneider New London, MN 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
39. Jeff Zeisner Arva CANADA 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
40. Joe Uribe Sr Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 09-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-09
41. Zach Oliver Coal Hill, AR 4 09-09 0
Day 1: 4 09-09
42. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08
43. Stefan Grobecker Daly City, CA 4 09-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-08
44. Adam Marceaux Morgan City, LA 4 09-06 0
Day 1: 4 09-06
45. Adam Buss Bonduel, WI 4 09-03 0
Day 1: 4 09-03
46. Andrew Zrnec Newmarket Ontario CANAD 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
47. Daniel Steen Hartsville, SC 4 08-15 0
Day 1: 4 08-15
48. Joseph Von Hoene Erlanger, KY 4 08-14 0
Day 1: 4 08-14
49. David Eades Lexington, KY 3 08-12 0
Day 1: 3 08-12
50. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 4 08-11 0
Day 1: 4 08-11
51. Leo Perez Rosenhayn, NJ 3 08-08 0
Day 1: 3 08-08
52. Kyle Boardman Waterloo CANADA 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
53. Greg Dennis Pilot Point, TX 4 08-07 0
Day 1: 4 08-07
54. Craig Winegardner West River, MD 4 08-06 0
Day 1: 4 08-06
55. Lewis Mendall Winthrop, MA 3 08-05 0
Day 1: 3 08-05
56. Benjamin Allen Albuquerque, NM 4 08-04 0
Day 1: 4 08-04
57. Mike Briggs Pawtucket, RI 4 07-15 0
Day 1: 4 07-15
58. Corey Seefeldt Menasha, WI 4 07-12 0
Day 1: 4 07-12
59. Rob Finley Del Rio, TX 3 07-12 0
Day 1: 3 07-12
60. Jacob George Ashville, AL 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11
61. James Grave Camdenton, MO 4 07-10 0
Day 1: 4 07-10
62. Joshua Winebrinner Highspire, PA 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 4 07-06
63. Erik Gaffron Hanover, MN 3 07-06 0
Day 1: 3 07-06
64. Gabriel Fabbri Bruce, WI 4 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-03
65. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-15
66. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12
66. Colton Underwood-Garside Riverside, CA 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12
68. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 4 06-11 0
Day 1: 4 06-11
69. Zack Holt Yukon, OK 3 06-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-11
70. Mark Moran Weston, WV 3 06-10 0
Day 1: 3 06-10
71. Jeffery Montgomery Sapulpa, OK 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07
72. Benjamin Nowalk Milton, WV 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
73. Nick Dulleck Roseville, CA 3 06-02 0
Day 1: 3 06-02
74. Rich Purington Bellevue, NE 2 06-02 0
Day 1: 2 06-02
75. Hunter Reece Minneapolis, MN 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01
76. Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
77. Toby Cross Bowdoinham, ME 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
78. Larry Taylor Delmar, DE 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14
79. Bill Wiles Jr Arcadia, OK 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
80. Tyler Nekolny Coral Springs, FL 2 05-08 0
Day 1: 2 05-08
81. Cedric Davis Jr Hopkins, SC 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
81. Dennis Heusser Hutchinson, CO 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
83. Bob Wetzler Rutland, VT 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
84. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 2 05-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-05
84. Robert Overway Zeeland, MI 2 05-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-05
86. Colten Didion Mount Vernon, OH 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 2 05-04
87. Andrew Hoffman Norton, VA 3 05-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-01
87. Anthony Paschall Cumberland, VA 3 05-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-01
89. Kevin Jones Fort Campbell, KY 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-00
90. Josh Giran Elizabeth, PA 3 04-14 0
Day 1: 3 04-14
91. Steven Houston Star, ID 2 04-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-13
91. Lorin Valenti Waterbury, CT 2 04-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-13
91. Zach Yarnes Lakeville, MN 2 04-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-13
94. Renee Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
94. Joseph Richardson Murfreesboro, TN 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
96. Tom Bateman Orlando, FL 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
96. Jarid Tomnitz New Lenox, IL 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
98. Curtis Gossett Pell City, AL 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
98. Jason Thomas Farmington, MN 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
100. Keith Adams Redding, CA 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-09
100. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-09
102. Bill Roberts Jr Moultonborough, NH 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
102. Michael Wilson Brooklet, GA 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
104. John Lumpkin Waskom, TX 3 04-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-07
105. Harvey Beck Barrie Ontario CANADA 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07
105. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07
107. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-06
108. John Doolittle Kennesaw, GA 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-05
109. John Young Whiteland, IN 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
110. Kenny Rogers Florence, SC 1 04-02 0
Day 1: 1 04-02
111. Christopher Crawford Sacramento, CA 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
111. Larry Green Splendora, TX 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
111. William Gruwell Muncie, IN 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
114. Warren Cooper Utopia Ontario CANADA 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
115. Tony Madrigal Auburn, CA 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
115. Mandy Myers Santaquin, UT 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
115. Bobby Whiteside San Marcos, TX 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
118. Corbin Steiger New London, WI 1 03-13 0
Day 1: 1 03-13
119. Randy Giroir Morgan City, LA 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
120. Patrick Johnson Washington, OH 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
121. Wade Evans Powderly, TX 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10
121. Cody Ralph Brighton, CO 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10
123. Frankie Spicer Brandon, FL 1 03-10 0
Day 1: 1 03-10
124. Daniel Buchheit San Antonio, TX 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-09
125. Devin Pino Kansas City, KS 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
126. Eric Englebretson Chickasha, OK 1 03-08 0
Day 1: 1 03-08
126. Eric Morgan Royal Palm Beach, FL 1 03-08 0
Day 1: 1 03-08
128. Chris Harris Huntsville, AR 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
129. Nick Coleman Kuttawa, KY 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
130. Joseph Hahn Cadet, MO 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
131. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04
132. Jim D'Ambra Hanover, MA 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-02
133. Miles Ashmore Oshawa CANADA 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
133. Andy Pandina Brush Prairie, WA 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
135. Tim Dycus Heber Springs, AR 1 03-00 0
Day 1: 1 03-00
Tennessean's 10-pounder takes overall lead in Bill Dance Giant Bass Open
Tennessee angler’s lunker takes overall lead in Bill Dance Nationwide Giant Bass Open
Chattanooga resident Kevin Drake is widely considered one of the best anglers on Chickamauga Lake. His thousands of dollars in career earnings and the dozens of largemouth bass he’s caught over 10 pounds back up that statement quite nicely.
But none of the fish he’s caught from the world-famous big-bass factory have ever counted quite like the one he weighed in Saturday, Oct. 18.
Drake was fishing the Chattanooga Bass Association end-of-season Classic when he landed a 10.22-pound tank that took big-fish honors in that day’s tournament. But because he recently paid for a $44.99 annual membership in the Bill Dance Nationwide Giant Bass Open, he took the overall lead in those standings as well.
Louisiana angler Max Swayze had previously held the lead in the Nationwide GBO event with a 9.08.
“I’ve caught a lot of big fish in my life — and that’s not me bragging,” Drake said. “I live right here on Chickamauga, so I get a lot of time on one of the best fisheries in the world.
“When I heard about the Nationwide Giant Bass Open, I thought it would be silly not to sign up when you’re talking $44.99 for a full year. Now, I’m sure glad I did.
Drake will earn a commemorative coin and decal signifying his membership into the Bill Dance Giant Bass Club. If no one catches a bass larger than Drake’s, he has a chance to earn four more prizes for the fish — the Southeast Region winner for October, the overall winner for October, the Southeast Region winner for the year and the overall winner for the year. Prize value will be determined by the number of entrants in the contest when each prize is awarded.
“That’s why I thought this was such a neat deal when they started it,” Drake said. “It gives guys a chance to win multiple times for one fish in a tournament — and when you’re out practicing for a tournament or just fishing for fun, it gives you a chance to win something for a fish that you wouldn’t have won anything for.”
Ironically, Drake missed his opportunity to join the Giant Bass Club a week earlier.
The Bill Giant Bass Open began in 2023 as a series of two-day tournaments held only on Tennessee fisheries that award prizes for the biggest fish caught every hour. Though organizers have expanded to include the nationwide format with fish uploaded through the Fishing Chaos app, they’re still holding several of the two-day tournaments each year, including one on Chickamauga, a Bill Dance Signature Bass Lake, Oct. 11-12.
Drake caught a 9.33-pound bass that won one of the hourly weigh-ins in that event, but he released the fish without remembering to upload it through Fishing Chaos for the nationwide event.
“When they asked me if I’d uploaded it, I felt pretty silly,” said Drake, who caught the 10.22 and the 9.33 from the same 15-yard stretch of water on the same glidebait. “I’m not used to getting paid twice for one fish, but I won’t make that mistake again.”
Drake has one final tournament on Chickamauga this year, the Volunteer Bass Trail State Championship scheduled for Nov. 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media info
Who we are: The Bill Dance Giant Bass Open was founded in 2023 with a series of two-day, big fish tournaments on Bill Dance Signature Lakes in Tennessee. The format has been expanded this year to include a nationwide competition with fish catches entered through Fishing Chaos.
Bill Dance Giant Bass Open Sponsors: Bill Dance Signature Lakes, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, BlueOval City Ford, Tennessee Valley Authority, FirstBank, Strike King, Lew’s, Zebco, Bigs Only. Blue Water Resort, Mossy Oak, Halo Fishing, BaitFuel. Power-Pole, Frogg Toggs, Athens Paper-Packaging-Wide Format, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Fish Tennessee, Tennessee Sounds Perfect.
Websites: giantbassopen.com; gbonationwide.com; fishingchaos.com.
Social media: Instagram — @billdancegiantbassopen; Facebook — facebook.com/giantbassopen
Contact info (not for publication): Shane Frazier (423) 421-6022; Brent Brady (423) 718-0326;
Here to Thrive, Not Just Survive - by Brad Fuller, President
WILKESVILLE, Ohio—Let me clear the air ... and any confusion about the NPFL’s future and the role we see for ourselves.
I’ve heard the noise—the chatter about who’s coming into the NPFL, the whispers about “too many big names,” and the sideways comments from folks who think they’re owed something they didn’t earn. Some people love what we’re doing. Others … not so much.
That’s fine.
We’ve never been for everyone. And we’re not about to start pretending otherwise.
The truth is simple—we’re in one of the toughest industries out there. This isn’t a charity, it’s not a social club, and it sure isn’t a non-profit. The NPFL is a business—a living, breathing entity that requires resources, sponsors, and performance to survive. Growth isn’t a luxury; it’s oxygen. You either grow or you close the doors. There’s no middle ground.
We’re fighting against two massive organizations with decades of history and deep pockets. They’ve got armies of people and media behind them. We’ve got a lean crew of grinders who believe in the mission and wake up every day ready to prove that heart still matters. If you think competition on the water is tough, try walking in our shoes for a week.
That’s why when someone asks why we’re bringing in more established pros, the answer is easy: because it’s good for business, and it’s good for the League. These anglers bring visibility, credibility, and opportunity. They help us grow. And growth keeps this thing alive for every single person who believes in it.
Now, about this word “positivity.”
It’s funny how often that word gets tossed around—usually by the same folks who seem to forget what it actually means. They’ll preach sunshine while dragging others through the mud, talking about how they “support the sport” … as long as it benefits them.
Let me be clear—we don’t owe anyone a job, a spotlight, or a platform. We hire people who show up, do the work, and add real value. We don’t hire the ones who think proximity equals entitlement.
You start to realize you’re doing something right when people try to latch on to what you’ve built and twist it for their own personal gain. Those are the leeches of the fishing world. We’ve got no time for them and owe them nothing.
We’ll handle our own positivity—by living it, by actually doing the work, standing behind our people, and continuing to treat others with respect, even when that grace isn’t returned.
Now, let’s talk about opportunity.
We will always make room for the grassroots anglers—the ones chasing a dream, not a spotlight. Guys like Grant Vest, Dustin Reneau, Joshua Reynolds, Jimmy Ward, Travis Jewell, and Garrett Smith. You might not know their names yet, but I have a strong suspicion you’ll know one or two of them very well by the end of 2026.
Because that’s what the NPFL has always been—a league of opportunity.
Your entry fee gets you a seat at the table, a fair playing field, a safe environment, and the best logistics we can provide. You get to be part of the family. But what you do with that opportunity? That’s on you.
You want to prove something? Here are the rules. Here’s the playing field. Go get it.
But when you fall short, don’t turn around and blame the very entity that gave you the opportunity in the first place.
This league is built on accountability. You perform; you hang around. You catch them, and everything else falls into place.
So yeah, we’re changing. We’re evolving. We’re growing. We’re bringing in elite talent, building better partnerships, and sharpening every edge we have—all while keeping the door open for anyone willing to earn their way in.
And when I say elite talent, I’m not just talking about the names you already know—the guys who’ve proven themselves in other leagues. I’m talking about all our anglers. Mark my words: some of the names listed above will rise to the top. They’re too good, too talented, and too hungry not to win.
If that offends someone … well, so be it.
We’re unapologetically us. Always have been. Always will be.
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]
Major League Fishing Announces 2026 Bass Pro Tour Roster
Reigning AOY and 10-time BPT winner Jacob Wheeler, three-time REDCREST Champion Dustin Connell and standout Jake Lawrence highlight 51-angler field competing for total season purse of more than $6 million
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the roster of 51 pros who will compete on the 2026 Bass Pro Tour, the eighth season of professional bass fishing’s premier tournament circuit. Featuring the most exclusive and talented field of anglers in the world – from the veterans who built the Tour’s legacy to the rookies reshaping its future – the 2026 Bass Pro Tour is set to deliver the toughest competition and most rewarding payouts in professional bass fishing history.
Featuring a stacked lineup of champions, innovators and fan favorites – including Dustin Connell, Ott DeFoe, Alton Jones Jr., Wesley Strader and Jacob Wheeler – the 2026 Bass Pro Tour roster highlights anglers who have consistently raised the bar for performance and professionalism on the water. Wheeler, a four-time Angler of the Year, 10-time BPT winner and one of the most dominant competitors in modern bass fishing, returns to defend his legacy against the sport’s deepest talent pool to date.
A remarkable collection of REDCREST champions highlight the 2026 field, led by three-peat winner Connell (2021, 2024, 2025), Edwin Evers (2019), Bobby Lane (2022) and Bryan Thrift (2023). Each has proven capable of thriving under pressure and performing when it matters most, adding another layer of excitement to the Tour’s eighth season.
The 2026 roster also underscores MLF’s unmatched pathway for discovering and developing new talent. Returning after a breakout rookie season that saw five top-10 finishes in his first eight events and a buzzer-beater win that narrowly edged out Wheeler, Jake Lawrence – the 2025 AOY runner-up to Wheeler – looks to build on an incredible debut that solidified him as one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
Lawrence’s stellar season continued a trend of rookie success on the Bass Pro Tour in recent years, marking the third year in a row that a BPT newcomer has both won an event and finished in the top two in points in his debut season. Matt Becker pulled off a Saginaw Bay win and AOY double to close the 2023 season and Drew Gill won on the Chowan River and finished second to Wheeler for AOY in 2024.
Joining Lawrence in 2026 are several BPT rookies ready to make their mark on the biggest stage in bass fishing, including Banks Shaw, Mitchell Robinson, Jacob Walker and Dustin Smith, who earned their invitations through outstanding performances in the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals. The next generation of pros is arriving and proving they can compete with the best from day one.
“Every year, the release of our Bass Pro Tour roster marks the start of a new wave of excitement,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President & General Manager. “This field represents the very best anglers in the world – a group defined by skill, integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence – along with an impressive class of new competitors who’ve earned their place among the best in the world. The 2026 Bass Pro Tour lineup truly exemplifies what it means to compete at the sport’s highest level, and fans are going to see some incredible storylines unfold throughout the season.”
Driven by angler feedback, each four-day event will award $125,000 to the winner, with $15,000 paid out through 25th place – the highest minimum payouts ever awarded in pro bass fishing – plus $100,000 to the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year in 2026. The season will kick off Jan. 15–18 at Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, where the sport’s top pros will launch into another year of high-stakes competition on one of the nation’s most iconic bass fisheries.
Each four-day Bass Pro Tour event will feature two days of Qualifying Rounds, where the 51 pros will compete to finish in the top 25 and advance to the Knockout Round. The winner of the two-day Qualifying Round will advance directly to the Championship Round, where they’ll be joined by the top nine anglers from the Knockout Round for a final-day shootout for the top prize of $125,000.
Every cast, catch and comeback will be broadcast live on MLFNOW! and streamed to MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) and Rumble.
The 51 professional anglers that will compete on the 2026 Bass Pro Tour are:
- Casey Ashley
- Adrian Avena
- Matt Becker
- Zack Birge
- Keith Carson
- Brent Chapman
- Dustin Connell
- Justin Cooper
- Mark Daniels Jr.
- Mark Davis
- Ott DeFoe
- David Dudley
- Brent Ehrler
- James Elam
- Edwin Evers
- Todd Faircloth
- Cole Floyd
- Anthony Gagliardi
- Drew Gill
- Nick Hatfield
- Dylan Hays
- Marshall Hughes
- John Hunter
- Alton Jones
- Alton Jones Jr.
- Bobby Lane
- Chris Lane
- Jake Lawrence
- Nick LeBrun
- Justin Lucas
- Colby Miller
- Andy Montgomery
- Michael Neal
- Ron Nelson
- Takahiro Omori
- *Mitchell Robinson
- Dean Rojas
- Mark Rose
- Bradley Roy
- *Banks Shaw
- Fletcher Shryock
- Spencer Shuffield
- *Dustin Smith
- Jeff Sprague
- Wesley Strader
- Bryan Thrift
- Greg Vinson
- *Jacob Walker
- Jacob Wall
- Jacob Wheeler
- Jesse Wiggins
* Denotes 2026 Bass Pro Tour Rookie
Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine, Toyota and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Every Vexus® is tank tested by Bobby
The story of Lauri Rapala tank testing and hand tuning every single one of his iconic lures to make sure they swam true with a unique wounded minnow action has been well documented, dating back to the first one he carved 89 years ago.
However, fishing fans may not be aware that Vexus® Boats does much the same at their world class facility in Flippin, AR where Bobby Wallace and his right-hand man Jeff Chism place every premium fishing vessel in a 9,000 gallon ‘test tank’ that resembles an above ground swimming pool.
The goal is to make triple-dog sure there are no leaks, and that every pump, switch, and piece of plumbing is working perfectly before they’re loaded on delivery trucks and shipped to treasured dealers and customers.
In reality, the inspection process of each best-in-the business boat goes far beyond the pool. A round paper card containing a 100-point inspection of the fuel system, electrical system, plumbing, hardware, finish, steering, engine controls, and upholstery is checked – and only after Bobby signs his name on the card, indicating it passed his test, can it leave the factory.
Like so many folks at Vexus, their vocation is not just a job, but a prideful source of their personal identity -- and that’s certainly the case for team leader, Bobby Wallace. The Flippin High School Class of 1989 member has never known a way to make a living that didn’t involve water and premium fishing boats.
His very first job as a teen involved doing anything that was asked of him at nearby Bull Shoals Boat Dock and Marina, and for 34 years since then, he’s poured his heart and soul into making sure every boat that rolled out of his hometown was the best it could possibly be.
Longtime Vexus leader and VP of Operations, Lance Newton says, “Bobby is a perfect example of what makes Vexus special. His knowledge of the product, attention to detail and love for the brand has a tremendous impact on our operation.”
“We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals, like Bobby, that have a passion for taking care of our customers and pouring their heart and soul into the product. It is a true honor to work alongside Bobby and his remarkable team!” adds Newton.
Wallace’s passion actually dates back to age seven when his dad took him to a boat show and ordered a new bass boat, and a young Bobby became infatuated with their shiny new fiberglass bass chaser.
A lifetime angler, Wallace still loves to drag a green pumpkin lizard behind a 1-ounce Carolina Rig on Bull Shoals in May and June, but as summer progresses don’t be surprised if you see him pulling his grandsons on an innertube behind his Vexus DVX19 fiberglass multispecies rig.
“I just take a lot of pride in the fact I’ve been able to make a living my entire life doing something that centers on my love of fishing and top-notch boats. And Vexus is special because teamwork is so celebrated here. We all check our egos at the door and share the same focus and drive to make sure every boat that leaves here is the best it can possibly be,” says Wallace.
“Heck, if we were building canoes, we’d tank test them to make sure they were the best in the business too,” he smiles in conclusion.
And you can bet they’d have to pass Bobby’s inspection before they were allowed to leave Flippin.
MLF Announces 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Program Details
Toyota Series maintains biggest payouts and lowest entry fees of any national circuit – program details now set for 2026
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) today announced the 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats program details and rules, headlined by a measured technology update that limits forward-facing and 360-degree sonar to one continuous 3-hour period each day of competition day, like the highly successful Bass Pro Tour. With the biggest payouts and lowest entry fees of any national circuit, the Toyota Series remains the high-value proving ground for anglers aiming for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Bass Pro Tour and the sport’s premier no-entry-fee championship – REDCREST.
“Anglers compete in the Toyota Series because it delivers meaningful payouts at the ramp and, straightforward advancement to the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship offering some of the sport’s biggest awards,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF President and CEO. “For 2026, we preserved the format anglers love and added a reasonable limit on forward-facing sonar to keep the sport multi-dimensional where a variety of techniques contribute to success. It’s the same Toyota Series experience that anglers know and love – competitive, rewarding and built for growth.”
The 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats features:
5 Geographic Divisions + Wild Card Division:
- Three 3-day qualifiers per geographic division – Forward Facing/360-degree Sonar restricted to 3 hours each day
- Tournament winners and the top 25 pros from each division qualify for the Toyota Series Championship
- Tournament winners and the top 25 co-anglers from each division qualify for the Toyota Series Championship
15 3-Day Qualifying Tournaments:
- $40,000 top pro award based on 160-boat field, scaling up to $65,000 at 260 boats + $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus in every tournament
- $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro with 115 HP outboard top co-angler award based on 160-boat field, scaling up to $38,500 (boat + cash) at 260 boats
- 25 percent of the field earns a check of at least $2,000 for pros and $550 for co-anglers
- Winning pro and co-angler from each Qualifier advance to the Toyota Series Championship
- Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournaments (unless otherwise noted): full field days 1 & 2, top 25 pros and co-anglers day 3
- Winners determined by heaviest three-day catch – 5 bass per day boater limit | 5 bass per day co-angler limit
- Live weigh-in coverage
- Entry fee: $1,700 pro | $550 co-angler
Wild Card Division:
- Pros and co-anglers always have a second chance at qualifying for the Toyota Series Championship by fishing four or more tournaments in any combination of divisions and keeping their three highest finishes.
- 25 pros and 25 co-anglers qualify for the Toyota Series Championship based on Wild Card division points with ties resolved by the highest finish in a tournament.
- Pros who qualify through the Wild Card division are eligible for a $10,000 bonus at the Toyota Series Championship.
Toyota Series Championship:
- $200,000 top pro award + REDCREST 2027 + $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus
- $33,500 top co-angler award
- $10,000 bonus for the highest-finishing pro from each of the five U.S. divisions, Wild Card division and the International division. The second-highest finisher from the division represented by the winning pro will receive that division’s bonus. Pros who qualify as tournament winners or through a division’s standings (except for the Wild Card division) retain eligibility to win a $10,000 bonus from all divisions in which they won or finished in the top 25. Wild Card division qualifiers are only eligible for the Wild Card division bonus.
- Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournament: full field (195 pros, 195 co-anglers) days 1 & 2, top 25 pros and co-anglers day 3
- Top 25 pros and co-anglers from each of five U.S. divisions and the Wild Card division – 150 pros, 150 co-anglers
- Tournament winners – 15 pros, 15 co-anglers
- Highest finishing boater and co-angler from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional and the TBF National Championship at the All-American – 8 pros, 8 co-anglers
- College Fishing National Champions and 2nd place – 4 pros
- College Fishing National Championship 3rd place – 2 co-anglers
- High School Fishing National Champions – 2 co-anglers
- MLF China – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- MLF Canada – 3 pros, 3 co-anglers
- MLF Mexico – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- MLF Italy – 3 pros, 3 co-anglers
- MLF Japan – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- MLF South Africa – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- MLF Spain – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- MLF Zimbabwe – 2 pros, 2 co-anglers
- Winners determined by heaviest three-day catch – 5 bass per day boater limit | 5 bass per day co-angler limit
- Live weigh-in coverage all three days
- Live on-the-water coverage on championship day
- Nationally televised on VICE Sports
- No entry fee
Angler of the Year and Co-angler of the Year Awards:
- $5,000 Angler of the Year in each division, excluding the Wild Card division
- $2,000 Co-angler of the Year in each division, excluding the Wild Card division
Your Pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Bass Pro Tour:
- Top five pros from each U.S. division in Angler of the Year standing, excluding the Wild Card division, qualify for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit. If a top-five pro declines his or her bid or earns qualification through the Pro Circuit or Bass Pro Tour, the next eligible pro qualifies. This process continues through the top 10 pros in each U.S. division.
To encourage a broad mix of tactics and maintain competitive balance, use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar is restricted to one continuous 3-hour period each day of competition at all qualifying tournaments and the championship. Compliance will be verified by co-anglers just like longstanding tournament rules such as no fishing in an off-limits area and verifying sight fish are hooked inside the mouth. The boater/co-angler format, with its built-in checks and balances, has been the sport’s most secure format, outside of the Bass Pro Tour where tournament officials ride with anglers, since its inception over 30 years ago.
“Enforcing forward-facing and 360-degree sonar use limits in a boater/co-angler format really isn’t that difficult,” Duckett said. “We aren’t asking boaters or co-anglers to do anything more than they always have. Compete in accordance with the rules and verify the legitimacy of each other’s catch. This self-policing model is the backbone of our sport. At Major League Fishing, we are working hard to find solutions that bring anglers back together where everyone is better off.”
Anglers can register for the 2026 Toyota Series at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:
- Oct. 23 – Entry opens for the top 25 pros and co-anglers and tournament winners from each division of the 2025 Toyota Series and the top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division of the 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) – plus the winner of each 2025 BFL tournament (who paid an entry fee for all five tournaments in a division and fished at least two tournaments in the same division) and the top 10 anglers from the 2025 College Fishing National Championship. These anglers enter with a counterpart (pro with co-angler or co-angler with pro) by November 24 to secure their priority entry position.
- Nov. 25 – Entry opens for Phoenix boat owners .
- Nov. 26 – Entry opens for anglers who fished a full division of the 2025 Toyota Series or a full division of the 2025 BFL.
- Dec. 1 – Entry opens for TBF members.
- Dec. 2 – Entry opens to all anglers.
For the complete 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats schedule, rules and payouts, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Macon’s Wilder Wins by Two Ounces at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Lake Seminole Presented by Mando Deodorant
Florida’s Pike Tops Co-Angler Division
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Oct. 20, 2025) – Boater Christopher Wilder of Macon, Georgia, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 37 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Lake Seminole Presented by Mando Deodorant . The tournament, which was hosted by Visit Bainbridge, concluded Saturday. For his win, Wilder earned a prize package valued at $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200hp Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The Lake Seminole event served as the Regional championship for the BFL Gator and Bulldog divisions. The field included the top 60 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each division’s tournament winners. The top three boaters and co-anglers have also now qualified for the 2026 BFL All-American.
Wilder prefers to fish shallow, especially around grass, so he focused his efforts in the Spring Creek area of Seminole during practice. However, he ended up catching only one or two bass during one of his practice days and decided he needed to pivot. He turned to forward-facing sonar to locate fish around timber and on grass edges but wasn’t confident in the idea of fishing deeper water during the tournament.
“That’s not what I really wanted to do,” Wilder said. “I don’t really have a lot of experience of finding where fish are in the timber without them coming up and busting the surface. So, I tried to focus on the grass. But after a whole day of not catching them like that, I saw a school off of the edge of some grass, and I picked up an A-rig and caught small fish every cast for 50 or 60 casts. I ended up catching 200 to 300 fish during practice.”
Wilder decided to change his approach to searching for schools of bass on the grass edges, and ended up marking 34 schools of fish with quality bass.
On the first day of competition, Wilder ran to a spot that he knew held multiple schools of fish. Within 15 minutes of beginning his day, Wilder had 16 pounds in the livewell. That early success settled his jitters, and he spent the rest of the day culling to improve his weight.
“Everywhere I went there were five or six boats at a minimum, and I found people were sitting on the schools that I had marked,” Wilder said. “I ended up pulling up on one that nobody was on, and I caught more than 20 fish out of that school. I had around 19 pounds, and the bite shut off in the afternoon. I ended up culling a few more times and ended up just over 20 pounds, but it wasn’t anything like what was going on in the mornings.”
Wilder started out Saturday on the same school of fish he began fishing Friday, but he found the pressured fish reluctant to bite. He ended up catching five bass that weighed 6 pounds there.
“At that point, I could tell it was going to be a hard day,” Wilder said. “So, instead of mixing in with everybody on the water, I got out of the boat traffic fishing through the timber and went as fast as I could with the trolling motor to the other schools and just fished them as hard as I could.”
Wilder’s tactics paid off, although the bites were few and far between. He estimated he had somewhere around 17 pounds, but didn’t think that was going to be enough to achieve his goal of a Top-3 finish and a berth to the 2026 BFL All-American.
Wilder’s weight, however, proved to be enough, and he eclipsed his brother, Michael, by 2 ounces to secure his second BFL Regional win. His first came in 2023 on Lake Norman.
“Both of my Regional wins have just felt unreal,” Wilder said. “I certainly didn’t expect to win another one this soon.”
The top three boaters who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Christopher Wilder, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 37-13, $53,100 (includes $3,000 Phoenix Bonus)
2nd: Michael Wilder, Lizella, Ga., 10 bass, 37-11, $7,776
3rd: Brooks Anderson, Marietta, Ga., 10 bass, 37-6, $3,968
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
4th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 10 bass, 35-4, $2,445
5th: Kennie Steverson, Umatilla, Fla., 10 bass, 34-0, $1,684
6th: Brad Stalanaker, Eatonton, Ga., nine bass, 33-11, $1,531
7th: Dylan Quilatan, Windermere, Fla., 10 bass, 31-11, $1,379
8th: Steve Phillips, Douglas, Ga., seven bass, 31-8, $2,225
9th: Richard Dunham, Palm Harbor, Fla., 10 bass, 30-9, $1,068
10th: Tanner Seabolt, Okeechobee, Fla., 10 bass, 30-2, $990
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Steve Phillips of Douglas, Georgia, won the Berkley Big Bass Boater award and $1,000 for landing a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces – the biggest of the tournament.
Shannon Pike of Sarasota, Florida, won the co-angler division Saturday after bringing a two-day total of six bass weighing 20 pounds, 9 ounces, to the scale. Pike earned the top co-angler award of $15,307 for his victory.
The top three co-anglers who qualified for the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American finished:
1st: Shannon Pike, Sarasota, Fla., six bass, 20-9, $15,307
2nd: Preston Williams, Tallahassee, Fla., six bass, 18-7, $3,884
3rd: Mike Tucker, Yalaha, Fla., six bass, 15-3, $2,030
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
4th: Nathan Haystead, St. Cloud, Fla., five bass, 14-4, $1,218
5th: Demond Jenkins, Plant City, Fla., six bass, 14-1, $1,338
6th: Nick Singleton, Crawfordville, Fla., six bass, 14-0, $762
7th: Jacob Chandler, Covington, Ga., six bass, 14-0, $685
8th: Ben Lovain, Calhoun, Ga., five bass, 12-13, $609
9th: Jordan Elmore, St. Petersburg, Fla., six bass, 12-6, $531
10th: Adrian Davies, Cocoa, Fla., six bass, 12-2, $492
Demond Jenkins of Plant City, Florida, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award worth $500.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season – five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, now advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the 43rd annual BFL All-American. The BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, 2026, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Top teams head to Port Aransas for 2025 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter
Top teams head to Port Aransas for 2025 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The nation’s best redfish teams will converge on the Texas coast Nov. 7-9 for the 2025 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter, taking place on the legendary waters of Aransas Bay and Corpus Christi Bay out of Port Aransas, Texas.
Competition will run from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT daily, with weigh-ins beginning at 2:45 p.m. The event will feature a catch-weigh-release format, with each team allowed to bring in two fish per day measuring between 20 and 28 inches. The accumulative three-day weight will determine which team takes the top spot.
Anglers will be competing for a $100,000 total purse, including a $75,000 first-place prize for the winning team.
“The Redfish Cup Championship has quickly become one of the most exciting events in competitive fishing,” said B.A.S.S Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “The mix of redfish pros and Bassmaster Elite Series anglers creates a unique dynamic — you see different strategies, styles and strengths play out on one of the most scenic fisheries in the country. Port Aransas and the Texas coast always deliver an incredible stage for this event, and I can’t wait to see what the teams bring to the scales.”
Adding another layer of intrigue to the competition, Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros Easton Fothergill, Carl Jocumsen, Bryant Smith and Tyler Williams will step outside their usual freshwater arenas to take on the challenge of saltwater competition. Known for their precision, adaptability and relentless drive on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail, these anglers bring their big-stage experience and bass-fishing instincts to the flats of the Texas Gulf Coast, where redfish behavior and tidal patterns demand a whole new level of skill and strategy.
The 2025 field will feature a combination of Bassmaster Elite Series pros, the defending Bassmaster Redfish Cup champions and top performers from professional redfish circuits across the Gulf Coast:
Teams:
- Easton Fothergill/Skeeter/Yamaha pro
- Carl Jocumsen/Skeeter/Yamaha pro
- Bryant Smith/Skeeter/Yamaha pro
- Tyler Williams/Skeeter/Yamaha pro
- Michael Frenette/Mark Robinson — Defending Champions
- Austin Angel/Lance Reynolds — Professional Redfish League
- Jeremy Reeves/Recie Tisdale — Elite Redfish Trail
- Frank Risk/Bo Favre — Elite Redfish Trail
- Ryan Rickard/Patrick Marsonek — Power-Pole Redfish Trail
- Darren Frost/Tony Vercillo — Power-Pole Redfish Trail
Known for its pristine flats, diverse wildlife and strong fall redfish bite, Port Aransas will once again provide a world-class backdrop for one of the most competitive and scenic events in saltwater fishing.
Fans are invited to attend daily weigh-ins at Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf and experience the excitement in person. Whether on-site or online, fans can expect plenty of action, tight races and unforgettable moments as the best in the sport chase the coveted Redfish Cup trophy.
All of the action can be found live on Bassmaster.com as well as on Roku throughout the three-day event.
This event is being hosted by Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf.
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2025 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship heads to La Crosse for “peak season”
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship heads to La Crosse for “peak season”
La Crosse, Wis. — Pat Schlapper isn’t fishing the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at the Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance, but he’s quite likely one of the people most excited to see the prestigious event being held in his home state.
Schlapper, a 42-year-old Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Eleva, Wis., knows the importance of this tournament, having won the 2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake. That victory earned him entry into the Bassmaster Elite Series, helped get him into four of the past five Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classics presented by Under Armour and gave him the chance to notch a pair of Elite Series victories earlier this year — the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River and, you guessed it, the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite held in La Crosse in August.
So, Schlapper is thrilled to have the best B.A.S.S. Nation anglers from 48 states and seven other countries headed to his home water Oct. 22-25. Some 250 boaters and another 230 or so nonboaters are due to compete for a total cash purse of $223,000, not including paid tournament entry fees for 2026 and more that top anglers will claim.
The Top 3 anglers in this four-day derby will qualify for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 in Knoxville on the Tennessee River. The overall winner, like Schlapper a half-decade ago, will qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series, too, which includes use of a “Nation’s Best” boat for the next tournament season and paid entry fees to all Elite events in 2026.
Schlapper said it’s natural that anglers unfamiliar with the Upper Mississippi River will look to his Elite victory in August for insight on how to fish the Championship.
He added, with a chuckle, that anyone doing so will be making a big mistake. That’s because the vast river plain in southwestern Wisconsin is a completely different fishery in August than it is in late October.
“A lot of people, having not fished here before, will be shocked by what they’ll see,” he said. “In most of the country, fall means tough fishing. But when you come up here this time of year, this is when the real hard-core anglers are excited. The weather’s cooler and most people are deer hunting or duck hunting. (At the) same time, the fish are big, fat and hungry. They’re easy to catch when you get around them.”
That’s the trick, though, the Wisconsin pro said — finding the bass on countless nook and crannies of the Mississippi. It’s no easy feat, even with competitors restricted to Pools 7, 8 and 9 and the various creeks, sloughs and such that shoot in all directions.
“The fish are gonna be concentrated in certain areas,” Schlapper predicted. “The guys got three days of practice and it’s a big field. I think there will be a lot of good bags, but a lot of people will struggle, too, if they don’t know about the river and how it changes. When we’re there in summer, the fish are more spread out. They’re not moving to a certain area. They’re out on big flats, mostly.
“In this tournament, I think there will be more dead water … it’s all about the shad bite now, but the biggest thing is knowing where the fish are going. You’ll probably see guys doing their research and winding up in some big community areas, but you might have 100 boats in those spots … I think the winner finds a niche spot. It’s either someone who knows where to look or someone who stumbles across it.”
Schlapper expects smallmouth bass to factor heavily in the tournament. He wouldn’t divulge how he’d fish smallies if he was competing, but he did say a 19-pound average over four days (76 pounds) is practically a must to win the Nation Championship.
“A one-day tournament this time of year, you’re looking at 20 to 23 or 24 pounds to win,” he said. “That’s a pretty high number for fall, but there’s a lot better fishing now than when we were there in the summer.”
For the record, Schlapper totaled 66-5 over four days in his Elite Series win on the Mississippi two months ago.
“It’s gonna be an eye-opener, I think,” he said, adding that he’s the guest speaker for the B.A.S.S. Nation banquet that precedes the tournament.
“I’m just excited to be around this type of event,” Schlapper said. “Five years ago, I was the guy watching from the outside, dreaming of getting in. Now, I’m fishing the Elite Series and have won a few tournaments. It shows there’s good competition across the board, and it proves there’s a chance for anyone to do some special things.”
The entire field will compete on Oct. 22-23, with the numbers trimmed to the Top 40 in both boater and nonboater categories on Oct. 24. The nonboater champ will be crowned after Day 3, with the winner claiming $10,000 cash. That angler, and the Top 10 in the boater division after Day 3, will advance to fish Championship Saturday on Oct. 25. Additional nonboaters whose weight is greater than anyone in the overall Top 10 from the boater division also will compete on the final day.
Takeoffs are scheduled to begin daily at 7:20 a.m. CT from Veterans Freedom Park, 1000 Boathouse Drive, in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Daily coverage of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance can be found on Bassmaster.com.
Explore La Crosse is hosting the week’s events.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Pr
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Top 10 Teams at Lake Dardanelle Earn Automatic Qualification into 2026 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops
SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 15, 2025) – This past weekend, the Association of Collegiate Anglers contested its second event of the 2025-26 season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open saw more than 280 elite college teams compete for more than $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, as well as double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Additionally, the Top 10 teams in the final tournament standings earned automatic qualification into the 2026 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Here is a look at those Top 10 teams from tournament competition at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR:
- Bryce DiMauro & Tripp Berlinsky: University of North Alabama
- Miles Smith & William Tew: LSU-Shreveport
- Thomas Turnbull & Dylan Sorrells: University of Montevallo
- Alex Wood & Joe Williams: Missouri State University
- Maxwell Trotter & Jack Stephens: McKendree University
- Carsen Adcock & Will Powell: LSU-Shreveport
- Gabrien Amburgey & Trent Allen: Campbellsville University
- Mason Carden & Grant Laney: University of Montevallo
- Michael Witherup & Conner Bower: University of Montevallo
- Mason Laurin & Sam Sutter: Drury University
Two schools earned multiple qualifications into the 2026 ACA National Championship this past weekend. 2nd ranked Montevallo earned three automatic qualification spots, and 14th ranked LSUS gained two.
Being that the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open was the second ACA event of the season, a total of 20 automatic bids into the 2026 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops have been earned. Montevallo leads the way, for most additional boats qualified, with a total of four. Only three other schools have earned multiple qualifications: Tarleton State (3), Carson-Newman (2), LSUS (2).
The 2026 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops is set to take place at Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL on May 21-22. One more ACA event remains for schools to earn additional automatic qualifications into the prestigious 200 boat field. The Top 15 at the 2026 Hartwell Slam will secure their spot in the 21st ACA National Championship.
View the Championship Qualification Criteria.
Oxford Readies for MLF’s Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches
Third event of MLF Fishing Clash Team Series to take place over six days next week at mystery fisheries
OXFORD, Ala. (Oct. 15, 2025) – The third Major League Fishing (MLF) Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops event of the 2025 season is set to take place next week, Oct. 22-27, in Oxford, Alabama – the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches.
Hosted by the City of Oxford, the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches is the third of four Fishing Clash Team series events in 2025. In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Oxford, Alabama, was not revealed to Team Series competitors until six weeks prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Oxford 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.
"The City of Oxford is excited to welcome Major League Fishing as our city is honored to play host to the Fishing Clash Team Series next week, Oct. 22-27,” said Oxford Mayor Alton Craft. “The Patriot Cup features 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing with the unique element of daily surprise fishing locations, which provide an exciting and family-friendly program featuring one of our area’s favorite sports – fishing. We look forward to Oxford not only being a backdrop for this great event, but also for MLF to become intertwined with our city’s character and spirit.”
For the second consecutive season, Folds of Honor was named the title sponsor of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, reinforcing the organization’s mission at the intersection of sport and service. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders, ensuring that sacrifice is met with opportunity. The partnership is a natural fit, uniting Folds of Honor’s spirit of patriotism and purpose with MLF’s dedication to competition, community and giving back.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream. Every minute of every event will still stream in full on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV, and Rumble, with the final period each day being broadcast live nationwide on RFD-TV. Post-produced episodes of the Fishing Clash Team Series will start in January 2026 on Outdoor Channel.
The 12 teams of professional anglers that will compete in the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches in Oxford, Alabama, are:
Team 7Brew Coffee:
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala.
Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Alton Jones Sr., Lorena, Texas
Team BUBBA:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
Team Ferguson:
Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Team Fishing Clash:
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
Team Knighten:
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn.
Team Kubota:
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La.
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
Team Lucas Oil:
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Team O’Reilly Auto Parts:
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Team Smokey Mountain:
Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.
Team Star brite:
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas
Team YETI:
Colby Miller, Elmer, La.
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 28, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.
For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
Alabama Bass Trail Team Series Set for 2025 $50,000 NO Entry Fee Championship at Wheeler Lake
The Alabama Bass Trail Team Series Championship, presented by Phoenix Boats, will award $50,000 to the winning team at its highly anticipated NO entry fee event scheduled for October 17–18, 2025, on Wheeler Lake in Decatur-Morgan County.
This two-day competition serves as the finale of the Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) regular team series season, featuring a total prize pool of $100,000. Wheeler Lake, home lake of the Alabama Bass Trail, will host the Championship for the second time since the tournament trail's inception. The event returns to Wheeler Lake a decade after the 2015 Championship, where a record was set for the heaviest winning weight of 41.41 pounds in an ABT Championship event—a record that still stands today.
The ABT North and South Divisions Championship roster includes 170 teams, featuring the top 5 couples and top 5 student teams from this season. These highly competitive amateur anglers, representing 10 different states across the US, will compete for the prestigious title of 2025 Alabama Bass Trail Champions.
"This is a championship that has been ten years in the making," said Kay Donaldson, Program Director for the Alabama Bass Trail. "I am excited to host 340 anglers in what promises to be an exceptional showcase of competitive fishing."
Competitors will have the opportunity to secure additional contingency and bonus prizes from major sponsors including Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Garmin, TH Marine, Power-Pole, Pro-Guide Batteries, Yamaha, and Halo Fishing, adding significant value beyond the substantial cash purse.
The Alabama Bass Trail, a key initiative of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, has earned recognition for its significant contributions to the state's tourism industry. Decatur Morgan Tourism named it the 2024 Event of the Year, highlighting its impact and popularity. Since its inception, the Alabama Bass Trail has generated over $120 million in tourism revenue for Alabama, establishing itself as a premier fishing destination.
The momentum continues into 2026, with all three divisions already sold out: the Alabama Bass Trail North Division, South Division, and the ABT100 Series, which features teams made up of professional and highly competitive anglers. The regular team series sold out in under 10 minutes, creating a waiting list for the upcoming season.
Live coverage will air on both days of competition, October 17–18, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST, with live weigh-ins scheduled for 3:00 PM CST. Viewers can tune in via YouTube at Alabama Bass Trail TV, the Alabama Bass Trail Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
AlabamaBassTrail, or by visiting www.alabamabasstrail.org. For more information about the ABT or the Tournament Series, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org or contact Angela Cross at (855) 9FISHAL.
About Alabama Bass Trail
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, preserve natural resources for generations to come, and educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
2025 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors
Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw-Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Jack's, Garmin, Lew's, Strike King, Southern Protection Agency, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Piranh02, Thompson CAT, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlababa.org, Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Mountain Lakes.Media Contact: Angela Cross (855) 9FISHAL www.alabamabasstrail.org
Tennessee’s Lawson Takes Top Honor at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Lake Murray Presented by Mando Deodorant
Georgia’s Turner Claims Co-Angler Division
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 13, 2025) – Boater Landon Lawson of Jonesborough, Tennessee, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 47 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Lake Murray Presented by Mando Deodorant . The tournament, which was hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism, concluded Saturday. For his win, Lawson earned a prize package valued at $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200hp Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The Lake Murray event served as the Regional championship for the BFL North Carolina and Savannah River divisions. The field included the top 60 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each division’s tournament winners.
Lawson practiced for the Lake Murray tournament for two days and said he caught 16 or 17 pounds a day but wasn’t really on the bass well enough to be confident. On the first day of competition, he asked his co-angler if there were any spots he wanted to try fishing.
“We ran to his place, and the wind was blowing on it,” Lawson said. “I had never fished this spot on Lake Murray. I had fished around it and on both sides of it but had never fished this spot. I just took off Scoping, and there were big ones swimming everywhere.
“I hadn’t caught anything in practice before 10 o’clock, but on Day 1 I caught 22 pounds before 9:30,” Lawson added. “Every fish wasn’t big, but every one out of five would be a big one.”
Lawson said he rotated baits on the mid-lake spot between a Rapala Crush City Freeloader and a drop-shot rig, fished in 15 to 30 feet of water. After his early limit, he spent the rest of his day searching for other areas that might be productive for the tournament. Lawson said he didn’t find anything of interest to him that had the potential of his Day 1 spot – he couldn’t seem to catch a bass that weighed more than 3½ pounds.
“On Day 2 I hunkered down in that same spot and just sat,” Lawson said. “I just let the wind blow me and fished as many cane piles and brush piles as I could.
“I know that lake is full of big ones, and a 27-pound bag can be had there,” Lawson went on to say. “This time of year it’s a little tougher. On the second day, around 3 o’clock, I had a 3.60-pound fish in the livewell along with a 5-pounder and a couple of 4-pounders to go with them. I ended up hooking one that jumped four feet in the air, and it was as thick as a basketball. I looked at my co-angler and said, ‘This is her. This is the ballgame.’ I landed her and she weighed 5-something. It was incredible.”
For his victory, Lawson now qualifies to compete in the 2026 Phoenix BFL All-American.
Jeff Knight of Lancaster, South Carolina, won the Berkley Big Bass Boater award and $1,000 for landing a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces – the biggest of the tournament.
Kaleb Turner of Hartwell, Georgia, won the co-angler division Saturday after bringing a two-day total of six bass weighing 17 pounds, 1 ounce, to the scale. Turner earned the top co-angler award of $15,461 for his victory.
Trevor Lewis of Wake Forest, North Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award worth $500.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season – five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, now advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the 43rd annual BFL All-American. The BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, 2026, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV and Game & Fish TV, 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 20 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.
