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Justin Lucas Tops Qualifying Round at MLF Bass Pro Tour O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 2, 2025) – Justin Lucas’ Day 1 lead at O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries got a few early challenges, but for just about all of the first two periods Friday on Lake Chickamauga, the Alabama pro retained the top spot on SCORETRACKER®. When he added a 4-pound, 12-ounce largemouth to his total late in Period 2 to extend his lead to 19 pounds, the Qualifying Round win and automatic berth to the Championship Round that comes with it looked to be safely in his grasp.

Less than an hour of competition time later, Lucas found himself trailing Jake Lawrence. The Tennessee native had rocketed from 21^st place at the start of the day – an even 33 pounds behind Lucas – all the way to the top of the leaderboard. He wound up stacking up 91-11 on 28 scorable bass, easily the best day of any angler during the event.

However, while Lawrence’s bite went dry late, Lucas stayed steady. He added seven scorable bass during the final frame to bring his Day 2 tally to 62-13, which pushed his total an even 127 pounds and edged Lawrence by 4-2 in one of the most dramatic Qualifying Rounds in recent memory.

Claiming the top spot will allow Lucas to sit out while the rest of the Top 20 heads one reservoir down the Tennessee River to Nickajack Lake for Saturday’s Knockout Round. He will join the top nine finishers there on Sunday for the Championship Round, where $150,000 will be on the line.

Lucas stacked up most of his Day 1 weight by targeting schools of postspawn bass offshore. So, he figured his ability to win the Qualifying Round would depend on those fish regrouping overnight.

When he arrived at his most productive spot Friday morning, however, he caught just one non-scorable bass. So, he turned to Plan B, another offshore ledge where he’d plucked a few fish the day prior. He wound up recording an even better start, catching 11 bass for 37-1 during the opening period.

In addition to his spot switch, Lucas’ key adjustment was swapping from a Neko rig and deep-diving crankbait, his main tools on Day 1, for a jighead minnow, as the fish weren’t relating as closely to the bottom.

“I just think it was conditions,” he said. “It was calm, no wind. The fish were up in the water column chasing bait, and so anything on the bottom, they weren’t real interested. There’s no current, and when there’s no current, the fish are suspended. And that was the deal.”

After utilizing his forward-facing sonar in Period 1, Lucas went shallow in search of bass on beds, as he’d done a day prior. Once again, he found the fish less willing to cooperate – he only caught one bass during Period 2, the aforementioned 4-12. With Lawrence closing hard, he decided to return to his best offshore spots even though he wouldn’t have forward-facing sonar at his disposal.

The action wasn’t as fast and furious as it had been in the morning, but Lucas added six fish for 18-11, including a 5-1 that put him back in the lead. He then capped the afternoon with one last savvy decision, running back to the shallows and catching a 2-5 on a Berkley Bullet Pop in the final 10 minutes before lines out.

While it turned out Lucas didn’t need that last fish to win the round, it represented his favorite catch of the day. He designed the Bullet Pop, and while doing so, he used an early prototype to finish 11^th at a BASS Open on Chickamauga in 2017.

“I first caught fish on that bait as a 3-D printed bait here in 2017, and I caught some really nice fish on it around laydowns just like I caught that one this evening,” Lucas said. “So, it was just kind of icing on the cake.”

Initially unsure about the strategy of skipping a day on Nickajack, Lucas couldn’t pass up an automatic Top 10, which will be his 15^th in Bass Pro Tour competition. He spent a day scouting Nickajack more than a month ago, before it went off-limits, but never ventured there during official practice this week. His plan for the Championship Round is to “try and figure it out on the fly.”

After his Qualifying Round performance, he can at least take confidence from his decision making.

“It’s just a totally different lake, totally different body of water,” Lucas said. “So, I have no idea what to expect down there.”

Even though his Day 1 total of 31-3 had him just 5 ounces outside the elimination line, Lawrence emerged from Thursday frustrated. The former guide on Kentucky Lake and Pickwick should have been in his element targeting bass on offshore ledges, but he said a lack of current killed his bite.

“Yesterday was so frustrating – it was the only time on the TVA chain that I believe I have ever seen the current generation at 0,” Lawrence said. “Like 0 – not 2,000 (cubic feet per second), not 4,000. For a couple hours yesterday, it was at absolute 0. And that really just messed me up. A lot of schools broke apart, disappeared. The ones that were there wouldn’t act right.”

With a bit more current rolling through his prime stretches Friday, Lawrence showed why he’s earned a reputation as one of the best on the Tennessee River system. Rotating between about 10 different offshore schools, he racked up 30-10 in Period 1, then 30-14 in Period 2. He blistered 28-1 in the first 45 minutes of Period 3 to take the lead before a school of white bass moved in and hurt his bite.

“We made it count today,” he said. “We had just enough current to kind of keep those fish together and get them competitive. So, I had a blast.”

Lawrence turned his forward-facing sonar on during Period 3, but he never used it to target individual fish, just to better line up his casts. He did most of his damage on either a Bill Lewis MR-12 crankbait or a soft swimbait.

“The way that the wind blew was kind of opposite of where I wanted to set up, so I was really throwing over the back of the boat, over the Mercury, for the majority of the day,” Lawrence said.

While Lawrence fell short of winning the round, his huge day continued a banner rookie season on the Bass Pro Tour. Including REDCREST on Lake Guntersville last month, where he finished fifth, he’s logged three Top 10s in his first four events of 2025. He’ll have a chance to make it five-for-six this weekend.

The top 20 pros that now advance to competition on Nickajack Lake are:

1st:          Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 44 bass, 127-0
2nd:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 41 bass, 122-14
3rd:        Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 33 bass, 88-11
4th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 31 bass, 87-1
5th:         Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 28 bass, 85-1
6th:         Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 30 bass, 84-8
7th:         Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 26 bass, 80-6
8th:         Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 25 bass, 77-15
9th:         Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 28 bass, 75-8
10th:      Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 27 bass, 74-8
11th:      Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 25 bass, 73-15
12th:      Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 27 bass, 70-0
13th:      Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 26 bass, 68-12
14th:      Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 22 bass, 68-8
15th:      Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 22 bass, 65-12
16th:      Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 22 bass, 62-5
17th:      Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 19 bass, 61-11
18th:      Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 23 bass, 61-0
19th:      Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 23 bass, 60-8
20th:      Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 20 bass, 59-10

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Nelson earned the Day 2 Berkley Big Bass Award Friday with a 8-pound, 8-ounce largemouth that he caught in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Lake Chickamauga Thursday and Friday. With the two-day Qualifying Round now complete, Lucas advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round on Nickajack Lake. The anglers that finished 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on Nickajack Lake. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the top nine anglers will join Lucas in Sunday’s Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.

On Saturday and Sunday, anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET from the Tennessee Riverpark, located at 4301 Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga. The takeout Saturday and Sunday will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Ross’s Landing at 201 Riverfront Parkway for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol's Skye and Marshall, a youth fishing derby presented by Hardee’s and a casting contest. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries is hosted by Visit Chattanooga and Fish Tennessee and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.

Television coverage of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 11 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Saturday, Oct. 18. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 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.

by AnglersChannel

Texan River Lee Wins Weather-Shortened MLF Toyota Series Event at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula

EUFAULA, Okla. (May 2, 2025) – Drenching overnight rains sent the lake up even more than it already was, which turned the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southwestern Division event on Lake Eufaula into a one-day tournament. Earning the win, pro River Lee of Diboll, Texas, weighed 13-10 on five fish on Day 1 and edged Wesley Baxley by an ounce. For his win, Lee earned $29,024 and locked in qualification to the Toyota Series Championship this fall on Grand Lake.

In the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race, Dakota Ebare held on to the top spot to earn an extra $5,000. The well-traveled pro managed two fish for 6-5 on Day 1, which put him in 16th and moved him 10 points ahead of runner-up Brody Campbell . Finishing third was Baxley, who put together three Top-25 finishes in an excellent season.

On Day 1 and only, Lee set out with a bit of a plan in mind, and as additional proof of his sound strategy, practice partner Cody Ross also finished in the Top 10. However, the unplanned part of the day turned out to be the key to his win.

“In practice, before the water came up crazy, I was fishing the old bank line, where the bank grass was, and I was catching them,” said Lee. “We were getting a lot of bites on a wacky. So, going into it, I thought with the water still coming up that I still could do that. It would just have more water on it.

“I picked this area, and I put the trolling motor down in the mouth of it. Well, I just fished everything in front of me – flipped, wacky rig and spinnerbait. If I wasn't flipping, I was doing one of the other two. And my first bite, it came flipping in an isolated bush by a walkway of a dock.”

As Lee eased around his chosen area, he made the decision of the day. Recalling a pond he hadn’t been able to get into a few weeks ago in a BASS Nation event, the Texas pro gave it another go.

“I tried to get in there a few weeks ago, but (the water) wasn't high enough,” said Lee. “So, I was fishing in that creek and got all the way to the back, and I could hear the water running. I pulled up my phone and I looked at my Google Earth, and I was like, ‘I think we can get back there.’ It just looks like a wall of bushes, and the gap that I went through was probably like 4-foot wide – I had to force my boat in there. But once I got through that first wall of bushes, it was a little easier at that point. I guess that helped to kind of disguise it from everybody else.”

Once in the pond, Lee fished around the newest part of Lake Eufaula and didn’t catch anything until he got to a little spillway in the back. There, he plucked his second keeper of the day.

Then, Lee headed back into the regular lake and caught his third fish on a grass line on a wacky rig before returning eventually to his little pond. There, he caught the bass that pushed him over the top.

“I never caught anything in the pond itself; I caught them all where that spillway was running out,” he explained. “It was so shallow, but there was a little hole washed out in there that had just enough water for them to be there. The second time I went in there, I made 15 casts at it before I had a bite – I was fixing to leave it. I made one last cast up there and caught that fourth keeper. And I poled back down, because I had already picked my poles up – I was fixing to leave. I poled back down and made another cast and caught one the next cast. I don't know what happened, what triggered it or anything, but they just bit back-to-back.”

For baits, Lee used a Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug, a Rapala CrushCity Pick Stick and a chartreuse and white, double-willow War Eagle spinnerbait.

The win is Lee’s first at a national level, though he’s been very successful in Texas, especially recently.

“I mean, it's definitely not how I dreamed of winning my first big one,” he said. “But then again, I've also just got to be super thankful that I caught what I caught and just to be in that position, with how it went. So, I'm trying not to let it bother me that it turned into a one-day shootout, and I got the win that way. But I'm super thankful – I did not see it coming at all.”

The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Lake Eufaula finished:

1st:        River Lee, Diboll, Texas, five bass, 13-10, $29,024
2nd:       Wesley Baxley, Conroe, Texas, five bass, 13-9, $12,247 (includes $1,000 Phoenix Bonus)
3rd:       Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., five bass, 12-10, $8,957
4th:        Aaron Johnson, Shreveport, La., two bass, 10-11, $7,756
5th:        Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, five bass, 9-15, $6,530
6th:        Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., five bass, 9-10, $5,805
7th:        Corey Calvert, Coldspring, Texas, four bass, 9-4, $5,079
8th:        Paul Browning, Monahans, Texas, three bass, 8-4, $4,354
9th:        Seth Kelm, Canyon Lake, Texas, three bass, 7-4, $3,628
10th:     Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, three bass, 7-2, $2,902

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Johnson earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Thursday with a bass weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces.

Clayton Coppin of Muskogee, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division at Lake Eufaula with a total of two bass weighing 10 pounds, 1 ounce. Coppin earned the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Lake Eufaula finished:

1st:        Clayton Coppin, Muskogee, Okla., two bass, 10-1, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd:       Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., three bass, 9-1, $3,721
3rd:       Michael Zachry, Fairfield, Texas, two bass, 8-1, $2,977
4th:        Stephen Vogel, Muenster, Texas, three bass, 6-15, $2,605
5th:        Justin Swayze, Gurdon, Ark., three bass, 6-11, $2,233
6th:        David Bozarth, Montgomery, Texas, two bass, 6-5, $1,861
7th:        Shawn Clark, Afton, Okla., two bass, 6-4, $1,488
8th:        Mark Sloan, Harrison, Ark., two bass, 5-1, $1,402
9th:        Jimmy Wells Jr., Collinsville, Ill., two bass, 4-15, $1,116
10th:     Mike Casanova, Frisco, Texas, one bass, 4-8, $930

Coppin also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a largemouth weighing 7 pounds even to win the $150 prize.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Eufaula was hosted by Vision Eufaula. It was the third and
final regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Southwestern Division. The next event for Toyota Series Southwestern Division anglers will be the Toyota Series Championship, Nov. 6-8, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series 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, 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 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.

by AnglersChannel

Montevallo’s Lead Nearly Doubles as Race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 1, 2025) – The race for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia will conclude on May 31^st. Hundreds of college bass fishing teams from all across the nation are continuing to compete for valuable points to count towards college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system. Whether it be to finish the year in 1^st place overall, achieve a school-best end-of-year ranking, or end the season inside of the coveted Top 25, only a few more valuable points earning opportunities remain in this current season for schools to achieve their goals.

In the latest points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, the University of Montevallo maintains its number one ranking. McKendree University continues to hold onto 2^nd, and the University of North Alabama climbs up one spot into 3^rd.

Each of these Top 3 ranked teams are past winners of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia:

University of Montevallo: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

McKendree University: 2019, 2020

University of North Alabama: 2014, 2015

This latest points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is highlighted by points awarded at the MLF College Series National Championship, and numerous School-Run/Other Sanctioned events.

Top ranked University of Montevallo’s two highest-placing teams at the MLF National Championship on Wheeler Lake placed 1^st and 2^nd overall, earning the four-time defending title winning team the most points of any school to compete that week. Brody Robison & Peyton Sorrow finished in 1^st place, and Nicholas Dumke took 2^nd. Those two top finishes earned Montevallo 3,980 points. Following the previous update, Montevallo led 2^nd ranked McKendree by 1,055 points. Montevallo’s lead over 2^nd place has now extended to 1,970 points.

Here is a look at other programs that made significant moves up in the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia:

4) Carson-Newman University – Previously Ranked 7^th

7)Campbellsville University – Previously Ranked 8^th

10) Bethel University – Previously Ranked 11^th

11) Murray State University – Previously ranked 12^th

13) Blue Mountain Christian University – Previously Ranked 16^th

18) Missouri State University – Previously ranked 19^th

Click here to view the complete updated rankings.

Two programs moved into the Top 25 of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia after previously being ranked outside of this coveted spot. Northwestern State University climbed four spots from 27^th to 23^rd, and East Texas Baptist University moved up two places from 26^th to 24^th.

by AnglersChannel

Justin Lucas Jumps to Early Lead at MLF Bass Pro Tour O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries at Lake Chickamauga

Alabama pro catches 25 largemouth weighing 64-3 to lead after Day 1 on Lake Chickamauga, full field to complete Qualifying Round Friday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 1, 2025) – Pre-tournament chatter suggested a diverse event would be on tap at O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries , and Day 1 delivered. With the field fishing famed Lake Chickamauga for the first of two days Thursday, a wide range of patterns yielded fish. Cloudy skies made for a strong morning shad spawn bite, then some anglers found schools of fish on offshore ledges, while others targeted shallow cover for spawners and fry-guarders and still others caught smallmouth in the tailrace beneath Watts Bar Dam.

Justin Lucas pieced together the best day of the bunch. The Guntersville, Alabama pro got off to a strong start fishing offshore, then moved shallow and targeted bass on beds in Period 3. That produced a total of 64 pounds, 3 ounces on 25 scorable bass, which has him 5-6 ahead of Waco, Texas, pro Alton Jones Jr. in second. Blaine, Tennessee, pro Ott DeFoe, the only other angler to top 50 pounds, rounds out the top three with 55-15.

With the first two days of Stage 4 taking place on Chickamauga before the field relocates to Nickajack Lake for the Knockout and Championship Rounds, the field got three days of official practice rather than its usual two. Lucas spent most of it on Chick, and yet he still didn’t expect such a strong Day 1 performance.

“Today was fun,” Lucas said. “I can’t believe I caught 25 fish. I didn’t have that many bites in all of practice.”

The big day came at a good time for Lucas, and not just because Thursday marked his 39th birthday. The last time he took the water in competition – at REDCREST on Lake Guntersville, where he’s lived for the past 15 years – he failed to make the Knockout Round and finished 34th. That left a sour taste in his mouth, so seeing his game plan work to perfection provided a welcome jolt of confidence.

“I expected to catch them (at Guntersville), and when you don’t, it definitely takes a little wind out of your sails,” Lucas said. “It feels really good to catch them here.”

Recognizing Chickamauga’s bass were scattered between different phases of the spawn, and in different depth ranges, Lucas centered his strategy on finding an area of the lake where he could catch fish both offshore and around the bank. He started his day plying offshore ledges with the one-two punch of a Neko-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent magnum Hit Worm and a deep-diving crankbait.

As is typical of postspawn ledge fishing, Lucas often got bites in bunches. His best flurry saw him stack nine bass for nearly 23 pounds on SCORETRACKER® in the final 36 minutes of Period 1. In all, he totaled more than 50 pounds fishing offshore.

“I really didn’t catch but probably two fish using (forward-facing sonar),” Lucas noted. “Just more traditional ledge fishing.”

Lucas then switched gears, spending the final period sight-fishing for shallow spawners. He added four more scorable bass for 13-1, most of them eating a wacky-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General. He plans to employ a similar program on Day 2, although he’s not sure he can catch another 60 pounds.

“I think the bite is going to be tougher tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t know if I can catch that much weight. But depending on how well some of my deep spots reload, we’ll see.”

If Lucas can maintain the top spot at the end of Friday’s action, he’ll earn an automatic berth to Sunday’s Championship Round. Shortly after lines out Thursday, he remained torn on whether that would be a sound strategy.

On one hand, it’s hard to pass up a guaranteed spot in the Top 10, and there’s no reason to practice or save fish on Day 2 since that will be the field’s final day on Chickamauga. On the other, he (like much of the field) has little experience on Nickajack, so he thinks the best path to hoisting his second career Bass Pro Tour trophy would be to compete in the Knockout Round and hopefully find the winning pattern.

“Obviously, I would take a guaranteed Top 10 anytime,” Lucas said. “But I feel like this one, being that I don’t know Nickajack at all, it would probably benefit me more to make the Knockout Round and fish there and try and figure something out. I think it’s going to be an advantage to the guys that make the Knockout Round.

“I’ll probably try to (win). But I don’t know if it’s a good idea. But I do like Top 10s.”

Like Lucas, Jones pieced together two patterns, both fishing for bedding bass and postspawners offshore. However, he didn’t worry about staying in the same area of the lake.

Jones said he ran a total of 96 miles on the day. He also estimated he caught at least one fish on 10 different baits, illustrating just how spread out the fish are on Chickamauga.

“I never caught one on a big crankbait today, and I never caught one on a swimbait, but I think every other rod on my deck got some action today,” Jones said.

Jones started his day running a few different offshore spots where he targeted postspawn schools.

“I think your chances of catching a quality bass are better offshore if you don’t have forward-facing sonar, and for two-thirds of the day, we can’t,” he explained.

He used the latter part of Period 2 to make a long run to a different area of the lake, making sure he’d have all of Period 3 to maximize his time with forward-facing sonar. Jones used the technology to target fish that were spawning and guarding fry away from the bank. He put together one of the best forward-facing sonar periods of any angler, totaling an even 22 pounds on eight bass and moving from sixth place at the start of the period up to second.

“There’s a lot of fish still spawning, but what I noticed is they’re spawning offshore – points, shoals, bars, whatever,” he said. “And so being really dialed in with that is really, really important this week.”

Like Lucas, Jones expects the bite to slow a bit tomorrow. If he can push his total above 100 pounds, he likes his chances of winning the Qualifying Round.

And he has no reservations about pursuing the automatic berth to the Championship Round. A Top 10 would be important in his pursuit of his first Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title (he’s currently fourth), and since he doesn’t have to worry about saving bass on Chickamauga, he sees no reason not to shoot for it.

“Normally, there’s a little more strategy that goes into grabbing the auto qualification,” Jones said. “Do I want to burn my fish? Do I not want to burn my fish? But here, we’re not coming back. So, there is no number where you lay off here. It’s just pedal to the metal and see what happens.”

The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Lake Chickamauga are:

1st:          Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 25 bass, 64-3
2nd         Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 19 bass, 58-13
3rd: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 19 bass, 55-15
4th:         Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 16 bass, 47-12
5th:         Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 17 bass, 47-8
6th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 18 bass, 47-5
7th:         Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 17 bass, 46-3
8th:         Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 14 bass, 44-4
9th:         Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-12
10th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 42-2
11th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 12 bass, 41-2
12th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 15 bass, 40-2
13th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 16 bass, 38-12
14th: David Walker, Huntingdon, Tenn., 13 bass, 38-3
15th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 37-15
16th: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 12 bass, 36-14
17th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 12 bass, 33-10
18th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 13 bass, 33-3
19th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 32-3
20th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., nine bass, 31-8

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

“Big Fish” Bobby Lane earned the Day 1 Berkley Big Bass Award Thursday with a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth that he caught on a bladed swim jig in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.

Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET Friday from Chester Frost Park, located at 2277 Gold Point Circle N. in Hixson, Tennessee. The takeout on Friday will be held at the same location beginning at 3:45 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET from the Tennessee Riverpark, located at 4301 Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga. The takeout Saturday and Sunday will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries is hosted by Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fish Tennessee and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 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, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.

by AnglersChannel

Big bag lifts Marco and Rowlands to victory at Buggs Island

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. — Often, tournaments are won by anglers fishing within their comfort zone. That wasn’t necessarily the case for the King University duo of Trey Marco and Jake Rowlands at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops at Buggs Island.

Using two baits they’ve hardly thrown, Marco and Rowlands won their first College Series event with a two-day total weighing 38 pounds, 9 ounces. The Pennsylvania natives opened the tournament in a tie for eighth place with a limit weighing 17-1 before securing a tournament-best 21-8 on the final day.

“It has been a while since I’ve won a bigger tournament,” Marco said. “This has been a long time coming. We put a lot of hard work into this, and it feels good to be rewarded for it.”

While neither of them had been to Buggs Island as boaters, Marco fished an event on the massive Roanoke River reservoir as a co-angler a few years prior.

“I fished the lake twice as a co-angler four years ago, and that was the year I really started bass fishing,” Marco said. “It feels good to come back here and see all of the progress I’ve made over the past few years.”

Emmanuel University’s Will Wester and Jackson Thomas finished second with a two-day mark of 36-3 while Day 1 leaders Easton Drennon and Chase McCarter from Carson-Newman University fell to third with a total of 34-14.

Marco, a sophomore, and the freshman Rowlands teamed up at the start of the school year but were disappointed with their results during the fall season. The duo worked hard to improve over the winter and spring, with preparation being an important piece of the puzzle. They spent several days on Buggs Island before the off-limits period scanning offshore areas looking for brushpiles.

When tournament week rolled around, they discovered that brush would not be the key piece of cover and shifted their focus to stumps.

“We thought shallow brushpiles would be good for postspawners,” Rowlands said. “We ended up finding that the brushpiles were not what they were on, it was stumps. But luckily when you found brushpiles, there were also stumps around.”

The majority of their productive stumps were in 12 feet of water or less, but on the final day they moved deeper and targeted smaller stumps. Most of these targets had two or three bass holding to them, and at times Marco said they had to weed through the smaller fish to get to the quality largemouth.

“It was hard to find an area by yourself. Our biggest key was finding an area that we had to ourselves. We didn’t see another boat the entire tournament. We pretty much made a circle around a three-mile area. We had 50 to 70 stumps marked. It seemed like the bites came in flurries.”

To trigger their bites, the duo threw a ¾-ounce bucktail jig as well as a Megabass Kanata Jerkbait, neither of which have been used much by Rowlands and Marco in the past. In fact, Rowlands received the jerkbait as a Christmas gift this past December and bought another one after Brandon Palaniuk won the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee in February. There was only one bucktail jig in the boat, and the hook was admittedly a little rusty.

“I really feel like no one was throwing them and these fish haven’t seen them,” Rowland said.

After not catching a single keeper to start Day 1 around a shad spawn, Marco and Rowland headed straight to their primary area on the final day. The duo picked up 11 pounds by 11 a.m., but within a 15-minute flurry, the duo upgraded to over 19 pounds.

“It was one of those things that just seemed meant to be,” Marco said. “The bite you normally don’t get, for whatever reason we got. It was a very short period of time, and we expanded on it a little bit.”

At around 1 p.m., the duo landed their final 4-pounder to put them over the 20-pound mark. While Marco felt good about their chances to win when they landed that bass, Rowlands thought they needed another kicker bite.

“Trey was saying the whole time that we had a shot at the win if we got to 21,” Rowlands said. “And I was saying we needed more. He was right.”

With the win, Marco and Rowlands qualified for their first Bassmaster College National Championship, which will be held just south of King University on Cherokee Lake in July.

Wester and Thomas utilized a similar gameplan to catch their 18-9 and 17-10 limits. They anchored their final day bag with a 5-4 largemouth. The duo dedicated their top finish to head coach Pam Martin-Wells, who passed away in April from cancer.

“It felt great being able to do this for her,” Wester said.

The week started with a blown motor, but in the process of trolling back to the ramp, the Emmanuel duo discovered the bass in the area were hovering around brushpiles.

With a new boat brought up from Georgia, they expanded on their pattern before making the transition to stumps in 6 to 8 feet of water, although they did catch a quality keeper off a stump in 30 feet of water. A ⅜-ounce brown and purple jig produced the majority of their stump bites while a 5/16-ounce Buckeye Lures G-Stroll jighead paired with a Strike King Z-Too minnow was better around the brush, especially if the bass were floating above the brush.

“Our better bites came around midday with the jig,” Wester, a sophomore, said.

With a limit of 10 pounds to start the day, Wester and Thomas slowly culled up throughout the day. Their kicker bite came around mid-morning.

“About 10 o’clock we had 13 pounds, and I leaned into that 5-4, which helped big time,” Thomas, a freshman, said. “We had our weight by 1 and we kept catching 2-pounders from then on.”

Wester and Thomas split Big Bass of the Tournament honors with the Erskine College duo of Rylan Green and Luke McGuffin, who also landed a 5-4 on the final day of competition.

The Top 20 teams qualified for the aforementioned Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake scheduled for July 10-12. All teams earned points towards the Lunkers Trail points race. The Lunkers Trail will conclude at Chickamauga Lake May 30-31.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, hosted the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2025 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 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, 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, 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: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/30-5/1
Buggs Island Reservoir, Mecklenburg VA.
Standings Day 2

Team Club/School Pts

1. Trey Marco - Jake Rowlands King University 250
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 21-08 Total: 10 38-09
2. Will Wester - Jackson Thomas Emmanuel College 249
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 17-10 Total: 10 36-03
3. Easton Drennon - Chase McCarter Carson-Newman University 248
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 14-09 Total: 10 34-14
4. Lucas Washburn - Braylon Eggerding Adrian College 247
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 14-15 Total: 10 33-08
5. Brennan Berglund - Colton White University of Montevallo 246
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 16-05 Total: 10 33-06
6. Nathan Reynolds - Jake Brown University of North Alabama 245
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 13-01 Total: 10 33-03
7. Storm Clark - Elisha Colley University of Montevallo 244
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-09 Total: 10 33-02
8. Brody Robison - Peyton Sorrow University of Montevallo 243
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 15-02 Total: 10 32-15
9. Colton Boelkes - Joshua Hayes University of North Alabama 242
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 15-03 Total: 10 32-15
10. Scooter Ligon Jr - Levi Seagraves Emmanuel College 241
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 15-09 Total: 10 32-05
11. Bryce Dimauro - Tripp Berlinsky University of North Alabama 240
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 16-06 Total: 10 32-02
12. Matt Boerboom - Jacob Swanson University of Montevallo 239
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 15-14 Total: 10 32-00
13. Bryson Dotson - Hayden Peck Tennessee Wesleyan University 238
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 15-12 Total: 10 31-14
14. Matthew Massey - Matthew Gunn Erskine College 237
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 31-02
15. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 236
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-12 Total: 10 30-10
16. Zachary Helton - Blake Wheat Carson-Newman University 235
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-05 Total: 10 30-04
17. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 234
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 14-00 Total: 10 30-03
18. Chandler Howell - Clayton Ellis Blue Mountain Christian Universi 233
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-12 Total: 10 29-14
19. Cole Moulton - Jared Hubbard Lander University 232
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 17-07 Total: 10 29-13
20. Anderson Jones - Lander University 231
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 14-14 Total: 10 29-08
21. Cason Price - Joe Vaulton Carson-Newman University 230
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 13-05 Total: 10 29-06
22. Nick Dumke - Connor Bell University of Montevallo 229
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 13-06 Total: 10 29-02
23. Brayden Ruckman - Zachary Wolfe Carson-Newman University 228
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 15-12 Total: 10 29-02
24. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Lander University 227
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 15-01 Total: 10 28-15
25. Carson Winn - Ethan Tedder University of North Alabama 226
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-09 Total: 10 28-14
26. Bryce Mcdonald - Ethan Elliott University of Pikeville 225
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 13-08 Total: 10 28-14
27. Calup Williams - Hunter King Blue Mountain Christian Universi 224
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 15-07 Total: 10 28-13
28. Daylon Milam - James Dubose University of Montevallo 223
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 13-00 Total: 10 28-11
29. Drake Sturgill - Hudson Choquette University of Montevallo 222
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 11-13 Total: 10 28-09
30. Tyler Thompson - Emery Burnett Georgia Southern University 221
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Total: 10 28-07
31. Paxton Giem - Nick Seitz Adrian College 220
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 15-00 Total: 10 28-07
32. Jake Krauth - Jack Mcillwain University of North Alabama 219
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-04 Total: 10 28-05
33. Szymon Piton - Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 218
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-02 Total: 10 28-03
34. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 217
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 28-03
35. Rylan Green - Luke McGuffin Erskine College 216
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 17-14 Total: 10 28-02
36. Logan Hendrick - Jake Brown Lenoir Rhyne University 215
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 27-13
37. Nicholas DellaPorta - Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 214
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 10 27-12
38. Joe Lutz - Jake Monti UNC - Charlotte 213
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-01 Total: 10 27-11
39. Jon Foster - Lawton Williams Erskine College 212
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-05 Total: 10 27-09
40. Cameron Dials - Ethan Burnette Kentucky Christian University 211
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 10 27-09
41. Jackson Mitchell - Carson Palmer Carson - Newman University 210
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 14-05 Total: 10 27-08
42. Tomas Matual - Zach Widelski McKendree University 209
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-04 Total: 10 27-08
43. Hunter Keller - Wes Smith II Catawba Valley Community College 208
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 15-14 Total: 10 27-05
44. Austin Marley - Jack Richardson Georgia Southern University 207
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 27-04
45. Colby Reece - Alex Gore Carson-Newman University 206
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-12 Total: 10 27-02
46. Andrew Blanton - Garrett Smith Lander University 205
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 13-12 Total: 10 27-00
47. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain Christian Universi 204
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 13-01 Total: 10 26-14
48. Will Hammond - Parker Lambert Lander University 203
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 15-15 Total: 10 26-11
49. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 202
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 11-06 Total: 10 26-10
50. Brooks Parker - Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 201
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 10 26-08
51. Trace Antunes III - Garrett Ring University of Montevallo 200
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 26-07
52. Blair Erickson - Jackson Pontius University of Montevallo 199
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 26-07
53. Brady Pinwar - Cole Carr Adrian College 198
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 26-06
54. Chan Barber II - Jake Kester NC State University 197
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 26-06
55. Matthew Strickland - Eli Ward University of Pikeville 196
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 26-01
56. Will Rooker - Ben Brockwell Kentucky Christian University 195
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 25-15
57. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 194
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 11-15 Total: 10 25-13
58. Hayden Williams - Luke Garofalo University of South Carolina - U 193
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 25-11
59. Wyatt Wood - Wyatt Ford University of Montevallo 192
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 25-11
60. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 191
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 25-09
61. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Gavyn Rapp Adrian College 190
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 25-07
62. Turner Hart - Summer Dees Bryan College 189
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 25-07
63. Hunter Slone - Cole Petroff Tennessee Tech University 188
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-07 Total: 10 25-07
64. Bryson Holderness - Isaac Greene University of South Carolina - U 187
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 25-06
65. Will Hart - Logan Fisher Emmanuel College 186
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 25-06
66. Hunter Barrow - Kanton Trull Catawba Valley Community College 185
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 25-06
67. Brian Haire - Fischer Barber Troy University 184
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-01 Total: 10 25-06
68. Hank Sturm - Matt Mosby Adrian College 183
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 15-05 Total: 10 25-04
69. Max Hondorp - Ridge Faircloth Troy University 182
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-02 Total: 10 25-04
70. Garrett Christy - Corban Chenevey Catawba Valley Community College 181
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 13-11 Total: 10 25-03
71. Peyton Dunn - Michael Avery Emmanuel College 180
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 25-01
72. Tanner Wassilchalk - Mason Kerr West Virginia University 179
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 9 25-01
73. Nolan Gray - Riley Brown Carson-Newman University 178
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 25-00
74. Hunter Starling - Emory Jackson Georgia Southern University 177
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-01 Total: 10 25-00
75. Cody Abbott - Trenton Carey Lander University 176
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 24-15
76. Brandon Berry - Hunter Bright University of Montevallo 175
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-04 Total: 10 24-15
77. Mason Bohland - Brady Metzger Purdue University 174
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 24-15
78. Dylan May - Will Shepherd Carson-Newman University 173
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 14-04 Total: 10 24-12
79. Cole Hunter - Joseph Bontrager University of South Carolina - U 172
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-08 Total: 10 24-07
80. Palmer Parrish - Clemson University 171
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-02 Total: 10 24-07
81. Joe Shamblin - William Griffith University of Pikeville 170
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 24-05
82. Hampton Shull - Landon Surrett Lander University 169
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 10 24-04
83. Mason Kornegay - Miller Dowling University of Montevallo 168
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 12-05 Total: 10 24-03
84. Kaleb Butts - Landon Bannister University of South Carolina - U 167
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 24-02
85. Fisher Heard - Hunter Brewer University of North Alabama 166
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 13-10 Total: 10 24-01
86. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 165
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 13-07 Total: 10 24-01
87. Will Hadley - Blayne Leeman Kentucky Christian University 164
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 14-06 Total: 10 24-00
88. Brycen Williamson - Erskine College 163
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 23-14
89. Dalton DeFelice - Evan Ludlow University of Montevallo 162
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 23-14
90. Brayden Batchelor - Quinn Williams Georgia Southern University 161
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 23-13
91. Caden Gettys - Tyler Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 160
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 11-09 Total: 10 23-12
92. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. - Quade Lobo Adrian College 159
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 13-04 Total: 10 23-11
93. Drew Kuhnle - Landon Rollison Lander University 158
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 23-11
94. Zion Dunaway - Andrew Krintz Purdue University 157
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 23-08
95. Hunter Kellogg - Owen Klein Ohio State University 156
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-06 Total: 10 23-08
96. Dustin Weinberg - Cade McBride Blue Mountain Christian Universi 155
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 12-05 Total: 10 23-06
97. Chandler Pruett - Steven Deschene Blue Mountain Christian Universi 154
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 23-05
98. James Lamberth - Jaxon Leverette Troy University 153
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 10 23-03
99. Bryce Balentine - Connor Koch Florida Gateway College 152
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 12-04 Total: 10 23-01
100. Finn Maher - Jake Buzin University of South Carolina 151
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 23-00
101. Robert Miller - Levi Bolton Emmanuel College 150
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 11-13 Total: 10 22-15
102. Jackson Rentschler - Tyler Gross Purdue University 149
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 22-14
103. Kyle Smith - Jacob Highley Kentucky Christian University 148
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 22-13
104. Branton Champion - Cole Guck Emmanuel College 147
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 12-05 Total: 10 22-12
105. Carrson Sizemore - Dalton Blakley University of Pikeville 146
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 11-11 Total: 10 22-10
106. Hunter Townsend - Jon Wehner Jr James Madison University 145
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 22-09
107. Nick Hawkins - Dillan Mcglothern South Eastern University 144
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 22-09
108. Lawson Blake - Garrett Simon Marshall University 143
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 22-09
109. Will Kimbrough - Mac Nail Georgia Southern University 142
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 22-08
110. Nick Schaefer - Cameron Gates University of Pikeville 141
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 10-14 Total: 10 22-08
111. Ethan Hospedales - UNC - Charlotte 140
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 22-07
112. Harrison McCall - Lander University 139
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 22-06
113. Gavin Sheffer - Logan Birth Liberty University 138
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 3 09-11 Total: 8 22-05
114. Kaden Raichel - Luke Davis University of Montevallo 137
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 22-04
115. Cameron Chapman - Dyson Lewis Catawba Valley Community College 136
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 22-00
116. Preston Kolisek - Smith McGregor University of North Alabama 135
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 22-00
117. Brendon Brones - Porter Welch Lamar State College Orange 134
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 21-14
118. Wyatt Gabehart - Riley Hendricks Lander University 133
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 21-14
119. Ethan Vue - Christian Vue UNC - Charlotte 132
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 21-12
120. Colin Cooper - Cory Mitchell Liberty University 131
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 21-10
121. Alex Geroulis - William Brogan Indiana University 130
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 21-10
122. Mitch Straffon - Owen Januszewski Adrian College 129
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 21-08
123. Grant Rice - Blake Marcum Morehead State University 128
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 21-08
124. Leo Romano - Miller Kieran James Madison University 127
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 21-08
125. Bryson Hatcher - Jake Lovingood Bryan College 126
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 10 21-06
126. JD Sewell - Holden Hatcher Lamar State College Orange 125
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 21-04
127. Robie Vines Jr - Colby Bryan Catawba Valley Community College 124
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 21-04
128. Caleb Dugger - Kolby Gambrel King University 123
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 4 09-07 Total: 9 21-03
129. Kasen Pemberton - Avery Padgett Troy University 122
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 4 08-11 Total: 9 21-02
130. Nick Owens - Noah Varitek Adrian College 121
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 21-02
131. Reece Keeney - Brantley Anders Kentucky Christian University 120
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 21-01
132. Carter Burdette - Brayden Jordan Troy University 119
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 4 08-04 Total: 9 20-14
133. Asa Putnam - Brett Mouw University of Montevallo 118
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 10 20-13
134. Dylan Mcgee - Hayden Short Kentucky Christian University 117
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 20-13
135. Joey Meadows - Caleb Edwards Emmanuel College 116
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-11 Total: 10 20-11
136. Chase Rogers - Bryson Holland University of South Carolina - U 115
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 20-10
137. Gabe Hannon - LSU 114
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 20-10
138. Jacob Vanscoik - Robert Richbourg Catawba Valley Community College 113
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 20-08
139. Chase Loftus - Caden Petrille University of Iowa 112
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 20-08
140. Matthew Mitchell - Butler Cochran University of South Carolina 111
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 20-06
141. Logan Howarter - Mason Lyons Kentucky Christian University 110
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 20-05
142. Will Holloway - Nick Pemberton University of Montevallo 109
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 20-02
143. Carson Aarup - Ryan Auchmoody UNC - Charlotte 108
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 20-01
143. Alexander Blanchard - Connor Hebert LSU 108
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 20-01
145. Seth Shuler - Nicholas Giompalo University of Pikeville 106
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 19-14
146. Lyndon Gaddy - Daniel Ridenour East Tennessee State University 105
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 19-13
147. Thomas Phillips - James Riegert Ohio State University 104
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 4 08-00 Total: 9 19-12
148. Mitch Johnson - Joe Bob Burchett Kentucky Christian University 103
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 19-08
149. Cody Wyatt - Fletcher Allen UNC - Charlotte 102
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 19-04
150. Matthew Norton - Ian Schroeder UNC - Charlotte 101
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 10-09 Total: 10 19-02
151. Phillip Herring - Parker O'Bryan University of Montevallo 100
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 19-02
152. John James Coco - JD Farage LSU 99
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 09-00 Total: 10 19-01
153. Fisher Rodgers - Loren Oliver University Of South Carolina 98
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 18-13
154. Beau Landry - Peyton Matherne LSU 97
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 18-13
155. Owen Barker - Carter Jerdon Ohio State University 96
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-14 Total: 10 18-11
156. Carson Holbrook - Silas Jones University of Pikeville 95
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 10 18-10
157. Thomas Osa - Kole Costello High Point University 94
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 3 06-07 Total: 8 18-08
158. Austin Paulus - Landen Paulus Ohio State University 93
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 08-05 Total: 10 18-05
159. Colin McGough - Jeremy Etter Virginia Tech University 92
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 07-02 Total: 9 18-04
160. Brendan Vinton - Grant Harris Cvcc Redhawks 91
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 3 04-04 Total: 8 18-03
161. Cole Mitchell - Hayden Mare High Point University 90
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 9 18-03
162. Charlie Moomau - Matthew Delaney West Virginia University 89
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 3 05-07 Total: 8 17-09
163. Cohen Cravey - Maxwell Johnson Brewton-Parker College 88
Day 1: 4 07-08 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 9 17-05
164. Dawson Woerner - Wyatt Cash Purdue University 87
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 3 06-00 Total: 8 17-04
165. Connor Westerman - Michael Mcnulty West Virginia University 86
Day 1: 4 08-01 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 9 17-03
166. Scotty Hagan - Will Copley University of Pikeville 85
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 16-12
167. Ryder Krueger - Mason Laurin Troy University 84
Day 1: 4 05-14 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 9 16-04
168. Spencer Knight - Colton Cybulski Ohio State University 83
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 2 03-13 Total: 7 16-01
169. Chase Hubble - University of Florida 82
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 4 07-08 Total: 9 16-01
170. Thomas Smith - Tyler Michael University of South Carolina - U 81
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 8 15-04
171. Max Pierlott - Mike Pierlott UNC - Charlotte 80
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 3 05-09 Total: 8 15-03
172. Ryan Thomas - Nate Harper University of Pikeville 79
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 3 04-11 Total: 8 14-15
173. Kyle Zainitzer - Hayden Alexander University of North Alabama 78
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 05-06 Total: 10 14-08
174. Bryson Gurley - Ethan Evatt University of South Carolina - U 77
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 8 14-07
175. Emerson Petty - Jaxon Humphrey Tennessee Wesleyan University 76
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 2 03-15 Total: 7 14-01
176. Branson James - Hunter Musick East Tennessee State University 75
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 8 14-01
177. Makenzie Irwin - Nicholas Palazzo King University 74
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 2 04-01 Total: 7 14-00
178. Dylan Reid - Jaxson Smoak Georgia Southern University 73
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 02-07 Total: 7 13-09
179. Conner Nichols - Nathanael Eubank East Tennessee State University 72
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 3 05-14 Total: 8 13-07
180. Kenneth Vicchio - Devon Blevins East Tennessee State University 71
Day 1: 1 00-09 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 6 12-12
181. Caleb Baynes - Konnor Sweet Liberty University 70
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 2 04-04 Total: 7 12-05
182. Wes Newman Jr. - Liberty University 69
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 6 12-02
183. Sawyer Brady - TJ Edwards Jr Blue Mountain Christian Universi 68
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-01
184. Aiden Reid - Isaac Patrick Catawba Valley Community College 67
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
185. MJ Lutz Jr - CJ Chavous Jr. University of South Carolina - U 66
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
186. Dane Leopold - Chris Veitch Coastal Carolina University 65
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-02
187. Tanner Herndon - Caleb Griffin Bryan College 64
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 04-02 Total: 5 09-02
188. Andrew Oswalt - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 63
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-05
189. Garrett Tucker - Tyler Randolph West Virginia University 62
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 1 00-03 Total: 4 05-14
190. Braydon Southerland - Conner Busby Tennessee Tech University 61
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 1 02-00 Total: 3 05-09
191. Fisher Carver - Hunter Richie Brewton-Parker College 60
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-05
192. Landon Brown - JD Rose Morehead State University 59
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-04
193. Cole Bedard - Jackson Plyler NC State University 58
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-02
194. Trey Martinez - Maddux Moore Sportsman Fishing Club At Lsu 57
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 1 01-10 Total: 3 04-14
195. Haden James - Daniel Litwin 56
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 1 00-00 Total: 3 03-09
196. Noah Strand - Max Trenz UNC - Chapel Hill 55
Day 1: 5 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 01-12
197. Alan Ter Molen - Luke Rosebrook Grace College 54
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-07
198. Kayden Crosier - Gavin Warholic Kent State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
198. Aaron McGill - Trey Woliver University of Tennessee 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
198. Kyle Werbeck - Joseph Phillips Kent State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Rylan Green Campobello, SC 05-04 $0.00
Will Wester Royston, GA 05-04 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 176 933 2265-11
2 165 889 2139-05
----------------------------------
341 1822 4405-00

by AnglersChannel

BassmastHER workshops continue to inspire women in 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a very successful inaugural season, Bassmaster’s popular BassmastHER program continues to host workshops in conjunction with events during the 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season.

BassmastHER, an initiative started with the goal of creating a space for female anglers at all levels to learn new fishing skills within a supportive community, launched a series of one-day workshops in 2024 that ran in conjunction with select Elite Series events. In response to the program’s success, B.A.S.S. has expanded workshop dates in 2025 to create even more workshop opportunities for female anglers across the country.

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

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

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

2025 BassmastHER workshops have been held in conjunction with the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Fort Worth, Texas (March 23) and the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C. (April 26). Upcoming 2025 BassmastHER workshops will run concurrently with the following events:

MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River in Orange, Texas (May 17)
ICAST in Orlando, Fla. (July 17)
Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis. (Aug. 23)

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

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

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

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

Lake Fork offers tremendous potential for Bassmaster Elite field

YANTIS, Texas — Lake Fork is full of water and full of big bass, which bodes well for the 102 anglers set to compete in the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at this east Texas powerhouse.

Competition days will be May 8-11 with daily takeoffs from Caney Point Recreation Area at 6:30 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the same location at 2:30 p.m.

“The weather has been pretty stable around Texas lately,” said Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs. “We haven’t had a lot of rain, but we’ve had enough. The lake is near full now and it stayed up most of last year, so it should be a regular Lake Fork tournament.

“That being said, it is the rainy time of year in Texas, so a lot could change if we start getting rain. That could cause a little water color change in the pockets and creeks, but Fork’s not on a major river that would (significantly) affect it, so this should be a good, stable tournament.”

A thriving testament to the diligent work by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which manages Lake Fork as a trophy bass fishery, this 27,264-acre impoundment of Lake Fork Creek (Sabine River tributary) boasts an impressive population of quality fish, with double-digit giants impressively abundant.

In all five of the previous Elite events at Lake Fork, the renowned fishery yielded Century Club belts, which recognize four-day total weights of 100 pounds or more. Last year’s event yielded 10 century belts, including then-rookie Trey McKinney’s winning total of 130 pounds, 15 ounces.

The tournament format will differ from the standard Elite Series event, as anglers will catch, weigh and release their fish. Anglers catching fish surpassing 24 inches (referred to as “overs”) may bring one to the weigh-in scales. Any fish brought to the weigh-ins are promptly released.

Combs said he expects a mix of spawn and postspawn fish. Bed fishing for Texas tanks might sound appealing, but Combs warns against depending solely on that uncertain pursuit.

“I don’t think a guy can win it exclusively on spawners unless all the weather conditions lined up for every single day,” Combs said. “Someone could earn a Top 10 with all spawners, but I think it would take a postspawn pattern or a combination of spawn and postspawn to win.”

With minimal vegetation, Lake Fork spawners typically use habitat such as docks, stumps and other hard-bottom sites. The typical assortment of Texas-rigged baits fool these bed fish, but Combs suggests upsizing the profiles for this lake’s bigger class of fish.

Postspawn habitat typically includes hard clay points, ridges and big offshore fields of standing timber, the latter of which offers vast habitat for fish to hang out and feed as they wish.

Forward-facing sonar technology has, in recent years, revealed much about specific bass positioning, so anglers can quickly and efficiently break down large areas to locate prime habitat and fish locations. Combs lists jerkbaits, swimbaits, big crankbaits, Neko rigs and jighead minnows as the likely postspawn lineup.

“I think it’s pretty consistent; we’ve been there several times in May,” Combs said. “I think most of what happens on Fork has been (seen); it will just be a matter of a guy dialing it in a little better than the rest of the field.”

As Combs points out, the likelihood of such a performance is higher with the postspawn option simply due to numeric superiority. While bed fishing might reward an angler with a handful of shots at difference-makers, the potential for intercepting postspawn fish offers higher statistical advantage.

Bass follow predictable seasonal routes into and out of their spawning zones, with periodic pauses at key prespawn and postspawn habitat. If an angler locates one of those receiving areas and has the good fortune to fish it for four days, that one spot could deliver the blue trophy.

“I do think in the past you would need multiple spots to win, but now, with a lot of fish moving out, I think a guy could win on one spot,” Combs said. “In general on Fork, schools of fish move in and out a lot. You need to find a place where fish are coming to you.”

“It’s going to take a lot of weight to win; it will take over 100 pounds, there’s no doubt about that,” Combs said. “There’s definitely a way to get bit with smaller fish — you’re just going to have to concentrate on a lesser bite for better quality fish.

“I think the guys that pull away from the rest of the field will not focus on a 4-pound fish. You really don’t need to weigh a single 4-pound fish if you want to win the tournament. You don’t just get a limit and then go for a big bite. You have to look for nothing but big bites.”

As past events have shown, mega-bags are not only possible, they’re expected. Not everyone will be so fortunate, but Combs fully expects a couple of eye-popping performances.

“You can’t do it every day, but you need that one day with a 30- to 40-pound bag,” he said. “We will see that once, maybe twice.”

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork will be available on Bassmaster.com on Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. and also on Roku from 8 to 11 a.m. FS1 will carry the morning action on Day 3 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon. Championship Sunday coverage will be broadcast on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and FOX from noon to 3 p.m.

The Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork is hosted by Wood County.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite 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 Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

Big Show Scroggins Previews Stage Four on the Tennessee River

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Terry Scroggins and the rest of the Bass Pro Tour field kicked off O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 this morning on Lake Chickamauga out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This tournament features a unique split design, highlighting two fisheries on the iconic Tennessee River. The full field will fish the first two days on The Chick, before switching over to Nickajack Lake for the Knockout and Championship Rounds.

The BPT format always finds ways to keep these top sixty-six anglers on their toes, even for 23-year pro tournament veterans like Scroggins. “Big Show” didn’t pull any punches, his practice his not live up to his expectations for a lake like Chickamauga, where he knows it will take heavy weights to do well.

“I spent my entire practice time on Chickamauga because I simply didn’t find enough fish to feel like I could go down to Nickajack,” Scroggins said. “To be honest, I bet 75% of our BPT field spent all their time on Chick. For such a great fishery it seems to be fishing tough. It’s the typical late-spring funk bass can sometimes get in immediately after the spawn. I didn’t really find them grouped up out offshore yet, and they aren’t flooded in the shallows either.”

This ‘in-between’ stage can be cumbersome for anglers but is usually exciting for tournament fishing fans, as there will be multiple patterns at play with anglers leaning into their strengths to add weight to the SCORETRACKER. While Scroggins and every competitor he talked to was “singing the blues” after practice, you can rest assured the field is still going to catch ‘em. Sandbagging and outpacing expectations is par for the course for these guys.

“With our format, practice really doesn’t mean too terribly much,” the Team Toyota pro admitted. “Especially on a lake with as many fish in it as Chick. All it takes is finding the right group during competition and you can light them up. The winning school of fish is probably offshore somewhere, and I haven’t found them yet, but it can happen quick. I plan to sample some shallower spawning stuff early today before poking around offshore.”

Sampling the spawn(s)

Scroggins saw plenty of spawning activity throughout his practice days between the shad spawn first thing in the morning, brim and bluegill on their beds in the shallows, and the tail end of the bass spawn; but he doesn’t believe any one of these patterns is steady enough to propel him to the Knockout Round. Instead, Big Show plans to sample all three throughout the day, squeezing a few quality scoreables from each.

“The shad spawn is on here on Chick, but we’re not Lines In until 7:30A.M. each morning and that deal is pretty much over by then,” Scroggins explained. “I still saw enough to try and capitalize on the shad spawn first thing in the morning and then I’ll run and few bed fish I have marked. I didn’t find many, but there are a few up there. Then, there are always big bass hanging around bedding brim this time of year, too.”

This hodge-podge approach is the best way Scroggins knows how to break down a good fishery that’s fishing a little tough. Instead of being tunnel-visioned to one pattern that may be dwindling, he’ll explore several clues he got in practice and continue to dial in his game plan throughout the event. An open mind will win you more fishing tournaments than any lure, technique or piece of equipment.

Scroggins gave a few final predictions Wednesday night as he finished pouring and producing a few more soft plastic worms and Chatterbait trailers on the tailgate of his Tundra.

“I think it will take 25-pounds per day to make the Knockout Round,” Scroggins offered. “Which is light for Chickamauga with our every-fish-counts format, but with the fish being scattered like they are it’s just not easy right now. Our guys are so good, and we have several who live right around here. There will be a few dudes who blast ‘em, but it’ll be a bit of a grind for most of us. That said, this is still the Tennessee River, and you know it’ll show out.”

by AnglersChannel

Productive morning carries McCarter, Drennon to Day 1 lead at Buggs Island

April 30, 2025

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. — Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops well exceeded the expectations of Easton Drennon and Chase McCarter, who landed a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 5 ounces to take the lead over the 200-boat field.

The Carson-Newman duo holds a 3-ounce advantage over North Alabama’s Nathan Reynolds and Jake Brown. Lucas Washburn and Braylon Eggerding from Adrian College and Will Wester and Jackson Thomas from Emmanuel College are tied for third with 18-9.

“We are amazed. Today was a true blessing,” Drennon said. “We honestly struggled in practice. We didn’t see many fish over 2 ½ pounds. It was a tough practice, so we went out with the mindset that we were going to grind out some bites and it went our way.”

Anglers enjoyed warm and sunny conditions on Day 1 of the two-day tournament, which resulted in an overall great day of fishing from the field. A total of 176 limits were caught and over 2,265 pounds of bass hit the scales.

McCarter and Drennon both hail from Tennessee, McCarter from the eastern side of the state and Drennon from the Nashville area. While neither one had seen Buggs Island prior to the week, McCarter’s experience using forward-facing sonar on Douglas Lake played a role in their Day 1 success.

After a lackluster practice, McCarter and Drennon found a small area with shallow and deep-water access that both prespawn and postspawn bass were utilizing.

“The fish had both deep and shallow to dwell in,” Drennon said. “I think that is what made the biggest difference. We had some postspawners and some that still seemed to be prespawn in our bag.”

They filled their bag of 4-pound largemouth using a jighead minnow, but getting the bass to bite it took more convincing than McCarter expected.

“You just had to make a lot of good casts. They weren’t just going to run out and get it; you really had to talk them into it. They wanted it a certain way,” he explained. “Most of them were cruising along the bottom and some of them were stationary. It is a pretty special spot, honestly.”

Although their starting spot didn’t pan out like they hoped, McCarter and Drennon quickly moved to what turned out to be their best point. There, they quickly filled out a limit and landed three of the bass they would take back to weigh-in. A short distance down the bank on another point, they landed two more quality keepers.

“It was unreal. They were just biting,” McCarter said. “I’d say we started catching them around 7:30 and we were done by 11. We left that area after that. We culled a 3.39 and we didn’t think the lake could produce much more than a 20-pound bag. We didn’t want to waste any fish.”

The Carson-Newman team spent the rest of the day trying to expand on their area and found a few more promising spots for the final day. McCarter believes they will need around 17 pounds to keep the lead on Day 2.

Reynolds and Brown anchored their 20-3 Day 1 limit with the Big Bass of the Day, a 5-2 largemouth.

The full field will launch from Occoneechee State Park tomorrow beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 2:15 p.m. The Top 10% of the field will punch their tickets to the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake scheduled for July 10-12. Teams will also earn points towards the Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, is hosting the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/30-5/1
Buggs Island Reservoir, Mecklenburg VA.
Standings Day 1

Team Club/School Pts

1. Easton Drennon - Chase McCarter Carson-Newman University 250
Day 1: 5 20-05 Total: 5 20-05
2. Nathan Reynolds - Jake Brown University of North Alabama 249
Day 1: 5 20-02 Total: 5 20-02
3. Lucas Washburn - Braylon Eggerding Adrian College 248
Day 1: 5 18-09 Total: 5 18-09
3. Will Wester - Jackson Thomas Emmanuel College 248
Day 1: 5 18-09 Total: 5 18-09
5. Matthew Massey - Matthew Gunn Erskine College 246
Day 1: 5 18-05 Total: 5 18-05
6. Brody Robison - Peyton Sorrow University of Montevallo 245
Day 1: 5 17-13 Total: 5 17-13
7. Colton Boelkes - Joshua Hayes University of North Alabama 244
Day 1: 5 17-12 Total: 5 17-12
8. Brennan Berglund - Colton White University of Montevallo 243
Day 1: 5 17-01 Total: 5 17-01
8. Trey Marco - Jake Rowlands King University 243
Day 1: 5 17-01 Total: 5 17-01
10. Scooter Ligon Jr - Levi Seagraves Emmanuel College 241
Day 1: 5 16-12 Total: 5 16-12
11. Drake Sturgill - Hudson Choquette University of Montevallo 240
Day 1: 5 16-12 Total: 5 16-12
12. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 239
Day 1: 5 16-03 Total: 5 16-03
13. Matt Boerboom - Jacob Swanson University of Montevallo 238
Day 1: 5 16-02 Total: 5 16-02
13. Bryson Dotson - Hayden Peck Tennessee Wesleyan University 238
Day 1: 5 16-02 Total: 5 16-02
15. Cason Price - Joe Vaulton Carson-Newman University 236
Day 1: 5 16-01 Total: 5 16-01
16. Matthew Strickland - Eli Ward University of Pikeville 235
Day 1: 5 16-00 Total: 5 16-00
17. Bryce Dimauro - Tripp Berlinsky Bryan College 234
Day 1: 5 15-12 Total: 5 15-12
17. Nick Dumke - Connor Bell University of Montevallo 234
Day 1: 5 15-12 Total: 5 15-12
19. Daylon Milam - James Dubose University of Montevallo 232
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
20. Storm Clark - Elisha Colley University of Montevallo 231
Day 1: 5 15-09 Total: 5 15-09
21. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Gavyn Rapp Adrian College 230
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
22. Bryce Mcdonald - Ethan Elliott University of Pikeville 229
Day 1: 5 15-06 Total: 5 15-06
23. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 228
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
24. James Lamberth - Jaxon Leverette Troy University 227
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
25. Chandler Howell - Clayton Ellis Blue Mountain Christian Universi 226
Day 1: 5 15-02 Total: 5 15-02
26. Nicholas DellaPorta - Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 225
Day 1: 5 15-01 Total: 5 15-01
27. Szymon Piton - Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 224
Day 1: 5 15-01 Total: 5 15-01
28. Peyton Dunn - Michael Avery Emmanuel College 223
Day 1: 5 14-15 Total: 5 14-15
28. Zachary Helton - Blake Wheat Carson-Newman University 223
Day 1: 5 14-15 Total: 5 14-15
30. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 221
Day 1: 5 14-14 Total: 5 14-14
31. Anderson Jones - Lander University 220
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
32. Joe Shamblin - William Griffith University of Pikeville 219
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
33. Turner Hart - Summer Dees Bryan College 218
Day 1: 5 14-08 Total: 5 14-08
34. Will Hart - Logan Fisher Emmanuel College 217
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
35. Brady Pinwar - Cole Carr Adrian College 216
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
35. Colby Reece - Alex Gore Carson-Newman University 216
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
37. Austin Marley - Jack Richardson Georgia Southern University 214
Day 1: 5 14-05 Total: 5 14-05
38. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 213
Day 1: 5 14-04 Total: 5 14-04
39. Kaleb Butts - Landon Bannister University of South Carolina - U 212
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
40. Brayden Batchelor - Quinn Williams Georgia Southern University 211
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
41. Jake Krauth - Jack Mcillwain University of North Alabama 210
Day 1: 5 14-01 Total: 5 14-01
42. Cody Abbott - Trenton Carey Lander University 209
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
42. Chan Barber II - Jake Kester NC State University 209
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
44. Trace Antunes III - Garrett Ring University of Montevallo 207
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
44. Hayden Williams - Luke Garofalo University of South Carolina - U 207
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
46. Brendan Vinton - Grant Harris Cvcc Redhawks 205
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
47. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Lander University 204
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
47. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 204
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
47. Logan Hendrick - Jake Brown Lenoir Rhyne University 204
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
50. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain Christian Universi 201
Day 1: 5 13-13 Total: 5 13-13
51. Cameron Dials - Ethan Burnette Kentucky Christian University 200
Day 1: 5 13-12 Total: 5 13-12
52. Joe Lutz - Jake Monti UNC - Charlotte 199
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
53. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 198
Day 1: 5 13-09 Total: 5 13-09
54. Blair Erickson - Jackson Pontius University of Montevallo 197
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
54. Hampton Shull - Landon Surrett Lander University 197
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
56. Paxton Giem - Nick Seitz Adrian College 195
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
57. Hunter Barrow - Kanton Trull Catawba Valley Community College 194
Day 1: 5 13-06 Total: 5 13-06
57. Brayden Ruckman - Zachary Wolfe Carson-Newman University 194
Day 1: 5 13-06 Total: 5 13-06
57. Calup Williams - Hunter King Blue Mountain Christian Universi 194
Day 1: 5 13-06 Total: 5 13-06
57. Brycen Williamson - Erskine College 194
Day 1: 5 13-06 Total: 5 13-06
61. Carson Winn - Ethan Tedder University of North Alabama 190
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
61. Wyatt Wood - Wyatt Ford University of Montevallo 190
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
63. Jon Foster - Lawton Williams Erskine College 188
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
63. Tomas Matual - Zach Widelski Mckendree University Bass Fishin 188
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
65. Andrew Blanton - Garrett Smith Lander University 186
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
66. Jackson Mitchell - Carson Palmer Carson Newman University 185
Day 1: 5 13-03 Total: 5 13-03
67. Nolan Gray - Riley Brown Carson-Newman University 184
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
68. Hunter Slone - Cole Petroff Tennessee Tech University 183
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
69. Will Kimbrough - Mac Nail Georgia Southern University 182
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
70. Brooks Parker - Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 181
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
71. Carter Burdette - Brayden Jordan Troy University 180
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
71. Ethan Vue - Christian Vue UNC - Charlotte 180
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
73. Gavin Sheffer - Logan Birth Liberty University 178
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
74. Cameron Chapman - Dyson Lewis Catawba Valley Community College 177
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
74. Nick Hawkins - Dillan Mcglothern Webber International University 177
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
74. Ethan Hospedales - UNC - Charlotte 177
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
74. Harrison McCall - Lander University 177
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
78. Kasen Pemberton - Avery Padgett Troy University 173
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
79. Chandler Pruett - Steven Deschene Blue Mountain Christian Universi 172
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
79. Tyler Thompson - Emery Burnett Georgia Southern University 172
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
81. Cole Moulton - Jared Hubbard Lander University 170
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
81. Mitch Straffon - Owen Januszewski Adrian College 170
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
83. Brian Haire - Fischer Barber Troy University 168
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
83. Palmer Parrish - Clemson University 168
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
85. Dalton DeFelice - Evan Ludlow University of Montevallo 166
Day 1: 5 12-04 Total: 5 12-04
85. Spencer Knight - Colton Cybulski Ohio State University 166
Day 1: 5 12-04 Total: 5 12-04
87. Caden Gettys - Tyler Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 164
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
88. Mason Bohland - Brady Metzger Purdue University 163
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
88. Hunter Kellogg - Owen Klein Ohio State University 163
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
88. Charlie Moomau - Matthew Delaney West Virginia University 163
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
91. Lawson Blake - Garrett Simon Marshall University 160
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
92. Thomas Osa - Kole Costello High Point University 159
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
93. Will Rooker - Ben Brockwell Kentucky Christian University 158
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
94. Hunter Starling - Emory Jackson Georgia Southern University 157
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
95. Brendon Brones - Porter Welch Lamar State College Orange 156
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
95. Mason Kornegay - Miller Dowling University of Montevallo 156
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
97. Caleb Dugger - Kolby Gambrel King University 154
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
97. Thomas Phillips - James Riegert Ohio State University 154
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
97. Kaden Raichel - Luke Davis University of Montevallo 154
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
97. Grant Rice - Blake Marcum Morehead State University 154
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
101. Brandon Berry - Hunter Bright University of Montevallo 150
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
101. Drew Kuhnle - Landon Rollison Lander University 150
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
103. Colin Cooper - Cory Mitchell Liberty University 148
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
104. Asa Putnam - Brett Mouw University of Montevallo 147
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
104. Nick Schaefer - Cameron Gates University of Pikeville 147
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
106. Garrett Christy - Corban Chenevey Catawba Valley Community College 145
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
107. Hunter Keller - Wes Smith II Catawba Valley Community College 144
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
108. Jackson Rentschler - Tyler Gross Purdue University 143
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
109. Jacob Vanscoik - Robert Richbourg Catawba Valley Community College 142
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
109. Dawson Woerner - Wyatt Cash Purdue University 142
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
111. Tanner Wassilchalk - Mason Kerr West Virginia University 140
Day 1: 4 11-04 Total: 4 11-04
112. Carson Aarup - Ryan Auchmoody UNC - Charlotte 139
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
112. Logan Howarter - Mason Lyons Kentucky Christian University 139
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
114. Max Hondorp - Ridge Faircloth Troy University 137
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
114. Robert Miller - Levi Bolton Emmanuel College 137
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
114. Dylan Reid - Jaxson Smoak Georgia Southern University 137
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
117. Colin McGough - Jeremy Etter Virginia Tech University 134
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
118. Sawyer Brady - TJ Edwards Jr Blue Mountain Christian Universi 133
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
118. Dustin Weinberg - Cade McBride Blue Mountain Christian Universi 133
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
120. Cole Hunter - Joseph Bontrager University of South Carolina - U 131
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
120. Chase Rogers - Bryson Holland University of South Carolina - U 131
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
120. Carrson Sizemore - Dalton Blakley University of Pikeville 131
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
123. Preston Kolisek - Smith McGregor University of North Alabama 128
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
124. Bryce Balentine - Connor Koch Florida Gateway College 127
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
125. Will Hammond - Parker Lambert Lander University 126
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
125. Chase Loftus - Caden Petrille University of Iowa 126
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
127. Bryson Holderness - Isaac Greene University of South Carolina - U 124
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
128. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 123
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
128. Bryson Hatcher - Jake Lovingood Bryan College 123
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
130. Zion Dunaway - Andrew Krintz Purdue University 121
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
131. Dylan May - Will Shepherd Carson-Newman University 120
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
131. Leo Romano - Miller Kieran James Madison University 120
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
133. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. - Quade Lobo Adrian College 118
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
133. Branton Champion - Cole Guck Emmanuel College 118
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
133. Wyatt Gabehart - Riley Hendricks Lander University 118
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
133. Fisher Heard - Hunter Brewer University of North Alabama 118
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
137. Gabe Hannon - LSU 114
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
138. Alex Geroulis - William Brogan Indiana University 113
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
139. Rylan Green - Luke McGuffin Erskine College 112
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
139. Ryan Thomas - Nate Harper University of Pikeville 112
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
141. Finn Maher - Jake Buzin University of South Carolina 110
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
142. Dylan Mcgee - Hayden Short Kentucky Christian University 109
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
142. Emerson Petty - Jaxon Humphrey Tennessee Wesleyan University 109
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
144. John James Coco - JD Farage LSU 107
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
145. Austin Paulus - Landen Paulus Ohio State University 106
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
145. Seth Shuler - Nicholas Giompalo University of Pikeville 106
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
145. Kyle Smith - Jacob Highley Kentucky Christian University 106
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
148. Makenzie Irwin - Nicholas Palazzo King University 103
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
148. Nick Owens - Noah Varitek Adrian College 103
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
148. Hank Sturm - Matt Mosby Adrian College 103
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
151. Robie Vines Jr - Colby Bryan Catawba Valley Community College 100
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
152. Hunter Townsend - Jon Wehner Jr James Madison University 99
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
153. Will Hadley - Blayne Leeman Kentucky Christian University 98
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
153. Max Pierlott - Mike Pierlott UNC - Charlotte 98
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
153. JD Sewell - Holden Hatcher Lamar State College Orange 98
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
156. Carson Holbrook - Silas Jones University of Pikeville 95
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
157. Beau Landry - Peyton Matherne LSU 94
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
158. Mitch Johnson - Joe Bob Burchett Kentucky Christian University 93
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
159. Will Holloway - Nick Pemberton University of Montevallo 92
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
160. Fisher Rodgers - Loren Oliver University Of South Carolina 91
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
160. Kyle Zainitzer - Hayden Alexander University of North Alabama 91
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
162. Dane Leopold - Chris Veitch Coastal Carolina University 89
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
163. Joey Meadows - Caleb Edwards Emmanuel College 88
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
164. Alexander Blanchard - Connor Hebert LSU 87
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
164. Phillip Herring - Parker O'Bryan University of Montevallo 87
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
166. Cody Wyatt - Fletcher Allen UNC - Charlotte 85
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
167. Chase Hubble - University of Florida 84
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
167. Reece Keeney - Brantley Anders Kentucky Christian University 84
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
167. Matthew Norton - Ian Schroeder UNC - Charlotte 84
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
170. Lyndon Gaddy - Daniel Ridenour East Tennessee State University 81
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
171. Matthew Mitchell - Butler Cochran University of South Carolina 80
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
172. Andrew Oswalt - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 79
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
173. Caleb Baynes - Konnor Sweet Liberty University 78
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
174. Connor Westerman - Michael Mcnulty West Virginia University 77
Day 1: 4 08-01 Total: 4 08-01
175. Scotty Hagan - Will Copley University of Pikeville 76
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
176. Owen Barker - Carter Jerdon Ohio State University 75
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
177. Cole Mitchell - Hayden Mare High Point University 74
Day 1: 4 07-13 Total: 4 07-13
178. Conner Nichols - Nathanael Eubank East Tennessee State University 73
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
179. Cohen Cravey - Maxwell Johnson Brewton-Parker College 72
Day 1: 4 07-08 Total: 4 07-08
180. Thomas Smith - Tyler Michael University Of South Carolina Uni 71
Day 1: 3 06-01 Total: 3 06-01
181. Ryder Krueger - Mason Laurin Troy University 70
Day 1: 4 05-14 Total: 4 05-14
182. Bryson Gurley - Ethan Evatt University of South Carolina - U 69
Day 1: 3 05-13 Total: 3 05-13
183. Garrett Tucker - Tyler Randolph West Virginia University 68
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
184. Fisher Carver - Hunter Richie Brewton-Parker College 67
Day 1: 3 05-05 Total: 3 05-05
185. Landon Brown - JD Rose Morehead State University 66
Day 1: 3 05-04 Total: 3 05-04
186. Cole Bedard - Jackson Plyler NC State University 65
Day 1: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
187. Tanner Herndon - Caleb Griffin Bryan College 64
Day 1: 3 05-00 Total: 3 05-00
188. Branson James - Hunter Musick East Tennessee State University 63
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
189. Haden James - Daniel Litwin 62
Day 1: 2 03-09 Total: 2 03-09
189. Braydon Southerland - Conner Busby Tennessee Tech University 62
Day 1: 2 03-09 Total: 2 03-09
191. Trey Martinez - Maddux Moore Sportsman Fishing Club At Lsu 60
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
192. Noah Strand - Max Trenz UNC - Chapel Hill 59
Day 1: 5 01-12 Total: 5 01-12
193. Wes Newman Jr. - Liberty University 58
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
193. Alan Ter Molen - Luke Rosebrook Grace College 58
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
195. Kenneth Vicchio - Devon Blevins East Tennessee State University 56
Day 1: 1 00-09 Total: 1 00-09
196. Kayden Crosier - Gavin Warholic Kent State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. MJ Lutz Jr - CJ Chavous Jr. University of South Carolina - U 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Aaron McGill - Trey Woliver University of Tennessee 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Aiden Reid - Isaac Patrick Catawba Valley Community College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Kyle Werbeck - Joseph Phillips Kent State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 176 933 2265-11
----------------------------------
176 933 2265-11

by AnglersChannel

Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 4 Presented by E3 Sports Apparel Set for Pickwick Lake Next Week

COUNCE, Tenn. (April 30, 2025) – The next Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational event of the 2025 season is set to take place in Counce, Tennessee, next week, May 9-11, at Pickwick Lake – the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 4 Presented by E3 Sports Apparel.

The three-day tournament, hosted by Explore Pickwick Lake/Hardin County Tourism, will feature professional bass anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000. Anglers will take to the water to catch their five biggest bass each day, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total.

“Once again, we are grateful to welcome Major League Fishing to Pickwick Lake and for their continued partnership”, said Beth Pippin, Executive Director for Hardin County Tourism. “Pickwick Lake in West Tennessee is on the Bill Dance Signature Lake trail offering world-class fishing where three states meet. We look forward to welcoming the anglers, staff, sponsors, and fans and allowing us to showcase our side of this beautiful lake, and in return bringing us a vast economic impact.”

Former Pickwick Lake champion Jon Canada of Helena, Alabama, is excited to return to the site of his 2022 victory and looking to reclaim his dominance on one of the Tennessee River’s most dynamic spring fisheries. He’ll be competing against Pickwick Lake standouts like Bass Pro Tour phenoms Drew Gill and Jake Lawrence, brothers Carter and Dylan Nutt – the Tennessee River aces who compete collegiately for the University of North Alabama – and a returning Jason Lambert, who recently retired from pro-level competition but couldn’t resist the allure of big-time competition on his home fishery.

“It’s shaping up to be one of those tournaments where you could see it all,” said Canada. “With the weather we’ve had – it hit 89 or 90 degrees this week – everything’s happening fast. Guys are going to be catching fish off the shad spawn, some guarding fry, postspawners, and there may even be a few pre-spawn stragglers pulling up.”

Unlike his 2022 win, when grass played a key role, Canada doesn’t expect vegetation to be a factor this time around.

“The lake had a lot more grass back then. This year, I’ve looked around and haven’t seen any,” he said. “They’ve been managing it pretty aggressively, and it’s basically gone.”

Instead, Canada anticipates a return to more traditional structure fishing.

“You’ll see guys fishing stumps, shell bars, docks, maybe some offshore brush. A spinnerbait or flipping bite could definitely be in play.”

With Day 2 of competition enforcing a no-forward-facing sonar rule, offshore success may come down to “blind fishing” and familiarity.

“I’m okay with that,” Canada said. “It might be a challenge to find offshore schools that fast, but if we get the right conditions – some current and stable water – it could spread people out and open up opportunities.”

Canada emphasized that the Tennessee River system thrives on current.

“That lake – everything relates to current. Doesn’t matter if it’s ledges, ditches, bars, shallow or deep – if they’re pulling water, those fish will bite. That’ll be the biggest thing I’ll be watching next week.”

While a few early-morning smallmouth might show up, Canada is betting on largemouth to anchor most of the top bags. “If someone can unlock the smallmouth after they vanish post-spawn, they’ll be dangerous – but that’s a tough puzzle. It’s going to come down to current, water level, and making good decisions each day.”

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. CT each day from Pickwick Landing State Park, located at 120 Playground Loop in Counce, Tennessee. Weigh-ins will be held at the State Park and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals feature a field of professional anglers competing across six invitational tournaments around the country, for a total purse of $4.3 million and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points to qualify for the Invitationals Championship, set for Sept. 5-7 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the sport’s premier circuit.

In Tackle Warehouse Invitationals competition, the full field competes in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000.

Forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to only days 1 and 3 of competition. No forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar will be allowed on day 2 of competition.

The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live all three days of competition from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CT. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 4 at Pickwick Lake Presented by E3 Sports Apparel will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 25 on CBS Sports Network.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Bubba, Deep Dive, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, 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, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Invitationals updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Fishing's Greatest Auction is Back

Fishing's Greatest Auction is Back!

Open Now, Online Auction is Your Chance to Bid on More Than 100 Packages – Fishing Trips, Vacations, Tackle, Electronics and Much More.

Rogers, Minn. (April 29, 2025) — MN-FISH’s “World’s Greatest Fishing Auction” launched this week and runs till Sunday, May 4th.

Go to MN-FISH.com and click on red auction tab to check out the amazing assortment of items available. Shop for yourself, loved ones or even that special client ahead of fishing opener, Mother’s and Father’s days!

All proceeds benefit non-profit MN-FISH Sportfishing Foundation, created in 2018 to give Minnesota anglers and businesses that support them a strong voice in the legislature and state’s fish management.

Fishing’s top brands are represented in this auction! Blackfish, Rapala, Berkley, Whitewater Fishing, Shimano, EGO Fishing, DAIWA, Garmin, Vexilar, Humminbird, 13Fishing, St. Croix Rod, Engel, Fenwick, Pflueger, Tune-Up Custom, GSM, Northland, Lindy, AFTCO, Striker, Fish Monkey and many others.

If you are looking for a fishing trip or two, some of the Midwest’s leading anglers are waiting to take you out. Names like Al Lindner, Jason Mitchell, Brian Brosdahl, Jeremy Smith, Ted Takasaki, Matt Breuer, Butch Furtman, and Jason Durham are offering exclusive guided trips that promise memorable experiences on the water.

There are also incredible vacation packages to top destinations including Lake of the Woods, Leech, Minnetonka, Red, Woman, Mille Lacs, Ontario’s Eagle and others.

Follow MN-FISH on Facebook and Instagram for auction updates; new items added daily!

“Since launched, MN-FISH has helped secure more than $110 million in state investments into Minnesota’s fishing and outdoor recreation infrastructure, benefiting state fish hatcheries, public accesses, invasive carp barriers and urban shore fishing piers, said MN-FISH Executive Director Mark Holsten. “This spring, MN-FISH is helping fund a critical muskie movement/survivability study on Leech Lake, pushing to replace the aging metro fish hatchery in St. Paul and ensure anglers’ voices are heard as the DNR is considering limit and season changes for species like walleye and bass. We’re busy!”

You can browse auction items and bid right now until the auction closes at 8:00 PM CST this Sunday, May 4, 2025.

View Online Version

About MN-FISH

MN-FISH Sportfishing Foundation & Coalition is Minnesota’s only non-profit organization formed as two entities in order to represent the interested of all Minnesota anglers and other stakeholders. MN-FISH Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit. Its mission is to restore, protect and enhance Minnesota sportfishing for present and future anglers to enjoy. The c-4 MN-FISH Coalition LLC was founded by the Foundation to become the voice of Minnesota Anglers before the DNR and state legislature on all fishing-related issues. To learn more, visit MN-FISH.com.

CONTACT

www.MN-FISH.com

833-3MN-FISH (1-833-366-3474)

Steve Pennaz info@MNFISH.com

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. announces Tackle Warehouse as title sponsor of the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Fork

April 30, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is excited to announce Tackle Warehouse as the title sponsor of the highly anticipated 2025 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork, taking place May 8-11 in Yantis, Texas.

Lake Fork has long been known for producing legendary bass fishing moments, and last year’s Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series event was no exception. More than 10 anglers broke the prestigious 100-pound mark, with then-rookie Trey McKinney delivering a jaw-dropping performance to claim victory with an astounding 130 pounds, 15 ounces — one of the heaviest four-day totals in Elite Series history.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tackle Warehouse as the title sponsor for this iconic stop on the Elite Series schedule,” said Phillip Johnson, B.A.S.S. chief operating officer. “Lake Fork always delivers incredible action, and with Tackle Warehouse’s support, we’re looking forward to another unforgettable event showcasing some of the best anglers in the world on one of the most electrifying venues we visit.”

As the industry’s premier online retailer for bass fishing gear, Tackle Warehouse has been a go-to source for tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike. Their sponsorship of the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Fork ensures fans will experience next-level coverage, exclusive content and in-depth access to the gear and techniques that help Elite Series anglers land giant bass.

“We at Tackle Warehouse are so excited for the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork in the great state of Texas,” said Joey Reggio, general manager of Tackle Warehouse. “We can’t wait to see huge bass, huge bags and tons of excitement at one of the most legendary big-fish factories in the nation!”

The biggest bass of the 2024 Elites was landed by Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Justin Hamner during last year’s Lake Fork event. His 11-pound, 7-ounce behemoth may well be topped this year. With the potential for record-breaking weights and another thrilling showdown on one of the most revered trophy-bass lakes in the country, the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork is a must-watch event.

For more information on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, visit Bassmaster.com.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About Tackle Warehouse

Tackle Warehouse was launched online in 2003 with the goal of meeting the fishing tackle needs of the casual and professional bass angler alike. As a tackle shop run by anglers for anglers, the requirements were evident, and the mission remains the same: provide bass anglers with the widest selection of great products, fast and reliable shipping and excellent customer service, while offering support and education for anglers of all levels and abilities. Tackle Warehouse relies upon its tackle shop roots and a passion for fishing to best serve our customers, as well as the bass fishing community as a whole

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

Paul Marks Claims First Bassmaster Elite Series Victory at Lake Hartwell

Kennesaw, GA - Rookie angler Paul Marks etched his name into Bassmaster history this weekend, securing his first Elite Series blue trophy with a determined and dynamic performance at the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

Marks, 23, who hails from Cumming, Georgia, started strong on Day 1 with a five-fish limit weighing 19 pounds, 7 ounces — good enough for third place. He maintained momentum over the next two days with bags of 17-4 and 16-5, entering Championship Sunday in second place. A final-day limit of 15-8 pushed his four-day total to 68 pounds, 8 ounces, earning him the win by a 14-ounce margin over fellow rookie Tucker Smith and a $100,000 top prize.

“I don’t know what to think — it’ll probably take a week to set in, maybe a month,” Marks said. “I think I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid. I love spotted bass; I love fishing the way I do. It’s the best thing ever in my eyes.”

Marks’ winning formula combined shallow and offshore tactics. He opened the tournament with a crucial 5-pound largemouth caught bed fishing with a white Zoom Z Craw Jr., but the bulk of his success came offshore. Targeting spotted bass around points and brush piles from the Green Pond area down to the Hartwell Dam, Marks showcased patience and adaptability, crucial traits when chasing blueback herring-spawn bass.

Each morning, Marks capitalized on the herring spawn bite, throwing a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr. and a Super Fluke rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu worm hook round bend to trigger early big bites. As the sun climbed, he shifted deeper, fishing 10–30 feet of water with a 3/16-ounce SPRO Skip Gap shaky head paired with the Fluke Stick Jr.

“There are fish everywhere on the bank and I knew it was going to be really hard to win with spots,” Marks said. “I got lucky on Day 1 and caught a big one on the bed. That fish made my tournament.”

Despite the challenges of tracking the fast-moving herring spawn, Marks’ relentless approach — moving constantly and trusting his instincts — ultimately paid off.

“I never let off the gas today; I ran so hard,” Marks said. “It was a long day for me. I really didn’t think I had enough. Somehow, it worked out.”

With his first career Elite Series win secured, Paul Marks’ future in professional bass fishing looks incredibly bright — and this is likely just the beginning.

We are Sports Professionals. SPRO works with America's best anglers to design the world's finest fishing tackle. Using cutting edge technology and innovation, SPRO leads the way in developing the highest quality premium fishing equipment available.

For more information, please visit, WWW.SPRO.COM

by AnglersChannel

Unified Pros Partners with Fishing Chaos to Launch Virtual Qualifier for The Ultimate Angler Tournament

April 28, 2025, Scottsboro, Alabama — Unified Pros is proud to announce its partnership with Fishing Chaos, the industry leader in digital fishing tournament management, for the Ultimate Angler Tournament—a groundbreaking competition that brings together top-tier anglers from across the country.

As part of this partnership, Unified Pros and Fishing Chaos will launch a Virtual Qualifying Tournament in May 2025, giving anglers from all over the opportunity to compete from their home waters. The top five anglers from this virtual event will earn a coveted spot to compete in the Ultimate Angler Tournament, set to take place later this year.

“Fishing Chaos brings unmatched technology and innovation to the fishing tournament space,” said Lori Waller, Business Development Director at Unified Pros. “Partnering with them allows us to expand access, build excitement, and make the Ultimate Angler Tournament even more inclusive for competitive anglers at every level.”

The virtual qualifier will be hosted through the Fishing Chaos app, allowing real-time scoring, and live leaderboards. Anglers nationwide will be able to participate by submitting catches digitally, leveling the playing field through a modern and efficient platform.

“We’re excited to support Unified Pros and the Ultimate Angler with a seamless digital tournament experience,” said John Calagaz, CEO of Fishing Chaos. “This collaboration reflects our shared vision of elevating the sport and creating more opportunities for anglers to shine.”

Registration for the Virtual Qualifier will open on May 1, 2025 via the Fishing Chaos platform. Full rules, prize details, and eligibility information will be available soon at https://app.fishingchaos.com/tournament

For media inquiries, sponsorship information, or to learn more about the Ultimate Angler Tournament, please contact us at info@theultimateangler.org or visit www.theultimateangler.org.

by AnglersChannel

Illinois’ Feldermann Gets Impressive 13th Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Mississippi River Presented by Lew’s

Illinois’ Tinsman Tops Co-Angler Division

LA CROSSE, Wis. (April 28, 2025) – Boater Mike Feldermann of Galena, Illinois, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin Presented by Lew’s . The tournament, hosted by Explore La Crosse, was the first event of the season for the BFL Great Lakes Division. Feldermann earned $4,437 for his victory.

One of the upper Mississippi River’s all-time greats, Feldermann has now won BFL events out of La Crosse in back-to-back years, just one calendar day apart. This is also his 13th career win, to go along with five BFL All-American appearances and more than $378,000 in career earnings.

“I just pretty much did the same thing I did last year,” he said. “I just fished pondweed with a ChatterBait and a spinnerbait, and I had one spot where I caught a limit pretty quick. Then I went to another spot later in the day and caught my big fish – a 6-6. They were all largemouth, no current, in about 3 feet of water.”

Feldermann’s history on the river is his biggest strength. He says he just “kind of knows where those big ones want to stage before they spawn.” In practice, he caught a few just to get an idea of what was going on, then ran history and applied his expertise to put together the winning weight in the tournament.

“Where I caught the 6-6 is probably 200 to 300 yards long – a 3-foot weed edge,” he added. “It’s a big lake.”

The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Mike Feldermann, Galena, Ill., five bass, 22-13, $4,437
2nd:      Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 21-1, $1,958
3rd:       Casey Goode, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 20-5, $1,307
4th:        Tyler Fitch, Fall River, Wis., five bass, 20-3, $914
5th:        Clayton Weber, West Salem, Wis., five bass, 20-2, $783
6th:        Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., five bass, 19-14, $718
7th:        Dan Mohn, Lansing, Iowa, five bass, 19-9, $653
8th:        Cade Laufenberg, Onalaska, Wis., five bass, 18-10, $1,055 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
8th:        Jeremy Nokken, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 18-10, $555
10th:     Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 18-7, $434
10th:     Wyatt Becker, West Salem, Wis., five bass, 18-7, $434

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Feldermann’s kicker bass weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $520.

Matthew Tinsman of Peoria, Illinois, won the co-angler division and $1,958 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Matthew Tinsman, Peoria, Ill., three bass, 12-3, $1,958
2nd:      Philip Olson, Waukesha, Wis., three bass, 12-2, $979
3rd:       Blake Miller, Cedar Falls, Iowa, three bass, 11-13, $703
4th:        Larry Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., three bass, 11-5, $457
5th:        Duke Lensert, Sister Bay, Wis., three bass, 11-4, $652
6th:        Lee Lewis, Peoria, Ill., three bass, 11-2, $342
6th:        Trevor Gnotke, Pine Island, Minn., three bass, 11-2, $342
8th:        Brad Juen, La Crosse, Wis., three bass, 10-9, $294
9th:        Garrett Koster, Vergas, Minn., three bass, 10-8, $261
10th:     Matthew Commerford, Wendell, Minn., three bass, 10-5, $228

Duke Lensert of Sister Bay, Wisconsin, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $260, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

In addition to winning the event, Mike Feldermann of Galena, Illinois, has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Matthew Tinsman of Peoria, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.

The next event for BFL Great Lakes Division anglers will be held May 17, at the Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 3-4 BFL Regional tournament on the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is 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, will 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 BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

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 Sports 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 Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Osage Beach’s Sykora Makes it a Dozen, Gets 12th BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake

McCain, Hedrick Tie for Win in Co-Angler Division

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (April 28, 2025) – Boater Marcus Sykora of Osage Beach, Missouri, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Table Rock Lake Presented by Port of Kimberling Resort and Campground . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Sykora earned $ $11,270, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

In the history of BFL and regional competition in the Ozarks, Sykora is streaking toward legend status. He’s earned 51 top-10 finishes across FLW and MLF circuits, has won more than $370,000, has fished the BFL All-American twice and has now won 12 BFL tournaments.

“I was just happy to get my 12th win because it’s been a while,” said Sykora, whose last win came in 2018 at Lake of the Ozarks. “They come in bunches sometimes, so hopefully this is the start of the next bunch.”

Sykora applied old-school bass knowledge to get it done.

“The lake level kind of jumped, and the fish obviously just rode it up,” he said. “So basically, what I was focusing on was isolated bushes and willows in pockets. I was staying in the colored water, and I was flipping a green pumpkin Zoom Brush Hog with a 6th Sense peg, 6th Sense 1/2-ounce tungsten flipping weight and 6th Sense straight-shank 5/0 hook.”

Sykora also worked in a black 6th Sense Vega frog, but the key to the win was flipping up two bigger female bass – both postspawn fish. Sykora worked mid-lake spawning pockets with 45-degree banks where there was a “backstop” – a steep enough bank to keep the water from flooding way out across a wide zone outside the normal shoreline – which helped position fish in the shoreline bushes.

“That is all I did, all day long, is flip,” he added. “I just kept covering water. Sometimes they’d be all the way in the backs of creeks, sometimes in the back of a pocket off the main lake. You never really knew where you were going to catch a good one.”

Sykora added an interesting catch to his latest win.

“One of them was a tagged fish,” he said. “I didn’t even know they tagged fish on Table Rock. I’ve never caught a tagged fish in my life. We called it in just to see, and that fish was caught in 2019. So, six years ago, somebody caught that fish with a tag, and I caught it today. So, no telling how old that fish was.”

The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Marcus Sykora, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 18-14, $11,270 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:      Shawn Kowal, Linn Creek, Mo., five bass, 17-6, $2,000
3rd:       Wyatt Marler, Oldfield, Mo., five bass, 16-14, $1,334
4th:        Nick Lawler, Ava, Mo., five bass, 16-10, $933
5th:        Aaron Stanphill, Bella Vista, Ark., five bass, 16-5, $900
6th:        Drew Sagely, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 15-14, $733
7th:        Jeffrey Barrickman, Forsyth, Mo., five bass, 15-13, $667
8th:        Eric Olliverson, Shell Knob, Mo., five bass, 15-12, $600
9th:        Jacob Wade, Mountain Grove, Mo., five bass, 15-9, $533
10th:     Brant Rowland, Little Suamico, Wis., five bass, 15-6, $443
10th:     Graden Hansen, Grove, Okla., five bass, 15-6, $443

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Danny Burns of Nixa, Missouri, and Sykora tied for the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after both catching a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces. They each took home $270 for their share of the prize.

Jamie McCain of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, and Dustin Hedrick of Harrison, Arkansas, tied for the win in the co-angler division Saturday after each bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 12 ounces. McCain pocketed $1,500, while Hedrick – who also won the $270 Berkley Big Bass award on the co-angler side for catching a fish that weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces – took home $1,770.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jamie McCain, Lake Lotawana, Mo., three bass, 8-12, $1,500
1st:        Dustin Hedrick, Harrison, Ark., three bass, 8-12, $1,770
3rd:       Vincent Jones, Robertsville, Mo., three bass, 8-6, $666
4th:        JD Tate, Spokane, Mo., three bass, 8-2, $411
4th:        Walt Hammond, Lees Summit, Mo., three bass, 8-2, $411
4th:        Steve Treiber, Eureka, Mo., three bass, 8-2, $411
7th:        Mark Dettling Jr., Park Hills, Mo., three bass, 8-1, $333
8th:        Bradley Pierce, Gretna, Neb., three bass, 7-15, $300
9th:        Brock Tabor, Harrison, Ark., three bass, 7-14, $267
10th:     Garrett Sanders, Fredericktown, Mo., three bass, 7-10, $233

After three events, boater Eric Olliverson of Shell Knob, Missouri, now leads the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 736 points, while Jamie McCain of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, leads the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 712 points.

The next event for BFL Ozark Division anglers will be held June 14, at Truman Lake out of Warsaw, Missouri. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

by AnglersChannel

Lebanon’s Boggs Achieves Milestone 10th BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Center Hill Lake

Cookeville’s Whittaker Tops Co-Angler Division

SPARTA, Tenn. (April 28, 2025) – Boater Drew Boggs of Lebanon, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Center Hill Lake. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Music City Division. Boggs earned $2,403 for his victory.

Boggs has had a ton of success fishing with MLF and its predecessor, FLW. He’s a four-time BFL All-American qualifier with more than $278,000 in career earnings. But this win was extra sweet.

“There’s two things that make this very special to me,” he said. “First off, there was a goal that I set a long time ago to get 10 wins, and I finally achieved that. It’s my 10th BFL win. The second thing was that everything has changed so much. 2022 was my last win, and the past few years it seems like it’s pretty much been dominated by scoping, except on a couple lakes here and there.

“I thought the chance of winning flipping shallow had diminished big time. Thankfully, if you get around the spawn, the right time of year, or the right conditions with the water up, us old-school guys can get in the trees with them and get it done. It feels pretty good to represent the old school in that aspect, and it feels pretty good to do it on a lake that I’ve fished for 20 years and not won on.”

Boggs is now the 25th angler to win at least 10 BFL events across the circuit’s history with Operation Bass, FLW and now MLF. And his win was absolutely old-school power fishing. With the water up above summer pool, he went shallow and caught his 5 1/2-pound kicker on a SPRO Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog and caught the rest flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver with a Jenko Fishing Creature Weight.

He credits his team partner, Daniel Johnson (13th place), with helping to clue him in to the winning pattern. The two fished a team tournament together the weekend prior and got the win there, as well. Boggs took what he learned from Johnson, along with his own history on the lake, and applied it in other areas – staying respectful of Johnson’s water – to dial in the winning pattern.

“I only had eight keeper largemouth bites,” he added. “I had another five keeper spots – Kentucky bass. That frog fish was crucial in getting there. The lake seems to be pretty full of 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-pounders. Getting those 4 1/2-plus is what steps you up.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 17-5, $2,403
2nd:      Hunter Bouldin, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 17-0, $1,202
3rd:       Braxton Campbell, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 16-11, $801
4th:        Michael Stout, Gallatin, Tenn., five bass, 16-7, $561
5th:        Lucas Reagan, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 15-9, $481
6th:        Cody Mackie, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 15-5, $441
7th:        Timothy Wacker, Clinton, Tenn., five bass, 15-4, $401
8th:        Jake Cross, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 15-0, $860 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
9th:        Ike Gillentine, Quebeck, Tenn., five bass, 14-13, $320
10th:     Matt Stanley, Alexandria, Tenn., five bass, 14-8, $280

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jason Smith of Union, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $250.

Blake Whittaker of Cookeville, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and $1,202 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 11 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Blake Whittaker, Cookeville, Tenn., three bass, 9-11, $1,202
2nd:      Mark Redman, Scottsville, Ky., three bass, 9-6, $601
3rd:       Bob Melching, Smithville, Tenn., three bass, 9-1, $402
4th:        Trevor Medley, Sparta, Tenn., three bass, 8-12, $405
5th:        Alex Roberts, Columbia, Tenn., three bass, 8-10, $240
6th:        Trenton Webb, Goodlettsville, Tenn., three bass, 8-4, $220
7th:        Jason Barr, Fort Campbell, Ky., three bass, 7-15, $300
8th:        Parker Burgess, Granville, Tenn., three bass, 7-12, $170
8th:        Danny H. Boggs, Fayetteville, Tenn., three bass, 7-12, $170
10th:     James Proffitt, Celina, Tenn., three bass, 7-11, $140

Trevor Medley of Sparta, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $125, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, Hunter Bouldin of McMinnville, Tennessee, now leads the Fishing Clash Music City Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 739 points, while Tommy Pritchard of Bargersville, Indiana, leads the Fishing Clash Music City Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 729 points.

The next event for BFL Music City Division anglers will be held June 28, at Old Hickory Lake out of Gallatin, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Douglas Lake out of Dandridge, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

by AnglersChannel

Greenbrier’s Burke Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Greers Ferry

Oklahoma’s Mitchell Tops Co-Angler Division

GREERS FERRY, Ark. (April 28, 2025) – Boater Cody Burke of Greenbrier, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Greers Ferry. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. Burke earned $3,766 for his victory.

High water opened up a new playing field at Greers Ferry, and Burke took full advantage. He tossed a Zoom Horny Toad and a SPRO Bronzeye Frog to catch more than 40 keepers on the day, with his weigh fish coming primarily on the frog.

“I had a great day,” he said. “I was catching quite a bit of fish shallow, so I just kind of continued to roll with it. It’s way above normal pool, so I was trying to get to places where you could get to the bank and be able to cast at different stuff.”

Burke targeted areas around spawning pockets, though most of his fish were postspawn. He fished entirely within one area that was a few miles long, slinging his topwater around in less than 2 feet of water and covering ground until he got a bite. Then he slowed down to work those areas over more thoroughly and, between he and his co-angler, would often experience flurries of five to 10 bites in a spot.

“It’s my strength – shallow-water fishing,” Burke added. “When I figured out I could do that over having to turn on my LiveScope, I never turned it on today.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Cody Burke, Greenbrier, Ark., five bass, 13-2, $3,766
2nd:       James Stricklin Jr., Fort Smith, Ark., five bass, 13-1, $1,883
3rd:       Chris Huselton, Conway, Ark., five bass, 12-5, $1,256
4th:        Austin Rose, Mena, Ark., five bass, 11-15, $879
5th:        Paul Combs, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 11-12, $1,253 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th:        Kevin Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 11-11, $690
7th:        C.J. Brustrom, Locust Grove, Ark., five bass, 11-6, $596
7th:        Travis Mosley, Benton, Ark., five bass, 11-6, $596
9th:        Brian Bean, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 11-1, $502
10th:     Remington Lawrence, Melbourne, Ark., five bass, 10-14, $939

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Remington Lawrence of Melbourne, Arkansas, caught a bass that weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $500.

Gene Mitchell of Stuart, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division and $1,883 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 1 ounce.

The top 11 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Gene Mitchell, Stuart, Okla., three bass, 8-1, $1,883
2nd:      Stephen Simms, Hot Springs, Ark., Ark., five bass, 7-0, $942
3rd:       Steve Lee, Benton, Ark., Ark., five bass, 6-15, $627
4th:        Eli Garrison, Ward, Ark., five bass, 6-11, $439
5th:        Jody Jones, Harvey, Ark., five bass, 6-7, $361
5th:        James Jewell, Broken Bow, Okla., three bass, 6-7, $361
7th:        Aaron Calvert, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 6-5, $314
8th:        Larry Carter, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 6-4, $282
9th:        Kelvin Trotter, North Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 6-1, $223
9th:        Reagan Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 6-1, $223
9th:        William Goodhue, Barling, Ark., five bass, 6-1, $223

Eli Garrison of Ward, Arkansas, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $250, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 2 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, boater Brian Bean of Hot Springs, Arkansas, now leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 717 points, while Jody Jones of Harvey, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 730 points.

The next event for BFL Arkie Division anglers will be held June 14, at Lake Dardanelle out of Russellville, Arkansas. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula out of Eufaula, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

by AnglersChannel

Oklahoma’s Kyle Cortiana Crushes at Lake Seminole in Final Event of Toyota Series Southern Division

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (April 27, 2025) – The final event of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division was possibly the best of the season – Fishing Clash Angler of the Year went down to the wire, and every day featured big bags and big fish. Taking the lead on Day 1, Kyle Cortiana blasted an even 27 pounds, which he followed with another 20-pound sack that dropped him to second with a 47-14 total. On the final day at Lake Seminole, the Oklahoma pro rallied back for the win, dropping 24-8 to crush the competition with a 72-6 total.

Cortiana earned $34,145 for the win, his second Toyota Series victory in under 12 months (he also won last summer at Lake Champlain). To top it off, he also finished second in AOY, making two Top 10s on the season.

Hayden O’Barr tallied 67-15 for second place, and Levi Thibodaux finished third with 66-8. Making headlines on the final day with a 10-pounder and a 27-8 bag, Kyle Austin finished fifth while fishing the last two days with a broken elbow he suffered after falling off his boat at the gas station.

Closing out an impressive season, Parker Knudsen made three Top 10s in a row to earn Fishing Clash Angler of the Year. Cortiana finished up second, and Bobby Bakewell finished third in the standings. The Top 25 pros and co-anglers qualified for this fall’s Toyota Series Championship, where up to $235,000 will be on the line on the pro side.

When Cortiana won his first AOY in the Southwestern Division in 2016, he did it fishing shallow, mostly dirty water in Texas and Oklahoma. Now, he’s a threat anywhere in the country, on clear lakes with smallmouth, grassy bowls in Florida and this week, in the deep, timber and grass filled waters of Lake Seminole.

Practicing with Knudsen, as he has all year, Cortiana rolled into town from the most recent Tackle Warehouse Invitationals event and got right to work.

“Parker and I have been working together all year,” Cortiana said. “And I would say that I helped him greatly on the first two events. He was (at Seminole) before me while I was fishing Smith Lake, and he just basically said, ‘Dude, they’re in the timber. The bite is going to be pretty good. Spring Creek Timber is pretty good.’

“So, my first day of practice, we launched together, and he showed me the boat lanes, you know, and then we shut down. He said, ‘I caught some fish right here, and I want to expand this way, let’s expand this way.’ So, he and I expanded that way, and I immediately saw what he was talking about.”

By tournament time, Cortiana knew what was he was looking for, but he had to continue to fine tune his approach to avoid stumbles, and to make up for the more than occasional lost fish.

“I was looking for the deepest timber I could find that was along the grass edge,” he said. “Those were the areas that I had the confidence in to just look, And there’s a ton of that.

“I figured out real fast on Day 1 when I got served the humble pie of 10 pounds by noon that I had to quit going where I caught ‘em in practice,” he added. “There were boats everywhere. I was trying to force myself to fish by boats because I’ve got all these waypoints here where I caught fish. One stretch I had, I caught 11 fish over 4 pounds on my first pass in practice. I never caught a decent bass in that ever, and I fished it again today.

“I just realized I have to go where there’s no boats, where the fish are not getting pressured. Even if there’s fewer fish, they’re more likely to bite because the fish are wanting to eat. I was looking around while I was fishing, identifying areas that had the deep holes in the grass with timber, that had zero boats pounding on them.”

Another separator for Cortiana was his ability to consistently add weight in the afternoon. Though he boxed over 18 pounds in the first hour on the final day, he was able to put big fish in the boat late, while many others struggled once the sun really got up.

“Once it got past that morning bite, every fish you threw at that was up, it was almost like they saw your bait before it hit the water. They would immediately just go and start making their way down,” he said. “So, if you could find those fish already down, or you weren’t the reason they went down – if you just happen to catch that fish out there 80, 90 feet, just kind of making his way down and can pick which direction it’s going and lead that fish while it’s just kind of belly walking the bottom, and then they rise to you. Well, it’s a great scenario.”

Cortiana’s primary weapon was a 5-inch YUM FF Sonar Minnow on a 1/4-ounce Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Pro-V Eagle Eye Jig. He used a 7-foot, medium light Kistler Magnesium spinning rod with a Kistler Magnesium spinning reel, and a 7-foot, medium light Kistler Helium with a Kistler Kyrios reel. He spooled up with 10-pound braid and a 10-pound fluoro leader across the board.

The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Lake Seminole finished:

1^st:          Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 72-6, $34,145
2^nd:         Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 15 bass, 67-15, $14,634
3^rd:          Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., 15 bass, 66-8, $10,168
4^th:          Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 65-9, $8,474
5^th:          Kyle Austin, Ridgeville, S.C., 15 bass, 63-0, $7,626
6^th:          Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 60-2, $6,779
7^th:          Aaron Yavorsky, Palm Harbor, Fla., 15 bass, 58-11, $5,932
8^th:          Parker Knudsen, Minnetonka, Minn., 15 bass, 57-5, $5,084
9^th:          Dylon Smith, Baconton, Ga., 15 bass, 54-3, $4,487
10^th:       Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 15 bass, 53-1, $3,389

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pros Baylor Ronemus of Tiger, Georgia, and Dylon Smith of Baconton, Georgia, split Thursday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award, both catching a bass weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Pro Hayden O’Barr of Scottsboro, Alabama, brought a bass weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces to the scale Friday to take home the $500 Berkley Big Bass Award for Day 2.

Preston Williams of Tallahassee, Florida, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 31 pounds, 6 ounces. Williams earned the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Lake Seminole finished:

1st: Preston Williams, Tallahassee, Fla., 14 bass, 31-6, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp outboard
2^nd: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., 15 bass, 30-11, $4,413
3^rd: Hunter Prough, Chipley, Fla., 11 bass, 30-9, $3,450
4^th: Jamie Childree, Valdosta, Ga., 13 bass, 28-11, $3,019
5^th: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountain, N.C., 15 bass, 28-4, $2,588
6^th: Doug Wooldridge, Williston, S.C., nine bass, 27-15, $2,306
7^th: Daniel Weaver, Macon, Ga., 13 bass, 27-15, $1,725
8^th: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., 15 bass, 27-14, $1,510
9^th: Rusty Brogdon, Climax, Ga., 10 bass, 27-8, $1,294
10^th: Leo Morris, Beaver Dam, Wis., 12 bass, 27-7, $1,228

Co-angler Doug Wooldridge of Williston, South Carolina, earned Thursday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass, while Friday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Leo Morris of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, who weighed in a 7-pound, 5-ounce bass.

With all three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Southern Division now complete, pro Parker Knudsen of Minnetonka, Minnesota, was crowned the Fishing Clash Southern Division Angler of the Year (AOY) and earned the AOY payout of $1,000 with 763 points, while James Cobbs of Vinemont, Alabama, is the Co-angler of the Year with 763 points and took home the $500 prize.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole was hosted by Visit Bainbridge. It was the third and final regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Southern Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be May 1-3 on Lake Eufaula in Eufuala, Oklahoma. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, 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, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.

by AnglersChannel

Minor’s magical smallmouth spot carries him to victory at Dale Hollow

April 27, 2025

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. — Everything about Dale Hollow sets up for how Ewing Minor likes to fish, and he certainly showed that during the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Dale Hollow Reservoir presented by Native Watercraft.

With a two-day total of 192.75 inches, Minor hoisted the trophy at the famed reservoir, edging out Florida’s Seth Taylor by half an inch. It is the Virginia angler’s second Bassmaster Kayak Series victory, his first coming last year at the Susquehanna River.

He also carried his Carson-Newman University team to victory in the Bassmaster College Kayak Series event that was held in conjunction with the main tournament.

“It was the final kayak tournament for me as a part of the Carson-Newman team,” Minor said. “So, getting the win there was pretty cool to do it with my team. It might be my first major kayak win in Tennessee, too. Dale Hollow is an awesome lake. It is loaded with big fish.”

Home of the world record smallmouth, Dale Hollow produced impressive limits during the two-day tournament, including 43 that measured 90 inches or better. In total, 2,065 bass were caught by the 233-angler field.

Minor has been fishing Dale Hollow two or three times a year for the past three years, learning the ins and outs of what the bass do. He also grew up fishing South Holston Reservoir, another Tennessee smallmouth factory, which helped him decipher the Dale Hollow smallie bite.

“I have always loved highland reservoirs with clear water and smallmouth, especially with the primary baitfish being alewives,” he said. “South Holston, the way those fish act out there is pretty much identical to the way these fish act.”

While many of his fellow competitors targeted the shallow coves and creeks for spawning largemouth, as well as the main lake smallmouth spawning grounds, Ewing found success fishing for prespawn and postspawn smallmouth on one particular section of a long point in 25 feet of water. He landed all of his bass using a ¼-ounce jighead with a 4/0 hook and a 5-inch electric shad colored minnow.

Minor said he isn’t really sure what made that spot special other than the bass were there.

During his first day of practice, Minor landed a 20.75-inch smallmouth right next to the boat ramp he launched at, giving him an idea of what depth range to look in for those bigger bites. As he practiced, he found the smallmouth towards the dam were relating more to bait, while the smallmouth midlake were hunkered down on the bottom.

He found his magic hole with only a couple of hours to go on the final day of practice.

“I threw at a fish, and when I caught it, 30 or 40 more followed it out,” he said. “I threw at one more fish on the other side of the point and the same thing happened. I knew then it had potential, but I didn’t expect it to produce (that much).”

On Day 1, Minor opened the morning by catching an 18.75-inch largemouth close to the launch and only had three bass total before moving out to his smallmouth hole. There, he landed 96 inches of smallmouth in a 45-minute flurry. Once he reached a sizable limit, he left and searched for new water the rest of the day and culled once late in the afternoon with a 19-inch largemouth. His 97.75-inch limit lifted Minor to second place heading into the final day.

Minor spent the entire second day in his smallmouth hole. When he arrived, he discovered the bass were suspended under balls of bait, and it took Minor a little while to figure out the bite.

“They weren’t committing to my bait for the first hour of being there,” he said.

After landing a quality smallmouth and a smaller bass that he would later cull out, the 360 Drive on his Hobie locked up, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Minor. The rest of the day, Minor would let the wind push him over the spot, allowing him to still use his forward-facing sonar.

“It helped me find a way to catch those fish,” he said. “I would drift with the wind back through the spot, and there were still a lot of fish holding tight to the bottom, but when they got directly under the boat, they would swim up towards the boat because they were curious, I guess. When you got past them, they would swim back down. I would time it for my bait to make it to the bottom right after the bass got back to the bottom. If I got the bait to them before they reached the bottom, they wouldn’t eat it.

“Once I got that dialed in, it was lights out for an hour.”

Taylor, who had never been to Dale Hollow, spent his tournament targeting spawning largemouth and smallmouth with his forward-facing sonar. The largemouth, in particular, were spawning in 8 to 10 feet of water, out of eyesight for most anglers. The smallmouth, meanwhile, were on main lake humps in 10 to 14 feet of water, and in practice he felt like many of those smallies were males.

“In practice, I marked over 100 beds,” the Floridian said.

On Day 1, Taylor targeted the largemouth and anchored his 96.50-inch bag with a 21-incher. Most of those bass were located in coves off the main lake. After testing his largemouth stuff in the morning of Day 2 and landing a little over 80 inches, he moved out to the main lake and hoped some big females joined the males on beds. Sure enough, Taylor found plenty of smallies ready to bite and he finished the day with 95.75 inches.

“They were everywhere,” he said. “I went around and caught them with a Neko rig. I caught an 18- to 19-inch smallmouth every 15 minutes and there are probably 200 more beds out there that haven’t been fished.”

Ohio’s Jason Isaacs finished third with a total of 186 inches. After a disappointing practice period, the 2024 Possum Kingdom champion fished totally new water on tournament day, and didn’t even find his starting spot until a couple of minutes before lines in. A shaky head paired with a Z-Man FattyZ produced all of his bites.

“I stopped at a point, and there was a really brief shad spawn,” he said. “I caught a 19.25 and then fished down that bank. I had four smallmouth and one largemouth in my total yesterday. I did the exact same thing today and had four largemouth and a smallmouth. I caught an 18-inch largemouth right on the dam.”

Joshua Sharp of Franklin, Tenn., earned Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 22.25-inch largemouth he landed on Day 2.

The Top 5 finishers earned an automatic bid to the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft, details of which will be announced at a later date.

Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Dale Hollow Reservoir presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.

The Pickett County Chamber of Commerce hosted the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Kayak 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.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

by AnglersChannel

Rookie Marks tops Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

April 27, 2025

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeHartwell_Raster (1).png

ANDERSON, S.C. — Despite a Day 1 kicker that clearly helped his cause, rookie Paul Marks played the long game, and his patience paid off with his first blue trophy in the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

Hailing from Cumming, Ga., Marks started strong with a third-place Day 1 limit of 19 pounds, 7 ounces, then held the second-place spot for the next two days with weights of 17-4 and 16-5. Adding a Championship Sunday limit of 15-8, he tallied a tournament total of 68-8.

Edging fellow rookie Tucker Smith by 14 ounces, Marks collected the top prize of $100,000.

“I don’t know what to think; it’ll probably take a week to set in — maybe a month,” the 23-year-old said. “I think I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid.

“I love spotted bass; I love fishing the way I do. It’s the best thing ever in my eyes.”

Marks jump-started his event with a Day 1 bed-fishing effort that produced a 5-pound largemouth. That fish ate a white Zoom Z Craw Jr in about 2 feet of water.

After that, it was nearly all offshore fishing, as Marks committed himself to grinding through numbers of spotted bass and daily culling his way to competitive limits.

Marks, who lives about 2 hours west of Hartwell, brought with him a lifetime of knowledge and experience. Whittling down his mental library to an actionable plan was the key, and Marks said he did so on the fly.

“I just ran around and went with my gut feeling,” Marks said.

Marks started every day on the blueback herring spawn, the spring baitfish reproductive aggregations, which attract opportunistic bass predation. This frenzied feeding typically attracts large spotted bass and largemouth, so Marks did his best to leverage this big-bite potential.

“I started out throwing a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr and a Super Fluke on a 5/0 round bend worm hook and I’d catch a couple of good fish every morning that would be in my bag when I came to weigh in,” he said. “The rest of the day, I’d spend most of my time backing off a little deeper in 10 to 20 feet of water — sometimes 30.

“In the deeper water, I’d throw a 3/16-ounce SPRO Skip Gap shaky head with a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr.

Marks fished from the Green Pond area to the Hartwell Dam and worked a mix of points and brush piles. Success, he said, required frequent relocation.

Herring fish are notoriously random, and when the feeding happens it does not last long. Marks maximized his time by constantly seeking fresh activity.

“I never let off the gas today; I ran so hard,” Marks said. “It was a long day for me. I really didn’t think I had enough. Somehow, it worked out.”

Smith, who makes his home in Birmingham, Ala., finished second with 67-10. Smith placed 24th on Day 1 with a limit of 16-04. Adding 18-9 in the second round, he made a big move up to sixth and then earned his Championship Sunday spot by weighing 17-2 on Day 3 and improving to third.

On Day 4, Smith gained one more spot by catching a final-round limit of 15-11.

Smith caught most of his fish on a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko in morning dawn and green pumpkin. Targeting the herring spawn, he fished the bait on a shaky head, wacky rig and a Neko rig, with the latter producing most of the bites.

“I caught a big bed fish on a white Yamamoto craw the second day, and I caught a few herring fish on a chartreuse Yamamoto D-Shad,” Smith said. “I’ve been fishing here for a year, so I kinda had an idea of what I wanted to do.

"I just rode around and found some good stuff. I didn’t know it was gonna turn out this good.”

Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., finished third with 66-10. He brought in daily limits of 18-15, 14-15, 17-0 and 15-12.

“This week, I said I was going to be hard-headed, just like I was (during my 2023 Elite win) at Santee Cooper; except I went the exact opposite from 20-pound Sunline fluorocarbon at Santee to 8- to 10-pound Sunline here,” Palmer said. “I kept a Falcon spinning rod with a YUM Sonar Minnow in my hand, and that’s what I did all day long for the last four days and it worked out good.”

Day 1 leader Randy Howell of Guntersville, Ala., won the $2,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 7-15.

Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., won the $1,000 award for leading the Progressive Angler of the Year standings.

Howell won the $2,000 Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag award for his Day 1 limit of 21-11.

Przekurat leads the Progressive Angler of the Year standings with 368 points. Will Davis Jr of Sylacauga, Ala., is in second with 340, followed by Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif., with 337, Shane Lehew of Catawba, N.C., with 333, and Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, with 324.

Smith leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 294 points.

Palmer also took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, while Fothergill earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Marks earned an additional $4,000 while Palmer claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

Visit Anderson hosted the tournament.

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 4/24-4/27
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 20 68-08 104 $100,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 16-05 Day 4: 5 15-08
2. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 20 67-10 103 $21,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 17-02 Day 4: 5 15-11
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 20 66-10 102 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 17-00 Day 4: 5 15-12
4. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 20 65-07 101 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 17-03 Day 4: 5 09-15
5. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 20 64-07 100 $12,750.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 14-08 Day 4: 5 14-07
6. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 20 62-11 99 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 14-05 Day 4: 5 12-06
7. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 20 61-11 98 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 17-05 Day 4: 5 11-13
8. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 20 61-03 97 $10,300.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 14-05 Day 4: 5 12-08
9. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 20 60-13 96 $10,200.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-02 Day 3: 5 14-13 Day 4: 5 12-01
10. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 20 60-02 95 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 12-09 Day 4: 5 12-04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 07-15 $1,000.00
2 Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA06-05 $1,000.00
3 Bryan New Leesville, SC 06-14 $1,000.00
4 Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 03-13 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 07-15 $2,000.00
RAPALA CRUSHCITY MONSTER BAG

Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 21-11 $2,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 510 1489-15
2 102 510 1396-03
3 50 250 697-15
4 10 50 132-05
----------------------------------
264 1320 3716-06

by AnglersChannel

Fothergill Leans on Consistency and Confidence for Championship Sunday on Lake Hartwell

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

It’s been a tournament defined by timing, precision and composure and Toyota Bonus Bucks member Easton Fothergill has brought all three to the forefront on Lake Hartwell this week. Now, as he heads into Championship Sunday at the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series event, the Minnesota native sits poised with a shot to claim a coveted blue trophy.

Fothergill, who has been among the most consistent anglers in the field throughout the first three days of competition, knows exactly what it’s going to take to bring home the blue trophy and he's not shying away from taking the necessary risks.

“It’s been really important,” Fothergill said of his ability to stay steady. “I’m on a great average-size of fish doing my pattern. I have about a 3-pound average but I really need that 5-plus pound pounder each day to bring me up to a weight that can help me win this event.”

That kind of brutal honesty has become a hallmark of Fothergill's approach this season and it’s served him well at Hartwell. With daily weights hovering in the 15- to 16-pound range, he’s kept himself firmly in contention by staying locked in on the herring spawn—a notoriously fickle but high-reward pattern this time of year on the clear, blueback herring-rich reservoir.

But it’s not just about the pattern. It’s about how he’s managing it.

“I’m around several other boats and I’m seeing a lot of Top 10 anglers,” Fothergill explained. “We’re all being super cordial and respectful so I’m not worried about that at all. I’m grateful to have spent enough time here in college learning this lake. I used to get my tail whooped here during the herring spawn back then, so I made it a point to learn more about it through the years. I’ve learned since then that it’s all about timing and rotation.”

Those years of experience are showing now in a big way.

While Hartwell might not be his home lake, Fothergill's decision to invest in understanding its seasonal behavior—especially around the often-misunderstood herring spawn—has made him one of the more dangerous anglers on the water this week. With a well-established morning program followed by a tactical move to the shallows as the sun rises, his approach has mirrored that of seasoned veterans.

“I’ve been using two or three techniques,” he said. “I’m solely focused on the herring spawn until the sun gets high then I’ll go shallow to fish for cruising and shallow fish. I found two really big bed fish on Saturday afternoon that wouldn’t bite. But I’m really hoping they’re going to lock down overnight and if I could catch both of them tomorrow, it could be a really special day.”

If those two fish commit on Sunday, it could be a tournament-altering moment.

Fothergill’s willingness to adjust within his system, a defining trait of successful Elite Series anglers, has also been critical. While others have scrambled to relocate roaming bass or chase sporadic schooling activity, he’s executed with poise, rotating through his most productive zones with the utmost patience.

Still, like any tournament, there have been a few missed opportunities.

“On the first day of the tournament, I lost a few big ones,” Fothergill admitted. “It could have really changed how my tournament went. But I can’t complain because on day two and day three, everything has pretty much gone flawlessly.”

It’s that mindset—focused on the future, not dwelling on the past—that keeps Fothergill dangerous heading into the final stretch. With a slim margin separating him from the current leader, he knows that Championship Sunday will demand something special.

And the weather might just provide the boost he needs.

“The weather on Sunday should help me but I’m most excited about the herring bite and I’d love a breeze and a little ripple in the water,” he said. “I’m pretty dialed into that pattern, especially in the morning, so a little surface disturbance would be ideal for what I’m doing.”

Forecasts are calling for partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze out of the west; prime conditions for herring-related activity. If everything aligns and Fothergill is able to capitalize early, the door swings wide open for a final-day surge.

But he’s not leaving it to chance.

“I’m going to take some chances tomorrow,” Fothergill added. “I have to make something pretty crazy happen in order to win this thing but anything is possible and I’m looking forward to it.”

As for the lake itself? Hartwell holds a special place in Fothergill’s heart.

“Hartwell is my favorite lake in the country because it reminds me of the clear waters of back home in Minnesota,” he said. “It’s tricky to figure out and it’s not always easy, but I feel like each time I get to fish here, I learn more and more how to crack the code.”

With that kind of appreciation for the process and the place, it’s hard not to root for him. Whether he hoists the trophy on Sunday or not, Easton Fothergill has proven he belongs in the spotlight. With a little luck and a lot of execution, he might just end Championship Sunday with a big, blue trophy hoisted over his head.

by AnglersChannel

Landstrom’s smallie strategy vaults him into Day 1 lead at Dale Hollow

April 26, 2025

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. — Smallmouth bass were the key to success for Glenn Landstrom on Day 1 of the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Dale Hollow Reservoir presented by Native Watercraft.

The Huntingburg, Ind., angler secured a limit of brown fish measuring 98.50 inches to claim the Day 1 lead. Virginia’s Ewing Minor is second with 97.75 inches and Florida’s Seth Taylor is third with 96.50 inches. Landstrom was the only angler in the Top 9 to land exclusively smallmouth.

It was an overall stellar day for the 233-boat field on the famed reservoir that splits the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. The Top 25 all landed limits measuring 90 inches or better and 135 limits were registered on TourneyX.

A former Lexington, Ky., resident, Landstrom had only been to Dale Hollow one time before this week for a Bluegrass Kayak Anglers event. He fished for largemouth in that tournament and did not come close to the victory.

“My buddy Jay Wallen won that event, and he told me, ‘You have to be in this general area fishing for smallmouth to win events here.’ So, I put that in my head,” Landstrom explained. “Even though I caught good largemouth in practice, I went and looked for smallmouth, and so far, that is paying off.”

While he found a productive largemouth bite in practice, Landstrom knew smallmouth would likely be the key to winning. On Saturday, he started — and never left — a rocky flat where he could see smallies swimming in and out with his Lowrance ActiveTarget.

“There were only six people who launched at our spot, so there was very little pressure, which was nice. I was shocked considering where I am at,” Landstrom said.

He believes many of these bass are in some stage of the spawn, although he isn’t sure which stage. One lure from Bizz Baits produced all of his bites on Day 1.

“The largemouth seem to be spawned out, although some of the females seem to be guarding the nest, which isn’t usually their job. The water is up in the bushes. I caught a bunch doing that, and it is obvious the largemouth are spawned out,” he explained. “The smallmouth, I have no idea. I can see some beds on my side imaging, and I can see they are on the bed, but I don’t know where they are in the procedure.

“It seems to be a mix of pre and postspawn.”

While his final tally has him leading going into the final day, it could have been a little better had the first 30 minutes gone a little differently. After landing an 18.50-incher to start the morning, Landstrom proceeded to lose the next six bites he received, all of which were bigger than the bass he had already landed.

“I was lucky enough to have the fastest kayak to get to my spot,” he said. “And then I lost 95 to 100 inches in the first 20 minutes. I got the 18.5 in, and the next cast I got hung up. I must have rolled the point of my hook, and I never looked at it once I retrieved it. I lost one after another and I got good — well, bad — video of that.

“I finally looked at my hook and it was blunt. I couldn’t even stick it in my finger.”

After changing out his hook, Landstrom was able to fill out his limit and made a key cull late in the day to edge out Minor for the lead. He broke off a couple of other bass that likely would have lifted his total to the 100-inch mark.

“The bite kind of died in the afternoon,” he said. “I got lucky and caught one with 40 minutes to go to cull me up 2 inches. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m grateful for it.”

Virginia’s Abraham Street landed the Big Bass of the Day, a 21.25-inch largemouth.

The full field will take off from any approved public launch and begin fishing at 5:45 a.m. CT on Day 2. Anglers will have until 2 p.m. to catch their five longest bass. The top finishing anglers will be recognized at Pickett County High School at 5 p.m. The awards ceremony will also be streamed on the Bassmaster YouTube Channel.

The winner will earn the first-place prize of $11,355 and the Top 5 anglers will earn an automatic bid to the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft.

Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Dale Hollow Reservoir presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.

The Pickett County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport

2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

by AnglersChannel

Cook overcomes clarity concerns to maintain lead in Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

April 26, 2025

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeHartwell_Raster (1).png

ANDERSON, S.C. — Drew Cook struggled with a clarity issue today, but when his afternoon analysis told him he was clearly not where he needed to be, the pro from Cairo, Ga., stepped on the gas and secured the necessary upgrades to maintain the lead on Day 3 of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

After catching 18 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 1, Cook found himself in a three-way tie for 6th place. Adding a second-round limit of 19-9, he took over the lead with a margin of 1-10 over rookie Paul Marks.

Semifinal Saturday saw Cook add 17-3, tally a three-day total of 55-8, and expand his lead to a 2 1/2-pound margin over Marks. Doing so required contending with visibility limitations.

“A lot of the area I’m fishing got dirty either because of the waves, or the pollen really moved in,” Cook said. “That’s kinda the reason I practiced there — the pollen was in there and you really couldn’t see, so I figured I’d have a lot of it to myself, because everybody wouldn’t look through it.”

Employing his uncanny sight-fishing abilities, Cook worked through the challenging conditions and even found encouraging signs that his area’s potential may be expanding.

“I did find a couple of new ones; this morning, I found a couple of new (bed fish),” Cook said. “I found like a 7-pounder, fished for it for a while and found six new ones this afternoon.

“We’re just looking for five big ones.”

Spending most of his day in one main creek, Cook sight fished with a Nories Front Flapper and a wacky-rigged prototype SPRO stick worm. The fish, he said, were scattered throughout his creek, but it seemed like small pockets off the main waters were more productive.

“Today was a grind, but I got one lucky bite,” Cook said. “Toward the end of the day, I was like, ‘Oh gosh, I’m behind.’ I had like 15 pounds and I’m like, ‘I don’t want to fumble right here.’

“I made a couple of adjustments, moved around really quick and caught a couple of fish that I wasn’t planning on catching, but I’m glad I did. In the last 10 minutes, I culled out a 1.3-pounder with a 2.66 and then I culled a 1.80 with a high-2. Those were very valuable.”

As Cook recalled, one of his better fish came from a perplexing scenario — one that B.A.S.S. Live viewers witnessed via drone view. One bed had seven bass clearly engaged in spawning activity.

“I honestly don’t know what was going on there,” Cook said. “I couldn’t get a grasp on who was the male and who was the female.

“There were four females nosed down on my bait. I didn’t even see the one I caught; he was underneath the females. He bit and started swimming off, so I figured I’d take my chance on it being one of the females. It wasn’t, but I needed him.”

Cook said he's committed to his bed-fishing game plan, but he’s contemplating a location change.

“We might move to the other side of the lake, just depending on the pollen,” he said.

Marks, who makes his home in Cumming, Ga., held steady at second place with 53-0. Making his first Elite Top 10, he carries daily weights of 19-7, 17-4, and 16-5.

“I’m trying to get my mind off (my first Top 10) and think about where I’m gonna go fishing,” Marks said. “I’m going to fish close to where I fished today, but different specific spots.

“I think I’ve worn my spots out. The first two days, I caught almost all my fish off of them. I caught a few there today, but they’re definitely getting smaller.”

Marks said he’s mixing up his presentations with topwaters, a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr on a wide-gap hook and also on a shaky head. He has caught mostly spotted bass, but he’s trying to do what he can to run into a couple of big largemouth.

“They’re smarter, but they’re there; you just have to get lucky and get one of them to bite,” Marks said. “Today, I had a small one come up and eat my topwater. That one came off and I caught a 3 1/2-pounder.

“I’m fishing points, humps, brush piles, all kinds of stuff. I’m just running around, because this time of year, there are fish on everything."

Tucker Smith of Birmingham, Ala., caught a limit of 17-2 in third place with 51-15. The highlight of Smith’s day was a 4 1/2-pound spotted bass that bit around 11 o’clock.

“I started out on a herring spawn where there was spotted bass and largemouth,” Smith said. “They came up schooling a couple of times, but I missed them with my bait.

“I went and caught some spots and then went looking for largemouth later. I never found any largemouth, so I went back to spot fishing and caught a couple more.”

Smith caught his bass on a Yamamoto D-Shad and a Yamamoto Senko.

Day 1 leader Randy Howell of Guntersville, Ala., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-15.

Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 367 points. Will Davis Jr of Sylacauga, Ala., is in second with 340, followed by Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif., with 337, Shane Lehew of Catawba, N.C., with 333, and Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, with 324.

Smith leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 293 points.

Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the Landing at 3 p.m.

Championship Sunday action can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.

Visit Anderson is hosting this tournament.

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 4/24-4/27
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 55-08 104
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 17-03
2. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 15 53-00 103
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 16-05
3. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 15 51-15 102
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 17-02
4. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 50-14 101
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 17-00
5. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 15 50-05 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 14-05
6. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 15 50-00 99
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 14-08
7. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 15 49-14 98
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 17-05
8. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 15 48-12 97
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-02 Day 3: 5 14-13
9. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 15 48-11 96
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 14-05
10. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 47-14 95
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 12-09
11. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 15 47-14 94 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 14-02
12. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 15 47-11 93 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 18-13
13. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 15 47-06 92 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 14-13
14. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 15 47-02 91 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 15-11
15. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 15 47-02 90 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 16-06
16. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 15 47-00 89 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 14-12
17. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 15 46-13 88 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 14-05
18. John Cox Debary, FL 15 46-09 87 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 14-11
19. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 15 46-06 86 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 12-10
20. Bryan New Leesville, SC 15 46-05 85 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 17-07
21. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 15 46-04 84 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 12-01
22. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 46-02 83 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 12-12
23. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 15 45-15 82 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 12-06
24. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 15 45-14 81 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 15-00
25. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 15 45-12 80 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 16-08
26. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 15 45-12 79 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 14-13
27. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 15 45-11 78 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-03
28. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 15 45-04 77 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 16-06
29. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 15 45-04 76 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 15-02
30. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 15 45-01 75 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 15-05
31. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 45-01 74 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 13-09
32. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 15 45-01 73 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 15-03
33. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 44-12 72 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 11-14
34. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 15 44-08 71 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 13-08
35. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 15 44-06 70 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 14-03
36. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 15 44-01 69 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 14-00
37. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 15 44-01 68 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 13-01
38. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 15 44-01 67 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 14-05
39. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 43-13 66 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 11-01
40. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 43-12 65 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 12-14
41. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 15 43-05 64 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 13-13
42. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 15 43-00 63 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 14-00
43. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 42-06 62 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 11-01
44. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 15 41-10 61 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 10-12
45. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 15 41-08 60 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 12-00
46. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 15 41-01 59 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 11-07
47. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 40-07 58 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 11-14 Day 3: 5 10-06
48. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 40-04 57 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 10-05
49. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 15 39-13 56 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 10-04
50. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 15 39-03 55 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 06-12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 07-15 $1,000.00
2 Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA06-05 $1,000.00
3 Bryan New Leesville, SC 06-14 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 510 1489-15
2 102 510 1396-03
3 50 250 697-15
----------------------------------
254 1270 3584-01

by AnglersChannel

Late-day bite pushes Cook atop the leaderboard in Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

April 25, 2025

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeHartwell_Raster (1).png

ANDERSON, S.C. — Persistence plus keen observation paid big dividends by way of a late-day kicker that sent Drew Cook to the top of the leaderboard on Day 2 of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

Adding a five-bass limit of 19-9 to his first-round weight of 18-12, the pro from Cairo, Ga., tallied a two-day total of 38-5. Cook heads into Semifinal Saturday with a lead of 1-10 over Paul Marks and a surge of momentum from ending his second day on a high note.

“At 9 o’clock, I found a 4 1/2-pounder that wasn’t there yesterday and fished for it for probably an hour and a half,” Cook said. “I got it to bite like three times and I finally pulled the plug and said, ‘I gotta keep going,’ because I only had one bass.

“I went down the creek and ended up filling my limit. I caught two of the females that were in there and then went back to that fish I had found earlier. I fished for her again for like 45 minutes and then I was like, ‘I gotta keep on going.’”

As his day came to an end, Cook made a final visit to the fish that had long perplexed him. This time, detecting a key detail allowed him to close the deal.

“I went back to that fish at 2:45 and I was able to catch her,” Cook said. “Thankfully, I found out where the male was. There was another male that was up there — a 2 1/2- to 3-pounder — and that’s the one I thought that she was with. That male kept leaving and coming back and acting weird.

“Finally, I realized that there was a 10-inch male about 12 to 15 feet to the left, and that’s where the bed actually was. Once I found that out, it was pretty easy. I got that big female to bite pretty quickly.”

Cook said he started his day fishing points, where he targeted fish feeding on the blueback herring spawn. When that effort proved unproductive, he headed for his shallow spawning areas and spent the rest of his day looking for bed fish and cruising fish.

“I was just trolling down the bank, looking for them on beds and fishing as I’m going,” Cook said. “I caught all of my fish on a Nories Front Flapper rigged on a 4/0 Gamakatsu G-Power flipping hook with a 1/4-ounce weight.”

Cook said his presentation strategy plays a big role in pushing indecisive fish over the edge. Once he flips his bait into a bed, he holds his rod above the reel with his left hand and uses his right hand to steadily tap his rod butt. This creates enticing bait motion without moving the bait out of the bed.

“Most of my fish came out of one creek,” Cook said. “They’re steadily swimming in there. I’m planning on having to leave, but I’m going to give that creek its due because I saw three prespawn females at the mouth of it coming in this afternoon.

“We’re going to try something a little different tomorrow and maybe fish a couple different points. After that, we’re going to put the trolling motor down and keep hunting after them. Hopefully, we can run into five more big ones and get it done.”

Hailing from Cumming, Ga., Marks is in second place with 36-11. After placing third on Day 1 with 19-7, he added 17-4 and gained one spot.

“I pretty much had the same game plan, I just didn’t catch any largemouth today,” Marks said. “I caught all spots and had pretty much what I had yesterday without the largemouth.

“I went and checked some bed fish and looked for some new ones, but I couldn’t get any of them to bite. I probably hit 40 or 50 spots today. I had my weight by about 10:30.”

Marks caught his fish on a Zoom Super Fluke, a Zoom Fluke Stick Jr and a shaky head with a Fluke Stick Jr. He did all of his work in the lake’s lower end.

“From Green Pond to the dam is where the biggest spots live,” Marks said. “It’s just the biggest water, more open water and way more (habitat) for them to live around.”

Day 1 leader Randy Howell of Guntersville, Ala., slipped to third with a two-day total of 36 pounds. After catching a Day 1 limit of 21-11 — the event’s heaviest bag —he added 14-5.

After starting his first morning with a first-cast kicker — a 7-pound, 15-ounce largemouth he had marked on a bed during practice — Howell spent the first hour of Day 2 throwing a Livingston Walking Boss for bass chasing blueback herring. After that, he spent all day searching for shallow bed fish.

“I fished a lot of new water today and caught a bunch of little fish on the 5-inch Yamamoto Senko in green pumpkin purple/green and green pumpkin purple/copper,” Howell said. “I only got three over 3 pounds today so, hopefully, tomorrow, I’ll get in a better rotation and catch some 4-pounders to get back in contention for Championship Sunday.”

Howell is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-15.

Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 369 points. Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, is in second place with 347 points, followed by Will Davis Jr of Sylacauga, Ala., with 341, Shane Lehew of Catawba, N.C., with 341, and Chris Johnston of Otonabee, Canada, with 328.

Tucker Smith of Birmingham, Ala., leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 290 points.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the Landing at 3 p.m.

Semifinal Saturday and Championship Sunday action can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.

Visit Anderson is hosting this tournament.

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 4/24-4/27
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 38-05 104
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 19-09
2. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 10 36-11 103
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 17-04
3. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 36-00 102 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 14-05
4. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 10 35-08 101
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 16-09
5. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 35-05 100
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 20-06
6. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 10 34-13 99
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 18-09
7. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 10 34-06 98
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 15-10
8. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 10 34-03 97
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-08
9. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 10 33-15 96
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-02
10. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 33-14 95
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-15
11. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 10 33-12 94
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 15-14
12. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 10 33-12 93
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 16-02
13. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 33-09 92
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 13-00
14. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 33-06 91
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-08
15. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 32-14 90
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 15-00
16. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 32-12 89
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10
17. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 10 32-09 88
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 15-03
18. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 32-09 87
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 16-15
19. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 32-08 86
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 13-13
20. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 32-07 85
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 17-11
21. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 10 32-04 84
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-09
22. John Cox Debary, FL 10 31-14 83
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 14-14
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 31-08 82
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-09
24. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 31-08 81
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 15-03
25. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 31-07 80
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 13-13
26. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 31-05 79
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-09
27. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 31-00 78
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-05
28. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 10 31-00 77
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 15-03
29. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 30-15 76
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-08
30. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 30-14 75 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 17-09
31. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 10 30-14 74
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-15
32. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 30-14 73
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-03
33. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 10 30-12 72
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-09
34. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 30-03 71
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-07
35. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 10 30-02 70
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 15-15
36. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 30-01 69
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 11-14
37. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 30-01 68
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 14-03
38. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 29-15 67
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 12-10
39. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 10 29-14 66
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-06
40. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 29-12 65
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 11-13
41. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 29-12 64
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-05
42. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 29-10 63
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-05
43. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 10 29-09 62
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-06
44. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 10 29-08 61
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 16-06
45. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 10 29-08 60
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-03
46. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 10 29-04 59
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 15-03
47. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 29-00 58
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-09
48. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 28-14 57
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 12-11
49. Bryan New Leesville, SC 10 28-14 56
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 12-14
50. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 10 28-14 55
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 15-07
51. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 28-14 54
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 14-09
52. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 28-12 53
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 15-03
53. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 28-11 52
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 13-02
54. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 28-07 51
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 13-14
55. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10 28-04 50
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 15-00
56. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 10 28-04 49
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-13
57. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 27-13 48
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-07
58. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 27-11 47
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 11-09
59. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 10 27-11 46
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-12
60. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 27-11 45
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 13-11
61. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 27-08 44
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 14-00
62. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 27-04 43
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 14-02
63. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 10 27-04 42
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-10
64. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 27-02 41
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 13-03
65. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 26-11 40
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-01
66. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 10 26-08 39
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-05
67. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 26-07 38
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-02
68. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 26-05 37
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 10-11
69. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 26-02 36
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 11-07
70. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 26-00 35
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-12
71. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 25-14 34
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 10-15
72. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 25-13 33
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-13
73. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 25-11 32
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-05
74. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 25-07 31
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-08
75. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 25-00 30
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-02
76. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 24-15 29
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-15
77. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 24-14 28
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-14
78. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 24-13 27
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-12
79. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 24-13 26
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-12
80. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 24-10 25
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 09-13
81. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 24-06 24
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-05
82. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 10 24-05 23
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-04
83. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 24-04 22
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 10-12
84. John Garrett Union City, TN 10 24-04 21
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
85. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 23-15 20
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-13
86. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 23-11 19
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-03
87. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 23-09 18
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 11-12
88. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 23-07 17
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-05
89. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 10 23-03 16
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 13-07
90. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 10 23-01 15
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
91. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 23-01 14
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-12
92. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 22-15 13
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-13
93. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 22-15 12
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-05
94. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 10 22-13 11
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-12
95. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 22-10 10
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 08-02
96. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 21-15 9
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 10-00
97. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 21-04 8
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-07
98. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 20-15 7
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 08-02
99. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 20-14 6
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 11-00
100. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 19-15 5
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 09-15
101. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 18-08 4
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 07-03
102. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 16-15 3
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 07-05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 07-15 $1,000.00
2 Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA06-05 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 510 1489-15
2 102 510 1396-03
----------------------------------
204 1020 2886-02

by AnglersChannel

Strategic Relationship Between Garmin and the ACA to Continue for the 2025 Season

SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 25, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers is excited to announce a continued strategic relationship with Garmin®, the premier marine electronics manufacturer in the industry. Known for revolutionary products like LiveScope™ live-scanning sonar and the Force® Trolling Motor, Garmin has been a proud supporter of collegiate bass fishing since its inception.

Garmin’s support of the ACA and its events will include continued support via the college angler discount program, Garmin Tournament Rewards, and support at events to include the 20th Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops to be contested at Lake Hartwell in May 2025.

“The ACA is currently in its 20^th season, and it’s been great to have Garmin as a supporter of the national college fishing tournament trail, and student anglers, since the very beginning,” explained Wade Middleton, Director of the ACA and President of CarecoTV. “As young anglers looking to launch their careers, these fishermen and women are constantly learning to utilize the latest and greatest technologies from Garmin to help them catch more fish. This continued support from Garmin will provide college anglers with the opportunity to pursue their goals at the highest level in the sport.”

“With the continued growth of collegiate fishing, we are proud to partner with the Association of Collegiate Anglers in support of their ongoing efforts to advance the sport at the university level. Their dedication to supporting student anglers and fishing clubs nationwide is laying a strong foundation for the future of our industry, and we are proud to stand behind this platform that gives these young athletes the opportunity to compete, learn and lead the future of fishing,” said Dave Dunn with Garmin.

Garmin supports the ACA and collegiate anglers in a multitude of different ways. One of those avenues is through the premier discount program that Garmin offers to all college anglers. This program allows anglers to purchase products at a discounted rate, thus upgrading their gear and making them better anglers. To find out more about the discount opportunities and apply to receive a code, click here.

New for this year, Garmin Tournament Rewards pays out $1,000 total for the two different contingency bonuses: Exclusive Electonics Reward, and Force Trolling Motor Reward. The Exclusive Electronics Reward awards $500 to the top placing angler who competes from a boat equipped exclusively with mounted Garmin marine electronics. For the Force Trolling Motor Reward, a reward of $500 is given to the top placing angler at the event with a Garmin Force Trolling Motor installed.

by AnglersChannel

Lachniet’s big day carries him to victory at James River

April 25, 2025

RICHMOND, Va. — Ryan Lachniet saved the best for last on his home waters of the James River.

The Gum Spring native landed a 20-pound, 4-ounce limit on the final day of the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier presented by Lowrance to take the victory with a three-day total of 53 pounds, 6 ounces.

“This is pretty awesome,” Lachniet said. “I’ve been pretty close to winning a few times lately and to finally get a win is pretty cool.”

After a rather difficult practice period, Lachniet opened in sixth with 16-6 before jumping into a tie for second on Day 2 with a 16-12 limit. His final-day limit gave him a nearly 2-pound advantage over his roommate Connor Jacob. Illinois native Erik Brztowski claimed third with 49-2.

“This place is fishing for April, and I wasn’t really on that much,” he said. “I had only caught three or four good ones in practice, so when I caught 16 on Day 1 I felt pretty good about it. And it just got a little better throughout the tournament.”

The Top 3 finishers are all under the age of 24.

A Campbellsville University angler, Lachniet is now qualified for both the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake in July and the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance in late October.

Two more good finishes in Division I of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN and Lachniet will qualify for the three-tournament Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers division.

Throughout the tournament, Lachniet made long runs downriver to target cypress trees that held the final wave of spawning largemouth. Females were hard to come by, he said, as he didn’t land any until the final day of the tournament.

He targeted those spawners with an ⅛-ounce drop shot paired with a 6-inch morning dawn Roboworm. An ⅛-ounce Owner shaky head with a green pumpkin Big Bite Baits Nekorama also produced a couple of quality bites.

“I tried to fish enough cypress trees to where I was bound to run into some good fish eventually,” he said. “I needed the tide to be a little higher for the trees. It didn’t set up right when it was lower, so I waited to hit that stuff at the end of the day.”

On Day 2, however, the 22-year-old did all of his damage with a Megabass Magdraft swimbait on a well-known community hole. When he arrived at the start of Day 2, he was shocked to see no one else fishing it and landed all of his weight in a 30-minute flurry.

“The fact no one was on it was a surprise to me,” Lachniet said.

To open Day 3, Lachniet returned to his tide-driven area and landed a 3-pounder and two 2-pounders, but he noticed the tide wasn’t quite how it needed to be, so he started a long run to his next area. On his way, he pulled over to a spot he has landed quality bass in the past and it paid off again this time.

“I had caught a big one there once or twice, so I stopped and fished down the stretch for 45 minutes. I flipped up to a tree and one bit it, and it is an almost 6-pounder. I thought I had a chance if I could catch one more big one.”

As the day shortened, Lachniet made a move to a creek closer to takeoff at Osborne Landing and landed two 3-pounders and then a 5-pounder with 30 minutes left to upgrade to his final tally.

“This is definitely the most important 20-pound bag I’ve caught out here,” he said.

Jacob, meanwhile, qualified for his second-straight Nation Championship with bags of 15-12, 17-6 and 18-3. The 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour competitor will get another chance to qualify for the Classic at the Nation Championship.

“I finished 13th in the Open at La Crosse last September,” he said. “I have got some schools out there, and I hope they are still there (when I get there).”

After spending the first two days of the tournament in a gravel pit in the Appomattox River catching spawning and postspawn largemouth, the Auburn University grad moved out to the main river and landed his Day 3 limit on “baby ledges.”

Those breaks started in 6 feet of water and dropped to 15 feet of water, and when the tide was right Jacob could target those bass with a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait.

“It was exclusively current-oriented,” he said. “You had to have a slow enough current to get the jerkbait to them. They would sit in the crevices, and you couldn’t really get a bait to them. I came back this morning and it was slow enough to where the bass were feeding and would come up and look at the jerkbait.”

Brztowski, the Day 2 leader, fell to third on the final day. Opening the tournament in second with 17-12, the 22-year-old jumped to the lead with 18-13 before finishing the tournament with 12-9.

“Today it just wasn’t meant to be. I lost a 3-pounder at 1:55 today that might have lifted me to the win, but my hook never popped out of the plastic. It’s just how it goes sometimes.”

Several different baits played a factor for Brztowski. For spawning largemouth, he threw a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog in tilapia magic on a ¼-ounce Texas rig around cypress trees and knees as well as a Berkley The General.

For prespawner and postspawners, a Tight Rope Bite Getter Spinnerbait and a crankbait produced key bites.

Austin Burton of North Prince George, Va., claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 6-13 largemouth he landed on Day 2.

Jim D’Ambra from Hanover, Mass., won the nonboater division with a three-day total of 29-13. The Nation veteran landed limits each day. He finished Day 1 tied for first with 13-13 before taking the lead for good on Day 2 with 9-12. He wrapped up the tournament with 6-4.

Connecticut’s Gary Belanger finished second with 27-0 and also landed the Big Bass of the Tournament, a 7-9 he landed on Day 1. Massachusetts angler David Tsao finished third with a total of 25-7.

The Top 13 boaters and nonboaters punched their tickets to the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25 in La Crosse, Wis. The final Qualifying tournament is scheduled for July 16-18 at Lake Erie.

Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County hosted the event.

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

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

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 15 53-06 0 $9,267.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 20-04
2. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 15 51-05 0 $4,015.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 18-03
3. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 15 49-02 0 $2,834.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 12-09
4. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 15 47-04 0 $3,280.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 16-12
5. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 15 47-04 0 $2,055.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 14-13
6. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 15 46-10 0 $1,890.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 15-14
7. Brian Post Janesville, WI 15 45-03 0 $1,772.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 14-09
8. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 15 43-03 0 $1,653.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 16-10
9. John Smith Elkview, WV 15 42-13 0 $1,530.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 13-04
10. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 15 42-13 0 $1,063.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 15-09
11. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 15 42-11 0 $945.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 12-07
12. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 15 42-09 0 $827.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 14-06
13. Nick Poe Goodview, VA 15 42-08 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 13-02
14. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 15 41-06 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 12-04
15. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 15 40-15 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 10-09
16. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 15 40-11 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 13-09
17. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 15 40-10 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 10-02
18. Tj Milton Chester, VA 15 40-02 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 12-00
19. Craig Morris Frankford, DE 15 38-01 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 11-05
20. John Lewis Centreville, VA 15 36-03 0 $650.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 08-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Austin Burton North Prince George, VA06-13 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 104 562 1291-13
2 100 550 1235-03
3 20 100 276-03
----------------------------------
224 1212 2803-03
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Jim D'Ambra Hanover, MA 9 29-13 0 $3,006.00
Day 1: 3 13-13 Day 2: 3 09-12 Day 3: 3 06-04
2. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 9 27-00 0 $1,968.00
Day 1: 3 13-13 Day 2: 3 08-00 Day 3: 3 05-03
3. David Tsao Newburyport, MA 9 25-07 0 $859.00
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 3 09-10 Day 3: 3 07-08
4. John Sirichman Monogahela, PA 9 24-02 0 $795.00
Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 3 07-00 Day 3: 3 09-09
5. Steven Conde Chepachet, RI 9 23-13 0 $588.00
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 3 06-04 Day 3: 3 08-03
6. Craig Ferguson Emporia, VA 9 23-12 0 $494.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 3 08-07 Day 3: 3 06-05
7. Bill Roberts Jr Williamsburg, VA 9 22-07 0 $441.00
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 3 06-13 Day 3: 3 07-10
8. Adam Richardson Littleton, NC 9 22-05 0 $412.00
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 3 08-11 Day 3: 3 07-14
9. Blake Rogers Florence, SC 9 21-15 0 $387.00
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 3 06-01 Day 3: 3 08-10
10. David Roddy Inman, SC 9 21-07 0 $344.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 3 06-03 Day 3: 3 04-12
11. Ernest Weathersby Leominster, MA 9 21-05 0 $344.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 10-05 Day 3: 3 06-01
12. Anthony Paschall Cumberland, VA 9 21-03 0 $301.00
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 07-02 Day 3: 3 07-02
13. Joshua Hall Palmyra, VA 8 21-01 0 $258.00
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 3 07-10 Day 3: 2 04-10
14. Nathan Minnix Goodview, VA 9 20-15 0 $258.00
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 3 11-04 Day 3: 3 04-14
15. Emil Rostello Jr Wayne, NJ 9 20-13 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 09-07 Day 3: 3 05-12
16. Guiseppe Andreoli Coventry, RI 9 19-09 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 10-10 Day 2: 3 04-00 Day 3: 3 04-15
17. Jeremy Willis Fountain Inn, SC 9 18-05 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 06-01 Day 3: 3 04-10
18. Chris Merritt Chester , VA 9 17-13 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 3 05-10 Day 3: 3 04-06
19. Brian Adams Clayton, NC 9 17-11 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 06-03 Day 3: 3 04-07
20. Finn Erickson Sicklerville, NJ 7 15-03 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 3 07-02 Day 3: 1 01-06
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 07-09 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 60 204 436-06
2 61 202 403-01
3 18 57 120-01
----------------------------------
139 463 959-08

by AnglersChannel

Fish Tip Friday - Drew Gill DOUBLE Edition

We got the chance to spend a day on the water with AC Insider, Drew Gill, and boy did we learn some things! Drew loaded us up with Fishin' Tips, but THIS one is pretty epic. Check out this Big Bait / Big Bass Fish TIp Friday...Drew Gill style!

by AnglersChannel

Palaniuk Adapts and Adjusts on Day 1 at Lake Hartwell

Courtesy Dynamic Sponsorships / Photo: Bassmaster

The thing about springtime bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is that it changes faster than a wind shift on a bluff wall. Just ask Team Toyota pro Brandon Palaniuk, who rolled into Day 1 of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at lake Hartwell with a bed fish in mind and found nothing but clear water and empty promises.

“I started on a bed fish this morning and she was gone when I got there,” Palaniuk said at weigh-in, a wry smile breaking beneath his ball cap. “I’ve never seen a lake where they spawn and disappear so fast. At 5:30 p.m. last night they were rolling and rubbing, and then she was just gone this morning.”

Still, the seasoned Idaho native and two-time Angler of the Year didn’t panic. Palaniuk did what he’s made a career of doing: he adjusted on the fly.

With a veteran's poise and a deep tacklebox of techniques, Palaniuk put together a mixed-bag limit of three largemouth and two spotted bass. His fish came from just about everywhere—and everything.

“I caught ‘em in a foot of water to 20 feet of water,” he said. “It really was a combination of things. The fish are in every possible stage on Hartwell right now.”

That’s the nature of Lake Hartwell in April. Prespawn, spawn and postspawn fish can all be found in the same stretch of shoreline if you look close enough. The Elite field is forced to stay nimble and perhaps nobody in the game embodies versatility more than Palaniuk.

Over a career spanning more than a decade, Palaniuk has banked millions in tournament winnings. But his reputation goes beyond the stats. Whether he’s skipping docks, watching forward-facing sonar or pulling smallmouth from current breaks, his style is rooted in intuition, adaptability and a quiet confidence that comes from years of grinding it out on the nation’s top waters.

Day 1 at Hartwell was no different.

“I’ve been doing a mix of sight fishing and forward-facing sonar fishing,” Palaniuk explained. “I don’t think one style of fishing is going to dominate this tournament. You’re going to have to show your versatility.”

The 2025 Elite schedule has already featured a wide range of fisheries—from river systems to deep reservoirs—and Hartwell is another puzzle to piece together. This week’s conditions are typical of spring in the Southeast: warm mornings, scattered clouds and pop-up thunderstorms that build heat and tension both on the water and in the weigh-in line.

“The weather won’t really change much for me,” Palaniuk said. “I think we might have a little more sun tomorrow which should make it better. Just afternoon thunderstorms that can pop up out of nowhere. It’s up to me to adapt to the changing conditions and I’m totally prepared to do so.”

It’s not just the fishing that keeps Palaniuk grounded—it’s his family. That’s been the mission since day one.

“I’ve got my family here with me,” he said. “If I couldn’t have my family here with me, I don’t think the career would even be worth it. I always had it in my mind as I was coming up before I started my career, that I wanted to have a good enough career to where my family could travel with me. That has always been part of the plan.”

That plan has led him from a backseat co-angler to an Elite Series mainstay, to a father and husband, all while maintaining his status as one of the most consistent and respected anglers on tour.

His career arc is the kind young anglers dream of—starting on the Federation Nation trail, making a splash at the 2011 Bassmaster Classic and steadily building a legacy not with flashy finishes, but with workmanlike performances and unshakable resilience.

Despite a modest practice, Palaniuk made the most of Day 1, though he admits his weight may not stack up to the leaderboard.

“My practice was not great,” he said. “I was pretty happy with my weight today… until I saw the other weights. Then I figured I probably didn’t do as well as originally thought. But this lake has ‘em and I can’t wait to get out there on Friday.”

That kind of response says a lot about Palaniuk.

Never rattled. Never content. Always fishing forward.

As for the rest of the field, the bite was mixed. Some pros leaned on offshore spotted bass using live sonar, while others targeted isolated bedding fish tucked into wind-protected pockets. Palaniuk, as always, straddled the line between patterns—sight fishing when he could see and scanning when he couldn’t.

“I’m around a few other anglers but nobody’s close enough to mess me up and vice versa,” he said. “Hartwell is a place that when you stop your boat, if you’re within a few feet of the bank, you’re around the bass. I don’t feel like there’s one section of the lake that’s better than the rest. It’s a lot of running around but they sure do live here.”

It’s that kind of lake; one where persistence pays off and the difference between a decent day and a game-changer is often one cast, one adjustment, one instinctive twitch of a rod tip.

Palaniuk has built a career on instincts and there’s every reason to believe his adjustments on Day 2 will lead to something special. And on Hartwell, he’s right in the mix.

by AnglersChannel

Early kicker buoys Howell’s lead in Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

April 24, 2025

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeHartwell_Raster (1).png

ANDERSON, S.C. — Randy Howell did not know how his day would start, but he definitely knew where it would start.

Capitalizing on a key practice discovery, the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Guntersville, Ala., made the most of his early plan and laid the foundation for a five-bass limit of 21 pounds, 11 ounces that leads Day 1 of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

Heading into Friday’s second round of competition, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion leads Japanese sensation Kyoya Fujita by 1-2. Howell anchored his leading bag with a 7-pound, 15-ounce largemouth.

“I found that big fish on a bed in practice and shook her off on a green pumpkin purple/green Senko — I had my hook point cut off,” Howell said. “This morning, I lined up on it with my GPS and caught her on my first cast.

“A big fish on any lake in this game is huge, but man, 6-pounders are usually (considered) big here. So, to catch a (nearly) 8-pounder here — definitely, God is blessing me.”

Howell said his strong start has put a much-needed gust of wind in his sails.

“I really needed a good tournament,” Howell said. “I had two 57th places back to back (Pasquotank River and Lake Okeechobee) and I started with a bomb in the first Elite event (St. Johns River), so I have to climb my way out of a hole.

“Today was the first day that I just had that smooth momentum; everything went right.”

Howell said that surge of confidence fueled what would turn out to be a stellar day.

“After that big fish, the rest of the day got better because I already had that fish as a kicker,” Howell said. “This was one of the days you dream about.”

After boating his big bed fish, Howell caught the 1 1/4-pound male. From there, he moved to the main lake and filled his limit by throwing a Livingston Walking Boss for bass that were schooling on the blueback herring spawn.

“I had a decent limit, so that gave me the ability to relax, take my time and just fish slow,” he said. “I just went around the bedding areas and caught cruising fish and bed fish on that same color Senko. I culled out everything but that big fish.”

Noting that he’ll likely continue the same game plan on Day 2, Howell said the first round exceeded his expectations.

“My goal today was to catch 20 pounds, and I caught 21-11,” Howell said. “That was the biggest bag I’ve ever caught on Hartwell. I’ve had some good Classics here in the past.

“This is the first time I’ve been back here in a while. I love this lake and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and keeping it rolling.”

Hailing from Yamanashi, Japan, Fujita is in second place with 20-9. The versatile angler caught his quality shallow and his quantity in deeper water.

“I fished the bank for cruising largemouth and I fished offshore for spotted bass,” Fujita said. “I caught (several) spotted bass on a jighead minnow with a Jackall Drift Fry and a Deps Sakamata Shad.

“I caught two big largemouth — 6-pounder and 4 1/2 — on a Jackall Vividus Gill swimbait. I was fishing the swimbait slow."

Forecasting his second-day’s game plan, Fujita said: “Tomorrow, I’ll try to catch big spots. Today, I caught 3- and 3 1/2-pound spotted bass, so I’ll try to catch bigger ones (on Day 2).”

Paul Marks of Cumming, Ga., is in third place with 19-7. His day was comprised of alternating sessions of shallow and deep patterns.

“I could go offshore and fish the main lake for herring-spawn fish and it was pretty much nonstop,” Marks said. “Once I got a good bag, I went and bed fished and caught a big one that I’d found yesterday (in practice).

“After that, I went back out and culled three times. I finished my day bed fishing. I found a couple of big ones that I couldn’t get to bite. We’ll see if they’ll bite tomorrow.”

Marks said his opening-round limit was comprised of two bed fish and three that he caught while targeting the herring spawn.

Howell is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-15.

Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 369 points. Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, is in second place with 344 points, followed by Will Davis Jr of Sylacauga, Ala., with 343, Shane Lehew of Catawba, N.C., with 334, and Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., with 331.

Marks leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 282 points.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the Landing at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the 2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell will be available on Bassmaster.com on Day 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. and will also be on Roku Sports from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Semifinal Saturday and Championship Sunday action can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.

Visit Anderson is hosting this tournament.

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 4/24-4/27
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
Standings Day 1

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 21-11 104 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11
2. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 20-09 103
Day 1: 5 20-09
3. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 19-07 102
Day 1: 5 19-07
4. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 18-15 101
Day 1: 5 18-15
4. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 18-15 101
Day 1: 5 18-15
6. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 18-12 99
Day 1: 5 18-12
6. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 18-12 99
Day 1: 5 18-12
6. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 18-12 99
Day 1: 5 18-12
9. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 18-11 96
Day 1: 5 18-11
10. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 18-03 95
Day 1: 5 18-03
11. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 17-15 94
Day 1: 5 17-15
12. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 17-14 93
Day 1: 5 17-14
12. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 17-14 93
Day 1: 5 17-14
14. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 17-11 91
Day 1: 5 17-11
15. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 17-10 90
Day 1: 5 17-10
15. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 17-10 90
Day 1: 5 17-10
17. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 17-06 88
Day 1: 5 17-06
18. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-05 87
Day 1: 5 17-05
19. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 17-02 86
Day 1: 5 17-02
20. John Cox Debary, FL 5 17-00 85
Day 1: 5 17-00
21. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 16-14 84
Day 1: 5 16-14
22. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 16-11 83
Day 1: 5 16-11
23. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 16-05 82
Day 1: 5 16-05
24. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 16-04 81
Day 1: 5 16-04
25. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 5 16-03 80
Day 1: 5 16-03
26. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 16-03 79
Day 1: 5 16-03
27. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 16-02 78
Day 1: 5 16-02
28. Bryan New Leesville, SC 5 16-00 77
Day 1: 5 16-00
29. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 15-14 76
Day 1: 5 15-14
30. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 15-13 75
Day 1: 5 15-13
30. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 15-13 75
Day 1: 5 15-13
32. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 15-12 73
Day 1: 5 15-12
33. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 15-11 72
Day 1: 5 15-11
34. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 15-10 71
Day 1: 5 15-10
34. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 15-10 71
Day 1: 5 15-10
36. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 15-09 69
Day 1: 5 15-09
37. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 15-08 68
Day 1: 5 15-08
38. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 15-07 67
Day 1: 5 15-07
38. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 15-07 67
Day 1: 5 15-07
40. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 14-15 65
Day 1: 5 14-15
40. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 14-15 65
Day 1: 5 14-15
40. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 14-15 65
Day 1: 5 14-15
43. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 14-13 62
Day 1: 5 14-13
44. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 14-12 61
Day 1: 5 14-12
45. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 14-11 60
Day 1: 5 14-11
45. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 14-11 60
Day 1: 5 14-11
47. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 14-09 58
Day 1: 5 14-09
48. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 14-08 57
Day 1: 5 14-08
49. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 14-07 56
Day 1: 5 14-07
49. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 14-07 56
Day 1: 5 14-07
51. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 14-06 54
Day 1: 5 14-06
52. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 14-05 53
Day 1: 5 14-05
52. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 14-05 53
Day 1: 5 14-05
54. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-04 51
Day 1: 5 14-04
55. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 14-03 50
Day 1: 5 14-03
55. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 5 14-03 50
Day 1: 5 14-03
57. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 14-02 48
Day 1: 5 14-02
58. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 5 14-01 47
Day 1: 5 14-01
58. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 14-01 47
Day 1: 5 14-01
58. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 14-01 47
Day 1: 5 14-01
61. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 14-00 44
Day 1: 5 14-00
62. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 13-15 43
Day 1: 5 13-15
62. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 13-15 43
Day 1: 5 13-15
64. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 13-10 41
Day 1: 5 13-10
64. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 13-10 41
Day 1: 5 13-10
66. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 13-09 39
Day 1: 5 13-09
67. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 13-08 38
Day 1: 5 13-08
67. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 13-08 38
Day 1: 5 13-08
69. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 13-07 36
Day 1: 5 13-07
70. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 13-05 35
Day 1: 5 13-05
70. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 13-05 35
Day 1: 5 13-05
72. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 13-04 33
Day 1: 5 13-04
73. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 13-03 32
Day 1: 5 13-03
74. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 13-02 31
Day 1: 5 13-02
74. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 13-02 31
Day 1: 5 13-02
76. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 13-01 29
Day 1: 5 13-01
77. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 13-00 28
Day 1: 5 13-00
78. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 12-15 27
Day 1: 5 12-15
78. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 12-15 27
Day 1: 5 12-15
80. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 12-13 25
Day 1: 5 12-13
81. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 12-09 24
Day 1: 5 12-09
82. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 12-08 23
Day 1: 5 12-08
83. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 12-05 22
Day 1: 5 12-05
84. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 5 12-03 21
Day 1: 5 12-03
85. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-02 20
Day 1: 5 12-02
86. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 12-00 19
Day 1: 5 12-00
86. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 12-00 19
Day 1: 5 12-00
88. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 11-15 17
Day 1: 5 11-15
89. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 11-14 16
Day 1: 5 11-14
90. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 11-13 15
Day 1: 5 11-13
91. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-06 14
Day 1: 5 11-06
92. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 11-05 13
Day 1: 5 11-05
93. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 11-05 12
Day 1: 5 11-05
94. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 11-01 11
Day 1: 5 11-01
95. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 5 11-01 10
Day 1: 5 11-01
96. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 10-13 9
Day 1: 5 10-13
97. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 10-10 8
Day 1: 5 10-10
98. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 10-02 7
Day 1: 5 10-02
99. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 10-00 6
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 09-14 5
Day 1: 5 09-14
101. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 5 09-12 4
Day 1: 5 09-12
102. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 09-10 3
Day 1: 5 09-10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 07-15 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 510 1489-15
----------------------------------
102 510 1489-15

by AnglersChannel

Prespawn bites carry Brztowski to the lead at James River

April 24, 2025

RICHMOND, Va. — With the combination of a good tide sequence and prespawn largemouth, Erik Brztowski took the Day 2 lead at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance with a two-day total of 36 pounds, 9 ounces.

Landing in second on Day 1 with 17-12, the 22-year-old caught 18-13, the tournament’s biggest bag so far, on Day 2 to vault into the top spot. He holds a 3-7 advantage over Alabama’s Connor Jacob and Virginia’s Ryan Lachniet who are tied for second with 33-2.

After missing the chance to qualify for the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance at the first Qualifier at Pickwick, Brztowski is in prime position to punch his ticket to La Crosse, Wis., for the October event.

“It will be a cool experience (to lead the field),” he said. "I just need to catch some bass tomorrow. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I can’t take it for granted because it is hard to lead a big tournament like this.”

The James River continued to produce limits of bass on Day 2 of the three-day tournament, but the big ones the eastern tidal fishery are known for have still been hard to come by. A 20-pound stringer has yet to hit the scales, but with a better tide cycle, competitors got closer to that mark on Thursday.

Thus far, Brztowski has targeted shallow-water largemouth that have been in all stages of the spawn with one particular type of hard cover producing better than others. A mix of four baits have produced his better bites.

Although he caught bass in all stages again today, he fished two areas where prespawners are moving up, and those areas produced his best bites on Day 2.

“Since we are around the spawn, I’m fishing mostly hard cover and a little bit of grass depending on the tide,” he explained. “I’m fishing slower. I caught a couple bass today that were fat and cooler. So maybe there are some new ones moving up.”

The Illinois boater landed a 3-pounder when he arrived at his starting spot, but with an unfavorable tide at that point, Brztowski moved on to an area he fished in practice and landed his first 4-pound prespawner.

“That settled me down,” he said. “The tide changed a little. Our high tide was the same time, but in some of the creek the water was lower to start with.”

Once he filled out his limit, he moved to another area and made several important culls with bass he also believed to be prespawners.

“That is pretty helpful for me tomorrow,” Brztowski said. “I’m just running around and moving based on how I feel. Just like at home, I’m fishing with my gut.”

From there, he made several more moves that resulted in upgrades, and towards the end of the day he landed another 4-pounder in a spot the tide was hitting to his liking.

Jacob, meanwhile, is trying to qualify for his second-straight Nation Championship. The Auburn University grad has spent his entire tournament in a gravel pit off the Appomattox River catching spawning and postspawn largemouth with his forward-facing sonar. He followed up his 15-12 Day 1 limit with 17-6 on Day 2.

A jerkbait has been a primary player for the postspawners while a flipping bait has landed the spawners. He has also utilized a Megabass Magdraft swimbait.

“It worked well yesterday. I caught half bed fish and half postspawners. Most of them were 3-pounders,” the 2025 Classic qualifier said. “Today was the opposite. I had four decent ones and a great big one, a 6-pounder I caught at the end of the day.”

Jacob was fishing for a spawner when the 6-pounder and another bass close to the same size swam up to the same spot as the bass he was fishing for.

“I couldn’t get the one to bite,” he explained. “Out of nowhere, two blobs pulled up on the hard spot. I thought they were carp. But I casted at them and one looked up at the jerkbait. I twitched it, and the one came up and ate it. It pulled me in a tree, but I was able to get it out and land it.”

Lachniet, who rooms with Jacob during St. Croix Bassmaster Opens as well as this tournament, has been consistent this week, landing bags of 16-6 and 16-12 to put himself in contention for a Nation Championship berth.

A Virginia native, Lachniet made a long run downriver and landed his entire bag within 30 minutes of fishing. Two spots a short distance from each other produced all of his bass. Two baits have triggered the most strikes this week.

“I didn’t really know what to do after that because I didn’t want to run my other good stuff and waste a bunch of fish,” the Campbellsville University angler said. “I looked for a big bite and never really found what I was looking for.”

As a frequent fisher, Lachniet said he is surprised the better-quality bass haven’t shown up as frequently this week.

“I would have thought the weights would have been a lot higher than this. I figured it would take 20 pounds a day to win, maybe 21. I think they are further ahead than I expected. It seems like every bass I catch is postspawn.”

Austin Burton of North Prince George, Va., took over Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 6-13 largemouth he landed on Day 2.

Jim D’Ambra from Hanover, Mass., leads the nonboater division with a two-day total weighing 23-9. Connecticut’s Gary Belanger is second with 21-13 and Massachusetts resident David Tsao is third with 17-15.

The Top 20 anglers from each division will launch from Osborne Park beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Friday and return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. The Top 13 boaters and nonboaters will claim their spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-24.

Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County are hosting the event.

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 10 36-09 0
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 18-13
2. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 10 33-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 17-06
3. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 10 33-02 0
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 16-12
4. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 10 32-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 16-00
5. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 10 30-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 15-09
6. Brian Post Janesville, WI 10 30-10 0
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 12-12
7. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 10 30-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 16-15
8. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 10 30-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-12
9. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 10 30-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 15-00
10. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 10 30-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-13
11. John Smith Elkview, WV 10 29-09 0
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-09
12. Nick Poe Goodview, VA 10 29-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 16-02
13. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 10 29-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 18-06
14. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 10 28-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 15-15
15. John Lewis Centreville, VA 10 28-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-09
16. Tj Milton Chester, VA 10 28-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 12-07
17. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 10 27-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-00
18. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 10 27-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 13-14
19. Craig Morris Frankford, DE 10 26-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-03
20. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 26-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 15-05
21. Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE 10 26-08 0 $590.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
22. Richard Owen Bracey, VA 10 26-06 0 $590.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 12-04
23. Craig Owens Roanoke Rapids, NC 10 26-04 0 $590.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 09-01
24. Raymond Jones III Mocksville, NC 10 26-03 0 $590.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 12-15
25. Will Smith Moncks Corner, SC 10 26-02 0 $590.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 09-11
26. Mike Morris Dover, DE 10 26-02 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-15
27. Tim Byers Gasburg, VA 10 25-08 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-03
28. Paul Haggenmiller New Durham, NH 10 25-08 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 12-11
29. Mike Reilly Hammonton, NJ 10 25-04 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 09-05
30. Mark Moran Weston, WV 10 25-04 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 14-07
31. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 10 25-01 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 14-04
32. RJ Ricci Jr Cranston, RI 10 24-14 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-05
33. Joshua Smith Coventry, RI 10 24-13 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-03
34. Brian O'Connell Ridge Spring, SC 10 24-09 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
35. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 10 24-08 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 10-02
36. Gregory Dick Chesapeake, VA 10 24-08 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-14
37. Randy Baran Millstone Township, NJ 10 24-05 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-15
38. Chris Jones Conway, SC 10 23-15 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-06
39. Mike Caul South Prince George, VA 10 23-15 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 11-04
40. Austin Moore Washburn, IL 10 23-14 0 $543.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 12-05
41. Joe Grafeman Camdenton, MO 10 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-03
42. Brian Brown Sandusky, OH 10 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 11-15
43. Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA 10 23-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 13-00
44. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 10 23-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 15-00
45. Timothy Garrison Jefferson, SC 9 23-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 4 10-11
46. Samuel Pollock Hampton, VA 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-15
47. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 10 23-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-01
48. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 10 23-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 08-10
49. Jeff Salmon Mechanicsville, VA 10 23-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 13-01
50. John Engler Vinton, IA 10 23-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 10-13
51. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 10 22-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 11-08
52. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 10 22-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 10-14
53. Tyler Thompson Easley, SC 10 22-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-12
54. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 10 22-06 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 14-08
55. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 10 22-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-14
56. Mike Shears Powhatan, VA 10 22-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 10-00
57. Richard Knoll Pittsburgh, PA 10 22-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 09-08
58. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 10 22-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 12-05
59. Derek Jones Chicago, IL 10 21-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-11
60. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 10 21-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 09-10
61. John Christopher II Clarksburg, WV 10 21-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-12
62. Michael Baldwin Jr South Chesterfield, VA 10 21-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 09-13
63. John Erickson Sicklerville, NJ 10 21-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 12-00
64. Greg Scythes Marysville, OH 10 20-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-09
65. Matt Szczoczarz Cumberland, RI 10 20-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 08-07
66. Mark Hogan Milford, DE 10 20-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-12
67. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 10 20-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-09
68. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, MD 10 20-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 08-10
69. Thomas Hughes Midlothian, NY 10 20-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 08-13
70. Ryan West Hartsville, SC 10 20-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-07
71. Lyle Atkins Culloden, WV 10 20-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 08-00
71. Gary Pope Jr Georgetown, SC 10 20-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 08-00
73. Matthew McCarthy East Liberty, OH 10 20-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 10-10
74. Josh Ashley Lovingston, VA 10 19-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 11-04
75. Sidney Ryan Bracey, VA 10 19-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 10-10
76. Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT 10 19-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 09-00
77. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 10 19-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-03
78. Cavin Young Sr Prince George, VA 10 19-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 09-02
79. Don Gregg Jr Powhatan, VA 10 19-06 0
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 12-04
80. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 10 19-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 10-09
81. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 10 19-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-08
82. Ben Dalton Bracey, VA 10 18-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 10-02
83. Randy Gillespie Sanford, NC 10 18-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 11-01
84. Michael Shay Cheshire, CT 10 18-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 07-09
85. Tim Davis Mascot, TN 10 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 09-08
86. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 9 17-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 4 05-07
87. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 10 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 04-06
88. Brian Gunn Savannah, GA 10 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 07-11
89. Greg Del Russo Hopatcong, NJ 10 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 5 09-04
90. Dana Brown Buckhannon, WV 10 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 09-04
91. Jeff Meade Spotsylvania, VA 8 16-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 3 05-07
92. Tony Keller Charleston, WV 10 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 06-10 Day 2: 5 10-03
93. Jared Leicht Millville, NJ 10 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 10-01
94. Colton Sowers Bentleyville, PA 10 16-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 07-10
95. Paul Smith Jr Spotsylvania, VA 6 16-04 0
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 2 07-14
96. John Serge Philadelphia, PA 8 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 3 04-04
97. Trevor Sharrett Boiling Springs, SC 10 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 07-15
98. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 10 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 07-10
99. Alex Legg Milford, DE 8 14-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 5 09-06
100. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 8 14-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-06 Day 2: 5 08-05
101. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 9 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 4 06-07
102. Mark Ochkie California, PA 7 13-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 4 08-09
103. Kevin Barnosky Watertown, CT 9 13-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 4 05-14
104. Fred Serge Lambertville, NJ 6 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 1 01-11
105. Mike Toney Blacksburg, VA 7 13-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 2 04-04
106. Andrew Hunter Williamston, SC 7 13-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 5 09-14
107. Tim Mitchem Smithfield, VA 9 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 4 05-15
108. Greg Miller Gaffney, SC 8 11-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 5 07-03
109. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-07
110. Richard Hartman Bracey, VA 8 11-06 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 5 06-07
111. Chris Washinger Chambersburg, PA 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-03
112. Jon Jezierski Clinton Twsp, MI 6 11-01 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 4 08-06
113. Jeffrey Davis Wendell, NC 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
114. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 7 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 2 02-07
115. Jon Mitchell Wendell, NC 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 3 06-06
116. Bob Akin Carver, MA 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 3 06-02
117. Jim Fields Camden, DE 3 07-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 2 05-03
118. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 06-03 0
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Tom Hill Nicholasville, KY 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
120. Larry Witt Evington, VA 1 05-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 05-01
121. Kevin Collins Morristown, NJ 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Jim Sampson Emporia, VA 3 03-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Eric Whaley II Pittsgrove, NJ 2 02-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Chris Donavant Yorktown, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Ethan Stant Dover, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 104 562 1291-13
2 100 550 1235-03
----------------------------------
204 1112 2527-00
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Jim D'Ambra Hanover, MA 6 23-09 0
Day 1: 3 13-13 Day 2: 3 09-12
2. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 6 21-13 0
Day 1: 3 13-13 Day 2: 3 08-00
3. David Tsao Newburyport, MA 6 17-15 0
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 3 09-10
4. Craig Ferguson Emporia, VA 6 17-07 0
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 3 08-07
5. David Roddy Inman, SC 6 16-11 0
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 3 06-03
6. Joshua Hall Palmyra, VA 6 16-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 3 07-10
7. Nathan Minnix Goodview, VA 6 16-01 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 3 11-04
8. Steven Conde Chepachet, RI 6 15-10 0
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 3 06-04
9. Ernest Weathersby Leominster, MA 6 15-04 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 10-05
10. Emil Rostello Jr Wayne, NJ 6 15-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 09-07
11. Bill Roberts Jr Williamsburg, VA 6 14-13 0
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 3 06-13
12. Guiseppe Andreoli Coventry, RI 6 14-10 0
Day 1: 3 10-10 Day 2: 3 04-00
13. John Sirichman Monogahela, PA 6 14-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 3 07-00
14. Adam Richardson Littleton, NC 6 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 3 08-11
15. Anthony Paschall Cumberland, VA 6 14-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 07-02
16. Finn Erickson Sicklerville, NJ 6 13-13 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 3 07-02
17. Jeremy Willis Fountain Inn, SC 6 13-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 06-01
18. Chris Merritt Chester , VA 6 13-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 3 05-10
19. Blake Rogers Florence, SC 6 13-05 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 3 06-01
20. Brian Adams Clayton, NC 6 13-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 06-03
21. Marty McClanahan Poca, WV 6 13-02 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 3 08-08
22. John Lacouture Burrillville, RI 6 13-00 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 3 04-13
23. Vincent Luisi Vineland, NJ 6 12-15 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 09-10 Day 2: 3 03-05
24. Timothy Elliott Chester, VA 6 12-15 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 07-04
25. Rob Ross Hopedale, MA 5 12-14 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 2 06-01
26. Joshua Torres Port Tobacco, MD 6 12-11 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 3 05-15
27. Thomas Bates Appomattox, VA 6 12-10 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 3 07-09
28. Scott Shrewsbury Rocky Mount, NC 6 12-09 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 06-14
29. Joseph Kinsley Parkersburg, WV 6 12-08 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 3 04-06
30. Zach Queeney Atco, NJ 6 12-04 0 $215.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 05-06
31. Rickey Wood Jr Conway, SC 6 11-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 04-05
32. Donald Quonce Pulaski, NY 6 11-13 0
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 3 03-07
33. Jeffrey Graiff Vineland, NJ 3 11-12 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-12
34. Danny Williams Forest, VA 6 11-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 04-08
35. Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE 4 11-07 0
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 1 02-02
36. Mike Hildenbrandt Virginia Beach, VA 6 11-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 3 05-07
37. Ken Lawhon Hartsville, SC 6 10-09 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 3 05-11
38. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 6 10-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 05-00
39. Kevin Seymour Central Square , NY 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 3 08-03
40. Jonathan Shores Charles City, VA 6 10-04 0
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 3 05-13
41. Gary Melson Louisville, KY 6 10-02 0
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 3 04-14
42. Matthew Cosby Chesterfield, VA 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 2 03-06
43. Greg Marshall Paris, KY 3 09-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-15
44. Scott Breichner Hagerstown, MD 6 09-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 3 04-10
45. Jim Kline Hagerstown, MD 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 2 03-03
46. Noah Jones Conway, SC 6 09-10 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 3 04-13
47. George Georgopoulos Belmont, NC 5 09-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 3 06-06
48. Brian Bruce Locust Grove, VA 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 05-01
49. Brian Ebert Forest City, NC 6 09-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 3 04-15
50. Jay Summons Malden, MA 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 2 02-11
51. Cedric Davis Jr Hopkins, SC 6 09-03 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 04-04
52. Roland Burton North Prince George, VA 5 08-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 3 05-04
53. Sam Chhoeun Berkley, MA 6 08-15 0
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 3 04-03
54. Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ 6 08-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 3 03-15
55. Ethan Monk Mountain Rest, SC 6 08-11 0
Day 1: 3 03-13 Day 2: 3 04-14
56. John Hritsko Northern Cambria, PA 5 08-10 0
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 3 06-03
57. Frank Daniels Dover, DE 3 08-06 0
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Stephen Sanders West Palm Beach , FL 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 2 02-03
59. Roger Castillo Goode, VA 6 08-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 3 00-00
60. Ricardo Cruz New York, NY 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 3 04-00
61. Matt Champion Scottsville, NY 5 07-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 2 02-00
62. Tom Perkins Glen Burnie, MD 4 07-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 3 05-06
63. Brandon Regnault Providence, RI 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 3 05-03
64. John Taylor Jr Charleston, WV 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 3 04-01
65. Dave Reed Westminster, MD 4 06-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 05-03
66. Mike Morris Hubert, NC 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-03
67. Kendry Jerez Paterson, NJ 4 06-02 0
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 3 05-06
68. Darryl Hunt Haddonfield, NJ 4 06-00 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 1 01-03
69. Michael Griffiths Cherry Tree, PA 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Robert Mccoy Mount Airy, MD 6 05-13 0
Day 1: 3 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-13
71. Brian Penney Haverhill, MA 3 05-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 04-01
72. Ray Rios Lafayette , NJ 4 05-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 03-15
73. Devon Kitson Montclair , NJ 3 04-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-10
74. Rob Wells Kitty Hawk, NC 3 04-06 0
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
75. Jerald Conley Franklinville, NJ 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 1 01-07
76. Dave Haas Sewell, NJ 3 03-14 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
77. Tanner Smith Sellers, SC 3 03-14 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
78. Michael Briggs N Providence, RI 1 03-12 0
Day 1: 1 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 60 204 436-06
2 61 202 403-01
----------------------------------
121 406 839-07

by AnglersChannel

Arey Eyes Familiar Waters with Open Mind Ahead of Lake Hartwell Bassmaster Elite Event

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

As the Bassmaster Elite Series rolls into Lake Hartwell, a fishery steeped in both Southern charm and national fishing lore, Team Toyota pro Matt Arey finds himself at the intersection of familiarity and unpredictability. A veteran angler with nearly two decades of professional experience, Arey brings a wealth of knowledge to this blueback herring-fueled powerhouse of a lake—but he admits, this one's going to be tricky.

“Well, I don’t really know how to say how this tournament is going to go,” Arey said with a chuckle that held a hint of respect for what lies ahead. “It’s going to be another forward-facing sonar event for sure. I caught some nice fish throughout my practice and if you’re not utilizing the technology, you’re not going to catch them like everyone else will.”

Arey, a North Carolina native, is no stranger to these waters. He estimates he’s fished the lake “20 times or so” which makes sense given it’s just a few hours from his Shelby home. From FLW Tour showdowns to early career regional events, Arey has seen Hartwell in every mood—but this time, he’s facing a dynamic, sonar-dominated bite that’s changing by the hour.

“There are a lot of herring spawning and the technology is going to be totally dominant in this tournament,” he said. “You’re going to need to have a limit of 3 1/2-pounders to have a chance at winning. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

The game within the game

For anglers unfamiliar with Hartwell's unique forage base, the blueback herring spawn is one of the most exciting—and frustrating—patterns in bass fishing. It’s a game of timing, speed and precision. Bass roam in wolfpacks, often schooling near points, docks and clay banks. They’re aggressive one minute and ghosted the next, making the already cerebral challenge of professional bass fishing even more daunting.

Arey understands the stakes. With a blend of largemouth and spotted bass in play and a wide temperature window—he noted water temps ranging from 68 to 74 degrees—the fish are scattered in different phases of the spawn.

“I think the fish will be in a few different stages; mainly late spawn and early post-spawn,” he explained. “There will be several different patterns in play.”

That kind of versatility suits Arey well. Known for his technical prowess and analytical approach, he’s not a one-dimensional angler. Whether it’s targeting brush piles with a worm for largemouth or chasing nomadic spotted bass, he’s got the chops to pivot on the fly. But he’s also honest about the role luck and timing will play this week.

“On a scale of one through 10 maybe I’d rank this practice at a seven,” Arey said. “I had one good day, one so-so day and one bad day. I covered a lot of water but the weather coming in this weekend is going to change a lot of things.”

Indeed, a looming low-pressure system and forecasted thunderstorms could throw a wrench in everyone's game plan. Arey, who had success during slick-calm, bluebird conditions in practice, knows that stability is critical when chasing herring eaters.

“These herring fish become really unpredictable when a weather front moves through,” he added. “I’ll be focusing on the herring spawn for sure but I’m honestly not sure how it’s going to play out.”

The battle for mid-lake

With Lake Hartwell’s vast acreage and maze of creeks, points and off-the-wall structure, one would think anglers could spread out. But make no mistake, the mid-lake zone is going to look like rush-hour traffic.

“The mid-lake area will get the most attention for sure,” Arey said. “I’ll probably try to avoid the crowds, to be honest. I know the lake really well but it’s not always a blessing when you know the lake too well. So it’s important that I keep an open mind during this event.”

That sentiment speaks volumes. In a tournament scene increasingly dominated by technology and tight timing windows, Arey’s wisdom is a reminder that success isn’t just about knowing where to fish—it’s knowing when to adapt.

Eyes on the prize… and family

Arey’s consistency over the years is well-documented. With multiple top 10 finishes in his six years on the Bassmaster Elites, his name is always one to watch when the bite is tough and the pressure is high. But this week he has his sights set on something bigger than points or prize money.

“If you gave me 70 pounds of fish after four days, I’d sit at the house and be happy as could be,” he said with a smile. “About 68 to 70 pounds will win this tournament in my opinion. The winning combination will be a mix of spotted bass and largemouth.”

And perhaps more meaningful than anything on the water, Arey will have his most important supporters in attendance.

“Because we’re so close to our home, my family will be here Friday for the weigh-in,” he said. “It means everything to me and seeing their faces and having them around is the best thing I could possibly imagine. There is nothing better. They are my whole world.”

by AnglersChannel

Greg Hackney Claims NPFL Victory - Gear Breakdown

Lake Norman, NC – Greg Hackney secured an impressive win at the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) event on Lake Norman, bringing in a total weight of 47 pounds, 11 ounces across the three-day competition. This victory marks Hackney's first NPFL win and solidifies his reputation as one of the sport’s foremost competitors.

Hackney’s winning strategy capitalized on isolated structures between boat docks in the southern section of Lake Norman. “The biggest key this week was my spotlight lens sunglasses,” Hackney stated. “I was targeting stumps and rocks between boat docks in Main Lake pockets, where the bigger fish were spawning. The sunglasses allowed me to clearly see the stumps and rocks the fish were spawning on, which made all the difference.”

Hackney’s techniques incorporated two configurations of the Strike King® Finesse Worm in the green pumpkin color. “I was fishing with a 4-inch green pumpkin Strike King Finesse Worm on a 1/8-ounce Strike King Tour Grade® Jig Head, and wacky-rigging a 6-inch green pumpkin Strike King Finesse Worm. My setup included a 300 Lew’s® Hyper Mag spinning reel paired with the Team Lew’s Signature Series Mark Zona Multi-Purpose spinning rod,” Hackney added.

The tournament showcased Hackney’s resilience and adaptability. He led after Day One with 16 pounds, 6 ounces but faced challenges on Day Two, managing a limit of spotted bass weighing 14 pounds, 5 ounces. On the final day, Hackney rebounded strongly, landing his biggest bag of the week at 17 pounds, which included a decisive four-pound fish caught in the championship round.

Hackney’s ability to read the conditions and adapt his strategy proved pivotal. He identified key pockets where bass were spawning. The two-pronged approach of fishing the Strike King Finesse Worms on both shaky head and wacky rigs enabled him to target fish effectively as conditions evolved.

This marked Hackney's second top 10 finish in the NPFL this season, following an 8th-place showing at Santee Cooper. His win, witnessed by thousands of spectators, further cements his legacy in professional bass fishing.

The National Professional Fishing League continues its trail next month on Douglas Lake, Dandridge, TN, from May 22-24, 2025.

Championship-Winning Gear:

· Sunglasses: S11 Optics Eutaw | Strike King Lure Company

· Reel: HyperMag Spinning Reel

· Rod: Team Lew's Signature Series Rods

· Bait: KVD Perfect Plastics Finesse Worm | Strike King Lure Company

· Jig Head: Tour Grade Jig Head | Strike King Lure Company

About Rather Outdoors

Rather Outdoors is a global outdoors corporation uniting some of the most recognizable brands in the fishing space. With historic and iconic brands such as Lew’s, Strike King, Quantum, Zebco, Fox, Matrix, Salmo, and Fox Rage, Rather Outdoors provides a wide assortment of fishing products worldwide in an effort to enhance angler’s success and the enjoyment of outdoor pursuits. To learn more about the Rather Outdoors brands, visit www.ratheroutdoors.com.

by AnglersChannel

Lawrence Locks up Toyota Bonus Bucks at REDCREST

Jake Lawrence’s fifth-place finish in Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville locked up an additional $10,000 payout from Toyota Bonus Bucks. The Paris, Tennessee pro was the highest finishing angler towing his boat with a 2021 or newer Toyota tow vehicle and added to his impressive pile of winnings from Toyota’s popular program.

The Bass Pro Tour rookie employed a multi-faceted approach on Lake Guntersville to propel himself up the Scoretracker, including a strong forward-facing sonar pattern for roaming and bedding bass that he couldn’t see with the naked eye during his one allotted FFS period. He bookended his ‘scope period each day with a swim jig and weedless single swimbait in hand, power fishing Guntersville’s iconic grass flats.

Well known as an expert with FFS and the latest technology, Lawrence continues to prove he is far more than an electronics guru.

“I’m 34 years old and grew up fishing without FFS,” Lawrence said, reminding would-be cynics. “I remember the first GPS I used in the boat, it was handheld, and I used it to fish offshore on Kentucky Lake. Honestly, it didn’t work nearly as well as triangulating visual clues on the bank… I can always fall back on the way I grew up fishing and I love that our hybrid format showcases that.”

Lawrence has been busy, fishing the Toyota Series-Central division on top of his BPT schedule. He’s logged three top ten finishes in just five events and thousands of miles on the road so far in 2025. We caught up with the red-hot pro to pick his brain with a few questions around his time spent on the highway driving to and from bass tournaments.

Q – Tournament fishermen are basically part time truck drivers, what is one tip you can give for a better road trip?

Lawrence – “Pack your own snacks. I try to pack halfway healthy stuff like nuts, jerky, trail mix and maybe a bag of candy or two. Packing your own snacks saves you money and time on the road, but the key is to pack them somewhere out of view or easy reach in your truck. That way you aren’t grabbing a fistful every mile.”

Q – What is your favorite gas or service station to stop during tournament travel?

Lawrence – “I’m a sucker for a Casey’s gas station. Anytime I see a Casey’s that I can easily whip the truck and boat into, they get my business. It’s that dang pizza – it’s so good!”

Q – What are three things you are listening to in your Tundra on the way to the lake?

Lawrence – “1. I save my music for practice… I always have my EarPods in during practice, usually listening to classic rock but it’s across the board with me. You never know what I might be listening to.

I try to schedule all my phone calls for long drives. I use that windshield time to catch up on sponsor calls, talk to old friends, and family.
I listen (not watch, that would be dangerous) to LIVE tournament coverage that’s on a lake I’m interested in. Whether it’s an old show on the fishery I am driving towards and have a tournament on, or it’s just a lake I plan to fish in the next few weeks. I use the live show like a podcast. These shows really are a great educational tool. In eight hours of coverage there are always a few useful nuggets of information.”

Q – You won the $10,000 Toyota Bonus Bucks reward at REDCREST… what are you going to spend that money on?

Lawrence – “It’s funny you ask that,” Lawrence chuckled. “Leading into REDCREST my beautiful wife and I had been debating redoing the landscaping in our front yard. She wanted to go all out, while I didn’t know how I felt about all that.

“Well, she came with me to the REDCREST anglers meeting, where we saw the $10K Bonus Bucks check from Toyota. I looked at my wife and promised her if I won that Bonus Bucks money, she could have her new landscaping. I’m happy to report our front yard is in the process of a makeover right now. New shrubs, flower beds, rocks, it’s the whole shebang. Happy wife, happy life!”

by AnglersChannel

Wisconsin’s Brian Post takes advantage of hot bite to lead Day 1 of B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier

April 23, 2025

RICHMOND, Va. — Normally a good practice doesn’t result in a good tournament for Brian Post, but that was not the case on Day 1 at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance.

The Janesville, Wis., pro landed a limit weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in eastern Virginia, two ounces better than second place Erik Brztowski and 11 ounces better than third place Craig Owens.

Anglers enjoyed sunny and warm conditions on the first day of the three-day tournament, which had the bass biting, although not the size some expected from the normally prolific tidal fishery. Over 100 limits hit the scales on the boater side on Wednesday for a total of 1,306-2, but no angler approached the 20-pound threshold.

As a Wisconsin native, Post knows just how good the Upper Mississippi River can fish in October. So, his goal this week is to punch his ticket to the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-24 on Pools, 7, 8 and 9.

“I’m from Wisconsin and I am trying to get to La Crosse at the end of the year,” he said. “My travel partner for the Opens made it through the Eufaula Oklahoma regional, and I’m just trying to get there with him. Top 13 is the goal.”

Post has fished the James River twice as a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens pro, finishing 8th in the April 2023 event. Instead of chasing the tide, he treated it as a normal river in that event and those same concepts played today.

“I did the same thing this year. I actually had a really good practice,” he said. “I had a plan today. I ran to a spot today and never started the motor again. Except for one, I think I burned that place to the ground.

With bass in all three stages of the spawn, Post stayed close to takeoff and focused on the bass locked on the bed. While he couldn’t get his first couple of bedding fish to bite at dead low tide, the bite turned on as the tide flowed back into the river and Post landed a limit within an hour span.

“I only lost one good one today and a half hour later I caught it,” he said.

He landed them all with two baits.

“All of my bass came off bed today,” Post said. “But you do have all three stages (happening). I have seen a few prespawners and some fry in different areas. (In my area), I saw some fresh bucks, so I don’t know if another wave is moving up.”

Post only burned five gallons of gas on Day 1 but intends on making a longer run on Day 2 to target more prespawn and postspawn largemouth.

“These are, run here and make 10 casts, run there and make 10 casts,” Post said. “They are more one- and two-bite places, but they are the right kind. When it clicked in practice, it was pretty easy. Some of it is hidey hole stuff, some of it is stuff I found on the trolling motor and it looked right.”

He does have one female located that would not lock on the bed he intends to catch tomorrow.

“The male is locked on, and she is gigantic,” Post said. “I don’t know which one of them pulled my plastic off the first time. She is fresh, but not locked on. She would come up and hang out with him for a while and then back off for almost 20 minutes. I got her marked and I’m going to make a couple stops on her tomorrow.”

Brztowski, a 22-year-old from Lemont, Ill., fished the James River as a co-angler in that last Open as well and is now trying to punch his ticket to the Nation Championship on the famed fishery. He landed a limit weighing 17-12 to land in second.

“I was changing with the bass today,” he said. “My third fish was a 5-pounder. I just made good decisions. It was a good time.”

Using four different baits, Brztowski is fishing all three stages of the spawn. With an incoming tide, Brztowski made a stop at an area he found in practice and landed a quick limit before moving to his primary areas.

While he saw bigger fish in practice, he learned a lot today as he caught each one. He anticipates Day 2 will be a little tougher but expects there will still be good ones around his areas.

“I caught plenty of fish today,” he said. “I know there are still plenty of fish out there. I just have to play the tide right and fish some new areas.”

New Jersey boater Mike Reilly landed the Big Bass of the Day, a 5-14 largemouth.

Connecticut’s Gary Belanger and Jim D’Ambra from Massachusetts are tied for the nonboater lead, each with a three-bass limit weighing 13-13. Belanger anchored his bag with a 7-9 largemouth, the Big Bass of the Day. Rhode Island’s Guiseppe Andreoli is third with 10-10.

The full field of 125 anglers will takeoff from Osborne Park tomorrow beginning at 6:30 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. The Top 20 boaters and nonboaters after Day 2 will advance to Friday’s final round and the Top 13 from each division at the conclusion of the tournament will advance to B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County are hosting the event.

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 17-14
2. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 17-12 0
Day 1: 5 17-12
3. Craig Owens Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 17-03 0
Day 1: 5 17-03
4. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
4. Will Smith Moncks Corner, SC 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
6. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 16-06 0
Day 1: 5 16-06
7. John Smith Elkview, WV 5 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-00
8. Mike Reilly Hammonton, NJ 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
9. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
9. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
11. Tj Milton Chester, VA 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
12. John Lewis Centreville, VA 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
13. Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE 5 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-08
14. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
15. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
16. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 5 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-03
17. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 5 14-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-11
18. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
20. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
21. Richard Owen Bracey, VA 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
22. Brian O'Connell Ridge Spring, SC 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
23. Joshua Smith Coventry, RI 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
24. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
24. Chris Jones Conway, SC 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
26. Randy Baran Millstone Township, NJ 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
26. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
28. Raymond Jones III Mocksville, NC 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
28. Nick Poe Goodview, VA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
28. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
31. Mike Morris Dover, DE 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
32. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 5 13-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01
33. Timothy Garrison Jefferson, SC 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
34. Paul Haggenmiller New Durham, NH 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
35. Mike Caul South Prince George, VA 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
36. Joe Grafeman Camdenton, MO 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
36. Samuel Pollock Hampton, VA 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
38. Richard Knoll Pittsburgh, PA 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
38. Craig Morris Frankford, DE 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
38. RJ Ricci Jr Cranston, RI 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
41. Tim Byers Gasburg, VA 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
42. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
42. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
42. Mike Shears Powhatan, VA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
45. John Engler Vinton, IA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
46. Matt Szczoczarz Cumberland, RI 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
47. Lyle Atkins Culloden, WV 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Gary Pope Jr Georgetown, SC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
50. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
51. Brian Brown Sandusky, OH 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
51. Tyler Thompson Easley, SC 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
53. Fred Serge Lambertville, NJ 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
54. Mark Hogan Milford, DE 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
54. Ryan West Hartsville, SC 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
56. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, MD 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
57. Michael Baldwin Jr South Chesterfield, VA 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
57. Gregory Dick Chesapeake, VA 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
59. Austin Moore Washburn, IL 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09
60. Thomas Hughes Midlothian, NY 5 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-08
61. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
61. Jeff Meade Spotsylvania, VA 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
63. John Serge Philadelphia, PA 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
64. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
65. Greg Scythes Marysville, OH 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
66. Jeffrey Davis Wendell, NC 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
66. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
68. Mark Moran Weston, WV 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
70. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
70. John Christopher II Clarksburg, WV 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
72. Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
72. Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
74. Michael Shay Cheshire, CT 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
75. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
76. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
77. Cavin Young Sr Prince George, VA 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06
78. Derek Jones Chicago, IL 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
79. Jeff Salmon Mechanicsville, VA 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
80. Brian Gunn Savannah, GA 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
81. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-11
82. Matthew McCarthy East Liberty, OH 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
83. John Erickson Sicklerville, NJ 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
84. Sidney Ryan Bracey, VA 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
85. Colton Sowers Bentleyville, PA 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
85. Mike Toney Blacksburg, VA 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
87. Ben Dalton Bracey, VA 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
87. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
89. Josh Ashley Lovingston, VA 5 08-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-11
90. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 5 08-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-10
91. Tim Davis Mascot, TN 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
91. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
93. Paul Smith Jr Spotsylvania, VA 4 08-06 0
Day 1: 4 08-06
94. Greg Del Russo Hopatcong, NJ 5 08-03 0
Day 1: 5 08-03
95. Kevin Barnosky Watertown, CT 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
95. Dana Brown Buckhannon, WV 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
97. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
98. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-09
98. Trevor Sharrett Boiling Springs, SC 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-09
100. Randy Gillespie Sanford, NC 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
101. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-05
102. Don Gregg Jr Powhatan, VA 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
103. Tim Mitchem Smithfield, VA 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 5 06-15
104. Jared Leicht Millville, NJ 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
105. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
106. Tony Keller Charleston, WV 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 5 06-10
107. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 3 06-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-06
108. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 06-03 0
Day 1: 4 06-03
109. Alex Legg Milford, DE 3 05-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-07
110. Tom Hill Nicholasville, KY 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
110. Mark Ochkie California, PA 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
112. Richard Hartman Bracey, VA 3 04-15 0
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Greg Miller Gaffney, SC 3 04-10 0
Day 1: 3 04-10
114. Kevin Collins Morristown, NJ 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
114. Andrew Hunter Williamston, SC 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
116. Jim Sampson Emporia, VA 3 03-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-01
117. Eric Whaley II Pittsgrove, NJ 2 02-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-15
118. Bob Akin Carver, MA 2 02-14 0
Day 1: 2 02-14
119. Jon Jezierski Clinton Twsp, MI 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
120. Jon Mitchell Wendell, NC 2 02-10 0
Day 1: 2 02-10
121. Jim Fields Camden, DE 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
122. Chris Donavant Yorktown, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Ethan Stant Dover, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Chris Washinger Chambersburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Larry Witt Evington, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 105 567 1306-02
----------------------------------
105 567 1306-02

by AnglersChannel

MLF Set to Wrap Toyota Series Southwestern Division Next Week with Tournament at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula

EUFAULA, Okla. (April 22, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Eufaula, Oklahoma, next week May 1-3, for the third and final regular-season event of the 2025 season in the Toyota Series Southwestern division – the Toyota Series at Lake Eufaula.

The three-day bass tournament, hosted by Vision Eufaula, will showcase the region’s top bass-fishing boaters and co-anglers competing for a grand prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.

With recent heavy rains flooding the system, anglers can expect a much different Lake Eufaula than in years past. For pro Eli Brumnett of Wagoner, Oklahoma – last year’s runner-up at this event – next week is all about redemption.

“We’ve had eight inches of rain this past week and we’re getting more next week,” Brumnett said. “The lake’s already four and a half feet up, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it hit five and a half or six by the time the tournament starts.”

With water in the bushes across the lake and spawning activity still underway, Brumnett expects a strong flipping bite to take center stage.

“Some of the fish are still on beds, but a lot of those big pre-spawners are hanging around that original bank line,” he explained. “That’s where a flipping pattern or even a spinnerbait could really shine. It’s gonna fish totally different than last year.”

In 2024, the lake was two feet lower, limiting the productive shallow areas.

“Last year, you really had to hunt for water in the bushes. This time, you’ll find it just about everywhere.”

Brumnett’s go-to baits for the event include a black and blue creature bait for flipping, a 6th Sense Divine Spinnerbait, and possibly a 6th Sense Crush squarebill if fish are positioned just outside of shallow cover.

“If the water levels stay consistent and don’t fluctuate too much, I think we’ll see some really solid weights,” he predicted. “You might see a couple 20-pound bags, but I think 16 to 18 pounds a day could win, and you’ll probably need at least 13 pounds a day to make the cut.”

Anglers will begin each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, launching from the Nichols Point Boat Ramp, located at 400 Lakeshore Drive in Eufaula. Weigh-ins will take place at the boat ramp, starting at 2:30 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers compete for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.

by AnglersChannel

Plenty of opportunities will be available at Buggs Island College Series event

April 22, 2025

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. — Teams competing in the Lunkers Trail of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will visit Buggs Island, a new venue to the College Series, at one of the best times of the year according to St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN angler Jack Dice.

“It is an amazing tournament lake,” Dice said. “It doesn’t have the giants other places have, but there is the opportunity for anglers to fish their strengths and the opportunity for anglers to figure out something in practice and run with it. It is a very dynamic time of year. The bass will be doing a little bit of everything.”

Tournament days are scheduled for April 30 and May 1 with daily takeoffs and weigh-ins set to take place at Occoneechee State Park in Clarksville, Va. The top 10% of the field will clinch a spot in the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, and all teams will earn points toward the Team of the Year race.

The Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Bassmaster Junior Series will compete on Buggs Island on May 4.

Straddling the border of North Carolina and Virginia, Buggs Island is the second of four reservoirs in the Roanoke River system and is the largest lake in the state of Virginia. B.A.S.S. returned to Buggs Island in 2023 for the first time in many years at an Open in early May that was won by Powell Kemp.

That Open could potentially resemble what the college anglers will face during this event, and it all has to do with water level. In 2023, a massive storm system came through the area just before the event, dumping enough rain to raise the lake levels well above full pool. As a result, plenty of wood cover became accessible to the bass, and anglers found themselves catching quality bass around the bank.

There may not be a major flood this year, but even just a little rise in the water levels will bring the bush bite into play, Dice said.

“Buggs Island is famous for bush flipping when the water gets right,” Dice explained. “You’re going to have plenty of fish still wanting to spawn, and the postspawn bass will be guarding fry in those bushes too. And that is all dependent on the water level.”

Dice anticipates much of the lake will be in play for this tournament, from where the Dan and Roanoke rivers converge on the northeast side down to the dam and Nutbush Creek. Nutbush Creek, Dice said, acts as almost a different lake than the rest of Buggs Island.

Largemouth will be the species in play for this event, and those bass will be in the middle of their spawning cycle. Some will be prespawn, some will be spawning and some will be postspawn, Dice said. The beginning of May is also the time of year the shad spawn starts to ramp up.

“If I was an angler going into it, the biggest thing would be watching the temperature trends,” Dice said. “When we had the Open, there was a shad spawn happening and I took advantage of that.”

There is also a solid offshore bite on Buggs Island, and teams should be able to use their graphs to find stumps and fish points.

A Yamamoto Senko would be a top choice for Dice if he were fishing the tournament. Flipping baits like a Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog and a beaver-style bait will also be key for anglers focusing on the bushes. Spinnerbaits will also factor if the shad start spawning.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, is hosting the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com

by AnglersChannel

Vexus anglers help build better boats through tournament fellowship

The iconic Brush Hog is more than just a soft plastic lure among a group of highly accomplished tournament anglers from The Ozarks. It’s actually the nickname they’ve jokingly pinned on their traveling buddy Mark Patterson, given his love of the famous creature bait.

The retired aircraft salesman pitches it religiously around boat docks on a 3/0 hook with great success, but his greatest accomplishment to date was spawning two good men in Ryan, a veteran sales leader for Vexus Boats, and his brother Brandon, another great weekend stick, and a fulltime sales guy for Midwest Roofing.

The Pattersons comprise about one third of a fellowship-rich group of hard-core bass anglers who travel together on the Ozark Mountain Team Trail. They book VRBOs and grill Kansas raised beef after a long day on the water, while strategizing how to catch a fat limit on derby day, of course.

Ultimately, they make Vexus Boats more fishermen-friendly through their own on-the-water experiences.

“I can tell you with confidence our boats have the greatest co-angler rod storage system, landing net storage, and bump board storage in the business, directly as a result of this group’s input at OMTT tournaments,” says Vexus co-founder Keith Daffron.

“You don’t identify short-comings in a fishing boat by sitting in a corporate office. Instead, you discover them when you’re bouncing over cruiser waves on Lake of the Ozarks trying to get back to weigh-in,” he emphasizes.

But by no means are tournament weekends at famous fisheries like Bull Shoals, Table Rock and Grand Lake all about the marine business for Daffron. Instead, it’s much the opposite. Just ask the group’s most accomplished team, Buck Comstock and Greg Blair, two regional Ozark legends.

“We fish to have fun and being a part of this group makes sure the fun never goes away,” says Comstock, a physical education teacher. Retired police officer, Shawn Williams supplies reinforcement to the fun factor Comstock speaks of, being tagged the group’s sports psychologist, ever present to make sure nobody loses perspective.

While the level of competition is fierce among the roughly 100 boats who enter, friendship among this group of four or five successful teams is the cornerstone.

“When this crew started traveling together to places like Grand and Lake of the Ozarks we started functioning more as one unit than individual teams,” says Daffron, who is often the camp cook.

“Fellowship like this is what makes the world go around. The phone calls we share on the ride home after weigh-in are priceless. Everybody is excited for one another to do well, no matter how you and your teammate performed. It’s a sportsmanship thing that should never be lost in bass fishing,” he concludes emphatically.

First place is $5,000, and Vexus owners who win an OMTT event are eligible for an additional $5,000 in REV Rewards bonus money, plus a unique trophy Vexus belt buckle. But ask any one of the men you see pictured and they’ll tell you that while first place is always the clear objective, the friendships, laughter, good eats, and memories far outweigh the trophies and paychecks.

by AnglersChannel

Chattanooga Set for MLF Bass Pro Tour O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries

66 Anglers to Compete for $150,000 Top Prize on Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake, Follow the Competition Live All Four Days at MajorLeagueFishing.com

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 22, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour continues its 2025 season next week, May 1-4, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries.

Hosted by Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fish Tennessee, the four-day tournament – which begins on Chickamauga before transitioning to Nickajack for the Knockout and Championship Rounds – will feature 66 of the world’s top professional anglers competing for a $150,000 top prize, crucial points in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) race and coveted qualification spots for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026.

"Our community is proud to host the MLF Bass Pro Tour Stage 4 event on the incredible waters of Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake,” said Brant Donlon, Sports Sales Director for Chattanooga Tourism Co. “Home to some of the best fishing in the Southeast, we’re excited to once again showcase our vibrant destination to the angling world."

The star-studded field will feature top pros and local fan favorites, including previous Lake Chickamauga champion and Dayton, Tennessee local, Andy Morgan, reigning Fishing Clash AOY and Harrison, Tennessee local, Jacob Wheeler and REDCREST 2025 Champion Dustin Connell. Also competing are Tennessee pros Matt Becker, Brandon Coulter, Ott DeFoe, Nick Hatfield, Jake Lawrence , Michael Neal, Wesley Strader and David Walker, each looking to leverage their home-state experience on the fisheries.

The tournament will feature the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on Discovery.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Stage 4 to our beautiful corner of Tennessee,” said Dennis Tumlin, Chief Customer Officer at Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “With world-class fisheries like Lake Chickamauga – a Bill Dance Signature Lake – and the scenic waters of Nickajack Lake – part of the Fish Tennessee program – Tennessee offers an unforgettable experience for both professional anglers and fans alike. We can’t wait for our outstanding lakes and community to be showcased to audiences across the country.”

The Bass Pro Tour last visited Lake Chickamauga in 2021, when Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Kevin VanDam added another major victory to his impressive record, with Wheeler finishing close behind in second. Prior to that, in 2019, Morgan ran away with a Bass Pro Tour win on Lake Chickamauga, boating 80 pounds of bass on Championship Sunday to distance himself from the final-day field by nearly 20 pounds and take home the top prize of $100,000.

While Wheeler hasn’t taken home a Bass Pro Tour win on Lake Chickamauga or Nickajack Lake, the Tennessee resident and long-time Chickamauga standout said he is excited about the unique challenges and opportunities that await on both Chickamauga and Nickajack Lakes, and the potential for producing trophy-sized bass.

"What’s really cool about going to Chickamauga this time of year is there’s always a chance for a double-digit fish," Wheeler said. "We’ve seen some 11- and 12-pounders caught in practice already this year on social media. It’s a transitional time, so there’ll be fish in all phases – spawning, post-spawn, maybe even some pre-spawners."

With fish spread across various patterns, Wheeler believes anglers will have the freedom to fish the entire lake without being confined to specific zones.

"In a five-fish format, you usually have to fish certain zones to target the bigger fish, but with our format and a smaller field, guys can spread out and fish the whole lake. You could advance from anywhere," he added.

Shallow-water tactics are expected to play a major role, although Wheeler is quick to point out the unpredictability of dominant patterns this time of year.

"I don’t necessarily know what the dominant pattern’s going to be. I really feel like this tournament is going to have a lot of different looks. Everyone won’t be doing the same thing," Wheeler said. "It’s just that time of year – you’ve got to fish by the seat of your pants and figure it out as you go."

When the field shifts to Nickajack Lake for the final rounds, Wheeler believes the game will change considerably. Describing Nickajack as a "mini-Lake Guntersville," he emphasized its mix of smallmouth, spotted bass and largemouth, along with significant grass cover.

"Chickamauga gets a lot of press, but Nickajack could be a hidden gem next week," Wheeler said. "It’s got a different look and fishes very differently. I don’t think you’ll be able to take a pattern from Chickamauga and just expect it to work on Nickajack."

With three days of practice split between two lakes, Wheeler said strategy will play a major role.

"Some guys will spend all their time on Chickamauga, while others will try to get a leg up on Nickajack. There’s a lot of strategy, and that’s what makes these split events fun – it challenges us as anglers to adapt quickly."

As for predictions, Wheeler expects it to take 50 pounds of bass to make the Knockout Round cut from Chickamauga, while advancing from the Knockout to the Championship Round on Nickajack Lake could require upwards of 100 pounds.

Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET Thursday and Friday from Chester Frost Park, located at 2277 Gold Point Circle N. in Hixson, Tennessee. The takeout Thursday and Friday will be held at the same location beginning at 3:45 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET from the Tennessee Riverpark, located at 4301 Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga. The takeout Saturday and Sunday will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

On Friday, May 2, MLF fans are invited to a Meet & Greet featuring MLF pros Brandon Coulter, Fred Roumbanis and Terry Scroggins from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cigars International Superstore, located at 495 Camp Jordan Parkway in East Ridge, Tennessee. Attending fans must be 21 or older to enter the store.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries will feature anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The full field of anglers will compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday on Lake Chickamauga. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the heaviest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round on Nickajack Lake. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on Nickajack Lake. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.

by AnglersChannel

Combs Claims $1,500 with Yamaha Power Pay at Pasquotank

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / Photos: Bassmaster

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs didn’t leave the Pasquotank River with a trophy, but he did leave with a hard-earned $1,500 Yamaha Power Pay check and a big reminder about trusting his instincts. Combs was the second highest finishing Power Pay angler behind Easton Fothergill for this event, highlighting the fact there are multiple opportunities to win through Yamaha’s popular contingency program. The Texas native leaned on simplicity, top-tier equipment and a traditional flipping bite to grind out a fifth-place finish that paid off.

“I was in the right stretch, right where the winner, Kyle Welcher fished and I was fishing trees as well,” Combs said. “I wasn’t too dialed into what was going on and didn’t get a bunch of bites in practice. It looked awesome in that area, but it took fishing during the tournament to really see what the potential could be.”

The week on the Pasquotank was a grind for most of the 103-angler field and Combs’ performance quietly underscored just how critical one big bite can be and how confidence in a simple plan can turn a rough practice into a profitable tournament.

Combs is known for his power-fishing roots and his deepwater prowess, especially on lakes like Falcon, Amistad and Sam Rayburn, where he’s stacked up giant limits and earned multiple trophies over the years. But on the tight, winding waters of the Pasquotank, his approach was refreshingly straightforward.

The most memorable moment of the tournament for Combs came on the first day, when he made what he called a “monster run.” With so many anglers hesitant to stretch their fuel tanks, Combs rolled the dice on a far-off area that had showed signs of life.

“The run was only about 40 miles one way, but the conditions and waves made it much longer than you’d think,” he said. “It took me about an hour and ten minutes each way and it was a no-brainer. I have great equipment, and I was totally prepared.”

That gamble nearly didn’t pay off until the very last minute.

“I allowed myself a little extra time because I know my Yamaha will crank every single time, so I could fish until the last minute,” Combs said. “On dang near my last cast, I caught an 8-pound, 2-ounce bass. That was huge for my event, but I wasn’t sold on that long run and pattern, so I decided to stay closer the rest of the tournament.”

The kicker bass helped anchor one of the heaviest bags of Day 1 and gave Combs enough of a buffer to fish more methodically the following days. While the rest of his tournament didn’t include another true giant, his consistency near Elizabeth City was enough to notch a top five finish.

Known for dissecting offshore structure with big crankbaits and ledge techniques, Combs has spent most of his career dominating on sprawling reservoirs. But in recent years, he’s shown more versatility, adapting to shallow, tough-fishing venues like the Sabine River, Neely Henry and now the Pasquotank River.

That willingness to adapt and trust in his gear showed in full on this stop.

“There’s no doubt about it, having confidence in your boat, motor and electronics makes those tough decisions a lot easier,” Combs said. “That Yamaha SHO never misses a beat. That gave me the freedom to make the run when I needed to and the peace of mind to fish right up until the last second.”

If you want to reap the rewards of Yamaha Power Pay like Keith Combs, you’re in luck, Power Pay supports over 550 tournaments and pays out to anglers of all levels. There are numerous bass, walleye, and saltwater tournaments eligible for payouts and it’s 100% free to register for. Sign up today or learn more at https://yamahapowerpay.com/overview.

by AnglersChannel

Skeet Reese Announces Retirement from Competitive Fishing

2025 Bass Pro Tour to be Final season for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee

AUBURN, Calif. – April 22, 2025 –– Skeet Reese, 2024 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, A founder of Major League Fishing, the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion announces his retirement from competitive fishing at the end of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour season.

While he is retiring from competition, he will remain actively involved in the industry. He plans to spend more time serving in an enhanced promotional capacity for his partners and to growing Reese Fishing, his new fishing rod brand.

His more than 40-year career began in the Western Pro circuits such as WON Bass and West Coast Bass, then turned to the Bassmaster Western Invitationals, where he qualified for the Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Elite Series.

The announcement brings to a conclusion one of the most highly decorated competition careers in the history of professional bass fishing. He has competed in more than 300 professional events, claiming 12 career victories, 84 top 10 and 120 top 20 finishes. Appeared in 19 Bassmaster Classics, three Major League Fishing REDCREST championships, two Forrest Wood Cups and a Red Man All American. Altogether, Reese has posted more than $4 million in career earnings while casting.

Though his career as a competitor has certainly been Hall of Fame caliber, Reese’s influence in the promotional game has also been in a class above. Reese was the first angler to pioneer the use of a trademark color scheme with his Black and Yellow branding, and he made impacts early in his career with the use of personalized theme music and his dancing skills. The Auburn, California based pro was the first angler to see the potential of the Bassmaster Elite Series when it was announced in 2005 and was the first angler to sign up for the circuit.

In the business segment of the sport is where Reese has made his biggest impact. His efforts in branding career-long partners such as Lucky Craft, Lowrance and Mercury Outboards amongst other brands are significant factors in the brands’ successes throughout his career. The launch of his Skeet Reese rods in 2009 was further evidence of the pro’s influence as over the lifespan of the product line, hundreds of thousands of “yellow rods” were sold by retailers and in the hands of anglers worldwide.

Looking back at his career, Reese is struck with nostalgia and a grateful heart. “I only dreamed of being able to fish for a living as a young angler growing up in Northern California, and I never would have thought it could have turned out like this,” he said. “I have had partners along the way that have supported and believed in me that have become more like family than business partners; I would not have been able to stay in this career, let alone be successful without them.”

I am thankful to the leagues that have provided a platform for myself and my colleagues to build our brands in, and to the fans who tune in and attend the events we have competed in throughout the years,” said Reese. “To my family and friends that have been a big part of everything, I want to let you know how much you have been a part of my career and how fulfilling it is to have you a part of it. Finally, to Kim, Lea and Courtney, I would never have been able to chase this without your love and support, thank you and I love you so much.

“This has been a ride that I am grateful to have been on, I can’t express enough how humbled I am to have been a professional angler in this industry, and how thankful I am to have been able to do it for as long as I have. I will put the same effort into working for my partners and into building the best fishing rods you could ever put in your hands at Reese Fishing – from the depths of my heart, Thank You all!”

To hear more from Reese himself, see the video at: https://www.facebook.com/skeetreesefishing or https://www.instagram.com/skeetreesefishing/

About Reese Fishing
A product of more than 40 years of competitive and fishing industry excellence, Reese Fishing is the brainchild of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Skeet Reese. The Auburn, Calif. pro, being one of the most successful anglers in the fishing industry with over 40 years of experience, knows what real anglers want and need to be successful on the water. Built alongside his wife Kim and their daughters, the goal is to instill their commitment to quality and passion for the outdoors. The goal of Reese Fishing products is to help customers be inspired to explore what the outdoors has to offer; Reese Fishing strives for the best overall performance on the water.

For more information about Reese Fishing, or to order products, visit them online at http://reesefishing.com.

by AnglersChannel

College Angler Buchmann Gets Second Win of the Season at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kerr Lake

South Carolina’s Blanton Tops Co-Angler Division

HENDERSON, N.C. (April 21, 2025) – Boater Kaden Buchmann of Troutman, North Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake . The tournament, hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, was the second event of the season for the BFL Shenandoah Division. Buchmann earned $4,182 for his victory.

Buchmann is off to a roaring start this spring. He won the North Carolina Division tournament on Lake Norman on March 1, finished runner-up at Smith Mountain Lake in the Piedmont Division on March 30, finished second again in the North Carolina Division on April 12 at High Rock Lake and now has win No. 2 on the season with his victory at Kerr Lake.

“If you want me to put in into one word, it would be confidence,” said Buchmann, a junior business major at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, when reflecting on his success. “Every time I’ve put my boat in the water this year, I’ve felt like I had a chance to win.

“I think it’s a combination of I’ve figured out how I like to fish, what I like to fish, and I feel like I’ve figured out the fish a little bit more than I previously have.”

This is only Buchmann’s second season fishing the BFLs, and really, it’s his first full season. Last year, he only entered one event, finishing third at Lake Norman in the North Carolina Division Super Tournament. His worst finish in a BFL event to date: 14th at the second stop of this year’s North Carolina Division at Lake Wylie.

Buchmann’s not the only Lander angler having success. His roommate, Andrew Blanton, won the Co-angler Division at Kerr Lake on Saturday – his second top-10 finish of the season.

As for the fishing at Kerr, Buchmann kept it pretty simple.

“This is my first week on the lake, pretty much,” he said. “I found a couple of stretches of bushes down the lake and kind of just soaked ’em.”

He figures the bass were starting to spawn. Though he never spotted any on beds, Buchmann said all the bass he caught were in spawning pockets. The aspiring professional angler caught his winning fish from as shallow as 6 inches of water and from some deeper bushes, with one coming on a jig and the rest on a wacky-rigged worm.

“It started quick because I lost a couple big ones,” Buchmann added. “But I caught a small limit right off the get-go. And I just kind of caught one every hour, hour and a half, two hours. I just had to weed through the males.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Kaden Buchmann, Troutman, N.C., five bass, 17-2, $4,182
2nd:      Adam Lester, Huddleston, Va., five bass, 16-4, $2,291
3rd:       Ben Dalton, Bracey, Va., five bass, 15-10, $1,362
4th:        Raymond Jones III, Mocksville, N.C., five bass, 15-8, $952
5th:        Daniel Weber, Fredericksburg, Va., five bass, 15-6, $816
6th:        Jackson Pleasant, Four Oaks, N.C., five bass, 14-14, $748
7th:        Tyler Trent, Nathalie, Va., five bass, 14-5, $680
8th:        Wesley Cashwell, Roanoke Rapids, N.C., five bass, 14-1, $1,172
9th:        Kelly Robinette, South Chesterfield, Va., five bass, 14-0, $1,044 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
10th:     Michael Birr, Franklinton, N.C., five bass, 13-15, $476

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Wesley Cashwell of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $560.

Andrew Blanton of Chesnee, South Carolina won the co-angler division and $2,041 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 10 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top 11 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Andrew Blanton, Chesnee, S.C., three bass, 10-6, $2,041
2nd:      Craig Wheeler, Avenue, Md., three bass, 8-15, $1,021
3rd:       Richard Williams, Sutherland, Va., three bass, 8-8, $683
4th:        Ryan Spivey, Fairfax, Va., three bass, 8-6, $476
5th:        Lew Jenkins, Waldorf, Md., three bass, 8-3, $408
6th:        David Rosenbaum, Leesburg, Va., three bass, 8-2, $637
6th:        Douglas Washburn, Bracey, Va., three bass, 8-2, $357
8th:        Nelson Bailey, Virginia Beach, Va., three bass, 8-1, $306
9th:        Victor Cuevas, Supply, N.C., three bass, 7-14, $272
10th:     Brent Allison, Littlestown, Pa., three bass, 7-13, $276
10th:     James Wade, Loris, S.C., three bass, 7-13, $226

David Rosenbaum of Leesburg, Virginia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $280, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Broderick Luckey of Lynchburg, Virginia, now leads the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 490 points, while Jason Hinger of Timberlake, North Carolina, leads the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 479 points.

The next event for BFL Shenandoah Division anglers will be held May 17, at the Potomac River out of Marbury, Maryland. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 3-4 BFL Regional tournament on the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

by AnglersChannel

Bainbridge Set for MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (April 21, 2025) –The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Bainbridge, Georgia, this week, April 24-26, for the third and final regular-season event of the Southern division – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole.

The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Bainbridge, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing boaters and co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.

Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, who usually competes in the Toyota Series Central Division, said he has an eye on the upcoming tournament on Lake Seminole and is looking to throw his hat in the ring. The Georgia boater has racked up 17 top 10-finishes in MLF competition over the past two years and earned the Toyota Series Central Division’s Fishing Clash Angler of the Year honors in 2024.

“Lake Seminole should be fishing pretty good this time of year,” O’Connell said. “I expect it to be a mostly mid-spawn to post-spawn tournament. They tend to spawn a little early down in the southern portion of the state, but we had a colder winter, so my assumption is that they didn’t start really spawning until February. So, there are probably a lot of fish that are starting to pull back out deep, but there will also be a lot still in the spawning phase.”

O’Connell said patterns and baits will vary throughout the field, with Lake Seminole offering anglers the opportunity to fish their strengths.

“Two of the main staples will definitely be ChatterBaits and jerkbaits, but there’ll be Carolina rigs and bigger swimbaits come into play as well,” said O’Connell. “You’re going to see some scoping-style baits – minnows, things like that – play as well. There’s a lot of clear water and a lot of timber for guys to go scope around in Spring Creek and other areas like that, but you can also fish shallow and throw a topwater bait all day if you really want to, so it will be a mix of things.”

With the spawn coming to a close, O’Connell said he expects the weights to be slightly lower than they were earlier in the year but anticipates it will still take a hefty bag to advance to Championship Saturday.

“You’ll need at least one 25-pound bag, but I’d say if a guy has 36-38 pounds, they’ll have a shot at advancing in the top 25 to the final day,” said O’Connell. “I think it’s going to take a 70-pound three-day cumulative weight to win the event, but what will be interesting is seeing how the event will be won. It’s possible to win it shallow, but I’m assuming it will be won off the angler who has the best couple of post-spawn spots where they’re starting to group up.”

Anglers will begin each day at 7 a.m. ET, launching from the Earle May Boat Basin at 100 Boat Basin Circle in Bainbridge. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 3 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.

The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.

by AnglersChannel

Hackney Claims NPFL Victory at Lake Norman

After weigh-in on Day Two, Gonzales, Louisiana pro Greg Hackney predicted that the consistent weather would improve the bite across the board, and his forecast proved true. Catching his biggest bag of the week—17 pounds—on the final day, Hackney secured his first NPFL victory with a total weight of 47 pounds, 11 ounces.

Finishing in second, North Carolina angler KJ Queen began Day One with 15 pounds, 8 ounces, added 14 pounds on Day Two despite a big lost fish that hurt his chances at victory, and then delivered the second-largest bag of the event on Finale Friday with 17 pounds, 9 ounces. His total weight of 47 pounds, 1 ounce kept him just shy of Hackney’s lead.

Kyle Welcher overcame a slow Day One and came back strong with 19 pounds, 13 ounces on Day Two. However, a tougher Day Three weight of 12 pounds, 8 ounces, and a total weight of 45 pounds, 1 ounce, moved him to third. After his Bassmaster Elite win in North Carolina the week before, Welcher continues to build on his momentum.

Patrick Walters, who started and finished in fourth, earned 44 pounds, 13 ounces, securing another NPFL top-5 finish and a solid payday. Seth Ellis rounded out the top five with a total of 42 pounds, 14 ounces.

Kyle Welcher's 5-pound, 10-ounce largemouth on Day Two was the big bass of the event.

Largemouth Seal The Deal

Leading after Day One with 16 pounds, 6 ounces, Greg Hackney struggled to find largemouth on Day Two, finishing with a limit of spotted bass weighing 14 pounds, 5 ounces. But the largemouth returned in full force on the final day, and Hackney found his rhythm when it mattered most.

“I went to my spotted bass holes this morning to try and get a solid start, and the largemouth showed up again,” Hackney said. “I looked in the same area yesterday, which was a great day for sight fishing, and only saw one fish. Today was slow and steady—one good one here, one good one there—and I never got shaken up.”

By the time live coverage wrapped up at 1 PM, Hackney made his final cull—a four-pounder that sealed the deal. However, in his mind, it was a bass he fished for two hours, hooked several times, and nearly caught that he thought might cost him the victory.

“It was time-consuming, but I knew if I caught it, it would have won the event - so I stayed. I was sure she was going to cost me the event, but overall, I fished extremely well today. I had no anxiety at all, and when you catch that many fish, you know not having to grind for bites - it makes it easier.”

As the day progressed, Hackney had one of those “it’s your time” moments. While fighting one of his keeper largemouth to the boat, a massive spotted bass followed it in and almost made the ride to the weigh-in.

“It was 4 to 5 pounds, easily the best spot I’ve seen here,” Hackney said. “I touched it, and I thought I was going to be able to grab it. I almost had it. I got the largemouth in the boat, and at that point, I had one of those feelings like it was going to happen for me.”

Hackney’s efforts were focused below the main bridge, in the bottom third of Lake Norman. Using his Lowrance C-Map with 6-foot and less depth highlighted, he quickly found productive water where fish were spawning in the pockets and navigated Norman with no problem.

“Today, and this whole week even, I fished almost every dock, and I caught fish, but the best fish were between the docks, sitting on a piece of brush or a stump,” he added. “I burned the majority of my practice water on Day One, so I ran new water the last two days, and it was key to finding the same type of productive areas using the C-Map.”

His two-pronged attack included Strike King Finesse Worms—one 4” worm fished on a shaky head and one 6” worm rigged weedless. On Day One, the bass were relating more to the bottom, but as the water warmed, they moved higher in the water column, and the wacky rig presentation proved clutch.

“Our (Strike King) Green Pumpkin color is the most natural on the market, and the baits are more slender than other worms,” Hackney said. “I caught a bunch of fish on beds, and I got most of them on the first cast or the next cast back in. Those baits are the real deal.”

Queen Falls Just Short

When the event began, Catawba, North Carolina angler KJ Queen knew he would focus on spawning fish—and that’s exactly what he did. Falling just 11 ounces shy of victory, a few lost fish in a tight race made all the difference. Despite the disappointment, Queen considers the event a success.

“I fished in the mid-lake section and focused 100% on spawning fish,” he said. “On Day One, I caught some fish while strolling a Queen Tackle Jig Head with Zoom bait, weighing in three bass that day. After that, I locked in and everything else was sight fishing.”

Queen kept his approach simple, sticking to an area he believed had potential—and he was right. He executed a 1-2-3 punch with Zoom plastics, finishing with the Queen Tackle Jig in MR Craw color, almost to perfection.

“It couldn’t have been any simpler for me,” he said. “I kept my Lithium Pro Batteries working and covered a ton of water each day. I’m not going to lie, I’m disappointed about the big one I lost yesterday, which ended up costing me. It kind of sucks, but it is what it is. Overall, it was a great finish on my home waters.”

Welcher Falls to Third

With a major comeback on Day Two, jumping from 30th after Day One to the outright lead, Kyle Welcher was playing with house money on Finale Friday. Despite the lack of new fish moving into his primary area, it's hard to complain after the last couple of weeks.

“I mean, if you told me after practice I’d end up in third I would have been happy,” he said. “I had no history here at all, and regardless of where I went on the lake, I figured the chances of catching a big one were tough, so I settled into an area where I caught them good on Day One and focused on that.”

Day Three saw the same quality of bass, but not nearly as many. With big spawners, depending on how aggressive they were, having numerous chances at a big fish is always better. But today, there were fewer to choose from.

“I found a few good ones, but overall they were not as catchable as yesterday, and I didn’t catch the big ones I did see,” he said. “I just looked and threw the Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug at everything I could find. It was a great week.”

Top Ten:

Greg Hackney – 47-11
KJ Queen – 47-1
Kyle Welcher – 45-1
Patrick Walters – 44-13
Seth Ellis – 42-14
Drew Cook – 41-13
Jason Burroughs – 41-10
Tim Frederick – 39-15
David Williams – 39-12
JTodd Tucker – 39-3

by AnglersChannel

Schroeder delivers last-minute shocker win with only four bass on Day 3 at Tombigbee River

April 18, 2025

COLUMBUS, Miss. — As the saying goes, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over, and Trey Schroeder was on the right end of that adage Friday after winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN.

Schroeder, a 25-year-old resident of tiny Theodosia, Mo., mounted a come-from-behind win with 14 bass totaling 42 pounds, 12 ounces over the three-day tournament. That was just enough weight to edge veteran angler Stephen Browning who finished second with 42-4.

Just about everyone at Friday’s final weigh-in at East Bank Landing had already conceded the tournament to Browning, the Hot Springs, Ark., pro who’s in his 30^th year fishing with B.A.S.S. and was looking for his first B.A.S.S. victory in a decade.

It seemed logical. After all, Browning was surging as the tournament progressed and he vaulted from seventh place and into the lead with a 15-10 limit on Day 3. Schroeder, meanwhile, only had four bass in his bag when he came to the stage. That largemouth quartet registered 12-6, however, which let him slip past Browning and to the top of the leaderboard.

The outcome surprised even Schroeder, who gasped when his final weight was announced. He shot his arms into the air in excitement before hoisting the winner’s trophy, and he still was in disbelief after the crowd had cleared out.

“I didn’t think there was any chance I had won,” he said.

BASSTrakk listed Schroeder with an 8-5 total on Friday when the weigh-in began, more than four pounds lighter than his actual catch. Though anglers are encouraged to use BASSTrakk throughout the day, they are not required to do so. But with many anglers and fans accustomed to following the action on BASSTrakk, they saw those numbers and assumed Browning had won.

Schroeder said he doesn’t weigh his fish until he catches his fifth bass.

“I get to five and then I weigh (the one) I’m culling first,” he said. “Then I get rid of my smallest one once I weigh the rest of them. It was my plan to do that today, too, but I never got that fifth keeper bite. I probably had seven or eight bites today … and only four keepers.”

Schroeder pocketed $34,502 cash for the win, part of a $229,090 purse split among the Top 45 of 155 anglers entered in the tournament. He also won a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River.

The former Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops angler marveled at the prospect, something he’s dreamed of since co-founding his prep bass fishing team back in Missouri.

“I can’t believe it. Ever since starting that high school club, it’s just been the bug,” he said, his voice cracking with the emotion of the moment.

Schroeder said this tournament fished much like the areas he practiced in while competing for McKendree University in Illinois. In fact, he didn’t even venture onto the main river in the tournament, preferring to fish in nearby Columbus Lake the entire time.

“I didn’t burn a half tank of gas the whole week,” he said. “Finding a hard bottom was what gave me the confidence to stay in Columbus Lake … When I put my poles down and I could (sense them going into) gravel and sand, it started to feel right.

“So, when I put in, I went to the first piece of grass I saw, the water willow stuff,” he said. “The qualifiers we fished at McKendree were on 400-acre lakes and they fished like ponds. It was like that here … I felt at home.”

Schroeder used only two lures to bag his best bass.

“Thirteen of the 14 fish I weighed this week came on a (white) 6^th Sense swim jig with a white Stroker Craw by 6^th Sense on the back,” he said. “One of them came on the Clout, which is the Sixth Sense version of a Senko. I had some in the bottom of my boat and I threw it out there (on Thursday) and caught a 3-pounder.”

Browning, 58, finished third the last time B.A.S.S. fished on the Tombigbee River, way back in October 2004, and he was confident the 15-10 sack he caught Friday was enough to win the fifth B.A.S.S. event of his illustrious career. He said it was difficult finishing just shy of his goal to qualify for his 11^th Bassmaster Classic.

“It’s just hard to swallow right now,” Browning said.

Rounding out the Top 10 anglers on Championship Friday are third, Michigan’s Bo Thomas, 41-10; fourth, Georgia’s Byron Kenney Jr, 41-0; fifth, Georgia’s John Duvall, 39-12; sixth, Alabama’s Matt Adams, 39-10; seventh, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck, 39-2; eighth, Georgia’s Cody Stahl, 36-8; ninth, Alabama’s Russ Lane, 35-1; 10^th Alabama’s Cody Nichols, 35-15.

Schroeder caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass, as well — a 6-4 on Day 1 that earned him an additional $750 cash.

The derby on the Tombigbee River is the second Division I Bassmaster Open of the year, with the season opener held at Georgia’s Clarks Hill in January. Two more tournaments remain in the division (on the Upper Chesapeake Bay July 23-25 in Maryland and July 31-Aug. 2 on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York.)

The Top 50 anglers in both the Division 1 and Division 2 Open standings will qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers, which starts in September. The Top 10 anglers in that inaugural three-tournament competition will win spots in the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.

Visit Columbus, Mississippi hosted this week’s event.

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN 4/16-4/18
Tombigbee River, Columbus MS.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 14 42-12 200 $35,252.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 4 12-06
2. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 15 42-04 199 $13,801.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 15-10
3. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 15 41-10 198 $10,350.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 15-12
4. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 15 41-00 197 $9,660.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 14-05
5. John Duvall Madison, GA 15 39-12 196 $8,970.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 13-05
6. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 15 39-10 195 $8,280.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 11-02
7. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 15 39-02 194 $7,590.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 10-08
8. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 15 36-08 193 $6,900.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 10-03
9. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 13 35-01 192 $6,900.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 11-05 Day 3: 3 06-02
10. Cody Nichols Fayette, AL 11 31-15 191 $6,900.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 1 05-02
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 06-04 $750.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 53 480 1073-12
2 60 474 1062-06
3 7 43 114-07
----------------------------------
120 997 2250-09

by AnglersChannel

Missouri’s Trey Schroeder slips into the lead at Tombigbee River

April 17, 2025

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Pundits and competitors alike predicted anglers would be tested in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN.

They weren’t wrong, with only 39 of 155 competing anglers averaging double-digit weights through Day 2 of the three-day derby.

Trey Schroeder, a 25-year-old from tiny Theodosia, Mo., has fared best on the Tombigbee River, with a two-day total of 10 bass for 30 pounds, 6 ounces. The former McKendree University angler entered Day 2 in second place with 16-4 and leaped into the lead Thursday with a limit that registered 14-2.

He struggled early Thursday, though, and at times doubted he’d manage a limit, much less lead the derby with only a day remaining.

“I rode around with four fish until almost noon today,” Schroeder said. “I was sweating. I was nervous … But luckily, we caught the fifth and that took a ton of pressure off. (I) made a couple good decisions after that, too.”

One of them involved pounding an area of clean water off the Tombigbee River that provided some of Thursday’s key bites.

“I have a spot that has a culvert in it,” he said. “The pond is clean but the river section of it is chocolate-milk dirty. When they opened the lock, it pulled some of that clean water out and it made a little pocket I could fish. When I pulled in today to check the spot, there was a fish on a bed in there. I skipped a Senko way up under a tree and a 3-pounder ate it. He jumped out of the water, into the tree and broke the limb off. I had to pull him over a grass mat to the boat. There’s just no reason I should have been able to catch that fish, but it worked out well.

“It really was just one of those days where things went well for me,” he added.

Schroeder said a warm Wednesday evening sparked a shad spawn on the areas he’s fishing, and he was able to take advantage of that on Day 2. He’s covering a lot of water and using traditional power-fishing techniques — not his usual game, he said.

“I consider myself one of the (LiveScope) guys, honestly,” he said, laughing. “I like to fish offshore and get in deep, clean water. But man, the past couple months or so, we’ve had so much rain at Bull Shoals where I live, I started homing in on power-fishing to get my confidence up. Then I power-fished (at the Open earlier this month) on Norfork Lake and I finished fourth there. It’s carried over here.”

Day 1 leader Russ Lane caught 11-5 on Thursday and is second now with 28-15. The 52-year-old veteran from Prattville, Ala., said boat traffic may have hindered his bite some on Thursday, but he’s confident he can catch enough weight to clinch the tournament title on Championship Friday.

“If that area quiets down and those fish get set up on those places I’m talking about, anything is possible,” Lane said. “And I have other options available if I need them.”

Lane competed in the last tournament B.A.S.S. held on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, way back in 2004. He said he circled this tournament on the schedule the moment it was released.

“A lot of the older guys were looking forward to this one,” he said. “It’s more of a conventional-type tournament, with a little less reliance on electronics. It’s exciting when we get to fish our strengths, too. I know I’m doing the right thing in the right area. I’ve just got to keep working hard, get a couple of the right bites.”

Rounding out the Top 10 anglers who made Thursday’s Phoenix Boats Cutline are third, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck, 28-10; fourth, Alabama’s Matt Adams, 28-8; fifth, Alabama’s Cody Nichols, 26-13; sixth, Georgia’s Byron Kenney Jr, 26-11; seventh, Arkansas’ Stephen Browning, 26-10; eighth, Georgia’s John Duvall, 26-7; ninth, Georgia’s Cody Stahl, 26-5; and 10^th, Michigan’s Bo Thomas, 25-14.

Browning was in the 2004 Open on Tenn-Tom, too, and he finished third in that tournament. The 58-year-old veteran said anyone can win in this return to the 234-mile man-made river connecting the Tennessee River with the confluence of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers.

“I remember that tournament was tough, too,” he said. “In fact, I caught more weight in two days here this week than I did in three days back then, and I finished third in that one. So, it’s getting better for me. I’ll just keep throwing that Chatterbait and that squarebill like I do, and we’ll see what happens.”

The winner will earn a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River. First place also collects $34,502, part of a $229,090 total purse being split among the Top 45 anglers in the field.

Of the 155 competing anglers, only the Top 10 will compete for the tournament title on Friday. The Wednesday start is unique to this Open on Tenn-Tom with B.A.S.S. officials wanting to wrap the three-day event on a Friday, allowing angers time to return home for Easter Sunday.

Day 3 take-off of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. CT Friday with weigh-in set for 2:15 p.m. CT, both from East Bank Landing.

Visit Columbus, Mississippi is hosting this week’s event.

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN 4/16-4/18
Tombigbee River, Columbus MS.
Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 10 30-06 200
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 14-02
2. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 28-15 199
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 11-05
3. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 10 28-10 198
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 13-04
4. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 10 28-08 197
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 16-09
5. Cody Nichols Fayette, AL 10 26-13 196
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 12-03
6. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 10 26-11 195
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-01
7. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 26-10 194
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 16-05
8. John Duvall Madison, GA 10 26-07 193
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-14
9. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 10 26-05 192
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 16-03
10. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 10 25-14 191
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 14-11
11. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 10 25-06 190 $6,210.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 10-03
12. Jeffery Davis Steens, MS 10 24-15 189 $4,830.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 13-13
13. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 10 24-09 188 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 11-05
14. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 8 24-05 187 $3,450.00
Day 1: 3 13-07 Day 2: 5 10-14
15. Robert Johnson Jr. Maben, MS 10 24-05 186 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-02
16. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 8 24-02 185 $3,450.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 5 16-08
17. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 23-11 184 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-05
18. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 9 23-10 183 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 5 16-11
19. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 10 23-10 182 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 08-12
20. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 10 23-06 181 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 13-10
21. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 9 23-04 180 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 10-02
22. Jeff Oglesby Reform, AL 10 22-12 179 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 12-06
23. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 10 22-12 178 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 10-15
24. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 9 22-09 177 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 14-10
25. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 9 22-08 176 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 4 07-09
26. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 9 22-07 175 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 08-12 Day 2: 5 13-11
27. Clint Pegg Caledonia, MS 10 22-07 174 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 09-02
28. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 10 22-06 173 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 11-12
29. Timmy Ming Louisville, MS 9 22-01 172 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 5 13-06
30. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 9 22-01 171 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 5 12-09
31. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 10 21-11 170 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 10-08
32. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 21-01 169 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 11-15
33. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 20-14 168 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 08-15
34. Barrett Saunders Hammond, LA 9 20-11 167 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 4 08-11
35. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 9 20-10 166 $2,760.00
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 5 13-00
36. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 9 20-05 165 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 09-14
37. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 7 20-00 164 $2,760.00
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 3 08-04
38. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 9 20-00 163 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 4 10-15
39. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 9 19-07 162 $2,760.00
Day 1: 4 09-09 Day 2: 5 09-14
40. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 8 19-06 161 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 3 07-12
41. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 10 19-05 160 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 10-00
42. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 19-02 159 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 09-12
43. Micheal Stout Gallatin, TN 8 18-15 158 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 3 06-09
44. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 10 18-14 157 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 08-13
45. John Anderson Bay Springs, MS 9 18-04 156 $2,760.00
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 4 09-15
46. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 9 18-01 155
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-04
47. Cade Law Elmore, AL 6 18-01 154
Day 1: 2 09-06 Day 2: 4 08-11
48. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 7 17-12 153
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 2 03-12
49. Duke Nave Oxford, PA 7 17-11 152
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 2 05-15
50. Tyler Shawger Zanesville, OH 9 17-10 151
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 4 07-15
51. Casey Smith Victor, NY 8 17-05 150
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 5 11-03
52. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 8 17-03 149
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 4 08-06
53. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 9 17-01 148
Day 1: 4 09-02 Day 2: 5 07-15
54. Clay Madison Northport, AL 8 16-14 147
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 3 06-03
55. Parker Guy Appling, GA 8 16-12 146
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 5 11-10
56. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 10 16-07 145
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 08-12
57. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 8 16-05 144
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
58. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 8 16-04 143
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 3 06-02
59. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 7 16-03 142
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 4 10-03
60. Blake Bailey Petal, MS 7 16-02 141
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 4 09-14
61. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 6 16-01 140
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 4 11-10
62. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 9 16-01 139
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 5 07-14
63. Tucker Shaw Millport, AL 7 16-00 138
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 3 08-13
64. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 6 15-14 137
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 1 01-12
65. River Lee Diboll, TX 8 15-13 136
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 5 10-12
66. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 6 15-08 135
Day 1: 4 12-03 Day 2: 2 03-05
67. Drew Boggs Lebanon, TN 7 15-05 134
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 3 04-15
68. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 7 15-02 133
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 5 11-12
69. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 9 15-01 132
Day 1: 4 05-05 Day 2: 5 09-12
70. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 7 15-01 131
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 4 08-06
71. Tyler Malone Chunchula, AL 8 15-00 130
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 05-08
72. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 7 14-14 129
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 5 11-09
73. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 8 14-14 128
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 3 05-14
74. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 9 14-14 127
Day 1: 4 06-10 Day 2: 5 08-04
75. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 6 14-10 126
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 5 11-12
76. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 8 14-08 125
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 5 10-06
77. Hunter Eubanks Landrum , SC 7 14-08 124
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 3 06-14
78. Kyle Shaw Millport, AL 7 14-06 123
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 2 04-07
79. Tim Jaynes Ethelsville, AL 5 14-04 122
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 14-04
80. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 14-03 121
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 6 14-03 120
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 1 02-02
82. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 6 14-02 119
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 4 07-13
83. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 7 14-00 118
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 5 10-06
84. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 13-10 117
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 4 11-09
85. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 6 13-07 116
Day 1: 1 04-06 Day 2: 5 09-01
86. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 7 13-06 115
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 5 09-01
87. Jake Maddux Roswell, GA 7 13-06 114
Day 1: 4 07-14 Day 2: 3 05-08
88. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 6 13-04 113
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 1 02-10
89. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 7 13-02 112
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 5 10-05
90. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 7 12-09 111
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 2 04-01
91. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 7 12-07 110
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 5 08-04
92. Shannon Abbott Louisville, TN 5 12-04 109
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 3 08-11
93. James Chandler Liberty, TX 6 12-00 108
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 5 09-04
94. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 11-15 107
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-15
95. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 6 11-13 106
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 5 09-13
96. Rich Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 6 11-12 105
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 1 01-10
97. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 11-09 104
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
98. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 4 11-07 103
Day 1: 3 09-08 Day 2: 1 01-15
99. Kristine Fischer Spring City, TN 5 11-00 102
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 4 08-10
100. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 6 11-00 101
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 05-09
101. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 5 10-13 100
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 3 07-03
102. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 6 10-12 99
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 2 02-15
103. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 5 10-09 98
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 01-15
104. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 6 10-07 97
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 5 08-13
105. Donavan Carson Bluff City, TN 4 10-07 96
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 1 01-14
106. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 5 10-06 95
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 2 05-11
107. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 6 10-02 94
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 1 01-02
108. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 3 09-13 93
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 3 09-13 92
Day 1: 2 07-13 Day 2: 1 02-00
110. Christian Nash Allons, TN 6 09-09 91
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 1 00-13
111. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 08-09 90
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 2 03-12
112. William Baker Ridgeway, SC 4 08-06 89
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 08-06
113. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 08-02 88
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 3 04-15
114. TJ McKenzie Myrtle Beach, SC 4 08-01 87
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 2 03-07
115. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 3 07-12 86
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 3 07-07 85
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 2 05-06
117. William Kronander Brownsville, PA 3 07-07 84
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 1 02-14
118. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 4 06-15 83
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 2 02-15
119. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 4 06-15 82
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 2 03-06
120. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 3 06-13 81
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-13
121. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 4 06-09 80
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 03-05
122. Garrett McWilliams Florence, MS 3 06-08 79
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 3 06-08 78
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 2 04-06
124. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 3 06-03 77
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 2 04-13
125. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 4 06-00 76
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 2 03-01
126. Lance Jackson Starkville, MS 3 05-13 75
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Hunter Davidson Reform, AL 2 05-06 74
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 2 04-09 73
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 3 04-06 72
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 2 02-12
130. David Dove Columbus, MS 2 04-05 71
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Kyle Healey Almonte CANADA 2 04-01 70
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-01
132. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 2 04-01 69
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 1 01-14
133. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 03-15 68
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 2 03-11 67
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 02-05
135. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 3 03-08 66
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
136. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 2 03-06 65
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-06
137. Mike Penney Cameron, NC 1 03-06 64
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
138. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 2 03-00 63
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
139. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 1 02-14 62
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 2 02-13 61
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 01-02
141. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 2 02-12 60
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 01-06
142. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 2 02-11 59
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 1 01-09
143. William Gully Linden, AL 1 02-05 58
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
144. Phillip Kroll Otego, NY 1 01-10 57
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
144. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 1 01-10 57
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
146. Nate Harden Niles, MI 1 01-09 55
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
147. Troy Coney Owego, NY 1 01-08 54
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 4 01-05 53
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 00-00
149. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Scott Fowler Ellijay, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Ryan Matylewicz Tunkhannock, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. John Polasini Iii Leland, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Collin Smith Honea Path, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 53 480 1073-12
2 60 474 1062-06
----------------------------------
113 954 2136-02

by AnglersChannel

Welcher Rockets to NPFL Lead at Lake Norman

The bite remains steady on Lake Norman, but with most of the field posting limits, it’s still the quality bites that are proving hard to come by. That wasn’t the case for Kyle Welcher, who rocketed to the top of the leaderboard on Day Two with a massive 19 pound, 13 ounce limit—including a 5-pound, 10-ounce kicker. Adding to his 12 pounds, 12 ounces from Day One, Welcher now leads the field with a two-day total of 32 pounds, 9 ounces.

Greg Hackney, who held the lead after Day One, drops to second with a total of 30 pounds, 11 ounces. After opening with 16 pounds, 6 ounces, he added 14 pounds, 5 ounces today to stay within striking distance.

Seth Ellis now sits in third, backing up his 13 pounds, 15 ounces on Day One with 16 pounds, 7 ounces on Day Two, for a total of 30 pounds, 6 ounces. Just behind him, South Carolina’s Patrick Walters remains consistent, adding 14 pounds, 6 ounces to his Day One 15 pounds, 5 ounces, bringing his total to 29 pounds, 11 ounces.

With weights stacked tight and fish being caught all over the lake, Finale Friday is shaping up to be a battle to the very end. Welcher's 5-pound, 10-ounce largemouth takes over the big bass of the event thus far.

Welcher Finds His Zone

Coming off a big Elite Series win last week, Alabama pro Kyle Welcher had limited time to figure out Lake Norman. After driving in from the previous event, he had just a short first day of practice and one full day on the water. On Day One of the tournament, he returned to some spawning fish he had marked—but they were gone.

On Day Two, he put his Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST on high and started covering water, learning more about the lake and eventually finding a couple of "key areas" where fish were moving up to spawn.

"I’ve never been to Norman before, and with a short practice, I tried to find an area with some fish and locate a few spawners," he said. "When they vanished on Day One—which was a tough day overall fishing wise for me—I found a zone where they were moving up, and I had high hopes for Day Two."

He righted the ship in a big way, using his eyes to locate both cruising and bedding bass. With a one-two punch from Rapala Crush City, he fished a Bronco Bug on beds and tossed a Janitor Worm at fish swimming around. As for Championship Saturday, he’s not overthinking it.

"In my mind, Norman is the same everywhere," he said. "You can catch big largemouth or spots all over the lake, but it isn’t easy anywhere. I’ll settle into the areas I’ve been fishing, but most of the places haven’t been reloading—so we’ll see what happens tomorrow."

Hackney Sticking to the Plan

With nothing changing for Greg Hackney on Day Two, the only difference was the lack of a big bite. The Louisiana angler had two largemouth and three spots on Day One, but Day Two saw a full limit of spotted bass. Despite that, he's still catching better-than-average fish, which has kept him near the top.

"I fished the same today and just simply lacked a big bite," he said. "I was a bit afraid of that coming in, but today was such a good day for sight fishing—I could see fish everywhere, and a lot deeper too. It’s confusing, because today was the first day I haven’t seen any decent largemouth."

Hackney predicts that based on the weather changes, Finale Friday should be one of the best and most consistent days of the tournament for everyone. With the first two days offering drastic shifts from morning to afternoon, with temperatures shifting, he expects things to level out for Day Three.

"The morning should kick off a bit better tomorrow, and that’s exciting. It should be good for everyone. I’m planning to stick with the same program, but I will not be starting in the same place as I have been," he laughed.

Ellis Leans on the Sight Game

Seth Ellis knew coming into this event that in order to compete with the locals, he’d have to sight fish. After two days, it’s safe to say he made the right call. Ellis has called North Carolina home for eleven years, but has little recent experience on Lake Norman. While the locals know every dock and pocket on the lake, Ellis picked out small areas and stretches to focus his efforts.

"When I saw the schedule way back when, I knew this one was going to be about right," he said. "After practice, I figured I could do well by looking for them, and so far so good. I had some good fish marked and they felt fresh.I thought they were going to stay around for the event and I committed to it."

Coming into Day One, he had about 60 dots marked—fish he had seen either locked on or cruising—but more than half had either left or been caught. Despite that, his efforts had him sitting in 17th.

"Around 2:30 on Day One, I started looking around for more fish to use on Day Two, and I found some that I planned on trying to catch," he said. "Today, I ran that stuff and caught some fish, but I had saved a big one from practice for when I needed it, and it saved me. I worked on her for an hour and got her to bite. At 1:30, I had 11 pounds. That fish gave me over 3 pounds and was huge for my tournament."

With two 4-pound-class fish in the bag, he again spent the afternoon scouting for more options for Finale Friday. Whether they stick around or not, Ellis is proud of how he’s executed—and he’s fired up for the final day.

"I’m keeping it simple," he added. "I’m looking around and tossing a Strike King Ocho in front of the boat, and when I find one, I slow down and fish a Strike King Rage Bug at it. So far, so good. I knew I couldn’t win this event just 'fishing' against these guys, so I did what I do—and the sight game has worked. I can’t wait for tomorrow."

Walters Stays in Fourth

Starting the day in fourth, Patrick Walters made a push to climb the leaderboard on Day Two, but ultimately stayed put heading into Finale Friday. Now, a few pounds back from Welcher, the importance of landing a big bite has never been greater.

Coming into the event, Walters planned to catch them shallow. During practice, he found areas holding fish and spent part of Day One picking them apart—with limited success.

"I made a move early on that first day and fished around," he said. "I filled a small limit on some places I know hold fish, and then just got back shallow and caught a few more."

Despite losing two key fish today, the he managed a few quality bites but wasn’t able to cull out three smaller ones.

"I’m fishing a bit of history and mixing things up, but in general, I’m in an area and just fishing around," he added. "I’ve got a worm locked in my hand—a Zoom Fluke Stick—rigged wacky and Neko-style. I’m fishing everything that looks good and keeping an eye out for spawners."

Top Ten:

Kyle Welcher 32-9

Greg Hackney 30-11

Seth Ellis 30-6

Patrick Walters 29-11

KJ Queen 29-8

Jason Burroughs 28-12

Ricky Robinson 28-3

David Williams 27-12

Joey Bloom 27-7

Barron Adams 27-0

by AnglersChannel

Hackney Leads Day One NPFL at Lake Norman

Tight Weights and Big Decisions on Day One at Lake Norman

The bite is steady at Stop Two of the NPFL season on Lake Norman, with most of the field putting together a five-bass limit—but quality is hard to find. The fish are chewing across the lake, but the tail end of a cold front is making it tough to find better-than-average bites.

With a jig locked in hand, veteran angler Greg Hackney’s 16-pound, 6-ounce Day One limit was enough to take the top spot. A last-minute decision to fish for a big fish from practice paid dividends, adding a 4-pound, 10-ounce largemouth to his box just 30 minutes before check-in.

In second, Greenback, Tennessee pro Ricky Robinson fished against the grain, bringing 16 pounds even to settle into the second-place spot, just six ounces behind Hackney. In third, Catawba, North Carolina angler KJ Queen relied on history to catch his 15-pound, 8-ounce limit.

Big fish of Day One - a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass - was caught by fifth-place angler Richard Cooper, anchoring his 15-pound, 2-ounce limit. Of the 114 anglers weighing a fish on day one, all but four had a limit.

Patience Key for Hackney

After a slow trek to fill a limit this morning, where most of his “better fish from practice” had vacated, the area veteran Hackney settled in and made use of a zone he felt held a good population of bass.

“This morning, I just kind of went fishing and tried to take advantage of the dark and get a big bite—without luck,” said Hackney. “Then I made a move to some fish I knew were there, but I was in a bad rotation to start, and those fish had either been caught or moved off.”

His next spot was more of a community area, a place known to hold fish. To his surprise, he had it to himself and filled a limit, with one fish going nearly 4 pounds. It was enough to calm his nerves.

“I got settled and worked through a few places I had planned to fish and the fish were there, but they were mostly new fish that had moved in,” he said. “I was rotating several baits—a swimbait and a jig mostly, both swimming and flipping produced. I had a decent limit and decided to fish for a single bass I saw on Day Two of practice.”

To his surprise, the big female was still there—and had a male with her. With only 30 minutes left before check-in, he connected with the male and worked on the female, who wasn’t locked on a bed and was circling a tree top.

“I picked up a wacky rig and tried to get it in front of her, but she kept circling and wasn't stationary,” he added. “She swam up towards the bait but quickly turned and darted away. I figured she saw the boat and got spooked, but next thing you know, my line went tight and I fought her to the boat. It took me from a decent bag to a big bag, and that is the key to this place.”

Hackney rotated through over 30 bites on the day, with four being decent keepers and no lost fish that mattered. He’s anticipating the bite to get better over Thursday and Friday with the weather stabilizing and temperatures rising.

“We are here at a good time,” he said. “The cold fronts, I had ice on my cover in practice and it was chilly. My goal was 13 pounds today, which will keep you in the hunt here.”

Robinson Needs the Wind

Tennessee angler Ricky Robinson is likely the only angler in the field praying for wind. Throughout practice, while others were hiding from it, Robinson was using a technique he perfected back home in Tennessee for smallmouth - replicating it here on Norman to catch big spotted bass.

“Practice was fantastic for me, having never been here, and I have a way I catch them back home that I figured out would work,” he said. “Every day in practice I caught 15 or 16 pounds, and that was one here, one there.”

He located a total of 28 places to rotate through during the three-day tournament, and only fished a couple on Day One, bringing in 16 pounds of spotted bass. And if it weren't for some misfortune, would have upped his start.

“On my second spot, I made 9 casts and landed all but two—and those two were over 3 pounds,” he said. “The wind keeps them grouped up, and when it stops blowing, they leave. Today I had enough wind, but tomorrow I’m worried—you don’t know how happy I’ll be if it blows 10 to 15 MPH tomorrow.”

Queen Keeps It Simple

Local angler KJ Queen knows Norman as well as anyone, living just up the road in Catawba. He opted to focus his practice without a rod and reel in hand, using just his eyes to scan for shallow fish. Coming into Day One, he had several fish marked, but like Hackney, a lot of them were caught or had left.

“There were not a lot of bass left in my areas where I had found them,” he said. “Really I just swapped to light line and a Queen Jig Head with a Zoom bait and pitched it around some key areas I know should have fish.”

His 15-pound, 8-ounce limit will keep him in contention as the event progresses, but he’s hopeful the rising water and water temperatures will stabilize and some new fish will move in.

“I just sort of got into some historical area and felt like a lot of fish were, or are, coming to me,” he added. “Throughout the event, more and more should move in. I filled a limit quickly with the Queen jig head, and then slowed down and was able to cull a few times.”

Top Ten:

Greg Hackney 16-6

Ricky Robinson 16-0

KJ Queen 15-8

Patrick Walters 15-5

Richard Cooper 15-2

David Williams 15-1

Derrick Snavely 14-15

Justin Adkins 14-10

Barron Adams 14-8

Jason Burroughs 14-7

by AnglersChannel

Veteran angler Russ Lane tops field after Day 1 at Tombigbee River

April 16, 2025

COLUMBUS, Miss. — The last time B.A.S.S. held a tournament on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, many anglers fishing in this week’s St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN weren’t yet in grade school.

That was way back in October 2004 when B.A.S.S. held a Southern Open on this 234-mile man-made waterway connecting the Tennessee River with the confluence of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers.

Longtime pro Russ Lane, of Prattville, Ala., had just turned 32 when that Open was held. He didn’t finish near the money, bowing instead to tournament winner and future Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Paul Elias.

Fast forward 21 years and Lane, now 52-years-old, is the sage old hand in the derby. He’s also in the pole position after Day 1 of this Open tournament with a Day 1 limit of five bass totaling 17 pounds, 10 ounces.

That’s nearly 1 1/2 pounds more than Missouri’s Trey Schroeder, who’s in second place with his 16-9 limit after Day 1 of the three-day event.

Tenn-Tom was stingy Wednesday, with only 43 of 155 competitors weighing double-digit bags. Temperatures stayed in the low 70s throughout the day and bright skies prevailed, with more of the same predicted for the remainder of the tournament. The conditions have Tenn-Tom bass in a variety of stages, from post-spawn cruisers to fatter females still seeking to bed along the banks of the river.

Lane played the conditions best on Wednesday, saying he saw signs in practice that made him think he could put together three solid bags this week.

“Practice was productive,” he said. “I found a place that I liked. It wasn’t fishing great then, but I figured it would get better with this water getting more stable, things warming up. I rolled the dice that some females would move in, and they did today.”

Lane said he covered a lot of water Wednesday, but shared few specifics. He said he’s fishing shallow, though, and feels dialed in.

“It’s a specific deal and it seemed to hold up throughout the day,” he said. “Four or five were pre-spawn fish, I think. My area is fishing small, but there are maybe a dozen key little spots around there that I’m keying on. Other guys are fishing it. I just figured something a tad bit different today.”

Lane bagged his first bass on only his third cast Wednesday morning. It was a 3-pounder, which might seem average in many tournaments, but if multiplied by five, would have been a Top 5 total on Day 1 at Tenn-Tom.

Lane said fishing on “new water” is invigorating. He’s fished Tenn-Tom before, of course, but Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office then. In other words, there’s been some time between this tournament and his last on the waterway.

“Sometimes, you look forward to going someplace you’re not very familiar with,” he said. “It reminds me a lot of the Alabama River and some of the Coosa River lakes I grew up on. So, I feel comfortable here. But there’s other guys who fish the Coosa who are comfortable here, too. I’ll need to keep on (the fish) to stay on top.”

Schroeder, 25, caught 16-9 on Wednesday, with a 6-4 largemouth anchoring his limit. Both were a pleasant surprise, he said, after a particularly tough practice session. Schroeder said he’s running north from East Bank Landing and blind-casting to largemouth bass on the banks in as little as 1 to 2 feet of water.

“I just tried to stay positive today and keep the bait wet,” Schroeder said. “I honestly got super lucky. Late in the day, I pushed into a pond I hadn’t been in yet and caught two of my nicest fish. Hopefully there are a couple more swimming around in there tomorrow. After I caught those two, I just left.”

Schroeder suspects he may have covered too much water during practice, making it a struggle to get bites. He narrowed his focus on Day 1 of competition, and it paid off.

“I was trying to fish for (spotted bass in practice) but didn’t have any luck,” he said. “It was just too blown out, so I just resorted back to fishing shallow again and looking for some heads. There’s definitely fish that are spawning and some that are post-spawn. Some are just now getting up there and starting to make beds, too. The fish seem to be in all stages right now after the big flood we had recently.”

As for tomorrow’s strategy?

“I’m going to run north again and burn everything I’ve got to the ground,” Schroeder said.

Rounding out the Top 5 after Day 1 are third, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck, 15-6; fourth, South Carolina’s Cole Drummond, 15-3; and fifth, Florida’s Bryson Osteen, 14-15.

Day 2 take-off of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. CT, with weigh-in set for 2:15 p.m., both from East Bank Landing.

Visit Columbus, Mississippi is hosting this week’s event.

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN

About B.A.S.S.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN 4/16-4/18
Tombigbee River, Columbus MS.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 17-10 200
Day 1: 5 17-10
2. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 16-04 199
Day 1: 5 16-04
3. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 15-06 198
Day 1: 5 15-06
4. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 15-03 197
Day 1: 5 15-03
5. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 14-15 196
Day 1: 5 14-15
6. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 5 14-14 195
Day 1: 5 14-14
7. Cody Nichols Fayette, AL 5 14-10 194
Day 1: 5 14-10
8. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 14-03 193
Day 1: 5 14-03
9. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 14-02 192
Day 1: 5 14-02
10. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 14-00 191
Day 1: 5 14-00
11. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 13-10 190
Day 1: 5 13-10
12. John Duvall Madison, GA 5 13-09 189
Day 1: 5 13-09
13. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 3 13-07 188
Day 1: 3 13-07
14. Clint Pegg Caledonia, MS 5 13-05 187
Day 1: 5 13-05
15. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 13-04 186
Day 1: 5 13-04
16. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 13-02 185
Day 1: 5 13-02
17. Micheal Stout Gallatin, TN 5 12-06 184
Day 1: 5 12-06
18. Robert Johnson Jr. Maben, MS 5 12-03 183
Day 1: 5 12-03
19. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 4 12-03 182
Day 1: 4 12-03
20. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 12-01 181
Day 1: 5 12-01
21. Barrett Saunders Hammond, LA 5 12-00 180
Day 1: 5 12-00
22. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 11-15 179
Day 1: 5 11-15
22. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 11-15 179
Day 1: 5 11-15
24. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 11-13 177
Day 1: 5 11-13
25. Duke Nave Oxford, PA 5 11-12 176
Day 1: 5 11-12
26. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 4 11-12 175
Day 1: 4 11-12
27. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 11-10 174
Day 1: 5 11-10
28. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 11-09 173
Day 1: 5 11-09
29. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 11-06 172
Day 1: 5 11-06
30. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 5 11-03 171
Day 1: 5 11-03
30. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 11-03 171
Day 1: 5 11-03
32. Jeffery Davis Steens, MS 5 11-02 169
Day 1: 5 11-02
33. Clay Madison Northport, AL 5 10-11 168
Day 1: 5 10-11
34. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 5 10-10 167
Day 1: 5 10-10
34. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 10-10 167
Day 1: 5 10-10
36. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 10-07 165
Day 1: 5 10-07
37. Jeff Oglesby Reform, AL 5 10-06 164
Day 1: 5 10-06
38. Drew Boggs Lebanon, TN 4 10-06 163
Day 1: 4 10-06
39. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 10-05 162
Day 1: 5 10-05
40. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 10-02 161
Day 1: 5 10-02
40. Rich Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 5 10-02 161
Day 1: 5 10-02
40. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 10-02 161
Day 1: 5 10-02
43. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 10-01 158
Day 1: 5 10-01
44. Kyle Shaw Millport, AL 5 09-15 157
Day 1: 5 09-15
45. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 3 09-13 156
Day 1: 3 09-13
46. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 09-12 155
Day 1: 5 09-12
47. Tyler Shawger Zanesville, OH 5 09-11 154
Day 1: 5 09-11
48. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 4 09-09 153
Day 1: 4 09-09
49. Tyler Malone Chunchula, AL 5 09-08 152
Day 1: 5 09-08
50. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 4 09-08 151
Day 1: 4 09-08
51. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 3 09-08 150
Day 1: 3 09-08
52. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 09-06 149
Day 1: 5 09-06
53. Cade Law Elmore, AL 2 09-06 148
Day 1: 2 09-06
54. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 09-05 147
Day 1: 5 09-05
55. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 09-02 146
Day 1: 5 09-02
56. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 4 09-02 145
Day 1: 4 09-02
57. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 09-01 144
Day 1: 5 09-01
58. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 5 09-00 143
Day 1: 5 09-00
58. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 09-00 143
Day 1: 5 09-00
60. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 4 08-13 141
Day 1: 4 08-13
61. Christian Nash Allons, TN 5 08-12 140
Day 1: 5 08-12
62. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 4 08-12 139
Day 1: 4 08-12
63. Timmy Ming Louisville, MS 4 08-11 138
Day 1: 4 08-11
64. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 4 08-10 137
Day 1: 4 08-10
65. Donavan Carson Bluff City, TN 3 08-09 136
Day 1: 3 08-09
66. Nicholas Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 08-08 135
Day 1: 5 08-08
67. John Anderson Bay Springs, MS 5 08-05 134
Day 1: 5 08-05
68. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 4 08-03 133
Day 1: 4 08-03
69. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 4 07-15 132
Day 1: 4 07-15
70. Jake Maddux Roswell, GA 4 07-14 131
Day 1: 4 07-14
71. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 4 07-13 130
Day 1: 4 07-13
71. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 4 07-13 130
Day 1: 4 07-13
73. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 2 07-13 128
Day 1: 2 07-13
74. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 3 07-12 127
Day 1: 3 07-12
75. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 5 07-11 126
Day 1: 5 07-11
76. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 4 07-10 125
Day 1: 4 07-10
77. Hunter Eubanks Landrum , SC 4 07-10 124
Day 1: 4 07-10
78. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 3 07-10 123
Day 1: 3 07-10
79. Tucker Shaw Millport, AL 4 07-03 122
Day 1: 4 07-03
80. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 4 06-15 121
Day 1: 4 06-15
81. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 3 06-11 120
Day 1: 3 06-11
82. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 4 06-10 119
Day 1: 4 06-10
83. Garrett McWilliams Florence, MS 3 06-08 118
Day 1: 3 06-08
84. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 2 06-05 117
Day 1: 2 06-05
85. Blake Bailey Petal, MS 3 06-04 116
Day 1: 3 06-04
86. Casey Smith Victor, NY 3 06-02 115
Day 1: 3 06-02
87. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 06-00 114
Day 1: 3 06-00
88. Lance Jackson Starkville, MS 3 05-13 113
Day 1: 3 05-13
89. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 3 05-07 112
Day 1: 3 05-07
90. Hunter Davidson Reform, AL 2 05-06 111
Day 1: 2 05-06
91. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 4 05-05 110
Day 1: 4 05-05
92. Parker Guy Appling, GA 3 05-02 109
Day 1: 3 05-02
93. River Lee Diboll, TX 3 05-01 108
Day 1: 3 05-01
94. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 3 04-13 107
Day 1: 3 04-13
95. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 3 04-11 106
Day 1: 3 04-11
96. TJ McKenzie Myrtle Beach, SC 2 04-10 105
Day 1: 2 04-10
97. William Kronander Brownsville, PA 2 04-09 104
Day 1: 2 04-09
97. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 2 04-09 104
Day 1: 2 04-09
99. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 2 04-07 102
Day 1: 2 04-07
100. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 1 04-06 101
Day 1: 1 04-06
101. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 3 04-05 100
Day 1: 3 04-05
102. David Dove Columbus, MS 2 04-05 99
Day 1: 2 04-05
102. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 2 04-05 99
Day 1: 2 04-05
104. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 2 04-03 97
Day 1: 2 04-03
105. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 3 04-02 96
Day 1: 3 04-02
106. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 2 04-00 95
Day 1: 2 04-00
107. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 03-15 94
Day 1: 2 03-15
108. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 2 03-10 93
Day 1: 2 03-10
108. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 2 03-10 93
Day 1: 2 03-10
110. Shannon Abbott Louisville, TN 2 03-09 91
Day 1: 2 03-09
110. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 2 03-09 91
Day 1: 2 03-09
112. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 3 03-08 89
Day 1: 3 03-08
113. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 2 03-06 88
Day 1: 2 03-06
114. Mike Penney Cameron, NC 1 03-06 87
Day 1: 1 03-06
115. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 2 03-05 86
Day 1: 2 03-05
116. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 2 03-04 85
Day 1: 2 03-04
117. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 2 03-03 84
Day 1: 2 03-03
118. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 2 03-00 83
Day 1: 2 03-00
119. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 2 02-15 82
Day 1: 2 02-15
120. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 1 02-14 81
Day 1: 1 02-14
120. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 1 02-14 81
Day 1: 1 02-14
122. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 2 02-13 79
Day 1: 2 02-13
123. James Chandler Liberty, TX 1 02-12 78
Day 1: 1 02-12
124. Kristine Fischer Spring City, TN 1 02-06 77
Day 1: 1 02-06
125. William Gully Linden, AL 1 02-05 76
Day 1: 1 02-05
126. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 1 02-03 75
Day 1: 1 02-03
127. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 1 02-02 74
Day 1: 1 02-02
128. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 1 02-01 73
Day 1: 1 02-01
128. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 1 02-01 73
Day 1: 1 02-01
130. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 1 02-00 71
Day 1: 1 02-00
131. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 1 01-11 70
Day 1: 1 01-11
132. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 1 01-10 69
Day 1: 1 01-10
132. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 1 01-10 69
Day 1: 1 01-10
132. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 1 01-10 69
Day 1: 1 01-10
135. Nate Harden Niles, MI 1 01-09 66
Day 1: 1 01-09
136. Troy Coney Owego, NY 1 01-08 65
Day 1: 1 01-08
137. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 1 01-06 64
Day 1: 1 01-06
137. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 1 01-06 64
Day 1: 1 01-06
137. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 1 01-06 64
Day 1: 1 01-06
140. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 1 01-05 61
Day 1: 1 01-05
141. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 1 01-02 60
Day 1: 1 01-02
142. William Baker Ridgeway, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Scott Fowler Ellijay, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Kyle Healey Almonte CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Tim Jaynes Ethelsville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Phillip Kroll Otego, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Ryan Matylewicz Tunkhannock, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. John Polasini Iii Leland, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
142. Collin Smith Honea Path, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 53 480 1073-12
----------------------------------
53 480 1073-12

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Cancels Final Day of Invitational Stop 3 at Lewis Smith Lake

CULLMAN, Ala. (April 16, 2025) – Following this morning’s tragic boating accident, Major League Fishing (MLF) announced the cancellation of the final day of competition at Invitational Stop 3 scheduled for Thursday on Lewis Smith Lake.

“This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”

by AnglersChannel

James River set to impress for B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier

April 16, 2025

RICHMOND, Va. — A vast playing field awaits anglers competing in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance, but Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ed Loughran believes plenty of bass will be brought to the scales throughout the three-day event.

“It is a great time of year to fish there,” the 2024 Elite Series champion said. “People are going to catch a ton of bass. But, you are going to have to get those couple of bigger bites to reach the 20-pound mark. I would be surprised if it didn’t take around 60 pounds to win.”

Tournament days are scheduled for April 23-25 with daily takeoffs at 6:30 a.m. ET from Osborne Park and Boat Landing. Competitors will begin weighing in at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue. Anglers will be vying for a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at the Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25 in La Crosse, Wis.

The James River has become a regular stop on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, hosting everything from St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, to Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops events as well as Strike King Bassmaster High School Series events. In 2023, James Willoughby and Jacob Pfundt from the University of Montevallo claimed a Bassmaster College Series title at the Virginia fishery with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 9 ounces.

This Nation tournament starts nearly two years to the day as that College Series tournament, and several of the same scenarios will likely play out on the tidal system.

Loughran expects the largemouth in the system to be somewhere in their spawning cycle. Some bass could still be on bed, but the Richmond, Va., native anticipates that most of the largemouth will be postspawn.

“There should be some fish still hanging around spawning,” he said. “A bunch of them will be postspawn and guarding fry. You will be able to do a bunch of different things. The James this time of year will be an all-shallow deal. I don’t think ’Scoping is going to be a big player.”

For the most part, largemouth will be hanging around a variety of shallow cover including cypress trees, laydowns and lily pads. Loughran also anticipates anglers being able to find success in any part of the river, from the gravel pits close to takeoff all the way down to the Chickahominy River.

There is also a variety of forage for the bass in the system, from gizzard and threadfin shad to white and yellow perch. Expect power fishing baits like spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and Texas rigs to all play a big role in this event.

“You are going to see a lot of 16- to 17-pound bags in this tournament,” he said. “There will be a lot of different things happening. You’ll be able to catch stuff out of brushpiles. You’ll be able to go down the bank. You’ll be able to fish cypress flats.”

While the tide cycle is always a factor in some way, Loughran believes anglers should be able to catch bass at any time, not just during an outgoing tide.

Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County are hosting the event.

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.

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

by AnglersChannel

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