DAIWA Adds to the EXIST Family

New EXIST models bring slower gear ratios and great line capacity to serious freshwater and inshore anglers.

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (August 2, 2023) – DAIWA is proud to expand its brilliantly-designed EXIST spinning reel family with new 2500 and 3000 models. Once again, style, innovation, research, and passion come together in the birth of two new EXIST models featuring every bell and whistle an angler could ask for in a spinning reel.

“What you find in the EXIST is a flagship spinning reel designed and manufactured for the most serious of anglers seeking the highest level of performance, weight reduction, and rotation,” says Marc Mills, DAIWA Marketing Manager. “We’re proud to offer more than what anglers have been asking for or even expecting in the expansion of the EXIST family.”

“Perhaps the most important design consideration in the EXIST’s supreme performance,” comments Mills, “is DAIWA built the entire reel around the AIRDRIVE concept.”

Two new additions to the EXIST family include the EXIGLT2500-PCH and EXIGLT3000-H. Both offer anglers the benefits of DAIWA’s Advanced Tournament (ATD) system for a maximum of 22-pounds of drag pressure. The 2500-PCH weighs 6.2-ounces and offers 31.5-inches per handle turn. The 3000-H weighs the same 6.2-ounces with 33.6-inches of line per handle turn. Each holds a vast amount of monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braid for any technique the angler chooses to employ. Each size features 12BB (10CRBB+2MBB) + 1.

The reel is available in interchangeable right- and left-handed version with 5.7:1 gear ratio. All were designed to meet the needs and expectations of freshwater and saltwater anglers fishing different presentations.

“These two new additions to EXIST feature a little slower gear ratio—5.7:1—but with greater line capacity. The current, higher-speed EXIST 2500 has a shallower spool. Same with the 3000, which now offers anglers a deeper spool and 5.7:1 gear ratio compared to the current 6.2:1. These new models will appeal to anglers fishing all monofilament or fluorocarbon; some of the inshore guys will want these models, too, for the increased line capacity,” notes Mills.

DAIWA EXIST FAMILY OVERVIEW

The EXIST family features an EXIST AIRDRIVE System with ZAION AIRDRIVE Rotor, AIRDRIVE Bail, AIRDRIVE Spool, and AIRDRIVE Shaft. Thanks to ZAION, the EXIST AIRDRIVE Rotor is 15% lighter, features a screwless design, flush surface, and greatly increased rigidity. The design eliminates waste without reducing strength. But the largest benefit to the AIRDRIVE ROTOR is the lighter rotation produces less handle turning resistance.

Working in conjunction with the AIRDRIVE ROTOR is the AIRDRIVE SHAFT, which offers better stability and power transfer; it also works with the rotor for smoother, easier rotations. It allows you to feel absolutely nothing when turning the handle—it could be the smoothest rotation in any spinning reel ever built. 

The AIRDRIVE Bail is lighter and angled allowing seamless transition to the line roller. On to the AIRDRIVE Spool, it’s considerably lighter than comparable reels. The clicker in the spool reduces click resistance, creating smoother and much more efficient drag.

For freshwater and inshore anglers seeking their next premium, precision long-casting spinning reel, look no further than the EXIST family, a reel engineered with advanced technology and constructed of the finest and most durable materials available.

Features

  • AIRDRIVE ROTOR
  • AIRDRIVE BAIL
  • AIRDRIVE SPOOL
  • AIRDRIVE SHAFT
  • MONOCOQUE (MQ) Magnesium Frame
  • Ball Bearing Supported ATD-Type L Drag
  • MAGSEALED Frame and Line Roller
  • Machined TOUGH DIGIGEAR

MSRP $859.99


Greg Vinson Jumps to Early Lead at MLF Minn Kota Stage Seven Presented by Suzuki at Saginaw Bay

Alabama Pro Scores a Five-Fish Limit Weighing 22 Pounds, 6 Ounces to Lead After Day 1 for Group A – Group B Begins Competition Wednesday

BAY CITY, Mich. (Aug. 1, 2023) – Phoenix pro Greg “The Rooster” Vinson of Wetumpka, Alabama , went on a morning flurry, weighing in 12 scorable bass, with his best five totaling 22 pounds, 6 ounces, to grab the early lead for Group A after Day 1 of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Minn Kota Stage Seven on Saginaw Bay Presented by Suzuki. Pro Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee sits 4 pounds, 4 ounces behind Vinson with five scorable bass totaling 18-2, good for second place, while Texan Dakota Ebare rounds out the top three, finishing a mere 5 ounces behind Wheeler, with a five-fish limit weighing 17-13.

The six-day tournament, hosted by Bay City, Michigan, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

The 40 anglers in Group A will now have an off day from competition Wednesday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A will resume competition on Thursday.

Vinson shot out of the gate early Tuesday, racking up 22 pounds in Period 1. Although smallmouth dominated the leaderboard throughout the day, largemouth were in contention as well, with many pros– including Vinson – ending the day with a combination of both.

“Man, what an awesome day,” said Vinson. “I knew it was possible after looking at previous weights from past tournaments, but there’s a lot to take into consideration on this big body of water. Somehow, I just ran across them today and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

While mere ounces separated many of the anglers in the top 10, Vinson finished the day with a substantial margin over Wheeler going into the second day of competition for Group A.

“This morning was the kind of day you dream about in tournament fishing,” said Vinson. “Oftentimes you find something in practice that looks promising, but then you pull up during the competition and it’s almost always different than what you expected, so you have to adjust.

“This morning I pulled up where I’d seen these fish the other day during practice, and it started off a little slow, but once they grouped up, it was lights out,” Vinson continued. “There was a school of those bigger smallmouth and every time I’d catch one, I’d pull the whole school up and kind of move them. I had a good feel for the line they were moving up and down each time though, so I just kept fishing around them, and eventually I’d catch another one.”

A total of 16 fish weighing more than 4 pounds were caught during Day 1, with six of those reeled in by Vinson.

“There was about a one-hour window this morning that was just magical,” said Vinson. “Every time I got bit, I pulled out a 4-pounder and those are so hard to come by here this week, so that was something really special that I won’t ever forget. I put a lot of work, worry and stress into this tournament, so it’s nice when you have a day like today and all that preparation pays off.”

Although Vinson filled his limit with quality fish early in the day, he didn’t upgrade once in the final period.

“The last few hours of the day were fun, but unproductive,” Vinson continued. “I caught three or four later in the last period that were scorable, but not significant.

“I really thought I’d get some 2- to 3-pound largemouth while running new water this afternoon, but obviously the area I was in wasn’t the ticket,” said Vinson. “Thankfully I figured that out today and not during the competition on Thursday, and that also gave me more confidence in the areas where I did find some better largemouth.”

Vinson said he spent 12 hours looking for quality smallmouth during practice, and only has one area that he feels confident in going into the next day of competition.

“I hate to even think about having to go find them again, so if it’s not happening on Thursday, I’ll just have to jump on the largemouth train and try to get through to the next round,” Vinson said. “I think the biggest factor for me is going to be the wind that’s being forecast. With the area I’m in and the style I’m fishing, I feel really vulnerable going into the second day of competition.

“I’m not a smallmouth specialist,” Vinson continued. “I can catch them, but when the weather changes the smallmouth will change patterns, so I have to be ready for that and have another plan in place.

“I came into this event on the other side of the cutline for REDCREST, which will be in my home state of Alabama next year,” Vinson continued. “Hopefully I can catch enough to make it through to the next round and have a good chance of qualifying for REDCREST.”

The top 20 pros in Group A after Day 1 on Saginaw Bay are:

1st:           Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 22-6
2nd:          Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 18-2
3rd:          Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 17-13
4th:           Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 17-11
5th:           Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., five bass, 16-13
6th:           Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 16-10
7th:           Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., five bass, 16-8
8th:           Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 16-4
9th:           Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 16-2
10th:        Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 15-10
11th:        Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 15-7
12th:        Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 15-7
13th:        Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 15-3
14th:        Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., five bass, 14-14
15th:        Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 14-13
16th:        Bradley Roy, Lancaster, K.Y., five bass, 14-12
17th:        Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, five bass, 14-8
18th:        Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 14-8
19th:        Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., five bass, 14-7
20th:        Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 14-6
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Vinson tied with Berkley pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama for Tuesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award, each weighing in a bass totaling 4 pounds, 10 ounces, to claim a share of the daily award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.

The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET from the Golson Boat Launch, located at 1598 N. Johnson St. in Bay City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch location, beginning at 4 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.

As part of the event, on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Wenonah Park in Bay City from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors with free giveaways, local vendors, photo opportunities with pro anglers and PAW Patrol characters and the opportunity for fans to hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! ®  big screen during the MLF Watch Party. The first 100 kids onsite each day will get a free rod and reel combo, and fans can also check out the latest gear and offerings from MLF and MLF sponsors including Toyota, Suzuki, the U.S. Air Force, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Kubota.

On Sunday, the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies. Kalamazoo’s own Kevin VanDam will be onsite throughout the weekend to celebrate his final regular-season professional tournament with fans.

The Minn Kota Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay Presented by Suzuki features anglers competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ETMLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com  and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

Television coverage of the Minn Kota Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River Presented by Suzuki Championship Round will air with a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, November 11, on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG by Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.

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, TwitterInstagram and YouTube.


STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN FISHERIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES FROM BASS FISHING HOF

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – 8/1/23 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Supporting those whose future career paths will focus on healthy fisheries, essential access, and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors has announced the 10 recipients of the inaugural Fishery Management Scholarship program stipends. Each of the winners will receive a $2,500 stipend to assist with undergraduate and post-graduate educational needs during the 2023-24 school year.

“Through the Board’s many contacts in fishery management positions at state, federal and provincial levels, we are aware of the need for future fishery and natural resource professionals,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “We also know many of those same folks come from the ranks of recreational anglers, especially those who enjoy bass fishing. This project not only abides by our mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport, but it also has an impact on well-managed recreational fisheries throughout the U.S. and Canada. Along with assisting these students financially so they can pursue their educational goals, the Bass Fishing HOF is also doing a small part to support the business side of our sport. There’s no need to manufacture and/or buy bass tackle, boats and other essential gear if there is a shortage of healthy bass fishing waters in which to use them.”

Six of the recipients are pursuing bachelor's degrees in their chosen fields while the other four are working toward a master's degree. The recipients are (in alphabetical order):

Ryan Baker

Hometown: Holladay, Tenn.

College/University: University of Tennessee at Martin

Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Biology

 

Sawyer Batterson

Hometown: Providence, Pa.

College/University: SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry

Area of Study: B.S., Fisheries Science

 

Natalie Coash

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.

College/University: Auburn

Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science

 

Abigale Culberson

Hometown: Waterville, New Brunswick, Canada

College/University: University of New Brunswick at Fredericton

Area of Study: M.S., Environmental Management

 

Nicholas Foster

Hometown: Lakeview, Ala.

College/University: Birmingham Southern

Area of Study: B.S., Environmental Science

 

Trevor Johnston

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

College/University: Texas A&M

Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Management

 

Terra Martinez

Hometown: Las Cruces, N.M.

College/University: New Mexico State

Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Management

 

Marcus Prull

Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa

College/University: Auburn

Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science

 

Max Rubino

Hometown: Craig, Mt.

College/University: Auburn

Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science

 

Dade Vincent

Hometown: Graham, Ky.

College/University: Murray State

Area of Study: B.S., Fisheries Biology

 

According to noted fisheries biologist Gene Gilliland, who is both a 2022 Bass Fishing HOF and also chairs the Board’s conservation committee, the assistance program drew 39 applicants, all of whom had to show their passion for the sport by being a member of either B.A.S.S. or Major League Fishing.

“We then enlisted the assistance of key individuals in senior positions in fishery management and government affairs in the review process,” said Gilliland. “They poured over the applications, transcripts and recommendation letters to come up with the top 10.”

Among those who participated in the selection process were Phil Morlock, Director of Government Affairs with the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association; Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Ross Self, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the South Carolina DNR; and Dr. Mark Rogers, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Leader at Tennessee Tech University.

Mazurkiewicz noted that programs like the BFHOF’s conservations grants and the now Fishery Management Scholarship stipends would never be possible without the support the Hall receives from past inductees, professional anglers competing on the B.A.S.S and MLF tournament trails, bass anglers nationwide who support the Hall’s annual online auctions, and many leading companies involved in the bass fishing industry.

The BFHOF Board will announce details and application requirement for the 2024 Fishery Management Scholarship program later this year. It again expects to award at least $25,000 to up to 10 students looking to pursue degrees in natural resource fields with an end goal of becoming a practicing fishery manager.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will honor the Class of 2023 at its annual induction ceremony on September 28th  at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium adjacent to the Bass Pro Shop flagship store in Springfield, Mo. Glen Andrews, Bruce Holt and Mike Iaconelli will be inducted.

“Special thanks again go to B.A.S.S. and MLF, along with Phoenix Boats, for being presenting sponsors at our upcoming 2023 induction ceremony and festivities,” said Mazurkiewicz. “The evening has finally reached that ‘must attend’ status in the sport, and because of it, bass anglers in the U.S. and Canada see the benefits.”


Savage Gear Introduces the High-Action Panic Popper

COLUMBIA, S.C. (August 1, 2023) – Savage Gear’s newest lure to drive bass mad, the Tough Toad is a twin curved paddle tail soft plastic lure that delivers a strong kicking action to entice the most violent of bites. Based on 3D scans from a real toad, this lure is as close as it gets to the real thing.

Coupled with the extremely buoyant, soft, and extraordinarily durable Duratech plastic, the Tough Toad allows anglers to keep it floating even when standing completely still. Perfectly fit for a jig trailer or fished weedless as a topwater bait, the Tough Toad delivers unmatched realism, performance, and value any angler can appreciate.

KEY FEATURES
• Based on 3D scans from a real toad
• Duratech 12x tough TPE for increased durability
• Updated Z-hook design (3 hooks per pack)
• Floating solid body for no water intrusion

Sizes: 3.5-inch
Colors: Green Frog • Albino Flash • Green Pumpkin • Green Pumpkin Chartreuse • June Bug • Black • Tan Frog • Black and Blue Flake
MSRP: $8.99 (includes 3pcs/pack)
Available: September 2023


Do Not Fly List: These Items Should NOT Go in Your Checked Fishing Luggage

By Pete Robbins- Half Past First Cast

If you’re flying to an epic fishing trip, in most circumstances you’ll have to check a bag at some point. While TSA does provide some vague guidance allowing for some hooks to be in your carry-on luggage, ultimately the US government, foreign governments and individual airlines will interpret the regulations differently. The TSA website, for example, makes clear that “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” That means no appeals (no calling manager, even if your name is Karen). Let discretion be the better part of valor -- sharp stuff should get checked.  Here are their details.

Also, remember that TSA has the final word in America, but when you’re on foreign soil you’re playing by a whole different set of rules.

Let’s start with lures. Before you place your sharp items in your checked luggage – not just hooks and lures, but also items like fillet knives and other tools – put them in cases or shroud them in bubble wrap. Assume that your luggage will be searched, and it’s not fair to the people working to keep us safe to put them at risk. Besides, if you do end up injuring them, that just increases the likelihood that your gear will be “misplaced” or confiscated.

Beyond that, there are both practical and logical “rules” about what you can, should, can’t and cannot put in your checked luggage.

First, be prepared to lose anything and everything. Unlike some of you, I don’t think most baggage handlers and TSA agents are thieves, and I’ve been fortunate not to lose anything, but at the same time I’m sure there are some bad apples out there. Don’t tempt them. That means that any small items you can carry on your person should stay with you at all times – for example, cash, medications and fine jewelry (the latter of which begs the question: Why the hell are you bringing fine jewelry on a fishing trip?).

What other things should you not place in your checked luggage?

If you answered “firearms,” you might be wrong. As long as you pack them correctly, declare them properly, fly with an airline that allows them, and comply with local, state and/or international guidelines, you CAN bring a firearm on a fishing trip. That may be important if you’re headed out on a “cast and blast” expedition. Flare guns, however, are not allowed.

Definitely do not pack illegal narcotics – you do not want to end up in any jail, least of all a foreign one. I would recommend as a general matter bringing seeds, produce or meat into a foreign country, or back from a foreign country, with the one notable exception being bringing home fish fillets under certain circumstances. If you want to do that, make sure you have a proper container (both hard-sided and soft-sided coolers can be checked) and that the fish and is fully frozen. Freezer packs are OK as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. The inclusion of dry ice is up to the airline, and even if it is allowed you’re maxed out at 5.5 pounds.

Surprisingly, you may be allowed to bring live fish in your carry-on bags (but not your checked luggage): “Live fish in water and a clear transparent container are allowed after inspection by the TSA officer.” I assume this is intended for tropical fish, not your trophy tarpon. Certain locations and countries may frown upon you taking home their prized resources, and the introduction of non-native species is a problem as well, so use discretion if you try this one. [Note: live coral is allowed in carry-on luggage, but not checked luggage.)

I was surprised that TSA’s list prohibited “English Christmas Crackers” in both checked and carry-on luggage. I figured this was some continuing animus against British food dating back to the Revolutionary War, but a quick Google search revealed that they are not baked goods, but rather a snapping table decoration.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/english-christmas-crackers

That brings us to a good point – you don’t want anything that is going to explode in your luggage, causing damage to your gear or – worse yet – the plane itself. That means many aerosols are banned, including WD40 and other flammables. On the other hand, non-flammable aerosols like shaving cream and whipped cream (what kind of kinky angler brings whipped cream on a fishing trip?) are allowed. Also, both the FAA and TSA specify that flammable liquids, gels and paints are not allowed.

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/

The Mexican bass guides all swear by chartreuse dipping dye on their soft plastics. Are the dips and aerosols like Spike-It flammable? Tackle Warehouse’s site states that “This product is flammable and can not be shipped Air. It CAN ONLY be shipped UPS Ground.” Other products, like Dyeing2Fish, do not have that same disclaimer. Use your discretion here – a dye pen might be your safest option.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spike_It_Dip-N-Glo_Worm_Dye/descpage-SIDGWD.html

I can tell you without a doubt that you should not fly with JJ’s Magic, one of the most effective scent/dye products. It will build up pressure and crack the jar. Luckily, when I made this mistake I’d had the foresight to double-wrap the jar in a couple of Ziploc bags which prevented all of my luggage from smelling like a spaghetti dinner.

What about inflatable life jackets? I’d always heard stories about them inflating when placed in pressurized situations and assumed that they would be banned. Surprisingly, TSA states that you may bring a life vest with up to two CO2 cartridges inside, plus two spare cartridges in your carry-on or checked bag. You may not transport CO2 cartridges without the associated lifejacket. Still, if you need a PFD and your outfitter does not provide them, I’d first recommend finding another outfitter, and second recommend that you bring a standard non-inflatable.

Aerosols are a huge area of concern and confusion. For example, aerosol insecticides are not allowed in carry-on bags, but they are allowed in checked bags as long as they are not labeled as hazardous material (HAZMAT). My advice: bring a lotion or liquid. If you’re headed to Alaska, remember that bear spray is not allowed on any US commercial flights

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/bear-spray

but limited quantities of other self-defense sprays (like mace, pepper spray) may be allowed

Finally, in case you were wonder, hand warmers and toe warmers are allowed – Hanna will be happy.

If you’d like more advice on how to fly efficiently and safely, check us out at www.halfpastfirstcast.com. If you have specific questions, feel free to email us anytime at [email protected].


Sell a Man a Fish? FishTips Exclusive

The guys kick off a fresh round of podcasting with Austin Neary of FishTips.com to discuss the platform and services.  For more information on FishTips, check 'em out here


Cifuentes Spots 2nd Bassmaster Elite Series Trophy with Fin-Nor Eyewear

Fin-Nor pro Joey Cifuentes earned a win on Lake St. Clair: his second in the Elite Series this year during his rookie season.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (August 1, 2023) –After an action-packed four days at Lake St. Clair, Joey Cifuentes’ total of 91 pounds, 8 ounces proved to be the $100,000 prize winner. But it wasn’t until the final day of action when Cifuentes took over the top spot, totaling a day-four bag of 23 pounds, 13 ounces amongst a very competitive field. The win marks his second in the Bassmaster Elite Series this year, a major milestone for his rookie year.

Joey Cifuentes caught most of the bass near tall cabbage weeds, so it was crucial for him to spot the vegetation and fish below the surface. To aid him in this task, he relied on the Fin-Nor Flybridge glasses with a green mirror.

The lenses enhanced primary colors without any kind of distortion and enabled the two-time champion to literally spot the next bite. Built from lightweight materials, the Fin-Nor frames provided Cifuentes with all-day comfort with adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips and integrated spring hinges, allowing him to spend less time thinking about his eyewear and more time focused on the task at hand.

"The Flybridge sunglasses really helped keep me locked-in over the course of the tournament,” Cifuentes said. “For the long days I had on the water, they were lightweight and my green-mirrored copper lenses eliminated any kind of eye fatigue I might have had.

The glasses feature Fin-Nor’s cutting edge Lateral Line lens technology, which gives anglers the advantage by cutting down on glare and providing optimal visibility for what’s beneath the surface. An oleophobic/hydrophobic top and bottom coat help reduce the effects of water spray, smudges, and scratches all while the lenses work to fully protect your eyes.

The Fin-Nor polarized polycarbonate lenses that guided Cifuentes to victory were proven to be 2X more scratch-resistant than the closest competitor based on the Bayer (Alundum 10-SQ) scratch resistance test by Colts Laboratories, providing Cifuentes maximum protection while providing him with the clearest picture of his surroundings.


Alabama Angler Puts Yamaha Power Pay Bonuses Over $1 Million

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

KENNESAW, Ga. – August 1, 2023Anthony Vintson of northern Alabama helped put Yamaha Power Pay contingency payouts over the $1 million mark with his recent 7th place finish during a recent Alabama Bass Team Trail event on Wheeler Lake.

Vintson, who served eight years in the U.S. Army, most of which aspart of the 101st Airborne Division, became President of the Auburn Bass Fishing Team while earning a degree in accounting and finance.

He now spends his days working at a public accounting firm andloves to compete in Alabama Bass Team Trail events.

His recent 7th place finish at Wheeler was high enough to earn him the Power Pay money, which ultimately pushed payouts of the four-year-old program to more than a million dollars paid-out to registeredtournament anglers.

"As the Yamaha Power Pay program reaches this incredible milestone of $1 million in payouts, we would like to thank our angler customers for their loyalty to the Yamaha brand," said Connor Megan, Pro Staff and Sponsorship Supervisor, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. "We plan to continue the Power Pay momentum by adding more events and bigger payouts. Yamaha outboard owners enrolled in the program will have more opportunities than ever before to earn money through Power Pay!"

Vintson used forward facing sonar on his beloved Xpress® boat powered by a Yamaha 250 V MAX SHO® to spot stumps holding fish in 6 to 10-feet of water, and most of their catch bit a Roboworm on adrop shot.

“I love my Xpress® boat because it’s tough enough to stand up to my rough and ragged fishing style, but spacious and well designed to be a great fishing boat. And there’s a real simple reason I wanted a Yamaha; my dad is an outboard mechanic, he owns Vintson Marine on Smith Lake, and he’ll tell you they work on Yamahas far less than any other brand,” emphasizes Vintson.

Straightforward wisdom from a former soldier and collegiate bass club president who will be fast to tell you, you don’t have to be a tax accountant to figure out Power Pay is a really good deal for tournament anglers of all levels who run a Yamaha. To register and learn more, visit yamahapowerpay.com.


Peru’s Morrison Gets Elusive Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Champlain

Quebec’s Tremblay Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 31, 2023) – Boater Alec Morrison of Peru, New York, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Champlain . The tournament, hosted by the City of Plattsburgh, was the third event of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Morrison earned $6,537, including a $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

“I basically had the same plan and area that I caught them in during the BFL here in early July,” said Morrison. “I stuck to the same game plan and fished only in the inland sea. I was running stuff I had caught them on for years. I basically just had to rotate spots and find which spots the big ones were relating to today. Once I was able to figure that out, I was able to catch a lot of fish and got six or seven quality bites.”

Morrison, who also won the Toyota Series event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir earlier this season, said rainy weather played a factor Saturday and made the fishing tough for him. Morrison said he employed a drop-shot rig tipped with a 4-inch Reins Bubbling Shaker for all of his final weigh fish, but he also caught fish on a swimbait and on a craw-imitator fished on the bottom as well.

“I thought my first big one of the day was only 4¼ or 4½ pounds, then I weighed it and it ended up being close to 5 pounds,” Morrison said. “I knew that a big bite was going to be really crucial. I knew I could catch 4-pounders, but when I caught that big one it was really the difference maker. You definitely need one of those to get over the 21-pound mark, and I knew when I caught that fish at 8:30 (a.m.) that I had a really good shot for the rest of the day.

“There’s a lot of 4-pounders on Champlain,” Morrison added. “The difference between a 4½-pounder and one that weighs 5 here is huge. You just don’t catch smallmouth that big very often here.”

Morris’ two wins have come in his third year after trading in co-angler status for fishing out of the front of the boat, and Morrison said he couldn’t be happier.

“I always kind of expected my first big win to come on Champlain,” Morrison said. “But it’s kind of been a thorn in my side. I have great events here but can’t seem to seal the deal. I’ve been fishing this lake since I was 10 years old, and to be able to win today really means a lot to me.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:          Alec Morrison, Peru, N.Y., five bass, 21-10, $6,537 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:        Ryan Latinville, Plattsburgh, N.Y., five bass, 20-5, $2,019
3rd:        Bryan Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., five bass, 19-15, $1,815
4th:         Andrew Bechard, Plattsburgh, N.Y., five bass, 19-13, $942
5th:         Jim Sweeney, West Dover, Vt., five bass, 19-4, $740
5th:         Stephen Estes, Auburn, N.H., five bass, 19-4, $740
5th:         Barry Rathbone, Box Elder, S.D., five bass, 19-4, $740
8th:         Jared Barkyoumb, Winooski, Vt., five bass, 19-3, $606
9th:         Teimuraz Balachvili, Scarsdale, N.Y., five bass, 19-1, $1,083
10th:      Spencer Cookson, Sheffield, Mass., five bass, 18-15, $471
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.Teimuraz Balachvili of Scarsdale, New York, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $545.

 

 

Nathan Tremblay of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,181 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 18 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:          Nathan Tremblay, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, five bass, 18-7, $2,181
2nd:        Shawn Weil, Oley, Pa., five bass, 17-6, $991
3rd:        Tom Rufenacht, Bel Air, Md., five bass, 17-4, $662
4th:         Joseph Amberg Jr., Hawley, Pa., five bass, 16-7, $462
5th:         Scott Minch, Feasterville, Pa., five bass, 16-4, $396
6th:         Josh Kauffman, Marysville, Pa., five bass, 16-2, $363
7th:         Jimmy Caffrey, Holliston, Mass., five bass, 16-0, $330
8th:         Ethan Lee, Jermyn, Pa., five bass, 15-15, $297
9th:         Glenn Key, Reading, Pa., five bass, 15-6, $264
10th:      Hunter Navari, Colchester, Vt., five bass, 15-3, $231
Darren Noble of Hainesport, New Jersey, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $267, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.After three events, Michael Gardner of Townsend, Delaware, leads the BFL Northeast Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 709 points, while Carson Myers of Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 696 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X 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.


Cifuentes notches second Bassmaster Elite Series win of season at Lake St. Clair

Joey Cifuentes of Clinton, Ark., has won the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a four-day total of 91 pounds, 8 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

July 30, 2023

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — A sure sign Joey Cifuentes III was in line to win his second blue trophy came when a 5-pound smallmouth jumped into his boat midway through Championship Sunday at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

That bass helped “the Cowboy” claim his second victory of his rookie season on the Elite Series with a four-day total of 91 pounds, 8 ounces, outlasting Oklahoma’s Luke Palmer by 1-2 ounces.

The Clinton, Ark., pro caught 22-10, 24-0 and 21-1 the first three days before landing 23-13 on the final day. Including his acrobatic smallmouth, Cifuentes landed four smallmouth that weighed over 5 pounds on the final day.

“That is what you dream about, to have a Championship day like that,” Cifuentes said. “The conditions were perfect. I knew the fish were there and I got to fish really effectively. It was meant to be.

“It seemed like there were the perfect amount of fish there for me to win this tournament. It was great.”

Cifuentes’ first victory of the season came back in February at Lake Seminole, an event he led for the final three days. At St. Clair, he did not lead a day until it mattered the most.

“At Seminole, I had a pretty good lead, and that was way more stressful,” he said. “Here, all of these guys could have caught a really big bag and won. But I was trying to get to the top instead of holding the lead. The pressure here wasn’t even close to what it was on Seminole.”

All week, Cifuentes cruised around a large area on the Canadian side of St. Clair, targeting smallies that had transitioned into their summertime patterns. There was a healthy population of perch in the area and, maybe more importantly, he had it almost entirely to himself.

The majority of his weight was caught from 18 feet of water around cabbage grass with a drop shot he built with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight and a brown back colored 3.6-inch Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm rigged on a No. 2 Berkley Fusion 19 drop-shot hook.

He pitched that to his smallmouth with a 7-foot Abu Garcia Fantasista X spinning rod and a new Revo spinning reel spooled with 10-pound Berkley X5 braid tied to an 8-pound Berkley fluorocarbon leader.

Every bass that entered the boat was first viewed on Garmin LiveScope and he would not make a cast if he didn’t see one on his screen.

Windy and wavy conditions out in the abyss prevented Cifuentes from effectively using his forward-facing technology on Day 3 but on the final day, calmer and brighter conditions prevailed.

After missing a couple to start the morning, Cifuentes caught his first 5-pounder and went on a flurry of big fish, which included his highlight-reel smallmouth.

“I can’t believe that fish jumped in the boat. It jumped right next to the boat and then jumped in the boat,” he said. “That is the way I want to land them every time if I can.

“I went to some waypoints I had that I didn’t get to fish yesterday, and in that one little spot, I caught all of my big fish. There was a good strip of cabbage that was about 100 yards long that they were sitting in.”

With bags of 22-0, 23-12, 22-11 and 21-15, Palmer finished as the runner-up with a four-day total of 90-6. During the first three days, the Coalgate, Okla., pro split his time between two sections of Anchor Bay, one more populated than the other.

The area with the fewest boats turned out to be his best area when the sun got to its highest point, and on Championship Sunday, Palmer decided to spend his entire day there. It was a slow start to the morning, but he worked his way to a limit around mid-morning before landing several 4-pound smallies in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, he just never got a really big bite and the bass never rose off the bottom for him to see with his LiveScope.

“All day long I knew I needed one more fish and I never got that bite today,” he said. “I’m not going to complain about it. It was a good week and it wasn’t meant for me to win. Joey did a heck of a job this week, and he had the big final day he needed. I’m not mad about a Top 5.”

Palmer threw a tube rigged on a 3/8-ounce or 1/2-ounce Great Lakes Finesse jighead as well as a Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow with a 3/16-ounce jighead. A drop shot with a Yum Warning Shot and a 5/16-ounce Rougarou tungsten weight also caught several key bass.

Japanese pro and fan favorite Takumi Ito finished third with a four-day total of 89-11 with bags weighing 21-12, 25-8, 20-6 and 22-1.

While he may not have won the trophy, Ito won the $2,000 prize for VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament with his Day 2 bag and won the $2,000 bonus for Phoenix Boat Big Bass of the Tournament with the 6-2 smallie he also caught on Day 2.

“It was so hard to find ‘Smallmouth Disneyland’ and I don’t know why,” he said. “Two times I found a school and the fish came into my boat and were easy to catch. I needed one more 5-pounder.”

Ito caught bass throughout the day and every smallie he had weighed over 4 pounds, but was unable to find another 5-pounder to bolster his bag.

A Neko-rigged worm with a 1/8-ounce weight was key to getting his smallmouth to bite in Anchor Bay as well as a 1/4-ounce drop shot with a variety of soft plastics including a 2-inch Ecogear Aqua Bug Ants.

Both Louisiana’s Greg Hackney and Cifuentes landed a 5-1 smallmouth and split the $1,000 prize for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of Day 4. Jason Christiestill has a firm grip on the $10,000 check for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the year with his 9-4 Lay Lake largemouth.

Hackney took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program while South Carolina’s Bryan New earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Ito earned an additional $2,500 as the highest-placing entrant and Day 1 leader Shane LeHew, who finished the event in 14th, claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

John Crews of Salem, Va., won the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency award for the most accurate weight reporting.

South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 573 points. Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., is second with 572 points, followed by Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 532, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., with 532 and Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 529.

Cifuentes leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 516 points, followed by Japanese pro Kyoya Fujita in second with 491 and Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. in third with 460.


Palmer muscles his way into the lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake St. Clair

Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., is leading after Day 3 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a three-day total of 68 pounds, 7 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

July 29, 2023

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — Boat problems are a regular annoyance for Elite Series anglers but had Luke Palmer not suffered mechanical issues during practice for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, he might have driven past the spot that has yielded over 22 pounds each of the past three days.

The Coalgate, Okla., pro landed 22 pounds, 11 ounces on Semifinal Saturday to take the lead with a three-day total weighing 68-7. He leads Arkansas rookie Joey Cifuentes III by 12 ounces and Japan’s Taku Ito by 13 ounces.

“It is weird for me to be leading a smallmouth deal,” Palmer said. “I’ve done well at Champlain. This place, we came here for the 2019 AOY Championship and I sucked. We came here in 2020 and I ended up 60th. I didn’t understand it. I was just doing stupid stuff.”

During practice, Palmer was running across the lake and suffered a motor issue that forced him to head back in to visit the service crew. After that quick pit stop, Palmer started fishing and landed two smallies over 5 pounds and a 4-pounder.

“I have stayed here close every day and it is working out,” he said. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it may have been a blessing in disguise.”

The tournament is setting up eerily similar to Palmer’s Elite Series victory at the Santee Cooper Lakes in April, where he made his way from 10th on Day 1 to the top spot on Day 3. At St. Clair, Palmer started in 12th with 22-0 on Day 1 before catching 23-12 to move into third place.

“I’m happy just to be in contention to win this one,” he said. “I had a super-good practice, which is normally a bad sign. But this one, this is a reverse role on it and it is working out.”

Palmer has started each day moving around a massive flat not far from takeoff, a flat that has been pressured by much of the field this week. Once the sun gets up, he has moved to what he feels is his best area and has been able to make key culls each day.

The bass on this particular spot have moved every day and it takes a little time for Palmer to relocate them.

“I’m not catching a ton of fish, but when you do catch one, they are normally better than average,” Palmer said. “They are just roaming. The area has some short sand grass and some taller cabbage. That might be what is keeping them there, but the perch are in there big time.”

The first two days, a drop shot was responsible for most of his bites, but he struggled to generate strikes with it on Day 3.

A couple of hours in, Palmer switched to a Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow on a 3/16-ounce jighead and landed two 4-pounders on back-to-back casts before 10 a.m. When the wind kicked up, he moved to his best spot and filled his limit.

“I got there and whack, I caught one around 5 pounds and I went a little further and caught another 5,” Palmer said. “And then I put the bait down and picked up a drop shot and kept having fish follow my stuff down. I got back to where a group of fish was and kept trying to find the right drifts. I picked up that bait again (and caught more).”

Strong winds and cloud cover followed early morning storms and lingered for much of the morning. But calmer, sunnier conditions are expected on Championship Sunday, which would play right into Palmer’s hands with the minnow presentation.

“If it gets slick calm, you boys might want to watch out,” Palmer said. “I figured them out in practice on that and when you get in the right area and find them, it can get wild in a hurry.”

The wind made life difficult for Cifuentes, who caught 21-1 to improve his total to 67-11. During the first two days, he used his forward-facing sonar to catch 22-10 and 24-0.

Throughout the week, he has been targeting smallies living in 18 feet of water in Canada.

“I was fortunate to catch a 5-pounder pretty quickly,” he said. “I caught some fish but didn’t get the quality. I had one more 4-pounder and everything else was 3 1/2. It was much tougher. The waves were so bad I couldn’t effectively use my LiveScope. But I was all in on the spot.”

A brown back-colored Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm rigged on a drop shot has caught most of his bass this week. To get above the grass in his area, he has used a 2-foot leader. The first two days, Cifuentes used a 1/4-ounce weight. But with the conditions, he needed a 1/2-ounce weight.

After landing 21-12 on Day 1 and then the VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament at 25-8 on Day 2, Ito added 20-6 on Semifinal Saturday to land in third with a total of 67-10. Conditions also made it difficult for Ito, who preferred the calmer conditions from Day 2.

“I tried to find the big school of Disneyland bass, but strong wind was very hard on me. I couldn’t see them very well,” Ito said. “The morning wasn’t rough water, so I caught a couple of big ones. But strong winds in the afternoon ... no good. Very bad.”

Ito landed his biggest bass of the day during the calmer morning hours, a 5-pounder which he nicknamed “Zona Bass” after longtime Bassmaster LIVE host Mark Zona.

“Zona has muscles and a big body, and that bass was big with muscles,” he laughed. “So, I called it Zona Bass.”

Ito used basically the same techniques he used the first two days, mixing in a drop shot and a Neko rig. With the hefty breeze, he had to up his weight sizes on both in order to get a proper presentation.

“On Day 3, I fished the same spot as Day 2,” he said. “Today there was too much wind, so I used a 1/2-ounce weight on the drop shot and the Neko rig was a 3/16-ounce. Yesterday I used a 1/8- or 1/16-ounce Neko rig.”

Not only does Ito have control of the VMC Monster Bag, but he also holds Phoenix Boat Big Bass of the Tournament honors with the 6-2 smallie he landed on Day 2. Tennessee’s Jacob Foutz earned the $1,000 daily bonus on Day 3 with a 5-10 smallmouth.

South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 573 points. Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., is second with 572 points, followed by Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 532, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., with 532 and Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 529.

Cifuentes leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 515 points, followed by Japanese pro Kyoya Fujita in second with 490 and Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. in third with 460.

The Top 10 remaining pros will launch from Brandenburg Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET on Championship Sunday and will return for weigh-in beginning at 3 p.m. The winner will hoist the coveted blue trophy and earn the top prize of $100,000.

Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Saturday morning from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on FS1 before moving to Bassmaster.com until 2:45 p.m.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 7/27-7/30
Lake St. Clair, Chesterfield Township  MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK            15  68-07  104
Day 1: 5   22-00     Day 2: 5   23-12     Day 3: 5   22-11
2.  Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             15  67-11  103
Day 1: 5   22-10     Day 2: 5   24-00     Day 3: 5   21-01
3.  Taku Ito               Chiba, JAPAN            15  67-10  102   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-12     Day 2: 5   25-08     Day 3: 5   20-06
4.  Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD               15  67-02  101   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   23-03     Day 2: 5   20-12     Day 3: 5   23-03
5.  Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN 15  66-13  100
Day 1: 5   22-14     Day 2: 5   21-14     Day 3: 5   22-01
6.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        15  66-03   99
Day 1: 5   22-09     Day 2: 5   22-13     Day 3: 5   20-13
7.  Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN          15  65-15   98   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-00     Day 2: 5   20-04     Day 3: 5   23-11
8.  Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi  15  65-11   97
Day 1: 5   21-11     Day 2: 5   22-15     Day 3: 5   21-01
9.  Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            15  65-06   96
Day 1: 5   21-02     Day 2: 5   22-10     Day 3: 5   21-10
10. Frank Talley           Temple, TX              15  65-04   95
Day 1: 5   22-08     Day 2: 5   21-11     Day 3: 5   21-01
11. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI       15  65-00   94  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   22-04     Day 3: 5   22-05
12. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC           15  64-11   93  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-09     Day 2: 5   21-14     Day 3: 5   20-04
13. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA            15  64-07   92  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-03     Day 2: 5   21-14     Day 3: 5   20-06
14. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC             15  64-05   91  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   24-03     Day 2: 5   18-14     Day 3: 5   21-04
15. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           15  63-14   90  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-02     Day 2: 5   23-13     Day 3: 5   20-15
16. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX             15  63-09   89  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   22-02     Day 3: 5   21-00
17. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL           15  63-09   88  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   21-05     Day 3: 5   21-04
18. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              15  63-03   87  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   20-12     Day 3: 5   21-07
19. Bryan New              Saluda, SC              15  63-02   86  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   23-12     Day 3: 5   19-00
20. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                 15  62-09   85  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   21-02     Day 3: 5   21-13
21. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           15  62-03   84  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   23-14     Day 2: 5   19-09     Day 3: 5   18-12
22. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL        15  62-02   83  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-01     Day 2: 5   21-11     Day 3: 5   19-06
23. Cole Sands             Calhoun, TN             15  61-15   82  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-04     Day 2: 5   20-03     Day 3: 5   20-08
24. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA           15  61-13   81  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   22-03     Day 3: 5   20-00
25. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA            15  61-12   80  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   21-00     Day 3: 5   22-13
26. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15  61-09   79  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-10     Day 2: 5   22-12     Day 3: 5   20-03
27. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC          15  61-08   78  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   21-06     Day 3: 5   19-04
28. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           15  61-06   77  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-14     Day 2: 5   21-05     Day 3: 5   21-03
29. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH            15  61-02   76  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-05     Day 2: 5   22-04     Day 3: 5   16-09
30. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         15  60-13   75  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-05     Day 2: 5   22-03     Day 3: 5   20-05
31. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           15  60-13   74  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-08     Day 2: 5   21-12     Day 3: 5   18-09
32. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               15  60-13   73  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-15     Day 2: 5   21-05     Day 3: 5   19-09
33. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          15  60-01   72  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-02     Day 2: 5   19-10     Day 3: 5   18-05
34. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN       15  59-14   71  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   19-14     Day 3: 5   19-02
35. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI       15  59-07   70  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   20-08     Day 3: 5   18-08
36. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          15  59-06   69  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   20-00     Day 3: 5   19-02
37. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               15  59-01   68  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   22-12     Day 3: 5   17-01
38. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN            15  58-14   67  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-14     Day 2: 5   21-07     Day 3: 5   17-09
39. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL           15  58-08   66  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-08     Day 2: 5   19-15     Day 3: 5   20-01
40. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA            15  58-07   65  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-11     Day 2: 5   22-07     Day 3: 5   17-05
41. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            15  58-01   64  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   21-06     Day 3: 5   17-12
42. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX            15  57-14   63  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   20-01     Day 3: 5   17-07
43. Skylar Hamilton        Jefferson, TN           15  57-10   62  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   23-04     Day 3: 5   18-08
44. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL             15  57-07   61  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   18-14     Day 3: 5   18-13
45. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          15  57-05   60  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-11     Day 2: 5   19-05     Day 3: 5   17-05
46. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID            15  57-01   59  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-14     Day 2: 5   19-07     Day 3: 5   17-12
47. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              15  56-13   58  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   20-14     Day 3: 5   16-11
48. Larry Nixon            Bee Branch, AR          15  56-04   57  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   21-11     Day 3: 5   15-08
49. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA              15  56-01   56  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-08     Day 2: 5   18-05     Day 3: 5   17-04
50. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              15  55-07   55  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-03     Day 2: 5   20-09     Day 3: 5   16-11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Bryan Schmitt            Deale, MD           06-01      $1,000.00
2   Taku Ito                 Chiba JAPAN         06-02      $1,000.00
3   Jacob Foutz              Charleston, TN      05-10      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       102       510      1936-00
2       102       510      1995-05
3        50       250       985-01
----------------------------------
254      1270      4916-06


Robinson and Abbott score home-state victory in Bassmaster High School Championship on Lake Hartwell

Mitchell Robinson and Cody Abbott of South Carolina's Byrnes High School have won the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on historic Lake Hartwell with a three-day total of 33 pounds, 3 ounces. 

Photo by Tyler Bridges/B.A.S.S.

July 29, 2023

ANDERSON, S.C. — Mitchell Robinson and Cody Abbott outlasted intense heat, a tough summer bite on Lake Hartwell and 480 other teams from across North America to win the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

The 17-year-old incoming seniors from South Carolina’s Byrnes High School finished the three-day derby with nine bass weighing 33 pounds, 3 ounces. That haul included a 12-5 bag on Saturday — the second heaviest of the tournament. They were in third place after an 11-15 limit on Day 1 but dropped to fifth on Day 2 after catching 8-15.

That set them up for a rally on Saturday. It came early with a 5 1/2-pound largemouth they caught 10 minutes after takeoff.

“We knew this morning when we had that fish that we’d set ourselves up for a great day,” Robinson said. “You have to catch a kicker. If you don’t, you’re not gonna win. After that, it was a matter of just getting two more bites. We got the right ones.”

Robinson and Abbott live in the Spartanburg area about an hour up Interstate 85 from Green Pond Landing, where daily takeoffs and weigh-ins were held. They fish Lake Hartwell several dozen times a year, but the spot they frequented for some of the week’s best action was new to them.

“We were using crankbaits, a shallow-running (shad-colored Rapala) DT6,” Robinson said. “We’d throw it under bridges, on laydowns, rocks. You just had to burn it. The fish were pressured all week, so you had to make them want it. The big one came in about 6 feet of water, but there was a deep hole near this area that was anywhere from 20 to 50 feet. The fish were suspended. We’d throw to points and drops. We call them trains because you can see them lined on the Garmin LiveScope.”

When the teens needed another reliable bite, they went to brushpiles they plotted in practice; spots that held a steady stream of 3-pound bass. They relied on a weightless Zoom Trick Worm (green pumpkin) to boat bass in the brush.

“The bluegill would grab it and the bass would swim up there and eat it,” Robinson said.

This was the fourth time Robinson and Abbott qualified for Nationals, but their first Top 12 finish (their previous best was 14th).

They said competing on the final day — and coming from behind to win — was special.

“You really can’t describe this feeling,” Abbott said. “We sat in the hot seats waiting, and I almost couldn’t see I was shaking so badly. But when we won, it was a feeling you know you might not have again. You have to cherish this with the ones you love.”

That includes Tommy Abbott, the team’s boat captain and Cody’s dad. Saturday was Tommy’s 53rd birthday, and he couldn’t imagine a better present.

“This is incredible,” Tommy Abbott said. “They wanted this so bad … To come from a 2-pound deficit with a three-fish limit is next to impossible. But today, they went to work and brought it home. I’m so proud of them.”

The victory earned the teens a $5,000 scholarship to split, part of $22,950 in scholarship money awarded to the Top 12 teams at the championship.

South Carolina’s Bryson Gurley and Ethan Evatt finished second with 32-8, followed by Georgia’s Wyatt Richards and Colby Goforth with 30-14 and Alabama’s Avery Padgett and Ethan Young with 28-10.

Virginia’s Kasey Ferguson and Jakari Thomas, the Day 1 leaders, finished with the Big Bag of the Tournament with the 12-7 limit they weighed Thursday. That earned them the Hunter Owens Scholarship, $1,000 each, in memory of the former Louisiana high school angler who died in a car accident in 2019. They finished 12th place overall with 22-15.

Tennessee’s Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter won the $200 Big Bass Award, courtesy of the 6-15 largemouth they caught on Day 1.

This marked the 10th year B.A.S.S. held a national championship high school tournament, and the second consecutive year it’s been at Lake Hartwell. A total of 481 teams from 35 states and Canada competed.

Visit Anderson hosted the tournament.

2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented
by Academy Sports + Outdoors 7/27-7/29
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Mitchell Robinson - Cody Abbott              Byrnes High School - SC               0
Day 1: 3   11-15     Day 2: 3   08-15     Day 3: 3   12-05   Total:   9  33-03
2.  Bryson Gurley - Ethan Evatt                  Palmetto High School - SC             0
Day 1: 3   11-00     Day 2: 3   10-09     Day 3: 3   10-15   Total:   9  32-08
3.  Wyatt Richards - Colby Goforth               Pickens County High School - GA       0
Day 1: 3   11-01     Day 2: 3   12-00     Day 3: 3   07-13   Total:   9  30-14
4.  Avery Padgett - Ethan Young                  Zion Chapel High School - AL          0
Day 1: 3   11-14     Day 2: 3   09-08     Day 3: 3   07-04   Total:   9  28-10
5.  Presley Lannom - Trevor Sanford              Mt. Juliet High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   10-07     Day 2: 3   07-08     Day 3: 3   10-04   Total:   9  28-03
6.  Ty Trentham - Chase Mccarter                 Sevier County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 3   11-12     Day 3: 2   04-10   Total:   8  27-00
7.  Chase Logue - Carter Logue                   Argenta Oreana High School - IL       0
Day 1: 3   11-03     Day 2: 3   08-14     Day 3: 3   05-13   Total:   9  25-14
8.  Jacob Longlois - Slade Nunnally              Little Cypress-Mauriceville - TX      0
Day 1: 3   09-09     Day 2: 3   09-05     Day 3: 3   06-06   Total:   9  25-04
9.  Dylan Quilatan - Tommy Rust                  Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   10-01     Day 2: 3   08-01     Day 3: 3   06-13   Total:   9  24-15
10. Bryce Balentine - Bryce Dimauro              Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   09-14     Day 2: 3   09-00     Day 3: 3   04-15   Total:   9  23-13
11. Cole Martin - Josh Bowen                     Lakeside High School - AR             0
Day 1: 3   10-02     Day 2: 3   07-11     Day 3: 3   05-09   Total:   9  23-06
12. Kasey Ferguson - Jakari Thomas               Ringgold Bassin - VA                  0
Day 1: 3   12-07     Day 2: 3   06-03     Day 3: 3   04-05   Total:   9  22-15
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Ty Trentham  - Chase Mccarter             Sevier County High School - TN    06-15

HUNTER OWENS BIG BAG OF TOURN
Kasey Ferguson - Jakari Thomas          Ringgold Bassin - VA 12-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       312      1118      2048-13
2       274      1012      1803-13
3        11        35        87-00
----------------------------------
597      2165      3939-10


Lester Learning New Tricks

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

Brandon Lester is heading out in fourth place on semifinal Saturday at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite after weighing in consecutive 22-plus-pound bags of St. Clair smallmouth the past two days. Lake St. Clair is and always has been an incredible fishery, but the Elite Series field is putting this fish factory on full display this week as it took over nineteen pounds a day to make Saturday’s top 50 cut.

Lester’s history on this fishery is much like the entirety of his professional fishing career, consistent and strong. The Team Toyota pro has only missed a paycheck here once (2015) since qualifying for the Elites, but in previous trips Lester has gone against the grain and avoided fishing the massive, featureless body of water that is Lake St. Clair.

“Honestly I really didn’t like fishing major tournaments up here in the past,” Lester admitted. “St. Clair always felt so random to me and mentally I struggled with that. There was no rhyme or reason, and it was hard for me to drift around in open water hoping I stumbled across the right fish. In the past I relied on the St. Clair River, where I could fish visible targets like sea walls or current eddies. But Lowrance Active Target has changed all of that.”

This is Lester’s first trip to Lake St. Clair with forward facing sonar and the soft-spoken Tennessean agrees this technology has been an absolute game changer on this particular fishery.

Lester isn’t fishing spots or a school of bass, but rather a 100-to-150-acre area. He’s leaning heavily on his trolling motor and actively searching for individual fish with Active Target sonar. Every fish he’s brought to the Bassmaster stage the past two days, he has seen on his graph before he caught it.

 

 

Lester is often lauded for his consistency, which he credits to versatility… being comfortable whether he’s power fishing close to the bank, ledge fishing offshore, or finesse fishing for smallmouth. But FFS is something Lester admits was a weak spot in his technique toolbox until this offseason.

“I spent loads of time getting better with Active Target this past fall and winter,” Lester explained. “I used FFS to fish for bass, too, but I credit crappie fishing for really getting me dialed in and my eyes trained for FFS. A lot of people think FFS is some magical deal, but electronics are only as good as the angler reading them. There are subtleties to reading FFS. It’s been fun and eye-opening committing to Active Target all week.”

What he used to dread; Lester now welcomes. Instead of feeling lost amid open water drifts on Lake St. Clair, Lester is now extremely efficient thanks not only to new technology but to understanding and being adept with this new tool. The best anglers in the world never stop learning and Lester absolutely fits that bill.

“The biggest key here is to not get caught up on yesterday,” Lester said. “These fish aren’t relating to anything; they just roam around. They might swim 100 yards or half a mile, but they are going to move on you. That means you can’t get stubborn, and you have to move with them. I’m going to go troll around out there with my head down all day. Hopefully I can find five more big smallmouth today, put them in the boat, and bring them to the scales.”


Georgia's Richards and Goforth spring from seventh place into the lead at Bassmaster High School Championship on Lake Hartwell

Wyatt Richards and Colby Goforth of Pickens County (Ga.) High School are leading after Day 2 of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on historic Lake Hartwell with a two-day total of 23 pounds, 1 ounce. 

Photo by Tyler Bridges/B.A.S.S.

July 28, 2023

ANDERSON, S.C. — A total of 481 teams entered the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell, and now 12 remain to fish for a national title.

Wyatt Richards and Colby Goforth of Georgia’s Pickens County High School lead the pack with a two-day total of six bass weighing 23 pounds, 1 ounce. They’ll try to finish the job Saturday when the remaining teams compete for a share of $22,950 in scholarships, including $5,000 to be split by the eventual winning duo.

Richards and Goforth climbed to the top of the leaderboard Friday with a 12-pound limit of three bass. That followed the 11-1 bag they weighed on Day 1, allowing them to vault from seventh place into the lead.

The incoming high school seniors said Hartwell fishes much like Georgia’s Lake Lanier, their home waters, and that’s eased their minds so far during two long, hot days. The 16-year-olds had more than 30 bites between them on Friday, which allowed them to upgrade throughout the morning until their catch slowed about 1 p.m.

“We have a good offshore bite going,” Richards said. “There are a lot of little spotted bass on the brushpiles, but you really have to focus on catching the largemouths out there to win these tournaments. We just grinded out there to find the best quality largemouth we could.”

Goforth said jerkbaits have produced their best bites so far.

“We’re seeing them (on the electronics), and catching them anywhere from 20 to 40 feet,” he said. “It’s about a half-mile spot we’re running.”

“They’re on those herring out there all day long,” Richards added. “If you can catch them schooling, it’s more power to you. But you can find singles too. It’s just a matter of getting them to bite in this heat.”

The local heat index climbed over 100 degrees again Friday and it is expected to do so for the third-straight day Saturday. Richards and Goforth said they too will repeat their pattern on Day 3, trying to capture more of the good fortune that put them in the pole position.

“It’s worked for two days,” Richards said. “I don’t see a reason to stray from it.”

Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter, of Sevier County (Tenn.) High School, are just behind the leaders with 22-6. The 6-15 kicker they caught Thursday helped them into ninth place on Day 1 and their 11-12 limit a day later moved them into second, only ounces out of the lead.

“That big fish we caught late yesterday really kind of put us on track,” McCarter said. “We’ve got something figured out.”

That, of course, makes it easier when choosing a game plan for the final day.

“We missed some bites today that would have made a difference,” Trentham said. “If we can get those bites tomorrow, it’ll be something else. We’ve seen some big fish.”

Trentham and McCarter maintain their lead for the $200 Big Bass Award, courtesy of that 6-15 largemouth. Day 1 leaders Kasey Ferguson and Jakari Thomas of Virginia still have the Big Bag of the Tournament with the 12-7 limit they weighed Thursday. The team with the biggest bag in the three-day derby will split a $2,000 scholarship.

Rounding out the Top 12 teams competing on Saturday are third, South Carolina’s Bryson Gurley and Ethan Evatt, 21-9; fourth, Alabama’s Avery Padgett and Ethan Young, 21-6; fifth, South Carolina’s Mitchell Robinson and Cody Abbott, 20-14; sixth, Illinois’ Chase and Carter Logue, 20-1; seventh, Florida’s Bryce Balentine and Bryce Dimauro, 18-14; eighth, Texas’ Jacob Longlois and Slade Nunnally, 18-14; ninth, Ferguson and Thomas, 18-10; 10th, Florida’s Dylan Quilatan and Tommy Rust, 18-2; 11th, Tennessee’s Presley Lannom and Trevor Sanford, 17-15; and 12th, Arkansas’ Cole Martin and Josh Bowen, 17-13.

This is the 10th year B.A.S.S. has held a national championship tournament, and the second consecutive year it’s been at Lake Hartwell.

The final day will begin with a 6:20 a.m. ET takeoff from Green Pond Landing and Event Center. The drive-through weigh-in is scheduled to begin at 2:20 p.m. at the same location. Catch all the action on Bassmaster.com.

The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.


Ito smashes monster bag to claim lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake St. Clair

Takumi Ito of Chiba, Japan, is leading after Day 2 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a two-day total of 47 pounds, 4 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

July 28, 2023

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — Easy.

That is how Japan’s Takumi Ito described catching 25 pounds, 8 ounces on Day 2 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, claiming the lead in the process with a two-day total of 47-4.

The 2021 St. Lawrence River champion, who landed 21-12 on Day 1, leads Arkansas pro Joey Cifuentes III by 10 ounces and Oklahoma’s Luke Palmeris third with 45-12. With his performance Friday, Ito has now secured the Day 3 cut in every single northern smallmouth Elite Series event he has competed in.

“It was an awesome day,” said Ito, who speaks limited English. “I don’t know why, but many fish come in my boat. It was a crazy day.”

Ito said he caught almost 20 smallmouth over 4 pounds on the day, including a 6-2 smallie that took over the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament.

“I dropped my bait down, and (it bit) just like that. It is easy,” Ito said.

Ito’s Day 2 bag, which now leads the race for VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament, wasn’t something he thought was possible coming into the event. He was expecting 19 or 20 pounds would be a good day.

Unlike a lot of anglers who are moving around vast areas on the trolling motor, Ito has been bouncing from spot to spot with his outboard. He noticed the smallmouth hanging around several types of cover, including rock, sand and grass.

“It is isolated,” he explained.

Ito has caught bass in a variety of depths, from 8 feet all the way out to 15 feet, and has noticed crawfish and gobies floating in his livewell.

Cloudy conditions, along with a little wind, were present most of Day 1 across St. Clair — and while Ito was already in good position in 14th place, the calm and mostly sunny conditions across the lake Friday helped him immensely. With those conditions, he can see the bass easier on his forward-facing sonar.

“Calm, sunny and no wind, very good for me. I love it,” Ito said.

Using Japanese baits, including a shrimp-style bait and a drop-shot rig, Ito has mostly dropped vertically on the smallmouth he has caught with a couple coming on shorter casts. Ito mentioned putting a secret powder and secret liquid on his baits for added attraction power.

Although he returned to the same general area where he landed 22-10 on Day 1, Cifuentes fished all new water on the second day and landed 24-0.

“It was slow to start and I was catching little ones, but that is how my days go,” Cifuentes said. “I catch a lot of small fish going in and then I’ll catch a 4-pounder. I just stayed in there and kept working around, and then I caught a 5-pounder and then another 4. It was a good, solid day.”

After leaving his primary area around 12:30 p.m., Cifuentes made one final cull near the takeoff site to get to his final tally.

He has fished several events at Lake St. Clair before, but this is the first time Cifuentes is fishing this particular area. The best part is, he has it mostly to himself. His smallmouth are in a summer pattern and have been located around cabbage with a little rock in 18 feet of water.

He has been able to land the majority of his weight on a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm rigged on a drop shot.

“I don’t have any pressure around me,” he said. “It feels really good. I think I can expand on it even more. I didn’t catch any fish today on the same waypoints I did yesterday. If I find the right direction to expand, I can catch them. I don’t know if it can hold up for four days — it might be tough, but I am going to try.”

Palmer added 23-12 to his 22-0 Day 1 bag, moving from 12th place all the way to third. The winner of the Elite Series event on Santee Cooper in late April, he started Friday by catching a 5-pounder and several other smaller bass.

After bouncing around some, Palmer arrived at his best area and culled four times using a drop shot and a couple of soft plastics. That area is a place he has saved until the afternoon each day so far and has had mostly to himself.

Palmer feels the sun significantly improves the bite on that spot, but the challenge is relocating his smallmouth each day.

“If I can see them and they are 3 feet off the bottom, it is going to happen,” he explained. “It just takes a while to find them.”

Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 582 points. Opelika, Ala., pro Kyle Welcher is second with 567 points, followed by Raceland, La., pro Tyler Rivet in third with 540, DeBary, Fla., pro John Cox in fourth with 532 and Cairo, Ga., pro Drew Cook in fifth with 530.

Cifuentes leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 515 points, followed by Kyoya Fujita of Japan in second with 492 and Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. in third with 460.

The Top 50 remaining pros will launch from Brandenburg Park at 7 a.m. ET Saturday and will return for weigh-in beginning at 3 p.m. The Top 10 after Saturday’s round will advance to Championship Sunday for a chance to win the coveted blue trophy and $100,000.

Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on FS1 before moving to Bassmaster.com until 2:45 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, fans can enjoy the Bass, Brews and BBQ Festival, held in conjunction with the Elite Series event.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 7/27-7/30
Lake St. Clair, Chesterfield Township  MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Taku Ito               Chuba JAPAN             10  47-04  104   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-12     Day 2: 5   25-08
2.  Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             10  46-10  103
Day 1: 5   22-10     Day 2: 5   24-00
3.  Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK            10  45-12  102
Day 1: 5   22-00     Day 2: 5   23-12
4.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  45-06  101
Day 1: 5   22-09     Day 2: 5   22-13
5.  Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10  44-12  100
Day 1: 5   22-14     Day 2: 5   21-14
6.  Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi  10  44-10   99
Day 1: 5   21-11     Day 2: 5   22-15
7.  Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH            10  44-09   98
Day 1: 5   22-05     Day 2: 5   22-04
8.  Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC           10  44-07   97
Day 1: 5   22-09     Day 2: 5   21-14
9.  Frank Talley           Temple, TX              10  44-03   96
Day 1: 5   22-08     Day 2: 5   21-11
10. Bryan New              Saluda, SC              10  44-02   95
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   23-12
11. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA            10  44-01   94
Day 1: 5   22-03     Day 2: 5   21-14
12. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD               10  43-15   93   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   23-03     Day 2: 5   20-12
13. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  43-12   92
Day 1: 5   21-02     Day 2: 5   22-10
14. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           10  43-07   91
Day 1: 5   23-14     Day 2: 5   19-09
15. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC             10  43-01   90
Day 1: 5   24-03     Day 2: 5   18-14
16. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           10  42-15   89
Day 1: 5   19-02     Day 2: 5   23-13
17. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL        10  42-12   88
Day 1: 5   21-01     Day 2: 5   21-11
18. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI       10  42-11   87
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   22-04
19. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX             10  42-09   86
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   22-02
20. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL           10  42-05   85
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   21-05
21. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN          10  42-04   84
Day 1: 5   22-00     Day 2: 5   20-04
22. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           10  42-04   83
Day 1: 5   20-08     Day 2: 5   21-12
23. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC         10  42-04   82
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   21-06
24. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  42-00   81
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   22-12
25. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA           10  41-13   80
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   22-03
26. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  41-12   79
Day 1: 5   22-02     Day 2: 5   19-10
27. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              10  41-12   78
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   20-12
28. Cole Sands             Calhoun, TN             10  41-07   77
Day 1: 5   21-04     Day 2: 5   20-03
29. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10  41-06   76
Day 1: 5   18-10     Day 2: 5   22-12
30. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN            10  41-05   75
Day 1: 5   19-14     Day 2: 5   21-07
31. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               10  41-04   74
Day 1: 5   19-15     Day 2: 5   21-05
32. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA            10  41-02   73
Day 1: 5   18-11     Day 2: 5   22-07
33. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI       10  40-15   72
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   20-08
34. Larry Nixon            Bee Branch, AR          10  40-12   71
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   21-11
35. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                 10  40-12   70
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   21-02
36. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN       10  40-12   69
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   19-14
37. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         10  40-08   68
Day 1: 5   18-05     Day 2: 5   22-03
38. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX            10  40-07   67
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   20-01
39. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            10  40-05   66
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   21-06
40. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          10  40-04   65
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   20-00
41. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           10  40-03   64
Day 1: 5   18-14     Day 2: 5   21-05
42. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  40-02   63
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   20-14
43. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          10  40-00   62
Day 1: 5   20-11     Day 2: 5   19-05
44. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID            10  39-05   61
Day 1: 5   19-14     Day 2: 5   19-07
45. Skylar Hamilton        Jefferson, TN           10  39-02   60
Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   23-04
46. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA            10  38-15   59
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   21-00
47. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA              10  38-13   58
Day 1: 5   20-08     Day 2: 5   18-05
48. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              10  38-12   57
Day 1: 5   18-03     Day 2: 5   20-09
49. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL             10  38-10   56
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   18-14
50. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL           10  38-07   55
Day 1: 5   18-08     Day 2: 5   19-15
51. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL           10  38-05   54   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-08     Day 2: 5   21-13
52. Derek Hudnall          Zachary, LA             10  38-01   53   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-09     Day 2: 5   18-08
53. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN        10  37-15   52   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   20-03     Day 2: 5   17-12
54. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN             10  37-15   51   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-07     Day 2: 5   18-08
55. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA           10  37-14   50   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-10     Day 2: 5   20-04
56. John Cox               Debary, FL              10  37-13   49   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-08     Day 2: 5   21-05
57. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC      10  37-12   48   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-00     Day 2: 5   18-12
58. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ           10  37-11   47   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   20-02
59. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, Ontario CANADA  10  37-11   46   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-03     Day 2: 5   18-08
60. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS        10  37-10   45   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   20-12
61. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY             10  37-08   44   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   22-02
62. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL            10  37-08   43   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   19-11
63. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  37-08   42   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   19-08
64. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               10  37-05   41   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   17-11
65. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  37-04   40   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   18-00
66. Josh Douglas           Isle, MN                10  37-03   39   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   18-15
67. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA            10  37-01   38   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   18-13
68. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI           10  37-00   37   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   19-01
69. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL         10  36-13   36   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 5   16-03
70. Seth Feider            New Market, MN          10  36-09   35   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   19-00
71. KJ Queen               Conover, NC             10  36-05   34   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-05     Day 2: 5   18-00
72. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA    10  36-03   33   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   17-13
73. Michael Iaconelli      Pittsgrove, NJ          10  36-01   32   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   19-14
74. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI            10  35-14   31   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   19-02
75. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX          10  35-12   30   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   19-01
76. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX             10  35-12   29
Day 1: 5   16-13     Day 2: 5   18-15
77. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL          10  35-09   28
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   20-04
78. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC               10  35-09   27
Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 5   17-00
79. Mike Huff              London, KY              10  35-09   26
Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   18-03
80. Wes Logan              Springville, AL         10  35-09   25
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   17-10
81. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  35-08   24
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   19-05
82. David Williams         Newton, NC              10  35-04   23
Day 1: 5   19-06     Day 2: 5   15-14
83. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN         10  35-04   22
Day 1: 5   19-05     Day 2: 5   15-15
84. Bradley Hallman        Edmond, OK              10  35-03   21
Day 1: 5   16-08     Day 2: 5   18-11
85. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK             10  35-02   20
Day 1: 5   19-03     Day 2: 5   15-15
86. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL             10  35-01   19
Day 1: 5   18-11     Day 2: 5   16-06
87. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              10  34-14   18
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   16-15
88. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL           10  34-12   17
Day 1: 5   19-00     Day 2: 5   15-12
89. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                10  34-09   16
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   17-14
90. Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN    10  33-11   15
Day 1: 5   17-14     Day 2: 5   15-13
91. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI              10  33-05   14
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   16-03
92. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL            10  33-00   13
Day 1: 5   16-01     Day 2: 5   16-15
93. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA 10  32-14   12
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   15-05
94. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL           10  32-12   11
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   15-14
95. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY             10  32-06   10
Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   16-00
96. Darold Gleason         Many, LA                10  31-15    9
Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   15-09
97. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT          10  31-14    8
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   17-05
98. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC          10  31-04    7
Day 1: 5   16-07     Day 2: 5   14-13
99. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX              10  31-00    6
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   17-13
100. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN          10  30-14    5
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   15-01
101. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                 10  28-08    4
Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   12-08
102. David Fritts           Lexington, NC           10  23-00    3
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   10-08
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Bryan Schmitt            Deale, MD           06-01      $1,000.00
2   Taku Ito                 Dalton GA JAPAN     06-02      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       102       510      1936-00
2       102       510      1995-05
----------------------------------
204      1020      3931-05


Stefan Secures First MLF Victory on Mississippi River

Berkley Pro Matt Stefan sacked up 15 pounds, 8 ounces on the final day to earn
his first Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitational victory.

COLUMBIA, SC. (JULY 28, 2023) – After numerous top-ten finishes in his Major League Fishing Career, Matt Stefan is now a champion earning the victory on June 27, at the upper Mississippi River in Lacrosse, WI. He locked down the win and a $80,000 paycheck by catching a total weight of 48 pounds, 6 ounces over his three days of fishing.

The Wisconsin pro started the event in fourth place with 16 pounds, 8 ounces after day one, and stayed consistent on day two weighing in 16 pounds, 6 ounces to move into second place. When the dust settled on the final day, Stefan’s 15 pounds, 8 ounces was enough to secure the victory after a close call at the lock that almost cost him the win.

With barge traffic not expected, the group of anglers fishing Pool 7 were uneasy as they made their way back on the final day and noticed a barge working through the lock. Several of the top anglers knew it was going to be close, and 90 minutes later, they raced back and made it safely with just a minute to spare.

“I thought the event was over when I saw that barge,” said Stefan. “I had a good day and was thinking I was going to be dumping my fish back in the river and missing my chance at victory. I have worked for something like this my entire career and to finally secure a tour-level win justifies the effort - I needed this victory.”

Stefan focused his efforts on a one-mile stretch of river and until day one of the event, he had no idea what the potential may be. With added pressure, the fishing was tough overall and he found the fish to be a bit finicky.Photo: Hunter Rud/MLF

When he was unsuccessful with reaction-style baits or power-fishing techniques, he knew exactly what to do. Each day, he probed the mile-long area with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General and changed colors based on the conditions.

“If it was cloudy, I went with the black and blue; If it was sunny, I fished the green pumpkin color,” added Stefan.” I was just throwing the 5-inch General in the holes, really keying in on any small holes within the eelgrass or on the outside edges.”

Stefan's impressive victory has solidified his professional fishing journey and marks a turning point in his career. Berkley congratulates him on this outstanding accomplishment, a testament to his commitment and talent in the pursuit of fishing excellence.


Huk’s New Rover Jacket Keeps Anglers Covered In Unpredictable Weather

Charleston, SC - Huk, a leading brand in outdoor performance apparel, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest product, the Huk Rover Jacket. This lightweight and waterproof jacket will keep anglers warm, dry, and ready to conquer any fishing expedition; it's designed to provide anglers with optimal protection in adverse weather conditions.

Dedicated Men and Women anglers know that nothing should stand in the way of a great catch - not even inclement weather. The Huk Rover Jacket is engineered to shield anglers from the elements, ensuring they can focus on their passion without discomfort. This jacket, made with a 2.5L waterproof body fabric, guarantees superior water resistance, keeping fishermen dry even during heavy rain or splashes.

The Rover Jacket's fully seam-sealed construction takes waterproofing to the next level, preventing any water penetration and keeping anglers protected from head to hem. Its adjustable bungee hood ensures a snug fit, keeping rain and wind out, while the zippered pockets offer secure storage for essentials, keeping them dry and within reach at all times.

What sets the Huk Rover Jacket apart is its remarkable packability. When the weather clears up, simply roll up the jacket and conveniently store it in its own zippered chest pocket. This feature makes it easy to carry and ensures every fisherman is always prepared for changing weather conditions during fishing adventures.

Crafted from a blend of 95% Polyester and 5% Spandex, the Rover Jacket provides the perfect balance between comfort, flexibility, and durability. It allows for unrestricted movement, ensuring easy and precise line casting.

Huk continues prioritizing innovation, quality, and functionality in all its products, and the Rover Jacket is no exception. This new addition to the Huk lineup is a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering exceptional gear that empowers anglers to confidently pursue their passion.

Huk Rover Jacket Features:

  • Fully seam-sealed construction
  • Adjustable bungee hem and hood
  • Packable
  • Zippered chest pocket
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Available for men and women

Huk Rover Jacket Specs:

  • 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex
  • 2.5L waterproof body fabric


Huk Unveils the Stylish and Functional Women's Pursuit Cover-Up at ICAST

Charleston, SC - Huk dared to ask, “Who said fishing can’t be fashionable?” This ultimately led to the unveiling of the new Pursuit Cover-Up Dress, created with the female fishing enthusiast in mind. Designed to combine fashion with functionality, this versatile garment will debut at the prestigious ICAST show in Orlando.

The Huk Women's Pursuit Cover-Up Dress is the perfect accessory for female anglers who refuse to compromise on style while enjoying their time on the water. Whether hopping off the boat or simply lounging by the pool, this cover-up is a must-have addition to any fishing wardrobe.

Boasting a range of impressive features, the Pursuit Cover-Up Dress guarantees exceptional performance. With its 50+ UPF sun protection, female anglers can stay in the sun with peace of mind, knowing their skin is shielded from harmful UV rays. The adjustable hood offers additional sun protection, protecting the face and neck from harsh rays.

Crafted from 100% polyester, the Pursuit Cover-Up Dress ensures optimal comfort and durability. The soft anti-microbial fabric provides a flattering drape, making lady anglers look and feel great while wearing it. The cover-up dress features mesh sides, ensuring female fishing enthusiasts stay cool and comfortable throughout any fishing adventure.

In addition to its style and sun protection features, the Huk Women's Pursuit Cover-Up Dress offers practical benefits. The moisture transport technology efficiently wicks away sweat, keeping the user dry and comfortable even during intense fishing sessions. The cinches at the bottom allow for easy adjustment, ensuring a perfect fit and ideal coverage.

Feeling comfortable in functional fishing clothes while still making a fashion statement seemed like an impossibility. With Huk's new Pursuit Cover-Up Dress, lady anglers won’t have to compromise.

Huk Pursuit Cover-Up Dress Features:

  • 100% Polyester
  • Mesh sides
  • Hooded for added sun protection
  • Moisture transport
  • Anti-microbial

Huk Pursuit Cover-Up Dress Specs:

  • 100% Polyester
  • UPF 50+ sun protection


Introducing the New and Improved ICON Performance Knit Line from Huk: Enhanced Comfort and Performance for the Modern Angler

Charleston, SC (July XX, 2023) - Huk is proud to announce the launch of its updated ICON Performance Knit Shirt and Hoodie Pullover for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. Building on the success of the iconic ICON X, the new design incorporates innovative features and improvements to deliver even greater comfort and performance for anglers of all levels, male or female.

The ICON X, rebranded as the ICON Performance Knit Shirt boasts an enhanced construction that sets a new standard in fishing apparel. The most notable update is removing the "X" stitching design across the back panel, making way for a full mesh back section. This expanded performance wicking mesh area maximizes breathability, allowing for optimal airflow and moisture management during long hours on the water.

To further enhance functionality, the ICON Performance Knit Shirt features a transition from set-in sleeves to raglan sleeves. This design change gives anglers an increased range of motion, allowing them to cast, reel, and maneuver with ease. Whether battling trophy fish or polling long hours on the flats, the shirt's raglan sleeves ensure unrestricted movement for a more enjoyable and successful fishing experience. 

Crafted from high-quality 100% polyester, the ICON Performance Knit Shirt incorporates cutting-edge ICE cooling technology within the double-knit front panel. This innovative feature actively cools the body by absorbing and dissipating heat, ensuring anglers stay comfortable and focused even in sweltering conditions. Additionally, the shirt provides UPF 50+ sun protection, safeguarding the wearer from harmful UV rays during long days under the sun.

 To provide additional sun protection, the Huk ICON is available in a Pullover Hoodie option, offering anglers added coverage in the head and neck area during extended fishing trips under the sun. For those long days out on the water, rest assured every angler will be protected from getting baked under the sun from rise to fall.

Huk has also integrated anti-microbial properties into the fabric, preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria and keeping the shirt fresh even after extended use. The garment's quick-drying and moisture transport capabilities contribute to its exceptional performance by swiftly wicking away sweat and moisture, ensuring anglers remain dry and comfortable throughout their fishing adventures.

The ICON Performance Knit Shirt is available in short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and hoodie silhouettes, offering anglers a versatile range of options to suit their individual preferences and fishing conditions. This will truly become an iconic piece of fishing apparel for anglers of tomorrow, as Huk combines style, innovation, and functionality, setting a new benchmark in performance.

Huk ICON Features:

  • I.C.E. (Internal Cooling Element) technology embedded in the fibers
  • Full mesh back panel for enhanced breathability
  • Raglan sleeve for full range of motion
  • Anti-microbial
  • Quick Drying
  • Moisture Transport
  • Hoodie pullover option available
  • Available for men and women

Huk ICON Specs:

  • 100% Polyester
  • UPF 50+ sun protection
  • Long sleeve and short sleeve availability


Introducing the New Huk Diamondback Shirt: The Ultimate Fusion of Style and Performance for Anglers

Charleston, SC - Huk, a leading provider of high-performance fishing apparel, is excited to announce the debut of its newest innovation, the Huk Diamondback Shirt. Designed to meet the demands of anglers who value style and functionality, this cutting-edge shirt is set to make waves at the upcoming 2023 ICAST.

The Huk Diamondback Shirt is a game-changer, combining a sharp and versatile style that transitions effortlessly from the water to any social setting. Crafted from an advanced Nylon/Spandex blend, this shirt offers a remarkable 4-way stretch, ensuring unrestricted movement and unparalleled comfort during long fishing expeditions or a night out on the town.

One of the standout features of the Diamondback Shirt is its exceptional durability. Boasting full stain resistance, it maintains its pristine appearance even in the face of messy fishing situations. Additionally, its water-resistant properties and vented back yoke guarantee that anglers stay dry and comfortable in any weather conditions.

Recognizing the importance of sun protection, Huk has incorporated a UPF 50+ feature into the Diamondback Shirt, shielding anglers from harmful UV rays during extended hours under the sun. An interior eyewear wipe is included, allowing fishermen to easily clean off their sunglasses and maintain clear vision and focus on the task at hand.

The Huk Diamondback Shirt is meticulously crafted, featuring hidden snap collars, cording at the center back neck, and enamel-coated ring snaps, ensuring a secure fit and a polished appearance. The shirt's edge-stitched pocket seams and side seams reinforce its durability and longevity, making it an investment that will withstand the test of time.

Anglers around the world eagerly await the official launch of the Huk Diamondback Shirt at ICAST 2023. With its fusion of style, performance, and innovative features, this shirt is set to revolutionize the fishing apparel industry. Don't miss the chance to experience the pinnacle of angling fashion and functionality.

Huk Men’s Diamondback SS Shirt Features:

  • Hidden snap collar
  • Cording at center back neck
  • Vented back yoke
  • Enamel-coated ring snaps
  • Edge-stitched pocket seams and side seams
  • Interior eye-wear wipe
  • Stain resistant
  • Durable water repellant

Huk Men’s Diamondback SS Shirt Specs:

  • 85% Nylon, 15% Spandex
  • 4-way stretch material
  • UPF 50+ sun protection


uk Launches the Creekbed Pant: Fly Fishing Bottoms that Combine Performance and Functionality

Charleston, SC - Fly fishing gear never seems to get the job done. The job is actually pretty simple; keep gear close by and accessible while protecting it from the water. That’s why Huk is proud to announce the launch of the all-new Creekbed Pant at ICAST 2023. Designed specifically for fly fishing enthusiasts, the Creekbed Pant offers a perfect blend of premium performance and functional features to enhance every angler's experience on the water.

Fly fishermen can now have it all, as the Creekbed Pant boasts a range of practical storage options. With front utility belt loops, front hand pockets, and a secured back welt pocket, anglers can keep their essential gear close at hand, including flies, lines, clips, and nips. These convenient storage solutions allow for quick and easy access to tools and accessories when needed most.

Featuring a fully elastic waistband and an adjustable branded belt, the Creekbed Pant ensures a comfortable and secure fit, allowing anglers to focus on their pursuit without any distractions. The pant's gusseted crotch provides additional freedom of movement, enabling fly fishermen to make precise casts and maneuvers effortlessly.

Crafted from a durable blend of 90% Nylon and 10% Spandex, the Creekbed Pant offers excellent flexibility and resilience. Its DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating ensures water resistance, keeping anglers dry and comfortable throughout their fishing adventures. The pant is also equipped with an anti-microbial treatment, preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria and ensuring freshness even after extended periods of use.

Additional features of the Creekbed Pant include stealth side knee vents for optimal breathability and airflow. A crotch gusset with perforation also aids in improved ventilation, while simultaneously allowing for maximum mobility to get in any position to make the catch. These design elements contribute to an exceptional fishing experience by keeping anglers cool, dry, and focused on their pursuit.

The Huk Creekbed Pant is a testament to the brand's commitment to innovation and providing anglers with the highest quality gear. Whether casting for trout in a remote creek or targeting bass in a bustling river, the Creekbed Pant offers the versatility and functionality necessary for a successful and enjoyable fishing trip every single time!

Huk Creekbed Pant Features:

  • Faux fly front
  • Fully elastic waistband with adjustable branded belt
  • Hand pockets
  • Secured back welt pocket
  • Front utility belt loop
  • Stealth side knee vents
  • Crotch gusset with perforation
  • DWR water repellant
  • Anti-microbial

Huk Creekbed Pant Specs:

  • 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex


Sportsman's Warehouse Grand Opening - Tampa, FL

AC Insider, Vance McCullough, got the chance to check out the brand new Sportsman's Warehouse in Tampa, FL.

https://youtu.be/LvWWMrpAnbk

Located with the Gulf of Mexico to the West, and countless freshwater lakes to the North and East, this location caters to both fresh and saltwater anglers alike.

If you want to the details on the store, you can find them right here.  You can also shop from the comfort of your own home at Sportsmans.com


Midday adjustment helps LeHew take opening-round lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake St. Clair

Shane LeHew of Catawba, N.C., is leading after Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with 24 pounds, 3 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

July 27, 2023

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — By making a slight depth adjustment midway through the day, Shane LeHew continued his impressive track record in smallmouth events with 24 pounds, 3 ounces that gave him the lead at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

Breathing down LeHew’s neck is Oklahoma’s Jason Christie, who caught 23-14 on Day 1 and has two past victories on St. Clair.

On a day when 33 anglers caught at least 20 pounds and every angler in the field secured a limit, LeHew said he felt fortunate to find the bass he did.

“You have to point your LiveScope at a 4 1/2-pounder and catch him,” the Catawba, N.C., native said. “I was just the most fortunate one on the lake today.”

LeHew has notched two B.A.S.S. Top 10s at St. Clair, with his best finish being a sixth-place showing at the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. But his best area on Day 1 was somewhere he had not fished previously.

A hefty line of showers and storms moved through the area Wednesday night, leaving overcast conditions. That made for a tough morning for LeHew, who did not catch a bass over 2 pounds for several hours.

Once the clouds began to clear, he filled a limit in the 16-pound range before 11 a.m., fishing for smallmouth in about 11 feet of water. He then drifted out to 13 feet and culled every bass he had by 12:30 p.m., targeting single smallmouth with his Garmin LiveScope.

LeHew’s final tally included two smallies over 5 pounds, another one close to 5 and two that were over 4. The majority of those bass ate a Berkley MaxScent Flatnose Minnow rigged on a 3/8-ounce drop-shot rig.

“I have figured out that the singles, for whatever reason, seem to be bigger,” LeHew said. “The fish that are in big groups? Yeah, you can catch a big one in them. But it is hard because there are a lot of 3-pounders biting.”

While Christie said he didn’t catch as many bass as a lot of the field on Day 1, he was able to find the right kind of quality. The eight-time B.A.S.S. winner anchored his bag with a 5-pounder he caught with just a couple of minutes to go.

So far, there has been very little that has transferred from his previous successes to this tournament.

“I caught a few good ones early,” Christie said. “There are two different classes of fish right now. You either catch one that is skinny or you catch one that is fat. Luckily, I caught five fat ones today. I caught them way better than I thought I was going to. I didn’t catch a 20-pound bag all of practice.”

Christie said he has narrowed a depth range, but he hasn’t pinpointed a particular piece of cover bass are gravitating to. Three different baits did most of his damage and he will be adding another to the rotation on Day 2.

“You just have to put the trolling motor down and take off somewhere,” he said. “I had two areas I wanted to fish, and I fished one of them today. Tomorrow I will go to the other. There were a lot of fish that I threw at that did not eat my bait.”

Maryland pro Bryan Schmitt is in third after weighing in a 23-3 limit that included the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day, a 6-1 smallmouth. Similar to LeHew and Christie, Schmitt is trolling around a big area occupied by several other anglers. He has found the bass are gravitating toward cabbage in about 15 feet of water.

“The size is there and the fish are spitting up crawfish, gobies and perch,” Schmitt said. “The whole thing is going on there. I am just meandering around throwing at ones I see on the LiveScope. Everywhere I kind of got bit in practice, like the exact waypoint, it was no good. You have to keep working around.”

Schmitt pitched to his biggest bass three times with a wacky-rigged Missile Baits Mini Magic Worm on a drop shot before hooking it at around 10:30 a.m.

“He looked small on my Garmin,” Schmitt said. “I threw at him and he flared, and I knew it was a big one. He went down and I felt a tick, hit him and didn’t get him. I saw him follow it, so I dropped it again and he bit it again and missed it. I let it sit and, when I lifted it up, he had it. It gave me three chances.”

As the day went along. Schmitt said he didn’t see as many smallies, which has him a bit concerned. But he does have several backup plans if things don’t work out.

Greenwood, S.C., pro Brandon Cobb is in a dead heat with Opelika, Ala., angler Kyle Welcher in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Both anglers have 579 points but Cobb has the tiebreaker. Cairo, Ga., native Drew Cook is third with 527 points, followed by Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., in fourth with 521 and LeHew in fifth with 519.

Arkansas pro Joey Cifuentes III took the lead in the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 512 points, followed by Japan’s Kyoya Fujita in second with 483 and Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. in third with 474.

The full field of anglers will launch from Brandenburg Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET and will return for weigh-in beginning at 3 p.m. The Top 50 after the Day 2 weigh-in will advance to Semifinal Saturday, and the Top 10 after the third competition day will advance to Championship Sunday.

Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Friday morning at 8 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, fans can enjoy the Bass, Brews and BBQ Festival, held in conjunction with the Elite Series event.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 7/27-7/30
Lake St. Clair, Chesterfield Township,  MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              5  24-03  104
Day 1: 5   24-03
2.  Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK            5  23-14  103
Day 1: 5   23-14
3.  Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  23-03  102
Day 1: 5   23-03
4.  Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN  5  22-14  101
Day 1: 5   22-14
5.  Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  22-10  100
Day 1: 5   22-10
6.  Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  22-09   99
Day 1: 5   22-09
6.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  22-09   99
Day 1: 5   22-09
8.  Frank Talley           Temple, TX               5  22-08   97
Day 1: 5   22-08
9.  Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             5  22-05   96
Day 1: 5   22-05
10. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  22-03   95
Day 1: 5   22-03
11. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  22-02   94
Day 1: 5   22-02
12. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  22-00   93
Day 1: 5   22-00
13. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN           5  22-00   92
Day 1: 5   22-00
14. Taku Ito               Chiba JAPAN              5  21-12   91
Day 1: 5   21-12
15. Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi, J5  21-11   90
Day 1: 5   21-11
16. Cole Sands             Calhoun, TN              5  21-04   89
Day 1: 5   21-04
17. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  21-02   88
Day 1: 5   21-02
18. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  21-01   87
Day 1: 5   21-01
19. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  21-00   86
Day 1: 5   21-00
19. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            5  21-00   86
Day 1: 5   21-00
21. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        5  20-14   84
Day 1: 5   20-14
21. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          5  20-14   84
Day 1: 5   20-14
23. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  20-11   82
Day 1: 5   20-11
24. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  20-10   81
Day 1: 5   20-10
25. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  20-08   80
Day 1: 5   20-08
26. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               5  20-08   79
Day 1: 5   20-08
27. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI        5  20-07   78
Day 1: 5   20-07
27. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI        5  20-07   78
Day 1: 5   20-07
27. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  20-07   78
Day 1: 5   20-07
30. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  20-06   75
Day 1: 5   20-06
30. Bryan New              Saluda, SC               5  20-06   75
Day 1: 5   20-06
32. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  20-04   73
Day 1: 5   20-04
33. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         5  20-03   72
Day 1: 5   20-03
34. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  19-15   71
Day 1: 5   19-15
35. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  19-14   70
Day 1: 5   19-14
35. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  19-14   70
Day 1: 5   19-14
37. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL              5  19-12   68
Day 1: 5   19-12
38. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  5  19-10   67
Day 1: 5   19-10
38. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            5  19-10   67
Day 1: 5   19-10
38. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  19-10   67
Day 1: 5   19-10
41. Derek Hudnall          Zachary, LA              5  19-09   64
Day 1: 5   19-09
42. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  19-07   63
Day 1: 5   19-07
43. David Williams         Newton, NC               5  19-06   62
Day 1: 5   19-06
44. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          5  19-05   61
Day 1: 5   19-05
45. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  19-04   60
Day 1: 5   19-04
45. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  19-04   60
Day 1: 5   19-04
45. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  19-04   60
Day 1: 5   19-04
48. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, Ontario CANADA   5  19-03   57
Day 1: 5   19-03
48. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK              5  19-03   57
Day 1: 5   19-03
50. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  19-02   55
Day 1: 5   19-02
51. Larry Nixon            Bee Branch, AR           5  19-01   54
Day 1: 5   19-01
52. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC       5  19-00   53
Day 1: 5   19-00
53. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  19-00   52
Day 1: 5   19-00
54. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  18-15   51
Day 1: 5   18-15
55. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  18-14   50
Day 1: 5   18-14
56. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  18-11   49
Day 1: 5   18-11
57. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  18-11   48
Day 1: 5   18-11
58. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  5  18-10   47
Day 1: 5   18-10
59. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC                5  18-09   46
Day 1: 5   18-09
60. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            5  18-08   45
Day 1: 5   18-08
61. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA     5  18-06   44
Day 1: 5   18-06
62. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  18-05   43
Day 1: 5   18-05
62. KJ Queen               Conover, NC              5  18-05   43
Day 1: 5   18-05
64. Josh Douglas           Isle, MN                 5  18-04   41
Day 1: 5   18-04
64. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA             5  18-04   41
Day 1: 5   18-04
66. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  18-03   39
Day 1: 5   18-03
67. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  18-00   38
Day 1: 5   18-00
68. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  17-15   37
Day 1: 5   17-15
68. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  17-15   37
Day 1: 5   17-15
68. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            5  17-15   37
Day 1: 5   17-15
68. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          5  17-15   37
Day 1: 5   17-15
72. Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN     5  17-14   33
Day 1: 5   17-14
73. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             5  17-13   32
Day 1: 5   17-13
74. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA            5  17-10   31
Day 1: 5   17-10
75. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            5  17-09   30
Day 1: 5   17-09
75. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           5  17-09   30
Day 1: 5   17-09
75. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  17-09   30
Day 1: 5   17-09
78. Mike Huff              London, KY               5  17-06   27
Day 1: 5   17-06
79. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  17-02   26
Day 1: 5   17-02
80. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            5  16-14   25
Day 1: 5   16-14
80. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  16-14   25
Day 1: 5   16-14
82. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  16-13   23
Day 1: 5   16-13
83. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             5  16-12   22
Day 1: 5   16-12
84. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 5  16-11   21
Day 1: 5   16-11
84. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           5  16-11   21
Day 1: 5   16-11
86. John Cox               Debary, FL               5  16-08   19
Day 1: 5   16-08
86. Bradley Hallman        Edmond, OK               5  16-08   19
Day 1: 5   16-08
88. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            5  16-08   17
Day 1: 5   16-08
89. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           5  16-07   16
Day 1: 5   16-07
90. Darold Gleason         Many, LA                 5  16-06   15
Day 1: 5   16-06
90. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  16-06   15
Day 1: 5   16-06
92. Michael Iaconelli      Pittsgrove, NJ           5  16-03   13
Day 1: 5   16-03
92. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  16-03   13
Day 1: 5   16-03
94. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL             5  16-01   11
Day 1: 5   16-01
95. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  16-00   10
Day 1: 5   16-00
96. Skylar Hamilton        Jefferson, TN            5  15-14    9
Day 1: 5   15-14
97. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           5  15-13    8
Day 1: 5   15-13
98. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              5  15-06    7
Day 1: 5   15-06
99. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           5  15-05    6
Day 1: 5   15-05
100. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  14-09    5
Day 1: 5   14-09
101. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               5  13-03    4
Day 1: 5   13-03
102. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  12-08    3
Day 1: 5   12-08
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       102       510      1936-00
----------------------------------
102       510      1936-00


Virginia's Ferguson and Thomas take lead in scorching hot first round of Bassmaster High School Championship on Lake Hartwell

Kasey Ferguson and Jakari Thomas of Virginia's Ringgold Bassin' team are leading after Day 1 of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on historic Lake Hartwell with 12 pounds, 7 ounces. 

Photo by Tyler Bridges/B.A.S.S.

July 27, 2023

ANDERSON, S.C. — Kasey Ferguson and Jakari Thomas certainly weren’t wild about the 100-degree heat index anglers faced on Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell.

But the 18-year-olds countered the scorching temperatures with some hot fishing on Thursday. The duo from Virginia’s Ringgold Bassin’ team caught a three-fish limit weighing 12 pounds, 7 ounces to take a narrow lead in this three-day event.

Ferguson and Thomas found an early bite before the South Carolina sun climbed high and beat down relentlessly on each of Lake Hartwell’s 56,000 acres. In fact, they were pleased enough with their catch to leave the water early, weighing in well before their scheduled 3:40 p.m. check-in.

“It was brutal,” Thomas said, referencing the oppressive heat.

Still, it wasn’t harsh enough to keep the team from grabbing the lead. They fished the backs of pockets and some boat docks with wacky-rigged Senko worms (green pumpkin, black/blue), and they threw a variety of flukes to any shaded area they could find.

“If you saw a piece of wood and it had some shade on it, there likely was a fish on it,” Ferguson said. “There definitely was a pattern.”

Ferguson and Thomas won three consecutive Virginia B.A.S.S. Nation High School state titles, the last one coming just before they graduated from Dan River High School in Ringgold, Va. They also are familiar with Hartwell, which they said helped their cause on Day 1. The duo placed 12th in last year’s national tournament on this famed reservoir straddling the South Carolina/Georgia border.

“Knowing the body of water definitely is a plus,” Ferguson said. “We did some of the same stuff we did last year, and we obviously couldn’t do that on a place new to us.”

The leaders are hoping they’ll have some of the same fortunes on Friday when the massive full field competes again. The field will be trimmed to the Top 12 for Saturday’s championship round.

“We’ll pray,” Thomas said, talking about the Day 2 game plan. “We’ll put it in God’s hands. That, and we’ll have plenty of water and ice.”

This is the 10th year B.A.S.S. has held a national championship tournament, and the second-straight year it’s been at Lake Hartwell. Teams from 35 states and Canada are vying for part of $22,950 in scholarships, including $5,000 to be split by the eventual winning duo.

Rounding out the Top 5 teams on Day 1 were, second place, Alabama’s Spencer Grooms and Hudson Gallimore, 12-6; third, South Carolina’s Mitchell Robinson and Cody Abbott, 11-15; fourth, Alabama’s Avery Padgett and Ethan Young, 11-14; and fifth, Illinois’ Chase and Carter Logue, 11-3. Florida’s Claude Loftin and Isaac Dorland also caught 11-3 on Thursday but are in sixth place after tiebreakers.

Tennessee’s Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter have the early lead in the race for the Big Bass Award with a 6-15 largemouth.

Trentham caught the lunker late Thursday afternoon, giving his team more than a 5-pound upgrade. They’re in ninth place overall with 10-10.

“We went to our backup plan,” Trentham said. “About 10 casts into it, the big one was on. It was on structure in about 10 feet of water.”

Day 2 will begin with a 6:20 a.m. ET takeoff from the legendary Green Pond Landing and Event Center. The weigh-in will be held back at Green Pond at 2:20 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented
by Academy Sports + Outdoors 7/27-7/29
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Kasey Ferguson - Jakari Thomas               Ringgold Bassin - VA                  0
Day 1: 3   12-07   Total:   3  12-07
2.  Spencer Grooms - Hudson Galimore             Auburn High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   12-06   Total:   3  12-06
3.  Mitchell Robinson - Cody Abbott              Byrnes High School - SC               0
Day 1: 3   11-15   Total:   3  11-15
4.  Avery Padgett - Ethan Young                  Zion Chapel High School - AL          0
Day 1: 3   11-14   Total:   3  11-14
5.  Chase Logue - Carter Logue                   Argenta Oreana High School - IL       0
Day 1: 3   11-03   Total:   3  11-03
6.  Claude Loftin - Isaac Dorland                Marion County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   11-03   Total:   3  11-03
7.  Wyatt Richards - Colby Goforth               Pickens County High School - GA       0
Day 1: 3   11-01   Total:   3  11-01
8.  Bryson Gurley - Ethan Evatt                  Palmetto High School - SC             0
Day 1: 3   11-00   Total:   3  11-00
9.  Ty Trentham - Chase Mccarter                 Sevier County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   10-10   Total:   3  10-10
10. Presley Lannom - Trevor Sanford              Mt. Juliet High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   10-07   Total:   3  10-07
11. Destin Morales - Samuel Cobb Jr              Livingston Parish Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 3   10-04   Total:   3  10-04
12. Cole Martin - Josh Bowen                     Lakeside High School - AR             0
Day 1: 3   10-02   Total:   3  10-02
13. Nicholas Frumkin - Jack Houghton             Mass Nation High School - MA          0
Day 1: 3   10-01   Total:   3  10-01
14. Dylan Quilatan - Tommy Rust                  Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   10-01   Total:   3  10-01
15. Ashton Feck - William Crawford               Boyle County High School - KY         0
Day 1: 3   10-00   Total:   3  10-00
16. Jack Pickett - Luke Baugh                    Skyline High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   09-14   Total:   3  09-14
17. Bryce Balentine - Bryce Dimauro              Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   09-14   Total:   3  09-14
18. Drew Bradstreet - Kamden Bradstreet          Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   09-14   Total:   3  09-14
19. Ely Hagans - Cole Pennington                 Greenbrier High School - AR           0
Day 1: 3   09-11   Total:   3  09-11
20. Jacob Longlois - Slade Nunnally              Little Cypress-Mauriceville - TX      0
Day 1: 3   09-09   Total:   3  09-09
21. Thomas Newman - Camdon Fauver                Frederick County High School - V      0
Day 1: 3   09-07   Total:   3  09-07
21. Landon Watts - Josiah Shockley               Livingston Parish Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 3   09-07   Total:   3  09-07
23. Nolan Holloway - Jackson Fanning             Morgan County High School - GA        0
Day 1: 3   09-04   Total:   3  09-04
24. Chris Fallon - Briar Dodson                  Gardendale High School - AL           0
Day 1: 3   09-03   Total:   3  09-03
25. Blalock Eskew - Ellis Turner                 Heard County High School - GA         0
Day 1: 3   09-02   Total:   3  09-02
26. BJ Collins - Elijah Benson                   Chatuge Anglers - GA                  0
Day 1: 3   08-14   Total:   3  08-14
27. Dylan Sorrells - Cullum Brown                Highland Park High School - TX        0
Day 1: 3   08-12   Total:   3  08-12
28. Jack Swihart - Rylan Hamlin                  A1 Anglers - MI                       0
Day 1: 3   08-12   Total:   3  08-12
29. Jace Anderson - Ty Downs                     Savage Fishing - OK                   0
Day 1: 3   08-10   Total:   3  08-10
30. Connor Crawford - Brody Beam                 Liberty County High School - FL       0
Day 1: 3   08-07   Total:   3  08-07
30. Andrew Jones - Carson Underwood              Hewitt-Trussville High School -       0
Day 1: 3   08-07   Total:   3  08-07
32. Elijah Bryant - Patrick Locker               Jessamine County High School - K      0
Day 1: 3   08-06   Total:   3  08-06
33. Jacob Policka -                              Fruitport High School - MI            0
Day 1: 3   08-03   Total:   3  08-03
33. Coleman Stewart - Keenan Stewart             Boyle County High School - KY         0
Day 1: 3   08-03   Total:   3  08-03
35. Jake Mattingly -                             Danville Christian Academy - KY       0
Day 1: 3   08-03   Total:   3  08-03
36. Joseph Mashburn - Kobe Walden                Clinton High School - TN              0
Day 1: 3   07-15   Total:   3  07-15
37. Evan Newell - Kody Glass                     Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 3   07-14   Total:   3  07-14
38. Peyton Dunn - Gavin Guy                      Irwin County High School - GA         0
Day 1: 3   07-13   Total:   3  07-13
39. Justin Blais -                               Glenmora High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
40. Gracie Gregory - Trent Allen                 George Jenkins High School - FL       0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
40. Brayden Hoehn - Gibby Gibson                 Saint Mary's High School - OH         0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
42. Jackie Hatfield - Graham Willis              Alcoa Fishing Team - TN               0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
43. Grant Thomas - Riley Peppers                 Franklin High School- TN              0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
44. Jack Mcillwain - Dyson Weaver                Creekwood High School - TN            0
Day 1: 3   07-12   Total:   3  07-12
45. Rex Reagan - Max Moody                       Pickett County High School - TN       0
Day 1: 3   07-11   Total:   3  07-11
46. Conner Balthis - Cooper Johnson              Mannford High School - OK             0
Day 1: 3   07-10   Total:   3  07-10
47. Reed Rooke - Hayden Seabolt                  Dawson County High School - GA        0
Day 1: 3   07-10   Total:   3  07-10
48. Elijah Cruze - Malcolm Leger                 Sam Houston High School - LA          0
Day 1: 3   07-09   Total:   3  07-09
49. Hunter Hightower - Jake Bennett              Brookeland ISD - TX                   0
Day 1: 3   07-08   Total:   3  07-08
49. Gunner Willoughby - Bryce Alfrey             George Rogers Clark High School       0
Day 1: 3   07-08   Total:   3  07-08
51. Jacob Janning - Ben Wilson                   Jefferson High School - GA            0
Day 1: 3   07-08   Total:   3  07-08
52. Makenzie Bailey - Dalton Bailey              Seminole Junior Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   07-07   Total:   3  07-07
52. Slade Davis - Stihl Smith                    Benjamin Russell High School - A      0
Day 1: 3   07-07   Total:   3  07-07
52. Brady Vest - Brody Hopper                    Cullman High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   07-07   Total:   3  07-07
55. Miles Allen - Ethan Roths                    St. Xavier High School - KY           0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
55. hunter Brewer - Ethan Tedder                 Lawrence County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
55. Ethen Gardner - Hayes Boyd                   Alabama Christian Academy - AL        0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
55. Luke McGuffin - Kaleb Butts                  Crescent High School - SC             0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
59. Wesley Perreault - Tyler Mahood              CT Bass Thunder - CT                  0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
60. Hayes Finch - James Lamberth                 Alabama Christian Academy - AL        0
Day 1: 3   07-04   Total:   3  07-04
61. Kaden Mueck - Lane Ward                      Livingston High School - TX           0
Day 1: 3   07-03   Total:   3  07-03
61. Nicholas Wells - William Spears              Genoa Central High School - AR        0
Day 1: 3   07-03   Total:   3  07-03
63. Hayden Short - Abigail Short                 Burgin Independent - KY               0
Day 1: 3   07-03   Total:   3  07-03
64. Rylee Calcaterra - Brock Dury                Herrin High School - IL               0
Day 1: 3   07-02   Total:   3  07-02
64. Aiden King - Brody Porter                    Shelby County High School - AL        0
Day 1: 3   07-02   Total:   3  07-02
64. Justin McGee - Sadie Wallace                 Bibb County - AL                      0
Day 1: 3   07-02   Total:   3  07-02
64. Nick Noyes - Tim Raducka                     Plainfield South High School - I      0
Day 1: 3   07-02   Total:   3  07-02
68. Ethan Lewis - Carter Wilson                  Chiles High School - FL               0
Day 1: 3   07-01   Total:   3  07-01
69. Cole Hargrave - Noah Vincent                 Kaplan High School - LA               0
Day 1: 3   07-00   Total:   3  07-00
70. Carson Falk - Trey Blackmon III              Capital City Bass Hunters - FL        0
Day 1: 3   07-00   Total:   3  07-00
71. Fisher Anaya - Cody Brooks                   Brewer High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
71. Caleb Boackle - Logan Lightsey               Cornerstone Christian School - A      0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
71. Easton Morrow - RJ Sanger                    Lakeland Christian School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
71. C.J. Stanley - Colton Parten                 Rhea County High School - TN          0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
75. Alex Gore - Colby Reece                      Jefferson County High School - T      0
Day 1: 3   06-14   Total:   3  06-14
75. Brody Kellum - Carson Thompson               Franklin County High School - GA      0
Day 1: 3   06-14   Total:   3  06-14
75. Jackson Mitchell - Evan Mabrey               Hueytown Student Anglers - AL         0
Day 1: 3   06-14   Total:   3  06-14
78. Johnathan Welch - Elijah Hamilton            East Hickman Fishing - TN             0
Day 1: 3   06-14   Total:   3  06-14
79. Aaron Yavorsky - Jett Stanley                Tampa Bay Jr. Bass Club - FL          0
Day 1: 3   06-14   Total:   3  06-14
80. Kael Moore - Lane Weichman                   Cedar Falls High School - IA          0
Day 1: 3   06-12   Total:   3  06-12
81. Jamison Conyer - Brendan Brown               Gallatin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   06-12   Total:   3  06-12
81. William Guidry - Tanner Meyer                Rayne High School - LA                0
Day 1: 3   06-12   Total:   3  06-12
81. Caleb Martinez - Logan Carter                Lincoln County High School - TN       0
Day 1: 3   06-12   Total:   3  06-12
84. Cole Mcneely - Caden Cranford                Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   06-11   Total:   3  06-11
85. Jacob Baugh - Brody Berninger                Skyline High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   06-10   Total:   3  06-10
85. Easton Morris - Hunter Thrash                Jemison High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   06-10   Total:   3  06-10
85. Jackson Rogers - Caden Sellers               Denham Springs High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   06-10   Total:   3  06-10
88. Brady Horton - Hayden Black                  Greenbrier High School - AR           0
Day 1: 3   06-10   Total:   3  06-10
89. Ty Allison - Brayden Padgett                 McDowell High School - NC             0
Day 1: 3   06-09   Total:   3  06-09
89. Doyce Beard - Cooper Rouse                   Auburn High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   06-09   Total:   3  06-09
89. Joe Vaulton - Walker LaRue                   Alcoa Fishing Team - TN               0
Day 1: 3   06-09   Total:   3  06-09
92. Mason Cheek - Sam Walls                      Mercer County High School - KY        0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
92. Logan Holdan - Dakota Wooten                 Genoa Central High School - AR        0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
92. Blane Smith - Tate Reynolds                  Russell County High School - KY       0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
92. Kane Weekley -                               Hendry County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
96. Travis Ogle - Garrett Taylor                 Lincoln County High School - TN       0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
96. Hunter Petrovic - Hayden Host                Minooka High School - IL              0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
96. Brady Talbot - Bryce Distefano               Live Oak High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   06-07   Total:   3  06-07
99. Cameron Yates - Lucas Snyder                 Kingswood High School - NH            0
Day 1: 3   06-06   Total:   3  06-06
100. Jacob Berryhill - Landon Davis               Cherokee Chiefs - TN                  0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
100. Charlie M Grisamore - Matthew Qualich        Adlai E. Stevenson High School -      0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
100. Eddie Hook - Tanner Wolf                     Club Florida High School Bassmas      0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
100. Morgan Restivo - Hudson Craig                Herrin High School - IL               0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
104. Alexander Blanchard - Noah Deshotel          Assumption High School - LA           0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
105. Caleb Logue - Hayden Reynolds                Bainbridge High School - GA           0
Day 1: 3   06-05   Total:   3  06-05
106. Colden Baker - Jaylin White                  Wateree Anglers - SC                  0
Day 1: 3   06-04   Total:   3  06-04
106. Barrett Bennefield - Cason Mancill           Chireno - TX                          0
Day 1: 3   06-04   Total:   3  06-04
108. Cole Bowen - Tate Bowen                      Mecklenburg High School - VA          0
Day 1: 3   06-04   Total:   3  06-04
108. Riley Spring - Easton Douglas                Dixie County High School - FL         0
Day 1: 3   06-04   Total:   3  06-04
110. Riley Richard - Jacob Treml                  Luxemburg-Casco High School - WI      0
Day 1: 2   06-04   Total:   2  06-04
111. Tyler Covington - Brantley Tate              Walker High School - LA               0
Day 1: 3   06-03   Total:   3  06-03
112. Jace Mcmasters - Dominick Willard            Reeds Spring High School - MO         0
Day 1: 3   06-03   Total:   3  06-03
113. Phillip Herring - Calup Williams             Greene County Bassmasters - MS        0
Day 1: 3   06-02   Total:   3  06-02
113. Lake  Johnson - Beau England                 Alabama Bass Academy - AL             0
Day 1: 3   06-02   Total:   3  06-02
113. Hunter Proctor - Hammy Gatlin                Lenoir City High School - TN          0
Day 1: 3   06-02   Total:   3  06-02
116. Hogan Benson - Jacob Clayton                 Chesnee High School - SC              0
Day 1: 3   06-01   Total:   3  06-01
117. Nicholas Boggs - Brady Howard                Louisa Bass Club High School - K      0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
117. Caleb Cason - Hayden Robinson                Lone Star JR Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
117. Parker Eubanks - Garrett Evans               Wilson High School - OK               0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
117. Kieran Stephenson - Grady Stanley            Fuquay Varina High School  - NC       0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
121. Brody Brinson - Isaiah Mussnug               Sumner County Bass Team - TN          0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
121. Storm Clark - Levi Bolton                    Harris County High School - GA        0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
123. Alex Douglas - Will Douglas                  Cumberland Gap High School - TN       0
Day 1: 3   05-15   Total:   3  05-15
124. Caiden Ellis - Gage Byars                    Henry County High School - TN         0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Isaac Garvin - Blake Gibson                  Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Levi Loe - Trace Loe                         Magnolia Bass Cats - AR               0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Boone Stewart - Clayton Griffith             Hendry County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Hunter Travis - Jameson Norris               Baldwin County High School - AL       0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Alex Tyler - Briley West                     McKeel High School - FL               0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
124. Clayton Vote - Casey Tissue                  Central Arkansas Bass Club - AR       0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
131. Matt Dooley - Jacob Dooley                   Adamsville High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
131. Jonathan Fann - Gunter Pitts                 Cannon County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
131. Jacob Lange - Shane Lochner                  Eastern Iowa Bassmasters - IA         0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
131. Payton Thompson - Reed Dowdy                 Blue Mountain Bassmasters - VA        0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
135. Trey Tennill - Ryan Robertson                Bullitt East High School - KY         0
Day 1: 3   05-12   Total:   3  05-12
135. Caden Williamson - Braden Norton             Vidor High School - TX                0
Day 1: 3   05-12   Total:   3  05-12
137. Jakob Stamper - Jack Hay                     Howell High School - MI               0
Day 1: 2   05-12   Total:   2  05-12
138. Bradley Childers - Gee Fowler                Gaffney High School - SC              0
Day 1: 3   05-11   Total:   3  05-11
138. Emma Dayton - Ryder Fontenot                 Walker High School - LA               0
Day 1: 3   05-11   Total:   3  05-11
140. Ryan Kahut - Noah Varitek                    A1 Anglers - MI                       0
Day 1: 2   05-11   Total:   2  05-11
141. Austin Bloemer - Garrett Gaddis              Teutopolis High School - IL           0
Day 1: 3   05-10   Total:   3  05-10
141. Jacob Sledge - Ethan Hargrove                Eagleville High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   05-10   Total:   3  05-10
143. Grayson Bonfils - Gage Collins               East Baton Rouge Bassmaster - LA      0
Day 1: 3   05-10   Total:   3  05-10
143. Zach Wolfe - Jackson Kotara                  Lincoln-Way Central High School       0
Day 1: 3   05-10   Total:   3  05-10
145. Cade Calkins - Brayden Vallie                Fruitport High School - MI            0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
145. Ross Deters - Dawson Hoene                   Teutopolis High School - IL           0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
145. Reese Ray - Connor Mccown                    Glenmora High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
148. Rafe Sexton - Hilary Sue Martin              Hendry County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
149. Luca Thies - Quentin Nebel                   Jacksonville High School - IL         0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
150. Hunter Alexander - Chase Wodzinski           Roco Anglers - NC                     0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
150. Landon Haynes - Jason Haynes                 Marion County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
152. Drayke Clayton - Spencer Lovett              Mt. Pleasant High School - TN         0
Day 1: 3   05-08   Total:   3  05-08
152. Bennett Fontenot - Braxton Speyrer           Port Barre High School - LA           0
Day 1: 3   05-08   Total:   3  05-08
152. Jeremiah Proulx - Dylan Rhiney               Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   05-08   Total:   3  05-08
155. Tanner Seabolt - Ragyn Mohney                Okeechobee Brahmans - FL              0
Day 1: 3   05-08   Total:   3  05-08
156. Ridge Faircloth - Chaff Foran                Liberty County High School - FL       0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
156. Mac Fritts - Reid Chapman                    Campbell County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
156. Levi Huffstetler - Carson Weber              Alcoa Fishing Team - TN               0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
156. Joseph Miskovich - Ryder Miskovich           Grand Rapids - MN                     0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
156. Griffin Ralph - Kaleb Snow                   Lakeside High School - AR             0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
161. Kylan Mantooth - Brent Boehman               Coffee County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
162. Corbin Bornstein - Thomas James              Lipscomb Academy - TN                 0
Day 1: 3   05-06   Total:   3  05-06
162. Austin Denmark - Gavin Sigler                Citronelle High School - AL           0
Day 1: 3   05-06   Total:   3  05-06
164. Peyton Rose - Tyler Conrad                   Flora High School - IL                0
Day 1: 3   05-06   Total:   3  05-06
165. Wilson Bennett - Lang Raughton               Auburn High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
165. Logan Evans - Annie Lassiter                 Soddy Daisy High School - TN          0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
165. Drew Fleener - Hunter Prough                 Chipley Bassmasters - FL              0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
165. Benjamin Jumonville - David Gummow           Catholic High of Pointe Coupee -      0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
169. Gabe Amburgey - Tryton Amburgey              Montgomery County High School -       0
Day 1: 3   05-04   Total:   3  05-04
169. Tyler Michael - Hayden Alexander             Buckeye Student Anglers - OH          0
Day 1: 3   05-04   Total:   3  05-04
169. Ryan Olsen - Delaney Platt                   Gardner South Wilmington High Sc      0
Day 1: 3   05-04   Total:   3  05-04
172. Jacob Holt - John Prater                     Warren County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   05-04   Total:   3  05-04
173. Brady McCormick - Harris Jones               Briarwood Christian School - AL       0
Day 1: 2   05-04   Total:   2  05-04
173. Owen Ray - Camdyn Cranfill                   Rhea County High School - TN          0
Day 1: 2   05-04   Total:   2  05-04
175. Lukaus Bateson - Ryan Stapleton              Clinton High - IL                     0
Day 1: 3   05-03   Total:   3  05-03
176. Brody Boudreaux - Cooper Callahan            Lafourche Bassmasters - LA            0
Day 1: 3   05-03   Total:   3  05-03
177. Reece Knight - Noah Gipson                   Albertville High School - AL          0
Day 1: 2   05-03   Total:   2  05-03
178. Charly Hutson - Chloe Wisniewski             Tennessee Valley Bass Club - TN       0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
178. Garrett Ring - Elijah Ruple                  Greenbrier High School - AR           0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
178. Lake Smith - Micah Horton                    Woodruff High School - SC             0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
181. Trey Richardson - Reid Luckett               Free State Bass - MD                  0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
182. Dylan Mladick - Jeff Giffen                  Team Arizona - AZ                     0
Day 1: 2   05-02   Total:   2  05-02
183. Timothy Finley - Conner Frederick            Nassau Christian Bass Club - FL       0
Day 1: 3   05-01   Total:   3  05-01
183. Nathaniel Floyd - Christian Bales            Jessamine County High School - K      0
Day 1: 3   05-01   Total:   3  05-01
183. Ashton Ozolins - Luke Malik                  Sumner County Bass Team - TN          0
Day 1: 3   05-01   Total:   3  05-01
186. Kasen Pemberton - Ethan Berry                Chipley Bassmasters - FL              0
Day 1: 3   05-01   Total:   3  05-01
187. Layne Mercer - Solomon Apperson              Lumberton High School - TX            0
Day 1: 3   05-01   Total:   3  05-01
188. Jackson Edenfield - Hunter Harris            Chiles High School - FL               0
Day 1: 2   05-01   Total:   2  05-01
189. Rodney Elliott - Cooper Wilson               Greenwave Bassmasters - SC            0
Day 1: 3   05-00   Total:   3  05-00
189. Max Himmel - Tyler Morris                    Catholic High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   05-00   Total:   3  05-00
189. Jayden Pfeuffer - Logan Tennant              Tampa Bay Jr. Bass Club - FL          0
Day 1: 3   05-00   Total:   3  05-00
192. Hunter Stuckey - Logan Clark                 Sabine-Hallsville High School -       0
Day 1: 2   05-00   Total:   2  05-00
193. Luke Barriger - Luke Bailey                  Meridian Early College High Scho      0
Day 1: 3   04-15   Total:   3  04-15
194. Peter West - Zach Knight                     Gallatin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   04-15   Total:   3  04-15
195. Keaton Bassham - Madison Busch               Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   04-14   Total:   3  04-14
195. Kaden Snavely - Logan Cardwell               Central Florida Youth Anglers -       0
Day 1: 3   04-14   Total:   3  04-14
197. Caden Pearson - Zachary Schmitt              Naperville North High School - I      0
Day 1: 3   04-14   Total:   3  04-14
198. Logan Allen - Stone Grove                    Creekwood High School - TN            0
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
198. Alex Barrett - Davis Ray                     Fayetteville High School - AL         0
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
198. Brody Jones - Parker Batts                   Jefferson County High School - T      0
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
198. Ethan Stant - Vanessa Gaines                 Kent Fishing Club - DE                0
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
198. Jeffery Stewart - JW Holloway                Monterey High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
203. Cameron Prokop - Sophia Janulis              Plainfield South High School - I      0
Day 1: 2   04-13   Total:   2  04-13
204. Mason Mccormick - Alexis Virgillito          Bossier Parish High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   04-12   Total:   3  04-12
204. Colegan Stiner - Connor Kapp                 Wellsboro High School - PA            0
Day 1: 3   04-12   Total:   3  04-12
206. Carson Holbert - Caden Davis                 Eagleton College and Career Acad      0
Day 1: 3   04-12   Total:   3  04-12
207. Hayden Stolz - Austin Levy                   Windsor High School - CO              0
Day 1: 2   04-12   Total:   2  04-12
208. Ben Buchanan - Christopher Raines            University School of Jackson - T      0
Day 1: 3   04-11   Total:   3  04-11
208. Joah Coley - Jarren Crowder                  HS Potomac River Bassmasters - M      0
Day 1: 3   04-11   Total:   3  04-11
208. Ty Kreis - Braeden Anderson                  Gothenburg Bassmasters - NE           0
Day 1: 3   04-11   Total:   3  04-11
211. Cody Keith - Samuel Nicholas                 Oak Grove High School - MS            0
Day 1: 1   04-11   Total:   1  04-11
212. Trevor Wilburn - Kagen Hill                  Century High School - IL              0
Day 1: 3   04-10   Total:   3  04-10
212. Logan Withrow - Braden Crumley               Chilhowee Bassmasters - TN            0
Day 1: 3   04-10   Total:   3  04-10
214. Will Brantley - Johnson Mcguire              Auburn High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
214. Lawson Gamble - Gray Hardy                   Headland High School - AL             0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
214. Kobi May - Cayden Haney                      Jefferson County High School - T      0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
214. Cameron Whitehead - Christopher Johnson      Rehobeth High School - AL             0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
214. Tilynn Willett - Aiden Kerney                West Greene High School - TN          0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
219. Brayson Claunch - Cameron Owens              Boyle County High School - KY         0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
220. Clayton Barry - Tanner Sikes                 Columbia High School - FL             0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
220. Gus Dietrich - Max Phillpotts                Powers Catholic High School - MI      0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
220. Will Hart - Logan Fisher                     Madison County High School - GA       0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
220. Zachary Morris - Chaz Elston                 ME Bass High School - ME              0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
224. Ben Puckett - Jesse Klutts                   Henry County High School - TN         0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
225. Gavin Seewald - Judson Touchstone            Hoover High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   04-07   Total:   3  04-07
226. Ryan Kotara -                                Lincoln-Way Central High School       0
Day 1: 2   04-07   Total:   2  04-07
227. Caleb Cook -                                 Eastside Elites - MI                  0
Day 1: 1   04-07   Total:   1  04-07
228. Paul Baker - Ashton Albert                   CT Bass Thunder - CT                  0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
228. Landon Childers - Weston Childers            Thomas Nelson High School - KY        0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
228. Hollis Rose - Grant Arnold                   Jefferson County High School - T      0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
231. Hunter Thomas - Lane Lipscomb                Chesnee High School - SC              0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
232. Wyatt Gabehart - Eli Ward                    UKV Warriors - WV                     0
Day 1: 3   04-05   Total:   3  04-05
232. Levi Harris - Zane Roberts                   Fairview High School - AL             0
Day 1: 3   04-05   Total:   3  04-05
232. Lainie Holbert - Sarah Swindle               Riverside High School - TN            0
Day 1: 3   04-05   Total:   3  04-05
232. Tucker Oakes - Thomas Woodard                Batavia High School - IL              0
Day 1: 3   04-05   Total:   3  04-05
236. Ben Holzer - Chayton Witham                  Indian Creek High School - IN         0
Day 1: 2   04-05   Total:   2  04-05
237. Dylan Holcomb - Grayson Faircloth            Liberty County High School - FL       0
Day 1: 2   04-05   Total:   2  04-05
238. Bre Arnold - Connor Clark                    Good Hope Fishing Team - AL           0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
238. Scotty Hagan - Mason Hagan                   Edmonson County High School - KY      0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
238. Hunter Holland - Breanna Holland             Walker High School - LA               0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
238. Lane Jacobs - Maddison Johnson               Vidor High School - TX                0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
238. Noah Perkins - Annamarie Malone              Citronelle High School - AL           0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
243. Trace Antunes - Griffin Antunes              Henderson High School - TX            0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
244. Landon Rollison - Chris Hackle               Dixie County High School - FL         0
Day 1: 3   04-03   Total:   3  04-03
244. Brayden Ruckman - Nate Helmreich             Freeland High School - MI             0
Day 1: 3   04-03   Total:   3  04-03
244. Jase White - Carsen Adcock                   Bossier Parish High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   04-03   Total:   3  04-03
247. Myles Mcdaniel - Will Shepherd               Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   04-03   Total:   3  04-03
247. Rhiauna Switzer - Abigail Panak              Berryhill 1 - OK                      0
Day 1: 3   04-03   Total:   3  04-03
249. Landon Pierce - Korbin Neat                  Casey County High School - KY         0
Day 1: 2   04-03   Total:   2  04-03
250. Kaden Casey -                                Montgomery County High School -       0
Day 1: 1   04-03   Total:   1  04-03
251. Christian Bradford - Dakota Jones            Franklin County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
251. Johann Cloete - Luke Ayotte                  Tampa Bay Jr. Bass Club - FL          0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
251. Lucas Fashho - Nick Fashho                   Eastside Elites - MI                  0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
251. Garrett Hooker - Samuel Rachal               Oak Hill High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
251. Caleb Kuykendall - Pate Willis               Murfreesboro High School - AR         0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
256. Joe Rothwell - Luke Maiden                   Montgomery County High School -       0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
257. Christian Williamson - Hunter Murphy         West Sabine Bass Club - TX            0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
258. Hunter Hamilton - Noah Higgins               Parkview Baptist School - LA          0
Day 1: 3   04-01   Total:   3  04-01
258. John Mullins - Jayden Douglas                Eagleville High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   04-01   Total:   3  04-01
258. Colten Privett - Jonathan Cole               West Volusia School River Ratz -      0
Day 1: 3   04-01   Total:   3  04-01
261. Brock Lovering - Dallas Hurd                 863 Anglers - FL                      0
Day 1: 3   04-01   Total:   3  04-01
262. Drake Carret - Evan Leboeuf                  Teurlings Catholic High School -      0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Nicholas England - Tyler Medica              Alexandria Senior High School -       0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Lane Fontenot - Deaton Leblanc               Denham Springs High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Barrett Newton - Landon Krauss               Upperman High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Cristian Norris - Carli Norris               Oneida Lake High School - NY          0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Carson Owen - Cade Smith                     Plainview Bass Club - OK              0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Colin Smith - Peyton Smith                   Pell City High School - AL            0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
262. Gabryel St John - Mason Dople                Campbell County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
270. Hayden Vavak - Grayson Bryant                NEA Youth Fishing - AR                0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
271. Tyler Camp - Kason Carmichiel                Pine Grove High School - MS           0
Day 1: 3   03-15   Total:   3  03-15
271. Mikey Gammons - Gage Richbourg               SC Hawg Hunters - SC                  0
Day 1: 3   03-15   Total:   3  03-15
273. Garrett Christy - Cayden Moore               Roco Anglers - NC                     0
Day 1: 3   03-15   Total:   3  03-15
274. Alexander Costanza - Joshua Brannen          Alabama Christian Academy - AL        0
Day 1: 3   03-14   Total:   3  03-14
274. Zachary Helton - Jackson Bennett             Alcoa Fishing Team - TN               0
Day 1: 3   03-14   Total:   3  03-14
274. Hunter Owens - Clayton Kelley                Karns High School - TN                0
Day 1: 3   03-14   Total:   3  03-14
274. Colton Walker - Cordell Sanders              Capital City Bass Hunters - FL        0
Day 1: 3   03-14   Total:   3  03-14
278. Jayden Corr - Jase Corr                      Lone Star JR Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 2   03-14   Total:   2  03-14
279. Easton Drennon - Zeb Major                   Mt. Juliet High School - TN           0
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
279. Kyle Herrman - Nick Herrman                  Capital City High School Bass Cl      0
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
279. Wesley Kent - Mason Taylor                   Dekalb Fishing Team - TN              0
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
279. Kayden Townsend - Briley Knowles             Genoa Central High School - AR        0
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
283. Richard Skiff - Evan Mccormick               Edwardsville High School - IL         0
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
284. Braci Ault - Brody Ault                      Frontier Falcons - IN                 0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
284. Drew Danielson - Theo Edeburn                Sartell-St. Stephen - MN              0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
284. Syler Prince - Austin Peters                 Putnam County Bassmasters - FL        0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
284. Turner Tharpe - Blake James                  Rhea County High School - TN          0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
288. Caleb Johnston - Colin Cosenza               Many High School - LA                 0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
289. Brody Mitchell - James Mitchell              Grissom High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   03-11   Total:   3  03-11
290. Jack Varnado - Dylan Johnson                 Denham Springs High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   03-11   Total:   3  03-11
291. Max Hondorp - Tyler Hondorp                  Panhandle Youth Anglers - FL          0
Day 1: 3   03-10   Total:   3  03-10
292. Carter Lanclos - Brandon Courville           Sulphur High School - LA              0
Day 1: 3   03-10   Total:   3  03-10
293. Alex Bradley - Rylan Green                   Chapman High School - SC              0
Day 1: 3   03-09   Total:   3  03-09
293. Hinesley Bryant - Arlen Francois             Central High School - LA              0
Day 1: 3   03-09   Total:   3  03-09
293. Blake Streck - Noah Jerke                    Panther Fishing Team - KS             0
Day 1: 3   03-09   Total:   3  03-09
296. Gavin Burnett - Kade Ellender                Sulphur High School - LA              0
Day 1: 2   03-09   Total:   2  03-09
297. Elijah Coleman - Will Dombroskas             Montgomery County High School -       0
Day 1: 3   03-08   Total:   3  03-08
297. Henry Fleetwood - Jackson Neibert            Indian Creek High School - IN         0
Day 1: 3   03-08   Total:   3  03-08
297. Holt Owens - Rylan Brewer                    Midway High School - TN               0
Day 1: 3   03-08   Total:   3  03-08
297. Drew Turnbull - Thomas Turnbull              Evangel Christian School - AL         0
Day 1: 3   03-08   Total:   3  03-08
301. Dean Fincher - Payton Schabeck               Lee County High School - GA           0
Day 1: 1   03-08   Total:   1  03-08
302. Hayden Barnett -                             Kingston High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   03-07   Total:   3  03-07
302. Blair Sinks - Peyton Jones                   Warren County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 3   03-07   Total:   3  03-07
304. Noah Loxley - Eli Buck                       Springfield High School - TN          0
Day 1: 1   03-07   Total:   1  03-07
305. Jonbrady Buttram - Cadence Barrett           Fayetteville High School - AL         0
Day 1: 3   03-06   Total:   3  03-06
306. Maxwell Coughlin - Parker Welch              Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   03-06   Total:   3  03-06
307. Tanner Mason -                               DAR High School - AL                  0
Day 1: 2   03-06   Total:   2  03-06
308. Carter Pjesky - JD McBroom                   Off the Hook Bassmasters - IL         0
Day 1: 3   03-05   Total:   3  03-05
308. Rowdie Thacker - Hunter King                 Live Oak High School - LA             0
Day 1: 3   03-05   Total:   3  03-05
310. Carter Davidson - Michael Markham            Tallassee High School - AL            0
Day 1: 3   03-04   Total:   3  03-04
310. Carter Johnson - Eli Anderson                Warrensburg High School - MO          0
Day 1: 3   03-04   Total:   3  03-04
312. Dillon May - Ethan Allen                     Wayne High School - WV                0
Day 1: 2   03-04   Total:   2  03-04
313. Cole Griggs - Candler Cain                   Jefferson High School - GA            0
Day 1: 3   03-03   Total:   3  03-03
313. Drake Pfeiffer -                             Rochester Bass Club - IL              0
Day 1: 3   03-03   Total:   3  03-03
315. Mason Lynn - Sullivan May                    Jackson County High School - MS       0
Day 1: 3   03-02   Total:   3  03-02
315. Luke Salvail - Tyler Seikel                  Grissom High School - AL              0
Day 1: 3   03-02   Total:   3  03-02
317. Will Boyd Jr - Luke Fancher                  Quincy High School Bassmasters -      0
Day 1: 3   03-01   Total:   3  03-01
318. Braxton Copeland - Chase Johnson             Livingston Academy - TN               0
Day 1: 3   03-01   Total:   3  03-01
319. Mason Fasching - Chase Messner               Holy Family - MN                      0
Day 1: 2   03-01   Total:   2  03-01
320. Lucy Humphrey - Luke Robinson                South Florence High School - SC       0
Day 1: 3   03-00   Total:   3  03-00
320. James Saylor -                               Garrard County High School - KY       0
Day 1: 3   03-00   Total:   3  03-00
322. Jonah Durden - Austyn Bolick                 Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 2   03-00   Total:   2  03-00
322. Mark Murdock - Landen Shirey                 Rison Bass Fishing Team - AR          0
Day 1: 2   03-00   Total:   2  03-00
324. Lane Argo - Jacob Flanagan                   Edinburg High School - IL             0
Day 1: 3   02-15   Total:   3  02-15
324. Caden Stevens - Hunter Crittenden            Franklin County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   02-15   Total:   3  02-15
326. Logan Sparkman - Austin Reed                 Chiles High School - FL               0
Day 1: 3   02-15   Total:   3  02-15
327. Mason Carden -                               Shelby County High School - AL        0
Day 1: 2   02-15   Total:   2  02-15
327. Avery Johnson - Drake Middleton              Riverside High School - TN            0
Day 1: 2   02-15   Total:   2  02-15
327. Brant Langley - Cody Morgan                  Marion County High School - FL        0
Day 1: 2   02-15   Total:   2  02-15
330. Ben Chance - River Rushlow                   Franklin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   02-14   Total:   3  02-14
330. Carter Hazlett - Christian Ferguson          Siegel High School - TN               0
Day 1: 3   02-14   Total:   3  02-14
330. Brady Holtgrave - Gabe Kay                   Wesclin High School - IL              0
Day 1: 3   02-14   Total:   3  02-14
333. Reed Best - JW Mitcham                       Colmesneil High School - TX           0
Day 1: 2   02-14   Total:   2  02-14
334. Logan Cargle - Cole Mcdaniel                 Tift County High School - GA          0
Day 1: 3   02-13   Total:   3  02-13
335. Jackson Rollins - Caleb Edwards              Alabama Bass Academy - AL             0
Day 1: 2   02-13   Total:   2  02-13
335. Skipper Stallings - Kade Crowson             Evangel Christian School - AL         0
Day 1: 2   02-13   Total:   2  02-13
337. Taylor Hubert - Brayden Tramel               Porter High School - TX               0
Day 1: 1   02-13   Total:   1  02-13
337. Brett Mouw - Logan Kinsella                  Hill Toppers - IL                     0
Day 1: 1   02-13   Total:   1  02-13
339. Travis Meche - Chance Watson                 Rayne High School - LA                0
Day 1: 3   02-12   Total:   3  02-12
340. Caleb Roblin - Luke Clark                    Denham Springs High School - LA       0
Day 1: 3   02-12   Total:   3  02-12
341. Carson Harrell - William Copleston           Chapman High School - SC              0
Day 1: 2   02-12   Total:   2  02-12
341. Cole Jimkoski - Jack Sprague                 Freeland High School - MI             0
Day 1: 2   02-12   Total:   2  02-12
343. Jon Foster - Carter Simmons                  Bandys High School - NC               0
Day 1: 1   02-12   Total:   1  02-12
343. Olivia Mauldin - Elliott Ward                Grace Christian Academy - TN          0
Day 1: 1   02-12   Total:   1  02-12
345. Bryson Dotson - Holden Pistello              Campbell County High School - TN      0
Day 1: 3   02-11   Total:   3  02-11
346. Blake Conrad - Marshall Caudill              Jessamine County High School - K      0
Day 1: 2   02-11   Total:   2  02-11
346. Finn Norsworthy - Graham Gilmore             Park Place Christian Academy - M      0
Day 1: 2   02-11   Total:   2  02-11
346. James Sumrell - Brody Harp                   Hixon Bass Team - TN                  0
Day 1: 2   02-11   Total:   2  02-11
349. Jack Gross - Jacob Poferl                    Forest Lake - MN                      0
Day 1: 1   02-11   Total:   1  02-11
350. Landon Loper - Bradley Manuel                MGM Vikings Fishing Team - AL         0
Day 1: 3   02-10   Total:   3  02-10
351. Luke Behon - Nate Neuherz                    Avonworth High School - PA            0
Day 1: 3   02-10   Total:   3  02-10
352. Hayden Corrent - Tanner Reed                 Brusly High School - LA               0
Day 1: 2   02-09   Total:   2  02-09
352. Wyatt Drawdy - Tyson Griffin                 Plant City Bassmasters - FL           0
Day 1: 2   02-09   Total:   2  02-09
352. Kaden Holley - Caleb Pourciau                Brusly High School - LA               0
Day 1: 2   02-09   Total:   2  02-09
355. Blake Marcum - Aaron Mills                   Louisa Bass Club High School - K      0
Day 1: 3   02-08   Total:   3  02-08
355. Grant Raney - Mason Martin                   East Limestone High School - AL       0
Day 1: 3   02-08   Total:   3  02-08
357. Jason Garrison - Noah Sparks                 George Rogers Clark High School       0
Day 1: 3   02-08   Total:   3  02-08
358. Parker Allen - Kadin Cooper                  New Market Bass Anglers - AL          0
Day 1: 2   02-08   Total:   2  02-08
358. Brise Hazelton -                             Huntington High School - TX           0
Day 1: 2   02-08   Total:   2  02-08
360. Trenton Tervin - Kyle Beasley                George Jenkins High School - FL       0
Day 1: 1   02-08   Total:   1  02-08
361. Jayden Black - Davin Dages                   863 Anglers - FL                      0
Day 1: 2   02-07   Total:   2  02-07
361. Jackson Long - Nick Siebert                  Olympia High School - IL              0
Day 1: 2   02-07   Total:   2  02-07
363. Easton Booth - Isaac Pryor                   Geneva High School - AL               0
Day 1: 3   02-06   Total:   3  02-06
364. Lane Davis - Korbyn Lewis                    Okeechobee Brahmans - FL              0
Day 1: 2   02-06   Total:   2  02-06
365. Carson Yero - Ryder Krueger                  Highlands County Anglers - FL         0
Day 1: 2   02-04   Total:   2  02-04
366. Jace Buxton - Ethan Graham                   Jackson County High School - MS       0
Day 1: 2   02-03   Total:   2  02-03
366. Karson Denton - Drake Miller                 Splendora High School - TX            0
Day 1: 2   02-03   Total:   2  02-03
368. Ross Kliebert - Zane Zeringue                Lafourche Bassmasters - LA            0
Day 1: 1   02-03   Total:   1  02-03
369. Logan Ethington - Dylan Teater               Jessamine County High School - K      0
Day 1: 1   02-03   Total:   1  02-03
370. Jordan Bivins - Dylan Morrison               863 Anglers - FL                      0
Day 1: 2   02-02   Total:   2  02-02
370. Caden Bradley - Michael Sojourner            Strong River Bassmasters - MS         0
Day 1: 2   02-02   Total:   2  02-02
372. Ethan Belanger - Jared Coates                Mass Nation High School - MA          0
Day 1: 2   02-01   Total:   2  02-01
373. Liam Plautz - John Wall                      Adlai E. Stevenson High School -      0
Day 1: 2   02-00   Total:   2  02-00
373. Will Stephens - Lucas Wray                   Russell County High School - KY       0
Day 1: 2   02-00   Total:   2  02-00
375. Jake Lovingood - Harlyn Nelson               Alcoa Fishing Team - TN               0
Day 1: 1   02-00   Total:   1  02-00
375. Dallas Taylor - Hayden Thomas                Stilwell High School - OK             0
Day 1: 1   02-00   Total:   1  02-00
377. Jackson Farmer - Tanner Sullivan             Seymour High School - TN              0
Day 1: 2   01-15   Total:   2  01-15
377. Hunter Mize - Cason Lyon                     Little River Bass Bandits - AR        0
Day 1: 2   01-15   Total:   2  01-15
379. Collin Hampton - Lucas Cheatham              Magnolia Bass Cats - AR               0
Day 1: 2   01-14   Total:   2  01-14
379. Hunter Oney - Austin Comer                   Hallsville Bobcats - TX               0
Day 1: 2   01-14   Total:   2  01-14
379. Gage Phillips - Caden Nelson                 Morris Community High School - I      0
Day 1: 2   01-14   Total:   2  01-14
382. Cason Price - Gabe Winham                    Rocky Mount Academy - NC              0
Day 1: 1   01-14   Total:   1  01-14
383. Caleb Morgan - Ethan Campbell                Kawartha High School - ON             0
Day 1: 2   01-13   Total:   2  01-13
383. Levi  Sowell - Cassidy Woodall               Broaddus High School - TX             0
Day 1: 2   01-13   Total:   2  01-13
385. Brezlyn Hightower - Peyton Bryant            Choctaw High School - OK              0
Day 1: 2   01-12   Total:   2  01-12
385. Landon Rivette - William Cramer              Teurlings Catholic High School -      0
Day 1: 2   01-12   Total:   2  01-12
385. Cambre Webb - Jackson Mcdaniel               Silliman Fishing - LA                 0
Day 1: 2   01-12   Total:   2  01-12
388. Camden Randall - James Roop                  Mt. Pleasant High School - TN         0
Day 1: 2   01-12   Total:   2  01-12
389. John Cooper - Gabriel Avalos                 Scotts Hill Student Anglers - TN      0
Day 1: 1   01-12   Total:   1  01-12
389. Talon Stone - Hayden Jennette                Benton County Bass Anglers - TN       0
Day 1: 1   01-12   Total:   1  01-12
391. Clayburn Reed -                              Central Florida Youth Anglers -       0
Day 1: 2   01-10   Total:   2  01-10
392. Cole Watts - Cody Cochrum                    Central High School of Clay Coun      0
Day 1: 1   01-10   Total:   1  01-10
393. Joe Hanna - John Oziemkowski                 Lincoln-Way Central High School       0
Day 1: 2   01-08   Total:   2  01-08
394. Clay Gough - Hudson Montgomery               George Rogers Clark High School       0
Day 1: 1   01-07   Total:   1  01-07
395. Chris Hoskins - Gavin Harvey                 Meigs County High School - TN         0
Day 1: 1   01-06   Total:   1  01-06
396. Gage Sellars - Brock Lewis                   Bainbridge High School - GA           0
Day 1: 1   01-05   Total:   1  01-05
396. Wesson Vint - Hunter Duracz                  Track and Channel Youth - IN          0
Day 1: 1   01-05   Total:   1  01-05
398. Will Cali -                                  Marmion Academy - IL                  0
Day 1: 2   01-02   Total:   2  01-02
399. Alyssa Agosto - Sarah Rising                 George Jenkins High School - FL       0
Day 1: 1   01-02   Total:   1  01-02
399. Ethan Castle - Jacob Willis                  Whitwell High School - TN             0
Day 1: 1   01-02   Total:   1  01-02
401. Easton Clark - Cohen Stentz                  Eastmont High School - WA             0
Day 1: 1   01-01   Total:   1  01-01
401. Kenny Smith - Joshua Lalonde                 Soddy Daisy High School - TN          0
Day 1: 1   01-01   Total:   1  01-01
403. Jake Bangert - Bryleigh Fox                  Winchester High School - IL           0
Day 1: 1   01-00   Total:   1  01-00
403. Caden Branch - Connor Beach                  Liberty County High School - FL       0
Day 1: 1   01-00   Total:   1  01-00
403. Kaden Randles - Landon Black                 DAR High School - AL                  0
Day 1: 1   01-00   Total:   1  01-00
406. Nick Claussen -                              Central Florida Youth Anglers -       0
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
406. Kylee Hickman -                              Huntington High School - TX           0
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
406. Kade Palmer - Evan Burris                    Walker High School - LA               0
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
406. Shepard Rowe -                               Vidor High School - TX                0
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
410. John Anderson - Bryce Tucker                 Bledsoe County High School - TN       0
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
410. Landon Chenault - Nathan Hoskins             George Rogers Clark High School       0
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
410. Tanner Moulton - Peyton Sargent              Mascoma Valley High School - NH       0
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
413. Luke Leblanc - Colin Sittig                  Notre Dame High School - LA           0
Day 1: 2   00-13   Total:   2  00-13
414. Jackson Daugherty - James Lane               Kingston High School - TN             0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
414. Jackson Fuller - Davis Barnett               Benjamin Russell High School - A      0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
414. Noah Howell - Harrison Kirkpatrick           Catholic High School - LA             0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
414. Cody Mundy - Brody Clendennen                Broaddus High School - TX             0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
418. John James Coco - Wesley Macdonald           Oak Mountain High School - AL         0
Day 1: 1   00-12   Total:   1  00-12
418. Connor Hebert -                              Catholic High School - LA             0
Day 1: 1   00-12   Total:   1  00-12
418. Waylon Hill - Deken Williams                 Malad High School - ID                0
Day 1: 1   00-12   Total:   1  00-12
418. Joey Punko - Riley Petrone                   Front Range - CO                      0
Day 1: 1   00-12   Total:   1  00-12
418. Tucker Sutherland - Wyatt Hornsby            Opp High School - AL                  0
Day 1: 1   00-12   Total:   1  00-12
423. Hayden Buchanan - Barrett Choquette          Headland High School - AL             0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
423. Jaxon Humphrey - Hasten Waggoner             Dekalb Fishing Team - TN              0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
423. Ridge Hurley - Samuel Bierworth              Oneida Lake High School - NY          0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
423. Landon Parker - Jake Watson                  DeWitt High School - AR               0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
423. Justin Waggener - Eli Pauley                 Burgin Independent - KY               0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
428. Rayburn Mcclelland - Levi Brown              West Sabine Bass Club - TX            0
Day 1: 1   00-08   Total:   1  00-08
429. Jake Woodward - Lucas Mast                   Evangel Christian School - AL         0
Day 1: 2   00-00   Total:   2  00-00
430. Taedem Ashworth - Evan Wood                  Mt. Pleasant High School - TN         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Gabe Blair - Landon Steele                   Mercer County High School - KY        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Murphy Childers - Ryder Colee                Brewer High School - AL               0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Brent Christopher - Connor Young             Boyle County High School - KY         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Maddox Crain - Gavin Skelcher                Southern Illinois Future Anglers      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Max Deroche - Jesse Boudreaux                North Vermilion High School - LA      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Jamison Drake - Alex Girodo                  East Limestone High School - AL       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Ian Fehrenbacher - Lain Burgener             Newton Community High School - I      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Traydun Freeze - Austin Hayes                Roco Anglers - NC                     0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Triton Graham - Garrett Sullivan             Citronelle High School - AL           0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Foster Hall -                                Central Kentucky High School Bas      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Hunter Hamilton - Tyler Hammond              Collins High School - KY              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Tanner Hamilton - Richard Johnson            Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Nolan Hamm - Austin Rhodus                   Lincoln County High School - KY       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Jerrod Haney - Brayden Blankenship           Martin County High School - KY        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Holden Harris - Elijah Myers                 Grundy County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Dayton Head -                                Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Brody Herron - Liam Tanner                   Mynderse Academy - NY                 0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Cade Howard - Kolton Scott                   Christian Academy of Louisville       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Isaac Jerabek - John Hanmann                 Luxemburg-Casco High School - WI      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Ashton Johnson - Eli Colley                  Sand Rock High School - AL            0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Nick Keith Jr. - Jagger Wells                Munford High School - AL              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Connor Kennedy - Cricket Coates              Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Brody Loiko - Brandon Wood                   ME Bass High School - ME              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Dakota Manuel - Kellen Katchur               Barbe High School - LA                0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Tyler Martin - Blake Rogers                  Sequatchie County High School -       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Brantley Mckinney - Phillip Dodson           Burgin Independent - KY               0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Blake Meeks - Colton Hall                    Smith Mountain Lake Christian Ac      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Sam Mink - Zavian Smith                      Lake Cumberland High School - KY      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Mason Mullins - Caden Graham                 Soddy Daisy High School - TN          0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. James Murphy - Dash Dawson                   Team Arizona - AZ                     0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Oliver Neumann - Jacob Wold                  Zimmerman Thunder - MN                0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Kaleb Page - Kasen Page                      Coffee County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Hayden Peck - Elijah Laflin                  Christian Academy of Louisville       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Madison Pendergraph - Ethan Roach            Warren County High School - TN        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Mason Pike - Cayden Black                    Grace Christian Academy - TN          0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Jacob Pourciau - Kaden Leblanc               Brusly High School - LA               0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. James Quinlivan - Fletcher Brasington        Headland High School - AL             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Benjamin Reinsch - Cole Petroff              Mt. Juliet High School - TN           0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Wyatt Roach - Cameron Courville              Sulphur High School - LA              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Hannah Robertson - Hunter Robertson          Denham Springs High School - LA       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Lane Roddy - Colton Myers                    Gallatin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Dillon Rogers - Zane Thomason                Arkadelphia High School - AR          0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Tony Romanelli - Logan Lee                   Kawartha High School - ON             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Edward San Juan - Joshua Sonnier             Orangefield High School - TX          0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Jack Sebring - Mason Turner                  Highlands County Anglers - FL         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Finn Taylor -                                Highlands County Anglers - FL         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Charlie Thompson - Reece Williams            SC Lower State Bass Club - SC         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Nolan Westadt - Dierks Sayer                 Cambridge Trojan Bass Anglers -       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Caid Wilkerson - Gavin Foote                 Maybank High School - TX              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Carson Winn - Jake Krauth                    Franklin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
430. Tanner Young -                               Martin County High School - KY        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       312      1118      2048-13
----------------------------------
312      1118      2048-13


Matthew Stefan Picks Up First Career Win at MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse

Junction City, Wisconsin Pro Earns $80,000 Top Prize and Qualification into REDCREST 2024 With Three-Day Total of 15 Bass Weighing 48-6

LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 27, 2023) – Thirteen seasons as a professional angler. Eighty-eight professional-level events. Numerous top-10 and top-20 finishes. Now, finally, pro Matthew Stefan of Junction City, Wisconsin, can add another accolade to his impressive resume – champion.

Stefan brought a five-bass limit to the scale, Thursday, weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces, to overtake Oconomowoc, Wisconsin’s Steve Lopez and win the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River – his first career victory – and the first-place prize of $80,000.

Stefan’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 48 pounds, 6 ounces, earned him the win by a 10-ounce margin over Lopez, who weighed in 15 bass for 47-12, good for second place. The top 10 was extremely Wisconsin-heavy, as fellow Wisconsinites Tom Monsoor of La Crosse (3rd), Nick Trim of Galesville (4th), Cade Laufenberg of Onalaska (6th) and Mike Brueggen of La Crosse (7th) all finished inside the top 10.

Stefan won the event by running to a key stretch of eel grass in Pool No. 7 each day. He said that he found the stretch during practice but had no idea that it would turn into something special.

“I fished all three pools in practice – I spent a day in each, but I didn’t feel good about any of it,” Stefan said. “I found one stretch of eel grass in Pool 7 where I was able to get some bites when I slowed down and fished finesse. I caught two quality fish in practice, and shook off four or five more, so I decided I would go there the first day. It turned into something more than I thought it would be, and I spent all three days on the same stretch.”

Although Stefan was never confident that he had enough weight to win the tournament until after the final bass had been weighed, he and multiple other anglers almost didn’t make it back to weigh-in on Thursday. An unexpected barge was in the lock when Stefan and numerous other anglers were trying to pass through, and as MLF NOW! live coverage stopped rolling Thursday, the barge was still working its way through. After some sweating, and praying, the anglers made it back to weigh-in with just minutes to spare.

“I’ve had some close calls with the lock before, but nothing like this,” Stefan said. “Nothing where I knew I had a good bag, and whether I won or not I knew I was going to be getting a good check. The reality of it is that it’s part of the game when you play the river, and as anglers we know that. But, as careful as we try to be – we’ve all got apps for the barge traffic – none of us knew that barge was there. It was a surprise to all of us, and I don’t know that any of us thought we were going to get back.”

Of the 15 keepers that Stefan weighed in throughout the week, 13 came on a 5-inch wacky-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General in green-pumpkin or black-and-blue, and two came on a discontinued Reaction Innovations Vixen topwater bait.

“There are so many wonderful things about winning a tournament and the season that I’ve had,” Stefan said. “It really has been a dream. I’ve been doing this for 13 years, and I wanted a win so bad. To do it here in La Crosse this week has just been so special. I’ve always dreamed of holding one of these trophies up on stage, and I did. Now I get to take this back home to the tackle room, and this trophy will be front and center.”

The top 50 pros at the Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse finished:

1st:        Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., 15 bass, 48-6, $81,000
2nd:       Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis., 15 bass, 47-12, $50,000
3rd:       Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., 15 bass, 45-14, $20,000
4th:        Nick Trim, Galesville, Wis., 15 bass, 44-15, $18,000
5th:        Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 15 bass, 44-7, $17,000
6th:        Cade Laufenberg, Onalaska, Wis., 15 bass, 44-7, $16,000
7th:        Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., 15 bass, 44-0, $15,000
8th:        Cody Meyer, Eagle, Idaho, 15 bass, 44-0, $14,000
9th:        Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 42-6, $13,000
10th:     Tristan McCormick, Burns, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-5, $12,000
11th:     Scott Wiley, Bay Minette, Ala., 15 bass, 42-5, $11,000
12th:     Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 15 bass, 42-5, $10,000
13th:     Jeff Ritter, Prairie du Chien, Wis., 15 bass, 41-14, $10,000
14th:     Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, 15 bass, 41-12, $10,000
15th:     Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., 15 bass, 41-4, $10,000
16th:     Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 15 bass, 40-14, $10,000
17th:     Kevin Ruh, Onalaska, Wis., 15 bass, 40-11, $10,000
18th:     Jordan Hirt, Glenwood, Iowa, 15 bass, 40-4, $10,000
19th:     Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 15 bass, 40-2, $10,000
20th:     Mark Condron, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 14 bass, 40-1, $10,000
21st:      Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., 15 bass, 40-0, $10,000
22nd:    Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo., 15 bass, 39-12, $10,000
23rd:     Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., 15 bass, 39-9, $10,300
24th:     Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 15 bass, 39-9, $10,000
25th:     Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 39-1, $10,000
26th:     Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, 15 bass, 39-0, $10,000
27th:     Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 15 bass, 38-14, $10,000
28th:     Jason Grape, Attalla, Ala., 15 bass, 38-13, $10,000
29th:     Derik Hudson, Concord, Va., 15 bass, 38-12, $10,200
30th:     Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 15 bass, 38-9, $10,000
31st:      Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 15 bass, 38-6, $8,000
32nd:    Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 15 bass, 38-4, $8,000
33rd:     Blake Felix, Warsaw, Mo., 15 bass, 37-14, $8,000
34th:     Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore., 15 bass, 37-14, $8,000
35th:     Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss., 15 bass, 37-12, $8,000
36th:     Clayton Batts, Butler, Ga., 15 bass, 37-10, $8,000
37th:     Drew Kleine, Galesburg, Ill., 15 bass, 37-7, $8,000
38th:     Frank Kitchens, III, Oxford, Ga., 15 bass, 37-4, $8,000
39th:     Jason Vance, Battle Ground, Ind., 15 bass, 37-2, $8,000
40th:     Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 36-13, $8,000
41st:      Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., 15 bass, 36-8, $8,000
42nd:    Jesse Millsaps, Jasper, Ga., 15 bass, 36-6, $8,000
43rd:     Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 15 bass, 36-1, $8,000
44th:     Shaw Grigsby, Gainesville, Fla., 15 bass, 35-6, $8,000
45th:     Cal Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 35-3, $8,000
46th:     Todd Walters, Kernersville, N.C., 15 bass, 35-1, $8,000
47th:     Robby Lefere, Jackson, Mich, 13 bass, 32-15, $8,000
48th:     Bryan Partak, Marseilles, Ill., 12 bass, 32-0, $8,000
49th:     William Fletcher, Dallas, Ga., 11 bass, 30-12, $8,000
50th:     Robert Nakatomi, Sacramento, Calif., 11 bass, 27-4, $8,000

Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 236 bass weighing 607 pounds, 3 ounces caught by the final 50 pros Thursday. The catch included 45 five-bass limits.

Pro Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs, Michigan, clinched the 2023 Tackle Warehouse Invitational Angler of the Year title Thursday after accumulating 1,094 points in the six Invitational events. It was the second AOY of Nelson’s career, as he was also the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit AOY in 2020. Nelson’s extraordinary season was highlighted by three consecutive top-5 finishes and $75,000 in earnings through six events. Along with the AOY title, Nelson earned an automatic berth into REDCREST 2024 on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama, March 13-17, 2024.

First-year pro Marshall Robinson of Landrum, South Carolina, earned the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitational Polaris Rookie of the Year award, which is awarded to the rookie pro angler who finishes the season with the highest point total from the six Invitational events. Robinson finished the season with 973 points and earned a new Polaris Ranger 1000 UTV for his accomplishment.

With all six Tackle Warehouse Invitational tournaments now complete, the top eight pros based on AOY rank now will receive an invitation to compete in the 2024 Bass Pro Tour. The eight pros that qualify are:

1st:        Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
2nd:       Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn. (Current Bass Pro Tour angler)
3rd:       Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis.
4th:        Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
5th:        Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.
6th:        Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa.
7th:        Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.
8th:        Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.

The Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse was hosted by Explore La Crosse. The full field of 150 anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advanced to the final round on Championship Thursday, where they competed for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.

The Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse featured live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, November 14.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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


PURE FISHING’S JON SCHLOSSER PROMOTED TO CHIEF PRODUCT AND BRAND OFFICER

COLUMBIA, SC (July 27, 2023) – Pure Fishing, a global leader in the fishing tackle industry, announces the promotion of Jon Schlosser, former Senior Vice President of Marketing, to Chief Product and Brand Officer. This significant move underscores the company's commitment to leading and innovating in the market by aligning the brand, product, and R&D functions under Schlosser's experienced leadership.

Schlosser, who has been instrumental in guiding the company’s marketing efforts to launch a steady stream of meaningful innovation during his tenure, will now take on a larger role, driving brand and product category strategies across Pure Fishing’s portfolio globally. In this new position, he will lead collaboration with global teams to ensure the company’s pipeline of innovation and brand experiences continue to thrive and resonate with anglers around the world.

"Jon's impressive track record, depth of strategic thinking and passion for the angling community make him the perfect fit for this role," said Dave Allen, CEO of Pure Fishing. "He has been a driving force in our marketing success, and we are excited to see him bring that same level of insight and dedication to our brand development and product innovation across our global business.

As part of the organizational realignment, the Research & Development department will now be reporting directly to Schlosser. This strategic move enhances the synergy between the company's product innovation and brand strategies, strengthening Pure Fishing's commitment to delivering high-quality products. This closer collaboration aims to meet the ever-evolving needs of the global fishing community, reinforcing the company's leading position in the market.

"Having our R&D closely align with our product and brand strategies is a powerful combination," said Schlosser. "Together, we will drive innovation, continue to build amazing brands, and deepen our engagement with anglers everywhere. I am excited about the possibilities this new role brings and I am committed to contributing to our mission of enhancing the fishing experience for all."


SRD20 Joins NPAA As Supporting Partner

Maker of easy-to-use boat cleaning products teams with top advocacy group.

Lafayette, LA (July 27, 2023) – SRD20 is proud to announce it has joined the ever-growing ranks of the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) supporting partners. The maker of powerful yet easy-to-use, harbor safe boat cleaning and protectant products sees the partnership as an investment in the future of the recreational fishing industry, and a great way to give back to the recreational fishing community at large.

“I had heard positive things about NPAA through other businesses and individuals in the fishing community, but I didn’t realize just how much this organization accomplishes until I took a look at their website,” says Stewart Delcambre, SRD20’s founder. “At that point, I immediately knew this would be a good association for us to support. This group certainly has the wherewithal to make an impact in every aspect of recreational fishing from protecting angler’s rights to protecting the environment.”

SRD20 is pleased to now be counted among NPAA’s nearly 80 industry partners, continues Delcambre, noting their base includes some of the best-known brands and organizations in fishing, as well as newer and smaller companies that benefit from the association’s superior networking opportunities, sportfishing advocacy, and efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate anglers at every level. “We appreciate how NPAA watches out for all of us who make a living in the sportfishing industry, from guides and captains to tournament anglers, fishing department associates and management, manufacturing personnel, engine mechanics, professional rep groups, tackle shop staff, and more.”

NPAA president, Patrick Neu, says that SRD20 is a solid addition to its supporting partner ranks. “They have a series of unique boat cleaning and protectant products that are powerful, environmentally safe and easy to use. NPAA members spend a significant amount of time on the water fishing throughout the year. To have a partner come aboard that makes products to help maintain and protect their boats is a perfect fit for us. Our members invest substantial amounts of money in their vessels, and many consider their platforms to be on-water offices. As such, they need to do everything they can to maintain their value. The SRD20 product line will help them do that efficiently.”

SRD20 offers easy-to-apply, easy-to-remove, long lasting and highly effective boat cleaning and protectant products that are harbor safe. Infused with cutting-edge nanotechnology that works at a micro level to provide superior results, they make boat cleaning and maintenance a snap. The product line-up includes its popular flagship product, SRD20 Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating and Protectant, SRD20 Waterless Wash and Wax, SRD20 Pink Soap for Boats and SRD20 Vinyl Protectant. All four SRD20 products are made in the USA and are available at Amazon.com and SRD20.com.

NPAA partnerships include Gold, Silver, Business, Tournament, Association & Club, and even a non-profit category. In addition to superior networking opportunities, sportfishing advocacy and promoting entry into the sport, the organization offers a monthly member newsletter, weekly industry news, and access to significant discounts on gear and services provided by many of its nearly 80 partners.


Oconomowoc’s Steve Lopez Vaults to Lead After Rainy Day 2 of MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse

Wisconsin Pro Catches 16-Pound Limit to Bring 14-Ounce Advantage into Final Day, Final 50 Anglers Set for Championship Thursday

LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 26, 2023) – The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River is setting up for a dramatic finale on Thursday – the top 20 is stacked with seven local Wisconsin Mississippi River hammers and three full-time Bass Pro Tour pros and both the season-long Angler of the Year (AOY) and Rookie of the Year (ROY) awards are still up for grabs, and numerous anglers remain in striking distance to win the tournament, and claim the top prize of $115,000.

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, pro Steve Lopez, who started the day in third place, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds even to take the lead with a two-day total of 33-12.

Pro Matthew Stefan of Junction City, Wisconsin, (32-14) jumped into second after bringing in a limit weighing 16-6. Local favorite Mike Brueggen of La Crosse, (30-15), Tristan McCormick of Burns, Tennessee, (29-13) and Colby Schrumpf of Highland, Illinois, (29-7) round out the top five. Local anglers, Cade Laufenberg of Onalaska, Jeff Ritter of Prairie du Chien and Tom Monsoor of La Crosse, also made the top 50 cut and will advance to the third and final day of competition.

The three-day tournament, hosted by Explore La Crosse, featured a roster of 150 pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. The full field of 150 anglers concluded the two-day opening round on Wednesday, with only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight now advancing to Championship Thursday.

With just a 14-ounce cushion heading into the final day, tournament-leader Lopez is excited to see how it all shakes out on Championship Thursday.

“I found a group of fish that are biting, and I found out how to catch them,” said Lopez. “I mean, they’re just different-sized fish than what other people are catching, but it’s pretty special.”

Lopez is making a run and locking to his fish. As a result, time management has been paramount due to not only a hectic lock schedule, but a massive rainstorm that totally changed the dynamic of Day 2. The good news is his fish have only been leaned on a little through two days.

“I’ve only fished them two and a half hours with the thunderstorms today and barges and all that sort of stuff,” he said. “Time has been very, very key this week. I’ve had to wait and be patient. Just mentally take it all in and be calm because I know the fish live there. I just have to get to them.”

Beyond the primary area that has been his honey hole all week, Lopez also noted he has other groups of fish located that he could very easily lean on if things happen to get tough for him on the final day.

“I checked my other fish (today) and they were still there,” he said. “I had to lean on one of those spots today. Just managing the fish has been so key this week, and so is managing time. I don’t want to get locked out, but could I have caught more today? I think so. But I don’t want to burn fish, and I lost a few fish today, too.”

While Lopez isn’t fully confident that all of his areas are good to go on the final day, he knows that having multiple schools to lean on is going to give him a slight edge on Championship Thursday. If he can maintain the quality bites, he knows he has a good shot to claim his first career win.

“One of those places is burnt up,” he said. “I was going to start there, but there were boats on it that weren’t there yesterday, which is fine (because) I think I caught them all.

“My other fish, no one has been on. It’s got the same caliber of fish. I caught five out of it today and had 16 pounds. If I crush them first thing tomorrow, I’m going to get back early and order a pizza and just Timmy Horton it,” he said, laughing. “But if I don’t, I’m going to burn it all to the ground.”

The top 50 pros advancing to the third and final day of competition at the Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse are:

1st:        Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis., 10 bass, 33-12
2nd:       Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., 10 bass, 32-14
3rd:       Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 30-15
4th:        Tristan McCormick, Burns, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-13
5th:        Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 10 bass, 29-7
6th:        Cody Meyer, Eagle, Idaho, 10 bass, 29-4
7th:        Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 10 bass, 29-1
7th:        Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-15
9th:        Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, 10 bass, 28-14
9th:        Mark Condron, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-14
11th:     Cade Laufenberg, Onalaska, Wis., 10 bass, 28-13
12th:     Jeff Ritter, Prairie du Chien, Wis., 10 bass, 28-13
12th:     Scott Wiley, Bay Minette, Ala., 10 bass, 28-9
14th:     Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 28-5
15th:     Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 10 bass, 28-3
16th:     Kevin Ruh, Onalaska, Wis., 10 bass, 28-2
17th:     William Fletcher, Dallas, Ga., 10 bass, 28-0
18th:     Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 10 bass, 27-14
18th:     Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo., 10 bass, 27-13
20th:     Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 27-12
21st:      Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 10 bass, 27-7
22nd:    Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., 10 bass, 27-5
23rd:     Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 10 bass, 27-2
24th:     Jesse Millsaps, Jasper, Ga., 10 bass, 26-15
25th:     Jordan Hirt, Glenwood, Iowa, 10 bass, 26-15
26th:     Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., 10 bass, 26-12
27th:     Blake Felix, Warsaw, Mo., 10 bass, 26-9
28th:     Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, 10 bass, 26-8
29th:     Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 10 bass, 26-7
30th:     Robby Lefere, Jackson, Mich, 10 bass, 26-7
31st:      Bryan Partak, Marseilles, Ill., 10 bass, 26-5
32nd:    Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore., 10 bass, 26-2
33rd:     Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 10 bass, 26-1
34th:     Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 10 bass, 26-0
35th:     Nick Trim, Galesville, Wis., 10 bass, 25-11
36th:     Todd Walters, Kernersville, N.C., 10 bass, 25-11
37th:     Jason Vance, Battle Ground, Ind., 10 bass, 25-6
38th:     Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 25-6
39th:     Derik Hudson, Concord, Va., 10 bass, 25-5
40th:     Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 25-1
41st:      Cal Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 25-0
42nd:    Robert Nakatomi, Sacramento, Calif., 10 bass, 25-0
43rd:     Shaw Grigsby, Gainesville, Fla., 10 bass, 25-0
44th:     Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., 10 bass, 24-15
45th:     Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss., 10 bass, 24-15
46th:     Clayton Batts, Butler, Ga., 10 bass, 24-15
47th:     Drew Kleine, Galesburg, Ill., 10 bass, 24-14
48th:     Jason Grape, Attalla, Ala., 10 bass, 24-13
49th:     Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., 10 bass, 24-13
50th:     Frank Kitchens, III, Oxford, Ga., 10 bass, 24-13

Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Scott Wiley of Bay Minette, Alabama, earned Wednesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award after he weighed in a largemouth that totaled 5 pounds, 6 ounces.

Overall, there were 650 bass weighing 1,593 pounds even caught by 141 pros Wednesday. The catch included 117 five-bass limits.

In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight now advance to the final round on Championship Thursday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024.

The final 50 anglers will launch Thursday at 6:30 a.m. CT from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton St. in La Crosse. The final championship weigh-in will also be held at the park and will begin at 2:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended final-day action from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. MLF NOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse features live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, November 14.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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


Crossing Borders with Gerald Swindle

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

The rods are rigged, the knots are tied, and the hatches are battened down for Gerald Swindle and the rest of the Elite Series field set to kick off the 2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite tomorrow morning on Lake St. Clair.

Swindle pulled a veteran move for the final day of official practice, having his wife and life partner LuLu pick him up from the lake a few hours early so he could get his rigging done before a soaker of a thunderstorm settled in on eastern Michigan. He accomplished his mission and sounded pretty content as he watched some of his competition suit up in rain gear to get their tackle ready from the comfort of his RV.

This gave the Team Toyota pro ample time to get his gameplan set for this tournament, but it also gave Swindle time to reflect on something he has done a whole lot of throughout his professional fishing career… crossing borders.

“I crossed into Canada a few times during practice this week and it hit me that I had never actually been on Canadian soil,” Swindle said. “I’ve been to Canada in my Phoenix (boat) a pile of times here and on the St. Lawrence River, but I’m always fishing an event or have a goal and never really allow myself to think about it. This bass fishing career has led me to crossing all kinds of borders.”

Swindle is a fan favorite in our sport for a myriad of reasons, notably his fishing ability and his unparalleled humor, but what many might miss is that he is also a deep thinker. The two-time Angler of the Year wondered on how many states borders he had crossed burning up the highway in his Toyota Tundra throughout his career. Or how he had been to Mexico and Canada more times on a bass boat than any other means of travel.

Crossing borders isn’t something you typically associate with bass fishing, but for professional anglers it’s a very real part of their lives. Swindle also mentioned the unfortunate reality that for him, and likely most pro anglers, it’s hard to appreciate their surroundings sometimes because all their focus is dedicated to fishing and competing.

“I’ve seen so many places from the road through the window of my Tundra but unless I see a big deer or a good-looking chunk of ground that snaps me out of it, a lot of times it all just blends together,” Swindle said with a laugh. “We’re always on a deadline with a place to be, we don’t allow ourselves to stop and smell the roses.

“I remember the first time I fished on St Clair being so giddy about crossing the invisible line into Canada. I tried to fish right on the border so I could cast into the U.S. or right into Canada. Now, I hardly think about it and that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

Even in the throes of competition as he attempts to fight his way inside the Classic cut, Swindle is trying to put an emphasis on enjoying the present moment. Deep thoughts and life lessons from bass fishing’s funniest man.

Swindle admitted there is a good chance he won’t fish in Canada at all during competition for the seventh stop of the Elite Series 2023 season. Opting to spend his tournament time on the U.S. side where he didn’t find as many groups of fish, but he found some better-quality smallmouth.

He believes the biggest bass in Lake St. Clair are loaners right now and he is ready to spend eight hours a day chasing five big, solo smallies in hopes it’ll put him where he needs to be on the leaderboard by the end of the weekend.


Major League Fishing’s Kathy Fennel Named 2023 Game Changer by Sports Business Journal

MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Recognized in SBJ’s 13th Annual Class of Game Changers: Women in Sports Business

BENTON, Ky. (July 26, 2023) – Kathy Fennel, Major League Fishing’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, has been named to Sports Business Journal’s 2023 class of SBJ Game Changers: Women in Sports Business.

SBJ first launched Game Changers: Women in Sports Business in 2011, with a focus on telling the stories of successful women who have played key roles in their respective fields in the sports industry. Fennel and fellow honorees are acknowledged for their contributions as executives, for introducing innovative approaches and ideas to sports business, for leading significant projects and programs and serving as mentors and leaders to other women in the industry.

For more than 40 years, Fennel has been a leading voice in the world of competitive bass fishing, steadily rising through the ranks to become one of the most influential people in the fishing industry. She has broken new ground for recreational and professional anglers alike and helped build the sport of bass fishing from a fragmented collection of regional tournaments into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Her efforts have had a positive impact on anglers across all skill levels, spanning from high school and college students to weekend enthusiasts, and most notably professional anglers competing for millions of dollars in prize money each year.

Fennel oversees day-to-day operations for the entire Major League Fishing (MLF) organization, which includes seven MLF circuits, headlined by the Bass Pro Tour. Under her leadership, MLF produces more than 250 events annually, resulting in televised events that reach more than 20 million viewers with programming across five major television networks. In 2022, Fennel was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

“I’m excited to join the 2023 SBJ Game Changers class and feel honored that my passion and efforts in a sport that I love have been recognized,” said Fennel. “I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside other powerful women through the years and to have worked for organizations that are supportive of women in our industry. Congratulations to my fellow honorees and the entire SBJ Game Changers class of 2023.”

Fennel was one of 50 women selected, joining leaders from organizations including the NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, PGA, professional teams, media companies, marketing agencies and more.

“We are incredibly proud of Kathy and the legacy she continues to create for women in our sport,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF President and CEO. “Her selfless service through the years and ability to lead by example have paved the way for future generations of women and there is no one more deserving of this honor. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate with her.”

SBJ will profile members of the 2023 class of Game Changers in the upcoming Sept. 25 issue. Honorees will also be recognized at the SBJ Game Changers Conference, Oct. 24, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City.

For more details and updated information on Major League Fishing, its tournaments, and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, TwitterInstagram and YouTube.


Nick Hatfield Leads on Day 1 of MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse

Tennessee Pro Catches Five-Bass Limit Weighing 18 Pounds Even to Take Early Lead, 150 Pros to Continue Competition Wednesday

LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 25, 2023) – Just one month removed from his victory at the T-H Marine Stop 5 on the Potomac River, pro Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tennessee, looks like he has strong intentions to make it two victories in a row. Hatfield brought a five-bass limit to the scale, Tuesday, weighing 18 pounds even to take the early lead after Day 1 of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River.

Hatfield will bring an ultra-slim 2-ounce lead into Day 2 of competition over Macomb, Illinois’ Hunter Litchfield, who weighed in a five bass limit totaling 17-14 to end the day in second. The local Wisconsin contingent also had a very strong start to the event, as Steve Lopez of Oconomowoc (17-12), Matthew Stefan of Junction City (16-8), Kevin Ruh of Onalaska (16-3) and Mike Bruggen of La Crosse (15-12) also ended the day inside the top 10.

Competition resumes Wednesday, when the full field of 150 anglers will conclude the two-day opening round. Only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to the third and final day of competition on Thursday. The three-day tournament, hosted by Explore La Crosse, features a roster of 150 pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024.

“It should have been even more,” Hatfield said of his Day 1 weight. “Unfortunately, I had a fish die on me late in the day and I had to take the 4-ounce penalty. But it was a good day, and I’m happy with how it ended up.

“I started in an area where I thought I could catch 12 to 14 pounds, and my plan was to just go in and catch a limit and get a cushion, then go to a different area and try to catch some bigger ones,” Hatfield continued. “I got in there, and it started kind of slow, but I started to see some big ones cruising and with just a little bit of a bait adjustment I started catching them.”

Hatfield said he was seeing the bigger fish cruising both with his Garmin LiveScope on deeper grass clumps and also casting at ones he could see while sight fishing.

“I don’t know if the area will hold up for tomorrow,” Hatfield said. “I’ll obviously try to start in there again, and I think if I can pull 12 pounds out of there I’ll be in good shape.

“I’ve also got some other areas that I didn’t fish today that I can go to, so I’m confident that I can pull something together,” Hatfield went on to say. “I’ve also got some smallmouth found, so it’s whatever I have to do. I’m going to put together 15 pounds and we’ll see what happens. Fifteen pounds is the goal, then we’ll see what happens going into Day 3.”

The top 20 pros after Day 1 of the Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse are:

1st:        Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., five bass, 18-0
2nd:       Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., five bass, 17-14
3rd:       Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis., five bass, 17-12
4th:        Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., five bass, 16-8
5th:        Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, five bass, 16-6
6th:        Kevin Ruh, Onalaska, Wis., five bass, 16-3
7th:        Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 15-12
7th:        Mark Condron, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 15-12
9th:        Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., five bass, 15-7
9th:        Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo., five bass, 15-7
11th:     Cody Meyer, Eagle, Idaho, five bass, 15-4
12th:     Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., five bass, 14-15
12th:     Tristan McCormick, Burns, Tenn., five bass, 14-15
14th:     Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., five bass, 14-13
15th:     Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., five bass, 14-12
16th:     Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 14-9
17th:     Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., five bass, 14-6
18th:     B.J. Miller, Adams, Neb., five bass, 14-5
18th:     Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 14-5
20th:     Cal Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 14-4

Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Matthew Stefan of Junction City, Wisconsin, earned the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award Tuesday after weighing in a bass largemouth that went 5 pounds, 9 ounces.

Overall, there were 677 bass weighing 1,637 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 146 pros Tuesday. The catch included 117 five-bass limits.

In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, will advance to the final round on Championship Thursday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024.

Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, Tuesday through Thursday, from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton St. in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all three days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. MLF NOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, November 14.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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


Major League Fishing’s Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship Set to Return to Lake Toho in 2024

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 25, 2023) – For the second consecutive year, the best college fishing anglers from across the country will be visiting Lake Toho to crown the top college fishing team in the nation.

Major League Fishing (MLF), the world's largest tournament-fishing organization, in conjunction with the Kissimmee Sports Commission, announced today that the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship, the national championship of college bass fishing, will take place on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Jan. 9-11, in 2024.

“We are excited to host the Major League Fishing College National Championship for a second year,” said Tyler Weyant, Director of Sports Development for the Kissimmee Sports Commission. "Following the overwhelming success we had last year at Lake Toho, we are eager to invite everyone to join us once again and experience the excitement firsthand. In addition to the incredible action happening on the water, we encourage the competitors, their families and the MLF staff to explore the local shops and restaurants that make Kissimmee truly unique.”

“The 2023 National Championship on Lake Toho was one of the most thrilling finales to a tournament that we have ever had, with the University of Montevallo weighing in a 27-pound limit on the final day to vault to the top of the leaderboard and win the title,” said Kevin Hunt, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations. “There aren’t many fisheries in the country that can produce over three days like Lake Toho can, and we’re excited to return to Kissimmee to let the best college anglers from across the country battle it out to see who our next national champion will be.”

Each day of competition at the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship will feature weigh-ins livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship will showcase the top teams from the 2023 College Fishing season competing for a top prize of $43,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000 in cash. The winning team will also advance to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros for a shot at winning as much as $235,000. The highest finishing team member at the Toyota Series Championship will advance to REDCREST 2025 to compete against the top professional anglers in the sport for a top prize of $300,000.

The second-place club at the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship will receive a Phoenix 518 Pro boat powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The team also advances to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros. The third-place finishers at the 2024 National Championship will receive $4,000, and the team advances to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship as co-anglers for a shot at winning a new Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115 HP Mercury. Every team in the top 10 at the 2024 College Fishing National Championship will receive at least $1,000.

Proud sponsors of MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


“Big Show” Scroggins’ Crab Leg Creation

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

Professional bass fishing is a game of tough-to-control uncertainties, but one thing’s for sure, if you show up to Team Toyota’s Terry “Big Show” Scroggins’ house, you’re going to share great food and a ton of laughs.

His latest kitchen creation is perfect for summer and born out of a night at home with buddies Allen Anderson and Tom Willis, who worked as a chef in Denver, before returning recently to his native Florida.

“Chef Willis asked me if those oranges on the trees in my yard were any good, and if I had any crab legs,” grins Scroggins. “Sure enough I had some crab legs in my freezer, and those oranges in my yard are dang good, so all we needed was some white wine, which I had too, and the next thing you know, he’s showing me this awesome way to make crab legs for a crew of hungry guests,” he smiles.

 

Scroggins and Chef Willis recommend using a deep fry pan, large enough to hold three or four clusters of crab legs, along with three oranges cut in half, and about an inch-deep bath of white wine. Squeeze all the juice from the orange halves into the wine, and then let theorange halves bathe with the crab legs in the wine on a stove top for 10 minutes in medium to high heat.

“I think the citric acid helps soften the spiny shells so you can crack into them easier, and once they’ve cooked for 10 minutes, all you have to do is set them out on a big tray, sprinkle ‘em with a good dash of Old Bay seasoning, and you’ve got a super easy meal that folks can walk past, grab a leg, and have some great summer food while they’re at your pool or picnic,” says Scroggins.

“Big Show” likes king crabs best, but says their spiny legs make them a little more challenging to eat than snow crab, and adds that as far as what white wine you choose, it really doesn’t matter.

He will be choosy next week at Saginaw Bay, Michigan as a he looks to notch his fourth Top 5 finish in recent months of Major League Fishing events. For example, when he finished 5th at St. Clair last month, he felt using a smaller 3.6” MaxScent Flat Worm got him more bites than a slightly larger 4.25” version.

But when it comes to cooking up a fast and easy fun meal in the heat of summer, keep it simple. You only need four ingredients, crab legs, white wine, Old Bay seasoning, and some oranges --- and if you’ve got them growing on the trees in your yard like “Big Show” does, that makes it even easier.


Poche not fishing Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair

July 24, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Elite Series pro Keith Poche of Cecil, Ala., will not be fishing the upcoming AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

Poche fished tournament waters on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair on June 27, which put him on competition waters inside the Elite Series off-limits period and rendered him ineligible to compete. Poche let B.A.S.S. officials know about the conflict with fishing another tournament and that he would be forfeiting the Elite event.

Bassmaster Elite Rule C3. I for Practice and Competition states: “Off-limits for Elite events begins on the Monday closest to 28 days prior to the first practice day.”


Kermit Crowder Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at the James River

Wood and Rustin Tie Atop Strike King Co-Angler Division

HENRICO, Va. (July 24, 2023) – Boater Kermit Crowder of Matoaca, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the James River . The tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Piedmont Division. Crowder earned $5,830 for his victory.

“My day started off kind of slow,” said Crowder. “I made a run to the Chickahominy (River) and caught two quickly on a frog. I had planned my day to catch them all on a frog, but it just didn’t work like that.”

Crowder said in practice he had success on topwater baits, but his frog bite didn’t work out as expected on tournament day. He switched to a swimjig and found more bites he needed.

“They were just spread out, slow, throughout the day,” said Crowder, who lives 45 minutes from the James River. “There wasn’t one thing that worked and did it all. Whatever was in front of us was what we fished.”

Crowder said late in the day he landed a bass that weighed a little more than five pounds and he estimated his tournament weight to be between 18 and 19 pounds.

“My co-angler said he thought I had the winning weight,” Crowder said. “We started making the hour run back to weigh-in, and I thought then that I might have a shot at winning.”

Crowder’s weight proved to be enough for the win, and he said he was thankful for his eighth Major League Fishing victory.

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore, so this win feels really good,” the 66-year-old Crowder went on to say. “Just to win one running around with these young boys is a hard thing to do.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:          Kermit Crowder, Matoaca, Va., five bass, 22-10, $5,830
2nd:        Frank Poirier, North Prince George, Va., five bass, 20-12, $2,305
3rd:        Keith Roberts, Hurt, Va., five bass, 16-15, $1,536
4th:         Aaron Dixon, Bel Alton, Md., five bass, 16-2, $1,076
5th:         Christopher Wingfield, Richmond, Va., five bass, 15-10, $922
6th:         Dennis Burdette, Pembroke, Va., five bass, 15-8, $1,345 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th:         Ryan Lachniet, Gum Spring, Va., five bass, 15-6, $729
7th:         Evan White, Roanoke Rapids, N.C., five bass, 15-6, $729
9th:         Chris Moore, Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 14-10, $615
10th:      Jonathan Bailey, Peterstown, W.V., five bass, 14-8, $538
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Billy Clark of Disputanta, Virginia, caught a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $670.

Rickey Wood of Smithfield, Virginia, and Michael Rustin of Henrico, Virginia, tied atop the Strike King co-angler division Saturday. After contingency awards, Wood earned $2,128 and Rustin won $1,728 after they each brought five bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:          Rickey Wood, Smithfield, Va., five bass, 12-15, $2,128
1st:          Michael Rustin, Henrico, Va., five bass, 12-15, $1,728
3rd:        Sean Tobatto, Greensboro, N.C., five bass, 11-15, $768
4th:         Timothy Kinder, Fairfax, Va., five bass, 11-9, $688
5th:         Robert Wedding, Welcome, Md., five bass, 11-5, $661
6th:         Cornell Badra, Clarksburg, Md., five bass, 11-3, $423
7th:         Thomas Lang, Virginia Beach, Va., five bass, 11-1, $384
8th:         Rich Knisely, Disputanta, Va., five bass, 10-15, $326
8th:         Kyle Whisnant, Gastonia, N.C., four bass, 10-15, $326
10th:      Jared Sutton, Chester, Va., five bass, 10-11, $269
Rumnea Kelly of Boyds, Maryland, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $335, catching a bass that weighed in at 7 pounds even – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Evan White of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, leads the BFL Piedmont Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 963 points, while Timothy Kinder of Fairfax, Virginia, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 967 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X 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.


Copley Notches Second Career BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at the Detroit River

O’Neil Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

TRENTON, Mich. (July 24, 2023) – Boater Jeff Copley of Marengo, Ohio, caught a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Detroit River . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Michigan Division. Copley earned $7,410, including a $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

“We started the morning out on some small fish,” said Copley, who made a run to Lake St. Clair to target smallmouth for the event. “I put about 15 pounds in the boat and got keyed in on a soft plastic bite. Then I went to a different area and ended up culling most of those out.”

Copley said he caught around 20 keeper bass during the tournament on a drop-shot rig, as well as a Ned rig, around clumps of grass in 18 feet of water. Copley said he had a good feeling about the day and mentioned that things went smoothly for him during the event.

“I lost a fish, but one bigger than the one I lost had followed the bait in,” said Copley, who posted a BFL win in 2022 on Lake St. Clair. “I cast back out at the big one and it ate it. That’s the way it goes sometimes.

“This win feels great, and I feel blessed to be in this position, that’s for sure,” Copley added. “The second win, I think, is the hardest. It validates the first win and tells me it’s not a fluke.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:          Jeff Copley, Marengo, Ohio, five bass, 25-0, $7,410 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:        Nicholas Seitz, Maumee, Ohio, five bass, 23-2, $2,305
3rd:        Heath Wagner, Angola, Ind., five bass, 22-14, $1,536
4th:         Mike Trombly, Belleville, Mich., five bass, 22-9, $1,076
5th:         Brayden Federer, Adrian, Mich., five bass, 22-6, $922
6th:         Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 21-14, $1,065
7th:         Patrick Goodman, Sturgis, Mich., five bass, 21-10, $768
8th:         David Horstman, Adrian, Mich., five bass, 21-9, $1,361
9th:         Jonathon Dewey, Fort Gratiot, Mich., five bass, 21-8, $615
10th:      Jared Rhode, Port Clinton, Ohio, five bass, 21-6, $538
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

David Horstman of Adrian, Michigan, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $670.

Dan O’Neil of Canton, Michigan, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,288 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 20 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:          Dan O’Neil, Canton, Mich., five bass, 20-4, $2,288
2nd:        Robert Hernandez, Canton, Mich., five bass, 19-2, $1,153
2nd:        Rodney Soles, Dublin, Ga., five bass, 19-2, $953
4th:         Jeffrey Thomson, Birmingham, Mich., five bass, 19-0, $684
5th:         Hunter Ingle, Fort Wayne, Ind., five bass, 18-14, $458
6th:         Michael Hrynewycz, Goshen, Ind., five bass, 18-11, $419
7th:         Ryan Legg, Parma, Ohio, five bass, 18-9, $381
8th:         Aaron Stahley, Batavia, Ohio, five bass, 18-7, $343
9th:         Greg Owens, Clinton Township, Mich., five bass, 18-6, $305
10th:      Jason Cook, Edwardsburg, Mich., five bass, 18-4, $267
James Scott Powers of Toledo, Ohio, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $332, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Mike Trombly of Belleville, Michigan, leads the BFL Michigan Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 494 points, while Robert Hernandez of Canton, Michigan, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 489 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X 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.


PALMER EARNS FIRST NPFL VICTORY AT SAGINAW BAY

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

Catching the biggest bag of the tournament on the final day, Trent Palmer slams the door shut to earn his first NPFL victory with a three-day total weight of 62-pounds, 12 ounces. Surviving the first day with a limit weighing 18 pounds, 8 ounces, he added 21 pounds and 10 ounces on day two, and a final day showing of 22 pounds, 10 ounces giving him the victory.

At the end of the day, Palmer knew his motor was on his last leg and called the tournament director to confirm he could call on his roommate for a tow back in if needed. When he got ahold of Walters, they made the long run back together and got back in time.

“I was praying my motor would hold together and once I got to my last spot, I knew I could make it,” said Palmer. “A big thanks to Patrick for automatically coming over to help me out as soon as I called.”

Palmer got off to a fast start this morning despite thinking the opposite. When he got to his first spot, the fish were biting and he went to work with his electronics and caught his weight.

“I don’t have a ton of experience here and I thought they would be slow first thing, but they were hammering until about noon,” added Palmer. “I had my weight by 11 AM and it was definitely a lot faster than I expected today.”

Owning Sonar Pros, Palmer does his own installs and had access and experience with the best technology and cleanest installs in the industry. The combination of all the major brands gives him an edge on new water and allows him to break things down quicker.

“My boat is completely dialed with all the best technology installed by my company Sonar Pros,” he added. “I have two Lowrance in the console, and all three brands – Humminbird, Lowrance, and Garmin – in the front. That combo, powered by X2 Power batteries, allows me to break down water extremely fast and fish extremely efficiently during the tournament.”

Patrick Walters

Patrick Walters weighed in 15 smallmouth bass to narrowly miss his second consecutive NPFL victory at Saginaw Bay with a total weight of 62 pounds, 10 ounces. Adding 20 pounds, 6 ounces on the final day to his day one limit of 12 pounds, 4 ounces, and day two bag of 22 pounds even, Walters finished just two ounces behind his good friend and roommate.

His goal coming into the event was to earn some redemption from 2022 and put 15 quality smallmouth in the boat. After struggling on day two in the previous year, Walters spent some time in practice to locate some shallow largemouth just in case. On day two, he got going with three keepers before ultimately culling them all out with smallmouth as the wind slacked off mid-morning.

With the final day the calmest of them all, the smallmouth were easier to catch for Walters but the quality went away.

“My first spot this morning had some quality bass but that bite died at 10 AM,” said Walters. “I ran out further to another spot that had some bigger fish earlier in the week and that was mostly small fish too. I don’t know what happened today, but I had a tough practice and got redemption at this place.”

After a tough practice, he was happy to have a good finish and was thrilled his roommates all finished 1-2-3.

“I struggled in practice and made the best of that,” he added. “I got redemption, Trent got his redemption and we all fished how we wanted to fish.”

Mike Corbishley

Putting five smallmouth bass in the boat on day three, Mike Corbishley finished in the third-place spot with a total weight of 52 pounds, 1 ounce. He started the event with 18 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, added 15 pounds, 9 ounces on day two, and caught a final day weight of 18 pounds. With the weather finally cooperating for the offshore anglers, Corbishley was able to get to his fish and effectively catch fish throughout the entire day.

“It was glass today, and you could actually keep the motor in the water,” joked Corbishley. “I wanted to make sure I got back in time so I had to leave them biting but overall, it was a great day.”

Getting off to a fast start this morning, he caught his first keeper within 15 minutes and it set the tone for Showdown Saturday.

“I caught that one and it got me in a groove and a good mood early,” he added. “I did lose one good one, but in the end, it wouldn’t have helped. My goal based on last year was to catch 17 pounds per day and I accomplished that, but the house going 1-2-3 was unreal; we always joke about it but it actually happened.”

Fishing in the big water is not for everyone, and having the best equipment on the market was key to his success this week.

“I was making long runs in the Phoenix 920 and it handled amazing,” he added. “Even with the beating, my Boat Logix mounts, Lowrance graphs, and trolling motor worked flawlessly all week; it made a huge difference in this tournament. Those mounts do not move and my electronics were how I caught all my bass.”

Stu Martel

Stu Martel finished in the fourth-place spot as Saginaw Bay with a three-day total of 49 pounds, 8 ounces. With mixed bags of 18 pounds, 3 ounces, and 28-14 on the first two days, Martel struggled on the final day with a limit of 12 pounds, 7 ounces but is happy with his event.

Martel fished an offshore area throughout the event and caught both smallmouth and largemouth rotating between tubes and drop shot baits.

Barron Adams

Barron Adams focused solely on largemouth bass to finish the event in the fifth-place spot. His day one weight of 16 pounds, 11 ounces, and day two weight of 15 pounds, 5 ounces combined with a final round weight of 16 pounds, 4 ounces gave him a three-day total weight of 48 pounds, 4 ounces.

Rest of the Best:
Todd Goade 47-2
Will Harkins 47-1
Louis Fernandes 46-4
Sheldon Collings 45-8
Hunter Baughman 44-15


White’s magic spot delivers win in Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River

Jody White of Shaftsbury, Vt., has won the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River with a three-day total of 71 pounds, 15 ounces. 

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

July 22, 2023

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — The bad news was only one of Jody White’s spots produced.

The good news was that spot yielded a three-day total of 71 pounds, 15 ounces that won the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River.

“I wish I had more spots that produced,” he said. “I wish I did something cool. I wish I dodged and weaved. But I had one spot and it worked.”

Hailing from Shaftsbury, Vt., White notched his first Bassmaster professional win by catching daily limits of 25-11, 22-10 and 23-10. He took home the top prize of $49,700, plus the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards bonus.

In 2016, the former collegiate angler won the co-angler division for the Bassmaster Open on Smith Lake. This week’s win, White said, tops his career achievements.

“This is No. 1, no question,” he said. “I’m really happy with this win.”

White said his win was sweetened by the fact that he edged Canadian Cory Johnston, the seasoned Bassmaster Elite Series pro who triumphed the last time the Bassmaster Opens visited the St. Lawrence in 2021. After leading Days 1 and 2, Johnston finished second with a three-day total of 70-1.

The first two days, White trailed the lead by 1-3 and 1-4. On Championship Saturday, he edged Johnston by 1-14.

White made a long upriver run nearly to the tournament’s western boundary and fished a familiar ledge near Clayton, N.Y. Describing his spot as a drop-off with fish-friendly structure on the edge and on the flat, he said he caught his fish in 30 to 45 feet.

“It’s a long ledge that faces the current and there’s a couple of sweet spots where two boulders break off from it,” White said. “On one of them, I’ve caught four bass over 5 pounds (during multiple tournaments). It’s good.

“On Day 2, I found another sweet spot back on the flat in 30 to 35 feet. There was a group of fish sitting there. I couldn’t see what they were sitting on; it could have been a little piece of rock, but I have no idea.”

White said that second spot is not one he has typically fished over the years, but it ended up producing three of his fish.

Thinking he needed to hit other spots, White made milk runs the first two days. The final round saw him focus most of his effort on the money spot.

“The first day, I didn’t catch that many; I probably caught 10, but I caught big ones right out of the gate,” he said. “The second day, I stayed longer and caught more. Then, today, I put it in park as soon as I got there and caught a lot of fish.”

White caught most of his fish on a drop shot with a 3/8-ounce weight and a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm on a No. 2 Gamakatsu split-shot/drop-shot hook. He alternated between brown back and green pumpkin.

White also caught fish on 3.3- and 3.8-inch Keitech Fat Swing Impact swimbaits. He rigged those baits on 3/8-ounce Queen Tackle Tungsten ball-head jigs for their clearer sonar image. Lastly, he threw a Carolina rig with a 3/4-ounce weight and a Zoom Speed Craw on a Gamakatsu hybrid worm hook.

“It’s been an incredible week,” White said. “I love this river. I never could have imagined I would catch them as good as I did. It’s been a pleasure.”

Hailing from Cavan, Ontario, Johnston took the Day 1 lead by catching a limit of 26-14 — the event’s heaviest bag. His second-round catch went 22-11 and he closed with a Day 3 limit of 20-8 that pushed his total to 70-1.

“Anytime you can make the Top 10 and fish the final day, it’s a great week,” Johnston said. “It’s been a frustrating week at the same time. This has been the worst practice I’ve ever had.

“This place is changing. It’s getting a ton of pressure and the fish are doing a lot of different things than they normally do. They’re getting really hard to catch, so I had to do some different stuff and find some new areas.”

Johnston tried multiple spots from the western boundary up to the Waddington area and ultimately ended up catching his fish by targeting deeper flats and looking for isolated rock. A drop shot with a prototype 6th Sense soft-plastic bait produced all of his fish.

Jamie Bruce of Kenora, Ontario, finished third with 69-12. After reaching the final round in third place with daily limits of 23-5 and 24-8, Bruce finished with a Day 3 bag that weighed 21-15.

Fishing upriver, Bruce did most of his work with a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce Smeltinator Underspin and a Z-Man swimbait. Later in the day, he moved shallow and caught a couple of keepers on a 1/16-ounce black marabou jig.

“This is my first time here and because I’m sitting pretty in the (Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers) points, I wanted to just lay up and fish near takeoff,” Bruce said. “My practice near Waddington didn’t work out, so I went upriver near Lake Ontario and had 24 pounds one day (in practice).

“I knew that was my best chance. I have a big (deep-v) Lund (aluminum boat), so I ran down there and kept expanding.”

Johnston won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for the 6-11 he caught on Day 1.

Eighth-place finisher Rick Ortiz of Fort Ann, N.Y., earned an additional $500 as the highest-finishing registered pro fishing St. Croix rods thanks to the St. Croix Rod Rewards program.

South Carolina’s JT Thompkins leads the Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers standings with 1,087 points. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kenta Kimura of Hirakata Osaka, Japan, is second with 1,080, followed by John Garrett of Union City, Tenn., with 1,067, Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., with 1,034, and Robert Gee of Knoxville, Tenn., with 1,018.

Only anglers who fish all nine Opens this season are eligible for the Elite Qualifiers Division. After the final three Opens of the year, the top nine eligible anglers will receive invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series.

Complete standings are available at Bassmaster.com.

The 2023 event was hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Waddington. It is part of a series of tournaments and is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.


Temple and Schnell come from behind to win Bassmaster Junior Championship on Lake Hartwell

Kale Temple and Luke Schnell of Georgia's Hart County Junior Anglers have won the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship at Lake Hartwell with a two-day total of 21 pounds, 12 ounces.

Photo by Logan Crumley/B.A.S.S.

July 22, 2023

Temple and Schnell come from behind to win Bassmaster Junior Championship on Lake Hartwell

ANDERSON, S.C. — Kale Temple and Luke Schnell were only 4 ounces out of the Day 1 lead at the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship, so they knew a good finish on Lake Hartwell might lock up the tournament title for them.

It did.

Temple and Schnell, who compete for the Hart County Junior Anglers just across the state line in Georgia, closed the gap with authority on Saturday, catching a three-bass limit of 10 pounds, 15 ounces. Coupled with their 10-13 limit on Friday, the boys posted a two-day total of 21-12, which was nearly 4 pounds more than their closest competitors.

The duo topped 123 teams from 32 states for the win on Lake Hartwell. They earned $2,000 in scholarship money, as well.

Being on their home water didn’t hurt their chances, but Temple and Schnell had to work from behind to win the derby. Their early bites on Saturday weren’t exactly the best, either.

“The water levels today were about 2 feet low,” Temple said. “We knew the shallow bite wouldn’t work, so we went offshore all day. Still, we only had about 5 pounds until about 11:30 or 12 o’clock. That’s when the fish started schooling and we were able to get a 4-pounder and a couple of 3-pounders.”

The boys said a bright and busy Saturday brought additional boat traffic to Hartwell, which actually helped their cause.

“There was a poker run today with about 400 pontoon boats,” Temple said. “All the boats stirred the bait up and the bass started coming up.”

Temple and Schnell, both 14, fished in anywhere from 10 to 35 feet of water, but the sweet spot was between 20 to 30 feet on Saturday. They threw Zoom Fluke worms (smoke/blue and disco ball) to boat their best bass.

“We’d fished this spot before,” Schnell said. “There’s a lot of shallow timber and the fish were in the tops of the trees ... It’s amazing to win because we didn’t think we’d accomplish it with what we had at 11 o’clock.”

Isaac Temple, Kale’s dad and the duo’s boat captain for the tournament, said the teens put the work in to win the national title.

“They fished nonstop, including all the weekends that weren’t off limits,” he said. “They won Junior Anglers of the Year for the state of Georgia, so being on their home lake, I knew they’d be contenders.”

Colton Hembree and Tyson Browning of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Junior Bassmasters finished second with 18-2 and won $1,000 in scholarship money.

Tristan Stewart and DJ Johnson III, in first place after Day 1, wound up third with 17-10 and collected $500 in scholarship money. The duo is part of the Mt. Pleasant (Tenn.) Junior Bass Team.

Anderson Mesplay and Kelby Conrady, of the Mid-Kansas Kastmasters, also caught 17-10 and placed fourth after tiebreakers. The boys earned $400 for their showing and also split the $200 Big Bass Award for the 6-7 largemouth they caught on Saturday. That whopper easily topped Hembree and Browning’s 4-14 which led the Day 1 Big Bass standings.

Teams qualified for the championship through state competitions and four different Junior Opens held earlier this year on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Alabama’s Lay Lake, Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake and the Red River in Louisiana.

Visit Anderson hosted the Bassmaster Junior National Championship.

2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship 7/21-7/22
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Kale Temple - Luke Schnell                   Hart County Jr Anglers - GA           0
Day 1: 3   10-13     Day 2: 3   10-15   Total:   6  21-12
2.  Colton Hembree - Tyson Browning              Bluegrass Junior Bassmasters - KY     0
Day 1: 3   10-07     Day 2: 3   07-11   Total:   6  18-02
3.  Tristan Stewart - DJ Johnson III             Mt. Pleasant Junior Bass Team - TN    0
Day 1: 3   11-01     Day 2: 3   06-09   Total:   6  17-10
4.  Anderson Mesplay - Kelby Conrady             Mid-Kansas Kastmasters - KS           0
Day 1: 3   06-15     Day 2: 3   10-11   Total:   6  17-10
5.  Hank Riley - Ty Montgomery                   Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 3   08-06     Day 2: 3   08-05   Total:   6  16-11
6.  Jake Paradis - Nolan Savage                  L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   08-09     Day 2: 3   08-01   Total:   6  16-10
7.  Zac Arnold - Ross Clark                      Good Hope Fishing Team - AL           0
Day 1: 3   09-06     Day 2: 3   07-00   Total:   6  16-06
8.  Jaxen White - Christopher Trobaugh           Clay County Anglers - TN              0
Day 1: 3   07-13     Day 2: 3   07-11   Total:   6  15-08
9.  Tyler Nelson - Seth Harrell                  Bandys High School - NC               0
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   08-09   Total:   6  14-12
10. Caleb Toubia - Isaac Toubia                  Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   10-07     Day 2: 3   03-15   Total:   6  14-06
11. Cody Carboni - William Reynolds              Live Oak Junior High School - LA      0
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 2   03-11   Total:   5  14-05
12. Eli Ledbetter - Collin Ledbetter             Jr Southwest Bassmasters-Denham       0
Day 1: 3   08-00     Day 2: 3   06-03   Total:   6  14-03
13. Ryder Milam - Colton Milam                   Mecklenburg High School Junior A      0
Day 1: 3   08-01     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   6  13-08
14. Parker Terrell - Cameron Terrell             Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 3   06-00     Day 2: 3   07-08   Total:   6  13-08
15. Caden Hall - Kaleb Wilson                    Russell County Middle School - K      0
Day 1: 3   09-06     Day 2: 3   03-14   Total:   6  13-04
16. Jack Kennedy - Brentley West                 Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   08-04   Total:   6  13-03
17. Grayson Goodwin - Colton Baker               Renegades Perry County Jr Angler      0
Day 1: 3   06-10     Day 2: 3   06-08   Total:   6  13-02
18. Wyatt North - Wylie North                    Marion County High School Bassma      0
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   06-11   Total:   6  12-14
19. Lucas Gerlach - Brayden Nickless             Denver Jr. Bassmasters - CO           0
Day 1: 3   07-03     Day 2: 3   04-12   Total:   6  11-15
20. Kingston Bartley - Wade Clemmensen           Denver Jr. Bassmasters - CO           0
Day 1: 3   05-15     Day 2: 3   05-15   Total:   6  11-14
21. Jack Naas - JT Cross                         L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   6  11-13
22. Daniel Ingram - Morgan Carden                Shelby County Jr Anglers - AL         0
Day 1: 2   02-09     Day 2: 3   09-01   Total:   5  11-10
23. Conley Tyler - Tripp Martin                  Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 2   04-04   Total:   5  11-09
24. Brennon Davidson - Hagen Barnes              Brandon High School - MS              0
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   05-04   Total:   6  11-07
25. Luke Stewart - Austin Craze                  Southern WV Jr Bassmasters - WV       0
Day 1: 3   05-02     Day 2: 3   06-04   Total:   6  11-06
26. Ty Magargle - Brady Gunkle                   Junior Wildcats - PA                  0
Day 1: 3   06-15     Day 2: 3   04-05   Total:   6  11-04
27. Vegas Iaconelli - Maxsim Hughen              NJ BASS Nation Juniors - NJ           0
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 2   06-03   Total:   5  11-02
28. Dawson Turner - Ruby Caldwell                Crescent High School Jr Anglers       0
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   6  11-01
29. Landon Grabert -                             Houma Christian School - LA           0
Day 1: 3   05-14     Day 2: 3   05-00   Total:   6  10-14
30. Nickolas Tinkle - Kaden Henderson            Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   03-12     Day 2: 3   06-14   Total:   6  10-10
31. Eli Herring - Hunter Lee                     Greene County Bassmasters - MS        0
Day 1: 3   06-15     Day 2: 3   03-10   Total:   6  10-09
32. Landon Horton - Eli Meckert                  Idaho Student Anglers - ID            0
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 3   03-01   Total:   6  10-07
33. Nash Parham - Jude Gibson                    Sumner County Jr Bass Team - TN       0
Day 1: 3   04-12     Day 2: 3   05-08   Total:   6  10-04
34. Landon Moore - Trig Mchone                   Meigs Middle School - TN              0
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 2   04-12   Total:   5  10-01
35. Colton Willging - Finn Boyle                 Dubuque Bass Club - IA                0
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 3   04-09   Total:   6  09-14
36. Fisher Butler - Landon Reel                  Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   05-02     Day 2: 2   04-12   Total:   5  09-14
37. Mason Bush - Hayden Berryman                 Club Florida High School Bassmas      0
Day 1: 3   04-08     Day 2: 3   05-03   Total:   6  09-11
38. Boone Baxter - Hunter Stewart                Buckeye State Student Anglers -       0
Day 1: 3   05-09     Day 2: 2   04-00   Total:   5  09-09
39. Cullen Bearden - Chance White                Ark-La-Tex Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   03-03     Day 2: 3   06-05   Total:   5  09-08
40. Kolsyn Sollars - Dylan Barnhart              Southside Junior Anglers - IN         0
Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 3   04-06   Total:   6  09-06
41. Jackson Ray - TJ Murray                      Rhea County Eagle Anglers - TN        0
Day 1: 3   06-04     Day 2: 2   03-01   Total:   5  09-05
42. Eli Milam - Isaiah Crockett                  Southern WV Jr Bassmasters - WV       0
Day 1: 3   04-09     Day 2: 3   04-12   Total:   6  09-05
43. Denver Leblanc - Jackson Gomez               Jr Southwest Bassmasters-Denham       0
Day 1: 3   05-08     Day 2: 3   03-12   Total:   6  09-04
44. Zeb Ates - Cameron Barham                    North Louisiana Jr Bassmasters -      0
Day 1: 3   05-06     Day 2: 3   03-11   Total:   6  09-01
45. Tatum Ceccorulli - Brayden Jenner            St. Martin Bassmasters - MS           0
Day 1: 3   04-07     Day 2: 3   04-10   Total:   6  09-01
46. Walker Woodall - Mason Watkin                Harmony Grove - AR                    0
Day 1: 2   03-15     Day 2: 3   05-01   Total:   5  09-00
47. Evan Bradshaw - Gabe Browning                Russell County Middle School - K      0
Day 1: 3   05-03     Day 2: 3   03-12   Total:   6  08-15
48. Kort Roberts - Katera Roberts                Garfield County High School - OK      0
Day 1: 2   01-15     Day 2: 3   06-14   Total:   5  08-13
49. Brayden Tisdale -                            Opp Middle School - AL                0
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 3   07-12   Total:   4  08-11
50. Dominick Andux - Peyton Faber                Tampa Bay Junior Bass Club - FL       0
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 2   02-09   Total:   5  08-11
51. Hudson Clark - Jackson Leath                 Sumner County Jr Bass Team - TN       0
Day 1: 3   05-07     Day 2: 3   03-04   Total:   6  08-11
52. Dj Broome Jr. - Shepard Crumley              Tallulah Falls School Jr Team -       0
Day 1: 3   05-03     Day 2: 2   03-08   Total:   5  08-11
53. Bentley Richardson - Blake Richardson        Southern Outcast Jr - NC              0
Day 1: 2   04-08     Day 2: 3   04-01   Total:   5  08-09
54. Drake Walls - Hunter Shrader                 Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 3   04-02     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   6  08-09
55. Landon Lynch - Colton Miller                 Brunswick Academy - VA                0
Day 1: 3   03-03     Day 2: 3   05-05   Total:   6  08-08
56. Mack Hardee - Jackson Smalls                 Conway High Anglers - SC              0
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 1   01-02   Total:   4  08-07
57. Avery Schmitt - Maddox Hanson                Eastern Iowa Jr Bassmasters - IA      0
Day 1: 2   02-11     Day 2: 3   05-11   Total:   5  08-06
58. Sawyer Knickerbocker - Conner Tate           Vermilion Junior Anglers - LA         0
Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 3   06-10   Total:   4  08-02
59. Harrison Hobbs - Cade Speligene              Franklin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 3   07-04   Total:   4  08-01
60. Beau McQuade - Kahl Cordell                  Jr. Potomac River Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 3   03-10   Total:   6  08-00
61. Sam Keely - Bradyn Stubenrauch               Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 3   03-14   Total:   6  07-14
62. Ethan McBrayer - Zachary King                Briarwood Christian School - AL       0
Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 2   02-00   Total:   5  07-13
63. Tom Shumowsky - Amira Glenn                  Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 3   03-04     Day 2: 2   04-09   Total:   5  07-13
64. Bentley Gibson - Reese Carpenter             Junior Keystone Bassmasters - OK      0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 3   05-12   Total:   4  07-12
65. Landon Burke - Kolbey Burke                  Dixie Junior Bassmasters - FL         0
Day 1: 3   03-05     Day 2: 3   04-07   Total:   6  07-12
66. Kasey Stamper - Chase Bennett                Howell Junior High School - MI        0
Day 1: 3   02-13     Day 2: 3   04-14   Total:   6  07-11
67. Brayden Rivest - Andrew Crawford             Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 3   06-01     Day 2: 1   01-09   Total:   4  07-10
68. Jesse Lancaster - Fisher Lancaster           Lancaster Academy - NC                0
Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 2   01-09   Total:   5  07-06
69. Piers Picou - Jaxon Plaisance                Central Catholic - LA                 0
Day 1: 3   03-10     Day 2: 3   03-11   Total:   6  07-05
70. Fisher Williams - Cooper Kennedy             Bolivar Middle School - MO            0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   07-03   Total:   3  07-03
71. Connor Magee - Corbin Goode                  Live Oak Junior High School - LA      0
Day 1: 1   03-05     Day 2: 3   03-14   Total:   4  07-03
72. Bo Hollen - Ari Clark                        Mon Valley Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   01-11     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   5  07-02
73. Coy Cassady -                                Wateree Anglers Club - SC             0
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 3   03-10   Total:   6  07-02
74. Landry Scott - Caden Daniel                  Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 2   02-07     Day 2: 3   04-10   Total:   5  07-01
75. Tristan Topa - Parker Stevens                Port City Jr. Bassmasters  - NY       0
Day 1: 3   03-06     Day 2: 3   03-10   Total:   6  07-00
76. Carson Stevens - Wesley Osuna                Franklin County Jr Bass Team - T      0
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 3   05-06   Total:   4  06-13
77. Drew Mcclellan - Noah Hiott                  Indiana Jr Bassmasters - IN           0
Day 1: 1   02-11     Day 2: 3   04-01   Total:   4  06-12
78. Cale Compton - Adam Reed                     Moore HS Fishing Club - OK            0
Day 1: 3   03-15     Day 2: 2   02-13   Total:   5  06-12
79. Sawyer Sheffield - Brody Holliman            Shelby County Jr Anglers - AL         0
Day 1: 2   06-10     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  06-10
80. Zack Ramsey - Carson Buchanan                McDowell High School - NC             0
Day 1: 3   04-04     Day 2: 2   02-05   Total:   5  06-09
81. Parker Bilbrey - Tyler Thompson              Livingston Academy - TN               0
Day 1: 3   02-11     Day 2: 3   03-13   Total:   6  06-08
82. Hollis Daigle - Vincent Vilcan-Soprano       Catholic High School New Iberia       0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-06   Total:   3  06-06
83. Garrett Hestor - Easton Herman               Junior Wildcats - PA                  0
Day 1: 2   02-09     Day 2: 2   03-13   Total:   4  06-06
84. Boston Werner -                              Northeast Wisconsin Bass - WI         0
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   Total:   4  06-05
85. Donovan Yang - Logan Xiong                   Anoka Ramsey Bassers    - MN             0
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 3   00-15   Total:   6  06-04
86. Colton Howell - Cullen Howell                Mt. Pleasant Junior Bass Team -       0
Day 1: 2   02-04     Day 2: 2   03-07   Total:   4  05-11
87. Reiston Ratchford - Ryland Ratchford         Headland Jr High School - AL          0
Day 1: 2   02-00     Day 2: 3   03-09   Total:   5  05-09
88. Carter Shadinger - Aiden Ferguson            Curry High School - AL                0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
88. Knox White - Grayson Sanford                 Mt. Juliet Fishing - TN               0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
90. Ethan Martinez - Bryson Stewart              Hendry County Junior Bassmasters      0
Day 1: 1   01-10     Day 2: 3   03-12   Total:   4  05-06
91. Chance Washington - Ashton Otto              Aggie Anglers - GA                    0
Day 1: 2   03-05     Day 2: 2   02-01   Total:   4  05-06
92. Jackson Beatty - Gable Eddy                  Independence High School - IA         0
Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 2   02-10   Total:   3  05-06
93. Eben Whalen - Luke Whalen                    L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   02-11     Day 2: 2   02-10   Total:   5  05-05
94. Wyatt Michaels - Austin Parsons              Morgan County Junior Bass Master      0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-03   Total:   3  05-03
95. Gunner Tate -                                Coffee County Youth Bass Club -       0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   04-14   Total:   3  04-14
96. Jonah Harbison - Thomas Benton               Hayden Jr High School - AL            0
Day 1: 3   02-02     Day 2: 3   02-12   Total:   6  04-14
97. Joey Newman - Logan Robertson                Meigs Middle School - TN              0
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  04-06
98. Dean Austin - Liam Holze                     Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 1   03-07   Total:   2  04-04
99. Hunter Brakefield - Landon White             Mt. Juliet Fishing - TN               0
Day 1: 2   04-03     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  04-03
100. Blake Meiser - Liam Duncan                   Eureka Youth Club - MO                0
Day 1: 1   00-11     Day 2: 3   03-04   Total:   4  03-15
101. Hunter Moore - Ashton Pogue                  Caledonia Bassmasters - MO            0
Day 1: 1   00-14     Day 2: 3   02-13   Total:   4  03-11
102. Logan Eudy - Brody Clontz                    Stanly County Jr Bassmasters - N      0
Day 1: 3   02-09     Day 2: 1   01-02   Total:   4  03-11
103. Brayden Marcum - Tyler Goble                 Cardinal Youth Fishing Team - KY      0
Day 1: 3   03-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  03-09
104. Gunner Robbins - Carson Everley              Upperman High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   03-07     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  03-07
105. Landon Verbit - Brody McCoy                  Muddyrun Bassmaster Jr - PA           0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   03-06   Total:   3  03-06
106. Presley Jo Cook - Brody Baber                Ark-La-Tex Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   02-04     Day 2: 1   01-01   Total:   3  03-05
107. Mitchell Boles -                             Clay County Anglers - TN              0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-02   Total:   2  03-02
108. Jake Jaracy - Jack Jaracy                    CT BASS Thunder - CT                  0
Day 1: 3   02-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  02-14
109. James Barkley - Nikolas Foster               NH Junior Bassmasters - NH            0
Day 1: 2   02-13     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  02-13
109. Daniel Coley - Elijah Ambrose                Junior Potomac River Bassmasters      0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-13   Total:   2  02-13
111. Eastin Gilliland - Gunnar Freeman            Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 3   02-11     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  02-11
112. Jaxson Pierce - Tucker Larrance              Jefferson County Patriot Anglers      0
Day 1: 2   02-04     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  02-04
113. Jason Perkins - Tyler Perkins                Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 1   02-03     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   1  02-03
114. Bradie Talaski - Carter Osantowski           Bad Axe High School - MI              0
Day 1: 2   01-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  01-14
115. Cash Holloway - Ava Lowery                   East Clarendon Wolverines - SC        0
Day 1: 2   01-13     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  01-13
116. Dalton Adkins - David Potts                  Skyline High School - AL              0
Day 1: 1   00-14     Day 2: 1   00-12   Total:   2  01-10
117. Owen Williams - Jase Quattlebaum             Rehobeth Junior Bass Team - AL        0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   01-09   Total:   2  01-09
118. Ty Landry - Brant Cavalier                   Central Catholic - LA                 0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-07   Total:   1  01-07
119. Jace Hickman -                               Teays Valley Toads - OH               0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
120. Beckett Kraft - Sullivan Kraft               Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
121. John Parker Deal - Hayes Henderson           Headland Jr High School - AL          0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
121. Liam Jeddry - Luke Laudenklos                Team Outcast Juniors - MD             0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
121. Mason Samson - Luke Adasczik                 NH Junior Bassmasters - NH            0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        74       274       496-07
2        76       282       492-14
----------------------------------
150       556       989-05


WALTERS WHACKS THEM AGAIN AT SAGINAW BAY, EXTENDS LEAD

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

With a day two that featured both largemouth and smallmouth, leader Patrick Walters added 22 pounds to his day one weight of 20 pounds, 4 ounces. With a two-day total of 42 pounds, 4 ounces, the South Carolina pro takes an almost 2-pound lead into the final day.

While waiting for the winds to calm, Walters targeted largemouth for a few hours in the morning and was able to put three bass in the boat to get off to a good start. Once the wind began to die off, he knew it was time to make the move.

“The largemouth were finicky this morning and I said the heck with it, I am going,” said Walters. “Once I got out there it took me 45 minutes and I finally caught one.”

With four bass in the box, he made a slight move and slide over to the juice and that’s when it got interesting. As seen on live, Walters went to work and caught his day’s weight.

“It was insane, and I was able to catch four good ones and then a 3.5-pounder,” added Walters. “Tomorrow, I have some stuff I have not messed with; today I ended up fishing a little of that stuff, and on day one I fished a little as well.”

Aside from losing a few fish in the grass first thing, Walters has fished a fairly clean event. His 22-pound bag today, the biggest bag of the event thus far, included “clones” and “no giants.”

“I have a lot of time tomorrow and it’s going to be the best weather of the week,” he concluded. “I am going to settle in and just catch everything I can and see what happens.”

Trent Palmer

Surviving the wind on day one with 18 pounds, 8 ounces, Trent Palmer added 21 pounds, 10 ounces on day two for a total weight of 40 pounds, 2 ounces, putting him in the second-place spot just under two pounds behind Walters.

As planned, he began his day fishing for largemouth to build a limit and wait until the winds died down. At 10:30 AM, he made the move to the smallmouth and started catching fish immediately.

“I fished a new area today and I have two more I saved for tomorrow that I believe are just as productive,” said Palmer. “With no wind, we will have the ability to move around more on the final day and put together a good bag.”

Although his morning began by losing a 4-pound largemouth on a swim jig, he fished another clean day. If the fish make it to the boat, Showdown Saturday could be magical and make for some awesome Live Coverage.

“When the wind blows, the fish scatter,” added Palmer. “When it’s calm and high sun, they group up and the big ones really bite. I think if I can run my three areas, I have the opportunity for a really good day. If a few things go my way, it could be a magical day.”

 

Stu Martel

Increasing his weight from 18 pounds, 3 ounces on day one to 18 pounds, 14 ounces on day two, Stu Martel sits in the third-place spot with a two-day total weight of 37 pounds, 1 ounce.

Mike Corbishley

With a two-day weight of 34 pounds, 1 ounce, Mike Corbishley caught 18 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, and 15 pounds, 9 ounces on day two to sit in fourth place going into Showdown Saturday. After getting his day going with four largemouth first thing, Corbishley found it challenging to stay in his smallmouth areas.

“I spent four hours of my day driving today and then had a hard time fishing when I got to my little smallmouth spot cause the wind was blowing still,” said Corbishley. “Today was a survival day for me so I mixed in some largemouth to get going and I never was able to cull them out.”

He described his area as a “current break” deal where a shallow bar touches deep water and causes fish to set up to feed. With winds blowing through, the fish were there but it was difficult to present a bait.

“For the most part, I couldn’t even keep my trolling motor in the water,” added Corbishley. “It was hard to target individual fish but when I did see one and make a good cast, they would typically bite.”

He noted he is fishing “typical smallmouth baits” and fishing them on Cashion spinning rods with 13 Fishing reels.

Hunter Baughman

With 33 pounds, 2 ounces of largemouth bass over two days, Hunter Baughman is the only guy in the top five yet to weigh in a smallmouth. His day one weight of 15 pounds, 12 ounces, and day two weight of 17 pounds, 6 ounces puts him in the fifth-place spot going into the final day.

Baughman has been targeting specific structures with vegetation the first two days and notes that fish management is key to consistently catching quality bass each day.

“I had a decent practice and scrapped my plan this week to fish for smallmouth one day, and stuck with the shallow bite,” said Baughman. “I am fishing similar to last year and fishing specific stuff holding bigger quality largemouth.”

In 2022, his areas produced almost enough weight to cut a check, but with recent low water for this week, the bigger fish are utilizing his “current-based” areas with deeper water adjacent to shallow cover.

“I have yet to weigh one in over 4 pounds and they are all the same size,” he added. “Once I get to bigger than a 3-pound average I leave, and I have been trying to fish each area only one time per day. I think I hit two twice and was able to make a cull.”

With one more day to go, Baughman can fish his areas more thoroughly and has another place saved he may fish depending on how the day goes.

Rest of the Best:
Todd Goade 32-13
Sheldon Collings 32-5
Barron Adams 32-0
Louis Fernandez 31-12
Will Harkins 30-0


Late rally keeps Johnston atop Bassmaster Open field at St. Lawrence River

2023 Open St Lawrence Day 2 Leader.jpg
Cory Johnston of Cavan, Canada, is leading after Day 2 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River with a two-day total of 49 pounds, 9 ounces. 

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

July 21, 2023

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — A frustrating start had Cory Johnston scratching his head, but the Bassmaster Elite Series veteran from Cavan, Ontario, put together a late-day rally that delivered what he needed to tally a two-day total of 49 pounds, 9 ounces at the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at the St. Lawrence River.

Johnston took the Day 1 lead by catching a limit of 26-14. His second-round catch went 22-11.

Adding another trophy to the one he earned the last time the Opens visited the St. Lawrence (2021) will require Johnston to hold off Vermont pro Jody White, who trailed the lead by 1-3 on Day 1. White heads into Championship Saturday 1-4 behind Johnston.

Day 1 saw Johnston running back and forth between the tournament’s western boundary near Lake Ontario and waters closer to takeoff. He repeated that routine on Day 2. But while the first day produced bass throughout his range, the second proved stingier.

“I tried that again today and it wasn’t working this morning,” Johnston said. “I ran all the way to the lake and fished a bunch of stuff where I thought I was going to be able to catch them pretty well and never had a bite.

“I just started working my way back down the river and got to a point where I was like, ‘I gotta catch 17 to 18 pounds so I’m fishing (Championship Saturday).’”

Reaching into his deep well of local knowledge, Johnston ran to a promising area and found the jackpot he was hoping for.

“I hit a ton of stuff, and I went back to what I like to do in the last hour and a half,” Johnston said. “I stopped on a spot and there were tons of them. I caught all of my fish in an hour, so I’m excited to go back out there tomorrow.”

Understandably guarded with details on his specific technique, Johnston said he is fishing a replicable pattern and using a mixture of reaction and finesse baits. His only regret was not getting on this pattern earlier.

“Location was key today because all I had time to fish was one little area,” Johnston said. “They’re on all of it, so I’m going to run a lot of (similar spots) tomorrow and see what happens.”

Nabbing all of his fish upriver close to Lake Ontario, Johnston stopped fishing at 1 o’clock and left in plenty of time for a safe return. The day’s windy conditions did not hinder him, but Johnston said the cloudy skies and occasional showers were less than preferable.

“Sun is ideal, but the conditions are the conditions, so you gotta go with it,” Johnston said. “When it’s cloudy, the fish don’t set up right when you’re fishing deep, they’re not off the bottom, so they’re not easy to see on (Garmin) LiveScope.

“Hopefully, we get a little sun tomorrow.”

Hailing from Shaftsbury, Vt., White turned in daily limits of 25-11 and 22-10, for a second-place total of 48-5.

Repeating what worked for him on Day 1, White ran upriver to the Clayton, N.Y., area. There, he fished many of the same spots he worked on Thursday but found his best results in one key area.

“I hit the same starting spot and that was pretty productive again and then I fished my way around,” White said. “Yesterday, my milk run didn’t work really well, so today I tried to run a new milk run and it also didn’t work well.

“I ended up weighing in one fish from somewhere other than my starting spot, which is not what you want. But I’m in the Top 10, so I’m just going to keep trying.”

White caught most of his fish on a ledge break. Using mainly a drop shot, his bites came in 30 to 50 feet.

Jamie Bruce of Kenora, Ontario, is in third with 47-13. Fishing upriver near the lake, Bruce turned in two days of consistent work, his limits weighed 23-5 and 24-8.

“I had no intentions of running there; I stayed near Waddington during practice, but after a couple of days of pre-fishing and seeing what I saw, I wasn’t loving it,” Bruce said. “I went to the lake and it looked a lot like where I’m from in Northwest Ontario and nostalgia was in the air.

“I only had half a day of practice in the area I’m fishing, so I’ve been expanding on it every day. I found another new spot this morning, and I was gassed up and on my way back (to Waddington) by 10 o’clock today.”

Bruce said he caught his fish on a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce Smeltinator Underspin and a Z-Man swimbait. Pinpoint accuracy, he said, was essential to attracting big bites.

Johnston is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with the 6-11 he caught on Day 1.

Perry See of Rochester, Minn., won the co-angler division with 25-6. Turning in daily weights of 13-9 and 11-13, See earned the top prize of $22,452.

Although See has plenty of experience catching smallmouth in his Mississippi River home waters, he initially struggled with the St. Lawrence’s deeper spots. Starting off with a drop shot, he was unproductive, but a key move quickly changed his fortunes.

“The drop shot didn’t pan out for me because, apparently, I wasn’t doing it right,” See said. “Then I went to my trusty Ned rig (1/6-ounce Z-Man ShroomZ head with a green pumpkin Z-Man Finesse TRD.). I threw it out and just let it hang and let the current take it.

“I got my first big one and that’s what I did the rest of the day.”

See actually caught one of his Day 2 keepers on a drop shot after he figured out that he needed to drift his drop shot in a natural presentation, rather than trying to impart action.

See earned free entries into the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens by winning the 2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Non-Boater Championship.

See and Dylan Drephal of Black Creek, Wis., split the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers, each with a 5-12.

Co-angler Cade Bacon finished seventh and earned an additional $250 for being the highest-finishing registered co-angler in the St. Croix Rod Rewards program.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET at Whitaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

The 2023 event is being hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Waddington. It is part of a series of tournaments and is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River 7/20-7/22
St. Lawrence River, Waddington  NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA            10  49-09  200
Day 1: 5   26-14     Day 2: 5   22-11
2.  Jody White             Shaftsbury, VT          10  48-05  199
Day 1: 5   25-11     Day 2: 5   22-10
3.  Jamie Bruce            Kenora Ontario CANADA   10  47-13  198
Day 1: 5   23-05     Day 2: 5   24-08
4.  Brent Anderson         Kingston Springs, TN    10  46-11  197
Day 1: 5   24-10     Day 2: 5   22-01
5.  JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC        10  45-05  196
Day 1: 5   23-08     Day 2: 5   21-13
6.  Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI         10  44-10  195
Day 1: 5   23-07     Day 2: 5   21-03
7.  Josh Bragg             Fayetteville, GA        10  43-14  194
Day 1: 5   21-08     Day 2: 5   22-06
8.  Zach Goutremout        Chaumont, NY            10  42-13  193
Day 1: 5   22-13     Day 2: 5   20-00
9.  Gary Miller            Stouffville Ontario CAN 10  42-08  192
Day 1: 5   20-13     Day 2: 5   21-11
10. Rich Ortiz             Fort Ann, NY            10  42-05  191
Day 1: 5   21-02     Day 2: 5   21-03
11. Erik Luzak             Fenelon Falls CANADA    10  41-11  190   $5,680.00
Day 1: 5   22-02     Day 2: 5   19-09
12. Chris Beaudrie         Princeton, KY           10  41-10  189   $4,970.00
Day 1: 5   23-12     Day 2: 5   17-14
13. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI              10  41-04  188   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   23-03     Day 2: 5   18-01
14. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD 10  41-01  187   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   21-05     Day 2: 5   19-12
15. Jacob Bigelow          Cecil, WI               10  40-14  186   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   21-12     Day 2: 5   19-02
16. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             10  40-03  185   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   21-08     Day 2: 5   18-11
17. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL          10  40-03  184   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   21-04     Day 2: 5   18-15
18. Buck Mallory           Lawton, MI              10  39-15  183   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   18-14     Day 2: 5   21-01
19. Cody Stahl             Barnsville, GA          10  39-14  182   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   22-01     Day 2: 5   17-13
20. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE             10  39-11  181   $3,905.00
Day 1: 5   22-14     Day 2: 5   16-13
21. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO      10  39-06  180   $3,550.00
Day 1: 5   21-05     Day 2: 5   18-01
22. Brian Post             Janesville, WI          10  39-05  179   $3,550.00
Day 1: 5   20-09     Day 2: 5   18-12
23. Matt Pangrac           Shawnee, OK             10  39-01  178   $3,550.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   18-11
24. Kyle Goltz             Cornell, WI             10  39-00  177   $3,550.00
Day 1: 5   20-00     Day 2: 5   19-00
25. Scott Hamrick          Denver, NC              10  39-00  176   $3,550.00
Day 1: 5   19-08     Day 2: 5   19-08
26. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR         10  38-13  175   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   20-13
27. Cameron Smith          Wareham, MA             10  38-11  174   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   20-04
28. Casey Smith            Victor, NY              10  38-07  173   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   20-00
29. Kyle Austin            Ridgeville, SC          10  38-06  172   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   17-14     Day 2: 5   20-08
30. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA           10  38-05  171   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   22-11     Day 2: 5   15-10
31. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN             10  38-03  170   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   23-08     Day 2: 5   14-11
32. Craig Chambers         Midland, NC             10  37-15  169   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   19-13     Day 2: 5   18-02
33. Brandon McMillan       Clewiston, FL           10  37-14  168   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 5   19-05
34. David Williams         Newton, NC              10  37-13  167   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   20-13     Day 2: 5   17-00
35. Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA               10  37-13  166   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   18-01
36. Sam George             Athens, AL               9  37-12  165   $3,266.00
Day 1: 4   15-06     Day 2: 5   22-06
37. Chris Dover            Blacksburg, SC          10  37-12  164   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   18-13     Day 2: 5   18-15
38. Darrell Davis          Dover, FL               10  37-10  163   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   16-13     Day 2: 5   20-13
39. Austin Cranford        Norman, OK              10  37-10  162   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   17-04
40. Logan Johnson          Jasper, AL              10  37-04  161   $3,266.00
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   20-09
41. Chris Blanchette       Edisto Island, SC       10  37-04  160
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   20-02
42. Trevor McKinney        Benton, IL              10  37-04  159
Day 1: 5   20-00     Day 2: 5   17-04
43. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN           10  37-03  158
Day 1: 5   17-03     Day 2: 5   20-00
44. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL            10  37-00  157
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   18-10
45. Zeke Gossett           Pell City, AL           10  36-15  156
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   19-06
46. Jason Tibbetts         Centreville, VA         10  36-15  155
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 5   19-04
47. Brady Vernon           Sterrett, AL            10  36-14  154
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   15-14
48. Paul Bouvier           Kingston CANADA         10  36-12  153
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   20-00
49. Jason Lambert          Savannah, TN            10  36-11  152
Day 1: 5   19-04     Day 2: 5   17-07
50. Brad Knight            Lancing, TN             10  36-10  151
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   18-03
51. Cal Climpson           Cavan CANADA            10  36-08  150
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   20-05
52. Steve Morella          Townshend, VT           10  36-08  149
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   18-02
53. Andrew Upshaw          Hemphill, TX            10  36-07  148
Day 1: 5   16-13     Day 2: 5   19-10
54. Brett Cannon           Willis, TX              10  36-05  147
Day 1: 5   19-15     Day 2: 5   16-06
55. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL             10  36-04  146
Day 1: 5   18-03     Day 2: 5   18-01
56. Blake Smith            Lakeland, FL            10  36-03  145
Day 1: 5   20-03     Day 2: 5   16-00
57. Taylor Watkins         Clinton, TN             10  36-03  144
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   19-01
58. Bobby Lanham           Eddyville, KY           10  35-14  143
Day 1: 5   17-07     Day 2: 5   18-07
59. Shaine Campbell        Brookeland, TX          10  35-11  142
Day 1: 5   16-15     Day 2: 5   18-12
60. John Garrett           Union City, TN          10  35-07  141
Day 1: 5   19-13     Day 2: 5   15-10
61. Ryan Broughman         Corapeake, NC           10  35-07  140
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   18-05
62. Joey Nania             Cropwell, AL            10  35-06  139
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   21-05
63. Jimmy Washam           Stantonville, TN        10  35-06  138
Day 1: 5   17-14     Day 2: 5   17-08
64. Pete Gluszek           Mount Laurel, NJ        10  35-05  137
Day 1: 5   13-11     Day 2: 5   21-10
65. Jake Maddux            Birmingham, AL          10  35-04  136
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   17-07
66. Brett Carnright        Plattsburgh, NY         10  35-03  135
Day 1: 5   15-08     Day 2: 5   19-11
67. Kurt Mitchell          Milford, DE             10  35-02  134
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   16-03
68. Louis Monetti          Brielle, NJ             10  35-01  133
Day 1: 5   17-05     Day 2: 5   17-12
69. Hunter Sales           Blaine, TN              10  34-15  132
Day 1: 5   17-00     Day 2: 5   17-15
70. Matt Henry             Milledgeville, GA       10  34-13  131
Day 1: 5   19-08     Day 2: 5   15-05
71. Cole Drummond          Effingham, SC           10  34-13  130
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   16-07
72. Logan Parks            Auburn, AL               9  34-12  129
Day 1: 5   24-04     Day 2: 4   10-08
73. Mike Surman            Boca Raton, FL          10  34-05  128
Day 1: 5   17-10     Day 2: 5   16-11
74. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI        10  34-04  127
Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   17-14
75. Keith Tuma             Brainerd, MN            10  34-03  126
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   17-07
76. Justin Kimmel          Athens, GA              10  34-01  125
Day 1: 5   19-07     Day 2: 5   14-10
77. Clark Reehm            Elm Grove, LA            9  33-15  124
Day 1: 4   16-00     Day 2: 5   17-15
78. Derek Lehtonen         Woodruff, SC            10  33-15  123
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   16-13
79. Logan Anderson         Catawba, NC             10  33-12  122
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   19-02
80. Allan Nail             Sand Springs, OK        10  33-11  121
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   17-08
81. Ish Monroe             Oakdale, CA             10  33-07  120
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   15-11
82. Douglas Reed           Bridgeton, NJ           10  33-06  119
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   19-02
83. Tucker Veronee         Gilbert, SC             10  32-12  118
Day 1: 5   17-10     Day 2: 5   15-02
84. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA        10  32-09  117
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   18-05
85. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN         10  32-08  116
Day 1: 5   16-08     Day 2: 5   16-00
86. Julius Mazy            Phoenix, AZ             10  32-07  115
Day 1: 5   18-11     Day 2: 5   13-12
87. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK             10  32-07  114
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   14-11
88. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL          10  32-06  113
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   14-09
89. Wesley Cashwell        Roanoke Rapids, NC      10  32-04  112
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   14-11
90. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA      10  32-01  111
Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   18-05
91. JT Russell             Mc Calla, AL            10  32-01  110
Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   17-15
92. Michael Spaulding Jr.  Dundee, MI              10  32-00  109
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   14-01
93. Ben Milliken           New Caney, TX           10  32-00  108
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   17-10
94. Brian Mullaney         Ijamsville, MD          10  31-15  107
Day 1: 5   18-08     Day 2: 5   13-07
95. Chad Warren            Sand Springs, OK        10  31-13  106
Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   16-12
96. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME            10  31-09  105
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   13-13
97. Tommy Williams         Shepherdsville, KY      10  31-07  104
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   18-04
98. Wil Dieffenbauch III   Hundred, WV             10  31-07  103
Day 1: 5   17-04     Day 2: 5   14-03
99. Jason Abram            Piney Flats, TN         10  31-07  102
Day 1: 5   16-07     Day 2: 5   15-00
100. Jacob Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC        10  31-07  101
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   15-13
101. Ed Powell              Sandyville, WV          10  31-05  100
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   16-15
102. Ryan Clark             Whitby Ontario CANADA   10  31-04   99
Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   13-14
103. Reece Tremaglio        Dunkirk, MD             10  31-00   98
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   16-06
104. Denny Fiedler          Wabasha, MN             10  30-14   97
Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   17-04
105. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA           10  30-12   96
Day 1: 5   19-00     Day 2: 5   11-12
106. Paul Browning          Pecos, TX               10  30-10   95
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   12-03
107. Greg Bohannan          Bentonville, AR         10  30-07   94
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   16-02
108. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK             10  30-05   93
Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   18-01
109. Jack Tindel III        Orange, TX              10  30-05   92
Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 5   13-12
110. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY         10  30-03   91
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 5   12-08
111. Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi  10  30-01   90
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   17-09
111. Chris Hellebuyck       White Lake, MI          10  30-01   90
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   17-09
113. Reese Hudson           Broomall, PA            10  30-01   88
Day 1: 5   16-13     Day 2: 5   13-04
114. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI              10  30-00   87
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   11-09
115. Brad Leuthner          Victoria, MN            10  29-15   86
Day 1: 5   17-01     Day 2: 5   12-14
116. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          10  29-15   85
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   15-11
117. Scout Echols           Monticello, AR          10  29-11   84
Day 1: 5   18-05     Day 2: 5   11-06
118. Bryan Bickell          Newcastle CANADA        10  29-10   83
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   19-12
119. Blake Sylvester        Plaquemine, LA          10  29-10   82
Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 5   16-03
120. Andrew Mlotek          Indianapolis, IN        10  29-07   81
Day 1: 5   17-07     Day 2: 5   12-00
121. Michael Rowe           Providence Forge, VA    10  29-07   80
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   16-11
122. Mike Mayo              Athens, TX              10  29-05   79
Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   18-01
123. Chris Whitson          Louisville, TN          10  29-04   78
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   16-04
124. Casey Scanlon          Eldon, MO               10  29-03   77
Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   15-01
125. Takayuki Koike         Otsu-City JAPAN          9  29-03   76
Day 1: 4   14-09     Day 2: 5   14-10
126. Josh Hubbard           Dunnellon, FL           10  29-02   75
Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 5   14-02
127. Steve Tennison         Lexington, OK            9  28-15   74
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 4   10-00
128. Keith Brumfield        Vicksburg, MS           10  28-14   73
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   12-03
129. Hugh Cosculluela       Spring, TX              10  28-13   72
Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   13-14
130. Flash Butts            Roanoke Rapids, NC      10  28-10   71
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   15-02
131. Alex Heintze           Denham Springs, LA       9  28-09   70
Day 1: 5   19-11     Day 2: 4   08-14
132. Kenny Mittelstaedt     Minnetonka, MN          10  28-07   69
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 5   11-05
133. Joe Labarbera          Montrose, PA             7  28-05   68
Day 1: 2   06-10     Day 2: 5   21-11
134. Tyler Lubbat           Wheeling, IL             7  28-03   67
Day 1: 2   08-00     Day 2: 5   20-03
135. John Murray            Spring City, TN         10  28-02   66
Day 1: 5   17-15     Day 2: 5   10-03
136. Tom Frink              Southside, AL           10  28-02   65
Day 1: 5   11-07     Day 2: 5   16-11
137. David Wootton          Collierville, TN        10  28-00   64
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   12-03
138. Cody Detweiler         Guntersville, AL         9  27-15   63
Day 1: 4   12-02     Day 2: 5   15-13
139. Destin DeMarion        Harborcreek, PA         10  27-07   62
Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 5   16-05
140. Trey Swindle           Cleveland, AL            8  27-02   61
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 3   09-02
141. Powell Kemp            Scotland Neck, NC       10  27-02   60
Day 1: 5   16-15     Day 2: 5   10-03
142. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             8  27-01   59
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 3   08-13
143. Jack York              Emory, TX               10  27-00   58
Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   12-01
144. Seiji Kato             Outsu Shiga JAPAN       10  26-14   57
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 5   09-03
145. Cass Terrance          Akwewsane, NY           10  26-12   56
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 5   13-14
146. Evan Poroznik          Nestleton Station CANAD  9  26-11   55
Day 1: 5   17-02     Day 2: 4   09-09
147. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA              10  26-11   54
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   15-10
148. Bailey Boutries        Springfield, MO          9  26-08   53
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 4   10-14
149. Griffin Phillips       Mount Olive, AL          9  26-07   52
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 4   13-11
150. Mark Dimarzio          McDonald, PA             9  26-04   51
Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 4   10-05
151. Billy McDonald         Greenwood, IN           10  26-02   50
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   15-03
152. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA               10  26-01   49
Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   14-02
153. Rick Hawkins           Roanoke, VA              9  25-14   48
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 4   13-06
154. Jason Meninger         Yulee, FL               10  25-11   47
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-00
155. Phil Killian           Solomon, AZ             10  25-08   46
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   13-02
156. Jonathan Bowling       Harriman, TN             9  25-06   45
Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 4   09-08
157. Christian Shoda        Homosassa, FL           10  25-04   44
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   13-12
158. Scott Isaacs           Ladonia, TX             10  24-13   43
Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   13-09
159. Alex Murray            Lake Charles, LA         9  24-08   42
Day 1: 4   09-12     Day 2: 5   14-12
160. Bart Stanisz           Austin, TX               9  24-03   41
Day 1: 4   08-12     Day 2: 5   15-07
161. Lafe Messer            Warfield, KY             9  24-03   40
Day 1: 4   13-00     Day 2: 5   11-03
162. Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           8  24-01   39
Day 1: 3   07-12     Day 2: 5   16-05
163. Paul Flint             Valatie, NY             10  24-00   38
Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   09-01
164. Jerry Gallogly Jr      North Tazewell, VA       8  23-15   37
Day 1: 3   09-12     Day 2: 5   14-03
165. TJ Dobs                Oneida , NY              9  23-08   36
Day 1: 4   08-03     Day 2: 5   15-05
166. Kayden Tanner          Tolar, TX                9  23-08   35
Day 1: 4   12-00     Day 2: 5   11-08
167. Steven Camp            Mechanicsvlle, VA       10  23-07   34
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   09-03
168. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH          10  23-01   33
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 5   12-08
169. Miles Burghoff         Dayton, TN               9  22-15   32
Day 1: 4   07-15     Day 2: 5   15-00
170. Les Zacny              Orangeville Ontario CAN  9  22-05   31
Day 1: 4   11-02     Day 2: 5   11-03
171. Lucas Bogosian         Harrington Park, NJ     10  22-01   30
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   07-14
172. Daisuke Kita           Ostu Shiga JAPAN         8  22-00   29
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 3   11-11
173. Whitney Stephens       Waverly, OH             10  21-15   28
Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   10-00
174. Chris Kingree          Inverness, FL           10  21-11   27
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   11-00
175. Tim Frederick          Leesburg, FL            10  21-07   26
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   09-14
176. B.J. Usie              Bourg, LA                7  21-05   25
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 2   05-02
177. Johnathan Crossland    Chapin, SC              10  21-05   24
Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   09-06
178. Jordan Sanderlin       Kill Devil Hills, NC     7  21-04   23
Day 1: 4   13-06     Day 2: 3   07-14
179. Chancy Walters         West Des Moines, IA      9  21-03   22
Day 1: 4   13-05     Day 2: 5   07-14
180. Teb Jones              Yalaha, MS              10  20-14   21
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   09-01
181. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             8  20-12   20
Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 3   08-03
182. Tripp Noojin           Bryant, AL               7  20-10   19
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 2   06-02
183. Daniel Valois Gomez    Caracas FL VENEZUELA     7  20-00   18
Day 1: 5   14-13     Day 2: 2   05-03
184. Jon Canada             Helena, AL               5  19-11   17
Day 1: 5   19-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
185. Andrew Hargrove        Moody, TX                8  19-05   16
Day 1: 3   08-07     Day 2: 5   10-14
186. Chris Keeble           Lenoir City, TN          5  18-09   15
Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
187. Scott Kerslake         Okeechobee, FL           9  18-05   14
Day 1: 4   08-04     Day 2: 5   10-01
188. Willy Dennison         Willoughby Hills, OH     7  18-02   13
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 2   05-04
189. Nick Radtke            Greenwood Lake, NY       6  18-00   12
Day 1: 1   02-07     Day 2: 5   15-09
190. Jeff Mcbeth            New Phila, OH            8  18-00   11
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 5   11-02
191. Gary Krammes Jr.       Pottsville, PA           8  17-11   10
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 5   11-08
192. Joey Hanna             Corsicana, TX            8  17-09    9
Day 1: 4   09-03     Day 2: 4   08-06
193. Chris Dillow           Waynesboro, VA           9  17-07    8
Day 1: 4   07-15     Day 2: 5   09-08
194. Andrew Harp            Linden, TX               6  16-13    7
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 1   03-15
195. Brandon Tallhamer      Parkersburg, WV          5  16-11    6
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
196. John Watts Jr          Flushing, MI             6  16-08    5
Day 1: 4   12-09     Day 2: 2   03-15
197. Jason Carpenter        Castle Pines, CO         8  15-09    4
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 3   05-01
198. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  15-00    3
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   15-00
199. Lance Owen             Greer, SC                6  14-14    2
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 1   01-11
200. Tony Dumitras          Winston, GA              6  14-09    1
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 1   01-10
201. Rick Mitchell          Naples, FL               5  14-01    0
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
201. Kenji Yamada           Hixson, TN               5  14-01    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   14-01
203. Jeff Salmon            Mechanicsville, VA       5  13-13    0
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
204. Clay Samples           South Boston, VA         5  13-07    0
Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
205. Angela Mayo            Maiden, NC               6  13-07    0
Day 1: 2   03-06     Day 2: 4   10-01
206. Danny Ramsey           Trinidad, TX             5  12-11    0
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
207. Brayden Rakes          Winston Salem, NC        4  12-02    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 4   12-02
208. Stacey Jefferson       Conway, SC               5  11-12    0
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
209. Evan Barnes            Dardanelle, AR           5  11-08    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   11-08
210. Burke Hutcheson        Hillsborough, NC         5  09-10    0
Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
211. A.J. Menssen           Bloomington, IL          1  01-14    0
Day 1: 1   01-14     Day 2: 0   00-00
212. Bronk Mcdaniel         Alexandria, LA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
212. Alec Morrison          Peru, NY                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       180       991      3274-15
2       175       954      3048-11
----------------------------------
355      1945      6323-10
 

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River 7/20-7/22
St. Lawrence River, Waddington  NY.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Perry See              Rochester, MN            6  25-06  200  $22,452.00
Day 1: 3   13-09     Day 2: 3   11-13
2.  Michael Schrader       North Attleboro, MA      6  23-09  199   $5,254.00
Day 1: 3   13-01     Day 2: 3   10-08
3.  David Pilcher          De Ruyter, NY            6  23-07  198   $3,941.00
Day 1: 3   13-07     Day 2: 3   10-00
4.  Aaron Busch            East Syracuse, NY        6  23-07  197   $2,955.00
Day 1: 3   12-05     Day 2: 3   11-02
5.  Dylan Drephal          Black Creek, WI          6  22-15  196   $2,883.00
Day 1: 3   10-12     Day 2: 3   12-03
6.  Alex  Watts            Salem, VA                6  22-14  195   $2,627.00
Day 1: 3   10-11     Day 2: 3   12-03
7.  Cade Bacon             Pennellville, NY         6  22-10  194   $2,496.00
Day 1: 3   11-07     Day 2: 3   11-03
8.  Sakae Ushio            Tonawanda, NY            6  22-08  193   $2,364.00
Day 1: 3   11-10     Day 2: 3   10-14
9.  Rick Cheatham          Carterville, IL          6  22-02  192   $2,167.00
Day 1: 3   12-00     Day 2: 3   10-02
10. Travis Turcotte        Pembroke CANADA          6  21-10  191   $1,970.00
Day 1: 3   08-08     Day 2: 3   13-02
11. Joe Tomasino           Pennsburg, PA            6  21-08  190   $1,839.00
Day 1: 3   09-07     Day 2: 3   12-01
12. Chris Donavant         Yorktown, VA             6  21-01  189   $1,708.00
Day 1: 3   09-08     Day 2: 3   11-09
13. Chad Stahl             Barnesville, GA          6  21-00  188   $1,445.00
Day 1: 3   12-04     Day 2: 3   08-12
14. Yua Kishimoto          Osaka JORDAN             6  20-13  187   $1,314.00
Day 1: 3   09-07     Day 2: 3   11-06
15. Johnnie Garrett        Union City, TN           6  20-12  186   $1,182.00
Day 1: 3   12-11     Day 2: 3   08-01
16. Benjamin Antoniewicz   Mosinee, WI              6  20-12  185   $1,051.00
Day 1: 3   11-06     Day 2: 3   09-06
17. Mark Hughes            Saegertown, PA           6  20-11  184     $985.00
Day 1: 3   10-14     Day 2: 3   09-13
18. Rick Ganoung           Chenango Forks, NY       6  20-10  183     $985.00
Day 1: 3   09-03     Day 2: 3   11-07
19. Tonk Kingphilavanh     Cambridge Ontarion CANA  6  20-06  182     $985.00
Day 1: 3   09-04     Day 2: 3   11-02
20. Darren Marcine         Merlin CANADA            6  20-05  181     $985.00
Day 1: 3   12-01     Day 2: 3   08-04
21. Michael Leach          Shenandoah, TX           6  20-01  180     $919.00
Day 1: 3   09-01     Day 2: 3   11-00
22. Eric Santoro           Oshawa Ontario CANADA    6  20-01  179     $919.00
Day 1: 3   09-13     Day 2: 3   10-04
23. Trenton Carey          York Springs, PA         6  20-00  178     $919.00
Day 1: 3   08-11     Day 2: 3   11-05
24. Dan O'Callaghan        Chalfont, PA             6  19-13  177     $919.00
Day 1: 3   09-07     Day 2: 3   10-06
25. Trevor Easter          Morgan, TX               6  19-11  176     $919.00
Day 1: 3   08-15     Day 2: 3   10-12
26. Bobby Scott            Poultney, VT             6  19-11  175     $788.00
Day 1: 3   10-08     Day 2: 3   09-03
27. Manoshi Mano           Koto-Ku JAPAN            6  19-10  174     $788.00
Day 1: 3   09-12     Day 2: 3   09-14
28. Sergio Render          Crockett, VA             6  19-09  173     $788.00
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 3   08-15
29. James Tilley           Aylett, VA               6  19-04  172     $788.00
Day 1: 3   11-02     Day 2: 3   08-02
30. Gary Haraguchi         Murfreesboro, TN         6  19-04  171     $788.00
Day 1: 3   10-12     Day 2: 3   08-08
31. John Ciavaglia         Pittsford, NY            6  19-02  170     $723.00
Day 1: 3   10-13     Day 2: 3   08-05
32. Scott Weiland          Saddle Brook, NJ         5  18-15  169     $723.00
Day 1: 2   06-14     Day 2: 3   12-01
33. Michael Hunt           Watertown, NY            6  18-13  168     $723.00
Day 1: 3   10-07     Day 2: 3   08-06
34. Tony Long              Moseley, VA              6  18-12  167     $723.00
Day 1: 3   07-04     Day 2: 3   11-08
35. Tristan Bramblett      Tiger, GA                6  18-12  166     $723.00
Day 1: 3   11-01     Day 2: 3   07-11
36. John Boandl            Moscow, PA               6  18-11  165     $723.00
Day 1: 3   10-11     Day 2: 3   08-00
37. Addison Kelly          Queensbury, NY           6  18-10  164     $723.00
Day 1: 3   11-00     Day 2: 3   07-10
38. Scott Devault          New Philadelphia, OH     6  18-10  163     $723.00
Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 3   10-00
39. Mark Kendra            Great Meadows, NJ        6  18-08  162     $723.00
Day 1: 3   09-06     Day 2: 3   09-02
40. Creed David            Zachary, LA              6  18-06  161     $723.00
Day 1: 3   11-00     Day 2: 3   07-06
41. Erik Fossum            Porter, ME               6  18-06  160
Day 1: 3   08-12     Day 2: 3   09-10
42. Alex Richmond          South Elgin, IL          6  18-04  159
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 3   10-05
43. Lonnie Mesar           New Richmond, WI         6  18-04  158
Day 1: 3   09-15     Day 2: 3   08-05
44. Austin Olsby           Oak grove, MN            5  18-00  157
Day 1: 3   10-09     Day 2: 2   07-07
45. Brent Temple           BREWERTON, NY            6  18-00  156
Day 1: 3   09-09     Day 2: 3   08-07
46. Joe Lineberry          Ramseaur,, NC            6  17-14  155
Day 1: 3   10-09     Day 2: 3   07-05
47. Jo Jo Walsh            Lyles, TN                6  17-14  154
Day 1: 3   07-09     Day 2: 3   10-05
48. Hayden Reed            Bridgeton, NJ            6  17-13  153
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 3   10-07
49. Todd Winters           Troy, NY                 5  17-12  152
Day 1: 2   06-08     Day 2: 3   11-04
50. David Camp             Sterling, OH             5  17-10  151
Day 1: 3   12-05     Day 2: 2   05-05
51. Randy Tallhamer        Brandenton, FL           6  17-09  150
Day 1: 3   08-14     Day 2: 3   08-11
52. Russell Hoyle          Hickory, NC              6  17-07  149
Day 1: 3   07-00     Day 2: 3   10-07
53. Jordan LaClair         Ogdensburg, NY           6  17-07  148
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 3   09-08
54. Dane Morris            Agoura Hills, CA         6  17-06  147
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 3   11-04
55. Jeff Mellott           Warfordsburg, PA         6  17-06  146
Day 1: 3   07-07     Day 2: 3   09-15
56. John Lewis             Centreville, VA          6  17-02  145
Day 1: 3   06-08     Day 2: 3   10-10
57. Frank McCormick        Warwick, RI              6  17-01  144
Day 1: 3   09-11     Day 2: 3   07-06
58.  Alex Brogan           Fishers, IN              6  17-00  143
Day 1: 3   07-10     Day 2: 3   09-06
59. Chuck Vacanti          Penn Yan, NY             6  16-15  142
Day 1: 3   10-11     Day 2: 3   06-04
60. Logan Powell           West Point, NY           6  16-15  141
Day 1: 3   09-04     Day 2: 3   07-11
61. Fletcher Phillips      Mount Olive, AL          6  16-14  140
Day 1: 3   07-04     Day 2: 3   09-10
62. Ty Kenyon              Dodgeville, WI           6  16-13  139
Day 1: 3   11-03     Day 2: 3   05-10
63. Cody Howard            Snow Hill, NC            5  16-10  138
Day 1: 2   06-09     Day 2: 3   10-01
63. Steven Robbins         Piketon, OH              5  16-10  138
Day 1: 2   06-09     Day 2: 3   10-01
65. Jayden Adrians         Green Bay, WI            5  16-05  136
Day 1: 2   06-07     Day 2: 3   09-14
66. Kenneth Ott            Manahawkin, NJ           6  16-05  135
Day 1: 3   08-14     Day 2: 3   07-07
67. David Waack            Cary, NC                 4  16-03  134
Day 1: 3   13-11     Day 2: 1   02-08
68. Ronald Young           New Braunfels, TX        5  16-03  133
Day 1: 3   10-12     Day 2: 2   05-07
69. Bryce Bason            Mill Hall, PA            6  16-03  132
Day 1: 3   09-06     Day 2: 3   06-13
70. Mathew Thompson        Hogansburg, NY           6  16-02  131
Day 1: 3   06-11     Day 2: 3   09-07
71. Erik Talty             Brick, NJ                6  16-02  130
Day 1: 3   09-03     Day 2: 3   06-15
72. James Cobbs            VINEMONT, AL             6  16-01  129
Day 1: 3   07-14     Day 2: 3   08-03
73. John Herring           Quakertown, PA           4  16-00  128
Day 1: 1   04-07     Day 2: 3   11-09
74. James Roten            West Jefferson, NC       6  16-00  127
Day 1: 3   07-08     Day 2: 3   08-08
75. Jesse Simpkins         Minocqua, WI             6  15-15  126
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 3   08-10
76. Scott Johnsen          Wallkill, NY             6  15-15  125
Day 1: 3   07-12     Day 2: 3   08-03
77. Marc Letourneau        Brome Quebec CANADA      6  15-14  124
Day 1: 3   09-09     Day 2: 3   06-05
78. Jimmy Schaffer         Oak Ridge, NJ            6  15-13  123
Day 1: 3   11-05     Day 2: 3   04-08
79. Riku Hayashi           Ritto Shiga JAPAN        6  15-12  122
Day 1: 3   10-05     Day 2: 3   05-07
80. Charles Bowman II      Kernersville, NC         6  15-11  121
Day 1: 3   10-03     Day 2: 3   05-08
81. Ricky Fulk             Shenandoah, VA           6  15-10  120
Day 1: 3   08-09     Day 2: 3   07-01
82. Joshua Geyer           Loganton, PA             6  15-10  119
Day 1: 3   08-07     Day 2: 3   07-03
83. Scott Bannerman        Stratford CANADA         6  15-06  118
Day 1: 3   06-15     Day 2: 3   08-07
84. Matt Champion          Scottsville, NY          6  15-06  117
Day 1: 3   08-02     Day 2: 3   07-04
85. Jason Gibson           Iron Station, NC         5  15-05  116
Day 1: 2   06-15     Day 2: 3   08-06
86. John Sanderlin         Chesapeake, VA           5  15-05  115
Day 1: 3   07-14     Day 2: 2   07-07
87. John Mills             Leesville, SC            6  15-04  114
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 3   04-10
88. Chad Boyer             Elizabethtown, PA        6  15-04  113
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   10-05
89. Joseph Horne           Bella Vista, AR          5  15-01  112
Day 1: 3   10-08     Day 2: 2   04-09
90. Dylan Mayo             Athens, TX               6  15-00  111
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 3   07-11
91. JK Kutil               Beaufort, SC             5  14-13  110
Day 1: 3   10-04     Day 2: 2   04-09
92. Alec Fernandez         Medford, NJ              6  14-12  109
Day 1: 3   08-08     Day 2: 3   06-04
93. Avery Williams         Murrells Inlt, SC        6  14-11  108
Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 3   06-01
94. Phillip Easterling     Clanton, AL              6  14-10  107
Day 1: 3   09-04     Day 2: 3   05-06
95. Matt Kelly             CAMBRIDGE Ontario CANAD  5  14-09  106
Day 1: 3   09-13     Day 2: 2   04-12
96. Will Nutting           Granger, IN              6  14-09  105
Day 1: 3   09-00     Day 2: 3   05-09
97. Eric Stecker           Quakertown, PA           6  14-09  104
Day 1: 3   06-10     Day 2: 3   07-15
98. Rick Ivy               Ponder, TX               6  14-06  103
Day 1: 3   08-08     Day 2: 3   05-14
99. Kenneth L Brown        Leesburg, VA             5  14-05  102
Day 1: 3   10-01     Day 2: 2   04-04
100. Jeff Giffen            Phoenix, AZ              6  14-05  101
Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 3   09-05
101. Gary Hall              Wardville, OK            5  14-05  100
Day 1: 3   08-00     Day 2: 2   06-05
102. Nikolai Amarose        Franklin, NJ             5  14-04   99
Day 1: 2   04-07     Day 2: 3   09-13
103. Mark Aaron             Gastonia, NC             6  14-03   98
Day 1: 3   05-07     Day 2: 3   08-12
104. David Booth            Erin, TN                 4  13-13   97
Day 1: 3   09-11     Day 2: 1   04-02
105. Ashley Bishop          Chesapeake, VA           5  13-13   96
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 2   07-08
106. Alex Reece             Greenville, SC           6  13-12   95
Day 1: 3   07-04     Day 2: 3   06-08
107. Weston Phillips        Athens, AL               4  13-11   94
Day 1: 3   10-06     Day 2: 1   03-05
108. Tyler Smith            Portage, MI              6  13-11   93
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 3   06-05
109. Seth Gabri             Madrid, NY               5  13-08   92
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 2   06-02
110. Justin Bell            Lacona, NY               6  13-08   91
Day 1: 3   06-09     Day 2: 3   06-15
111. Bob Bauer              China Grove, NC          5  13-06   90
Day 1: 3   09-07     Day 2: 2   03-15
112. Jason Dubernas         Old Forge, PA            6  13-05   89
Day 1: 3   07-01     Day 2: 3   06-04
113. Joseph Shaw            Madison, WI              5  13-03   88
Day 1: 2   07-04     Day 2: 3   05-15
114. Gregory Mintz          Potsdam, NY              6  13-03   87
Day 1: 3   07-00     Day 2: 3   06-03
115. Laz Durham             Dumfries, VA             6  13-03   86
Day 1: 3   06-11     Day 2: 3   06-08
116. Dean Gibbs             North Chesterfield, VA   4  13-00   85
Day 1: 3   09-01     Day 2: 1   03-15
117. Harvey Reece           Chesterfield, VA         6  13-00   84
Day 1: 3   07-11     Day 2: 3   05-05
118. Phillip Arnold         Powhatan, VA             5  12-14   83
Day 1: 3   09-12     Day 2: 2   03-02
119. Alicia Raytrowsky      Delaware CANADA          4  12-13   82
Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 3   11-05
120. William Clute          Hogansburg, NY           5  12-11   81
Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 3   07-07
121. Leslie Brandenburg     Springfield, MO          5  12-11   80
Day 1: 2   06-04     Day 2: 3   06-07
122. Satoshi Egawa          Fort Lee, NJ             6  12-05   79
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   07-06
123. Felicia Pavelich       New Dundee Ontario CANA  4  12-02   78
Day 1: 2   07-03     Day 2: 2   04-15
124. Curtis Gossett         Pell City, AL            4  12-00   77
Day 1: 3   09-15     Day 2: 1   02-01
125. Melvin Bowling         Shenandoah, VA           3  11-15   76
Day 1: 3   11-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
126. Tim Rulon              Downingtown, PA          5  11-15   75
Day 1: 3   09-05     Day 2: 2   02-10
127. Allen Heston           Pittsburg, TX            6  11-15   74
Day 1: 3   06-10     Day 2: 3   05-05
128. Steve Kline            Hilltop Lakes, TX        4  11-14   73
Day 1: 1   03-06     Day 2: 3   08-08
129. Akira Okuyama          Forest Hills, NY         4  11-14   72
Day 1: 2   07-03     Day 2: 2   04-11
130. Steve Williams         Harrington, ME           4  11-11   71
Day 1: 1   01-06     Day 2: 3   10-05
131. John Higginbotham      Slaughter, LA            6  11-11   70
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 3   05-06
132. Paul Rush              New Martinsville, WV     3  11-06   69
Day 1: 1   03-09     Day 2: 2   07-13
133. Jimmy Fellegy          Mustang, OK              4  11-05   68
Day 1: 1   02-03     Day 2: 3   09-02
134. Cory Weaver            Ankeny, IA               5  11-03   67
Day 1: 2   02-11     Day 2: 3   08-08
135. Clint Bartlett         Sylva, NC                4  11-01   66
Day 1: 2   02-09     Day 2: 2   08-08
136. Bird Jones             Loxahatchee, FL          4  11-00   65
Day 1: 2   04-03     Day 2: 2   06-13
137. David Chamberlain      Hampton, VA              3  10-14   64
Day 1: 3   10-14     Day 2: 0   00-00
138. Matthew Kremers        Pittsford, NY            5  10-14   63
Day 1: 2   04-14     Day 2: 3   06-00
139. Nick Melcher           Gypsum, CO               4  10-12   62
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   08-15
140. Jack Adams             Wynantskill, NY          5  10-11   61
Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 3   07-02
141. Dai Kitajima           Otsu-Shi JAPAN           3  10-10   60
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
142. Logan Beebe            Marriottsville, MD       3  10-09   59
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   10-09
143. Jimmy Brumfield        Madison, MS              4  10-08   58
Day 1: 3   07-12     Day 2: 1   02-12
144. Mark Shopene           Point Pleasant Beach, N  5  10-06   57
Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 3   05-02
145. Liam Kendra            Great Meadows, NJ        4  10-05   56
Day 1: 3   07-10     Day 2: 1   02-11
146. Joe Tucker             Osceola, MO              6  10-03   55
Day 1: 3   03-12     Day 2: 3   06-07
147. AJ Jones               Lutz, FL                 4  10-00   54
Day 1: 3   06-13     Day 2: 1   03-03
148. Steve Kiser            Tarboro, NC              3  09-08   53
Day 1: 2   05-12     Day 2: 1   03-12
149. Ernest McIntyre Jr     Fayetteville, NC         4  09-06   52
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 3   07-06
150. Dave McQuate           Doylestown, PA           5  09-06   51
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 2   02-08
151. Richard Greene         Ocala, FL                6  09-04   50
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 3   01-05
152. Jason Coughlin         Brasher Falls, NY        4  09-03   49
Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 1   02-13
153. Levi Allgeier          Bardstown, KY            3  09-02   48
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   09-02
154. Nat Lussi              Plains, PA               3  09-01   47
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   09-01
155. David Wright           Ft. Meade, MD            3  08-15   46
Day 1: 3   08-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Dan Loux               Quakertown, PA           3  08-12   45
Day 1: 3   08-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
157. Ian Freeman            Hickory, NC              3  08-10   44
Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
158. Joe Sodora             Garfield, NJ             4  08-09   43
Day 1: 3   07-07     Day 2: 1   01-02
159. RD Roulston            Little Rock, AR          4  08-09   42
Day 1: 3   06-08     Day 2: 1   02-01
160. Cody Smith             South Windsor, CT        4  08-08   41
Day 1: 3   08-06     Day 2: 1   00-02
161. PJ Mcmanamon Jr        Ruby, NY                 3  08-06   40
Day 1: 2   04-15     Day 2: 1   03-07
162. Jacob Zaremski         Rochester, NY            3  08-05   39
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   08-05
163. Chip Stith Jr          Piscataway, NJ           3  08-01   38
Day 1: 3   08-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
164. Billy Limerick         Chandler, TX             3  08-00   37
Day 1: 3   08-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
165. Ryan Patterson         Scott Township, PA       4  07-13   36
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 3   05-14
166. Jesse Buss             Pennsburg, PA            3  07-12   35
Day 1: 3   07-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
167. George Epley           Livingston Manor, NY     4  07-11   34
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   05-14
168. Dominic Lussi          Danville, PA             4  07-09   33
Day 1: 1   01-09     Day 2: 3   06-00
169. Chad Penney            Mansfield, TX            3  07-05   32
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
170. Ed Mlotek              Naperville, IL           3  07-04   31
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 2   05-05
171. Archie Eslinger        Paris, IL                3  07-00   30
Day 1: 3   07-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
172. Brad Hollowell         Azle, TX                 3  06-11   29
Day 1: 3   06-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
173. Phillip Medford        Whitakers, NC            2  06-08   28
Day 1: 2   06-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
174. Shaun Carney           Kincardine Ontario CANA  3  06-07   27
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-07
175. Clancy Hefferly        Taylors, SC              4  06-06   26
Day 1: 2   04-01     Day 2: 2   02-05
176. James Schneider        Watervliet, NY           3  06-04   25
Day 1: 3   06-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
177. Bob Harper             Lombard, IL              3  06-02   24
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-02
178. Ernest Brabon          Albion, NY               2  06-01   23
Day 1: 2   06-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
179. Robert Bruguiere       Roseland, VA             2  05-13   22
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-13
180. Jim Boyce              Massena, NY              3  05-10   21
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
181. Brooks Parker          Bridgeville, DE          3  05-01   20
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-01
182. Allen Leister III      Kintnersville, PA        3  04-11   19
Day 1: 2   02-11     Day 2: 1   02-00
183. Donny Coffman          Russellville, AR         3  04-00   18
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
184. Guy Cisternino         Oak Ridge, NJ            3  03-15   17
Day 1: 3   03-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
185. Grady Phillips         Gardendale, AL           2  03-13   16
Day 1: 2   03-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
186. Tracy Shaffer          Mansfield, TX            2  03-10   15
Day 1: 1   02-04     Day 2: 1   01-06
187. Beanie Leuer           Lockport, NY             2  03-09   14
Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
188. Andrew Bechard         Plattsburgh , NY         1  03-07   13
Day 1: 1   03-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
189. Darrell Curl           Winston Salem, NC        2  02-07   12
Day 1: 2   02-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
190. TJ Raytrowsky          Delaware CANADA          1  02-05   11
Day 1: 1   02-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
191. Kevin Mallow           Kansas, OK               1  02-04   10
Day 1: 1   02-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
192. Burley Langford Jr.    South Chesterfield, VA   1  01-13    9
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
193. Benjamin Demo          Plymouth, MN             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
193. Gerard Golden          Coopersburg, PA          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
193. Rick Sweadner          Woodsboro, MD            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
193. Rodney Vaow            Huntersville, NC         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
197. Calvin Landsberg       Raleigh, NC              0  -1-00    0
Day 1: 0   -01-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       140       491      1420-12
2       128       446      1246-11
----------------------------------
268       937      2667-07


Stewart and Johnson take narrow lead in opening round of Bassmaster Junior Championship on Lake Hartwell

Tristan Stewart and DJ Johnson III of Tennessee's Mt. Pleasant Junior Bass Team are leading after Day 1 of the 2023 Bassmaster Junior Championship at Lake Hartwell with 11 pounds, 1 ounce.

Photo by Logan Crumley/B.A.S.S.

July 21, 2023

ANDERSON, S.C. — Tristan Stewart and DJ Johnson III caught a three-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 1 ounce to grab the Day 1 lead at the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship Friday on Lake Hartwell.

The boys, who are part of the Mt. Pleasant (Tenn.) Junior Bass Team, hold a narrow 4-ounce lead in the tournament, which boasts 123 young duos from 32 different states.

Stewart and Johnson, both 13, enjoyed a consistent bite of largemouth and spotted bass, estimating they caught about 20 fish overall. The best of the bunch was a spot that weighed in the 4-pound range.

Stewart caught that bass in about 15 feet of water, but he preferred to not divulge his bait of choice. That’s because he and Johnson think they can repeat their performance on Day 2 and win the championship.

“We saw it on the Garmin LiveScope,” Stewart said. “It took me a minute or two to get it in, but it was fun. We found a spot in practice that we liked, and we fished it alone (early on Friday). But we had some other boats around us later in the day.”

Johnson said steady bites helped him shake off a hot afternoon on Hartwell. A steady wind made temperatures in the lower 90s bearable, but there’s no doubt the summer heat was rough on all the youngsters as the afternoon sun got overhead.

“Still, today was exciting,” Johnson said. “I started bass fishing was I was 9 or 10 and I’ve gotten a lot better. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

So is their captain, Glen Stewart, who said he expects a tight finish to the championship.

“When the limit is three, it’s gonna be a game of ounces,” Glen said. “It’s hard to separate from the field. We’ll do the same thing we did today, and if we can get fish that weigh 3 pounds, I think we’ll have a good shot at winning.”

Other top teams on Day 1 include Kale Temple and Luke Schnell of Georgia’s Hart County Junior Anglers,  currently in second place with three bass totaling 10-13. They are followed by Cody Carboni and William Reynolds from Live Oak (La.) Junior High, who weighed a limit registering 10-10, and Colton Hembree and Tyson Browning of the Bluegrass (Ky.) Junior Bassmasters, who are fourth with 10-7.

Hembree and Browning weighed a 4-15 heavy that gave them the big bass on Day 1.

Caleb and Isaac Toubia of Kickback (Kan.) High School are fifth, also with a 10-7 limit. Caden Hall and Caleb Wilson of Russell County (Ky.) Middle School caught a 4-14 on Friday and settled into sixth place with three bass totaling 9-6, while Zac Arnold and Ross Clark of the Good Hope (Ala.) Fishing Team caught a 9-6 limit on Friday as well.

The winners in the two-day tournament will collect $2,000 in scholarship money. The squad in second place will win $1,000, third will earn $500, and fourth will take home $400.

Teams qualified for the championship through state competitions and four different Junior Opens held earlier this year on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Alabama’s Lay Lake, Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake and the Red River in Louisiana.

Day 2 of the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship is scheduled to begin at 6:20 ET at Green Pond Landing and Event Center. Weigh-in will begin at 1:20 p.m., with the champions being crowned shortly after the final bass are weighed. Full coverage is available on Bassmaster.com.

Visit Anderson is hosting the tournament.

2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship 7/21-7/22
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Tristan Stewart - DJ Johnson III             Mt. Pleasant Junior Bass Team - TN    0
Day 1: 3   11-01   Total:   3  11-01
2.  Kale Temple - Luke Schnell                   Hart County Jr Anglers - GA           0
Day 1: 3   10-13   Total:   3  10-13
3.  Cody Carboni - William Reynolds              Live Oak Junior High School - LA      0
Day 1: 3   10-10   Total:   3  10-10
4.  Colton Hembree - Tyson Browning              Bluegrass Junior Bassmasters - KY     0
Day 1: 3   10-07   Total:   3  10-07
5.  Caleb Toubia - Isaac Toubia                  Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   10-07   Total:   3  10-07
6.  Caden Hall - Kaleb Wilson                    Russell County Middle School - KY     0
Day 1: 3   09-06   Total:   3  09-06
7.  Zac Arnold - Ross Clark                      Good Hope Fishing Team - AL           0
Day 1: 3   09-06   Total:   3  09-06
8.  Jake Paradis - Nolan Savage                  L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   08-09   Total:   3  08-09
9.  Hank Riley - Ty Montgomery                   Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 3   08-06   Total:   3  08-06
10. Ryder Milam - Colton Milam                   Mecklenburg High School Junior A      0
Day 1: 3   08-01   Total:   3  08-01
11. Eli Ledbetter - Collin Ledbetter             Jr Southwest Bassmasters-Denham       0
Day 1: 3   08-00   Total:   3  08-00
12. Jaxen White - Christopher Trobaugh           Clay County Anglers - TN              0
Day 1: 3   07-13   Total:   3  07-13
13. Landon Horton - Eli Meckert                  Idaho Student Anglers - ID            0
Day 1: 3   07-06   Total:   3  07-06
13. Jack Naas - JT Cross                         L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   07-06   Total:   3  07-06
15. Mack Hardee - Jackson Smalls                 Conway High Anglers - SC              0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
15. Conley Tyler - Tripp Martin                  Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   07-05   Total:   3  07-05
17. Lucas Gerlach - Brayden Nickless             Denver Jr. Bassmasters - CO           0
Day 1: 3   07-03   Total:   3  07-03
18. Eli Herring - Hunter Lee                     Greene County Bassmasters - MS        0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
19. Ty Magargle - Brady Gunkle                   Junior Wildcats - PA                  0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
19. Anderson Mesplay - Kelby Conrady             Mid-Kansas Kastmasters - KS           0
Day 1: 3   06-15   Total:   3  06-15
21. Grayson Goodwin - Colton Baker               Renegades Perry County Jr Angler      0
Day 1: 3   06-10   Total:   3  06-10
22. Sawyer Sheffield - Brody Holliman            Shelby County Jr Anglers - AL         0
Day 1: 2   06-10   Total:   2  06-10
23. Jackson Ray - TJ Murray                      Rhea County Eagle Anglers - TN        0
Day 1: 3   06-04   Total:   3  06-04
24. Brennon Davidson - Hagen Barnes              Brandon High School - MS              0
Day 1: 3   06-03   Total:   3  06-03
24. Tyler Nelson - Seth Harrell                  Bandys High School - NC               0
Day 1: 3   06-03   Total:   3  06-03
24. Wyatt North - Wylie North                    Marion County High School Bassma      0
Day 1: 3   06-03   Total:   3  06-03
27. Dominick Andux - Peyton Faber                Tampa Bay Junior Bass Club - FL       0
Day 1: 3   06-02   Total:   3  06-02
28. Brayden Rivest - Andrew Crawford             Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 3   06-01   Total:   3  06-01
29. Parker Terrell - Cameron Terrell             Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 3   06-00   Total:   3  06-00
30. Kingston Bartley - Wade Clemmensen           Denver Jr. Bassmasters - CO           0
Day 1: 3   05-15   Total:   3  05-15
31. Landon Grabert -                             Houma Christian School - LA           0
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
32. Jesse Lancaster - Fisher Lancaster           Lancaster Academy - NC                0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
32. Ethan McBrayer - Zachary King                Briarwood Christian School - AL       0
Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
34. Dawson Turner - Ruby Caldwell                Crescent High School Jr Anglers       0
Day 1: 3   05-10   Total:   3  05-10
35. Boone Baxter - Hunter Stewart                Buckeye State Student Anglers -       0
Day 1: 3   05-09   Total:   3  05-09
36. Denver Leblanc - Jackson Gomez               Jr Southwest Bassmasters-Denham       0
Day 1: 3   05-08   Total:   3  05-08
37. Hudson Clark - Jackson Leath                 Sumner County Jr Bass Team - TN       0
Day 1: 3   05-07   Total:   3  05-07
38. Zeb Ates - Cameron Barham                    North Louisiana Jr Bassmasters -      0
Day 1: 3   05-06   Total:   3  05-06
39. Landon Moore - Trig Mchone                   Meigs Middle School - TN              0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
39. Colton Willging - Finn Boyle                 Dubuque Bass Club - IA                0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
39. Donovan Yang - Logan Xiong                   Anoka Ramsey Bassers    - MN             0
Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
42. Evan Bradshaw - Gabe Browning                Russell County Middle School - K      0
Day 1: 3   05-03   Total:   3  05-03
42. Dj Broome Jr. - Shepard Crumley              Tallulah Falls School Jr Team -       0
Day 1: 3   05-03   Total:   3  05-03
44. Fisher Butler - Landon Reel                  Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
44. Luke Stewart - Austin Craze                  Southern WV Jr Bassmasters - WV       0
Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
46. Colson Sollars - Dylan Barnhart              Southside Junior Anglers - IN         0
Day 1: 3   05-00   Total:   3  05-00
47. Jack Kennedy - Brentley West                 Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 3   04-15   Total:   3  04-15
48. Vegas Iaconelli - Maxsim Hughen              NJ BASS Nation Juniors - NJ           0
Day 1: 3   04-15   Total:   3  04-15
49. Nash Parham - Jude Gibson                    Sumner County Jr Bass Team - TN       0
Day 1: 3   04-12   Total:   3  04-12
50. Eli Milam - Isaiah Crockett                  Southern WV Jr Bassmasters - WV       0
Day 1: 3   04-09   Total:   3  04-09
51. Mason Bush - Hayden Berryman                 Club Florida High School Bassmas      0
Day 1: 3   04-08   Total:   3  04-08
52. Bentley Richardson - Blake Richardson        Southern Outcast Jr - NC              0
Day 1: 2   04-08   Total:   2  04-08
53. Tatum Ceccorulli - Brayden Jenner            St. Martin Bassmasters - MS           0
Day 1: 3   04-07   Total:   3  04-07
54. Beau McQuade - Kahl Cordell                  Jr. Potomac River Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
54. Joey Newman - Logan Robertson                Meigs Middle School - TN              0
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
56. Zack Ramsey - Carson Buchanan                McDowell High School - NC             0
Day 1: 3   04-04   Total:   3  04-04
57. Hunter Brakefield - Landon White             Mt. Juliet Fishing - TN               0
Day 1: 2   04-03   Total:   2  04-03
58. Drake Walls - Hunter Shrader                 Mid Florida Youth Anglers - FL        0
Day 1: 3   04-02   Total:   3  04-02
59. Sam Keely - Bradyn Stubenrauch               Kickback High School - KS             0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
59. Boston Werner -                              Northeast Wisconsin Bass - WI         0
Day 1: 3   04-00   Total:   3  04-00
61. Cale Compton - Adam Reed                     Moore HS Fishing Club - OK            0
Day 1: 3   03-15   Total:   3  03-15
62. Walker Woodall - Mason Watkin                Harmony Grove - AR                    0
Day 1: 2   03-15   Total:   2  03-15
63. Nickolas Tinkle - Kaden Henderson            Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR           0
Day 1: 3   03-12   Total:   3  03-12
64. Piers Picou - Jaxon Plaisance                Central Catholic - LA                 0
Day 1: 3   03-10   Total:   3  03-10
65. Brayden Marcum - Tyler Goble                 Cardinal Youth Fishing Team - KY      0
Day 1: 3   03-09   Total:   3  03-09
66. Coy Cassady -                                Wateree Anglers Club - SC             0
Day 1: 3   03-08   Total:   3  03-08
67. Gunner Robbins - Carson Everley              Upperman High School - TN             0
Day 1: 3   03-07   Total:   3  03-07
68. Tristan Topa - Parker Stevens                Port City Jr. Bassmasters  - NY       0
Day 1: 3   03-06   Total:   3  03-06
69. Landon Burke - Kolbey Burke                  Dixie Junior Bassmasters - FL         0
Day 1: 3   03-05   Total:   3  03-05
70. Chance Washington - Ashton Otto              Aggie Anglers - GA                    0
Day 1: 2   03-05   Total:   2  03-05
71. Connor Magee - Corbin Goode                  Live Oak Junior High School - LA      0
Day 1: 1   03-05   Total:   1  03-05
72. Tom Shumowsky - Amira Glenn                  Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 3   03-04   Total:   3  03-04
73. Landon Lynch - Colton Miller                 Brunswick Academy - VA                0
Day 1: 3   03-03   Total:   3  03-03
74. Cullen Bearden - Chance White                Ark-La-Tex Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   03-03   Total:   2  03-03
75. Jake Jaracy - Jack Jaracy                    CT BASS Thunder - CT                  0
Day 1: 3   02-14   Total:   3  02-14
76. Kasey Stamper - Chase Bennett                Howell Junior High School - MI        0
Day 1: 3   02-13   Total:   3  02-13
77. James Barkley - Nikolas Foster               NH Junior Bassmasters - NH            0
Day 1: 2   02-13   Total:   2  02-13
78. Jackson Beatty - Gable Eddy                  Independence High School - IA         0
Day 1: 1   02-12   Total:   1  02-12
79. Parker Bilbrey - Tyler Thompson              Livingston Academy - TN               0
Day 1: 3   02-11   Total:   3  02-11
79. Eastin Gilliland - Gunnar Freeman            Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 3   02-11   Total:   3  02-11
79. Eben Whalen - Luke Whalen                    L/A Junior Bassmasters - ME           0
Day 1: 3   02-11   Total:   3  02-11
82. Avery Schmitt - Maddox Hanson                Eastern Iowa Jr Bassmasters - IA      0
Day 1: 2   02-11   Total:   2  02-11
83. Drew Mcclellan - Noah Hiott                  Indiana Jr Bassmasters - IN           0
Day 1: 1   02-11   Total:   1  02-11
84. Logan Eudy - Brody Clontz                    Stanly County Jr Bassmasters - N      0
Day 1: 3   02-09   Total:   3  02-09
85. Garrett Hestor - Easton Herman               Junior Wildcats - PA                  0
Day 1: 2   02-09   Total:   2  02-09
85. Daniel Ingram - Morgan Carden                Shelby County Jr Anglers - AL         0
Day 1: 2   02-09   Total:   2  02-09
87. Landry Scott - Caden Daniel                  Lone Star Jr Bassmasters - TX         0
Day 1: 2   02-07   Total:   2  02-07
88. Presley Jo Cook - Brody Baber                Ark-La-Tex Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   02-04   Total:   2  02-04
88. Colton Howell - Cullen Howell                Mt. Pleasant Junior Bass Team -       0
Day 1: 2   02-04   Total:   2  02-04
88. Jaxson Pierce - Tucker Larrance              Jefferson County Patriot Anglers      0
Day 1: 2   02-04   Total:   2  02-04
91. Jason Perkins - Tyler Perkins                Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 1   02-03   Total:   1  02-03
92. Jonah Harbison - Thomas Benton               Hayden Jr High School - AL            0
Day 1: 3   02-02   Total:   3  02-02
93. Reiston Ratchford - Ryland Ratchford         Headland Jr High School - AL          0
Day 1: 2   02-00   Total:   2  02-00
94. Bentley Gibson - Reese Carpenter             Junior Keystone Bassmasters - OK      0
Day 1: 1   02-00   Total:   1  02-00
95. Kort Roberts - Katera Roberts                Garfield County High School - OK      0
Day 1: 2   01-15   Total:   2  01-15
96. Bradie Talaski - Carter Osantowski           Bad Axe High School - MI              0
Day 1: 2   01-14   Total:   2  01-14
97. Cash Holloway - Ava Lowery                   East Clarendon Wolverines - SC        0
Day 1: 2   01-13   Total:   2  01-13
98. Bo Hollen - Ari Clark                        Mon Valley Junior Bassmasters -       0
Day 1: 2   01-11   Total:   2  01-11
99. Ethan Martinez - Bryson Stewart              Hendry County Junior Bassmasters      0
Day 1: 1   01-10   Total:   1  01-10
100. Sawyer Knickerbocker - Conner Tate           Vermilion Junior Anglers - LA         0
Day 1: 1   01-08   Total:   1  01-08
101. Carson Stevens - Wesley Osuna                Franklin County Jr Bass Team - T      0
Day 1: 1   01-07   Total:   1  01-07
102. Brayden Tisdale -                            Opp Middle School - AL                0
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
103. Dalton Adkins - David Potts                  Skyline High School - AL              0
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
103. Hunter Moore - Ashton Pogue                  Caledonia Bassmasters - MO            0
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
105. Dean Austin - Liam Holze                     Off the Hook Jr Bassmasters - IL      0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
105. Harrison Hobbs - Cade Speligene              Franklin High School - TN             0
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
107. Blake Meiser - Liam Duncan                   Eureka Youth Club - MO                0
Day 1: 1   00-11   Total:   1  00-11
108. Mitchell Boles -                             Clay County Anglers - TN              0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Daniel Coley - Elijah Ambrose                Junior Potomac River Bassmasters      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Hollis Daigle - Vincent Vilcan-Soprano       Catholic High School New Iberia       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. John Parker Deal - Hayes Henderson           Headland Jr High School - AL          0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Jace Hickman -                               Teays Valley Toads - OH               0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Liam Jeddry - Luke Laudenklos                Team Outcast Juniors - MD             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Beckett Kraft - Sullivan Kraft               Port City Jr. Bassmasters - NY        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Ty Landry - Brant Cavalier                   Central Catholic - LA                 0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Wyatt Michaels - Austin Parsons              Morgan County Junior Bass Master      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Jeffrey Samson - Luke Adasczik               NH Junior Bassmasters - NH            0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Carter Shadinger - Aiden Ferguson            Curry High School - AL                0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Gunner Tate -                                Coffee County Youth Bass Club -       0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Landon Verbit - Brody McCoy                  Muddyrun Bassmaster Jr - PA           0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Knox White - Grayson Sanford                 Mt. Juliet Fishing - TN               0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Owen Williams - Jase Quattlebaum             Rehobeth Junior Bass Team - AL        0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
108. Fisher Williams - Cooper Kennedy             Bolivar Middle School - MO            0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        74       274       496-07
----------------------------------
74       274       496-07


PATRICK WALTERS SECURE DAY ONE SAGINAW BAY LEAD

With a 20-pound, 4-ounce limit of smallmouth, Patrick Walters takes the lead on day one at Saginaw Bay.

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

Coming into the event, Patrick Walters had planned to target smallmouth but after a tough event last year on day two, he dedicated a portion of his practice period to largemouth as a plan B for the event.

“I fished for smallmouth every day last year and it bit me in the butt,” said Walters. “This year, I did spend some time shallow as a plan I could rely on if the wind got too bad and the fish shut down. Today was a good day, I caught about 12 keepers, and I may swap things up tomorrow a little.”

Day two maybe when the plan B approach takes effect. Walters is keeping his eye on the weather forecast and may begin his day in search of a limit of largemouth to let the lake settle down before venturing back offshore.

“Tomorrow is expected to be challenging,” added Walters. “I may wait for a little to let things settle down and the lake conditions improve before fishing for the smallmouth. I did find some areas this year after catching only two bass on day two which cost me in the event.”

Walters noted he is fishing the standard plastic-type baits for both smallmouth and largemouth.

Louis Fernandes

The only angler in the top five weighing all largemouth, Louis Fernandes fished his way to an 18-pound, 12-ounce limit to finish day one in second place. Making a long run and fishing strictly shallow, the California angler believes he figured out a tactic that no other angler is doing to catch bigger quality largemouth.

“I started off making a long run and once I put my trolling motor down, I never picked it up until the end of the day,” said Fernandes. “I am fishing a way nobody else is fishing and caught over 60 fish today.”

With lots of anglers fishing shallow and the weights tight, catching a few bigger quality bass to separate yourself from the pack is key. Fernandes landed two bigger bites today and believes that will be the key to him having a shot on the final day.

“I know I can catch the 3-pound fish but the biggest ones are tough. I landed two today, and I saw the results on the leaderboard. 15 pounds in my areas should be easy but to have a shot I need to get that bigger bass in the boat,” he added.

Todd Goade

Todd Goade began the event in the second-place spot in Progressive Angler of the Year standings and wanted to ensure he remained consistent at Saginaw Bay. With an 18-pound, 8-ounce limit mixed with largemouth and smallmouth, he did exactly what he needed to get his event off on the right track.

“I had a dead fish penalty today which hurt a little bit but the fish were biting great first thing this morning,” said Goade. “I had four quality smallmouth on my starting spot and then went looking for largemouth.”

With wind expected to affect his areas on day two, Goade is planning on visiting some areas from practice he has saved for this wind direction and preventing any shake-up of his plan to stay consistent.

“Once I fish the smallmouth spot tomorrow morning, I am going to a ‘new’ to me area I found in practice and hope to repeat my day today. If that doesn’t work, I have more fish a long way away I was saving for Saturday, but I will run there if needed tomorrow.”

Coming into the event, Saginaw Bay was the one event Goade circled that would make or break his season. He is off to a good start executing his pre-event plan and looking good going into day two.

“I did my job,” added Goade. “I want to have a chance going into the last event at Lanier and I need to keep after it the next two days.”

Trent Palmer

With 18 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, Trent Palmerfished his third and fourth-best areas on day one to finish in the fourth-place spot. With wind forecasted to make running around a challenge, Palmer is playing some defense and managing his smallmouth areas while mixing in some largemouth as necessary this week.

“The areas today has good wind protection and I thought I could catch some good fish and that is what happened,” said Palmer. “Tomorrow is going to be a different story and I am going back to that area to get started while the lake sets up and then make a move to my primary area another 15 plus miles away.”

As he does back home, he is sight fishing for deeper bass using his Livescope and watching schools of 30-plus bass. The hard part, however, is getting them to bite.

“I am going to keep running and gunning and try to hit them on a feeding window,” added Palmer.

Mike Corbishley

With an 18-pound, 8-ounce bag on day one, Mike Corbishley ground out nine bites on his main smallmouth area to finish the day in fifth place. After making a 2.5-hour run in adverse conditions, the outlook for day two will be a game-time decision.

“It’s going to be rough tomorrow and I speared several waves today. I will keep checking the wind and decide when I wake up tomorrow if I am going to attempt the run,” said Corbishley. “The Phoenix ran great all day and it landed seven of my nine bites today.”

Corbishley spent 2.5 days of practice looking for smallmouth and located only three schools, and one with size. He also planned for the worst and looked for largemouth. If the weather is too bad to make the run, he plans to hang back and try to survive day two before calmer winds will make the big lake travel much smoother.

Rest of the best:
Stu Martel 18-3
Barron Adams 16-11
Ron Johnson 15-14
Hunter Baughman 15-12
Dustin Smith 15-10

 


Johnston overcomes crowded waters to lead Day 1 at Bassmaster Open on St. Lawrence River

Cory Johnston of Cavan, Canada, is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River with 26 pounds, 14 ounces. 

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

July 20, 2023

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Cory Johnston knows the fishery of his youth is hardly a secret, but the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Cavan, Ontario, battled through extreme crowding to round up a limit of 26 pounds, 14 ounces that leads Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River.

Johnston, who won the 2021 Bassmaster Open on the same fishery, leads Jody White of Shaftsbury, Vt., by 1-3. Having grown up fishing the river, Johnston has seen this stellar fishery attract a steadily increasing level of attention — and boat traffic.

“This was the toughest practice I’ve ever had,” Johnston said. “This fishery’s changing. It’s getting a ton of pressure and the fish are doing different stuff, so I kinda had to adjust today and came across the right ones.

“When I was here for pre-practice, I have never seen so many boats on this river. I couldn’t even get a spot at a boat ramp. These fish feel the pressure and they don’t go to where they’re typically at.”

Johnston said his main adjustment came down to hunting individual bass in areas with less pressure. Doing most of his work on flats with isolated structure, Johnston relied heavily on his electronics to spot his skittish targets.

“I caught one in 2 feet of water today, and I caught the rest in 35 feet,” Johnston said. “I was using Garmin LiveScope and picking apart the structure and looking for the bigger fish.”

Johnston said he caught all of his bass on a drop shot with a 3/4-ounce weight and a prototype 6th Sense soft-plastic bait. Noting that he burned two full tanks of gas, Johnston said he covered nearly the entire length of the tournament boundaries.

“I spent a lot of time looking for fish today,” he said. “I hit 40 spots and you’d just catch one here, one there. They’re not grouped up anywhere and that’s part of the problem.

“There’s no specific area I’m fishing. I’m just running down the river and I’m like, ‘That looks good,’ and I’ll pull over and fish it. It might be a shallow patch, or it might be a rock in 30 feet of water.”

Last year, Johnston became the first angler to break 100 pounds with all smallmouth in a four-day event, during the Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence. His four-day total weighed 100-5, though he ultimately finished second.

Johnston knows another Century Club Belt isn’t realistic in the three-day Opens format, but he’s hoping to back up his opening-round effort with a solid Day 2 bag. Contrasting Day 1’s calm, sunny complexion, Friday’s forecast for rain and strong winds will likely impact the opportunities.

“I’m glad I caught a big bag today because I can’t see that happening again tomorrow,” Johnston said. “I need to do something to stay in contention and hopefully catch a 23-pound bag.”

White, who sits in second place with 25-11, enjoyed a highly productive morning, despite a later boat number and a deck maintenance issue. He had to stop short of his upriver destination when one of his baits came loose and line started flying off one of his reels.

“This morning was incredible,” he said. “I got to where I wanted to go, and I had my weight by probably 9 o’clock. I thought my late boat draw would hurt me, but it didn’t.”

White said he fished current-related places in 30 to 50 feet and caught his fish on a mix of drop shots and other finesse baits. Intuitively adapting to fish behavior, he said, came easy.

“Champlain is my home lake and I love it, but the St. Lawrence might be my new favorite place to fish,” White said. “There’s just something about it. I feel like I understand it and flow with it pretty well right now — at least the deep side.”

Brent Anderson of Kingston Springs, Tenn., is in third place with 24-10. With a combination of factors pointing him toward something familiar, Anderson stuck with one technique and caught all of his bass within a short run from takeoff.

“I had a short day today and no co-angler, so having no one in the back of the boat, I can be more efficient,” he said. “I’ve guided on the Tennessee River for 20 years, and I just treated these (St. Lawrence River) shoals like Tennessee River ledges.”

Anderson caught fish on a drop shot but added one of his better smallmouth on a goby imitator he designed. Noting that he caught (approximately) 60 bass, Anderson said his day required quantity to find the quality.

“I had to catch so many 3- to 4 1/4-pounders,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, there’s some left, but to get to those 5-pounders, I have to weed through them.”

Johnston is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-11.

David Waack of Cary, N.C., leads the co-angler division with 13-11.

Perry See of Rochester, Minn., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 5-12.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET at Whitaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

The 2023 event is being hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Waddington. It is part of a series of tournaments and is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River 7/20-7/22
St. Lawrence River, Waddington  NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  26-14  200
Day 1: 5   26-14
2.  Jody White             Shaftsbury, VT           5  25-11  199
Day 1: 5   25-11
3.  Brent Anderson         Kingston Springs, TN     5  24-10  198
Day 1: 5   24-10
4.  Logan Parks            Auburn, AL               5  24-04  197
Day 1: 5   24-04
5.  Chris Beaudrie         Princeton, KY            5  23-12  196
Day 1: 5   23-12
6.  Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  23-08  195
Day 1: 5   23-08
7.  JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC         5  23-08  194
Day 1: 5   23-08
8.  Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI          5  23-07  193
Day 1: 5   23-07
9.  Jamie Bruce            Kenora Ontario CANADA    5  23-05  192
Day 1: 5   23-05
10. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  23-03  191
Day 1: 5   23-03
11. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE              5  22-14  190
Day 1: 5   22-14
12. Zach Goutremout        Chaumont, NY             5  22-13  189
Day 1: 5   22-13
13. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA            5  22-11  188
Day 1: 5   22-11
14. Erik Luzak             Fenelon Falls CANADA     5  22-02  187
Day 1: 5   22-02
15. Cody Stahl             Barnsville, GA           5  22-01  186
Day 1: 5   22-01
16. Jacob Bigelow          Cecil, WI                5  21-12  185
Day 1: 5   21-12
17. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  21-08  184
Day 1: 5   21-08
18. Josh Bragg             Fayetteville, GA         5  21-08  183
Day 1: 5   21-08
19. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD  5  21-05  182
Day 1: 5   21-05
20. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO       5  21-05  181
Day 1: 5   21-05
21. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           5  21-04  180
Day 1: 5   21-04
22. Rich Ortiz             Fort Ann, NY             5  21-02  179
Day 1: 5   21-02
23. Brady Vernon           Sterrett, AL             5  21-00  178
Day 1: 5   21-00
24. Gary Miller            Stouffville Ontario CAN  5  20-13  177
Day 1: 5   20-13
24. David Williams         Newton, NC               5  20-13  177
Day 1: 5   20-13
26. Brian Post             Janesville, WI           5  20-09  175
Day 1: 5   20-09
27. Matt Pangrac           Shawnee, OK              5  20-06  174
Day 1: 5   20-06
28. Austin Cranford        Norman, OK               5  20-06  173
Day 1: 5   20-06
29. Blake Smith            Lakeland, FL             5  20-03  172
Day 1: 5   20-03
30. Trevor McKinney        Benton, IL               5  20-00  171
Day 1: 5   20-00
31. Kyle Goltz             Cornell, WI              5  20-00  170
Day 1: 5   20-00
32. Brett Cannon           Willis, TX               5  19-15  169
Day 1: 5   19-15
33. Craig Chambers         Midland, NC              5  19-13  168
Day 1: 5   19-13
33. John Garrett           Union City, TN           5  19-13  168
Day 1: 5   19-13
35. Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA                5  19-12  166
Day 1: 5   19-12
36. Jon Canada             Helena, AL               5  19-11  165
Day 1: 5   19-11
36. Alex Heintze           Denham Springs, LA       5  19-11  165
Day 1: 5   19-11
38. Scott Hamrick          Denver, NC               5  19-08  163
Day 1: 5   19-08
39. Matt Henry             Milledgeville, GA        5  19-08  162
Day 1: 5   19-08
40. Justin Kimmel          Athens, GA               5  19-07  161
Day 1: 5   19-07
41. Jason Lambert          Savannah, TN             5  19-04  160
Day 1: 5   19-04
42. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            5  19-00  159
Day 1: 5   19-00
43. Kurt Mitchell          Milford, DE              5  18-15  158
Day 1: 5   18-15
44. Steve Tennison         Lexington, OK            5  18-15  157
Day 1: 5   18-15
45. Buck Mallory           Lawton, MI               5  18-14  156
Day 1: 5   18-14
46. Chris Dover            Blacksburg, SC           5  18-13  155
Day 1: 5   18-13
47. Julius Mazy            Phoenix, AZ              5  18-11  154
Day 1: 5   18-11
48. Brandon McMillan       Clewiston, FL            5  18-09  153
Day 1: 5   18-09
49. Chris Keeble           Lenoir City, TN          5  18-09  152
Day 1: 5   18-09
50. Brian Mullaney         Ijamsville, MD           5  18-08  151
Day 1: 5   18-08
51. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  18-07  150
Day 1: 5   18-07
51. Cameron Smith          Wareham, MA              5  18-07  150
Day 1: 5   18-07
53. Brad Knight            Lancing, TN              5  18-07  148
Day 1: 5   18-07
53. Casey Smith            Victor, NY               5  18-07  148
Day 1: 5   18-07
55. Paul Browning          Pecos, TX                5  18-07  146
Day 1: 5   18-07
56. Cole Drummond          Effingham, SC            5  18-06  145
Day 1: 5   18-06
56. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  18-06  145
Day 1: 5   18-06
58. Steve Morella          Townshend, VT            5  18-06  143
Day 1: 5   18-06
59. Scout Echols           Monticello, AR           5  18-05  142
Day 1: 5   18-05
60. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  18-04  141
Day 1: 5   18-04
61. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL              5  18-03  140
Day 1: 5   18-03
62. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          5  18-00  139
Day 1: 5   18-00
63. Trey Swindle           Cleveland, AL            5  18-00  138
Day 1: 5   18-00
64. John Murray            Spring City, TN          5  17-15  137
Day 1: 5   17-15
64. Michael Spaulding Jr.  Dundee, MI               5  17-15  137
Day 1: 5   17-15
66. Kyle Austin            Ridgeville, SC           5  17-14  135
Day 1: 5   17-14
67. Jimmy Washam           Stantonville, TN         5  17-14  134
Day 1: 5   17-14
68. Jake Maddux            Birmingham, AL           5  17-13  133
Day 1: 5   17-13
68. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL           5  17-13  133
Day 1: 5   17-13
70. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME             5  17-12  131
Day 1: 5   17-12
71. Ish Monroe             Oakdale, CA              5  17-12  130
Day 1: 5   17-12
72. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK              5  17-12  129
Day 1: 5   17-12
73. Seiji Kato             Outsu Shiga JAPAN        5  17-11  128
Day 1: 5   17-11
74. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY          5  17-11  127
Day 1: 5   17-11
74. Jason Tibbetts         Centreville, VA          5  17-11  127
Day 1: 5   17-11
76. Mike Surman            Boca Raton, FL           5  17-10  125
Day 1: 5   17-10
76. Tucker Veronee         Gilbert, SC              5  17-10  125
Day 1: 5   17-10
78. Wesley Cashwell        Roanoke Rapids, NC       5  17-09  123
Day 1: 5   17-09
78. Zeke Gossett           Pell City, AL            5  17-09  123
Day 1: 5   17-09
80. Bobby Lanham           Eddyville, KY            5  17-07  121
Day 1: 5   17-07
80. Andrew Mlotek          Indianapolis, IN         5  17-07  121
Day 1: 5   17-07
82. Ryan Clark             Whitby Ontario CANADA    5  17-06  119
Day 1: 5   17-06
83. Louis Monetti          Brielle, NJ              5  17-05  118
Day 1: 5   17-05
84. Wil Dieffenbauch III   Hundred, WV              5  17-04  117
Day 1: 5   17-04
85. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            5  17-03  116
Day 1: 5   17-03
86. Chris Blanchette       Edisto Island, SC        5  17-02  115
Day 1: 5   17-02
86. Derek Lehtonen         Woodruff, SC             5  17-02  115
Day 1: 5   17-02
86. Kenny Mittelstaedt     Minnetonka, MN           5  17-02  115
Day 1: 5   17-02
86. Evan Poroznik          Nestleton Station CANAD  5  17-02  115
Day 1: 5   17-02
90. Taylor Watkins         Clinton, TN              5  17-02  111
Day 1: 5   17-02
91. Ryan Broughman         Corapeake, NC            5  17-02  110
Day 1: 5   17-02
92. Brad Leuthner          Victoria, MN             5  17-01  109
Day 1: 5   17-01
93. Hunter Sales           Blaine, TN               5  17-00  108
Day 1: 5   17-00
94. Shaine Campbell        Brookeland, TX           5  16-15  107
Day 1: 5   16-15
95. Powell Kemp            Scotland Neck, NC        5  16-15  106
Day 1: 5   16-15
96. Darrell Davis          Dover, FL                5  16-13  105
Day 1: 5   16-13
96. Reese Hudson           Broomall, PA             5  16-13  105
Day 1: 5   16-13
98. Andrew Upshaw          Hemphill, TX             5  16-13  103
Day 1: 5   16-13
99. Keith Tuma             Brainerd, MN             5  16-12  102
Day 1: 5   16-12
100. Paul Bouvier           Kingston CANADA          5  16-12  101
Day 1: 5   16-12
101. Logan Johnson          Jasper, AL               5  16-11  100
Day 1: 5   16-11
101. Brandon Tallhamer      Parkersburg, WV          5  16-11  100
Day 1: 5   16-11
103. Keith Brumfield        Vicksburg, MS            5  16-11   98
Day 1: 5   16-11
104. Jack Tindel III        Orange, TX               5  16-09   97
Day 1: 5   16-09
105. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN          5  16-08   96
Day 1: 5   16-08
106. Jason Abram            Piney Flats, TN          5  16-07   95
Day 1: 5   16-07
107. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI         5  16-06   94
Day 1: 5   16-06
108. Allan Nail             Sand Springs, OK         5  16-03   93
Day 1: 5   16-03
108. B.J. Usie              Bourg, LA                5  16-03   93
Day 1: 5   16-03
110. Cal Climpson           Cavan CANADA             5  16-03   91
Day 1: 5   16-03
111. Clark Reehm            Elm Grove, LA            4  16-00   90
Day 1: 4   16-00
112. Mark Dimarzio          McDonald, PA             5  15-15   89
Day 1: 5   15-15
113. Jonathan Bowling       Harriman, TN             5  15-14   88
Day 1: 5   15-14
114. David Wootton          Collierville, TN         5  15-13   87
Day 1: 5   15-13
115. Jacob Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC         5  15-10   86
Day 1: 5   15-10
116. Bailey Boutries        Springfield, MO          5  15-10   85
Day 1: 5   15-10
117. Brett Carnright        Plattsburgh, NY          5  15-08   84
Day 1: 5   15-08
118. Sam George             Athens, AL               4  15-06   83
Day 1: 4   15-06
119. Chad Warren            Sand Springs, OK         5  15-01   82
Day 1: 5   15-01
120. Josh Hubbard           Dunnellon, FL            5  15-00   81
Day 1: 5   15-00
121. Hugh Cosculluela       Spring, TX               5  14-15   80
Day 1: 5   14-15
121. Paul Flint             Valatie, NY              5  14-15   80
Day 1: 5   14-15
121. Jack York              Emory, TX                5  14-15   80
Day 1: 5   14-15
124. Daniel Valois Gomez    Caracas FL VENEZUELA     5  14-13   77
Day 1: 5   14-13
125. Logan Anderson         Catawba, NC              5  14-10   76
Day 1: 5   14-10
125. Reece Tremaglio        Dunkirk, MD              5  14-10   76
Day 1: 5   14-10
127. Takayuki Koike         Otsu-City JAPAN          4  14-09   74
Day 1: 4   14-09
128. Tripp Noojin           Bryant, AL               5  14-08   73
Day 1: 5   14-08
129. Ben Milliken           New Caney, TX            5  14-06   72
Day 1: 5   14-06
130. Ed Powell              Sandyville, WV           5  14-06   71
Day 1: 5   14-06
131. Greg Bohannan          Bentonville, AR          5  14-05   70
Day 1: 5   14-05
132. Steven Camp            Mechanicsvlle, VA        5  14-04   69
Day 1: 5   14-04
132. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           5  14-04   69
Day 1: 5   14-04
132. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         5  14-04   69
Day 1: 5   14-04
135. Douglas Reed           Bridgeton, NJ            5  14-04   66
Day 1: 5   14-04
136. Lucas Bogosian         Harrington Park, NJ      5  14-03   65
Day 1: 5   14-03
137. Casey Scanlon          Eldon, MO                5  14-02   64
Day 1: 5   14-02
138. JT Russell             Mc Calla, AL             5  14-02   63
Day 1: 5   14-02
139. Rick Mitchell          Naples, FL               5  14-01   62
Day 1: 5   14-01
139. Joey Nania             Cropwell, AL             5  14-01   62
Day 1: 5   14-01
141. Jeff Salmon            Mechanicsville, VA       5  13-13   60
Day 1: 5   13-13
142. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA       5  13-12   59
Day 1: 5   13-12
143. Pete Gluszek           Mount Laurel, NJ         5  13-11   58
Day 1: 5   13-11
144. Denny Fiedler          Wabasha, MN              5  13-10   57
Day 1: 5   13-10
145. Flash Butts            Roanoke Rapids, NC       5  13-08   56
Day 1: 5   13-08
146. Clay Samples           South Boston, VA         5  13-07   55
Day 1: 5   13-07
147. Blake Sylvester        Plaquemine, LA           5  13-07   54
Day 1: 5   13-07
148. Jordan Sanderlin       Kill Devil Hills, NC     4  13-06   53
Day 1: 4   13-06
149. Chancy Walters         West Des Moines, IA      4  13-05   52
Day 1: 4   13-05
150. Lance Owen             Greer, SC                5  13-03   51
Day 1: 5   13-03
151. Tommy Williams         Shepherdsville, KY       5  13-03   50
Day 1: 5   13-03
152. Chris Whitson          Louisville, TN           5  13-00   49
Day 1: 5   13-00
153. Lafe Messer            Warfield, KY             4  13-00   48
Day 1: 4   13-00
154. Tony Dumitras          Winston, GA              5  12-15   47
Day 1: 5   12-15
155. Willy Dennison         Willoughby Hills, OH     5  12-14   46
Day 1: 5   12-14
155. Andrew Harp            Linden, TX               5  12-14   46
Day 1: 5   12-14
155. Cass Terrance          Akwewsane, NY            5  12-14   46
Day 1: 5   12-14
158. Griffin Phillips       Mount Olive, AL          5  12-12   43
Day 1: 5   12-12
158. Michael Rowe           Providence Forge, VA     5  12-12   43
Day 1: 5   12-12
160. Jason Meninger         Yulee, FL                5  12-11   41
Day 1: 5   12-11
161. Danny Ramsey           Trinidad, TX             5  12-11   40
Day 1: 5   12-11
162. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             5  12-09   39
Day 1: 5   12-09
163. John Watts Jr          Flushing, MI             4  12-09   38
Day 1: 4   12-09
164. Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi   5  12-08   37
Day 1: 5   12-08
164. Rick Hawkins           Roanoke, VA              5  12-08   37
Day 1: 5   12-08
164. Chris Hellebuyck       White Lake, MI           5  12-08   37
Day 1: 5   12-08
167. Phil Killian           Solomon, AZ              5  12-06   34
Day 1: 5   12-06
168. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK              5  12-04   33
Day 1: 5   12-04
169. Cody Detweiler         Guntersville, AL         4  12-02   32
Day 1: 4   12-02
170. Kayden Tanner          Tolar, TX                4  12-00   31
Day 1: 4   12-00
171. Johnathan Crossland    Chapin, SC               5  11-15   30
Day 1: 5   11-15
171. Whitney Stephens       Waverly, OH              5  11-15   30
Day 1: 5   11-15
173. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA                5  11-15   28
Day 1: 5   11-15
174. Teb Jones              Yalaha, MS               5  11-13   27
Day 1: 5   11-13
175. Stacey Jefferson       Conway, SC               5  11-12   26
Day 1: 5   11-12
176. Tim Frederick          Leesburg, FL             5  11-09   25
Day 1: 5   11-09
177. Christian Shoda        Homosassa, FL            5  11-08   24
Day 1: 5   11-08
178. Tom Frink              Southside, AL            5  11-07   23
Day 1: 5   11-07
179. Scott Isaacs           Ladonia, TX              5  11-04   22
Day 1: 5   11-04
180. Mike Mayo              Athens, TX               5  11-04   21
Day 1: 5   11-04
181. Destin DeMarion        Harborcreek, PA          5  11-02   20
Day 1: 5   11-02
182. Les Zacny              Orangeville Ontario CAN  4  11-02   19
Day 1: 4   11-02
183. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA               5  11-01   18
Day 1: 5   11-01
184. Billy McDonald         Greenwood, IN            5  10-15   17
Day 1: 5   10-15
185. Chris Kingree          Inverness, FL            5  10-11   16
Day 1: 5   10-11
186. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  10-09   15
Day 1: 5   10-09
187. Jason Carpenter        Castle Pines, CO         5  10-08   14
Day 1: 5   10-08
188. Daisuke Kita           Ostu Shiga JAPAN         5  10-05   13
Day 1: 5   10-05
189. Bryan Bickell          Newcastle CANADA         5  09-14   12
Day 1: 5   09-14
190. Evan Barnes            Dardanelle, AR           5  09-12   11
Day 1: 5   09-12
191. Alex Murray            Lake Charles, LA         4  09-12   10
Day 1: 4   09-12
192. Jerry Gallogly Jr      North Tazewell, VA       3  09-12    9
Day 1: 3   09-12
193. Burke Hutcheson        Hillsborough, NC         5  09-10    8
Day 1: 5   09-10
194. Joey Hanna             Corsicana, TX            4  09-03    7
Day 1: 4   09-03
195. Bart Stanisz           Austin, TX               4  08-12    6
Day 1: 4   08-12
196. Andrew Hargrove        Moody, TX                3  08-07    5
Day 1: 3   08-07
197. Scott Kerslake         Okeechobee, FL           4  08-04    4
Day 1: 4   08-04
198. TJ Dobs                Oneida , NY              4  08-03    3
Day 1: 4   08-03
199. Tyler Lubbat           Wheeling, IL             2  08-00    2
Day 1: 2   08-00
200. Miles Burghoff         Dayton, TN               4  07-15    1
Day 1: 4   07-15
200. Chris Dillow           Waynesboro, VA           4  07-15    1
Day 1: 4   07-15
202. Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           3  07-12    0
Day 1: 3   07-12
203. Jeff Mcbeth            New Phila, OH            3  06-14    0
Day 1: 3   06-14
204. Joe Labarbera          Montrose, PA             2  06-10    0
Day 1: 2   06-10
205. Gary Krammes Jr.       Pottsville, PA           3  06-03    0
Day 1: 3   06-03
206. Angela Mayo            Maiden, NC               2  03-06    0
Day 1: 2   03-06
207. Nick Radtke            Greenwood Lake, NY       1  02-07    0
Day 1: 1   02-07
208. A.J. Menssen           Bloomington, IL          1  01-14    0
Day 1: 1   01-14
209. Bronk Mcdaniel         Alexandria, LA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
209. Alec Morrison          Peru, NY                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
209. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
209. Brayden Rakes          Winston Salem, NC        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
209. Kenji Yamada           Hixson, TN               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       181       996      3284-11
----------------------------------
181       996      3284-11

 

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River 7/20-7/22
St. Lawrence River, Waddington  NY.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  David Waack            Cary, NC                 3  13-11  200
Day 1: 3   13-11
2.  Perry See              Rochester, MN            3  13-09  199
Day 1: 3   13-09
3.  David Pilcher          De Ruyter, NY            3  13-07  198
Day 1: 3   13-07
4.  Michael Schrader       North Attleboro, MA      3  13-01  197
Day 1: 3   13-01
5.  Johnnie Garrett        Union City, TN           3  12-11  196
Day 1: 3   12-11
6.  Aaron Busch            East Syracuse, NY        3  12-05  195
Day 1: 3   12-05
6.  David Camp             Sterling, OH             3  12-05  195
Day 1: 3   12-05
8.  Chad Stahl             Barnesville, GA          3  12-04  193
Day 1: 3   12-04
9.  Darren Marcine         Merlin CANADA            3  12-01  192
Day 1: 3   12-01
10. Rick Cheatham          Carterville, IL          3  12-00  191
Day 1: 3   12-00
11. Melvin Bowling         Shenandoah, VA           3  11-15  190
Day 1: 3   11-15
12. Sakae Ushio            Tonawanda, NY            3  11-10  189
Day 1: 3   11-10
13. Cade Bacon             Pennellville, NY         3  11-07  188
Day 1: 3   11-07
14. Benjamin Antoniewicz   Mosinee, WI              3  11-06  187
Day 1: 3   11-06
15. Jimmy Schaffer         Oak Ridge, NJ            3  11-05  186
Day 1: 3   11-05
16. Ty Kenyon              Dodgeville, WI           3  11-03  185
Day 1: 3   11-03
17. James Tilley           Aylett, VA               3  11-02  184
Day 1: 3   11-02
18. Tristan Bramblett      Tiger, GA                3  11-01  183
Day 1: 3   11-01
19. Creed David            Zachary, LA              3  11-00  182
Day 1: 3   11-00
19. Addison Kelly          Queensbury, NY           3  11-00  182
Day 1: 3   11-00
21. David Chamberlain      Hampton, VA              3  10-14  180
Day 1: 3   10-14
21. Mark Hughes            Saegertown, PA           3  10-14  180
Day 1: 3   10-14
23. John Ciavaglia         Pittsford, NY            3  10-13  178
Day 1: 3   10-13
24. Dylan Drephal          Black Creek, WI          3  10-12  177
Day 1: 3   10-12
24. Gary Haraguchi         Murfreesboro, TN         3  10-12  177
Day 1: 3   10-12
24. Ronald Young           New Braunfels, TX        3  10-12  177
Day 1: 3   10-12
27. John Boandl            Moscow, PA               3  10-11  174
Day 1: 3   10-11
27. Chuck Vacanti          Penn Yan, NY             3  10-11  174
Day 1: 3   10-11
27. Alex  Watts            Salem, VA                3  10-11  174
Day 1: 3   10-11
30. John Mills             Leesville, SC            3  10-10  171
Day 1: 3   10-10
31. Dai Kitajima           Otsu-Shi JAPAN           3  10-10  170
Day 1: 3   10-10
32. Sergio Render          Crockett, VA             3  10-10  169
Day 1: 3   10-10
33. Austin Olsby           Oak grove, MN            3  10-09  168
Day 1: 3   10-09
34. Joe Lineberry          Ramseaur,, NC            3  10-09  167
Day 1: 3   10-09
35. Joseph Horne           Bella Vista, AR          3  10-08  166
Day 1: 3   10-08
35. Bobby Scott            Poultney, VT             3  10-08  166
Day 1: 3   10-08
37. Michael Hunt           Watertown, NY            3  10-07  164
Day 1: 3   10-07
38. Weston Phillips        Athens, AL               3  10-06  163
Day 1: 3   10-06
39. Riku Hayashi           Ritto Shiga JAPAN        3  10-05  162
Day 1: 3   10-05
40. JK Kutil               Beaufort, SC             3  10-04  161
Day 1: 3   10-04
41. Charles Bowman II      Kernersville, NC         3  10-03  160
Day 1: 3   10-03
42. Kenneth L Brown        Leesburg, VA             3  10-01  159
Day 1: 3   10-01
43. Curtis Gossett         Pell City, AL            3  09-15  158
Day 1: 3   09-15
43. Lonnie Mesar           New Richmond, WI         3  09-15  158
Day 1: 3   09-15
45. Matt Kelly             CAMBRIDGE Ontario CANAD  3  09-13  156
Day 1: 3   09-13
45. Eric Santoro           Oshawa Ontario CANADA    3  09-13  156
Day 1: 3   09-13
47. Manoshi Mano           Koto-Ku JAPAN            3  09-12  154
Day 1: 3   09-12
48. Phillip Arnold         Powhatan, VA             3  09-12  153
Day 1: 3   09-12
49. David Booth            Erin, TN                 3  09-11  152
Day 1: 3   09-11
50. Frank McCormick        Warwick, RI              3  09-11  151
Day 1: 3   09-11
51. Marc Letourneau        Brome Quebec CANADA      3  09-09  150
Day 1: 3   09-09
51. Brent Temple           BREWERTON, NY            3  09-09  150
Day 1: 3   09-09
53. Chris Donavant         Yorktown, VA             3  09-08  148
Day 1: 3   09-08
54. Bob Bauer              China Grove, NC          3  09-07  147
Day 1: 3   09-07
54. Yua Kishimoto          Osaka JORDAN             3  09-07  147
Day 1: 3   09-07
54. Dan O'Callaghan        Chalfont, PA             3  09-07  147
Day 1: 3   09-07
54. Joe Tomasino           Pennsburg, PA            3  09-07  147
Day 1: 3   09-07
58. Bryce Bason            Mill Hall, PA            3  09-06  143
Day 1: 3   09-06
58. Mark Kendra            Great Meadows, NJ        3  09-06  143
Day 1: 3   09-06
60. Tim Rulon              Downingtown, PA          3  09-05  141
Day 1: 3   09-05
61. Phillip Easterling     Clanton, AL              3  09-04  140
Day 1: 3   09-04
61. Tonk Kingphilavanh     Cambridge Ontarion CANA  3  09-04  140
Day 1: 3   09-04
63. Logan Powell           West Point, NY           3  09-04  138
Day 1: 3   09-04
64. Rick Ganoung           Chenango Forks, NY       3  09-03  137
Day 1: 3   09-03
64. Erik Talty             Brick, NJ                3  09-03  137
Day 1: 3   09-03
66. Dean Gibbs             North Chesterfield, VA   3  09-01  135
Day 1: 3   09-01
66. Michael Leach          Shenandoah, TX           3  09-01  135
Day 1: 3   09-01
68. Will Nutting           Granger, IN              3  09-00  133
Day 1: 3   09-00
69. Trevor Easter          Morgan, TX               3  08-15  132
Day 1: 3   08-15
69. David Wright           Ft. Meade, MD            3  08-15  132
Day 1: 3   08-15
71. Randy Tallhamer        Brandenton, FL           3  08-14  130
Day 1: 3   08-14
72. Kenneth Ott            Manahawkin, NJ           3  08-14  129
Day 1: 3   08-14
73. Erik Fossum            Porter, ME               3  08-12  128
Day 1: 3   08-12
73. Dan Loux               Quakertown, PA           3  08-12  128
Day 1: 3   08-12
75. Trenton Carey          York Springs, PA         3  08-11  126
Day 1: 3   08-11
76. Scott Devault          New Philadelphia, OH     3  08-10  125
Day 1: 3   08-10
76. Avery Williams         Murrells Inlt, SC        3  08-10  125
Day 1: 3   08-10
78. Ian Freeman            Hickory, NC              3  08-10  123
Day 1: 3   08-10
79. Ricky Fulk             Shenandoah, VA           3  08-09  122
Day 1: 3   08-09
80. Alec Fernandez         Medford, NJ              3  08-08  121
Day 1: 3   08-08
80. Rick Ivy               Ponder, TX               3  08-08  121
Day 1: 3   08-08
82. Travis Turcotte        Pembroke CANADA          3  08-08  119
Day 1: 3   08-08
83. Joshua Geyer           Loganton, PA             3  08-07  118
Day 1: 3   08-07
84. Cody Smith             South Windsor, CT        3  08-06  117
Day 1: 3   08-06
85. Matt Champion          Scottsville, NY          3  08-02  116
Day 1: 3   08-02
86. Chip Stith Jr          Piscataway, NJ           3  08-01  115
Day 1: 3   08-01
87. Gary Hall              Wardville, OK            3  08-00  114
Day 1: 3   08-00
87. Billy Limerick         Chandler, TX             3  08-00  114
Day 1: 3   08-00
89. Richard Greene         Ocala, FL                3  07-15  112
Day 1: 3   07-15
89. Jordan LaClair         Ogdensburg, NY           3  07-15  112
Day 1: 3   07-15
89. Alex Richmond          South Elgin, IL          3  07-15  112
Day 1: 3   07-15
92. James Cobbs            VINEMONT, AL             3  07-14  109
Day 1: 3   07-14
93. John Sanderlin         Chesapeake, VA           3  07-14  108
Day 1: 3   07-14
94. Jimmy Brumfield        Madison, MS              3  07-12  107
Day 1: 3   07-12
94. Jesse Buss             Pennsburg, PA            3  07-12  107
Day 1: 3   07-12
94. Scott Johnsen          Wallkill, NY             3  07-12  107
Day 1: 3   07-12
97. Harvey Reece           Chesterfield, VA         3  07-11  104
Day 1: 3   07-11
98. Liam Kendra            Great Meadows, NJ        3  07-10  103
Day 1: 3   07-10
99.  Alex Brogan           Fishers, IN              3  07-10  102
Day 1: 3   07-10
100. Jo Jo Walsh            Lyles, TN                3  07-09  101
Day 1: 3   07-09
101. James Roten            West Jefferson, NC       3  07-08  100
Day 1: 3   07-08
102. Jeff Mellott           Warfordsburg, PA         3  07-07   99
Day 1: 3   07-07
102. Joe Sodora             Garfield, NJ             3  07-07   99
Day 1: 3   07-07
104. Seth Gabri             Madrid, NY               3  07-06   97
Day 1: 3   07-06
104. Hayden Reed            Bridgeton, NJ            3  07-06   97
Day 1: 3   07-06
106. Tyler Smith            Portage, MI              3  07-06   95
Day 1: 3   07-06
107. Dylan Mayo             Athens, TX               3  07-05   94
Day 1: 3   07-05
107. Jesse Simpkins         Minocqua, WI             3  07-05   94
Day 1: 3   07-05
109. Chad Penney            Mansfield, TX            3  07-05   92
Day 1: 3   07-05
110. Tony Long              Moseley, VA              3  07-04   91
Day 1: 3   07-04
110. Alex Reece             Greenville, SC           3  07-04   91
Day 1: 3   07-04
112. Fletcher Phillips      Mount Olive, AL          3  07-04   89
Day 1: 3   07-04
113. Joseph Shaw            Madison, WI              2  07-04   88
Day 1: 2   07-04
114. Akira Okuyama          Forest Hills, NY         2  07-03   87
Day 1: 2   07-03
114. Felicia Pavelich       New Dundee Ontario CANA  2  07-03   87
Day 1: 2   07-03
116. Jason Dubernas         Old Forge, PA            3  07-01   85
Day 1: 3   07-01
117. Archie Eslinger        Paris, IL                3  07-00   84
Day 1: 3   07-00
117. Russell Hoyle          Hickory, NC              3  07-00   84
Day 1: 3   07-00
117. Gregory Mintz          Potsdam, NY              3  07-00   84
Day 1: 3   07-00
120. Scott Bannerman        Stratford CANADA         3  06-15   81
Day 1: 3   06-15
121. Jason Gibson           Iron Station, NC         2  06-15   80
Day 1: 2   06-15
122. Dave McQuate           Doylestown, PA           3  06-14   79
Day 1: 3   06-14
123. Scott Weiland          Saddle Brook, NJ         2  06-14   78
Day 1: 2   06-14
124. AJ Jones               Lutz, FL                 3  06-13   77
Day 1: 3   06-13
125. Laz Durham             Dumfries, VA             3  06-11   76
Day 1: 3   06-11
125. Mathew Thompson        Hogansburg, NY           3  06-11   76
Day 1: 3   06-11
127. Brad Hollowell         Azle, TX                 3  06-11   74
Day 1: 3   06-11
128. Allen Heston           Pittsburg, TX            3  06-10   73
Day 1: 3   06-10
128. Eric Stecker           Quakertown, PA           3  06-10   73
Day 1: 3   06-10
130. Justin Bell            Lacona, NY               3  06-09   71
Day 1: 3   06-09
131. Cody Howard            Snow Hill, NC            2  06-09   70
Day 1: 2   06-09
131. Steven Robbins         Piketon, OH              2  06-09   70
Day 1: 2   06-09
133. John Lewis             Centreville, VA          3  06-08   68
Day 1: 3   06-08
133. RD Roulston            Little Rock, AR          3  06-08   68
Day 1: 3   06-08
135. Phillip Medford        Whitakers, NC            2  06-08   66
Day 1: 2   06-08
135. Todd Winters           Troy, NY                 2  06-08   66
Day 1: 2   06-08
137. Jayden Adrians         Green Bay, WI            2  06-07   64
Day 1: 2   06-07
138. Jason Coughlin         Brasher Falls, NY        3  06-06   63
Day 1: 3   06-06
139. Ashley Bishop          Chesapeake, VA           3  06-05   62
Day 1: 3   06-05
139. John Higginbotham      Slaughter, LA            3  06-05   62
Day 1: 3   06-05
141. James Schneider        Watervliet, NY           3  06-04   60
Day 1: 3   06-04
142. Leslie Brandenburg     Springfield, MO          2  06-04   59
Day 1: 2   06-04
143. Dane Morris            Agoura Hills, CA         3  06-02   58
Day 1: 3   06-02
144. Ernest Brabon          Albion, NY               2  06-01   57
Day 1: 2   06-01
145. Steve Kiser            Tarboro, NC              2  05-12   56
Day 1: 2   05-12
146. Jim Boyce              Massena, NY              3  05-10   55
Day 1: 3   05-10
147. Mark Aaron             Gastonia, NC             3  05-07   54
Day 1: 3   05-07
148. William Clute          Hogansburg, NY           2  05-04   53
Day 1: 2   05-04
148. Mark Shopene           Point Pleasant Beach, N  2  05-04   53
Day 1: 2   05-04
150. Jeff Giffen            Phoenix, AZ              3  05-00   51
Day 1: 3   05-00
151. Chad Boyer             Elizabethtown, PA        3  04-15   50
Day 1: 3   04-15
151. Satoshi Egawa          Fort Lee, NJ             3  04-15   50
Day 1: 3   04-15
153. PJ Mcmanamon Jr        Ruby, NY                 2  04-15   48
Day 1: 2   04-15
154. Matthew Kremers        Pittsford, NY            2  04-14   47
Day 1: 2   04-14
155. Nikolai Amarose        Franklin, NJ             2  04-07   46
Day 1: 2   04-07
156. John Herring           Quakertown, PA           1  04-07   45
Day 1: 1   04-07
157. Bird Jones             Loxahatchee, FL          2  04-03   44
Day 1: 2   04-03
158. Clancy Hefferly        Taylors, SC              2  04-01   43
Day 1: 2   04-01
159. Donny Coffman          Russellville, AR         3  04-00   42
Day 1: 3   04-00
160. Guy Cisternino         Oak Ridge, NJ            3  03-15   41
Day 1: 3   03-15
161. Grady Phillips         Gardendale, AL           2  03-13   40
Day 1: 2   03-13
162. Joe Tucker             Osceola, MO              3  03-12   39
Day 1: 3   03-12
163. Jack Adams             Wynantskill, NY          2  03-09   38
Day 1: 2   03-09
163. Beanie Leuer           Lockport, NY             2  03-09   38
Day 1: 2   03-09
165. Paul Rush              New Martinsville, WV     1  03-09   36
Day 1: 1   03-09
166. Andrew Bechard         Plattsburgh , NY         1  03-07   35
Day 1: 1   03-07
167. Steve Kline            Hilltop Lakes, TX        1  03-06   34
Day 1: 1   03-06
168. Allen Leister III      Kintnersville, PA        2  02-11   33
Day 1: 2   02-11
168. Cory Weaver            Ankeny, IA               2  02-11   33
Day 1: 2   02-11
170. Clint Bartlett         Sylva, NC                2  02-09   31
Day 1: 2   02-09
171. Darrell Curl           Winston Salem, NC        2  02-07   30
Day 1: 2   02-07
172. TJ Raytrowsky          Delaware CANADA          1  02-05   29
Day 1: 1   02-05
173. Tracy Shaffer          Mansfield, TX            1  02-04   28
Day 1: 1   02-04
174. Kevin Mallow           Kansas, OK               1  02-04   27
Day 1: 1   02-04
175. Jimmy Fellegy          Mustang, OK              1  02-03   26
Day 1: 1   02-03
176. Ernest McIntyre Jr     Fayetteville, NC         1  02-00   25
Day 1: 1   02-00
177. Ed Mlotek              Naperville, IL           1  01-15   24
Day 1: 1   01-15
177. Ryan Patterson         Scott Township, PA       1  01-15   24
Day 1: 1   01-15
179. George Epley           Livingston Manor, NY     1  01-13   22
Day 1: 1   01-13
179. Burley Langford Jr.    South Chesterfield, VA   1  01-13   22
Day 1: 1   01-13
179. Nick Melcher           Gypsum, CO               1  01-13   22
Day 1: 1   01-13
182. Dominic Lussi          Danville, PA             1  01-09   19
Day 1: 1   01-09
183. Alicia Raytrowsky      Delaware CANADA          1  01-08   18
Day 1: 1   01-08
184. Steve Williams         Harrington, ME           1  01-06   17
Day 1: 1   01-06
185. Levi Allgeier          Bardstown, KY            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Logan Beebe            Marriottsville, MD       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Robert Bruguiere       Roseland, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Shaun Carney           Kincardine Ontario CANA  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Benjamin Demo          Plymouth, MN             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Gerard Golden          Coopersburg, PA          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Bob Harper             Lombard, IL              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Nat Lussi              Plains, PA               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Brooks Parker          Bridgeville, DE          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Rick Sweadner          Woodsboro, MD            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Rodney Vaow            Huntersville, NC         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
185. Jacob Zaremski         Rochester, NY            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
197. Calvin Landsberg       Raleigh, NC              0  -1-00    0
Day 1: 0   -01-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       140       491      1420-12
----------------------------------
140       491      1420-12


MLF Bass Pro Tour Season Finale Set for Minn Kota Stage Seven Presented by Suzuki at Saginaw Bay

BAY CITY, Mich. (July 20, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is set to conclude the fifth season of the Bass Pro Tour, the top level of professional bass fishing, next week, August 1-6, on Saginaw Bay and the Saginaw River at the Minn Kota Stage Seven on Saginaw Bay Presented by Suzuki.

The six-day tournament, hosted by Bay City, Michigan, will feature a field of 80 professional anglers, including bass-fishing superstar Kevin VanDam (KVD) of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who will be fishing in the last regular-season professional tournament of his career. Other anglers in the competition include KVD’s nephew, Kalamazoo’s Jonathon VanDam, REDCREST 2023 Champion  Bryan Thrift, Stage Six at Lake St. Clair winner Jordan Lee and reigning back-to-back Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler. They’ll be competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

“The city of Bay City is honored and excited to host Stage Seven of the MLF Bass Pro Tour,” said Edward Clements, Bay City Commissioner. “Bringing the best bass fisherman in the world, and the number one competitive fishing tournament in the world, to Bay City, Michigan is an opportunity we have been working toward for several years. Our fishing is spectacular, along with our restaurants, bars, shops, parks and the community as a whole. We are confident the professional anglers and families, fans, sponsors and tournament staff are going to have a great stay in Bay City.”

While Saginaw Bay has hosted numerous Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournaments over the years, this will be the first time the Bass Pro Tour or an MLF pro-level circuit has visited the Michigan fishery. However, Kalamazoo’s Jonathon VanDam said he doesn’t expect it to be the last.

“Saginaw Bay is kind of an unknown body of water to a lot of people, but it’s very different than what you would expect from your typical Great Lakes fisheries,” said VanDam. “The bay is relatively shallow compared to most of the Great Lakes and the areas that you see around them, so there are a lot of marshlands, reeds and shallow, matted vegetation.

“It almost looks like Lake Okeechobee in some ways, with a lot of cattails and emergent grass,” VanDam continued. “With that much vegetation, there’s been a substantial population of largemouth the last few years that have definitely become a player in the bay itself.”

Saginaw Bay is a part of Lake Huron, with 1,143 square miles of water – not including the 22-mile-long Saginaw River, which is also in play for competitors – and has been dominated by world-class walleye and perch fishing for the longest time. However, in recent years local bass tournaments have started putting Saginaw Bay on the map, and VanDam said it isn’t hard to see why.

“Some of the biggest smallmouth in the Great Lakes are in Lake Huron,” said VanDam. “They move into Saginaw Bay in the springtime and you’ll see tournament bags of 26 to 27 pounds, but you don’t see that a lot in the summer. They tend to migrate out to the deeper water towards the lake a little more during this time of year, which will be outside the tournament competition areas for this event.”

VanDam said despite the timing, there will definitely still be some quality smallmouth to be caught.

“They are super scattered this time of year and not grouped up, but if a guy can find them and figure them out, they can do really well,” said VanDam. “I expect the majority of the fish caught during the event will be largemouth. We had an abnormally mild winter, with no ice coverage, causing the Great Lakes to drop about 18 inches from last year – that’s a big deal, especially taking into consideration the shallow vegetation in Saginaw Bay.”

VanDam said he expects to see the guys targeting smallmouth to be throwing the typical drop-shot rigs and tubes, while those targeting largemouth will be pulling out frogs, swimjigs, topwater and buzzbaits.

“There have been some pretty solid weights coming out of there the past couple of weeks, so I think it will take about 14 to 15 pounds per day to make it into the Knockout Round and probably 17 to 18 pounds to make the Championship Round cut,” said VanDam. “I’m really excited to see the circuit go to a new fishery. I’ve been there a handful of times, but it’s a really big body of water, so I’m not super familiar with it myself and am looking forward to it.

“My wife’s family is from there, so we’ll have a really good support crew,” continued VanDam. “Obviously, the main focus during this event will be Uncle Kevin’s last Tour event of his career. It’s going to be an exciting time to celebrate with him.”

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from the Golson Boat Launch, located at 1598 N. Johnson St. in Bay City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch location, beginning at 4 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.

As part of the event, on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Wenonah Park in Bay City from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors with free giveaways, local vendors, photo opportunities with pro anglers and PAW Patrol characters and the opportunity for fans to hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! ®  big screen during the MLF Watch Party. The first 100 kids onsite each day will get a free rod and reel combo, and fans can also check out the latest gear and offerings from MLF and MLF sponsors including Toyota, Suzuki, the U.S. Air Force, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Kubota.

On Sunday, the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies. Kalamazoo’s own Kevin VanDam will be onsite throughout the weekend to celebrate his final regular-season professional tournament with fans.

The Minn Kota Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay Presented by Suzuki will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Sunday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ETMLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

Television coverage of the Minn Kota Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River Presented by Suzuki Championship Round will air with a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, November 11, on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG by Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.

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, TwitterInstagram and YouTube.


Smallmouth bonanza awaits Bassmaster Elite Series field at Michigan’s Lake St. Clair

Michigan's Macomb County will host the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair July 27-30.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

July 20, 2023

Smallmouth bonanza awaits Bassmaster Elite Series field at Michigan’s Lake St. Clair

 

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — The Northern swing of the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series season will start with a bang as the 102-boat field heads to Michigan for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair at one of the best times of year to fish the powerhouse smallmouth destination.

 

“The end of July is almost similar to what would be early June on a TVA lake,” said Garrett Paquette, a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens pro and Canton, Mich., native. “Generally, that time of year the fish have all moved offshore to where they will be for summer and are usually in pretty big schools. They are pretty dumb and easy to catch.”

 

Competition days are scheduled for July 27-30 with daily takeoffs set for 7 a.m. ET at Brandenburg Park. Anglers will return for weigh-in starting at 3 p.m. After the Day 2 weigh-in, the field will be cut to the Top 50 anglers, with only the Top 10 advancing to Championship Sunday. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

 

Heralded as one of the best smallie destinations in the country, Lake St. Clair has played host for the Elite Series several times in the past, with Bill Weidler winning the most recent event in 2020 and Seth Feider taking the trophy in the three-day Angler of the Year Championship in 2019.

 

Covering 430 square miles in the U.S. and Canada, St. Clair is a relatively small and shallow lake with an average depth of 11 feet. Anglers will be able to fish the lake, the Detroit and St. Clair rivers, the southern portion of Lake Huron and the western side of Lake Erie.

 

Paquette believes almost every section of the playing field could produce a Top 10, although making runs to Erie could be risky depending on the weather.

 

“The nice thing is, St. Clair is almost always fishable,” he said. “It would take a super-strong wind to not be able to navigate. To me, it is for the better. Wind allows you to cover water and triggers the fish to feed.

 

“If someone goes to Erie, that will be a huge factor. It will make the run, which is already 60 or 70 miles, a lot longer. Erie is notorious for getting really rough.”

 

However, for someone with the courage to make Erie part of his game plan, the fishery could be a major X factor.

 

“There have been some bigger bags of fish caught in Erie the last few years,” Paquette said. “For the last five years, it seemed like St. Clair was where you wanted to be. Nowadays, it is probably back to 50/50 as far as which lake it is won out of.”

 

In most years, Paquette said it usually takes about 25 pounds to consistently win tournaments. But so far this year, that number has dipped to around 23 pounds. There are a couple of reasons for that, he said.

 

For one, Michigan had several warm days early in the year followed by an elongated, cooler spring. Paquette also believes an increase in the alewife population has more smallmouth chasing these nomadic herring.

 

“There are a lot of alewives in the system and that can obviously change the way fish act,” he said. “You are used to fish sitting in one area feeding on perch and gobies and crawfish, but they might be becoming a little more nomadic by chasing these alewives. It isn’t making the fishing worse, I just think it is changing it.”

 

The invasive goby is prevalent in the system as well, and the increase in that population over the years has kept the smallmouth close to the bottom to feed. Perch also remain a staple of the smallmouth’s diet in the system.

 

“The gobies have made things more angler friendly. They keep the smallmouth locked down in one area, which makes them easier to target and makes them bigger,” Paquette said.

 

While the alewives may have some smallmouth roaming, Paquette believes the majority will be grouped up in large stretches of Lake St. Clair. With sand and grass patches being the most prevalent cover, smallies will flood football-field-long stretches on the main body of water.

 

“In a normal group, you are working in an area the size of a football field, but some of the schools are so big that you are working a square mile,” he said. “Those are what mega-schools are. There isn’t a fish every 10 feet, but maybe every 100 or so feet. It lets an angler work around and mill around for eight hours in that area.”

 

If anglers choose to run to Erie, rockpiles will be the key, while playing the current around rock, sand and grass will be important in the two rivers.

 

Drop shots, Ned rigs and tubes will be prevalent presentations, while deep crankbaits and spybaits could make appearances as well. Forward-facing sonar will also factor into the equation.

 

“I consider St. Clair to be the mecca of forward-facing sonar,” Paquette said. “It has a really clean bottom, not very many weeds and the fish seem to suspend 1 to 3 feet all the time. You will see a lot of guys hunting them down one at a time on forward sonar.”

 

Largemouth live in the shallows of Lake St. Clair, but Paquette doesn’t believe an angler can compete for the win with them, although they could be key to salvaging points and making the Top 50 cut.

 

Paquette predicted the winner will have a four-day total of around 90 pounds.

 

Alabama pro Kyle Welcher leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after six events with 511 points. South Carolina pro Brandon Cobb is second with 499 points, followed by Florida’s John Cox in third with 483, Louisiana’s Tyler Rivet in fourth with 467 and Georgia’s Drew Cook in fifth with 456.

 

Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 449 points, followed by Arkansas’s Joey Cifuentes III in second with 412 and California’s Bryant Smith in third with 405.

Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Thursday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms while FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, fans can enjoy the Bass, Brews and BBQ Festival, held in conjunction with the Elite Series event.


Ebare On Conservation & Costas

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

Pictures courtesy of Tyler Brinks / MLF and Blake McLane/Dynamic Sponsorships

The 2023 tournament season has been quite the coming out party for Major League Fishing pro Dakota Ebare. Though Ebare has consistently knocked on the door of bass fishing superstardom throughout his young career, a ’major’ win eluded him until this year.

After starting the season off with a Toyota Series victory close to home on Sam Rayburn, Ebare backed that up with an MLF Invitational win on Clarks Hill Lake and has since posted three runner-up finishes on the Bass Pro Tour. Fishing fans have gotten used to seeing his name at or near the top of the leaderboard.

The 31-year-old east Texas pro has accumulated an impressive amount of tournament winnings, hardware, and accolades during his 2023 campaign including a boatload of bonus money from contingency programs like Costa Compete + Conserve.

Ebare has earned over $10,000 this year alone for being the highest finishing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses in supported tournaments, donating $2,500 to freshwater conservation efforts in the process. Costa makes a corresponding cash donation to the conservation partner of the winning anglers’ choice for each of its 329 supported tournaments, something Ebare is a huge advocate of.

“I’ve worn Costas my whole career because they make great sunglasses, but more than that I enjoy being a part of a company who supports and protects our fisheries,” Ebare explained. “Conservation is something all of us as bass anglers need to keep top of mind. I want to keep catching healthy bass, and Lord willing one day I want my kids to have the same opportunities, so protecting and improving our lakes, reservoirs, and rivers is super important to me.”

Ebare was getting ready to hit the water with two high school anglers when I called for a couple quotes, doing his part to help inspire the next crop of bass obsessed teenagers. The Strike King pro is a proud product of college fishing, and his experience with the explosion of youth tournament fishing has aided in driving home his views on outdoor stewardship.

“It seems like tournament fishing is only growing every year,” Ebare said. “You look at high school and college tournaments – they are constantly maxing out their fields with 200 to 300 boats. It’s awesome. It’s amazing, and it means now more than ever we need to educate the next generation on our natural resources and raise awareness for conservation efforts. As fishing pressure increases it’s only going to get more important.”

Compete + Conserve sanctions bass tournaments of all degrees; including high school and college events, select team tournament trails, and up through the ranks to the professionallevel. All you have to do is own a pair of Costa Sunglasses, fish in a supported tournament, and it’s completely free to join. Ebare weighed in on what frames he has relied on this year.

“I’ve worn Jose PROs for the vast majority of this season, but I will say I can’t wait to get my hands on the new King Tide frames I just saw at ICAST,” Ebare said. “I switch between Sunrise Silver Mirror and Green Mirror lens colors depending on the conditions and the clarity I’m dealing with. I find myself wearing Sunrise Silver more and more. Everyone knows they are the deal for low-light, but I think they make bass beds pop like nothing else, even in bright sun.”

For more information on Costa’s Compete + Conserve program, a full list of events and payouts, or to get registered before your next tournament visit: https://www.costacompeteandconserve.com/


Opportunity awaits anglers at the Bassmaster High School Championship

The best young anglers from around the country will be part of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors July 27-29 on the storied waters of Lake Hartwell.

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

July 19, 2023

ANDERSON, S.C. — The best youth anglers in the country will head to Lake Hartwell for the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors July 27-29, and Justin Kimmel, who competes in the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, says the tournament couldn’t be at a better time.

“This is my favorite time of year to fish the lake,” the Athens, Ga., native said. “My biggest bags on Lake Hartwell have come in July. I’m talking, like, 25- to 28-pound days. A lot of these kids may come in thinking this is a blueback herring lake and that is what they have to do to win, and that is just not the case.”

The High School Championship — featuring more than 480 teams from 35 states and Canada — will take off from legendary Green Pond Landing each day at 6:20 a.m. ET and return at 2:20 p.m. for weigh-in. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

Lake Hartwell continues to be one of the premier fisheries for prestigious tournaments. Last year was the first time the High School Championship was held on the upstate South Carolina reservoir, which has hosted four Bassmaster Classics.

Last year, Wisconsin anglers Reece Keeney and Bryce Moder won the three-day high school event by catching mostly largemouth on a buzz frog, finishing with 43 pounds, 1 ounce. While Moder was still in high school, Keeney moved on to the college fishing ranks, competing for Kentucky Christian University.

Kimmel, a multitime BFL champion on Hartwell as both a co-angler and boater, believes there will be plenty of opportunities for high school anglers to repeat and expand on those largemouth tactics Keeney and Moder used to win.

Those shallow-water largemouth could be around laydowns, docks or around shade lines, but most of those largemouth are going to be eating bream. Kimmel said these bass will get super-shallow. A good largemouth bite also opens up the entire lake.

“Buzzbaits and other topwaters will play,” Kimmel said. “Poppers and bream bed-type stuff like a prop bait. A swim jig is a really big deal for me that time of year. A frog bite will be good around bluegill eaters. The whole tacklebox gets opened up.

“Largemouth should win in July.”

With blueback herring roaming the bottom end of the lake, spotted bass have gotten much of the attention on Lake Hartwell in recent years, and rightly so. A one-day tournament this year was won with over 21 pounds of spotted bass.

“A lot of local stuff gets won with spotted bass because they are more consistent,” Kimmel said. “They will be in the same places, and there are more of them.”

Canepiles, brushpiles and points are classic areas for spotted bass to school up and chase herring. A topwater and fluke could be key to catching those bass that are actively feeding on herring.

“Hartwell is known for the blueback herring deal now and anglers figuring out one of three things — brushpiles, canepiles or standing timber — and finding bass on the lower section or the Andersonville Island area. It usually ends up being whoever has the best milk run. There is always a section that is firing better than others.

“If you stay longer than 10 minutes, you ruin a particular spot for the day. You really have to run and gun to be successful doing that.”

The Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors is being hosted by Visit Anderson.


Rapala Increases Its Stake In 13 Fishing

Rapala VMC to become the majority owner of DQC International, consolidating the 13 Fishing rod and reel brand into its global product offering, and accelerating the growth of 13 Fishing in the U.S. market.

Helsinki, Finland – Rapala VMC Corporation and James Coble, current majority shareholder of DQC International, which manufactures and markets 13 Fishing rods and reels, have reached an agreement in which Rapala VMC will increase its ownership of DQC International to 60% of the Florida-based company while Coble will retain a 40% share of the company.

Rapala VMC introduced 13 Fishing (13fishing.com) freshwater, saltwater and hardwater (ice fishing) rods and reels to markets outside the United States following the 49% acquisition in DQC International in 2019. Rapala VMC will continue to invest in the marketing and product development of the 13 Fishing brand with the intent of building brand loyalty for 13 Fishing among retailers and consumers around the world, including the United States.

Under the agreement, Coble will continue as Chief Executive Officer of 13 Fishing with a key emphasis on building the 13 Fishing brand and driving new and innovative 13 Fishing products into the worldwide market.

The amalgamation of 13 Fishing’s and Rapala’s product ranges will maximize mutually beneficial distribution and operative synergies.

Rapala is one of the largest players worldwide in our industry. Where 13 Fishing excels in branding, product development and innovation, Rapala excels in driving operations and sales,” said James Coble, President of DQC International Corporation.

“Joining forces in the U.S. and leveraging Rapala’s vast knowledge and customer base will allow 13 Fishing to rapidly accelerate growth in the U.S. market.”

"For almost four years we have been selling 13 Fishing products outside the United States,” said Lars Ollberg, President and CEO of Rapala VMC Corporation.

“Now is the time to join forces in the U.S., in which market Rapala’s operational excellence will truly accelerate the growth of the 13 Fishing brand.”

“13 Fishing already has a proven record of building a dynamic brand, and developing innovative products. It has managed to successfully wedge itself into the world’s most competitive fishing tackle market in a relatively short time,” added Ollberg.

“We are confident that combining our industry knowledge, industry-leading global distribution network, and understanding of the various fishing tackle markets with James Coble and his team’s agility, innovation, and other capabilities, we can grow 13 Fishing into a worldwide rod and reel player. I have full confidence in the partnership with James Coble and the 13 Fishing brand, which will grow as a core brand of Rapala family of high quality fishing brands.”


RELiON® Battery Debuts a New 36V Lithium Battery

This is the first 36V marine battery in the brand's product line

Menomonee Falls, Wis.  (July 11, 2023) – RELiON® Battery, a global leader in the development of lithium batteries, today announced the launch of the new RB36V40, a durable, long-lasting 36V 40Ah marine lithium battery. 

“With more than 20 years of experience in the industry and a comprehensive product portfolio, RELiON continues to provide the latest and greatest in lithium battery technology,” said Eric Lindquist, VP and General Manager, Power Systems at Navico Group. “Product development is a key priority, and our team of experts is dedicated to delivering innovation with unmatched power and performance. We are thrilled to round out our voltage offering with the new 36V battery and provide users with peace of mind and more time on the water.”  

The new RB36V40 provides maximum capacity, 20% more than its series equivalent*, with minimum hassle thanks to its parallel design. The improved connectors and small Group 31 footprint make onboard installation simple, and weighing 70% less than the lead-acid equivalent, speed through the water doesn’t need to be sacrificed. Additionally, the parallel set-up allows for quicker, easier charging and more power in the tank when needed. 

 

 

Built for the marine environment, the 36V battery includes an IP67-rated case, which completely repels dust and resists water ingress for up to 30 minutes submerged at 1 meter. It also features a new glue channel and screw-latched enclosure to protect against airborne contaminants, as well as an internal Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor battery health and protect against short circuits and over-charging.

Key features of the RB36V40 lithium battery

  • Easy installation with a small footprint – Group 31 (13” x 6.8” x 8.4”)
  • Parallel set-up allows for greater capacity with fewer batteries in standard applications
  • Fast recharging 
  • IP67 waterproof rating 
  • 1536-Watt hours

For information about RELiON Battery and its lithium battery options, visit https://relionbattery.com/.


Meet Clint Brannon: Ace pitcher, avid bass angler, and amazing wildlife artist

If you see a guy on Beaver Lake or Bull Shoals casting a Bass X jig with a little added boost of athleticism from the spacious front deck of his Vexus® VX21, it’s probably former Razorbacks and Spokane Indians acepitcher, turned amazing wildlife artist, Clint Brannon.

Brannon grew up fishing with his dad around their tiny town of Bradford, Arkansas, and while art was always a part of his life, his other gift as a young left-handed pitcher led him on a scholarship nearly four hours west to Fayetteville. He had a stellar career that included throwing strikes for the Hogs in the 2004 College World Series.

Drafted by the Texas Rangers, he then proceeded to set records in the minor leagues with the Spokane Indians where he once managed a mega-stingy 0.59 ERA, before injuries ultimately ended his pro career. The faulty rotator cuff and labrum lead him back home to all the things he loves most in Northwest Arkansas, home to the nationally recognized Bikes, Blues, and BBQ charity-focused motorcycle rally each autumn.

“Becoming the official merchandise artist for Bikes, Blues, and BBQ was really the launchpad of my art career,” says a grateful Brannon, who has now completed more than 40 originals, which along with a very limited number of prints, are highly sought after by collectors.

Brannon’s work includes a wide range of wildlife featuring whitetails, trout, turkeys, mallards, and even a bobcat named “Flippin” displayed in profound fashion on the office wall of Keith Daffron, a proud Flippin, Arkansas native who now helps lead the premium quality Vexus Boat company based in the town of 1,300 people.

“Clint is just a special guy, with a talent that absolutely amazes me,” says Daffron. “He’s quickly become a friend who is easy to relate to. Whether that’s sharing a fly fishing trip on the White River, or spending time with his wonderful family. I really admire the way he throws his soul into the detailed and meaningful story behind each piece of art,” adds Daffron.

Brannon’s an All American guy indeed, with an incredible work ethic to support many amazing talents, and that’s what former St. Louis Cardinal and 3-time Gold Glove Award winner, Tom Pagnozzi recognized about Brannon when he helped coach him at the University of Arkansas following his iconic career as a catcher in the big leagues.

So much so, Pagnozzi partnered with Brannon in 2006 to create what’s now a wildly popular clothing company called Southern Trend that employees 35 people who interact like family. Still, the stress of running a business, coupled with a loving commitment to his young family takes a toll that many of us can relate to, and that’s where time in his art studio continues to serve such a therapeutic roll in Brannon’s life.

“My art is what helps me wind down at night. Creating the next meaningful piece serves as my therapy. It tires me out and helps me sleep better in a healthy way,” says Brannon.

A therapy not too unlike fishing for most of us, including Brannon, a highly likeable small-town guy who most swear must have gone through the line two or three times when they were handing out talent.