Funkhouser Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek
Bryant Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
LAWRENCEBERG, Ind. (June 19, 2023) – Boater Brian Funkhouser of Bloomington, Indiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Ohio River-Tanners Creek. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Funkhouser earned $4,315 for his victory.
“I spent a couple of days practicing for the event and found some fry guarders,” said Funkhouser. “I found them in a couple of creeks, so I had a plan.”
Funkhouser said he caught all five of his keeper fish, in Craig’s Creek, on shallow spinnerbaits. He said he thought his hopes for a win had disappeared after he lost a quality bass.
“I lost a good one and thought I’d end up maybe in the top five,” Funkhouser said. “I didn’t think I had a chance to win after I lost that fish. It’s the river; you can’t afford to lose any of them.
“To lose that one and end up winning is awesome,” Funkhouser added. “I’ve done this for a while now, and it’s always nice to beat the caliber of guys that fish in this league.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Brian Funkhouser, Bloomington, Ind., five bass, 8-1, $4,315
2nd: Doug Ruster, New Palestine, Ind., four bass, 6-4, $2,707
3rd: Travis Spivey, Union, Ky., five bass, 6-1, $1,439
4th: Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., five bass, 5-12, $1,007
5th: Scott Bateman, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 5-11, $1,063
6th: Jeramiah Sifers, Sellersburg, Ind., two bass, 5-9, $1,011
7th: David Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 5-7, $719
8th: Erik Sanders, Bedford, Ind., one bass, 5-6, $1,757 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
9th: Brandon Barrett, Bloomington, Ind., four bass, 5-5, $575
10th: Kenneth Pincombe, Hamilton, Ohio, four bass, 5-4, $503
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Erik Sanders of Bedford, Indiana, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $610.
Martin Bryant of North Vernon, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,140 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Martin Bryant, North Vernon, Ind., three bass, 7-4, $2,140
2nd: Eric Moore, Hamilton, Ohio, four bass, 6-5, $1,070
3rd: Dan Pardue, Morgantown, Ind., four bass, 5-0, $605
3rd: Russell Vandiver, Greenfield, Ind., four bass, 5-0, $605
5th: Derek Jackson, New Albany, Ind., one bass, 4-15, $730
6th: Brandon Houston, Lakeside Park, Ky., three bass, 4-6, $392
7th: John Thomas, Quincy, Ind., one bass, 4-1, $357
8th: Greg Marshall, Paris, Ky., two bass, 3-14, $321
9th: Ryan Sykes, Fairfield, Ohio, two bass, 3-12, $685
10th: Collin Hillen, Evansville, Ind., three bass, 3-8, $237
10th: Rob Earickson, Camby, Ind., two bass, 3-8, $237
Derek Jackson of New Albany, Indiana, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $302, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Mike Quinlin of Mooresville, Indiana, leads the BFL Hoosier Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 730 points, while Jacob Parks of Noblesville, Indiana, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 710 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. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. 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 2024 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.
Meyer Bags Big Bass to Secure Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event Victory at Wolf River Chain of Lakes
Griffin Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
WINNECONNE, Wis. (June 19, 2023) – Boater Kyle Meyer of Blaine, Minnesota, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Wolf River Chain of Lakes. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Great Lakes Division. Meyer earned $5,204 for his victory.
“I ran up to Lake Winnebago, and once I was there, I got three fish for 10 pounds,” said Meyer. “It was a good start to the day.”
Meyer said his first bass was a 3¼-pound bass that fell for a swimjig in lily pads, and a 4-pounder followed soon after. A couple of minutes later a 2¾-pounder took the jig. Meyer said his weight held with those three fish until 11 o’clock, then he relocated in search of bass to fill his limit.
“I caught two more keepers, but they were just small ones, so I knew I had to cull them,” Meyer said. “I ran back to my starting spot about noon, caught one, then ended up catching the big one, a 4-15. There was nothing special about today – just throwing a swimjig at the same stuff.
“When I caught that big one, I said, ‘Game over,’” Meyer continued. “There’s not that many 5-pounders out there. That was an absolute unicorn on this body of water.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Kyle Meyer, Blaine, Minn., five bass, 18-5, $5,204
2nd: Joe Pollak, Lake Geneva, Wis., five bass, 14-4, $2,629
3rd: Randy Oppermann, Redgranite, Wis., five bass, 14-0, $1,452
4th: Kevin Ruh, Onalaska, Wis., five bass, 13-15, $1,517 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
5th: Jeff Ritter, Prairie du Chien, Wis., five bass, 13-9, $872
6th: Brad Wessling, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 13-5, $799
7th: Christopher Smith, North Branch, Minn., five bass, 13-3, $726
8th: Travis Seitzinger, Lakefield, Minn., five bass, 13-2, $654
9th: Curtis Samo, Rochelle, Ill., five bass, 13-1, $581
10th: Tanner Bock, Davenport, Iowa, five bass, 12-11, $509
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Meyer also caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $625.
Gage Griffin of Lake Forest, Illinois, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,442 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 6 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Gage Griffin, Lake Forest, Ill., five bass, 15-6, $2,442
2nd: Troy Jutting, Savage, Minn., five bass, 12-6, $1,070
3rd: Kenny Nachtman, Bellevue, Iowa, five bass, 11-8, $712
4th: Will Ahnen, Fennimore, Wis., five bass, 10-15, $499
5th: Michael White, Waupun, Wis., five bass, 10-12, $428
6th: Mike Marr, Oxford, Wis., five bass, 10-10, $392
7th: Jason von Bargen, Prior Lake, Minn., four bass, 9-13, $357
8th: Frank Miller, Barrington, Ill., four bass, 9-0, $303
8th: Jill Kerzisnik, Plainfield, Ill., four bass, 9-0, $303
10th: Clifton Williams, Wood Dale, Ill., four bass, 8-15, $250
Griffin also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $302, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Jeff Ritter of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, leads the BFL Great Lakes Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 730 points, while Hertz Skaer of Holmen, Wisconsin, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 725 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. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. 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 2024 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.
Bass Pro Tour Pro Jeff Kriet Withdraws From Stage Six Tournament; Mike McClelland To Replace Kriet For Event
BENTON, Ky. (June 19, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that Bass Pro Tour pro angler Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Oklahoma has withdrawn from competing in the General Tire Stage Six Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles at Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township, Michigan tournament due to personal circumstances. Kriet informed MLF that he plans to return to competition at Minn Kota Stage Seven Presented by Suzuki August 1-6.
Per MLF policy, “If an eligible Bass Pro Tour angler withdraws, declines an invitation or retires, the invitation will revert back to the next eligible Bass Pro Tour angler based on career Angler of the Year (AOY) standings average or 2022 AOY standings, whichever is higher”. Former Bass Pro Tour pro Clabion Johns was next in line but declined the Stage Six invitation. Former Bass Pro Tour pro Mike McClelland of Blue Eye, Missouri, who is currently fishing the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, was the next angler in line after Johns and has accepted the invitation to compete in the Stage Six event.
“It’s great to have an opportunity to be back in the Bass Pro Tour for Stage Six,” said McClelland. “I’ve always loved going to Lake St. Clair, and I’m especially excited to fish the catch, weigh and release format while scoring five fish.”
Participants of the Phoenix Fantasy Fishing Presented by Bally’s who have already selected Kriet will be notified via email to make an alternative selection by June 24, 2023, at 8am ET. Should a participant continue to have Kriet on their team once Stage Six begins, zero pounds will be assigned to their score.
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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Virginia’s Martin Villa Leads Into Final Day at MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River
Villa Catches 19-pound, 15-ounce Limit to Bring 1-Pound, 5-Ounce Lead into Final Day – Field Cut to Final 50
MARBURY, Md. (June 18, 2023) – Warmer temperatures and a lack of wind of Sunday created a more finicky fishery for the 150 pro anglers competing on Day 2 of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River . Local favorite, Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Virginia, started the day in third place, but brought a limit to the scale weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces, to jump to the top of the leaderboard and bring a 1-pound, 5-ounce lead into the final day of competition. Over the first two days of competition, Villa has weighed in 10 bass totaling 34-6.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners, 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. The full field of 150 anglers concluded the two-day opening round on Sunday, with only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight now advancing to Championship Monday.
The tournament is still up for grabs, as even 21st place has more than 30 pounds and is less than 4½ pounds back from Villa. Pro Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tennessee (33-1), Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee (32-11), Cody Spetz of Hollister, Missouri (32-9) and Deale, Maryland’s Bryan Schmitt (32-1) round out the top five competitors.
Villa has been fishing hard, banking on specific pieces of hard cover at specific times. He’s also running the tide and making a lot of effort to get on certain exact places – he checked one spot five times today before it was free of boats.
“I’m missing a grass bite – and I know it’s the 1-2 punch that you need on this fishery – let me rephrase that, the big-fish grass bite,” Villa said. “It usually revolves around the topwater, but it just seems that when the tide is high they don’t really want to hit it, and when the tide is low I’m not really trying to be in the grass, because I’ve been fishing hard cover. And the places where the better fish are, they’re pulling off of the spawn. So, there are fish coming through every day, so hopefully there are some more there tomorrow.”
Villa’s best spot is a perfect confluence of his skills.
“It’s a dominant lie,” he said. “I have one cast that in the past two days I’ve caught 20 fish off of. The worst part of it was there was another tournament boat – not ours, a local team tournament – that was on it all morning. I went five times for it, and the fifth time they were 100 yards away.”
With low tide moving back another hour on Monday, Villa isn’t going to have much time at prime time.
“I know that if I’m going to win this thing, it’s going to come down to the last couple of casts,” he said.
Of course, he could figure out the grass bite, which would make him pretty hard to handle on the final day.
“I’m going to have to search deep and think of where my starting spot is,” he said. “I do have a patch of grass up north that I got bit in, and it’s been historically good for me. I’m really confident in this patch, but the northwest wind blew it out these last two days. I fished it one day in practice, made one 15-minute pass and caught four, one that was 4 1/2. I’m hoping it calmed down enough. There is enough grass in there where it should clean out quickly, and if I can get there in the morning and catch them, I may not leave. Because typically you can sit on that school all day.”
The top 50 pros advancing to the third and final day of competition at the T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River are:
1st: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., 10 bass, 34-6
2nd: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 10 bass, 33-1
3rd: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-11
4th: Cody Spetz, Hollister, Mo., 10 bass, 32-9
5th: Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 10 bass, 32-1
6th: Troy Stokes, Trenton, Mich., 10 bass, 31-10
7th: Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala., 10 bass, 31-9
8th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 10 bass, 31-8
9th: Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., 10 bass, 31-2
10th: Kyle Weisenburger, Columbus Grove, Ohio, 10 bass, 30-15
11th: Jim Moynagh, Shakopee, Minn., 10 bass, 30-13
12th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 30-11
13th: Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 30-9
14th: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., 10 bass, 30-8
15th: Wayne Vaughan, Chester, Va., 10 bass, 30-6
16th: Wyatt Frankens, Corrigan, Texas, 10 bass, 30-5
17th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 10 bass, 30-3
18th: Austin Culbertson, Moberly, Mo., 10 bass, 30-2
19th: Robert Nakatomi, Sacramento, Calif., 10 bass, 30-1
20th: Pete Ponds, Madison, Miss., 10 bass, 30-1
21st: Terry Olinger, Louisa, Va., 10 bass, 30-0
22nd: Eric Panzironi, Longwood, Fla., 10 bass, 29-14
23rd: Travis Harriman, Huntsville, Ark., 10 bass, 29-12
24th: Blake Felix, Warsaw, Mo., 10 bass, 29-8
25th: Eddie Carper, Valliant, Okla., 10 bass, 29-5
26th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 10 bass, 29-3
27th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-1
28th: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 10 bass, 29-0
29th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-15
30th: Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas, 10 bass, 28-14
31st: John Duarte, Middle River, Md., 10 bass, 28-12
32nd: Jordan Collom, Canyon Lake, Calif., 10 bass, 28-12
33rd: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 28-11
34th: Michael Catt, Jacksonville, Fla., 10 bass, 28-11
35th: Joe Wieberg, Freeburg, Mo., 10 bass, 28-8
36th: Jason Vance, Battle Ground, Ind., 10 bass, 28-7
37th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 10 bass, 28-5
38th: Jeremy Southerly, Fulks Run, Va., 10 bass, 28-5
39th: Cole Hewett, Orange Park, Fla., 10 bass, 28-4
40th: Braxton Setzer, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 28-3
41st: Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo., 10 bass, 28-0
42nd: Matt Greenblatt, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., 10 bass, 27-15
43rd: Charlie Reed Jr., Gloucester, Va., 10 bass, 27-13
44th: Ramie Colson Jr., Cadiz, Ky., 10 bass, 27-12
45th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 10 bass, 27-11
46th: Cody Pike, Powhatan, Va., 10 bass, 27-10
47th: Tyler Stewart, Dubach, La., 10 bass, 27-10
48th: Kyle Minke, Lindstrom, Minn., 10 bass, 27-9
49th: Hunter Eubanks, Inman, S.C., 10 bass, 27-8
50th: Christian Greico, Tampa, Fla., 10 bass, 27-8
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Paul Gettys of Due West, South Carolina, earned Sunday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with a largemouth that weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce.
Overall, there were 717 bass weighing 1,771 pounds, 7 ounces caught by 148 pros Sunday. The catch included 138 five-bass limits.
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday in a traditional 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 Saturday, 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 T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River 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 Monday at 6:30 a.m. ET from Smallwood State Park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury, Maryland. The final weigh-in will also be held at the boat ramp daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action online on MLFNOW! 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 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 T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River 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, October 28.
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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Blake Hall Takes Day 1 Lead at MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River
Alabama Pro Catches 19-pound, 15-ounce Limit to Pace 150 Pros into Second Day of Competition Sunday
MARBURY, Md. (June 17, 2023) – Pro Blake Hall of Rogersville, Alabama, crossed the weigh-in stage Saturday with a five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 15 ounces to take the early lead after Day 1 of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River.
Hall will bring a slim 6-ounce lead into Day 2 of competition over Trenton, Michigan’s Troy Stokes, who weighed in a limit totaling 19-9 to land in second. Local favorite Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Virginia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 18-15 to end the day in third.
Competition resumes Sunday morning, 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 Monday. The three-day tournament, hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners, 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 looks good on paper, but it was pretty tough out there,” Hall said. “At 11 o’clock I only had four bass for probably seven (pounds). But I made a pretty good run to a new area and then I caught three big ones in probably 45 minutes.
“I culled one more time right before I came in,” Hall continued. “I only had one bite on that stretch in practice, though, so hopefully there is some more still around.”
Hall said that he solely fished grass all day, mixing it up between a ChatterBait, a swimjig and Texas-rigged worms.
“I’m definitely around some fish,” Hall said. “I’m paying attention to the tide, but I don’t think it’s been critical to my success or anything like that. I’m just trying to get in some good areas where there are some fish and the just grinding it out and fishing through the tide.”
Hall credited his good start to his clean fishing and decision making.
“I never lost one, today,” the Alabama pro said. “Everything that bit I got it in the boat.”
The top 20 pros after Day 1 of the T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River are:
1st: Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala., five bass, 19-15
2nd: Troy Stokes, Trenton, Mich., five bass, 19-9
3rd: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 18-15
4th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., five bass, 17-4
5th: Tommy Dickerson, Orange, Texas, five bass, 17-0
5th: Robert Nakatomi, Sacramento, Calif., five bass, 17-0
5th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., five bass, 17-0
8th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, five bass, 16-14
8th: Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 16-14
10th: Jim Moynagh, Shakopee, Minn., five bass, 16-10
10th: Ryan Armstrong, Robinson, Ill., five bass, 16-10
10th: Austin Culbertson, Moberly, Mo., five bass, 16-10
13th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., five bass, 16-8
14th: Sean Anderson, Leesville, S.C., five bass, 16-6
15th: Travis Harriman, Huntsville, Ark., five bass, 16-2
16th: Pete Ponds, Madison, Miss., five bass, 16-1
16th: Spike Stoker, Cisco, Texas, five bass, 16-1
18th: Kyle Weisenburger, Columbus Grove, Ohio, five bass, 16-0
19th: Cody Spetz, Hollister, Mo., five bass, 15-14
20th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 15-11
20th: Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., five bass, 15-11
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Hall earned the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award Saturday after weighing in a largemouth that went 5 pounds, 9 ounces.
Overall, there were 731 bass weighing 1,943 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the 150 pros Saturday. The catch included 141 five-bass limits.
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday in a traditional 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 Saturday, 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 T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River 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. ET from Smallwood State Park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury, Maryland. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat ramp 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 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River 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, October 28.
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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Nania finesses his way to victory at Bassmaster Open on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula
Joey Nania of Cropwell, Ala., has won the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., with a three-day total of 52 pounds, 8 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
June 17, 2023
EUFAULA, Okla. — When Joey Nania saw Lake Eufaula listed on the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens schedule, he thought it would be a tournament he’d just need to survive to stay in contention for a Bassmaster Elite Series bid.
But Nania did more than just survive this week, landing a three-day total of 52 pounds, 8 ounces to win the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla. His second career Opens victory earned him a berth in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla., along with a check for $48,800 and a $500 Garmin contingency bonus.
“If there was any concern about struggling and wanting to survive, this was the one I wanted to survive,” said Nania, who finished 13th at the 2022 Classic on Lake Hartwell. “When I got here, the lake was different from what I expected and I was happy about that. It fit my style a little bit better.
“I fished for 11 years before I won a tournament. So, it was incredible to even win one. Fishing the Classic was amazing and I’m not on the Elite Series. So, the only way for me to make it is to win. I knew if I was meant to be on that stage again, it would happen. To be a two-time winner is crazy.”
Starting the tournament in 25th place with 14-5, Nania rocketed up the leaderboard with 22-2 on the second day before adding 16-1 on Championship Saturday to claim the trophy. Nania outlasted 18-year-old Illinois pro Trey McKinney who finished second with 51-4.
In a tournament where large groups of anglers were gathered in several areas, Nania was able to separate himself by fishing to his strengths in less-pressured areas and then executing on every bite.
“Everything has to go right. I didn’t lose a fish all week,” he said. “I caught every one of them on a spinning rod on a lake where you aren’t supposed to do that. I was doing something I love to do.”
Nania focused on several offshore aspects. With both of his patterns, his best technique was a Ned-Miki rig, a shad-imitating, finesse presentation, which he built with a 3/16-ounce Z-Man Finesse Eyez jighead with a 1/0 hook and a Z-Man StreakZ 3.75 soft plastic.
He tied that to a 14-pound Vicious Tora fluorocarbon leader attached to 10-pound Vicious yellow no-fade braid main line.
“It is fairly light but sinks fast enough to get a reaction strike,” Nania explained. “It is like what Gussy (Jeff Gustafson) won the Classic on, just a little smaller.”
His best spot the first two days was an offshore hump in 22 feet of water by the dam that sat just above the thermocline. His biggest bass on Day 2, a 6 1/2-pounder, came off that hump.
“There were just a few bass out there, but they were big ones,” Nania said. “The 22-foot range is where the biggest bass on the lake were, it was just hard to get bit. The water is so clear, too, and the thermocline on the bottom end of the lake was in about 25 feet of water.”
Nania also fished 20 brushpiles a day located on points in the mouths of bays in 10 to 14 feet. Those piles were full of several different species of fish, including crappie, catfish and white bass — and when he did see a largemouth on his Garmin LiveScope, he had to tease and coax the bass into biting.
“I was really teasing the fish out of those brushpiles. I was hovering my Ned-Miki and barely winding it over the piles and creeping it over the limbs, trying to attract the bass up and out,” he said. “Once I did that, I continued to coast it away from them and hover it over them and take it away slowly. The bites were really cool. They slowly came up behind it and then just continued right through the bait super slow and gentle.”
On the final day, Nania started on a rocky bank near takeoff and calmed his nerves by catching a 2-pounder on a 6th Sense Provoke 106X jerkbait. From there, he rotated through his brushpiles and rounded up 12 pounds quickly before moving to the deep spot where he landed the majority of his big bass the first two days.
Unfortunately, he could not get any more bites in that area, and just before check-in, he moved back to the rock wall near takeoff and landed two 3 1/2-pound largemouth on a Z-Man TRD BugZ rigged weedless on a 1/6-ounce Z-Man NedlockZ jighead Ned rig that ultimately pushed him to victory.
“At the end of the day, I was grateful for 12 pounds,” he said. “I rolled up by the ramp — the pattern I fished with a Ned rig on the rocks ... that pattern worked right at the end.
“Trevor McKinney was on the point I liked the most from practice, so I pulled up on a different one. I saw something swimming in a shad ball and I threw the Ned rig out there and it started swimming off. I threw out again, and three casts later I caught another 3 1/2.”
Putting together bags of 15-7 and 19-12 the first two days, Trey McKinney caught 16-1 on the final day. But he lost two big bass under a dock late in the day that likely would have pushed him to victory.
“Today was really heartbreaking. I had quite a few opportunities and I didn’t capitalize,” he said. “I had one dock and I knew they were there and I saved them for the last hour. The second cast, I hung one and knew it was a giant. I got it halfway back to the boat and felt it stop. I looked on LiveScope and it had wrapped itself around a crossbar and broke off.”
After retying, McKinney skipped under the same dock and hooked another big bass that took the same route as the previous fish, wrapping around the crossbar before breaking the line.
While disappointing, it was McKinney’s second runner-up finish of the season and pushed him into second in the Opens Elite Qualifier points race. He also secured a $500 St, Croix Rewards check by being the highest-finishing pro using St. Croix Rods.
Matt Messer of Warfield, Ky., finished third with 47-2. Starting with 13-8 on Day 1, Messer caught 22-10 on Day 2, a bag anchored by an 8-1 largemouth that earned him $750 for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament. He added 11-0 on the final day.
“Today was tough. I knew if it was dead slick, it would be hard for me to get bit, and when I pulled up, it was dead slick,” Messer said. “I didn’t get a bite for two hours and then the wind picked up a little bit. I caught three fast and one of them was a 3-pounder. I thought it was going to be on. But honestly, I think I just caught them all.”
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, sixth-place angler John Soukup of Sapulpa, Okla., took home an additional $2,000.
With four events remaining, Union City, Tenn., pro John Garrett leads the Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifier standings with 926 points. He is followed by Trey McKinney in second with 921 points, Elite Series pro Kenta Kimura of Japan in third with 910 points, South Carolina angler JT Thompkins in fourth with 893 and Minnesota angler Keith Tuma in fifth with 878.
The top nine finishers in the EQ Division will earn invitations to the 2024 Elite Series. For full standings, visit Bassmaster.com.
2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula Oklahoma 6/15-6/17
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 15 52-08 200 $48,800.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 22-02 Day 3: 5 16-01
2. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 15 51-04 199 $23,460.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 16-01
3. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 15 47-02 198 $17,310.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 11-00
4. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 15 47-01 197 $13,800.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 15-04
5. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 15 46-14 196 $12,006.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 14-15
6. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 15 46-10 195 $11,040.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 13-11
7. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 15 45-13 194 $10,350.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 14-07
8. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 14 39-09 193 $9,660.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 4 08-06
9. Jason Meninger Yulee, FL 13 39-06 192 $7,590.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 3 07-00
10. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 14 39-00 191 $6,210.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 4 07-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Matt Messer Warfield, KY 08-01 $750.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 745 1785-09
2 71 606 1442-04
3 7 46 124-04
----------------------------------
181 1397 3352-01
Late big bites power Joey Nania to lead at Bassmaster Open at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula
Joey Nania of Cropwell, Ala., is leading after Day 2 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., with a two-day total of 36 pounds, 7 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
June 16, 2023
EUFAULA, Okla. — Before the start of Day 2 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., Joey Nania had not caught a bass over 5 pounds. His fortunes changed on Friday, when Nania caught his two biggest bass of the week and weighed a limit totaling 22 pounds, 2 ounces, pushing him into the lead with a two-day total of 36-7.
Finishing the first day in 25th with 14-5, the Cropwell, Ala., pro holds a 5-ounce advantage over Kentucky's Matt Messer, who landed the biggest bag of the tournament thus far Friday with 22-10.
“It was an amazing day. Everything went perfectly and God is good,” Nania said. “I caught 50 or more white bass today and 20 bass.”
Despite the cloudy, breezy conditions that lingered after thunderstorms rolled through overnight Thursday, Nania decided to pull up on a brushpile he scanned during practice and caught three keepers by 8:30 a.m., including a 2-pounder. He then added a 3-pounder at an adjacent brushpile and his fifth keeper a few minutes later, a 4-pounder he coaxed into biting.
From there, Nania ran to the lower end of the lake and found several shallow brushpiles, which produced a 4-pounder and another 3-pounder around 1 p.m. With several hours still to fish, he returned to the area where he caught several of his better bass on Day 1 and landed a 4 1/2- and a 6 1/2-pounder on back-to-back casts.
Those two bass were bigger than any he caught during the practice period.
“At that point, I was feeling grateful for what I had,” Nania said. “To catch the 4.65 and cull up to 18 pounds, I knew I had made the cut. The next cast, I set the hook and it was that giant. I saw it jump and thought it was a 4-pounder. When I got it to the boat and grabbed it, it was big and thick and perfect. It was amazing.”
Both days, Nania has caught bass in 22 feet of water on that spot, which he found with 30 minutes to go on the final practice day. While many other competitors have stacked up in the same area, Nania has only seen two other boats fishing this particular spot all week.
While the current isn’t particularly strong on Eufaula, it plays a big role on the spot. Using his Garmin LiveScope, Nania can see thousands of white bass, many of which attempt to eat his bait before it reaches the bass.
“I let the white bass bump my bait and then I let it fall down below them,” he said. “When it really locks up, I set the hook. I only caught a couple of fish doing it, but I caught two 4s yesterday and my co-angler lost a 5. There are 10 or 15 bass and 2,000 white bass.
“It’s a typical school, but I’ve never seen so many white bass and so few bass in a school.”
Entering the day in 37th place with 13-8, Messer anchored his big Day 2 bag with an 8-1 behemoth largemouth that he landed on his last cast. That bass holds the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament.
At the end of Day 1, Messer found two spots that produced big bass and with 20 minutes to go before check-in on Day 2, he stopped on one of those spots and it paid off in a big way.
“That is two days in a row. Yesterday I caught a 5 1/2 on my last cast on the same spot,” Messer said. “I had 15-10 on my scale with the five I had with a 1-12 as my small one. I was running back and decided to make two casts on this spot and caught it on the first one. I caught it on a 10-pound test on a spinning rod. It was skin hooked too.”
Messer has been fishing isolated cover in around 20 feet of water, whether that cover is a brushpile, stump or a rockpile. Often, the standout from the Kentucky Christian University bass team hasn’t been able to see the bass on his forward-facing sonar, but has been able to find the cover holding the bass with his graph.
“These aren’t places I’m going to catch a (ton),” he said. “Today, I ran to a spot and would catch one and then run back to another and catch one. I went back and forth all day.”
Carbondale, Ill., pro Trey McKinney is in third with a two-day total of 35-3. With catches of 15-7 and 19-12, the 18-year-old Opens Elite Qualifiers Division angler secured his third Top 10 finish of the season. After seeing multiple boats around his Day 1 starting spot, McKinney moved to a flat located close to a drop-off.
While he didn’t see many bass on his forward-facing sonar Thursday, he found the bass had loaded up in that area Friday.
“My co-angler and I had a blast today. We had 25-plus keepers. I turned the LiveScope on in the back for him, and we kept telling each other to get ready,” he said. “I went on the deep side of it yesterday and today I went shallow and had 13 pounds in a matter of 10 minutes.”
McKinney added he would have been in contention for biggest bag of the day as well, but he lost a bass that was at least a 4-pounder and broke off another he believed would have helped.
Japanese native Sakae Ushio secured his second Bassmaster Opens co-angler victory with a two-day total of 20-3. After landing 11-9 on Day 1, Ushio added two bass that weighed 8-10 on the final day to secure the wire-to-wire win. Along with the trophy and the $13,000 check, he claimed an extra $250 for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament, a 6-4 largemouth he caught on Day 2.
“I used a Geecrack Bellows Gill creature bait on a wobblehead and a Berkley MaxScent Magnum Hit Worm on a Neko rig,” he said. “It is amazing. Both days I was the leader. It made my life, I think.”
Oklahoma’s Dusty Duvall finished second with 19-11, followed by Louisiana’s Jason Fontenot in third with 16-8.
The Top 10 pros will launch from Nichols Point beginning at 6 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in beginning around 2:30 p.m. The winner will punch a ticket to the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in Tulsa. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula Oklahoma 6/15-6/17
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 10 36-07 200
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 22-02
2. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 10 36-02 199
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 22-10
3. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 10 35-03 198
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 19-12
4. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 10 32-15 197
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 18-09
5. Jason Meninger Yulee, FL 10 32-06 196
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 15-06
6. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 10 31-15 195
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 13-09
7. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 31-13 194
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 12-10
8. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 10 31-09 193
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-06
9. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 10 31-06 192
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 14-13
10. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 10 31-03 191
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 14-09
11. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 30-15 190 $5,520.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 15-10
12. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 10 30-13 189 $4,830.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 12-03
13. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 10 29-13 188 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 13-04
14. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 29-10 187 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 15-08
15. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 29-07 186 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 13-02
16. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 28-07 185 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 11-08
17. Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE 10 28-01 184 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
18. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 10 27-13 183 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 16-13
19. Shaine Campbell Brookeland, TX 8 27-09 182 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 3 09-13
20. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 10 27-08 181 $3,795.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-11
21. Mamoru Kagiya Amagun Aichi JAPAN 10 27-03 180 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-14
22. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 10 26-04 179 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 09-04
23. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 25-13 178 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-09
24. Jason Lambert Savannah, TN 7 25-11 177 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 2 07-13
25. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 10 25-11 176 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 10-11
26. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 10 25-11 175 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 14-11
27. Keltyn Hendrix Maysville, OK 10 25-10 174 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 07-11
28. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 10 25-06 173 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-14
29. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 10 25-04 172 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 10-10
30. John Garrett Union City, TN 7 25-03 171 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 2 06-09
31. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 10 25-00 170 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-15
32. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 10 25-00 169 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-10
33. B.J. Usie Bourg, LA 10 24-04 168 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 14-06
34. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 10 24-03 167 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 13-00
35. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 10 24-00 166 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-00
36. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 10 23-15 165 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 10-12
37. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 10 23-08 164 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-14
38. Matt Henry Milledgeville, GA 10 23-07 163 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 09-11
39. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 23-06 162 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 11-05
40. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 9 23-00 161 $3,174.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 4 09-05
41. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 10 23-00 160
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
42. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 10 22-15 159
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 09-05
43. Marc Schilling Carrollton, TX 8 22-14 158
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 3 08-00
44. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 10 22-12 157
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-11
45. Jack York Emory, TX 10 22-12 156
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 11-02
46. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 22-10 155
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 08-11
47. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 10 22-08 154
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-07
48. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 10 22-06 153
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 10-03
49. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 22-05 152
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 13-02
50. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 8 22-05 151
Day 1: 4 09-06 Day 2: 4 12-15
51. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 9 22-00 150
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 5 11-07
52. Sam George Athens, AL 7 21-12 149
Day 1: 3 10-11 Day 2: 4 11-01
53. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 21-08 148
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 11-06
54. Michael Scalise Port Allen, LA 8 21-07 147
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 5 17-09
55. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 9 21-06 146
Day 1: 4 08-05 Day 2: 5 13-01
56. Buck Mallory Lawton, MI 10 21-05 145
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 09-05
57. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 10 21-05 144
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 10-15
58. Justin Phillips Checotah, OK 10 21-04 143
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 10-09
59. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 9 21-03 142
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 4 08-02
60. Tucker Veronee Gilbert, SC 8 20-14 141
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 5 14-04
61. Vance Montgomery Claremore, OK 9 20-13 140
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 4 08-03
62. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 10 20-10 139
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-10
63. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 8 20-07 138
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 5 11-12
64. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 10 20-07 137
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 09-15
65. Destin DeMarion Harborcreek, PA 8 20-05 136
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 3 09-02
66. Brent Shores Boise, ID 9 20-04 135
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 09-03
67. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 9 20-03 134
Day 1: 4 08-09 Day 2: 5 11-10
68. Troy O'Rourke Bentonville, AR 8 20-01 133
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 3 08-14
69. Ryan Clark Whitby Ontario CANADA 9 20-01 132
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 4 10-06
70. Brett Cannon Willis, TX 8 20-00 131
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 06-11
71. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 8 19-14 130
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 3 05-06
72. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 8 19-14 129
Day 1: 3 08-12 Day 2: 5 11-02
73. Jason Abram Piney Flats, TN 8 19-12 128
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 5 10-10
74. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 9 19-11 127
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 4 07-04
75. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 9 19-08 126
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 4 10-07
76. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 8 19-04 125
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 3 07-00
77. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 8 19-02 124
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 3 05-10
78. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 9 19-00 123
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 4 07-00
79. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 7 18-15 122
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 5 13-14
80. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 9 18-13 121
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 07-05
81. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 8 18-09 120
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 3 06-08
82. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 8 18-07 119
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 3 08-06
83. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 8 18-07 118
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 3 08-10
84. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 6 18-03 117
Day 1: 4 13-10 Day 2: 2 04-09
85. Tom Frink Southside, AL 10 17-14 116
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 09-10
86. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 8 17-12 115
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 3 06-14
87. Keith Brumfield Vicksburg, MS 10 17-12 114
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 09-04
88. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 7 17-07 113
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 03-02
89. Bobby Lanham Eddyville, KY 9 17-07 112
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 4 08-02
90. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 10 17-07 111
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 08-05
91. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 8 17-05 110
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 07-13
92. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 8 17-03 109
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 3 07-09
93. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 9 17-02 108
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 09-07
94. Joshua Teply Harrah, OK 7 17-01 107
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 4 12-10
95. Philip Roesener Choctaw, OK 8 16-12 106
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 3 06-05
96. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 6 16-12 105
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 3 07-15
97. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 10 16-11 104
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 08-05
98. Griffin Phillips Mount Olive, AL 8 16-10 103
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 3 05-15
99. Sterling Bougher Mannford, OK 8 16-05 102
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 5 10-03
100. Lafe Messer Warfield, KY 6 16-01 101
Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 4 09-01
101. Logan Anderson Catawba, NC 5 15-15 100
Day 1: 4 13-12 Day 2: 1 02-03
102. Josh Hubbard Dunnellon, FL 6 15-12 99
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 1 01-12
103. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 5 15-11 98
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 4 12-10
104. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 6 15-09 97
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 1 01-05
105. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 8 15-07 96
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 5 08-02
106. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 9 15-06 95
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 4 06-12
107. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 8 15-05 94
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 4 07-02
108. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 6 15-04 93
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 1 01-15
109. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 15-01 92
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 7 15-01 91
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 5 11-08
111. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 7 15-01 90
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 03-15
112. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 7 15-01 89
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 2 05-03
113. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 8 15-00 88
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 3 06-02
114. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 8 14-15 87
Day 1: 4 06-04 Day 2: 4 08-11
115. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 7 14-09 86
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 3 07-13
116. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 8 14-09 85
Day 1: 4 07-00 Day 2: 4 07-09
117. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 6 14-05 84
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 1 01-08
118. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 8 14-02 83
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 3 04-12
119. Kenji Yamada Hixson, TN 7 14-02 82
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 2 05-03
120. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 8 13-13 81
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 07-14
121. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 6 13-02 80
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 2 03-00
122. Daisuke Kita Ostu Shiga JAPAN 5 13-01 79
Day 1: 4 11-02 Day 2: 1 01-15
123. Steve Morella Townshend, VT 7 13-01 78
Day 1: 4 06-13 Day 2: 3 06-04
124. Alan Barton Stillwater, OK 6 12-11 77
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 5 10-14
125. Tripp Noojin Bryant, AL 7 12-10 76
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 2 04-05
126. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 12-06 75
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-06
127. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 5 12-06 74
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 3 07-05
128. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 12-05 73
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Mark Watson Victoria, TX 5 12-05 73
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
130. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 5 12-02 71
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 3 07-10
131. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 5 12-02 70
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 2 04-11
132. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 5 12-01 69
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-01
133. Bronk Mcdaniel Alexandria, LA 6 11-15 68
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 2 03-11
134. Evan Barnes Dardanelle, AR 6 11-11 67
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 1 01-06
135. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 6 11-11 66
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 2 03-14
136. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 5 11-06 65
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 4 09-07
137. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 6 11-06 64
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 2 03-12
138. Darrell Davis Dover, FL 5 11-02 63
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 1 02-14
139. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 6 11-02 62
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 4 07-06
140. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 4 10-15 61
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 1 02-14
141. Christian Shoda Homosassa, FL 4 10-14 60
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 1 02-00
142. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 10-10 59
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
143. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 4 10-08 58
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
144. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 5 10-04 57
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
145. Taylor Watkins Clinton, TN 6 10-01 56
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 1 01-06
146. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 3 10-01 55
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 1 04-09
147. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 4 09-13 54
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 1 01-13
148. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 4 09-11 53
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 03-14
149. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 5 09-08 52
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 4 07-09
150. Takayuki Koike Otsu-City JAPAN 4 09-05 51
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 3 07-09
151. Willy Dennison Willoughby Hills, OH 5 09-02 50
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 2 02-07
152. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 5 09-02 49
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 2 03-06
153. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 5 09-01 48
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
154. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 4 09-01 47
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 1 02-04
155. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 4 08-13 46
Day 1: 3 07-00 Day 2: 1 01-13
156. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 4 08-12 45
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 3 07-00
157. Frank Williams Mountain Home, AR 4 08-09 44
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 2 03-08
158. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 4 08-08 43
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 08-08
159. Bart Stanisz Austin, TX 3 08-07 42
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 1 03-12
160. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 4 08-06 41
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 2 03-00
161. Lance Owen Greer, SC 4 07-15 40
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
162. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 3 07-11 39
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-11
163. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 4 07-11 38
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 01-14
164. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 4 07-10 37
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 06-02
165. Billy Smith Montgomery, TX 3 07-10 36
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 1 04-00
166. Jimmy Steed Zapata, TX 4 07-07 35
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
167. Joe Labarbera Montrose, PA 3 07-01 34
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 2 05-02
168. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 4 07-00 33
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 1 02-13
169. Wil Dieffenbauch III Hundred, WV 4 06-15 32
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 2 03-05
170. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 3 06-14 31
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
171. Scout Echols Monticello, AR 3 06-14 30
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 1 02-06
172. Chris Bailey Bruceville, TX 3 06-10 29
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
173. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 4 06-10 28
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 1 01-13
174. JT Russell Mc Calla, AL 4 06-06 27
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 2 02-14
175. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 3 06-04 26
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
176. Mike Mayo Athens, TX 3 05-13 25
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
177. Zachary Ellis Fort Worth, TX 3 05-13 24
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 2 03-07
178. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 3 05-08 23
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-08
179. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 3 05-03 22
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
180. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 3 05-02 21
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
180. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 3 05-02 21
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
182. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 2 05-00 19
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
183. Terry Morris Bernice, LA 3 05-00 18
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 2 03-02
184. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 2 04-08 17
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
185. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 2 04-06 16
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. Lucas Ragusa Gonzales, LA 2 04-04 15
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Jaxon Sullivan Reagan, TN 2 04-02 14
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-02
188. Reece Tremaglio Dunkirk, MD 2 04-01 13
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 1 02-10
189. Daniel Valois Gomez Caracas FL VENEZUELA 2 03-12 12
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 1 01-07
190. Corey Stewart Lees Summit, MO 2 03-06 11
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 2 03-05 10
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 1 01-14
192. Alex Murray Lake Charles, LA 2 02-13 9
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-13
193. David Wootton Collierville, TN 2 02-13 8
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 1 01-06
194. Mike Surman Boca Raton, FL 1 01-14 7
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
195. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 1 01-13 6
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
196. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 1 01-11 5
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
196. Phil Killian Solomon, AZ 1 01-11 5
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
198. Craig Danna West Monroe, LA 1 01-03 3
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-03
199. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 00-00 2
Day 1: 5 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Tyler Alderson Loveland, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Paul Browning Pecos, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Curtis King Plaquemine, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Chandler Stewart Canyon Lake, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Jason Tibbetts Centreville, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 745 1785-09
2 71 606 1442-04
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174 1351 3227-13
2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula Oklahoma 6/15-6/17
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 5 20-03 200 $13,623.00
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 2 08-10
2. Dusty Duvall Checotah, OK 6 19-11 199 $3,147.00
Day 1: 3 08-15 Day 2: 3 10-12
3. Jason Fontenot Lake Charles, LA 6 16-08 198 $2,360.00
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 3 10-00
4. Steven Doolittle Chelsea, OK 4 15-12 197 $1,770.00
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 2 08-11
5. Kevin Turner Sand Springs, OK 6 14-15 196 $1,652.00
Day 1: 3 09-03 Day 2: 3 05-12
6. Ken Sanders Point Blank, TX 6 14-14 195 $1,573.00
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 3 08-12
7. Skip Rayborn Hammond, LA 6 13-06 194 $1,495.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 3 05-00
8. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 5 12-02 193 $1,416.00
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 2 05-03
9. Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 6 11-11 192 $1,298.00
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 3 05-08
10. Will Major Port Allen, LA 4 11-03 191 $1,180.00
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 08-00
11. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 5 11-03 190 $1,101.00
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 2 03-05
12. Jordan Lane Conroe, TX 5 11-03 189 $1,023.00
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 3 06-01
13. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 5 11-00 188 $865.00
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 2 03-12
14. Jeremiah Mattox Norman, OK 6 11-00 187 $787.00
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 3 05-15
15. Wes Tull Oklahoma City, OK 5 10-11 186 $708.00
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 3 06-10
16. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 4 10-10 185 $629.00
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 2 04-08
17. Seth Daniel Atoka, OK 4 10-04 184 $590.00
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 1 03-13
18. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 5 10-01 183 $590.00
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 2 04-10
19. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 5 09-13 182 $590.00
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 2 03-12
20. Christopher Veronee Gilbert, SC 3 09-10 181 $590.00
Day 1: 3 09-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
21. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 4 09-10 180 $551.00
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 3 07-08
22. Dylan Johnson Miami, OK 5 09-03 179 $551.00
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 3 04-14
23. Darren Gates Macon, IL 4 09-00 178 $551.00
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 1 01-12
24. Bates Enmeier Springdale, AR 4 08-14 177 $551.00
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 06-15
25. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 4 08-10 176 $551.00
Day 1: 1 03-08 Day 2: 3 05-02
26. Tommy Wood Sippy Downs AUSTRALIA 4 08-09 175 $472.00
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 1 01-06
27. Joseph Shaw Madison, WI 3 08-07 174 $472.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-07
28. Rick Cheatham Carterville, IL 3 08-06 173 $472.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
29. Avery Williams Murrells Inlt, SC 4 08-05 172 $472.00
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 3 06-03
30. Jim Thompson Manchester, IA 4 08-04 171 $472.00
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 1 01-12
31. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 4 08-03 170 $433.00
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 2 03-15
32. Martin Kutz Prosper, TX 5 08-02 169 $433.00
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 3 05-00
33. Butch Lansford Muskogee, OK 3 08-01 168 $433.00
Day 1: 2 05-13 Day 2: 1 02-04
34. Aubrey Herlocker Stillwater, OK 4 07-06 167 $433.00
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 3 05-02
35. Trey Gulley Alton, TX 3 07-06 166 $433.00
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 1 02-09
36. Sean Fullerton Bixby, OK 3 07-03 165 $433.00
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 2 03-08
37. Chad Morrow Weatherford, OK 3 07-01 164 $433.00
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
38. Adam Tims Royse City, TX 4 06-15 163 $433.00
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 3 04-15
39. Gary Bates Athens, AL 3 06-14 162 $433.00
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 05-02
40. Ralph Gibson Locust Grove, OK 3 06-13 161 $433.00
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
41. Johnny Ramos Odessa, TX 2 06-11 160
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 1 03-12
42. James Thompson Dodge City, KS 3 06-09 159
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
43. Charles Reed Batesville, MS 3 06-08 158
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 1 01-12
44. Erik Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 3 06-08 157
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 1 02-04
45. Steve Byrd Coalgate, OK 3 06-05 156
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 1 01-11
46. Nikalos Tarkington Gladewater, TX 3 05-13 155
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 2 04-05
47. Pic Dieffenbauch Jr Hundred, WV 3 05-10 154
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 1 02-08
48. Sean Obrien Mckenzie, TN 3 05-07 153
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 1 01-13
49. Jimmy Fellegy Mustang, OK 3 05-06 152
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 2 03-09
50. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 2 05-05 151
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 1 01-10
51. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 3 05-03 150
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 2 03-09
52. Adam Boyd Humble, TX 3 05-02 149
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 1 01-11
53. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 05-01 148
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-01
54. Brandon Story Rogers, AR 2 05-00 147
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 1 02-10
55. Brian Forcier Akron, IA 2 04-15 146
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 02-04
56. John Higginbotham Slaughter, LA 2 04-15 145
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 1 02-09
57. Tyler Coleman Mustang, OK 2 04-14 144
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Benjamin Demo Plymouth, MN 2 04-11 143
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
59. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 2 04-09 142
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. David Booth Erin, TN 2 04-08 141
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
61. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 3 04-06 140
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 2 03-02
62. Billy James Lewis Odessa, TX 2 04-03 139
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-03
63. Allen Heston Pittsburg, TX 2 04-00 138
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Craig Schmidt Prague, NE 2 04-00 138
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Dee Sheperd Mountain View, OK 2 04-00 138
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
66. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 1 03-14 135
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-14
67. Jack Evans Bucklin, KS 2 03-12 134
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-12
68. David Riggs Highland, IL 2 03-11 133
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-11
69. Dean Krambeck Newalla, OK 2 03-11 132
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 02-00
70. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 1 03-09 131
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-09
71. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 2 03-09 130
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 1 00-10
72. Tim Neumann Crosby, TX 2 03-05 129
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
73. Perry See Rochester, MN 2 03-05 128
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 1 01-04
74. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 1 03-04 127
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
75. Randy Tallhamer Brandenton, FL 2 03-03 126
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-03
76. Lester Wray Mcalester, OK 2 03-01 125
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 01-07
77. Mark Clark Crawford, MS 1 02-12 124
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-12
78. Chris Black Fort Worth, TX 1 02-11 123
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
79. Cheri Hillebrandt Ragley, LA 1 02-07 122
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
80. Takaaki Kojima Temecula CA JAPAN 1 02-05 121
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Willy Becker Kansas City, MO 1 02-04 120
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
82. Alex Lane Ada, OK 2 02-01 119
Day 1: 2 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
83. Brandon Beaver Durant, OK 1 02-01 118
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 1 02-00 117
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
85. J Leblanc Greenwell Springs, LA 1 01-15 116
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
86. Anthony Zachery Venus, TX 2 01-14 115
Day 1: 0 -01-00 Day 2: 2 02-14
87. James Nau Spearville, KS 1 01-14 114
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Tiffany Leal Austin, TX 1 01-13 113
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-13
88. Dwain Vogelpohl Cambridge, MN 1 01-13 113
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
90. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 1 01-12 111
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
91. William Schuster Oklahoma City, OK 1 01-11 110
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
91. Travis Turcotte Pembroke CANADA 1 01-11 110
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
93. Brian Dickirson Choctaw, OK 1 01-10 108
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Michael Leach Shenandoah, TX 1 01-10 108
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Tim Noyes Broken Arrow, OK 1 01-10 108
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
96. Larry Davis Gladewater, TX 1 01-09 105
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Jody Grizzle Pocola, OK 1 01-08 104
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
97. Milton Hall Mcalester, OK 1 01-08 104
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
99. Chris Bouchikas Oktaha, OK 1 01-07 102
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
100. Mark Sloan Harrison, AR 1 01-05 101
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
101. Tanner Underwood Piedmont, OK 1 00-07 100
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 -01-00
102. Stephen Babcock Belton, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Marco Flores Topeka, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Chris Gaudin East Camden, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Dalton Harbin Choctaw, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Matthew Hodgkinson Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Terry Humphrey Muskogee, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Kevin Mallow Kansas, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Mike Mattox Moore, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. John Mckenzie Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Bobby Paige Borger, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Mike Stafford Eufaula, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. John Stewart Lone Jack, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Marty Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Kerry Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Joe Tucker Osceola, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Justin Weil Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Jerry Whitaker Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 22 155 351-00
2 19 128 279-07
----------------------------------
41 283 630-07
American Tackle Wins!
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More Than A Landing Net
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ICAST-Winning EGO® S2 Slider Nets & Handle Accessories Help All Anglers Succeed |
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Caldwell, ID (June 16, 2023) – EGO’s S2 Slider™ offers a great solution for netting all fish species—and multi-duty use as a deck/boat brush, mop, lure retriever, dock grabber, and more… The market is flooded with landing nets, most of them cookie-cutter designs that function only as fish-dippers. And many leave a lot to be desired, what with snag-prone netting and materials that can be hard on fish intended for release. |
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Enter EGO®’s S2 Slider™, a modular fishing net system not only designed for netting fish, but a multitude of other tasks. The EGO S2 Slider Product System utilizes the most advanced handle extension technology on the planet. EGO offers 30-plus interchangeable net heads, accessories, and handles; 19 combined hoop sizes and mesh types to choose from; and lastly, a two-year limited warranty on all EGO landing nets and accessories. Looking back a few years, hardcore anglers and fishing media were so impressed with the EGO S2 Slider system that the product won ICAST’s “Best Fishing Accessory”. |
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“The EGO S2 Slider net system is the most versatile and easy-to-use extendable net on the market,” says veteran tournament angler and Florida/North Dakota fishing guide, Johnnie Candle. “The extendable handle/slider system is incredibly simple and doesn’t require a lot of strength for women or young or older anglers,” continues Candle. “And I can’t tell you how having EGO’s extra, extendable handle reach to net fish saves a lot of big fish from getting off. No angler should fish without one.” |
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“As far as the accessories are concerned, I use the deck brush and deluxe mop attachments to clean my saltwater boat at the end of each guiding day. I don’t have to carry two handles. I just carry a net and a brush. The brush sits in the compartment until I need it, and then I just unscrew the net hoop off and attach the brush. Makes life simple.” “When I’m guiding on Devils Lake, North Dakota, in the spring through fall, we fish around a lot of trees and brush—often with crankbaits that tend to get hung up on the wood. When I have multiple lines out with clients, losing crankbaits can hit the pocketbook quick. The EGO Lure Retriever makes retrieving Flicker Shads, Shad Raps, and expensive custom crankbaits back easy,” says Candle. “I lose a lot less tackle with the Lure Retriever.” Candle concludes: “At the end of the day, the EGO S2 Slider net system isn’t limitless, but it’s close. It’s a great system and a well-designed net that anglers will get a lot of use out of,” concludes Candle. |
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EGO Fishing pro Johnnie Candle and BOB Total Country FM Outdoors radio host, Steve Struskinski, on Devils Lake, North Dakota. |
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About the EGO S2 Slider “System” The EGO S2 Slider net is built around a “universal system” that features an extendable net handle for reaching boat-shy trophies—and offers a twist-on & -off system that allows interchanging net frames and net sizes/materials to match exactly what you’re fishing and where. The options are practically limitless. EGO Fishing offers the perfect net to exactly suit the species and waters you fish. With three EGO S2 Slider Handle Sizes to choose from, you can find the perfect net for your big boat, small boat, kayak/canoe, pier or bank fishing, or wade fishing. The EGO S2 Slider extending net handle comes in the three sizes: COMPACT, 18” – 36” handle extension; STANDARD, 29” – 60” handle extension; and for those far-reaching applications, the REACH handle, which extends from 48” to a lengthy 108”. |
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As far as net material construction, anglers can choose within the S2 Slider system between the following: standard Nylon, Rubber-Coated Nylon, PVC-Coated Nylon, Lightweight Rubber, Lightweight Clear Rubber, and PVC-Coated Netting with built-in fish-measuring ruler. Net hoop sizes run the gamut—from small 14” x 16” netting; medium 17” x 19”; large 19” x 21”; 22” x 23”; to the extra-large 24” x 27”. |
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Beyond Netting Fish: Endless Accessories As mentioned, the EGO S2 Slider net family is a “system” that allows use on and off the water. For example, each S2 Slider handle accepts this 8-inch EGO Deck Brush that makes cleaning up a boat at the end of the day a breeze. Same goes for the interchangeable EGO Deck Mop and Deluxe Deck Mop. Beyond clean-up, EGO designers were smart to offer a couple other accessories worth a look at. The first is the EGO Lure Retriever, something we could all use in the boat, especially when a custom jerkbait can run $30 these days—not to mention the rarity of some of the out-of-production “oldie but goodie” baits we throw when fishing gets tough! And for docking or managing lines, rails, and stanchions, the EGO Boat Hook is designed to make easy work of busy work… |
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Mesh Zip On/Off Netting, Handle-Extending Landing Systems |
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PVC-Coated Netting, Handle-Extending Landing Systems |
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Nylon & Rubber-Coated Nylon Netting, Handle-Extending Landing Systems |
Dirt Fishing, Water Fishing, or Both
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Pure Fishing lure developer pursues two hobbies at once. |
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Chicago, IL (June 16, 2023) - Most people have a hobby. Some engage in two different hobbies at the same time. Few have two activities which, on the surface, look totally different, but are actually very similar. Dan Spengler has discovered that fishing and metal detecting have many overlapping areas. Dan started metal detecting, “dirt fishing” about 30 years ago. His dad bought him a Radio Shack machine and they went to a local park to try it out. They found a pull tab. That was it, a pull tab. About 10 years ago, he decided to get a new detector and see if he could do better. Like most others who begin detecting, he tried several different brands and while Dan had success, he elevated his game with the purchase of a Minelab EQUINOX in February of 2020. And his first hunt with the ‘NOX was incredible. |
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Again, like many others, Dan started fishing when he was young, using old, used fishing tackle and whatever body of water was close to home. His interest grew and he actually gained a master’s degree in fisheries. His plan was to be a fish biologist. He started making his own baits when he was nine and continued through college as a hobby. He passed up a state level job as a biologist to take a position with Pure Fishing in Iowa. When asked what his actual job title and duties are, Dan replied, “My current role is Senior Project Engineer—Bait Development. My roles and responsibilities include leading the hard bait and soft bait design team. Specifically, I have been designing and developing Berkley hard baits and terminal tackle from concept to shelf for the last 13 years.” Back to his first hunt with the EQUINOX... He was detecting an old park and found a barber quarter, barber dime, and two seated dimes along with some V nickels and Indian head pennies. Since that day, the EQUINOX 600 has been with him on all his outings. Just recently, he added a Minelab EQUINOX 900 to his arsenal and it is all he has used since. His comment on site selection for detecting was, “I hunt it all—yards, beaches, woods, and fields. However, I do about 60% old field sites, 20% private yard permissions, 10% parks, and 10% beaches.” During drought periods, he works the beaches, and in the spring and fall, when the ground is soft and wet, he returns to land hunting. |
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To find the best spots to detect, Dan starts by researching properties which may have had historic gatherings in the past. He looks in old newspapers, and studies aerial photographs and old plat maps. But, like fishing, he has some bad days on dream sites which for some reason never produce. To do well fishing, the proper equipment and a good location is also necessary. When queried about the electronics he uses, Dan explained, “I have Lowrance HDS Live units on my boat. It has a 12” display up on the bow paired with Active Target (forward facing sonar) and a 9” screen by the wheel. Today’s electronics are amazing, and with GPS you know your exact location on the lake. Add the side imaging which allows you to see structure (rock piles, trees, etc.) off to the side of the boat, then you have the Active Target forward facing sonar which allows you to see fish respond to your lure in real time. It’s a huge asset for watching and observing fish behavior, particularly for a lure designer like me.” |
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Even with all the best equipment, a lot of research goes into his fishing trips. Dan’s goal is to fish a few new lakes a year. He studies lake topography to understand seasonal patterns of fish behavior and location. When fishing a new location, research is very important to avoid being skunked. “My most memorable day was on a field site where I found six silver dimes, five seated and one barber in a single day,” said Dan about his top trip. “I’ve also had some amazing double digit silver days at an old park with the ‘NOX, which sniffs out silver so effectively. When I went with a friend, Mike Peschon, to an amazing beach which obviously had never been hunted, I found 18 silver coins in a single hunt, a personal record.” He said he has had great luck finding barber and seated coins, with one site producing nearly 20 seated coins over the last few seasons. |
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Dan Spengler, Senior Project Engineer at Pure Fishing, has been designing and developing Berkley hard baits for over 13 years. In this photo, Dan showcases a prototype Money Badger, which took over 31 different prototype configurations to approve. |
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Using any of the Minelab EQUINOX series detectors gives Dan the advantage of Multi-IQ technology, which allows him to search for silver, gold, or jewelry, at park, field, or beach. All Minelab VANQUISH and EQUINOX series machines offer this technology, allowing the user to hunt all metals, all soils, all the time. Dan then mentioned his favorite kind of fishing. “My favorite type of fishing is topwater and my favorite species to pursue is smallmouth bass. By far the coolest freshwater fish out there. One of my favorite lures to fish topwater is the Berkley Choppo 75, a lure I created a few years back.” |
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When asked what is still on your fishing “bucket list”, he related, “I’ve fished a lot of different fisheries through the years with many great fishermen and pro-level anglers. I guess for me, it’s possibly fishing with my all-time favorite baseball player growing up, Kent Hrbek of the Minnesota Twins. I wrote him a letter to fish with me when I was nine years old and sent him a baseball card. He signed the card and it would be amazing to fish with him someday. Working for Pure Fishing is Dan’s ultimate dream job. And he is good at it. “I think my favorite career moment was developing the Berkley Stunna with Hank Cherry. I’m a big jerkbait guy, and Hank is a legendary jerkbait fisherman. In my opinion, I believe we built the best jerkbait on the market and Hank took it next-level by winning the 2021 Bassmaster Classic championship on the Stunna months before we released it. Growing up, I never could have imagined building a bait that would win the biggest fishing tournament in the world, but we did it. Talk about a dream come true!” |
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While Dan of course spends a lot of time in his office designing new fishing lures, and more time on the water testing the lures, he also spends a lot of time at home working on his detecting hobby. He catalogs all key finds by site, area, and year. Everything is cataloged and artifacts and coins are put into display cases. He tallies up the total number of each coin denomination each year, and then competes with himself to break his own records on future trips or seasons. Research is a big part of his detecting game. That’s the reason 11 of his first 13 silver coins this season started out as Barber dimes. To him, Fishing and metal detecting are all about the challenge. For him, it’s about personal best records and great days on the water or a field site. Whether chasing trophy walleye or targeting personal bests while detecting (record silver days, best V nickel days, annual records, etc.), Dan is always trying to improve his work and hobbies. Story by Rich Creason |
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Williams finds pattern to take Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Open on Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula
Tyler Williams of Belgrade, Maine, is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., with 19 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
June 15, 2023
EUFAULA, Okla. — In preparation for the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., Tyler Williams spent the previous two weeks fishing Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks hoping to find some clues he could carry south.
Those two weeks have paid off so far as the Belgrade, Maine, pro caught 19 pounds, 3 ounces on Day 1 at Eufaula to take the lead. Colorado’s Ty Faberand Tennessee’s John Garrett, the points leader in the Opens Elite Qualifiers Division, are tied for second with 18-10.
“I don’t like losing. I want to fish as good as I can,” Williams said. “I spent two weeks at the Ozarks and won some Wednesday-nighters and did as much as I could to learn. I got to use some of that here. I’m happy I didn’t just go home.”
Using some of the lessons he learned during his two-week adventure, Williams was able to find a limit within the first hour on what he calls the biggest community hole on the lake. From there, he found similar areas and upgraded throughout the day with multiple 4-pounders.
“I know I can catch them throughout the day. It was about two every hour just fishing around,” Williams said. “I think the biggest population of fish is there and with your LiveScope, you can learn how the fish are acting and go from there.”
Using his Garmin LiveScope, Williams caught bass in 2 feet all the way out to 20 feet in cleaner sections of Lake Eufaula. He added that he has been able to fish in his comfort zone with a rotation of baits he’s confident in.
“It was whatever looked good, honestly. I was just going with my LiveScope and looking the whole time,” he said. “It didn’t show me the fish, but it showed me where to throw. It is a little tricky to scope here with how many white bass there are, but I have gotten the hang of it.”
Williams never actually fished what he believed to be his best areas on Day 1 and doesn’t know if there is the same quality of bass he caught Thursday around those areas. He does believe, however, that he can catch a limit around those areas.
Faber, meanwhile, was able to generate bites early and filled his limit in just a couple of hours. The bite slowed down around midday, but the Pagosa Springs, Colo., pro said he made a couple of key culls late.
“After practice, I was thinking if everything went right I would have 15 or 16 pounds,” he said. “I had a blessed day today and was very lucky.”
With much warmer weather moving into the area, Faber has been able to capitalize on a summertime pattern during his first-ever trip to Eufaula. Throughout the day, he estimated he caught between 10 and 12 keepers on one particular presentation.
Faber said he is milking one main area — and while he has seen plenty of competitors, no one stayed long.
“It’s not like you catch a whole bunch, but every now and then you catch a good one,” he said. “They kind of come and go and I am hunkered down and just fishing. I’m trying to make a bunch of casts and hope one of the bass goes and eats my lure.”
Similar to Faber, Garrett maximized one spot to catch his limit. The fish on this spot are very difficult to catch, the Union City, Tenn., native said, but when one does bite it is a quality bass.
He had to fish very slowly and used a variety of soft plastics.
“I pulled up at the right time,” Garrett said. “I started close by fishing shallow and went to it at 9 o’clock. The sun was out and it was hot and all of the fish were set up on it. It is the only school of bass I have seen on the entire lake. I fished there for an hour and a half and caught 10, all good fish, and I camped on it until 3.”
This specific piece of structure is just above the thermocline on the lake and there are several species set up on the spot, not just bass. He noted that bass on the spot are keying on tiny shad fry. The fry moves in and out of the area, and Garrett has found he can get more bites with a small worm when that bait is not present.
“It is the structure farthest out from the bank in the bay I’m in,” he said. “The thermocline is about 15 feet down. The bass want to be as deep as they can get and this spot is half a foot above that.
The slick, sunny conditions on Thursday positioned the bass perfectly, but with rain and storms expected to move through overnight and into the morning hours of Day 2, Garrett isn’t sure how the bass will react.
“The potential is there,” he said. “It just depends on how they set up and act with the rain and clouds tomorrow.”
Ben Milliken of New Caney, Texas, caught a 6-5 largemouth to lead the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament standings after Day 1.
Sakae Ushio leads the co-angler standings with a three-bass limit weighing 11-9. He anchored that bag with a 4-6 that is the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament for the co-angler division. Christopher Veronee is second with 9-10 and Kevin Turner is third with 9-3.
The full field of anglers will launch from Nichols Point beginning at 6 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in beginning at around 2:30 p.m. The Top 10 pros after the Day 2 weigh-in will compete on the final day, while the co-angler champion will be crowned at the conclusion of weigh-in Friday. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula Oklahoma 6/15-6/17
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 19-03 200
Day 1: 5 19-03
2. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 18-10 199
Day 1: 5 18-10
2. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 18-10 199
Day 1: 5 18-10
4. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 5 18-06 197
Day 1: 5 18-06
5. Keltyn Hendrix Maysville, OK 5 17-15 196
Day 1: 5 17-15
6. Jason Lambert Savannah, TN 5 17-14 195
Day 1: 5 17-14
7. Shaine Campbell Brookeland, TX 5 17-12 194
Day 1: 5 17-12
8. Jason Meninger Yulee, FL 5 17-00 193
Day 1: 5 17-00
9. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 5 17-00 192
Day 1: 5 17-00
10. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 16-15 191
Day 1: 5 16-15
11. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 5 16-10 190
Day 1: 5 16-10
12. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 5 16-09 189
Day 1: 5 16-09
12. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 16-09 189
Day 1: 5 16-09
14. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 16-05 187
Day 1: 5 16-05
15. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 5 16-03 186
Day 1: 5 16-03
16. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 15-07 185
Day 1: 5 15-07
17. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 15-05 184
Day 1: 5 15-05
18. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 15-01 183
Day 1: 5 15-01
19. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 5 15-00 182
Day 1: 5 15-00
20. Marc Schilling Carrollton, TX 5 14-14 181
Day 1: 5 14-14
21. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 5 14-13 180
Day 1: 5 14-13
22. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 5 14-10 179
Day 1: 5 14-10
23. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 5 14-08 178
Day 1: 5 14-08
24. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 14-06 177
Day 1: 5 14-06
25. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 14-05 176
Day 1: 5 14-05
25. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 14-05 176
Day 1: 5 14-05
27. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 14-04 174
Day 1: 5 14-04
28. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 5 14-04 173
Day 1: 5 14-04
29. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 14-02 172
Day 1: 5 14-02
30. Josh Hubbard Dunnellon, FL 5 14-00 171
Day 1: 5 14-00
31. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 13-15 170
Day 1: 5 13-15
32. Matt Henry Milledgeville, GA 5 13-12 169
Day 1: 5 13-12
33. Logan Anderson Catawba, NC 4 13-12 168
Day 1: 4 13-12
34. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 13-11 167
Day 1: 5 13-11
35. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 13-10 166
Day 1: 5 13-10
36. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 4 13-10 165
Day 1: 4 13-10
37. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 5 13-08 164
Day 1: 5 13-08
37. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 13-08 164
Day 1: 5 13-08
39. Brett Cannon Willis, TX 5 13-05 162
Day 1: 5 13-05
39. Mamoru Kagiya Amagun Aichi JAPAN 5 13-05 162
Day 1: 5 13-05
39. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 13-05 162
Day 1: 5 13-05
42. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 5 13-03 159
Day 1: 5 13-03
43. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 13-01 158
Day 1: 5 13-01
43. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 5 13-01 158
Day 1: 5 13-01
45. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 5 12-13 156
Day 1: 5 12-13
46. Vance Montgomery Claremore, OK 5 12-10 155
Day 1: 5 12-10
46. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 12-10 155
Day 1: 5 12-10
48. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 5 12-08 153
Day 1: 5 12-08
49. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 12-07 152
Day 1: 5 12-07
50. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 5 12-06 151
Day 1: 5 12-06
51. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 12-05 150
Day 1: 5 12-05
51. Mark Watson Victoria, TX 5 12-05 150
Day 1: 5 12-05
53. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-04 148
Day 1: 5 12-04
54. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 5 12-03 147
Day 1: 5 12-03
55. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 12-01 146
Day 1: 5 12-01
56. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 12-01 145
Day 1: 5 12-01
57. Buck Mallory Lawton, MI 5 12-00 144
Day 1: 5 12-00
57. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 5 12-00 144
Day 1: 5 12-00
57. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 5 12-00 144
Day 1: 5 12-00
60. Jack York Emory, TX 5 11-10 141
Day 1: 5 11-10
61. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 5 11-08 140
Day 1: 5 11-08
62. Destin DeMarion Harborcreek, PA 5 11-03 139
Day 1: 5 11-03
62. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 11-03 139
Day 1: 5 11-03
64. Troy O'Rourke Bentonville, AR 5 11-03 137
Day 1: 5 11-03
65. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 5 11-02 136
Day 1: 5 11-02
66. Daisuke Kita Ostu Shiga JAPAN 4 11-02 135
Day 1: 4 11-02
67. Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 11-01 134
Day 1: 5 11-01
67. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 5 11-01 134
Day 1: 5 11-01
69. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 11-01 132
Day 1: 5 11-01
70. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 11-00 131
Day 1: 5 11-00
70. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 5 11-00 131
Day 1: 5 11-00
70. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 11-00 131
Day 1: 5 11-00
73. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 5 10-15 128
Day 1: 5 10-15
74. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 10-14 127
Day 1: 5 10-14
75. Justin Phillips Checotah, OK 5 10-11 126
Day 1: 5 10-11
76. Griffin Phillips Mount Olive, AL 5 10-11 125
Day 1: 5 10-11
77. Sam George Athens, AL 3 10-11 124
Day 1: 3 10-11
78. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 10-10 123
Day 1: 5 10-10
79. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 4 10-09 122
Day 1: 4 10-09
80. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 10-08 121
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE 5 10-08 121
Day 1: 5 10-08
82. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 4 10-08 119
Day 1: 4 10-08
83. Philip Roesener Choctaw, OK 5 10-07 118
Day 1: 5 10-07
84. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 5 10-06 117
Day 1: 5 10-06
85. Evan Barnes Dardanelle, AR 5 10-05 116
Day 1: 5 10-05
86. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 5 10-04 115
Day 1: 5 10-04
87. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 10-02 114
Day 1: 5 10-02
88. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 4 10-02 113
Day 1: 4 10-02
89. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 10-01 112
Day 1: 5 10-01
90. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 09-14 111
Day 1: 5 09-14
90. B.J. Usie Bourg, LA 5 09-14 111
Day 1: 5 09-14
92. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 09-13 109
Day 1: 5 09-13
93. Ryan Clark Whitby Ontario CANADA 5 09-11 108
Day 1: 5 09-11
94. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 09-10 107
Day 1: 5 09-10
95. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 5 09-08 106
Day 1: 5 09-08
96. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 5 09-06 105
Day 1: 5 09-06
97. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 4 09-06 104
Day 1: 4 09-06
98. Bobby Lanham Eddyville, KY 5 09-05 103
Day 1: 5 09-05
99. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 09-03 102
Day 1: 5 09-03
100. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 5 09-02 101
Day 1: 5 09-02
101. Jason Abram Piney Flats, TN 3 09-02 100
Day 1: 3 09-02
102. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 5 09-01 99
Day 1: 5 09-01
103. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 5 09-01 98
Day 1: 5 09-01
104. Kenji Yamada Hixson, TN 5 08-15 97
Day 1: 5 08-15
105. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 5 08-14 96
Day 1: 5 08-14
106. Christian Shoda Homosassa, FL 3 08-14 95
Day 1: 3 08-14
107. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 3 08-13 94
Day 1: 3 08-13
108. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 3 08-12 93
Day 1: 3 08-12
109. Taylor Watkins Clinton, TN 5 08-11 92
Day 1: 5 08-11
110. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 3 08-11 91
Day 1: 3 08-11
111. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 5 08-10 90
Day 1: 5 08-10
112. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 4 08-09 89
Day 1: 4 08-09
113. Keith Brumfield Vicksburg, MS 5 08-08 88
Day 1: 5 08-08
114. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 5 08-06 87
Day 1: 5 08-06
115. Tripp Noojin Bryant, AL 5 08-05 86
Day 1: 5 08-05
116. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 4 08-05 85
Day 1: 4 08-05
117. Tom Frink Southside, AL 5 08-04 84
Day 1: 5 08-04
118. Bronk McDaniel Alexandria, LA 4 08-04 83
Day 1: 4 08-04
119. Darrell Davis Dover, FL 4 08-04 82
Day 1: 4 08-04
120. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 4 08-03 81
Day 1: 4 08-03
121. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 3 08-01 80
Day 1: 3 08-01
122. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 08-00 79
Day 1: 3 08-00
123. Lance Owen Greer, SC 4 07-15 78
Day 1: 4 07-15
124. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 4 07-13 77
Day 1: 4 07-13
125. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 4 07-11 76
Day 1: 4 07-11
126. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 4 07-10 75
Day 1: 4 07-10
127. Jimmy Steed Zapata, TX 4 07-07 74
Day 1: 4 07-07
128. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 3 07-07 73
Day 1: 3 07-07
129. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 3 07-05 72
Day 1: 3 07-05
130. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 4 07-00 71
Day 1: 4 07-00
131. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 3 07-00 70
Day 1: 3 07-00
132. Lafe Messer Warfield, KY 2 07-00 69
Day 1: 2 07-00
133. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 3 06-14 68
Day 1: 3 06-14
134. Steve Morella Townshend, VT 4 06-13 67
Day 1: 4 06-13
135. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 3 06-13 66
Day 1: 3 06-13
136. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 4 06-12 65
Day 1: 4 06-12
137. Willy Dennison Willoughby Hills, OH 3 06-11 64
Day 1: 3 06-11
138. Chris Bailey Bruceville, TX 3 06-10 63
Day 1: 3 06-10
138. Tucker Veronee Gilbert, SC 3 06-10 63
Day 1: 3 06-10
140. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 4 06-04 61
Day 1: 4 06-04
141. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 3 06-04 60
Day 1: 3 06-04
142. Sterling Bougher Mannford, OK 3 06-02 59
Day 1: 3 06-02
143. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 3 05-15 58
Day 1: 3 05-15
144. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 3 05-13 57
Day 1: 3 05-13
144. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 3 05-13 57
Day 1: 3 05-13
144. Mike Mayo Athens, TX 3 05-13 57
Day 1: 3 05-13
147. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 3 05-12 54
Day 1: 3 05-12
148. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 2 05-08 53
Day 1: 2 05-08
149. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 2 05-06 52
Day 1: 2 05-06
150. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 3 05-03 51
Day 1: 3 05-03
151. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 3 05-02 50
Day 1: 3 05-02
151. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 3 05-02 50
Day 1: 3 05-02
153. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 2 05-01 48
Day 1: 2 05-01
153. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 2 05-01 48
Day 1: 2 05-01
153. Frank Williams Mountain Home, AR 2 05-01 48
Day 1: 2 05-01
156. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 2 05-00 45
Day 1: 2 05-00
157. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 3 04-13 44
Day 1: 3 04-13
158. Bart Stanisz Austin, TX 2 04-11 43
Day 1: 2 04-11
159. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 2 04-08 42
Day 1: 2 04-08
159. Scout Echols Monticello, AR 2 04-08 42
Day 1: 2 04-08
159. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 2 04-08 42
Day 1: 2 04-08
162. Joshua Teply Harrah, OK 3 04-07 39
Day 1: 3 04-07
163. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 2 04-06 38
Day 1: 2 04-06
164. Lucas Ragusa Gonzales, LA 2 04-04 37
Day 1: 2 04-04
165. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 3 04-03 36
Day 1: 3 04-03
166. Michael Scalise Port Allen, LA 3 03-14 35
Day 1: 3 03-14
167. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 2 03-12 34
Day 1: 2 03-12
168. Wil Dieffenbauch III Hundred, WV 2 03-10 33
Day 1: 2 03-10
168. Billy Smith Montgomery, TX 2 03-10 33
Day 1: 2 03-10
170. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 2 03-09 31
Day 1: 2 03-09
171. JT Russell Mc Calla, AL 2 03-08 30
Day 1: 2 03-08
172. Corey Stewart Lees Summit, MO 2 03-06 29
Day 1: 2 03-06
173. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 1 03-01 28
Day 1: 1 03-01
174. Zachary Ellis Fort Worth, TX 1 02-06 27
Day 1: 1 02-06
175. Daniel Valois Gomez Caracas VENEZUELA 1 02-05 26
Day 1: 1 02-05
176. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
176. Joe Labarbera Montrose, PA 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
176. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
179. Terry Morris Bernice, LA 1 01-14 22
Day 1: 1 01-14
179. Mike Surman Boca Raton, FL 1 01-14 22
Day 1: 1 01-14
181. Alan Barton Stillwater, OK 1 01-13 20
Day 1: 1 01-13
181. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 1 01-13 20
Day 1: 1 01-13
183. Takayuki Koike Otsu-City JAPAN 1 01-12 18
Day 1: 1 01-12
183. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 1 01-12 18
Day 1: 1 01-12
185. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 1 01-11 16
Day 1: 1 01-11
185. Phil Killian Solomon, AZ 1 01-11 16
Day 1: 1 01-11
187. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 1 01-08 14
Day 1: 1 01-08
188. Reece Tremaglio Dunkirk, MD 1 01-07 13
Day 1: 1 01-07
188. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 1 01-07 13
Day 1: 1 01-07
188. David Wootton Collierville, TN 1 01-07 13
Day 1: 1 01-07
191. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 00-00 10
Day 1: 5 00-00
192. Tyler Alderson Loveland, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Paul Browning Pecos, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Craig Danna West Monroe, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Curtis King Plaquemine, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Alex Murray Lake Charles, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Chandler Stewart Canyon Lake, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jaxon Sullivan Reagan, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jason Tibbetts Centreville, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 745 1785-09
----------------------------------
103 745 1785-09
2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula Oklahoma 6/15-6/17
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 3 11-09 200
Day 1: 3 11-09
2. Christopher Veronee Gilbert, SC 3 09-10 199
Day 1: 3 09-10
3. Kevin Turner Sand Springs, OK 3 09-03 198
Day 1: 3 09-03
4. Dusty Duvall Checotah, OK 3 08-15 197
Day 1: 3 08-15
5. Rick Cheatham Carterville, IL 3 08-06 196
Day 1: 3 08-06
5. Skip Rayborn Hammond, LA 3 08-06 196
Day 1: 3 08-06
7. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 3 07-14 194
Day 1: 3 07-14
8. Darren Gates Macon, IL 3 07-04 193
Day 1: 3 07-04
9. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 3 07-04 192
Day 1: 3 07-04
10. Tommy Wood Sippy Downs AUSTRALIA 3 07-03 191
Day 1: 3 07-03
11. Chad Morrow Weatherford, OK 3 07-01 190
Day 1: 3 07-01
12. Steven Doolittle Chelsea, OK 2 07-01 189
Day 1: 2 07-01
13. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 3 06-15 188
Day 1: 3 06-15
14. Ralph Gibson Locust Grove, OK 3 06-13 187
Day 1: 3 06-13
15. James Thompson Dodge City, KS 3 06-09 186
Day 1: 3 06-09
16. Jason Fontenot Lake Charles, LA 3 06-08 185
Day 1: 3 06-08
16. Jim Thompson Manchester, IA 3 06-08 185
Day 1: 3 06-08
18. Seth Daniel Atoka, OK 3 06-07 183
Day 1: 3 06-07
19. Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 3 06-03 182
Day 1: 3 06-03
20. Ken Sanders Point Blank, TX 3 06-02 181
Day 1: 3 06-02
21. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 2 06-02 180
Day 1: 2 06-02
22. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 3 06-01 179
Day 1: 3 06-01
23. Butch Lansford Muskogee, OK 2 05-13 178
Day 1: 2 05-13
24. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 3 05-07 177
Day 1: 3 05-07
25. Jordan Lane Conroe, TX 2 05-02 176
Day 1: 2 05-02
26. Jeremiah Mattox Norman, OK 3 05-01 175
Day 1: 3 05-01
27. Tyler Coleman Mustang, OK 2 04-14 174
Day 1: 2 04-14
28. Trey Gulley Alton, TX 2 04-13 173
Day 1: 2 04-13
29. Charles Reed Batesville, MS 2 04-12 172
Day 1: 2 04-12
30. Benjamin Demo Plymouth, MN 2 04-11 171
Day 1: 2 04-11
31. Steve Byrd Coalgate, OK 2 04-10 170
Day 1: 2 04-10
32. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 2 04-09 169
Day 1: 2 04-09
33. David Booth Erin, TN 2 04-08 168
Day 1: 2 04-08
34. Dylan Johnson Miami, OK 2 04-05 167
Day 1: 2 04-05
35. Erik Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 2 04-04 166
Day 1: 2 04-04
35. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 2 04-04 166
Day 1: 2 04-04
37. Wes Tull Oklahoma City, OK 2 04-01 164
Day 1: 2 04-01
38. Allen Heston Pittsburg, TX 2 04-00 163
Day 1: 2 04-00
38. Craig Schmidt Prague, NE 2 04-00 163
Day 1: 2 04-00
38. Dee Sheperd Mountain View, OK 2 04-00 163
Day 1: 2 04-00
41. Sean Fullerton Bixby, OK 1 03-11 160
Day 1: 1 03-11
41. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 1 03-11 160
Day 1: 1 03-11
43. Sean Obrien Mckenzie, TN 2 03-10 158
Day 1: 2 03-10
44. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 1 03-08 157
Day 1: 1 03-08
45. Adam Boyd Humble, TX 2 03-07 156
Day 1: 2 03-07
46. Tim Neumann Crosby, TX 2 03-05 155
Day 1: 2 03-05
47. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 1 03-04 154
Day 1: 1 03-04
48. Will Major Port Allen, LA 2 03-03 153
Day 1: 2 03-03
49. Pic Dieffenbauch Jr Hundred, WV 2 03-02 152
Day 1: 2 03-02
49. Martin Kutz Prosper, TX 2 03-02 152
Day 1: 2 03-02
51. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 02-15 150
Day 1: 1 02-15
51. Johnny Ramos Odessa, TX 1 02-15 150
Day 1: 1 02-15
53. Chris Black Fort Worth, TX 1 02-11 148
Day 1: 1 02-11
53. Brian Forcier Akron, IA 1 02-11 148
Day 1: 1 02-11
55. Cheri Hillebrandt Ragley, LA 1 02-07 146
Day 1: 1 02-07
56. John Higginbotham Slaughter, LA 1 02-06 145
Day 1: 1 02-06
56. Brandon Story Rogers, AR 1 02-06 145
Day 1: 1 02-06
58. Takaaki Kojima Temecula CA JAPAN 1 02-05 143
Day 1: 1 02-05
59. Willy Becker Kansas City, MO 1 02-04 142
Day 1: 1 02-04
59. Aubrey Herlocker Stillwater, OK 1 02-04 142
Day 1: 1 02-04
61. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 1 02-02 140
Day 1: 1 02-02
61. Avery Williams Murrells Inlt, SC 1 02-02 140
Day 1: 1 02-02
63. Alex Lane Ada, OK 2 02-01 138
Day 1: 2 02-01
64. Brandon Beaver Durant, OK 1 02-01 137
Day 1: 1 02-01
64. Perry See Rochester, MN 1 02-01 137
Day 1: 1 02-01
66. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 1 02-00 135
Day 1: 1 02-00
66. Adam Tims Royse City, TX 1 02-00 135
Day 1: 1 02-00
68. Bates Enmeier Springdale, AR 1 01-15 133
Day 1: 1 01-15
68. J Leblanc Greenwell Springs, LA 1 01-15 133
Day 1: 1 01-15
70. James Nau Spearville, KS 1 01-14 131
Day 1: 1 01-14
71. Jimmy Fellegy Mustang, OK 1 01-13 130
Day 1: 1 01-13
71. Dwain Vogelpohl Cambridge, MN 1 01-13 130
Day 1: 1 01-13
73. Gary Bates Athens, AL 1 01-12 128
Day 1: 1 01-12
73. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 1 01-12 128
Day 1: 1 01-12
75. Dean Krambeck Newalla, OK 1 01-11 126
Day 1: 1 01-11
75. William Schuster Oklahoma City, OK 1 01-11 126
Day 1: 1 01-11
77. Brian Dickirson Choctaw, OK 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
77. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
77. Michael Leach Shenandoah, TX 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
77. Lester Wray Mcalester, OK 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
81. Larry Davis Gladewater, TX 1 01-09 120
Day 1: 1 01-09
82. Nikalos Tarkington Gladewater, TX 1 01-08 119
Day 1: 1 01-08
83. Chris Bouchikas Oktaha, OK 1 01-07 118
Day 1: 1 01-07
84. Tanner Underwood Piedmont, OK 1 01-07 117
Day 1: 1 01-07
85. Mark Sloan Harrison, AR 1 01-05 116
Day 1: 1 01-05
86. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 1 01-04 115
Day 1: 1 01-04
87. Stephen Babcock Belton, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Mark Clark Crawford, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Jack Evans Bucklin, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Marco Flores Topeka, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Chris Gaudin East Camden, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Jody Grizzle Pocola, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Milton Hall Mcalester, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Dalton Harbin Choctaw, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Matthew Hodgkinson Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Terry Humphrey Muskogee, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Tiffany Leal Austin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Billy James Lewis Odessa, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Kevin Mallow Kansas, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Mike Mattox Moore, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. John Mckenzie Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Tim Noyes Broken Arrow, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Bobby Paige Borger, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. David Riggs Highland, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Joseph Shaw Madison, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Mike Stafford Eufaula, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. John Stewart Lone Jack, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Randy Tallhamer Brandenton, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Marty Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Kerry Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Joe Tucker Osceola, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Travis Turcotte Pembroke CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Justin Weil Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
87. Jerry Whitaker Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
118. Anthony Zachery Venus, TX 0 -1-00 0
Day 1: 0 -01-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 22 155 351-00
----------------------------------
22 155 351-00
Sportsman's Warehouse Grand Opening: Wausau, WI
We had a chance to check out the all new Wausau, WI Sportsman's Warehouse, and all we can say is WOW. Over 65,000 square feet of all things outdoors! Located just blocks away from the Wisconsin River, and Bluegill Bay County Park, the fishing department was...well, stuffed to the gills.
Our very own, John Byrne, got the opportunity to catch up with Store Manager, John Shafer and talk about the area, as well as the store. Check it out below:
Want the details on the store itself? Get 'em right HERE If you can't make it to Wausau, Sportsmans.com can bring it right to you!
MLF Bass Pro Tour General Tire Stage Six Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles Set for Lake St. Clair
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (June 15, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour, showcasing the top anglers in the sport of professional bass fishing, are set to visit Harrison Township, Michigan and Lake St. Clair next week, June 24-29, for the sixth regular-season event of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season – the General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles.
The six-day tournament, hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission, Macomb County and Lake St. Clair Metroparks, will feature a field of 80 professional anglers, including bass-fishing superstars like Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Kevin VanDam , and Jonathan VanDam, REDCREST 2023 Champion Bryan Thrift, 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.
"Macomb County is very excited to host Stage Six of the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour on Lake St. Clair next week,” said Gerard Santoro, Macomb County Program Director of Parks and Natural Resources. “The professional anglers bring excitement to the region with this style of fishing competition, and we know that this legendary lake will not let them down."
Lake St. Clair is a familiar destination for MLF and the pro anglers that compete on the Bass Pro Tour, as the fishery has played host to numerous major bass-fishing tournaments over the years. When the Bass Pro Tour last visited the fishery in the fall of 2021, Tennessee pro Michael Nealwrapped up the first pro-level win of his career targeting smallmouth at the mouth of the Detroit River and Lake Erie with a crankbait, vibrating jig and drop-shot rig.
The upcoming event will take place much earlier in the year, marking the opening day for Michigan and Canadian bass anglers’ traditional season. Arkansas pro Spencer Shuffield, who has numerous top-10 finishes on Lake St. Clair, doesn’t seem to think that will affect the tournament.
“This is mainly going to be a post-spawn tournament, with the bass backing out to that deeper water,” said Shuffield. “Lake St. Clair is shaped like a bowl and doesn’t really have much drop, other than the shipping channel that runs through it. The bass usually spawn in 5 to 7 feet of water, but by the time of this event, most of the fish should be back out to 15 to 17 feet of water, around grass patches and things like that.
“This is going to be a huge (Garmin) LiveScope tournament,” Shuffield continued, referring to the importance of forward-facing sonar. “I expect to see a lot of guys catching fish on a drop-shot and Ned Rig, almost exclusively, but there will also be some deep jerkbaits being thrown.
“Big crankbaits can also be very effective on Lake St. Clair – like Norman (Lures Professional Edge) DD22’s, Rapala DT 16’s or (Rapala) DT Metal 20’s – crankbaits that will get down to that 16- to 18-foot-range, just cranking it out over sand and grass patches. The guys using crankbaits might not get as many bites, but they will catch really good 4½- to 5½-pound smallmouth doing that.”
Shuffield said he expects the mayfly hatch to have already taken place by the time the tournament begins and is excited for a really good event.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to fish the Canadian side of the fishery the last several times I’ve been there, and that’s where most of the really big smallmouth are, so I’m really excited to get to fish the Canadian side and revisit other areas where I’ve caught them really good in the past,” Shuffield said.
“The fishing should be wide open,” Shuffield finished. “I think it will take 20½ pounds per day to make it into the Knockout Round and probably 22½ to make the cut into the Championship Round. The winner will probably have to have 24 pounds per day to win the event overall.”
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from the Lake St. Clair Metropark, located at 31300 Metro Parkway in Harrison Township. 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.
On Championship Thursday, June 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Cabela’s, located at 45959 Towne Center Boulevard in Chesterfield, Michigan to celebrate the top 10 and crown the General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. 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.
The General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles 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 Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Wednesday’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 Thursday’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. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles Championship Round will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, November 4 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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Berkley PowerBait Nessie – Taking Glide Baits Into Uncharted Territory
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 15, 2023) – Going where no glide bait has ever gone, the all new Berkley PowerBait Nessie allows anglers to fish a big profile bait where one has never been fished before. Giving fish a completely new look, Berkley’s new soft bodied glide bait design allows anglers to skip, slide, and cast this bait into uncharted water.
Available in three different sizes starting from 5-inch and ranging up to 9-inches, the PowerBait Nessie presents a big profile with the ability to be retrieved at various speeds and cadences due to the stabilizing fins that keep the bait running consistent at all times. Featuring a new mesh reinforced joint and hook retention clip, durability and efficiency are never in question when anglers are hunting for a big bite.
This bait opens the door for entry level anglers to fish bigger baits, as well as unlocking an entirely new and unique use of a glide bait for avid and experienced anglers. In addition, the PowerBait Nessie comes in several custom painted finishes to match any forage profile, showing fish a carbon copy of the real thing. Paired with a sticky sharp Fusion19 treble hook, anglers now have the ultimate bait to catch the fish of a lifetime.
KEY FEATURES
• Soft-bodied glide bait design featuring Berkley’s famous PowerBait flavor
• Mesh reinforced joint provides durability while allowing for free range of motion
• Stabilizing fins for consistent action
• Hook retention clip keeps treble hook secured to the body – suited for keeping the hook in place when skipping under cover
• Premium features and components for ultimate performance and durability
• Sticky sharp Fusion19 treble hook
• Custom painted forage matching finishes
• Slow sinking
• Designed in the Berkley Lab with Berkley pro Mike Iaconelli
Sizes: 5-inch • 7-inch • 9-inch
Colors: Golden Shiner • Hitch • Perch • Hickory Shad • Rainbow Trout • Shad • Voltage • Burnt Bone • Raw • Green Pumpkin
MSRP: $7.99 – 5-inch • $9.99 – 7-inch • $12.99 – 9-inch
Available: September 2023
Throwback Thursday - Before There was 360-Imaging
By Terry Battisti - Bass Fishing Archives
As with many of the articles we post here on the Bass Fishing Archives, here’s another example of something new that really isn’t new. Before there was 360-Imaging, there was, in 1976, 360-imaging. Believe it or not.
When side-scanning sonar was “reintroduced” around 2005 by Hummingbird, the angling community again was split down the middle. As with other technological advances, some anglers said it was too much and made the art of fishing too easy. The other half embraced the technology and ran with it. Then came Hummingbird’s 360-Imaging. Now, as with any other gadget used in the industry, anglers far and wide realize the utility of side-scanning sonar but more so, they realize that these units aren’t going to make the task of catching fish any easier.
So when did 360-imaging and side-scanning sonar really come out? Well, if you look back in history it was developed in the late 40s and early 50s and was used by the Department of Defense to detect ocean-borne mines. The first functioning side-scanning sonar was developed by a German scientist by the name of Dr. Julius Hagemann while working for the U.S. Navy Mine Defense Lab in Florida. His 1954 patent went unknown to the public until 1980 when the classified project was finally released.
The interesting thing about the above paragraph is in 1976 – four years prior to the release of the classified reports – Bill Stembridge (of Flip Tail Lure fame) and Dr. Roger Woodward, developed a unit called the Aquascan, which featured the ability to see under the water in a 360-degree pattern. What I find interesting with this is if the DoD’s use of side-scan was classified, Stembridge and Woodward must have come up with the thought of this technology on their own or, heaven forbid, someone in the DoD leaked the information to a couple of fishermen who then took the technology and developed it for use in fishing.
Reading through the article in the February 1976 issue of Bassmaster Magazine, I found some interesting details about the Aquascan and thought I’d share them with you. “It can show bottom structure and fair-sized fish up to 300 feet away from the boat.” “The Unit consists of three basic parts. The transducer sends out sonar signals and receives echoes. The computer interprets the echoes and transforms them into ‘pictures’ of the objects scanned. The cathode ray tube (CRT) displays the picture.” “On a 300-foot scan, the device covers 6-3/4 acres of water per scan.”
“Bill Stembridge admits that the Aquascan has its limitations. It will not tell you exactly where a fish is located. It will show the fish to be, for example, 40 feet away at a given direction from the boat. The angler does not know if the fish is at the surface 40 feet away or several feet below the surface and much closer to the boat.”
“Aquascan will show you a 12-inch bass at 300 feet if the fish is broadside to the scan. If it is facing head-on, a larger bass can be missed.” Looking at the “images” – I hate to call them images because they aren’t true images but more like a circular line graphs – in this article, it’s safe to say it would take a lot of experience with the unit to make it of value in a bass boat. Not only that, the unit was quite large (larger than today’s side-scanning units) and difficult to place on the boats of the day.
The biggest drawback of the unit was the cost, though. At $1,000 (that’s equivalent to roughly $4,800 today) not many anglers could afford them. Today, though, it seems anglers are willing to go the extra mile when it comes to outfitting their boats with high-end electronics. Believe it or not, today’s incredible 360-Imaging by Humminbird as well as Sidescan, Downscan and forward-facing real-time imaging from all manufacturers are all byproducts of this early technology. The difference today being anglers are a lot more willing to spend more than $10k on electronics to aid in their pursuit of bass.
Bassmaster Open-Ended Questions with Gleason, Jones, and Williams
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Practice for the fifth stop of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open schedule has officially concluded and Opens anglers are ready to take on the behemoth that is Lake Eufaula here in central Oklahoma. Competition begins tomorrow morning here and if you aren’t an Okie, there is a good chance you won’t know a whole lot about this week’s playing field.
We caught up with longtime Opens pro and Bassmaster Classic qualifier Teb Jones, former Opens co-angler turned first-year boater Frank Williams, and Elite Series pro Darold Gleason to get an idea of what anglers experienced throughout practice this week and what fans should expect from Lake Eufaula over the next three days.
Q – Lake Eufaula is massive. It spans over 105,000 surface acres with over 800 miles of shoreline. When practicing for a tournament on a giant, relatively unknown fishery like this, do you pick an area and lock in, or do you sample multiple sections of the lake?
Teb Jones – “I fished a regional tournament here back in 2014. I went back to those same areas and tried to expand on what little I already knew about this place. So, I guess I locked in this time around.”
Darold Gleason – “Whether it’s an Elite Series event or an Open, my strategy is to sample until I have success and then hunker down in that area.”
Frank Williams – “Years ago a buddy of mine told me it’s better to spend 90% of your time learning 10% of a lake than spending 10% of your time in different areas trying to learn 90% of a lake. That has helped me ten-fold over the years. I typically try to lock in on an area.”
Q – Usually Lake Eufaula is infamous for dirty water, in terms of visibility / clarity, what is the dirtiest water you’ve seen this week and what is the cleanest?
Teb Jones – “I’ve seen everything from two-inches of clarity to over two feet. And the clarity has definitely changed for the dirtier throughout practice.”
Darold Gleason – “Honestly, I’ve ran from the dirty water all week. Anytime I saw less than six inches of visibility I left the area. The cleanest I’ve seen is around two feet, which is a great summertime clarity in my opinion.”
Frank Williams – “Gosh, I think there was almost four feet of visibility by the dam on Saturday (first day of practice), but everything has gotten dirtier as the week has gone on. Less than six inches is the dirtiest water I’ve seen.”
Q – Name two techniques you expect to play a big role for Bassmaster Open competitors this week?
Teb Jones – “I’m going to say a topwater of some kind and a shakey head.”
Darold Gleason – “Topwater and a squarebill crankbait with both be big players.”
Frank Williams – “Even with the dirty water I’ve gotta say a shakey head and a drop shot.”
Q – Based on your experiences so far if you had to give Lake Eufaula a nickname, what would it be?
Teb Jones – “Lake fast and loud – referencing the boats I saw out here this weekend.”
Darold Gleason – “Based on the weekend activities I witnessed, I’m calling this glorious pond ‘Jorts (jean shorts) and cold pops. Seems like a good place to have a big time on a Saturday.”
Frank Williams – “Garholio… I’ve seen a lot of gar with both my eyes and electronics during practice. I’m talking an impressive amount of trash fish.”
MLF Toyota Series Northern Division Set to Open Season with Toyota Series at Lake Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (June 14, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to return to Plattsburgh, New York, and Lake Champlain, next week, June 22-24, for the Northern Division Presented by Rabid Baits opener – the Toyota Series at Lake Champlain Presented by Rabid Baits.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor in the co-angler division.
“The lake is fishing a little tough right now – it is not normal for mid-June,” said local Toyota Series angler Brett Carnright of Plattsburgh, who has five top-10 finishes on Lake Champlain – including a 4th place showing last year. “Some fish are behind, and some are farther ahead. We’ve had a lot of warm weather this spring, which sped up some fish. But we’ve had cooler temps these past two weeks, and that has set some fish behind.
“That being said, it is Lake Champlain, and it always turns out,” Carnright continued. “The key will be to stay ahead of the fish – we’ve got a lot of warm and calm weather coming in these next few days, so that can change a lot of stuff. The weather always plays a big role, and anglers will have to adjust to whatever the fishing will be.”
Carnright said he expects topwater baits, like a Heddon Zara Spook or a Lucky Craft Sammy, to be strong for postpawn fish. He mentioned that he’ll have a ½ ounce jig and a Yamamoto Senko tied on to target largemouth. For anglers choosing to sight fish for smallmouth, Carnright said a Ned rig, drop-shot rig, small swimbait and a small maribou hair jig could all play a role.
“I think the majority of the field will stay up on the north end of the lake, and I predict that the winner of this one will have exactly 59 pounds, 2 ounces,” Carnright joked. “It’s always a fun time fishing on Lake Champlain. If you can catch 19½ pounds a day, that will put you right there at the end.”
Anglers will launch at 6 a.m. ET each day from the Plattsburgh City Marina, located at 5 Dock St. in Plattsburgh. Weigh-ins will also be held at the Marina and will begin at 2 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2024. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Next Gen Lithium, Onyx, Phoenix, 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 Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Montevallo’s Dumke, Fothergill claim Bassmaster College Team of the Year title
Minnesota natives Easton Fothergill and Nick Dumke — teammates at Alabama's University of Montevallo — have won the 2023 Bassmaster College Team of the Year title.
Photos by B.A.S.S.
June 14, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Since their sophomore year of high school in Grand Rapids, Minn., Easton Fothergill and Nick Dumke have been tournament partners. Now as juniors at Alabama’s University of Montevallo, they added an impressive accomplishment to their resumes.
Dumke and Fothergill claimed the 2023 Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year title with 937 points.
“It still does not feel real,” Dumke said. “I don’t think it will be that way for a while. It has been something we dreamed of since high school. We talked about it before we even knew what our future was going to be. To get it done, we are very grateful for it.”
They edged out their Montevallo teammates Tyler Cory and Scott Sledge by just six points while Campbellsville University’s Morgan Miracle and Jake Thornbury finished third.
With their Team of the Year title, Fothergill and Dumke automatically qualify for the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, an individual, head-to-head style tournament that sends the winner to the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in Tulsa, Okla.
Fothergill, a former member of the Bassmaster All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, has watched the past three College Bracket champions — Louis Monetti, Tristan McCormick and Trevor McKinney — make their mark on the Classic stage and said he is excited about the possibility of being the next college angler to cross the biggest stage in bass fishing.
“Seeing the past winners on stage, I was sitting in the crowd thinking that would be so cool. For us to be the next guys is unbelievable,” he said.
While a top goal for their junior season, Dumke and Fothergill tried not to think about Team of the Year once the season got going.
“The race was so tight all year long. We tried not to even think about it and not let it mess up the way we were fishing. We just wanted to focus on the moment, just go fishing and not let that idea get in our heads,” Dumke said.
The team’s worst finish of the year was at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops. Opening the season with a 17th at the Harris Chain of Lakes in January, Dumke and Fothergill finished 16th at Cherokee Lake before notching their best finish of the season in mid-April, a fifth at the James River.
With four vastly different fisheries at play in 2023, Dumke and Fothergill used different techniques at each stop of the tour to notch their top finishes. Keeping an open mind was key.
“On the drive home from Red River we were talking, and we had a different bait for every single tournament. Keeping an open mind and going with the flow I think was a big thing,” Fothergill said. “We’ve seen so many different things and a light bulb goes off quicker when we see a new fishery.”
Quick adjustments on the water also helped the duo jump up the leaderboard in almost every tournament.
Then on the final day of the regular season, the duo made the decision to totally scrap what they had been doing and head offshore.
“On Day 1, we had a morning buzzbait bite and unfortunately we lost every buzzbait bite we got,” Fothergill said. “The next day, in order to have a shot, we knew we needed big bites. The buzzbait bite didn’t work out either. Late in the day, we ended up going offshore and Nick picked up a shaky head and caught a 4-pounder. That was a turning point for us, and we realized it was still possible.”
With Team of the Year coming down to the last hours of regular-season competition, Dumke and Fothergill didn’t think they finished well enough at the Red River to maintain the top spot, but they were pleasantly surprised when the results became official.
“We thought we had lost it,” Fothergill said. “We loaded the boat on Day 2 and were pretty upset. We went back to weigh in and found out pretty quickly we still had a chance. It ended up being us, and it was a super cool experience. We were happy for them, and they were happy for us no matter how it shook out.”
Coming from the northern part of the country, it has taken a little bit of time for Dumke and Fothergill to dial in the southern fisheries. But the chemistry they have built since joining forces in high school, along with the multispecies nature of their home lakes, has helped break down that learning curve.
“We can give a lot of credit to being from there,” Dumke said. “Some states just have river systems and some just have a couple of lakes. What’s crazy about Minnesota is, we have so many different types of lakes. We have crystal clear smallmouth lakes and then dirty, shallow largemouth lakes. We have been able to carry some of what we did growing up and apply it down here.”
Fothergill said at this point, he and Dumke are on the same page as far as decision-making on the water. A lot of their communication is unspoken, when one picks up the trolling motor, the other knows exactly what it means.
“We know how each other works,” Fothergill said. “It is easy to make decisions on the water because we both are thinking the same thing 90% of the time. That has helped a lot with our success on the water. We are always on the same page.”
Although there is a bit of relief knowing they are already qualified for the College Classic Bracket, details of which will be announced at a later date, Fothergill said he and Dumke will be taking the same approach to the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship at Pickwick Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops as they always do.
“The National Championship is different from any other tournament,” Fothergill said. “The goal stays the same. We aren’t going to hold back at all, and we are going to shoot for the win.”
The Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship at Pickwick Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops is scheduled for Aug. 10-12 in Counce, Tenn. Around 130 teams will be competing for the title as well as the final three berths into the College Classic Bracket.
12th Annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Event to Take Place at Pickwick Lake in October
Florence, AL (June 6, 2023) – The 12th annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners event will be held at Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama the weekend of October 21-22, 2023 on the iconic Tennessee River where teams will need to aim for a solid 20-pound limit of smallmouth bass to take home the $5,000 first place check from this No Entry Fee event.
Covering more than 53 miles, Pickwick’s iconic waters flow through three states, including Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, a region that is home to a huge number of loyal Toyota Bonus Bucks members.
The weekend kicks-off Saturday afternoon with a registration meeting at McFarland Park where Team Toyota pro anglers will be on hand to greet guests. B.A.S.S. tournament staff will conduct the tournament and be onsite Saturday afternoon for angler registration, where participants will receive a generous amount of free gear, along with a complimentary dinner.
Again, guests pay no entry fee, and the top 31 placing teams on Sunday are guaranteed a tournament paycheck. Plus, only one of the two team members must be currently registered in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Program to be eligible to compete in the event. The eligible team member must own or lease a 2019 or newer Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, or 4Runner.
“Of all the events Toyota is honored to be a part of, very few feature the genuine fellowship the annual Bonus Bucks Owners event brings forth. It’s always so fun spending time with people who depend on our vehicles to pursue their passion for fishing,” says Steve Appelbaum, National Manager, Sponsorship Integration, Integrated Marketing Operations, Toyota Motor North America.
Visit toyotafishing.com for more program details. Bassmaster Elite Series, MLF Bass Pro Tour and Pro Circuit anglers are not eligible to participate in the Toyota Owners Tournament. Participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible for this prize-rich event. Registration is limited to 300 teams.
To register, visit: https://ownersevent.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com . If you have questions, or need assistance, contact the Toyota Bonus Bucks Headquarters via email: [email protected].
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Miraifuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America (more than 39,000 in the U.S.).
Over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 45 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the company’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.4 million cars and trucks (more than 2.1 million in the U.S.) in 2022, of which, nearly one quarter were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).
14th Annual High School Fishing National Championship and World Finals Set to Take Place Next Week on Mississippi River in La Crosse
Prestigious High School Fishing National Championship to Offer Millions in Scholarships and Prizes
LA CROSSE, Wis. (June 14, 2022) – The premier High School Fishing event in the world is slated to be held next week, June 21-24, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the Mississippi River. The 14th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship dual event is expecting another record field for this event.
Teams from most U.S. States and multiple foreign countries, including Canada, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, are expected to compete for a share of the richest prize pool in all of bass fishing – the total amount of scholarships and prizes offered up for grabs at this event is an eye-popping $3 million dollars, according to The Bass Federation (TBF) Student Angler Federation (SAF).
The student anglers pay no entry fee to compete in this one-of-a-kind dual event. The World Finals portion is the largest of all national High School events, and where the bulk of the prizes and scholarships are awarded. It is also the most difficult to win. The World Finals is open to any SAF member in the world, so all anglers attending will be competing in the World Finals. At the same time, on the dual-stage, the top 10% of High School teams from all SAF sanctioned events – including Major League Fishing High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open tournaments – in the last year are qualified to compete in the National Championship event, with its own set of prizes and scholarships that will top $500,000. The National Championship qualified teams are entered into both events and have a chance at both prize pools all in one trip.
Each High School team consists of three people to a boat – two High School Fishing anglers and their adult boat captain or coach. The 2023 High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship are estimated to bring roughly 3,000 people connected to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for this week-long event.
“From the start, neither the TBF /SAF, nor our partners in fishing at MLF – who were among the first to join our SAF movement and grow it side by side with us – require any entry fees for our regular High School events,” said TBF President and CEO, Robert Cartlidge. “Nor do we pay cash to kids at High School events. It is always prizes and scholarships. The result has been the explosion we currently see in High School Fishing participation nationwide, and it all adds up to a good wholesome experience for the kids and their families, which is what we all want.”
Student anglers are allowed to launch from any ramp in Pool No. 8 each day at 5:30 a.m. CT, although the main launch location will be Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton St. in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will also be held at Veterans Freedom Park, beginning at 1:30 p.m. each day. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event live online through weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at HighSchoolFishing.org.
In addition to the college scholarships and prizes offered, the High School Fishing National Champions will also advance to the 2023 MLF Toyota Series Championship, held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, to compete as co-anglers and a shot at the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit HighSchoolFishing.org. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow High School Fishing on Facebook and on MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
How Brandon Lester rebounds from a terrible tournament day
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
You’d be hard-pressed to find a professional bass angler with a higher check-cashing percentage than Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester, but even he has an occasional terrible tournament day. Like Day 1 on the St. Johns River, where he zeroed in shocking fashion a couple seasons ago, or more recently on Day 1 of the 2023 Bassmaster Elite on Lay Lake where he managed just 6-pounds and landed in 100th place.
Those extremely bad days are very rare for Lester, but what’s most impressive is how he rallies back so strong the very next day. At the St. Johns he went from a goose egg, to 19-pounds on Day 2, and at Lay Lake he caught 17-pounds on Day 2 to jump 60 places upward on the leaderboard, and made the Top 50 cut.
So how does he turnaround a train wreck?
“As you might guess, it’s 70% mental, and a huge part of that is being mature enough as an angler to scrap everything you might have planned on doing, and starting totally fresh the next day,” says Lester.
For example, at Lay Lake, based on what he found in practice, he thought he’d use forward facing sonar and a jerkbait to catch bass suspended around trees, but that flat-out failed him, and netted him justthree squeakers totaling 6-pounds.
“That plan landed me in 100th place, and that’s not a spot I like hanging around. Ask my wife, Kim, I was one really unhappy dude. But I knew I had about 12 hours to scrap every perception and the plan that failed me, dig myself out, put a confidence bait in my hand, and start over trying to clue-in on the morning of Day 2,” reflects Lester.
And boy, did he! Lester totally ditched the forward facing sonar and suspended bass plan in exchange for a run up the river with a confidence-building shaky head to find the Coosa River’s famous spotted bass.
“I don’t have a favorite lure, but we all have lures that we know can get us a bite when just about all else fails, and for me a shaky head is one of them. One of my first bites on Day 2 with the shaky head was a 4-pound spotted bass, and it gave me the clue I was desperately searching for to get my tournament back on track,” says Lester.
Lester emphasizes leaning on a bait you know generates bites to search for that first key clue, versus experimenting with a wide variety of lures, and running around like a tiger with its tail on fire in an act of desperation.
“Every tournament angler will inevitably have a really bad day. That’s a fact. The key is to mature mentally to be able to scrap it, have a great attitude and go find a clue the next day,” says Lester in matter of fact fashion.
History proves he knows what he’s talking about. He’s one of the best in the world at rebuilding from a blunder, and cashing a check. In fact, he’s cashed a check in 75% of the B.A.S.S. events he’s competed in. A percentage higher than just about anybody to ever pick up a baitcasting reel.
Savage Gear Introduces the High-Action Panic Popper
Columbia, S.C. (June 14, 2023) - Savage Gear, the leading brand in innovative big-fish tackle, is proud to unveil its latest saltwater lure, the Panic Popper, designed to cater to the needs of avid anglers always on the hunt for big adventure and big fish. The Panic Popper promises explosive topwater action and unrivaled performance in targeting big predatory gamefish.
Available in four sizes suitable for both inshore and offshore fishing, the Panic Popper is the ultimate weapon for pursuing a wide range of big game species. Its distinctive cupped-face design propels water further, enticing fish to rise to the surface. Equipped with heavy-duty hooks and split rings, this lure ensures that even the most formidable adversaries stay hooked. The Panic Popper boasts heavy-duty hardware capable of withstanding up to an astonishing 120 lbs of pulling pressure, making it an ideal choice for anglers seeking maximum casting distance to cover more water and entice those elusive big strikes.
The Panic Popper takes its inspiration from the enthralling dynamics of predator-prey interactions on the water's surface. Just like a predator striking its prey, the popper's action plays a vital role in mimicking the irresistible appeal of a distressed fish. The cupped face of the Panic Popper creates pressure, resulting in surface turbulence as the water is forcefully pushed away. This water-spitting turbulence mirrors the commotion generated by a fish evading the chase and becoming the next meal.
"Savage Gear is dedicated to providing anglers with the tools they need to embark on big adventures and reel in the biggest fish," said Adam Ott, Brand Manager for Savage Gear. "The Panic Popper is a testament to our commitment to innovation and performance. Its exceptional design and incredible action will undoubtedly enable anglers to conquer the biggest and toughest fish, experiencing unrivaled success and excitement on the water."
Panic Popper Key Features:
- Heavy duty hardware rated up to 120lbs of pulling pressure
- Designed for maximum casting distance and water spitting action
- 4x hooks
95mm (inshore) | Bone, Peanut Bunker, Purple Black, Chrome Sardine, Black Gold, and Olive Flash
135mm/165mm/195mm (offshore) | Black Flash, White Flash, Green Mackerel, Reef Runner, Flying Fish, and Olive Flash
MSRP: $15.99 to $25.99
Available: September 2023
Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show, Brought to you by Sportsman’s Warehouse, Now Streaming
The AnglersChannel Bass Wrap Up show brought to you by Sportsman's Warehouse, entering its 14th Season, is now available on the Outdoor Action TV streaming network. After four years of being featured on the Discovery Network, fishing enthusiasts can tune into the last three seasons anywhere anytime. The AnglersChannel Bass Wrap Up show is an informative recap of professional, amateur, and grassroots-level bass fishing tournaments across the country. Bringing tournament trails of all sizes to the spotlight, by capturing the anglers who fish and finish well in these events. The program also mixes in informative segments on new techniques, new products, and share useful information to help the weekend angler achieve their goals of learning about all things fishing.
Outdoor Action is a 24/7 streaming network that’s free to download on any connected device or to watch on a variety of channels. You’ll find your favorite hunting, fishing, outdoor programming, and more. This platform was built for the avid outdoorsmen and women who crave adventures, stories, tournaments, tips, and tricks from the field and on the water! Currently available via Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, iOS, and Android as well as www.OutdoorAction.com, this is the go-to place for desired outdoor content, on-demand at no cost to the viewer. You can also find Outdoor Action on the TCL Channel and Sports.TV streaming apps for 24×7 entertainment.
According to Danny Blandford, AC Director of Business Development, “We’re excited to join the Outdoor Action platform alongside so many popular outdoor television programs. As the TV viewer gets more sophisticated we are making sure to stay in touch with them through these new ways to watch. We look forward to showing our program to viewers who may not have seen us on the Discovery Network in years past.”
The 2023/24 season of the AnglersChannel Bass Wrap Up Show, Presented by Sportsman’s Warehouse, will kick off again this fall with highlights from the Bassmaster Classic, the Inaugural MinnKota/Humminbird Owners Tournament, as well regional events, fishing tips, and much more. If you want to catch the action as it unfolds this summer, visit www.AnglersChannel.com, and be sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
About AnglersChannel.com
AnglersChannel.com multimedia platform combines the web, social media platforms, podcasts, on-site event coverage and The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show on Discovery to bring you the No. 1 resource in tournament bass fishing. Anglers Channel features the web’s most robust tournament database, used by thousands of anglers daily, including schedules, results and searchable details by body of water. Anglers Channel also delivers industry news as it happens, along with coverage of all tournament bass fishing, from BASS and Major League Fishing to the weekend warriors. Visit Anglers Channel via the web, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
For more information contact Danny Blandford at [email protected]
Bass Fishing HOF '23 Conservation Grants
BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME BOARD CONTINUES ITS ‘PRESERVE THE SPORT’ MISSION WITH CONSERVATION GRANTS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – June 13, 2023 – As part of its mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors is again providing financial support to six major conservation projects that will enhance habitat in lakes in Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, along with supporting a smallmouth bass tracking study at Lake St. Clair in Michigan.
Over the past four years, the BFHOF’s Board has reached out to local and state bass fishing clubs working with state agencies to provide needed funding for various conservation projects they initiated. “With these new grants, we’ll exceed a total of more than $100,000 in support of fishery enhancement projects, assistance with building live release trailers, and even an information campaign to encourage bass anglers to rid their bass fishing waters in Virginia of invasive species,” said BFHOF conservation committee chair Gene Gilliland. “These bass clubs have ‘boots-on-the-ground’ members who donate their sweat equity on these projects, while the Hall provides financial support for needed equipment, fish-holding underwater structures, and other needed gear to help make the projects a reality.”
The Hall-supported projects include the establishment of shoreline and littoral zone vegetation and installing deep-water fish-attracting structures to improve the overall fish habitat in Clarks Hill Lake, which borders Georgia and South Carolina. The Clarks Hill Youth Fishing Team will be the driving force behind this project, working with Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The aquatic plants they will introduce are raised at the DNR’s Aquatic Greenhouse Facility and will provide habitat for not only largemouth bass, but also for other shoreline-spawning species including black crappie, redear sunfish, and bluegill.
Members of the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation youth program and adult members will work with the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KDWP) to place both natural and artificial habitat into Wilson Reservoir in north-central Kansas to improve the fishery’s overall health. Cedar trees around Wilson will be selectively harvested, then staged in clusters around the lake to be sunk in conjunction with artificial structures. All of the planted habitat coordinates will be available on the KDWP website so anglers can target the locations.
A mix of youth and adult volunteers from the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation, working with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will plant up to 675 young cypress trees, a tree native to western Kentucky and one of only a few plant species that can survive along the shoreline and within the drawdown zone of Lake Barkley in order to improve both spawning habitat for bass and sunfish and increase shoreline stability. The sites are being selected by the KDFWR and will focus on mudflats and areas with highly eroded banks, providing needed structure from root systems that will act as shallow water fish habitat when the cypress trees mature.
Bass anglers in Tennessee can look forward to the improvement projects being planned, under the supervision of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, by anglers from the junior, high school, and college levels associated with the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation. Those participating will be educated on and participate in building effective habitat and fish attractor structures, and the benefits of both through proper planning, placement, and evaluation throughout the project. Due to winter drawdowns that can cause significant loss of suitable habitat for both bass and forage fish species, the lakes targeted for the habitat improvement efforts include Normandy and Center Hill Reservoirs.
Lake Gaston, spanning the North Carolina/Virginia border, will benefit from the efforts being spearheaded by the Lawrenceville, Virginia-based Brunswick Academy Fishing Club. Club members will build fish habitat structures and with the advice of aquatic biologists and conservation officers from both states, they will place them in locations in both the North Carolina and Virginia sides of the lake. The structures will provide a sustainable environment to ensure cover against predators and promote healthy feeding and growth for the lake’s bass population.
To help maintain Lake St. Clair as one of the premier smallmouth bass fisheries for both U.S. and Canadian anglers, the BFHOF Board will help fund an acoustic telemetry tracking project to study smallmouth bass movement within the fishery. The data collected will allow Michigan Department of Natural Resources fishery managers to address questions related to the dispersal and movement of bass after being released following tournaments, along with evaluating the survival of fish post-release. The DNR will establish a ‘Class Bass’ program that allows K-12 students to adopt and track the movement of acoustically-tagged fish and learn about the importance of smallmouth bass to the Lake St. Clair ecosystem. They’ve proposed to partner with youth, high school, and college tournaments by providing those anglers with a data collection protocol for fish caught, weighed, and released during their event.
“From the perspective of our Board, the involvement by younger anglers in all of these projects is a great way to promote bass fishing to the next generation, along with ensuring a healthy bass fishery in all the lakes and reservoirs where these projects are taking place,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “Along with the efforts of Bass Fishing Hall of Famers Gilliland and Trip Weldon, and Board members Tim Carini, Joe Opager, and Dan Quinn, I wanted to offer my personal thanks for all the time they devoted to the Hall’s conservation grant program. We had 19 different groups applying for our grants so there was a good amount of work to do in evaluating the most needed projects. It’s a big win for the sport of bass fishing.”
Gilliland notes that in addition to the grant program, the BFHOF Board members look for other opportunities to financially support fishing organizations that have projects that mirror the Board’s mission. This has previously included assistance to groups including the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance, Fishing’s Future, Friends of Reservoirs, the IKE Foundation, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation’s college angling recruitment program, and the Florida Wildlife Commission’s school fishing club program.
Classic Winning Bait Gets a Baby Brother
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Flipping the RELiON Lithium Battery switch – Part One: Shop Work
By: Danny Blandford
I’ve been in the bass tournament scene in one capacity or another for most of my adult life. I’ve worked with major boat and motor manufacturers, boat dealers, and brands throughout most of my professional career. With that said, at heart, I’m still just a weekend warrior who loves the competition that comes with bass fishing. 
A Thursday nighter at home with our local river rats or something bigger, I do my best to show up and be in contention. It doesn’t always work out, but that is the nature of the beast we call bass fishing.
I’ve been fortunate over the years to win some events and most of those winnings are redeployed on more bass fishing gear, boat accessories, and electronics. I’m kind of a “bass geek” so I play to pay for the latest and greatest…partly out of curiosity, and partly to make sure I’ve got any edges that may be available. In recent years I’ve added a Humminbird 360, a TH Marine Hydrowave, an electric shallow water anchor, an additional forward facing sonar setup, as well as a few USB ports to keep cameras and electronics charged for “work”. What I hadn’t done yet was address the old heavy lead-acid batteries in the back of my aluminum boat. For the last year I was feeling like I was underpowered AND overweight. I knew I could make it all better by flipping the lithium battery switch, but I was suffering from analysis paralysis, unsure of some details and if I’d be happy with the investment.
Prior to making the switch I did my charger research by visiting our partners at Pro Charging Systems, where I learned WAY more than I expected. Having been a boat guy for years, I have seen plenty of factory rigs leaving with Dual Pro chargers and thought I was very familiar with them. As a matter of fact, I had been running a Dual Pro Sportsman Series Charger for over 10 years without so much of a hiccup. What I learned was I had a great charger, but not the best charger for the new lithium batteries, so a swap was in order there too.
The Dual Pro Professional Series PS3 Auto was the perfect tool for the job. 15 amps for each of three banks, the intelligence to know what “kind” of battery it was charging, AND the ability to charge lead-acid, AGM, and lithium…even if I chose to have different types in the same system. The Autoprofile system was sharper than me for sure. I really like the idea that if I ever end up having to replace a battery while out on the road, I’m not limited on what I can use in a pinch.
In regards to the process in the shop, any reasonable DIYer would feel very comfortable with what was required. A couple hours in the garage, a 13 millimeter socket, and a screwdriver was all it took to repower the Angler’s Channel River Rig. Older deep cycle Group 27s were replaced with Group 31 Relion RB100s. I also swapped a group 27 sized cranking battery, with a Relion RB100-HP.
In my case, I unhooked all my various leads from the old setup and kept them together and labeled. Popping the latches on my TH Marine battery trays and getting the old batteries out was the most work, since they weighed in at 54 lbs each. Prior to dropping in the Relion batteries, I ran them across the scales and the RB100s weighed in at 27 lbs each. In total, I shaved off around 80 pounds from the transom area of the boat. When you’re talking tin rigs built for shallow water access, that’s a BIG deal.
Mounting the charger was as simple as hanging a picture on the wall. Since it was about 25% bigger than the Sportsman Series, I had to add a few new holes in the rigging plate where it was mounted, but otherwise, plug and play comes to mind. It even included the stainless steel screws and hardware required to mount it. I’ll be adding a Dual Pro Lithium Battery Gauge to the project next, and will follow up with more details on this addition soon.
Overall, my wiring setup was already good to go, it was just the juice that was lacking. I do have to say I love the terminals on the Relions…I know that seems like a silly thing with such sophisticated power, but they’re simply better. Instead of traditional posts, these come with studs/bolts that securely thread into the battery itself and they feature a plate to ensure solid connection, and have a lock washer to ensure they stay that way.
The RB100-HP has the added benefit of having three pairs of terminals, which I REALLY like. In my case, Terminal Set 1 has the charger and the engine hooked up, Terminal Set 2 has all the standard 12v factory boat wiring for accessories, leaving me a third terminal to run my electronics feed exclusively with nothing else interfering.
Overall, it was an easy switch and a pretty simple project. I knocked it out quickly the night before heading out for a long tournament weekend. I plugged everything in around 6 pm and all three batteries climbed from 50% to 100% by 10 pm and I was ready to roll. I have some tidying up to do with some of my wires and cabling, but I plan to clean that up when I do the Gauge Project.
In the next installment, I’ll report on my first 24 hours on the water with this new set-up. Spoiler Alert: I’m JUICED!
Bassmaster Open Winner Rasmussen Bags a Vexus® Buckle
There’s a rumor that Forrest L. Wood actually wore a pair of shorts one time to play softball, but without photo evidence, the tall and much-admired boatbuilding icon will forever be fondly remembered for his boots, jeans, button down shirt, and cowboy hat.
So, when the folks at Vexus® Boats launched their REV Rewards™ bonus program for tournament anglers, they thought it would only be fitting to send each winner a commemorative western belt buckle too, and anglers like recent Bassmaster Open winner, Adam Rasmussen, will tell you they treasure the buckle as much as the cash bonus.
“Just about all boat companies have a contingency program, but only Vexus sends their winners a buckle, and that’s a pretty darn cool keepsake to set on your trophy shelf,” smiles Rasmussen, who is a fishing legend around his home in Sturgeon Bay, but qualified for the 2024 Bassmaster Classic as a result of his victory at the Bassmaster Open on Wheeler Lake, Alabama, more than 800 miles south of his home waters.
His victory at Wheeler was leveraged by a one-two punch that included a JackHammer vibrating jig cast shallow around the shad spawn and a VMC Rugby Jig out deeper on ledges.
This recent buckle is actually the second one Rasmussen has won. His first came as a result of a record setting win in a Champions Tour event on Pelican Lake, MN, where he tallied 98 keeper bass weighing a total of 247 pounds.
From bass to walleye, musky to redfish, the REV Rewards™program pays winners up to $10,000, along with the unique buckle. A huge variety of tournaments, from team events to the pros, are sanctioned by the program, but you can’t win if you don’t sign up. So please visit, vexusboats.com/rev-rewards/
The Savage Gear BFT Flyer Sets a New Standard for Realistic Flying Fish
This highly adaptable lure is based on a 3D scan of an actual flying fish
Columbia, S.C. (July 13, 2023) - Renowned for helping anglers relentlessly pursue the most thrilling catches in daring locations, Savage Gear has once again surpassed expectations with the introduction of the ultimate saltwater flying fish soft lure. Destined to captivate anglers with its unparalleled realism and cutting-edge features, the Savage Gear BFT Flyer is setting its sights on being the ultimate offshore lure for conquering the mightiest big-game species.
With a reputation for providing anglers with the tools needed to pursue large fish, Savage Gear’s BFT Flyer is no exception, delivering an unrivaled fishing experience that encapsulates the spirit of “Go big or go home”. At the heart of the BFT Flyer's exceptional performance lies its excellent design, which is based on a meticulous 3D scan of an actual flying fish. By capturing the intricate movement patterns of these majestic creatures, Savage Gear has crafted a lure that mimics a flying fish’s actions with astonishing realism. The 16-inch Flyer's wings and soft body design not only contribute to its lifelike appearance but also enhance its durability, ensuring it can withstand the force of even the most ferocious strikes.
Equipped with removable wings and a harness, the 16-inch BFT Flyer accurately emulates a flying fish in both appearance and action in the water. It is highly adaptable and can be presented in several ways, either trolling, or fished from a kite, with a variety of rigging options to suit your specific technique of fishing. The dynamic actions of this lure serve as a powerful attractant for predatory fish such as tuna, billfish and other impressive saltwater species.
One of the standout features of the BFT Flyer is its line-thru design. When a fish takes the lure and becomes hooked, the Flyer surges up the leader, preventing the fish from utilizing the lure's weight as leverage during the fight. This innovative mechanism ensures that anglers maintain control throughout the battle, increasing the chances of landing their trophy catch.
“We worked with a highly skilled team that specializes in catching giant bluefin tuna, and harnessing the meal that they love to feast on the most.” Says Theis Gronemann, Marketing Manager for Savage Gear. “The BFT Flyer is finely tuned for both topwater trolling and kite fishing, and will exceed the success of anything currently available.”
To further enhance the angling experience, the BFT Flyer comes complete with an additional set of wings, an extra rig, and the parts needed for easy rigging. This allows anglers to adapt the lure's presentation to suit specific fishing conditions and species, providing versatility and flexibility on every expedition.
BFT Flyer Key Features:
- Based on 3D Scans of a real flying fish
- Line thru system
- Designed for topwater trolling and lure fishing
- Durable PVC body construction
- Semi-soft PVC wings
- Super strong removable rigging
- Additional set of wings, an extra rig, and the parts needed for easy rigging
- 16-inch body with 16-inch wingspan
Available: September 2023
MSRP: $150.00
Two Opposing Layers of Titanium and Carbide-Diamond Sharpens as it Cuts!
| Relentless™ Perpetual Edge™ Fillet Knives, the world's first knife that sharpens as you cut!
History of Cut For centuries, bladesmiths focused on improving the blade’s rate of wear. By making the blade as hard as possible, the edge wears more slowly and stays sharp longer. However, making the blade harder also makes the edge more brittle and difficult to sharpen. Inspired by Nature The revolutionary Relentless™ Fillet Knife takes a completely different approach, it focused on the way the blade wears instead of the rate of wear resulting in a knife that can stay sharp for an entire season rather than for just a few fish. Relentless patented this Perpetual Edge™Technology which was inspired by the self-sharpening front teeth of the beaver. A beaver has really hard, iron-fortified enamel on the front side of its teeth and a relatively soft “dentin enamel” back side. This creates a differential in hardness between the front and the back which allows the softer dentin back side to wear more quickly relative to the harder iron-fortified front side, thereby leaving a thin, continuously razor-sharp edge, a perpetually lifelong edge that sharpens as it cuts. Proven in Technology In much the same way, the Relentless™ Fillet Knife blade is constructed of strong titanium on one side and an ultra-hard carbide and diamond "Power Strip" layer on the other side of the blade edge via spark-and-laser deposition which creates a differential hardness and acts like a beaver tooth that sharpens as it cuts and results in a perpetually-sharp edge that continually sharpens as you use it. This patented Perpetual Edge™ Technology is exclusive to Relentless and is unlike anything else on the market. Relentless™ Knives feature a 100% aerospace-grade titanium blade. Titanium is extremely lightweight and extraordinarily strong which results in less wrist fatigue and enhanced durability. And since titanium is extremely resistant to corrosion and degradation, your Relentless knife will never rust, ever, not even in a saltwater environment. New "Edge" Science The carbide/diamond cutting edge on a Relentless™ Knife is micro-serrated, meaning it has tiny jagged, saw-like protrusions that function like thousands of micro-blades that further enhance the ability of the knife to cut soft, pliable things like fish meat which might otherwise squish (like a tomato). Also, one side of every Relentless™ Fillet Knife is treated with "SlickCut", an anti-friction boron nitride compound which enhances the lubricity of the cutting edge to reduce friction and improve cutting performance. Ergonomic Invariably, the first thing people notice about a Relentless™ Fillet Knife is the extreme gripping ability of its "True Grit" handle. The handle is made of glass reinforced ABS covered with the same gritty material used to create the non-slip surface found adjacent to swimming pools. This ensures you won’t lose your grip while filleting fish even if you have wet or slimy hands. The black True Grit surface is also “faceted” so that those facets scatter light in every direction and results in preventing the blade handle from ever getting hot, even if left in the hot sun. The handle's “Expanding Oval Geometry” design tapers outward to the back to maximize hand-to-handle contact, preventing fatigue and slipping when gripping with either a firm or relaxed grip. This design allows you to choke up toward the front of the handle for more precise cutting while still maintaining a strong grip and accurate blade control. "...this is the most significant advance in the art and science of cut that I have seen in over 55 years in the knife community." Ed Fowler, Blade Magazine Field Editor
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Five Relentless Knife models: 10" Straight - This is the knife preferred for flatter fish like halibut and salmon, for which it has to maneuver around the spine during cutting. MSRP $239.99 9" Curved - Designed for bigger fish like large Mahi and other more significant fish. Allows for a single cut to slab out the side of a fish. MSRP $219.99 8" Straight - Our version of the traditional straight-blade knife that is known for maneuverability around fish spines and gills. Ideal for Grouper and bottom fish with stout, complex spines. MSRP $219.99 7" Curved - Ideal for the coastal fisherman for cleaning larger Mahi, Snapper and the like. Also, for the freshwater fisherman who prefers a larger knife. MSRP $209.99 6" Curved - Designed for the freshwater fisherman and inshore saltwater fisherman. Also a good knife for cutting bait. MSRP $209.99 For more information, please visit RelentlessKnivesUSA.com or contact Customer Service at customerservice@relentlessknivesusa.com |
Peavyhouse Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Barren River
SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (June 12, 2023) – Boater Isaac Peavyhouse of Jamestown, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Barren River . The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Mountain Division. Peavyhouse earned $12,802, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“I had maybe 20 to 25 offshore schools marked,” said Peavyhouse, who recently posted a BFL win on Dale Hollow Lake in March. “I pretty much rotated those schools all day long and got the fish I could. I ended up catching nine keepers.”
Peavyhouse said he caught all of his fish on a spoon in 10 to 15 feet of water on main-lake points. He said he had a limit by 9:20, and spent the rest of his day trying to upgrade his final weight.
“I ended up culling two times in the last 20 minutes, and that really sealed the deal,” Peavyhouse said. “I knew I needed one big one, and when I culled the last one, I called it quits.”
Peavyhouse said he hadn’t fished Barren River before 2022, when he posted a 17th-place BFL finish. He said he approached this tournament with the intention of redeeming himself.
“Things just went my way this time,” Peavyhouse said. “I threw off several fish, but that’s just part of throwing a bait like that. This feels great after what happened the last time I was here.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
2nd: Blake Smith, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 17-2, $2,041
3rd: Billy Parrish, Bloomfield, Ky., four bass, 17-0, $1,922
4th: Nick Ratliff, Vine Grove, Ky., five bass, 16-2, $952
5th: Eldon Newcomb, Mount Vernon, Ky., five bass, 14-15, $816
6th: Michael Bean, Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 14-8, $748
7th: Grant Adams, Campbellsville, Ky., five bass, 14-7, $680
8th: Brian Wade, Stanford, Ky., five bass, 13-0, $612
9th: Clint Knight, Lewisburg, Ky., five bass, 12-14, $744
10th: Joe Haunert, West Chester, Ohio, five bass, 12-10, $476
Billy Parrish of Bloomfield, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $560.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
2nd: Zach Jefferson, Lancaster, Ky., three bass, 11-3, $1,021
3rd: Joshua Mounce, Somerset, Ky., four bass, 8-14, $683
4th: Lucas Devere, Berea, Ky., four bass, 8-11, $476
5th: Christopher Stites Sr., Lebanon, Tenn., three bass, 8-5, $408
6th: James Warren, Flat Lick, Ky., three bass, 8-2, $374
7th: Noah Morgan, Sharon Grove, Ky., three bass, 7-4, $340
8th: Mark Redman, Bowling Green, Ky., two bass, 7-3, $306
9th: John Fitzpatrick, Baxter, Tenn., two bass, 6-7, $272
10th: Billy Hughes, Eubank, Ky., two bass, 5-12, $238
After four events, Christian Nash of Allons, Tennessee, leads the BFL Mountain Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 953 points, while John Fitzpatrick of Baxter, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 924 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. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. 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. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
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.
Martin Notches Second Win of the Year at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Fort Gibson Lake
WAGONER, Okla. (June 12, 2023) – Boater T. J. Martin of Claremore, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Fort Gibson Lake . The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Martin earned $12,686, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“I paid attention to which way the boats went at takeoff because the lake fishes very small,” said Martin. “So, I went down the lake to start and caught my first fish – a 4-pounder – on a squarebill crankbait in the first 30 minutes. Then I went back to mid-lake, near the Toppers area, and caught a limit and culled up three or four times.”
Martin said he later began fishing offshore humps and rock piles dragging a large worm, and culled up to 19 pounds. He said his efforts resulted in 25 keepers during the competition.
“In the morning I was throwing a topwater, but there were storms in the area, and I think the lightning and the thunder had the fish messed up on top,” Martin said. “After the storms cleared out it was still cloudy, and I wound up making one big cull with a (Rebel) Pop-R.”
Martin said he’s very familiar with Fort Gibson and told his co-angler if he could catch 19 pounds, he would have a chance to win the event.
“When I got to 19 pounds, I thought I had a 50 percent chance to win,” said Martin, who also won the BFL Lake of the Ozarks event in March. “So, this feels awesome. I’ve fished BFLs for years, and I’ve been very consistent and very frustrated at times, and I’ve wondered when it was going to be my time to win. I’ve been fishing a long time and waiting for a win, and for it to happen twice in one year is really awesome.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
2nd: Jeremy Johnson, Sapulpa, Okla., five bass, 18-9, $2,343
3rd: Chase Washburn, Harrah, Okla., five bass, 18-3, $1,562
4th: Steven McLarty, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 16-11, $1,093
5th: Chris Torkleson, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 16-0, $937
6th: Brett Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 15-13, $859
7th: Rodney Copeland, Sallisaw, Okla., five bass, 15-3, $781
8th: Shawn Mote, Ardmore, Okla., five bass, 15-0, $703
9th: Tate Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 14-13, $625
10th: Dennis Berhorst, Holts Summit, Mo., five bass, 14-11, $547
Chris Ogan of Bixby, Oklahoma, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $690.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
2nd: Scott Stallings, Glencoe, Okla., five bass, 12-8, $1,172
3rd: Justin Nobles, Owasso, Okla., five bass, 12-4, $781
4th: Blake Gunderson, Claremore, Okla., five bass, 12-2, $547
5th: Jim Kopff, Old Monroe, Mo., five bass, 11-15, $469
6th: Thad Hewitt, Delaware, Okla., four bass, 11-8, $430
7th: David Hamilton, Rogers, Ark., four bass, 11-5, $391
8th: Tim Noyes, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 11-4, $351
9th: Kurt Gordon, Cushing, Okla., five bass, 10-12, $462
10th: Cord Colwell, Pryor, Okla., four bass, 10-5, $473
After four events, Jeremy Johnson of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, leads the BFL Okie Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 930 points, while Porky Roberts of Morris, Oklahoma, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 892 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. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. 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. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
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.
Saint Jacob’s Diveley Cranks Out Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Rend Lake
SESSER, Ill. (June 12, 2023) – Boater Larry Diveley of Saint Jacob, Illinois, caught a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Rend Lake . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Illini Division. Diveley earned $3,832 for his victory.
“I struggled in the morning,” said Diveley. “I caught one fish pretty early and then lost one, and then I did a lot of running. I pretty much ran the whole lake and then ended up where I started out.”
Diveley said he keyed on mid-lake laydowns in 1 to 3 feet of water for most of the day, and covered them with a Bandit Lures Crankbait Series 100. Diveley said he caught 30 keepers during the course of the day, but the five fish he weighed were the only keepers he caught.
“My fifth fish I caught was a 4½-pounder, and I thought, ‘I might have a shot at this,’” Diveley said. “When I weighed in, I really thought somebody would beat me.
“This is just overwhelming,” Diveley went on to say. “It’s my first BFL win, and I just thank God I had the chance to do it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
2nd: Scott Neighbors, Makanda, Ill., five bass, 13-9, $2,286
3rd: Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., five bass, 13-8, $2,010 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Brennon McCord, Thompsonville, Ill., five bass, 13-5, $847
5th: Todd Blakeman, Chatham, Ill., five bass, 11-4, $726
6th: Garrett McDowell, Windsor, Ill., five bass, 9-14, $666
7th: Adam Brookman, Bonnie, Ill., four bass, 9-12, $605
8th: William Walker, Mulkeytown, Ill., four bass, 9-4, $545
9th: Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill., four bass, 9-2, $484
10th: Patrick Odell, Windsor, Ill., four bass, 8-15, $424
Jake Hurst of New Athens, Illinois, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $465.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
2nd: Aaron Wehmeyer, Bloomington, Ill., four bass, 9-13, $1,140
3rd: Kim Sapetti, Chatham, Ill., four bass, 9-8, $606
4th: Caleb Peck, Charleston, Ill., four bass, 8-15, $424
5th: Josh Watkins, Fort Knox, Ky., four bass, 7-5, $363
6th: Andrew Williams, Homer, Ill., four bass, 7-3, $483
7th: Ryan Murphy, Paris, Ill., two bass, 6-6, $303
8th: Drake Marshall, Smithton, Ill., three bass, 5-8, $272
9th: Jason Korando, Chester, Ill., two bass, 5-6, $242
10th: Aaron Arning, Walnut Hill, Ill., three bass, 5-1, $212
After two events, Todd Blakeman of Chatham, Illinois, leads the BFL Illini Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 492 points, while Andrew Williams of Homer, Illinois, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 493 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. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
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.
Avena Rockets To First BPT Victory
Abu Garcia pro Adrian Avena notches first Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Victory with a final two-day weight of 85 pounds.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 12, 2023) – Adrian Avena secured his first Major League Fishing BPT win Sunday, June 11, on Cayuga Lake in New York. Avena locked down the win and a $100,000 paycheck by catching a dominating total weight of 105 pounds over his four fishing days.
Avena started the event in 17th place with 21 pounds, 2 ounces on day one of the qualifying round and jumped to seventh place after a monster comeback with a 24 pound, 14 ounce effort on day two. When weights zeroed to begin the knockout round, Avena started by catching a leading 29 pounds, 6 ounces on Saturday before slamming the door shut with 28 pounds, 10 ounces on the final day of the event.
“This event means a lot to me and my family, and it’s my first win since I won on Lake Champlain in my very first professional event ever,” said Avena. “It’s been a long time coming; I worked hard this week and tried to focus on fishing a little deeper than the other anglers and it paid off for me – I am super pumped and I have a lot of people who have believed in me.”
Avena focused on deeper spawning areas that had a little less pressure than most anglers and was able to catch some 6-pound quality bass each of the final days which was the difference in the event. He fished a chartreuse shad colored Berkley Gulp! Minnow on both a dropshot rig and a Berkley Half Head Jig which allowed him to see his bait better as the water dirtied up.
He fished both presentations with a 7-foot medium action Abu Garcia Fantasista X spinning rod and an Abu Garcia Revo Rocket spinning reel spooled with 10-pound Berkley x9 Braid and a Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon leader.
“We are proud of Adrian and his accomplishments throughout his professional career,” said Marc Kempter, VP of Marketing Communications. “Adrian has been a great ambassador and partner for both the Abu Garcia and Berkley brands for a long time, and his success on the water this week is well deserved.”
Jeremy Locke tops over 1750 Anglers at Skeeter Owners on Lake Fork
Angler City State Weight Prize Amount JEREMY LOCKE Pineville LA 9.74
2023 Skeeter FXR21 75th Edition powered by Yamaha NOAH ORTIZ Kingwood TX 3.08
2023 Skeeter ZX150 powered by Yamaha 150 SHO MEGAN WADE Garland TX 9.09
1st Place Ladies Division LISA SEPULVADO Converse LA 2.36
2nd Place Ladies Division NICOLE MEREDITH Florence TX 2.35
3rd Place Ladies Division JEREMY LOCKE Pineville LA 9.74
$775.00 KELLIS HIGGINBOTHAM Caledonia MS 9.57
$775.00 DWIGHT BICKHAM Denison TX 9.11
$775.00 MEGAN WADE Garland TX 9.09
$775.00 JESSE MCGREGOR Yantis TX 8.51
$775.00 DAVID BURTON Wylie TX 8.07
$775.00 ALAN RICHARDSON Millsap TX 7.96
$775.00 CHARLES BLUE Nashville AR 7.55
$775.00 NOAH ORTIZ Kingwood TX 3.08
$775.00 LEE NOACK Little Rock AR 2.66
$775.00 GREGORY HOLMES Quitman TX 2.56
$775.00 DALE WASHINGTON Godley TX 2.47
$775.00 ERIC JONES Holliday TX 2.44
$775.00 CHARLES BROWNING Mansfield TX 8.29
$675.00 DERRICK UNDERWOOD Rockwall TX 7.85
$675.00 MICHAEL WHISENHUNT Bullard TX 6.26
$675.00 ROD WHITE Deer Park TX 2.80
$675.00 LEONARD FLAKE Jewett TX 2.78
$675.00 DWAYNE ALEXANDER Quinlan TX 2.66
$675.00 DANIEL BARNES Belton TX 2.54
$675.00 MICHAEL PARDO JR Hale Center TX 2.53
$675.00 CHAD PENNY Mansfield TX 2.44
$675.00 KEVIN NOWELL Azle TX 2.44
$675.00 JOHN PENNOCK Granbury TX 2.42
$675.00 KRISTOPHER HAYDEN Watagua TX 2.40
$675.00 CECIL TUBB Dike TX 2.26
$675.00 JERRY STEPHENSON Longview TX 7.16
$575.00 STEVE RAETTIG Burleson TX 2.64
$575.00 CURTIS WILLIAMS Lake Charles LA 2.59
$575.00 JEFF MANOUS Hemphill TX 2.56
$575.00 CARL SMITH Denham Springs LA 2.45
$575.00 DAVID BURTON Wylie TX 2.44
$575.00 NIKOLAI JONES Conroe TX 2.42
$575.00 MICHAEL RICE Atlanta TX 2.41
$575.00 BRYCE EVERETT Arp TX 2.37
$575.00 LISA SEPULVADO Converse LA 2.36
$575.00 JUSTIN MCCOLLUM Corsicana TX 2.35
$575.00 ROY SCHEPPLER Alba TX 2.31
$575.00 CASEY MORACE Effie LA 2.25
$575.00 JASON SMITH Forney TX 2.85
$475.00 JESSE MCGREGOR Yantis TX 2.46
$475.00 JASON THOMPSON Gilmer TX 2.44
$475.00 JOSHUA MEDLIN Sterlington LA 2.43
$475.00 KEVIN MACKEY Overton TX 2.38
$475.00 ROBBY HERNDON Mesquite TX 2.38
$475.00
Avena Dominates to Earn First Career Win at Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler
New Jersey Pro Catches Five Smallmouth Weighing 28 Pounds, 10 Ounces to Top Win by 2-Pound Margin and Earn Top Payout of $100,000
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (June 11, 2023) – It was an emotional afternoon for Vineland, New Jersey pro Adrian Avena. After numerous seasons of watching his roommates and travel partners earn multiple wins and championship victories, the 12-year veteran finally earned his own red trophy. Avena caught eight scorable smallmouth bass Sunday, with his best five weighing 28 pounds, 10 ounces to win the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler and earn the top payout of $100,000.
Avena’s two-day Knockout and Championship Round total of 10 bass weighing 58 pounds even earned him the victory by a 2-pound margin over second-place finisher Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who finished with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 56 pounds even, good for $45,000.
Over his four days of competition, Avena weighed in 20 smallmouth bass totaling 105 pounds even. Also breaking the 100-pound mark over four days were five other pros – Shuffield (106-10), Jacob Wheeler (100-8), Alton Jones Jr. (102-4), Matt Becker (102-0) and Kevin VanDam (102-2).
It was an incredible week of fishing that will likely be looked back on as the greatest smallmouth event in Bass Pro Tour history.
“You have no idea what this win means to me,” Avena said on stage in his post-game interview. “I travel and room with three of the best guys in the world, and I ain’t going to say that I got tired of them winning all the time, but man, it was starting to take a toll on me.
“I love them guys, and when you surround yourself with a house full of guys that are straight hammers it rubs off a little bit. But watching them boys win trophy after trophy… I’m just so glad that now I’ve got mine.”
Throughout the week Avena targeted bedding smallmouth, using a flogger to locate the bass and then drop-shotting a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm or a 4-inch Berkley Gulp! Alive Minnow. He threw the setup on an Abu Garcia Fantasista rod with a Abu Garcia Revo Rocket spinning reel.
“The Gulp minnow was the deal, but the key was the chartreuse top,” Avena said. “The chartreuse color was a big player this week. Also, I used a very small leader – getting my bait close to the bottom really mimicked those perch that were getting into their beds.
“Another big key was fishing deeper than everyone else,” Avena continued. “After you’d hook a smallmouth they’d shoot straight up, so I had to have a spinning reel setup with a very fast gear ratio. I used the Revos all week.”
Despite starting the day with a lead, Avena said that he was never comfortable throughout the final day of competition.
“I told myself this morning that I was not stopping on a fish that was under 5½ pounds, as I knew they wouldn’t win this tournament,” Avena said. “This lake is chock full of 4-pounders, and I passed up on so many of them todaybecause I knew they wouldn’t help. I didn’t catch a whole lot of bass today, but I caught the right ones that I needed.
“I have so many people to thank, that have believed in me from the start, and this just feels really good to be able to do this for them,” Avena went on to say. “My dad has a weak heart, and he’s always telling me, ‘Adrian, I want to see you win a tournament before I pass away.’ Well, pop, we got it done this week. I’m still shaking, and I am freaking stoked!”
The final 10 pros from the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler finished:
1st: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 10 bass, 58-0, $100,000
2nd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 56-0, $45,000
3rd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 55-2, $38,000
4th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 54-0, $32,000
5th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 53-8, $30,000
6th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 52-4, $26,000
7th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 52-0, $23,000
8th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 51-15, $21,000
9th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 10 bass, 51-4, $19,000
10th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 49-11, $16,000
Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 97 scorable bass totaling 459 pounds even weighed by the 10 pros on Sunday.
Dakota Ebare earned Sunday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 7-ounce smallmouth that bit in Period 1. Wheeler earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event with his 7-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth that he weighed during Saturday’s Knockout Round of competition.
After five events in the Bass Pro Tour regular season, Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, remains the leader in the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) standings with 360 points. Pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, sits in second place with 332 points, while Bass Pro Tour Rookie Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, rounds out the top three with 316.5 points. Bally Bet will award $100,000 to the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year winner.
The next regular season Bass Pro Tour event will take place later this month – the General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles, June 24-29, at Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township, Michigan.
The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler featured 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 six-day bass-fishing event showcased 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.
Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morningon 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 + 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
University of Montevallo’s Pennington and Oswalt take close win at Bassmaster College Wild Card at Lay Lake
Jordan Pennington and Andrew Oswalt of Alabama's University of Montevallo have won the Strike King Bassmaster College Wild Card at Lay Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with a two-day total of 31 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo by Tommy Sendek/B.A.S.S.
June 10, 2023
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. — Capitalizing on an early start, then making key decisions that improved their numbers, Jordan Pennington and Andrew Oswalt of the University of Montevallo tallied a two-day total of 31 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card at Lay Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Placing fifth on Day 1 with 14-15, Pennington and Oswalt sealed their victory with a limit of 16-12 Saturday. The winners edged their University of Montevallo teammates Dalton Head and Peyton Harris by 7 ounces.
“This win means a lot to us because we’ve been struggling this season,” Pennington said. “Andrew and I have always dreamed of winning a Bassmaster trophy. To finally do it is amazing.”
Oswalt said that winning by such a close margin over a fellow Montevallo team enhanced the experience.
“It’s awesome we came away with first and second,” he said. “Peyton and Dalton are like brothers to us. I love them to death and it made it all so much sweeter.”
As Oswalt explained, Day 1 found him and his partner at a disadvantage, as their late boat draw — 150 out of a 152-boat field — deprived them of any significant morning bite. Spending their first day on offshore brushpiles, the anglers assembled a competitive limit by throwing 5/16-ounce shaky heads with Reaction Innovations Flirt Worms in magic craw swirl.
“Today, we were boat No. 3,” Oswalt said. “We stayed in Beeswax Creek (where takeoff occurred) and got a small limit on frogs and drop shots.
“After that, we had a bream bed we were saving, so we ran to that spot and, in a span of 15 minutes, we culled out all but one fish from our early limit.”
Pennington and Oswalt caught their two heaviest fish on a Texas-rigged 10 1/2-inch Zoom Ol' Monster worm in scuppernong royal and plum colors. They caught two more of their weight fish on drop shots with 6-inch Roboworms in Aaron’s morning dawn.
“After we fished the bream bed, we ran down to Paint Creek and hit one brushpile and culled a 2.05 with a 2.65,” Oswalt said. “We caught that fish on a shaky head.”
With all of their baits, Pennington said he and Oswalt adapted their presentations to the week’s weather.
“As hot as it was, we had to fish really, really, slow,” Pennington said. “With a lot of our casts, we’d take up to two to three minutes on the retrieve.”
Head and Harris turned in a Day 1 limit of 13-7 and took 13th place. Adding 17-13 — the event’s heaviest bag — nearly pushed them across the finish line with 31-4.
Sticking with the midlake region, Head and Harris fished deep brush in 9 to 12 feet.
“We started shallow each morning, but we didn’t catch anything that helped,” Harris said.
Head and Harris caught their bass on a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm in morning dawn and a 1/2-ounce Queen Tackle tungsten flipping jig with a Zoom Chunk trailer. Both baits produced quality and quantity.
“We were just consistently showing them different looks,” Harris said. “One of us always had a jig in our hand and one of us always had a drop shot. We just rotated through brushpiles.
“We were staying a pretty good ways off the brushpiles and dragging the baits. It seemed like they’d bite when you got the bait in the brush.”
Kayden Tanner and Trevor Easter of Tarleton State University finished in third place with 30-3. After placing third on Day 1 with 15-8, they added 14-11.
Following the same game plan they employed in the first round, Tanner and Easter fished from Lay’s south end to the midlake region. They worked a two-part strategy in which they fished shallow docks early and then moved out to brushpiles in 12 to 15 feet.
“Both days, we caught a big fish under docks,” Easter said. “We caught one of them on a 3/8-ounce Berkley flipping jig with a Berkley Power Chunk and we caught the other on a 3/16-ounce Berkley shaky head with a finesse worm.”
Easter said the same shaky head produced their deeper bites. As he recalled, the second day presented a challenging decision.
“This morning, on our third spot, we caught our third biggest fish and we had our limit at 9 o’clock,” Easter said. “We had two little ones that (were looking weak in the livewell), so we had to throw them back before they died.
“So, we were back down to three fish at 11 o’clock, but we were able to run into two more good ones.”
Tanner said their bite died after 11. Reflecting on the gutsy and environmentally responsible call to release two keepers, Tanner said he and his partner never doubted their actions.
“I think the best decision we made was throwing those two fish back because if they had died on us, we would not have been able to cull them,” Tanner said. “We knew we were around good fish, so thankfully it worked out for us.”
Day 1 leaders William Hammond and Cabe Mackey of Catawba Valley Community College won Big Bass honors with a 6-5 largemouth.
2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Lay Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops 6/9-6/10
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Jordan Pennington - Andrew Oswalt University of Montevallo 250
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-12 Total: 10 31-11
2. Dalton Head - Peyton Harris University of Montevallo 249
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-13 Total: 10 31-04
3. Kayden Tanner - Trevor Easter Tarleton State University 248
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 30-03
4. Tyler Cain - Cole Dodson University of Montevallo 247
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 14-03 Total: 10 28-08
5. Levi Thibodaux - Chance Shelby LSU - Shreveport 246
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Total: 10 28-03
6. Noah Trant - Evan Howe Northwestern State University (8 245
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 10 26-15
7. Merritt Arnold - Chance Schwartz University of Montevallo 244
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 26-10
8. William Hammond - Cabe Mackey Catawba Valley Community College 243
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 26-02
9. Dalton DeFelice - Connor Tonkel Southwestern Michigan College 242
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-09 Total: 10 25-15
10. Mitch Johnson - Gunner Whitaker Kentucky Christian University 241
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-06 Total: 10 25-04
11. Henry Mcpherson - Matthew German University Of Alabama 240
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-04 Total: 10 25-04
12. Tyler Hudson - Evan Mcnaughton Western Kentucky University 239
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 13-11 Total: 10 24-15
13. Tim Herrmann - Justin Botts Bryan College 238
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-14 Total: 10 24-13
14. Giancarlo Russo - Florida Gateway College 237
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 4 08-06 Total: 9 24-04
15. Tommy Dunaway - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 236
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 08-15 Total: 10 24-01
16. Zeb Roberts - Dalton Eury Catawba Valley Community College 235
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 24-00
17. James Willoughby - University of Montevallo 234
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 10 23-05
18. Caleb Bridges - Bryan College 233
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 23-03
19. Benjamin Travis - Brendin Simich Auburn University 232
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 10-10 Total: 10 22-15
20. Jake Brown - Walker Brown University of North Alabama 231
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-15 Total: 10 22-15
21. Brennan Berglund - Brody Robison University of Montevallo 230
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-09 Total: 10 22-15
22. Hagan Marlin - Riley Underwood University of Montevallo 229
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-11 Total: 10 22-14
23. Caz Anderson - Will Harris Carson-Newman University 228
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 22-13
24. Jordan Hampton - Tucker Dottley Bethel University 227
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 22-10
25. Dakota Posey - Trent Buchholz Lamar State College Orange 226
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 07-12 Total: 10 22-09
26. Ethan Fields - Jason Qualich Mckendree University (7876) 225
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 22-09
27. Sellers Odom - Grayson Ball Calhoun Community College (11122 224
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 22-08
28. John Ortman - Stephen Brooks Emmanuel College 223
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 22-07
29. Hunter Palmer - Eli Stevenson Bryan College 222
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 22-05
30. Miller Dowling - Parker O'Bryan University of Montevallo 221
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 09-05 Total: 10 22-04
31. Drew Pitts - Carter Koza Carson-Newman University 220
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 22-04
32. Nick Pemberton - Will Holloway University of Montevallo 219
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 21-15
33. Kyle Knoll - Luke Morgan Southern Union State Community C 218
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 08-13 Total: 10 21-12
34. Colton White - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 217
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 21-12
35. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 216
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 09-08 Total: 10 21-10
36. Justin Eggers - Lane Bailey Catawba Valley Community College 215
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 21-08
37. Jack Baron - Dakendrick Patterson University of Montevallo 214
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 08-08 Total: 10 21-06
38. Wyatt Wood - Max Gosdin University of Montevallo (8716) 213
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 21-06
39. Carson Calvert - Austin Thomas University of North Alabama 212
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 10 21-04
40. Chase Martin - Jadon Spencer Catawba Valley Community College 211
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 10 21-03
41. Rudy Worley - Blue Mountain College 210
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 09-05 Total: 10 20-15
42. Aaron Hawkins - Cooper Mayes Texas A&M University 209
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 10 20-13
43. Cole Taylor - Clay Taylor Lander University 208
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 20-10
44. Pruitt Lansdale - Matt Short Eastern Kentucky University 207
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 20-10
45. Zach Pocos - Tucker Siminak McKendree University 206
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 20-09
46. Hunter Keller - Wesley Smith II Catawba Valley Community College 205
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 20-09
47. River Eubanks - Peyton Sorrow University of Montevallo (8418) 204
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 20-08
48. Avery Hammock - Jackson Ford Georgia College 203
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 20-07
49. Harmon Marien - Jack Stephens McKendree University 202
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 20-05
50. Braxton Hopper - Walker Whitworth Central Alabama Community College 201
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 20-01
51. Jeremy Dellinger - Garrett Smith Lander University 200
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 20-00
52. Corbin Templon - Adrian Urso Murray State University 199
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 06-15 Total: 10 19-13
53. Garrett Walters - Reese Walters University of Alabama 198
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 4 05-10 Total: 9 19-12
54. TJ McKenzie - Emmanuel College 197
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 5 12-09 Total: 9 19-12
55. Tyler Finley - Christopher Kistler University of North Alabama 196
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 19-12
56. Cal Culpepper - Andrew Howell University of Montevallo 195
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 19-10
57. Trey Dickert III - Andrew Thompson University of Montevallo 194
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 19-08
58. Connor Green - Skyler Stevens Faulkner University 193
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 07-14 Total: 10 19-03
59. Chase Milholen - Koltyn Harbin Bethel University 192
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 4 07-02 Total: 9 19-01
60. Hunter Shelton - Bethel (8133) 191
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 19-01
61. Brandon Martin - Cole Holloway Emmanuel College 190
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 19-01
62. Jacob Autry - Jackson Kulijof Murray State University 189
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 18-11
63. Wyatt Pearman - Ridge Rutledge Campbellsville University 188
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 18-09
64. Chandler Pruett - Blue Mountain College 187
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 18-08
65. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 186
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 18-08
66. Landon Sexton - Christian Boyd Shelton State Community College 185
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 18-04
67. Jake Hope - Alex Nesmith Murray State University 184
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 18-01
68. Dustin Bauer - Lane Pohlman Campbellsville University 183
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 18-00
69. Billy Erdakos - Davis Klimczak Southwest Michigan College 182
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 17-15
70. Matthew Benson - Spencer Bargfrede Emmanuel College 181
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 07-06 Total: 10 17-14
71. Christian Wright - Logan East Bryan College 180
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 10 17-13
72. Joseph Woods - Anthony Cicero IV Bethel University 179
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 10 17-11
73. Dayne Kobriger - Camden Kozikoski Drury University 178
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 17-10
74. Isaac Warta - Hunter Jones Middle Tennessee State Universit 177
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 06-07 Total: 9 17-08
75. Scooter Ligon Jr - Levi Seagraves Emmanuel College (8750) 176
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 06-10 Total: 9 17-06
76. Butler Cochran - Bryce Evans University of South Carolina 175
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 17-06
77. Owen Wheeler - Tyler Dubois Bethel University 174
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 10 17-05
78. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 173
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 17-02
79. Kai Barnett - Connor Hall McKendree University (8714) 172
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 2 05-08 Total: 7 16-15
80. James Broderick - James Neill Mississippi State University 171
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 3 06-06 Total: 8 16-15
81. Mason Phillpotts - Grand Valley State University 170
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 05-10 Total: 8 16-12
82. Cameron Smith - Thomas Phillips Ohio State University 169
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 16-12
83. Taylor McMullen - Emmanuel College 168
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 2 02-15 Total: 7 16-11
84. Brycen Williamson - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 167
Day 1: 4 06-05 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 9 16-09
85. Brendan Vinton - Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 166
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 10 16-09
86. Garrett Huddleston - Riley Voltz Auburn University 165
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 2 03-03 Total: 7 16-07
87. Gage Starks - Hunter Holguin Murray State University 164
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 16-02
88. Walter Trulock - Zach Williams Mississippi State University 163
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 3 05-14 Total: 8 16-00
89. Benson Dowler - Benjamin Graves University of North Alabama 162
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 3 06-04 Total: 7 16-00
90. Brett Hill - Ryan Daugherty Campbellsville University 161
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 15-12
91. Wes Kinard - Preston Parker Shelton State Community College 160
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 3 04-12 Total: 8 15-10
92. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 159
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 3 04-10 Total: 8 15-06
93. Riley Miller - Hayden Parks Shelton State Community College 158
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 05-14 Total: 7 15-04
94. Ben Shinkunas - Mason Hill Calhoun Community College 157
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 8 15-00
95. Brock Bila - Dylan Chambers Drury University 156
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 3 05-02 Total: 8 14-13
96. Brantley Anders - Cameron Dials Kentucky Christian University 155
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 14-13
97. Camden Schwieterman - Lloyd Laconsay Auburn University 154
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 2 04-06 Total: 7 14-02
98. Jack Schable - Jack Simpson Western Michigan University (87 153
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 06-12 Total: 10 14-02
99. Brandon Berry - Hunter Bright University of Montevallo (8308) 152
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 3 04-00 Total: 8 13-12
100. Luke Willis - Brandon Wingo University of South Carolina 151
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 06-04 Total: 10 13-12
101. Logan Paul - Luke Champnella Western Michigan University 150
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 8 13-10
102. Jake Kimbrough - Tyler Hill Blue Mountain College 149
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 04-04 Total: 7 13-10
103. Cade Lipham - Caleb Coleman Drury University 148
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 8 13-06
104. Clay Henderson - Brant Rowland Drury University (8937) 147
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 4 07-00 Total: 9 13-02
105. David Ackerman V - Mackenzie Sanders Erskine College 146
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 2 02-15 Total: 7 12-15
106. Adam Hollingsworth - DJ McEachern University of Alabama 145
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 2 03-11 Total: 7 12-14
107. Trent Gilmore - Chandler Olivier University of Montevallo (8516) 144
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 3 03-12 Total: 8 12-13
108. Miles Smith - Zach Henderson Nichols State 143
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 6 12-08
109. Cole Hadlock - Braiden Koerber Murray State Univeristy 142
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 5 08-09 Total: 8 12-07
110. Justin Latham - Blaine Mattingly campbellsville university 141
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 12-02
111. Eric Noyes - Mason Mitchell II University of Central Oklahoma 140
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 3 03-01 Total: 8 11-14
112. William Vickery - Hunter Starling Georgia Southern University 139
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 4 07-04 Total: 7 11-14
113. Matthew Mcgregor - Wyatt Tomlin Calhoun Community College 138
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 3 06-10 Total: 7 11-12
114. Colton Odom - Auburn University 137
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 5 07-14 Total: 8 11-04
115. Roeh Burton - Spencer Brister Lamar State College Orange 136
Day 1: 4 04-15 Day 2: 5 06-05 Total: 9 11-04
116. Victor Alford - Christian Misciagna Bryan College 135
Day 1: 4 06-01 Day 2: 5 05-02 Total: 9 11-03
117. William Travis - JL Simmons Bryan College 134
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-01
118. Kyle Dillon - Jesse Mull Western Carolina University 133
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-00
119. Nathan Fideldy - Salina 132
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 3 03-02 Total: 8 10-15
120. Niko Romero - Coleman Bingham Bethel University 131
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 8 10-15
121. Dylan Breaux - Joel Richard Nicholls State University 130
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 3 04-07 Total: 8 10-11
122. Kyle Hopping - Will Hornsby McKendree University 129
Day 1: 4 09-05 Day 2: 1 01-02 Total: 5 10-07
123. Fischer Barber - Troy University 128
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 1 01-00 Total: 6 09-13
124. Drew Faulkenberry - Dawson Carden Emmanual College (8887) 127
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 06-14 Total: 5 09-11
125. Evan Ludlow - Trevor Wilson Southwestern Michigan College 126
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 2 02-13 Total: 7 09-10
126. Brycen Hendriks - Michael Fugaro The University of North Carolina 125
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-07
127. Davian Smith - Jordan Turner University of Montevallo 124
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 2 03-06 Total: 5 09-03
128. Austin Smith - Jaden Purkey Carson-Newman University 123
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-11
129. Jackson Holbert - Kolby Clark University of North Alabama 122
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-06
130. Brandon Leach - Devin Brown Eastern Kentucky Unversity 121
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-05
131. Noah Bryars - Colby Ullery Faulkner University 120
Day 1: 5 06-03 Day 2: 1 01-05 Total: 6 07-08
132. Evan Waggener - Colby Joseph Campbellsville University 119
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 2 02-14 Total: 5 07-07
133. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 118
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-06
134. Cooper Combs - Shelton State Community College 117
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-15 Total: 3 06-15
135. Blake Stringer - Karsten Raney Campbellsville University 116
Day 1: 4 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-07
136. Cody Clifton - Missouri State University 115
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 2 03-10 Total: 3 06-07
137. Holden Johnson - Sam Schmitz University of North Alabama 114
Day 1: 5 06-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 06-01
138. Matthew Wilson - Southern Union State Community C 113
Day 1: 4 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-14
139. Kaden Buchmann - Lander University 112
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-13
140. Matthew Kahrs - Christopher Kahrs McNeese State University 111
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-11
141. Bryson Caudle - Lucas Hampton Faulkner University 110
Day 1: 4 04-06 Day 2: 1 01-04 Total: 5 05-10
142. Joshua Roberts - Josh Roberts 109
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 4 05-06
143. Gabe Brown - Evan Eckstrom University of South Carolina 108
Day 1: 4 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-05
144. Kolby Kindley - Western Carolina University 107
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-05
145. Gavin Schmitz - Addison Sikes University of Montevallo 106
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 05-02
146. Malcolm Patton - Kyle Johnson Calhoun Community College 105
Day 1: 4 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 04-13
147. Reese Melven - Hunter Waldrop University of South Carolina 104
Day 1: 3 04-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-01
148. John Such - Hayden Fuhr Lander University 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-12
149. Brayden Pritchard - Jackson Kelly Central Alabama Community Colleg 102
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-08
150. Dustin Bargo - Western Kentucky University 101
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
151. Sawyer Brady - Dustin Weinberg Blue Mountain Christian Universi 100
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-14
152. Bucky Moore - Ryan Diskin Auburn University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
William Hammond Huntersville, NC 06-05 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 116 683 1413-10
2 89 551 1064-02
----------------------------------
205 1234 2477-12
Adrian Avena Leads As Competition Set For Final Day at Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler
New Jersey Pro Catches Five Smallmouth Weighing 29 Pounds, 6 Ounces to Top Knockout Round, Final 10 Pros Set for Championship Sunday Shootout for $100,000
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (June 10, 2023) – It was another incredible day of fishing, Saturday, on Cayuga Lake, for the 40 remaining pros competing in the Knockout Round at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler. Pro Adrian Avena of Vineland, New Jersey , paced the field, catching 13 scorable smallmouth with his best five weighing a hefty 29 pounds, 6 ounces. Avena’s roommate and traveling partner on tour, reigning Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler looms large in second place just 2 ounces behind Avena with 29-4.
Sure, the 29-pound limits of smallmouth are impressive, but even more impressive this week has been the sheer number of 4-, 5- and 6-pound bass being caught. Fifteen anglers caught a limit weighing greater than 25 pounds, Saturday. The average weight of every fish caught today was just over 4 pounds, 3 ounces. And Avena, a 12-year vet seeking his first career major win, has amassed 76 pounds, 6 ounces of smallmouth over his three days on the water.
“Today was the best smallmouth fishing day of my entire life,” Avena said in his post-game interview. “I caught three 6-pounders. This place is incredible. The flogger has done a lot of damage for me this week, as the big key has been finding the fish well off the bank.
“Another key is using a really fast-action spinning reel,” Avena continued. “Once I drop that flogger and I hook that fish, those smallmouth come straight to the top. I’ve been using a brand new Abu Garcia Revo3 Rocket reel, as it has a super, super-fast gear ratio, and that has been a crucial part of getting those fish in the boat.”
Although he was happy to have the lead, Avena is not at all comfortable with his position, yet.
“I’m definitely going to have to find some new fish tomorrow if I want to win,” Avena said. “I foul-hooked a 5-12 today that I’m hoping I can find tomorrow. I found a 6-6 earlier in the week that’s gone now as well as another 6-pounder that has moved out. There’s fish that are moving out, but also new ones moving in so I hope I can find a big 7-pounder like Wheeler did today. It’s going to be an absolute dog-race, tomorrow.
Qualifying Round winners Spencer Shuffield (28-1) and Kevin VanDam (25-15) also advanced inside the top 10, in third and 10th, respectively. Fourth-place pro David Dudley (27-8) qualified for his second-straight Championship Round appearance, as did Takahiro Omori (26-14) in sixth and Matt Becker (26-2) in ninth.
Tournament weights are stacked up – just 3-pounds, 7-ounces separates Avena in first from VanDam in 10th. Competition resumes Sunday morning with the final-day Championship Round, where weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total will win the top prize of $100,000.
The top 10 pros advancing to Sunday’s Championship Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., five bass, 29-6
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 29-4
3rd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 28-1
4th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 27-8
5th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 27-5
6th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, five bass, 26-14
7th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 26-11
8th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, five bass, 26-8
9th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 26-2
10th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 25-15
Finishing in 11th through 40th are:
11th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 25-14, $10,000
12th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, five bass, 25-11, $10,000
13th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., five bass, 25-9, $10,000
14th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., five bass, 25-6, $10,000
15th: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., five bass, 25-3, $10,000
16th: Alton Jones Sr., Lorena, Texas, five bass, 24-11, $10,000
17th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., five bass, 24-11, $10,000
18th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 24-8, $10,000
19th: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., five bass, 24-7, $10,000
20th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., five bass, 24-3, $10,000
21st: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., five bass, 23-13, $10,000
22nd: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 23-2, $10,000
23rd: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 23-1, $10,000
24th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, five bass, 23-0, $10,000
25th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., five bass, 22-6, $10,000
26th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., five bass, 22-1, $10,000
27th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., five bass, 21-13, $10,000
28th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., five bass, 21-13, $10,000
29th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 21-9, $10,000
30th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 21-1, $10,000
31st: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 21-0, $10,000
32nd: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 20-9, $10,000
33rd: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 20-7, $10,000
34th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 20-4, $10,000
35th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 19-14, $10,000
36th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 19-9, $10,000
37th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 19-3, $10,000
38th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 18-6, $10,000
39th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., five bass, 13-0, $10,000
40th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., two bass, 8-8, $10,000
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 362 scorable bass weighing 1,522 pounds, 1 ounce caught by the 40 pros Saturday, which included 83 5-pounders, six 6-pounders and one 7-pounder.
Saturday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award went to pro Jacob Wheeler, who caught a 7-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth in Period 1 on a drop-shot rig to earn the payout. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event 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 competed in their two-day qualifying round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After the two-day qualifying round, the top 20 anglers from each group advanced to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers competed to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In the Championship Round on Sunday, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total will win the top prize of $100,000.
The final 10 anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET Sunday from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. The General Tire Takeout will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the 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 Sunday, June 11 the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Bass Pro Shops, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in Auburn, New York, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors. Fans can hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen during the MLF Watch Party. At 5 p.m. the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand for the trophy celebration and to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler features 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 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. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morningon 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 + 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Catawba Valley's Hammond and Mackey ride kicker largemouth to Bassmaster College Wild Card lead at Lay Lake
William Hammond and Cabe Mackey of Catawba Valley Community College are leading after Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Wild Card at Lay Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with 16 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Tommy Sendek/B.A.S.S.
June 9, 2023
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. — After enduring a slow start, patience rewarded William Hammond and Cabe Mackey of Catawba Valley Community College with a Day 1 limit of 16 pounds, 14 ounces that leads the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card at Lay Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Anchoring their bag with a 6-5 kicker, Hammond and Mackey head into Championship Saturday with a 1-pound lead over Giancarlo Russo of Florida Gateway College.
“It was just keeping our heads down and culling up by ounces,” said Mackey, who caught his team’s kicker. “The big fish bit around 11 or so. We just got lucky and made the right flip.
“When that big fish bit, we tried to get her in the boat as quickly as we could. We just tried to not do anything stupid.”
Fishing the mid- to lower-lake regions, the leaders focused on timber in 6 to 15 feet of water. Some of the cover was partially out of the water, some was submerged.
Hammond and Mackey caught their bass on a mix of jigs and Texas-rigged plastics. The latter earned their biggest bite.
“We had a couple different (soft plastics) and some were specifically for targeting big fish,” Mackey said.
Mackey said he and Hammond hit 30 to 40 spots. All set up about the same, but the anglers employed strategic planning.
“We were on a rotation of some spots that we thought might reload and there were some that we thought would hold fish at different times of the day,” Mackey said. “Midday was best for us, from about 10:30-11:30.
“We had a limit by about 10:15 and we made our last cull at 12:30. It was just cycling through different baits to show the fish different looks.”
Recounting a day of typically tough summer fishing in which slow, soaking presentations proved most effective, Mackey said he and Hammond feel confident with their Day 2 game plan.
“I think we’ll just put our heads down and fish the way we like to fish,” he said. “We won’t get spun out with what’s going on around us. We’ll just play our ballgame.”
Fishing solo, Russo adjusted to his team partner’s absence by taking a persistent approach that delivered a limit of 15-14. Starting in a midlake creek, he began by fishing shallow cover.
“I slowed down, worked the conditions and picked apart my area,” Russo said.
Essential to his productivity, Russo had to adjust his presentations throughout the day.
“There were hungry fish in there, but I had to make them react to my bait,” he said. “I had to change my presentations from how I was fishing it in the morning to get bit later in the day.”
Russo said he caught the majority of his bass, including his largest, in one creek. Exhausting his options, he struck out with a bold plan.
“I ran out of areas to fish and said, ‘I’m going to find a new area,’” Russo said. “I found a new spot just around the bend of the river — 10 minutes on the dot from my starting spot.
“In this new spot, I found a brushpile and made one cull on a reaction bait. Tomorrow, I’ll start there and once I run out of fish, I’ll go looking for new water again.”
Kayden Tanner and Trevor Easter of Tarleton State University are in third place with 15-8. Theirs was an active day that required multiple moves to assemble their weight.
“We hit 30 spots and we made a lot of culls today,” Easter said. “We had our limit by about 10 and we made our last cull at 2:20.”
Despite their success, Easter said their day presented early challenges.
“We started off pretty slow; there wasn’t any current in the morning and our fish were (not active),” he said. “Also, we had a 20-minute setback when the spring on our Hot Foot (throttle control) came off. That happened after we reached our first spot and we got it fixed on the water.”
Easter said he and Tanner caught fish shallow and deep. Knowing that the bass are in the process of making their summer offshore move, the anglers employed a mix of flipping and dragging techniques.
“I think our understanding of Garmin LiveScope made a big difference for us today,” Easter said. “We were able to tell how big the fish were, how many there were and if they were set up right.
“We’re going to go do the same thing tomorrow.”
Hammond and Mackey are in the lead for Big Bass honors with their 6-5.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. CT at Beeswax Creek Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 1:30 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
La Clair goes with the flow to win B.A.S.S. Nation Regional at Potomac River
Brian La Clair of Denton, Md., who competed for Team Delaware, has won the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional at Potomac River with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 10 ounces.
Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.
June 9, 2023
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — From the moment Brian La Clair arrived in Charles County, Md., for the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional at Potomac River, he had a feeling things might go his way.
By staying patient and executing on almost every bite, the Denton, Md., boater was able to capitalize on his hunch and take home the victory with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 10 ounces, outlasting New Jersey’s Manuel Cruz and Maine’s Jonathan Carter.
By finishing at the top of the Delaware state team standings, La Clair will head to his fourth TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and compete for a chance to go to his second Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota. His first Classic appearance came in 2011 in New Orleans.
“It feels good. I’m gonna say this might be one of the biggest tournaments I’ve ever won,” he said. “I have been fishing for a long time and I’ll be honest, I felt like it could happen. I don’t get that feeling too often. You have to go with the flow and see how it all works out. This trophy is really nice. It was a good week. I didn’t lose very many.”
Opening the tournament in third place with 16-12, La Clair caught 17-8 to move into the lead before landing the biggest bag of Championship Friday at 16-6.
One bay served as La Clair’s primary area. His best stretch in that bay featured five docks, a bulkhead and bank grass. Out in front of his best stretch was a sandbar where he saw bream spawning. At low tide, there was only about 8 inches of water. But when the tide moved in, the bass moved in with it to feed on those bream.
Each day it reloaded with bass, but he had to wait for the incoming tide to provide enough water to where he could move mostly undetected through the area with his Lowrance Ghost trolling motor.
“I went out looking for something different because I knew I wasn’t going to win doing what everyone else was doing,” he said. “You have to find strictly big fish, 3 pounds and above. I found a bunch of fish that were using one stretch.
“Those fish bite better when there is more water over the grass. When it was really skinny, they were too spooked. When they got 2 feet of water over their heads, they were good. There was also a depression that ran the length of the bulkhead and it was clean with spotty grass.”
On Day 1, La Clair caught the majority of his bag using a 6-inch glidebait in a bluegill pattern around the docks and bulkhead. On the second and third competition days, La Clair could not generate bites on the big bait and instead utilized a more traditional approach.
He caught the majority of his bass the final two days on a 3/8-ounce green pumpkin Dirty Jigs swim jig paired with a twin-tail trailer and either a weightless Texas-rigged or wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senko in a watermelon laminate color. He also mixed in a 1/4-ounce brown flipping jig.
The final day started a little slower for La Clair, but he watched his co-angler James D'Ambra catch two of the bass he needed to qualify for the Nation Championship. As the tide came in, the bite got better and better until about 11 a.m. Along with his primary spot, he caught bass out of a different grass bed, but could not upgrade anymore.
“I just kept my cool. I knew the bass were going to be there again and they showed themselves today even better,” he said. “It was a good day. I went out calm, cool and collected.”
New Jersey boater Manuel Cruz finished second with a three-day total of 47-14. After leading Day 1 with 17-9, Cruz stumbled slightly on Day 2 with 14-1 and fell to fifth. On the final day, however, Cruz caught 16-4 to claim a spot in the Nation Championship.
“This will be my first championship, which is awesome,” Cruz said. “I am happy and I am ready to go down there.”
During the week, Cruz targeted bream beds. The bream were setting up on the edge of a grass line just off the bank and the Clifton, N.J., native caught most of his Day 1 bag with a frog.
“The bass were feeding up shallow in less than a foot of water,” he said. “I picked up a frog the first day. I figured that would be the best thing that would look like an injured bluegill. They were eating it very well.”
The second day, a popper generated more bites and on the final day, he used the popper as well as a Texas-rigged Senko with a 1/4-ounce weight.
“This morning started off with a hiccup when I lost two right away,” he said. “But I was able to recover. The bite started to slow down later in the day and I had to change gears a little bit. The second half of the day, I put together a decent bag.”
Using some of the lessons he learned fishing the James River in the past, Maine boater Jonathan Carter finished third with a three-day total of 46-3. Carter opened the tournament with 14-14, a tally that unfortunately included a penalty for a culling infraction. He rebounded in a big way on Day 2 by catching 18-5, the biggest bag of the event. He followed that up with 13-0 in the championship round to finish at the top of his state.
Carter focused on isolated grass patches during the week, with one 30-yard area of milfoil producing the majority of his weight. With milfoil edges on either side of a hard spot in 3 feet of water and deeper water access close by, the Portland boater reeled a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen JackHammer in Hite’s Hot Craw with a green pumpkin Strike King Rage Craw.
“I was looking for grass that wasn’t part of a vast flat,” he said. “More isolated stuff that I could thoroughly fish and target groups of fish. I didn’t find a whole lot. I had one main area and four backups.
“On the first two days, you could pretty much catch them on whatever you wanted to throw.”
On the final day, he switched to a white Z-Man ChatterBait Mini Max with a 2.8 Keitech swimbait trailer.
With a 5-12 largemouth he caught on Day 1, Delaware’s Rodney Oberdick claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors on the boater side and a $500 check.
Zachary Queeney from New Jersey took home the nonboater championship with a three-day total of 31-0. Starting the tournament with three-bass limits of 10-5 and 7-6 the first two days, Queeney landed the biggest nonboater bag of the tournament on Day 3 with a limit measuring 13-5.
“The bite here is crazy,” he said. “It was something different every day. I had nine rods with nine different baits and got bit on all of them.”
Massachusetts nonboater James D'Ambra finished second with 28-6, followed by fellow Massachusetts angler Rob Ross in third with 27-11. Pennsylvania's Ross Caruso earned $250 for winning the Big Bass of the Tournament award on the nonboater side with a 5-9 largemouth he caught on the final day.
The top finishing boater and nonboater from each state punched their tickets to the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Lake Hartwell scheduled for Oct. 18-20. The winner of that event will receive an invite to the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series roster and the top three anglers will qualify for the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in Tulsa, Okla.
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northeastern Regional 6/7-6/10
Potomac River, Charles Co MD.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brian La Clair Denton, MD (DE) 15 50-10 0
2. Manuel Cruz Clifton, NJ (NJ) 15 47-14 0
3. Jonathan Carter Portland, ME (ME) 15 46-03 0
4. Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT (RI) 15 43-00 0
5. Aaron Green Everett, PA (PA) 15 43-00 0
6. Bill Kanwisher Ramsey, NJ (NJ) 14 42-02 0
7. Harry Colberg Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 14 41-07 0
8. Andrew Sams Easton, MD (MD) 15 41-05 0
9. Conor Cahill Swedesboro, NJ (NJ) 15 41-04 0
10. Phil Coffin Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 15 41-02 0
11. Cliff Humphreys Candler, PA (NJ) 14 41-01 0
12. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT (RI) 14 40-15 0
13. Lukas Matt Syracuse, NY (NY) 14 40-11 0
14. Keith Cleary Bethel, CT (NY) 15 39-15 0
15. Mickey Soler Newington, CT (CT) 15 39-10 0
16. Thomas Waltz St. Albans, VT (VT) 15 39-02 0
17. Joe Matt Syracuse, NY (NY) 15 38-13 0
18. Andrej Chowaniec Beeton Ontario CANADA ( 15 38-07 0
19. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI (RI) 15 38-06 0
20. Nathan Quince Imperial, PA (PA) 14 38-01 0
21. Travis Surette Kingston Ontario CANADA 14 37-05 0
22. Matty Szczoczarz Cumberland, RI (RI) 12 37-04 0
23. Tony G Gelardi II Arundel, ME (ME) 13 35-09 0
24. Michael Mello Jr Manville, RI (MA) 14 34-06 0
25. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH (NH) 14 34-04 0
26. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT (CT) 13 33-10 0
27. Rodney Oberdick Felton, DE (DE) 12 33-02 0
28. Cameron Rhodes Warwick, RI (RI) 12 32-15 0
29. Keith Cowan Mount Ephraim, NJ (NJ) 11 31-10 0
30. Mark Burgess Norton, MA (MA) 13 31-08 0
31. Michael Nutter La Plata, MD (MD) 11 30-13 0
32. Casey Baroffio Northfield, VT (VT) 13 28-09 0
33. Kevin Miller Hollis, NH (NH) 11 27-06 0
34. Justin Bronson Glenn Dale, MD (MD) 10 26-08 0
35. George Yund Glenmont, NY (NY) 10 26-07 0
36. Nicholas Papotto Cheshire, CT (CT) 10 26-03 0
37. Jeremy Woodall Greenwood, DE (DE) 9 25-15 0
38. Kevin Steinruck Sodus, NY (NY) 10 25-13 0
39. Jason Gramada Les Cedres Quebec CANAD 10 25-12 0
40. Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ (NJ) 9 25-05 0
41. Mark Hogan Milford, DE (DE) 10 25-05 0
42. Robert Smith Farmington, ME (ME) 9 24-15 0
43. Fern Campeau Ottawa Province CANADA 9 24-02 0
44. Jared Leicht Millville, NJ (NJ) 10 23-13 0
45. Chuck Rowlee Fulton, NY (NY) 10 23-13 0
46. Michael Shay Cheshire, CT (CT) 9 23-04 0
47. Todd Rose Stafford Springs, CT (C 9 23-01 0
48. Doug Savino Tyrone, PA (PA) 10 22-15 0
49. Derek Severns Carnegie, PA (PA) 10 22-14 0
50. Ed Riley Jr Woodbine, MD (MD) 8 22-03 0
51. RJ Ricci Cranston, RI (RI) 9 22-03 0
52. Craig Morris Ocean City, DE (DE) 8 21-06 0
53. Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD (MD) 8 21-01 0
54. Scott Robert Greene, ME (ME) 8 20-10 0
55. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, MD (DE) 9 20-10 0
56. Ronald Konopka Hampton Falls, NH (NH) 8 20-06 0
57. Nick Deering Portland, ME (ME) 8 20-04 0
58. Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE (DE) 9 20-04 0
59. Ed String Sewell, NJ (NJ) 8 20-03 0
60. Anthony Dulac Harpswell, ME (ME) 8 20-02 0
61. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 7 20-01 0
62. Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE (DE) 7 19-08 0
63. Steven Hannah Woodstown, NJ (NJ) 7 19-06 0
64. Sean Howard Saugus, MA (MA) 9 19-05 0
65. Tom Hardy Penetanguishene Ontario 7 19-04 0
66. Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD (DE) 7 19-01 0
67. Steven Griffith Schellsburg, PA (PA) 8 18-15 0
68. Phil Curtis Rosseau ONTARIO CANADA 9 18-14 0
69. John Jeddry III White Hall, MD (MD) 7 18-12 0
70. Jean-Marie Landry Rutlandpierrefonds Queb 8 18-10 0
71. Tim Talento Meriden, CT (CT) 8 18-06 0
72. David Mathieu Woodstock, CT (VT) 7 18-06 0
73. John DiGennaro Melvin Village, NH (ME) 7 18-04 0
74. Mike Roselle La Plata, MD (MD) 7 18-02 0
75. Dean Diviesti Walden, NY (NY) 8 17-13 0
76. Erick Markstaller Brookfield, CT (CT) 8 17-11 0
77. Michael Duarte Middle River, MD (MD) 7 17-10 0
78. Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD (MD) 7 17-10 0
79. Sean Mckee IV Haddon Heights, NJ (NJ) 7 17-04 0
80. Kory Dominick Saugus, MA (MA) 7 17-03 0
81. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY (NY) 6 16-12 0
82. Kamil Jaskolski Dudley, MA (MA) 6 16-03 0
83. William Barrett Bridgewater, MA (MA) 7 16-01 0
84. Denis Carrier Skowhegan, ME (ME) 7 15-11 0
85. Tim McGlenn Welcome, MD (MD) 6 15-10 0
86. James Loomis III Parish, NY (NY) 7 15-06 0
87. Kevin McPhee Woodlawn Ontario CANADA 6 15-06 0
88. Mo Campbell Harrisburg, NC (MA) 7 15-06 0
89. John Farrand Lewiston, ME (ME) 6 15-01 0
90. Garrett Kruger Monroe, CT (CT) 6 14-15 0
91. Kevin Hagerman Scottdale, PA (PA) 6 14-15 0
92. Michael Zachodny Nashua, NH (NH) 5 14-13 0
93. Andrew Getsy Hastings , PA (PA) 8 14-13 0
94. Dan Konitsky Patton, PA (PA) 6 14-03 0
95. David Tsao Newburyport, MA (NH) 6 13-14 0
96. Jason Roberts Rutland, VT (VT) 5 13-13 0
97. Robert Ramasci Wakefield, MA (MA) 7 13-04 0
98. Patrick Martin St Roch De L Achigan Qu 5 13-01 0
99. Dave Andrews Hudson, MA (NH) 6 12-13 0
100. Robert Pepe Plainville, CT (CT) 5 12-10 0
101. Mathew Koprash North Bay Ontario CANAD 5 12-08 0
102. Neal Wharton Seaford, DE (DE) 5 12-07 0
103. Michael Comeau Alburgh, VT (VT) 6 12-01 0
104. Mario Villegas North Kingstown, RI (RI 5 11-06 0
105. Christian Hogue Blackstone, MA (RI) 5 11-01 0
106. Jim Morris Milford, CT (CT) 4 10-13 0
107. Austin Littler Camden, NY (NY) 5 10-09 0
108. Brian Morin Manchester, NH (NH) 4 09-01 0
109. Ben Hale Rowley, MA (MA) 3 08-11 0
110. John Fortier Sanbornton, NH (NH) 3 07-08 0
111. Joe Burchill Salem, NH (NH) 2 07-05 0
112. Brian Jarvis Coventry, RI (RI) 4 07-03 0
113. David Reiss Westport Island, ME (ME 2 06-10 0
114. Joshua Smith Coventry, RI (RI) 3 06-07 0
115. Tucker Bedard Verner CANADA (ON) 3 06-06 0
116. Aaron Orsi Millbury, MA (MA) 2 04-10 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 462 1213-06
2 58 437 1140-14
3 19 136 341-11
----------------------------------
138 1035 2695-15
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 NEW JERSEY 475-03
2 PENNSYLVANIA 423-00
3 NEW YORK 384-02
4 CONNECTICUT 366-01
5 RHODE ISLAND 360-11
6 DELAWARE 357-03
7 MARYLAND 342-13
8 MAINE 341-14
9 MASSACHUSETTS 294-03
10 ONTARIO 286-01
11 NEW HAMPSHIRE 249-14
12 VERMONT 201-15
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTICUT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mickey Soler Newington, CT 15 39-10 0
2 Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 13 33-10 0
3 Nicholas Papotto Cheshire, CT 10 26-03 0
4 Michael Shay Cheshire, CT 9 23-04 0
5 Todd Rose Stafford Springs, CT 9 23-01 0
6 Tim Talento Meriden, CT 8 18-06 0
7 Erick Markstaller Brookfield, CT 8 17-11 0
8 Garrett Kruger Monroe, CT 6 14-15 0
9 Robert Pepe Plainville, CT 5 12-10 0
10 Jim Morris Milford, CT 4 10-13 0
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brian La Clair Denton, MD 15 50-10 0
2 Rodney Oberdick Felton, DE 12 33-02 0
3 Jeremy Woodall Greenwood, DE 9 25-15 0
4 Mark Hogan Milford, DE 10 25-05 0
5 Craig Morris Ocean City, DE 8 21-06 0
6 Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, MD 9 20-10 0
7 Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE 9 20-04 0
8 Jason Vaughn Bridgeville, DE 7 19-08 0
9 Jim Short Ocean Pines, MD 7 19-01 0
10 Neal Wharton Seaford, DE 5 12-07 0
MASSACHUSETTS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Michael Mello Jr Manville, RI 14 34-06 0
2 Mark Burgess Norton, MA 13 31-08 0
3 Sean Howard Saugus, MA 9 19-05 0
4 Kory Dominick Saugus, MA 7 17-03 0
5 Kamil Jaskolski Dudley, MA 6 16-03 0
6 William Barrett Bridgewater, MA 7 16-01 0
7 Mo Campbell Harrisburg, NC 7 15-06 0
8 Robert Ramasci Wakefield, MA 7 13-04 0
9 Ben Hale Rowley, MA 3 08-11 0
10 Aaron Orsi Millbury, MA 2 04-10 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Andrew Sams Easton, MD 15 41-05 0
2 Michael Nutter La Plata, MD 11 30-13 0
3 Justin Bronson Glenn Dale, MD 10 26-08 0
4 Ed Riley Jr Woodbine, MD 8 22-03 0
5 Bret Winegardner Swanton, MD 8 21-01 0
6 John Jeddry III White Hall, MD 7 18-12 0
7 Mike Roselle La Plata, MD 7 18-02 0
8 Michael Duarte Middle River, MD 7 17-10 0
9 Richard Martin Jr Sparrows Point, MD 7 17-10 0
10 Tim McGlenn Welcome, MD 6 15-10 0
MAINE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jonathan Carter Portland, ME 15 46-03 0
2 Tony G Gelardi II Arundel, ME 13 35-09 0
3 Robert Smith Farmington, ME 9 24-15 0
4 Scott Robert Greene, ME 8 20-10 0
5 Nick Deering Portland, ME 8 20-04 0
6 Anthony Dulac Harpswell, ME 8 20-02 0
7 John DiGennaro Melvin Village, NH 7 18-04 0
8 Denis Carrier Skowhegan, ME 7 15-11 0
9 John Farrand Lewiston, ME 6 15-01 0
10 David Reiss Westport Island, ME 2 06-10 0
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 14 34-04 0
2 Kevin Miller Hollis, NH 11 27-06 0
3 Ronald Konopka Hampton Falls, NH 8 20-06 0
4 Michael Zachodny Nashua, NH 5 14-13 0
5 David Tsao Newburyport, MA 6 13-14 0
6 Dave Andrews Hudson, MA 6 12-13 0
7 Brian Morin Manchester, NH 4 09-01 0
8 John Fortier Sanbornton, NH 3 07-08 0
9 Joe Burchill Salem, NH 2 07-05 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Manuel Cruz Clifton, NJ 15 47-14 0
2 Bill Kanwisher Ramsey, NJ 14 42-02 0
3 Conor Cahill Swedesboro, NJ 15 41-04 0
4 Cliff Humphreys Candler, PA 14 41-01 0
5 Keith Cowan Mount Ephraim, NJ 11 31-10 0
6 Robert Brennan Forked River, NJ 9 25-05 0
7 Jared Leicht Millville, NJ 10 23-13 0
8 Ed String Sewell, NJ 8 20-03 0
9 Steven Hannah Woodstown, NJ 7 19-06 0
10 Sean Mckee IV Haddon Heights, NJ 7 17-04 0
NEW YORK
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Lukas Matt Syracuse, NY 14 40-11 0
2 Keith Cleary Bethel, CT 15 39-15 0
3 Joe Matt Syracuse, NY 15 38-13 0
4 George Yund Glenmont, NY 10 26-07 0
5 Kevin Steinruck Sodus, NY 10 25-13 0
6 Chuck Rowlee Fulton, NY 10 23-13 0
7 Dean Diviesti Walden, NY 8 17-13 0
8 Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 6 16-12 0
9 James Loomis III Parish, NY 7 15-06 0
10 Austin Littler Camden, NY 5 10-09 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Aaron Green Everett, PA 15 43-00 0
2 Harry Colberg Pittsburgh, PA 14 41-07 0
3 Phil Coffin Pittsburgh, PA 15 41-02 0
4 Nathan Quince Imperial, PA 14 38-01 0
5 Doug Savino Tyrone, PA 10 22-15 0
6 Derek Severns Carnegie, PA 10 22-14 0
7 Steven Griffith Schellsburg, PA 8 18-15 0
8 Kevin Hagerman Scottdale, PA 6 14-15 0
9 Andrew Getsy Hastings , PA 8 14-13 0
10 Dan Konitsky Patton, PA 6 14-03 0
RHODE ISLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT 15 43-00 0
2 Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 14 40-15 0
3 Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 15 38-06 0
4 Matty Szczoczarz Cumberland, RI 12 37-04 0
5 Cameron Rhodes Warwick, RI 12 32-15 0
6 RJ Ricci Cranston, RI 9 22-03 0
7 Mario Villegas North Kingstown, RI 5 11-06 0
8 Christian Hogue Blackstone, MA 5 11-01 0
9 Brian Jarvis Coventry, RI 4 07-03 0
10 Joshua Smith Coventry, RI 3 06-07 0
VERMONT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Thomas Waltz St. Albans, VT 15 39-02 0
2 Casey Baroffio Northfield, VT 13 28-09 0
3 Jean-Marie Landry Rutlandpierrefonds Queb 8 18-10 0
4 David Mathieu Woodstock, CT 7 18-06 0
5 Jason Roberts Rutland, VT 5 13-13 0
6 Patrick Martin St Roch De L Achigan Qu 5 13-01 0
7 Michael Comeau Alburgh, VT 6 12-01 0
ONTARIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Andrej Chowaniec Beeton Ontario CANADA 15 38-07 0
2 Travis Surette Kingston Ontario CANADA 14 37-05 0
3 Jason Gramada Les Cedres Quebec CANAD 10 25-12 0
4 Fern Campeau Ottawa Province CANADA 9 24-02 0
5 Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 7 20-01 0
6 Tom Hardy Penetanguishene Ontario 7 19-04 0
7 Phil Curtis Rosseau ONTARIO CANADA 9 18-14 0
8 Kevin McPhee Woodlawn Ontario CANADA 6 15-06 0
9 Mathew Koprash North Bay Ontario CANAD 5 12-08 0
10 Tucker Bedard Verner CANADA 3 06-06 0
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northeastern Regional 6/7-6/10
Potomac River, Charles Co MD.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Zachary Queeney Atco, NJ (NJ) 9 31-00 0
2. James D'Ambra Hanover, MA (MA) 9 28-06 0
3. Rob Ross Hopedale, MA (MA) 9 27-11 0
4. Patrick Staszewski Wayne, NJ (NJ) 8 26-13 0
5. Cooper Haase Duncannon, PA (PA) 9 25-14 0
6. Ross Caruso Pittsburgh, PA (PA) 8 25-01 0
7. Roger Foraker Magnolia, DE (DE) 9 24-05 0
8. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT (CT) 8 23-02 0
9. Mike Bell Ogdensburg, NY (NY) 9 22-13 0
10. Alex Shaffer Brookville, PA (PA) 8 22-07 0
11. Jon Metot Phoenix, NY (NY) 8 22-04 0
12. Bob Jeffrey Prospect, CT (CT) 9 21-15 0
13. Eric Moulton Enfield, NH (NH) 8 21-09 0
14. Paul Baker New Fairfield, CT (CT) 8 21-08 0
15. Ron Stierstorfer Middle River, MD (MD) 8 21-07 0
16. Peter Owen Jr Barnstead, NH (NH) 8 21-01 0
17. Eric Boehm Jr Lumberton, NJ (NJ) 9 21-01 0
18. Mark Mounts Washington, PA (PA) 8 20-14 0
19. Dave Haas Sewell, NJ (NJ) 7 20-14 0
20. Tyler Hawthorne Waynesboro, PA (MD) 8 19-15 0
21. Garrett Sicely Albany, VT (VT) 7 19-13 0
22. David Pfeiffer Milton Mills, NH (ME) 7 19-08 0
23. Bryce Poulin Lisbon, ME (ME) 7 18-09 0
24. Chris Miller Flanders, NJ (NJ) 8 18-07 0
25. Robert Rull Jr Coventry, RI (RI) 7 17-09 0
26. Bob Wetzler Rutland, VT (VT) 7 17-03 0
27. Hayden Kent Denton, MD (DE) 7 16-13 0
28. Steven Conde Chepachet, RI (RI) 6 15-14 0
29. Evan Miller Cumberland, ME (ME) 7 15-08 0
30. Andrew Krauss Seabright CANADA (ON) 6 14-04 0
31. Cameron Norton Cambridge, MA (MA) 6 13-09 0
32. Josh Giran Elizabeth, PA (PA) 5 13-08 0
33. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI (RI) 6 13-05 0
34. Wes Vyverberg Rochester, NY (NY) 5 13-01 0
35. Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ (CT) 5 13-00 0
36. Bobby Smith Laurel, DE (DE) 5 12-15 0
37. Peter Knight Fulton, NY (NY) 5 12-15 0
38. Devin Hines West Haven, CT (CT) 5 12-13 0
39. Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD (MD) 6 12-07 0
40. Robert Baillargeon Kingston, NH (NH) 5 12-04 0
41. Neil Talento Meriden, CT (CT) 6 12-04 0
42. Mike Krauss Lindsay Ontario CANADA 5 12-02 0
43. Randy Marshall Sr. Belgrade, ME (ME) 5 12-01 0
44. Shane Gagnon Livermore Falls, ME (ME 5 11-12 0
45. Vinny Mucci North Haven, CT (CT) 4 11-11 0
46. Ernest Weathersby Leominster, MA (MA) 5 11-10 0
47. Jacob Zaremski Rochester, NY (NY) 4 11-03 0
48. Charlie Clifford Walkersville, MD (MD) 5 11-02 0
49. Aaron Busch East Syracuse, NY (NY) 5 11-01 0
50. Gregory Ledwell White Marsh, MD (MD) 4 11-01 0
51. Michael Trimarchi Saugus, MA (MA) 5 11-00 0
52. Mike Crepp Alexandria, KY (PA) 5 11-00 0
53. Timothy Rivet Pascoag, RI (RI) 4 10-15 0
54. Michael Stewart Wrentham, MA (NH) 4 10-13 0
55. CJ Tuite Mount Arlington, NJ (NJ 4 10-11 0
56. Paul Decker Milford, PA (NY) 4 10-11 0
57. John Miller Jr Bridgeville, DE (DE) 4 10-08 0
58. Jimmy Eney Baltimore, MD (MD) 4 10-07 0
59. Chris Adams Bow, NH (NH) 4 10-07 0
60. John Nichols Milford, DE (DE) 4 10-05 0
61. Brian Pineau Milford, CT (CT) 4 10-02 0
62. Brent Temple BREWERTON, NY (NY) 4 10-02 0
63. Robert Serer Naugatuck, CT (CT) 3 10-00 0
64. Brandon Regnault Providence, RI (RI) 4 10-00 0
65. Andrew Senecal Putnam, CT (RI) 3 09-15 0
66. Jacob Muir Milford, DE (DE) 4 09-15 0
67. Jerald Conley Franklinville, NJ (NJ) 4 09-08 0
68. Ray Rios Lafayette , NJ (NJ) 3 09-08 0
69. Luis Paredes Milford, CT (CT) 4 09-07 0
70. Bruce Wood Jr Sabattus, ME (ME) 4 09-06 0
71. James Lowe Harrison, ME (ME) 3 09-04 0
72. Tyler Rush Clearville, PA (PA) 4 09-04 0
73. Scott Breichner Hagerstown, MD (PA) 3 09-03 0
74. Jonathan Stewart Manahawkin, NJ (NJ) 4 09-02 0
75. Steven Davis Dover, PA (MD) 4 09-00 0
76. Butch Van Drunen Hardeson, DE (DE) 3 08-14 0
77. Skyler Morris Parkville, MD (MD) 4 08-10 0
78. Logan Riley Westport, MA (MA) 4 08-10 0
79. Julian Felix Fitchburg, MA (RI) 4 08-08 0
80. Christopher Tacelli Smithfield, RI (RI) 3 08-05 0
81. Jon Ruch Jersey City, NJ (NJ) 3 08-05 0
82. Steven Tessier Russell Ontario CANADA 4 08-05 0
83. Toby Cross Bowdoinham, ME (ME) 3 08-03 0
83. Richard Martin Chapeau CANADA (ON) 3 08-03 0
85. Alex Gross Jefferson, NH (NH) 4 08-02 0
86. Dave Metivier Gray, ME (NH) 4 08-01 0
87. Ron Horton Dover, DE (DE) 3 07-15 0
88. Scott Leppanen Byfield, MA (NH) 4 07-15 0
89. Michael Schrader North Attleboro, MA (RI 3 07-13 0
90. Guiseppe Andreoli Foster, RI (RI) 3 07-11 0
91. Lee Corazzi Fredericktown, PA (PA) 3 07-10 0
92. Carl Borelli Highland, NY (NY) 3 07-07 0
93. Tom O'Brien Alfred, ME (ME) 3 07-06 0
94. Olivia Baroffio Northfield, VT (VT) 4 07-04 0
95. Ron Pelkie Jr Fryeburg, ME (ME) 3 07-00 0
96. Sammy Chhoeun Fall River, MA (MA) 3 06-09 0
96. Isaac Hastings Schenectady, NY (NY) 3 06-09 0
98. Dan Marson Elmvale Ontario CANADA 3 06-02 0
99. Michael Trial York, PA (PA) 2 05-14 0
100. Jerry Ramasci Wakefield, MA (MA) 3 05-13 0
101. Jay Walls Milford, DE (DE) 3 05-09 0
102. Tracy Rich North Bay CANADA (ON) 2 05-06 0
103. Dylan Stowe Weybridge, VT (VT) 2 05-05 0
104. Vic Brown II Glen Burnie, MD (MD) 2 04-15 0
105. Greg Decell Bridgewater, VT (VT) 2 04-07 0
106. Jesse Manning Athol, MA (MA) 2 04-06 0
107. Adam Poe Manchester, MD (MD) 2 04-03 0
108. Michael Street Russell Ontario CANADA 2 04-02 0
109. Remi Fanelli Innisfil Ontario CANADA 2 03-14 0
110. Richard Bilodeau Corbeil Ontario CANADA 2 03-08 0
111. Jason Betourney Bridport, VT (VT) 1 02-13 0
112. Jeff Moore Center Barnstead, NH (N 1 02-04 0
113. Anthony Skanes Cambridge Ontario CANAD 1 02-02 0
114. Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE (DE) 1 01-12 0
115. Lynn Gervais Pierrefonds Quebec CANA 1 01-08 0
116. Ryan Parker Lisbon, ME (MA) 0 00-00 0
116. Bob Severns Carnegie, PA (PA) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 53 229 569-01
2 57 243 622-12
3 16 70 195-04
----------------------------------
126 542 1387-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 NEW JERSEY 475-03
2 PENNSYLVANIA 423-00
3 NEW YORK 384-02
4 CONNECTICUT 366-01
5 RHODE ISLAND 360-11
6 DELAWARE 357-03
7 MARYLAND 342-13
8 MAINE 341-14
9 MASSACHUSETTS 294-03
10 ONTARIO 286-01
11 NEW HAMPSHIRE 249-14
12 VERMONT 201-15
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTICUT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 8 23-02 0
2 Bob Jeffrey Prospect, CT 9 21-15 0
3 Paul Baker New Fairfield, CT 8 21-08 0
4 Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ 5 13-00 0
5 Devin Hines West Haven, CT 5 12-13 0
6 Neil Talento Meriden, CT 6 12-04 0
7 Vinny Mucci North Haven, CT 4 11-11 0
8 Brian Pineau Milford, CT 4 10-02 0
9 Robert Serer Naugatuck, CT 3 10-00 0
10 Luis Paredes Milford, CT 4 09-07 0
DELAWARE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Roger Foraker Magnolia, DE 9 24-05 0
2 Hayden Kent Denton, MD 7 16-13 0
3 Bobby Smith Laurel, DE 5 12-15 0
4 John Miller Jr Bridgeville, DE 4 10-08 0
5 John Nichols Milford, DE 4 10-05 0
6 Jacob Muir Milford, DE 4 09-15 0
7 Butch Van Drunen Hardeson, DE 3 08-14 0
8 Ron Horton Dover, DE 3 07-15 0
9 Jay Walls Milford, DE 3 05-09 0
10 Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE 1 01-12 0
MASSACHUSETTS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 James D'Ambra Hanover, MA 9 28-06 0
2 Rob Ross Hopedale, MA 9 27-11 0
3 Cameron Norton Cambridge, MA 6 13-09 0
4 Ernest Weathersby Leominster, MA 5 11-10 0
5 Michael Trimarchi Saugus, MA 5 11-00 0
6 Logan Riley Westport, MA 4 08-10 0
7 Sammy Chhoeun Fall River, MA 3 06-09 0
8 Jerry Ramasci Wakefield, MA 3 05-13 0
9 Jesse Manning Athol, MA 2 04-06 0
10 Ryan Parker Lisbon, ME 0 00-00 0
MARYLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ron Stierstorfer Middle River, MD 8 21-07 0
2 Tyler Hawthorne Waynesboro, PA 8 19-15 0
3 Joe Devoe Aberdeen, MD 6 12-07 0
4 Charlie Clifford Walkersville, MD 5 11-02 0
5 Gregory Ledwell White Marsh, MD 4 11-01 0
6 Jimmy Eney Baltimore, MD 4 10-07 0
7 Steven Davis Dover, PA 4 09-00 0
8 Skyler Morris Parkville, MD 4 08-10 0
9 Vic Brown II Glen Burnie, MD 2 04-15 0
10 Adam Poe Manchester, MD 2 04-03 0
MAINE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Pfeiffer Milton Mills, NH 7 19-08 0
2 Bryce Poulin Lisbon, ME 7 18-09 0
3 Evan Miller Cumberland, ME 7 15-08 0
4 Randy Marshall Sr. Belgrade, ME 5 12-01 0
5 Shane Gagnon Livermore Falls, ME 5 11-12 0
6 Bruce Wood Jr Sabattus, ME 4 09-06 0
7 James Lowe Harrison, ME 3 09-04 0
8 Toby Cross Bowdoinham, ME 3 08-03 0
9 Tom O'Brien Alfred, ME 3 07-06 0
10 Ron Pelkie Jr Fryeburg, ME 3 07-00 0
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Eric Moulton Enfield, NH 8 21-09 0
2 Peter Owen Jr Barnstead, NH 8 21-01 0
3 Robert Baillargeon Kingston, NH 5 12-04 0
4 Michael Stewart Wrentham, MA 4 10-13 0
5 Chris Adams Bow, NH 4 10-07 0
6 Alex Gross Jefferson, NH 4 08-02 0
7 Dave Metivier Gray, ME 4 08-01 0
8 Scott Leppanen Byfield, MA 4 07-15 0
9 Jeff Moore Center Barnstead, NH 1 02-04 0
NEW JERSEY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Zachary Queeney Atco, NJ 9 31-00 0
2 Patrick Staszewski Wayne, NJ 8 26-13 0
3 Eric Boehm Jr Lumberton, NJ 9 21-01 0
4 Dave Haas Sewell, NJ 7 20-14 0
5 Chris Miller Flanders, NJ 8 18-07 0
6 CJ Tuite Mount Arlington, NJ 4 10-11 0
7 Jerald Conley Franklinville, NJ 4 09-08 0
8 Ray Rios Lafayette , NJ 3 09-08 0
9 Jonathan Stewart Manahawkin, NJ 4 09-02 0
10 Jon Ruch Jersey City, NJ 3 08-05 0
NEW YORK
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Bell Ogdensburg, NY 9 22-13 0
2 Jon Metot Phoenix, NY 8 22-04 0
3 Wes Vyverberg Rochester, NY 5 13-01 0
4 Peter Knight Fulton, NY 5 12-15 0
5 Jacob Zaremski Rochester, NY 4 11-03 0
6 Aaron Busch East Syracuse, NY 5 11-01 0
7 Paul Decker Milford, PA 4 10-11 0
8 Brent Temple BREWERTON, NY 4 10-02 0
9 Carl Borelli Highland, NY 3 07-07 0
10 Isaac Hastings Schenectady, NY 3 06-09 0
PENNSYLVANIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Cooper Haase Duncannon, PA 9 25-14 0
2 Ross Caruso Pittsburgh, PA 8 25-01 0
3 Alex Shaffer Brookville, PA 8 22-07 0
4 Mark Mounts Washington, PA 8 20-14 0
5 Josh Giran Elizabeth, PA 5 13-08 0
6 Mike Crepp Alexandria, KY 5 11-00 0
7 Tyler Rush Clearville, PA 4 09-04 0
8 Scott Breichner Hagerstown, MD 3 09-03 0
9 Lee Corazzi Fredericktown, PA 3 07-10 0
10 Michael Trial York, PA 2 05-14 0
11 Bob Severns Carnegie, PA 0 00-00 0
RHODE ISLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Robert Rull Jr Coventry, RI 7 17-09 0
2 Steven Conde Chepachet, RI 6 15-14 0
3 Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 6 13-05 0
4 Timothy Rivet Pascoag, RI 4 10-15 0
5 Brandon Regnault Providence, RI 4 10-00 0
6 Andrew Senecal Putnam, CT 3 09-15 0
7 Julian Felix Fitchburg, MA 4 08-08 0
8 Christopher Tacelli Smithfield, RI 3 08-05 0
9 Michael Schrader North Attleboro, MA 3 07-13 0
10 Guiseppe Andreoli Foster, RI 3 07-11 0
VERMONT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Garrett Sicely Albany, VT 7 19-13 0
2 Bob Wetzler Rutland, VT 7 17-03 0
3 Olivia Baroffio Northfield, VT 4 07-04 0
4 Dylan Stowe Weybridge, VT 2 05-05 0
5 Greg Decell Bridgewater, VT 2 04-07 0
6 Jason Betourney Bridport, VT 1 02-13 0
7 Lynn Gervais Pierrefonds Quebec CANA 1 01-08 0
ONTARIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Andrew Krauss Seabright CANADA 6 14-04 0
2 Mike Krauss Lindsay Ontario CANADA 5 12-02 0
3 Steven Tessier Russell Ontario CANADA 4 08-05 0
4 Richard Martin Chapeau CANADA 3 08-03 0
5 Dan Marson Elmvale Ontario CANADA 3 06-02 0
6 Tracy Rich North Bay CANADA 2 05-06 0
7 Michael Street Russell Ontario CANADA 2 04-02 0
8 Remi Fanelli Innisfil Ontario CANADA 2 03-14 0
9 Richard Bilodeau Corbeil Ontario CANADA 2 03-08 0
10 Anthony Skanes Cambridge Ontario CANAD 1 02-02 0
Spencer Shuffield Tops Group B at Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler
Hot Springs, Arkansas Pro Paces Group B Qualifying Round with Two-Day Total of 10 Bass Weighing 50-10, Field of 40 Set for Saturday’s Knockout Round
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (June 9, 2023) – Bass Pro Tour angler Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, caught 13 scorable bass Friday, with his best five weighing 24 pounds, 9 ounces to win the two-day Qualifying Group B round at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler . Shuffield’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 50 pounds, 10 ounces, earned him the victory by a 10-ounce margin and advances him, along with the remaining top 20 pros from Group B, into Saturday’s Knockout Round of competition.
Cayuga Lake, however, was the real star of the tournament on Friday as the fishery absolutely showed out with numerous limits of huge, healthy smallmouth and largemouth bass being caught. Of the 40 anglers that were competing Friday, 35 of them weighed in five-bass limits greater than 20 pounds – an astonishing figure that had MLFNOW! broadcaster J.T. Kenney calling Cayuga Lake the ‘Big Bass Factory of the North.”
Favorite Fishing pro Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 50 pounds even to end the round in second- place, and Heavy Hitters 2023 Champion Alton Jones Jr., of Waco, Texas, finished the round in third place with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 48-12. Day 1 leader Cody Meyer of Star, Idaho, finished the round in fourth place with a two-day total of 10 bass for 47-11. Rounding out the top five was General Tire pro Mark Rose of Wynne, Arkansas, who caught 26-2 on Friday to finish with a two-day total of 10 bass for 47-6 and advance in fifth place.
The remaining 40 anglers – the top 20 from each group – now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round, where weights are zeroed, and the anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round on Sunday. Weights will carry over from the Knockout Round into the Championship Round, which will feature the final 10 anglers competing for the heaviest two-day cumulative total and the top prize of $100,000.
“Today was a very productive day,” Shuffield said in his post-game interview. “I broke 50 pounds and that’s what I really wanted to do – break 50 with all smallmouth – and we did it. It was a great day, and I can’t wait to get back out here again tomorrow.”
Like the majority of the field, Shuffield sight-fished for smallmouth bass on Friday, and he caught his fish drop-shotting a Strike King Baby Z-Too.
“I’ve been throwing the chartreuse color called siren, but I honestly don’t think color even matters,” Shuffield said. “I threw it on an Ark Reinforcer 7-foot, 3-inch medium-light rod paired with 15-pound Yo-Zuri SuperBraid line and an 8-pound Yo-Zuri T7 Premium fluorocarbon leader. I just worked down the bank, finding big smallmouth on beds.”
After catching his limit, Shuffield was able to spend the rest of the afternoon scouting new areas and looking for smallmouth to target during the Knockout Round.
“I marked probably 8 or 9 more bass over 5 pounds, and one that was for sure over 6+,” Shuffield said. “And the 6-pounder is sneaky, so I feel really good about that one.
“The guy that wins this thing is going to be the guy that finds them again tomorrow in the Knockout Round,” Shuffield went on to say. “The key will be finding a stretch that a bunch of guys aren’t already fishing, and then find 4 to 7 good ones on it. If you can find the smallmouth, they’re absolutely ready and willing to bite. I’m looking forward to it.”
The top 20 pros from Group B that now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 50-10
2nd: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 50-0
3rd: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 48-12
4th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 10 bass, 47-11
5th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 47-6
6th: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 10 bass, 47-3
7th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 10 bass, 47-0
8th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 46-6
9th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 45-2
10th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., 10 bass, 44-12
11th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 10 bass, 44-9
12th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 44-3
13th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 44-3
14th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 10 bass, 44-1
15th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 44-0
16th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 43-6
17th: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., 10 bass, 43-1
18th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 10 bass, 42-12
19th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 42-7
20th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 42-6
Eliminated from competition are:
21st: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 42-2
22nd: Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa., 10 bass, 41-10
23rd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 41-3
24th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 41-2
25th: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 40-12
26th: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., 10 bass, 40-10
27th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 40-10
28th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., 10 bass, 40-9
29th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., 10 bass, 40-7
30th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., five bass, 39-15
31st: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., eight bass, 39-8
32nd: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 39-8
33rd: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., 10 bass, 39-0
34th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., 10 bass, 38-9
35th: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, 10 bass, 37-12
36th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 10 bass, 37-11
37th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 10 bass, 35-15
38th: Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 10 bass, 35-10
39th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 10 bass, 33-2
40th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., eight bass, 30-15
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 319 scorable bass weighing 1,251 pounds, 1 ounce caught by the 40 pros Friday, which included 55 5-pounders, four 6-pounders and two 7-pounders.
Friday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was awarded to pro Takahiro Omori, who weighed in a 7-pound, 2-ounce smallmouth which bit his drop-shot rig in Period 2. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event 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 competed in their two-day qualifying round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. Now that 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.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park 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, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Bass Pro Shops, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in Auburn, New York, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors. Fans can hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen during the MLF Watch Party. On Sunday at 5 p.m., the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand for the trophy celebration and to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler features 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 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. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morningon 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 + 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Orange sets another Bassmaster Elite attendance record
Folds of Honor Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River champion Brock Mosley celebrates with the record-breaking crowd at Orange, Texas. The event set a new Elite Series attendance record, drawing 42,448 fans to events throughout the week.
Photo by Shane Durrance/B.A.S.S.
June 9, 2023
Orange sets another Bassmaster Elite attendance record
ORANGE, Texas — The 2023 Folds of Honor Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River is officially an event for the record books. Local officials announced a total of 42,448 attended events throughout the week, which included not only takeoffs and weigh-in festivities, but an outdoors expo, the Orange County River Festival and nightly concerts featuring Casey Chesnutt, The Molly Ringwalds, Cole Whittlesey and legendary Texas act the Randy Rogers Band.
“We are very proud that we set a record once again in attendance for the Bassmaster Elite Series on the Sabine,” said Ida Schossow, president of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event. “This community never ceases to amaze me! They love the event, and they continue to show up to support B.A.S.S. and the anglers. Our relationship over the past 10 years with B.A.S.S has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to bringing future events to Orange County.”
Event co-chair David Jones echoed the excitement and thanked the many volunteers from across the region who helped to carry out the long-term vision of success that began 10 years ago.
“I’m ecstatic to hear we beat our record once again,” said Jones. “The spirit of the southeast Texas community never ceases to amaze me. They are tough, resilient and always deliver. They have overcome so much over the years from recessions, several hurricanes, floods and even a pandemic. They always unite and come out on top.
“When you bring a great organization like Bassmaster to town — along with professional anglers, entertainment, food and fun — then pour some of that southeast Texas, Orange County love on, it becomes a catalyst for success. Some call it magic, I call it the 'Bassmaster Fever!' We did it again! I am beyond proud of our community and incredibly thankful to our committee, sponsors and all our volunteers that truly made this event incredibly successful. Thank you Orange County! Let’s continue to grow.”
Previous Elite events in Orange, Texas, have also drawn record-breaking crowds — in four previous visits, the crowds totaled more than 136,000. In fact, Orange currently holds five of the Top 10 highest-attended Elite Series events of all time.
“Our partnership with Bassmaster and Folds of Honor has once again set the record for attendance at an Elite Series tournament, which continues to show our citizens' commitment and support of the great sport of professional bass fishing,” said Orange County Judge John Gothia. “The hard work of our committee and volunteers insured another family fun experience which continues to grow this fantastic sport. We look forward to hosting another event in the future.”
Over the past decade, Orange has hosted six major B.A.S.S. events — five Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments and a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series derby.
“The event marked the 10th anniversary of our great relationship with Orange,” said Eric Lopez, director of operations for B.A.S.S. “It’s amazing to see how the entire town and communities across southeast Texas come together to put on a huge party welcoming B.A.S.S. and our anglers. We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in making this our biggest event ever.”
VanDam Cruises to Qualifying Round Win at Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler
Michigan Pro Boats Two-Day Total of 52-7 To Pace Group A Field, Top 20 Pros Advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (June 8, 2023) – Bass Pro Tour angler Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, caught eight scorable bass Thursday, with his best five going for 24 pounds, 6 ounces. VanDam’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 52 pounds, 7 ounces was enough to best the 39 other anglers in Group A and win the Qualifying Round for Group A at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler.
“So far, the tournament is going real well for me,” VanDam said in his post-game interview. “I feel like today was a productive day. I knew that I’d have to catch a good limit to move on to the Knockout Round, so I was able to do that early and then spend the rest of the day moving around trying to find more fish.”
Like Day 1 on Tuesday, VanDam caught the majority of his weight early sight-fishing with a drop-shot rig.
“When I put 28-1 on the scales, it opened everybody’s eyes that first day and it got a lot of people sight-fishing for smallmouth (today) that didn’t the first day. And some of those guys ended up getting in(to the Knockout Round). I think the majority of the field will likely be fishing for smallmouth, and probably in very similar sections of the lake. So the Knockout Round is going to be the real challenging day.
“I know I’m just going to have to execute,” VanDam continued. “The history that I have fishing for smallmouth this time of year definitely gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve got a lot of fish located, I’ve covered a whole lot of water, and I feel like I’ve got a really good gameplan. It’s going to come down to getting a couple of those bigger bites – it’s going to take a lot of weight just to make the Championship Round. We’ll see what happens, I’m looking forward to it.”
VanDam’s weight was 2 pounds heavier than his nearest competitor, pro Jared Lintner of Covington, Georgia, who finished the round in second place with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 50-7. Googan Baits pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, boated a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 49-5 to end the round in third place, while Hot Springs, Arkansas’ Dylan Hays , finished the day in fourth place with a two-day total of 10 bass for 49-5. Reigning Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, rounded out the top five with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 46-8.
The top 20 anglers from Group A will now have an off day from competition Friday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round. The top 20 anglers from each group will 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 top 20 pros from Group A that now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 52-7
2nd: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 10 bass, 50-7
3rd: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 10 bass, 49-5
4th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 47-2
5th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 46-8
6th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 10 bass, 46-6
7th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., 10 bass, 45-5
8th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 10 bass, 44-12
9th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 10 bass, 44-9
10th: Alton Jones Sr., Lorena, Texas, 10 bass, 44-5
11th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 43-2
12th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 10 bass, 42-13
13th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 42-11
14th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 42-8
15th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 10 bass, 41-15
16th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 10 bass, 41-6
17th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 10 bass, 41-2
18th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 10 bass, 41-2
19th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 40-15
20th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 10 bass, 40-12
Eliminated from competition are:
21st: Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 10 bass, 40-4
22nd: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., 10 bass, 40-0
23rd: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 10 bass, 40-0
24th: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., 10 bass, 39-12
25th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 39-1
26th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 37-12
27th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10 bass, 37-11
28th: John Murray, Spring City, Tenn., 10 bass, 37-1
29th: Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., 10 bass, 36-11
30th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., 10 bass, 36-5
31st: Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, 10 bass, 36-3
32nd: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 35-12
33rd: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 35-9
34th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 35-4
35th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 33-9
36th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., nine bass, 33-5
37th: Shinichi Fukae, Osaka, Japan, 10 bass, 31-3
38th: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., eight bass, 23-12
39th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., seven bass, 22-15
40th: Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla., eight bass, 21-10
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 317 scorable bass weighing 1,122 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the 40 pros Thursday, which included 35 5-pounders, three 6-pounders and one 7-pounder.
Lintner caught the largest five-bass weight on the day – 27 pounds, 4 ounces – and he also earned Thursday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 7-pound, 2-ounce smallmouth bass that he caught on a drop-shot rig – the second-largest smallmouth ever weighed in Bass Pro Tour history. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event 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 competed 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.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park 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, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Bass Pro Shops, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in Auburn, New York, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors. Fans can hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen during the MLF Watch Party. On Sunday at 5 p.m., the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand for the trophy celebration and to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler features 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 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. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morningon 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 + 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Berkley PowerBait CullShad
Berkley’s new weapon that big bass can’t refuse
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 8, 2023) – There’s no question that the big bait trend is the strongest it has ever been. Anglers have been asking for Berkley to join the movement and Berkley has answered the call. With the new Berkley PowerBait CullShad – more big bass are being caught than ever before. There’s also no question that the perfect shallow water harnessed swimbait doesn’t exist…until now.
The PowerBait CullShad produces immediately for anglers, as seen at the 2023 Major League Fishing REDCREST where the bait created a craze amongst many competitors, as well as on social media. Through countless design iterations, feedback generation, and testing the CullShad answers the call providing a solution to many of the frustrations anglers experience with harnessed swimbaits. In addition, the CullShad brings the added benefit of taste to the category of large swimbaits. Infused with Berkley’s famous and scientifically engineered taste of PowerBait it’s easy to see why the CullShad garnered fast praise from the pros.
For anglers looking to take their shallow water swim-baiting to a new level, the CullShad combines big profile drawing power with proprietary Honey Comb Technology for next-level action and durability. In addition, the smart weighting ability, hassle-free harness and hook clip ensures you’ve got the Berkley advantage on every cast. An advantage so strongly requested by anglers that Berkley moved up the production cycle to meet that demand.
KEY FEATURES
• PowerBait Honey Comb technology increases durability without sacrificing action
• Pre-rigged harness that comes ready to fish
• Swimbait body designed to reduce blowout and keep the bait running flawlessly at a variety of speeds – allowing the tail to kick at the slowest of speeds and the bait not blowing out at higher speeds.
• Smart weighting options that give anglers the ability to control the bait’s sink rate with the use of nail weights
• Hook retention clip that keeps the treble hook secured to body to allow for more efficient skipping
• First in class finish featuring painted and HD printed forage matching colorways
Sizes: 6-inch • 8-inch
Colors: Albino • Electric Shad • Ghost Morning Dawn • Green Pumpkin Pearl White • HD Blue Shad • HD Ghost Gizzard • HD Gizzard Shad • HD Rainbow Trout • HD Yellow Perch • Hitch • Lime Ice • Sight Flash
MSRP: $11.99 – 6-inch • $14.99 – 8-inch
Available: June 2023
Monster playing field awaits Opens anglers at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula
Oklahoma's Lake Eufaula will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series June 15-17.
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
June 8, 2023
Monster playing field awaits Opens anglers at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula
EUFAULA, Okla. — A giant playing field awaits anglers competing in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula, Okla., and Elite Series pro and local stick Luke Palmer believes every inch of the lake could produce a winning bag of bass.
“It is a neat lake because it can be won out of any section of the lake,” the 2023 Santee Cooper Lakes Elite champion said. “It is just a good fishery. It has a lot of 2 1/2- to 3-pound bass in it. An angler can do what he wants.”
Tournament days are scheduled for June 15-17, with takeoffs beginning daily at 6 a.m. CT from Nichols Point. Anglers will return for weigh-in beginning at 2 p.m. Following the Day 2 weigh-in, the field will be cut to the Top 10 and the winner will punch their ticket to the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in Tulsa.
This is the first time the Bassmaster Tournament Trail has visited the more northwest version of Lake Eufaula since 2014. Covering over 105,000 acres with 800 miles of shoreline, Eufaula is Oklahoma’s largest reservoir and is one of the largest playing fields the Opens anglers will fish this season.
Palmer, who lives close by in Coalgate, Okla., has won several big events on Eufaula, including a 400-boat tournament last fall. While he would prefer this tournament to be a couple of weeks earlier, he believes competitors will be able to fish to their strengths.
“It has a little bit of everything,” he said. “We are putting in at the dead center of the lake, so you can run 35 or 40 miles one way or you can stay close. You will have a variety of water colors, too.
“It will be pretty clean toward the dam, and I think the midlake (area) is clearing up as well. You can fish deep if you want to, and then there will be some guys who will be in the dirt the whole time.”
All three species of bass live in Eufaula. Largemouth tend to be the bigger, more consistent player. With several major floods, Palmer has seen smallmouth fishing become less productive in recent years.
For anglers fishing for points or needing a solid keeper to fill out a good bag, spotted bass can also come into play. While they used to be more of a nuisance in tournaments, Palmer has seen the spotted bass size improve, with many of those spots measuring in the 2 to 2 1/2-pound range in recent years.
While Eufaula has a great bass population, it doesn’t necessarily hold groups of quality fish like a Tennessee River reservoir. It also doesn’t reload as quickly. An angler can catch 20 pounds one day and return to the same area the next day and only land 10 pounds. Palmer anticipates the winner will catch over 20 pounds at least one day and back it up with around 15 or 16 pounds the other two days.
“Whoever wins this event is going to have to use multiple areas to do it,” Palmer said. “We have a good population of fish, but there is only so much structure for them to be on. It isn’t like Guntersville where you roll up on a point and catch 25 pounds in six casts. If you catch two off a point in Oklahoma, that is a good spot and you better leave it alone. They are more scattered out.”
Temperatures across the country have been on the rise and full summertime patterns are beginning to emerge. During the tournament days, the forecast calls for high temperatures in the mid-90s with lows only dropping into the 70s. Shad and crawfish will be the main forage, while some anglers may find some hanging around late-spawning bream.
With the water level close to full pool and out of the bushes that line the banks, Palmer said the reservoir mostly consists of rock. Midlake down, standing timber starts to factor in, and that is where Palmer believes newbies will have the most opportunity to do something unique.
“I think that will play more than it does in local derbies. I think guys will really look at it differently,” he said. “They are going to do stuff differently than the local anglers. This tournament will probably be won out of something none of us (locals) would ever fish. Something off the wall.”
While something off the wall may win, Palmer anticipates a few Oklahoma staples will catch bass as well, including a jig, spinnerbait, squarebill and some type of topwater walking bait. A shaky head is also a popular choice on Eufaula.
John Garrett of Union City, Tenn., leads the Opens Elite Qualifiers points race after four events with 755 points. Japanese angler Kenta Kimura is second with 725 points, followed by Illinois youngster Trey McKinney in third with 722, Georgia’s Matt Henry in fourth with 706 and South Carolina’s JT Thompkins in fifth with 706.
At the conclusion of the season, the top nine anglers from the EQ field will receive invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. Full standings for the EQ division can be found at Bassmaster.com.
You can follow all the action from the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula on Bassmaster.com.
Fish On! Charles County Readies for MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals T-H Marine Stop 5 on the Potomac River
Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete Next Week for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Qualification into REDCREST 2024
MARBURY, Md. (June 8, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Marbury, Maryland, next week, June 17-19, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River. The Invitational tournament will feature a roster of 150 professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000, and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – for the chance to win up to $300,000.
Hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners, the tournament marks the fifth of six Invitational events in 2023, offering competitors a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. In addition to the top payout of $115,000, the field is also competing for valuable points to win the coveted Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The top eight pros in the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY standings at the end of the season will receive an invitation to compete on the Bass Pro Tour in 2024.
“The Potomac River is a world-class fishery, and the Charles County Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department is excited to continue to welcome anglers and their families for fishing tournaments,” said Maggie Boyden, Tourism Marketing Coordinator for Charles County. “These events yield substantial economic impact to our local economy which supports businesses, hotels, restaurants, and future development.”
The tidal fishery is a very familiar destination for MLF and many of the pro anglers competing in this tournament, as the Potomac River has hosted countless major bass-fishing tournaments. Historically, milfoil has always played a huge role on the river, but that hasn’t totally been the case in tournaments as of late. Eelgrass and star grass have become important players. Notably, some of the best eelgrass stretches have been on the main river, which has expanded the playing field a little bit as well.
Green Lane, Pennsylvania pro Grae Buck has quite a bit of experience fishing on the Potomac River, and he believes we’re headed for another good event on the historic fishery.
“The fishing should be pretty strong, and it won’t be too hot,” Buck said. “The majority of fish should be postspawn and getting into their summertime patterns, when they’re eating. My favorite time to fish the Potomac is early May, but the fishing should be fun and this will be a good one.”
“I’ll be interested to see what the weights are this year,” Buck continued. “When we were there in ’21, the average was way higher than I thought it would be. I didn’t see that coming, I knew we would catch fish, but I thought 12 pounds a day would make a Top 50.
“The last few years, it seems like the river is getting stronger and the weights are getting higher,” Buck said. “Overall, the weights have gotten stronger, and I think that has a lot to do with the grass. It’s not necessarily milfoil, there’s other grass, but it lets the fish have more habitat to grow in.”
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Saturday and Sunday 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 Monday, 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 T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. In addition, the season-long Invitational AOY will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2024.
Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. ET, Saturday through Monday, from Smallwood State Park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury, Maryland. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat ramp 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 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational T-H Marine Stop 5 at the Potomac River 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, October 28.
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 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Big Bass Tour - Lake Previews for St. Lawrence River & Upper Mississippi River (La Crosse)
By Pete Robbins
After establishing a popular and ever-growing series of tournaments throughout the southeast, ranging from Virginia down to Florida and over to Texas, the Big Bass Tour has heeded the call of northern anglers and will expand to smallmouth country this year. The 10th and 11th events of the 2023 BBT season will take place at the St. Lawrence River and the Mississippi River (La Crosse, Wisconsin), in July and August, respectively.
Actually, referring to the northern fisheries as “smallmouth country” is a bit misleading, because both of these venues have exceptional largemouth fishing, too – a sneaky-good an almost untouched one in New York, and a better-known one in Wisconsin.
The St. Lawrence may currently be the country’s premier smallmouth tournament venue. Last year in an Elite Series event two anglers topped the 100 pound mark with four limits of smallies apiece, and it seems that each major tournament produces at least one 7-plus-pounder, if not a near-8. The waters of Lake Ontario will be off-limits to the competition, but the main river and it’s tributaries and canals hold more than enough fish to produce a compelling outcome.
Oftentimes anglers cull through dozens if not more 4- and 5-pound fish, moving up by ounces, so this event will be one where hourly awards are tightly packed, and paying attention to the live leaderboard will be critical. This is the fishery that made the Berkley Flatworm famous – and, for a period of time, hard to obtain – but power fishing techniques like a Berkley Stunna jerkbait will also come into play. A spy bait or deep diving crankbait, along with Ned Rigs, will likely be on the decks of many top competitors’ boats, too.
In Wisconsin, anglers may have to choose between the main river smallmouths, who live on wing dams, rock cover and various spillways, versus traversing the numerous weedy backwaters in search of the ample largemouths. Both species will be in play for the overall big bass winner, and again weights will be jam-packed in the 3- to 4-pound range, with 5-pounders being likely contenders, although the occasional 6-pounder shows up, too.
For the smallmouths, various finesse plastics, crankbaits and ribbed swimbaits will produce quality fish, while the largemouths under the canopies respond well to hollow bodied frogs and punched creature baits. This is also the venue that made northern swim jigging famous and helped the local masters refine it, so expect those chasing both species to have one or more of those on deck. They may not be doing the “Alabama Shake” with them, but they’ll be setting the hook plenty nonetheless.
The BBT will compete on the St. Lawrence from July 28-30, and on the Mighty Mississippi from August 4-6, and will then resume the schedule at the end of September with consecutive tournaments on Smith Mountain Lake, Douglas Lake and Guntersville to cap off what we expect to be a record-setting and prolific season of big bass weigh ins.
Cecil & Castledine win third Texas Team Trail ‘Progressive Team of the Year’ title!
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (June 8, 2023) –Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious accomplishments in tournament bass fishing, winning an “Angler of the Year” or “Team of the Year” title is a well-respected feat. For Russell Cecil and Todd Castledine, this achievement is another drop in the bucket, having now secured the title three times on the Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive. The duo clinched their third title – and the shiny prize that went with it – after finishing in third place this past weekend at the 2023 Texas Team Trail Championship on Choke Canyon Reservoir.
Having fished together since the inception of TXTT, Cecil and Castledine have proven to be top competitors year after year. In addition to the Progressive Team of the Year honors in 2023, the team cashed out tournament winnings at every regular season event, never landing outside of the Top 20 with two Top-5 finishes.
“We never really knew each other until Texas Team Trail started several years ago,” said Castledine. “When this started it gave us the chance to not only recognize how good the other one was, but then combine it and start fishing together in the trail. The year we started fishing this together, we won the ‘Team of the Year’ title. Now to fast-forward winning our third (TOY award), it’s not only an honor, but I hope it shows other teams that when you work as well as Russell and I do together in the boat, great things can happen.”
“The biggest factor to our success is trust,” Cecil commented on stage on the final day of the 2023 Texas Team Trail Championship. “We work hard during practice to stay out of each other’s way, and every action we do contributes to the overall success of our tournament day – and that goes further than just being out on the water.”
Cecil also reflected on capturing another TXTT TOY title, “Man, this one feels good. The teams this year in the Texas Team Trail seemed to be as strong as I can remember, and it did not come easy. We were backed up against a wall right up until the very end”.
Castledine added, “We would like to tip our boys from Arizona [Seth Furmanek & Robert Kettner]. They kept us on our toes all day, and we knew with how good they were fishing that one little slip up and they would have us. They made an insane amount of traveling this year, and not only that, they held their own against the best in the state of Texas, where guys fish all the time and know these lakes like the back of their hand.”
At the close of the 2023 season, Cecil and Castledine amassed $11,921 in cash, won a $500 Garmin Owner Contingency payout at Ray Roberts, and walked away with a new 2023 Ranger Z-518 powered by a 150 Mercury Pro XS for winning the 2023 Progressive Team of the Year title. In all, the team won a total of $64,916 in cash and prizes.
Top 10 Progressive Team of the Year final rankings with 2023 total earnings
1st Place: Russell Cecil & Todd Castledine, $64,916
2nd Place: Seth Furmanek & Robert Kettner, $8,569
3rd Place: Spencer Fair & Blake Castleberry, $4,637
4th Place: Travis Loyd & Brien Vaughn, $5,941
5th Place: Austin Miles & Jacob Keith, $8,719.50
6th Place: Michael Johnson & Byron Albrecht, $1,070
7th Place: James Martin & Hunter Muncrie, $500
8th Place: Jeff Bridges & Jerome Cope, $3,119
9th Place: Rich Dalbey & David Gillham, $1,302
10th Place: Chris Zachry & Randy Qualls, $5,438
Throwback Thursday - Season at a Glance: 1970 Bass Master Trail - Part Two
By Terry Battisti - Bass Fishing Archives
Editor’s Note: This is part two of the 1970 Bass Master Trail. To read part one, click here.
In the first part of the 1970 Bass Master Trail we covered the first three events of the season and also talked a bit about the new rookie on the tour, Roland Martin. Bill Dance had been the tour’s reigning champion since the inception of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society with four Bass Master wins to his credit between 1968 and ’69. It was obvious that Martin had placed a target on his head when he came to play in 1970.
The 1970 Bass Master Trail started at Toledo Bend in Texas where Martin quickly showed his dominance by placing second in his first-ever event. The second event saw the anglers move on to Lake Seminole in Georgia, where Martin would come away the winner. The third event at Ross Barnett would be a different story, though. Martin missed the event, which gave Dance some breathing room. Dance ended up the victor of the tournament. By the end of three tournaments, Dance was in the lead for the new Bass Master Angler of the Year award by 7500 points.
That’s where things really started to get interesting.
HENSHALL MEMORIAL – ADAIR WINS MARTIN SECOND
The fourth event of the 1970 Bass Master Trail was the Henshall Memorial tournament held on Walter F. George Lake (GA) or, Lake Eufaula. It was the fourth event held on the lake and since the past year, when Blake Honeycutt won with 138-06, anglers were chomping at the bit to fish.
Unfortunately, heavy rains and high water prior to the tournament scattered the fish. The 108 anglers who entered would have their work cut out for them.
Bill Adair found the fish in practice that would lead him to victory. But things didn’t start out as he would have liked. Adair’s spot was located by a stump and he placed a marker on the spot for reference. Unfortunately, when he came back on the first day of the tournament, he didn’t realize that his marker had floated about 100 yards off the spot. It took him two hours before he realized the mishap and when he did, he moved to the right spot and proceeded to boat 14 fish that weighed 22-12. That was good enough for the 6th spot going into day two. Billy Lewis of Alabama was in the first position with 39-09.
Roland Martin was still giving Bill Dance a run and placed second with 94-07, while Bass Master veteran John Powell placed third with 93-06. Rounding out the top 5 were Kentucky angler Ralph Polly with 85-04 and Texas football player Harold Hays with 80-11. With his spot confirmed, Adair set out on day two to redeem himself. By the end of the day, he’d boated 13 fish that pushed the scales down to 64-14, topped by an 8-01 largemouth. That gave him the lead with 87-10. The next day Adair added another 28-12 to win the event with 116-06.
Adair’s fish all came on plastic worms and cemented the soft bait as the number-one lure in Bass Master competition. Bass Master magazine stated that, “In 18 tournaments some 47,000 pounds of bass have been weighed-in with over 41,000 falling victim to plastic worm fishermen.”
In the non-pro division, J. S. (Shy) Powell of Georgia took top honors with 104-06. Had he fished the pro division he’d have placed second. Second place in the non-pro division was Larry Blakey (GA) with 61-04 and third place went to Wyndell Black (GA) with 56-08. The fourth spot went to H. W. Settles (GA) with 47-06 and Jim Hefner (KY) rounded out the top 5 with 37-05.
In all, 1,208 bass were weighed in for 2,940-02. Although this was one of the best “big fish action contests” to date, there were only five full limits weighed in. Clark Gable caught the big bass of the event, a 9-07 largemouth, and received $10 per pound plus a Motor Guide trolling motor.
For the top 20 see the table below.
OKLAHOMA NATIONAL – HADAD TRICKS THEM
The fifth event of the 1970 Bass Master Trail was held for the first time at Oklahoma’s Lake Eufaula. Temperatures pushed well past the 100-degree mark at the event and nearly all of the 110 contestants swore the winning fish would be caught in deep water. John Hadad III’s opinion would differ, though.
Hadad won the event by nearly 13 pounds (29 fish for 82-15) fishing a plastic worm in 5 to 7 feet of water. He concentrated on stick-ups and brush he’d located on a ridge along the North Canadian River channel. His technique was to make fast casts to the stick-ups, peel line off his reel so the bait would sink vertically, and then wait for the line to move or jump. It was reported he made 3 to 5 casts a minute.
“I’d just let the bass chew on the worm, jerk it away, and mark the spot to come back when the tournament gun fired.”Another interesting thing about Hadad’s victory was his practice technique. He reportedly practiced for five days and during that time used a plastic worm without a hook.
That was pretty advanced thinking for back then and that technique is widely used in today’s competitive fishing.
The 2nd-place angler was Oklahoma resident Don Siebert with 20 bass that weighed 68-00. He also caught his fish on plastic worms. Third-place went to another Oklahoman, Ron Hagler with 67-04 and the fourth spot went to John Dixon (OK) with 62.-01. Al St. Romain (LA) filled out the top 5 with 51-09.
The heat really made the conditions difficult and the total tally proved that. Overall, the 110 pro and non-pro anglers weighed in 834 bass for 1,788-07. Big fish of the event went to Tommy Payne and Wes Woosley who both weighed in a 5-15 largemouth.
In the non-pro division, Butch Stevenson (OK) took top honors with 20 bass that weighed 43-01. Gerald Maxwell (OK) weighed in 30-06, good enough for 2nd place. Fourteen-year-old Chip Morris (GA) took 3rd place with 23-07. In the fourth spot was possibly the youngest angler to ever compete in a Bass Master event, 13-year-old Greg Dorris (OK), who weighed in 22-15. David Lockhart (AL) rounded out the top 5 with 21-06.
The top 20 of the pro division are shown in the table below.
SAM RAYBURN – DANCE AGAIN
Prior to the 1970 Bass Master Trail, there was only one angler in the history of B.A.S.S. that had won more than one tournament in a season. That angler was Bill Dance. In 1968 Dance won three events – Ross Barnett, Sam Rayburn and Smith Lake (AL). In 1970 Dance had already won the Ross Barnett tournament, would he be able to win again on old Sam Rayburn?
As had happened throughout the 1970 season, bad weather hurt Sam Rayburn’s famed fishing. Wind and rain kept the fish count down to 1,379 bass and only five limits were weighed for the entire event.
Veteran B.A.S.S. angler Blake Honeycutt (NC) weighed in 38 fish for 57-02 and 2nd place, while Jimmy Harris (MS) took 3rd-place honors with 55-01. Charles LeFevor (TN) weighed in 54-02 for 4th-place and Roland Martin (SC) rounded out the top 5 with 52-12. Honeycutt reported that he caught his fish on drop offs by vertically jigging Hopkins spoons. Still, over the course of three days, Dance was able to haul in 22 fish that tipped the scales 62-06, giving him his 6th career win with B.A.S.S. It also gave him two wins on Rayburn out of three contests. Dance caught over half of his fish (12) and nearly half of his weight (30-06) on the last day of the event and jumped from 5th place to the winner’s circle. He reported catching his fish on purple plastic worms fished along a drop located on the Angelina River channel. His fish came from 27 to 45 feet of water.
Elroy Krueger (TX) weighed in the big bass of the event, a 7-05 largemouth, which netted him $80 and a new Motor Guide trolling motor. There was no report on the non-pro division so I am not sure if it was dropped after the Oklahoma National.
The top 20 are presented below.
ALL-AMERICAN – 3-PEAT
For the final event of the year, B.A.S.S. ventured to a lake never before fished on the Bass Master Trail – Table Rock Reservoir. The last event on the 1970 Bass Master Trail would greet anglers with more than adverse weather. High winds swamped at least one boat and the cold November weather was less than ideal.
In the end, it was a two-horse race between Roland Martin and Bill Dance – not just for the tournament win but for the first Angler of the Year award. It came down to the last day.
Going into the final round, Martin had a 6-06 advantage over Dance. It looked like Martin would become only the second angler in B.A.S.S. history to win more than one event in a season. Martin was first to weigh in with six fish that topped the scales at 11-05, giving him 51-15 total. Then Dance came to the scales with nine fish that weighed 18-02 totaling 52-06. Dance won by a mere 7 ounces.
For those of you who actually check my math, you might have noticed that over the course of seven events, Martin had more weight (points) than Dance. Still Dance was crowned the first Angler of the Year. It’s a bit confusing from reading the 1970 and ‘71 Bass Master Magazines. In the Jan/Feb issue the author (assumed to be Bob Cobb) specifically states, “A victory would give either the point championship.” It’s obvious from the math that Martin should have been the AOY but in another part of the article it states Dance won based on money earned ($6,635 to Martin’s $5,689) that year. In any event, we have Harold Sharp working on this to straighten it up.
The 3rd-place angler was local Jimmy Winchester (AR) who weighed in 39-06. Another local, Dave Livingston (MO) captured the 4th spot with 36-13. Veteran angler Tom Mann of Alabama rounded out the top 5 with 36-03.
Alabama angler Dennis Townsend weighed in big fish for the event, a 7-13 largemouth. In all, 97 anglers caught 661 bass – a testament to how tough the event was.
A fact about this tournament was Dance and Martin practiced together. Each also reported that they caught their fish on yellow singlespins – a lure that Martin had shown Dance in practice – around brush in 2 to 5 feet of water. Dance said that everyone expected the fish to be deeper but the cloudy conditions kept the fish shallow in the flooded brush.
The top 20 for the tournament are listed in the table below.
Costas Key for KVD’s Monster Day on Cayuga
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Sight fishing played a major role in Kevin VanDam’s monstrous 28-pound 1-ounce five bass limit on Cayuga Lake to kick off competition for Favorite Fishing Stage Five Presented by ATG by Wrangler. In fact, the Team Toyota pro looked at every bass he added to the SCORETRACKER with his eyes before he caught them.
VanDam was quick to give a lot of credit to his Costa Sunglasses for what he said was the best tournament day of smallmouth fishing he’s experienced throughout his illustrious 33-year career. KVD prefers Costa’s Blackfin PRO frames when sight-fishing as they block a lot of side-light, and he was rotating between two different lens colors based on the conditions and how deep the fish were bedding.
Sunrise Silver is his go to lens 95% of the time when on the water, but he also mixed in a prototype lens he is currently working on with the iconic sunglasses brand.
“I started looking for spawning and cruising fish as soon as I put my trolling motor in the water for practice,” VanDam said. “I had a feeling this tournament could be a spawning slugfest, so I committed to it almost immediately. I didn’t know it until after day one, but I think I’m seeing a lot of fish other anglers aren’t. That 100% has to be attributed to my Costa lenses. They are no-doubt the best in the game.”
Wildfires north of the border in Canada have caused an eerie layer of smoke to settle in on Cayuga Lake and many anglers commented the haze has made it tough to see into the water. Quality sunglasses are always a necessity for pro anglers, but the conditions this week have accentuated this importance.
The weights after day one speak for themselves, many anglers were able to put together an impressive day of fishing on Cayuga, but KVD’s 28-01 stood out above the rest and firmly held the first-place position. A twenty-eight-pound bag of fish is strong no matter the circumstances, but to do that in New York with five smallmouth is incredible.
“It was truly a special day,” VanDam said with a smile. “The first five fish I caught weighed over 25-pounds and I was legitimately done fishing 30 minutes into the second period. After reaching 28-pounds, I kept my eyes to the water and tried to locate as many fish over four-pounds as possible for the Knockout Round and beyond. I think I have found around fifty fish over that four-pound mark, now I just gotta see if I can catch them.”
The BPT’s catch, weigh, and release format is extremely conducive for a sight-fishing tournament as the anglers release the fish to go back to their spawning beds immediately. KVD commented that as fun as it is to catch a big bass, it’s even cooler to see them swim right back to their beds.
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Consistent Cody Meyer Leads Early for Group B at Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler
Idaho Pro Catches Five Cookie-Cutter 5-Pound Smallmouth to Pace Group B, Group A Anglers to Wrap Qualifying Round Thursday
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (June 7, 2023) – Cayuga Lake is on fire. Literally, and figuratively.
The smoke blowing through upstate New York from the Canadian wildfires has created a very unique environment for the 80 pros on the Bass Pro Tour competing on Cayuga Lake this week, as many of the anglers fished Wednesday in an orange-tinted haze, with low visibility conditions. The good news is it had zero effect on the fishing, however, as Cayuga Lake showed out again and demonstrated why it is one of the premiere fisheries in the country.
Pro Cody Meyer of Star, Idaho, caught seven scorable bass Wednesday, with his best five weighing 26 pounds, 11 ounces, to lead Day 1 for Qualifying Group B of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler. Pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas , sits just 10 ounces behind Meyer in second place with five bass weighing 26-1.
The 40 anglers in Group B will now have an off day on Thursday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group A will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. Group B will conclude their Qualifying Round on Friday.
Meyer came into the day with a couple of patterns in mind, but it turned out he only needed one — fishing for spawning smallmouth.
“I had a couple of smallmouth marked on beds from practice, but I really didn’t plan to focus on smallmouth all day,” Meyer said. “I thought I would catch a few spawning then move to the grass for largemouth, but the smallmouth I found were just too big to pass up.”
Meyer caught all of his scorable bass Wednesday on a drop-shot rig, using a Yamamoto Shad Shape worm on the southern end of the lake. While he was focused on spawners, it turned out that the smallmouth didn’t necessarily care about the bottom composition of where they built their beds. It was more about the general area, according to Meyer.
“I caught one on a bluff and one on a boat dock, but it was more about this 5-mile stretch of water,” Meyer said. “These fish were all massive and anchored down hard in that area. If you could find them, there was a good chance you could get them to bite.”
Meyer plans to head back out on Friday with a similar plan to make the cut.
“I want to get down south again and keep trying to look for smallmouth,” Meyer went on to say. “It was just so windy and rough today that it was really hard to go looking for them after the second period. Everyone is catching them so well right now I’m going to need another really good day just to make the cut.”
The standings for the 40 pros in Group B after Day 1 on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, five bass, 26-11
2nd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 26-1
3rd: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., five bass, 25-10
4th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, five bass, 24-12
5th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 24-10
6th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 24-2
7th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 23-4
8th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 23-2
9th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 22-14
10th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., five bass, 22-13
11th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., five bass, 21-14
12th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 21-9
13th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 21-6
14th: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., five bass, 21-6
15th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 21-4
16th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 21-3
17th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., five bass, 21-2
18th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., five bass, 21-1
19th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 20-1
20th: Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 19-11
21st: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 19-11
22nd: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., five bass, 19-10
23rd: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., five bass, 19-5
24th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 19-2
25th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 18-8
26th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 18-4
27th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 18-4
28th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 18-0
29th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 17-11
30th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, five bass, 17-10
31st: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., five bass, 17-7
32nd: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 17-2
33rd: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 17-2
34th: Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa., five bass, 17-1
35th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 15-13
36th: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, five bass, 15-0
37th: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., five bass, 14-4
38th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 13-13
39th: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., three bass, 12-1
40th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., five bass, 11-15
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 346 scorable bass weighing 1,203 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the 40 pros Wednesday, which included 30 5-pounders and three 6-pounders.
Throwing a spinnerbait, Greg Vinson caught a 6-pound, 14-ounce largemouth in Period 3 to earn Wednesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event 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 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.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park 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.
Also, as part of the event, on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at Bass Pro Shops, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in Auburn, New York, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors. Fans can hang out and watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen during the MLF Watch Party. On Sunday at 5 p.m., the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand for the trophy celebration and to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler features 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 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. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morningon 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 + 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
