DAIWA Adds Premium STEEZ Baitcasting Reel Family
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New STEEZ A 100 offers anglers an ultra-high-end, professional-grade baitcasting reel that merges cutting-edge design, performance, and longevity for mission-critical fishing applications |
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Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – DAIWA is proud to share news of a brand-new premium baitcasting reel product launch in the form of its latest addition to the high-end, tournament-proven DAIWA STEEZ baitcaster product family. Behold the new DAIWA STEEZ A 100, new for March 2023. Launching today at the Bassmaster Classic, the new DAIWA STEEZ A 100 is loaded with features including HYPER DRIVE DESIGN, MAGFORCE-Z Boost, G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool, and much more. |
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HYPER DRIVE DESIGN
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MAGFORCE-Z BOOST
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T-WING SYSTEM, REDUCED WEIGHT, RIGIDITY & MORE The TWS (T-Wing System) reduces friction on a cast and extreme line angles by allowing line to flow freely through the wide, top section of the T-wing system. When the handle is engaged on the retrieve, the line then drops into the lower channel of the T-Wing for even distribution across the spool width. The result is longer, more precise casting, even spool speed, and virtually zero backlashes. The aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) keep the STEEZ A 100 lightweight yet rigid, and the ATD drag is designed to the ultimate in consistent and reliable performance when fighting fish. The STEEZ A 100 features DAIWA’s the controlled casting of the G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool. Additionally, the TWS (T-Wing System) reduces friction on a cast and extreme line angles by allowing line to flow freely through the wide, top section of the T-wing system. |
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On the retrieve when the handle is engaged, the line then drops into the lower channel of the T-Wing for even distribution across the spool width. The result is longer, more precise casting, even spool speed, and virtually zero backlashes. The aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) keep the STEEZ A 100 lightweight and DAIWA’s ATD drag system provides consistency and reliability throughout the entire drag range. DAIWA’S Automatic Tournament Drag uses an improved drag grease that exhibits a low viscosity at rest, yet becomes more viscous immediately after drag start-up. This reduces initial drag start-up inertia and combined with the structural changes of the ATD Drag System, results in a smoother drag from the initial hook up. Delivering casting performance you have to experience to believe, the STEEZ A 100 continues to push the limits of what is possible in a baitcasting reel. |
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STEEZ A 100 FEATURES
STEEZ A 100 Executive 5 Year Service / Warranty
If you’re considering a professional-grade baitcasting reel, look no further than DAIWA’s new STEEZ A 100… a reel intended to bring a whole new level of cutting-edge design, high-end performance, longevity, and stunning good looks to discerning anglers. MSRP $649.99 |
DAIWA Launches TATULA MQ LT Spinning Reel
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More power and torque, performance, and longer life characterize the new Tatula MQ LT |
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Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – Behold the new standard in spinning reels, DAIWA’s brilliantly-designed Tatula MQ LT. The new Tatula MQ LT embodies a rich features set, which starts with its one-piece MONOCOQUE ZAION V body. This design framework yields more space for larger gears, thus promoting increased torque and power from the get-go… and at the same gear ratios (5.8:1 and 6.2:1) of competitive spinning reels. |
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“What makes this reel special is the new Tatula MQ LT family features a MONOCOQUE frame and body. And there’s been no price increase over the standard, ever-popular DAIWA Tatula LT. From the 1000 through 4000 sizes, the all new Tatula MQ LT has an MSRP of $199.99. There’s simply no better spinning reel on the market at this price,” says DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills. “The ZAION V MONOCOQUE body carbon fiber body and frame are lightweight and corrosion resistant, yet still very rigid. The technology has allowed us to put a much larger main gear and pinion gear in the reel and still create the same amount of gear ratio. You’re still getting the usual gear ratio; but with more power, more torque, and better leverage—plus, it’ll give you longer gear life,” adds Mills. |
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In terms of construction, the inventive ZAION V MONOCOQUE body also offers 360 degrees of stability and improved waterproofing over standard spinning reels with conventional, screw-in side plates. 360 degrees of stability means the gearing is held firmly and in precise alignment; the less gears shift side to side, the less binding and wear take place, and longer your new reel will feel fresh out-of-the-box. Engineering-wise, when you introduce screw holes to a reel body, the holes must be built up with metal or plastic. That adds weight and decreases the amount of space inside the reel body for large gearing. In short, with MONOCOQUE, DAIWA can increase interior space to facilitate larger gearing and reduce overall weight, simultaneously. Lighter and more corrosion resistant than aluminum, ZAION V is an exceptionally light but rigid material, which minimizes flex in the handle stem and gear box. |
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MONOCOQUE Body |
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The Tatula MQ LT also boasts an AIRDRIVE ROTOR engineered to be incredibly rigid and with minimal flex, especially at high drag pressures. Critically designed cut-outs reduce the weight of the rotor, itself. The lighter the rotor, the less force it takes to spin around the reel, making it easier to turn the handle. As mentioned, the screw-less rotor is super light in weight (15% lighter than the Tatula LT rotor) and with a drag inertia point that’s been reduced by 15%. The rotor weight reduction at the front of the reel also improves balance when paired with your favorite spinning rod. The Tatula MQ LT also features a solid AIRDRIVE BAIL, which further reduces weight and offers more rigidity than standard wire, minimizing concerns over flex, bending, or breaking. The thicker material feels better to the fingers when flipping the bail as well. Other benefits include excellent line entanglement prevention performance and a 31% weight reduction from the standard Tatula LT’s wire bail. |
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Anglers fishing Tatula MQ LT reels will appreciate DAIWA’s brilliant ball bearing-supported ADVANCED TOURNAMENT DRAG (ATD™) when setting the hook and fighting fish. The smart system applies an increased, instantaneous, and calculated resistance during the hookset. After the hook drives home and the fish starts pulling, ATD™ automatically returns to the selected drag setting. Where reel meets angler, the new Tatula MQ LT features a machined screw-in handle that connects directly to the main drive gear. |
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TATULA MQ LT Features:
For anglers seeking their next premium, precision spinning reel, look no further than the Tatula MQ LT, a reel engineered with advanced technology and constructed of the finest and most durable materials available and at a realistic, real-world price. MSRP $199.99 |
Fin-Nor Continues the Legacy of Performance-Driven Eyewear by Announcing Five New Styles
lumbia S.C. (March 23, 2023) Fin-Nor, the iconic fishing brand known for innovation and performance, adds five new eyewear styles to its collection: Dropfly, Cleat, Sportfisher, Tillies Bank, and Spring Tide. Inspired by the barriers watermen and women face while pursuing their passion, these new styles continue to deliver superior lens technology designed to perform and provide for all-day comfort while lending stylish function.
In 2022, Fin-Nor brought together the foremost experts on human vision and lens and frame engineering from across the globe to create a line of purposefully-designed performance eyewear for anglers. Now expanding the collection, these new frames offer best-in-class frame construction designed for comfort and airflow, perfect for any outdoor condition. All Fin-Nor eyewear has Lateral LineTM lens technology, which features the most advanced technology on the market that provides maximum protection, clarity, and polarization. Fin-Nor eyewear comes in both glass and plastic lenses and features five lens colors to choose from: grey, blue mirror, silver mirror, copper, and green mirror.
The Dropfly is a fishing-centric style, with a 6-base performance Unisex frame made with lightweight, flexible materials that include adjustable nose pads and integrated spring hinges which prevent pressure points and allow for all-day comfort. These frames are lightweight and highly breathable, perfect for long days in all outdoor environments. Frame colors include Matte Brown Shoals (NEW) and Matte Black, and retail starts at $189.00.
The Cleat is a male-oriented 8-base frame designed for ultimate performance on and off the water. It includes features to ensure optimal performance, including an innovative venting system, built-in peripheral shields for light management, an adjustable nose pad, and integrated spring hinges, which provide a snug fit on a broader range of face shapes and sizes. Frame colors include Matte Blue Wave (NEW) and Matte Black, and retail starts at $189.00.
The Sportfisher is a stylish 8-base frame designed for a full day on the water. It features lightweight, flexible materials, adjustable nose pads, and integrated spring hinges, which help lessen fatigue and discomfort, ensuring a comfortable fit. The frame features a venting system that prevents the frames from trapping heat, creating a more comfortable experience, no matter the conditions. Frame colors include Matte Black and Matte Sienna Tort, and MSRP starts at $189.00.
The Tillies Bank is a female-targeted 6-base frame with a modern performance style, a comfortable nose pad that helps them stay in place, and integrated spring hinges that lessen discomfort and fit a wider range of faces. Frame colors include Flats Pool Tort (NEW), Matte Deep Shallow Blue (NEW), and Honey Ripple Fade. MSRP starts at $179.00.
The Spring Tide is an extremely stylish 6-base frame that translates performance and lifestyle. Whether poolside on vacation or traversing the open water, these frames provide all-day protection while keeping photo ready. The frame comes in multiple eye-catching colors, which include Silver/Seafoam Swirl (NEW), Rose Gold/Brown-Amber Stripe, and Silver/Matte Charcoal Stripe, and MSRP starts at $209.00.
Fin-Nor Technology Features:
• Distortion-free color – A balanced approach to color enhancement that intensifies primary colors without color distortion. It creates a more natural and realistic experience that limits eye fatigue and makes it easier for the brain to quickly identify and process the view on and beneath the water's surface.
• Unmatched sharpness and a new era of polarization - Designed to cut through glare and haze, eliminating confusing light and optimizing visibility in aquatic environments, Fin-Nor's superior lens technology reduces blue light transmittance, allowing your vision to cut through mist and haze like no other.
• Engineered for the elements - Enhanced abrasion resistance and the industry's only hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings on both sides of the lenses significantly reduce the negative impact of smudges, dust, and saltwater, which impede the ability to see and can cause permanent lens scratches.
• Precision optics – Fin-Nor sunglasses feature the world's best 7-layer anti-reflective coating on the glass lenses and 5-layer anti-reflective coating on the polycarbonate lenses, which prevents glare on the backside of lenses, sharpens vision, reduces eye strain, and allows for better visual acuity on the water.
For more information about Fin-Nor Eyewear, please visit www.Fin-Nor.com
Alabama’s Keith Poche Earns First Bass Pro Tour Victory at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
Alabama Pro Catches Five-Bass-Limit Weighing 19-2 to Earn First Bass Pro Tour Win and Top Award of $100,000
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 23, 2023) – After spending two grueling days running over an hour up the river, off the beaten path, pro Keith Poche of Pike Road, Alabama , weighed a five-bass limit Thursday totaling 19 pounds, 2 ounces to earn his first Bass Pro Tour win and the top award of $100,000 at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Cherokee Lake. Poche’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 35-6 earned him the win by a 1-pound, 1-ounce margin over second-place finisher Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, who was hot on his heels throughout most of the day.
Poche started the Championship Round on Thursday in third place but despite catching several scorable bass, had dropped to seventh by 11 a.m. However, his luck – and his catch count –drastically changed.
The Alabama pro caught 20 scorable bass throughout the day, most of them smallmouth, but it was a hefty 4-pound, 5-ounce largemouth mid-way through Period 2 that moved Poche into the top spot, a position he then maintained throughout the remainder of the Championship Round.
Poche said he had a decent first day on Cherokee Lake during the Knockout Round but lost a couple key fish that he felt would have helped him.
“Losing those fish was unfortunate, but I just kept reminding myself that there was a lot of fish there,” said Poche. “I was on this lake last year around the same time and I sacked almost 18 pounds, so I knew it could happen. But I wasn’t 100% sure, because I didn’t practice on this lake prior to this event.
“I focused all my practice time on Douglas Lake, because I knew if I got to Cherokee Lake, I had a chance,” continued Poche. “I’ve been up the river here on Cherokee, and I know what lives up there. I also knew I had those off-the-grid opportunities that no one else in the field would have. So, I just went fishing the past two days.”
With more than an hour run to his area up by the dam both days, in a boat that tops out at 46 miles per hour, Poche said he knew he would win it or lose it in that spot.
“It took me a little over an hour to get up to the dam today and the first period was just okay,” said Poche. “I caught three scorable fish, but they really turned on and started feeding in that second period. When you’re fishing current, the fish typically group up, move in and feed, and then move out, so you just have to stay with them and keep casting. Eventually you’ll hit a stretch and boom – you’ll catch them one after the other.”
Poche said he caught most of his fish on a 4-inch sexy-shad colored Berkley Powerbait Hollow Belly Swimbait.
“I’m just going fishing and having fun and for so many years I fought that, but I’ve finally come into myself to just do it how I like to do it and I’m having such a great time,” said Poche. “I was lucky enough to get the right bites at the right time. I caught that 4-pounder on a jig, and without that bass, I don’t know if I would have won or not.
“That was my last big fish before they turned off, and I said out loud, ‘Baby, I don’t know where you came from, but I love you,’” Poche said, laughing. “I also caught a chunky smallmouth that weighed 4-10. I didn’t even know there were smallmouth that big up there, but I got her today.”
Poche said at the end of the day, it’s really all about putting in the work and knowing that eventually, it will pay off.
“The Gator Trax boat floats really shallow, so you have to maneuver through the rocks and try not to tear anything up, but that’s just what it takes,” said Poche. “You have to get in there and get where they live. A lot of people don’t want to go the extra mile and put in the extra work to find these places off the beaten path – and they can’t always get to them in their bigger boats – but that’s my style and that’s what I look forward to.
“It was a journey, each day, but I’m so happy we got it done,” Poche continued. “To have a day like this and to beat these other fantastic anglers – it was just my week and I’m so thankful. My family is here to support me and that’s what it’s all about.”
The top 10 pros from the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole finished:
2nd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 34-5, $45,000
3rd: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tennessee, 10 bass, 32-0, $38,000
4th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 31-14, $32,000
5th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 31-0, $30,000
6th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-10, $26,000
7th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-6, $23,000
8th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-1, $21,000
9th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10 bass, 26-13, $19,000
10th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 25-13, $16,000
Thursday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award went to Poche with the 4-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth that he caught on a swimbait in Period 1. Hot Springs, Arkansas pro Dylan Hays earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event with his 6-pound, 13-ounce largemouth that was weighed on Day 3 of competition.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, 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.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
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.
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.
Yamaha Power Pay Pick 3
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Practice days, off days, and media obligations have concluded. Tomorrow morning is officially game time for the 55 competitors fishing in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota. Bassmaster Elite Series pros Jason Christie, Carl Jocumsen, and Bryan New all come from vastly different places with independent backgrounds, but they have a common goal this weekend… to be the last man standing on Sunday.
On top of the most coveted trophy in the sport of bass fishing and the $300,000 payday that comes with it, there is a $20,000 Yamaha Power Pay bonus up for grabs for anglers running a Yamaha SHO Outboard this weekend. Though all three of these guys absolutely intend to win this Classic, they don’t need to win the event to win the Power Pay money, they just need to finish higher than the other Power Pay registered anglers.
Thursday’s Media Day marked the final off-the-water responsibility for the competing pros, so we used this time as a chance to catch up with these three Yamaha pros to get their picks heading into day one of competition.
Q – What are three lures / techniques you expect to play a major role in this tournament?
Bryan New – “A Damiki rig type bait like a Greenfish Tackle Bad Little Shad. A shallow crankbait like a Spro Speed Demon, and a jig. I’ll say the Greenfish Tackle Bad lil Dude finesse jig.”
Carl Jocumsen – “I’m going to say the Rapala OG Tiny crankbait, a Bassman Spinnerbait, and and a simple jig will all be key players.”
Jason Christie – “Cranking will be key, both shallow and mid-depth cranking. A jerkbait could be a big player if a guy finds some fish that are just pulling up. And then a spinnerbait – we’re forecasted to have pretty strong winds and the spectator boat traffic will keep things churned up. I’m really hoping a spinnerbait plays.”
Q – Who are three anglers you’d pick to win this weekend on the Tennessee River?
Bryan New – “Greg Hackney, Taku Ito, and John Cox.”
Carl Jocumsen – “I’d have to pick Brandon Palaniuk, Gussy (Jeff Gustafson), and Swindle. Then in brackets… me! But those three are my boys and could absolutely win this thing.”
Jason Christie – “I’m going to say Hackney because he is Hackney... and he’s due. Gussy, because I think he’ll commit to catching all 18-inch smallmouth, and Swindle because I believe this could be a junk-fisherman’s Classic and he’s one of the best at that.”
Q – What are three differences between the Fort Loudon Reservoir and Tellico Lake?
Bryan New – “Pressure, water clarity and smallmouth. Tellico gets less fishing pressure, has cleaner water, and more smallmouth.”
Carl Jocumsen – “I’d say color difference – Tellico has clearer water. Smallmouth vs largemouth, Loudon has fewer smallmouth than Tellico and maybe more largies. And current… Loudon has more current than Tellico.”
Jason Christie – “Tellico is cleaner (clearer water), it’s steeper, and it doesn’t have as much current. Fort Loudon is a lot flatter than Tellico and has more color and current running through it.”
Q – What are three things you’ll spend the impressive $20,000 Power Pay bonus on if you win it?
Bryan New – “I’ve got a baby due in about 4 months. So, my answer is diapers times three.”
Carl Jocumsen – “I’d use the money for a deposit to build a house here in Tennessee to go with our shop.”
Jason Christie – “My girls and my fiancé really want horses. So, I think I’d use that money for some fences, and maybe a horse or two.”
Toyota pros pick their “Go To” lures to win the Classic
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Imagine you had to pick one lure -- just one -- to be your “go to” bait for a shot at winning $300,000 at the Bassmaster Classic. That’s exactly the question we asked Gerald Swindle, Brandon Lester, and Matt Arey on the eve of bass fishing’s biggest event.
Interestingly, they all chose some variation of a shad imitator with treble hooks, but that’s about where the commonality of their three picks ended.
Gerald Swindle – Rapala DT 6
“I’ve thrown what feels like about 127 different crankbaits in practice, and this Rapala DT 6 is the one that got me a couple good bites to get my confidence going. So, this Helsinki Shad-colored one is going to be my team captain on game day,” says Swindle.
He ties it on 10-pound Sunline Shooter to get it a little deeper, and his LiveScope shows it running about 8-feet deep.
Brandon Lester – ½-ounce Live Target lipless crankbait
“A lipless crankbait will be a major player for a lot of guys in this tournament because there’s so many shallow flats with 1 to 3-feet of water. Plus, a lipless bait is notorious for triggering bites in the colder pre-spawn water temps,” explains Lester.
Matt Arey – Tater Hog “Hog Father Jr.”
“It’s the Bassmaster Classic! Go big or go home!” laughs Arey. “No really, this is not a bait I’m going to throw all day long, but it’s a 6” bait that’s capable of getting the kind of bigger quality bites to help you win the biggest tournament in the world, so I’ll definitely be slinging it around,” he reasons.
All good logic. All hard-to-argue choices. But only one can go down as the 2023 Bassmaster Classic “winning lure.” Is it one of the three you see here?
Stay tuned. We’ll all know for sure by Sunday evening.
Tennessee’s Michael Neal Leads Top Ten to Championship Round at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
Dayton Pro Catches Five-Bass-Limit Weighing 16-14 to Win Knockout Round on Cherokee Lake, Final 10 Anglers Set for Championship Thursday in the Competition for $100,000
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 22, 2023) – Pro Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennesseecaught 11 scorable bass Wednesday – his best five weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces – to win the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Cherokee Lake.
After taking over the lead in the first period, the back-to-back Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Angler of the Year (AOY) winner rose to the top of a stacked field going into Thursday’s Championship Round. Among the star-studded field of pros competing in the Championship Round are four past Bass Pro Tour winners, three Bass Pro Tour rookies and four Tennessee natives, including four-time Bass Pro Tour winner Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, and reigning two-time Bass Pro Tour AOY Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee .
Neal’s limit weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces gives him a 7-ounce cushion over second place pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, who ended the day with a five-bass-limit weighing 16-7. Pro Keith Poche of Pike Road, Alabama, sits in third place with a limit weighing 16-4, while Bass Pro Shops pro DeFoe advanced in fourth with five scorable bass totaling 16-2. Abu Garcia pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama weighed in five bass totaling 16 pounds even to round out the top five.
The final 10 anglers are now set, and competition resumes Thursday morning with the Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total will win the top prize of $100,000.
“This is definitely where you want to be at the end of the day, in first, but I feel like I haven’t figured out enough to come back out and duplicate it,” said Neal. “One area is really all you need though, especially in a five-fish tournament, so hopefully it’s as good to us tomorrow as it’s been today. But if it’s not, I’ll go down swinging.”
With four pros within 14 ounces of the Tennessee native going into the Championship Round, and only 3 pounds separating the top 10, all 10 pros going into the final round are easily still in contention for the win.
“I just have to regroup and stay positive for tomorrow, that’s going to be the main thing,” said Neal. “With everyone bunched up right here at the end, and stacked up at the top, it’s anybody’s ball game. Pretty much whoever catches the biggest bag tomorrow will win, no matter what place you ended in today.
“Things are going to change a little bit. We had clouds and rain today, but tomorrow’s going to be really warm and sunny, so that might hurt some guys and help others,” Neal continued. “I just hope I’m one of the ones it helps.”
Neal said he hopes the warmer temperatures and sunshine will push the fish out a little deeper, out toward bait where he caught them in practice on Cherokee Lake.
“I just have to keep an open mind and figure out how to catch another 17 pounds or so to win,” said Neal. “I had at least a shot at an 18 or 19 pound-bag with that first one I had hooked this morning and lost – but that’s how it goes, especially smallmouth fishing. You can’t catch every single one you hook.”
The top 10 pros from Wednesday’s Knockout Round that now advance to Thursday’s Championship Round on Cherokee Lake are:
2nd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 16-7
3rd: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 16-4
4th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 16-2
5th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 16-0
6th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 15-5
7th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 14-2
8th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 14-2
9th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 13-15
10th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, five bass, 13-13
12th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 13-1, $10,000
13th: John Hunter of Shelbyville, Ky., five bass, 12-15, $10,000
14th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., five bass, 12-12, $10,000
15th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 12-4, $10,000
16th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., five bass, 12-4, $10,000
17th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., four bass, 12-3, $10,000
18th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 12-3, $10,000
19th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 11-14, $10,000
20th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., three bass, 11-13, $10,000
21st: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., five bass, 11-13, $10,000
22nd: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., five bass, 11-0, $10,000
23rd: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., four bass, 10-12, $10,000
24th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 10-12, $10,000
25th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., five bass, 10-12, $10,000
26th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 10-6, $10,000
27th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., three bass, 9-6, $10,000
28th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., three bass, 8-0, $10,000
29th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., three bass, 7-12, $10,000
30th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., four bass, 7-11, $10,000
31st: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., two bass, 6-4, $10,000
32nd: Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, three bass, 6-1, $10,000
33rd: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., two bass, 5-4, $10,000
34th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., two bass, 4-11, $10,000
35th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., two bass, 4-10, $10,000
36th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., two bass, 4-7, $10,000
37th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., two bass, 4-7, $10,000
38th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, one bass, 2-3, $10,000
39th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., one bass, 1-13, $10,000
40th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., zero bass, 0-0, $10,000
Power-Pole pro Chris Lane of Guntersville, Alabama caught a 4-pound, 13-ounce largemouth on a glide bait in the first period 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 another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, 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 Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. The top 20 anglers from each group advanced to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, where weights were zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers competed to finish in the top 10 and advance to the Championship Round. In the Championship Round on Thursday weight carries over from the Knockout Round, and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
The final 10 anglers will launch Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City. The General Tire Takeout will be held at the boat launch, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .
On Championship Thursday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the Stage 2 Champion at the 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 celebration will take place at the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action Wednesday and Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
KVD’s Pick to Win the Classic
Courtesy of Luke Stoner -Dynamic Sponsorships
I called Kevin VanDam Tuesday afternoon to congratulate him for moving onto the Knockout Round at Stage Two of the Bass Pro Tour on Douglas and Cherokee Lakes. KVD employed his namesake Strike King Jerkbait to catch over 13-lbs a day throughout his Qualifying Rounds on Douglas Lake amidst brutally cold and tough conditions and was excited for what the next day of fishing on a new body of water might bring.
While his attention was obviously directed towards the Knockout Round, VanDam mentioned his thoughts on the upcoming Bassmaster Classic on the Tennessee River. Along with being who most consider to be the greatest competitor to ever fish a bass tournament, VanDam is also a huge fan and proponent of the sport.
If anyone is qualified to give their two cents on the eventual winner of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, it’s KVD. With twenty-eight Classic appearances and four Classic trophies sitting on his mantle in Kalamazoo, VanDam knows a thing or two when it comes to excelling in Bassmaster’s championship shootout.
“I have a lot of good friends and teammates fishing the Classic this weekend and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… but if I had to bet, I’m putting my money on Brandon Lester,” VanDam said with confidence. “Other guys like Greg Hackney, Swindle, and Carl Jocumsen are great picks and hard to bet against with these conditions, but Lester gets my nod.”
If Lester didn’t already have enough eyes on him this week, he just got some added pressure curtesy of the G.O.A.T… Lester has been vocal about not having a local advantage in this tournament, but that didn’t matter to his Team Toyota colleague. VanDam listed several reasons why he thinks this 2023 Classic sets up in Lester’s wheelhouse.
“I know Lester’s no local, but he understands the Tennessee River and the important role current plays on these fisheries,” VanDam explained. “The two main reasons he gets my pick is his maturation as an angler these last few years, and the fact that we fished around each other quite a bit in the 2019 Classic in Knoxville. We crossed paths a lot in 2019. I saw what he was targeting and how he turned that into a great (6th place) finish.”
VanDam believes the winner of this Classic will need to exploit a few different patterns and not be a one trick pony. Specifically, he thinks power fishing with a shallow crankbait, bladed jig, or spinnerbait will play a big factor – along with having the knowledge and ability to catch a few key fish off the bank over the course of the three-day event.
KVD saw this ability in Lester’s gameplan back in 2019 and is confident he will have only added to his repertoire on this fishery since then. But perhaps no consideration is as pivotal to VanDam as the x-factor of becoming a tournament closer.
“Lester’s progression as an angler has been solid as a rock,” VanDam noted. “He has notched consistently high finishes for years, but in 2022 he got his first two big wins, one of which being on the Tennessee River (Pickwick). Those first wins do so much for your confidence as an angler and truly make you a bigger threat moving forward. He knows how to win now, and I guarantee you he has more trophies in his future.”
That’s high praise coming from the man who has won more major tournaments and money than any other person in the history of competitive bass fishing.
Bassmaster and Marathon expand partnership for 2023 season
March 22, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), which operates the nation’s largest refining system and supplies fuel to thousands of retail locations from coast to coast, have expanded their relationship for the 2023 season, officials announced today. Not only will the brand continue to serve as the title sponsor for Bassmaster Studios and as a supporting sponsor for the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, but for the first time in the three-year partnership Marathon has now stepped up as the title sponsor for the Elite Series event on Lake Murray. The Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray will be held April 20-23 in Columbia, S.C.
“Marathon is extremely excited to expand our sponsorship with B.A.S.S. to include the Elite Series event on Lake Murray,” said John Rice, Manager, Advertising & Brand Management at Marathon Petroleum. “Partnering with Bassmaster is a win-win for both brands and we look forward to rooting on some of the best anglers in the world at the Marathon Bassmaster Elite tournament.”
As a supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, Marathon will be heavily featured during the award-winning Bassmaster LIVE show. The show, which is broadcast on FS1 and streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms, is hosted from the Marathon Bassmaster Studios. In 2022, avid fishing fans watched more than 704 million minutes of Bassmaster LIVE coverage and — after two 2023 Elite tournaments — viewership is already on a record-breaking pace.
Additionally, Marathon will enjoy exposure in Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines and across various social media platforms. Among the Marathon-sponsored content will be “Peak Performance” interviews, which focus on the pros’ winning ways and aim to help anglers of all levels improve their own techniques.
“We are proud to partner with Marathon to reach our anglers and fans,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Whether anglers are traveling to a dream destination or hauling their boat to home waters, Marathon can help them reach their destination.”
Missile Baits Making Mini Magic Worm
Salem, Va. – March 22, 2023 –Missile Baits is adding to their collaborationwith Roboworm to make the new 4” Mini Magic Worm. The 6” Magic Worm was introduced in 2022 and already played a part in two BASS Elite Series wins. Missile Baits is adding another fish catching size option. The 4” Mini Magic Worm has the same body proportions that make both sizes effective and easy to rig in most of the popular finesse techniques including drop shot, finesse Neko rig, Texas rig, shaky head, and wacky rig.
“After all the bass I caught on the 6” Magic Worm last year, it was obvious that the worm is a winner. The Mini Magic is the natural progression for us to add. The Mini Magic is nasty on a drop shot when you need a smaller profile,but the big deal is that it is perfect on a drop shot wacky style. I promise you that I will be serving that combo when we go up north this summer,” says John Crews, BASS pro angler and Missile Baits owner.
The Mini Magic Worm will come in the same 12 totally unique colors as the 6” Magic Worm that only Roboworm can pour. Some of the top colors include Green Pumpkin Money, Junebug Dream, Missile Morning, and John’s Juice. Each bag will be loaded with 16 worms (2 more worms per bag than the 6”) for a suggested retail price of $10.99. First production run is here now.
Link to release: https://missilebaits.store/pages/missile-baits-making-mini-magic-worm
Product video link: https://youtu.be/HSfShR0ajbk
6,000 Pounds of Trash Removed from Bassmaster Classic® Waters
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
A group of good-hearted volunteers, under the direction of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and with support from Yamaha Rightwaters™, removed 6,742 pounds of trash from Bassmaster Classic shorelines and waters on Tuesday.
Even top pro anglers Bobby Lane, Bill Lowen, Ish Monroe and Pat Schlapper showed-up to lend a hand. Lowen actually had his entire family of four participating, including son Fischer and daughter Nevaeh.
“When we got in the truck after the event ended, Nevaeh told me how shocked she was about the amount of trash she helped pick up -- and that’s a young lady who has spent her entire 14 years on Earth around the hunting and fishing lifestyle. Today was a pretty disturbing eye-opener for her,” says Lowen.
Sadly, Lowen’s generous family saw just a micro-fraction of the pollution that plagues our freshwater bass fisheries.
In fact, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful has removed more than 500,000 pounds of trash in just the past five years from popular fisheries like Pickwick, Chickamauga, Cherokee, and this week, Loudon, just to name a few.
That doesn’t count the trash removal works of equally concerned groups like “Nobody Trashes Tennessee” and “Keep Knoxville Beautiful.” On Tuesday, the volunteers removed 201 bags of litter, 24 tires, 173 pounds of scrap metal, and 241 pounds of random plastic.
Two giant 26-foot heavy duty work boats powered by Yamaha 90-horsepower V MAX SHO® four-stroke outboards carried the loads of AFTCO yellow trash bags that volunteers stuffed full of unsightly debris back to Duncan Boat Dock in Knoxville.
And while perhaps the day’s efforts only put a dent in America’s freshwater trash pollution problem, thanks to passionately committed environmental stewards such as Yamaha Rightwaters, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, and a host of good-hearted volunteers, the waters that will play host to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic flow a little cleaner.
As indeed they should for bass fishing’s biggest event.
Alton Jones, Sr. Earns Group B Qualifying Round Win at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
Texas Pro Moves to Top Spot to Win Qualifying Round After Day 2 for Group B – Field of 40 Anglers Set for Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Cherokee Lake
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 21, 2023) – After taking over the lead early in the first period, pro Alton Jones, Sr., of Lorena, Texas , held his ground throughout the day to finish first on Tuesday, catching a five-bass-limit weighing 14 pounds, 14 ounces, to cruise to a Group B Qualifying Round win at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Douglas Lake. Jones’ two-day total of 10 bass weighing 28 pounds, 12 ounces gave him a 1-pound, 9-ounce margin over second place pro Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who finished with a two-day total of 10 scorable bass weighing 27-3.
“I’m so happy finishing in 20th place,” said Lee on the MLF NOW! live stream. “I’m drained. I literally feel like I won the tournament.
“My heart can’t take it – it’s beating so fast,” Lee continued, laying down on the floor of his boat. “We gave it all we had boys. I feel bad for the guys who barely missed it, I really do, but sometimes it’s just your lucky day. I’ve been right out of the cut and have been right inside it. Those last two fish today are really what made the difference for us, and I couldn’t be more excited to get to regroup and get on them tomorrow on Cherokee Lake.”
The remaining 40 anglers – the top 20 from each group – now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, where weights are zeroed, and the anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round on Thursday. 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.
Among the 40 pros moving on to Wednesday’s Knockout Round are Tennessee’s own Andy Morgan and Michael Neal, both of Dayton, Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Matt Becker of Ten Mile and Jacob Wheeler of Harrison.
Jones started the day in fifth place but caught two fish within the first 45 minutes to jump from 5thto 1st – and never looked back.
“This was a good round, but it was a tough round for me,” said Jones. “I only caught five scorable bass, and I lost one and missed a couple. I just didn’t get a lot of bites today, but fortunately I found a few places that had some quality on them.
“I’m grateful to have made the cut and am ready to move on to Cherokee Lake. It’s great winning the day and winning the round, but it all zeroes tomorrow, so this is just bragging rights at the dock – and I’ll probably do a little bragging while we’re there,” Jones continued, laughing.
Jones is a four-time Qualifying Round winner, and did most of his damage up the river on a jerkbait, although he did catch one key fish on a football jig with a Zoom Baby Brush Hog as a trailer.
“Usually when I do well, it’s because I’ve made a game plan and executed it and bass fishing is no different than any other sport,” he went on to say. “You have to have a plan that you’re confident in. A plan is something you develop as you go through practice and something you develop in preparation before practice ever begins, and the Bass Force app is key to helping me develop my game plans.”
Jones said now it’s time to totally shift gears going into the Knockout Round.
“Cherokee is an entirely different lake, a whole different mindset from what we’ve been fishing over here on Douglas,” said Jones. “We’ve got to forget everything we thought we knew over here about what the fish were doing, and totally retrain ourselves to dial in on what’s happening over there right now, and that’s going to be a big challenge for all of us.”
The top 20 pros from Group B that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Cherokee Lake are:
2nd: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10 bass, 27-3
3rd: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-12
4th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-7
5th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., 10 bass, 25-1
6th: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., 10 bass, 24-12
7th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 24-11
8th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 24-11
9th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 24-9
10th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 24-0
11th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 23-0
12th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, nine bass, 22-14
13th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 22-7
14th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 22-6
15th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 22-5
16th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., seven bass, 21-8
17th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 21-3
18th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 20-15
19th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 20-13
20th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 20-13
Tuesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award went to pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who caught a 4-pound, 13-ounce largemouth on a glide bait in Period 2. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, 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 Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. Now that 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 the Championship Round on Thursday, 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 Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the boat launch, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the Stage 2 Champion at the 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 celebration will take place at the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action Wednesday and Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
Clewiston and Lake Okeechobee Set to Host MLF Toyota Series
CLEWISTON, Fla. (March 21, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida, next week, March 30-April 1, for the second event of the season in the Toyota Series Southern Division – the Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee . The three-day tournament, hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council, 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.
“This is going to be a good tournament,” said pro Matt Wieteha of Miami, Florida, who has two top-10 finishes on Lake Okeechobee in MLF competition. “The water is still very high – almost 15 feet – and with the high water the outside grass doesn’t do a good job of filtering, so the wind is going to be a very important factor.
“The fish don’t like the dirty water, but they are getting a bit more accustomed to it and you can still catch them,” Wieteha continued. “Managing the wind and finding the clean water is going to be the key in this one, though.”
Wieteha said that the Lake Okeechobee community holes will still be big players – areas like Tin House, Indian Prairie, and the entire South Bay area.
“If the wind lays down guys might be able to find something off the beaten path with not as much pressure,” Wieteha said. “But those spots are not going to reload as well as the community holes and it can be tough to try to win a multi-day event with those types of areas.”
Wieteha said that he expects casting tactics to be more effecting than flipping and punching.
“I’m a big Gambler (Lures) guy – I’d have a GOAT Swim Jig tied on, black and blue because of the dirty water,” Wieteha said. “If you can find a nice expansive grass flat, that’d be tough to beat. Or a Gambler Big EZ, buzzing around and covering water.
“Regardless of the weather, it’s still Lake Okeechobee and it’ll still kick out some good bags,” Wieteha went on to say. “If there is a cold front in the mix, I think it’ll still take 20 pounds a day to win. But with stable weather and light winds, it easily could take 23 (pounds) a day – 69 pounds overall.”
Anglers will take off each day at 7 a.m. ET from Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort, located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave., in Clewiston. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 3 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
From the Cheap Seats to the Big Stage
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
The last time the Bassmaster Classic came to Knoxville, Louis Monetti was a bass fishing-obsessed college sophomore sitting in the upper deck of the Thompson-Boling arena. Like many in the crowd, Louis dreamed of one day walking across that stage, but for the most part he was just happy to be at his second Classic, taking in the spectacle.
“My college fishing buddy Trevor Topkin and I drove over to Knoxville for the 2019 Classic on a whim,” Monetti recalled. “We absolutely had a blast. We stayed in a slummy hotel, attended the Expo and Weigh-in all three days and even watched Mike Iaconelli catch them every cast from a bridge on Championship Sunday in person. The whole weekend was one of the coolest experiences of my life.”
That was four years ago – nearly to the day. Louis posted the picture below on his Instagram with a bold, but simple caption… “one day”. Fast forward to 2023 and “one day” is here. Louis Monetti is back in Knoxville, TN for the Bassmaster Classic, but this time as a competitor.
Monetti is representing college fishing in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota as the College Classic Bracket Champion. Last year, he and his partner Michael Fugaro fished their way to a Strike King Team of the Year Title somewhat infamously in a 1996 Ranger Boat with the original 115-HP outboard on the back.
With torn boats seats and tattered carpet, the boat wasn’t much to look at, but it served as the perfect vessel to promote Monetti’s message that, “It doesn’t take the latest and greatest equipment to fish tournaments and have fun on the water or even compete at a high level.”
Monetti put an exclamation point on his college fishing campaign by winning the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket; earning full use of a 2022 Toyota Tundra and a brand-new Nitro Z20 wrapped in his Alma Maters’ colors, decked out with the latest Minn Kota / Humminbird accessories, a pile of Strike King and Lew’s tackle plus paid entry fees to all nine 2023 Bassmaster Open EQs. But no prize or opportunity meant more to Monetti than the chance to fish in the Classic.
“As a kid who grew up in New Jersey I’d give Iaconelli’s story credit for lighting a fire to fish competitively,” Monetti said. “But the whole experience of the Classic… the confetti falling, the crowds, the energy in the arena – that’s what really started the dream for me. I’ve been to two Classics since 2019, and I’ve always had this tradition with myself where I purposefully sit in the upper deck to watch the weigh-in and take in the show. I told myself I’d sit in the cheap seats until it was my time to be on that stage.”
Well Mr. Monetti, exactly four years later, your time on the big stage is now. I can’t think of any other sport or championship event where this dream could be a reality in such a short timeframe. This is the equivalent of attending a Super Bowl as a fan, not as a prospect or a future star, a fan like everyone else in the arena and then four years later finding yourself across the line of scrimmage from Tom Brady on Super Sunday. It really is mind-boggling.
But that’s exactly where 23-year-old Monetti finds himself this week. He has gone from the cheap seats to the big stage in a few short years with nothing more than a dream, an old boat, and a half dozen well-worn rod and reel combos.
“I ate lunch at Calhoun’s on the River yesterday right next to where we’ll launch at Volunteer Landing and it kinda hit me just how bizarre this whole deal is,” Monetti admitted. “I remembered eating there four years ago with my buddy Trevor… it seems like yesterday. But this week I’ll be one of the boats out there running the river. In many respects it doesn’t feel real yet and it probably won’t until I roll in that arena to cross the stage.”
No matter how he finishes this week, Monetti’s story will serve as inspiration for every high school or college angler with a dream for years to come. He’s proof that if you work hard, put the time in and stay true to yourself anything can be possible.
New preview and Super Six shows highlight Bassmaster Classic viewing options
Fans have a variety of ways to catch live coverage of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
March 21, 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After 4.3 million viewers enjoyed live coverage of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota on FOX, FS1 and the FOX Sports platforms in 2022, enthusiastic fans will have even more opportunities to catch Classic action this year.
Before anglers take to the Tennessee River for competition March 24-26, the Classic LIVE Preview show on Wednesday, March 22 will feature predictions, conditions and hits from the lake.
Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Friday morning at 8 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday mornings before afternoon action from Championship Sunday picks up on FOX.
“When every catch can mean the difference between bringing home the sport’s biggest prize or falling down the leaderboard, Championship Sunday at the Bassmaster Classic can be full of emotional and heartbreaking moments,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “We’re so excited to bring Bassmaster LIVE to the largest possible audience by broadcasting on FOX in the hours leading up to the final weigh-in. Our FOX Sports partnership has allowed us to reach new fans over the past two seasons. And whether they are already a fishing fan or not, the passion and drama of the Classic are sure to hook viewers.”
Later Sunday night, a special Super Six highlight show will recap the Classic’s iconic winning moments.
While the Bassmaster LIVE team covers the leaders on FOX and FS1, viewers can also join Bass Fishing Hall of Fame journalist Steve Bowman, a stable of Elite Series anglers and fishing legends — including Rick Clunn, Bill Dance, Larry Nixon and Hank Parker — for LIVE Mix streaming on Bassmaster.com.
Daily weigh-in festivities can be streamed on Bassmaster.com beginning at 3:30 p.m.
For a full schedule, including program reairs, visit Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch.
| Date | Time (All times Eastern) | Show | Network |
| Wednesday, March 22 | 9-10 a.m. | LIVE Preview | Bassmaster.com |
| Friday, March 24 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | Bassmaster.com; Tubi; FOX Sports Digital |
| 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | LIVE Mix | Bassmaster.com | |
| 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Day 1 Weigh-In | Bassmaster.com | |
| Saturday, March 25 | 8-11:30 a.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | FS1; FOX Sports Digital |
| 8 a.m.-3 a.m. | LIVE Mix | Bassmaster.com | |
| 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | Bassmaster.com | |
| 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Day 2 Weigh-In | Bassmaster.com | |
| Sunday, March 26 | 8-11 a.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | Bassmaster.com |
| 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | LIVE Mix | Bassmaster.com | |
| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | FS1; FOX Sports Digital | |
| 12-3 p.m. | Bassmaster LIVE | FOX | |
| 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Day 3 Weigh-In | Bassmaster.com | |
| 10-10:30 p.m. | Super Six Recap | FS1; FOX Sports Digital |
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota is being hosted by Visit Knoxville.
2023 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors
2023 Bassmaster Classic Presenting Sponsor: Toyota
2023 Bassmaster Classic Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2023 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Presenting Sponsor: U.S. Army
2023 Bassmaster Classic Local Partners: Calhoun’s, Lithium Pros, Tennessee Tourism, TNT Fireworks, TVA
2023 Bassmaster Classic Host: Visit Knoxville
Connect with #Bassmaster and the #BassmasterClassic on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME KICKS OFF ‘CLASSIC WEEK’ ONLINE AUCTION TO BENEFIT EFFORTS TO CELEBRATE, PROMOTE, PRESERVE THE SPORT
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – March 21, 2023 – With its mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) invites bass anglers both in the U.S. and Canada to support that mission by bidding on items during its ‘Classic Week’ online auction. To participate, simply visit BidPal.net/Classic2023 and bid on a large lineup of jerseys from many Bassmaster Classic anglers, along with an assortment of fishing tackle, marine items, and many other fishing-themed gear. The auction is now live and will end at noon on Monday, March 27.
Among the more unique items up for bid include pro angler Tyler Rivet’s ripped-sleeve jersey from his win at the B.A.S.S. Elite event on Lake Okeechobee earlier this year, a large list of new bass rods and reels being introduced at the Classic Expo from leading brands including Abu Garcia, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Lew’s, St. Croix, and Daiwa, along with lure bundles to fill any tackle box from the likes of Bizz Baits, Booyah Bait Co., Damiki, Missile Baits, Rapala, Strike King, and YUM. There’s also a special package for two to attend the 2023 BFHOF Induction Ceremony being held on Sept. 28 at Johnny Morris’ Wonder of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. where the Hall’s venue is located.
“We want to offer a big thanks to the folks at B.A.S.S. for letting us be a small part of all the activities that take place at the Classic, and to all the pro anglers and companies supporting the auction,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “During Classic Week, the Hall’s Board will also be hosting its annual ‘Classic Mixer’ for past supporters, pro anglers, fishing industry executives and invited guests. This year we will also honor ‘Big Jim’ McLaughlin from Seeley Bay, Ontario with our special Meritorious Service Award.”
The Hall uses the funds raised to support bass fishing conservation efforts nationwide, a scholarship program to assist students pursuing degrees in natural resource fields, and for its annual induction ceremony and dinner where it honors its most recent inductees. For more information on this year’s event taking place on Sept. 28, visit www.bassfishingHOF.com.
To view all the online auction items, visit https://one.bidpal.net/classic2023/welcome
Costa Sunglasses expands PRO series with launch of Corbina PRO
Corbina, a legacy frame and longtime fan favorite in the bass fishing community, now features six PRO upgrades for long days on the water.
JUPITER, Fla. (MAR. 21, 2023) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, brings next-level performance to its legacy frame Corbina for spring 2023. The enhanced Corbina PRO features new performance upgrades that keep your frames locked in place and vision clear so you can stay focused on what's most important - finding fish.
For the past 40 years, Costa has supplied anglers with the best sunglasses on the market for long days on the water. In 2021, the brand debuted its PRO Series with the award-winning Blackfin PRO and Fantail PRO. Today, the collection has grown to a family of six with its latest addition, Corbina PRO. The best-selling frame now features an updated style and six added features to help anglers better manage sweat, reduce fogging and keep their frames in place, even when the water gets rough.
Corbina has been a legacy favorite and sport staple among bass anglers for years. The new PRO frame takes it up a notch with eyewire drains and sweat management channels to move sweat away from your eyes, improved Hydrolite™ grip on the nose and earpiece to keep your frames locked in place, a fully-adjustable and ventilated nose pad for a custom fit and to reduce fogging, hooding and side shields to maximize coverage and metal keeper slots to keep your frames from going overboard.
“Corbina has been my go-to frame for a while now. I always joke that even if I didn’t have them on, you could tell they’re my favorites just by my Costa tan," says Justin Lucas, Costa PRO and two time MLF Champion. “I was stoked when the team reached out to me to test the Corbina PRO. The PRO Series has been a game changer. Having the added features to my favorite frames has been the best of both worlds.”
“Bass is one of our largest communities of anglers. With Corbina being so beloved in the bass community, it was a no-brainer to add it to our PRO collection and launch it right before the tour season,” says John Acosta, Costa Sunglasses Vice President of Marketing NA. “We’re always looking at ways to support the bass community - from making the best performance sunglasses for the water to conserving the resources within. That is the motivation behind our super successful Costa Compete + Conserve program - rewarding anglers for wearing Costa and raising money for freshwater conservation efforts. When anglers win, they get to choose one of five conservation partners for Costa to donate to. We hope to see more Costa anglers wearing the PRO Series on the podium this year!”
The Corbina PRO is equipped with Costa's cutting-edge polarized 580® glass lens technology, providing exceptional clarity and color enhancement. These scratch-resistant lenses effectively reduce haze and blur, while boosting essential colors for superior definition. Built with Bio-Resin, Costa's PRO Series frames are lightweight and maintain the durability necessary for any watery adventure.
Starting at $284, Corbina PRO is currently available at local dealers or Costasunglasses.com. For more information about Costa’s complete collection of award-winning performance, optical and lifestyle frames, visit Costasunglasses.com. For more information about Costa Compte + Conserve and to sign up for future tournaments, visit Costacompeteandconserve.com.
U.S. Army signs on as Bassmaster Classic Expo presenting sponsor
March 21, 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Army’s Outdoor Team will be spotlighted to thousands of avid fishing fans from around the country as part of the iconic Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota March 24-26. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army is recognized as fishing’s biggest consumer show and annually draws 200 exhibitors ranging from major international brands to local retailers.
“The Army Outdoor Team connects with America through the shared passion of outdoor sports,” said MSG Josh Watkins, one of two soldiers who, along with SFC Daniel Hodge, travels the country participating in key fishing tournaments and appearing at local venues. “We are armed with the latest outdoor gear, including a bass boat.”
Launched two years ago, the Army Outdoor Team uses the latest gear and soldier savvy to show their skills nationwide. The team is part of the Mission Support Battalion from Fort Knox, Ky. The battalion is co-located with its headquarters, the Army Marketing and Engagement Brigade.
The Outdoors Expo is one of the main attractions of the Bassmaster Classic, which drew 153,809 spectators and tourists from across the U.S. and multiple countries to Knoxville in 2019 and was a major contributor to the $32.2 million economic impact for Knoxville and east Tennessee, according to a report released by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission.
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army will take place across the Knoxville Convention Center and adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall and is B.A.S.S.’s largest show to date.
To learn more about opportunities in the Army, visit goarmy.com.
The Bassmaster Classic is being hosted by Visit Knoxville.
Knoxville Classic is Not a Home Game for Lester
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Other than the fact his wife Kim is an avid Vols fan, and they are residents of Tennessee, the perception by many that Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester is fishing ‘home waters’ this week at the Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville is absolutely false.
“From fans to media interviews, I hear people say all the time that this is a home game for me. But it’s not. Other than the 2019 Classic, the Elite Series event we had here two years ago, and the past three days of practice, I’ve never fished here,” laughs Lester.
In fact, it’s nearly a four-hour drive from downtown Knoxville to Lester’s beloved hometown of Fayetteville. And frankly, there are so many legendary fisheries between the two, he simply never had much reason to fish Loudon and Tellico out of Knoxville.
Tims Ford and Guntersville are actually the two lakes he callshis home lakes and spends considerable time fishing when not on tour. So how then, did he make such a strong showing at the 2019 Classic in Knoxville, when he notched a 6th place finish having never been here before?
“It’s the Tennessee River, and it’s no secret I love Tennessee River impoundments. This place reminds me a lot of Wheeler, especially the Loudon part of it. Loudon features a lot of the really typical pre-spawn stuff I’m familiar with on other Tennessee River lakes like gravel bars, mud bars, a few stumps, shallow flats, laydowns, and lots of off-colored water,” explains Lester.
That said, Lester thinks that while the smallmouth in Tellico remain the big X-factor at most tournaments here, Loudon provides a fun Classic playing field for old school power fishing techniques with spinnerbaits, squarebill crankbaits, chatterbaits, and jigs in less than 6-feet of water where he feels very much at home.
So, while this week is by no means a home game for Lester, much like his wife Kim on gameday Saturdays at NeylandStadium in the fall, he feels very comfortable and confident here, with a 6th place finish at the mid-March 2019 Bassmaster Classic to prove it.
Adrian Avena Surges to Group A Qualifying Round Win at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
New Jersey Pro Fires Up During Period 3 on Douglas Lake to Win Qualifying Round After Day 2 for Group A – Group B Resumes Competition Tuesday
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 20, 2023) – After ending the second period in 14th place, with only three fish, Berkley pro Adrian Avena of Vineland, New Jersey went on a third period flurry to win the Group A Qualifying Round Monday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Douglas Lake. The New Jersey pro finished the day with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 2 ounces, for a two-day total of 30-13, earning him the Qualifying Round win by a 2-pound, 5-ounce margin over second place angler Favorite Fishing pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who finished with a two-day total of 10 scorable bass weighing 28-8.
Abu Garcia pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama ended the day in third place with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 27-7, while Pike Road, Alabama pro Keith Poche finished the round in fourth place with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 27-2. Rounding out the top five was Bass Pro Tour rookie Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, with a two-day total of 10 bass totaling 26-15.
Frigid morning temperatures in the teens and a strong afternoon warm-up also made for a lot of third period movement around the Toro Cutline, with pro Fred “Boom Boom” Roumbanis dancing back and forth across the cutline throughout the day to slide into the 20th spot by the end of the third period and pro Dakota Ebare moving from 26th place to finish the day in 15th. Georgia pro Jared Lintner made big moves in the final period as well, jumping from 30th place into the 12thspot, but General Tire pro Edwin Evers made the biggest jump, moving from 25th to end the day with a fifth place finish.
Avena began the morning in second place, but had dropped to 20th by the end of Period 1 after not catching a single fish.
“When we’re talking about springtime fishing, it’s always going to warm up in the afternoons, so the first day of competition I was able to catch a few key fish late in the day and today was no different,” said Avena. “I was having a bunch of fish follow my bait throughout the morning, but they just weren’t committing to it. When the water is that cold early in the day, they’re just sluggish and not willing to bite.”
Avena said he spent both days of competition focusing on isolated wood – targeting lay downs, pine trees, logs in the water – pretty much anything isolated, especially on shallow flats. He said he caught the majority of his fish on a Berkley Stunna Jerkbait, one on the brand-new Berkley Cull Shad and the other two on a KGB Chad Shad Glide Bait.
“As mid-day began, the bite started to pick up,” said Avena. “I caught a couple in the second period and seven in that third period and was able to finish out my limit and cull several times. That last hour was just magical and I caught some really nice fish.”
The top 20 advancing anglers from Group A will now have an off day from competition Tuesday, while the 40 anglers competing in Qualifying Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round. 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 on Thursday. In the final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
The top 20 pros from Group A that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Cherokee Lake are:
2nd: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 10 bass, 28-8
3rd: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 27-7
4th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 10 bass, 27-2
5th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 26-15
6th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 26-13
7th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 26-4
8th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 26-1
9th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 10 bass, 24-15
10th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 10 bass, 24-10
11th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 10 bass, 24-7
12th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., nine bass, 23-13
13th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., 10 bass, 23-13
14th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., nine bass, 23-11
15th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 23-9
16th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 23-9
17th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 23-5
18th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 22-13
19th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 22-8
20th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., 10 bass, 22-7
The six-day event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, 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 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 Thursday’s Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. ET from Dandridge Ramp, located at 100 Public Drive in Dandridge and Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the respective launch locations above, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the Stage 2 Champion at the 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 celebration will take place at the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 MLF NOW!® 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 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
Peavyhouse Nets Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Dale Hollow Lake
Fitzpatrick Takes Strike King Co-Angler Division
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Isaac Peavyhouse of Jamestown, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 7 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake . The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina & Resort, was the first event of the season for the BFL Mountain Division. Peavyhouse earned $13,943, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Peavyhouse said he ran around a lot during the tournament, hitting spots from mid-lake to the dam to produce a winning weight. He said he looked for suspending fish in 30 to 50 feet of water with his Lowrance ActiveTarget Sonar Kit. A Damiki rig with½-ounce Damiki Rig Jig Heads provoked the bikes he needed.
“I started off the day with a little over 20½ pounds in the first 45 minutes,” said Peavyhouse. “That calmed me down quite a bit, and after that, I just went big fish fishing the rest of the day.”
Peavyhouse said he culled bass three or four times after his initial flurry and was throwing back good bass that just wouldn’t improve his final weight.
“I caught about 20 keepers, and I threw back another 20-pound limit,” Peavyhouse said. “I never lost a fish. It was one of those deals where it was just meant to be.
“I’m a local, and I’ve been fortunate enough to weigh a lot of 22- to 24-pound bags,” Peavyhouse added. “So, I never felt like I had it won. I knew as tough as it was this week that people would have to earn it to beat me, but I never felt like I had it won.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Isaac Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 23-7, $13,943 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., five bass, 21-7, $2,722
3rd: Josh Womack, Gallatin, Tenn., five bass, 21-6, $2,679
4th: Christian Nash, Allons, Tenn., five bass, 20-1, $1,270
5th: Alex Wright, Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 19-7, $1,089
6th: Bryce McDonald, Paintsville, Ky., five bass, 19-4, $952
6th: Cole Logsdon, Brownsville, Ky., five bass, 19-4, $952
8th: Bennie Mutter, Glasgow, Ky., five bass, 18-10, $817
9th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 18-9, $1,246
10th: Jarrod Conn, Burgin, Ky., five bass, 17-8, $635
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Josh Womack of Gallatin, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $865.
John Fitzpatrick of Baxter, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $3,032 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: John Fitzpatrick, Baxter, Tenn., five bass, 16-13, $3,032
2nd: Lukas Owens, Berea, Ky., five bass, 15-11, $1,310
3rd: Keith Bridges, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 14-11, $877
4th: Glen Alan Ruth, Frankfort, Ky., five bass, 13-3, $611
5th: James Wheatley, Coxs Creek, Ky., five bass, 12-15, $502
5th: Jeff Sears, Byrdstown, Tenn., four bass, 12-15, $502
7th: Anthony Scott, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 12-11, $437
8th: Gilbert Jolley, Livingston, Tenn., five bass, 12-0, $593
9th: Michael Weimann, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 11-2, $349
10th: Mike Bowman, Cincinnati, Ohio, four bass, 10-7, $306
Fitzpatrick also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $412, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Bryson Peed Posts Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Kerr Lake
Driscoll Claims Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory
HENDERSON, N.C. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Bryson Peed of Clarksville, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake. The tournament, hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, was the first event of 2023 for the BFL Shenandoah Division. Peed earned $5,665 for his victory.
Water temperatures on Kerr had been in the 60s in days prior to the tournament, but a cold front moved through the area and pushed water temps back into the 50s. Peed said he drew on his knowledge of Kerr to help him locate fish during the tougher tournament conditions.
“We started out near Nutbush (Creek), but didn’t get bit, so I moved up the lake and started getting bites pretty quickly,” said Peed. “So, we just settled in and fished a little key area of the lake the rest of the day.”
Peed said he was targeting isolated rock piles with stumps nearby in two to six feet of water, casting crankbaits and jigs to entice bites. His methods produced 10 fish – all keepers – during the course of the day.
“This is a tough group of guys to fish against and a hard lake to win on,” Peed said. “It’s taken 20 to 21 pounds to win lately, and I figured it would take at least 20 pounds to win this. I couldn’t cull my last 2½-pounder, and I didn’t think I had enough to win, so this feels really good.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Bryson Peed, Clarksville, Va., five bass, 17-14, $5,665
2nd: Rodney Sorrell, Stokesdale, N.C., five bass, 14-9, $2,458
3rd: Tony Black, Broad Run, Va., five bass, 14-5, $1,640
4th: Lee Cox, Frederick, Md., five bass, 13-11, $1,147
5th: Bryan Welch, Greensboro, N.C., five bass, 13-2, $1,483 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th: Ron Rousseau, Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 13-1, $860
6th: Dustin Riddle, Hiwassee, Va., five bass, 13-1, $860
8th: Ryan Harrell, Roanoke Rapids, N.C., five bass, 12-8, $737
9th: Christopher Grenier, Clarksburg, W.V., five bass, 12-6, $614
9th: Zachary Stoupa, Prince George, Va., five bass, 12-6, $614
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Peed also caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $750.
Thomas Driscoll of Annandale, Virginia, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,458 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 14 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Thomas Driscoll, Annandale, Va., five bass, 12-14, $2,458
2nd: David Deciucis, Chester, Va., five bass, 11-11, $1,229
3rd: Steve Kiser, Tarboro, N.C., four bass, 10-5, $817
4th: John Robinson, Montpelier, Va., three bass, 9-12, $573
5th: Tim Privette Jr., Wendell, N.C., five bass, 9-1, $692
6th: Jeff McBeth, New Philadelphia, Ohio, four bass, 8-5, $451
7th: Curtis Vick, Boydton, Va., four bass, 7-12, $760
8th: Roland Gittings, Perryville, Md., two bass, 7-7, $369
9th: Joshua McGeary, Mount Pleasant, Pa., three bass, 7-6, $328
10th: Sean Lane, Culpeper, Va., three bass, 7-3, $287
Steve Cannon of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $375, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
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: 4WP, 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, 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.
University of Nebraska Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (March 20, 2023) – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln duo of Brett Lubeck and Trevor Schleich, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake of the Ozarks Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 2 ounces. The victory earned the Cornhuskers’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2024 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
Schleich said the team fished the entire lake during practice and eliminated as much water as they could for the competition. They started the tournament day off right on a bluff wall by catching a 5-pound largemouth, but changed tactics to seek out dirtier water where they thought the fish were holding shallow and as a result would be more catchable. The team began slow-rolling a squarebill crankbait in three to five feet of water to deflect it off rocks and brush and began to fill their limit.
“It was a bit of a grind and hard to have confidence with it, but we stuck with it all day,” Schleich said.
The next bass boated were a 2-pounder and a 5-pounder, and the team stuck with it and finished their limit by 3 p.m. Schleich said they caught about 15 fish during the course of the day, many of them between 13½ and 14½ inches long.
The Lake of the Ozarks victory is the second for Schleich, who also won in 2022 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
“That Mississippi River win was kind of like a dream,” Schleich said. “The second time is a little sweeter. There was a lot of work put in for it, and it’s a blessing for sure.”
“It’s a great feeling,” Lubeck said with a laugh. “This is the first bass tournament I’ve ever fished.”
The teams that qualified to compete at the 2024 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Brett Lubeck and Trevor Schleich, both of Lincoln, Nebraska., five bass, 20-2, $2,000
2nd: Auburn University – Blake Milligan, Auburn, Ala., and Matthew Parrish, Decatur, Ala., five bass, 18-10, $1,000
3rd: Kentucky Christian University – William Copley, Louisa, Ky., and Braden Fairbanks, Grove City, Ohio, five bass, 17-11, $700
4th: University of North Alabama – Kolby Clark, Florence, Ala., and Rees Williams, Aurora, Ohio, five bass, 17-10, $600
5th: Adrian College – Aaron Jagdfeld, Rochester, Mich., and Dalton Mollenkopf, Pendleton, Ind., five bass, 17-6, $500
6th: University of Montevallo – Nicholas Dumke and Easton Fothergill, both of Grand Rapids, Minn., five bass, 16-13
7th: Arkansas Tech University – Asa Chism, Benton, Ark., and Michael McCarty, Cabot, Ark., five bass, 16-8
8th: Kentucky Christian University – Branson Campbell, Russell Springs, Ky., and Blayne Leeman, Kokomo, Ind., five bass, 16-4
9th: Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Tripp Bowman and Matthew Nesbit, both of Haughton, La., five bass, 16-1
10th: McKendree University – Colton Hill, Patoka, Ill., and Maxwell Trotter, Decatur, Ill., five bass, 15-15
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI on the California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse, April 21 in Oakley, California.
The 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Heaton Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Hartwell
Phillips Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
SENECA, S.C. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Max Heaton of Hartwell, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell. The tournament, hosted by Visit Oconee, was the third event of the season for the BFL Savannah River Division. Heaton earned $4,037 for his victory.
“I had a pretty good practice, even though it poured rain on me,” said Heaton. “I caught 17½ pounds just messing around on some new stuff to fish.
“Tournament day started off pretty slow, but there was a good bite window between 8 and 11 o’clock,” Heaton added. “That’s when I caught everything I weighed in. I never culled a fish after 11 o’clock.”
Heaton said he stayed near Anderson Island and his first five bass weighed 13 pounds. He said he culled up a few times after that to get his final weigh weight. He added that he targeted bass on points and used his Garmin LiveScope System to deliver his shaky-head rig with accuracy to the fish.
“I was very surprised with this win,” Heaton said. “It’s been taking more weight than this to win around here. But I knew it was going to be tougher today on everybody. I didn’t think I was going to pull off the win with what I weighed in, but I’ve got the hardware in the front seat with me right now, so this feels great.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Max Heaton, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 18-13, $4,037
2nd: Bo Price, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 18-1, $2,564
3rd: Paul Marks, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 17-13, $1,845 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Tab Anderson, Pendleton, S.C., five bass, 17-2, $1,192
5th: Jaxson Pace, Canton, N.C., five bass, 16-15, $807
6th: Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., five bass, 16-8, $740
7th: Aspen Martin, White, Ga., five bass, 16-6, $673
8th: Bradley Day, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 16-3, $606
9th: Andrew Allen, Waterloo, S.C., five bass, 15-15, $538
10th: Grayson Cook, Canton, N.C., five bass, 15-13, $471
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Bo Price of Seneca, South Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $545.
Damon Phillips of Anderson, South Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,019 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 14 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Damon Phillips, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 15-14, $2,019
2nd: Benjie Winkler, Cleveland, Ga.., five bass, 14-5, $1,009
3rd: Gavin Ballew, Travelers Rest, S.C., five bass, 12-6, $675
4th: Corey Veal, Royston, Ga., five bass, 12-4, $471
5th: Chris Wilson, Easley, S.C., five bass, 12-2, $604
6th: Scott Williams, Canton, Ga., five bass, 12-1, $570
7th: Dwayne Parton, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 11-10, $336
8th: Kevin Henderson, Honea Path, S.C., five bass, 11-9, $303
9th: Johnny Hancox, West Union, S.C., five bass, 11-7, $269
10th: Michael Miller, Greenville, S.C., five bass, 11-6, $223
10th: Brian Egan, Atlanta, Ga., five bass, 11-6, $223
Casey English of Demorest, Georgia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $272, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds even – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Paul Marks of Cumming, Georgia, leads the BFL Savannah River Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 742 points, while Michael Miller of Greenville, South Carolina, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 733 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 Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Chico State Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta
OAKLEY, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – The California State University-Chico duo of Jared Defremery of Brentwood, California, and Miles Kaneko of Berkeley, California, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse Friday with three bass weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces. The victory earned the Wildcats’ bass club a qualification into the 2024 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
“The Delta has been fishing really tough, so we ran to our first spot and really just decided to stay there and pick it apart thoroughly,” Kaneko said. “We managed a big one for our first fish on a drop-shot rig with a 5-inch black-and-blue Yamamoto Senko. It was just so tough because of the recent rains and the water clarity is so dirty on the Delta right now.”
Keneko said the team targeted bass roaming shallow by keeping the boat in six feet of water and casting to the bank in two to four feet of water. Keneko said they would let the Senko sit for five to 10 seconds after the cast before moving it.
“Any riprap banks that had healthy grass seemed to hold more fish than other spots did,” Kaneko said. “We only had five bites all day, and we only landed three of those.
“The storms that have come through bringing cold weather have got the fish kind of adjusting right now, and they haven’t really moved up and they’re hard to catch,” Kaneko added. “Jared and I were really happy with our performance, and it’s a great feeling to win this tournament.”
The top 10 teams on the California Delta were:
1st: Chico State – Jared Defremery, Brentwood, Calif., and Miles Kaneko, Berkeley, Calif., three bass, 13-13
2nd: Simpson University – James Hawkinson, Granite Bay, Calif., and Ty Manterola, Pasco, Wash., five bass, 7-2
3rd: Simpson University – Jacob Greene, American Canyon, Calif., and Austin Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., five bass, 6-11
4th: Simpson University – Michael Bray, Merced, Calif., and Brennan Osborn, Beaverton, Ore., three bass, 6-5
5th: Sacramento State – Quinn Alexander and Nathan Nelson, both of Sacramento, Calif., three bass, 5-12
6th: University of Alabama – Rein Golub, Pittsford, N.Y., and Taylor Wake, Rocklin, Calif., two bass, 5-9
7th: Sonoma State University – Ari Forman, Westlake Village, Calif., and Cody Wyatt, Rohnert Park, Calif., two bass, 4-12
8th: Fresno State – Kelby Keeling, Visalia, Calif., and Bryce Powell, Acampo, Calif., three bass, 4-0
9th: University of Idaho – Ethan Leininger, Vina, Calif., and Connor Patterson, Moscow, Idaho, one bass, 2-12
10th: Oklahoma State University – John Lucostic, Stillwater, Okla., and Walker Niver, Sperry, Okla., one bass, 1-13
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse, April 21 in Oakley, California.
The 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Two Ounces are Enough as Yulee’s Sheppard Takes Phoenix Bass Fishing League Victory at Second Harris Chain of Lakes Event of Weekend
Elmore Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
LEESBURG, Fla. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Tyler Sheppard of Yulee, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 28 pounds, 4 ounces, Sunday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine at Harris Chain of Lakes by a mere two ounces. The tournament, hosted by Visit Lake County, Florida, was the third event of the season for the BFL Gator Division, and the second event of a back-to-back double-header of events held in Leesburg this past weekend. Sheppard earned $6,765 for his victory.
“We had back-to-back BFL events scheduled this weekend due to a rescheduled event,” said Sheppard, who is a veteran of MLF College Fishing, BFL and Toyota Series competitions, with 12 top-10 finishes and three wins to his credit. “We faced two very different weather conditions for each event. Sunday morning it was 48 degrees when we woke up, and typically in Florida, that’s not good for catching fish.”
Sheppard said he had located a good group of fish in the previous day’s tournament.
“I didn’t know how good until today,” Sheppard said. “It just kind of all snowballed into a great day on the water.”
Sheppard said he targeted offshore grass with hard bottom next to it, and dragged a big worm and bladed jig to coax bites – what he calls typical offshore patterns. He said he fished multiple lakes on the Harris Chain and caught 25 fish during the tournament.
“Where I did most of my damage today I had never caught a fish previously,” the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native said. “I’ve been in Florida for about four years now, but the Harris Chain is where I’ve spent most of my time here in Florida.
“This win means a lot to me,” Sheppard added. “Coming from Pittsburgh and having success in other areas is one thing; This is my first win in Florida with MLF. So, to be able to get to notch this first win in Florida and get that monkey off my back is pretty special.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Yulee, Fla., five bass, 28-4, $6,765
2nd: Joey Bloom, Winter Springs, Fla., five bass, 28-2, $3,383 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd: Aaron Yavorsky, Palm Harbor, Fla., five bass, 25-14, $1,922
4th: Bobby Bakewell, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 22-3, $1,345
5th: Lane Jacobs, Summerfield, Fla., five bass, 20-10, $1,153
6th: Rodney Marks, Apopka, Fla., five bass, 19-15, $1,057
7th: Bradley Enfinger, Donalsonville, Ga., five bass, 19-2, $961
8th: Bryan Honnerlaw, Moore Haven, Fla., five bass, 18-7, $1,337
8th: John Adkinson, Winter Haven, Fla., five bass, 18-7, $817
10th: Elijah Meyers, Fort Wayne, Ind., five bass, 18-4, $673
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Darrell Munday of Wesley Chapel, Florida, caught a largemouth that weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $940.
Jordan Elmore of Saint Petersburg, Florida, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,883 Sunday, after bringing five bass to the scale that weighed 19 pounds, 9 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Jordan Elmore, Saint Petersburg, Fla., five bass, 19-9, $2,883
2nd: Bryan Cox, Sanford, Fla., five bass, 17-10, $1,441
3rd: Bryan Lefefbvre, Grand Island, Fla., five bass, 17-5, $960
4th: Brandon St. Pierre, Lehigh Acres, Fla., five bass, 16-9, $673
5th: Terry Hussey, Nickerson, Neb., five bass, 16-8, $577
6th: Preston Williams, Tallahassee, Fla., five bass, 16-6, $528
7th: Scott Corliss, Kissimmee, Fla., five bass, 15-9, $480
8th: Ronny Wiemer, Wesley Chapel, Fla., five bass, 15-6, $384
8th: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., five bass, 15-6, $384
8th: Ben Baran, Mound, Minn., four bass, 15-6, $384
Patrick Bartolotta of Lake Mary, Florida, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $470, catching a largemouth that weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Bryan Honnerlaw of Moore Haven, Florida, leads the BFL Gator Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 714 points, while Tyler Nekolny of Coral Springs, Florida, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 731 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 Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Camdenton High School Wins MLF High School Fishing Open Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (March 20, 2023) – The Camdenton High School team of Corbin Bailey and Kaden Messina brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 3 ounces, to win the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.
A field of 60 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top six teams that advanced to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. – Corbin Bailey and Kaden Messina, five bass, 12-3
2nd: CW Bass Club – Cayden Harmon and Will Shepherd, four bass, 11-11
3rd: Kick-Back Bass Club, Kansas City, Kan. – Derek Landis and Landon Staines, four bass, 11-9
4th: Clearwater R-1 High School, Piedmont, Mo. – Caden McAlister and Brayden Wilson, four bass, 8-14
5th: Vilonia High School, Vilonia, Ark. – John Mason Davis and Noah Yelich, four bass, 8-5
6th: Bolivar High School, Bolivar, Mo. – Colin Ames and Logan Welch, four bass, 7-8
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
7th: Reeds Spring High School, Reeds Spring, Mo. – Jace McMasters and Dominick Willard, two bass, 7-8
8th: Oologah-Talala Public Schools, Oologah, Okla. – Corbyn Hayes and Chase Robinson, three bass, 7-5
9th: Edmond Santa Fe High School, Edmond, Okla. – Jayden Pierce and Ethan Vaughan, two bass, 6-14
10th: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. – Caston Embry and Caden Kowal, two bass, 5-10
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
MLF High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, will advance to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship. The 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship will be held on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 20-24, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.
The High School Fishing National Champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2023 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Moore Hits Flurry of Big Bites, Dominates in Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Harris Chain of Lakes
Lewis Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
LEESBURG, Fla. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Alex Moore of Orlando, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 28 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Harris Chain of Lakes. The tournament, hosted by Visit Lake County, Florida, was the second event of the season for the BFL Gator Division. Moore earned $6,000 for his victory.
Moore said he landed 17 pounds within the first hour of competition on a vibrating jig - a good start to the day – but made a bait change to get bigger bites to cull and improve his limit. His goal was to improve his weight to 19 pounds with a crankbait.
“I went to a spot where I had fished before that I knew had a few fish,” said Moore. “I’d never had any super good days there, and had never caught any fish over four pounds, but I guess the weather today just set up perfectly for the big ones to bite. I always thought the spot had good potential, and it all came together today.”
The bait change paid off for Moore, as he landed a couple of bass just under seven pounds in a flurry of big bites.
“I had a window of about two hours where the big ones bit,” Moore added. “I was culling 4-pounders, and that just felt so wrong to let a 4-pound fish go. Then it just shut down. So I quit and went to weigh them in. I was so nervous. I just wanted to get back and weigh those fish.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Alex Moore, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 28-11, $6,000
2nd: Greg Harp, Vero Beach, Fla., five bass, 21-11, $3,000
3rd: Eric Panzironi, Longwood, Fla., five bass, 21-1, $2,000
4th: David Wareham, Port Charlotte, Fla., five bass, 19-15, $1,400
5th: Jeffrey Worth, Longwood, Fla., five bass, 19-13, $1,200
6th: Rodney Marks, Apopka, Fla., five bass, 19-11, $1,100
7th: Frank Mitchum, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 19-1, $1,000
8th: John Sabatini, Arcadia, Fla., five bass, 18-11, $900
9th: D.J. Ellis, Crestview, Fla., five bass, 18-9, $800
10th: Joseph Schulte, Eustis, Fla., five bass, 18-8, $700
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Rick Southerland of Leesburg, Florida, caught a largemouth that weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,000.
Tyler Lewis of Geneva, Florida, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $3,000 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 18 pounds, 14 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Tyler Lewis, Geneva, Fla., five bass, 18-14, $3,000
2nd: Steve Smith, Commerce Township, Mich., five bass, 16-14, $1,500
3rd: Robert Chase Burlew, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 16-9, $1,000
4th: Chris Westhelle, Sanford, Fla., five bass, 16-8, $700
5th: Scott Corliss, Kissimmee, Fla., five bass, 16-1, $600
6th: Antoni Bicy, Ocklawaha, Fla., five bass, 15-12, $550
7th: Bill McEachnie, Tavares, Fla., five bass, 15-6, $500
8th: Matthew Byrd, Melbourne, Fla., five bass, 15-3, $450
9th: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., five bass, 15-2, $375
9th: Mike Tucker, Yalaha, Fla., five bass, 15-2, $375
Manuel Ledezma of Miami, Florida, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $500, catching a largemouth that weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Brandon Medlock of Lake Placid, Florida, leads the BFL Gator Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 488 points, while Tyler Nekolny of Coral Springs, Florida, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 480 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 Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Reaves Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Mitchell
Jones Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
CLANTON, Ala. (March 20, 2023) – Boater Brent Reaves of Alexander City, Alabama, caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Mitchell . The tournament was the second event for the BFL Bama Division. Reaves earned $4,889 for his victory.
“Spotted bass on Lake Mitchell this time of year are notorious for holding on seawalls,” said Reaves. “So that’s what I looked for.”
Reaves said he targeted deep seawalls near channel swings in creeks, knowing the cold front that had passed through would most likely have early spawners holding close to deeper water. He said he dragged a shaky-head rig with a YUM Dinger along the seawalls to entice bites. Reaves said the shaky-head rig produced 25 to 30 keepers for him during the course of the tournament.
“I moved upriver to the dam to try to get a big fish, because I really didn’t think 15 pounds would win this tournament,” Reaves said. “I fished behind a lot of boats today and caught fish all day when those boats weren’t. Maybe they weren’t using the right worm; I don’t know. It was just my day.
“I’ve been doing this for a while now and haven’t gotten close to winning,” Reaves said. “So, this is awesome. This is a great accomplishment for me. I’m just an average fisherman out here against these guys.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Brent Reaves, Alexander City, Ala., five bass, 15-5, $4,889
2nd: Garrett Warren, Hoover, Ala., five bass, 14-11, $1,944
3rd: Wesley Gore, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 14-10, $1,297
4th: Christian Rich, Eufaula, Ala., five bass, 14-9, $907
5th: Tyler Wesley, Blountsville, Ala., five bass, 14-6, $778
6th: Roger Shirey, Ashland, Ala., five bass, 14-0, $713
7th: Conner Neal, Hoover, Ala., five bass, 13-12, $648
8th: Russ Haughton, Verbena, Ala., five bass, 13-10, $783
9th: Michael Smith, Andalusia, Ala., five bass, 13-8, $519
10th: Jonathan Wills, Dallas, Ga., five bass, 13-5, $454
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Lance Spencer of Donalsonville, Georgia, caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $525.
Will Jones of Andalusia, Alabama, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,206 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Will Jones, Andalusia, Ala, five bass, 13-12, $2,206
2nd: Jeffery McCoy, Montgomery, Ala., five bass, 12-1, $972
3rd: Barry Jones, Verbena, Ala., five bass, 11-14, $649
4th: Stuart Vitollo, Vance, Ala., five bass, 11-10, $454
5th: Ben Caldwell, Hartselle, Ala., five bass, 11-7, $389
6th: Chad Macks, Robertsdale, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $340
6th: Roderick Hannah, Moody, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $340
8th: Joseph Chilcott, Williamson, Ga., five bass, 11-1, $292
9th: Chris Allen, Bremen, Ga., five bass, 10-10, $243
9th: Brad Smith, Montevallo, Ala., five bass, 10-10, $243
Jones also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $262, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Garrett Warren of Hoover, Alabama, leads the BFL Bama Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 499 points, while Obrien Brown of Pinson, Alabama, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 479 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Delta Saints Bass Team Wins MLF High School Fishing Open on the California Delta
OAKLEY, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – Delta, California’s, Delta Saints Bass Team of Jax Soto and Nathan Tritt brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on the California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse in Oakley, California.
A field of 24 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top two teams that advanced to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Delta Saints Bass Team, Delta, Calif. – Jax Soto and Nathan Tritt, five bass, 15-8
2nd: Lake County High School Fishing Club, Lake County, Calif. – Payton Lyndall and Kaine Navarro, three bass, 12-4
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
3rd: Oakdale High School, Oakdale, Calif. – Tiffany Chan and Payne Perkins, three bass, 10-7
4th: Oakdale High School, Oakdale, Calif. – Donnie Graham and Mason Polhemus, five bass, 9-8
5th: Lake County High School Fishing Club, Lake County, Calif. – Tyler Bryant and Joey Gentle, five bass, 8-8
6th: Liberty/Heritage High School, Brentwood, Calif. – Noah Nguyen and Tyler Peterson, one bass, 6-6
7th: Lodi High School, Lodi, Calif. – Adam Phillips and Christopher van Alen, three bass, 6-5
8th: Grizzly Bass Masters – Sam Houston and Rylan Reed, two bass, 6-5
9th: Alhambra Bulldawg Bassin – Luke Beaty and Emmett Gargaro, three bass, 4-8
10th: Exeter High School, Exeter, Calif. – Gage Coy and Lucien Dandurand, three bass, 4-7
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
MLF High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, will advance to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship. The 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship will be held on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 20-24, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.
The High School Fishing National Champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2023 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
FAF Appoints Three New Board Members
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Additions read like a Who’s Who of recreational fishing leaders. |
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Forestville, WI (March 20, 2023) – The Future Angler Foundation (FAF) is proud to announce the addition of three high-powered sportfishing industry professionals to its board of directors. Effective immediately, Jesse Simpkins, Chris Horton and Jim Schiefelbein will join current board members Sam Calabro, Kevin VanDam and Dr. Thom Dammrich, along with FAF president Patrick Neu, in setting the course for the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization’s path forward. “The recent addition of these three new FAF board members gives us a management team with vast industry experience and a passion for the sport needed to guide the foundation in the coming years,” says Neu. “We’ve accomplished amazing results in our drive to recruit, retain and reactivate recreational anglers over the past 11 years, and I look forward to working with this current board to accomplish even more in the near future.” |
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Jesse Simpkins |
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The new additions read like a “Who’s Who?” of recreational fishing industry leaders and should do a terrific job of strengthening FAF’s already stellar leadership team. Simpkins has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the recreational fishing industry. He is a consummate sportfishing industry professional, a past board chairman for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), and the current director of marketing at St. Croix Rods in Park Falls, WI. Horton serves as senior director of Midwestern States/Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and previously served as the conservation director for B.A.S.S., one of the largest angling organizations in the world. Schiefelbein, meanwhile, brings over 30 years’ experience as a successful entrepreneur and marketing expert who has formed and sold numerous companies, including two in the outdoors industry. He has also held other board positions in the outdoors industry. |
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Chris Horton |
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Neu also expressed his sincere gratitude to three departing board members who served on the FAF board of directors since its inception. “Thank you Robert Blosser, Phil Moy and Nick Schmal, original board members all, for the time and dedication you have given to the FAF. Without your support and guidance our foundation would not have achieved all that it has in our first 11 years of existence.” The future is looking bright for FAF, believes Neu, but he adds that continued support from the general public, including other foundation’s, the industry, and the government agencies FAF has partnered with such as the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard, will be vital for the organization to work toward its mission of “Creating New Anglers and Boaters.” |
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If you’d like to get involved in that mission, reach out to Neu at: [email protected]. To donate to the Future Angler Foundation, visit https://futureangler.org/. And remember, “It’s All About the Sport!” |
Small Bait. Big Rumble.
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Northland’s bite-sized balsawood Rumble Bug now in 33 colors plus two strike-provoking sizes. |
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BEMIDJI, Minn. (March 20, 2023) – True crankbait fans know that Northland Fishing Tackle’s Rumble Bug is the real deal when it comes to drawing strikes from walleyes, bass and jumbo panfish that are putting on the finicky act. The original 4-cm (1.57-inch) balsa body diving plug sports a small profile, tight wiggle, and the ability to take advantage of multispecies opportunities when cast around hard structure, weedlines or other cover. With a maximum diving depth of 7 feet, it’s renowned for denting local walleye stocks on the troll. |
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“This little puppy will catch just about anything that swims,” says Northland’s visual marketing coordinator, Sam Larsen. “Walleye, largemouth bass, bronzebacks, humpbacked yellow perch, big bluegills and crappie – they’ll all hammer this little appetizer. And that’s exactly why we’ve just added 18 great new color patterns, plus a new 5.08 cm (2", 3/8oz.) size to explore 8- to 10- foot depths and draw the ire of larger predators focused on a more filling one-bite meal.” |
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Multispecies fishing guide Brian “Bro” Brosdahl is a true Rumble Bug fan. He believes these new additions provide impressive leeway when it comes to matching-the-hatch in terms of baitfish options, as well as addressing the mood of big fish swimming in pressured waters. “There are times,” Bro says, “when getting small is the surest route to scoring big and that’s where the 4-cm size can really shine. It simply excels under tough conditions including cold water, bright sunshine and heavy fishing pressure that edges predators toward a neutral feeding mode. Now the new 2-inch size can be my choice when the bite grows a bit more aggressive. It’s slightly larger profile and ability to dig a little deeper really interests trophy fish.” |
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BLUE CHARTREUSE SHAD |
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BLUE OLIVE SHAD |
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INJURED SHAD |
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TENNESSEE SHAD ORANGE BELLY |
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RED CRAWDAD |
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COOKED CRAWDAD |
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HOT CLAW CRAWDAD |
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BRUNT CRAWDAD |
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CAMO GREEN CRAW |
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CRUSTY CRAWDAD |
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HOT TIGER |
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ORANGE BELLY GILL |
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PURPLE GILL |
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CHARTREUSE ROOT BEER |
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ROOT BEER |
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FADED SCHOOL BUS |
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All of Northland’s Rumble Series lures – which also includes the Rumble Shiner, Shad and Minnow – are handcrafted using a unique Heat Compression Molding process (HCM), as opposed to a one-piece lathing procedure. With this method, two full-length halves of the lure body are created and sealed together, allowing precision positioning of weights for optimal center of gravity, superior flotation at rest, better overall balance, longer casts, and a nice, tight action with just the right amount of roll to drive predator fish crazy. The HCM process also allows each lure to be through-wired before being finished with a light coating of lacquer that’s strong enough to protect the body while adding almost no additional weight. Additionally, HCM manufacturing enables all Northland Rumble Series lures to track true right out of the box and emerge from the molding process to meet exacting specifications; there is no variation from one lure to another in the same size and profile. With traditional balsawood lathing methods, slight inconsistencies between one lure body and the next are fairly common. HCM production virtually eliminates this, and Northland is one of only a couple manufacturers worldwide with the technical knowhow to put this technology to use on a large-scale basis. |
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“Rumble Bugs have a tight yet gentle wobble,” continues Brosdahl. “Their fat, round shape bulges a lot of water to draw attention from a distance. They also cast really well on light spinning gear and are tough as nails. I like the hooks, too. The smaller version has premium, super-sharp size 5 trebles while the larger one sports size 8’s. Both will stick and hold any fish that gets close enough to give ‘em a sniff.” With two sizes and now 33 original fish-catching artisan patterns, Rumble Bugs allow anglers to adjust for water color and clarity, match the hatch in size, shape and color, and even factor in the mood of the bite by varying lure size and color intensity. Individually hand-tuned and tank tested, both the 4-cm and 5-cm Rumble Bugs retail for just $9.99. |
Todd Faircloth Grabs Early Group B Lead at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
Texas Pro Scrapes Together a Five-Fish Limit Weighing 14 Pounds, 7 Ounces on Douglas Lake to Lead by 3 Ounces After Day 1 for Group B – Group A Resumes Competition Monday in the Race for $100,000
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 19, 2023) – It was an even colder start to the day for the professional anglers in Group B on Sunday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Douglas Lake, with pros deicing their rods and guides well into the afternoon. Battling through the frigid temps, pro Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, managed to put together a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 7 ounces to take the lead in Period 2 and narrowly maintain that lead through the end of the competition day.
Despite never weighing a fish in the third period, Faircloth will bring a slim lead into Group B’s second day of competition Tuesday, with a mere 3-ounce advantage over pro Josh Butler of Hayden, Alabama, who went on a third period flurry to finish the day in second place with a five-bass limit totaling 14-4. Pro Mitch Crane of Columbus, Mississippi, caught a 4-11 kicker fish in Period 3 to end the day in third place, with a limit weighing 14-4, while General Tire pro Mark Rose of Wynne, Arkansas, ended the day in fourth place with a limit totaling 13-15. Lorena, Texas pro Alton Jones, Sr., rounded out the top five with a limit weighing 13-14. Kicker fish were key on Douglas Lake on Sunday, as every pro in the top 5 scored a fish well over 4 pounds.
The six-day event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, 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.
“Today has exceeded my expectations, that’s for sure,” said Faircloth. “We started down the lake a little ways, in an area where I had some bites in practice, around some bait out in the middle of the pocket, but there just wasn’t much bait there this morning. I ended up catching one fish in there, then moved around a little bit and tried a couple spots.
“I ran to my second spot to fish a stretch I’d found in practice, and the guy that was leading at the time was sitting on that spot,” continued Faircloth. “So, I made another little move and started catching some fish. I caught one 5-pounder and a 3-pound smallmouth in the second period that pushed me to the top of the leaderboard.”
Despite a difficult practice and battling ice and snow flurries throughout the day, Faircloth said he was able to figure out a pattern that worked for him.
“Practice was tough for me here and it wasn’t like you could just go down the bank and catch them,” said Faircloth. “They were on key spots, but they are so hard to get to bite right now. For some reason, I cannot catch anything dragging bait on the bottom. They want something above them, and particularly either cranking or throwing a jerkbait.
“It was a little aggravating, because I can see them with my Lowrance Active Target, but they are so hard to catch,” Faircloth continued. “I noticed the start of the shad die-off in practice, and whenever that happens it gets especially hard to catch fish, because they basically have a buffet in front of them all the time.”
Shad die-off generally happens because water temps have gone up, then dropped dramatically. In this case, water temps had been pushing the 60’s on Douglas Lake, so the extreme 10- to 12-degree plunge over the last several days threw the shad into shock. Largemouth and smallmouth can adjust to the sharp downward swing, but smaller baitfish typically cannot handle that extreme change in water temperatures.
“I caught the majority of my fish on a sexy shad-colored Strike King KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait,” said Faircloth. “The water is a little stained on Douglas this week, so the white shows up real good in the water, and that coupled with the shad die-off made this a key bait for me today.”
The 40 anglers in Group B will now have an off day from competition Monday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group A will wrap up their two-day Qualifying Round. Group B will resume competition on Monday.
The top 20 pros in Group B after Day 1 on Douglas Lake are:
1st: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, five bass, 14-7
2nd: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 14-4
3rd: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 14-4
4th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 13-15
5th: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, five bass, 13-14
6th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 13-2
7th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 13-1
8th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 12-15
9th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 12-6
10th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., five bass, 12-4
11th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 12-4
12th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., five bass, 11-15
13th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 11-13
14th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 11-12
15th: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., five bass, 11-9
16th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 11-8
17th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, four bass, 11-1
18th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., five bass, 10-13
19th: Josh Bertrand, Queen City, Ariz., five bass, 10-4
20th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 9-5
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Butler caught a 5-pound, 1-ounce largemouth on a jerkbait in Period 2 that was the biggest fish of the day, earning him the first $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award of the event. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on 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 Thursday’s Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch Monday and Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. ET from Dandridge Ramp, located at 100 Public Drive in Dandridge and Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the respective launch locations above, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the Stage 2 Champion at the 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 celebration will take place at the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 MLF NOW!® 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 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
Capps Catches 22½-pound Limit Saturday to Win MLF Toyota Series Plains Division Opener at Grand Lake
GROVE, Okla. (March 19, 2023) – Starting the final day in fourth place, nearly 4 pounds behind tournament leader Chad Warren, pro Blake Capps knew he needed to have a big day. And that’s exactly what the Muskogee, Oklahoma, pro did on Saturday. Capps caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces, to vault to the top of the leaderboard and win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Grand Lake and earn the top payout of $87,000. Over the three days of competition Capps’ catch of 15 bass totaling 59-6 earned him the win by a 7-pound, 2-ounce margin over pro Michael Harlin of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, who finished runner-up with a three-day total of 52-4, good for $20,000.
“I think you can guess I’m feeling pretty good right now,” Capps said with a laugh after the weigh-in. “I had full confidence going into today.”
It showed early on Day 3, as Capps got off to a hot start in the morning. The Muskogee, Oklahoma angler busted what he estimated to be roughly 18 pounds in the first two hours of the morning. He then got to work bouncing from spot to spot, hunting for upgrades.
“I culled one at about 11 that was a 2.75 for a 3.75,” he said, “I thought I had a little shot at it at that point. But it was the 5-pounder I caught in the last hour that made me think I really had a shot.”
The key 5-pounder came on a bank he hadn’t visited in over two years, but after co-angler champion Jason Sandidge caught keepers on back-to-back casts, Capps knew he had to double back through the area.
“Once he caught his fish then we turned around and went back up that bank,” he said. “There was a little brush pile in 8 feet of water and in it was my 5-pounder. All my fish this week came in 10 feet of water or less.”
The bank itself held a lot of the same characteristics as many of the areas Capps focused on this week. Capps primarily targeted banks and points with larger rock piles and brush piles holding limited, but larger-than-average fish he found in practice. He located his fish during practice on a bladed jig and a flat-sided squarebill. But, come gameday, the weather and blustery cold conditions told Capps to fall in line with the other umbrella rig slingers that dominated the field.
“I had that 19-11 on Day 1 and I was done fishing at 10:45 in my area. I didn’t want to burn anything knowing it was a three-day tournament. On Day 2 I had all my fish by 11 o’clock for the most part. I didn’t have a big fish on Day 2. I weighed a 3-pounder I really needed to get rid of.”
Capps, who blasted his way to a 7-pound victory, credits years of experience and solid equipment as major factors in getting him through a tough week at Grand. He says it made a huge difference for him as he and the field faced adverse conditions all week.
“I’m really fortunate to have proper tools to compete at this level,” he said. “My Phoenix was important for getting me to my fish and back to weigh-in in the crazy winds we had the last few days. I also used a Falcon Cara “Big Bait” rod for my A-rig, and that was key for throwing it all day.”
The top 10 pros on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Blake Capps, Muskogee, Okla., 15 bass, 59-6, $87,000 (includes $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
2nd: Michael Harlin, Sunrise Beach, Mo., 15 bass, 52-4, $20,000
3rd: Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 14 bass, 51-11, $14,250
4th: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 12 bass, 45-13, $12,250
5th: Austin Culbertson, Moberly, Mo., 12 bass, 43-9, $11,250
6th: Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 11 bass, 43-4, $9,125
7th: Billy Lemon, Sand Springs, Okla., 13 bass, 42-15, $7,900
8th: Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo., 14 bass, 42-13, $6,900
9th: Kevin Miller, Shell Knob, Mo., 12 bass, 42-5, $6,400
10th: Preston Cook, Miami, Okla., 13 bass, 39-13, $4,500
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Jeremy Davis of Imperial, Missouri, took home the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a largemouth weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. On Friday, pro Kevin Miller of Shell Knob, Missouri, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize after bringing a 6-pound, 13-ounce bass to the scale.
Capps earned an extra $35,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Jason Sandidge of Centerton, Arkansas, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 22 pounds, 2 ounces. Sandidge took home the top prize package worth $34,750, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Jason Sandidge, Centerton, Ark., 10 bass, 22-2, $34,750 incl. Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Anthony Scoma, Spring Hill, Kan., five bass, 19-14, $6,275
3rd: Alan Bernicky, Joliet, Ill., nine bass, 19-2, $5,250
4th: Kyle Wilcox, Littleton, Colo., six bass, 17-6, $3,950
5th: Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., seven bass, 16-8, $3,450
6th: David Matual, Chicago, Ill., five bass, 15-11, $2,950
7th: Justin Tye, Westville, Okla., five bass, 15-5, $2,450
8th: Dan Bowman, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 15-4, $1,975
9th: Travis Snyder, Westville, Okla., four bass, 14-11, $1,590
10th: Mason Chambers, Galena, Mo., four bass, 11-10, $1,350
Scott Neiheisel of Cincinnati, Ohio, was the Berkley Big Bass $150 award winner in the Strike King co-angler division, Thursday, weighing in a 7-pounder. Thursday’s Day 2 $150 award went to Scoma with a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass.
With one regular-season event in the Toyota Series Plains Division now complete, Capps leads the Plains Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 260 points, while Sandidge leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 260 points.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Grand Lake, hosted by the City of Grove, was the first of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Plains Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake, March 21-23, in Cullman, Alabama. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Nick Salvucci Goes Wire-to-Wire, Wins MLF Toyota Series at California Delta
BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. (March 19, 2023) – Pro Nick Salvucci of Atascadero, California, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna and earn the top payout of $24,795. Salvucci’s three day total of 15 bass weighing 54-10 earned him the victory over Elk Grove, California pro Ken Mah, who weighed in 15 bass totaling 51-12 to finish second and earn $9,608.
Salvucci overcame tough fishing conditions to get the win. An influx of cold, muddy water made large portions of the Delta unfishable and put the bass in a funk. Some pre-tournament chatter predicted the winning three-day weight would fall in the mid-40s. While Salvucci easily surpassed that mark, he thinks the slow bite actually worked to his advantage. He believes it suited his stubborn nature.
“I like tough bites, because I can go hours without getting a bite throwing the same lure,” he said.
That’s what he did this week. Salvucci said every one of the bass he weighed in ate a spinnerbait with double Colorado blades and a 4.3-inch Keitech swimbait trailer. He did his damage on the southern end of the Delta — an area he said he has rarely fished in the past. But by covering a ton of water during the two-day practice period (he estimates he burned 80 gallons of fuel total) Salvucci found a few stretches of cleaner water with submerged hydrilla patches near riprap banks and tules.
“I was looking for hydrilla grass clumps up against tules and up against the riprap,” he said. “A lot of them were right where the tules went to the riprap, it made that ambush point. That’s where I’d catch them.”
After declaring on Thursday evening that he would do something different on the tournament’s final day, Salvucci set out to do just that, throwing a double-bladed buzzbait in search of a big bite in the morning. Eventually, though, he returned to the area where he’d had success on Day 1, when he landed a 22-5 limit.
The first fish that bit his spinnerbait wrapped his line around “the one standing stick” in the area and came unhooked. He didn’t get another bite until about 9:30 a.m., he said, before catching three fish in less than an hour, including two over 3 pounds. When noon arrived with no more bites, he returned to the spot where he’d missed the big fish and caught his largest bass of the day, a 4½-pound largemouth. He credited fellow competitor and former Bass Pro Tour angler Ish Monroe for helping put that fish in the boat.
“I didn’t do any trailer hooks, and then I was talking to Ish last night, and he was throwing a spinnerbait, and he told me he caught two 4-pounders on his trailer hook,” Salvucci explained. “So I put a trailer hook on last night, and I ended up catching my big one on the trailer hook.”
Salvucci added another fish over 2 pounds to his livewell shortly thereafter, which improved his bag by about half a pound. But, he still believed he needed another big bite to take first place. His goal for the day, after all, was 22 pounds. So he spent the final hour of the day punching mats, to no avail. Salvucci returned to the boat ramp discouraged.
“I said, well, I blew my chance,” Salvucci said. “Came in with my 15 pounds thinking I was going to get my butt kicked. And I guess it was a tougher day than I expected.”
The top 10 pros on the California Delta finished:
1st: Nick Salvucci, Atascadero, Calif., 15 bass, 54-10, $24,795
2nd: Ken Mah, Elk Grove, Calif., 15 bass, 51-12, $9,608
3rd: Nicholas Cloutier, Oakley, Calif., 14 bass, 48-14, $7,438
4th: Ty Faber, Pagosa Springs, Colo., 15 bass, 47-3, $6,199
5th: Nick Nourot, Benicia, Calif., 13 bass, 46-9, $5,579
6th: Mark Lassagne, Dixon, Calif., 11 bass, 42-10, $5,759
7th: Hunter Schlander, Modesto, Calif., 15 bass, 42-7, $4,339
8th: Ish Monroe, Oakdale, Calif., 12 bass, 39-1, $3,719
9th: David Valdivia, Riverside, Calif., 13 bass, 38-3, $3,099
10th: Kyle Grover, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., 15 bass, 38-2, $2,479
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Patrick Touey of Santa Maria, California, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Wednesday with a bass weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces. On Thursday, Lassagne earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize after bringing a monster 10-pound, 10-ounce largemouth bass to the scale.
Casey Dunn of North Highlands, California, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Friday with a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 11 ounces. Dunn took home the top co-angler prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on the California Delta finished:
1st: Casey Dunn, North Highlands, Calif., 10 bass, 35-11, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Tom White, Tustin, Calif., 10 bass, 25-7, $3,218
3rd: Turner Mason, Windsor, Colo., nine bass, 22-11, $2,574
4th: Rachel Uribe, San Diego, Calif., five bass, 21-9, $2,327
5th: Anthony Delgado, Cerritos, Calif., 10 bass, 20-12, $1,931
6th: Matthew Greene, Amherst, Va., nine bass, 19-9, $1,609
7th: Bruce Harris, Oakdale, Calif., eight bass, 19-2, $1,287
8th: Jordan Padilla, Concord, Calif., six bass, 19-2, $1,126
9th: Marcus Maestre, Santa Clara, Calif., six bass, 18-10, $1,040
10th: Kevin Gross, Redding, Calif., seven bass, 18-2, $804
Uribe and Maestre each earned a share of Wednesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass award as both weighed in 6-pound, 10-ounce bass to split the prize, while the Day 2 $150 award went to winner Casey Dunn with a 7-pound, 11-ounce fish.
With two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse now complete, Nick Salvucci of Atascadero, California, leads the Western Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 508 points, while Bruce Harris of Oakdale, California, leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 509 points.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna was hosted by the City Oakley. It was the second of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake, March 21-23, in Cullman, Alabama. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Randy Howell Jumps to Early Lead at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two
Alabama Pro Scores a Five-Fish Limit Weighing 15 Pounds, 2 Ounces to Lead by 7 Ounces After Day 1 for Group A – Group B Begins Competition Sunday
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 18, 2023) – After a slow, chilly start to the morning, Major League Fishing (MLF) pros at the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole were greeted with a little sunshine and a fired-up fishery half-way through Period 1. While the top spot on the leaderboard saw several names throughout the morning, Mercury pro Randy Howell of Guntersville, Alabama caught a 5-pound, 14-ounce whopper mid-way through Period 2 to take over and maintain the lead, despite several hard-charging pros.
“We are thrilled to be hosting Stage 2 of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour in Jefferson County,” said Lauren Hurdle, Jefferson County Director of Tourism. “Douglas and Cherokee Lakes are in full blown Spring patterns, showcasing how incredible both tournament fisheries truly are. Douglas and Cherokee Lakes have hosted numerous Major League Fishing events, and it will be fascinating to see what each professional angler is able to produce on these waters.”
The weights are stacked at the top of the leaderboard after Day 1, with Howell bringing a modest lead into Monday’s second day of competition for Group A. The Alabama pro finished the day with a mere 7-ounce margin over second place angler and Favorite Fishing pro Adrian Avena of Vineland, New Jersey, who weighed a five-bass limit totaling 14-11. Abu Garcia pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama sits in third place, with a five-bass limit weighing 14-5, while local pro Brandon Coulter of Knoxville, Tennessee finished the day in fourth place with a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 14 ounces. General Tire pro Edwin Evers of Talala, Oklahoma finished the day with 5 bass weighing 13-11 to round out the top five.
The 40 anglers in Group A will now have an off day from competition on Sunday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A will resume competition on Monday.
While the temperature never got above 47 degrees, that was enough to see some big moves, especially in the second and third periods of the day. The one-hour delay in competition times for this event proved to be key for many of the pros, as the afternoon bite shook up most of the Top 10 in the final period. Avena was among the big movers in Period 3, sliding from 22nd into 2nd, while Coulter moved from 25th into 4th and Power-Pole pro Chris Lane of Guntersville, Alabama slid from 11th into 6th. Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Kevin VanDam moved from 21st into the 8th spot, but the biggest move of the day was Evers, who catapulted from 32nd place into 5th.
Of the top 6 pros, 5 caught fish over 4 pounds and every angler within the top 13 caught a fish weighing more than 3 pounds.
“That one 5-pound, 14-ounce fish saved me today and made a huge difference between me having a decent 12- to 13-pound bag and leading the day,” said Howell. “It’s not been an easy day, but that big largemouth really got me over the hump and got my confidence up.
“I caught a 3-pounder before that, then closed out my limit, culling once or twice, but the key today was just keeping a bunch of small crankbaits in my hand,” continued Howell. “Coming into Day 1, I thought without a big bite, catching 12 pounds a day would make the cut pretty easily, but after today I’m starting to think 10 pounds per day will do it.”
Howell said he caught most of his fish on a Livingston Howeller DMC Jr., a Jerkmaster Jr. and a Yamamoto Senko.
“The Livingston Jerkmaster Jr. is one of the baits that performed well in practice,” said Howell. “I didn’t do as much on it today but the Howeller Jr. – a smaller version of my bigger Howeller bait – was definitely a key bait today. I rotated back and forth between crawfish and shad-colored, throwing them on my Daiwa Tatula Elite 7’ Medium Light Shallow Cranking Rod, with 12-pound Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai Line.
“Everything’s worked good for us today and the Lord has really blessed me,” Howell continued. “I’m so thankful for what we’ve got and looking forward to getting back out there Monday morning and getting this cut locked down so we can head to Cherokee Lake for the Knockout Round on Wednesday and have a chance at Thursday’s Championship Round.”
The top 20 pros in Group A after Day 1 on Douglas Lake are:
2nd: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., five bass, 14-11
3rd: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 14-5
4th: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 13-14
5th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 13-11
6th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 13-10
7th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 13-6
8th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 13-0
9th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 12-15
10th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 12-9
11th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., five bass, 12-8
12th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 12-2
13th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, five bass, 11-14
14th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 11-12
15th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 11-11
16th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., five bass, 11-10
17th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 11-3
18th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 10-13
19th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 10-12
20th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., five bass, 10-9
Howell’s 5-pound, 14-ounce largemouth that locked onto his shallow-diving crankbait in Period 2 was also the biggest fish of the day, earning him the first $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award of the event. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $1,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on 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 Thursday’s Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch Sunday-Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. ET from Dandridge Ramp, located at 100 Public Drive in Dandridge and Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the respective launch locations above, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, March 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the Stage 2 Champion at the 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 celebration will take place at the TVA Boat Launch on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 MLF NOW!® 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 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
Conditions right for exciting Bassmaster Classic on the Tennessee River
Knoxville, Tenn., will host the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota March 24-26.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
March 17, 2023
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With guests soon arriving for the grand affair, the Tennessee River’s table is set for peak potential as a field of 55 anglers make their final preparations for the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Competition days will be March 24-26 with daily takeoffs from Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville at 7:15 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. with weigh-in starting at approximately 4:15 p.m. The winning angler will take home the coveted Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic Trophy and $300,000.
Tournament waters include portions of the Holston and French Broad rivers, the confluence of which forms the Tennessee River headwaters. The dominant waters are Fort Loudoun Lake — the first of nine reservoirs on the Tennessee — and Tellico Lake, which links to Fort Loudoun through a canal passing beneath the U.S. Highway 321 Bridge.
While the long-range forecast shows the potential for rain all three days, Bassmaster Elite Series pro and Tennessee River standout Brandon Lester has a largely optimistic outlook. In his view, seasonal patterns should be ripe for an impressive show.
“I think the fishing is going to be really good; honestly, I think it’s going to be about as good as it can possibly be,” Lester said. “Loudoun has plenty of good fish, but it’s not on par with, say, a Guntersville. But if you were to look at the calendar and pick one week for us to be there, I think the third week of March is the best week of the year.
“We’ve had a warm spring so far and we’ve had some warm rain recently, so I feel like the system is going to be in really good shape for a strong, shallow-water bass tournament.”
With the vernal equinox marking spring’s official start on the Monday of Classic Week, bass should be solidly committed to their prespawn movements. Lester, an eight-time Classic qualifier from Fayetteville, Tenn., said a cold spell the week before the Classic should positively impact the seasonal progression.
“We have had some unseasonably warm weather here lately, but it’s going to get back down into the 20s, and then we’re going to have some highs back into the 60s and lows in the high 30s,” Lester said. “That’s about typical for this time of the year, so I expect that water temperature to be around that mid-50-degree range (for the Classic).
“That’s a really good range to keep those fish in prespawn and in bite mode.”
While Fort Loudoun generally presents stained water with more of the traditional shallow-water targets like shellbars, rocks and laydowns, Tellico’s a clearer lake with more deep-water structure such as long points and channel swing banks. The predictable mix of prespawn tactics will include crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, bladed jigs, football jigs, Carolina rigs and Texas rigs.
A key point of consideration that will no doubt factor in several Classic game plans is the memory of Jeff Gustafson’s 2021 Elite Series victory on these same waters. The Canadian pro found a pile of big smallmouth holding over deep rocks in the canal between Fort Loudoun and Tellico and caught all of his weight with the moping technique, aka Damiki rigging, which vertically presents a small jig with a baitfish body over suspended bass.
Gustafson’s win was about a month earlier than the Classic’s timing; nevertheless, Lester said it shined a spotlight on the region’s smallmouth potential. These waters have long been considered a dual-species bass fishery, but prior to February 2021, largemouth have unquestionably held top billing. That has not necessarily changed, but Lester believes smallmouth must be at least considered.
“Honestly, I’m not ruling anything out,” Lester said. “It wouldn’t surprise me to see somebody weigh in 15 smallmouth (three five-bass daily limits) off of Tellico. Five years ago I would have never believed that but now we all have forward-facing sonar, and that shortens the curve on finding those smallmouth, which are a more nomadic species.”
Realistically, the opportunity or likelihood of catching a kicker largemouth outweighs that of smallmouth. However, when you find smallies, you often find a pile of them, particularly this time of year. Ultimately, daily weigh-ins will see several mixed bags of varying species.
“I definitely think we will see smallmouth play a role in this tournament,” Lester said. “There is a decent population of 6-plus-pound largemouth in Loudoun, and those are the big kickers you’re going to be looking for, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 5-pound smallmouth weighed in either.”
While the entirety of tournament waters could produce competitive fish, time management will anchor prudent decision making. Reaching Tellico requires a good run from the takeoff site and, from there, the lake’s length can burn up a lot of time.
Lester said the anglers who sample this lake will find plenty of opportunity at the bottom end, closest to Fort Loudoun. This section has the deepest water, with lots of fishable structure. Continuing further could reveal a secluded honey hole with unpressured fish, but success would hinge on the right balance of running time versus fishing time.
“I think the key to success will be finding a place to call home; whether that be Loudoun and Tellico, or just Tellico or just Loudoun,” Lester said. “As a competitor, it’s hard to know what to do, but a guy’s going to have to sample that during practice and figure that out.”
Lester said that, while the potential for a strong performance is scattered throughout Classic waters, consistency often proves elusive. The prespawn brings the biggest fish in the lakes into more accessible positions, but an often-fickle mood can prove perplexing.
“The hardest thing on these two bodies of water is being consistent,” Lester said. “A lot of times, you’ll see a guy come out of the gate with an 18- to 19-pound bag and then he’ll back it up with a 9- or 10-pound bag. It’s really hard to be consistent on these lakes.
“I think that’s really going to be a challenge. I think you’re going to see a decent amount of volatility in the leaderboard, and it should make for a very exciting tournament.”
Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Friday morning at 8 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday mornings before afternoon action from Championship Sunday picks up on FOX. A full viewing schedule can be found at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch.
Festivities start Thursday at 5 p.m. ET with the Visit Knoxville Kickoff Party presented by TNT Fireworks on the Plaza Terrace at the Knoxville Convention Center. This family-friendly event will feature live music, local food trucks, fireworks and even a drone dance.
The annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army will take place across the Knoxville Convention Center and adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall with exhibitors on-site selling a variety of merchandise for fishing, hunting, camping and more. Hours for the Expo will be noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Tucker Smith Statement regarding Eufaula incident
Photo courtesy of Kyle Jessie/BASS
As some of you may be aware, an incident occurred at the recent Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula where a friend who was not fishing the event was caught on film attempting to intimidate a fellow competitor who was fishing near me.
When it happened, I was not really sure how to handle the situation in that moment and by not reporting the incident to B.A.S.S. Officials it resulted in my day two catch being disqualified, removing my 7th place finish in the process.
There has been some talk that the person in the video was hole sitting, or trying to help save the spot for me, and that is not the case. I was surprised when he arrived and started yelling at the other angler near me. I was not sure how to handle the situation so I just went on fishing. In doing so, I violated the part of the sportsmanship rules that require me to report an incident of that type. I was unaware of that part of that rule but not knowing it doesn’t mean I’m not responsible for following it.
To be clear, I was disqualified because I did not report the situation to B.A.S.S. Officials, I was not disqualified for cheating in the event, I respect the sport too much to try and gain an edge by crossing lines.
I was given the opportunity to have my appeal heard and to present my side of the story. The committee members were very open in the meeting and fair in their decision, I want to say that while I’m disappointed with the conclusion, I understand the reasons and will accept and honor the conclusions reached by B.A.S.S. Officials and the appeal committee.
I want to also repeat publicly that I did not know that the incident was going to happen, nor would I ever want anything like that to be done on my behalf. I respect the sport of bass fishing, Bassmaster and the other fishermen too much to condone that kind of behavior. My relationship with B.A.S.S. and standing in the organization mean the world to me.
As a young competitor, I have experienced some success and am very grateful for what fishing has brought me, but even with that success, I know that I have a lot to learn to become the pro angler I hope to be, and I will learn from this situation and grow from it. I will take this experience and move on to the next events with a greater respect for the sport of bass fishing and work to become the best angler and ambassador I can become.
Tucker Smith
Big Baits, Big Bonus for Evers at REDCREST 2023
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Edwin Evers bait selection captured the attention of fishing fans during REDCREST 2023 on Lake Norman as he used a pair of big swimbaits en route to his third-place finish. The Oklahoma veteran has long been one of the most versatile anglers in the world; he’s prominently notched major wins with bags comprised entirely of smallmouth, spotted bass, and largemouth over the course of his legendary career but big swimbaits is not something Evers is known for.
“The big swimbait game is brand new to me,” Evers said with a smile. “I started toying with glide baits and bigger profile swimbaits this fall and winter after fishing with a young man named Cole Anderson and was really impressed. Coming into REDCREST I knew how many small fish lived in Norman, so I thought a bigger bait might be able to generate some above average bites.”
On his second day of practice Evers’ put this theory to the test and was rewarded with several bites which included a few better fish. He added this nugget of information to his toolbox and successfully used two big swimbaits along with a few other techniques to finish better than 37 other pros.
Specifically, Evers was fishing the brand-new Berkley Cull Shad, which has a unique hook keeper that lends itself well to skipping under the myriad of docks that dot the shoreline at Lake Norman. The General Tires pro also caught some key fish on a Mike Bucca glide bait he would fish down the sides of key docks.
“I won’t claim to know much about big swimbaits yet, but I will say they are extremely exciting to fish,” Evers offered. “My heart just about pounds out of my chest every time I make a cast with one because I know a giant is liable to eat the bait at any moment. It’s super addicting!”
Evers may be relatively new to the world of big gliders and swimmers, but he’s no stranger to towing his Nitro Boat with a Tundra or to winning big Toyota Bonus Bucks checks. His third-place achievement at REDCREST 2023 made him the highest finishing Bonus Bucks angler in the field and netted him an additional $7,500.
Highlighting one of coolest facets of the program – you don’t need to win an event to win the Bonus Bucks payout, you just need to drive a 2019 or newer Toyota tow vehicle and finish higher than other eligible anglers. Evers has driven a Tundra for well over a decade and recently bought a new 2022 Tundra to start the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season.
“I’ve been super impressed with the interior and overall comfort of this truck so far,” Evers said. “It’s got plenty of power and drives really well. I like the new seats, the big screen on the dash, and all the different safety sensors and advancements in technology. All the new features make it a comfortable, easy truck to drive and tow my boat with.”
Visit your local Toyota dealer to test drive a new Tundra if you are in the market for a tow vehicle and be sure to sign up for Bonus Bucks. It’s free to join and you can earn extra money just like Evers if you compete in one of the hundreds of supported tournaments. Learn more and get registered at www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com.
MLF Adjusts Competition Hours for MLF Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Two
WHAT:
Major League Fishing (MLF) mofficials have adjusted the start times for the Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Douglas and Cherokee lakes, March 18-23.Takeoff will now be held at 8:30 a.m. ET, with Period 1 starting at 9 a.m. Anglers will compete until 5 p.m. The shift will provide better light for media crews covering the event.
WHEN:
*UPDATED SCHEDULE*
- Saturday – Thursday, March 18-23
- 7:45 a.m. Anglers Arrive at Ramp
- 8:30 a.m. Anglers Depart and Ride Through Begins
- 8:45 a.m. MLF NOW! Livestream Starts
- 9 a.m. Period One Begins
- 11:30 a.m. Break One
- 11:45 a.m. Period Two Begins
- 2:15 p.m. Break Two
- 2:30 p.m. Period Three Begins
- 5 p.m. End of Competition
- 5 – 5:30 p.m. Anglers return to Takeout at Ramp
- 5:30 p.m. MLF NOW! Livestream Ends
Saturday, March 18 – Tuesday, March 21
Douglas Lake, Dandridge Ramp, 100 Public Drive in Dandridge, Tennessee
Wednesday, March 22 & Thursday, March 23
Cherokee Lake, TVA Boat Launch, Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee
NOTES:
Anglers will launch each day at 8:30 a.m. ET each day. The Qualifying Round (first four days of competition) will be held on Douglas Lake, with anglers launching from the Dandridge Ramp, located at 100 Public Drive, in Dandridge, Tennessee. The Knockout and Championship Round will be held on Cherokee Lake, with anglers launching from the TVA Boat Launch, located on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 5 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, March 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the U.S. Air Force Stage Two Champion at the 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 MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action each day of competition from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
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.
X2Power Expands its Lineup of Premium and Intuitive Marine Lithium Batteries
X2Power adds six new models 12V and 36V marine lithium batteries with Bluetooth integration to their already powerful lineup.
HARTLAND, Wisc. (March 16, 2023) – The demand for performance lithium batteries has been ever growing year after year. To help meet that demand, the team at X2Power Batteries has introduced six new models of 12V and 36V lithium batteries for marine applications. These new models, now coming standard with Bluetooth integration, will make for great additions to the already powerful and intuitive lineup of marine lithium batteries.
Lithium serves a very important role for users. With faster charging times and longer run times, the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the safest form of lithium battery and are an easy plug-and-play replacement and upgrade from lead acid, AGM or gel. With X2Power lithium batteries, you’re losing 50% of weight compared to lead acid. Additionally, the new lineup is able to match to the exact power needs anglers require with a full offering to not only power the basics of a boat but also to power the ever-increasing movement of fishing electronics. Simply put, X2Power is delivering you the ultimate choice to get on the water quicker and stay out there longer.
In addition, every new model of X2Power lithium batteries isnow Bluetooth compatible. When paired with the X2Power app, users now have an accurate look into their battery life and battery performance. This will give users an added confidence that power will never be an issue and give the statistics needed to make any adjustments to their rig throughout the day.
These premium lithium battery models are packed with the ultimate in trusted performance. As part of this new launch, X2Power is standing behind their performance with an industry leading 10-year free replacement warranty! No pro-rated conversations, if the battery is truly not performing, the warranty is there to stand behind!
The new X2Power marine lithium models include:
12V 9Ah LiFePO4 – NEW
Dimensions: 5.94-inches (L) x 2.55-inches (W) x 3.74-inches (H)
Weight: 2.1-pounds
Bluetooth not available
12V 12Ah LiFePO4 – NEW
Dimensions: 5.94-inches (L) x 3.90-inches (W) x 3.74-inches (H)
Weight: 3.0-pounds
Bluetooth not available
12V 20Ah LiFePO4 - UPGRADED
Dimensions: 7.12-inches (L) x 3-inches (W) x 6.5-inches (H)
Weight: 5.6-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
12V 35Ah LiFePO4 with Bluetooth – NEW
Dimensions: 5.16-inches (L) x 5.16-inches (W) x 6.73-inches (H)
Weight: 9.7-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
12V 50Ah LiFePO4 - UPGRADED
Dimensions: 7.8-inches (L) x 6.5-inches (W) x 6.7-inches (H)
Weight: 13.9-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
12V G24 75Ah LiFePO4 – NEW
Dimensions: 10.2-inches (L) x 6.6-inches (W) x 8.6-inches (H)
Weight: 20.5-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
12V G27 100Ah LiFePO4 - UPGRADED
Dimensions: 12.1-inches (L) x 6.6-inches (W) x 8.7-inches (H)
Weight: 20.5-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
12V 125Ah LiFePO4 – NEW
Dimensions: 12.95-inches (L) x 6.77-inches (W) x 8.8-inches (H)
Weight: 33.3-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
36V 40Ah LiFePO4 – NEW
Dimensions: 12.95-inches (L) x 6.77-inches (W) x 8.8-inches (H)
Weight: 33.3-pounds
Bluetooth integrated
If you want to learn more about X2Power Batteries, head to https://x2powerbattery.com/.
Follow X2Power Batteries on social media:
• YouTube
KVD’s 3 Tips for Fishing Season Tackle Prep
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
While bass anglers in the South fish nearly year-round, March marks the unofficial start to fishing season for just about all of America, and preparation is the first step to a successful season. So, Kevin VanDam shares three tackle prep activities he exercises prior to each tournament season to help anglers of all levels have a better year.
Grab a pen. Make a grocery list.
“The first thing I do when I’m getting ready for a new fishing season is grab a notepad and pen. As I sort through all the lures, hooks, and weights, I literally write a list of anything I’m running low on,” says VanDam.
“It’s a simple but efficient way of making sure I’m not missing any of the tackle I’ll use most going into the season, without overstocking or wasting money on things I don’t need,” adds the Team Toyota angler.
Replace Treble Hooks
We all have our favorite “go-to” crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwater lures, and those baits that have treble hooks hanging off their belliesneed to be checked thoroughly to make sure the hook points are sticky sharp.
“I’m pretty fanatical about making sure my treble hooks are sharp, and the best advice I can give you is to upgrade one size on your favorite crankbaits and jerkbaits with fresh ones, and keep checking the ones you use most to make sure they stay sharp throughout the season,” he explains.
For example, baits that come factory equipped with size 6 trebles, he’ll increase one size to a size 4, and bigger baits that come equipped with size 4, he’ll bump-up to a meaty size 2. His favorite replacement trebles for those looking to order a couple packs are size 2 and size 4 Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip hooks, specifically model #TG76NP.
Special attention to spinnerbaits
VanDam launched his iconic career in the early 1990s largely on the strength of spinnerbaits, and while the crescent wrench tool of fishing lures is often overlooked by ChatterBait anglers these days, VanDam will warn you to make sure your spinnerbait game stays healthy.
“I like to make sure I’ve got a wide variety of replacement blades with a split ring already rigged on them to allow me to swap them out fast. For example, after we finished fishing in Florida, I noticed I was running low on 4.5 gold willowleaf blades. So, I’m always working to make sure I have a variety of blade sizes, shapes, and colors on-hand,” says VanDam.
So, as you anticipate a great fishing season ahead, remember success happens when preparation meets opportunity, and few anglers in the history of bass fishing are more organized and prepared than VanDam each time he hits the water.
PERKINS PREVAILS ON DAY ONE AT PICKWICK
Counce, Tennessee angler Brandon Perkins take the day one NPFL lead at Pickwick.
Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
With 24-pounds, 9-ounces on day one, Counce, TN angler Brandon Perkins takes the day one lead at the NPFL on Pickwick Lake. Perkins had a mixed bag that included a 6-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth to anchor his day one weight.
Perkins went into the day unsure of his game plan for the day. With a late boat draw, he debated starting close by the take off before making the run to the other end of the lake where he is most comfortable.
“I only caught seven fish today and that is tough. The water is cooling off and after catching a couple fish early, I was able to run around a fill out a limit with some quality fish.,” said Perkins.
Michael Brewer
Another local angler who regularly fishes the Florence side of Pickwick, Michael Brewer got to work early and brought 21-pounds, 13-ounces to the scales to sit in second place. Brewer was done fishing by 10:30 am and hopes to return to his starting spot for day two.
“From the first cast this morning, it was on,” said Brewer. “I was late putting my fish into the tracker; I had ice in my boat, it was cold, and all my fish were identical in size – it was the most fun I have had being cold in a while.”
His starting spot was something special, a place he has fished for over 30 years. However, due to some medical issues, Brewer has not been fishing as much as he typically would and therefore has never fished his area with forward facing sonar, until today.
“I did not catch one on my first cast, but I got slack lined, and I knew they were there. I could see some fish below me and it turned out those were spotted bass,” he added. “I want to finish out tomorrow with a shot on Friday.”
Brewer noted he beat up his area pretty good this morning and had some local pressure after he left. Knowing the likelihood of the risk of being seen, he made sure to save some other key spots for later in the week if needed.
Tim Cales
Tim Cales had an up and down practice period and was unsure of how his day would go on day one. With a limit of 18-pounds, 8-ounces, he finished the day in the fourth-place spot with a lot of hope for the rest of the week.
“I honestly was not sure if I was going to get a bite this morning,” said Cales. I found a few spots in practice that I had gotten a bite and planned to just run those today. I was able to get some quality off one spot before moving around.
Louis Fernandes
Louis Fernandes followed up a tough practice with a junk fishing 101 type of day. He sits in the fourth-place spot after day one with a limit of 18-pounds, 6-ounces. Fernandes relied on changes in weather and covered water to get his bites.
“It was garbage for me, man,” said Fernandes. “I knew we had good weather coming in so I stuck with the shallow bite and hoped it would turn on. I caught fish in several places I have never seen before and just hoped to run into fresh fish.”
Dustin Wilkey
With a limit of 18-pounds, 5-ounces, Dustin Wilkeyfinished the day in the fifth-place spot with an almost two-pound cushion over the next angler. Wilkey was able to take advantage of his main area early and used the rest of his day to practice for the rest of the tournament.
“I never found much after I left, but by 10:30 am I had my weight and left it alone,” said Wilkey. “It was a key spot from practice and I had a little milk run. I made my rotation and culled twice. My plan for day two is to lean on them hard and try to move up a little bit, I am shooting for 20-pounds.”
TVA Lock Survey Affects NPFL Anglers
With almost a dozen anglers reportedly locking to Wilson, the TVA had a “survey or unscheduled maintenance” problem this afternoon, therefore affecting the angler’s ability to return to weigh-in.
“The NPFL, and the anglers were in communication with the lockmaster this week and unfortunately, they had some problems which will affect the tournament,” said Brad Fuller, President of the NPFL. “We briefed the anglers on the risk, and those anglers decided to go to Wilson and were successful in their fishing. This is part of professional fishing tournaments and a factor that can come into play.”
The NPFL anglers will fish all three days of the event and hopefully have a chance to salvage points on Thursday and Friday.
Bassmaster panel upholds Smith’s Eufaula disqualification
March 15, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that, after an extensive investigation and appeals process, Tucker Smith’s Day 2 catch disqualification from the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula has been upheld. Smith finished in seventh place.
The disqualification was handed down based on a violation of the Angler Code of Conduct (Section 7 of the Bassmaster Opens Series rules) which lists among the examples of unacceptable behavior by competitors in B.A.S.S. events: “Interfering with a fellow angler’s ability to compete.”
Smith’s appeal was heard today by a three-person panel which included an Elite Series angler and a Bassmaster Opens angler — neither of whom competed in the 2023 Eufaula Open — and a B.A.S.S. employee who is not part of the Tournaments Department.
MLF Toyota Series Set for Tournament at Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman
CULLMAN, Ala. (March 15, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama, next week, March 21-23, for the second event of the season in the Toyota Series Central Division – the Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake . The three-day tournament, hosted by the Cullman County Tourism 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.
“This is going to be an awesome tournament,” said local Bass Pro Tour pro Jesse Wiggins of Cullman, Alabama. “You’re going to see a ton of fish caught – I’m talking 30, 40, 50 a day. The key is going to be finding the areas that are holding the big prespawn fish.
“I think some fish will be spawning, and I think some fish will be LiveScope fish – you’re definitely going to see both patterns in this event,” Wiggins continued. “If I was fishing this one, I’d have a shaky-head rig tied on, and I think a small swimbait is going to be a big player as well.”
When asked if he expected the largemouth bass to be a player in this event, Wiggins said they could be.
“The largemouth could definitely be a factor – if they are, it will be spawning,” Wiggins said. “The water level is very low right now, and most of the bushes are not in the water.
“I think it’ll take 12 pounds a day average in order to cash a check,” Wiggins went on to say. “To win, it’ll take 15 to 16 a day. I think the winner is going to need to have right around 45 to 48 pounds.”
Anglers will take off each day at 7 a.m. CT from Smith Lake Park, located at 403 County Road 386, in Cullman. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 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: 4WP, 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, 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.
Bassmaster Kayak Series championship to be decided on Chickamauga
Tennessee's Chickamauga Lake will host the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX March 22-23, 2023.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
March 15, 2023
DAYTON, Tenn. — A prespawn bonanza is on tap for the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship at Chickamauga Lake powered by TourneyX, and while the lake can be tough, Tennessee native Jordan Marshall believes big bass will be caught.
“If we can get some nice warm weather, there will be a lot of prespawn bass,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of moving parts to Chickamauga. It is hard to pin down a pattern. There are quality fish there, and you will run into them eventually, it is just about landing them and capitalizing.
“If we are putting numbers on big bass, I’m going to say it is going to be 24 inches or more. It can happen on any cast.”
One of the hottest big bass lakes in the country over the past several years, Chickamauga — one of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes — stretches about 60 miles through the east Tennessee hills, providing plenty of opportunities for anglers to spread out.
The Kayak Series Championship kicks off Classic week, with tournament days scheduled for March 22 and 23. The winner will be announced in Knoxville on the stage of the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota prior to the Day 1 Classic weigh-in.
Marshall, a Hobie Bass Open Series Angler of the Year, lives in Knoxville and has extensive experience on Chickamauga, including a Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation state championship victory that earned him his spot in the championship.
Consistency will be key in this event. While Chickamauga kicks out giant bass almost daily, it can be difficult to find a consistent bite from day to day.
“You are going to have to do a lot of stuff to figure out the bite,” Marshall said. “You can fish for seven hours and not get any bites and then in a 30-minute window you have everything that needs to happen to figure out something. Those fish are so strange on that lake, it is an interesting puzzle to put together.
“There will be a lot of boats. It is absurd. There is not a place on this planet that gets as much pressure as Chickamauga year in and year out.”
Nice weather could send the bass into a full prespawn pattern, and Marshall said he will likely be exploring both the main lake and the creeks and backwaters. He noted that water clarity will be much cleaner than a lot of anglers will anticipate going into the event.
While smallmouth and spotted bass both inhabit the lake, Marshall said largemouth will almost certainly be the key species.
“If you told me someone had a full-blown limit of smallmouth, I would be impressed,” Marshall said. “But I don’t think a whole limit of smallmouth is an option. I don’t think it is something consistent.”
The lake will also still be at winter pool, barring a weather system that brings heavy rains to the region — and that will mean less cover on the lake. Deep docks, select laydowns and clean rock will be key items to target.
“The vast majority of the lake will be a player,” Marshall said. “Guys can win the tournament up at the Watts Bar Dam or down at the Chickamauga Dam. If we get a little bit of rain and then some sunny days, any creek on the lake could be a winning or competitive spot.
“There is a lot of rock in that lake, it’s just finding rocks that have a hard bottom around them.”
Lures will largely be determined by the weather, Marshall said.
“If we get some solid weather, it could be plenty of moving baits. If it is cold, a jerkbait could be a big player,” Marshall said. “March on the Tennessee River, the first thing I think of is throwing a crankbait. That kind of gets everyone catching fish and it could be a really competitive tournament.
“Regardless of weather, I would imagine a Rat-L-Trap in some form (will play).”
While Marshall notes Chickamauga hasn’t fished as well lately as in years past, a mega-bag is possible at any point in time.
The event will follow a catch-measure-release format. The live leaderboard can be found on Bassmaster.com throughout the tournament.
The event is being hosted by Rhea Economic & Tourism Council and Fish Dayton.
United States Air Force Renews Major League Fishing Sponsorship Through 2023
World’s Preeminent Force in Air, Space and Cyberspace Expands Sponsorship to Become Official Sponsor of the MLF Bass Pro Tour and Title Sponsor of Bass Pro Tour Stage Two
BENTON, Ky. (March 15, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and United States Air Force (USAF), the leading global superpower in air, space and cyberspace, announced today a renewed and expanded partnership through the 2023 season. In addition to being a sponsor of the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event, USAF has increased their partnership to become an Official Sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour, REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour world championship – and the title sponsor of Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole, held March 18-23 at Cherokee and Douglas Lakes in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with the U.S. Air Force and expand their reach across our MLF platforms and fan base,” said Jake Wittkop, MLF Vice President of Sponsorship and Sales. “The continued collaboration brings together the world’s largest bass-fishing tournament organization and the world’s greatest air force as true partners that will collectively shape incredible experiences for audiences across both brands. We look forward to showcasing the Air Force in exciting new ways within our sport, to our anglers, and most importantly, our loyal fans that will drive our business for years to come.”
The USAF began their partnership with MLF in 2022. Per terms of their new agreement, the brand will receive increased exposure through multiple MLF outlets, including television and livestream broadcasts, the MLF website and social media outlets and prominent angler boat and jersey exposure and onsite activation opportunities at the General Tire Heavy Hitters and REDCREST 2024 events.
"The U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service is proud to partner with MLF for a second year,” said Barry Dickey, Chief of Strategic Marketing, Air Force Recruiting Service. “Just like these professional anglers, the U.S. Air Force relies on planning, preparation and teamwork to execute our mission. We are excited to engage with MLF's growing fan base and to highlight Air Force careers and opportunities to the American public.”
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about USAF, their lifestyle, career opportunities and ways to serve, visit AirForce.com.
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.
Gussy Readies for the Bassmaster Classic
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Bagley/Northland Fishing Tackle Pro Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson gives us the scoop on fishing his former winning waters. |
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BEMIDJI, Minn. (March 15, 2023) – Bassmaster Classic qualifiers will soon hit the water on the famed Tennessee River out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Among them will be Bagley/Northland Fishing Tackle Bass Elite Series pro angler Jeff Gustafson of Keewatin, Ontario. Gussy’s no stranger to these waters, which has him super amped. In March of 2021, Gussy went wire-to-wire on the Tennessee River for his first Bassmaster Elite Series victory with all deep-water smallmouth bass when other anglers focused on largemouths. |
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“We start practicing end of this week, and I’m super-excited to be back on winning waters,” says Gussy. “It’s a great break from Ontario’s ice, that’s for sure.” Gussy recalls: “In 2021 I caught 20 smallies over the four-day event, which people said couldn’t be done because they must be 18-inches to keep on the Tennessee River. The win was surprising considering I had a tough practice—only catching two or three keepers—and then on the last day found a bunch of fish, so that’s where I started the event. And the area turned out a lot better than I thought. All my fish were caught in 18- to 22-feet of water ‘moping’ a soft-plastic minnow on a jig head 2- to 5-feet off the rocky bottom.” |
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Moping In-a-Nutshell “Fished vertically right under Humminbird MEGA Live set to Down Mode, I’m trying to mimic a wounded or dying shad or baitfish. I typically hold the bait 2- to 5-feet off the bottom. When I fished the Tennessee River in 2021 there were clusters of little rock piles and a little bit of current that would slide me over the structure. Back then I was using 2D Sonar only, and when I’d see a fish come up to the bait, I’d shake it or lift it up a bit. The main key is to always keep the bait above the fish; that’s the trigger. I use 10-pound braid tied to a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader on a medium-power spinning rod,” explains Gussy. |
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The Right Jigs for Moping & More “Northland’s Mimic Jig has been around forever and was the first realistic minnow-looking jig-head I ever fished, so it’s been part of my arsenal for a long time. And now it’s been re-introduced for 2023 with an improved, super-sharp Gamakatsu hook and some new colors. It’s perfect for moping; lifelike head, sharp hook, and 90-degree eye to keep the bait horizontal,” notes Gussy. “I’m also excited about Northland’s Mimic Swim Jig with its 60-degree eye and a little heavier hook for fishing areas where you need to upsize your swimbait. I’m going to have the Mimic Swim Jig tied up on deck during the Classic. Beyond that, I think it’s going to be a real fish-catcher the entire season all over the U.S. and Canada—multi-species, too,” continues Gussy. |
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Crankin’ the Classic “I’ll be covering water with the Bagley Sunny B, which is my personal favorite crankbait. It’s the perfect, prespawn, cold-water crank. It has a thinner profile, great action, and seems to catch fish in water temps below 55-degrees,” notes Gussy. “The Sunny B runs 6- to 8-feet, which is often ‘the zone’, but I’ll also keep a couple rods on deck rigged with the Shallow Sunny B 05, which runs 2- to 4-feet, both cranks in Bagley’s bright red ‘Cooked Crawdad’ pattern and various shad imitators. I plan to alternate throwing each on 12-pound fluorocarbon with a medium-power rod and 7:1 gear ratio baitcasting reel,” offers Gussy. |
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Bagley introduced the Sunny B in 2015. Made using the exclusive Heat Compression Molding (HCM) manufacturing process, this uniquely shaped baitfish lure is precision balanced to cast easily and run true, whether retrieved fast or slow, with eye-popping vibration. It also provides maximum action when twitched – just like a baitfish darting to escape a bass. The Sunny B is available in size 5 at 2 inches long and 3/8 ounce with a diving depth of 6 to 7 feet. There are 22 bass-catching colors to choose from. “It has a small profile which is deadly on smallies,” says Gustafson. “On any smallmouth waters the Sunny B just excels. In waters with crawfish, I like to mimic those patterns. If I’m in a position where the forage is some kind of shad, perch, or bluegills, Bagley also has colors that mimic those as well. It’s been a good fish-catcher for me. It’s just perfect for that 5- to 8-foot depth range and it doesn’t get snagged,” says Gustafson. |
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Parting Words Take Gussy’s recommendations and you’ll be on your way to more brown bass this spring. From the Bagley Sunny B to the new Northland Mimic Jig and Mimic Swim Jig, all are designed to catch more bass—largemouths, smallmouths, and spots. |
We want all the Smoke!
This week, 2023 Major League Fishing REDCREST Champion Bryan Thrift talks about how he defended home turf on Lake Norman and was able to stand tall in the end
Stop #2 of the 2023 TXTT Coming Up Next Weekend
Cherokee & Douglas Lakes set to Host MLF Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Two
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March. 14, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is set to continue the fifth season of the Bass Pro Tour, the top level of professional bass fishing, with their second regular-season event of the year this week on Douglas and Cherokee lakes – the U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole.
The six-day event, hosted by Visit Jefferson, will showcase 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, including bass-fishing superstars like Kevin VanDam, REDCREST 2023 Champion Bryan Thrift, Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, and Blaine, Tennessee’s own Ott DeFoe. 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, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
“For two lakes to be so close, look alike, and have similar topography, they fish vastly different,” said DeFoe, who has more than $2.7 million in career earnings. “Cherokee has more largemouth than ever, but it’s mainly a smallmouth fishery. Douglas has some smallmouth in it, but the largemouth are dominant.”
Another difference is the current cycle of the two lakes, with Cherokee fishing exceptionally well and Douglas being more challenging than it has traditionally been.
“The numbers are very good on Douglas, but the size is down compared to how it was in years past,” he said. “Cherokee has been great the past several years and is full of solid 3-pounders.”
The late March setting of this date is about perfect, according to DeFoe.
“It’s about a week earlier than what I would say is the best time of the year to fish in Tennessee, but the fishing should be excellent,” he said. “The fish will be in a prespawn pattern, and we’ll see guys catch them with jerkbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits, and vibrating jigs. There should still be a good deep bite, and the ‘Damiki Rig’ will also catch some fish.”
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day. The Qualifying Round (first four days of competition) will be held on Douglas Lake, with anglers launching from the Dandridge Ramp, located at 100 Public Drive, in Dandridge, Tennessee. The Knockout and Championship Round will be held on Cherokee Lake, with anglers launching from the TVA Boat Launch, located on Renfro Road in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, 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 MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Saturday, March 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to come in to celebrate the top 10 and crown the U.S. Air Force Stage Two Champion at the 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 U.S. Air Force Stage Two at Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole 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 a fishery to be announced.
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 MLF NOW!® 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. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two at Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, 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.
