Spring Grove’s Estes Posts Third Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at the James River
Buena Vista’s Wilhelm Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
HENRICO, Va. (Sept. 9, 2024) – Boater Keith Estes of Spring Grove, Virginia, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 1 ounce, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Super Tournament on the James River , which concluded Sunday. Hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, the tournament was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL Shenandoah Division. Estes earned $6,066 for his victory.
“I was kind of running the outgoing tide as much as I could,” Estes said. “You couldn’t do that all day because eventually you’d ‘run out of tide’ (the tide would bottom out) after a while. I was covering as much water as possible and throwing moving baits. The fish were a little bit finicky because we’ve had some northeast winds and that kind of backed the water up a bit. I just had to keep getting reaction bites. That’s what my bigger fish came on.”
Estes started both days making a 45-mile run to the Chickahominy. The tide bottomed out at about 10:30 in that area on day one, and 45 minutes later on day two. He was able to fish the last two hours of outgoing tide around the Chickahominy, then worked his way back upstream to target waters where the tide was still falling.
In addition to the tides, he looked for high-percentage targets where he could avoid getting gunked up with annoying grass clumps.
“I grew up here, so I just know a lot of areas,” Estes said. “It kind of had to be hard cover, and this time of year the grass that’s in the river breaks up. I had to find hard cover that was clean.”
It was an intense two days of fishing for Estes. He pushed hard all day long, running and gunning to make the most of every last minute of outgoing tide.
One of his key fish during the tournament was a 5 1/2-pounder that came out of a tree. During practice for a previous BFL event, he caught what he believes is the same fish out of the same tree. It had a healed-over scar in the mouth and a distinct shape that makes him confident it was the same fish. That bass anchored a big 16-pound, 11-ounce limit on day one that set Estes on the trajectory to win the tournament.
Estes’ winning lures included a vibrating jig, a shallow-running crankbait and some soft plastics, but the jig and crankbait produced all of his key fish.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Keith Estes, Spring Grove, Va., 10 bass, 30-1, $6,066
2nd: Billy Shelton III, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 30-0, $3,333
3rd: Ben Dalton, Keeling, Va., 10 bass, 27-14, $2,024
4th: Christopher Wingfield, Richmond, Va., 10 bass, 27-14, $1,415
5th: James Cassaday, Wirtz, Va., 10 bass, 27-0, $1,213
6th: Tommy Little, Chester, Va., 10 bass, 25-15, $1,612 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th: Rodney French, Virginia Beach, Va., 10 bass, 25-8, $1,011
8th: Chris Brummett, Lynch Station, Va., 10 bass, 25-7, $1,035
9th: Powell Kemp, Scotland Neck, N.C., 10 bass, 25-7, $809
10th: Chris Moore, Mechanicsville, Va., 10 bass, 25-5, $1,540
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Chris Moore of Mechanicsville, Virginia, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $832.
Dustin Wilhelm of Buena Vista, Virginia, won the Strike King co-angler division and $3,033 Sunday, after bringing a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale that weighed 24 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Dustin Wilhelm, Buena Vista, Va., 10 bass, 24-5, $3,033
2nd: David Deciucis, Chester, Va., 10 bass, 24-3, $1,517
3rd: Randall Given, Laurel, Del., 10 bass, 19-13, $1,010
4th: Chad Boggs, Prince Frederick, Md., 10 bass, 19-12, $708
5th: David Williams, Fredericksburg, Va., 10 bass, 19-7, $857
6th: Lenny Baird, Stafford, Va., nine bass, 19-6, $556
7th: Pat Kendrick, Bumpass, Va., nine bass, 19-5, $506
8th: Rickey Wood, Smithfield, Va., nine bass, 17-7, $455
9th: Nathan Sullivan, Fredericksburg, Va., eight bass, 17-4, $404
10th: Robert Wedding, Welcome, Md., nine bass, 16-14, $354
Bobby Overby of Virgilina, Virginia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $416, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
At the conclusion of the event, Chris Brummett of Lynch Station, Virginia, was crowned the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Angler of the Year (AOY) with 1,348 points and earned the $1,000 payout, while David Williams of Fredericksburg, Virginia, won the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Co-Angler of the Year race and the $500 prize with 1,283 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, have qualified for the Oct. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Kentucky’s Pearman Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Dale Hollow Lake Presented by Suzuki Marine
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Boater Wyatt Pearman of Hodgenville, Kentucky, and Strike-King co-angler Pop Catalin of Cookeville, Tennessee.
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Cookeville’s Catalin Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (Sept. 9, 2024) – Boater Wyatt Pearman of Hodgenville, Kentucky, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 37 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Super Tournament on Dale Hollow Lake Presented by Suzuki Marine, which concluded Sunday. Hosted by Star Point Resort, the tournament was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL Music City Division. Pearman earned $4,040 for his victory. Major tournaments on Dale Hollow have been dominated by forward-facing sonar all season. This tournament was no different. Pearman weighed in two limits of largemouth bass, all caught using a jighead minnow and live sonar. “I didn’t get to practice any,” he said. “I spend a quite a bit of time down here. So, I knew what was going to go on. I was just targeting bait out a little bit deeper with groups of fish on it and a few single fish.” Pearman focused on main-lake areas. He fished a handful of areas the first day, eventually spending part of his afternoon scouting for day two. That strategy uncovered what was eventually the winning spot – a completely new spot for Pearman. He scanned it the first afternoon and didn’t fish it. Then the next morning, he returned to some of his known areas. Fishing was pretty slow, which eventually led Pearman to go check that new spot. “I went through a 10-minute flurry where I caught two over 4 (pounds) and one that was almost 4,” he said. “It just looked right on the map. I had never fished it, and there was nobody fishing it. I figured it was going to be right, looking at how it set up, and sure enough it was.” After that, Pearman ran to another area where he’d not yet been able to fish due to the wind on day one. This time, he was able to get on it and caught a final keeper to seal the win. Making accurate presentations and leading the fish precisely were keys to getting bit. But winning was about more than just casting. It was all about making the right moves. “This week for me it was all about decisions and timing,” he said. “Decision making is what won the tournament, for sure.” The top 10 boaters finished the tournament: 1st: Wyatt Pearman, Hodgenville, Ky., 10 bass, 37-9, $4,040 Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Alex Wright of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Tanner Rich of Byrdstown, Tennessee, tied for the Berkley Big Bass Boater award with bass that weighed 4 pounds, 10 ounces. They each earned $217 for those catches. 
Pop Catalin of Cookeville, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,020 Sunday, after bringing a two-day total of three bass to the scale that weighed 10 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished: 1st: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., three bass, 10-10, $2,020 Adam Radovic of Brecksville, Ohio, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $217, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day. At the conclusion of the event, Jacob Woods of Loudon, Tennessee, was crowned Fishing Clash Music City Division Angler of the Year (AOY) with 1,344 points and earned the $1,000 payout, while Radovic won the Fishing Clash Music City Division Co-Angler of the Year race and the $500 prize with 1,286 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, have qualified for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard. The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI. For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. About Major League Fishing |
Georgia’s Campbell Wins by Ounces at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Lake Murray
Greenwood’s Doolittle Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PROSPERITY, S.C. (Sept. 9, 2024) – Boater Tyler Campbell of Martin, Georgia, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 42 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Super Tournament at Lake Murray , which concluded Sunday. Hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, the tournament was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Division. Campbell earned $4,732 for his victory.
The winning pattern was probably not too surprising in this derby.
“Typical herring bite,” said Campbell. “I was catching them on topwater and swimbaits; mainly a topwater offshore.”
Campbell worked out off the deep end of shallow points where bass were suspending in cane piles. He figures he fished about 150 cane piles throughout the tournament – a rapid pace of covering water that burned about 50 gallons of gas each day.
“It was just about timing and pulling up when they were ready to bite, which is the key to burning so much gas,” he said. “You have to filter through so many places, and then eventually they’re going to fire for you. I will say, today (Sunday) the game changer was I was sitting on about 18 pounds all day. I got really unlucky and lost some big fish. I should’ve had a mega-bag today, but stuff happens. I was sitting on about 18 pounds at 2:30, and we had to be in at 2:45. I pulled into a spot I haven’t been able to get on all week. I made one cast and caught a 5-pounder and that sealed it for me.”
Campbell’s go-to lures included a Zoom Super Fluke in blue glimmer, a chrome Berkley Drift Walker topwater bait and a chrome Berkley Krej .
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tyler Campbell, Martin, Ga., 10 bass, 42-13, $4,732
2nd: Bradley Day, Anderson, S.C., 10 bass, 42-1, $2,366
3rd: Wesley Sandifer, Chapin, S.C., 10 bass, 39-14, $1,577
4th: Matt O'Connell, Brooks, Ga., 10 bass, 34-12, $1,729 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
5th: Aspen Martin, White, Ga., nine bass, 30-4, $946
6th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 10 bass, 30-4, $868
7th: Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., 10 bass, 30-3, $789
8th: Rodney Bell, Salisbury, N.C., 10 bass, 28-6, $710
9th: Roger Pope, Statesville, N.C., 10 bass, 28-5, $631
10th: Chad Sims, Lancaster, S.C., eight bass, 24-10, $552
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Jake Monti of Mooresville, North Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $555.
Ross Doolittle of Greenwood, South Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,366 Sunday, after bringing a two-day total of four bass to the scale that weighed 13 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Ross Doolittle, Greenwood, S.C., four bass, 13-7, $2,366
2nd: Arthur Harris, York, S.C., four bass, 13-6, $1,183
3rd: Scott McKay, New London, N.C., three bass, 10-10, $790
4th: Dillon Reid, Piedmont, S.C., four bass, 10-0, $552
5th: Lonnie Drusch, Sumter, S.C., four bass, 9-15, $473
6th: Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., three bass, 8-4, $534
7th: Travis Ruff, Connelly Springs, N.C., two bass, 8-2, $394
8th: Trent Killian, Bostic, N.C., four bass, 7-6, $355
9th: Brian Nappier, Huntersville, N.C., four bass, 7-1, $315
10th: Sam Fish, Alexander City, Ala., two bass, 5-13, $276
Preston Catoe of Lugoff, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $277, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
At the conclusion of the event, Joe Anders of Easley, South Carolina, was crowned the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Angler of the Year (AOY) with 1,324 points and earned the $1,000 prize, while Trent Killian of Bostic, North Carolina, won the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Co-angler of the Year race and the $500 prize with 1,320 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, have qualified for the Oct. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
MLF Announces Forward-Facing Sonar Rules for 2025
New MLF rules embrace forward-facing and 360-degree sonar while protecting traditional tournament fishing
BENTON, Ky. (Sept 6, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced Friday updates to its 2025 rules that will allow tournament anglers to utilize the powerful fish-catching tools of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar technology while preserving traditional fishing techniques enjoyed by millions of anglers and fans.
Starting in 2025, all boats, across all MLF circuits, will be limited to two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers in any combination. Additionally, no bow-mounted screen may extend vertically more than 18 inches off the surface of the front deck at its highest point when the boat is on plane, and no screen mounted at the console may extend vertically more than 16 inches off the top of the steering column where it protrudes from the console.
Pros competing on the 2025 Bass Pro Tour will be allowed to use forward-facing and 360-degree sonar for only one of three periods each day. Anglers will declare their use of the technologies before the start of the period of their choice, and fans watching on MLFNOW! will see an indicator on SCORETRACKER® next to each angler’s name showing who is actively using the technologies, has used them or still has them available. This rule applies to all seven regular-season Bass Pro Tour stages and REDCREST 2025. There will be no restrictions in the General Tire Heavy Hitters or General Tire Team Series, where anglers compete out of similarly equipped, league-provided boats that level the playing field. Use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar will be permitted during practice.
In the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, qualifying days will be evenly split with forward-facing and 360-degree sonar allowed on Day 1 and prohibited on Day 2. Anglers who advance to the Championship Round will be allowed to use the technologies on Day 3. Forward-facing and 360-degree transducers must be covered with a high-visibility cap provided by MLF that prohibits sonar transmission during times when use is not allowed. No restrictions will apply to practice.
Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) and Abu Garcia College Fishing anglers will be allowed to use forward-facing and 360-degree sonar during practice and all competition days.
In order to create a more level playing field for up-and-coming student anglers and reinforce the learning of traditional bass-fishing techniques, use of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar will not be allowed in Abu Garcia High School Fishing competition. Its use will not, however, be restricted during practice.
“Forward-facing sonar is the most effective bass-fishing technology that I’ve seen introduced in my lifetime,” said Boyd Duckett, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “It’s a powerful tool that provides an opportunity to access and catch fish that we’ve never been able to efficiently target before. However, its effectiveness is leading to a more uniform approach in tournaments. For the sport to remain engaging to fans, participants or sponsors, it’s important that anglers can still compete using a diverse range of techniques.”
MLF research shows that television and livestream viewers prefer watching tournaments where a variety of techniques are in play. Additionally, surveys of Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series and Phoenix Bass Fishing League anglers, both those who fished in 2024 and those who fished in 2023 but did not fish in 2024, show that a substantial majority, across all levels and divisions, support limiting screen size and transducers to rein in the technology. Anglers were evenly split, however, when asked if the technology should be banned or allowed to continue unrestricted. A slight majority of boaters preferred unrestricted use while co-anglers preferred an outright ban.
“We have numerous audiences that we’re trying to please, and while we realize that not everyone is going to agree with our rule changes, we believe the solutions we have created will satisfy the majority of our stakeholders,” Duckett said. “We did our due diligence from analyzing viewership trends and consulting with sponsors to surveying our anglers, who account for the sport’s largest participation base, and we believe we’ve reached the best possible solution to a polarizing issue – a compromise that merges this powerful technology with traditional bass fishing. Going forward, it will add to our game, not materially change it.”
MLF is uniquely situated to govern intra-day usage of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar at the sport’s highest level with its period structure and an official in every Bass Pro Tour boat. The league is also positioned to enforce day-by-day usage at the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals through POV cameras and a new, easy to install transducer cover under development that will temporarily prohibit sonar transmission. Covers will be provided to participating anglers at no charge.
“We’re setting a path, just like every other professional sports league, that allows us to manage and appropriately incorporate technological advancements as they’re created,” Duckett said. “We want to ensure that our sport remains multi-dimensional so that we can continue delivering the best possible product for our fans, anglers and sponsors.”
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
B.A.S.S. announces diverse 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule with nine events in seven states
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials today announced the
Fox Cities Ready to Host General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley
Two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers to compete on unknown fisheries in second event of season, all six days of competition livestreamed on MLFNOW! and filmed for broadcast on Outdoor Channel
NEENAH, Wis. (Aug. 5, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to visit the Fox Cities and Neenah, Wisconsin, next week, Sept. 15-20, for the second event of the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops – the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley.
Hosted by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley will feature 12 two-man teams of professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour competing at fisheries in the region that are unknown to the competitors until they arrive to the launch ramp each morning.
"We are truly honored to welcome Major League Fishing and some of the best anglers in the world next week to the Fox Cities of Wisconsin,” said Matt Ten Haken, Director of Sports Marketing for the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to see the competitors take their talents to our diverse fisheries and experience the incredible fall beauty of Wisconsin."
The General Tire Team Series is livestreamed daily, meaning every cast and every catch is covered live and fans can watch teammates work together to break down a new body of water in real time. The MLFNOW! broadcast is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and on Rumble. The broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live all six days of competition at the Heritage Cup from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT.
In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Neenah, Wisconsin, was not revealed to Team Series anglers until 30 days prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Neenah then went off limits to anglers. Fans watching the MLFNOW! livestream will find out the day’s competition waters right along with the anglers each morning, and then watch all the action unfold live as teams work together and share their knowledge as they compete for the Heritage Cup and to claim a part of a season-long purse of more than $720,000.
“This is going to be a fun event to watch,” said Junction City, Wisconsin, pro Matthew Stefan, who competed as a part of Team Coign in the first Team Series event held in late August. “Off of the top of my head, within 60 miles of Neenah, there are probably 100 bodies of water where these guys could be going. And most of them are pretty good.
“Another x-factor is that fall fishing in Wisconsin is so fishery-dependent,” Stefan continued. “The deep, clear water lakes fish very differently than the local rivers and pop-up lakes that they could be competing on. So it’s going to be cool to see where these guys end up going, and how they decide to approach things.”
Stefan said that he enjoyed competing in the General Tire Team Series and it offers fans a great opportunity to watch exactly how these anglers break down the unknown fisheries.
“Nobody has any knowledge of the fisheries that you’re going to, so it creates this very unique environment. And then when you have two anglers in the same boat, working together and talking through their thought processes, as a viewer you get to hear what these guys are saying,” Stefan said. “That’s something that you don’t get when you watch a traditional, individual tournament. The Team Series is a really great format and a lot of fun for both the viewers and the anglers.”
The 12 teams that will compete in the General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley in Neenah, Wisconsin are:
Team 7 Brew Coffee:
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
Ryan Salzman, Guntersville, Ala.
Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Team Builders FirstSource:
Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas
Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas
Team Coign:
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
Team Ferguson:
Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.
Team Knighten Industries:
Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
Team Kubota:
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
Team REDCON1:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches:
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Team Star Tron:
Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa.
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.
Team U.S. Air Force:
Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala.
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala.
Team WIX Filters:
David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va.
Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.
The MLF General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting Feb. 15, 2025, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. EDT. The complete television schedule for the 2024 General Tire Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Cooler weather, high water should bode well for Bassmaster Open at Mississippi River
Sept. 5, 2024
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Cool times could lead to hot action. So says Bassmaster Elite Series angler Seth Feider, as the Minnesota standout eyes the upcoming St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Mississippi River presented by SEVIIN.
Competition days will be Sept. 12-14 with daily takeoffs from Veterans Freedom Park located at 120 Clinton St. in La Crosse at 6:30 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the park at 2:30 p.m.
With nature signaling summer’s impending conclusion, a few nights of significantly cooler temperatures and daytime highs briefly dropping into the mid-to upper 60s will prompt fish to prepare for seasonal shifting. That cooldown, about a week before competition starts, will quickly yield to a tournament week warming trend — basically, the fireworks formula for this final Division 3 event.
“Those cold nights should actually make fishing quite a bit better by triggering the fall feed bag,” Feider said. “You get out of the dog days of summer and get the fall transition going.
“We’ll still have some lingering summer patterns. We’ll still have some fish where they’ve been the past few months, and some new things will start developing throughout practice and the tournament.”
Feider said the smallmouth will pull out of smaller creeks or up from deep-water haunts and start positioning on shallow main-river spots like sand breaks, wing dams and anything creating current seams. Largemouth that have spent the warmer months tucked under mats in the backwaters and side chutes will be moving to main-river wood and weeds.
As Feider notes, the cooler weather will also take a common summertime vexation off the table — tiny baitfish. The warmer months often find the fish fixating on small minnows and ignoring most lures.
“Those cold nights are going to get those fish off those little minnows and on the bigger baits,” Feider said. “The fish focus on those minnows because that’s what’s shallow during the summertime, but once it gets cold, it makes the bigger bait move shallow and that makes the fish easier to catch.”
Another factor likely to positively impact the tournament is water level. As Feider pointed out, tournament waters (pools 7, 8 and 9) are not facing flood conditions, but the water’s higher than it’s been at this time in recent years.
“This year, it’s been relatively high all year and it should stay at that level (through the tournament),” Feider said. “I think the river’s in a lot better state than it’s been the last couple of summers and falls. That will make the bite a lot better than it typically is this time of year, because there’ll be more water, more current, and the fish will be more active.”
Taking all of this into consideration, Feider said he can see smallmouth or largemouth winning the event, but mixed bags are the likely route to victory.
“If it gets a lot colder than (what has been forecasted), smallmouth could dominate, but everything starts biting when it gets cold,” Feider said. “The largemouth will show up really good too; maybe not numbers, but size will get really good.
“It’s the same deal will smallmouth. You can go out in the summer and catch a pile of smallmouth; they’re just not the right ones. For some reason, when it gets cold the big ones start showing up.”
Feider believes the entirety of tournament waters could be in play, but if there is a wild card for this event, it’s going to be the Black River. A Mississippi River tributary entering near La Crosse, the Black River feeds Lake Onalaska, a nearly 4-mile-wide reservoir within Pool 8.
As Feider points out, this area hosts a lot of local tournaments, so it receives regular stockings via release fish. Moreover, Feider said the Black River actually fishes more like a lake and that could bring the live sonar strategy into play.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the tournament is won there, or if some people made Top 10s 'Scoping in the Black River,” Feider said. “That’s got to be the biggest X factor. I could see someone shaking a minnow in the Black River and winning the tournament.
“Other than that, it’s going to be your typical frogging and flipping for largemouth, and maybe a swim jig and a stickworm around wood and weeds. The smallmouth will be (caught on) topwaters, jerkbaits or maybe a Carolina rig or a tube.”
Without question, locking from Pool 8, where the field takes off, and fishing Pool 7 or Pool 9 presents the most important calculation anglers will need to make. Feider believes the expanded playing field justifies sacrificing some fishing time with the locking schedule.
“I think it’s worth it, but you definitely need to have something in Pool 8, whether you’re locking or not,” Feider said. “If you do lock, you have to be aware of the barge traffic and allow yourself plenty of time to get back for weigh-ins.
“If I lock into another pool and catch my goal weight, I’ll go ahead and lock back through,” Feider said. “I generally give myself a couple hours until I have to check, but if I catch 20 pounds at 9 o’clock, I’ll go ahead and lock back through.”
Referencing what he considers stout local tournament results, Feider said the higher water and cooler weather has him expecting heavy weights.
“Local events have been catching big bags all summer, and most have needed over 20 pounds to win,” he said. “I think it could potentially take over 60 pounds to win and, realistically, 17 to 18 a day to make the Top 10 cut.”
Coverage of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Mississippi River presented by SEVIIN will air on FS1 on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all three days.
ExploreLaCrosse.com is hosting the event.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
DAIWA: XBRAID Successfully Sinks
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XBRAID’s new Sinking SS112 braid reduces live bait fatigue, keeps rigs on the bottom, cranks with authority, advances FFS techniques, and lets you explore the entire water column with authority. |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (September 4, 2024) – The influence line selection has on performance is substantial. A perfectly paired rod and reel spooled with the wrong line massively affects the state of play. For example, if you fish 25-lb. monofilament on a rod rated for 8- to 12-lb., casts will be short and clunky and there’s but a scarce chance of feeling a bite. At the opposite end of the spectrum, spooling with a premium specialty line that matches your exact techniques and or conditions, and the results are splendid. This is the baseline thinking behind XBRAID’s new Sinking SS112 fishing line – the SS standing for “slow sinking”. Before delving into the specific merits of Sinking SS112, it’s prudent to showcase Japan’s XBRAID family and what makes these lines so groundbreaking. Let’s begin at the beginning. For years, braided lines woven with Dyneema® were considered the most progressive, but that’s changing as IZANAS® takes the lead. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material has the highest strength and modulus of any manmade fiber. How strong? Try nearly 8 times stronger than piano wire of the same weight. “Beyond IZANAS being an unrivaled base material, it’s how individual weights of the entire XBRAID family are manufactured that makes it far superior to the competition,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “Other companies take a single base material and stretch it to achieve the desired diameter and weight. This creates inconsistencies, which can lead to weak spots.” |
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Uniquely, each diameter and weight of XBRAID is produced from a dedicated spool. So, for example, if 10-pound XBRAID is the desired final weight, the base material fiber is 10-pound. No stretching. No irregularities. Martin goes on to underscore the weaving process employed for all XBRAID lines. “The actual weaving machines are proprietary and built in-house to create the WX Weave. In traditional weaving processes used by other brands the line comes off multiple bobbins. That means an in an 8 strand weave there are 8 bobbins spitting out line. That results in line twist and inconsistencies.” With XBRAID’s “top secret” WX Weave, the strands come together uniformly to yield exceptional consistency. Moreover, the XBRAID process produces a denser weave – 1.5 X the competition – with more material in the finished product. That tighter weave results in a smoother, more abrasion resistant, and exceptionally sensitive fishing line. The meticulous process also takes twice as long as the competition, and anglers are the beneficiaries of the patient production. The WX Weave also generates a rounder and slightly stiffer line. This modest amount of stiffness makes it much easier to handle and tie, nearer how monofilament feels. This manageability translates into fewer bird’s nests on the cast, too. But if you happen to snarl, the micro stiffness makes it much easier to untangle the knot. |
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MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR XBRAID SINKING SS112 A higher sink rate clearly improves efficacy for certain fishing techniques. For starters, XBRAID Sinking SS112 offers a massive advantage in saltwater environs. We’ve all seen live bait exhaust while struggling against buoyant line – and most braids float. But spool up with XBRAID Sinking SS112, and your bait is driven down, reducing fatigue on mullet, sardine, pilcher, or whatever your baitfish of choice. “XBRAID Sinking SS112 also keeps your bait pinned to the bottom,” said Martin. “That’s crucial for so many bass fishing applications, like dropshotting, Ned rigging, Neko rigging, and Wacky Rigging, as well as jigging a vertical spoon or keeping a shaky head on the bottom.” Sinking line is beneficial, too, when exploring a sizable section of the water column, say with a spybait, lipless crankbait, or hair jig. Add to that crankbait fishing, as sinking line reduces line bow and maximizes a bait’s running depth. Forward-facing sonar (FFS) enthusiasts also have a friend in XBRAID Sinking SS112. Getting a lure down rapidly to detected fish is crucial, as they mightn’t be there long. Sinking line accelerates the operation. |
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How does XBRAID Sinking SS112 achieve such depths? It’s all in the materials and manufacturing. Martin talked about the materials: “It’s an 8-strand carrier like the other XBRAID models, but what makes Sinking SS112 different is the equal parts blend of IZANAS® and ester (polyester). Ester has less stretch than monofilament and fluorocarbon – which is used by other brands – and is higher density than water, so it sinks. It’s in the weaving, too. “The IZANAS and ester are interwoven for greater density and consistency,” said Martin.” Other brands typically wrap braid material around fluorocarbon, which promotes bunching and irregularities.” XBRAID Sinking SS112 comes in a high visibility yellow for maximum management. To that, the line is UV activated for lowlight fishing conditions. |
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XBRAID Sinking SS112 FEATURES:
MSRP $25.99 |
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For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |
Stand-Up and Be Counted - Northland Fishing Tackle
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Northland® Fishing Tackle’s new Tungsten Stand-Up and Short Shank Stand-Up Jigs increase your count of walleyes, smallmouth bass, and more. |
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BEMIDJI, Minn. (September 5, 2024) – Northland’s tungsten tsunami continues to swell with the introduction of the new Tungsten Stand-Up Jig and Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jig, adding to numbers of tungsten models created over the past few seasons. Following in the footsteps of the original Fire-Ball Stand-Up series, these new tungsten offerings further improve upon finesse bottom jigging techniques. “They stand right up and create a natural presentation,” said Northland ambassador and walleye tournament ace Tom Huynh, who we caught up with live-on-the-water jigging walleyes. Be it tank testing or studying in the clear shallows, Huynh is a student of lure behavior and a master at replicating prey species. And he says the new Tungsten Stand-Up Jig and Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jig set the baseline for authenticity. “With a buoyant plastic, like Northland Eye-Candy, the combination perfectly replicates a baitfish feeding on the bottom,” said Huynh. He credits the 45-degree hook angle for causing the plastic to replicate reality. Baitfish don’t feed vertically – they approach the bottom at an angle. |
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Huynh is literally hung-up on accuracy, choosing the most natural Eye-Candy shapes and colors. He most often fishes the Eye-Candy Minnow, in both 3- and 4-inch versions depending on the situation. Huynh’s second choice for walleyes is the Eye-Candy Grub followed by the Jig Crawler. But he expects the new Eye-Candy Leech to quickly move up his depth chart. The realness continues with how the buoyant Eye-Candy plastics behave when paired with the new tungsten stand-ups. “It’s so natural,” he said. “The tails constantly move when you’re jigging, even just quivering the bait on the bottom. Because of natural lake currents, you can actually hold your rod perfectly still and the Eye-Candy plastic keeps moving just a little.” Now that’s seductive. Here’s a stunner. Huynh says the mere approach of fish creates momentum in the water and moves the bait. And that extra flicker of action often triggers an attack. |
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GLO MOONLIGHT |
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GLO WATERMELON |
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OLIVE |
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Not surprisingly, Huynh’s quest for perfection doesn’t end there. He thoughtfully matches the color of his Tungsten Stand-Up Jig and Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jig to its Eye-Candy counterpart. His top two combinations are a black tungsten stand-up with black Eye-Candy and olive jig (color he co-created with Northland) with pumpkin. Huynh’s other two winners are a black head with Eye-Candy in Fathead or Smelt colors. Notice, the theme never changes. It’s all about emulation. More on color selection… Huynh says black is effective in all situations, all water color conditions, as it offers a natural silhouette that fish are used to encountering. Olive, he says, blends in perfectly with weeds, centering attention on the Eye-Candy or live bait, not the jig head. Huynh also says a recent study determined that walleyes are keenly attracted to green. Which tungsten jig he selects is dependent on the length of his Eye-Candy pairing. Huynh fishes the Tungsten Stand-Up Jig on 4-inch plastics and the Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jig on 3-inch Eye-Candy offerings. Huynh also contends that bigger, smarter fish are more apt to inhale the tungsten stand-up and Eye-Candy. “They’re curious, and the tungsten jig and Eye-Candy combination is something they likely haven’t seen before.” |
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Now Huynh does admit that a lively minnow pinned to the bottom on a tungsten stand-up jig is also effective, the bait angled upwards at 45-degrees with its tail pumping. Huynh also uses very specific gear to fish the Tungsten Stand-Up Jig and Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jig. All spinning, he works a 6’ 3” DAIWA TD EYE rod for what he calls “target shooting” - precision casting to fish revealed with his forward-facing sonar Garmin unit. He will extend out to a 7’ version of the same rod when long bombs are required. Huynh’s reel selection is interesting, too. Where the average angler might select a typical 2500 size reel, he prefers the control of the smaller 1000 size, operating a DAIWA KAGE LT, and looking forward to fishing the improved version, which hits the market soon. For line, Huynh spools 10-lb. DAIWA J-BRAID x8 Grand to which he ties an 8-lb. DAIWA J-FLUORO Leader. |
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GLO MOONLIGHT |
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GLO WATERMELON |
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OLIVE |
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Another multispecies wizard, Northland pro Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, chimed in. “The new Tungsten Stand-Up and Tungsten Short Shank Stand-Up Jigs fall so fast you can get away with a smaller size.” For reference, if you’re accustomed to fishing a ¼-ounce lead jig, you can fish a 1/8-ounce tungsten jig, and still reap the rewards of improved sensitivity. “The hooks are incredibly sharp, too, and the jigs match up perfectly with Eye-Candy plastics,” Bro continued. “The buoyancy holds the jig upright. It looks real and sits at the perfect angle for a solid hookset.” Bro’s live bait options for the tungsten stand-ups are leeches, nose hooked minnows, and leeches. His preferred terrain for tungsten stand-up jigs are short weeds, gravel, and rocks. |
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ABOUT the Tungsten Stand-Up Jig Molded from Tungsten that is 70% more dense than lead, this jig provides exceptional sensitivity. The Stand-Up head design yields better bottom contact for keeping live bait and soft plastics up off the bottom for the perfect presentation. Features a dual bait keeper and stout wide gap custom Mustad® hook. MSRP $7.99 (2 Pack) ABOUT the Tungsten Stand-Up Short Shank Jig The Tungsten Stand-Up Short Shank Jig has all the benefits of the Tungsten Stand-Up Jig in a compact profile. Molded from sensitive tungsten, which is 70% more dense than lead, the jig positions baits upright on the bottom to mimic feeding baitfish. It sports a stout custom short shank wide gap Mustad® hook perfect for live bait and small plastics. MSRP $7.99 (2 Pack) |
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Finally, A Better Way To Rig Your Fishing Kayak!
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Besides taking “Best in Category” at ICAST 2024 with the YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro, Connect-Ease offers other kayak rigging systems to meet every angler’s unique needs |
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PRIOR LAKE, MN (September 4, 2024) - Connect-Ease® has been providing the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power boat rigging possible for over a decade. Now—with the recent introduction of YAK-EASE®—the company has extended their expertise into the realms of kayak angling with numerous new, problem-solving rigging and power distribution products for all anglers. Like the YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro, a self-contained, portable, plug & play power system that provides the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power kayak rigging possible—while saving hours and hours of sketchy rigging in the process. Whether you’re setting up a basic fishing kayak to a deluxe, tournament-ready fishing kayak—YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro is the best solution available today. It not only includes a premium Pelican® waterproof case with all the bells and whistles for use with your favorite lithium battery, but YAK-EASE™ GRAPH POWER® and a YAK-EASE™ LIGHTNIN’ Harness, too – both which are also available to kayak anglers who may want to install permanent, clean and preconfigured YAK-EASE for their electronics, lighting, and accessories without need for a portable power supply. |
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YAK-EASE POWER PAK PRO: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS |
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YAK-EASE™ GRAPH POWER® is a permanent power solution for up to four powered kayak fishing accessories, all with a convenient and easy pack-in/pack-out battery connection. YAK-EASE GRAPH POWER was designed to solve the connections and power issues associated with running today’s sophisticated fishing electronics common on modern kayaks, providing clear, clean power and direct connections. Now that extends into the realms of kayak angling with numerous new, problem-solving rigging and power distribution products. YAK-EASE GRAPH POWER is designed to work with all manufacturers of fresh- and saltwater marine electronics. YAK-EASE GRAPH POWER features marine-grade sheathed wire with multiple fused connections for your electronics. Works with Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin, all forward-facing, side-, and down-imaging systems. Power multiple electronics, GoPRO cameras, cell phones, powered speakers, and other accessories with four fused connections. |
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To our knowledge, the YAK-EASE LIGHTNIN’ HARNESS is the only plug & play, self-contained, complete kayak lighting system on the market. It is designed for all fishing/recreational kayaks up to 13.5 feet, and features 14 gauge sheathed, marine-grade wire with heat-shrinkable connections to power (4) navigational, interior, exterior, and accessory lighting rigging. |
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The YAK-EASE YAK QUIK 3 represents our most simple, yet quick and easy way to send power to all of your kayak fishing devices/accessories, as a power solution for up to three powered kayak fishing accessories, all with a convenient and easy pack-in/pack-out battery connection. If you’re rigging a fishing kayak with today’s sophisticated fishing electronics, lighting, GoPro cameras, and various accessories, skip having to source and run your own wire and fuses, scratching your head over leads, where to position batteries, etc. That can take days – and we’d all rather be on the water catching fish, right! |
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“Amp” up your fishing kayak with YAK MAX PRO 3, rigging designed to network multiple graphs, live imaging and/or forward-facing sonar transducers and black boxes, as well as a trolling motor all from an easy, self-contained pack-in/pack-out power rigging solution. Works with any Minn-Kota, Motor Guide, Humminbird, Garmin, Lowrance trolling motors and electronics. Designed for the serious kayak angler using multiple electronics—including FF sonar—YAK MAX Pro 3 features all fused connections to protect your valuable electronics and heat-shrinkable connections to provide a lifetime of corrosion-free connections. Leave your wiring and rigging intact and remove your electronics and battery with ease. Includes 10 feet of nylon-sheathed positive and negative rigging with 3 fused connections and a Qu Quick-Snap battery connection—greatly reducing the amount of time you spend preparing to fish. |
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The YAK-EASE SPADE-A-NATOR is the perfect solution for adding extra power for long days on the water—or for simple recharging at the end of the day without the hassle of removing your chosen battery from your kayak, fish-finder, graph shuttle, or case. The YAK EASE SPADE-A-NATOR is a solution for up to three powered kayak or ice fishing accessories, all with a convenient and easy pack-in/pack-out battery connection for easy removal charging and swapping of multiple batteries to power your fishing day. YAK-EASE™ products (by Connect-Ease®) eliminate all of the above with portable or permanently-riggable, plug & play rigging systems for the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power, electronics, and lighting, kayak rigging possible—while saving you hours and hours in the garage, getting you onto fish faster! |
MLF Set to Wrap Toyota Series Southern Division with Tournament at Santee Cooper Lakes Presented by Suzuki Marine
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. (Sept. 4, 2024) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to close out the Southern Division next week in Summerton, South Carolina, Sept. 12-14, with the third and final event of the season – the Toyota Series at Santee Cooper Lakes Presented by Suzuki Marine.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, 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 outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.
“I have been looking forward to this one. For the first time that I can recollect, we’re having a Toyota Series event here in late summer,” said pro Wade Grooms of Bonneau, South Carolina, who has five top-10 finishes on Santee Cooper in MLF competition. “Typically, the majority of tournaments here are held in the early spring, so fishing is always the same. The event being held this time of the year makes things extremely different. We’re going to see totally different patterns and strategies.”
With water levels high, and water temperatures still hovering in the upper 80s, the fish are still being found in their summertime patterns.
“There is a lot of grass right now, which is really going to help some people and really going to hurt some people,” Grooms said. “It spreads the fish out and makes them pretty hard to find. But if you can find the right area, it can definitely create a lot of opportunities.”
Grooms said that he expects he will be fishing a mix of grass and stumps.
“It’s going to be a lot like Florida fishing,” Grooms said. “An early morning topwater fish is going to be extremely important in this tournament. Everyone will have limits, but if you can have four keeper fish and one larger than average fish, that will really shoot you up the leaderboard.”
Even though Grooms lives on the south end of the fishery he struggled to make a weight prediction for this tournament.
“I live here, and normally I’m pretty good and can predict within a pound or two of the winning weight, but I’m struggling with this one because there are so many unknown variables,” Grooms said. “There is a cool front coming, water levels could be dropping at any time, there is so much grass – and we don’t know if it will help the fishing or make it tougher. I think we’ll see a few limits in the low 20s the first day, but that’s hard to maintain. I think 18 pounds a day, over three days, will be extremely strong in this event.”
Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. ET each day from John C. Land III Landing, located at 4404 Greenall Road in Summerton. Weigh-ins will also be held at the landing and will begin at 3 p.m. each day. 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 up to $75,000, 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 or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.
The 2024 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 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville Sports Commission.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, REDCON1, Simms, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
B.A.S.S. announces technology standardization for Elite Series, Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bassmaster Elite Series and the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors are the pinnacles of competitive bass fishing. B.A.S.S. has created unwavering standards of excellence and expectations for the anglers who fish under these banners. Today, the organization announces the creation of equipment standards related to new technologies that will impact anglers competing on the biggest stage in bass fishing.
It is important to understand that these new standardization practices are the result of the B.A.S.S. technology committee’s year-long collection of data, review of tournament results, consultations with conservation partners, discussions with industry leaders and communications with every Elite Series pro multiple times throughout the 2024 season. Voices from every corner of the fishing industry were heard and considered. After extensive debate and consideration, the committee made its final recommendation to B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. Once the 2025 Elite Series schedule was finalized earlier this week, Anderson approved the following standardization practices.
First, the number of live sonar transducers will be regulated to one and it must be mounted to the trolling motor at the bow of the boat. Until now, Elite Series and Classic competitors could have an unlimited number of live transducers mounted on their boats in any location. B.A.S.S. will also provide a list of acceptable live transducers from all major electronics manufacturers. Equipment not on this list is banned from usage in Elite Series and Classic competition. This equipment list will be vetted and updated annually.
Secondly, Elite Series and Classic competitors will be limited to a total of 55 inches of screen, including bow and dash head units. The trend to add more and bigger head units to boats is becoming a safety concern, as the bigger screens may create blind spots impacting the safe piloting of boats.
Thirdly, Elite Series and Classic competitors may now have only one electric motor mounted to their boats. There has been a rise in the use of electric motors mounted to shallow water anchors, which makes the enforcement of current rules (like long-lining and trolling) very difficult.
Lastly, B.A.S.S. will focus on a more diverse Elite Series schedule, creating a wide variety of fishing styles demanded for success. While live sonar technology will remain a consistent tool used at the very highest level of competitive bass fishing, experience and a deep-seeded understanding of fish behavior, movement and patterns will also be needed for success moving forward on the fisheries scheduled.
“The use of live sonar at the Elite level has sparked tremendous debate,” said Chase Anderson. “Our technology committee spent a tremendous amount of time reviewing post-event surveys, comparing equipment on Elite boats to success rates and considering both fan engagement and bass community feedback related to the use of new technology. As the leading tournament organization in sportfishing, our goal was to ensure a level playing field that both embraces the value of hard work and experience on the water as well as new technologies that will continue to improve angler success. B.A.S.S. has always been, and will continue to be, dedicated to teaching our members, fans and the bass fishing community how to catch more and bigger bass. Educating anglers on both the fundamentals of fishing as well as new technology aligns with this principle. B.A.S.S. is, and always has been, the keeper of the culture of our sport. We believe these new standards will ensure that both the present and future competitive landscape of the Elite Series will remain above reproach. We remain committed to being the leaders in our industry and making decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our sport.”
These new standardization practices will go into effect with the start of the 2025 Elite Series season. The B.A.S.S. technology committee will continue to monitor the impacts of new technology on bass fishing’s biggest stage.
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
Rasmussen’s Top Plays for Football Season Smallies
Vexus® Pro Adam Rasmussen admits he ditched playing left tackle after his sophomore year of high school so he could instead practice catching Wisconsin River smallies after the dismissal bell rang.
The Rasmussen’s connection to Wisconsin football runs deep. Adam’s wife, Allie, is a great niece to Mary Jane Van Duyse. Mary Jane was once engaged to Packers Founder Curly Lambeau and invented the iconic Packers cheer “Go Pack Go!” as a Green Bay Golden Girls cheerleader.
Twenty years later, Rasmussen, who fell three pounds short of winning the 2024 Bassmaster Classic, has no choice but to saturate himself in America’s pigskin culture once again.
Weekends in Adam’s impressive mancave the Rasmussens call “The Warehouse” are dominated by Packer watch parties. But just out of shouting range, you’ll find the down-to-earth pro prepping tackle on the deck of his Vexus® VX21, getting ready to blitz Green Bay area smallmouth throughout the football season.
“Of course, September brings a hint of cooler nights, but it’s a tricky month because you’ve still got some smallies shallow enough to cast at visually, while a few are moving to deeper breaklines in 20’ of water. It seems like nearly every day in September is a little bit different,” says Rasmussen.
Ultimately, September sees an ongoing migration of smallmouth from their summer hangouts to where they will spend the cold winter months.
“By late September or early October, they’re moving along travel routes on breaklines in 15-25’ of water, where a 2.5” soft plastic tube on a 3/8 to 1/2-ounce VMC head can be deadly. A 3” Rapala CrushCity Mayor swimbait on a 1/2-ounce jighead is another solid producer this time of year,” says the Stevens Point native.
Rasmussen says the late-season run between Halloween and early December is his favorite. “When water temps get down to around 54 degrees, it’s time to load an Alabama Rig up with 3” CrushCity Mayor minnows and throw around rocky bluff walls with 40’ of water nearby. That’s my hands-down favorite way to catch late-season smallies, and sometimes you even catch two at a time!” smiles Rasmussen.
Curly Lambeau died nearly 60 years ago while mowing a lawn not far from Rasmussen’s home, but his heritage lives on forever in the hearts and souls of Packer fans everywhere—including those that will pack into “The Warehouse” throughout the weeks ahead.
“Oh, you can bet I’ll be there watching the games with all our family and friends. But I promise ya, if we get a mild sunny day in late November or early December, I’ll be loading my A-Rigs into the Vexus and heading to a bluffy shoreline in Green Bay,” smiles Rasmussen.
To learn more about the Vexus® VX21 Rasmussen counts on to always deliver a smooth ride, even during a blustery Wisconsin autumn, please visit vexusboats.com.
BREAKING NEWS: The Future of Forward-Facing Sonar in the NPFL
Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
After many sleepless nights and countless hours of discussions that touched every corner of the fishing industry, we at the National Professional Fishing League have come to realize several important things about live forward-facing fishing technology.
First, the issue is complex and compounded by the fact that it elicits an emotional response from many.
Second, for rational discussion and decision-making, it’s helpful to remove as much emotion from the process as possible.
Third, there are serious policy and business ramifications associated with taking any position on this technology.
Finally, there is no way to make every stakeholder happy where a technology policy is concerned.
For what it’s worth, I enjoy using forward-facing sonar in my personal fishing, and I’m grateful for what’s it’s taught us about bass behavior. It’s an incredible tool, and no matter your attitude toward the technology, it’s undeniable that it’s impactful for bass catching. Our concern at the NPFL is whether it’s a proper tool for competitive bass fishing.
Every sport has equipment rules to protect the players and the integrity of the game. As examples, Major League Baseball does not allow aluminum bats so as to protect certain players on defense and to preserve the game’s legacy. Auto racing has restrictions on engines and other equipment to protect drivers and ensure competitiveness. The Professional Golfers’ Association prohibits balls that use technology to overcome shortcomings of skill.
Tournament bass fishing is not different from these other sports in its need to protect the integrity and appeal of the game.
At NPFL, we do not want competitive bass fishing to become a technology arms race where anglers stare at a screen, targeting pixels and losing their connection to the fish we love so much. Forward-facing sonar is changing the ways that anglers approach competition and the ways that fans consume content. It’s also reducing the methods and baits that anglers use to compete.
Our sport is too important and too diverse to allow technology to shrink it to a handful of methods and tackle. Robust competition requires variety, experience, and broad skills. It must be more than an expensive video game.
The early sonar units of the 1950s were revolutionary. Since that time, most of the advancements have been changes of degree. With the introduction of forward-facing sonar in 2018, the change was qualitative — a change in kind that threatens to alter the very nature of our sport. It’s a technology we can appreciate and admire without allowing it to undermine our ultimate goals — to deliver the highest level of competition in the fishing world, to raise the sport to greater heights, and to share our passion.
Starting with the 2025 season, the NPFL will prohibit the use of real-time imaging units—commonly referred to as “live forward-facing sonar”—during official practice and competition. Other sonar (e.g., 2D, side imaging, 360, et al.) will continue to be permitted. The use of future technology will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The 2025 NPFL Championship will be conducted using 2024 rules. It’s only fair that the anglers who qualified for the Championship be allowed to compete under the same rules under which they qualified.
We considered intermediate measures that fell short of a complete restriction but believe they would be insufficient to protect the sport. Limiting transducers or screens or only allowing the technology on certain days or hours are half measures that may quiet some opponents of the technology, but they are unlikely to reduce its impact.
Our decision was neither easy nor made quickly. It is ultimately a business decision made after much due diligence and unclouded by conflicting business relationships.
We are committed to upholding the tradition and integrity of competitive bass fishing.
This decision will be met with some approval and some criticism, but we’re confident that this is the right decision at the right time for the sport and for the NPFL.
Adkins Clinches Second NPFL Win at Saginaw Bay
Wisconsin pro Gary Adkins claimed his second NPFL victory at Saginaw Bay with a three-day total weight of 56 pounds, 12 ounces. He started strong with 23 pounds, 3 ounces on day one, struggled on day two with high winds, bringing in 16 pounds, 2 ounces, but came back strong on the final day with 17 pounds, 7 ounces to secure the win with just a 1-ounce margin of victory.
Since his victory in 2022, where he went on to win the Progressive Angler of the Year award, Adkins has been in a “slump.” His 28th-place AOY finish in 2023 may not seem bad to most, but Adkins was disappointed.
“Last year was different for me; I was not focused on fishing like I should have been,” he said. “I had a busy year with work and was not in tune with my gear, and it showed. I would go to an event, fish, and then drop the boat and not see it until the next event; that was tough. To be able to have my family’s support and get back in the right mindset this year was huge.”
Starting the event in 30th place in AOY, this victory will certainly move him up in the standings. With the win-and-you’re-in format, Adkins can relax and focus on the next few events without worrying about points.
Throughout practice, Adkins noticed that the bigger fish were setting up in deeper areas, while many of the “medium-sized" smallmouth were shallower. On day one, he saw things change and made an adjustment that put him on track for the event.
“I caught my two biggest fish on day one shallow,” he added. “I saw they vanished from the deeper spots and went to the shallow points and shoals and found them. I caught my biggest fish this morning on the same bait, a spinnerbait, and knew I needed to spend the rest of the day looking at shallow areas.”
By noon, he only had one 5-pounder and a small keeper to show for it. A quick move to some shallow humps he located in practice, and it was game on.
“I pulled up and saw some fish, but not as many as I was hoping,” he said. “They were sitting on top in about 5 feet, and I could make a cast right on top of them with that dropshot. I knew there were enough fish there to get a decent limit, and it worked out for me today, just barely.”
Adkins only had six keeper bites all day, but he remained focused on his plan to commit to the smallmouth bite and try for the win. Heavy winds affected many other anglers from fishing for smallmouth, but Adkins, growing up on Lake Michigan, was not going to fold.
“Fishing for smallmouth is my favorite thing to do, and the big water does not bother me one bit,” he said. “In practice, it was calm, and there were boats everywhere. When the wind blew, I think a lot of guys started running out and then turned around; I hardly saw anyone around, and today, I only saw one boat. I took my time and got out there, and it paid off – I was going to live or die fishing for smallmouth. I had a phenomenal week and cannot wait to celebrate this one with my family.”
Zack Birge
With a three-day total weight of 56 pounds, 11 ounces, Oklahoma pro Zack Birge finished in 2nd place at the NPFL Saginaw Bay. He began the tournament strong, bringing in 22 pounds, 12 ounces on day one, followed up with 18 pounds, 1 ounce on day two, and despite a tougher day three, he managed to catch 15 pounds, 15 ounces, ultimately falling just one ounce short of first place.
Aside from a couple of small culls while fishing for largemouth late in the day, Birge concentrated on smallmouth and focused on a small shoal at the mouth of Saginaw Bay.
“That spot is only about 3 miles out into the lake, but it’s over 50 miles from take-off,” said Birge. “All three days I did the same thing, and I simply ran out of fish.”
Using Lowrance ActiveTarget2, Birge relied on a dropshot, making pinpoint casts to fish he could see roaming the reef. Despite the close finish, Birge is focused on earning points to compensate for missing the first event of the season. This finish will unofficially move him up from 53rd place where he began the event.
“I have to focus on points in these last events to secure a spot in the Championship for next year,” he added. “I’ve never been to the St. Johns River and have limited experience on the Ozarks, but if I have another opportunity to win like I did this week, I’ll go for it. It was a great week; Saginaw Bay is brutal, but awesome.”
Jason Williamson
Jason Williamson claimed third place at the NPFL Saginaw Bay with a solid three-day total of 56 pounds, 11 ounces. He started the tournament with 21 pounds, 1 ounce on day one, slowed down on day two with 16 pounds, 14 ounces, and finished strong on Showdown Saturday with 18 pounds, 12 ounces, including a 6-pound kicker smallmouth.
Like the other top anglers, the South Carolina pro targeted offshore shell bars with a strong concentration of baitfish—goby and alewife—focusing on fish he could see on his electronics. Using the new Zoom Tiny Speed Craw, he targeted fish as they moved in to feed.
“It was pretty straightforward for me,” he said. “I found an active bar that had a ton of life. It wasn’t even that far from the bank but had 18 to 20 feet of water and was the perfect spot for those smallmouth to hang as they transitioned from shallow to deep.”
Williamson began the event in 24th place in the Progressive AOY standings, and with this finish, he should move up, helping to secure his Championship berth.
Other Awards
The NPFL Big Fish award goes to Kevin Martin for his day one lunker weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Martin finished the event in sixth place, capping off a stellar performance.
With his ninth-place finish at Saginaw Bay, BaitWrx pro Brock Bila earns the NPFL Bass Cat Boats incentive and takes home an additional $5,000 for his three-day total weight of 51 pounds, 6 ounces.
Top Ten Anglers
Gary Adkins 56-12
Zack Birge 56-11
Jason Williamson 56-11
Trent Palmer 56-8
Kevin Martin 55-13
John Cox 55-5
Jesse Wise 54-6
Barron Adams 52-9
Brock Bila 51-6
Louis Fernandes 51-5
Kevin Martin Surges to the Top at Saginaw Bay
Ohio Pro Kevin Martin jumps from second to first in Bay City.
Starting the day in second place, Ohio pro Kevin Martin surged to the top on day two, taking the lead into Showdown Saturday with a total weight of 42 pounds. After weighing in 23 pounds, 5 ounces on day one with only a handful of bites, he added 18 pounds, 11 ounces on day two with only six bites.
“It was basically the pressure on the area and the wind,” he said. “I can fish my spots in almost any wind condition, but the last two days were the worst. I had to cover more water today than I anticipated, and I expected to get more bites than I ended up getting.”
Casting at over 50 bass throughout the day, Martin rotated between shallow, deep, and mid-depth areas, relying primarily on a dropshot rig with a Berkley MaxScent Flatworm. Despite putting his bait in front of several bass, they weren’t reacting as expected.
“Usually, you can get it near them, and they follow it to the bottom and eat it,” he added. “Today was way different; they wouldn’t even react. Tomorrow, the wind should be more west, which will help me. I did have to burn some water today, but I think I can run it all again tomorrow and catch as many as I can.”
Zack Birge
With a two-day total weight of 40 pounds, 12 ounces, Oklahoma pro Zack Birge has moved into second place at stop number four of the NPFL season on Saginaw Bay. Birge started strong on day one with 22 pounds, 12 ounces, and added 18 pounds, 1 ounce on day two.
His smallmouth approach, focusing on mid-range depths, has proven effective, putting him in strong contention as he heads into Showdown Saturday, just 1 pound, 4 ounces back. Despite the challenging conditions, Birge is prepared for the forecasted wind tomorrow and remains focused on making a final push for his first NPFL victory.
“It was definitely tougher today for me, and not easy by any means,” said Birge. “I was able to get there this morning, but I didn’t see many bites or fish. The key was getting lucky and catching a few better fish; coming back this afternoon was rough.”
While his main area is over 50 miles away, Birge did spend some time in practice looking for largemouth, and a late largemouth cull this afternoon back near the takeoff gave him another 5 ounces. If things don’t go well tomorrow, Birge plans to pull the plug and head to the bank to salvage the day.
“I caught a ton of largemouth in practice, but I don’t think I can catch 17 or 18 pounds doing it,” he added. “Tomorrow morning will be the best chance to get out offshore where I’m fishing, and I’ll see how it goes. If needed, I’ll scratch it and go catch some largemouth.”
While not wanting to give up too many specifics, Birge, like the others, is fishing “typical smallmouth things,” keying in on the “right stuff” within his 8- to 20-foot-deep area.
“If I can see the fish or the structure, and get one to show itself, I’ve been able to get a bite if I can get the lure in there, but that hasn’t been easy,” he concluded.
The big move of the day was made by Dustin Smith, who jumped into 15th place with the day’s largest bag of 18 pounds, 14 ounces. The NPFL Bass Cat Boats award is set to be decided in the final moments, with Brock Bila in fifth place with 37 pounds, 2 ounces, and Matt Looney in eighth place with 35 pounds, 2 ounces.
Top Ten Anglers
Kevin Martin 42-1
Zack Birge 40-12
Gary Adkins 39-5
Jason Williamson 37-15
Brock Bila 37-2
Trent Palmer 35-11
Josh Hooks 35-4
Matt Looney 35-2
Jesse Wise 35-0
John Cox 34-14
Becker and Shuffield Win General Tire Team Series B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota
Team B&W Trailer Hitches catch 64 bass totaling 113-5 in Championship Round to win first event of season and earn Challenge Cup
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 30, 2024) – Championship Friday started off with a bang as teams wrapped up the first event of the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, with all four teams posting bass to SCORETRACKER® within the first 15 minutes.
The final four teams at the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota headed back to Erie’s Presque Isle Bay on Friday to finish out the season-opening event. While the teams had some experience on the fishery earlier in the week, conditions changed, forcing the teams to hunt for new fish throughout the day.
Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches – made up of Luke Clausen of Spokane, Washington, and John Hunter of Shelbyville, Kentucky – put together a strong opening flurry early during Friday’s Championship Round, stacking 22 bass totaling 35-3 onto SCORETRACKER® within the first period alone.
But that wasn’t enough to hold off Team U.S. Air Force – Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina – who took over the top spot at the beginning of Period 2. They held the lead for 28 mins before being overtaken by Team B&W Trailer Hitches – Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, and Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas – who grabbed the top spot and never looked back.
Team B&W Trailer Hitches finished the day with 64 bass totaling 113 pounds, 5 ounces, a solid 34-10 ahead of Team U.S. Air Force. They started the morning in an area they’d fished during the Qualifying Round but found it a bit lacking.
“When we found out we were going back to Presque Isle Bay today it was pretty exciting because we’d had a really good Qualifying Round there and felt like we could have done even more so we were excited to get back out there,” said Shuffield. “I’d caught a lot of our fish in the Qualifying Round on a ChatterBait, but it just wasn’t really working for us this morning. They just weren’t really committing to it.”
The duo decided to switch to their secondary plan and flip grass out deeper.
“Once we made that move, Matt ended up catching several scorable bass quickly,” Shuffield said. “We knew that we would be able to keep pace with the other teams doing that but weren’t sure if we’d be able to put up much weight.”
“Really the second period is when we found the area where we ended up winning,” said Becker. “We made a move, and it’s so crazy to think about the little details that happened – one fish busted the surface of the water on baitfish, and that readjusted our game plan.
“Spencer threw over there and got a bite and that one fish changed our minds on what was happening there and what we needed to do the rest of the day,” Becker continued. “If we hadn’t noticed that fish, it may be a different story here today.”
The B&W Trailer Hitches team spent the second period running new water and locating a few new schools of bass before cycling through some of their prior sweet spots. The duo fished in roughly five different areas throughout the bay, all basically presenting the same characteristics – offshore milfoil grass beds in 7 to 8 feet of water with plenty of baitfish.
“We didn’t get off to the fastest of starts this morning,” said Becker. “It was just slow and steady, and I knew we just needed to survive that morning bite. Just keep the pace. The key for us today was fishing fresh water and hitting places we didn’t fish the first day we were on Presque Isle Bay.
“We found a fresh school of fish that looked like it hadn’t been touched by anyone this week and put some weight up in a hurry,” Becker continued. “We got that flurry and that really is what set us up for the day.”
Becker credits a two-pronged approach to his success at the Challenge Cup – flipping a tube and throwing a 3/8-ounce ChatterBait – but said the difference-maker was a small trailer attached to the back of the ChatterBait.
“The bass were feeding on real small baitfish, so putting that little 3-inch trailer on the back really allowed the bait to dance and dart very well and made it a little smaller profile for the fish to eat,” said Becker. “I threw that on 17-pound Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Line on a 7-foot, 5-inch medium-heavy rod.”
While Becker’s experience on the fishery gave the B&W Trailer Hitches team a distinct advantage, the duo agreed that the team as a whole made the right decisions at the right times throughout the day to get the job done.
“The right things ended up happening for us to win and it feels great,” said Shuffield. “To win the first buddy team tournament of the year – and the first two-man team ever – that’s something no one will ever be able to take away from us and something we’ll cherish forever.”
The duo will reunite to fish another General Tire Team Series event later this fall at the Summit Cup, November 17-22.
The top four teams at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota Knockout Round finished:
1st: Team B&W Trailer Hitches, 64 bass, 113-5
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 35 bass, 60-12
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 29 bass, 52-9
2nd: Team U.S. Air Force, 47 bass, 78-11
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 22 bass, 32-11
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, N.C., 25 bass, 46-0
3rd: Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 41 bass, 66-0
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 21 bass, 32-14
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 20 bass, 33-2
4th: Team Star Tron, 27 bass, 42-11
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 11 bass, 15-14
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 16 bass, 26-13
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 179 bass weighing 300 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the four teams during the Championship Round on Presque Isle Bay. Team U.S. Air Force pro Anthony Gagliardi caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 4 pounds, 3 ounces.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota was hosted by VisitErie and took place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day was top secret and was only revealed to the anglers after they arrived at the host hotel each morning.
The Challenge Cup featured 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Rounds featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams competed each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams competed in a one-day shootout to determine which team was the winner of the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota featured the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers caught as much weight as they could each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. With no practice and anglers only getting a few hours to break down brand-new water, the tournament featured anglers competing with a 1-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable.
The next General Tire Team Series event will take place Sept. 15-20 in Wisconsin – the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley – and is hosted by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Palmer Secures Day One Lead at Saginaw Bay
With 25 pounds, 4 ounces, Georgia pro Trent Palmer takes the Day One lead at stop number four of the NPFL season on Saginaw Bay. Building on his success over the past two seasons, including his 2023 victory, Palmer picked up right where he left off this morning as he eyes back-to-back wins.
“Today was special. I knew in practice what I wanted to do and pretty much ignored my areas from the past, figuring the fish would still be around there,” Palmer said. “One day, I sampled it quick and caught a big one, but overall, I found four or five more areas that I didn’t even touch today.”
Palmer, who owns and operates Sonar Pros in Georgia, remains confident in his plan, and with the weather forecasted to cooperate, he’s optimistic about continuing to target and catch quality bass over the next two days.
“I caught my weight—over 25 pounds—pretty quickly this morning, which allowed me to relax and do some more scouting,” he added. “I wasn’t fishing hard, but I did fish some throughout the day and ended up catching another 23.5 pounds or so of fish that wouldn’t help. I wandered around my area and tried to learn more about it.”
While more anglers are focusing on smallmouth, Palmer was able to fish away from the crowd on Day One. He’s working through a variety of depth ranges and feels that, despite some fish being caught shallow, the types of areas he’s targeting don’t really align with a specific depth.
“Where I am, I’m able to catch them at whatever depth, and it’s definitely more about the area than anything,” said Palmer. Today, I had my spot to myself today, and I’m not sure about the other spots as I didn’t have to move much. The wind the next few days looks fine; I’m not concerned. Today was the worst wind day, so I should be fine to get out there and fish—I’m looking forward to it.”
Kevin Martin
With a total of 23 pounds, 5 ounces, and a lunker 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth, Kevin Martin has positioned himself in the second-place spot on Day One at Saginaw Bay. After finishing 3rd in 2022 and 13th in 2023, Martin is off to a solid start as he aims for another strong performance in Bay City.
Martin has targeted both smallmouth and largemouth over the past couple of years at Saginaw Bay, but this time around, it was all about the brown ones. Out of all three days of practice, aside from two hours, he focused his efforts offshore.
“The first year (2022), I had a good finish with largemouth. Last year, I fished a bit of both, but knew in order to win, I would need to target smallmouth, so that’s what I did,” Martin said. “Going into this morning, I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I knew I was around some good fish.”
The Ohio angler admits he was fishing among some other anglers but slipped off throughout the day to a different area, where he managed to hook the big bass of the day, a 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth, by making a small bait adjustment.
“Overall, I have some different depth ranges I’m fishing, and the majority of my fish came from one, but the big fish was a little different,” he added. “I’m not getting a lot of bites, but like the others, I’m looking for them on FFS.”
Looking ahead to the final two days, Martin is optimistic about his chances but understands the bite will get tougher with added pressure, and hopes some of his other areas will pay off.
“I have some other spots, but I have one that’s really good, and I didn’t need to go there today,” he said. “I had a good bag, so there was no reason to burn fish. With the wind expected to blow south tomorrow, I know some spots may be blown out, but some won’t—I’ll be okay.”
Brock Bila sits in eighth place with a Day One weight of 20 pounds, 8 ounces, and is the highest-finishing NPFL Bass Cats Boats angler. With his 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth, Kevin Martin holds the big bass of the event, hosted by Bay City, Michigan.
Top Ten Anglers:
Trent Palmer 25-4
Kevin Martin 23-5
Gary Adkins 23-3
Jesse Wise 22-14
Zach Birge 22-11
Kyle Welcher 22-10
Jason Williamson 21-1
Brock Bila 20-8
Matt Looney 19-14
Drew Cook 19-9
Becker/Shuffield and Clausen/Hunter Advance at General Tire Team Series B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota
Friday’s Championship Round field set, Team B&W Trailer Hitches (Becker/Shuffield), Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff (Clausen/Hunter), Team Star Tron (Lane/Wall) and Team U.S. Air Force (Browning/Gagliardi) to compete for Challenge Cup
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 29, 2024) – It was a runaway second match of the Knockout Round on Chautauqua Lake, Thursday at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota. Two teams – the B&W Trailer Hitches duo of Matt Becker and Spencer Shuffield , and the Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches pair of Luke Clausen and John Hunter – had great days on the water, catching more than double the amount of fish that teams competing in the first Knockout Round match caught on Wednesday, while the Team Coign duo of Drew Gill and Matt Stefan struggled and never really found the quality of bass that they were looking for.
Although it was an anticlimactic finale to the Knockout Round, it was still an exciting day of fishing on the MLFNOW! live stream in the first event of the 2024 MLF General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops. Team B&W Trailer Hitches caught 44 bass weighing 99 pounds, 6 ounces to advance in the top spot, while Team Smokey Mountain weighed in 32 scorable bass totaling 74-11 to finish the round in second.
Chautauqua Lake was the big X-factor on the day, as the lake seemed to turn on Thursday after a tough day of fishing on Wednesday. The three teams boated 86 bass weighing 191-5 today – a stark contrast to the 36 bass weighing 70-9 caught on Wednesday.
“We wacked them today - that was such a fun day of fishing,” said Becker, who caught 17 bass for 35-14. “We got to go on a tour of Lake Chautauqua. We fished the north end, the south end and everywhere in between. We caught some on topwater, caught some under boat docks, caught some flipping – it was a hodge podge. Crackin’ 5-pound smallmouth on topwater… Man, what an awesome day.”
“Anytime you can catch smallmouth on topwater, it’s incredible. And we had an absolute blast today,” said Shuffield, who led the team with 27 bass weighing 63-8. “I didn’t expect to catch as many 3½- to 4-pounders, and I was really impressed with the caliber of fish here. I’d definitely take what we had today tomorrow and feel pretty good about it.”
Becker was one of the only anglers in the field with experience on Chautauqua Lake, and that experience paid off in a big way. The team did the majority of its damage fishing a single grass flat on the north end of the lake.
“We caught a lot of fish in the morning – nearly half of our weight came off of that one flat,” Shuffield said. “We caught three or four smallmouth over 4 pounds, and that got us off to a really good start.”
Shuffield’s topwater of choice was a Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil in sexy shad color, thrown on an Ark 7-foot, 3-inch medium-heavy Reinforcer rod with an Ark Gravity G8 7:1 gear ratio reel, spooled with 40-pound Yo-Zuri Super Braid line.
“I feel like the clouds really helped us out with the smallmouth in the morning,” Becker added.
“We’ve got some momentum rolling, and I like our chances heading into the Championship Round, tomorrow,” Becker went on to say. “I don’t know where we’re going – probably somewhere completely new – but we are excited and looking forward to hopefully breaking down a new fishery.
A 48-pound second period propelled the Team Smokey Mountain duo of Luke Clausen and John Hunter into the Championship Round. They caught a few scorable bass on a topwater bait and on bladed jigs, but most of their bass came on stick worms. Hunter threw a weedless Texas rig with no weight, while Clausen threw his worm on a wacky rig. At one point during the second period, they Power-Poled down and caught more than 30 pounds off of one area with their soft plastics.
The top two teams advancing from Knockout Round Match 2 to the Championship Round at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota are:
1st: Team B&W Trailer Hitches, 44 bass, 99-6
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 17 bass, 35-14
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 27 bass, 63-8
2nd: Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 32 bass, 74-11
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., seven bass, 34-1
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., four bass, 40-10
Eliminated from competition are:
3rd: Team Coign, 10 bass, 17-4
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., six bass, 11-11
Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., four bass, 5-9
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 86 bass weighing 191 pounds, 5 ounces caught by the three teams Thursday in Match 2 of the Knockout Round on Chautauqua Lake. In addition to the most weight and most fish caught, Shuffield also caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a chunky 4-pound, 15-ounce smallmouth that crushed a walking topwater bait in the first period.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is hosted by VisitErie and takes place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day is top secret and is only revealed to the anglers after they arrive at the host hotel each morning.
The final day Championship Round will take place Friday featuring Team B&W Trailer Hitches (Matt Becker/Spencer Shuffield), Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches (Luke Clausen/John Hunter), Team Star Tron (Bobby Lane/Jacob Wall) and Team U.S. Air Force (Stephen Browning/Anthony Gagliardi). Anglers will depart the host hotel in Erie at 4:30 a.m. ET on Friday. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 7:45 a.m.
The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW! is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
The Challenge Cup features 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams competed each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Lane/Wall and Browning/Gagliardi Move on to Championship Round at General Tire Team Series
Three teams compete at tough Chautauqua Lake in first match of Knockout Round, Team Star Tron (Lane/Wall) boats 15 scorable largemouth to advance in first place
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 28, 2024) – Professional anglers competing in the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops this week in Erie, Pennsylvania, were thrown a curve-ball Wednesday.
After the first three matches of the Elimination Round took place on Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, Wednesday featured a new venue for anglers competing in the first match of the Knockout Round at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota – Chautauqua Lake in Chautauqua County, New York. Three teams – Team REDCON1 (Cole Floyd/Andy Morgan), Team Star Tron (Bobby Lane/Jacob Wall), and Team U.S. Air Force (Stephen Browning/Anthony Gagliardi) took to the waters to compete, with only the top two teams advancing to Friday’s final-day Championship Round.
As time expired at the end of the third period and the final bass had been tallied, Team Star Tron showed that they will be a force to reckon with in Friday’s Championship Round. Pros Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, and Jacob Wall of New Hope, Alabama, caught 15 bass weighing 26 pounds, 14 ounces to lead the way in Match 1 of the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition. Also advancing to the Championship Round is the Team U.S. Air Force duo of Hot Springs, Arkansas’ Stephen Browning and Prosperity, South Carolina’s Anthony Gagliardi, who finished second with 11 bass weighing 23-12.
“It was a grinder of a day, but it was so much fun,” Wall said in his post-match interview. “It was a challenging fishery, and these are the type of days that really show who can put their head down and work the hardest. Confidence is so key on days like today, and I felt really good and confident all day. Bobby and I were vibing.”
“We’ve done it twice now. Yesterday (Tuesday) we had the lead for awhile and then lost it, and we had to fight just to get into the Knockout Round,” said Lane. “Then we had to scramble again today. The decisions we made as a team to come back today … wow.”
Team Star Tron used a two-pronged approach in the morning. They started on a shallow rocky shoal, with Lane throwing a topwater popper and a Berkley Choppo, while Wall threw various soft plastic worms. Lane caught four scorable keepers over the first two periods, then they made a move to a marina-style area with a lot of boat docks, lots of shade, surrounded with grass. They started skipping under boat docks, and Wall boated five keepers while Lane added another scorable to earn the win by a 3-pound, 2-ounce margin.
Wall ended up weighing the most bass and catching the most total weight of the day.
“The 5-inch stickbait was the key today,” Wall said. “It was green pumpkin (colored). Nothing fancy by any means, but the weedless hook that I was throwing really helped me keep away from hanging up on those docks and those cables. I used 10-pound fluorocarbon, and we had a few mishaps - we broke some fish off. There were a lot of mussels around the docks. But I was able to pull most of them out of there with my Wheeler Select Series Duckett rod.”
“In the third, Jacob just put it on ‘em, and it was unbelievable,” Lane added. “With the pressure from SCORETRACKER® and this format, to beat those guys today and the guys we beat yesterday, this has just been an incredible week. We’re ready to go again for the Championship Round on Friday.”
Also advancing to the Championship Round via third period rally was Team U.S. Air Force. After boating only two scorable bass as a team through the first two periods of competition, Browning and Gagliardi caught fire in the third period, adding nine scorable bass weighing 21-7 to advance in the second spot.
The duo targeted the outside edge of grass lines in 8 to 10 feet on the extreme north end of the lake. They used finesse tactics and found a wad of fish in the third period – catching bass every 3 to 4 casts at one point – that they stayed on for the remainder of the day.
The top two teams now advancing to the Championship Round at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota are:
1st: Team Star Tron, 15 bass, 26-14
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., seven bass, 10-9
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., eight bass, 16-5
2nd: Team U.S. Air Force, 11 bass, 23-12
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., seven bass, 13-11
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., four bass, 10-1
Eliminated from competition are:
3rd: Team REDCON1, 10 bass, 19-15
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, two bass, 3-12
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., eight bass, 16-3
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 36 bass weighing 70 pounds, 9 ounces caught by the three teams Wednesday during the first match of the Knockout Round on Chautauqua Lake. Team U.S. Air Force pro Anthony Gagliardi caught a 3-pound, 7-ounce largemouth in Period 3 that was the Berkley Big Bass of the day.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is hosted by VisitErie and takes place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers after they arrive at the host hotel each morning.
The second match of the Knockout Round will take place Thursday, featuring Team B&W Trailer Hitches (Matt Becker/Spencer Shuffield), Team Coign (Drew Gill/Matt Stefan), and Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches (Luke Clausen/John Hunter). Anglers depart the host hotel in Erie each morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 7:45 a.m.
The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW! is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
The Challenge Cup features 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Round matches will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams will compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Clausen/Hunter and Lane/Wall Advance after Elimination Round Match 3 at General Tire Team Series
Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches (Clausen/Hunter) catches 36 largemouth weighing 62 pounds, 1 ounce to pace field, winning teams head to Knockout Round on Wednesday and Thursday
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 27, 2024) – The third group of two-man teams took to the water Tuesday on Erie’s Presque Isle Bay for the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Similar to the two days prior at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota, most of the teams started out Tuesday morning along the Erie waterfront, fishing the riprap banks and targeting seawalls with grass blown up around them. However, after two days of fierce competition, the fish in those areas had been depleted, making for a tough bite and forcing anglers to move around to try to find fish.
The match was the tightest of the event so far, with several teams battling for the top spot throughout the day and nearly every team in close contention to make the cut to the Knockout Round.
But it was Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, made up of pros Luke Clausen of Spokane, Washington, and John Hunter of Shelbyville, Kentucky , who finished atop the leaderboard when the time ran out, catching 36 largemouth bass weighing 62 pounds, 1 ounce, to earn the win after the Elimination Round Match 3. Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches will now advance to the Knockout Round, along with the second-place finishing Team Star Tron – pros Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, and Jacob Wall of New Hope, Alabama – who caught 35 bass weighing 57-6 to finish the day in second.
The top six teams from the last three Elimination Round matches now advance to the Knockout Rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. Team Star Tron (Bobby Lane/Jacob Wall) will join Team REDCON1 (Cole Floyd/Andy Morgan) and Team U.S. Air Force (Stephen Browning/Anthony Gagliardi) in the Knockout Round on Wednesday, while Team Smokey Mountain (Luke Clausen/John Hunter) will join Team Coign (Drew Gill/Matthew Stefan) and Team B&W Trailer Hitches (Matt Becker/Spencer Shuffield) in the Knockout Round on Thursday.
After the Knockout Rounds are complete, the top four teams from the two days of competition will advance to Friday’s Championship Round.
The Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches team started the morning on the Erie waterfront, pitching bait around some of the seawalls, break walls and riprap shorelines. They caught a few fish early on, but really keyed in on the bite after Hunter threw a vibrating jig in the offshore grass beds. They dialed that in the rest of the day, catching most of their fish on vibrating jigs, and a few on stick worms.
“That was fun, especially there at the end,” said Clausen. “It started off rocky though. We figured some stuff out through the day that just made the whole day line out right. If we’d missed a key bite here or there, it could have gone downhill quick.
“We fished there this morning and caught a couple, but left because the other teams were catching quite a few and we thought we could find something better,” Clausen continued. “We scrambled around thinking we were going to find glory and ironically we just ran away from a really good place, we just didn’t know it this morning.”
The duo rose to the top of the leaderboard at the end of the second period and held onto the top spot for most of the afternoon.
“I’m pretty proud of how we figured them out today, just settling in on these clumps of milfoil grass with little openings in them,” said Clausen. “We were able to identify that there were multiple fish – pretty much every time we caught one we could pick up a piece of plastic and throw it and catch another one.”
Hunter said the main focus today was trying to manage the little sweet spots that they found.
“Every time we circled back to one of those spots, we’d get another bite or two, but you don’t want to go back to them too quick,” said Hunter. “So, we basically just went through the spots, then worked the outside edge of them, trying to find a new spot or two, then came back through once they’ve had some time to rest.”
Clausen said the Z-Man Tungsten ChatterBait Elite Evo accounted for a lot of their fish.
“I scored 23 bass and probably 20 of them were caught on that bait,” said Clausen. “It falls quick, coming out of this grass, and it reacts quicker, so you get a lot more movement out of your bait.”
Clausen said he threw the ChatterBait on a Phenix M1 7-foot, 4-inch medium-heavy rod with a 7.3:1 gear ratio.
“The ChatterBait was definitely the star of the day,” said Clausen. “We probably both could have guessed that before we got out here this morning, but we had a ton of rods on the deck and pretty much tried them all in the first period. That didn’t go very well. The ‘keep it simple strategy’ is pretty dang good for fishing.
“We’d basically stop getting bites every time we’d put the ChatterBait down,” Hunter said, laughing. “We’re excited to move on to the Knockout Round in a couple days. Not sure where we’re going, but I’m hoping for some smallmouth. The largemouth are fun, but I’m ready for some brown fish.”
Team Star Tron pros Bobby Lane and Jacob Wall finished the day in second place despite a hard-charge from Team Kubota (Connell/Wheeler) that threatened to knock them out in the last few minutes of the competition day.
“As a team, we spent the day fishing our high percentage areas,” said Lane. “We fished all over today, and just tried to stay where the fish were biting, and fish slower. When we were around the fish, we just tried to mix it up – flipping, throwing a dropshot rig, spinnerbait, crankbait, bladed jig – you name it, we were doing it today.”
Lane said the duo had found four areas as they moved through the day, and just agreed that they would keep hitting those areas.
“All day long we got bit when we made moves, changed baits, and everything just felt very fluid today,” said Wall. “I felt like we made good, fluid decisions.
Lane said the changing conditions throughout the day dictated a lot of those decisions.
“It started off a little windy and cloudy, but then it got slick calm, and hot,” Lane said. “Once that happened, we went back through and dropped a big weight on some of these mats where the shade is on the walls. We weren’t just throwing at the walls, we were throwing out to the little corner of the walls, where the shade was, and that really paid off for us.
“We had such a fun day,” Lane continued. “We’d never been in the boat together, but Jacob and I worked so well together. We can't wait to get back out on the water for the Knockout Round.”
The results from the Elimination Round Match 3 at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota are:
1st: Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 36 bass, 62-1
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 23 bass, 38-8
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 13 bass, 23-9
2nd: Team Star Tron, 35 bass, 57-6
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 23 bass, 37-9
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 12 bass, 19-13
3rd: Team Kubota, 28 bass, 51-14
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 14 bass, 29-5
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 14 bass, 22-9
4th: Team Knighten, 32 bass, 50-2
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 16 bass, 27-10
Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 16 bass, 22-8
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 131 bass weighing 221 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the four teams during the Elimination Round Match 3 on Presque Isle Bay. Team Kubota pro Dustin Connell caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 4 pounds, 15 ounces.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is hosted by VisitErie and takes place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers after they arrive at the host hotel each morning.
Anglers depart the host hotel in Erie at 4:30 a.m. ET each morning and are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 7:45 a.m.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
The Challenge Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Rounds will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams will compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Travel Tuesday - The VIP Treatment in Panama
By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
On our trips to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, we’ve purchased a package deal that includes “VIP” treatment. Specifically, it offers expedited passage through customs (with a Panamanian rep who just about “holds your hand” through the process), drinks in a private lounge while you wait for your luggage, and transportation to and from the hotel in Panama City. Everything they can control runs like a Swiss watch, with no hiccups.
Many of you reading this who are experienced international travelers might not think you need those bonus touches added to your trip. You’d rather scale things down, do it yourself, and potentially save a few bucks. If you’re intrepid, enterprising and tolerant of slight inconveniences, that might work most of the time, but what happens when there’s a royal screwup that’s beyond your control?
- What happens when you arrive in a country where you don’t know the language and your expected ride isn’t waiting for you?
- What happens when your luggage doesn’t show and you need to get on a float plane the next morning?
- What happens if there’s a snafu at immigration and your passport or COVID test are questioned?
That’s when you need an in-country “fixer.” As we found out on one trip to Panama, when unexpected shit goes down they’re worth their weight in gold. Specifically, we were scheduled to fly out of David to Panama City on Copa Airlines at 9:41am on November 12th. 
That would put us at Panama’s Tocumen Airport with plenty of time to catch all of our mid-afternoon flights back to the US on various airlines. Unfortunately, Copa ran into some mechanical problems and the flight was delayed for nearly six hours. That left Hanna and I enough time to catch our 6:30 Copa flight back to Washington-Dulles. It seemingly left our fellow travelers, going on American and Delta, out of luck.
To Copa’s credit, they arranged hotel rooms for the guests who would miss their flights, and provided lunch for all of us (the eating options in David’s Enrique Malek International Airport were limited to one small coffee stand that day), but that couldn’t get them on flights to the US.
That’s when SFPIL’s on-call travel agent sprung into action. Hanna reached out to our contact Luz via WhatsApp and without missing a beat she started taking care of things – specifically rescheduling flight itineraries. When we arrived at the in-country luggage claim in Panama City, Luz had two representatives waiting there for us. One grabbed me and Hanna and our luggage and got us checked in on our Copa flight, to the lounge for a quick sandwich and drink (and to catch our breath), and then through expedited security to our gate.
The other rep took our less fortunate group members to deal with their rescheduled trips. She got Derek Geddings, flying on American to Miami (he had already planned to overnight in Miami) on a later Copa flight to Miami, which meant he’d be home at the appointed time. As for the other four, all flying on Delta through Atlanta and onto various points around the country, she got them on the same flight the next day. It might’ve been a slight hassle, and a little bit of extra expense to pay for meals in the city, but it’s something that might’ve cost much more in terms of cash and aggravation if they’d had to do it on their own.
Lesson learned – while it may be tempting and possible to DIY every aspect of an exotic trip, the more help you have, and the better your support system, the less likely you are to suffer a complete catastrophe.
- It’s why we will continue to utilize SFPIL’s VIP package;
- It’s why we travel with Anglers Inn International, where they monitor your flights for delays and pick you up (at no extra charge) no matter what hour you arrive or the size of the group;
- It’s why we fish with Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala, where they have their own boatyard and mechanic to make sure all equipment is in perfect working order;
- It’s why we treasured the expertise of Steve Yatomi in Africa, where his team got us through four separate customs locations in a single day; and
- It’s why we strongly support the use of no-fee-added fishing travel specialists, whether that be us or another professional outfit.
It pays to engage a true expert if you want to minimize the hassles, speed bumps and road blocks that invariably ensue if you travel enough. As a side note, it pays to travel with friends who don’t get overly stressed and understand that the mark of a good traveler is not necessarily avoidance of problems, but rather how you deal with the ones that arise. We had an amazing group of friends on this trip.
Email us if you’d like some more info on taking a VIP trip to Panama.
Pipkens Knows Positivity… But Forgot Who His Mechanic Is
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Everyone in this world has special talents. Some folks are great mathematicians, authors, engineers or something of the sort. If you’re reading this, you’re really good at something. Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens has been blessed with the knowledge and talent of catching smallmouth bass. Everyone in the fishing world knows he is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to capturing these creatures and historically, he’s done well when Bassmaster Elite or Open events land on a smallmouth fishery.
While he’s coming off a disappointing finish to the 2024 Elite Series season at the St. Lawrence River, you wouldn’t know it. Pipkens is a consummate pro and understands and accepts the ups and downs of this difficult sport.
“Just like any other profession, you can’t let work affect your life,” Pipkens said. “I have two beautiful kids and a wife so when I get home, I don’t have time to dwell on a bad tournament. My kids want to play and see me happy and I’m truly as happy as I’ve ever been. In situations like this, people see who you really are. I’m still going strong and I’m going to enjoy life and be my optimistic self.”
In the world of tournament bass fishing, you’re going to lose a lot more than you win; that’s a fact that all professional anglers must accept before taking the proverbial plunge. But when it comes to these smallmouth tournaments, Pipkens believes in his ability to locate and catch quality fish. “It’s what I grew up doing and it fits my personality. I’ve struggled before when I have to sit and really make them bite. I’m more of a move-and-groove type guy; if they’re there, they’ll bite. I grew up on Lake Eerie fishing lots of rocks, boulder and gravel for big smallies and I know what looks ‘right’ to make an area a prime smallmouth habitat.”
When asked about the challenging schedule and nature of the Bassmaster Elite Series, he spoke on the long drives and being away from his family. Not only is he a believer in his smallmouth-fishing abilities; he’s also a big-time believer in his Toyota Tundra that gets him from coast to coast throughout the country.
“I have a good many miles on my Tundra,” Pipkens said. “I think I’m around 92,000 and I average around 30,000 miles per year. I have another Tundra at home for my other business that has 180,000 miles on it. Man, I’m being totally honest here. I don’t know my mechanic anymore. I had other tow vehicles before and they were always in the shop. I was on a first-name basis with my local mechanic. I have done absolutely nothing but change the tires and oil on both of my Tundras. “My family and I have been so impressed that we bought my wife a Highlander that now has about 80,000 miles. Again, no problems at all. Routine maintenance is all it takes with these vehicles. It’s a great peace of mind.”
As he pointed his Tundra towards home after his twelfth season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, he reflected on some important life and career lessons he has learned this year. Above everything, he focused on attitude.
“Attitude is everything,” Pipkens said. “Never let anyone tell you different. I take this very seriously but I have a great family at home. That’s always what matters most. I can’t wait to get started at the Bassmaster Open on Leech Lake and then onto the Mississippi River.”
Through the bug-covered windshield of his Tundra and throughout all the miles and long nights away from home, Pipkens positivity and enthusiasm is inspiring. Combining his unique and refreshing sense of positivity, his uncanny knowledge of the tricky smallmouth bass and his confidence in his equipment, Pipkens is riding on good vibes going into the final Bassmaster Open events of his 2024 season.
Browning/Gagliardi and Becker/Shuffield Advance after Day 2 Elimination Round at General Tire Team Series
Four new teams compete in Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, Team U.S. Air Force (Browning/Gagliardi) catches 76 largemouth weighing 110 pounds, 11 ounces to finish atop the leaderboard
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 26, 2024) – Although anglers had to contend with rainy, overcast conditions for the first half of the competition day, even water from the sky couldn’t dampen the second day of competition at the season-opening event of the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Teams took off and began their 30 minute ride-around under sunny conditions, with no rain in the forecast. However, a storm rolled in right after takeoff, lingering over the fishery most of the morning as four new teams launched at Erie’s Presque Isle Bay for the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
Team U.S. Air Force, made up of pros Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina, quickly rose to the top of the leaderboard Monday, catching 76 largemouth bass weighing 110 pounds, 11 ounces, to earn the win after the Day 2 Elimination Round. The duo will now advance to the Knockout Round along with second-place finishing Team B&W Trailer Hitches – pros Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, and Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas – who caught 50 bass weighing 88 pounds even to finish in second.
The entire field spent the day trying to duplicate what Team U.S. Air Force accomplished in the opening period alone. With only 23 scorable bass caught by the entire field during the opening period on the first day of competition, Team U.S. Air Force blew that out of the water, catching 27 scorable bass weighing 40 pounds, 6 ounces, in the opening period on Monday, often weighing them in two at a time throughout the day.
Although Browning and Gagliardi each caught more than 20 pounds in the first period, the duo said they fished a quarter of a mile after Lines In before catching their first fish.
“We had a few bites, and caught one scorable bass, but we were still looking for them” said Browning. “Then we got to an area and caught two back-to-back, so we settled in there. We started off throwing the little Z-Man Chatterbait MiniMax. We had some clouds, some rain and a little bit of wind this morning, and that bait really showed out in those conditions. We pretty much just let the ChatterBait and the weather conditions dictate the first period.
“I think with the clouds and everything this morning, the fish were probably a little bit more active on moving baits,” Browning continued. “We were able to catch quite a few during the rain, and that got us clued in on an area, which was really key for us.”
Gagliardi said when they caught the third bass in the same spot, he knew they were on to something.
“I knew if they were biting that ChatterBait, they’d bite a worm,” said Gagliardi. “So I picked up a worm and started throwing it, hoping I could get bites on the worm while Browning was throwing the ChatterBait, and we’d have two different things going on.”
And it worked, for a bit. As the day went on, the ChatterBait bite died out, so Browning ditched the moving bait and picked up a worm as well.
“We threw that worm every which way – wacky worm, put it on a jighead, shaky style – it really didn’t matter how we rigged it, it was just a matter of getting it around them today,” said Browning. “There are a couple thousand acres out there to try to cover, and thankfully we guessed right in the beginning and got in an area that we felt like might have some water moving through it.”
That area was a big grass mat in about 8 to 12 foot of water, right in the middle of Presque Isle Bay.
“What we found was a giant grass clump, but the water’s deep on either side of it,” Browning said. “It’s got some cover and a little bit of current – evidently it has a ton of bait – and if you can get all three of those in one area, that’s a good indicator that there’s going to be some good fish there.”
And there were. Around 60 scorable largemouth, to be exact.
“We were really just fishing slow around the edges of a big grass mat, not really covering much water,” said Gagliardi. “But it seemed like every 50 to 100 yards, we’d run into another fresh group of fish and get some bites. Those fresh fish helped us maintain the lead that we had over second all day long.”
It's no secret there’s a lot of grass in Presque Isle Bay, and although there have been fish caught in eel grass over the past two days, the teams that are punching their ticket to the next round seem to have dialed in on the big schools of largemouth camped out in the milfoil.
“The trick for us was to just keep the bait clean,” said Browning. “There’s a lot of milfoil and eel grass in here, so whatever we could throw in this dense grass, and keep it clean, seemed to be the deal. The grass is really the ticket out there right now.
“The rock walls with grass lines are definitely holding some bass, but they must have been hit hard yesterday. Out on these big, expansive areas of grass, there’s a lot of real estate – not only for the bass, but for the bluegill and gobies and other baitfish that these bass are feeding on.”
The U.S. Air force team said they spent the day fishing along those grass lines until they caught one, then hunkered down in that area and waited for more.
“That was the key,” Browning said. “They really came in flurries throughout the day, so once you caught one, you could almost count on catching at least three or four more with it. Sometimes we’d catch seven or eight with it. I found a few with the [Lowrance] Active Target, but the majority of the ones we caught were pretty much just from casting blind.
“The fish seemed like they were high in the water column and aggressive this morning, but once the sun poked out later on in the day, the brighter conditions moved them down to the bottom and that’s where the worm really shone,” Browning continued. “It was just kind of a one-two punch and it worked out for us.”
Team B&W Trailer Hitches pros Matt Becker and Spencer Shuffield settled into the second place spot early Monday morning and were able to maintain that position throughout the competition day. Becker is no stranger to Lake Erie – he grew up fishing on the famed bass factory and is one of the only anglers with extensive experience on the fishery. That experience paid off for him and his teammate.
“We had a lot of bites, a lot of catches and only lost one fish each, so we can’t complain,” said Becker. “We’re moving on to the Knockout Round, so it will be a new day, with possibly a new body of water, and we’re ready.”
Becker spent most of the day pitching a tube around the rock walls and grass, while Shuffield threw a vibrating jig.
“Man, today was fun,” said Shuffield. “Jacking on them with a big line, flipping a tube, flipping a jig, throwing a ChatterBait. We even caught a couple on a dropshot rig. It was a great day of fishing and we’re really looking forward to the Knockout Round.”
The results from the Day 2 Elimination Round at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota are:
1st: Team U.S. Air Force, 76 bass, 110-11
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 40 bass, 60-3
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, N.C., 36 bass, 50-8
2nd: Team B&W Trailer Hitches, 50 bass, 88-0
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 27 bass, 48-10
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 23 bass, 39-6
3rd: Team Builders FirstSource, 38 bass, 58-1
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 21 bass, 30-4
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 17 bass, 27-13
4th: Team 7 Brew Coffee, 27 bass, 42-6
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 12 bass, 18-10
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 15 bass, 23-12
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 191 bass weighing 299 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the four teams during the Day 2 Elimination Round on Presque Isle Bay. Team B&W Trailer Hitches pro Matt Becker caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 3 pounds, 11 ounces.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is hosted by VisitErie and takes place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers after they arrive at the host hotel each morning.
Anglers depart the host hotel in Erie each morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 7:45 a.m.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
The Challenge Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Rounds will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams will compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
University of Alabama Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on St. Lawrence River Presented by Simms
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 26, 2024) – The University of Alabama duo of Cooper Gilroy of Middlebury, Connecticut, and Hayden O’Barr of Scottsboro, Alabama, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the St. Lawrence River Presented by Simms Sunday with a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned the Crimson Tide bass club qualification into the 2025 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
“We made a real long run, about a 140-mile round trip, just looking for suspended bass over schools of bait,” said O’Barr.
The run took the anglers to an area not far from Lake Ontario.
“We were looking for shoals that top out around 30 and drop off into real deep water on the river channel,” O’Barr added. “Sometimes they were big bait balls, but mostly smaller bait balls and real big schools of bass. Our first school was maybe over 300 fish. A lot of them were small. We only got one big one off that spot. Then we ran down to our next shoal that was also suspended bass and caught the rest of our weight and a 6-pound smallmouth, all using a jighead minnow.”
The Crimson Tide anglers caught all their fish using forward-facing sonar and a Deps Sakamata Shad. And it all went down pretty quickly. In the first hour alone, they caught a little over 50 keepers then reversed course to ensure they had plenty of time to get back to weigh-in and they could keep their fish alive.
“It was crazy,” O’Barr said. “It was an unreal day.”
For Gilroy, a junior business major, and O’Barr, a recent graduate who’s going to be guiding on Lake Guntersville while pursuing a professional tournament fishing career, catching fish on the St. Lawrence was not the biggest challenge. The fish were “very cooperative.” This win was all about strategy and execution.
“(The key was) just keeping a positive mental attitude and knowing that, you know, if we do our job in practice, that it’ll happen tournament day,” O’Barr said. “It’s unreal. I mean, we had a really rough year this year. A lot of stuff went wrong for us – a bunch of boat troubles – but we finally pulled one off.”
The top four teams that qualified to compete at the 2025 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: University of Alabama – Cooper Gilroy, Middlebury, Conn., and Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., five bass, 25-1
2nd: Mansfield University – Myken Barnes, Williamsport, Pa., and Beaux Rohrbaugh, Mansfield, Pa., five bass, 21-15
3rd: Lamar State College – Orange – Holden Hatcher and JD Sewell, both of Beaumont, Texas, five bass, 21-10
4th: University of Vermont – Colin Griesser and Hunter Whitman, both of Shelburne, Vt., five bass, 20-3
Rounding out the top 10 are:
5th: Clarkson University – Tyler Combes, Martville, N.Y., and James Gillis, Milford, N.H., five bass, 19-6
6th: Northwestern State University – Ross Miller, Rayne, La., and Cole Pickett, Robeline, La., five bass, 19-1
7th: University of Georgia – Marcus Prince, Athens, Ga., and Samuel Shoemaker, Oakwood, Ga., 18-9
8th: Paul Smith’s College – Brenden Lucia, Jefferson, Mass., and Collin Trapiss, Macedon, N.Y., 18-4
9th: Clarkson University – Carter Jackson, Hogansburg, N.Y., and Aleksander Smietana, Chenango Forks, N.Y., five bass, 18-1
10th: Lawrence Technological University – Teh Cornelius, Battle Creek, Mich., and William Finn, Ypsilanti, Mich., five bass, 17-14
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the St. Lawrence River Presented by Simms was hosted by the Town of Massena. The next tournament for MLF College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sept. 27 in Brookeland, Texas.
The 2024 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI season 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 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship. The 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship will take place on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama, April 9-11, and is hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Buchanan’s Lawrence Wins at Home at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes
Eric Law, of Primm Springs, Tenn., Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
BUCHANAN, Tenn. (Aug. 26, 2024) – Boater Jake Lawrence of Buchanan, Tennessee, weighed a two-day total of six fish for 27 pounds, 3 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Super Tournament on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes , which wrapped up on Sunday. Boaters competing in the tournament were limited to three bass per day due to the summer heat. Hosted by the Henry County Tourism Authority, the tournament was the fifth and final regular-season event for the BFL LBL Division. Lawrence earned $12,517, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
It’s been one heck of a run for Lawrence. In the last two seasons, he’s won two Toyota Series tournaments on the Kentucky-Barkley system, he’s won three BFL Super Tournaments – including two in a row in the LBL Division – and he won the Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Lake Eufaula back in May. He also finished second in the AOY race in his first season fishing the Invitationals and is currently in first in the Toyota Series Plains Division AOY standings, with a first- and second-place finish on the season. Lawrence is an absolute powerhouse on the western reservoirs of the Tennessee River and is expanding his game around the country.
So, it comes as no surprise to see him atop the standings in a stacked LBL Division Super Tournament field. For Lawrence, however, the approach needed to win on Kentucky-Barkley this time was a bit non-typical. For starters, he was able to stay close to the launch in Paris, Tennessee.
“It just seems like every tournament, I always seem to find them on the total opposite end of the lake,” he said. “It was really nice (this time). I think I only burned about 25 gallons of gas in two days, which I never do that.”
The other change is that Lawrence wasn’t as dialed as he likes to be in late summer. This is a tough time of year anywhere in the Mid-South region, but he’s usually able to use practice to pattern a depth and a couple presentations to do well in end-of-season tournaments. This event had the bass roaming and at multiple depths, so it was all about adapting and figuring things out during competition hours.
“Things were changing it seemed like every day in practice,” he said. “I fished Wednesday, Thursday and half a day on Friday, and it seemed like every day the fish were in different places and they would act different as far as the baits they’d react to. It was kind of a unique deal. We just put the boat in and went fishing and made it happen.”
Lawrence began each morning throwing a topwater lure, using Garmin LiveScope to scan shallow bars for carp so he could avoid areas where they were congregating. On day one, the topwater put about 12 pounds in the livewell. On day two, it wasn’t nearly as productive, landing just one 3-pounder.
The rest of each day, he went hunting bass with LiveScope and mixed it up with a variety of lures, including a 5-inch Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and a prototype spinnerbait from Buckeye Lures. The spinnerbait wound up being his primary bait on Sunday, and even though he dialed in on that lure, the fish didn’t come easy. He had to make constant adjustments.
“It was primarily shallow bars,” Lawrence added. “If you could find some brush, it was good. But honestly, I found a ton of fish just kind of roaming around on the bars, which is kind of unique. We don’t do a tremendous amount of that here.”
The best areas were mostly on the main lake and ranged from 3 to 10 feet deep. Avoiding carp and relocating roaming bass throughout the day were the biggest challenges. Lawrence said he looked at 75 to 100 spots during the tournament. Once he had a decent limit in the boat, he’d head for the drops in the mouth of the Big Sandy. He said this area is renowned for being home to big largemouths, so he went there to upgrade.
“I was going literally as fast as I can go,” said Lawrence, who landed a 6-pounder on Sunday to seal the win. “It’s a numbers game. Again, you don’t know where the next one’s going to come. So, it was really, really important to keep the trolling motor on 10 and roll around the lake.”
Reflecting on his recent success, Lawrence was proud of the support he’s received from Phoenix Boats. Just this season, he’s won more than $78,000 in Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus money. That’s money that he and his wife put toward a down payment on a new home.
There’s nowhere else that you can get that,” he said. “I just can’t imagine any other opportunity like that. I certainly cannot thank Phoenix enough for what they’re doing and how aggressive they are with their tournament fishermen. And why not? They make the greatest tournament boat on Earth, and the company is full of the greatest people on Earth.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jake Lawrence, Buchanan, Tenn., six fish, 27-3, $12,517 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Edward Gettys, Dover, Tenn., six fish, 24-0, $2,759
3rd: Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., six fish, 22-12, $2,559
4th: Eli Lubbehusen, Huntingburg, Ind., six fish, 21-8, $1,287
5th: David Hames, Trezevant, Tenn., six fish, 20-10, $1,103
6th: Harlan Thomas, Paducah, Ky., six fish, 19-12, $1,012
7th: Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill., six fish, 19-11, $920
8th: Ryan Kirkpatrick, Benton, Ky., six fish, 19-11, $828
9th: Curt McGuire, Buchanan, Tenn., six fish, 19-7, $736
10th: Keith Claridge, Oakland City, Ind., six fish, 19-6, $644
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Harbor Lovin of New Concord, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $720.
Eric Law of Primm Springs, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,759 Sunday, after bringing a two-day total of five bass to the scale for 15 pounds, 15 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Eric Law, Primm Springs, Tenn., five bass, 15-15, $2,759
2nd: Ed Daniell, West Frankfort, Ill., five bass, 15-10, $1,529
3rd: Ethan Wheeler, Water Valley, Ky., five bass, 13-15, $1,019
4th: Gabe Montgomery, Jackson, Mo., four bass, 13-8, $644
5th: Zach Falder, Sedalia, Ky., five bass, 13-6, $552
6th: Brant Gish, Evansville, Ind., five bass, 12-12, $506
7th: Hunter Holguin, Knoxville, Tenn., four bass, 11-8, $460
8th: Daniel Nolen, Lexington, Tenn., four bass, 11-0, $414
9th: Cory York, Benton, Ky., three bass, 10-12, $368
10th: Adam Lucas, Cape Girardeau, Mo., four bass, 10-6, $322
Danny Robinson of Fairland, Indiana, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $360, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds even – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
At the conclusion of the event, Levi Kohl of Edinburg, Illinois, was crowned 2024 Fishing Clash LBL Division Angler of the Year (AOY) after finishing the season with 1,319 points and earned the $1,000 prize. John Lovin of Fayetteville, Ohio, won the Fishing Clash LBL Division Co-angler of the Year title with 1,312 points to earn the $500 award.
Up next for LBL Division anglers, 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 compete in the Oct. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Indiana’s Arnett Gets His First Win at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Detroit River Presented by Suzuki Marine
Kalen, of Mooresville, Ind., Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
TRENTON, Mich. (Aug. 26, 2024) – Boater Jerry Arnett of Mexico, Indiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Detroit River Presented by Suzuki Marine. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Michigan Division. Arnett earned $3,514 for his victory.
In most Detroit River tournaments, anglers have options of staying in the river, running to Lake St. Clair or running to Lake Erie. Typically, the lakes dominate the top of the standings.
That didn’t matter to Arnett. He stayed in the river the whole time and fished the way he likes to fish.
“I was fishing a jig, and I had to be moving the bait as slow as possible,” he said. “It’s just my cup of tea of fishing. I’m an old river rat, I guess. I just love fishing the river stuff better.”
In the river, he was able to target smallmouth bass on smaller rocky current breaks, rather than searching them out across vast flats in the lakes. His best areas were close to deep water, near the main river channel.
“They’re just like isolated areas,” he said. “It seems like where the fish congregate.”
Arnett started on his best spot in the morning and caught a limit. Once the fish quit biting there, he hit two other spots before circling back to the starting area and making a couple of crucial culls.
His jig was a simple 1/2-ounce green-pumpkin brush jig matched with various Zoom and beaver-style trailers. Casting a jig is old-school smallmouth fishing, which fits just right for Arnett.
“That’s my favorite way of fishing,” he said.
After 66 BFL tournaments, this is Arnett’s first win. And in every way, he’s the definition of a BFL weekend warrior. Arnett, 68, has been grinding it out in BFL events on a regular basis since 2011, all while managing the paving company he’s owned for 48 years. It’s a business that has him “still out there on the job every day working.”
Of course, this workweek will be a little different. That’s because when the pavers start rolling, they’ll be under the direction of a BFL champ.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jerry Arnett, Mexico, Ind., five bass, 22-10, $3,514
2nd: Hunter Colwell, Sidney, Ohio, five bass, 21-9, $2,257 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd: Jonathon Dewey, Fort Gratiot, Mich., five bass, 21-2, $1,172
4th: Clayton Reitz, Morton, Ill., five bass, 19-6, $820
5th: Brett Haake, Shorewood, Ill., five bass, 19-1, $673
5th: Nolan Mandel, Harrison Township, Mich., five bass, 19-1, $673
7th: Brandon Cottrell, Germantown, Ohio, five bass, 19-0, $586
8th: Matthew Davis, Morenci, Mich., five bass, 18-14, $527
9th: Ryan Kwiecinski, Oak Forest, Ill., five bass, 18-11, $469
10th: Jeremy Reese, Powell, Ohio, five bass, 18-10, $410
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Matt Nashadka of Massillon, Ohio, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $450.
Bryan Kalen of Mooresville, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,995 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that also totaled 22 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 11 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Bryan Kalen, Mooresville, Ind., five bass, 22-10, $1,995
2nd: Tommy Bayer, Cincinnati, Ohio, five bass, 17-13, $886
3rd: Robert Miller, Litchfield, Mich., five bass, 17-4, $591
4th: John Wall, Western Springs, Ill., five bass, 16-14, $414
5th: Scott Davis, Morenci, Mich., five bass, 16-12, $355
6th: Terry Bucciarelli, Ypsilanti, Mich., five bass, 16-8, $575
7th: Greg Shaughnessy, Miami, Fla., five bass, 16-7, $295
8th: Jason Cook, Edwardsburg, Mich., five bass, 15-12, $266
9th: Josh Morrison, Whitehouse, Ohio, five bass, 15-11, $236
10th: Freddy Adkins, East Bernstadt, Ky., five bass, 15-5, $196
10th: Daniel Dumais, Trenton, Mich., five bass, 15-5, $196
Kalen also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $222, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After four events, Nolan Mandel of Harrison Township, Michigan, leads the Fishing Clash Michigan Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 989 points, while Scott Davis of Morenci, Michigan, leads the Fishing Clash Michigan Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 981 points.
The next event for BFL Michigan Division anglers will be held Sept. 21-22, at the Detroit River in Trenton, Michigan. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
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. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Pools 13-17 of the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Floyd/Morgan and Gill/Stefan Advance after Day 1 Elimination Round at General Tire Team Series B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota
Four teams compete in Erie’s Presque Isle Bay, Team REDCON1 (Floyd/Morgan) catches 34 largemouth weighing 49 pounds, 6 ounces to pace field
ERIE, Pa. (Aug. 25, 2024) – It was an exciting first day of competition on Erie’s Presque Isle Bay for both the anglers competing on the water and the fans watching a professional fishing team event live for the first time ever at the season-opening event for the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops.
When Erie, Pennsylvania, was announced to the anglers as the host destination for the first event of the year, many expected smallmouth bass to be a prominent factor throughout the tournament. If Sunday’s first day of competition at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is any indicator, the largemouth are going to reign supreme this week.
Team REDCON1, made up of pros Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee, and Cole Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, led the way, Sunday, catching 34 largemouth bass weighing 49 pounds, 6 ounces, to earn the win after the Day 1 Elimination Round. For the win, Team REDCON1 will now advance to the Elimination Round, along with second-place finishing Team Coign – pros Matthew Stefan of Junction City, Wisconsin, and Drew Gill of Mount Carmel, Illinois – who caught 32 bass weighing 43-15 to finish in second.
The REDCON1 team caught the majority of their weight on the west side of Presque Isle Bay, flipping grass with a variety of soft plastics. The duo started shallow with their flipping sticks, but after a slow start to the day they moved out deeper – about 8 to 9 feet deep – and found some fish holding on clean milfoil that had a hard edge. Knowing what to look for, the REDCON1 team covered water and vaulted into the lead midway through the second period and never looked back.
“We had a freaking blast, today,” said Morgan, who caught the most bass and the most weight on the day. “This is how we got started and what I love about bass fishing – team tournaments. And when you have a good fisherman in the boat with you like Cole, that just makes it all the much better. I was so happy when Cole picked me as his teammate. He and his dad Steven used to kick butt in team tournaments back in the day, so I knew he’d be a great team partner.”
“This was a whole different concept for me,” Floyd said. “It was so much fun. And we got to catch them Andy Morgan-style – on big line, with a big rod. Man, that bite is so addicting.”
They fished the way Morgan is known for – flipping and pitching various soft plastics in all sorts of colors. And they used Floyd’s old team tournament partner’s secret stash.
“We used a dozen different baits today – everything from a Zoom Z Craw to a Strike King Rage Bug,” Morgan said. “Cole actually got his dad’s big bulk bag of soft plastics and brought them for the Team Series. We dipped into Steve’s free baits today and used every color in the bag. Color really didn’t matter though – if you got it around bass, they bit it.”
Morgan’s flipping setup was a 7-foot, 11-inch flipping stick with a Lew’s Pro SP Skipping & Pitching Baitcast Reel, spooled with 65-pound braided line, a 4/0 Hayabusa hook and a ¾ ounce Strike King tungsten weight.
“We didn’t need but two rods, today,” Floyd went on to say.
With just over an hour remaining in the final period of the day, Team Coign pros Matt Stefan and Drew Gill rallied from fourth place into second after finding an area that held a decent population of largemouth. They caught 24 of their 32 bass total in the third period to overtake Team Wix and Team Ferguson and advance in the final spot.
“The Great Lakes are known for having very spot-specific largemouth, and we happened to fall into an area and caught a pile of fish,” said Stefan, who caught 13 keepers.
Despite only catching three bass in the first two periods, Gill added 16 scorable largemouth in the third period alone.
“I’ve never been out here before, so it took us a bit to find our groove. We were chasing something that I don’t think ever developed,” Gill added. “We found a spot that had sand, rock, a little bit of grass, adjacent to a backwater – everything we needed to make a comeback that we did. What a great final period.”
The results from the Day 1 Elimination Round at the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota are:
1st: Team REDCON1, 36 bass, 52-0
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 23 bass, 34-6
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 13 bass, 17-10
2nd: Team Coign, 32 bass, 43-15
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 19 bass, 26-1
Matt Stefan, Junction City, Wis, 13 bass, 17-14
3rd: Team Ferguson, 15 bass, 26-6
Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., nine bass, 15-13
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., six bass, 10-9
4th: Team WIX Filters, 15 bass, 23-15
Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 11 bass, 16-11
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., four bass, 7-4
Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 98 bass weighing 146 pounds, 4 ounces caught by the four teams during the Day 1 Elimination Round on Presque Isle Bay. Team Ferguson pro Nick LeBrun caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 3 pounds, 3 ounces.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota is hosted by VisitErie and takes place over six days in Erie, Pennsylvania. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers after they arrive at the host hotel each morning.
Anglers depart the host hotel in Erie each morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 7:45 a.m.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
The Challenge Cup features 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. Each of the three Elimination Rounds will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each of the Elimination Rounds advancing to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams will compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.
Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes starting in January 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Victor Angler Casey Smith Wins MLF Toyota Series at St. Lawrence River Presented by FX Custom Rods
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 24, 2024) – Pro Casey Smith of Victor, New York, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 26 pounds, 4 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at St. Lawrence River Presented by FX Custom Rods and earn the top payout of $39,750.
Taking off from Massena Intake Boat Launch on Championship Saturday within reach of both a win on the St. Lawrence River and the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title for the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Northern Division, Smith admitted he felt a bit jittery. He had plenty of time to stew on the ramifications of his performance, too, making a 70-plus mile run upriver to his fishing spot.
But once he arrived, it didn’t take long to settle his nerves.
Within 5 minutes, Smith boated a smallmouth bass that weighed 5 3/4 pounds. That started an epic flurry that saw the New York native put more than 25 pounds in his livewell during his first hour of fishing. He went on to make one afternoon cull, bringing his limit to 26-4 — easily the biggest bag of the final day.
That boosted Smith’s three-day total to 72-1, vaulting him from seventh place to the winner’s circle. Smith topped Oklahoma's Kyle Cortiana by 1 pound, 2 ounces. While Cortiana still edged him by a single point at the top of the AOY standings, a second Toyota Series trophy and the $39,750 payday more than made up for it.
“Today was unbelievable,” Smith said. “Within 5 minutes, I had a 5 3/4, and I had the bulk of that weight within an hour. So, that settled me down and put me in a groove, and I just built it from there.”
In the weeks prior to the event, Smith grappled with the decision of where to fish on the massive St. Lawrence. While Lake Ontario was off-limits to competitors, the waters near the lake have typically produced a better class of bass than the rest of the river in recent years. The catch is, with the field launching from Massena, the runs to and from that area could eat up nearly half the competition day, and Smith had typically struggled in the past when making a long run and fishing in a hurry.
However, when he watched the broadcast of one of the recent national-level events contested on the St. Lawrence, Smith heard a comment about how anglers needed to commit to the long run if they wanted to have a chance to win. That stuck with him as he took a win-or-bust mindset into this event, running between 140 and 180 miles round-trip each day.
“It’s a long way, man,” Smith said with a chuckle. “I’m tired, I’m exhausted, I’m out of gas money.
“Running a long distance like that for me has always been an Achilles (heel),” he added. “I’ve never managed time well. So, that’s where this one is special, I overcame that weakness. I mean, I was running 3 hours a day — an hour and a half down and an hour and a half back — so I was only fishing 5 hours. To overcome that Achilles of the time management, that’s where this one is special.”
After making the long run each morning, Smith targeted his fish a bit differently than most in the field. He found three offshore shoals where, particularly early in the day, schools of smallmouth were suspended chasing bait. Smith targeted them with a Deps Sakamata Shad on a jighead.
“There was a ton of bait in the area, and I was using a minnow, a Sakamata Shad,” he said. “As the day went on, that bite would go away, and then I would resort to drifting with a Ned rig or a football jig. But the bulk of it came early every morning from fish that were up in the bait.”
While the jighead minnow has dominated events across the country in the past couple years, the strong current on the St. Lawrence typically forces fish to remain bottom-oriented, making drop-shots, Ned rigs, jigs and the like more popular. The 39-year-old Smith said he was proud of his ability to not only find the unique bite but target the schoolers with forward-facing sonar, noting he spotted every fish he caught with Garmin LiveScope.
“You don’t need to be 18 years old to do that,” he said. “I don’t know how I got to be an older dude, but I’m representing the experienced group here with this win and showing that we can hang with the electronics, too.”
During practice, Smith knew he’d found an area loaded with bass. But he underestimated just how good it could be.
Prior to the start of the event, Smith predicted that it would take “22 and change” per day to win. So, when he hit the 22-pound mark on Day 1, he left his main area, hoping to save those fish for later in the event. When 18 pros weighed in 23 pounds or more that afternoon, he thought he might have blown his chances at hoisting the trophy.
“I left my area after 2 and a half hours because I was trying to conserve, and when I came in and saw that, I thought I made a major mistake,” he said. “I had to absolutely put the gas on down there the last two days, and I wasn’t sure how much was left after I burned on it yesterday. I did not have any clue it was going to take this average to win this tournament.”
Luckily for Smith, his area produced more weight each day. He followed up his 22-1 total on Day 1 with 23-12 on Day 2. His 26-4 bag on Saturday represented the second-heaviest limit of the week.
“Today, I started on one (shoal), and it just went nuts,” he said. “I thought it was the best one numbers wise. I didn’t realize it was the best one size wise too.”
Smith’s three-day weight puts him in rare company. Since the Toyota Series went to three days of competition in 2009, only once during the 11 events held on the St. Lawrence River has the winner totaled more than his 72-1. That was Chris Johnston with 77-15 in 2021, and he amassed almost all that weight in Lake Ontario. Even without the lake in play, this marked the first Toyota Series event ever on the fishery that three anglers have hit the 70-pound mark in three days.
The win also cements Smith as one of the most accomplished tournament anglers in the Northeast — and maybe the best not to fish for a living. Smith has now won three multi-day events on three different fisheries, adding his St. Lawrence triumph to a resume that includes a 2016 Toyota Series win on the Potomac River and a 2022 Bassmaster Open victory on Oneida Lake.
In the moments after lifting the trophy alongside his son Travis, Smith’s voice caught as he reflected on the hard work that went into his latest triumph.
“I don’t even know how to describe it,” he said. “I’m not sure why I’ve been lucky enough or blessed enough to have that happen to me. I work hard, I love fishing, but I’ve got a job. I have to go to work every Monday. And I show up and I fish as hard as I can, I do as much research as I can, and I guess it’s just a function of that mentality, how much I love it and how much I work for it. It feels unbelievably rewarding.”
The top 10 pros on the St. Lawrence River finished:
1st: Casey Smith, Victor, N.Y., 15 bass, 72-1, $39,750
2nd: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 70-15, $15,403
3rd: Dante Piraino, Baldwinsville, N.Y., 15 bass, 70-0, $11,925
4th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 15 bass, 68-7, $10,938
5th: Brent Anderson, Kingston Springs, Tenn., 15 bass, 68-1, $8,944
6th: Adam Howell, Embrun, Ontario, 15 bass, 67-10, $7,950
7th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 67-4, $6,956
8th: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 15 bass, 66-8, $5,963
9th: Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas, 15 bass, 66-3, $4,969
10th: Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore., 15 bass, 66-0, $3,975
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Juan Darte of Middle River, Maryland, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces. On Friday, pro Rich Nelson of Smithville, Ontario, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize after bringing a 7-pound, 3-ounce bass to the scale.
Miller took home an extra $1,000 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.
Lenny Baird of Stafford, Virginia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 58 pounds, 10 ounces. Baird took home the top prize package worth $33,900, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on the St. Lawrence River finished:
1st: Lenny Baird, Stafford, Virginia, 15 bass, 58-10, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Ken Golub, Pittsford, N.Y., 15 bass, 54-11, $4,969
3rd: Sakae Ushio, Tonawanda, N.Y., 15 bass, 52-14, $3,975
4th: Steven Schantz, Alexandria, Va., 13 bass, 50-10, $3,478
5th: Gary Marean, Manassas, Va., 15 bass, 49-14, $2,981
6th: Jimmy Schaffer, Oak Ridge, N.J., 13 bass, 49-12, $2,484
7th: Hunter Navari, Colchester, Vt., 15 bass, 49-11, $1,987
8th: Barry Hooper, Monticello, Ga., 13 bass, 48-14, $1,739
9th: Taylor Wisniewski, Lexington, Ky., 15 bass, 47-5, $1,491
10th: Chris Hurley, Carlisle, Penn., 14 bass, 45-15, $1,242
David Paszkiewicz of Kearny, New Jersey, was the Berkley Big Bass $150 award winner in the Strike King co-angler division, Thursday, with a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award was split between Neil Keilen of Frederick, Maryland, and Cornell Badra of Clarksburg, Maryland, who each caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces to tie for the Berkley Big Bass.
With all three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Northern Division now complete, pro Kyle Cortiana of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was crowned the Fishing Clash Northern Division Angler of the Year (AOY), earning the AOY payout of $5,000 with 506 points, while Tim McGlenn of Welcome, Maryland, was named the Strike King Co-angler of the year with 500 points, taking home the $2,000 prize.
The Toyota Series at St. Lawrence River Presented by FX Custom Rods was hosted by the Town of Massena, and was the third and final of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Northern Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at Santee Cooper Lakes Presented by Suzuki Marine, Sept. 12-14 in Summerton, South Carolina. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2024 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 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville Sports Commission.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, REDCON1, Simms, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Toyota Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Invitational updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Huge bag lifts Smith and Blanton to Bassmaster College National Championship win at Lake Hartwell
August 24, 2024
ANDERSON, S.C. — After a decent start, Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton of Lander University saved the best for last by smashing a huge Day 3 limit and tallying a three-day total of 49 pounds to win the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell.
After placing 22nd with an opening weight of 12-6, Smith and Blanton added 16-1 on Day 2 and moved into third. Championship Saturday saw them weigh 20-9 — the event’s heaviest bag — and edge Day 2 leaders Parker Guy and Tyler Campbell of Emmanuel University by 1-3.
“Fishing on this level has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy, and Garrett and I have dedicated our lives to it,” Blanton said. “Being the first to win a National Championship for Lander is amazing. I’m so happy that we get to cherish it with all (our teammates) that were at the weigh in.
“The Lord has blessed me and (Smith) beyond measure. I can’t believe this. It’s great.”
Smith added: “This all came down to making good decisions and executing. We just want to thank our parents and our school for putting us in position to do this.”
While many of their competitors, including Guy and Campbell, targeted the bass that were following blueback herring on the main lake, Smith and Blanton took a dramatically different approach.
“We focused on the Tugaloo River and the Seneca River, because we wanted to fish shallow and chase fish that would be feeding on bream,” Smith said. “We spent all of our practice in those areas.
“We chose to go to the bank and fish the way we were most comfortable, because we felt it was almost impossible for us to go out there and beat the (more experienced) herring guys. So, we chose to go give ourselves a chance to win it our way.”
Blanton said he and his partner fished in 5 feet or less and saw most of their fish before they bit.
“We had to be around steeper pockets more so than just flat pockets,” he said. “That was weird for us because we fish here a good bit in the summer and we usually fish flatter pockets and flatter banks for shallow cruisers and bream eaters.
“This week, the water continued to drop, so we had to fish in steeper pockets and a lot of them had bream beds. The key for us is the areas we were fishing — whether we were throwing at the bream beds or not — had to have a big population of bream.”
Smith, who’s pursuing a master’s degree in business administration, and Blanton, a junior majoring in business, fished reaction and finesse baits.
“We caught 90% of our fish on a buzzbait, but we also threw a wacky rig and we caught a key Day 1 fish on a prop bait,” Blanton said. “We beat the bank all week. We had a great time today.”
The winners caught about 15 keepers on Day 3, including a 6-1. Biting a wacky rig around 1:30, that fish gave them the cull that pushed them over the edge — but not without a double dose of drama.
“Today was one of those days when everything just went right,” Blanton said. “Once we got that big one in the boat, I felt like it was our time, because you don’t have things happen like what happened today unless it’s your time.
“As soon as Garrett hooked that big one, it wrapped him up in a brushpile under a dock twice. It came out and jumped a bunch. Any other day, I feel like we wouldn’t have gotten that fish in the boat, but we were able to get it to come out of that brushpile and catch it.”
Smith and Blanton earned the $5,000 first-place cash prize, along with $10,000 in Minn Kota/Humminbird merchandise. Also, the winners advance to the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. This head-to-head style competition will send the winner to the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors March 21-23 on Texas’ Lake Ray Roberts.
Guy and Campbell finished second with 47-13. Their daily weights were 16-6, 15-2 and 16-5.
Sticking with the game plan that produced all week, Campbell and Guy committed themselves to a run-and-gun strategy that took them all over the lake. With the lake in drought condition and current generation minimal until later in the afternoon, the morning bite proved most productive.
Targeting brushpiles and cane piles in 15 to 30 feet, Campbell and Guy hit approximately 300 spots. Guy and Campbell caught their fish on a variety of topwater presentations, including a Berkley Krej waking bait and unweighted Texas-rigged Zoom Super Flukes.
Campbell, who guides on Hartwell, said he wouldn’t change anything about his team’s decision. He also said the final field of 12 teams proved advantageous.
“No regrets about the week; everything went perfectly, execution was good and they bit better today than they have all week due to less pressure on the lake,” Campbell said. “The only thing I didn’t account for was somebody catching 20 1/2 pounds.”
Lane Clark and Tallis Morrison of Erskine College placed third with 45-3. They caught limits of 13-11, 15-1 and 16-7.
Clark said he and Morrison fished the lake’s lower end, where they expected to find Hartwell’s bigger fish, along with the largest population of blueback herring. They fished cane piles, brushpiles and timber in depths of 20 to 70 feet.
“We caught our fish on chartreuse and white Zoom Super Flukes and buzzbaits,” Clark said. “We were running and gunning and putting our bait in front of as many fish as possible.”
Dylan Akins and Chase Carey of Emmanuel University won the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year honors. Finishing fifth in the tournament, Akins and Carey received $2,500 cash, $5,000 of Minn Kota/Humminbird merchandise and a spot in the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s.
Smith and Blanton won big bass honors for Day 3 with their 6-1.
The tournament was hosted by Visit Anderson.
2024 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2024 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowarance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, [email protected]
2024 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops 8/22-8/24
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Garrett Smith - Andrew Blanton Lander University 250
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 20-09 Total: 15 49-00
2. Parker Guy - Tyler Campbell Emmanuel University 249
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 16-05 Total: 15 47-13
3. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 248
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 16-07 Total: 15 45-03
4. Bryson O' Steen - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 247
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Total: 15 42-09
5. Dylan Akins - Chase Carey Emmanuel University 246
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 15-01 Total: 15 41-12
6. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 245
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 11-14 Day 3: 5 11-15 Total: 15 38-09
7. Nathan Reynolds - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 244
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 10-11 Total: 15 37-04
8. Lane Stephens - Ethan Fields Mckendree University 243
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 11-01 Total: 15 37-04
9. Brantley Anders - Reece Keeney Kentucky Christian University 242
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 06-11 Total: 15 34-10
10. Andrew Oswalt - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 241
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 07-14 Total: 15 33-07
11. Merrick Diaz - Cade Hayford Campbellsville University 240
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 4 05-04 Total: 14 32-02
12. Hampton Shull - Lander University 239
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 08-10 Day 3: 5 06-05 Total: 15 31-15
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 139 789 1479-10
2 138 757 1424-08
3 11 59 144-01
------------------------------
288 1605 3048-03
Fothergill chases home-water smallmouth for win at St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake
August 24, 2024
WALKER, Minn. — The major storyline heading into the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN was that the global bass-fishing community would get its first look at what’s heralded as one of the sport’s best, yet relatively unknown, fisheries.
Everyone watching, meanwhile, already knew that Easton Fothergill is one of the best young anglers on the water today.
The two forces collided during a spectacular two-day derby in northern Minnesota this week, and both shined under pressure — Leech as host of its first B.A.S.S. tournament and Fothergill as the young prodigy looking to make hay on home water.
The 22-year-old Fothergill, a Grand Rapids, Minn., native who grew up 30 minutes from Leech Lake, bagged a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 49 pounds, 13 ounces and clinched the tournament championship Saturday at Walker Public Dock. He collected $45,936 cash with the win, part of a $300,034 purse split among the Top 45 of 203 pros competing at Leech this week.
The victory at Leech continued a hot streak not often seen at any level of professional fishing. In the past 10 months and change, Fothergill won the 2023 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s on Kansas’ Milford Lake last October, finished 16th of 56 anglers in the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in March, and followed with his first St. Croix Bassmaster Opens win of the year in June on Lake Eufaula, also in the Sooner State.
Leech was Fothergill’s second victory in an Open tournament this year, making him only the third angler to accomplish the feat (Terry Scroggins did it in 2007 as did Randall Tharp in 2008).
The young angler had to search for the right words to describe what he was feeling.
“It’s crazy to be in the company of those two great names,” Fothergill said. “I had no idea.”
What Fothergill did know is that he was anticipating this tournament as much as any other this year.
“I absolutely circled this one on the calendar,” he said. “Being 30 minutes away (from home) and the first time B.A.S.S. has come to Leech Lake and Walker, Minnesota ... I’ve spent so much time out here through my childhood … It means the world to me to pull off the win on my home lake.”
Fothergill and the rest of the field would have to wait an extra day to start the tournament as high winds canceled Thursday’s competition. That made this a two-day derby, which despite a full field fishing both days, likely favored Fothergill, whose deep knowledge of Leech belies his young age.
This week, Fothergill favored the chunky smallmouth bass that stay near rockpiles in the main lake each summer. He amassed some 60 waypoints across this 112,000-acre gem and crisscrossed what felt like every inch of it both days of the tournament. He used his electronics to locate sizable smallies and threw soft plastics to spark bites.
“My main bait is called a Dice (a smoky soft plastic bait made in Japan),” he said. “It’s a super finesse-style bait, and with the wind really being calm the last two days it allowed me to really fish to my strength.”
Fothergill said the Dice’s color resembled one type of crawfish Leech’s smallmouth bass love to eat. But because there are so many crawfish in the lake, the fish are well fed and sparking bites can be tricky.
“You get one cast on these fish and then they’re screwed up,” he continued. “They come to the boat and they’re not on their structure anymore. The reason I was running around so much was because I wanted to throw at a fresh fish every time.”
The frenetic pace paid dividends.
Fothergill jumped to the top of Friday’s leaderboard with a 26-10 limit, including a 6-4 monster smallmouth that was the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament. He was just as smooth on Saturday, closing with a 23-3 limit that sealed the victory.
The past year has been a full-circle turn of events for Fothergill. He underwent emergency brain surgery last year and rebounded remarkably, if not unfathomably, well.
“There was a while there where I didn’t know if I would see another sunrise,” he said. “Every tournament takeoff is really meaningful to me now, whether I catch a fish or not. I really think that’s why I’m having so much success. I just appreciate everything so much more.”
The winner of each of the nine 2024 Bassmaster Opens earns a spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, which is scheduled for March 21-23 at Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas. But because Fothergill already qualified for the Classic with his win at Eufaula, the berth from the Leech Lake Open falls to the Elite angler on the bubble of the 2024 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. That lucky pro is Australia’s Carl Jocumsen, who finished 44th in the Elite points race this year.
Others in the Top 5 at Leech Lake are second, Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat, 43-8, $18,074; third, Virginia’s Chase Clarke, 42-12, $13,556; fourth, Idaho’s Cody Meyer, 42-0, $13,152; and fifth, Mississippi’s Brett Cannon, 41-8, $11,748.
Anglers who compete in each of the nine Opens and finish among the Top 9 in the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) standings, will qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2025.
Also, on Saturday at Leech Lake, Tennessee’s Gary Haraguchi won the non-boater division with a two-day total of six bass weighing 17-9. He won $11,560, as well, part of a $39,923 cash purse divvied among the Top 40 of the 102 competing non-boaters. Minnesota’s Jim Nordlund also caught 17-9 at Leech, but Haraguchi won the tiebreaker (having the biggest bag on Day 1). Nordlund won $2,720. Fellow Minnesotan Curt Blomquist placed third with 17-2, good for $2,040.
Jeff Somers, of Crystal, Minn., won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award among non-boaters with a 4-11 on Saturday.
The Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN 8/23-8/24
Leech Lake, Walker MN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 10 49-13 200 $45,936.00
Day 1: 5 26-10 Day 2: 5 23-03
2. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 10 43-08 199 $18,074.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 23-15
3. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 10 42-12 198 $13,556.00
Day 1: 5 22-13 Day 2: 5 19-15
4. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 42-00 197 $13,152.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 24-01
5. Brett Cannon Kiln, MS 9 41-08 196 $11,748.00
Day 1: 5 25-01 Day 2: 4 16-07
6. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 10 41-02 195 $10,845.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 20-11
7. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 10 40-15 194 $9,941.00
Day 1: 5 22-02 Day 2: 5 18-13
8. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 10 40-06 193 $9,037.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 22-13
9. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 9 40-01 192 $9,037.00
Day 1: 4 16-07 Day 2: 5 23-10
10. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 10 39-06 191 $9,037.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 20-04
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 06-04 $0.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 748 2455-15
2 65 595 1946-00
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN 8/23-8/24
Leech Lake, Walker MN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 6 17-09 200 $11,560.00
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 3 06-13
2. Jim Nordlund Stacy, MN 6 17-09 199 $2,720.00
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 3 08-04
3. Curt Blomquist Wright, MN 6 17-02 198 $2,040.00
Day 1: 3 09-11 Day 2: 3 07-07
4. Ty Kenyon Dodgeville, WI 5 16-02 197 $1,530.00
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 3 10-02
5. Wilfred Raeker-Rebek St.Paul, MN 5 14-04 196 $1,428.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 2 05-03
6. Brian Brecka Alma, WI 5 14-02 195 $1,360.00
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 2 04-14
7. Robert Vander Kooi Mesa, AZ 5 13-11 194 $1,292.00
Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 2 06-02
8. Willie Meyer North Mankato, MN 4 13-05 193 $1,224.00
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 2 07-05
9. Maggie Carsello Stoughton, WI 5 13-04 192 $1,122.00
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 3 07-08
10. Troy Jutting Savage, MN 5 13-01 191 $1,020.00
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 3 08-12
11. Eric Naig Bemidji, MN 4 12-15 190 $952.00
Day 1: 3 09-09 Day 2: 1 03-06
12. Chase Traeger Lino Lakes, MN 4 12-08 189 $884.00
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 1 03-15
13. Wyatt Peterson Excelsior, MN 4 12-01 188 $748.00
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 2 05-12
14. Justin Oppegard Eagan, MN 4 11-15 187 $680.00
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 1 03-13
15. Greg Poetz Winsted, MN 4 11-10 186 $612.00
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 1 03-11
16. Richard Conrad Arcadia, WI 4 11-07 185 $544.00
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 3 08-08
17. Asher Schmidt Saint Paul, MN 4 11-05 184 $510.00
Day 1: 2 05-04 Day 2: 2 06-01
18. Cason Hiers St. Paul, MN 3 11-02 183 $510.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-02
19. Brad Goetz Waunakee, WI 3 11-00 182 $510.00
Day 1: 2 08-06 Day 2: 1 02-10
20. Kevin Yeska Madison, WI 4 10-10 181 $510.00
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 1 02-10
21. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 3 10-00 180 $476.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 10-00
22. Jeff Somers Crystal, MN 2 09-10 179 $726.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 09-10
23. Scott Dondlinger Scottsboro, AL 3 09-05 178 $476.00
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 2 06-12
24. Troy Simpson Moline, IL 3 08-14 177 $476.00
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
25. Alex Grimbos Innisfil CANADA 3 08-11 176 $476.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-11
26. Sean Ruegemer Bloomington, MN 3 08-11 175 $408.00
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 2 06-03
27. Andrew Tweten Fargo, ND 3 08-07 174 $408.00
Day 1: 2 06-09 Day 2: 1 01-14
28. Erik Gaffron Hanover, MN 3 07-15 173 $408.00
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 2 04-09
29. Greg Spaid Brainerd, MN 3 07-14 172 $408.00
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 2 04-11
30. Matt Kelley Detroit, MI 3 07-12 171 $408.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-12
31. Jimmy Obrien Southampton, NY 3 07-02 170 $374.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-02
32. Hoser Melgaard Elk Mound, WI 3 07-00 169 $374.00
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 1 02-07
33. Belle Kusske Carver, MN 2 06-13 168 $374.00
Day 1: 2 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
34. Jason Anakkala Brainerd, MN 2 06-09 167 $374.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-09
34. Roy Biwer Shakopee, MN 2 06-09 167 $374.00
Day 1: 2 06-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Daniel Vasquez Boynton Beach, FL 2 06-08 165 $374.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-08
37. Bob Harper Lombard, IL 2 06-04 164 $374.00
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 1 03-00
38. Chris Stelter Chisago City, MN 2 06-00 163 $374.00
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 1 03-06
39. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 2 05-08 162 $374.00
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
40. Towa Yoshikawa Kitakatsuragi-Gun JAPAN 2 05-07 161 $374.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
41. Jimmy Fellegy Mustang, OK 2 05-01 160
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
42. Darren Gates Macon, IL 2 05-01 159
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 1 02-12
43. Joel Erickson Alexandria, MN 2 04-14 158
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-14
43. Paul Schlotfeldt Saint Paul, MN 2 04-14 158
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
45. Brent Peterson Excelsior, MN 2 04-13 156
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 02-11
46. Mike Fischer Stacy, MN 2 04-12 155
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-12
47. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 04-10 154
Day 1: 1 04-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Mack Traynor Hanover, MN 1 04-10 154
Day 1: 1 04-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
49. Harrison Barton Sun Prairie, WI 2 04-09 152
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-09
49. David Waack Cary, NC 2 04-09 152
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
51. Tom Lyskawka Arlington Heights , IL 2 04-08 150
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
52. Kristine Fischer Weeping Water, NE 1 04-08 149
Day 1: 1 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
52. Bradley Pierce Gretna, NE 1 04-08 149
Day 1: 1 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
54. Tanner Johnson Bemidji, MN 1 03-13 147
Day 1: 1 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
55. Steven Hiemenz Clear Lake, MN 1 03-12 146
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-12
56. Richard Greene Ocala, FL 1 03-09 145
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-09
57. Brian Forcier Akron, IA 1 03-07 144
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-07
58. Don Kimmel Fishers, IN 1 03-06 143
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
59. Patrick Bartley Waconia, MN 1 03-01 142
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-01
60. Rich Bleser Burlington, WI 1 03-00 141
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-00
61. David Slonaker Howard, OH 1 02-15 140
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-15
62. Brett Brandstrom Shoreview, MN 1 02-14 139
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. Shane Kuehn Bennington, NE 1 02-14 139
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
64. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 1 02-13 137
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
65. Ryan Hastie Selkirk CANADA 1 02-12 136
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
66. Dennis Duffy Westmont, IL 1 02-11 135
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
67. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 1 02-08 134
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
68. David Riggs Highland, IL 1 02-07 133
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. Matt Commerford Wendell, MN 1 02-06 132
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. Adam Omlid Grand Forks, ND 1 02-06 132
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-06
71. Evan Cady St.Paul, MN 1 02-05 130
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
71. Kevin Deering Isanti, MN 1 02-05 130
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
73. Brian Bottenfield Mound, MN 1 01-09 128
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Kent Booth Hackensack, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Andrew Brandstrom Shoreview, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Eric Breitkreutz Sheboygan, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Dan Brown Groveland , FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Kurt Chelminiak Delafield, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Bobby Cowan Stephenville, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Gabie Dandurand Detroit Lakes, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Dale Dobbins Maiden, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Mat Eichinger Chippewa Fls, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Scott Gobeil Fort Frances CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Tanner Horton Pine Island, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Albert Jones Jr Covington, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Klaus Kuester Forest Park, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Sean Lofgren Forest Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Christopher Majerle Trenton, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Danny Mancini Necedah, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Art Monteil Shawnee, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Eddie Payne Tomball, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Jesse Piontek Elk Mound, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Mark Schill Plymouth, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Dalon Schmidt White Bear Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Jeffrey Shaw Anoka, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Kenny Stelter Forest Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Martin Terveer Otsego, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Brad Thieman Sioux City, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Levi Warner Hilbert, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 12 95 278-10
2 12 88 257-01
------------------------------
24 183 535-11
------------------------------
167 1343 4401-15
From College Angler to Coach
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
There has been a lot of chatter around the world of tournament fishing in recent weeks, and like many things in this day and age a lion share of the attention has been given to drama and negativity. It’s not something to be proud of, but pessimistic points of view often drown out the overwhelming good that permeates throughout bass fishing and time in the outdoors with people we care about.
Thankfully, the 2024 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship has served as a great reminder of all the positivity surrounding our pastime. To put it simply, college fishing has a pureness to it that is palpable. These anglers take competition seriously, but egos and personal-agendas are overshadowed by an obvious love of the game.
You could spin around 360 degrees at this event and anywhere you look there is something to smile about and a hopeful story to tell. Enter Hunter Sales, the 27-year-old Head Coach for the Carson-Newman Eagle Anglers fishing team, whose story qualifies as deserving more attention than doom or gloom.
Sales graduated from Carson-Newman in 2018 after helping start and compete as a part of the university’s first fishing team, as a senior in college. After having a great experience in college fishing, Sales didn’t waste a minute and was hired on as the full-time coach for his alma mater after graduating with a degree in Business-Management with an MBA in Marketing. He bleeds orange and blue and when his hands aren’t clapping for one of his anglers, he is likely throwing up the Eagles talon.
“There are 1,000 high-paying careers I feel like I could have pursued but I wouldn’t trade all the money in the world for the relationships I’ve been able to make with our anglers over the last six years,” Sales said. “It’s truly humbling to be able to do life with this team and to hopefully have a positive mark on the kids in their journeys. To be there when things are good, and when they’re bad. I try to assist them in any way I can, but it starts with helping them fall in love with the sport the same way I did.”
The Carson-Newman Eagles under Sales tutelage have established themselves as one of the power-houses of college fishing along with schools like Bethel University, Auburn, Emmanuel
College, University of Montevallo and McKendree University to name a few. Carson-Newman’s success continues this week on Lake Hartwell as the team of Drake Hemby and Ewing Minor started the final day in eighth place, just a few pounds behind the leaders.
Sales is ecstatic for these guys to have a chance at the National Championship and the College Series Classic Bracket, and is happily missing a day of practice for his own professional level tournament so he can be here and support his team. On top of coaching, Sales continues to pursue his own fishing dreams, competing at a high level in the National Professional Fishing League and in Bassmaster Opens.
“After weigh-in concludes I’ll start on the 12-hour trek up to Saginaw Bay for my own tournament,” Sales said. “I’ll spend the first official day of practice in my Tundra burning up the highway, but there is nowhere else I’d rather be. Drake and Ewing are hammers and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see them have a good day and shoot up the leaderboard. Anything can happen with only twelve boats on the water!”
Within two minutes of talking to Sales it is plain to see his passion and heart for supporting not only his team, but all college anglers and the sport as a whole. He shows up early and stays late, he listens to his teams while also giving advice when they need. And while Sales deserves the spotlight, his story is not entirely unique, as there are dozens of inspiring coaches, parents, and family members at this event displaying more wholesomeness than a 90s Disney movie.
Their dedication is commendable and an indication that the future is bright. Like a song on the radio that snaps you out of your mood and changes the trajectory of your day, people like
Hunter Sales and the College Series National Championship reminds us there is a lot more good than bad in bass fishing.
Mobility puts Guy and Campbell atop Bassmaster College National Championship at Lake Hartwell
August 23, 2024
ANDERSON, S.C. — Staying mobile and maximizing their peak period allowed Parker Guy and Tyler Campbell to amass a two-day total of 31 pounds, 8 ounces to lead Day 2 of the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell.
Placing second on Day 1 with a limit of 16-6, Guy and Campbell entered the second round 10 ounces off the lead. Adding a Day 2 limit of 15-2, the recent Emmanuel University graduates surged into the top spot and head into Championship Saturday with a lead of 2-12 over Lane Clark and Tallis Morrison of Erskine College.
“The key is hitting as many spots as possible — typical herring fishing,” Campbell said, in reference to the fast-paced nature of bass fixated on the lake’s nomadic blueback herring. “Once you get that school to fire, whether you catch one or not, that spot is done.
“So, once we caught one, we were cranking up and going to the next spot.”
Guy and Campbell fished from Green Pond Landing to the lake’s lower end and then back again. They targeted brushpiles and cane piles with a variety of topwater presentations, including a Berkley Krej waking bait and unweighted Texas-rigged Zoom Super Flukes.
Noting that he and his partner hit approximately 200 spots, Campbell, who guides on Hartwell, said the first couple of hours delivered their greatest opportunity.
“The morning bite is absolutely critical to our success,” Campbell said. “I don’t think we boated a keeper after 11. We caught seven and culled twice.”
Campbell said he and Guy had their limit by 9 a.m. and made their last cull around 11. Day 1 offered a faster start, which delivered their total bag by 8 a.m.
As Campbell explained, the first morning’s cloud cover kept the fish active longer. Day 2 brought sunnier skies, so they had to work a little harder to round up their fish.
“Because the lake is in a drought condition, the (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) is not generating much power until later in the day,” Campbell said of this Savannah River reservoir. “There’s a big lull from about 9 to 1, and then there’s an afternoon bite when that current increases, but we’re missing that afternoon bite because we’re checking in before it starts.”
The leaders weighed three spotted bass and two largemouth. Their biggest, a 4 1/2-pound largemouth, bit around daylight at their first stop.
“We actually hung around that area for a while because we knew what quality was there,” Campbell said. “We caught another good one there before leaving.”
Hartwell’s water level sits about 4.69 feet below the full pool mark of 660. Guy said this had them fishing shallower than they normally would prefer.
“Some of our spots are in 15 feet, but the majority of the ones with the bigger fish are 20 and deeper," Guy said. “We’re running around a lot, but we do have some better spots, so when we get to one of those, we’re sitting there longer.”
Considering the success they’ve experienced thus far, Guy said he and Campbell do not foresee any changes to their game plan.
“On Day 3, we’re going to do the same thing we’ve been doing,” Guy said. “We’re going to put our bait in front of as many fish as we can.”
Clark and Morrison are second place with 28-12. They have turned in daily limits of 13-11 and 15-1.
Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton of Lander University are in third place with 28-07. Their daily weights were 12-06 and 16-01.
Bryson O'Steen and Seth Jones of Florida Gateway College are in the lead for big bass honors with their 6-5. O’Steen and Jones placed seventh.
After two days of full-field competition, the Top 12 teams compete on Championship Saturday.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing and Event Center. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 2:30 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.
2024 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2024 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowarance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, [email protected]
2024 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops 8/22-8/24
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Parker Guy - Tyler Campbell Emmanuel University 250
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 15-02 Total: 10 31-08
2. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 249
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 15-01 Total: 10 28-12
3. Garrett Smith - Andrew Blanton Lander University 248
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Total: 10 28-07
4. Brantley Anders - Reece Keeney Kentucky Christian University 247
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-10 Total: 10 27-15
5. Merrick Diaz - Cade Hayford Campbellsville University 246
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 26-14
6. Dylan Akins - Chase Carey Emmanuel College 245
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 26-11
7. Bryson O' Steen - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 244
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 26-11
8. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 243
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 26-10
9. Nathan Reynolds - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 242
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 10 26-09
10. Lane Stephens - Ethan Fields Mckendree University 241
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 26-03
11. Hampton Shull - Lander University 240
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 10 25-10
12. Andrew Oswalt - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 239
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-01 Total: 10 25-09
13. Andrew Rickman - Ty Manterola Dallas Baptist University 238
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 13-11 Total: 10 25-03
14. Brooks Anderson - Max Heaton Emmanuel College 237
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 13-14 Total: 10 25-00
15. Dalton Phelps - Gannon Stork Wabash Valley College 236
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 25-00
16. Dillon Robertshaw - Robert Hunt Missouri State University 235
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 24-14
17. Robert Miller - John Michael Ortman Emmanuel College 234
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 24-11
18. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 233
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 24-04
19. Carter Nutt - Dylan Nutt University of North Alabama 232
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 24-03
20. Luke Davis - Chance Schwartz University of Montevallo 231
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 24-00
21. Preston Kolisek - Smith McGregor University of North Alabama 230
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 9 23-15
22. Braylon Eggerding - Lucas Washburn Adrian College 229
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 11-06 Total: 10 23-15
23. Eli Jaime - Jack Hay Southwestern Michigan College 228
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 23-09
24. Cameron Yates - Harrison McCall Lander University 227
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 13-02 Total: 10 23-06
25. Peyton Sorrow - Garrett Ring University of Montevallo 226
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 23-04
26. Miles Smith - Levi Thibodaux LSU Shreveport 225
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 08-13 Total: 10 23-04
27. Hunter Odom - Brenton Godwin University of Montevallo 224
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 23-02
28. Blake Milligan - Carson Maddux Auburn University 223
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 06-15 Total: 10 22-10
29. Alex Standerfer - Tyler Gunter Catawba Valley Community College 222
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 12-12 Total: 10 22-10
30. Slade Davis - Trace Antunes III University Of Montevallo 221
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 22-08
31. Hunter Barrow - Caleb Dugger King University 220
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 12-07 Total: 10 22-08
32. Harmon Marien - Maxwell Trotter Mckendree University 219
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 22-06
33. Tyler Combes - James Gillis Clarkson University 218
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 22-06
34. Tanner Hadden - Caleb Hudson University of South Carolina - U 217
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 12-02 Total: 10 22-05
35. Landon Robbins - Will Eriksson University of Tennessee 216
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 21-13
36. Wyatt Pearman - Ridge Rutledge Campbellsville University 215
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 21-12
37. Trevor Easter - Clayton Easter Tarleton State University 214
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 21-12
38. Caden Pearson - Nathan Kallstrand Wabash Valley College 213
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 21-10
39. Chase Milholen - Koltyn Harbin Bethel University 212
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 13-07 Total: 10 21-09
40. Dylan May - Evan Newell Carson-Newman University 211
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 21-05
41. Anderson Jones - Lander University 210
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 08-08 Total: 10 21-04
42. Evan Fields - Noah Dabney Campbellsville University 209
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 21-02
43. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 208
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 21-01
44. Nick Seitz - Paxton Giem Adrian College 207
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 20-14
45. Hunter Sandschafer - Blake Beckmann Wabash Valley College 206
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 20-14
46. Brendan Vinton - Jacob Vanscoik Catawba Valley Community College 205
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 10 20-12
47. Aaron Jagdfeld - Elliot Wielgopolski Adrian College 204
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 11-13 Total: 10 20-11
48. Brayden Nichols - William Tew LSU Shreveport 203
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 20-10
49. Dalton Mollenkopf - Derek Rodriguez Jr. Adrian College 202
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 20-10
50. Harrison Heins - Hunter Slone Tennessee Tech University 201
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 20-07
51. Luke Wenger - Braxon Hightower Dallas Baptist University 200
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 20-04
52. Mitch Straffon - Owen Januszewski Adrian College 199
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 20-03
53. Hayden Short - Kentucky Christian University 198
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 19-15
53. Aric Szambelan - Alex Wood Missouri State University 198
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 19-15
55. Aiden Clark - Jackson Kulijof Murray State University 196
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 19-15
56. Lawson Blake - Bailey Mckinney Marshall University 195
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 19-15
57. Jared West - Gus McLarry Texas A&M Commerce Fishing Club 194
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 3 07-07 Total: 8 19-14
58. Brady Metzger - Mason Bohland Purdue University 193
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 19-14
59. Andrew Ready - Trey Garrett Southeastern University 192
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 19-12
60. Jason Qualich - Jack Stephens Mckendree University 191
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 19-12
61. Will Harris - Cole Rankin Carson-Newman University 190
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 19-10
62. Andrew Turner - Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 189
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 19-09
63. Grant Dohle - Jake Mantovani Missouri State University 188
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 19-06
64. Cade Lipham - Caleb Coleman Drury University 187
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 19-04
65. Tyler Cory - Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 186
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 19-03
66. Cody Monlezun - Caden Denny Texas A&M University 185
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 19-03
67. Tripp Berlinsky - Bryce Dimauro Bryan College 184
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 19-00
68. Hunter Fillmore - Dylan Fogarty Bethel University 183
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 09-08 Total: 10 18-14
69. Peyton Rose - Brogan Gregg Wabash Valley College 182
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 10 18-13
70. Connor Dunn - Cade Johnson Texas A&M University 181
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 10 18-11
71. Noah Lieberman - Colin Wolinski Missouri State University 180
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 18-07
72. Brayden Stoker - Tucker Kendall Tarleton State University 179
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 9 18-04
73. Hudson Choquette - Brooks Parker University of Montevallo 178
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 18-03
74. Hunter Keller - Garrett Christy Catawba Valley Community College 177
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 07-01 Total: 10 17-13
75. Kai Barnett - Parker Welch Mckendree University 176
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 17-13
76. Nick Owens - Quade Lobo Adrian College 175
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 10 17-11
77. Hunter Russell - Benny Blank Wabash Valley College 174
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 09-05 Total: 10 17-11
78. Trevor Young - Maxwell Schweikert Grand Valley State University 173
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 17-10
79. Blair Erickson - Jackson Pontius University of Montevallo 172
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 10 17-10
80. Trace Loe - Levi Loe Southern Arkansas University 171
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 17-08
81. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. - Brady Pinwar Adrian College 170
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 09-00 Total: 10 17-08
82. Emery Burnett - Drake Axon Georgia Southern University 169
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 09-00 Total: 10 17-07
83. Hagan Marlin - Chris Fallon University of Montevallo 168
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 17-06
84. Riley Faulkner - Szymon Piton Carson-Newman University 167
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 10 17-04
85. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Lander University 166
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 17-02
86. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 165
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 17-00
87. Avery Padgett - Kasen Pemberton Troy University 164
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 9 17-00
88. Xander Patton - Stephen Brooks Emmanuel College 163
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 10 16-13
89. Billy Erdakos - Davis Klimczak Southwestern Michigan College 162
Day 1: 5 05-03 Day 2: 5 11-09 Total: 10 16-12
90. Kolten Goolsby - Landon Oconnor Stephen F Austin State Universit 161
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 16-12
91. Michael Avery - Peyton Dunn Emmanuel College 160
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 06-04 Total: 10 16-11
92. Cameron Smith - Thomas Phillips Ohio State University 159
Day 1: 5 05-11 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 16-10
93. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain Christian Universi 158
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 16-10
94. Bryant Martin - Luke Batts LSU Shreveport 157
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 16-08
95. Elijah Kelley - Chris Baker Kentucky Christian University 156
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 16-07
96. James Willoughby - Phillip Herring University of Montevallo 155
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 3 04-09 Total: 8 16-06
97. Hunter Hamilton - Tyler Morris LSU Shreveport 154
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 06-05 Total: 10 16-06
98. Blake Wheat - Zachary Helton Carson-Newman University 153
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 16-06
99. Ben Burns - Riley Aebi Stephen F Austin State Universit 152
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 08-13 Total: 10 16-06
100. Adrian Urso - Corbin Templon Murray State University 151
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 16-03
101. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 150
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 16-03
102. Nicholas Dellaporta - Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 149
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 05-00 Total: 10 16-01
103. Cy Lambert - Austin King University of North Alabama 148
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 07-00 Total: 9 16-00
104. Tyler Chmelar - Kase Kramer Tarleton State University 147
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 15-14
105. Tyler Leachman - Mark Bixler Murray State University 146
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 15-14
106. Kade Hillestad - John Kyle Pearce University of Louisiana Monroe 145
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 15-14
107. Luke McGuffin - Rylan Green Erskine College 144
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 10 15-10
108. Jackson Paden - Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 143
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 4 06-00 Total: 9 15-07
109. Kane Weekley - Connor Koch Southeastern University 142
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 06-04 Total: 10 15-06
110. Justin Latham - Blaine Mattingly Campbellsville University 141
Day 1: 4 07-04 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 9 15-06
111. Louis VerBrugge - Mohave Community College 140
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 7 15-05
112. Jared Hubbard - Riley Hendricks Lander University 139
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 15-05
113. Hayden Marbut - Auburn University 138
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 05-13 Total: 10 15-04
114. Clay Henderson - Brant Rowland Drury University 137
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 15-04
115. Clay Taylor - Lander University 136
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 9 15-04
116. Trevor Johnston - Ashton Hehr Texas A&M University 135
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 5 06-15 Total: 10 15-02
117. Easton Lindus - Seth Jenkins Emmanuel College 134
Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 9 14-14
118. Braden Cox - Joel Berelsman Ohio State University 133
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 4 07-10 Total: 9 14-14
119. Dawson Lynch - Sonny Mann Tarleton State University 132
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 14-14
120. Blair Cox - Zach Adamec Missouri State University 131
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 7 14-13
121. Corey Morris - Brayden Mercer East Texas Baptist University 130
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 14-13
122. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 129
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 14-13
123. Kaiya Ziga - Hunter Petrovic Southwestern Michigan College 128
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 14-13
124. Nathan Fideldy - Laindree Richardson Drury University 127
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-12 Total: 10 14-12
125. Logan Greeno - Matthew Nichols University of Nebraska - Lincoln 126
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 06-02 Total: 10 14-11
126. Cole Moulton - Kaleb Brown Lander University 125
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 4 03-13 Total: 9 14-08
127. Branden Burrill - Jack Simpson Western Michigan University 124
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 07-00 Total: 10 14-06
128. Zion Dunaway - Casey Cornelius Purdue University 123
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 05-05 Total: 10 14-05
129. Stone Smith - Drake Wadsworth Northwestern State University 122
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 10 14-04
130. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 121
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 4 05-05 Total: 9 14-01
131. Jeffrey Jones - Coleman Bingham Bethel University 120
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 06-08 Total: 10 14-01
132. TJ Edwards Jr - Sawyer Brady Blue Mountain Christian Universi 119
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 05-08 Total: 10 13-12
133. Ty Mundhenke - Matthew Welcher Auburn University 118
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 10 13-12
134. Logan East - Conner Giles Bryan College 117
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 4 04-01 Total: 9 13-07
135. Nathan Preston - Auburn University 116
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 06-07 Total: 10 13-06
136. Tripp Bowman - Matthew Nesbit LSU Shreveport 115
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 10 13-01
137. Grayson Ball - Sellers Odom Calhoun Community College 114
Day 1: 5 05-05 Day 2: 5 07-11 Total: 10 13-00
138. Kobe Thompson - Cole Carr Adrian College 113
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 4 04-11 Total: 9 12-12
139. Brayden Ruckman - Cason Price Carson-Newman University 112
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 06-03 Total: 10 12-12
140. Cross Campbell - Dylan Armstrong East Texas Baptist University 111
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 4 06-00 Total: 9 12-09
141. Jonah Barrow - Logan Russell University of Nebraska - Lincoln 110
Day 1: 4 05-05 Day 2: 5 06-06 Total: 9 11-11
142. Trey McMeen - Braydon Kelley East Texas Baptist University 109
Day 1: 4 04-10 Day 2: 5 06-14 Total: 9 11-08
143. Delaney Platt - Ryan Olsen Southwestern Michigan College 108
Day 1: 4 03-07 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 9 11-07
144. Kaleb Butts - Chase Rogers University of South Carolina - U 107
Day 1: 4 04-15 Day 2: 5 06-08 Total: 9 11-07
145. Benjamin Travis - Brendin Simich Auburn University 106
Day 1: 5 05-06 Day 2: 5 05-15 Total: 10 11-05
146. Hank Sturm - Matt Mosby Adrian College 105
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 7 11-00
147. Elijah Jackson - University Of Alabama 104
Day 1: 3 03-01 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 8 10-08
148. Bryce Balentine - Giancarlo Russo Florida Gateway College 103
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 2 01-08 Total: 7 10-07
149. Lake Norsworthy - Calup Williams Blue Mountain Christian Universi 102
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-13
150. Alec Poland - Jack Grushecky West Virginia University 101
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 2 02-02 Total: 7 09-12
151. Ryan Thomas - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 100
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 2 02-02 Total: 7 09-07
152. Logan Plueger - Charlie Wright University of Montevallo 99
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-03
153. Scott Sledge - University of Montevallo 98
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 3 04-15 Total: 6 08-14
154. Colby Carrier - Justin Frey Bethel University 97
Day 1: 4 05-05 Day 2: 2 03-07 Total: 6 08-12
155. Caden Cardoza - Judd Morgan University of Tennessee 96
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 2 04-01 Total: 5 08-10
156. Tucker Cory - Michael Witherup University of Montevallo 95
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 4 05-07 Total: 6 08-07
157. Alex Gore - Colby Reece Carson-Newman University 94
Day 1: 4 03-14 Day 2: 3 04-08 Total: 7 08-06
158. Michael Canonica - Seth Proctor University of Tennessee 93
Day 1: 3 03-07 Day 2: 3 04-02 Total: 6 07-09
159. Carty Shoen - Jake Peck Auburn University 92
Day 1: 4 03-14 Day 2: 3 03-05 Total: 7 07-03
160. Caden Canaday - Virginia Tech 91
Day 1: 4 06-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-05
161. Peter Radulski Jr - Lane Gerbers Clemson University 90
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 06-04
162. Hunter Jenkins - Dallas Baptist University 89
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-00
163. Matthew Echols - Christian Stewart Virginia Tech 88
Day 1: 4 05-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-11
164. Stetson Southard - Walker Wilburn Tarleton State University 87
Day 1: 5 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 05-06
165. Colton Combs - Corbin Joyner Northeast State University 86
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 1 01-00 Total: 4 05-00
166. Evan Ludlow - Drake Heath Southwestern Michigan College 85
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 4 03-12 Total: 5 04-11
167. Sean Ferguson - Kansas State University 84
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 01-14 Total: 2 01-14
168. Scott Balas - Samuel Gremban University of Wisconsin- Madison 83
Day 1: 2 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 01-07
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 139 789 1479-10
2 138 757 1424-08
------------------------------
277 1546 2904-02
Fothergill runs home water, takes Day 1 lead at St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake
August 23, 2024
WALKER, Minn. — It took a day longer than expected for many bass fishing fans around the globe to get their first glimpse of Leech Lake.
Easton Fothergill wasn’t one of them.
The 22-year-old Grand Rapids, Minn., native is one of the hottest young sticks today and he’s fished Leech for most of his young life. He used that intimate knowledge of the fishery to take the lead on Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN.
Fothergill weighed a limit of five smallmouth bass on Friday totaling 26 pounds, 10 ounces. The haul included the heaviest catch of the day — a 6-4 lunker that buoyed his big bag. That’s an impressive showing by any standards, no matter the lake or location.
Still, Fothergill was surprised by his total. By his count, he “only had about 25 pounds” in his livewell heading to Friday’s weigh-in at Walker Public Dock, about an hour west of his hometown of Grand Rapids. Not surprisingly, the bass fishing prodigy was met with boisterous cheering when he climbed atop the leaderboard with authority.
“With all the pressure (to perform well at home), to pull that off today was incredible,” he said. “It was definitely unexpected.”
Fothergill said he has dozens of waypoints to target on Leech and that he didn’t hit more than half of them on Day 1. With the three-day tournament shortened to a two-day derby following high winds on Thursday, that leaves him with at least another 30 seemingly productive spots he could exploit Saturday.
“I probably have five gallons (of fuel) left in my boat. That’s how much running I did today,” he said, adding he relied on three primary baits Friday, fishing rockpiles in anywhere from 5 to 20 feet of water.
“The game plan is the same tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll just run every corner of the lake and see if I can find five big ones again.”
Fothergill has already proved his has the chops to close a tournament. He won the 2023 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s last October on Kansas’ Milford Lake to earn a spot in the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors. He finished 16th of 56 anglers in the Classic on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees in March and won the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula presented by SEVIIN, also in the Sooner State, in June.
Now, Fothergill is fishing on home water and from the pole position.
He knows that’s a favorable vantage point, but he’s taking absolutely nothing for granted, even though Friday’s 26-10 was the biggest bag he’s caught in one of his many competitions on Leech Lake.
Still, he can’t help being confident — and rightfully so.
“I just have so many places to hit,” he said. “I know that if I pull up on one and there’s nothing happening, I can come back three, four, five times, and there eventually will be one there. It’s actually very mentally trying. You just have to keep in the game and know your bites will eventually come if you keep working.”
The tournament marks the first time a B.A.S.S. event at any level has been held on Leech Lake — a 112,000-acre jewel located in remote northern Minnesota. And Leech didn’t disappoint in its coming-out party, with 79 of the 203 pro anglers in the field weighing at least 15 pounds on Friday. The competitors hail from 36 different states and two foreign countries.
Brett Cannon, a 40-year-old pro living in Kiln, Miss., is in second place with a 25-1 limit. Cannon said he didn’t expect to catch 25 pounds either, but he discovered a lure that eventually sparked his smallmouth bite.
“When you catch a smallmouth here, it’s a big one, but they’re really hard to get to bite,” he said.
“So, I messed around and tied everything on … I found the right bait and wound up catching about 12 (bass). I threw back a 4½ pounder, a 4 pounder … Every fish I kept was right at 5 pounds. And if … today wasn’t a fluke, I think I can catch 25 again tomorrow.”
Rounding out the Top 5 on Friday are third, Virginia’s Chase Clark, 22-13; fourth, Georgia’s Emil Wagner, 22-2; and fifth, Tennessee’s Jimmy Washam, 21-12.
With the tournament limited to two days, there’s a smaller margin for error for the many pros fighting for points in the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) standings. The top nine anglers who fish in each of this year’s nine Opens tournaments will qualify for the Elite Series in 2025. Those nine anglers won’t be determined, however, until the final Open of the year which is scheduled Oct. 10-12 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C.
A total cash purse of $300,034 will be split among the Top 45 pros fishing at Leech this week. The winner will claim $45,186 in cash, as well as a berth in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors when it’s held March 21-23 at Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.
Not be forgotten are the 102 non-boaters competing at Leech this week, too. The Top 40 will divvy up a total of $39,916 in prize money when the tournament concludes Saturday.
Tennessee’s Gary Haraguchi leads that bracket with a limit of three bass for 10-12. Minnesota’s Curt Blomquist is second with 9-11, and fellow Minnesotan Eric Naig is third with 9-9. Missouri’s Mark Cowart, Wisconsin’s Brad Goetz and Minnesota’s Mack Trayner all caught a 4-10 Friday and share the big bass lead among non-boaters.
The second and final takeoff of the tournament will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Walker Public Dock. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Coverage of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN will air on FS1 on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com.
The Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN 8/23-8/24
Leech Lake, Walker MN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 26-10 200
Day 1: 5 26-10
2. Brett Cannon Kiln, MS 5 25-01 199
Day 1: 5 25-01
3. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 22-13 198
Day 1: 5 22-13
4. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 22-02 197
Day 1: 5 22-02
5. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 5 21-12 196
Day 1: 5 21-12
6. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 21-05 195
Day 1: 5 21-05
7. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 21-00 194
Day 1: 5 21-00
8. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 5 20-11 193
Day 1: 5 20-11
9. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 5 20-07 192
Day 1: 5 20-07
10. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 20-02 191
Day 1: 5 20-02
11. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 19-13 190
Day 1: 5 19-13
12. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 19-10 189
Day 1: 5 19-10
13. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 19-09 188
Day 1: 5 19-09
14. Elijah Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 19-08 187
Day 1: 5 19-08
15. Connor Jacob Auburn, AL 5 19-07 186
Day 1: 5 19-07
15. Jack York Emory, TX 5 19-07 186
Day 1: 5 19-07
17. Kevin Dritschler Prosper, TX 5 19-06 184
Day 1: 5 19-06
17. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 19-06 184
Day 1: 5 19-06
19. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 19-05 182
Day 1: 5 19-05
20. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 19-04 181
Day 1: 5 19-04
20. Daisuke Kita Ostu Shiga JAPAN 5 19-04 181
Day 1: 5 19-04
22. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 19-03 179
Day 1: 5 19-03
23. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 5 19-02 178
Day 1: 5 19-02
23. Garrett Warren Scottsboro, AL 5 19-02 178
Day 1: 5 19-02
25. Fernando Lobato Sparta, WI 5 18-12 176
Day 1: 5 18-12
25. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 18-12 176
Day 1: 5 18-12
27. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 18-11 174
Day 1: 5 18-11
28. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 5 18-10 173
Day 1: 5 18-10
28. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 18-10 173
Day 1: 5 18-10
30. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 18-07 171
Day 1: 5 18-07
31. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 5 18-03 170
Day 1: 5 18-03
32. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 5 18-01 169
Day 1: 5 18-01
32. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 18-01 169
Day 1: 5 18-01
32. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 5 18-01 169
Day 1: 5 18-01
35. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 17-15 166
Day 1: 5 17-15
36. Dan Welsh Elko New Mrkt, MN 5 17-14 165
Day 1: 5 17-14
37. Lance Keene Manistee, MI 5 17-13 164
Day 1: 5 17-13
38. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 17-12 163
Day 1: 5 17-12
39. Andrew Loberg Grant, AL 5 17-11 162
Day 1: 5 17-11
40. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 17-11 161
Day 1: 5 17-11
41. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 17-10 160
Day 1: 5 17-10
42. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 17-09 159
Day 1: 5 17-09
43. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 17-06 158
Day 1: 5 17-06
44. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 17-05 157
Day 1: 5 17-05
44. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 5 17-05 157
Day 1: 5 17-05
46. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 5 17-03 155
Day 1: 5 17-03
46. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 17-03 155
Day 1: 5 17-03
48. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 17-02 153
Day 1: 5 17-02
49. Kyle Minke Lindsrom, MN 5 16-15 152
Day 1: 5 16-15
50. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 16-13 151
Day 1: 5 16-13
51. Tommy Parker Delano, MN 4 16-13 150
Day 1: 4 16-13
52. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 16-11 149
Day 1: 5 16-11
53. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 16-09 148
Day 1: 5 16-09
53. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 5 16-09 148
Day 1: 5 16-09
55. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 5 16-08 146
Day 1: 5 16-08
55. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 5 16-08 146
Day 1: 5 16-08
57. Kyle Palmer Winchester, TN 5 16-07 144
Day 1: 5 16-07
58. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 4 16-07 143
Day 1: 4 16-07
59. Masayuki Matsushita Porter TX JAPAN 5 16-04 142
Day 1: 5 16-04
59. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 5 16-04 142
Day 1: 5 16-04
61. Jeff Johnson Bemidji, MN 5 16-02 140
Day 1: 5 16-02
62. Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN 5 16-01 139
Day 1: 5 16-01
63. Lafe Messer Warfield, KY 5 15-15 138
Day 1: 5 15-15
64. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 5 15-14 137
Day 1: 5 15-14
65. Jim Moynagh Remer, MN 5 15-13 136
Day 1: 5 15-13
66. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 4 15-12 135
Day 1: 4 15-12
67. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 5 15-10 134
Day 1: 5 15-10
68. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 15-09 133
Day 1: 5 15-09
68. Jason Lambert Savannah, TN 5 15-09 133
Day 1: 5 15-09
70. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 15-06 131
Day 1: 5 15-06
70. James Watson Lampe, MO 5 15-06 131
Day 1: 5 15-06
72. Josh Butler Hayden, AL 4 15-06 129
Day 1: 4 15-06
73. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 15-05 128
Day 1: 5 15-05
74. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 5 15-03 127
Day 1: 5 15-03
74. Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 15-03 127
Day 1: 5 15-03
76. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 15-02 125
Day 1: 5 15-02
76. Andrew Julson Stoughton, WI 5 15-02 125
Day 1: 5 15-02
78. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 15-01 123
Day 1: 5 15-01
79. Rich Lindgren Lakeville, MN 5 15-00 122
Day 1: 5 15-00
80. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 14-15 121
Day 1: 5 14-15
81. Nathan Whiting Forest Lake, MN 4 14-15 120
Day 1: 4 14-15
82. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 14-13 119
Day 1: 5 14-13
82. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 14-13 119
Day 1: 5 14-13
84. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 14-12 117
Day 1: 5 14-12
85. Adam Bartusek Clearwater, MN 4 14-10 116
Day 1: 4 14-10
86. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 4 14-09 115
Day 1: 4 14-09
87. Cody Salzmann Southgate, MI 5 14-02 114
Day 1: 5 14-02
88. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 4 14-01 113
Day 1: 4 14-01
89. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 14-00 112
Day 1: 5 14-00
90. John Voyles Petersburg, IN 5 13-15 111
Day 1: 5 13-15
91. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 4 13-15 110
Day 1: 4 13-15
92. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 13-14 109
Day 1: 5 13-14
93. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 13-13 108
Day 1: 5 13-13
93. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 13-13 108
Day 1: 5 13-13
95. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 13-13 106
Day 1: 5 13-13
96. Tai Au Glendale, AZ 5 13-12 105
Day 1: 5 13-12
97. Tim Tyndell Mineola, TX 5 13-11 104
Day 1: 5 13-11
98. Vue Thao Madison, WI 4 13-10 103
Day 1: 4 13-10
99. Jackson Swisher Lake City, FL 5 13-07 102
Day 1: 5 13-07
100. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 4 13-07 101
Day 1: 4 13-07
101. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 5 13-06 100
Day 1: 5 13-06
102. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 5 13-04 99
Day 1: 5 13-04
102. Richard Lowitzki Fort Myers, FL 5 13-04 99
Day 1: 5 13-04
104. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 5 13-01 97
Day 1: 5 13-01
105. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 5 13-01 96
Day 1: 5 13-01
106. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 12-13 95
Day 1: 5 12-13
107. David Bromenshenkel Sauk Centre, MN 4 12-13 94
Day 1: 4 12-13
107. Sean Clayton Seneca, SC 4 12-13 94
Day 1: 4 12-13
107. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 4 12-13 94
Day 1: 4 12-13
110. Avery Williams Murrells Inlt, SC 5 12-11 91
Day 1: 5 12-11
111. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 5 12-10 90
Day 1: 5 12-10
112. Randy Ramsey Burlington, MI 5 12-09 89
Day 1: 5 12-09
113. Steve Lee Crystal, MN 4 12-02 88
Day 1: 4 12-02
114. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 11-15 87
Day 1: 5 11-15
115. Tom Monsoor La Crosse, WI 4 11-14 86
Day 1: 4 11-14
116. Matt Thompson Stacy, MN 5 11-13 85
Day 1: 5 11-13
117. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 4 11-13 84
Day 1: 4 11-13
118. Blake Schroeder Whitehouse, TX 4 11-12 83
Day 1: 4 11-12
119. Andy Dassow Medford, WI 4 11-07 82
Day 1: 4 11-07
120. Josh Leeseberg Bemidji, MN 3 11-01 81
Day 1: 3 11-01
120. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 3 11-01 81
Day 1: 3 11-01
122. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 3 11-00 79
Day 1: 3 11-00
123. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 4 10-15 78
Day 1: 4 10-15
124. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 3 10-15 77
Day 1: 3 10-15
125. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 5 10-14 76
Day 1: 5 10-14
126. Kevin Rogers Pleasant Hill, MO 3 10-11 75
Day 1: 3 10-11
127. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 4 10-09 74
Day 1: 4 10-09
128. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 3 10-03 73
Day 1: 3 10-03
129. Philip Roesener Choctaw, OK 5 10-01 72
Day 1: 5 10-01
130. Gunnar Meger Otsego, MN 4 10-01 71
Day 1: 4 10-01
131. Cole Zagrzebski Stevens Point, WI 3 10-00 70
Day 1: 3 10-00
132. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 3 09-13 69
Day 1: 3 09-13
133. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 3 09-09 68
Day 1: 3 09-09
134. Dale Salzmann Hazel Green, WI 4 09-08 67
Day 1: 4 09-08
135. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 3 09-00 66
Day 1: 3 09-00
135. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 3 09-00 66
Day 1: 3 09-00
137. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 2 09-00 64
Day 1: 2 09-00
138. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 4 08-15 63
Day 1: 4 08-15
139. Joseph Titus Bemidji, MN 3 08-12 62
Day 1: 3 08-12
140. Ed Czerwinski Crown Point, IN 3 08-11 61
Day 1: 3 08-11
140. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 3 08-11 61
Day 1: 3 08-11
142. Parker Knudsen Minnetonka, MN 2 08-11 59
Day 1: 2 08-11
143. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 3 08-10 58
Day 1: 3 08-10
144. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 3 08-09 57
Day 1: 3 08-09
144. Samuel Moore Ramsey, MN 3 08-09 57
Day 1: 3 08-09
146. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 4 08-07 55
Day 1: 4 08-07
147. Matt Adams Oxford, AL 2 08-04 54
Day 1: 2 08-04
148. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 3 08-03 53
Day 1: 3 08-03
149. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 2 08-01 52
Day 1: 2 08-01
150. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 3 07-15 51
Day 1: 3 07-15
151. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 2 07-11 50
Day 1: 2 07-11
151. Dalton Smith Taylorsville, KY 2 07-11 50
Day 1: 2 07-11
153. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 3 07-09 48
Day 1: 3 07-09
154. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 2 07-09 47
Day 1: 2 07-09
155. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 3 07-07 46
Day 1: 3 07-07
156. Brady Hanna Silvis, IL 3 07-06 45
Day 1: 3 07-06
157. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 2 07-06 44
Day 1: 2 07-06
158. Scout Echols Monticello, AR 2 07-02 43
Day 1: 2 07-02
158. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 2 07-02 43
Day 1: 2 07-02
160. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 2 07-01 41
Day 1: 2 07-01
161. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 2 06-10 40
Day 1: 2 06-10
162. Phillip Kroll Otego, NY 3 06-07 39
Day 1: 3 06-07
163. Zack Williams Shell Knob, MO 2 06-06 38
Day 1: 2 06-06
164. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 2 06-03 37
Day 1: 2 06-03
165. Mark Tonjum Spencer, IA 2 05-14 36
Day 1: 2 05-14
166. Keith Brumfield Vicksburg, MS 2 05-13 35
Day 1: 2 05-13
167. Tadd Johnson Lakeville, MN 2 05-10 34
Day 1: 2 05-10
168. Austin Anderson Ashley, IN 2 05-07 33
Day 1: 2 05-07
169. Alexander Welter Onalaska, WI 2 05-04 32
Day 1: 2 05-04
170. Tripp Noojin Bryant, AL 2 05-03 31
Day 1: 2 05-03
171. Mike Mayo Athens, TX 2 05-01 30
Day 1: 2 05-01
172. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 2 04-13 29
Day 1: 2 04-13
173. Jody Gardner Tippecanoe, OH 2 04-12 28
Day 1: 2 04-12
173. Al Trapp Inverness, FL 2 04-12 28
Day 1: 2 04-12
175. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 2 04-11 26
Day 1: 2 04-11
176. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 2 04-10 25
Day 1: 2 04-10
177. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 1 04-08 24
Day 1: 1 04-08
178. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 2 04-07 23
Day 1: 2 04-07
178. Kelvin Wilcox Hazlehurst, GA 2 04-07 23
Day 1: 2 04-07
180. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 1 04-07 21
Day 1: 1 04-07
181. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 2 04-05 20
Day 1: 2 04-05
181. Manny Sciberras Liberty Twp, OH 2 04-05 20
Day 1: 2 04-05
183. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 1 03-12 18
Day 1: 1 03-12
184. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 1 03-09 17
Day 1: 1 03-09
185. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 1 03-07 16
Day 1: 1 03-07
185. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 1 03-07 16
Day 1: 1 03-07
187. Caden Cowan Stephenville, TX 1 03-05 14
Day 1: 1 03-05
188. Lance Owen Greer, SC 1 03-02 13
Day 1: 1 03-02
189. Daniel Larson Onamia, MN 1 02-15 12
Day 1: 1 02-15
189. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 1 02-15 12
Day 1: 1 02-15
191. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 1 02-10 10
Day 1: 1 02-10
192. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 1 02-04 9
Day 1: 1 02-04
193. Mitchell Jacobs Prior Lake, MN 1 02-03 8
Day 1: 1 02-03
194. Dustin Bliss Brooklyn Park, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Jason Elliott Warsaw, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Ken Quilt Prior Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Brady Schran Zumbrota, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Andrew Smith Chesterfield, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Bart Stanisz Austin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
194. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 752 2466-00
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102 752 2466-00
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN 8/23-8/24
Leech Lake, Walker MN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 3 10-12 200
Day 1: 3 10-12
2. Curt Blomquist Wright, MN 3 09-11 199
Day 1: 3 09-11
3. Eric Naig Bemidji, MN 3 09-09 198
Day 1: 3 09-09
4. Jim Nordlund Stacy, MN 3 09-05 197
Day 1: 3 09-05
5. Brian Brecka Alma, WI 3 09-04 196
Day 1: 3 09-04
6. Wilfred Raeker-Rebek St.Paul, MN 3 09-01 195
Day 1: 3 09-01
7. Troy Simpson Moline, IL 3 08-14 194
Day 1: 3 08-14
8. Chase Traeger Lino Lakes, MN 3 08-09 193
Day 1: 3 08-09
9. Brad Goetz Waunakee, WI 2 08-06 192
Day 1: 2 08-06
10. Justin Oppegard Eagan, MN 3 08-02 191
Day 1: 3 08-02
11. Kevin Yeska Madison, WI 3 08-00 190
Day 1: 3 08-00
12. Greg Poetz Winsted, MN 3 07-15 189
Day 1: 3 07-15
13. Robert Vander Kooi Mesa, AZ 3 07-09 188
Day 1: 3 07-09
14. Belle Kusske Carver, MN 2 06-13 187
Day 1: 2 06-13
15. Roy Biwer Shakopee, MN 2 06-09 186
Day 1: 2 06-09
15. Andrew Tweten Fargo, ND 2 06-09 186
Day 1: 2 06-09
17. Wyatt Peterson Excelsior, MN 2 06-05 184
Day 1: 2 06-05
18. Ty Kenyon Dodgeville, WI 2 06-00 183
Day 1: 2 06-00
18. Willie Meyer North Mankato, MN 2 06-00 183
Day 1: 2 06-00
20. Maggie Carsello Stoughton, WI 2 05-12 181
Day 1: 2 05-12
21. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 2 05-08 180
Day 1: 2 05-08
22. Towa Yoshikawa Kitakatsuragi-Gun JAPAN 2 05-07 179
Day 1: 2 05-07
23. Asher Schmidt Saint Paul, MN 2 05-04 178
Day 1: 2 05-04
24. Jimmy Fellegy Mustang, OK 2 05-01 177
Day 1: 2 05-01
25. Paul Schlotfeldt Saint Paul, MN 2 04-14 176
Day 1: 2 04-14
26. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 04-10 175
Day 1: 1 04-10
26. Mack Traynor Hanover, MN 1 04-10 175
Day 1: 1 04-10
28. Hoser Melgaard Elk Mound, WI 2 04-09 173
Day 1: 2 04-09
28. David Waack Cary, NC 2 04-09 173
Day 1: 2 04-09
30. Tom Lyskawka Arlington Heights , IL 2 04-08 171
Day 1: 2 04-08
31. Kristine Fischer Weeping Water, NE 1 04-08 170
Day 1: 1 04-08
31. Bradley Pierce Gretna, NE 1 04-08 170
Day 1: 1 04-08
33. Troy Jutting Savage, MN 2 04-05 168
Day 1: 2 04-05
34. Tanner Johnson Bemidji, MN 1 03-13 167
Day 1: 1 03-13
35. Erik Gaffron Hanover, MN 1 03-06 166
Day 1: 1 03-06
35. Don Kimmel Fishers, IN 1 03-06 166
Day 1: 1 03-06
37. Bob Harper Lombard, IL 1 03-04 164
Day 1: 1 03-04
38. Greg Spaid Brainerd, MN 1 03-03 163
Day 1: 1 03-03
39. Richard Conrad Arcadia, WI 1 02-15 162
Day 1: 1 02-15
40. Brett Brandstrom Shoreview, MN 1 02-14 161
Day 1: 1 02-14
40. Shane Kuehn Bennington, NE 1 02-14 161
Day 1: 1 02-14
42. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 1 02-13 159
Day 1: 1 02-13
43. Ryan Hastie Selkirk CANADA 1 02-12 158
Day 1: 1 02-12
44. Dennis Duffy Westmont, IL 1 02-11 157
Day 1: 1 02-11
45. Chris Stelter Chisago City, MN 1 02-10 156
Day 1: 1 02-10
46. Scott Dondlinger Scottsboro, AL 1 02-09 155
Day 1: 1 02-09
47. Sean Ruegemer Bloomington, MN 1 02-08 154
Day 1: 1 02-08
47. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 1 02-08 154
Day 1: 1 02-08
47. Levi Warner Hilbert, WI 1 02-08 154
Day 1: 1 02-08
50. David Riggs Highland, IL 1 02-07 151
Day 1: 1 02-07
51. Matt Commerford Wendell, MN 1 02-06 150
Day 1: 1 02-06
52. Kevin Deering Isanti, MN 1 02-05 149
Day 1: 1 02-05
52. Darren Gates Macon, IL 1 02-05 149
Day 1: 1 02-05
54. Brent Peterson Excelsior, MN 1 02-02 147
Day 1: 1 02-02
55. Brian Bottenfield Mound, MN 1 01-09 146
Day 1: 1 01-09
56. Jason Anakkala Brainerd, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Patrick Bartley Waconia, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Harrison Barton Sun Prairie, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Rich Bleser Burlington, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Kent Booth Hackensack, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Andrew Brandstrom Shoreview, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Eric Breitkreutz Sheboygan, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Dan Brown Groveland , FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Evan Cady St.Paul, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Kurt Chelminiak Delafield, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Bobby Cowan Stephenville, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Gabie Dandurand Detroit Lakes, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Dale Dobbins Maiden, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Mat Eichinger Chippewa Fls, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Joel Erickson Alexandria, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Mike Fischer Stacy, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Brian Forcier Akron, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Scott Gobeil Fort Frances CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Richard Greene Ocala, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Alex Grimbos Innisfil CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Steven Hiemenz Clear Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Cason Hiers St. Paul, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Tanner Horton Pine Island, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Albert Jones Jr Covington, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Matt Kelley Detroit, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Klaus Kuester Forest Park, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Sean Lofgren Forest Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Christopher Majerle Trenton, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Danny Mancini Necedah, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Art Monteil Shawnee, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jimmy Obrien Southampton, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Adam Omlid Grand Forks, ND 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Eddie Payne Tomball, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jesse Piontek Elk Mound, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Mark Schill Plymouth, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Dalon Schmidt White Bear Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jeffrey Shaw Anoka, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. David Slonaker Howard, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Jeff Somers Crystal, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
Boost Your Power and Casting Distance
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DAIWA’s new TATULA SV TW 150 features HYPERDRIVE DESIGN and SV technology to power your bass fishing while extending casting control and distance. |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (August 21, 2024) – “The bigger brother of the new TATULA SV100, the new TATULA SV TW 150 is geared for the power-fishing crowd, introducing them to SV spool technology and HYPERDRIVE DESIGN in a mid-priced baitcaster,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “They will appreciate how the upsized reel casts and controls bigger baits like swimbaits, deep crankbaits, bladebaits, and smaller A-rigs. The TATULA SV TW 150 is stud when the battle is on, too.” Energized by SV (Stress-Free, Versatile), the TATULA SV TW 150 yields the ultimate castability with a heavier line. “Bassers who spool 50- and 60-pound braid will notice the improved casting distance compared to their current reels,” said Martin. “The spool is sized to accommodate more and heavier line, too.” Users of monofilament and fluorocarbon will notice the significant line capacity as well. |
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Beyond providing a jolt to casting distance, SV technology virtually eliminates backlash. By design, spool speed is managed at the onset of a cast – where backlash is most common – and then allows the spool to accelerate as the bait continues its launch sequence. The precision combination of control and increased velocity yields longer casts that don’t start as a bird’s nest. The performance lends confidence to baitcaster-beginners and will knock the socks off veteran bassers. The TATULA SV TW 150’s second significant feature-set is HYPERDRIVE DESIGN. Once limited to more expensive models, DAIWA employed “trickle down technology,” bringing HYPERDRIVE DESIGN to the TATULA SV 150. HYPERDRIVE DESIGN consists of the HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING, HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPERDRICE DOUBLE SUPPORT, and HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH. Read more about each element below. In summary, DAIWA’s new TATULA SV TW 150 is a powerhouse baitcasting reel that minimizes backlash, casts for distance with control, and will be welcomed by new and experienced anglers alike. |
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TATULA SV TW 150 KEY FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES: SV TECHNOLOGY The SV (Stress-free, Versatile) Spool was developed with one thing in mind: casting control. The design of the spool, as well as how the spool interacts with the braking system, gives maximum control on the cast while improving casting distance. No backlashes. Longer casts. HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING A distortion-proof aluminum frame steadfastly houses the gear unit within the reel body. The concept comprises a combination of different manufacturing techniques, which considerably improve the functioning and lifespan of the reel. HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR A technology that makes gear teeth more efficient at transferring power, resulting in a smoother, more powerful gear set that also reduces gear noise. The gears are also strengthened by larger teeth in the traction wheel. And, the gearing has three points of contact – most gearing has only two – which keeps contact between the gear teeth, creating smoothness and longer gear life. HYPERDRIVE DOUBLE SUPPORT The pinion gear is mounted via a ball bearing at both sides, leading to a better and more even powered transmission from the handle. Also, the surface of the pinion gear is specially treated to prevent electrostatic corrosion. HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH The clutch mechanics have been optimized to remain safely in position even on hard casts. |
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T-WING SYSTEM (TWS) An innovative “T” shaped mechanical aperture that the line passes through when casting and retrieving baits, which allows the line to flow freely, reducing friction and sharp angles that slow line flow. TWS is unique to DAIWA baitcasting reels. ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT DRAG (UTD) The sophisticated drag system uses carbon washers, alloy, stainless steel drag plates, and special lubricant to provide smooth performance. UTD prevents sticking when dragging starts and stable drag for the duration of fighting a fish. ZERO ADJUSTER The spool tension knob comes ideally preset at the factory to match the model and reduce backlash when casting into the wind, skipping baits, or with lighter lures. However, anglers can fine tune the spool tension to their personal preferences. 90mm SWEPT HANDLE The handle is kept tight to the frame for added power and making it easy to quickly locate. MSRP $219.99 |
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THE PERFECT PAIRING The new TATULA SV150 matches ideally with the TATULA Elite and TATULA Elite AGS rod series’, particularly Medium and Medium-Heavy baitcasting models. |
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For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |
Dryness is a Virtue
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EGO’s Tactical Dry Gear Bag series redefines waterproof transport and storage for the boat, pick-up bed, campsite, canoe, and on the bank. |
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Caldwell, ID (August 23, 2024) – Waterproof is a powerful word that leaves no room for margin of error. There’s no sort of, almost, or water-resistant when it comes to storing and transporting essential outdoor gear in watery environments, be that rain, sleet, waves, spray, or a combination thereof. It’s in that spirit that EGO Fishing designed the Tactical Dry Gear Bag series (30L, 55L, and 100L). “Like all of our gear, the EGO Tactical Dry Gear Bags are best of class,” said EGO founder, Grant Corbett. “Many of our product concepts, like the S2 Slider Nets, are 100% original and dedicated to making fishing more fun and efficient. Others, like the Tactical Dry Gear Bags, take existing products and concepts and all their shortcomings and improve upon on them.” “Every angler, boater, camper, and outdoor enthusiast needs a dry bag or two, so we came up with a better mousetrap,” he added. |
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As with designing premium fishing apparel, material is at the core of EGO’s Tactical Dry Gear Bags. For years, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) – essentially, vinyl – was the baseline in drybag manufacturing. The good and not-so-good drybag options were relegated to this susceptible material. Surely, PVC can be waterproof, but it’s also vulnerable to aging, resulting in cracking over time. Its resistance to abrasion is marginal, too, and overall strength is also questionable. So, when EGO entered the drybag category, job-one was utilizing a superior material. “We went straight to high-tech TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) fabric,” said Corbett. “The material costs more, but the benefits are substantial and worth the investment.” |
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TPU has a high wear resistance and resilience, and can withstand high and low temperatures, ozone, grease, oils, chemicals, and abrasion. TPU is also far more durable than PVC. EGO’s TPU is also flexible over a wide temperature range, maintaining its integrity in hot and cold conditions. Moreover, TPU is resistant to UV rays and won’t fail in saltwater. Environmental sustainability is also at play. TPU manufacturing consumes less energy to produce than other plastics, like PVC, and doesn't require special additives like silicones and rubbers. TPU is also sustainable because it doesn't contain plasticizers or halogenated products. Still not sold on TPU? EGO’s TPU fabric has a greater load-bearing capacity than comparable materials as well. Meaning, EGO’s Tactical Dry Gear Bag can be stuffed to the gills and carry more weight than the others. |
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The Tactical Dry Gear Bag’s waterproofness is the knockout blow. EGO can proudly claim its flagship drybag is 100% waterproof. Once a fabric was selected, features and function took center stage. First, all the critical seams where TPU fabrics come together are welded for exceptional strength and durability, and to ensure long-lived waterproofness. All three sizes of the Tactical Dry Gear Bag feature a roll-up top to stop the intrusion of moisture. This, while an added zipper closure holds contents in place, affording safe keeping when the top isn’t rolled up. |
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Each drybag sports tactical MOLLE strips for hanging and managing items like water bottles and tools on carabiner clips. All three sizes also include a contoured, comfortable, and removable shoulder strap, as well as an easily gripped carrying handle. She’s a beauty cosmetically as well. The Tactical Dry Gear Bag’s Kryptek pattern says you’re serious about the outdoors in a tactical way, while a Velcro patch awaits personalization, be it military or series of patches telling everyone where you’ve traveled. |
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$129.99 |
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$162.99 |
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$219.99 |
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ABOUT EGO Fishing Fourteen years ago, we set out on a simple mission – to develop a better fishing landing net solution that addressed the many functional and performance problems that existed with the traditional products. What started out as a small landing net company has now grown into the innovation leader in the fishing net and accessories category of the sport fishing industry. EGO products are sold at most major sporting goods retail chains and are carried by a large network of distributors and independent dealers in the United States. Distribution has also grown internationally to include countries such as Canada, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and Japan. |
MLF General Tire Team Series B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota to Premiere Live on Sunday
WHAT:
The first event of the 2024 Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Team Series will premiere Sunday, with every minute of competition livestreamed from Erie, Pennsylvania.
The star-studded event, hosted by VisitErie, features two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat, and working together to claim a piece of a season purse of more than $720,000.
For the first time ever, the General Tire Team Series will be livestreamed daily, meaning every cast and every catch will be covered live and fans can watch teammates work together to break down a brand new body of water in real time. The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live all six days of competition at the Challenge Cup.
WHEN:
Sunday, Aug. 25 – Friday, Aug. 30, 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
WHERE:
MLFNOW!® is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and on Rumble.
NOTES:
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota in Erie is the first of the four-event series.
In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Erie, Pennsylvania, was not revealed to Team Series anglers until 30 days prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Erie then went off limits to anglers, and the competitors will discover exactly where they’re competing only after arriving at the boat ramp on the morning of competition. Fans watching the MLFNOW! livestream will find out the fishery right along with the anglers and watch all the action unfold live as teams work together and share their knowledge to break down each fishery in real time.
The 12 teams that will compete in the General Tire Team Series B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota in Erie, Pennsylvania are:
Team 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee:
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark.
Team Builders FirstSource:
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Team Coign:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Matt Stefan, Junction City, Wis.
Team Ferguson:
Nick Lebrun, Bossier City, La.
Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La.
Team Knighten Industries:
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark.
Team Kubota:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.
Team REDCON1:
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.
Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches:
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.
Team Star Tron:
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
Team U.S. Air Force:
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
Team WIX Filters:
Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
For complete details and updated information on the General Tire Team Series
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Shull single-handedly takes Day 1 lead in Bassmaster College National Championship at Lake Hartwell
August 22, 2024
ANDERSON, S.C. — It was awfully lonely on the boat for Hampton Shull, but the Lander University junior used solitude to his advantage and sacked up a five-bass limit of 17 pounds that leads Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell.
Shull, who has fished solo all year, made his mark back in May at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Bass Pro Shops, where he caught the event’s biggest bass — a 9-8. Shull heads into Day 2 with a 10-ounce lead over Parker Guy and Tyler Campbell of Emmanuel College.
Competing against a field mostly comprising two-angler teams was no concern for Shull. In fact, it likely contributed to his overall success.
“Being alone didn’t bother me,” Shull said. “It allowed me to fish freely without having to consider other opinions.”
Shull split his time between shallow fish and offshore fish that were in 10 to 50 feet. Hartwell has a mix of natural and man-made structure and Shull fished some of everything.
“It was about 50/50 between shallow and deep fish, but I think the deep bite is (most promising) for a three-day tournament,” Shull said.
After bagging a limit by 12:30 p.m., Shull finished his weight by about 2 o’clock. His biggest fish, a 4-plus-pounder, bit mid-morning and put Shull through the wringer.
“When I was trying to net my biggest one, the net got tangled up in my Minn Kota Raptor switch and I had to reach down and grab the fish with my hand,” he said. “It got dramatic, and the fight stretched out about 2 minutes.
“I didn’t panic because I really don’t use a net unless I’m tournament fishing, so I just treated it like a practice day.”
Moreover, his big-bass achievement at Sam Rayburn gave Shull the confidence to manage a stressful moment.
“Knowing that I could do that calmed my nerves,” he said.
Shull said he fished throughout much of the lake and found each of his eight keepers on different spots.
“I think it had to do with it being August and fish are tough to catch,” he said. “It was just junk fishing all day.
“I was just fishing by the seat of my pants and trusting my gut to fish what looked good.”
Shull fished a mix of baits and caught two of his limit fish on a worm and three on a topwater. As for Day 2, he’s keeping an open mind and trusting the game plan that got him to the top of the leaderboard.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow,” Shull said. “I’ll be listening to my gut and not getting locked in on any one thing.”
Guy and Campbell are in second place with 16-6.
Blake Milligan and Carson Maddux of Auburn University are in third place with 15-11.
Andrew Oswalt and Evan Mabrey of University of Montevallo are in the lead for Big Bass honors with their 5-15.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Green Pond Landing and Event Center. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 2:30 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.
2024 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2024 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowarance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, [email protected]
2024 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops 8/22-8/24
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Hampton Shull - Lander University 250
Day 1: 5 17-00 Total: 5 17-00
2. Parker Guy - Tyler Campbell Emmanuel College 249
Day 1: 5 16-06 Total: 5 16-06
3. Blake Milligan - Carson Maddux Auburn University 248
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
4. Peyton Sorrow - Garrett Ring University of Montevallo 247
Day 1: 5 15-10 Total: 5 15-10
5. Merrick Diaz - Cade Hayford Campbellsville University 246
Day 1: 5 15-02 Total: 5 15-02
6. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 245
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
7. Dylan Akins - Chase Carey Emmanuel College 244
Day 1: 5 14-11 Total: 5 14-11
8. Miles Smith - Levi Thibodaux LSU Shreveport 243
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
9. Brantley Anders - Reece Keeney Kentucky Christian University 242
Day 1: 5 14-05 Total: 5 14-05
10. Nathan Reynolds - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 241
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
11. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 240
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
12. Andrew Oswalt - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 239
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
12. Dalton Phelps - Gannon Stork Wabash Valley College 239
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
14. Robert Miller - John Michael Ortman Emmanuel College 237
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
15. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 236
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
16. Lane Stephens - Ethan Fields Mckendree University 235
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
17. Slade Davis - Trace Antunes III University Of Montevallo 234
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
17. Anderson Jones - Lander University 234
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
19. Braylon Eggerding - Lucas Washburn Adrian College 232
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
20. Dillon Robertshaw - Robert Hunt Missouri State University 231
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
21. Jared West - Gus McLarry Texas A&M Commerce Fishing Club 230
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
22. Garrett Smith - Andrew Blanton Lander University 229
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
23. Hunter Odom - Brenton Godwin University of Montevallo 228
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
24. Luke Davis - Chance Schwartz University of Montevallo 227
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
25. Bryson O' Steen - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 226
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
26. James Willoughby - Phillip Herring University of Montevallo 225
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
27. Carter Nutt - Dylan Nutt University of North Alabama 224
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
28. Dylan May - Evan Newell Carson-Newman University 223
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
28. Andrew Rickman - Ty Manterola Dallas Baptist University 223
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
30. Caden Pearson - Nathan Kallstrand Wabash Valley College 221
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
31. Brayden Nichols - William Tew LSU Shreveport 220
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
32. Tyler Combes - James Gillis Clarkson University 219
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
33. Brooks Anderson - Max Heaton Emmanuel College 218
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
34. Aiden Clark - Jackson Kulijof Murray State University 217
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
34. Nicholas Dellaporta - Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 217
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
34. Trevor Easter - Clayton Easter Tarleton State University 217
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
34. Harmon Marien - Maxwell Trotter Mckendree University 217
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
38. Hunter Keller - Garrett Christy Catawba Valley Community College 213
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
39. Cole Moulton - Kaleb Brown Lander University 212
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
40. Kai Barnett - Parker Welch Mckendree University 211
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
41. Cade Lipham - Caleb Coleman Drury University 210
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
42. Michael Avery - Peyton Dunn Emmanuel College 209
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
43. Wyatt Pearman - Ridge Rutledge Campbellsville University 208
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
44. Eli Jaime - Jack Hay Southwestern Michigan College 207
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
45. Landon Robbins - Will Eriksson University of Tennessee 206
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
46. Cameron Yates - Harrison McCall Lander University 205
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
47. Tanner Hadden - Caleb Hudson University of South Carolina - U 204
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
47. Will Harris - Cole Rankin Carson-Newman University 204
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
47. Peyton Rose - Brogan Gregg Wabash Valley College 204
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
50. Evan Fields - Noah Dabney Campbellsville University 201
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
51. Preston Kolisek - Smith McGregor University of North Alabama 200
Day 1: 4 10-02 Total: 4 10-02
52. Lawson Blake - Bailey Mckinney Marshall University 199
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
52. Connor Dunn - Cade Johnson Texas A&M University 199
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
52. Blair Erickson - Jackson Pontius University of Montevallo 199
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
52. Hunter Hamilton - Tyler Morris LSU Shreveport 199
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
56. Hunter Barrow - Caleb Dugger King University 195
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
57. Brady Metzger - Mason Bohland Purdue University 194
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
58. Brendan Vinton - Jacob Vanscoik Catawba Valley Community College 193
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
59. Hunter Sandschafer - Blake Beckmann Wabash Valley College 192
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
60. Alex Standerfer - Tyler Gunter Catawba Valley Community College 191
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
61. Lake Norsworthy - Calup Williams Blue Mountain Christian Universi 190
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
62. Jason Qualich - Jack Stephens Mckendree University 189
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
63. Dalton Mollenkopf - Derek Rodriguez Jr. Adrian College 188
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
63. Nick Owens - Quade Lobo Adrian College 188
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
65. Adrian Urso - Corbin Templon Murray State University 186
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
66. Hayden Marbut - Auburn University 185
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
67. Jackson Paden - Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 184
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
68. Logan East - Conner Giles Bryan College 183
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
68. Hunter Fillmore - Dylan Fogarty Bethel University 183
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
68. Andrew Ready - Trey Garrett Southeastern University 183
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
68. Andrew Turner - Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 183
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
72. Riley Faulkner - Szymon Piton Carson-Newman University 179
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
72. Luke Wenger - Braxon Hightower Dallas Baptist University 179
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
74. Grant Dohle - Jake Mantovani Missouri State University 177
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
74. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 177
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
74. Logan Plueger - Charlie Wright University of Montevallo 177
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
77. Kane Weekley - Connor Koch Southeastern University 174
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
78. Bryant Martin - Luke Batts LSU Shreveport 173
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
79. Brayden Stoker - Tucker Kendall Tarleton State University 172
Day 1: 4 09-01 Total: 4 09-01
80. Zion Dunaway - Casey Cornelius Purdue University 171
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
81. Cy Lambert - Austin King University of North Alabama 170
Day 1: 4 09-00 Total: 4 09-00
81. Avery Padgett - Kasen Pemberton Troy University 170
Day 1: 4 09-00 Total: 4 09-00
83. Bryce Balentine - Giancarlo Russo Florida Gateway College 168
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
83. Blake Wheat - Zachary Helton Carson-Newman University 168
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
85. Hudson Choquette - Brooks Parker University of Montevallo 166
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
86. Tripp Berlinsky - Bryce Dimauro Bryan College 165
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
86. Aaron Jagdfeld - Elliot Wielgopolski Adrian College 165
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
88. Cody Monlezun - Caden Denny Texas A&M University 163
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
89. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 162
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
90. Hagan Marlin - Chris Fallon University of Montevallo 161
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
91. Logan Greeno - Matthew Nichols University of Nebraska - Lincoln 160
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
91. Clay Henderson - Brant Rowland Drury University 160
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
91. Xander Patton - Stephen Brooks Emmanuel College 160
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
94. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. - Brady Pinwar Adrian College 157
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
95. Tyler Leachman - Mark Bixler Murray State University 156
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
95. Mitch Straffon - Owen Januszewski Adrian College 156
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
97. Emery Burnett - Drake Axon Georgia Southern University 154
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
98. Hunter Russell - Benny Blank Wabash Valley College 153
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
99. Hayden Short - Kentucky Christian University 152
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
99. Aric Szambelan - Alex Wood Missouri State University 152
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
101. TJ Edwards Jr - Sawyer Brady Blue Mountain Christian Universi 150
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
101. Elijah Kelley - Chris Baker Kentucky Christian University 150
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
103. Trevor Johnston - Ashton Hehr Texas A&M University 148
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
104. Chase Milholen - Koltyn Harbin Bethel University 147
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
104. Corey Morris - Brayden Mercer East Texas Baptist University 147
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
106. Jared Hubbard - Riley Hendricks Lander University 145
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
107. Kobe Thompson - Cole Carr Adrian College 144
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
108. Nick Seitz - Paxton Giem Adrian College 143
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
109. Harrison Heins - Hunter Slone Tennessee Tech University 142
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
109. Kade Hillestad - John Kyle Pearce University of Louisiana Monroe 142
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
111. Clay Taylor - Lander University 140
Day 1: 4 07-15 Total: 4 07-15
112. Tyler Cory - Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 139
Day 1: 5 07-12 Total: 5 07-12
113. Alec Poland - Jack Grushecky West Virginia University 138
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
114. Ben Burns - Riley Aebi Stephen F Austin State Universit 137
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
114. Jeffrey Jones - Coleman Bingham Bethel University 137
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
116. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 135
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
116. Trace Loe - Levi Loe Southern Arkansas University 135
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
118. Dawson Lynch - Sonny Mann Tarleton State University 133
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
119. Branden Burrill - Jack Simpson Western Michigan University 132
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
120. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Lander University 131
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
120. Ryan Thomas - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 131
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
122. Braden Cox - Joel Berelsman Ohio State University 129
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
123. Justin Latham - Blaine Mattingly Campbellsville University 128
Day 1: 4 07-04 Total: 4 07-04
124. Luke McGuffin - Rylan Green Erskine College 127
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
125. Kolten Goolsby - Landon Oconnor Stephen F Austin State Universit 126
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
126. Nathan Fideldy - Laindree Richardson Drury University 125
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
126. Kaiya Ziga - Hunter Petrovic Southwestern Michigan College 125
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
128. Nathan Preston - Auburn University 123
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
128. Trevor Young - Maxwell Schweikert Grand Valley State University 123
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
130. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 121
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
131. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain Christian Universi 120
Day 1: 5 06-11 Total: 5 06-11
132. Cross Campbell - Dylan Armstrong East Texas Baptist University 119
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
132. Noah Lieberman - Colin Wolinski Missouri State University 119
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
134. Brayden Ruckman - Cason Price Carson-Newman University 117
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
135. Ty Mundhenke - Matthew Welcher Auburn University 116
Day 1: 5 06-07 Total: 5 06-07
136. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 115
Day 1: 5 06-05 Total: 5 06-05
137. Caden Canaday - Virginia Tech 114
Day 1: 4 06-05 Total: 4 06-05
138. Peter Radulski Jr - Lane Gerbers Clemson University 113
Day 1: 5 06-04 Total: 5 06-04
139. Stone Smith - Drake Wadsworth Northwestern State University 112
Day 1: 5 06-02 Total: 5 06-02
140. Hunter Jenkins - Dallas Baptist University 111
Day 1: 4 06-00 Total: 4 06-00
141. Tripp Bowman - Matthew Nesbit LSU Shreveport 110
Day 1: 5 05-12 Total: 5 05-12
141. Tyler Chmelar - Kase Kramer Tarleton State University 110
Day 1: 5 05-12 Total: 5 05-12
143. Cameron Smith - Thomas Phillips Ohio State University 108
Day 1: 5 05-11 Total: 5 05-11
144. Matthew Echols - Christian Stewart Virginia Tech 107
Day 1: 4 05-11 Total: 4 05-11
145. Easton Lindus - Seth Jenkins Emmanuel College 106
Day 1: 4 05-07 Total: 4 05-07
146. Stetson Southard - Walker Wilburn Tarleton State University 105
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
146. Benjamin Travis - Brendin Simich Auburn University 105
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
148. Grayson Ball - Sellers Odom Calhoun Community College 103
Day 1: 5 05-05 Total: 5 05-05
149. Colby Carrier - Justin Frey Bethel University 102
Day 1: 4 05-05 Total: 4 05-05
150. Jonah Barrow - Logan Russell University of Nebraska - Lincoln 101
Day 1: 4 05-05 Total: 4 05-05
151. Billy Erdakos - Davis Klimczak Southwestern Michigan College 100
Day 1: 5 05-03 Total: 5 05-03
152. Kaleb Butts - Chase Rogers University of South Carolina - U 99
Day 1: 4 04-15 Total: 4 04-15
153. Trey McMeen - Braydon Kelley East Texas Baptist University 98
Day 1: 4 04-10 Total: 4 04-10
154. Caden Cardoza - Judd Morgan University of Tennessee 97
Day 1: 3 04-09 Total: 3 04-09
155. Louis VerBrugge - Mohave Community College 96
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
156. Colton Combs - Corbin Joyner Northeast State University 95
Day 1: 3 04-00 Total: 3 04-00
157. Scott Sledge - University of Montevallo 94
Day 1: 3 03-15 Total: 3 03-15
158. Alex Gore - Colby Reece Carson-Newman University 93
Day 1: 4 03-14 Total: 4 03-14
158. Carty Shoen - Jake Peck Auburn University 93
Day 1: 4 03-14 Total: 4 03-14
160. Delaney Platt - Ryan Olsen Southwestern Michigan College 91
Day 1: 4 03-07 Total: 4 03-07
161. Michael Canonica - Seth Proctor University of Tennessee 90
Day 1: 3 03-07 Total: 3 03-07
162. Elijah Jackson - University Of Alabama 89
Day 1: 3 03-01 Total: 3 03-01
163. Tucker Cory - Michael Witherup University of Montevallo 88
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
164. Hank Sturm - Matt Mosby Adrian College 87
Day 1: 2 02-09 Total: 2 02-09
165. Blair Cox - Zach Adamec Missouri State University 86
Day 1: 2 02-07 Total: 2 02-07
166. Scott Balas - Samuel Gremban University of Wisconsin- Madison 85
Day 1: 2 01-07 Total: 2 01-07
167. Evan Ludlow - Drake Heath Southwestern Michigan College 84
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
168. Sean Ferguson - Kansas State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 139 789 1479-10
------------------------------
139 789 1479-10
Service Crew Suggestions for College Anglers
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
A few hundred yards away from the bright lights of the Bassmaster stage at the 2024 Strike King College Series National Championship sits an equally important part of high-level tournaments; the boat yard. The boat yard is manned by the service crew, who are the true unsung heroes of every level of tournament bass fishing.
These guys stand at-the-ready to help fix any issues, mechanical mishaps, and help problem solve any pickle college anglers find themselves in this week on Lake Hartwell. They are employed by different brands and may wear competitive logos, but the truth is they all work together and are willing to lend a helping hand regardless of what product an angler needs help with.
They are here at 5AM before tournament launch and are oftentimes the last ones to leave the parking lot in the evening after the sun goes down. The technicians standing guard at the college National Championship this week are Scott Schmitt from Yamaha Outboards, Lance Lewis and Brian Lasater from Lowrance, Mark Martin with Tracker Marine, and Jesse Cloud with Mercury. While they cooked lunch in the parking lot of the impressive Green Pond Landing facility, we asked what tips they have for college anglers to, ideally, stay out of the Boat Yard at during tournament time.
“Yamaha’s slogan of ‘maintenance matters’ could not be more spot on,” Yamaha technician Scott Schmitt said. “It’s usually the simple things that get tournament anglers, whether we’re at college and high school tournaments or the Bassmaster Elite Series, we see a lot of the same things. Take the time to do a walk around your boat and trailer in the morning. It’ll save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.”
As though they were all speaking from the same collective brain, they each offered simple solves to potential alarms or issues like checking your oil level regularly, or inspecting battery connections if something is array electronically. And they all agreed that the following three tips are things tournament anglers of all levels should practice.
Trailer maintenance
Before your boat ever makes it to the ramp, anglers should start every trip by inspecting their trailer. Check the wear on your tires, the tire pressure, and ensure trailer lights are functioning properly. Make sure you have a spare tire.
At every gas stop en route to your fishing hole, do a quick lap around your rig and touch the hubs on your wheels. If they are hot or leaking grease, you’ve got a problem that needs attention.
“My grandpa told me years ago that a boat is only as good as it’s trailer, and it’s true,” Lowrance’s Lance Lewis said. “You can spend $25 on grease and a grease gun and keep your axels greased up. That’ll save you a lot of money and time on repairs down the road.”
Check your lights
After you make it to the boat ramp, the next thing the service crew suggests is to turn on your power and check to see if your running lights are working. Even this morning during the most important college tournament of the season, there were at least three boats who lost fishing time due to their running lights not working correctly. There is nothing worse than missing the morning bite while you’re off to the side trying to troubleshoot a light issue.
“I’ve noticed younger anglers are bad about not turning on their lights until they get on the water,” Schmitt said. “It’s a whole lot easier for us to help you before you launch your boat. While you’re waiting in line, turn your lights on and then have a backup plan. You can buy a portable light to clamp onto your trolling motor for $30 that’ll keep you legal and safe in a pinch.”
Carry a basic tool kit
The last bit of advice Schmitt and the rest of the service crew offered is to carry a basic tool kit in your boat loaded with hardware specific to your vessel. Things like extra fuses, a wire stripper / crimping tool, screwdrivers, the right sized socket or wrenches for your batteries, an extra prop for your trolling motor or outboard, and even a jump box if possible. You never know what situation you or a fishing buddy may be in, but if you fish long enough and travel to enough events, chances are you will eventually find yourselves up a creek. Make sure you are not without a paddle when these scenarios arise. Take the proper steps to ensure your rig is tournament ready and be prepared for unexpected problems on the water.
B.A.S.S. postpones Day 1 of St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake
August 22, 2024
WALKER, Minn. — B.A.S.S. officials have canceled Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN due to high winds, shortening the tournament to two days.
The decision was made after tournament officials consulted with the National Weather Service and determined high winds and the forecast of continuing high winds into the afternoon made conditions unsafe. Leech Lake and all tournament waters will be off limits today.
The full field of 203 boats will now compete Friday and Saturday and both the co-angler and pro champion will be crowned on Saturday.
Coverage of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN will air on FS1 on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all three days.
The Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
What Does Fothergill Foresee for College Series Championship?
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
College Fishing’s best and brightest have assembled in Anderson, South Carolina for the 2024 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Hartwell. Over 300 anglers who qualified from schools all around the country will battle it out over the next three days to see who will become National Champions on Saturday, as well as which eight anglers will advance to the College Series Classic Bracket.
Who better to give their expectations for this tournament other than Easton Fothergill, the 2023 Classic Bracket champion, who competed in the 2024 Bassmaster Classic and become only the fourth college angler to qualify for the third day of bass fishing’s biggest tournament. He’s been logging lots of miles in his alma mater-wrapped 2024 Toyota Tundra and putting plenty of bass onto the deck of the Z20 Nitro Boat he won full use of in 2024 thanks to winning the Classic Bracket last fall. Fothergill has had an incredible season as the Classic Bracket champion. He’s currently leading the Bassmaster Open EQ points race going into the seventh tournament on the body of water he considers his home pond, Leech Lake.
Easton and his partner Nick Dumke have continued to represent the University of Montevallo in several college events in 2024 as well. They double-qualified to fish the National Championship this year thanks to their second and fourth place finishes on Kentucky Lake and Saginaw Bay, respectively, but Fothergill is having to miss this tournament so he can handle his business in the Opens. Dumke is competing solo this week, so we caught up with Fothergill to get his predictions.
Q – While I’m sure it’s good to be fishing a Bassmaster Open on your home lake, you are having to miss the National Championship. How are you feeling and what would you tell your college fishing peers regarding the opportunity they have in front of them?
“It’s definitely bittersweet… this is my last Bassmaster College Series National Championship and I would love to go out with a bang with Dumke (tournament partner),” Fothergill admitted. “But on the plus side, it’s been an absolute dream season fishing the Opens and still getting to fish a lot of college tournaments, too. Part of me wishes I could be there, but the chance to fish this Open on a lake I have spent so much time on is such a cool opportunity. I’m blessed for sure.
“I would tell college anglers to have fun and enjoy it, but know what is potentially at stake and do everything you can to get yourself into the Classic Bracket. This whole program really has been life-changing for me and I know it will be for the next person as well. I’m looking forward to following along and seeing who is going to represent college fishing in the 2025 Classic.”
Q – I know your focus has been on the Leech Lake, but how would you plan to fish Lake Hartwell this week?
“I haven’t fished Hartwell since April, when Dumke and I won the ACA Hartwell Slam,” Fothergill said. “We were targeting the herring spawn back then, catching both largemouth and spotted bass. While the herring won’t be spawning right now, I do think it’s the tail end of the herring deal and they will be the dominant forage still. I would be targeting bass chasing herring around brushpiles or just roaming open water. I could see that pattern winning or at least excelling in this tournament.”
Q – If you were tying up baits right now to fish Lake Hartwell tomorrow, what would you make sure to have tied on?
“I would have a hodge-podge of your typical herring staples,” Fothergill offered. “A Strike King Caffeine Shad, or something like a fluke-style bait is a must have. Definitely would have a walking topwater tied on… I doubt they’d smash it all day but there should be some windows that you could get some bites. Lastly would be a spoon. A spoon is a great baitfish imitator and is something a little different to fire those pressured brushpile bass to bite.”
Alabama Bass Trail Announces another successful registration for the upcoming 2025 season, celebrating it's 12th year of competitive fishing
Decatur, Alabama – The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) is thrilled to announce that registration for the highly anticipated 2025 season has officially closed, with spots selling out in mere minutes. ABT will host 450 teams consisting of 900 anglers, coming from 12 different states across the U.S. As we gear up for our 12th season, we extend a warm welcome back to our loyal angler teams from the 2024 season and eagerly invite our new teams to join us in what promises to be an exciting year of competition.
Kay Donaldson, Director of the Alabama Bass Trail, expressed her gratitude and excitement, stating, “Once again, the Alabama Bass Trail sells out in minutes. That is a testament to the loyalty of our anglers and the hard work of the ABT team. While we still have work to finish for the 2024 season, the anticipation for 2025 is at an all-time high.”
The ABT prides itself on fostering a vibrant community of passionate anglers who make our tournaments successful. We appreciate the trust you place in us, and we are committed to working tirelessly to ensure that our tournament trail remains the best it can be.
This season, anglers and viewers alike can look forward to enhanced coverage, as the 2025 team trail will broadcast live on Alabama Bass Trail TV - YouTube. Post season episodes will air on Balley Sports Southeast, as well as in various other markets, making it more accessible for fishing enthusiasts across the South.
As we prepare for the upcoming season, we are excited about the future of the Alabama Bass Trail and the incredible experiences that await our anglers. We hope to see everyone come January, ready to cast their lines and compete.
About Alabama Bass Trail
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
Georgia’s O’Connell Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Lake Hartwell
Easley’s Wilson Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
ANDERSON, S.C. (Aug. 19, 2024) – Boater Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, won the MLF Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine two-day Super Tournament on Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine on Sunday with a cumulative total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 7 ounces. His daily weights were 14 pounds, 6 ounces on Saturday and 16 pounds, 1 ounce on Sunday. Hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau, the tournament was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL Savannah River Division. O’Connell earned $7,776, including the lucrative $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Though O’Connell said Hartwell is fishing a little weird right now, his winning pattern involved a mix of pretty typical summertime baits and tactics for a blueback herring lake.
“There is a typical blueback pattern going on where the fish are out on bait or on shoals and humps,” he said. “And there’s some schooling going on kind of intermittently throughout the day. I actually probably saw more schooling in the afternoon both days, but it was super tough to catch the schoolers.
“I essentially just got big bites both afternoons. I had 9 pounds at about noon each day and managed to catch about a 4-pounder yesterday (Saturday) out deep over timber. And that pretty much kicked my bag up with a bunch of 2 1/2-pounders. And then today (Sunday) I had probably 9 pounds at noon, and from probably 12:30 ’til 2:30, in about a two-hour period, I caught a 4-pound spot and 5-pound largemouth on the CAST The OG (Floater). It’s a big topwater.”
A couple factors flipped the switch in the afternoons. Part of it was the wind picking up, especially on day two, which made the fish more active. The other factor was timing. O’Connell located some fish during afternoon hours in practice and noticed they just weren’t on those spots in the mornings during the tournament. But come afternoon, they repositioned on brush or on areas where he could be target them more easily, versus roaming like they were in the mornings.
“Day two, I just started running more of the shallow stuff because it was windy,” he said. “Shallow being relative –25 feet or less. The conditions and the fish just combined to give me an opportunity. The fish were being much more aggressive in the afternoon at least.”
O’Connell relied on forward-facing sonar throughout the tournament to “scope” a mix of structure and cover, including brush piles, the ends of points and deep timber. In addition to the OG topwater, he fished a CAST Fishing Co. Echo soft jerkbait on an under-spin as well as a soft jerkbait without the jighead.
“I probably fished 60 spots today,” he added. “That’s pretty normal for the blueback herring deal. There was one area I spent probably an hour fishing that was over timber around bait, but that was the only time I settled in anywhere.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., 10 bass, 30-7, $7,776 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Brandon Martin, Lula, Ga., 10 bass, 29-3, $2,238
3rd: Justin Tingen, Moore, S.C., 10 bass, 27-13, $1,492
4th: Spencer Sato, Gainesville, Ga., 10 bass, 25-13, $1,045
5th: Wesley Sandifer, Chapin, S.C., 10 bass, 23-11, $895
6th: Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., 10 bass, 23-5, $821
7th: Scooter Ligon, Dahlonega, Ga., 10 bass, 22-1, $746
8th: Alex Prince, Blue Ridge, Ga., 10 bass, 21-5, $671
9th: Daulton Smith, Martin, Ga., 10 bass, 21-0, $597
10th: Hayden Seabolt, Dawsonville, Ga., 10 bass, 19-12, $522
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Lucas Black of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $525.
Chris Wilson of Easley, South Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,500 Sunday, after bringing a two-day total of eight bass to the scale for 13 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Chris Wilson, Easley, S.C., eight bass, 13-3, $2,500
2nd: Corey Veal, Royston, Ga., seven bass, 12-11, $1,119
3rd: Colby Elliott, Blairsville, Ga., seven bass, 12-1, $748
4th: Mark Garrett, Walhalla, S.C., eight bass, 9-14, $622
5th: Mark Yarborough, Salem, S.C., eight bass, 9-10, $448
6th: Russell Woodson, Jonesville, S.C., six bass, 8-14, $410
7th: Chris Worley, Eastanollee, Ga., five bass, 7-13, $373
8th: Scott Gerbers, Blackstock, S.C., four bass, 7-9, $336
9th: Brian Heredos, Simpsonville, S.C., five bass, 6-15, $298
10th: David Allen, Mableton, Ga., four bass, 6-3, $261
Wilson also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $262, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
With the qualifying season now concluded, Joe Anders of Easley, South Carolina, is the 2024 Fishing Clash Savannah River Division Angler of the Year (AOY) with 1,325 points and earned the $1,000 prize, while Todd Huntley of Inman, South Carolina, won the 2024 Fishing Clash Savannah River Division Co-angler of the Year title with 1,285 points and the $500 prize.
Next up for the Savannah River Division, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers based on season point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will compete in the Oct. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Prairie du Chien’s Ritter Posts Sixth Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Mississippi River
Illinois’ McLemore Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (Aug. 19, 2024) – Boater Jeff Ritter of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, 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 the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Great Lakes Division. Ritter earned $4,247 for his victory.
According to Ritter, heavy rains and prolonged high water on the Mississippi River earlier this summer led to some serious changes in the shallow-water cover that bass anglers are used to fishing.
“It happened right when our grass and pads should’ve been growing,” he said about the flood. “It was muddy, high water that lasted about a month, and it didn’t allow anything to grow well. It kinda stunk, but I like it now.”
As a result of the change, Ritter and others have had to scramble to either find grass and pads that did make it through, or adjust to fish other types of structure and cover. In the BFL, Ritter ran to a couple of large, shallow mud flats along the main slough in Pool 10. These were areas he fished the prior weekend in a team tournament without much luck. Things certainly turned around in the BFL, which Ritter credits to a couple variables.
First, the water had started dropping compared to last week’s tournament, when it had shot up about 8 inches due to storms. Second, the wind and overcast skies had the fish more active. Ritter also thinks the conditions prevented carp from sliding up to sun themselves in the shallow mud, which kept the carp from muddying the waters.
“They’re flats that normally would’ve had grass on them,” Ritter added. “But there’s not much grass. I caught a lot of fish on mud flats without much eye appeal. I don’t think many people got on it at all. I had everything I wanted to fish pretty much to myself.
“In all honesty, I was shocked to find the fish where I found them because of lack of cover. But as long as they eat, I don’t care.”
Ritter’s fish were scattered out and mostly relating to the edge of the flats, where there was a small drop. These areas were loaded with baitfish and swept with “pretty heavy current,” Ritter said.
“I was fishing anywhere from the boat being stuck to the bottom of the mud out to maybe in 2 feet of water,” he added. “They were really shallow.”
Covering water was key for Ritter, who used “a little bit of everything” to get bit, including a buzz bait, frog and Heddon Super Spook topwater.
The top 12 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jeff Ritter, Prairie du Chien, Wis., five bass, 17-14, $4,247
2nd: Rob Leidholdt, Milton, Wis., five bass, 17-4, $1,668
3rd: Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 16-12, $1,112
4th: James Keller, Cuba City, Wis., five bass, 16-10, $779
5th: Joseph Johnson, Maquoketa, Iowa, five bass, 16-8, $639
5th: Marcus Livingston, Augusta, Wis., five bass, 16-8, $639
7th: Tony Puelz, Garnavillo, Iowa, five bass, 16-7, $556
8th: Justin Shepard, Lansing, Iowa, five bass, 16-6, $501
9th: Mark Myers, Cedar Falls, Iowa, five bass, 16-3, $445
10th: Tyler Fitch, Fall River, Wis., five bass, 15-15, $354
10th: Austin Brimeyer, Dubuque, Iowa, five bass, 15-15, $354
10th: Devon Dvorak, Keystone, Iowa, five bass, 15-15, $354
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Ritter caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $410.
Kenneth McLemore of Antioch, Illinois, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,668 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 15 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Kenneth McLemore, Antioch, Ill., five bass, 15-15, $1,668
2nd: Christopher Morgan, Greendale, Wis., five bass, 14-15, $696
2nd: Lance Olson, Necedah, Wis., five bass, 14-15, $696
4th: Tim Himsl, Moline, Ill., five bass, 14-9, $389
5th: Terry Williams, Cedar Falls, Iowa, five bass, 14-1, $320
5th: Jason Swanson, Waterloo, Iowa, five bass, 14-1, $320
7th: Will Ahnen, Fennimore, Wis., five bass, 14-0, $428
8th: Brian Brecka, Alma, Wis., five bass, 13-13, $455
9th: Ma Xiong, Menomonee Falls, Wis., five bass, 13-6, $222
10th: Matthew Vang, Milwaukee, Wis., five bass, 13-4, $195
Brian Brecka of Alma, Wisconsin, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $205, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to getting the tournament win, Jeff Ritter also leads the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 948 points after four events, while Jason Olson of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, leads the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 953 points.
The next event for BFL Great Lakes Division anglers will be held Sept. 21-22, at the Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 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. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Pools 13-17 of the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
West Rutland’s Lavictoire Posts Fourth Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Champlain
Delaware’s Given Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Aug. 19, 2024) – Boater Thomas Lavictoire Jr. of West Rutland, Vermont, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Champlain . Hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, the tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Lavictoire earned $3,377 for his victory.
Lake Champlain is a legendary smallmouth fishery, and in this era of forward-facing sonar technology, it would not be surprising to hear that the Champlain BFL event was won scoping smallmouths with a jighead-minnow.
Of course, with all the focus on that approach, it leaves other opportunities open. And that’s exactly what Lavictoire exploited to get the W.
He said he “went solely for largemouth.”
“Largemouth have been ignored and have replenished, and if you get five of those you’re in good shape,” he said.
High winds challenged the field on Saturday, with 6- to 8-foot waves in some areas. Thankfully for Lavictoire, he had plenty of big-fish spots pegged up north. Though he had to run through some gnarly waves, he was mostly protected once he got to his areas.
“I fished from the ramp in Plattsburgh to Missisquoi Bay and back,” he said. “I mainly fished a jig all day. I fished a lot of rock and grass and a lot of boat docks, pilings, drop-offs, ledges – anything that I’ve fished in the past and caught big ones off of.”
Lavictoire ran a milk run of about 25 spots, mostly tossing a homemade jig (made by a buddy) that resembles a perch or bluegill. He thinks the biggest key was sticking to his game plan of avoiding chasing numbers of fish and targeting big bites.
“I think (the key was) mostly just putting myself in productive areas, ignoring the wind, ignoring the forward-facing sonar thing that everybody does and sticking with my game plan – the idea that if I get five big largemouth I can beat those smallmouth,” he said.
And, in case you were wondering, as exciting as it is to watch fish chase your lure on sonar, it’s also a pretty darn good time catching them by dragging or pitching a jig.
“It’s so much fun,” Lavictoire added. “So much fun.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Thomas Lavictoire Jr., West Rutland, Vt., five bass, 22-3, $3,377
2nd: Jason Stoddard, St. Albans, Vt., five bass, 22-0, $1,689
3rd: Jim Sweeney, West Dover, Vt., five bass, 19-4, $1,128
4th: Ed Casey, Whiteford, Md., five bass, 19-0, $731
4th: Jason Shipton, Muncy, Pa., five bass, 19-0, $731
6th: Josh Kauffman, Marysville, Pa., five bass, 18-14, $1,091 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th: Jared Phillips, Addison, N.Y., five bass, 18-14, $591
8th: Stephen Draghi, Sparrow Bush, N.Y., five bass, 18-12, $507
9th: Preston Vargo, Port Henry, N.Y., five bass, 18-10, $450
10th: Christopher Sanno, Landisburg, Pa., five bass, 18-7, $809
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Christopher Sanno of Landisburg, Pennsylvania, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $415.
Randall Given of Laurel, Delaware, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,648 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 17 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Randall Given, Laurel, Del., five bass, 17-5, $1,648
2nd: Eric Reynolds, Bloomingburg, N.Y., five bass, 16-8, $824
3rd: Scott Minch, Feasterville, Pa., five bass, 16-4, $549
4th: Matthew Belmore, Indian Lake, N.Y., five bass, 15-15, $385
5th: Michael Bell, Ogdensburg, N.Y., five bass, 15-13, $480
6th: Michael Bahnweg, Union Dale, Pa., 15 - 11 (5) $302
7th: Shawn Minch, Feasterville, Pa., five bass, 15-3, $477
8th: Melvin Smitson, Baltimore, Md., five bass, 15-2, $247
9th: Brent Navari, Colchester, Vt., five bass, 15-1, $220
10th: Hunter Navari, Colchester, Vt., five bass, 14-5, $192
Shawn Minch of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $202, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 12 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Christopher Sanno of Landisburg, Pennsylvania, leads the Fishing Clash Northeast Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 712 points, while Lenny Baird of Stafford, Virginia, leads the Fishing Clash Northeast Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 722 points.
The next event for BFL Northeast Division anglers was planned for Aug. 18 on Lake Champlain. That event was a makeup tournament for a previous event that was postponed. However, forecasts for high winds and unsafe conditions forced the Aug. 18 event to also be postponed. It will now be held Sept. 14 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. The next day, on Sept. 15, the BFL Northeast Division Super Tournament will also held on the Potomac River in Marbury. This will now be a one-day Super Tournament event. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
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. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki 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 or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 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 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Costa Sunglasses Announces Inaugural Costa Bass Derby
In partnership with Academy Sports + Outdoors, Costa invites anglers to Grand Lake, Oklahoma to participate in its first annual amateur-only bass tournament
JUPITER, Fla. – (AUG 19, 2024) – Call your fishing partner, grab your Costas and register for Costa Sunglasses’ inaugural Costa Bass Derby – a bass fishing team tournament set to take place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at beautiful Grand Lake in northeast Oklahoma. Hosted in partnership with Academy Sports + Outdoors, anglers from across the country are invited to partake in this tournament, which promises a $15,000 first-place payout and a weekend of fun, fellowship, and good fishing.
The tournament serves as an extension of Costa’s longtime support of bass fishing and its Compete + Conserve contingency program, that not only awards the highest placing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses in select tournament trails, but it also donates to freshwater conservation on the angler’s behalf.
“The bass fishing community is special to us, so when it came to figuring out a way to show our appreciation while always underscoring our commitment to conservation, the Costa Bass Derby was born," said Costa Sunglasses’ Brand Director, Jed Larkin. “We hope anglers of all skill levels will join us and Academy for the weekend on Grand Lake, where they will experience a great fishery, world-class facilities, and hopefully make some lasting memories on the water.”
Open to amateur teams only (see Rules), the tournament is highlighted by a $15,000 first-place prize, which includes a special $5,000 Costa Compete + Conserve bonus to the highest placing team with both anglers wearing Costa shades. Additionally, through Costa Compete + Conserve, a $1,000 donation will be made in the winning anglers’ names to one of five designated freshwater conservation organizations of their choice.
Entry fee is $200 per team with 100% payback. Upon registering for the tournament, each angler will receive an email with event information and an exclusive promo code for Costa products redeemable in-store at select Academy Sports + Outdoors locations.
Costa Sunglasses will be set up on Friday October 11th and Saturday October 12th at Academy’s 41st Street Tulsa location with product displays, exclusive in-store promotions for tournament participants, and insight on Costa’s latest frame and lens technology, including the new 580G® Gold Mirror lens.
Additionally on Saturday, Costa will host an optional Tournament Welcome / Registration at The Regatta on Grand. Here anglers can pick up swag bags (valued at $150 and guaranteed for the first 100 boats to register), be treated to dinner, meet & greet with Costa pros’, and enjoy some fellowship before a brief rules meeting.
The tournament will launch from Wolf Creek Park in Grove, OK at safe light (7:00AM) on October 13th and weigh-in will begin at 3:00PM.
To register for Costa Bass Derby visit costacompeteandconserve.com/bass-derby/. Tournament registration closes October 6 and will be capped at 300 boats. Teams are limited to two anglers per boat, and at least one team member must own a pair of Costa Sunglasses and be registered for the free-to-enter Compete + Conserve contingency program. To register for Costa Compete + Conserve visit costacompeteandconserve.com.
To check out Costa Sunglasses’ full collection of performance, lifestyle and optical eyewear, and learn more about its commitment to conservation, visit costasunglasses.com.
About Costa Sunglasses: More than 40 years ago, a group of anglers created Costa Sunglasses to stand up to the harsh light, unforgiving salt and rough conditions of a day at sea. The gear they made was up to the task, and it’s been on the water ever since. Today, Costa combines its superior 580® lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability to make the highest-quality sunglasses and prescription eyewear for adventures on the water. Committed to protecting the watery world it calls home, sustainability and conservation is woven throughout everything they do. From building products made of responsible materials, to Costa-owned initiatives like Kick Plastic® and #OneCoast, and its partnerships with 40+ mission-aligned conservation organizations, Costa inspires its community to help protect the earth’s resources and #SeeWhatsOutThere. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.
About Academy Sports + Outdoors: Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 285 stores across 19 states. Academy's mission is to provide "Fun for All" and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers. Academy's product assortment focuses on key categories of outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com.
Johnston claims second Bassmaster Elite Title with win at St. Lawrence River
Aug. 18, 2024
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — On a day dimmed by clouds and rain, lightning struck a second time for Canadian superstar Cory Johnston.
After claiming his first blue trophy at the season’s fourth event at the St. Johns River, the pro from Otonabee, Canada, tallied 102 pounds and claimed the $100,000 top prize at the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.
“It was a lot of hard work; I put a lot of time into this,” Johnston said. “I’ve said it 100 times, this is my favorite place to come, this is my favorite crowd with all my family and friends, all the Canadian support — and it’s a short drive home."
After placing fourth on Day 1 with 25 pounds, Day 2 saw Johnston add 27-7 and tie rookie Robert Gee for second. On Semifinal Saturday, Johnston weighed 24-14 and slipped back to second, 13 ounces behind Gee.
With Championship Sunday delivering 24-11, Johnston surged to the top and edged Gee by 1-9. Enhancing his victory, Johnston earned his second entry into the Bassmaster Century Club, which recognizes an angler for catching 100 pounds or more with four days of five-bass limits.
Notably, Johnston was the first angler to earn a Bassmaster Century Club Belt with all smallmouth by weighing a tournament total of 100-5 during the 2022 Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. He finished second to Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat, but Johnston weighed in before Przekurat and wrote his name in the record book.
All week, Johnston made a big run into Lake Ontario and did most of his work on an 80-yard stretch of bottom in 33 feet that was loaded with big smallmouth. The first two days brought calm conditions and fairly easy fishing, but Days 3 and 4 saw big winds roil the lake and severely challenge boat control and presentations.
Confident with what lives on that spot, Johnston said he was committed to his game plan.
“I screwed up here last year and spent too much time in the river the first day and blew my chances at winning,” said Johnston, who placed sixth in the 2023 Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. “I said, ‘I’ll never make a cast in this river again. I don’t care if there are 12-footers in the lake.’
“There weren’t 12s, but there were 8s and 10s. I didn’t have a lot of fishing time — about three hours a day — but I made it worth it.”
Catching his fish on a drop shot, Johnston used a 6th Sense Party Minnow and a prototype 6th Sense minnow. He rigged his drop shot with a 3/8-ounce weight in all conditions but adjusted his presentations accordingly.
“The first two days, I couldn’t move the drop shot; I’d have to cast it out and let it sit there and that was it,” Johnston said. “The last two days, I’d cast it past them and drag it through them.”
Coming into the season with a trio of second-place finishes, Johnston was yearning for an Elite win.
“It’s been five years, and I hadn’t won (an Elite event) until this year,” Johnston said. “I’ve been close a few times and I just had a feeling. I told (Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer), ‘Florida’s not going to be the only one.’"
Sweetening the experience, Johnston’s younger brother Chris (who finished fourth) won the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with 758 points. The first Canadian to win a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament — the 2020 event at the St. Lawrence River — Johnston also owns the distinction of being the first Canadian to win the Bassmaster AOY title.
“It’s unbelievable,” Johnston said. “What more can you ask for? It’s been an incredible week, for sure.”
Gee, who makes his home in Knoxville, Tenn., spent most of Day 1 in Lake Ontario and caught a limit of 25-12. The next three days saw him lock onto what’s largely a St. Lawrence River community hole between Carleton Island and the main channel.
Focusing on a point with scattered boulders and breaks, Gee fished a jighead minnow rig with a 1/4-ounce head and a 5-inch bait. He turned in weights of 26-11, 25-11 and a final-round limit of 22-5. Gee’s 100-7 total earned the event’s other Century Club entry.
“I gave it all I had out there up against the two greatest smallmouth fishermen in the world (the Johnstons),” Gee said. “The fish just didn’t bite that well for me. The wind changed direction, so I didn’t get to present my bait directly with the current.
“It was kind of at an angle and I think that kind of threw them off because it wasn’t swimming true with the current.”
Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., finished third with 98-9. His daily weights were 23-10, 25-10, 24-2 and 25-3.
McKinney, who won the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title, spent most of his time in the river and caught his fish on a jighead minnow rig with a Strike King Z-Too.
“Today I was out there working as hard as I could to try and catch ‘em,” McKinney said. “I feel absolutely blessed. I never thought I’d stand up here and catch another 25-pound bag.
“It’s an unbelievable fishery. I’d love to live closer.”
McKinney earned the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for Day 4 with his 5-9.
Joey Cifuentes III won the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament honors with his 6-15. He also won the $1,000 daily award on Day 1.
Reigning Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors champion Justin Hamner, who finished 61st, won the $10,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Year award for the 11-pound, 7-ounce giant he caught at the 2024 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
Chris Johnston won the $2,000 CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament award with his 29-5 Day 3 limit.
McKinney also took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, while Drew Benton earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Gee earned an additional $4,000 while McKinney claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosted the tournament.
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 8/15-8/18
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 20 102-00 103 $130,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-00 Day 2: 5 27-07 Day 3: 5 24-14 Day 4: 5 24-11
2. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 20 100-07 102 $45,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-12 Day 2: 5 26-11 Day 3: 5 25-11 Day 4: 5 22-05
3. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 20 98-09 101 $76,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-10 Day 2: 5 25-10 Day 3: 5 24-02 Day 4: 5 25-03
4. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 20 96-02 100 $128,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 29-05 Day 4: 5 23-00
5. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 20 93-00 99 $35,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 23-00 Day 3: 5 27-13 Day 4: 5 20-03
6. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 20 92-13 98 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 5 25-12 Day 3: 5 20-06 Day 4: 5 21-14
7. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 20 91-12 97 $28,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-04 Day 2: 5 23-07 Day 3: 5 21-07 Day 4: 5 22-10
8. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 20 89-14 96 $27,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 5 24-03 Day 3: 5 20-07 Day 4: 5 20-08
9. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 20 87-03 95 $26,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-02 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 5 20-13 Day 4: 5 18-11
10. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 20 83-10 94 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 25-15 Day 4: 5 13-04
------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 06-15 $1,000.00
2 Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 06-12 $1,000.00
3 Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA06-07 $1,000.00
4 Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 05-09 $1,000.00
------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 06-15 $2,000.00
CRUSHCITY MONSTER BAG
Chris Johnston Otonabee, 29-05 $2,000.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 491 2000-08
2 98 494 2015-09
3 48 248 1003-11
4 10 50 212-05
------------------------------
252 1283 5232-01
Johnston takes Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with big rally
Aug. 17, 2024
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — After finishing in 31st place Friday, his second-straight frustrating day on the St. Lawrence River, Chris Johnston still managed a smile.
“I might have one trick up my sleeve still,” Johnston said. “I haven’t practiced it. I’m just going to wing it. I have nothing to lose now. I can fish with no pressure. I know there’s big ones that live there. I hope the wind makes them bite a little better.”
Man, did he ever wing it, rallying with 29 pounds, 5 ounces – the biggest five-bass limit of the tournament so far – and clinched the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in the process.
“You have no idea how much stress I was under the last couple of days,” said the 35-year-old Johnston, who is from Otonabee, Ontario. “Everything that could have gone wrong did. A couple of nights I didn’t get to sleep until like one in the morning.
“I got a lot of gray hairs these last three days. I think when I started this year, I didn’t have one. But they’re coming in thick now.”
Johnston was in unfamiliar territory after the first two days of this tournament. In five previous Elite Series events here – 20 competition days – he’d finished in the Top 10 every day and was in the Top 3 on 15 of those 20 days. He became the first Canadian to win an Elite Series tournament in 2020 when he won on the St. Lawrence.
So, when he fell from 16th place on Day 1 to 31st place on Day 2, Thursday and Friday, Johnston was in unfamiliar territory. The trick he had up his sleeve was going to a couple of places near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, where he’d had much success in the past.
“I got spun out the last couple of days,” Johnston said. “I had too much going through my mind, thinking about where I needed to go to catch the 27 or 28 pounds that live out here. Today, I just said, ‘You know what? It’s too rough on the lake, and I know two spots in the river that have the potential to get the 25 or 30 pounds that I need.’”
Coming into this tournament Justin Hamner, the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors champion, was leading the AOY standings by 13 points over Johnston and 19 points over Jacob Foutz, the third-year pro from Charleston, Tenn. Hamner, who is from Northport, Ala., fell out of the running when he finished 61st on Friday and missed the Day 2/Top 50 cut.
Foutz finished Friday in ninth place but was only 3½ pounds ahead of Johnston in the tightly packed standings. Saturday’s rough water on Lake Ontario kept Foutz from repeating his success of the previous two days. One year ago, he was on the edge of failing to requalify for the Elite Series.
“It’s been an incredible year just have a chance at AOY the last few days of the year,” said Foutz, who weighed only 14-9 Saturday and fell to 35th place. “This time last year I didn’t know if I was going to be back on this stage. Just to turn it around is awesome.
“I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of this whole deal. It’s been a heck of a year. I have no complaints.”
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
Gee takes slim lead on Day 3 at Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River
Aug. 17, 2024
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Rookie standout Robert Gee distanced himself from seasoned veteran Cory Johnston geographically and, more importantly, statistically to tally a 3-day total of 78 pounds, 2 ounces and take over the Day 3 lead at the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.
Day 2 found Gee and Johnston tied for the top spot with 52-7 each. Now, the young angler from Knoxville, Tenn., heads into Championship Sunday with a 13-ounce lead over Johnston.
“It’s been a blessing; everything’s just going right, and I can’t do anything wrong,” Gee said. “I’m going to keep riding this train as far as it will take me and just give God the glory."
Chris Johnston, Cory’s younger brother, won the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with 758 points. The first Canadian to win a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament — the 2020 event at the St. Lawrence River — Johnston also owns the distinction of being the first Canadian to win the Bassmaster AOY title. For this honor, he claimed a top prize of $100,000.
“I couldn’t have done it in a better place,” Johnston said. “Waddington has been great to me.”
Making his home in Otonabee, Ontario, Johnston posted a Day 1 weight of 23-2 and landed in a three-way tie for 15th place with Keith Combs and Jake Whitaker. Johnston added 20-11 on Day 2 and slipped to 31st.
Righting the ship, Johnston caught a Semi-Final Saturday limit of 29-5 and tied California pro Bryant Smith for the largest limit of smallmouth caught in a B.A.S.S. event. Smith set his mark at last year’s St. Lawrence event.
“I remembered how to catch bass today and man, did it ever feel good,” said Johnston, who sits in fourth place with 73-02. “I got spun out the past two days with just too much going through my mind. I was thinking about where I need to run to catch 27 to 28 pounds.
“Today I said, ‘It’s too rough on the lake and I know two spots in the river that have the potential to get the 25 to 30 pounds I need. I put my head down and just went fishing. It’s amazing what happens when you just go grinding.”
Gee, who has notched three Top 10s in his first Elite season (second at Smith Lake, third last week at Champlain and fourth at the season-opener at Toledo Bend), spent most of his first day in Lake Ontario and caught a second-place limit of 25-12.
Shifting gears, he did all of his second-round work just inside the river, where he targeted isolated boulders and shelves along a point running out from Carleton Island. This spot yielded 26-11 — Gee’s personal best smallmouth limit.
Returning to his river deal, Gee added a third-round limit of 25-11.
“I’m on probably the best spot in the river,” Gee said. “I’m going to sit there all day and hopefully I can catch five, because they’re all big.”
Noting that his spot has been loaded with hefty fish, Gee attributes the mix of quality and quantity to a vibrant habitat.
“There’s a lot of life on that spot; there’s a lot of drum, there’s a lot of carp and there’s a lot of bait,” Gee said. “There’s a lot of gobies, too, because I’ve seen them rise up off the bottom and come check out my bait.
“It’s the first main big point facing into the current at the mouth of the lake. It’s just a money hole.”
Gee said he has been rotating through about seven waypoints in the general area. He’s catching his fish on a jighead minnow rig with a 5-inch bait that mimics the gobies.
“They sit on those rocks and shelves, and I just go down and go back, go down and go back,” Gee said. “I have to keep the bait above the fish for them to bite it."
Also hailing from Otonabee, Ontario, Cory Johnston braved the huge waves of a wind-whipped Lake Ontario to sack up a third-round limit of 24-14. Along with his first two days’ limits of 25-0 and 27-7, Johnston sits in second with 77-5.
“It was as big as I’ve ever seen it out there,” Johnston said of the lake’s turbulence. “There were definitely some 10-foot (waves); lots of 8s and lots of 6s. It made things really difficult, but we managed to catch five of the right ones.
“I’m going to go out there tomorrow and do it again. I came back probably 40 minutes early, so I’m going to have an extra 40 minutes tomorrow. We’ll see if we can go catch five great big ones.”
Johnston, who won the year’s fourth Elite at the St. Johns River, has been targeting an 80-yard stretch of bottom in about 40 feet. He’s rotating through four different baits and has caught fish on each.
Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., is in third with 73-6. Turning in daily weights of 23-10, 25-10 and 24-2, McKinney stayed in the St. Lawrence and caught his fish on drop shots and a jighead minnow rig with a Strike King Baby Z Too in Tennessee Shad.
With this performance, McKinney secured the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title with 734 points and collected the $10,000 award.
After becoming the youngest angler to win an Elite title in the season’s second event at Lake Fork, the 19-year-old McKinney was disqualified from the Smith Lake Elite tournament for a rules violation. Taking his year’s totality into consideration, McKinney said he considers it all a learning experience.
“To see the highs and lows this year, this (award) means so much,” McKinney said. “This rookie class is so good, it’s an absolute honor.”
Chris Johnston earned the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for Day 3 with his 6-7.
Joey Cifuentes III is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament honors with his 6-15.
Chris Johnston leads the CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament standings with his 29-5.
The Top 10 anglers advance to Championship Sunday. In addition to the $100,000 top prize, the winner earns an invitation to fish the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors March 21-23 on Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.
Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Whitaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.
Coverage of the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will air on FS1 on Sunday on FS2 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the tournament.
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
Fishin' Tip Friday: It Takes Hard Work on AND OFF the Water
By Vance McCullough - AC Insider
Today’s Fishin’ Tip is tailored to those who want to pursue our sport at the highest level as a professional angler. It’s based on my experience as a veteran writer/photographer who has worked with all the greatest names in the game along with some disappointing ‘wannabes’.
The job of a professional angler extends well beyond the water.
Sure, you need to catch fish, but the real value of a tournament pro is the interaction with fans and the media on behalf of their sponsors – the face they put on that company.
A lot of folks understand this, so why bring it up? Because, trust me, there are anglers out there who still don’t get it. At the highest levels of our sport, these guys would be the exception though. Most successful pros have figured out how to remain relevant even when they aren’t sacking winning bags of bass.
Among the greatest examples of this:
I was covering a Bassmaster Classic years ago. It was Media Day, our equivalent of speed dating wherein we make the rounds and talk with anglers prior to Day 1 of actual competition. I had generated more content than I could use. In fact, I was the 4th-to-last person exiting the building, security guards creeping ever closer, giving me the side eye. The remaining three people? A Japanese reporter, his interpreter and one Mike Iaconelli.
Ike gets it.
The man deserves every good thing he gets from the fishing industry, off the water, and the fishing gods, on the water.
As this story predates the MLF/B.A.S.S. split, all the greatest pros were assembled at this Media Day, and most had done their usual stellar job of fielding questions and posing for pictures. Most were ready to go rig up some tackle and get some much-needed rest. We all felt it.
But there was Ike, full of energy and intently focused on his interviewer, giving deep, well thought out answers, helping people across the Pacific Ocean catch more bass.
This is the true value of a professional.
Even if a pro wins a big tournament, next week it’s somebody else’s turn in the spotlight. Now what does he bring to the party? What value has he? A wise angler invests in the community of anglers, worldwide, as much as he does in himself.
Ike has won the Bassmaster Classic. He has won B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year. Yet, there are spectacular anglers, great teachers, who have maintained a profitable stable of sponsors for decades without ever taking first place in a major bass tournament.
Those guys understand the assignment. And they execute. They engage with the fishing public. They help people catch more fish, often by enjoying their sponsors’ products designed to help them do so.
More recently I covered a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament. I watched these anglers prepare for each day and then launch their boats. On the final morning, as the Top 10 prepared to launch, I was shocked at how unprepared one of them was. The guy hasn’t been on the Elite Series for very long. And according to the current AOY standings, he may not be for much longer. Long story short, his lack of preparation the night before led to him making himself unavailable for even a short interview on the most important morning of the week – one of the biggest weeks of his young career.
Contrast that with the work ethic of the aforementioned Mike Iaconelli who cut a check that week but missed the final cut. The morning before the final day he had rolled up, backed his boat down, opened the door, saw me standing beside the ramp and volunteered, “hey, man! Do you need me to knock out a quick video?”
Ike looked fresh, ready to take on the day. Before his butt left his truck seat, he filmed two perfect, concise videos to welcome viewers to Day 3 and give a polite nod to his sponsors by mentioning how a particular product or two might come into play under the changing weather conditions.
If you want to succeed as a professional angler, yes, practice the craft of fishing. Then get ready to really get to work. It’s not hard to do. It’s just a mindset. Share your love of fishing with fans in-person as well as through the camera lenses of the media who will take it to all of those who would love to be there but can’t be.
2024 Anglers' Choice Award Voting Starts Sunday
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