MLF Toyota Series Western Division Season Finale Set for California Delta
BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. (April 13, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to return to Russo’s Marina and Bethel Island, California, next week, April 19-21, for the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna . Hosted by the City of Oakley, the three-day tournament is the third and final regular-season event in the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse.
“The (California) Delta is getting better – it’s warmed up a bit and there are a few fish spawning, but it’s still really dirty water,” said local Toyota Series pro Mark Lassagne of Dixon, California, who has three career top-10 finishes on the California Delta in MLF competition. “I still think about 70% of the Delta isn’t fishable yet – but 90% was unfishable a few weeks ago – so it’s getting a lot better. There definitely won’t be as many zeros in this tournament, and the weights will be better.
“Last month it took 11 pounds a day to make the top 25 cut and fish the final day,” Lassagne continued. “I think it’ll take at least 13 or 14 pounds a day to make the cut in this one. It’s still the California Delta – someone is going to catch 25 pounds and then back it up a couple of 20-pound limits. I predict the winning weight is going to be around 68 pounds.”
Lassagne said that the standard Delta baits will be in play.
“I’ll have a Yamamoto Senko tied on – that bait will definitely account for some big fish, especially the spawners,” Lassagne continued. “ChatterBaits will come into play – I’ll be throwing one with a (Yamamoto) Zako trailer. And then punching baits – I like the (Yamamoto) Flapping Hogs and the (Missile Baits) D-Bombs. I think smaller weights are more effective when the fish are finicky – it slows the fall, and you can get a few more bites.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. PT from Russo’s Marina, located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF Toyota Series offers the biggest payouts for the lowest entry fees of any national tournament trail. The Toyota Series is the only Western trail that offers advancement to the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship, where pros fish for $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and co-anglers compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST V. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Whataburger serves up title sponsorship for Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake
April 13, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the third consecutive year, Whataburger, the Texas-based chain known for big flavors and fresh ingredients served up just like you like it, has signed on as a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament title sponsor. The 2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake will be held May 11-14 in Shelby County, Ala.
“Whataburger loves supporting local events in our communities, and we’re happy to be partnering with the Bassmaster Elite for another year,” said Jeff Altman, Whataburger’s Director of Sponsorships, Marketing & Innovation. “Lay Lake will make for an exciting competitive event with conveniently located Whataburger restaurants in Birmingham and the surrounding region.”
Two previous Whataburger-sponsored events saw hometown pros take their first Elite Series victories. At the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake, Alabama pro Wes Logan charged from eighth place to claim the Day 3 lead at the event and held on to his Day 4 lead to win by just 1 pound, 6 ounces. While in 2022, Tennessee’s Brandon Lester slammed the door on the competition at the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, Tenn., besting the rest of the field by more than five pounds.
Best known for its spotted and largemouth bass, the historic Lay Lake is a top choice for anglers year-round, and competitors will have the opportunity to tackle this 12,000-acre Coosa River impoundment multiple times with B.A.S.S in 2023. In addition to May’s Whataburger Bassmaster Elite event, the same storied fishery that has hosted four Bassmaster Classics will welcome the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops June 9-10 and hosted the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors earlier in the year.
Live coverage of all four days of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake starts Thursday, May 11 on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
Fishing fans can also discover their favorite anglers’ go-to orders and savor a taste of the Whataburger lore throughout the 2023 Elite Series season with “Whataburger Wednesdays” on the Bassmaster social media channels
Introducing Half Past First Cast!
About the Half Past First Cast Team
By Pete and Hanna Robbins
Before we get into describing ourselves, let’s answer your first question: “What the heck does ‘Half Past
First Cast’ even mean?”
There’s a pretty simple answer. By the time both of us turned 50, we’d had a lot of great fishing and travel experiences. We’d gone to Tahiti on our honeymoon, been to Lake El Salto in Mexico a bunch of times, and fished all over the US. Our careers were established and we were reasonably secure from a financial standpoint.
But that number, fifty. It hit us like a lead balloon. We were almost certainly past the midpoint of our lives, and with finite time left, we wanted to make the most of it. We were literally half past our first cast. We wanted to make the most of the casts we had
left – and we realized that there are lots of people like us. They’re out there living responsible lives, with happy families, fun vacations, and decent fishing experiences – but there could be so much more.
First, we applied the concept to our own lives – making fishing more fun, more productive, and more memorable – and as we did that we had the realization that we had a lot of good information to share. Thus we started our website.
About Pete
I come from a non-fishing family. Some distant cousins I never met were into the offshore game, but my dad has no interest. I took my brother to El Salto once and he had a great time, but I doubt he’ll ever go again. Nevertheless, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I fished tournaments in my twenties and thirties, but after going to El Salto, Brazil, and Africa, I realized that I’d rather spend my limited time on the water on the best fisheries at the best times, rather than competing. You may not make the same decision,
that’s your right, but for me, it’s been mind-blowing. From Alaska to Panama to Guatemala I’ve repeatedly renewed my love of the sport.
I’m also a pretty serious outdoor writer – a Senior Writer for Bassmaster, published in dozens of other publications. I love telling stories and helping people with words. It could be recounting an experience in the Amazonian jungle, or describing how to better hook Zambian tigerfish – or just why watching a
bobber go down under the weight of a bluegill remains so much fun. Even after we “retire,” I’ll still write every day. In fact, I’ll almost certainly write more.
About Hanna
When Pete and I first met online two decades ago (!), I knew nothing about fishing. I thought he stood on a bridge all day with a bobber. I had a lot to learn. Fortunately, I’m a fast learner and hyper-competitive. There were some frustrating early days in the boat, but now I’ve caught a lot of trophy fish using the tactics and techniques I’ve learned – and I usually beat Pete.
Writing isn’t my first love, but I’m willing to endure it because I want to share this passion. Had it not been for the chance encounter with Pete, I might never have wet a line, and that seems tragic. Now I get excited to show people new places, especially women and first-time anglers. Seeing the wonders of the
world through their eyes is amazing, and along the way not only have I developed an interest in fishing, but also in how to help women best enjoy the sport, along with photography.
About Half Past First Cast
So, besides sharing our tips, tricks, and experiences, we love putting groups together to head to far-flung places around the world. It’s the people we meet that make the trips special, and we’ve developed some of our strongest lifelong friendships with people we never would have otherwise met. That’s the magic of fishing. It brings people together.
We know a lot of bass anglers who’d never consider fishing for something else, but when they join us it opens up their world. It’ll make you a better bass fisherman (or woman), a better overall angler, and it’ll expand your world in ways you’ve never before considered.
Please check out our site, and if you’d like to join us in Mexico or Alaska or Panama or Guatemala, email us at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com. Even if those places aren’t on your personal bucket list, drop us a
line, and let’s talk fishing.
Watch for 10-pounders at Toledo Bend Bassmaster Open
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
As anglers idled out to begin Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open on Toledo Bend Thursday morning, the magic possibility of catching a giant on any cast was more than a dream, but instead a growing reality.
Toledo Bend tournament weights are the best they’ve been in five or six seasons, and the number of giant largemouth entered into the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass program currently stands at 51 giants for the 2022-23 season, more than double what it was two years ago.
The program is coordinated by the Toledo Bend Lake Association with the goal of encouraging anglers who catch a bass weighing 10-pounds or more to have it weighed at one of several certified locations around the lake, released alive back into Toledo Bend, and then be rewarded with a fiberglass replica of their trophy catch.
Bassmaster Open anglers Frank Williams, Darold Gleason and Teb Jones were asked how many bass over 10 pounds they guessed would be weighed-in the next three days, and their answers varied from one to seven.
Williams was the most optimistic, saying seven big ones would be brought in because lake levels are up, the spawn is on, and a wide range of shallow water habitat is accessible.
Highly likeable Toledo Bend resident, former Bassmaster Open Series champion, and current Bassmaster Elite angler, Darold Gleason was less hopeful than Williams. Gleason guesses just one lunker will be brought to the scales, and his longtime best friend Teb Jones pretty much agreed, guessing just two giants will come to the scales.
“The biggest baddest mommas in the lake tend to spawn first, and we are way past that time period in my mind. So, that makes those giants a lot less accessible up shallow this week in my opinion,” explains Gleason.
Water levels have been fairly stable in recent years, allowing healthy amounts of offshore hydrilla in 8-12 feet of water to prosper, and when that happens, the entire aquatic ecosystem generally flourishes.
“There’s no doubt Toledo Bend is the best it’s been in five years, but April is a bit of a wildcard month here. Fish can be doing a wide variety of things. That makes me a little nervous, but one thing’s for sure, the 225 anglers in this field can fish their strengths and still have a legit chance to catch a Toledo Bend Lunker on any cast,” smiles Gleason.
The numbers prove he’s not wrong. The question is how many we will see added to that growing list of 51 giants for the season as this event unfolds the next three days.
Catch VanDam this weekend where he once stocked shelves
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
It’s doubtful anglers shopping at D & R Sports Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan back in 1979 recognized the 11-year-old kid stocking shelves would grow up to be the world’s greatest bass angler, but this coming weekend he’ll be back in the family store doing seminars at their much celebrated annual spring consumer show.
“I think it’s fair to say the annual D & R spring fishing show that’s taking place this weekend is as much a part of our family’s year as Thanksgiving, the 4th of July, and other holidays,” smiles Kevin VanDam, whose older brother Randy owns the store.
“This show is where I met all my heroes like Bill Dance, Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and countless others when I was a teenager. And this year it’s extra special because it’s the first one we’ve had in three years since Covid hit,” reflects VanDam.
Bringing top pros in for the celebration has always been a high priority, and this year is no exception. Along with KVD, consumer guests can also learn from Josh Bertrand, Jonathon VanDam, Cory Johnston, Chris Noffsinger and Mark Zona.
Much of D & R’s success and longevity is built on treating customers like family, plus the product expertise they share with them is always a top priority too. So, this coming weekend the 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion is especially excited to team-up with special guest Justin Freeman, a leading product designer for Humminbird, to share in-depth wisdom on how to better understand and utilize MEGA Live sonar.
“Justin will be awesome at explaining how the MEGA Live technology actually works, and of course I’ll do my best to explain how it benefits me on the water, but if somebody wants to talk to me about something more simple like a KVD 1.5 crankbait, you can bet I’m always happy to talk shallow water cranking too,” says the Team Toyota angler.
D & R Sports Center is also one of the very top fishing boat dealerships in America, and Kevin was one of the very first sales managers in their marine department when Randy added boats to the family business in 1987.
“I was about 20 years old when Randy added boats to D & R, and he made me a sales manager. But then about two years later my pro career took-off and I was gone way too much to keep working at D & R fulltime,” he explains.
“This store has always been a treasured part of my life, and I know this weekend at D & R will be super special too,” promises VanDam.
Pretty cool perspective from that kid who was hanging lures on their retail pegs at age 11 more than four decades ago.
New Website Going Live!!!
Gunpowder Inc. Announces Newly Formed Executive Leadership Team
DELAFIELD, Wis. (April 12, 2023) – Leading enthusiast lifestyle agency Gunpowder, Inc. is proud to announce its newly formed executive leadership team, which will focus on growing the business, fostering a collaborative team environment and delivering quality outcomes for clients. The move promotes Carie Breunig to Chief Operating Officer, Leah Berg to President and Caitlin Conley to Vice President of Finance. Agency Founder Ryan Chuckel will remain in the CEO role.
This leadership group is largely responsible for the agency’s substantial growth over the last three years and innovative campaign execution for Gunpowder’s impressive roster of outdoor enthusiast clients, including SITKA Gear, Pure Fishing, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Johnson Outdoors, Breeo, Uncharted Supply Co., and THOR Industries, among others.
The newly formed executive team comprises three women who have been industry and agency trailblazers. With their combined decades of experience working and recreating in the outdoors, they will continue to give women an elevated voice in the outdoor industry.
“Carie, Leah and Caitlin have been instrumental to the success of Gunpowder, and are now stepping into roles that will guide the direction of our agency over the coming years,” said Ryan Chuckel, Founder/CEO of Gunpowder. “We are establishing a more intentional approach to leadership—one that allows me to focus on growing the business while putting key leaders in position to manage the work and our people. We’ve built a phenomenal team—it’s evident in the work we do and our reputation for being one of the best marketing communications groups in the industry. With these changes we are well positioned for long-term growth.”
Chuckel has more than 25 years of experience leading strategy and idea development for some of the world's most iconic brands and companies like MillerCoors (now MolsonCoors), Wrigley, GoPro, Kraft Heinz and McDonald’s. He has spent a significant part of his career supporting “passion brands” while connecting people to the brands that care about them, their lifestyle and their passion. Whether it’s outdoor pursuits, cooking and food or home improvement and DIY activities, Ryan has poured his heart and soul into brands that live in the heart and soul of their consumer. In 2015, he started Gunpowder Inc. as an agency designed to help passion brands win in a changing media environment, where digital savvy and an agile approach are rewarded.
Breunig, COO of Gunpowder, has 24 years of marketing and communications agency experience, serving large-scale consumer brands such as Costa Sunglasses, GoPro, OPTIMA Batteries, Southwest Airlines Vacations, Cousins Subs, Schneider National, Nestle Healthcare Nutrition, THOR Industries, Pure Fishing and SITKA Gear. Her work in marketing has been diverse but has always been inspired by big ideas. From the coordination of a nationally televised fishing tournament to launching a product on a charter boat in the Channel Islands, Carie is a creative at heart who values strategic thinking combined with breakthrough ideas and flawless execution. Carie’s biggest value is her innate ability to quickly and crisply understand a client’s business needs and drive the execution of programs to success, while effectively managing internal teams.
For the past 15 years, Berg, President of Gunpowder, has built lasting relationships with clients in categories ranging from baby care, running shoes, life insurance, fishing baits and just about everything in between, serving brands such as Northwestern Mutual, Sea Ray, Saucony, P&G’s Pampers and Luvs, General Mills, and Pure Fishing. Leah has an innate ability to lead by example. She’s a thinker, a doer and a valuable client sounding board. Leah has spent much of her career in account management while also diving into strategy and creative work, developing tight-knit relationships with internal teams and combining her strategic and analytical approach with creative ideation.
VP of Finance, Conley, has spent the last 12 years helping businesses and marketing agencies run more efficiently and optimally for financial success. Her knack for problem solving and organization has been instrumental in driving business results for Gunpowder, where she has overseen accounting and business operations since 2019. She has played a pivotal role in overhauling the agency’s accounting and billing systems to facilitate and optimize business with external partners and clients. Caitlin also has implemented processes that have streamlined efficiencies across Gunpowder’s accounting department and business operations, including payables, receivables, payroll, HR/onboarding, IT and tax preparation.
The Hardy Aydon Wins 2023 Consumer Choice Award for Freshwater Fly Rod
Many freshwater fly rods were entered into the category this year, with the Hardy Aydon out-casting them all to take home the coveted Consumer’s Choice Award for Best Freshwater Fly Rod at the 2023 Fly Fishing Show. “For over 150 years Hardy has been handcrafting innovative fly gear and we were excited to enter the Aydon in the Freshwater category this year. We are proud of the craftsmanship and many hours of on-water testing that went into creating the Aydon and are happy that the angling community recognizes the hard work and dedication behind this family of rods,” said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy.
The Aydon was meticulously tested to create the perfect blend of balance, recovery, and power. The Aydon Single-Handed rod is available in lengths from 7’ to 10’ and weights from 3 through 8. It has been carefully designed and manufactured with SINTRIX material, fitted with top quality hardware and has a purposefully designed reel seat. It comes in a convenient travel tube with a high quality rod sock. To round out the series, the Aydon is also available in Switch, Travel and Double-Handed models.
Fighting Mother Nature
This week Elite Series winner Bryan Schmitt joins to talk about his 2023 Classic performance, the daily grind and the remaining events on the schedule.
Next Gen Lithium Becomes Official Sponsor of Major League Fishing Toyota Series, Expands Tournament Rewards Contingency Program
Premier Lithium Battery and Charger Manufacturer Signs New Sponsorship Agreement for 2023 Season
BENTON, Ky. (April 11, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, announced today that Next Gen Lithium, a Peoria, Arizona-based manufacturer of premium lithium batteries, has agreed to a sponsorship with the organization for the 2023 season. The brand now becomes the first lithium battery to ever become an official sponsor of the MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats.
Next Gen Lithium has also expanded their lucrative Next Gen Lithium Tournament Rewards contingency program to include the MLF Toyota Series events. The contingency program offers bonus cash to the highest finishing Next Gen Lithium Tournament Rewards members in every MLF Toyota Series tournament, including increased payouts in the Toyota Series Championship.
“We are very excited to bring our batteries to the MLF anglers and be a part of the Toyota Series,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO of Next Gen Lithium. “As a former FLW Tour angler I know what anglers need in a battery. The Toyota Series anglers are our customers, and being able to partner with the nation’s largest and best tournament organization is a no brainer. We love giving back to our anglers, and our industry-only battery contingency program is a perfect fit for MLF and reaches all levels of MLF competition. It pays to run Next Gen Lithium – we're giving away up to $500 in each Toyota Series event and $1500 at the Toyota Series Championship, just for running Next Gen Lithium batteries.”
Per terms of the sponsorship agreement, Next Gen Lithium will receive exposure through multiple MLF platforms, including prominent logo placement on all Toyota Series trailers and weigh-in stages, the MLF website and social media outlets, inclusion in tournament media and promotion, and MLF Bass Fishing Magazine.
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about Next Gen Lithium and their premium line of batteries and chargers, visit NextGenLithium.com.
Fin-Nor Launches New Lateral-LineTM Low-Light Lenses (L4)
Engineered to optimize color definition without distortion to help anglers see beneath the water surface in low-light conditions
Columbia S.C. (April 11, 2023) – Fin-Nor, a leading sport fishing technology brand, launches a new low-light lens option to eight of their angler-performance sunglass styles, featuring uncompromising polarization and distortion-free clarity that maximizes vision during dawn, dusk, or overcast days.
Outdoor conditions can be unforgiving for success while fishing. For serious anglers, choosing the right lens color could make or break a day on the water. The NEW Lateral-LineTM Low-Light (L4) lens is a high-contrast lens designed for hours when sunshine is scarce. Further evolving the Lateral LineTM lens technology, the L4 lens maximizes Visible Light Transmission (VLT) by enhancing contrast without causing color distortion.
While many brands compromise their clarity and polarization to achieve a low-light lens, Fin- Nor’s L4 lens features the best lens color with the highest VLT levels achievable without compromising polarization and vision clarity. L4 lens technology features a high-contrast copper lite lens base with an attractive blue mirror, optimizing anglers’ ability to identify structure and spot fish. Harnessing the power of premium UV protection and 100% polarization, the L4 lens blocks out negative blue light and enhances an angler’s ability to recognize contrast in color, which helps cut through glare and see below the surface in variable conditions throughout the day.
Fin-Nor performance eyewear features frame designs that allow maximum airflow and lightweight materials specially created to lessen fatigue and provide all-day comfort. All Lateral LineTM lenses feature coatings on both sides that protect against scratches and smudges, even in the harshest conditions. The new L4 lenses come in polycarbonate in eight Fin-Nor styles; Big Pine, Bouncer, Flybridge, Hells Bay, Popper, Rum Line, Tilloo, and 12/0.
Fin-Nor L4 Key Features
•High-contrast lens for spotting structure and fish below the waterline
•Optimized clarity in low-light conditions with color-enhancing accuracy
•Uncompromised 100% polarization, reduces glare and brightens shadows
•Polycarbonate lenses: Clear, lightweight, and impact resistant •Oleophobic/Hydrophobic coating on both sides of the lenses •Maximum UV Protection
•Premium 5-layer backside AR (anti-reflective) coating helps eliminate eye fatigue
Available: April 2023 MSRP: Starts at $199.00
Must-Have Fishing Accessories
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EGO® Fishing reveals legit on-the-water problem-solvers. |
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Caldwell, ID (April 11, 2023) – Whether you’re wading inshore, casting metro canals or ponds, chunking-and-winding bass from the bow, or battling big waters, we all need gear that gets the job done. While most of us spend plenty of money on rods, reels, line, tackle, and weather-capable apparel—fishing tools and accessories are sometimes an afterthought. We’ve all been there, asking fellow anglers if anybody has pliers, hook remover, or line-cutter. That’s fine when fishing with buddies, but out solo it can be a sad situation. Now add your once-in-a-lifetime landing of a trophy fish without any scale or measuring tape to validate the catch. Hard to say how many potential wall-mount replicas (and record-breakers) have been released without specs, only to survive in blurry, first-person cellphone photos and tall tales. That brings us to probably the smartest fish scale/measuring tape combo we’ve ever used. |
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Small enough to fit in any tackle pack, hoodie or shorts side pocket, the EGO® Waterproof Fishing Scale is compact, but will weigh fish topping 100 pounds (like we’ll ever need that)! And, unlike most scales, the EGO Waterproof Fishing Scale also features a flexible, retractable measuring tape not only designed for measuring fish length but works for wrapping around fish bellies for girth measurements, too. That means no carrying a tangled sewing tape measure—and you can leave the silver and yellow Stanley in the garage, too. FEATURES:
MSRP $69.99 |
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When removing needle-sharp trebles from the skin, muscle, or bone in toothy fish mouths, we’ve often wished for a better way. Even in the case of using long-handled pliers, hemostats, and forceps—the business ends aren’t designed for removing hooks—they’re intended for crimping, applying pressure, and in the case of repurposed surgical tools, well, surgery. The solution? EGO's Ultra Hook Remover specifically designed for the task of removing hooks deep from the throats of gamefish. The genius behind it is a two-finger pinching mechanism grip that extends and retracts a non-corrosive J-shaped hook grabber for easy and safe hook removal from thrashing gamefish in or out of a landing net. FEATURES:
MSRP $15.99 |
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On a scale of 1-to-10, most line-cutters barely score a 5. They fail to slice braid, leaving fray that’s difficult to work with; dull quickly; easily bend out of shape; and aren’t weaponized to open a split-ring. Conversely, EGO’s Line Cutter slices through thin and thick braids with surgical precision, stays sharp, holds its shape, and features a split-ring jaw on its tip. And you can keep the Line Cutter at the ready on an EGO Retractable Lanyard. FEATURES:
MSRP $6.99 |
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WHATABURGER AND ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS SERVE UP A FRESH COLLABORATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Hometown Favorite Anthony Gagliardi Wins Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Prosperity, South Carolina Pro Catches Five-Bass Limit Weighing 26-13 to Win by 4-Pound 11-Ounce Margin, Earn First Tour-Level Win Since 2014 and $100,000 Top Prize
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 7, 2023) – Lake Murray has been good to professional angler Anthony Gagliardi . Coming into the event, the Prosperity, South Carolina pro had two major national wins – including the prestigious 2014 FLW Cup – and banked nearly a half of a million dollars in career tournament winnings from Lake Murray, alone. On Friday, Gagliardi added another big trophy and another $100,000 in earnings from his hometown fishery. Gagliardi caught 16 scorable bass, with his best five weighing 26 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the top prize of $100,000 at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury.
Gagliardi’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 47 pounds, 12 ounces, earned him the win by a 4-pound, 11-ounce margin over second-place finisher Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, who weighed in 10 bass totaling 43-1.
“There is something about this lake, I don’t know what it is, but this lake just suits me,” Gagliardi said. “I don’t even fish it all that much – I honestly don’t – but this lake is just incredible, and I am so proud to be from here. Lake Murray showed out for everybody this week.
“If you’d have told me that I was going to be able to catch that kind of weight doing the things I was doing today, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Gagliardi continued. “I started the day out thinking I was going to fish conservatively and just try to get to 18 pounds and see what happens after that. But I caught a 5-12 early, and then the 8-pounder – just a huge, huge fish. Then it was on. This has just been a blessed day all around.”
Gagliardi spent his week targeting fish that were feeding on the blueback herring, but he did it in an unorthodox way – with a drop-shot rig keying on schools of striped bass.
“This is not how I envisioned this tournament playing out,” Gagliardi said. “The herring bite is usually the deal this time of year, and I practiced that way. But I just didn’t find the places that I felt like had big enough fish. And then I figured out the other deal, and just went with what I had.
“I was fishing points that had herring, and I was specifically looking for points that had stripers on them,” Gagliardi continued. “I slowed down and used that drop-shot so I wouldn’t have to worry about catching the stripers. A lot of times I’d throw into groups that I knew were stripers and I’d watch the drop-shot go down through them. The stripers would swim around and act real crazy, but it would get down and if there was a largemouth in that group of stripers he would bite the drop-shot.
“I was also seeing some fish on the Garmin LiveScope – individual fish, and I caught a lot that way as well, but I never thought I would have been fishing like I was today.”
Gagliardi had an extremely disappointing start to his 2023 Bass Pro Tour season, finishing tied for 79th place at the first event of the year at Stage One on Lake Toho. Now, after a 17th-place showing at Stage Two on Cherokee & Douglas Lakes and the win on Lake Murray, Gagliardi finds himself back inside the REDCREST qualification line at 27th place in the Bally Bet Angler of the Year race.
“I was really nervous about this one, from the standpoint of doing well,” Gagliardi said. “I knew the lake was going to fish really good, but this time of year, with the fish spawning, I didn’t think any local advantage was going to come into play. So I just wanted to have a good tournament and not bomb on my home lake.
“But as the tournament progressed I was able to stay consistent, and the farther into the tournament I advanced I started to devote more time to the drop-shot deal when I figured out I could get a good quality bite. And that’s what I stuck with the entire day, today.
“It’s been my time a couple of times on this lake,” Gagliardi went on to say. “That’s three major wins on this lake, and another second-place finish as well. She’s been good to me over the years, and this is just such an awesome feeling. I love this lake.”
The final 10 pros from the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury finished:
1st: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 47-12, $100,000
2nd: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 43-1, $45,000
3rd: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 10 bass, 41-6, $38,000
4th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 40-15, $32,000
5th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 40-6, $30,000
6th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 40-0, $26,000
7th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 37-3, $23,000
8th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C, 10 bass, 36-13, $21,000
9th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 36-0, $19,000
10th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., nine bass, 31-11, $16,000
Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 106 scorable bass weighing 317 pounds, 1 ounce caught by the final 10 pros Friday.
Gagliardi also earned Friday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with his 8-pounder on the drop-shot rig in Period 2. Fellow South Carolina pro, Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event with his monster 8-pound, 8-ounce largemouth that he weighed on Day 3 of competition.
After three events in the Bass Pro Tour regular season, pro Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, is the leader in the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) standings with 231 points. Pro Chris Lane of Guntersville, Alabama, sits in second place with 218 points, while pro Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee, rounds out the top three with 202 points. Bally Bet will award $100,000 to the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year winner.
The next event for qualified Bass Pro Tour anglers will be the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event on Caney Creek Reservoir and Bussey Brake, April 24-29, in Monroe, Louisiana. The next regular season Bass Pro Tour event will take place next month – the Toro Stage Four Presented by Bass Cat Boats, May 16-21, at Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury featured pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The six-day bass-fishing event, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcased 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Battledress for the Boat
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Whitewater Fishing’s new Buoy™ HD Fishing Hoodie is built for battle with a look and feel you’ll want to wear daily. |
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MUSKEGON, Mich. (April 7, 2023) – If fishing were a branch of the military, the hoodie would be standard issue battledress. It’s cornerstone to the look and field performance for everyday anglers and competitive professionals alike. And being so foundational to angling apparel, subpar hoodie’s need not apply. Whitewater Fishing advances the design, construction, and performance of the hoodie to new heights with the new Buoy™ HD Fishing Hoodie. |
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It begins with the Buoy™ HD Fishing Hoodie’s substantial heft and feel that exudes warmth and durability via its comfortable, heavy-duty cotton-poly blend. This perfect mixture of materials yields the comfort and warmth of cotton with the shape-keeping fit of poly. And, unlike the average hoodie that slurps up water, the Buoy HD Fishing Hoodie is DWR (Durable Water Repellant) treated to repel moisture. |
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External features are headlined by a zip closure kangaroo pouch – keep open for quick hand warming and zip shut to securely store your keys, wallet, or smartphone. Rib knit construction at the cuffs and waist yields a secure fit while preventing drafts and heat loss. And reflective tape at the front and back of the shoulders promotes angler visibility in foggy, low-light, and nighttime conditions. Lastly, an adjustable hood shock cord locks to customize fit, with or without a hat. Fishing has a new uniform. Its name is Buoy HD Fishing Hoodie by Whitewater Fishing. |
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Buoy™ HD Fishing Hoodie FEATURES:
Apparel will soon be available at select dealers but is available online NOW at whitewaterfish.com. |
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Clarksville Angler Zach King Wins MLF Toyota Series at Lake Dardanelle
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (April 7, 2023) – Pro Zach King of Clarksville, Arkansas brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Dardanelle and earn the top payout of $40,000. Over the three days of competition King weighed in 15 bass totaling 55-3 to earn the win by a 5-pound, 13-ounce margin over Texas’ Todd Castledine, who finished second with a three-day total of 49-6, good for $15,500.
“I was feeling good coming into this tournament because I have a lot of local knowledge on the fishery,” said King. “I know where the bass are at and what they’re doing. The only thing I was worried about was the weather. I knew this cold front was coming but thank goodness the weatherman was wrong on the predictions. When we looked at the forecast, it was supposed to be 38 degrees on the final day, but when we woke up it was 50 degrees, which made a huge difference in the bite.
“They called for early storms and a cold front on the second day of the event, but when we woke up that morning, it was 76 degrees, and the storms hadn’t hit yet.”
Despite all the anticipated weather that was late coming to fruition, King said the event ended up being “the perfect storm” for him.
“Everything aligned just right for me in this event,” said King. “It was warm two days prior to practice and the first two days of the event, but then the cold front hit and made it tough for a lot of the anglers. Thankfully, my local knowledge paid off for me when the conditions did change.”
King said he’s a big sight-fisherman and spent most of his time upriver in the Spadra Creek region, targeting spawning fish on beds.
“Probably 97% of my fish came from me looking at them on beds,” said King. “I was throwing a watermelon red flake-colored Yum Dinger, a ¼-ounce War Eagle Spinnerbait and a 3/8-ounce Booyah Swim’n Jig on a Randall Tharp Money Maker ARK Rod with 15-pound Seaguar Line.”
The Clarksville pro said he’d finished 2nd on the Toyota Series four times over the last 10 years or so and was due for a win.
“It feels amazing, and it was so great having all of my family here with me,” said King. “I’ve lived here and fished this lake my whole life and everyone has always considered me the ‘King of Dardanelle’, so it feels good to finally solidify that with a win on my home lake.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Dardanelle finished:
2nd: Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas, 15 bass, 49-6, $15,500
3rd: Erick Hurst, Clarksville, Ark., 15 bass, 49-6, $13,000
4th: Kirk Smith, Edmond, Okla., 15 bass, 47-15, $10,200
5th: Dillon Harrell, New Haney, Texas, 15 bass, 46-1, $9,000
6th: Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 15 bass, 45-14, $8,300
7th: Matt Baker, Glenwood, Ark., 15 bass, 44-5, $7,000
8th: Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas, 15 bass, 43-3, $6,000
9th: Jeff Lugar, Princeton, Texas, 15 bass, 41-13, $5,000
10th: Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis., 15 bass, 40-12, $4,000
Pro Derick Maschmeier of Azle, Texas won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Tuesday with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. On Wednesday, pro Evan Barnes of Dardanelle, Arkansas earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize after bringing a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass to the scale.
Hurst 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.
Robert Chavers of Knoxville, Arkansas went wire-to-wire to win the Strike King Co-angler Division Thursday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 35 pounds, 10 ounces. Chavers took home the top prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Dardanelle finished:
2nd: Carter Wijangco, Naperville, Ill., 13 bass, 34-8, $5,000
3rd: Brennan Cole, Altheimer, Ark., 15 bass, 33-10, $4,000
4th: Scott Parsons, Rogers, Ark., 15 bass, 31-2, $3,500
5th: Will Lancett, Jacksonville, Ark., 12 bass, 30-5, $3,000
6th: Cody McEntire, Walnut Ridge, Ark., 12 bass, 29-14, $2,500
7th: Garrett Wilson, Willis, Texas, 13 bass, 29-12, 13 bass, $2,000
8th: Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., 12 bass, 29-9, $1,750
9th: Alan Bernicky, Joliet, Ill., 11 bass, 29-2, $1,850
10th: Charles Williams, Clarksville, Ark., 13 bass, 28-13, $1,250
With two of three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Southwestern Division now complete, pro Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas leads the Southwestern Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 508 points, while Justin Swayze of Gurdon, Arkansas leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 508 points.
The Toyota Series at Lake Dardanelle, hosted by Russellville Advertising and Promotions, was the second of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Southwestern Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna, April 19-21, in Bethel Island, California. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2024. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Next Gen Lithium, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Major League Fishing Pros and Fisheries Management Division Deploy Artificial Fish Habitat into Lake Greenwood
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has been collaborating with Greenwood County Lake Management (GCLM) since 2019 to improve habitat within Greenwood. Their previous permit allowed for the deployment of 300-plus individual structures at 19 sites. The GCLM team continued the project by purchasing 225 structures and provided them to registered dock owners throughout Greenwood Lake.
The MLF FMD partnered with SCDNR, and GCLM to provide the next phase of this project in 2023. The Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project supported by Mercury Marine and MossBack Fish Habitat provided the partnership with 99 MossBack Fish Habitat products including 14 40-inch Conservation Cubes, 31 20-inch root wads, 27 60-inch Trophy Tree XL, 27 60-inch Safe Haven XL, and cinder block adaptors to make the product easy to deploy. The retail value of the habitat donated for this project is $26,200.
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(Photos courtesy of MAJOR BASS)
The three MLF angler volunteers met MLF FMD Director Steven Bardin, SCDNR Fisheries Chief Ross Self, Assistant Chief Lynn Quattro, Region 1 Biologist Amy Breedlove Chastain, SCDNR staff and GCLM staff at Lake Greenwood State Park. The volunteers built part of the MossBack habitats and deployed them under the courtesy fishing pier. SCDNR and GCLM are awaiting permitting approval to deploy the remaining structures this summer. Once complete the new habitat areas will be added to the current fish attractor map found on the SCDNR website. “I really appreciate the SCDNR and GCLM providing MossBack products to dock owners, that’s a unique program that needs to catch on nationally and I’m proud to be part of the team that’s here today ensuring the habitat work on Lake Greenwood continues,” said Vinson, a Mercury Marine and MossBack Fish Habitat pro. “This wouldn’t be possible without Mercury and MossBack’s support.” The next Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project supported by Humminbird will be April 25 on Louisiana’s Lake Claiborne during the General Tires Heavy Hitters event. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF Fisheries Management Division, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/fisheries-management. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Sprague Leads Knockout Round at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Texas Pro Catches Five Largemouth Weighing 23 Pounds, 8 Ounces to Lead Knockout Round, Final 10 Anglers Set for Championship Friday and Shootout for $100,000
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 6, 2023) – Pro Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, caught 13 scorable bass Thursday, with his best five weighing 23 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury.
Sprague will bring a slim 1-pound advantage over second-place pro James Watson of Lampe, Missouri, who weighed in five bass totaling 22-8 to qualify for his first career Bass Pro Tour Championship Round and end the day in second place. Bass Pro Tour rookie John Hunter of Shelbyville, Kentucky, sits in third place with five bass weighing 22-7, while Qualifying Round winner Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan , weighed in five bass totaling 21-13 to finish the day in fourth. Local favorite, Prosperity, South Carolina’s Anthony Gagliardi caught five bass weighing 20-15 to round out the top five.
Weights are extremely tight – less than 4 pounds separates the entire top 10 and the tournament can be won by any of the remaining 10 anglers. Competition resumes Friday morning with the Championship Round, where weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total will win the top prize of $100,000.
“When everything goes right, everything goes right, and today it kind of came together and everything went right for me,” Sprague said in his post-game interview. “My practice was just so-so, here. A lot of fish are coming up, and they had been very skittish. But they had just gotten up there and weren’t ready. Now we’ve had a couple of warm nights, and the fish are really starting to set up and lock down. And the big females are starting to show up.
“The lake really showed out today – nearly everyone in the top 10 has 20 pounds,” Sprague continued. “It’s a tremendous fishery, but it hasn’t been as easy as it looks.”
Sprague started the third period in seventh place, then caught a 5-5 and 6-11 in a quick five-minute span at 1 p.m. to vault to the top of the leaderboard and remain there for the rest of the day. His first fish of the day came on a buzzbait, and the remaining four keepers in his limit came on soft plastics.
“I’ve caught a lot of fish this week just throwing around a wacky worm,” Sprague said. “A couple of fish, including the big fish this morning, came on a prototype reel from Summit Fishing and custom-made rods that I created bought and made through MHX Custom Rods. I made them myself, and they are great rods with great blanks. I used 20-pound fluorocarbon (line), and a little creature bait with a 3/8-ounce tungsten weight. It’s not a very pretty setup, but it really catches a lot of fish when they’re spawning. It’s basic, Fishing 101.
“I’ve said it so many times, I almost don’t want to say it again. But I want to bring that trophy back to Texas,” Sprague went on to say. “I just want go out tomorrow, fish clean, and put some big fish in the boat and have a good time. That’s what it’s all about. It’s going to be an exciting finale, no matter who wins this thing. I saw a lot today that gave me hope, so we’re going out tomorrow and going to give them heck.”
The top 10 pros from Thursday’s Knockout Round that now advance to Friday’s Championship Round on Lake Murray are:
1st: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, five bass, 23-8
2nd: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., five bass, 22-8
3rd: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., five bass, 22-7
4th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 21-13
5th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 20-15
6th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., five bass, 20-13
7th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C, five bass, 20-6
8th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 20-0
9th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 20-0
10th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 19-11
Finishing in 11th through 40th are:
11th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, five bass, 19-9, $10,000
12th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 18-15, $10,000
13th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 18-15, $10,000
14th: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 18-14, $10,000
15th: Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, five bass, 18-13, $10,000
16th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 18-12, $10,000
17th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 18-11, $10,000
18th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 18-9, $10,000
19th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, five bass, 17-13, $10,000
20th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, five bass, 17-3, $10,000
21st: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 17-2, $10,000
22nd: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 17-2, $10,000
23rd: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 17-1, $10,000
24th: Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa., five bass, 16-1, $10,000
25th: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., five bass, 15-15, $10,000
26th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 15-8, $10,000
27th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 15-3, $10,000
28th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., five bass, 15-3, $10,000
29th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 15-1, $10,000
30th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., five bass, 14-3, $10,000
31st: Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, five bass, 14-2, $10,000
32nd: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., five bass, 14-0, $10,000
33rd: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 12-15, $10,000
34th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 12-10, $10,000
35th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 12-9, $10,000
36th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., five bass, 12-2, $10,000
37th: John Murray, Spring City, Tenn., three bass, 10-1, $10,000
38th: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., three bass, 6-0, $10,000
39th: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., two bass, 4-13, $10,000
40th: Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla., two bass, 4-9, $10,000
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 357 scorable bass weighing 1,038 pounds, 4 ounces caught by the 40 pros Thursday.
Thursday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award went to pro Edwin Evers of Talala, Oklahoma, who caught a 7-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in Period 2 on a Berkley PowerBait Gilly to earn the payout. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. After the two-day qualifying round, the top 20 anglers from each group advanced to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers competed to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In the Championship Round on Friday, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total will win the top prize of $100,000.
The final 10 anglers will launch Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. The General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch location, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury features pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Post-spawn chaos could await Bassmaster Opens pros at famed Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La., will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series April 13-15.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
April 6, 2023
MANY, La. — Shaine Campbell finished second at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Alabama’s Lake Eufaula back in March, which was enough to put him atop the Elite Qualifiers Division standings.
Now, as if Campbell himself designed the schedule, the Opens will swing right through his wheelhouse, stopping at Toledo Bend Reservoir on April 13-15. Anglers will take off every day at 6:45 a.m. CT from Cypress Bend Park with weigh-ins scheduled back at the park at 2:45 p.m.
It figures to be a wide-open tournament, as many on the 185,000-acre impoundment of the Sabine River tend to be. That’s partly because of the diversity of the fishery, but mostly because of the giant bucket-mouthed bass, some with double-digit weights, that have been hooked at the “The Bend” throughout the year.
Few know this as well as Campbell, who lives in Brookeland, Texas, just a 30-minute drive from the nearest Toledo Bend ramp.
“You can fish anywhere from a foot of water to 30 feet of water at Toledo Bend,” Campbell said. “You can catch bed fish, you can throw a Carolina rig out deep, you can try a crankbait. Really, you can try a little bit of everything, and I think most people will. It’ll be interesting to see what patterns guys get on.”
Campbell, 36, expects bass to be post-spawn for this derby and said he’ll target transitioning fish with hopes of landing a spot in the final round of the three-day tournament. Still, he said April can be “stingy sometimes when the bass get in a little post-spawn funk.”
Campbell suspects the winner will need a three-day total between 60 and 62 pounds. He said the deciding factor almost certainly will be the angler who catches a few lunkers like the ones that made it the top-ranked fishery in the U.S. by Bassmaster Magazine in 2015 and 2016.
“At any time, someone can catch a 9- or 10-pounder that changes everything,” he said.
Campbell said he likes the magnitude of the place, but noted the expansiveness and myriad choices to make can intimidate anglers who are accustomed to smaller bodies of water.
Still, he doesn’t expect the 171 EQ anglers (225 pro anglers total) at Toledo Bend to blink.
“Not one bit,” he said, chuckling. “Somebody had to take the EQ lead after the first Open and I’m really glad it was me. But there are some horses right behind me. I’d love to hold onto the lead in the standings until the end, but it’s a long year.”
Nine Opens tournaments are on the 2023 schedule and the top nine anglers in the Bassmaster Opens EQ points race at the end of the season will qualify for the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series in 2024.
No matter how he finishes at Toledo Bend, Campbell already has one thing going for him before the first bass is caught.
“There’s a lot to be said for camaraderie, and I may stay over at (Toledo Bend) on tournament days,” he said. “I’m comfortable there. But you can guarantee that on practice days, I’m going home to sleep in my own bed.”
Follow all of the action on Bassmaster.com.
Minn Kota sponsors Bassmaster Elite showdown on St. Lawrence River
April 6, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Long-time B.A.S.S. partner Minn Kota is expanding their partnership for 2023 to serve as the title sponsor for a heavy showdown on the St. Lawrence River, which has once more topped Bassmaster’s list as the country’s best bass fishery in 2022. The season-ending Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will be held August 24-27, and anglers will hope to match the stellar 2022 conditions that produced two historic smallmouth century belts for Jay Przekurat and Cory Johnston.
“Minn Kota is excited to be the title sponsor for the Bassmaster Elite Series event at the St. Lawrence River this coming August,” said Brad Henry, brand manager for Minn Kota. “After Humminbird and Minn Kota pro Jeff Gustafson’s Bassmaster Classic win in Knoxville, we are looking forward to heading to another great venue where our anglers have had a lot of success in the past. It will be a big year for the Minn Kota brand and we look forward to being front and center at this event.”
Gustafson became the first Canadian to win the Ray Scott Trophy at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota in late March. In the event, “Gussy” used a tactic dating back to his roots to win the coveted title in wire-to-wire fashion. Gustafson’s "moping” technique uses a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ on a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jighead, fishing straight down for bass he could see on his Humminbird MEGA Live forward-facing sonar.
In addition to its title sponsorship of the Elite at St. Lawrence, Minn Kota is a premier sponsor of the six-circuit Bassmaster Tournament Trail and will continue garnering prime visibility in B.A.S.S. multimedia platforms, magazines and on Bassmaster LIVE, which airs on FOX, FS1, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
Full coverage from all four days of the Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will be available on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
Louisiana’s “Cajun Baby” Cliff Crochet Earns Qualifying Round Win for Group B at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Louisiana Pro Catches Two-Day Haul of 41-15 to Pace Group B and Advance, Field of 40 Set for Thursday’s Knockout Round
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 5, 2023) – An incoming full moon on Thursday night, bright and sunny bluebird skies, and a very light wind made for extremely favorable sight-fishing conditions Wednesday to wrap up the Group B Qualifying Round at the MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury in Columbia, South Carolina. Pro Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, Louisiana , had the best Qualifying Round – 10 bass weighing 41 pounds, 15 ounces, to win Group B and advance along with the top 20 finishers into Thursday’s Knockout Round.
Googan Baits pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who held the lead early in Period 1 before backing off his fish, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 39-8 to end the Qualifying Round in second place. Day 1 leader, rookie Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, caught 10 bass weighing 39-2 to finish the round in third. Both held the lead for periods of time Wednesday, but both were eventually overtaken by Crochet.
The remaining 40 anglers – the top 20 from each group – now advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round, where weights are zeroed, and the anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round on Friday. Weights will carry over from the Knockout Round into the Championship Round, which will feature the final 10 anglers competing for the heaviest two-day cumulative total and the top prize of $100,000.
“Man, it feels a lot better being inside the cut then it does being outside the cut, when time runs out,” Crochet said in his post-game interview. “It was a perfect day, today. I started out early and caught a couple of fish, and it went down pretty good. Just chunk after chunk, and I caught the weight that I needed to move onto the Knockout Round.”
Most of Crochet’s fish on Wednesday came on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper, but he also added a keeper to his limit using a NetBait BaitFuel Infused Toad.
“One of the coolest things that happened today was that I was catching them on equipment that I helped design for some of my sponsors,” Crochet said. “The KastKing (Speed Demon Elite) Deadbolt reel, which has the lockdown drag system – that’s been a big key to how I’m catching them this week. And the new (KastKing) Hammer Braid line we got – those two products are really playing a big part for me this week.
“I caught a few more at the end of the day, and I think that may play later this week so I feel like my pattern is trending up and life is good,” Crochet went on to say. “I’m very thankful for today. I’m ready to go home, eat supper, and go to sleep so we can get after it again tomorrow.”
The top 20 pros from Group B that advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round on Lake Murray are:
1st: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., 10 bass, 41-15
2nd: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 10 bass, 39-8
3rd: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 39-2
4th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 38-5
5th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 10 bass, 37-9
6th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 37-5
7th: Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa., 10 bass, 36-3
8th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-3
9th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 35-3
10th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 35-0
11th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., 10 bass, 34-7
12th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 34-4
13th: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 33-13
14th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 10 bass, 33-12
15th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 10 bass, 33-12
16th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo, 10 bass, 33-6
17th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 33-3
18th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 33-1
19th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 10 bass, 32-12
20th: Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 10 bass, 32-5
Eliminated from competition are:
21st: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 31-11
22nd: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., 10 bass, 31-2
23rd: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 10 bass, 30-15
24th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 10 bass, 30-15
25th: Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 10 bass, 30-8
26th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 10 bass, 30-8
27th: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., nine bass, 29-9
28th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 29-1
29th: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., 10 bass, 27-15
30th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 27-13
31st: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 10 bass, 27-11
32nd: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., nine bass, 26-10
33rd: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., nine bass, 26-7
34th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 26-7
35th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., nine bass, 26-6
36th: Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 10 bass, 26-3
37th: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, seven bass, 25-9
38th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 25-5
39th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., nine bass, 22-15
40th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 10 bass, 20-12
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 342 scorable bass weighing 921 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the 40 pros Wednesday.
Wednesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was awarded to General Tire pro Skeet Reese of Auburn, California, who weighed in a 6-pound, 4-ounce largemouth which bit his big glide bait in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day bass-fishing event, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. Now that each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Poche not fishing Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray
April 5, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Elite Series pro Keith Poche of Cecil, Ala., will not be fishing the upcoming Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray April 20-23. B.A.S.S. officials have ruled him ineligible for the third stop of the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series season because he violated the 28-day off-limits rule that all competitors must follow.
Poche fished in a tournament on South Carolina's Lake Murray April 2-5, placing him in violation of the off-limits period for the Elite Series tournament at Murray.
Bassmaster Elite Rule C3. I, for Practice and Competition states: “Off-limits for Elite events begins on the Monday closest to 28 days prior to the first practice day.”
According to B.A.S.S. officials, “Keith Poche violated the 28-day off-limits rule which has deemed him ineligible to compete in the Lake Murray Elite event."
Poche knew going into the season that he had a scheduling conflict between the two tournaments. He told B.A.S.S. tournament officials about the conflict early in the year, knowing that he would need to take a DQ for the Elite on Lake Murray.
2023 Bassmaster Classic features record-breaking numbers, historic firsts
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota drew record crowds to Knoxville, Tenn., while also reaching millions of viewers during television coverage on FOX and FS1.
Photo by Breanne Jackson/B.A.S.S.
April 5, 2023
2023 Bassmaster Classic features record-breaking numbers, historic firsts
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — From massive fan attendance and viewership to the first Canadian champion, the 53rd edition of the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing has etched its name in the sportfishing record books.
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota reached 4.5 million viewers across the two days of FOX and FS1 coverage. The final hours of Championship Sunday's Bassmaster LIVE coverage on FOX featured high drama as tournament leader Jeff Gustafsonstruggled with just two fish and scores of fans tuned in to see if the field could catch “Gussy,” leading to the most-watched Bassmaster telecast on any network since 2009 according to Nielsen numbers provided by FOX.
When the confetti cleared on Championship Sunday, Gustafson of Kenora, Ontario, was crowned the first Canadian Classic champion and just the second international champion — Japan’s Takahiro Omori took home the coveted title in 2004.
“I was totally wowed by the crowd inside Thompson-Boling Arena, all of the lights, the music … the whole spectacle. It was the highlight of my fishing career and really my life,” said Gustafson. “We have a lot of people in Canada who love bass fishing and a lot of good anglers who aren’t going to have the same chance that I did.”
Those who missed the live final weigh-in, which streamed on Bassmaster.com, could tune-in just hours later for the first-ever Super Six highlight show on FS1.
Host city Knoxville, Tenn., welcomed a staggering crowd of 163,914 fans to Classic Week activities, including Thursday’s Visit Knoxville Kickoff Party presented by TNT Fireworks, daily takeoffs, exciting weigh-in festivities and the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army, which featured the first carbon-neutral venues in Classic history thanks to a partnership with the TVA.
“Hosting the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota was a huge honor for our destination,” said Chad Culver, senior director of the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission. “We are excited to regain the title of largest Classic ever with a total attendance of 163,914 throughout a weekend of events in Knoxville. All of our local partners enjoy working with the team at B.A.S.S. who continue to do all facets of their events at a very high level.”
Bassmaster.com and the B.A.S.S. social media channels also broke records for engagement as fans devoured content on the web and social channels. During the 2023 Bassmaster Classic, records were set for social media impressions, engagement and video views as well as BassTrakk page views and streams of Bassmaster LIVE coverage — 1.2 million streams for more than 32.7 million minutes across Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
"The record numbers for digital engagement really show the passion of our fans,” said Jim Sexton, B.A.S.S. vice president of digital. “Fans were obsessed, checking BassTrakk more than 4.7 million times while also closely following some of the fun stories of our anglers and the city of Knoxville highlighted on social.”
The world’s best anglers will take center stage again April 20-23 for the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray, with full coverage each day on Bassmaster.com.
Three turkey hunting tips from Matt Arey
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Like a lot of bass anglers, April creates a passionate tug-of-war for Team Toyota’s Matt Arey between thoughts of fish moving shallow to spawn and turkeys gobbling, but his addiction to outsmarting the big majestic birds is best traced to a Cleveland County, N.C. grave marker.
Arey credits his high school buddy Josh Ferree for introducing him to turkey hunting. Ferree passed unexpectedly, seemingly way too young at age 24, while hunting. The lower right corner of his grave marker includes an embossed image of a gobbler.
“I shot a gobbler on one of my very first hunts with Josh, and I thought turkey hunting was pretty easy. Boy, was I wrong! I’ve killed a bunch of birds since Josh took me that first time when we were about 18, but man, I’ve taken a lot butt kickings from those birds and learned a lot by losing,” reflects Arey.
He kindly shares three bits of turkey hunting wisdom he’s learned the hard way since that first successful hunt.
Use mapping technology to know the land your hunting
“I use the HuntStand app and website to study whatever land I’m hunting in detail so I can choose the best spot to set up. For example, I always want to avoid making a bird cross a fenceline or walk down a hill to get to me. So it’s critical to know the terrain of wherever you hunt, and mapping technology is a huge help,” explains Arey.
The goal is to avoid putting any sort of barrier between you and the bird, because any obstacle that is unfavorable to a turkey’s naturally desired pathway simply adds to the challenge of the hunt.
Each turkey talks a little different, so be versatile in your calling
“Much like spawning bass, every turkey has a slightly different personality, so you need to put in the work to get good with various kinds of turkey calls in order to best appeal to each individual gobbler’s personality,” says Arey.
For example, Arey may use a typically louder box call to connect with a bird that’s further away, but a slate call on a calmer less windy day. However, a diaphragm mouth call is his all-around favorite because of the versatility it offers. So, learn to use them all.
Walk like a turkey too
It’s critical to talk like a turkey in various tones and pitches to best appeal to each individual bird’s personality, but often overlooked by turkey hunters is how they walk in the woods.
“Deer hunters seem to be naturally mindful of walking softly, but a lot of turkey hunters seem to overlook the sounds their steps make. Gobblers hear well, maybe not as well as they see, but they can still detect unnatural sounds like a human stepping on branches. So, walk cautiously in the turkey woods,” says Arey.
These tips from Arey were mostly cultivated by making mistakes he’s learned to correct, as well as studying great turkey hunters like Dave Owens, Jason Heathcoe, and of our course, his first and much-missed mentor, Josh Ferree.
Welcome to the Gun show!
2023 Elite Series winner and current Angler of the Year leader Tyler Rivet joins to talk about how he got started fishing and the awesome start to this season. The boys dive into the latest feature from BASS Live.
Jonathon VanDam Wins Group A Qualifying Round at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Favorite Fishing Pro Catches Two-Day Total of 10 Bass Weighing 41-12 to Win Qualifying Round, 20 Anglers Advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 4, 2023) – Favorite Fishing pro Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, caught six scorable bass, with his best five weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces to earn the win Tuesday during the Group A Qualifying Round at the MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury in Columbia, South Carolina.
VanDam’s two-day Qualifying Round catch of 10 bass totaling 41-12 earned him the win by a 2-pound, 8-ounce margin over General Tire pro Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, South Carolina, who caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 39-4 to finish in second place. Pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 38-10 to finish the round in third, while Leesburg, Ohio’s Cole Floyd , ended the round in fourth place with a two-day total of 10 bass for 38-2. Rounding out the top five was rookie Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, who caught 10 bass weighing 36-12 to advance in fifth place.
The six-day bass-fishing tournament, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
“Today was overall a great day – we did exactly what we had to do,” VanDam said in his post-game interview. “I didn’t catch very many today, but I really wasn’t trying to. We got our work done early in the first period, and then I spent a lot of time looking.
“I’m doing my best to set myself up for the Knockout Round,” VanDam continued. “I found a couple of more groups of fish, and a couple of them with some really big ones around. Hopefully the weather will help a little bit and they’ll get to chewing.”
VanDam started out the day with a 6-pound, 7-ounce lunker that bit his sexy-shad-colored Strike King Red Eye Shad. He caught four of his six keepers on the lipless crankbait, and his last two fish of the day came on a drop-shot rig.
“The weather was a little bit different – it was sunny, it was calm, and I had to switch it up a little bit,” VanDam said.
“I tried not to lean on them too much. I caught a bunch on a Strike King Red Eye Shad, then had to switch to the drop-shot later as it got slick.
“Knowing where those fish are sitting, it’s important to throw a variety of different baits at them to try to get them to react. Sometimes these fish, especially when they’re sitting there for these herring, get educated pretty quickly. So I tried to mix it up, and today went just as planned. I’m looking forward to the Knockout Round.”
The top 20 advancing anglers from Group A will now have an off day from competition Wednesday, while the 40 anglers competing in Qualifying Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round. The top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
The top 20 pros from Group A that now advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round on Lake Murray are:
1st: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 41-12
2nd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 39-4
3rd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 38-10
4th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 10 bass, 38-2
5th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-12
6th: Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, 10 bass, 36-9
7th: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., 10 bass, 35-15
8th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 35-14
9th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 35-4
10th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 34-11
11th: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., 10 bass, 33-14
12th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 10 bass, 33-8
13th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 10 bass, 33-5
14th: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., 10 bass, 33-1
15th: John Murray, Spring City, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-13
16th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10 bass, 32-11
17th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 10 bass, 32-3
18th: Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, 10 bass, 32-0
19th: Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla., 10 bass, 31-14
20th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 10 bass, 31-13
Eliminated from competition are:
21st: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 31-10
22nd: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., 10 bass, 31-10
23rd: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 30-8
24th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 30-3
25th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 29-4
26th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 10 bass, 29-1
27th: Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., 10 bass, 28-9
28th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 10 bass, 27-14
29th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 27-14
30th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., 10 bass, 27-12
31st: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 10 bass, 27-11
32nd: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 27-10
33rd: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., 10 bass, 26-15
34th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 26-14
35th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., 10 bass, 25-14
36th: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 25-13
37th: Shin Fukae, Osaka, Japan, 10 bass, 25-11
38th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-10
39th: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 10 bass, 25-10
40th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., six bass, 14-9
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 351 scorable bass weighing 916 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the 40 pros Tuesday.
Pro Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, South Carolina, earned Tuesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with an 8-pound, 8-ounce largemouth bass that he caught fishing boat docks with a worm late in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Costa Sunglasses grows its hybrid category with frames built for life on and off the water
Mainsail and Aleta define versatility with their stylish design and technical feature set
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 4, 2023) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, celebrates 40 years of making the best sunglasses on the water in 2023 by growing its hybrid category of frames. New to the lineup for the spring, Mainsail and Aleta are your day-to-day sunglasses that stay stylish while relaxed on land and ready to perform while out on the water.
Building off of the success of Costa’s hybrid category - frames that blend performance features with everyday style - Mainsail (unisex) and Aleta (women’s) are built with the same high-quality materials and features you want from the beach to the big blue. The versatile new frames are just at home reeling in a fish as they are checking surf breaks, voyaging to a remote atoll or exploring a coastal village.
Inspired by the watery world Costa is synonymous with, Mainsail gets its name from the mainsail on a sailboat, and Aleta, from the Spanish word for “fin.” Staying true to their roots, Mainsail and Aleta maintain a relaxed look and feel, while their technical features are ready for anything the water throws at you. Integrated micro side shields and hooding help keep additional light out for an improved view, the vented Hydrolite™ nose pad keeps your frames locked in place and helps prevent fogging, sweat management channels and eyewire drains keep sweat out of your eyes, and keeper-ready temples keep your frames from going overboard.
“Our new hybrid category is our most versatile. It has it all, water-ready performance and a stylish, modern design,” says John Acosta, Costa Sunglasses Vice President of Marketing NA. “We took the performance features that Costa is famous for and added them to a more relaxed frame shape that is equally comfortable and durable on any adventure.”
Mainsail and Aleta come with Costa’s polarized, color-enhancing 580® lens technology for next-level clarity. The scratch-resistant lens cuts haze and blur and enhances key colors for superior clarity and definition. Built better with Bio-Resin, Mainsail and Aleta are lightweight and maintain the durability necessary for any watery adventure.
Adventure is fluid, and Mainsail and Aleta are there for the ride. Starting at $182, both are currently available at local dealers or Costasunglasses.com. For more information about Costa’s full collection of best-selling sunglasses, visit Costasunglasses.com.
Registration for 2023 Bassmaster High School Combine opens April 18
Students will meet with coaches and showcase their fishing skills at the 2023 Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter Sept. 15-17 in Decatur, Ala.
Photos by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
April 4, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter returns to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., Sept. 15-17 for a weekend combining skills challenges and recruiting visits in hopes of reeling in college fishing scholarship money. The first Combine netted more than $2.6 million in scholarship offers, with tallies for the second event still pouring in as athletes sign with teams from a variety of schools.
“B.A.S.S. is constantly looking for ways to grow the High School and College platforms and give young anglers opportunities to excel not only in the sport, but also in the industry,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager — College, High School and Junior. “The first two Bassmaster High School Combines were a great success, and we’re looking forward to growing this experience for both these high school anglers and the coaches who attend. This has truly become the preeminent event for colleges looking to find and recruit talent from across the country.”
Only schools offering bass fishing scholarships are invited to the High School Combine, and coaches from 25 colleges have already expressed interest in attending. The experience offers young anglers and college coaches a chance to leverage rare face time into finding the best fit for students ready to further both their education and their fishing at the next level.
The Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter will be a three-day event where anglers will perform multiple tasks to showcase their skills not only on the water, but also display their knowledge of the sport as a whole. Each of the disciplines will operate on a point system and will be timed by an official judge. Each angler will accumulate points to determine an overall winner. After the first day, colleges will have the opportunity to select anglers for a “second look” where they can further explore everything that angler has to offer and see if they would be the perfect fit for their fishing program.
New to the 2022 combine was an on-the-water Technical Challenge designed to test a combination of skills. To complete the challenge, each angler had three minutes to navigate a Skeeter FXR20 bass boat around an obstacle and make three pinpoint casts to floating targets.
“There’s a couple of things I am watching,” explained Carson-Newman University fishing coach Hunter Sales while observing the challenge from the banks of Wheeler Lake. “You watch someone running a trolling motor and want to see if they are balanced on the front deck. Do they look comfortable or is it new to them? Even in the way they handle the rod; are they comfortable doing both? Is their casting form good? I want to see those anglers who are confident making longer casts and pitches. It really shows to me that they are just comfortable bass fishing … which is key.”
After three challenges — Casting Distance, Technical and Casting Accuracy — the 2022 combine’s overall points winner was Phillip Herring of Richton, Miss. In three total challenges, Herring finished no worse than 10th place out of 98 anglers and won the Technical Challenge. Herring was surprised to take home the highest honor from the High School Combine.
“It feels pretty amazing,” Herring said. “I came in expecting to have the opportunity to talk to a few colleges and maybe even get a couple of campus visits out of it, but I didn’t really have any expectations for the competition part of this event.”
Herring, who signed with the powerhouse University of Montevallo fishing team — one of the schools that attended the combine, has qualified for three consecutive Strike King High School National Championships presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors tournaments and also finished seventh at the 2019 Bassmaster Junior Series National Championship.
Once more, attendees will use the well-placed Ingalls Harbor and Pavilion on the shores of Wheeler Lake as base for the three-day event.
“Decatur is honored to partner with B.A.S.S. to continue serving as host of the Bassmaster High School Combine,” said Don Dukemineer, director of sports development for the Decatur Morgan County Tourism. “Now in our third year, our joint efforts with B.A.S.S. continue to strengthen this prestigious event in providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these anglers to showcase their talents. Ingalls Harbor and Pavilion offer the perfect set-up for this unique event, and we are thrilled with this beneficial relationship that highlights Decatur and Morgan County as a fishing destination.”
Registration for the Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter will open at 4 p.m. CT on April 18 at Bassmaster.com/high-school and remain open until 100 participants have registered. The $600 registration fee includes accommodations for two nights and four meals.
For more information, visit Bassmaster.com/high-school.
Eufaula, Oklahoma Set to Host MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Epic Baits Stop 3 on Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches
Full Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Total Season Purse of More Than $3.9 Million
EUFAULA, Okla. (April 4, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to visit Eufaula, Oklahoma next week, April 14-16, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches. The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational features a roster of 150 anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – for the chance to win up to $300,000.
Hosted by the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce, the tournament marks the third of six Tackle Warehouse Invitational events in 2023, offering competitors a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. The field is also competing for valuable points to win the coveted Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The top eight pros in the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY standings at the end of the season will receive an invitation to compete on the Bass Pro Tour.
"We appreciate Major League Fishing bringing a significant tournament back to Eufaula, Oklahoma,” said Serina Kleveter, Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “We are excited to welcome all the anglers and look forward to showing them a slice of our hometown charm."
This is the first major tournament MLF has held at Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma’s largest lake, however it is a fairly regular stop for the Okie Division of the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League, where local Tad Sweitzer of Eufaula racked up a winning weight of 23 pounds, 6 ounces in late March 2022. That same March event featured 23 bags over 15 pounds and a 9-pound big bass from Chris Jones of Bokoshe, Oklahoma, who is competing in this event.
The east-central Oklahoma lake has had two of the largest smallmouth bass in state history pulled from its waters, an 8-pound, 3-ounce smallmouth back in March 2006 holds the state record, while an 8-pound, 1½-ounce smallmouth caught in April 2007 is right behind it.
In late April of 2019, back-to-back events saw winning weights of 21-2 and 18-8, so historically speaking, the tournament will be hitting this fishery at a great time of the year.
B&W Trailer Hitches pro Kyle Cortiana of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma has history on Lake Eufaula and said he believes the tournament will hit the spawn window dead on, which should make for a great event.
“It’s really warm right now, and it’s going to continue to warm up fast,” said Cortiana. “There will still be plenty of fish in prespawn next week, but most will be right in the middle of their spawn.
“The lake was really low a few months ago, then rose fast, so there has been a 6- to 7-foot change in water surface elevation over the past few months,” continued Cortiana. “It’s coming back down and should be more stable at a normal level by next week if we don’t have any heavy rains, which will set the fishery up even more for a stable bite. I think the fishing is going to be really good.”
Covering 105,500 surface acres with 800 miles of shoreline, Lake Eufaula is an enormous body of water, which according to Cortiana will play well during the event.
“You can run 10 to 40 miles in every direction from our takeoff and there are literally fish in every square inch of this lake,” said Cortiana. “The field should be able to spread out, which is something I’m looking forward to as well, because a lot of the places we visit, anglers end up on top of each other, all hitting the same locations. This fishery is unique in that it can be won in all kinds of places on the lake. There’s really no one spot you have to be on to win it, so it should be a lot of fun.
“Eufaula is kind of known to be a flat, muddy lake and I’d say probably 80% of the lake is relatively stained water, so there are a lot of flat, shallow, flooded bushes that come into play when the water isn’t really low,” Cortiana went on to say. “All the typical muddy-water baits are going to be players here – dark-colored flipping baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, ChatterBaits and shallow square bills – anything that’s going to put off vibration and displace water.”
The Oklahoma pro said there’s also a small portion of the lake that has cleaner water where other tactics may come into play.
“There are a few big smallmouth in Eufaula as well, but it’s really hard to target them, so I don’t expect anyone to make that their game plan. However, reeling one in would just be a bonus fish,” Cortiana said. “We’ve got 150 anglers fishing this tournament and everyone in the group is solid, plus we have a handful of really good jackpotters in this event, guys from Oklahoma. I think to win the tournament, guys are going to have to be pushing the 20-pound mark per day, for sure, if not more. There will be multiple people catch over 20 pounds on one day, so if they can back that up with multiple bags that size, or close to it, I think they’ll have a shot to win.”
Cortiana also said he believes it will be fairly easy to catch 14 to 15½ pounds per day, and the guys who can bring in around 30 pounds the first two days will make the top 50 cut to move on to the final day.
“I’m really excited about the event being here in Oklahoma and on Lake Eufaula,” said Cortiana. “I don’t really fish the BFL’s, so I’m excited to compete in a tournament on this lake in home water on a place that I have a little history with.
“I’m also a little nervous, because I’ve had the home field advantage bite me before on Grand Lake,” Cortiana continued. “So, the whole curse of ‘knowing too much’ and running around too much is definitely a factor, but I suspect that we are going to crush them next week.”
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a traditional five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024.
In addition, the season-long Invitational AOY will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2024.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT, Friday through Sunday, from the Peter’s Point South Point Dock Boat Ramp, located on Dabbs Road in Eufaula. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat ramp daily beginning at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, October 14th.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
MN-FISH ANNOUNCES “WORLD’S GREATEST FISHING AUCTION”
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MN-FISH auction will include fishing/hunting trips with over 30 outdoor industry celebrities and guides, resort vacation stays, products, and much more. |
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Rogers, Minn. (April 4, 2023) — An online auction of fishing adventures – called “The World’s Greatest” and starting April 18—will give bidders the chance to share a fishing boat with some of the nation’s leading anglers. Hosted by non-profit MN-FISH Foundation, the 3-day online auction opens at 7 am on Tuesday, April 18 and ends at 8 pm on Thursday, April 20th. Auction items may be reviewed and bidders may register at MN-FISH.COM by clicking on the blue ‘’Go To Auction’ prompt on the home page. |
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MN-FISH president Ron Schara said the first-ever auction is a fund-raising effort by MN-FISH to continue its mission to improve state fish hatcheries, public boat accesses, shoreline fishing sites and other fishing-related goals. “Top outdoors industry notables have really stepped up to the plate,” said Schara. “Thus far, more than 30 fishing celebrities and guides have donated personal fishing trips for winning auction bidders. From Al Lindner to Babe Winkelman, Ted Takasaki and Dave Genz—and countless others, far too many to name. This is a chance for everyone to spend time with the very best on-the-water.” |
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“To my knowledge, there’s never been an auction quite like this,” said MN-FISH executive director Mark Holsten. “These trips are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to fish with the best anglers on the planet. I can’t think of better gift ideas for loved ones, friends or even business clients.” “Pros, guides, resorts, and manufacturers in Minnesota—as well as the Dakotas, Great Lakes, and Canada—have come out to support MN-FISH’s ‘World’s Greatest Fishing Auction,’ said MN-FISH secretary Steve Pennaz. “Even more exciting--every dollar raised will support MN-FISH’s efforts to restore, protect or enhance Minnesota fishing--making it a win for all.” |
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Fishing is a huge part of our identity as Minnesotans and big business, too, generating $4.4 billion annually in economic impact. This auction represents—albeit on a small scale—the outdoors industry giving back to the state’s diverse angler make-up by giving them the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime fishing experiences, besides resort stays and products. Non-Profit MN-FISH Foundation was founded in 2018 by a volunteer group of dedicated anglers concerned about the future of fishing in Minnesota. For more information, or to join, visit MN-FISH’s updated website: http://www.mn-fish.com/. |
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Costa Compete+Conserve
https://youtu.be/qnPe3j4jz5s
BASS Opens pro James Caldemeyer teaches Vance what Costa's Compete+Conserve program is all about
Robert Case Jr. & Morris McCutcheon top 232 teams to win over $20,000 on Cedar Creek with 23.48 lbs
Place Boat Truck Angler 1 Angler 2 Fish Big Bass Wt. Prize Amt. 1 ROBERT CASE JR
PITTSBURG , TXMORRIS MCCUTCHEON
WINNSBORO , TX5 6.75 23.48
$20,700.00 with Garmin and Sure-Life 2 MARK MCWHIRTER
ARGYLE , TXZEB STRICKLAND
PILOT POINT , TX5 9.97 23.43
$8,500.00 with Big Bass and Skeeter Bonus Cash 3 DANIEL RAMSEY
TRINIDAD , TXDEWAYNE THOMAS
MALAKOFF , TX5 0 22.51
$5,000.00 with Skeeter Bonus Cash 4 BRANDEN HOLLINGSHEAD
AZLE , TXJEREMY LAMBERT
DECATUR , TX5 0 22.41
$3000.00 5 MIKE BURNS
LUCAS , TXROB BURNS
PLANO , TX5 0 22.27
$2750.00 6 DON MCFARLIN
GORDENVILLE , TXJAMES FENNELL
GORDONVILLE , TX5 0 22.20
$2250.00 7 TOMMY HULSEY JR
CORSICANA , TXJUSTIN GARNETT
FAIRFIELD , TX5 0 21.60
$6,800.00 with James Wood Motors Bonus 8 BRIAN HALL
BRONTE , TXSTEVE ELDRED JR
YANTIS , TX5 0 20.70
$2,000.00 with Skeeter Bonus Cash 9 SCOT MCDONALD
CELINA , TXKEITH KRZEMINSKI
AUBREY , TX5 0 20.65
$1300.00 10 KEITH CARNEY
ARLINGTON , TXKEVIN CARNEY
ARLINGTON , TX5 0 19.95
$1200.00 11 MATT CANNON
TROY , TXJARED SIEGLER
BELTON , TX5 0 19.67
$1100.00 12 COOPER BUSCH
MALAKOFF , TXPHILIP BUSCH
MALAKOFF , TX5 7.70 19.47
$1090.00 13 MARK SPURGIN
MCKINNEY , TXTYLER HOLMES
RICHARDSON , TX5 0 19.10
$1080.00 14 RUSS CHAVERS
ATOKA , OKJEFF CULBREATH
LANE , OK5 0 18.80
$1070.00 15 CHUCK BISHOP
SANGER , TXLEVI SMITHERS
SANGER , TX5 0 18.73
$1060.00 16 JONATHAN LANCASTER
QUITMAN , TXJOSH PRIEST
QUITMAN , TX5 0 18.62
$1050.00 17 TONY CLIMER
MESQUITE , TXTOMMY CLIMER JR
MESQUITE , TX5 5.74 18.61
$1040.00 18 GENE DEVORE
SHERMAN , TXTIMOTHY SMEAL
FORT WORTH , TX5 0 18.59
$1030.00 19 KYLE SKOGLUND
DECATUR , TXKENT SKOGLUND
TIOGA , TX5 0 18.27
$1020.00 20 GORDON WELLS
GUN BARRELL CITY , TXCHRIS RYAN
CRANDALL , TX5 0 18.05
$1010.00 21 DAVID HOWARD
DALLAS , TXDONNIE ADNEY
BRISTOW , OK5 0 17.71
$1000.00 22 CALEB HAND
ANNA , TXCOLT WHITAKER
ECTOR , TX5 0 17.65
$1000.00 23 IAIN MCCLELLAND
HICKORY CREEK , TXTRISTAN WHITE
CELINA , TX5 0 17.53
$1000.00 24 GARRETT THOMAS
MALAKOFF , TXAUSTIN THOMAS
MALAKOFF , TX5 0 17.43
$1000.00 25 STEVE TRIMBLE
ATHENS , TXTREVER DYKEMA
YANTS , TX5 0 17.17
$1000.00 26 RANDY TURNER
GREENVILLE , TXTREY TURNER
ROYSE CITY , TX5 0 16.93
$1000.00 27 KEITH CULLUM
CORINTH , TXLANCE CULLUM
CORINTH , TX5 0 16.87
$1000.00 28 LANCE SHORTNACY
MABANK , TXSTEVEN SIMS
CANTON , TX5 0 16.73
$1000.00 29 RONNIE CASTLEBURY
ELGIN , OKJAKE CASTLEBURY
ELGIN , OK5 0 16.71
$1000.00 30 JUSTIN DUBOSE
NEVADA , TXSTEVE LYNAM
SOUTHLAKE , TX5 0 16.61
$1000.00 31 ROY CHEANEY
GRAND SALINE , TXSTEVEN HENRY
WILLS POINT , TX5 0 16.46
$1000.00 32 JONATHAN GREIG
COMBINE , TXMATT ATTAWAY
FORNEY , TX5 0 16.31
$100 Fun-N-Sun First Out Bonus 33 TYLER OCONNOR
ROCKWALL , TXLANDON OCONNOR
ROCKWALL , TX5 5.92 16.16
34 SHANNON NICHOL
LONE OAK , TXANTHONY ROBERTSON
EMORY , TX5 0 16.14
35 JEFF NORRIS
DECATUR , TXRONNIE NORRIS
BOYD , TX5 0 16.01
36 WILLIAM PALMER
MIDLOTHIAN , TXJERAMIE BYRD
MIDLOTHIAN , TX5 0 15.57
37 JOEY RICHARDSON
GRANBURY , TXLOWELL RICHARDSON
KELLER , TX5 0 15.50
38 TERRY PEACOCK
ROYSE CITY , TXSCOTT DEAN
TERRELL , TX5 0 15.32
39 RYAN AUTERY
TERRELL , TXJAMIE WILLABY
CADDO MILLS , TX5 0 15.12
40 DAN BENSON
COMBINE , TXDAVID COLE
FRUITVALE , TX5 0 14.94
41 SCOTT BARNETT
MANSFIELD , TXSHANNON MCCALEB
JOSHUA , TX5 0 14.93
42 NEIL RICHEY
CHICO , TXBRIAN LOPER
ALVORD , TX5 0 14.91
43 TRENT MENEES
NORTHLAKE , TXTERRY BOLLOM
FRISCO , TX5 0 14.89
44 DUSTY FRANK
WAXAHACHIE , TXCOLLYN EASTHAM
RED OAK , TX5 0 14.87
45 NICK BROWN
LINDALE , TXAUSTIN MILES
FORNEY , TX5 0 14.63
46 AARON ASHMORE
IVANHOE , TXROBERT NULL
DENISON , TX5 0 14.53
47 JAMES HENRY
SACHSE , TXEDUARDO SALAZAR
PLANO , TX5 0 14.42
47 BRIAN MILLIORN
GRAND SALINE , TXDEREK TYSON
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX5 0 14.42
49 HUNTER SMITH
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TXJADE BATES
QUITMAN , TX5 0 14.17
50 DREW SLOAN
SCURRY , TXNOLAN JACKSON
ROYSE CITY , TX5 0 13.98
Bass Pro Tour Rookie Nick LeBrun Paces Group B at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Bossier City, Louisiana Pro Boats 25-10 to Grab Early Group B Lead, Group A to Wrap Qualifying Round Tuesday
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 3, 2023) – Bass Pro Tour 2023 newcomer Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, caught 13 scorable largemouth bass Monday, with his best five weighing 25 pounds, 10 ounces to take the early lead for the 40 anglers competing in Group B at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury . LeBrun will bring a 2-pound, 9-ounce advantage into Day 2 of competition Wednesday over second-place angler Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who weighed his best five today totaling 23-1 to end the day in second place.
The six-day bass-fishing tournament, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
The 40 anglers in Group B will now have an off day on Tuesday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group A will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. Group B will conclude their Qualifying Round on Wednesday.
“What a day,” said LeBrun, a former Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Champion. “To catch 25 pounds out on Lake Murray on Day 1 for Group B – I couldn’t be more excited. The Lord just blessed me today, above and beyond what I thought I could do. I’m excited to get back out there.”
LeBrun spent the majority of his day targeting largemouth feeding on blueback herring on points and humps.
“It’s not a secret, but you have to find the right areas that are holding the quality largemouth, and not the stripers,” LeBrun said. “The striped bass are everywhere. I probably caught 100 stripers today, but I caught the big bass, too.”
LeBrun said he rotated between a ½-ounce Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap and, “a couple of different swim-style baits.”
“Every fish that I weighed in today was caught on a Hayabusa TBL 930 (NRB Treble) hook,” LeBrun said. “That treble hook has the NRB coat on it, and I’ve won a couple of major events using it. It really helps you get a few more fish to the boat, especially when they’re not aggressive.
“I threw everything on a 7-foot, 3-inch medium-heavy TFO (Tackle Fork Outfitters) Resolve rod, with 16-pound (test) Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon, and it’s been a lot of fun. I look forward to getting back out on Wednesday for Day 2.”
The top 20 anglers in Qualifying Group B after Day 1 on Lake Murray are:
1st: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 25-10
2nd: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 23-1
3rd: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 21-2
4th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., five bass, 19-11
5th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 19-9
6th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 19-6
7th: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., five bass, 19-6
8th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, five bass, 19-2
9th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 18-15
10th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 18-5
11th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 17-15
12th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 17-11
13th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 17-10
14th: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., five bass, 17-3
15th: Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa., five bass, 17-2
16th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 17-2
17th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, five bass, 17-0
18th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 16-15
19th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., five bass, 16-13
20th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 16-12
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 405 scorable bass weighing 630 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the 40 pros Monday, which included 10 five-pounders, four six-pounders and one seven-pounder.
LeBrun earned Monday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 7-pound, 1-ounce largemouth bass that bit his swimbait in Period 2. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In conjunction with the tournament, on Tuesday, April 4 from 9-10 a.m. at Lake Greenwood State Park, located at 302 State Park Road in Ninety Six, South Carolina, Bass Pro Tour anglers, under the guidance of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and members of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Fisheries Management Division (FMD) in Partnership with Berkley Labs will deploy MossBack Artificial Habitat into Lake Greenwood. The efforts come as part of the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Program supported by Mercury Marine and MossBack to create habitat for the numerous fish that call Lake Greenwood home. Tuesday’s artificial habitat deployment is the second of three this year for the FMD Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Program at Bass Pro Tour stops across the country.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Cloutier Tops Field for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Dale Hollow Lake
Whittaker Claims Strike King Co-Angler Division
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (April 3, 2023) – Boater Gavin Cloutier of Jonesboro, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 13 ounces, Sunday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake. The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina, was the second event of the season for the BFL Music City Division. Cloutier earned $4,729 for his victory.
“I started out by running up the river, and my starting spot had gotten blown out from all the rain we’ve had,” said Cloutier. “So, I ran back down to fish some shallow stuff and pulled into a creek where I had found some shad in practice. When I put the trolling motor down, it was like the fish just showed up.
“In practice my biggest fish was 3½ pounds, and today my smallest fish was 3½ pounds,” Cloutier added.
Cloutier said he focused on the shad and targeted larger bass holding away from the baitfish in ambush. Cloutier said he caught most of his bass in 15 to 20 feet of water, on a 2.8-inch electric blue and chartreuse Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait. His technique produced 14 bass, 13 of which were keepers.
Cloutier said fishing began rather slow for him then died off from 11 to 1 o’clock. He finished the last two hours of the tournament with two late fish that culled to boost his final weight.
“When I had 20 pounds, I felt like I was two fish away from winning,” Cloutier said. “When I caught the two last fish at the very end, something told me I had it.
“This is amazing,” Cloutier added. “Dale Hollow has been special to me, even in high school. I qualified for the 2018 High School National Championship on Dale Hollow and had my first top 10 BFL finish on Dale Hollow last month. And now, the win.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Gavin Cloutier, Jonesboro, Tenn., five bass, 21-13, $4,729
2nd: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 21-1, $2,884
3rd: Christian Nash, Allons, Tenn., five bass, 19-13, $2,076 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Tony Eckler, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 19-10, $1,103
5th: Aaron Bidarian, Lexington, Ky., five bass, 19-7, $946
6th: Grant Adams, Campbellsville, Ky., five bass, 19-5, $867
7th: Chris Gerrein, Villa Hills, Ky., five bass, 18-11, $788
8th: Cole Logsdon, Brownsville, Ky., five bass, 18-1, $709
9th: Michael Morrison, Stamping Ground, Ky., five bass, 17-12, $591
9th: Brandon Maynard, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 17-12, $591
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Eric Ries of Kings Mills, Ohio, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $705.
Blake Whittaker of Lenoir City, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,540 Sunday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Blake Whittaker, Lenoir City, Tenn., five bass, 16-2, $2,540
2nd: Andrew Rogers, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 15-0, $1,182
3rd: Christopher Stites Jr., La Vergne, Tenn., five bass, 14-15, $788
4th: Brent Clark, Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 14-11, $688
4th: Will Prater, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 14-11, $512
6th: Craig Lonkard, Walton, Ky., five bass, 14-7, $433
7th: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 14-3, $394
8th: Tim Staples, Shelbyville, Ky., four bass, 14-0, $355
9th: Rocky Williams, Portland, Tenn., five bass, 13-13, $515
10th: Brandon Lake, Berea, Ky., five bass, 13-5, $426
Blake Whittaker of Lenoir City, Tennessee, and Brent Clark of Bowling Green, Kentucky, each caught a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds even to split the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $352.
After two events, Gavin Cloutier of Jonesboro, Tennessee, leads the BFL Music City Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 494 points, while Blake Whittaker of Lenoir City, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 493 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Govreau Gets “Skinny” for Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at the Arkansas River
Ledbetter Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (April 3, 2023) – Boater Brett Govreau of House Springs, Missouri, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Arkansas River. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Govreau earned $6,046 for his victory.
“I had a terrible practice,” said Govreau. “I caught five keeper bites in 2½ days.”
Govreau knew he had to change up his approach to the river if he wanted to have any success on tournament day. He decided not to lock through, stayed within eight miles of takeoff and relied on prior experience on the river to pursue his limit.
“I had a spot I had fished back in 2015, and I could have won an Okie Division tournament then, but I lost three big ones off the bank,” Govreau said. “So, this morning I decided to start there because of my history on the spot. I ended up catching every fish off of that bank with a spinnerbait.”
Govreau said he caught only five keepers during the competition – and those by 9 a.m. - as he shared “skinny” water with 11 other tournament boats. Govreau credits his spinnerbait approach to being his competitive edge.
“They were on cover,” Govreau said. “Not just around it. They were in it. I threw it like a soft plastic – under limbs with precise casts. I would roll cast it under limbs of laydowns where the laydown met the bank. As soon as it hit the water, I turned the handle twice and they were on it. I would say every fish came out of eight to 12 inches of water. When they bit it, it would wake the surface like a topwater bite.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Brett Govreau, House Springs, Mo., five bass, 19-0, $6,046
2nd: Dale Hightower, Mannford, Okla., five bass, 18-8, $2,523
3rd: Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., five bass, 17-0, $1,902
4th: Chris Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 16-14, $1,177
5th: Nic Conger, Fort Smith, Ark., five bass, 16-0, $1,009
6th: Cameron Dahlem, Gans, Okla., five bass, 15-15, $925
7th: Chad Morrow, Weatherford, Okla., five bass, 15-11, $841
8th: Brett King, Kinta, Okla., five bass, 15-9, $757
9th: Rodney Copeland, Sallisaw, Okla., five bass, 15-8, $673
10th: Kirk Smith, Edmond, Okla., four bass, 14-8, $789
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Caleb Black of McAlester, Oklahoma, caught a largemouth that weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $770.
Wes Ledbetter of Coweta, Oklahoma, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,523 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 14 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Wes Ledbetter, Coweta, Okla., five bass, 14-2, $2,523
2nd: Adam O’Connell, Conway, Ark., five bass, 13-15, $1,262
3rd: Cody Holcomb, Owasso, Okla., four bass, 13-0, $715
3rd: Cody Torkleson, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 13-0, $715
5th: Porky Roberts, Morris, Okla., five bass, 11-10, $705
6th: Jered Grooms, Ada, Okla., four bass, 10-15, $613
7th: Cole Findley, Forsyth, Mo., four bass, 10-12, $399
7th: Justin Newell, Muskogee, Okla., two bass, 10-12, $399
9th: Shane McGlothlin, Anadarko, Okla., four bass, 9-6, $336
10th: Leroy Dee Sheperd, Mountain View, Okla., three bass, 9-1, $294
Rick Blosser of Tulsa, Oklahoma, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $385, catching a largemouth that weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Justin Barbour of Tulsa, Oklahoma, leads the BFL Okie Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 487 points, while Wes Ledbetter of Coweta, Oklahoma, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 486 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Fourth Time’s the Charm for Kentucky’s Sinclair at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Dale Hollow Lake
Zechman Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (April 3, 2023) – Boater Lee Sinclair of Albany, Kentucky, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake. The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina & Resort, was the second event of the season for the BFL Mountain Division. Sinclair earned $6,336 for his victory.
“I started out in a pocket and caught a couple of fish, but the wind started getting bad in there, so I hit a few more pockets mid-lake,” said Sinclair. “I ended up finding some fish schooled up, and I pretty much lived on them the rest of the day.”
Sinclair said he used a Damiki Vault Blade Bait exclusively during the tournament, in 30 feet of water, to catch his bass. The blade bait produced eight keeper largemouth and three or four smallmouth short of the 21-inch keeper restriction during the tournament.
“Once I got on the fish, it was pretty steady,” Sinclair said, who had posted three second-place showings at Dale Hollow - one in 2022 and two in March 2023. “But I have seen a lot of big bags weighed in on Dale Hollow, and I didn’t know for sure what I had would win.
“After coming in second so much it feels good to finally win one,” Sinclair added.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., five bass, 23-5, $6,336
2nd: Travis Lloyd, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 19-0, $2,868
3rd: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 18-15, $2,300
4th: Pat Eichmann, Nancy, Ky., five bass, 18-8, $2,085
5th: Andrew Haunert, Blue Ash, Ohio, five bass, 18-3, $1,067
6th: Grant Adams, Campbellsville, Ky., five bass, 17-13, $978
7th: Michael Morrison, Stamping Ground, Ky., five bass, 17-6, $844
7th: Paul Speer, Brookville, Ohio, five bass, 17-6, $844
9th: Brandon Maynard, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 16-14, $712
10th: Clifton King, Sweetwater, Tenn., five bass, 16-13, $623
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pat Eichmann of Nancy, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $840.
Sean Zechman of Mount Vernon, Kentucky, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,668 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 6 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Sean Zechman, Mount Vernon, Ky., five bass, 16-6, $2,668
2nd: Tommy Glass, Union, Ky., five bass, 14-9, $1,544
3rd: Gary Haraguchi, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 14-0, $888
4th: Gilbert Jolly, Livingston, Tenn., four bass, 13-13, $823
5th: Garret Moon, Albany, Ky., five bass, 13-7, $534
6th: Brett Maynard, Lexington, Ky., five bass, 12-12, $489
7th: Mark Wenger, Louisville, Ky., five bass, 12-10, $445
8th: Jeff Johnston, Nashville, Tenn., four bass, 12-7, $550
9th: Larry Elliott, Enoree, S.C., four bass, 12-6, $356
10th: Lucas Devere, Berea, Ky., four bass, 12-3, $295
10th: Todd Isaacs, Carrollton, Ky., four bass, 12-3, $295
Tommy Glass of Union, Kentucky, and Brent Clark of Bowling Green, Kentucky, each caught a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 14 ounces to split the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $420.
After two events, Lee Sinclair of Albany, Kentucky, leads the BFL Mountain Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 499 points, while Gilbert Jolly of Livingston, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 490 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Darren Ashley Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Hartwell
LAVONIA, Ga. (April 3, 2023) – Boater Darren Ashley of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell Presented by Harrison Oil Company. The tournament, hosted by the City of Lavonia, was the third event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Presented by Mystik Lubricants Division. Ashley earned $5,500 for his victory.
Ashley’s day started off with smaller fish, but he adjusted his approach, and the location changes he made helped build up what would turn out to be a final weigh-in bag that ran away with the tournament.
“I started off with a 2½-pounder and a couple of other little ones, then told my co-angler I wanted to hit a spot I knew of before the sun got up too high on it,” said Ashley, who now has three career BFL wins and 20 top-10 finishes. “So, I hit it and caught a 5-pounder there.”
Two stops later Ashley said he caught another bass that went for 4½ pounds. He relocated to yet another spot, and added a 6-pounder on the second cast there. Ashley said at that point his two smallest fish weighed 2.70 pounds each.
“It was getting to be a little after lunch, and I told my co-angler I wanted to head to the opposite side of the lake,” Ashley said. “I don’t usually fish over there much, but I knew if I got bit, it would be a 4-pounder.”
Ashley said he ran to the new spot, fished for 10 minutes, and caught a 4-pounder that put him at an estimated weight of 24 pounds. Ashley said all of his bass fell for a white-trash-colored Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper.
“I caught tons of fish,” Ashley said. “I jumped around and caught tons of spotted bass. I tried hard to cull that last fish, and I must have caught 15 more fish, but I couldn’t cull that last one.
“I caught about 40 fish, but I should have done something different to get rid of that last 2.70 fish,” Ashley added. “I could have had 27 or 28 pounds.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
2nd: Greg Rikard, Leesville, S.C., five bass, 17-14, $3,885 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd: Bradford Beavers, Summerville, S.C., five bass, 17-4, $1,609
4th: Dan Geurtsen, Asheville, N.C., five bass, 17-1, $1,127
5th: Aaron Digh, Denver, N.C., five bass, 16-10, $966
6th: Christopher Chavis, Guyton, Ga., five bass, 16-8, $845
6th: Conrad Manuel, Pilot Mountain, N.C., five bass, 16-8, $845
8th: Michael Richardson, Elgin, S.C., five bass, 16-6, $724
9th: Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 16-5, $644
10th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., five bass, 16-2, $563
Ashley also caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $720.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
2nd: Rob Uzzle, Hampton, Va., five bass, 14-0, $1,191
3rd: Arthur Harris, York, S.C., five bass, 12-13, $791
4th: Brandon Hendrix, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 12-12, $556
5th: Benjie Winkler, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 12-9, $476
6th: Adam Seagle, Lincolnton, N.C., five bass, 11-5, $417
6th: Wesley Mullins, Guyton, Ga., five bass, 11-5, $417
8th: Darvin Cannon, Columbia, S.C., five bass, 11-2, $337
8th: Todd Huntley, Inman, S.C., five bass, 11-2, $337
10th: Brian Ruppe, Irmo, S.C., five bass, 11-1, $264
10th: Harold Addison II, Columbia, S.C., five bass, 11-1, $814
After three events, Greg Rikard of Leesville, South Carolina, leads the BFL South Carolina Presented by Mystik Lubricants Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 690 points, while Stephen Sprouse of Pauline, South Carolina, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 712 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Suratt’s Kicker Smallmouth Gives Tennessee Angler Third Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Pickwick Lake
Turner Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
IUKA, Miss. (April 3, 2023) – Boater Trent Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Pickwick Lake . The tournament, hosted by Tishomingo County Tourism, was the second event of the season for the BFL Mississippi Division. Suratt earned $4,702 for his victory.
“I didn’t catch much until about 10 or 11 o’clock,” said Surratt, who notched his third BFL win on Lake Pickwick since 2019. “We had a pretty rough day with the wind, and I had run about 40 miles upriver to where I wanted to fish.
“After I found them, they were all in a 20-yard stretch,” Surrat added.
Suratt said he was targeting spawning smallmouth with a 3/16-ounce Johnston Lures shaky head with a green pumpkin Zoom Trick Worm. He said he fished around chunk rock in four to six feet of water to catch nine keepers during the tournament.
“At 1 o’clock I told myself I was going to leave because I knew it was going to be rough going back,” Suratt said. “I had just caught a smallmouth that was the big fish of the tournament (5-10), so I knew I probably needed to be going back after that one.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
2nd: Taurian Parks, Clinton, Miss., five bass, 20-7, $2,064
3rd: Blake Fritts, Florence, Ala., five bass, 19-5, $1,377
4th: Matt Ferguson, Pontotoc, Miss., five bass, 18-10, $963
5th: Hunter Brewer, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., five bass, 17-12, $791
5th: Mike Foster, Terre Haute, Ind., five bass, 17-12, $791
7th: Michael Wooley, Booneville, Miss., five bass, 16-9, $688
8th: Doug Taylor, Booneville, Miss., five bass, 16-5, $619
9th: Thomas Bridges, Newhebron, Miss., five bass, 16-0, $550
10th: William Camp, Blytheville, Ark., five bass, 15-8, $482
Jesse Turner of Danville, Alabama, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,059 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 17 pounds, 11 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
2nd: Jacob Littrell, Waynesboro, Tenn., five bass, 15-14, $1,030
3rd: Jason Henson, Rome, Ga., five bass, 14-11, $1,237
4th: Todd South, Florence, Ala., five bass, 14-10, $480
5th: Tanner Plumlee, Wildersville, Tenn., four bass, 13-3, $412
6th: Brian Dodd, Florence, Ala., four bass, 11-10, $378
7th: Clint Horton, Falkner, Miss., five bass, 11-4, $343
8th: Brice Cohea, Booneville, Miss., three bass, 11-1, $309
9th: Ryan Lecompte, Picayune, Miss., three bass, 9-15, $257
9th: Grey Holland, Guntown, Miss., three bass, 9-15, $257
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Jessie Mizell Comes From Behind to Win MLF Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee
Mizell came into the final day of competition with a 13-pound deficit to Bakewell, but as weather conditions – namely the strong winds – shifted on the final day, he said he knew he still had a chance.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” said Mizell. “This is my home lake, but I always fell a little short. So, to finally capitalize and take it, it means a lot.”
While the strong winds made for a stingy bite, Bakewell had found a shell-bed pattern far up the river that was less weather dependent. However, once the area dried up and the fish moved out, Bakewell only brought in four fish on the final day – and that was all the margin that Mizell needed.
According to Mizell, Okeechobee has tides caused by sustained winds that can raise the water levels in an area as much as 6 inches while muddying up the water. Once that wind dies, there’s a “backflush” of clean water coming in from the marshes as the water recedes.
Armed with his knowledge of the Big O, its “tides” and a special frog, Mizell went into the Championship Round primed and ready to make a massive comeback.
“Those mud mats make a cavern underneath, and the bass will sit around the edge of that or around sparse cattails or buggy whips nearby,” said Mizell. “I’d make very specific casts to the edges of those mats with my frog and always working it like there was a fish watching it.”
Mizell said he caught the majority of his fish on a customized SPRO Bronzeye Poppin Frog 70, mixing in a Medlock Jig, and said he could have made a run at a 30-pound bag, if he hadn’t lost a pair of 7-pounders.
“Had it been different, I might care more about those two lost fish, but right now this is a dream come true,” Mizell finished.
The top 10 pros on Lake Okeechobee finished:
2nd: Bobby Bakewell, Orlando, Fla., 14 bass, 50-6, $20,000
3rd: Brandon Medlock, Lake Placid, Fla., 15 bass, 49-10, $14,250
4th: Mike Surman, Boca Raton, Fla., 15 bass, 45-4, $12,250
5th: Destin Lesesne, Blue Ridge, Ga., 15 bass, 45-2, $11,250
6th: Alex Terescenko, West Palm Beach, Fla., 15 bass, 45-0, $9,125
7th: Jared McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., 13 bass, 44-11, $8,900
8th: Marlon Crowder, Tampa, Fla., 15 bass, 42-12, $7,400
9th: Dillon McMillan, Vero Beach, Fla., 15 bass, 41-14, $5,900
10th: Casey Warren, Longs, S.C., 15 bass, 41-5, $4,500
Crowder won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a bass weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces. On Friday, pro Michael Catt of Jacksonville, Florida earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize after bringing an 8-pound, 1-ounce bass to the scale.
McMillan 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.
Sam Maxwell of Vincennes, Indiana won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 37 pounds, 4 ounces. Maxwell took home the top prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Okeechobee finished:
2nd: Tyler Carey, Lake Worth, Fla., 14 bass, 37-0, $6,125
3rd: Skip Reed, Coral Springs, Fla., 12 bass, 34-12, $4,900
4th: William Lewis, Jacksonville, Fla., 11 bass, 32-3, $4,150
5th: Zack Barrera, Morriston, Fla., 15 bass, 30-2, $3,450
6th: Kurt Chelminiak, Delafield, Wis., 12 bass, 29-8, $2,950
7th: Stephen Draghi, Sparrowbush, N.Y., 14 bass, 29-7, $2,450
8th: Jeff Cox, Saline, Mich., 15 bass, 28-6, $1,975
9th: Phil Witmer, Huddleston, Va., 14 bass, 27-15, $1,590
10th: David DiMauro, Longwood, Fla., 14 bass, 27-11, $1,350
With two of three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Southern Division now complete, Mizell leads the Southern Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 510 points, while Alan Hults of Gautier, Mississippi leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 509 points.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Okeechobee, hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council was the second of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Southern Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Dardanelle, April 4-6, in Russellville, Arkansas. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST V. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
SITKA’S New Mountain Evo Jacket is Made for the Most Extreme Treks
The Mountain Evo Jacket comes in black as well as OPTIFADE Open Country and Subalpine and is perfect for vigorous outdoor activities when a pack is needed from hunting and mountain biking to backpacking and backcountry skiing. The newest addition to SITKA’s line of technical apparel makes any outdoor adventure more comfortable with room to move and room to breathe.
“This versatile Gore WINDSTOPPER® jacket was built for year-round active pursuits,” said John Barklow, Senior Product Manager at SITKA Gear. “The WINDSTOPPER panels in the Mountain Evo Jacket are the ideal solution to protect from convective cooling and light precipitation, while the breathable 4-way stretch panels limit the need for pit zips and provide unrestricted movement, keeping outdoor goers dry and comfortable during the pursuit. The jacket has been ultrasonically welded and taped seams provide no bulk, save weight and seal out all wind.”
Key Features:
- WINDSTOPPER by Gore-Tex Labs product technology offers 100 percent wind protection while remaining light and breathable.
- Body-mapped 4-way stretch panels maximize breathability and mobility in key areas.
- Ultrasonic welded seams minimize weight and bulk.
- Contoured hood offers wind protection and concealment without inhibiting peripheral vision.
- Zippered hand and chest pockets offer convenient and secure storage.
- 13.6 oz weight
“I've been using the Mountain EVO Jacket over my base layer while shed hunting this spring. It breathes extremely well while exerting energy without the back sweat from your pack,” said SITKA Ambassador, Beau Martonik. “When you stop or slow down, it cuts the wind that would normally make you chilled. I'm excited to use this during turkey season while chasing gobbles throughout the Appalachian Mountains.”
MSRP: $329.00
Available: April 3rd, 2023
JVD Leads Day 1 at MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury
Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Jonathon VanDam Catches 21-14 To Take Early Lead for Group A
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 2, 2023) – Favorable conditions greeted the 40 anglers competing in Group A Sunday at Lake Murray on Day 1 at the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury. As predicted, a variety of tactics and baits were in play as all of the top five anglers on caught the majority of their bass in different ways, and nine of the top-10 finishers of the day had at least one 4-pound kicker bass in their limit.
After a dominant first period, Favorite Fishing pro Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, grabbed the early lead with a lipless crankbait, and then held it throughout the day. VanDam boated 15 scorable largemouth, with his best five weighing 21 pounds, 14 ounces – good for a 1-pound, 10-ounce advantage over second-place angler Marty Robinson of Lyman, South Carolina. Robinson had struggled early, ending the second period in 39th place before going on a third-period rally to vault into second place with 20-4.
The six-day event, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
Weights are stacked up in the remainder of the top five, as just 1-pound separates second place from fifth. Second-year pro Cole Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, ended the day in third place with five bass totaling 20-3, while rookie Mitch Crane, a practicing dentist from Columbus, Mississippi, ended the day in fourth with five bass weighing 19-4. Toro pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas , continued his red-hot pace with a solid start to the round, catching five bass weighing 19-4 to finish the day in fifth place.
The 40 anglers in Group A will now have an off day from competition on Monday, while the 40 anglers competing in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A will resume competition on Tuesday.
“Well, we’re off to a good start,” VanDam said. “We did what we needed to do today, and we really rode that first period. I caught a lot of fish, today. That first spot that I stopped on, they were really firing.”
VanDam caught 21 pounds in Period 1, upgrading slightly throughout the day. He did most of his damage with a lipless crankbait – a sexy shad-colored Strike King Red Eye Shad, according to MLFNOW! analyst Marty Stone.
“I had a chance to have a really big bag – I lost a great big one,” VanDam continued. “But I did catch a 6½ pounder there, so we’re sitting right where we want to be.”
After his first period flurry, VanDam spent much of the remainder of his day scouting new water and practicing for the remainder of the week.
“We did a lot of practicing today, and I was able to run around and do some looking,” VanDam went on to say. “I found three or four other places that have a lot of fish on them, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the week and hopefully we can keep this up.”
The top 20 pros in Group A after Day 1 on Lake Murray are:
1st: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 21-14
2nd: Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., five bass, 20-4
3rd: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 20-3
4th: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 19-13
5th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 19-4
6th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 18-7
7th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 18-5
8th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., five bass, 18-2
9th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 18-0
10th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, five bass, 17-15
11th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 17-13
12th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., five bass, 17-13
13th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 17-12
14th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 17-4
15th: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 17-2
16th: Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, five bass, 16-14
17th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 16-3
18th: Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 16-2
19th: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., five bass, 15-15
20th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 15-13
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Lyman, South Carolina’s Marty Robinson earned the first $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award of the event with a 6-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass that bit his wacky-rigged worm in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Chat with Bryan Thrift at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic
https://youtu.be/jUk4dV6huhw
John and Vance catch up with MLF REDCREST winner Bryan Thrift
Montevallo’s Harris and Head claim narrow win in Bassmaster College Series event on Cherokee Lake
Peyton Harris and Dalton Head from the University of Montevallo have won the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Cherokee Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with 17 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.
March 31, 2023
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Playing a smart game, Peyton Harris and Dalton Head of the University of Montevallo enjoyed a fast start that led to a winning total of 17 pounds, 4 ounces at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Cherokee Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
In a tight race where 1-12 separated first place from 10th, Harris and Head edged Missouri State University’s Aric Szambelan and Tyler Flacke by 3 ounces. The top 27 teams advanced to the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
“Putting in the work paid off,” Harris said. “We were out there from daylight until dark every day of practice. We knew that putting in that extra work would pay off sooner or later.
“We made every fish count, never gave up and fished until the last minute.”
The sophomore winners committed their day to one stretch of mid-lake bank about 10 miles from takeoff where they targeted long points with big boulders.
“It was tough in practice. I could generate some bites and some of them were 3-pounders, but I only had one or two 4-pound bites,” Head explained. “We looked at the lake and decided that the area we fished had the most (habitat) that matched the pattern I was running.
“It was those isolated boulders and places where bait gets early in the morning, so those smallmouth were feeding up. It just made a lot of sense to be in that area. It seemed like that’s where the fish were congregated.”
Dialing in the contour lines where they found the most boulders, Harris and Head were able to pinpoint their casts and secure a quick limit.
“This morning, the first 20 minutes were unreal,” Head stated. “We had a little over 14 pounds by 9. We were getting two or three bites off every little rock.
“We noticed there were alewives in the area that stayed because of the cloudy and rainy conditions. They didn’t go out deep. It rained off and on until about 10, but it was cloudy all day.”
Harris and Head caught their winning bass on a Berkley Stunna Jerkbait 112+ and a Megabass Vision OneTen.
While others struggled with proximity, the winners fared best by making long casts to stay off their bass. This strategy allowed them to tempt the wary smallmouth.
Szambelan and Flacke finished second with 17-1. Also fishing the mid-lake region, they hunkered down in a large creek and targeted rock piles in 15 to 20 feet.
“They were all kinda staging up,” Szambelan said. “When I could find them on Garmin LiveScope, they’d flurry. Our first fish was probably 9 o’clockand we had our limit by 10:30.
“After that, it got tough and it was hard to get bit. We made our last cull at 3:30.”
Szambelan fished a Damiki rig comprising a 1/4-ounce Queen Tackle Tungsten Live Sonar Head and a Z-man Scented Jerk ShadZ. Also called “moping” by northern anglers, like Canadian Jeff Gustafson who won last week’s Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyotawith the technique, Damiki rigging relies on a perfectly vertical presentation to fish that have been spotted on live sonar.
“It was just getting over them and they would fire up right away,” Szambelan said.
Flacke caught key fish on a drop shot with a 2.8 Keitech FAT Swing Impact swimbait. He also fished this bait on a 1/4-ounce ball-head jig.
Carty Shoen and Bennett Slinkard of Auburn University took third place with 16-11. Targeting classic prespawn staging areas, they leveraged the day’s weather to maximize their bites.
“We targeted sheer rock off channel swings and looked for transition points where it goes from really steep to shallow, or from sedimentary rock to boulders,” Shoen said. “The fish were sitting on those transitions and we caught them mostly in 5 feet.
“We had our limit by 8:30 and we had our weight by 10:30. The rain and that front was the whole ticket for us. That opened up a window for a reaction bite and we capitalized on it to get it done.”
Shoen and Slinkard caught their fish on squarebill crankbaits. Most productive was the Strike King 1.5.
Jonathan Fraley and Jonathan Fitch of Kentucky Christian University won the Big Bass award with their 6-8.
Originally scheduled as a two-day event, the tournament was shortened to one day when B.A.S.S. officials canceled Saturday’s round due to predicted high winds that are expected to make conditions unsafe for boating and related tournament activities.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind advisory through Saturday evening calling for southwest winds at 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. Damage and widespread power outages are expected.
“The safety of our competitors is always our top priority,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. tournament manager of the College Series. “We took a close look at the weather forecast and determined that the conditions would be unsafe.”
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Predicted high winds force Championship Saturday cancellation at Bassmaster College tournament on Cherokee
March 31, 2023
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — B.A.S.S. officials have canceled Championship Saturday competition at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Cherokee Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops due to predicted high winds that are expected to make conditions unsafe for boating and related tournament activities.
A winning team will be crowned Friday and the Top 27 teams after this afternoon's weigh-in will advance to the National Championship.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind advisory through Saturday eveningcalling for southwest winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. Damage and widespread power outages are expected due to the sustained high winds.
Day 1 weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET and can be streamed on Bassmaster.com.
The Jefferson County Department of Tourism is hosting the tournament.
Baltimore City man honored with B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award
March 30, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Sportfishing’s biggest stage was used to recognize the incredible philanthropic work done by anglers around the country when B.A.S.S. honored the winner of the 2023 C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award during the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
2023 award recipient Robert (Bob) Wall, of Baltimore City, Md., was selected by a panel of judges from a strong field of nominations for his deep commitment to creating fishing and recreational opportunities for the children and adults in underserved areas of his community. No other fishing programs exist in the city.
For Wall, the goal is simple: “When you see the enjoyment a kid gets when catching a fish, it’s absolutely magical. You become part of their life. What can be better than that? Exposing at-risk, marginalized and disadvantaged populations to fishing gives me a deep satisfaction ... It gives me purpose. I tell people all the time youth fishing is good for your soul.”
Wall started working as a volunteer with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks in 1972 when he was just 15 and was assigned Patterson Park — the park where he grew up playing — in 1995. Fishing was used as the mechanism to find $3.7 million to renovate the park’s long-neglected lake in 2003. Wall retired as Deputy Director of the department in 2020.
Wall hosts free community Family Fishing Nights at Patterson Park and works with Maryland DNR on stocking the lake with trout. In 2021, Wall, his wife and several childhood friends from the community founded the nonprofit Kids Play in Patterson Park to create free recreational and athletic opportunities, including soccer, baseball, tennis, yoga and, of course, fishing. They have raised more than $50,000 to support recreational activities for area kids at the park.
“As a kid growing up in a jungle of concrete and asphalt, Patterson Park was my oasis of activity,” said Wall.
A portion of his award nomination characterized Wall as an advocate not just for fishing, but for recreation in a place where opportunities to enjoy nature have historically been limited. “Bob is without a doubt the very best advocate for fishing I have ever known; he has brought countless individuals into fishing — in a place nobody would expect, and in a place where options for recreation, much less contact with wildlife, are often limited.”
The C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award was established in 2020 to honor one B.A.S.S. member annually who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving groups such as children with special needs, veterans, abuse survivors or any people who need extra help and support.
“It was very inspiring to read the stories of all the wonderful nominees for the C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award,” said Executive Director of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Bassmaster Classic champion and former Elite Series pro Jay Yelas. “There were many deserving people nominated, and I am thrilled to congratulate Bob and thank him for making a difference in the lives of youth in his community.”
MLF Toyota Series Pro Todd Kline Named Honorary Captain at L.A. Clippers Game
| LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 30, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series pro Todd Kline of San Clemente, California, didn’t just earn a heavy trophy and a giant cardboard check earlier this year after winning the first Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse event at Lake Havasu to kick off the season. The California pro was also named the Honorary Captain earlier this week for his hometown Los Angeles Clippers basketball team when they faced off against the Chicago Bulls in an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
“It was an amazing experience,” Kline said. “Walking out on the court in L.A. and seeing the stars and celebrities sitting courtside in the crowd – pretty awesome. The whole experience was incredible. My mom was in town visiting and it was great to have her there to experience it with me. “I am a big Clippers fan. My friend and NBA legend Brian Shaw is the assistant coach, and Paul George is a bass fisherman and a friend as well,” Kline continued. “It’s nearing the end of the season and every game is important for them to make sure they are solid heading into the playoffs. I need to give a huge thank you to the Los Angeles Clippers for the opportunity to represent my sponsors, MLF, and WON Bass on the major platform the NBA offers. What an awesome night.” In an exciting game that had playoff ramifications for both teams, Kline’s Clippers bested the Bulls 124-112. Surely Kline’s presence as honorary captain played a role in the victory. |
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With two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse now complete, Kline sits in second place in the Western Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 506 points, just two points behind leader Nick Salvucci of Atascadero, California, who has 508 points.
The next event for Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse anglers will be the third and final regular-season event of the year – the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna, April 19-21, in Oakley, California. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST V. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com. Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Next Gen Lithium, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI. For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. |
Canterbury Collects $20,000 Bonus Through Yamaha Power Pay
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Scott Canterbury would’ve needed to work a whole lot of weekend overtime jobs in his previous construction and plumbing career to make the kind of contingency bonusmoney he won after three days of impressive shallow water success at the Bassmaster Classic® in Knoxville. He finished third in the nation’s biggest bass fishing tournament and earned a $20,000 Yamaha Power Pay bonus.
This is the second time Canterbury has captured a big Power Pay bonus. He finished sixth at the 2021 Classic in Fort Worth and took home the $20,000 there, too.
His success illustrates one of the greatest aspects of the Yamaha Power Pay program. You don’t have to win the tournament to win the contingency money. You simply need to make sure you’re signed up and become the highest finishing eligible participant in one of the dozens of sanctioned events, ranging from high school tournaments to America’s top weekend team series events.
“People need to realize you don’t need to fish in the Bassmaster Classic to win Power Pay money. You just have to run the most reliable engine on the water and make sure you’re signed up for Yamaha Power Pay,” says Canterbury, who never caught a bass deeper than four feet from Loudon during the 2023 Classic.
His wisdom regarding bass fishing’s greatest outboard contingency program is simple and straight forward – just like that of a man who once turned pipe wrenches for overtime pay.
It’s free to sign-up, to learn more, please visit https://yamahapowerpay.com/.
The Snow Leopard Tames the Tennessee River
The winner of the 53rd Bassmaster Classic Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson tells us how he beat the rest of the field and made it to the summit of Rocky Top. The guys also give their takes on their experiences at the event as well.
Powerhouse Auburn duo secures College Series legacy on Bassmaster Classic stage in Knoxville
Logan Parks and Tucker Smith of Auburn University have won the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops with 16 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
March 28, 2023
KINGSTON, Tenn. — Representing Auburn University, Tucker Smith and Logan Parks found redemption on Watts Bar Reservoir, catching 16 pounds, 3 ounces of largemouth bass to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Parks and Smith, who won the 2021 Team of the Year title and fished this event last year as well, hoisted the trophy on the stage of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota inside Thompson-Boling Arena in downtown Knoxville.
Last years’ champions Hayden Gaddis and Ben Cully from Carson-Newman University finished second with 13-4 and Avery Hammock and Garrett Smith from Erskine College finished third with 12-8.
As a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers division competitor, Parks hopes this win is only a preview of what is to come in his career.
“It was really special to hold up a big trophy on the biggest stage in bass fishing,” Parks said. “It is also my last college event ever. I didn’t even expect to be invited. I thought my college career was over. So, it was special to come back with my best friend and get the win.”
Parks and Smith fished an event on Watts Bar several years ago but only managed to catch one bass. For all of practice and much of Sunday, they thought they were doomed to repeat that performance. But with an hour to go, they pulled up on a prespawn staging area and filled their limit.
Their biggest bass weighed over 5 pounds.
“We caught all of our weight in an hour,” Smith said. “We caught our biggest one in the last seven minutes of the day. It was meant to be.”
The bass they found were located around bluff walls in anywhere from 5 to 20 feet of water. With the water temperatures not warm enough to start the spawning process, Smith and Parks believed the bass they found were setting up to spawn.
Spotted bass bit first, but they eventually weeded through them to find some bigger largemouth. The Auburn anglers rotated through a variety of baits including a Berkley Stunna and a Livingston jerkbait, as well as a Picasso spinnerbait and a jig.
“We were just so happy when we caught our second fish,” Parks said. “Then it went down. It was crazy. They were eating.”
Parks hopes he will be able to use what he found this week at the Bassmaster Open at Watts Bar that will be held in September.
“I don’t know if this will work again, but it was good to have a better experience than we did the last time,” he said. “September is a tough month and that will be a season-maker or breaker.”
Coastal Carolina University’s Andrew Vereen and Connor Cartmell, the winners of the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 6-7 largemouth.
The city of Kingston hosted the event.
*****Beau Browning transferred from Drury to Montevallo this year and, as first angler, the standings automatically pulled in his school information *****
2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops 3/26
Watts Bar Reservoir, Knoxville TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Logan Parks - Tucker Smith Auburn University 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Total: 5 16-03
2. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
3. Avery Hammock - Garrett Smith Erskine College 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
4. Brian Linder - Nathan Thompson Minnesota State - Mankato 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
5. Seth Jenkins - TJ McKenzie Emmanuel College 0
Day 1: 3 10-07 Total: 3 10-07
6. Beau Browning - Jake Peck Montevallo (8094) 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
7. Connor Cartmell - Andrew Vereen Coastal Carolina University 0
Day 1: 1 06-07 Total: 1 06-07
8. Michael Fugaro - Brycen Hendriks UNC Charlotte 0
Day 1: 1 04-04 Total: 1 04-04
9. Kaleb Brown - Chad Mrazek Lander University 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Total: 1 03-10
10. Jackson Swisher - Seth Slanker Florida Gateway College 0
Day 1: 1 03-07 Total: 1 03-07
11. Lafe Messer - Matt Messer Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 1 02-14 Total: 1 02-14
12. Mitch Straffon - Hank Sturm Adrian College Bass Team (8434) 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
13. Joshua DeKoning - Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 5 34 94-15
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5 34 94-15
Martin Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Harris Chain of Lakes
White Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (March 27, 2023) – Boater T.J. Martin of Claremore, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 26 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake of the Ozarks . The tournament, hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association, was the second event of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Martin earned $14,000, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“I started out mid-lake fishing piles in 8 to 10 feet of water with an Alabama rig,” said Martin. “The first fish I caught was a 3½-pounder. The second was a 6-10. Then I ended up finishing out my limit before I decided to run again.”
Martin said he culled a few fish after relocating, but decided to go back to the general area where he had filled his limit. He added a 4½-pounder and a 5-pounder and filled out his final weigh bag by 1 p.m.
Martin said he was confident in his weight and wanted to work his way back to weigh-in early, and is glad he did, as he encountered motor problems on his way back during the 35-minute run. He made it to weigh-in with minutes to spare.
Martin, who also competes in Toyota Series events, said he fishes Lake of the Ozarks during the early part of every year.
“Lake of the Ozarks sets up for me a lot like my home lake – Grand Lake,” said Martin. “I spend my winters and springs on Grand; I spend a lot of time there. And Lake of the Ozarks, to me, is just a bigger Grand Lake.
“This feels awesome to win here,” Martin added. “I was in shock when I caught my last 5-pounder and culled a 3-pounder. I couldn’t believe the weight I had. It was unbelievable – truly a blessed day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: T.J. Martin, Claremore, Okla., five bass, 26-2, $14,000 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Joe Wieberg, Freeburg, Mo., five bass, 19-6, $3,000
3rd: Brandon Ackerson, Afton, Okla., five bass, 18-4, $2,000
4th: Tyler Stuart, Fenton, Mo., five bass, 18-3, $1,400
5th: David Brand, Dittmer, Mo., five bass, 18-1, $1,200
6th: Lawson Hibdon, Versailles, Mo., five bass, 17-15, $1,050
6th: Kyle Kitts, Joplin, Mo., five bass, 17-15, $1,050
8th: Kyle Dowdy, Sunrise Beach, Mo., five bass, 16-11, $850
8th: Scott Hill, Fair Grove, Mo., five bass, 16-11, $850
10th: James Dill, Sunrise Beach, Mo., five bass, 16-3, $700
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Jared Mataczynski of Wausau, Wis., caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,000.
Jeremy White of Dittmer, Missouri, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $3,000 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Jeremy White, Dittmer, Mo., three bass, 13-13, $3,000
2nd: Charlie Knight, Lebanon, Mo., four bass, 10-8, $1,250
2nd: Jake Hutton, Cornell, Ill., five bass, 10-8, $1,250
4th: Scott Shinn, Topeka, Kan., three bass, 10-6, $700
5th: Michael Sanderson, Eureka, Mo., three bass, 8-15, $600
6th: Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo, three bass, 8-14, $1,100
7th: Brayden Schaben, Westphalia, Mo., three bass, 8-13, $500
8th: Michael Mulberry, Galena, Mo., three bass, 8-11, $450
9th: Charles Coleman, Reeds Spring, Mo., four bass, 8-4, $400
10th: Tim Sisco, Fair Grove, Mo., two bass, 8-0, $850
Tim Sisco of Fair Grove, Missouri, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $500, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, T.J. Martin of Claremore, Oklahoma, leads the BFL Ozark Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 489 points, while Adler Odle of Willow Springs, Missouri, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 480 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2023 All-American event will take place May 31-June 2, on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The event is hosted by Visit Oconee SC.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricant, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.