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Robertson’s postspawn focus delivers opening-round lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with 28 pounds, 1 ounce.

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

April 27, 2023

Robertson’s postspawn focus delivers opening-round lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Capitalizing on an early start, Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., caught a five-bass limit of 28 pounds, 1 ounce to lead Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.

Coming off a Top 30 finish at last week’s Elite Series event at Lake Murray, Robertson heads into Friday’s second round leading rookie Bryant Smith of California by just over a pound.

Noting that he's fishing the way he likes to fish, Robertson said he focused mostly on postspawn bass. He spent time in Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and caught bass in two different areas.

“I’m running a shad spawn early and then later in the morning, I’m going fishing for postspawners,” Robertson said. “I was done by about 10:30 or 11.”

Understandably guarded with his details, Robertson said he believes he dialed in a specific pattern that gave him the opening-round advantage. While he declined to elaborate, Robertson said his choice of habitat played a key role in his success.

“I think I’m doing something a little different from everybody, and hopefully it will hold up,” he said.

Robertson used three different baits to amass his big bag. Despite his dominant day, he said his leading limit was surprising.

“I had a bad practice,” he said. “I got a few bites in an area but I didn’t know I was going to catch what I caught today.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” he said. “I didn’t catch ‘em here the last time (the 2022 Elite at Santee Cooper), so I just went out there and approached it totally different from what I did last time.”

After a calm Day 1, Friday’s forecast calls for windier conditions and possible showers. Robertson said he’s unconcerned.

“I don’t care; I have something for (all conditions),” he said. “I like catching big bass, and I hope we can go out there and do it again tomorrow.”

Hailing from Roseville, Calif., Smith is in second place with 26-15. He spent his day in Lake Marion targeting cypress trees. With countless options, he was able to figure out a replicable pattern that allowed him to pick out three trees with the greatest potential.

“I think the positioning of the trees is important, but we’ll find out tomorrow,” Smith said. “There’s something about the trees that I’m looking for that’s kind of the same deal.

“I’m not really going down big lines of trees; I’m trying to pick out the right trees.”

Smith said a single finesse bait proved reliable Thursday, but he’s not sure if he can back up his Day 1 effort with another solid limit on Friday. Even if his pattern holds, he’s dealing with a lot of fishing pressure in his area, and that’s a notorious bite killer.

“I could get in a bad rotation, so I may have to fish fresh water tomorrow,” Smith said. “I don’t think what I’m fishing is going to reload that well. I just have to keep my head down and keep grinding and hopefully, I can run into five bites tomorrow.”

Smith made a big move by boating a 6-pounder around 3:10 Thursday afternoon.

“That got me going in the right direction,” Smith said. “I just got in a good rotation, pulled up on the right tree and (that fish) was there.”

Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Conn., is in third place with 25-10. Starting the day with a game plan that included both lakes, he ended up spending all of his time in Lake Moultrie.

“I had a couple of areas where I thought I could get bit and the fish moved,” said Mueller, who holds two career Elite Series wins. “I just moved around, fished new water and I was fortunate to get the three good bites that I got off of new water — places I hadn’t practiced.

“This lake is so big, you can’t just run around. The problem is, I had bites in areas that are so spread out, you have to commit and do one thing and hopefully, it’s the right thing for the weather.”

Stating that he caught his fish on one moving bait and two finesse rigs, Mueller pointed out that he’s seen fish in prespawn, spawn and postspawn modes. This, he said, has created a challenging scenario that he believes will become even more difficult with Friday’s weather.

“I’ve got my work cut out for me tomorrow,” Mueller said. “I’m not sure what that’s going to do, but we’ll take it one bite at a time. At least I got off to a good start.”

David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 8-5 largemouth.

Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 380 points. Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., is in second with 369 points, followed by Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 364, Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 364 and John Cox of DeBary, Fla., with 335.

Smith leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 305 points.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3 p.m., with only the Top 50 anglers advancing to Semifinal Saturday. Bassmaster LIVE coverage starts at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 28-01 104
Day 1: 5 28-01
2. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 26-15 103
Day 1: 5 26-15
3. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 25-10 102
Day 1: 5 25-10
4. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 24-13 101
Day 1: 5 24-13
5. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 23-00 100
Day 1: 5 23-00
6. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 21-14 99
Day 1: 5 21-14
7. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 4 21-14 98
Day 1: 4 21-14
8. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 21-13 97
Day 1: 5 21-13
9. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 21-08 96
Day 1: 5 21-08
10. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 21-03 95
Day 1: 5 21-03
11. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 21-00 94
Day 1: 5 21-00
12. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 20-15 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-15
13. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 20-11 92
Day 1: 5 20-11
14. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 20-07 91
Day 1: 5 20-07
15. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 20-01 90
Day 1: 5 20-01
16. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 19-10 89
Day 1: 5 19-10
17. John Cox DeBary, FL 5 19-08 88
Day 1: 5 19-08
18. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN 5 19-06 87
Day 1: 5 19-06
19. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 19-01 86
Day 1: 5 19-01
20. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 18-13 85
Day 1: 5 18-13
20. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 18-13 85
Day 1: 5 18-13
22. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 18-10 83
Day 1: 5 18-10
23. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 18-02 82
Day 1: 5 18-02
24. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 4 18-01 81
Day 1: 4 18-01
25. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 18-00 80
Day 1: 5 18-00
25. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 18-00 80
Day 1: 5 18-00
27. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 17-14 78
Day 1: 5 17-14
28. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 5 17-13 77
Day 1: 5 17-13
29. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 17-12 76
Day 1: 5 17-12
29. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 17-12 76
Day 1: 5 17-12
29. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-12 76
Day 1: 5 17-12
32. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 17-11 73
Day 1: 5 17-11
33. Bryan New Saluda, SC 5 17-10 72
Day 1: 5 17-10
34. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 17-03 71
Day 1: 5 17-03
34. Chad Pipkens DeWitt, MI 5 17-03 71
Day 1: 5 17-03
36. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 17-00 69
Day 1: 5 17-00
37. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 16-08 68
Day 1: 5 16-08
38. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 16-05 67
Day 1: 5 16-05
39. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 16-03 66
Day 1: 5 16-03
40. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 15-10 65
Day 1: 5 15-10
41. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 15-09 64
Day 1: 5 15-09
42. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 15-08 63
Day 1: 5 15-08
42. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 5 15-08 63
Day 1: 5 15-08
44. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 15-05 61
Day 1: 5 15-05
45. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 15-02 60
Day 1: 5 15-02
46. Skylar Hamilton Jefferson, TN 5 15-01 59
Day 1: 5 15-01
46. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 15-01 59
Day 1: 5 15-01
48. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 5 14-15 57
Day 1: 5 14-15
49. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 14-11 56
Day 1: 5 14-11
50. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 14-07 55
Day 1: 5 14-07
51. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 3 14-07 54
Day 1: 3 14-07
52. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 14-01 53
Day 1: 5 14-01
52. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 14-01 53
Day 1: 5 14-01
52. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 14-01 53
Day 1: 5 14-01
55. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 13-13 50
Day 1: 5 13-13
56. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 13-09 49
Day 1: 5 13-09
57. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 13-05 48
Day 1: 5 13-05
58. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 13-02 47
Day 1: 5 13-02
58. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 13-02 47
Day 1: 5 13-02
60. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 13-00 45
Day 1: 5 13-00
61. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 12-14 44
Day 1: 5 12-14
62. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, AR 2 12-13 43
Day 1: 2 12-13
63. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 12-05 42
Day 1: 5 12-05
63. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 12-05 42
Day 1: 5 12-05
63. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 5 12-05 42
Day 1: 5 12-05
66. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 4 12-04 39
Day 1: 4 12-04
67. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 12-03 38
Day 1: 5 12-03
68. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 12-02 37
Day 1: 5 12-02
69. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 4 12-00 36
Day 1: 4 12-00
70. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 11-11 35
Day 1: 5 11-11
70. David Williams Newton, NC 5 11-11 35
Day 1: 5 11-11
72. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 3 11-10 33
Day 1: 3 11-10
73. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 11-09 32
Day 1: 5 11-09
74. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 4 11-09 31
Day 1: 4 11-09
75. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 11-08 30
Day 1: 5 11-08
76. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 11-01 29
Day 1: 5 11-01
77. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 10-11 28
Day 1: 5 10-11
77. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 10-11 28
Day 1: 5 10-11
79. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 4 10-09 26
Day 1: 4 10-09
80. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 10-01 25
Day 1: 5 10-01
81. Mike Huff London, KY 4 09-12 24
Day 1: 4 09-12
82. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 09-09 23
Day 1: 5 09-09
83. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 4 09-06 22
Day 1: 4 09-06
84. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 3 09-02 21
Day 1: 3 09-02
85. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 4 08-14 20
Day 1: 4 08-14
86. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 4 08-07 19
Day 1: 4 08-07
87. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 4 08-04 18
Day 1: 4 08-04
88. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 3 08-02 17
Day 1: 3 08-02
89. KJ Queen Conover, NC 2 08-02 16
Day 1: 2 08-02
90. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 3 07-13 15
Day 1: 3 07-13
91. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 3 07-09 14
Day 1: 3 07-09
92. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 2 07-03 13
Day 1: 2 07-03
93. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 3 07-01 12
Day 1: 3 07-01
94. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 2 07-00 11
Day 1: 2 07-00
95. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 2 06-04 10
Day 1: 2 06-04
96. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 3 06-02 9
Day 1: 3 06-02
97. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 2 06-01 8
Day 1: 2 06-01
98. Cody Huff Ava, MO 2 06-00 7
Day 1: 2 06-00
99. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 3 05-08 6
Day 1: 3 05-08
100. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 2 04-15 5
Day 1: 2 04-15
101. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 1 03-01 4
Day 1: 1 03-01
102. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 1 02-12 3
Day 1: 1 02-12
103. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 1 01-02 2
Day 1: 1 01-02
104. David Fritts Lexington, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 08-05 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 72 450 1465-12
----------------------------------
72 450 1465-12

by AnglersChannel

The Ocean Pony Origin Story

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

Darold Gleason had a great day one here in Clarendon County, South Carolina for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes, weighing in 21-pounds 8-ounces of bass and finishing the opening round firmly in the top ten. His bag of fish was bolstered with the two “ocean ponies” you see him holding in the picture above.

If you don’t follow Gleason or live in the Toledo Bend area, you are probably asking yourself, ‘what the heck is an ocean pony?’ The phrase surely conjures all kinds of fantastical images for the uninitiated, but simply put an ocean pony is what Gleason affectionately calls a big bass. The former full-time fishing guide has used this term for years and it’s established a bit of a cult following.

This fact was evident today, when fishing fans who had followed BassTrakk yelled out, “let’s see some ocean ponies”, when Gleason pulled up to the dock this afternoon. At that moment it dawned on me I had never actually asked the likeable Louisiana pro where the name came from.

“The term ocean pony refers to a mythical big bass and is a name that I came up with after spending many, many hours guiding on Toledo Bend,” smiled Gleason. “I used to take a lot of Cajun folks out on guide trips and my forte is fishing offshore, so that’s usually where we’d be fishing. I’d get tons of questions like ‘bro, why are we fishing way out here in the ocean instead of fishing closer to the bank.’ Eventually, I started answering these questions by telling them we were out there searching for ocean ponies.”

Gleason’s clients and fishing buddies alike got a big kick out of the name, so it stuck. Any big bass caught in his boat, specifically while fishing offshore, was dubbed an ocean pony. This phrase followed the longtime Toyota Bonus Bucks participant during his time competing in the Bassmaster Opens and on the FLW Pro Circuit.

But much like Gleason’s fishing skills over the years, the name has evolved and grown, no longer reserved strictly for bass caught offshore. Gleason was quick to admit the two giants he caught today on Santee Cooper were not at all offshore, but they are still very much deserving of the ocean pony moniker.

“Typically, it is a big one you catch offshore but now I dub every giant bass I catch an ocean pony,” explained Gleason. “You know, I’ve learned they are nomadic creatures and will sometimes venture near cypress trees or up shallow to spawn. They are the biggest, baddest dudes in fresh water and they go wherever they want to go.”

Along with being an incredible bass angler, Gleason has a great sense of humor and loves a tongue-in-cheek conversation about the mythical ocean pony. He and his wife / sidekick Randi are as good of people as you will find and are super easy to root for. They’ve started a YouTube channel, Darold Gleason Fishing, chronicling their travels with the Bassmaster Elite Series and his never-ending hunt for ocean ponies.

While he wasn’t sure he could repeat his day one efforts tomorrow on the massive fishery of Santee Cooper, Gleason was enjoying today’s success and remaining optimistic about what tomorrow may bring. With any luck, he’ll stumble on a few more ocean ponies to bring across the weigh-in stage tomorrow.

by AnglersChannel

Big Bass Tour - Berkley Lake Breakdown - Best Baits for Smith Mountain Lake

By Pete Robbins

Smith Mountain Lake is such a popular stop on the Big Bass Tour that we often make it a twice-a-year occurrence, and while the fall colors and fishing can be exceptional, the springtime event just gets better and better.

Whereas it used to often take a fish in the 6-pound class to take the overall top prize, now it frequently takes one over 8 pounds, and rarely does a fish under 7 contend for the title. Indeed, last April there were two bass over 7 pounds weighed in and 5^th place was 6.71 pounds. The year before, there were likewise two bass over 7 pounds, but a gargantuan 8.08 took the title. In 2018, that fish would not have won, as the boat went to Randy Fairbanks with an 8.32 pound behemoth.

While he’s often on the road for much of the spring, and spends spare moments attending to family and business interests, two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion John Crews of nearby Salem, Virginia keeps close tabs on how and where the BBT’s are won, and how the mountain lake is fishing.

“They ‘ve been won way up the Roanoke River and also at the far lower end near the dam,” he said. “That’s the great thing about that lake, it can be really good all over.”

While later in May, and certainly as the summer progresses, the bass may move offshore, Crews still suspects that most of them are shallow.

“The biggest wave of spawners was in the past few weeks, and there’s a shad spawn starting to get going early in the morning, so a lot of the bigger fish are still very shallow. They aren’t going offshore. They’re still lingering, and I would expect that an array of baits can be used. The lake is still relatively clear, so let the weather dictate your choices. If there’s wind or overcast or rain, a big swimbait or other power fishing baits will be a factor. But at the same time, there always seem to be some big fish caught on finesse techniques like shakey heads.”

For the shad spawn, he’d look to hard cover like riprap and rock, but failing that he’d expect many of the biggest fish to set up on points and docks, the latter especially if it’s sunny.

“If you get some wind, it opens up the strike zone,” he said. “They don’t tend to hang around cover so much, so you can cover more water.”

It may be a touch too early for them, but if everything lines up Crews believes that a big topwater could be in play. “If you catch one with it, it could be a big one,” he said. “It’s always good post-spawn, just about any kind – a popper, a walking bait, or even a plopper-style bait. It’s a good way to catch a big one, but you shouldn’t expect to catch a lot of fish with it. Your best bet for numbers and if you’re hoping to get a big fish too is a dropshot or a shakey head.”

Berkley Baits for Smith Mountain Lake Early April

With the fish in various stages of the spawn and post-spawn, it pays to have a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C this week on Smith Mountain Lake. Here are some of our top Berkley choices to get the job done:

For finesse presentations – Berkley Powerbait Bottom Hopper Worm (Green Pumpkin Red Flake or Ike’s Morning Dawn) on a shakey hed

For big bass under docks – Berkley Powerbait Skippin’ Jig (GK Spring Craw) with Maxscent Meaty Chunk Trailer (Watermelon Red)

For the shad spawn – Berkley Powerbait Swim Jig (Shad) with a Power Swimmer Swimbait (Silver Flash)

For covering water – Berkley Choppo 90 or 105 (Bone or HD Threadfin Shad)

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional heads to Arkansas River

Muskogee, Okla., will host the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional May 3-5.

Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.

April 27, 2023

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — With two phases of the spawn likely in play, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens pro Harvey Horne believes there will be plenty of quality bass caught shallow during the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Arkansas River May 3-5.

“It will be a great opportunity for B.A.S.S. to showcase one of the good fisheries in Oklahoma,” Horne said. “This will be right before the Open on Lake Eufaula, (Okla.). It will be a great opportunity for anglers to move on to Nationals.”

The Central Regional is the first of five Regionals that will qualify anglers for the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, details of which will be announced at a later date. The top boater and the top nonboater from each state will punch their ticket to the championship at this event.

Anglers will launch out of Three Forks Harbor each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, returning to the harbor at 2:30 p.m. for weigh-in. The full field will compete on Days 1 and 2 while Day 3 will feature the Top 16 boaters and nonboaters along with the top two boaters and nonboaters from each state if they are not already in the Top 16. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

This section of the river has been a popular destination for the Bassmaster tournament trails over the years. The river provides a large playing field for the B.A.S.S. Nation anglers. Kerr Reservoir has been a player in years past, as well as the Canadian River area and the Neosho River closer to takeoff.

“With not as much practice time as a lot of the Open-type tournaments, I think there will be a lot of anglers going to Kerr and then a lot of anglers staying around the pool where takeoff is,” Horne said. “I think that will open the door for someone to go to one of the backwater areas and capitalize for three straight days. You are going to want to get off the main river and into those backwater areas.”

The last event on this section of the river was the 2020 Bassmaster Central Open won by Chris Jones. Horne himself won an Open here in 2018. The key to his victory was having water to himself, and he believes that if an angler can find and keep a good area mostly to himself, they will be in contention.

Other than submerged vegetation, this section of river has plenty of cover to choose from, including plentiful bank grass and laydowns as well as gravel. There are also bridge pilings that could hold fish, along with rockpiles. Largemouth will be the predominant species but spotted bass will be caught, too.

Depending on the weather, most of the bass will likely be shallow either spawning or in a postspawn phase.

“You will see a lot more fish caught shallow in that postspawn, fry-guarding mode,” Horne said. “The entire system can play instead of just a couple of small areas. I’ll look for gravel anywhere there isn’t any current. That is where the fish will want to spawn. But you can fish whatever your heart desires.”

Horne said swim jigs and spinnerbaits will come into play for postspawners while Classic bed-fishing baits will catch spawners. Some sections of river will provide sight-fishing opportunities.

by AnglersChannel

Throwback Thursday - The Birth of Flippin'

New Western Technique Controlled Structure Fishing sure to sweep the country

By Terry Battisti - Bass Fishing Archives

This is the first installment of a series of articles, highlighting the technique we now know as Flippin', and the pioneers who brought it to bass fishing! Check back every Thursday for more insight into how we got here as a sport and industry.

May 19, 1974

Paso Robles, CA – A new technique, coined “Controlled Structure Fishing,” has been introduced and it’s been met with mixed reviews. The technique’s given the duo of Dee Thomas and Frank Hauck a trip to the winners' circle in five out of the last seven events. Why has it been met with mixed reviews? Some may say it’s jealousy, others say it’s a banned form of tule dippin’. Whatever you say it is, it’s been mighty successful for Thomas and Hauck, and even though they had to adjust their equipment for the latest Western Bass Fishing Association's event on Lake Nacimiento, they were able to pull off another win even after chopping 4-1/2 feet off their preferred Lew’s Hawger rods and flipping their boat halfway through the first day of the event.

BFA Headquarters - In the late spring, early summer of 1974, Thomas’ form of fishing had yet to reach outside the West. But in the West, it was creating a lot of conversation and discontent amongst anglers competing against him and his tournament partner. Most anglers that own a Flippin’ Stick know Thomas was the originator of the technique but few have heard or read about its origins. Below is an article, possibly the first article, ever written about Dee and his new method in which to target bass. The funny thing about it is Dee didn’t call it Flippin’ back then. His name for it was “Controlled Structure Fishing.”

Click Here to Enlarge the Article

If we've piqued your interest and you'd like to read ahead, check out the rest of the story at Bass Fishing Archives with the links below:

FLIPPIN’: A CONCEPT. NOT JUST A TECHNIQUE – PART ONE

FLIPPIN’: A CONCEPT. NOT JUST A TECHNIQUE – PART TWO

FLIPPIN’: A CONCEPT. NOT JUST A TECHNIQUE – PART THREE

by AnglersChannel

Thrift Wins Group A, Ebare Catches $25K Big Bass Wednesday at Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Caney Creek Reservoir

Reigning REDCREST Champion Boats Two-Day Total of 55-13 to Advance to Championship Round, Group B to Wrap Qualifying Round Thursday

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 26, 2023) – After starting the day in second place, reigning REDCREST Champion Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, caught a couple of giants, Wednesday to dominate the Group A Qualifying Round and win his way directly into the Championship Round at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops . Thrift caught five scorable bass weighing 25 pounds, 11 ounces to earn the Qualifying Round win and advance directly to Saturday’s final-day Championship Round.

Thrift’s two day total of 11 scorable bass weighing 55 pounds, 13 ounces earned him the victory by a 7-pound, 13-ounce margin over second-place pro Josh Bertrand of Queen Creek, Arizona, who landed 11 scorable bass, good for 48 pounds even.

Third-place angler, pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, who had caught a 9-pound, 5-ounce bass on Monday to take the early lead for the $25,000 Qualifying Round Group A Big Bass Bonus, broke his own mark on Wednesday with a 9-pound, 6-ounce largemouth to earn the $25,000 prize. Another $25,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus will be awarded Thursday to the heaviest bass weighed by Group B in their Qualifying Round, and prizes of $50,000 and $100,000 will be awarded on Friday and Saturday for the single biggest fish in the Knockout and Championship rounds.

The eight anglers advancing from Group A will have the day off Thursday, while the 15 anglers in Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. The Knockout Round, featuring 14 anglers competing to finish in the top eight, will take place on Friday. Saturday’s Championship Round will feature Thrift, Thursday’s Group B winner, and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round competing for the top prize of $100,000 along with the $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus.

“I am definitely going to elect to skip over the next round and go straight to the Championship Round,” Thrift said in his post-game interview. “I am so excited for a guaranteed shot to fish for $200,000 - $100,000 for first place in the Championship Round and $100,000 for big bass, on a great big bass fishery. I know there are going to be some giants caught – last time we were there I caught a 9 (pounder). And I lost one even bigger. Randy Howell caught one almost 13 (pounds). So I can’t wait to get to Bussey (Brake) and see what happens.”

Thrift caught five fish, Wednesday, with three coming on his signature Z-Man Big-Blade ChatterBait. He added a 6-pound, 7-ouncer on a medium-diving crankbait, and his last big one – a nice 7-pound, 6-ounce bass – on a soft plastic speed worm.

“I’m throwing a ½-ounce Z-Man Jack Hammer ChatterBait,” Thrift said. “I’m throwing it on my Signature Series Frog rod from Fitzgerald Fishing, with a Fitzgerald Fishing VLD10 reel on 17-pound P-Line Tactical fluorocarbon (line). This is a great setup for making long casts, when you’re fishing grass and having to rip that bait free.

“I have a Signature Series ChatterBait rod, but I really like that rod more for skipping around docks – it has a softer tip and is a little bit shorter, so you can be more accurate with your casts. But when I’m fishing open water scenarios, like I have been this week here at Caney, the frog rod really gets the job done in that situation. I’m ready to get to Bussey Brake to see if we can catch a giant!”

One angler that caught a couple of giants in Group A was Ebare, who earned the $25,000 Qualifying Round Big Bass Bonus, Wednesday.

“I wanted the clock to slow down, because I thought I might have the opportunity to run down Thrift and advance straight to the Championship Round, but at the same time I wanted the time to fly because that’s 25 grand, man,” Ebare said in his post-game interview. “I am very, very thankful for that fish – heck, both of those fish. How cool is that, to catch a 9-5 and a 9-6 – I mean, what an unbelievable fishery. This place is phenomenal. I’m just glad to be here and I look forward to another day on Caney Creek. Maybe we can catch one even bigger Friday in the Knockout Round.”

The top eight pros from Qualifying Group A that now advance to Friday’s Knockout Round on Caney Creek Reservoir are:

1^nd:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 11 bass, 55-13
2^th:         Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., 11 bass, 48-0
3^th:         Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, nine bass, 39-11
4^rd:         Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., eight bass, 36-12
5^st:          Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 36-1
6^th:         Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., nine bass, 30-4
7^th:         Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., seven bass, 27-4
8^th:         Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., nine bass, 26-12

Finishing the event in 9th through 15th place are:

9^th:         Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., seven bass, 26-9
10^th:       Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., five bass, 19-0
11^th:       Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., four bass, 16-12
12^th:       Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, four bass, 16-5
13^th:       Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., three bass, 15-10
14^th:       Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, five bass, 14-3
15^th:       Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., one bass, 3-2

Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 48 bass weighing 196 pounds even caught by 14 pros on Wednesday, which included one 9-pounder, two 8-pounders, four 7-pounders and four six 6-pounders caught from Caney Creek Reservoir.

Different from the Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, General Tire Heavy Hitters features anglers competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format in which anglers catch as many scorable bass and as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. A bass must meet the 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable.

The 15 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Monday and Wednesday – the 15 anglers in Group B on Tuesday and Thursday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 8th place from both groups advance to Friday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advances directly to Saturday’s Championship Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed and the remaining 14 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins. In addition to the tournament, Big Bass Bonuses are awarded in each round of competition with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 awarded to the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. CT. The Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, Days 1-5, will launch from Caney Creek Hooks Marina, located at 400 Spillway Road in Chatham, Louisiana. The final 10 anglers competing in the Championship Round will launch from Bonner Ferry Road, located five miles northwest of Bastrop off of Highway 593. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

On Championship Saturday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit the Bussey Brake boat ramp located at 5373 Boat Dock Road in Bastrop, to celebrate the top 10 and crown the 2023 General Tire Heavy Hitters Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Heavy Hitters Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.

To qualify for General Tire Heavy Hitters, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2022 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 30 anglers with the heaviest total from those seven bass qualified to compete in this event.

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

Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2023 Presented by Bass Pro Shops will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Aug. 5 and running each Saturday through Sept. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Shore Lunch, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.

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.

by AnglersChannel

Arey Aiming for Big Bass?

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

For the first fourteen years of his professional fishing career, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Matt Arey had never won big bass honors in an official tournament. The easy-going North Carolina native missed big bass by ounces a few times and caught some giant fish during practice throughout the years, but any awards for catching the biggest bass of a tournament during actual competition had always eluded him.

But this stat is now firmly in Arey’s review mirror. Arey is on a roll when it comes to catching giant largemouth, securing big bass awards in the last two Elite Series tournaments he’s fished. He caught an eight-pound one-ounce beast on day one at Lake Seminole that netted him the Phoenix Boats Big Bass prize of $1,000, and then followed that up with a seven-pound eleven-ounce behemoth that was the overall big bass of the Lake Murray event last week.

Pocketing the Team Toyota pro another $3,000 bonus and positioning him as a red-hot big bass aficionado as he prepares to begin competition for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite on Santee Cooper, a fishery famous for its giant bass.

It makes you wonder, what’s changed? Has Arey joined the big bait bandwagon, spending his days chucking giant glide baits, foot long swimbaits, or oversized plastics to catch these hugefish?

“I haven’t changed a single thing,” the always humble Areylaughed. “It’s just kind of rolled my way the last two events, I guess. I’m definitely not out there slinging big baits more than usual. I caught the big one at Seminole off a bed with a Lunkerhunt Finesse Craw on a ¼-ounce Texas Rig, and the Murray bass ate a big pencil popper off a main lake point.

“I got pretty lucky on that fish to be honest. There were fish blowing up all over this point and I literally had a two-pounder jump over my topwater and miss it a second before the big one grabbed it. I’d guess there were 50 or 60 fish feeding on that point and the 7-11 had to be the biggest one. Usually, the big ones miss your bait and the small fish get it, so that was a pleasant surprise.”

There you have it; Arey gives zero credit to secret baits, special techniques, or superstitions for his newfound success with giant bass. He is probably being a little too modest, but Areyacknowledges the timing of the 2023 schedule for his recent big bass accomplishments.

Arey doesn’t hesitate to admit his tournament fishing style is built around consistently cashing checks, as opposed to being a hero-or-zero type of fisherman.

“Outside of the Classic, each year I fish to make checks and then see where the dust settles,” Arey said. “Shallow water power-fishing is definitely my biggest strength, so I guess it makes sense for me to get on a big bass roll when we have a schedule that lines up great fisheries with the months of March and April. I’d give timing and fishing my comfort zone as much credit as anything.”

Arey and his fellow Elite Series competitors will have ample chances of crossing paths with giant bass in skinny water once again on Santee Cooper Lakes. While practice dock-talk dictates that most of the bass in Lake Moultie and Marion are on the tail-end of the spawn, Santee Cooper is still a shallow-water angler’s paradise.

Whether Arey can keep his big bass streak alive or not, there is sure to be a parade of giant fish that comes across the Bassmaster stage at the John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility this weekend.

by AnglersChannel

Two Bassmaster championships head to historic Lake Hartwell

The best anglers from around the country will be part of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Bassmaster Junior National Championship on the storied waters of Lake Hartwell.

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

April 26, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2023 national championships for the hugely popular Bassmaster High School and Junior Series will be decided on the renowned waters of Lake Hartwell. The 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship for second- through eighth-grade anglers will head to Anderson, S.C., July 21-22, while the Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will be held July 27-29.

“We are so excited to host the Bassmaster Junior and High School National Championships at Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell,” said Neil Paul, executive director of Visit Anderson, which is hosting the events. “The leadership of Anderson County has provided us with a facility that is second to none and the resources to be able to bring championship events to our community, and we are grateful. In addition, our Anderson County team recognizes the confidence that B.A.S.S. has in our community to provide a first-class event for the anglers, their families, sponsors of the sport and the B.A.S.S. team. We look forward to another memorable event in Anderson County!”

This will be the first year for the Junior Series National Championship to venture away from west Tennessee, while 2022 marked the first time the Bassmaster High School National Championship has been held on Lake Hartwell. Young anglers from 39 states and Ontario, Canada, qualified to compete as part of the 315-boat field. That initial event was not only a success on the water but also accounted for more than 6,100 room nights and had a total economic impact of $1.5 million for Anderson, earning recognition as a 2022 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism (Mid-Market Division) by Sports Destination Management.

As many as 440 junior and high school teams are expected to compete. Each two-angler team is accompanied by a coach who runs the boat and can give advice on fishing techniques and patterns.

“We are thrilled to give young anglers an opportunity to tackle Hartwell — one of the most storied fisheries in Bassmaster history — as they compete for a national title,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager — College, High School and Junior. “I think people will be amazed not only by the knowledge these young anglers have of the sport, but by the size of the fish they bring to the scales. What they know and how they perform at such a young age really shows how the sport of competitive bass fishing is evolving and gives us a good idea of the kind of competition we’ll see at the higher ranks in the future.”

The Bassmaster High School Series debuted in 2013 and has grown immensely since its inception. The program emphasizes sportsmanship, academics and conservation while giving young anglers a chance to improve and test their fishing skills in competition among their peers.

The tournaments are being hosted by Visit Anderson.

by AnglersChannel

Osage Beach Readies for MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Phoenix Stop 4 on Lake of the Ozarks

Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Qualification into REDCREST 2024

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (April 26, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Osage Beach, Missouri, next week, May 4-6, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Phoenix Stop 4 at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Mystik Lubricants. The Invitationals feature a roster of 150 professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – for the chance to win up to $300,000.

Hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association, the tournament marks the fourth of six Tackle Warehouse Invitational events in 2023, offering competitors a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. In addition to the top payout of $115,000, the field is also competing for valuable points to win the coveted Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The top eight pros in the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY standings at the end of the season will receive an invitation to compete on the Bass Pro Tour in 2024.

"The Lake of the Ozarks is thrilled to welcome the Tackle Warehouse Invitational anglers, staff and fans to the lake,” said Lagina Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Tri-County Lodging Association. “We are very appreciative of our long-standing partnership with Major League Fishing and know the anglers love fishing in our little piece of paradise!"

Lake of the Ozarks is a very familiar destination for MLF and the majority of pro anglers in this tournament, as the fishery has played host to numerous MLF tournaments over the years, across all levels of competition. In the last professional MLF tournament to take place on the fishery, the Bass Pro Tour Bass Boat Technologies Stage Four on Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Bass Cat in 2022, pro Jesse Wiggins targeted the plentiful boat docks with a homemade shaky-head rig to take home the top payout of $100,000. Fellow Bass Pro Tour angler James Watson of Lampe, Missouri, made it to the Knockout Round of that event, and said that he expects next week’s event to be very similar.

“It’s going to be a really good tournament – you’re going to need to catch at least 20 pounds a day to compete,” Watson said. “There should be mostly spawning and postspawn fish – there might still be a few straggler prespawn fish coming up – but there is going to be a lot of sight-fishing, a good topwater bite and lots of wacky rigs and shaky-head-type deals going on.”

Watson said that the lake is so good that it makes it hard to predict just how the winner will be fishing.

“I think the key to doing well is probably going to be sight fishing,” Watson said. “If a guy can find three or four exceptional fish on the bed during practice and have them marked for when the tournament starts, that is going to be important. Another X-Factor might be a giant glide bait or a big swimbait.

“Forward-facing sonar isn’t my style, but it will play,” Watson continued. “The lake is so wide open right now. From dam to dam, any water color, pitching a jig, throwing a spinnerbait or a squarebill up the river, the fish live from dam to dam. It’s one of the reasons why it’s such a great fishery.”

Although he will not be competing in this event, Watson said he’d be throwing numerous different baits each day.

“I’d be sight-fishing some sort of tube, and I’d have a floating worm tied on,” Watson said. “Definitely a (River2Sea) Whopper Plopper, a (River2Sea) Worldwide Buzzbait, and a Zara Spook will catch them. And if I was going up the river, I’d be throwing a ½-ounce Strike King spinnerbait with double-willow blades, and a (Strike King) Thunder Cricket.

“Like I said before, you’re going to need to catch at least 20 pounds a day to have a chance at this one,” Watson went on to say. “I predict the winner has 60 to 62 pounds over the three days.”

In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, will advance to the final round on Championship Saturday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.

The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Phoenix Stop 4 at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Mystik Lubricants will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. In addition, the season-long Invitational AOY will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2024.

Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, Thursday through Saturday, from the Grand Glaize Beach Boat Ramp (Public Beach No. 2) at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, located at 711 Public Beach Road in Osage Beach, Missouri. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat ramp daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Phoenix Stop 4 at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Mystik Lubricants 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 21st.

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, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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

by AnglersChannel

Texas Team Trail announces 2023 broadcast & streaming coverage schedule through Q2

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 26, 2023) – The Texas Team Trail (TXTT) is excited to announce all the ways viewers can watch its media coverage schedule this quarter. The TXTT continues to provide the most TV and streaming coverage of any team circuit in the nation. Viewers everywhere can tune in on the device of their choice to watch the exciting action and big bass catches that prove Texas to be one of the top “Big Fish” factories in the U.S.

Pursuit Channel
Mondays @ 11:00 a.m. ET
Tuesdays @ 8:30 p.m. ET & @ 11:30 p.m. ET
Fridays @ 8:30 a.m. ET
Saturdays @ 8:00 a.m. ET & @ 3:00 p.m. ET
Sundays @ 10:30 a.m. ET

Bally Sports Southwest
Saturdays @ 5:30 a.m. CT

AT&T SportsNet Southwest
Saturdays @ 4:00 p.m. ET
Sundays @ 4:00 a.m. ET

Action Channel
Tuesdays @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Fridays @ 10:30 a.m. ET

Right Now TV
Wednesday @ 4:00 p.m. ET & @ 11:30 p.m. ET
Saturday @ 3:30 a.m. ET
Sunday @ 3:30 a.m. ET & @ 4:30 p.m. ET

KTXA21 (Dallas, TX | CBS Affiliate) –
Saturdays @ 4:00 p.m. CT

Fishing fans can also tune in on the device and platform of their choice, including the Outdoor Action™ TV or Pursuit UP platforms allowing viewership on handheld devices, televisions and computers anytime or anyplace. Just a few of the platforms you can see the TXTT via a connected device include Roku, Amazon Fire, Samsung, Apple TV iOS/Android apps, Glewed TV, WebsiOutdoor Action™ TV FAST Channel via TCL Channel, Sports TV among many other platforms. These platforms allow for viewers to watch both new and old episodes as well as a variety of live coverage at select times.

The Texas Team Trail will also showcase a variety of live coverage on the new Texas Team Trail website, to include more distribution of weigh-ins and live coverage from the events as well as live leaderboards.

For more information on the Texas Team Trail, including tournament schedules, and photos and official tournament results from past events, visit texasteamtrail.com. Subscribing is also easy via the TXTT e-newsletter where you’ll be able to receive up-to-date information, registration announcements, sponsor incentives, and Outdoor TeamWorks news.

by AnglersChannel

Half Past First Cast!

Half Past First Cast's Hanna and Pete Robbins join to talk about some of the international angling adventures they provide chasing big fish

by AnglersChannel

Andy Morgan On Top for Group B at Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Caney Creek Reservoir

Tennessee Pro Catches 11 Bass for 38-12 to Jump Out to 13-Pound, 2-Ounce Lead, Group A to Wrap Qualifying Round Wednesday

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 25, 2023) – As numerous anglers struggled offshore with finicky bass that they could see on their Lowrance Active Target but not convince to bite, pro Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee , went old-school Tuesday to jump out to an early lead. Morgan went to the bank, flipping and pitching his way to 11 scorable largemouth weighing 38 pounds, 12 ounces, to pace the field early for Group B in the Qualifying Round of the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, caught the largest bass of the day during Period 3 – a 7-pound, 8-ounce largemouth that came on a weightless wacky rig. If Connell’s largemouth remains the largest bass weighed by Group B after the conclusion of the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday, he will take home a $25,000 Big Bass Bonus. Big Bass Bonuses are awarded throughout the competition, with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 being awarded for the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

Morgan will bring a 13-pound, 2-ounce, lead over second-place pro and reigning Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, into Thursday’s second day of competition in the Qualifying Round for Group B. Wheeler landed seven scorable bass totaling 25-10, while pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, California, went on a third-period flurry, catching four scorable bass weighing 19-7 in a one-hour timespan in Period 3 to finish the day in third place.

The 15 anglers in Group B will now have the day off Wednesday, while the 15 anglers in Group A will wrap up their two-day Qualifying Round. Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition on Thursday.

“I was totally blindsided, I had no idea that this would happen and today was way better than I expected,” Morgan said. “I went into this little area – I wouldn’t say totally blind, because I had a couple of bites in there during practice – but I figured that I was just going to try to start out doing some shallower fishing. And then I kept getting bit.

“It was kind of crazy honestly, I had no idea that I was going to catch them like that,” Morgan continued. “I thought I could maybe get a couple of bites to get a start, but I was really shocked that I caught as many bass as I did. Because that place is tiny. It’s like a pond. And I was just shocked nobody else was around, and I was shocked that there were no locals. It was a very nice surprise.”

Morgan said he caught his bass on two baits – mainly a Zoom Z-Craw, but he did add a couple of keepers on a Strike King Rage Bug.

“Now it’s just like, okay, I hope this lasts another day so I can hang on,” Morgan said. “I would love to win this (Qualifying) round and skip the Knockout round and go straight to the Championship (Round), but I know that’s going to be a tough road to hoe, for sure. What I’m doing is very fragile. It’s shallow, fragile, and it can’t take a lot of pressure. And I leaned on it a lot today, a really small area.

“I just don’t think there are very many big ones doing what I’m doing, but I’ll take all of the 4 pounders,” Morgan went on to say.

The standings for the 15 pros from Qualifying Group B after Day 1 on Caney Creek Reservoir are:

1^st:          Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 11 bass, 38-12
2^nd:         Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., seven bass, 25-10
3^rd:         Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., four bass, 19-7
4^th:         Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., four bass, 16-12
5^th:         Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 16-11
6^th:         Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., three bass, 16-6
7^th:         Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., five bass, 15-11
8^th:         Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., three bass, 14-7
9^th:         Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., four bass, 13-10
10^th:       Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., three bass, 10-6
11^th:       Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., two bass, 8-1
12^th:       Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, three bass, 7-15
13^th:       Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., two bass, 5-5
14^th:       Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., one bass, 2-5
15^th:       Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., zero bass, 0-0

Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 57 bass weighing 211 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 14 pros on Tuesday, which included two 7-pounders and six 6-pounders caught from Caney Creek Reservoir.

The 15 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Monday and Wednesday – the 15 anglers in Group B on Tuesday and Thursday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top eight anglers from both groups advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round weights are zeroed, and the remaining 16 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Saturday’s final day Championship Round, weights carry over from the Knockout Round and the highest two-day total wins. In addition to the tournament, Big Bass Bonuses are awarded in each round of competition with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 awarded to the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

by AnglersChannel

Why We Go to El Salto in May and June

Why We Go to El Salto in May and June

By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast

I believe that the first time I ever heard of El Salto was when I was crappie fishing on the California Delta in 2003 with former Bassmaster pro, Kenyon Hill. He mentioned that he’d been to the lake several times, and had absolutely crushed the big fish. I don’t know why, but I assumed that the best time to go was during the winter months when the climate in his home state of Oklahoma was cold as it was near my home in Virginia.

“No,” he said. “We go at the end of May. That’s when the big ones get ganged up.”

I suppose I always kept that in the back of my head, because even though our first trip to the lake was in December 2009, our next one was in May of 2013, and we’ve been back every May or June since then. Actually, Hanna has been back every May or June since then. I scheduled a “work trip” with Keith Combs to Alaska in the summer of 2019 which left me without enough vacation time to go to El Salto as well, so Hanna took Keith’s wife Jennifer instead.

Friends are often surprised to hear that we go to Mexico during the warmer months. Indeed, there are several prejudices working against making such a trip. First, fishing is good just about everywhere then. The spawn is over in the deep south, but the fish are lined up on a couple of different patterns. In the far north, the seasons are just starting. Where we live in the mid-Atlantic, I consider April through June the best period to catch not just numbers of fish, but also big fish. So yes, you may be giving up a few days of exceptional fishing at home, but in all but a few instances, it’s likely to be better South of the Border. That’s because the water is at its lowest point of the year and the fish are schooled up on textbook offshore structure.

At home, on the local tidal rivers, I rarely fish deeper than 6 feet deep, so the offshore game at El Salto is a special treat. I get to throw lures like swimbaits and Strike King 10XDs and even the dreaded “ball and chain” (Carolina Rig). Even more importantly, I’m throwing them at SCHOOLS of fish, not individual specimens.

The next question is, “Isn’t it HOT?”

The truth is that it’s not more than a few degrees warmer than it is at home. The most uncomfortable part of the day is from about 10 am until you go in for lunch at 11. That’s when the temps have warmed up and the wind hasn’t started blowing. By the time you go back out in the afternoon, the wind is usually howling at a pretty good clip. Not only does that make it much more comfortable to be outside, but it also positions the fish. Many of the guides have areas where you can tie up to a tree, make a cast with the wind (be sure to have enough line on your cranking reel), and catch bass after bass after bass with the same lineup.

That mention of the siesta is another key point – it stays light LATE. When we go in December of January, it gets dark early, so if you’re going to get in a decent afternoon session you need to be out on the water by 1:30. After getting in at 11, cleaning up, and eating lunch, that doesn’t leave much time for a siesta. In June, on the other hand, there’s lots of daylight. Take a nap, cool down, and restore your energy for the long evening bite.

If you’re someone who believes that the tilapia nets have an adverse impact on the fishing (note: I am not one of those people) this is also a prime time to go because the tilapia cooperative does not operate in the summertime.

Furthermore, if you want to bring the family, this is a time when you can take the kids without having to pull them out of school. Hanna and I often try to come during Memorial Day week so we have to take one less day of vacation.

Obviously, my track record of visiting at this time of year should speak for itself, but in the interest of full disclosure, I’ll reveal a few more things:

(1) our best trips have been in May/June, but we’ve also had a couple of clunkers.

(2) if a great topwater bite is your goal, I’d recommend a different time of year. We’ve had some killer days with a Rico and a Whopper Plopper in June, but we’ve also had a couple of otherwise great trips when the surface bite was minimal.

(3) I’ve been to El Salto in October, November, December, and January as well. We’ve had mostly great trips those months, but a couple of tough ones, too. I have several friends who swear by February/March/April, months when I have not been there. I also know several trusted anglers, including TV show host Joe Thomas, who frequently go in July, when the water is still low but you start to get a few overcast days, to extend the shallow bite. My only recommendation, if you do that, would be to skew toward the first half of the month, because in the waning days, you might lose some fishing time to lightning; and

(4) If you want to see different areas every day, go when the water is higher. Because the lake is at its lowest in May and June, the total acreage is also at its smallest footprint. Your guide will likely follow a milk run of proven spots. For some, that’s a negative. For me, it’s a positive, because at some point in the day, you are going to intercept the largest school of bass of your life, and perhaps the largest single bass of your life.

The bottom line is that there’s no “best month.” Anyone who tells you that “this is the best time to catch a 10-pounder” is full of it. Those fish show up every day of the year and they’re caught in a wide variety of ways. Get there when you can, but take into account all of the other factors that make a trip feasible and great for YOU.

If you’d like to learn more about fishing in Mexico, check out our “Ultimate Guide to El Salto and Picachos.” If you’d like to book a trip, email us any time at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com.

by AnglersChannel

Cobb collects Costa Compete + Conserve cash

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

Brandon Cobb caught 81 pounds of bass in four days on largemouth-laden Lake Murray, SC to finish 6th at the Bassmaster Elite Series event, but that was good enough for a $3,000 contingency check from the Costa Compete + Conserve program that benefits serious anglers like Cobb, and a conservation group of their choosing.

Cobb wore Costa’s Reefton frames with green mirror 580P lenses to spot color changes on the bottom of Lake Murray’s plentiful points, indicating transitions from clay to rocks and deeper drop-offs that fish were relating to.

“Being able to see those transitions helped a ton this week on Murray, but the thing I’ve loved most about Costa my entire fishing career is how light their frames and lenses are on my face, not to mention all they do for our sport and conservation,” says the easy-going South Carolina pro.

Speaking of conservation, Costa Compete + Conserve winners have the option to choose between five conservation organizations to receive an allotted donation on behalf of the Costa Compete + Conserve Program. Cobb chose the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, which donates to numerous youth-oriented conservation projects that benefit local freshwater fisheries.

Compete + Conserve is not limited to pro anglers by any means, but you can’t win and support conservation if you’re not registered. To find out more and get signed-up, please visit https://www.costacompeteandconserve.com/register/

by AnglersChannel

Alton Jones, Jr. Leads after Day 1 of Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Caney Creek Reservoir

Texas Pro Catches Nine Bass Weighing 33 Pounds, 14 ounces to Lead Group A Qualifying Round after Day 1, 15 Anglers in Group B Set to Compete Tuesday

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 24, 2023) – As on-the-water reporter Rob Newell stated at the end of competition Monday, it was a day of feast or famine on Day 1 of the fourth-annual Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops. The anglers at the top of the leaderboard feasted, as numerous 6-, 7- and 9-pounders were weighed in. The anglers at the bottom of the leaderboard really struggled, and some big names in the sport were left with a bit of a hole to dig out of on Wednesday.

After the final bass had been logged into SCORETRACKER, pro Alton Jones, Jr., of Waco, Texas, held the early lead after Day 1 with nine scorable bass weighing 33 pounds, 14 ounces. REDCREST 2023 Champion Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, held the lead for an extended period of time Monday, but was eclipsed by Jones in the third period. Thrift weighed in six scorable bass totaling 30 pounds, 2 ounces, to end the day in second place.

Pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, caught the heaviest bass of the day Monday – a beautiful largemouth that weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces that came on a weightless wacky rig in Period 3. If Ebare’s fish remains the largest bass weighed by Group A after the conclusion of the two-day Qualifying Round on Wednesday, he will take home a $25,000 Big Bass Bonus. Big Bass Bonuses are awarded throughout the competition, with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 being awarded for the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

The 15 anglers in Group A will now have the day off Tuesday, while the 15 anglers in Group B will begin their Day 1 Qualifying Round. Group A will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition on Wednesday.

Jones began the day as the first boat out from launch, which helped him get a prime position on the lake that was highly sought after.

“There was actually about five of us starting on one spot in about 20 feet of water,” Jones said. “I was able to catch four off that spot that got me going before I decided to move on to something else.”

That something else was moving up shallow among the boat docks on Caney Creek. With the sun shining bright and not much wind to speak of, the conditions were picture-perfect for Jones to sight-fish with a Geecrack Bellows Shad. The Texas pro had one bed fish already located from practice, but he quickly discovered a few more.

“I don’t think a lot of guys are sight-fishing right now, so it was cool to get to do that today,” Jones said. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to see as well as I did today on Wednesday, so I’m glad I was able to get some sight-fishing in today. The fish are hard to see, but the conditions allowed me to find some today.”

The standings for the 15 pros from Qualifying Group A after Day 1 on Caney Creek Reservoir are:

1^st:          Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, nine bass, 33-14
2^nd:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., six bass, 30-2
3^rd:         Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., six bass, 25-12
4^th:         Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., six bass, 24-15
5^th:         Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 22-9
6^th:         Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 18-15
7^th:         Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., four bass, 16-1
8^th:         Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., three bass, 9-9
9^th:         Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., two bass, 8-1
10^th:       Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, three bass, 7-12
11^th:       Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, two bass, 5-8
12^th:       Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., one bass, 4-12
13^th:       Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., one bass, 3-2
14^th:       Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., one bass, 2-12
15^th:       Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., one bass, 2-6

Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 55 bass weighing 216 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the 15 pros on Monday, which included one 9-pounder, one 7-pounder and six 6-pounders caught from Caney Creek Reservoir.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, , Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Shore Lunch, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.

by AnglersChannel

Rather Outdoors partners with Fishing Chaos Digital Platform, Online Tournament Series in 2023

Columbia, SC - April 20, 2023 - Rather Outdoors and Fishing Chaos are pleased to announce their partnership for 2023, opening the door for a new series of online tournaments and improved communications platforms for anglers throughout the United States. This new digital series, the Mach Nation Summer Smash Series, will include four events in 2023, each of which will take place over the course of a month in the summer of 2023. Through a catch-photo-release entry and scoring format, competitors will have a chance to compete for thousands of dollars in product from Mach, Lew’s, Strike King, and an Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136 equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor, among other prizes.

Fishing Chaos will also serve as the host for the new Team Mach Nation membership program, a free membership which aims to assemble a team of passionate anglers to participate in new product development initiatives, early access to new product launches, engagement with Mach Nation content creators and more to help drive the brand strategy in 2023 and beyond. “We are thrilled about the opportunities that the Fishing Chaos platforms provide for our brands,” said Tom Brewbaker, Senior Brand Marketing Manager for Rather Outdoors. “They are clearly on the forefront of some innovative technology with the various platforms they’ve created to help anglers better engage with the sport by removing barriers of entry and allowing anglers to get competitive juices flowing from anywhere in the U.S.”

John Calagaz, Founder and CEO of Fishing Chaos, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Strike King, Lew’s, and Mach Nation, as we work together to revolutionize the fishing industry. By bringing a unified form of communication to pro staff and avid anglers, we are committed to providing the best experience possible for their employees and customers. And with our fun and exciting tournament platform, we’re excited to help our brands give back to the anglers and provide a platform for everyone to benefit. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Fishing Chaos and our partners.”

To learn more about Team Mach Nation, visit https://app.fishingchaos.com/club/machnation

by AnglersChannel

Former College Angler Bryce Boatright Earns Win in First Solo Event at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Hamilton

Jones Earns Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Bryce Boatright of Sheridan, Arkansas, brought five bass to the scale totaling 15 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division.

A former MLF College Fishing angler for Henderson State University, it was Boatright’s first career MLF event as a solo boater, and he notched his first career win and earned $4,825 for his victory.

“It feels great to get this win,” Boatright said in his post-game interview. “I’ve got some history on this lake, and I’ve been wanting to get revenge here for some time. So it feels real good to win and get some vengeance.

“It was a tough day – I only got seven bites all day long,” Boatright continued. “I caught my biggest fish – a 5-pounder on a bed. I caught a 4½- pounder on a wacky worm, and I got one good bite on a buzzbait. Those were my three key baits – I sight-fished, a buzzbait and a wacky worm.”

Boatright said that he earned the victory by covering a lot of water.

“I was all over the lake – mid-lake, down-lake – I ran all over and burned a lot of gas,” he said. “The key was just being in the right place at the right time. All of my fish were coming pretty shallow – in 2- to 6-feet.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Bryce Boatright, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 15-9, $4,825
2nd:       Rodney Copeland, Sallisaw, Okla., five bass, 15-6, $2,118
3rd:       Russell Richmond, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 14-15, $1,913 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
4th:        Kevin Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 14-14, $988
5th:        Nick Aber, Yukon, Okla., five bass, 13-15, $847
6th:        Wayne Dixon, Morrilton, Ark., five bass, 13-13, $776
7th:        Brian Bean, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 13-12, $706
8th:        Chip Hawkins, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 13-6, $835
9th:        Brett King, Kinta, Okla., five bass, 12-5, $565
10th:     Lance Pyle, Sherwood, Ark., five bass, 11-15, $494

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Boatright’s biggest bass that weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces, also earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $590.

Jody Jones of Harvey, Arkansas, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,413 Saturday, after bringing a five-bass limit to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jody Jones, Harvey, Ark., five bass, 12-8, $2,413
2nd:       John Hankins, Atkins, Ark., five bass, 11-2, $1,059
3rd:       Alex Albert, Broken Bow, Okla., five bass, 11-1, $706
4th:        Aaron Calvert, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 11-0, $494
5th:        Mark Sloan, Harrison, Ark., five bass, 10-10, $424
6th:        Corey Ruff, Jacksonville, Ark., five bass, 10-9, $388
7th:        L. Neil Welch, Malvern, Ark., five bass, 10-7, $353
8th:        Zachary O'Brien, Palestine, Ark., five bass, 10-3, $318
9th:        Steve Duggan, Pearcy, Ark., five bass, 9-9, $282
10th:     Mitchell Moore, Russellville, Ark., four bass, 9-8, $247

Jones also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler bonus of $295 with a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces.

After three events, Brian Bean of Hot Springs, Arkansas, leads the BFL Arkie Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 732 points, while John Hankins of Atkins, Arkansas, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 738 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 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.

by AnglersChannel

Hillebrandt Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake of the Pines

Matzke Claims Strike King Co-Angler Win

JEFFERSON, Texas (April 24, 2023) – Boater Ernie Hillebrandt of Lafayette, Louisiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake of the Pines. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Cowboy Division. Hillebrandt earned $4,082 for the first MLF victory of his career.

“This feels great,” Hillebrandt said in his post-game interview. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and this is my first win.

“I was fishing on the south end of Lake of the Pines, targeting spawning fish,” Hillebrandt continued. “My key bait was a watermelon-seed-colored Zoom Super Fluke. Most of my keepers came on that. But the big one came on a white (River2Sea) Whopper Plopper.

“The key to this victory was my history on the lake,” Hillebrandt went on to say.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Ernie Hillebrandt, Lafayette, La., five bass, 18-5, $4,082
2nd:       Tater Reynolds, Florien, La., five bass, 17-2, $2,041
3rd:       Travis Franks, Lake Charles, La., five bass, 16-7, $1,862 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
4th:        Nick Abshire, Sulphur, La., five bass, 16-1, $952
5th:        Leon Jefferson, Baytown, Texas, three bass, 15-12, $1,796
6th:        Red Ballard, Sulphur, La., five bass, 15-1, $748
7th:        Arthur Johnson, Judson, Texas, five bass, 14-10, $680
8th:        Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., five bass, 14-6, $612
9th:        Trent Manuel, Iowa, La., five bass, 13-2, $544
10th:     Dylan Smith, Midlothian, Texas, five bass, 13-1, $476

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jefferson caught a largemouth that weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $560.

J.J. Matzke of League City, Texas, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,041 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 14 pounds, 9 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        J.J. Matzke, League City, Texas, five bass, 14-9, $2,041
2nd:       Glen Dockery, Longview, Texas, five bass, 13-9, $1,301
3rd:       Nic Gardner, Frisco, Texas, five bass, 12-6, $683
4th:        Lawrence Tidwell, Frisco, Texas, five bass, 12-4, $476
5th:        Garrett Wilson, Willis, Texas, five bass, 11-12, $408
6th:        Troy Ladner, Bay Saint Louis, Miss., five bass, 10-10, $774
7th:        Scott LeBlanc, Lafayette, La., five bass, 10-8, $340
8th:        Steven Fisher, Nacogdoches, Texas, five bass, 10-6, $289
8th:        Dustin Berry, Dayton, Texas, five bass, 10-6, $289
10th:     Cole Allen, Taylor, Ark., four bass, 10-2, $388

Dockery earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $280, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Tater Reynolds of Florien, Louisiana, leads the BFL Cowboy Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 961 points, while J.J. Matzke of League City, Texas, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 980 points.

by AnglersChannel

Cochran Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Demopolis Lake

Macks Claims Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory

DEMOPOLIS, Ala. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Adam Cochran of Gallion, Alabama, caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Demopolis Lake Presented by Southern Petroleum Services . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Bama Division Presented by Mystik Lubricants. It was the first ever MLF event that Cochran has competed in, and he notched his first career win and earned $3,514 for his victory.

“This was a really fun event, and I think I just got lucky,” Cochran said. “I caught a real quick shad spawn right away in the morning on a floating worm. And then it got really tough. After 9 o’clock, pretty much nothing else bit – I think we got one more fish the rest of the day.”

Cochran politely declined to divulge much information about the areas that he targeted during the shad spawn, but did hint that it was up river.

“The floating worm was a Zoom worm, in watermelon red,” Cochran said. “I’m very appreciative that MLF put on a tournament on Demopolis Lake and I really hope that you come back again, next season.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Adam Cochran, Gallion, Ala., five bass, 16-4, $3,514
2nd:       Will Ayres, Newbern, Ala., five bass, 15-9, $1,757
3rd:       Kevin Williams, Demopolis, Ala., 14-2, $1,392
4th:        Jason Nixon, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 13-14, $820
5th:        Ken Romain, Northport, Ala., five bass, 13-11, $703
6th:        Hunter Dubose, Andalusia, Ala., five bass, 12-10, $644
7th:        Tommy Nichols, Fayette, Ala., five bass, 12-9, $586
8th:        Robert Werner, Fairhope, Ala., five bass, 12-5, $527
9th:        Ray Mitchell, Demopolis, Ala., five bass, 11-15, $469
10th:     T.J. Free, Carrlllton, Ala., five bass, 11-12, $410

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Elijah Clark of Alabaster, Alabama, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounce, to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $450.

Chad Macks of Robertsdale, Alabama, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,693 Saturday, after bringing a five-bass limit to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Chad Macks, Robertsdale, Ala., five bass, 11-6, $1,693
2nd:       Scott Noles, Woodland, Ala., five bass, 11-4, $846
3rd:       Ethan McDonald, Livingston, Tenn., five bass, 9-11, $776
4th:        Mike Langdale, Sycamore, Ga., five bass, 8-3, $395
5th:        Michael Petras, Biloxi, Miss., five bass, 7-12, $474
5th:        Barry Landrum, Butler, Ala., five bass, 7-12, $324
7th:        Stuart Vitollo, Vance, Ala., five bass, 7-3, $282
8th:        Caleb Gwaltney, Athens, Ala., five bass, 7-1, $254
9th:        Johnny Albritton, Cullman, Ala., three bass, 7-0, $212
9th:        Ladarius Brackin, Newton, Ala., five bass, 7-0, $212

McDonald earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $212 with a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce.

After three events, Christian Rich of Eufaula, Alabama, leads the BFL Bama Division Presented by Mystik Lubricants Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 716 points, while Ethan McDonald of Livingston, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 707 points.

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

by AnglersChannel

Jeremy Johnson Chucks A-Rig to Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Hoosier Division Opener at Lake Monroe

Taylor Takes Strike King Co-Angler Division

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Jeremy Johnson of Austin, Indiana, weighed in four bass totaling 12 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Monroe . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Johnson earned $4,498 for his victory.

“I fished at the causeway to start out, and I didn’t get bit at all. Then I ran some bushes and didn’t get bit at all, so I had to go to Plan C. I ran all the way up to the dam and threw an umbrella rig for five hours and ended up catching four big ones on the A-rig,” Johnson said.

“All of my fish came on the A-rig,” Johnson continued. “I tried flipping bushes and throwing tubes and shaky-head rigs on the causeway, but no luck there. I knew they were pulling the water a little bit, so going up the river would not be ideal. So, I did the complete opposite, and I ran all the way up to the dam. I feel like those fish there don’t get affected as much.

“I think just having multiple plans on opposite sides of the spectrum was the key. If the shallow bite doesn’t work, then go completely to the other end and launch a big bait.”

The win was Johnson’s first victory of his BFL career and also his first event as a boater after competing last season as a Strike King co-angler.

“This feels good. My brother (Jeff) has won a BFL before, and my good buddy Richard Ison has won one. So it’s good to be with them in that group.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:          Jeremy Johnson, Austin, Ind., four bass, 12-0, $4,498
2nd:        Mike Quinlin, Mooresville, Ind., five bass, 11-4, $3,519
3rd:        Ethan Hill, Columbus, Ind., four bass, 10-3, $1,498
4th:         Travis Spivey, Union, Ky., three bass, 8-3, $1,050
5th:         John Melton, Corydon, Ind., four bass, 7-8, $1,100
6th:         Jared Robinson, Medora, Ind., two bass, 6-14, $787
6th:         Caleb Perkins, Santa Claus, Ind., one bass, 6-14, $1,432
8th:         Mark Dove, North Vernon, Ind., three bass, 6-8, $675
9th:         Lee Mills, Columbus, Ind., two bass, 6-4, $600
10th:      Richard Hardebeck, Elwood, Ind., two bass, 6-3, $525

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Perkins caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $645.

Kyle Taylor of Sullivan, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,571 Saturday, after bringing two bass to the scale that totaled 7 pounds, 1 ounce.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:          Kyle Taylor, Sullivan, Ind., two bass, 7-1, $2,571
2nd:        Zion Dunaway, Campbellsburg, Ind., two bass, 5-8, $1,125
3rd:        Wayne Fackler, Scottsburg, Ind., one bass, 5-2, $752
4th:         Andrew Matuszak, Washington, Ind., two bass, 4-15, $525
5th:         Jason Thornton, Corydon, Ind., one bass, 4-5, $450
5th:         Nathaniel Hester, Indianapolis, Ind., one bass, 4-2, $412
7th:         Rodney Bolte, Bloomington, Ind., one bass, 4-0, $375
8th:         Joe Gorham, Indianapolis, Ind., one bass, 3-14, $337
9th:         Dylan Grace, Scottsburg, Ind., one bass, 3-12, $300
10th:      Mark Goodridge, Burlington, Ky., one bass, 3-10, $249
10th:      Brian Liming, Dillsboro, Ind., one bass, 3-10, $249

Taylor also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $322, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces.

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.

by AnglersChannel

Antioch Teens Win MLF High School Fishing Open on the California Delta

OAKLEY, Calif. (April 24, 2023) – The Liberty/Heritage High School Team of Noah Nguyen and Tyler Petersen, both of Antioch, California, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the second, and final, MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on the California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse event of the year in Oakley, California.

A field of 33 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top three teams that qualified for the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship are:

1st: Liberty/Heritage High School – Noah Nguyen and Tyler Peterson, both of Antioch, Calif., five bass, 17-12
2nd: Casa Roble Fundamental – Ian Peatross and Preston Schweiger, both of Citrus Heights, Calif., four bass, 17-5
3rd: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Tyler Bryant and Joey Gentle, both of Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 16-9

Rounding out the top 10 teams were:

4th: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Payton Lyndall, Kelseyville, Calif., and Kaine Navarro, Glendora, Calif., five bass, 16-6
5th: Hughson High School – Logan Dekleva and Landon Mason, both of Hughson, Calif., five bass, 14-8
6th: Delta Saints Bass Team – Jax Soto, Courtland, Calif., and Nathan Tritt, West Sacramento, Calif., five bass, 14-1
7th: Delta Saints Bass Team – Zachary Carli, Ryde, Calif., and Jake Feldheim, West Sacramento, Calif., five bass, 13-11
8th: Liberty High School – J.D. Farage, Discovery Bay, Calif., and Fisher Perkins, Rocklin, Calif., five bass, 13-7
9th: Hughson High School – Hunter Cook, Hickman, Calif., and Cooper Scarbrough, Hughson, Calif., five bass, 13-4
10th: Oakdale High School – Troy Cox and Zane Ravalin, both of Oakdale, Calif., five bass, 11-12

Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, will advance to the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship. The 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship will be held on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 20-24, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.

The High School Fishing National Champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2023 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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

by AnglersChannel

Simpson University Earns Victory at MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta

OAKLEY, Calif. (April 24, 2023) – The Simpson University team of Ryan Beaty of Martinez, California, and Nathan Phillips of Kelseyville, California, brought a five-bass limit across the stage Friday weighing 14 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse . The victory earned the Red Hawk’s bass club a qualification into the 2024 MLF College Fishing National Championship.

The top 10 finishing teams on the California Delta were:

1st: Simpson University – Ryan Beaty, Martinez, Calif., and Nathan Phillips, Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 14-7
2nd: Oregon State University – Jake Gerrard, Drain, Ore., and Luke Van Norman, Roseburg, Ore., four bass, 13-11
3rd: Fresno State University – Kent Moua and Seth Moua, both of Fresno, Calif., five bass, 11-11
4th: Chico State University – Jared Defremery, Brentwood, Calif., and Miles Kaneko, Berkely, Calif., five bass, 11-1
5th: Chico State University – Jack Gillaspie, Chico, Calif., and Brandon Huse, Gualala, Calif., five bass, 9-5
6th: Simpson University – Michael Bray, Merced, Calif., and Brennan Osborn, Beaverton, Ore., five bass, 8-7
7th: Simpson University – James Hawkinson, Granite Bay, Calif., and Ty Manterola, Pasco, Wash., five bass, 7-12
8th: Fresno State University – Liam Cornell, Redwood City, Calif., and Brendan Holden, Clovis, Calif., five bass, 7-12
9th: Sonoma State University – Ari Forman, Westlake Village, Calif., and Cody Wyatt, Rohnert Park, Calif., five bass, 7-10
10th: Simpson University – Jacob Greene, American Canyon, Calif., and Austin Rojas, Oakley, Calif., four bass, 7-4

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

The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event at Lake Guntersville Presented by Crock-O-Gator, April 28 in Guntersville, Alabama.

The 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

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

by AnglersChannel

MLF General Tire Team Series Named No. 1 Show on Outdoor Channel

Major League Fishing Tops Outdoor Channel Programming for Eighth Straight Year – Bass Pro Tour ranked #2, and MLF All Angles ranked #6

BENTON, Ky. (April 20, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and the new General Tire Team Series topped Outdoor Channel rankings in five coveted ratings demographics – overall viewing households, Adults 25-45, Adults 35-64, Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. MLF programming, which premieres new episodes on Outdoor Channel every Saturday afternoon (2-4 p.m. ET), has been the top-ranked programming on Outdoor Channel for eight straight years.

The MLF Bass Pro Tour re-airs, which are broadcast prior to the General Tire Team Series on Saturday afternoons, finished second in those same demos. MLF All Angles, a 30-minute behind-the-scenes recap show which analyzes each day of competition from the anglers’ own viewpoints, finished sixth.

“We are so proud to be the number one rated show on Outdoor Channel for the eighth consecutive year,” MLF President of Sales Jim Wilburn said. “Transitioning from our extremely successful MLF Cup events into the new General Tire Team Series was a bit of a gamble, but we knew the Team Series was an innovative and exciting concept that would produce amazing television programming never seen before in professional bass fishing.

“Our gamble has paid off in spades,” Wilburn added. “The latest numbers released by Outdoor Channel speak volumes. Our loyal audience has embraced the General Tire Team Series and we look forward to producing many more exciting seasons to come.”

Highlights:

The MLF General Tire Team Series is the No. 1 show, and the MLF Bass Pro Tour re-airs are No. 2 (2023-to-date) on Outdoor Channel* among:

oTotal Viewers

oTotal Male Viewers

oMen 18-49

oMen 25-54

oP18-49

oP25-54

oP35-64

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular programming updates, television schedules, tournament coverage and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets atFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Source: *Star Media Multitrak, Nielsen Media Reports, Outdoor Channel, Live+7, 1Q 2023

by AnglersChannel

Jerry DeLaFuente & Mike Bates win over $20,000 on day 2. Dobronski & Hux win South AOY

GERALD DELAFUENTE
CASTROVILLE , TX

MIKE BATES
CALLIHAN , TX

7.68

20.50

$20,200.00 with Sure-Life Bonus

RICHARD CREMO
LAREDO , TX

ROBERTO GONZALEZ
LAREDO , TX

19.74

$2500.00

GARRIT AFMAN
CANYON LAKE , TX

JUSTYN PARRISH
LAGO VISTA , TX

19.64

$1700.00

TONY FERDINANDO
SPICEWOOD , TX

SHANE LOGAN
BUDA , TX

19.26

$1100.00

CHANDLER STEWART
CANYON LAKE , TX

JASON MURPHREE
BLANCO , TX

7.73

18.68

$1040.00

JERRY GREEN
BRECKENRIDGE , TX

RYAN GREEN
AMARILLO , TX

9.10

18.03

$1,930.00 with Big Bass, HUK, and ABU Garcia

DUSTIN BORDOVSKY
KERRVILLE , TX

WAYNE BORDOVSKY
INGRAM , TX

17.40

$1020.00

ZANE WASHBURN
GATESVILLE , TX

ERIC WASHBURN
GATESVILLE , TX

17.39

$1010.00

ROBERT NANCE
MIDLAND , TX

KALEB NANCE
MIDLAND , TX

7.78

16.93

$3,500.00 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

BRET FISHER
SAN ANTONIO , TX

DONALD BRADSHAW JR
SAN ANTONIO , TX

16.61

$1000.00

BJ CAROTHERS
GATESVILLE , TX

THOMAS WELLS JR
TEMPLE , TX

9.03

16.36

$1000.00

JOHN CASPARIS
DEL RIO , TX

WELDON MCGUIRE
ODESSA , TX

15.17

$900.00

LEE LEONARD
MARTINDALE , TX

SCOTT BRONDER
FALLS CITY , TX

15.03

$5,950.00 with James Wood Motor Bonus

CHARLES WHITED
SAN MARCOS , TX

JIMMY SHELTON
GRANBURY , TX

14.79

$800.00

TRAVIS BURNS
LAVERNIA , TX

KENNETH FAIRLY
LOCKHART , TX

14.66

$800.00

TIM FLOWERS
DEL RIO , TX

BRIAN ANKRUM
HONDO , TX

14.64

$800.00

TULLY WILLIAMS
GATESVILLE , TX

RYAN CRAWFORD
GATESVILLE , TX

14.29

$1,800.00 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

MIKE RICHARDSON
THORNDALE , TX

CLIFF BROWN
HARKER HEIGHTS , TX

14.11

$800.00

HAL GATEWOOD
BOERNE , TX

ANDREW WHITEHEAD
PFLUGERVILLE , TX

13.90

CHAD BLACK
CANYON LAKE , TX

CHUCK BLACK
LOGAN , NM

13.80

BART GILES
DEL RIO , TX

BINK GILES
DEL RIO , TX

13.72

RICHARD DRAKE
FAIR OAKS RANCH , TX

CHRISTOPHER EYHORN
SAN ANTONIO , TX

13.65

ALLEN SHELTON
FARMERS BRANCH , TX

JORDAN SHELTON
IRVING , TX

4.52

13.63

JEFFREY JONES
SAN ANTONIO , TX

FRANKIE BENITEZ
SAN ANTONIO , TX

13.58

DYLAN THOMPSON
DEL RIO , TX

JOHN REES
SAN ANGELO , TX

13.17

DAVE DOBRONSKI
SAN ANTONIO , TX

CHASE HUX
FLORESVILLE , TX

12.54

GARY SCHMITT
MIDLAND , TX

EARL ARMSTRONG
DEL RIO , TX

12.47

KYLE MALONEY
DEL RIO , TX

BRIAN MALONEY
OSAGE BEACH , MO

12.25

$500 Skeeter Bonus Cash

KEN PARKER
BOERNE , TX

JASON GALLAS
BLANCO , TX

11.99

EDDIE LERO
BRYAN , TX

BRANDAN MALY
GRAHAM , TX

11.98

MITCH GOODALL
BOERNE , TX

FOY OSBURN JR
BOERNE , TX

11.80

LEONARD GONZALES
BOERNE , TX

BYRON VELVICK
BOERNE , TX

11.66

TIM BLANCHETTE
BLESSING , TX

TED SPRENCEL
PORT LAVACA , TX

11.57

KENNETH MASSEY
CLOVIS , NM

RICH JOHNSON
CANYON , TX

11.48

DEVIN GIBSON
GONZALES , TX

ROBERT PRESCOTT
SEGUIN , TX

11.48

MIKE MCCUNE
PIPE CREEK , TX

JESSE ROBLES
SAN ANTONIO , TX

11.15

MICHAEL SMITH
SAN ANGELO , TX

BRETT SMITH
SAN ANGELO , TX

11.13

JEREMIAH WAFFORD
CEDAR PARK , TX

JARRETT WEIMER
CEDAR PARK , TX

11.12

TROY MONTGOMERY
GRANBURY , TX

BRYAN SCHMIDT
OLNEY , TX

10.92

DUSTIN PERRY
MIDLAND , TX

MICKEY PERRY
IRAAN , TX

10.66

DANIEL RODRIGUEZ
NEW BRAUNFELS , TX

KENDALL DAVIS
ABILENE , TX

10.66

GARY CARR
SAN ANGELO , TX

JJ DUCHARME
BRACKETTVILLE , TX

10.60

MARK RUCKER
HOT SPRINGS , AR

GARY WEIMER
LEANDER , TX

10.55

CLAYTON WOODS
MIDLAND , TX

CLAYTON WOODS
ANDREWS , TX

10.53

CHARLIE FORSTER
CENTER POINT , TX

MIKE BINGHAM
KERRVILLE , TX

10.51

CURTIS PENNINGTON
ARTESIA , NM

DAVID RUTHERFORD
ARTESIA , NM

10.40

DONNIE HROMADKA
AUSTIN , TX

JOSEPH TOMPKINS
BOERNE , TX

10.28

THOMAS DAVILA
MIDLAND , TX

JOE MONTOYA
MIDLAND , TX

10.23

BOB JOHNSON
FREDERICKSBURG , TX

CHARLIE JOHNSON
FREDERICKSBURG , TX

10.20

TIM RENEAU
RICHLAND SPINGS , TX

BRYAN HOFFMAN
ANDREWS , TX

10.15

by AnglersChannel

Kyle Keller & Joshua Spencer top 167 teams at Amistad day 1 to win over $20,000

KYLE KELLER
RIO MEDINA , TX

JOSHUA SPENCER
LA VERNIA , TX

21.18

$20,700.00 with Garmin and Sure Life Bonus

TOMMY MOORE
MONAHANS , TX

BECKY MOORE
MONAHANS , TX

8.70

20.57

$3500.00

ZANE WASHBURN
GATESVILLE , TX

ERIC WASHBURN
GATESVILLE , TX

20.46

$2200.00

TROY MONTGOMERY
GRANBURY , TX

BRYAN SCHMIDT
OLNEY , TX

8.79

20.21

$1500.00

CHANCE WOODS
MILLERSVIEW , TX

JUSTIN LAMPIER
SAN ANGELO , TX

7.83

19.48

$1200.00

DEAN ALEXANDER
GEORGETOWN , TX

ADRIAN SANCHEZ
GEORGETOWN , TX

9.26

18.20

$4,450.00 with Big Bass, Skeeter Bonus, ABU Garcia

JJ LARSON
LEANDER , TX

HUNTER ARTHUR
BASTROP , TX

7.63

17.54

$1040.00

CHRIS AMTHOR
RANKIN , TX

HUNTER AMTHOR
RANKIN , TX

6.27

16.70

$1030.00

JOHN CASPARIS
DEL RIO , TX

WELDON MCGUIRE
ODESSA , TX

16.39

$1020.00

DAVE DOBRONSKI
SAN ANTONIO , TX

CHASE HUX
FLORESVILLE , TX

16.23

$1010.00

DONNIE HROMADKA
AUSTIN , TX

JOSEPH TOMPKINS
BOERNE , TX

16.12

$1000.00

GARY CARR
SAN ANGELO , TX

JJ DUCHARME
BRACKETTVILLE , TX

15.97

$2,000.00 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

MICHAEL GRIMES
GEORGETOWN , TX

TRAVIS OWEN
GEORGETOWN , TX

15.73

$1000.00

MITCH GOODALL
BOERNE , TX

FOY OSBURN JR
BOERNE , TX

15.60

$1000.00

TONY FERDINANDO
SPICEWOOD , TX

SHANE LOGAN
BUDA , TX

15.35

$1000.00

MIKE MCCUNE
PIPE CREEK , TX

JESSE ROBLES
SAN ANTONIO , TX

15.18

$1000.00

JAMES KENNELL
BOERNE , TX

COOPER KENNELL
BOERNE , TX

14.79

$1000.00

CHAD BLACK
CANYON LAKE , TX

CHUCK BLACK
LOGAN , NM

14.77

$950.00

LEE LEONARD
MARTINDALE , TX

SCOTT BRONDER
FALLS CITY , TX

14.58

$6,000.00 with James Wood Motors Bonus

TIM RENEAU
RICHLAND SPINGS , TX

BRYAN HOFFMAN
ANDREWS , TX

14.38

$900.00

CHANDLER STEWART
CANYON LAKE , TX

JASON MURPHREE
BLANCO , TX

14.35

$900.00

BILLY RIECK
FLORESVILLE , TX

CASEY RIECK
FLORESVILLE , TX

7.06

14.17

$900.00

DUSTIN PERRY
MIDLAND , TX

MICKEY PERRY
IRAAN , TX

14.14

SKYLER CAROTHERS
GATESVILLE , TX

CANYON CAROTHERS
GATESVILLE , TX

14.10

BJ CAROTHERS
GATESVILLE , TX

THOMAS WELLS JR
TEMPLE , TX

13.95

RANDY DIXON
BORGER , TX

STEPHEN WINTER
MIDLAND , TX

13.85

JEFF RICHARDS
BOERNE , TX

STAN MCHARDY
WARING , TX

13.77

MIKE KATZER
KYLE , TX

DAVID IMMEL
BOERNE , TX

13.73

WESTON HIATT
SAN ANTONIO , TX

HAYDEN HIATT
SAN ANTONIO , TX

13.73

ERNESTINO PRUNEDA
DEL RIO , TX

CODY WHITE
DEL RIO , TX

13.60

$500 Skeeter Bonus Cash

IRA LYNN
ADKINS , TX

RAYMOND ZETKA
CALLIHAN , TX

13.55

CODY FOSTER
CISCO , TX

DUSTIN FERGUSON
CISCO , TX

13.53

MIKE RICHARDSON
THORNDALE , TX

CLIFF BROWN
HARKER HEIGHTS , TX

13.51

RAMON GARZA JR
SAN ANTONIO , TX

AL SALINAS
UVALDE , TX

13.51

RICHARD CREMO
LAREDO , TX

ROBERTO GONZALEZ
LAREDO , TX

13.46

LOGAN MCDONALD
CARLSBAD , TX

JERRY MCDONALD
COLEMAN , TX

13.36

TIM BLANCHETTE
BLESSING , TX

TED SPRENCEL
PORT LAVACA , TX

13.12

ROBERT LOPEZ
DEL RIO , TX

GEORGE TROSPER
DEL RIO , TX

13.03

TULLY WILLIAMS
GATESVILLE , TX

RYAN CRAWFORD
GATESVILLE , TX

13.00

CLINT PHIPPS
BUCHANAN DAM , TX

CALVIN PHIPPS
MONAHANS , TX

13.00

BRET FISHER
SAN ANTONIO , TX

DONALD BRADSHAW JR
SAN ANTONIO , TX

12.91

BOBBY GARDUNO
DEL RIO , TX

TOM SCHULER
MONAHANS , TX

12.80

GARY LAFRENIERE
MIDLAND , TX

CHARLIE HARALSON
DEL RIO , TX

12.72

GERALD DELAFUENTE
CASTROVILLE , TX

MIKE BATES
CALLIHAN , TX

12.67

RICHARD DRAKE
FAIR OAKS RANCH , TX

CHRISTOPHER EYHORN
SAN ANTONIO , TX

12.63

HECTOR VENEGAS
MONAHANS , TX

MICHAEL ENRIQUEZ
MONAHANS , TX

12.62

CORY LEITA
VICTORIA , TX

BRUCE WHITE
LA WARD , TX

12.47

TYE HEINEMAN
DRIPPING SPRINGS , TX

DUSTIN DAY
PORTLAND , TX

12.37

WILLIAM BLAINE
SAN ANGELO , TX

BEN BLAINE
GOLDWAITE , TX

12.13

THOMAS DAVILA
MIDLAND , TX

JOE MONTOYA
MIDLAND , TX

12.07

by AnglersChannel

SATTERFIELD SMASHES THEM ON WRIGHT PATMAN

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

With a three-day total of 50 pounds, 4 ounces, local angler Ryan Satterfield caught 18 pounds, 9 ounces on the final day to take his first career NPFL victory, on his home body of water. Focusing on bass up the river on Wright Patman, he started off the event on day one with a 16-pound, 2-ounces, and followed it up with a 15-pound, 9-ounces on day two.

After a tough practice, Satterfield stuck to his guns on the first two days patiently waiting for the bigger fish to arrive. Today, he arrived to find that the bigger females were pushing back in to spawn and he capitalized with his biggest bag of the week.

“The water came up faster in the river than it did the lake,” said Satterfield. “That higher water allowed me to capitalize on the bigger fish moving back in to spawn.”

Growing up on Wright Patman, Satterfield knows the lake and knew coming in he wanted to get away from the crowd. Throughout practice, he got enough bites on a frog to make it an easy decision to fish how he is most comfortable.

“I had two stretches of bank and I was focusing on the root systems of certain types of bushes,” he added. “I was afraid it would be off, but there was enough bass to keep me in it. On the final day, I really thought I would get up there and catch a limit of males, but to my surprise, the females moved in and it was a fun day; frog fishing is my favorite way to catch them, and I kept my mind right and went to work.”

Winning angler Barron Adams has been disqualified from the event for failure to produce a valid fishing license for the State of Texas.

“It makes me sick for him,” said Satterfield. “Barron had a great week out here; I don’t wish what happened to anybody. We all work so hard out here that it just makes me sick for him.”

Satterfield fished his popping frog on a Brad’s Custom Rods 7’3” extra-heavy rod with a Shimano reel spooled with a 60-pound braid. For a follow-up for fish that miss the bait, he would flip a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug in black/blue color, and a ¼-ounce Jig Shack flipping weight.

Brad Staley

Making a big move on day three, Brad Staley caught 19 pounds, 8 ounces to move into the 2nd-place spot at Wright Patman. Combined with his day one weight of 18 pounds, 5 ounces, and day two bag of 12 pounds, 2 ounces, he worked a finesse pattern on isolated root balls to catch a three-day total weight of 49 pounds, 15 ounces.

“It’s no secret I was fishing a Senko this week, wacky rig, and fishing anything that looked good,” said Staley. “While I did catch fish on a bunch of stuff, the key to getting some of those bigger bites was finding the bigger root systems of the bigger bushes.”

Staley had a tough go on day three until beyond the mid-day point with only one keeper to show at 1 pm. After a decision to back to one of his starting places, his luck quickly changed.

“By 1:20 pm I had four fish, and then culled a few times,” he added. “I skipped up next to a tree and caught the big female, and the next cast caught the male.”

The key to his program this week was finding clean water. With the water falling early and rising with mud coming down from the river, clean water was tough to find.

“I was running out of places to fish because the mud was getting everywhere. I was worried about catching a few fish and getting a check, so finishing in the top five is awesome.

Staley kept a wacky rigged Daves Salty Slinky stick bait in green pumpkin color in his hand all week and fished it with a VMC Neko Rig Hook. His rod of choice was a Cashion 7-foot medium-heavy rod and he fished a 10-pound braid and a 12-pound fluorocarbon leader on a Lew’s Hypermag Spinning Reel.

Timmy Reams

The day one leader Timmy Reams followed his 22-pounds, 3-ounce opening bag with 11 pounds, 15 ounces on two, and 14 pounds, 2 ounces on day three. His total weight of 48 pounds, 4 ounces was enough to finish in the 3rd-place spot this week and another solid finish to start the season.

“It got tough on me as the event went on,” said Reams. “My big fish area got super dirty from the rain and I just never could catch a big fish after that; you have to have a big bite or two to win in Texas.”

Reams was fishing a one-two punch rotating between a couple of different spinnerbaits depending on water clarity, and a swim jig. He opted for a double willow when it was cleaner, and a double Colorado when the water was muddy.

“Although it didn’t work out for me, I had figured out in practice I could get bigger bites fishing as far back into the bushes as possible – super shallow, while most guys were fishing the edges,” he added. “I am looking forward to Santee Cooper and I am thinking it will be a bit tougher than most people think.”

Keith Carson

With 16-pounds, 5 ounces on day one, 13 pounds, 9 ounces on day two, and a final day weight of 16-pounds, 15 ounces, 2021 Wright Patman champion Keith Carson finished the event in the 4th-place spot with a total weight of 46 pounds, 13 ounces.

Carson took the victory two years ago by focusing on shallow fish staging in the flooding bushes. This goes around, with the water lower, he was still able to flip bushes on days one and two, but a last-second decision this morning kept him in the top five for the event.

“We had a cold night last night, a front came through,” said Carson. “I got here this morning and said I am going to go crank rock, and that’s what I did.”

The Florida angler started strong on his first stop but was plagued with small fish. As he was about to abandon the crankbait, he decided last second to go and fish the main point once more.

“I got to that point and caught a keeper. On my next cast, I caught another decent fish, followed by losing two of the bigger bites I had all day, and then it shut off.”

Carson ran different water several times and would return to his rocky point and pick up a solid fish each trip back. He threw his Berkley Frittside 5 Crankbait on an Abu Garcia Pro Series Crankbait rod, and his flipping bait of choice was a Berkley Creature Hawg, fish on a 7’ 6” Abu Garcia Fantasista X rod.

“I did the best I could with two days of practice,” he added. “I wouldn’t say I didn’t win because of missing one day, but like everyone, I lost some quality fish this week.”

by AnglersChannel

Jake Lawrence Leads Wire-to-Wire with Smallmouth, Wins MLF Toyota Series at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (April 24, 2023) – Toyota Series pro Jake Lawrence of Paris, Tennessee, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 9 ounces, to lead wire-to-wire and win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes Presented by Jenko Fishing and earn the top prize payout of $44,000. Lawrence’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 57-5 earned him the victory by a 1-pound, 6-ounce margin over second-place angler Adam Bartusek of Cokato, Minnesota, who weighed in 15 bass totaling 55-15 to earn $17,000.

Lawrence has fished the lake for years with great success, including a triumph at the 2018 Toyota Series event on Barkley Lake. However, he did something a little different this time, as he primarily targeted smallmouth with the help of his forward-facing sonar.

“This one is special. I know you say that for every win, but that one was on my home turf down by Paris,” Lawrence said. “I knew every nook and cranny down there and felt like that win was 15 years in the making. This one was different because I was doing something totally different, something I’d never done. I don’t know that I’ve ever caught one in the places I’ve fished this week. It was like a brand new lake to me.”

What he was doing was also unique, targeting spawning smallmouth with the help of his Garmin LiveScope and fishing the northern end of the massive fishery.

“This lake is so big that I hardly ever make it up this far,” he said of his areas that roughly stretched from takeoff at Kentucky Dam Marina to Jonathan Creek. “I was catching spawning fish or fish that were staging before or after they spawned, but they were in the same areas. I could tell on LiveScope if the bass were spawning based on how they acted because they’d hang around if they were on a bed.”

One key for his areas was having shallow water with quick access to deeper water. This was true for his smallmouth and the bonus 6-1 largemouth from the first day.

“It seemed like most of the fish were in that 4- to 7-foot range and on flatter banks, but they had to have a secondary creek channel running close to them,” he said. “It couldn’t be a 100-yard flat; everything was a couple of yards away from deeper water in the creek channel. Those fish want to do their deal and then pull back out. That big largemouth I caught the first day was the same thing and was one of the deepest fish I caught all week.”

Lawrence used a tube and a swimbait to catch his fish, with the 3.25-inch Jenko Booty Shaker Swimbait in blueback on a ¼-ounce ball head jig. He caught some fish with the swimbait, but it was mainly a search tool and smallmouth agitator. His tube was a Strike King Coffee Tube in green pumpkin, but he utilized a 1/8-ounce Jenko Trick Tube Jig Head to fish the tube on a “Stupid Rig.”

“The head was really important because rigging it that way doesn’t hang up as much and that jig head has a great hook, so you land more of those fish,” he said. “I’d throw the swimbait on them to get them excited and then if they didn’t bite, I’d turn around and cast the tube in and get them.”

After the win, Lawrence hinted at a run at top-level professional fishing, and this victory may help speed up the process.

“It was already in the works before this, but we still need to hammer out some details,” he said. “This week, I purposely limited my practice to help me prepare for that. Instead of practicing for a week, I only spent two-and-a-half days. I want to push myself to get into that frame of mind. I’m more proud that I could do that than for winning it even.”

The top 10 pros on Kentucky and Barkley lakes finished:

1st: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 15 bass, 57-5, $44,000
2nd: Adam Bartusek, Cokato, Minn., 15 bass, 55-15, $17,000
3rd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 51-1, $12,750
4th: Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., 15 bass, 48-6, $10,750
5th: Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., 15 bass, 45-7, $9,750
6th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 15 bass, 44-10, $9,375
7th: Steve Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 15 bass, 44-4, $7,800
8th: Matt Stanley, Alexandria, Tenn., 14 bass, 44-1, $6,300
9th: Clint Knight, Lewisburg, Ky., 14 bass, 43-12, $5,500
10th: Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 13 bass, 40-6, $4,200

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Stephen Whitesell of Grove, Oklahoma, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces. On Friday, pro Steve Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize with a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass.

Scott Parsons of Rogers, Arkansas, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 34 pounds, 5 ounces. Parsons took home the top co-angler prize of $34,000, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Kentucky and Barkley lakes finished:

1st: Scott Parsons, Rogers, Ark., 13 bass, 34-5, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard + $500
2nd: Roger Hughes, Bartlesville, Okla., 12 bass, 29-15, $5,375
3rd: Ken Coats, Tulsa, Okla., 15 bass, 26-12, $4,300
4th: Carter Wijangco, Napierville, Ill., 15 bass, 26-11, $3,650
5th: James Burns, Nancy, Ky., 14 bass, 26-8, $3,150
6th: Alan Woodford, Winslow, Ind., 15 bass, 26-0, $2,650
7th: Jason Swanson, Waterloo, Iowa, 14 bass, 25-12, $2,150
8th: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., 13 bass, 24-10, $1,825
9th: Jason Sandidge, Centerton, Ark., 12 bass, 24-3, $1,530
10th: C.J. Holbrook, Smithville, Miss., 12 bass, 24-3, $1,290

Taylor Surly of Bella Vista, Arkansas, earned Thursday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass award after weighing in a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to Mark King of Gurdon, Arkansas, with a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass.

With two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Plains Division now complete, pro Brad Jelinek of Lincoln, Missouri, leads the Plains Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 509 points, while Jason Sandidge of Centerton, Arkansas, leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 512 points.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes Presented by Jenko Fishing was hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. It was the second of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Plains Division. The next event for Toyota Series Plains Division anglers will be the Toyota Series at Lake of the Ozarks, Sept. 28-30, in Osage Beach, Missouri. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2024. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, 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.

by AnglersChannel

NPFL Angler Barron Adams is Disqualified from Wright Patman Due to Rules Infraction

Winning angler Barron Adams has his tournament weight disqualified for failing to produce a valid fishing license for the tournament waters.

TEXARKANA, TX (Apr 23, 2022) — The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) announces that Wright Patman winning angler Barron Adams has had his weight over three days deemed ineligible for the tournament due to failure to produce a valid fishing license for the State of Texas.

“During the post tournament verification process, it was discovered that Barron Adams had competed in the event without valid fishing license,” said Brad Fuller of the NPFL. “In reference to NPFL Official Rules section 3 (referenced below), this resulted in his disqualification for the event.”

3. PAYBACK & PARTICIPATION – Payback is based on the full field of up to 130 anglers. Participation is open only to members of THE NATIONAL PFL. Any person’s participation in any tournament is at the sole discretion of THE NATIONAL PFL officials. All pros must have a valid fishing license for the waters they fish. Failure to provide proof of a valid fishing license within a reasonable amount of time when requested by the tournament director will result in disqualification for that day and any preceding days in which the license was required for the tournament.

“The League is confident that this was an inadvertent and unintentional rules violation on Barron’s behalf, and this is in no way a reflection of his integrity as an angler,” added Fuller. “Barron is a great person and a phenomenal angler, and we are proud to have him as a competitor in the National Professional Fishing League.”

by AnglersChannel

Number One Ranked Montevallo's Plueger & Wright Win Pickwick Slam

FLORENCE, AL (April 23, 2023) – The first event of 2023 on the Bas Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing series is in the books. The no-entry-fee, ACA major double points Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing saw over 200 of college fishing’s top teams compete for two days on Pickwick and Wilson Lakes in Florence, AL, and awarded over $20,000 in prizes & contingencies. Charlie Wright & Logan Plueger took home first place honors with a two-day total weight of 43.83 pounds. Tyler Finley & Lane Lassiter from Top 25 ranked University of North Alabama claimed second, and Montevallo anglers Miller Dowling & Parker O’Bryan finished in third.

Each of the Top 10 teams in the final tournament standings automatically qualify as that exact angler pairing for the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC.

Charlie Wright & Logan Plueger from number one ranked University of Montevallo entered Day 2 in first place after weighing in 21.74 pounds on the first day of tournament competition. The duo improved on their Day 1 weight by bringing in 22.09 pounds on the final day. For two days, Wright & Plueger weighed in a total of 43.83 pounds. That total was good enough to best the next highest finishing team by more than five pounds.

By winning this ACA no-entry-fee event, Wright & Plueger earned over $4,500 in prizes and contingencies. Those prizes include a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, $1,000 Garmin credit, 10” Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate, two Evolution Fishing tackle backpacks, two 13 Fishing Concept A reels, and more. The Montevallo anglers also claimed the ACA logo contingency of $500. Along with the valuable prizes and contingencies, the pair’s first place finish earned them 1,750 points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

Claiming second place at the nationally-televised Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing is Tyler Finley & Lane Lassiter from Top 25 ranked University of North Alabama. The local duo from the host city of Florence, AL found themselves in 13th place after Day 1 with a weight of 16.87 pounds. Finley & Lassiter improved upon their weight drastically by bringing in 21.07 pounds on the final day. Combined with their Day 1 weight, the UNA anglers finished the event with a total weight of 37.94 pounds. This second place victory earned them a $800 Bass Pro Shops gift card, two Evolution Fishing tackle backpacks, two 13 Fishing Concept A reels, and more. Second place total payout was valued at over $1,600.

Finishing the event in third place are Miller Dowling & Parker O’Bryan, also from number one ranked University of Montevallo. The team moved up from eighth on Day 1 to finish the event in the Top 3. Bringing in 20.45 pounds on Day 2, Dowling & O’Bryan finished with a total weight of 37.92 pounds. Third place paid out over $1,400 in prizes. Dowling also claimed the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards by being the highest-finishing Garmin user. On top of the prizes and contingencies, third place paid out 1,730 points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The University of Montevallo earned the most points of any team competing in the Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing. The two Top 3 finishes combined for a total of 3,480 points to go towards the school’s season total. Entering the event in first place with a lead of over 3,000 points, Montevallo’s gap will widen over second place. The ACA will publish an updated standings for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia this upcoming week.

The Association of Collegiate Anglers would like to extend a special thanks to all of its series partners for their support of these college anglers, and the host site of Florence, AL for their help and hospitality this week.

by AnglersChannel

Benton battles back to win action-packed Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Murray

Drew Benton of Panama City, Fla., has won the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with a four-day total of 87 pounds.

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

April 23, 2023

Benton battles back to win action-packed Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Murray

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The night leading up to Championship Sunday at the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray, Drew Benton was angry. He could hardly sleep.

After claiming the Day 2 lead with back-to-back bags over 23 pounds, Benton barely made the cut for the final day after catching just 14 pounds on Semifinal Saturday.

He felt like he had cost himself a potential win. But in his restlessness, Benton had a revelation.

“I woke up four times last night just mad,” he said. “I woke up and I looked at the weights and I was about 5 pounds back. Someone weighed in 26 pounds this week. That was my goal weight, 25 or 26.”

Benton accomplished that goal Sunday, landing a five-bass limit that weighed 26 pounds, 7 ounces coming from behind to win with a four-day total of 87-0. He earned his second career blue trophy and a $100,000 first-place prize.

“I started to — not doubt myself — but wonder if it was ever going to happen again,” said Benton, who earned his first Elite Series victory five years ago on Lake Travis in Texas. “I finished second in an Elite; finished second in an Open I should have won. Am I snakebit? Can I close the deal anymore? So, this feels great.”

Benton’s strategy this week revolved around sight fishing for spawning bass. After seeing 30 pounds of bass on bed the first day of practice, he caught bags of 23-0 and 23-9 the first two days of the tournament.

His primary area not far from takeoff had water temperatures that maxed out around 70 degrees, several degrees cooler than the rest of the lake. That set up perfectly for him to target largemouth with a Texas-rigged watermelon red/green pumpkin laminate Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog rigged with a 5/16-ounce Elite Tungsten sinker and a 4/0 Owner Wide Gap worm hook.

He pitched that bait to beds with a 7-foot-3 extra heavy Phenix Rods MBX and an unnamed baitcaster spooled with 20-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon.

“It was the same general area, but I would rotate through new pockets and new creeks,” he explained. “New ones were trickling in I feel like, but I didn’t want to burn up the same water. It is a mental thing for me. I needed to be in a new place looking.”

Wind, rain and clouds entered the area on Day 3, and Benton found it difficult to see any bass on bed in areas he had already picked through the previous day.

On Championship Sunday, with the skies cleared and the winds calmed, Benton started on several sections of riprap bank that Mississippi pro Brock Mosely had described to him before the end of Saturday’s weigh-in. Shad were spawning on these sections, but the key was shade. If the bank had a shade line, Benton could crank a squarebill and catch quality bass.

“I was running from place to place and every time I would hit a place, I would come back and catch one more out of the shade,” he said. “I wasn’t catching a bunch. I had a milk run and I culled up to like 22 pounds or so.”

He started with an olive shad-colored Bagley Pro Sunny B squarebill, but when he hooked a keeper in the side of the face, he switched to a Strike King KVD 1.5 squarebill with a green back and clearer body.

He said one of those crankbait fish he had hooked in the top of the head — but still managed to coax into the boat — reminded him of one of his Lake Travis bass.

“I thought, ‘If I can get this fish in, it might happen.’ And it did,” he said.

At about 11, the shade began to slide away from the bank and Benton decided to go back to sight fishing, but in a different pocket than where he caught his bags in the first two days. It paid off in a big way, with a 6-pounder biting a Big Bite Baits Cliff Hanger worm rigged on a drop shot and a 5-pounder taking the Fighting Frog.

The 5-pounder revealed itself when it followed a topwater bait out of the shade.

“I wouldn’t have seen it if it hadn’t followed my topwater out,” he said.

Hunter Shryock finished second with a four-day total of 85-7. The Ohio native turned Tennessean was in contention the entire tournament, starting off in fourth place after Day 1 with 22-9 before landing in second on Day 2 with 23-5 and third on Saturday with 18-5.

“I didn’t have a whole lot and I evolved during the tournament,” Shryock said. “I gave myself a shot and Drew won the event. I am good with that. I caught everything today and did exactly what I wanted to do. I executed every fish catch.”

After sight fishing most of Day 1, Shryock pivoted and started fishing shallow points he felt the blueback herring were using to spawn. Those points had riprap and rock, and about midmorning, the shade lines got closer to the bank and that was usually when the bass started to feed on the herring. He caught most of his bass on the final day around docks.

A white Berkley Choppo and a green pumpkin Berkley The General rigged wacky style were his best two baits, along with a jig with a Berkley Creature Hawg trailer.

His final-day bag wouldn’t have been possible without some crafty rod maneuvering and good fortune. Shryock’s biggest bass of the day, a 6-14 that earned him Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day, wrapped his line under a dock. To get it out, he had to lay on his belly on the front deck of his boat with his backside pinned against his graph, unwrap his line by putting his rod under the dock and around a post before snapping a couple of vines to get the bass moving toward the boat. Once freed, the largemouth came calmly into Shryock’s outstretched hand.

“I didn’t realize how big the fish actually was,” he said. “I saw her flash and the hole she went through was not very big. She was only in about a foot of water. There were rocks and the post and she was below the crossbeam and out. I feel like I kept my cool pretty well in that situation.

“If I had to do that 100 times over, I couldn’t do it again. When I caught that one, I thought we were only two bites away from winning this thing.”

From there, it was another grind of a day, as he filled his limit around noon and then upgraded with a 3-pounder just before 2 p.m. But he would fall just short of his first Elite Series title.

Benton took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program while Florida's John Cox earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, South Carolina's Patrick Walters earned an additional $2,500 as the highest-placing entrant and Georgia pro Drew Cook claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

With his final-day catch of 26-7, Benton also won the VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament award and earned a $2,000 bonus.

Matt Arey won $2,000 for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament with the 7-11 largemouth he caught on Day 3; however, South Carolina angler Brandon Cobb's 8-12 at Lake Okeechobee is still leading the field for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Year honors.

Along with his eighth-place performance, veteran pro Bernie Schultz of Florida won the $1,000 BassTrakk contingency award for the most accurate weight reporting.

With his Top 10 this week, Cobb took the lead in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 286 points. Tyler Rivet from Raceland, La., is second with 281 points, followed by Australia’s Carl Jocumsen with 275, Alabamian Kyle Welcher with 269 and Cook with 267.

Alabama pro Will Davis Jr. and Japanese standout Kyoya Fujita are tied for the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year lead with 231 points, followed by Alabama’s David Gaston with 206.

2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray 4/20-4/23
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

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

1. Drew Benton Day 1: 5 23-00 2. Hunter Shryock Day 1: 5 22-09 3. Kyoya Fujita Day 1: 5 22-06 4. Patrick Walters Day 1: 5 22-11 5. John Cox Day 1: 5 18-13 6. Brandon Cobb Day 1: 5 20-09 7. Drew Cook Day 1: 5 19-05 8. Bernie Schultz Day 1: 5 18-10 9. Jason Williamson Day 1: 5 19-06 10. Kenta Kimura Day 1: 5 15-03 ------------------ Panama City, FL 20 87-00 104 $102,000.00
Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 5 14-00 Day 4: 5 26-07
Ooltewah, TN 20 85-07 103 $36,000.00
Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 5 18-05 Day 4: 5 21-04
Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 20 83-14 102 $30,000.00
Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 5 20-12 Day 4: 5 18-06
Summerville, SC 20 83-09 101 $25,000.00
Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 19-04 Day 4: 5 21-01
DeBary, FL 20 81-13 100 $20,000.00
Day 2: 5 21-02 Day 3: 5 21-09 Day 4: 5 20-05
Greenwood, SC 20 81-13 99 $20,000.00
Day 2: 5 20-07 Day 3: 5 19-11 Day 4: 5 21-02
Cairo, GA 20 81-07 98 $18,000.00
Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 26-01 Day 4: 5 20-04
Gainesville, FL 20 80-09 97 $18,000.00
Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 26-01 Day 4: 5 19-14
Aiken, SC 20 80-01 96 $16,000.00
Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 17-01 Day 4: 5 19-06
Osaka JAPAN 20 78-10 95 $15,000.00
Day 2: 5 24-09 Day 3: 5 21-12 Day 4: 5 17-02
-----------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 06-14 $1,000.00
2 Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 06-14 $1,000.00
3 Matt Arey Shelby, NC 07-11 $1,000.00
4 Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 06-14 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Matt Arey Shelby, NC 07-11 $2,000.00
VMC MONSTER BAG
Drew Benton Panama City, FL 26-07 $2,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 506 1710-05
2 100 507 1679-02
3 48 248 882-04
4 10 50 205-03
----------------------------------
255 1311 4476-14

by AnglersChannel

Montevallo's Willoughby and Pfundt leverage current for Bassmaster College Series win at James River

James Willoughby and Jacob Pfundt from the University of Montevallo have won the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.

April 22, 2023

Montevallo's Willoughby and Pfundt leverage current for Bassmaster College Series win at James River

RICHMOND, Va. — James Willoughby and Jacob Pfundt of the University of Montevallo got the right breaks, literally and figuratively, to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 9 ounces.

After placing eighth on Day 1 with 17-1, the winners added 23-8 and finished 2 1/4 pounds ahead of Day 1 leaders Jake Monti and Samuel Dunson of UNC Charlotte, who set the high mark with their opening-round limit of 24-5.

For their efforts, Willoughby and Pfundt each won $1,825. The top 19 teams qualified for the Bassmaster College Series National Championship. Dates and location for that event will be announced later.

“It’s been a long time coming; it’s my senior year and his too,” said Willoughby, a past member of the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. “Pretty late in the day, it became obvious something special was happening.”

Key areas

Willoughby said he and Pfundt spent their day within 10 miles of the take-off site at Osborne Landing. They started their day in The Pits — manmade shoreline indentions created mostly to accommodate barges.

“We were targeting spawning fish with drop shots,” Pfundt said. “We caught some of our fish on Day 1 this way, but we didn’t catch any (in the final round).”

Once they pulled the plug on their early strategy, Willoughby and Pfundt spent the rest of their day focusing on current breaks.

“We practiced in the Chickahominy River (a major James River tributary with vast habitat), but we didn’t want to burn time making that 60 to 70-mile run,” Willoughby said. “The weather had a lot to do with our decision. It was blowing 20 knots with gusts of 30.”

Water movement

Virginia’s longest river, the 340-mile James empties into the Chesapeake Bay, so daily tides influence even the purely freshwater reaches where the tournament was held. The winners used these tidal dynamics to their benefit.

“We knew that some of our upriver stuff would be better when the tide was falling, which kind of set up well for this tournament because it pretty much fell all day,” Willoughby said. “We started on The Pits to let the tide get rolling, because it was pretty much dead high when we started this morning.

“We killed 45 minutes and even though it didn’t pan out, it was worth going to see because you never know.”

Once the water started moving, Willoughby and Pfundt used the falling tide’s influence to their advantage by staking out logical ambush feeding spots.

“We fished pretty much any current break in the river,” Willoughby said. “We fished a lot of the industrial (structures); the big concrete and steel things. We also fished laydowns. It didn’t matter what it was; just something to break current.”

With the afternoon tide switch occurring after their check-in time, the winners fished only the outgoing cycle. Falling water typically bodes well for bass anglers, as these opportunistic predators take advantage of the food-delivery dynamics.

“I personally prefer the outgoing tide because it positions them more predictably on cover,” Willoughby said.

Best baits

Willoughby and Pfundt caught their bass on a mix of Megabass Magdraft swimbaits, Megabass Vision OneTen jerkbaits and a glidebait.

“They probably would have bitten any color, but we used brighter colors due to the water clarity,” Willoughby said.

As Pfundt noted, persistence was essential.

“There’s not a lot of real current breaks, so it was important to make repetitive casts to the same target,” he said. “We had two or three current breaks where we felt comfortable fishing (multiple times).”

Pfundt said he and his partner experienced a fast final-round start that contrasted Day 1.

“Yesterday, it was really tough in the morning, but today we had 15 pounds by 8 o’clock,” he said. “Then we had a slower period where we caught some fish but weren’t able to cull.

“Toward the end of the day, from 12:30 to 1:30, we had a spurt and culled twice. At that point, we both had a meant-to-be kinda feeling.”

Second and third

Finishing second, Monti and Dunson experienced a tougher day and weighed a 14-pound Day 2 limit. Their tournament total was 38-5.

Monti said they started their day downriver about 2 miles above the Chickahominy and caught a limit of 12 pounds, which included 4-pounder. Flipping Texas-rigged 5-inch Bizz Baits Sassy Sticks in junebug with a 1/4-ounce Queen Tackle weight accounted for most of their weight. A chartreuse/black back balsa squarebill produced their kicker.

After securing their limit, Monti and Dunson came back upriver and focused on bedding bass in backwaters. They upgraded with a 3-pounder that ate a Bizz Baits Cutter Craw on a Queen Tackle Hammer Shake (rattling shaky head).

“Downsizing tackle was key,” Monti said. “On Days 1 and 2, we had key fish on wacky-rigged Sassy Sticks on spinning tackle. Whenever the bite would get tough on the Texas rig, we’d switch to the wacky rig.

Sam Hanggi and Sam Hoesley of Auburn University finished third with 36-9. Placing second on Day 1 with 22-4, Hanggi and Hoesley caught a final-round limit of 14-5.

Fishing mostly from the take-off area and a few miles south, Hanggi and Hoesley targeted spawning fish around rock and wood. They caught their bass on Megabass Magdraft swimbaits and Rapala DT 6 crankbaits.

Carson Palmer and Dylan May of Carson-Newman University won Big Bass honors with the 8-1 largemouth they caught on Day 1. Palmer and May placed 18th with 27-14.

2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/21-4/22
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Club/School Pts

1. James Willoughby - Jacob Pfundt University of Montevallo 250
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 23-08 Total: 10 40-09
2. Jake Monti - Samuel Dunson UNC Charlotte 249
Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 14-00 Total: 10 38-05
3. Sam Hanggi - Sam Hoesley Auburn University 248
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 14-05 Total: 10 36-09
4. Trevor Easter - Clayton Easter Tarleton State University 247
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 20-08 Total: 10 36-02
5. Easton Fothergill - Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 246
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 18-10 Total: 10 35-04
6. Caleb Barrow - Corey Yaden Brewton-Parker College 245
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-08 Total: 10 34-03
7. Garrett Walters - Reese Walters University of Alabama 244
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 14-10 Total: 10 32-12
8. Hayden Marbut - Tucker Smith Auburn University 243
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 19-06 Total: 10 32-10
9. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain College 242
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 18-04 Total: 10 30-05
10. Drake Sturgill - Beau Browning University of Montevallo 241
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-06 Total: 10 30-04
11. Clay Oberman - Ryan Lachniet Campbellsville University 240
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 14-06 Total: 10 30-01
12. Eric Wawrzyniak - Dylan Crystaloski Penn State University 239
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 20-15 Total: 10 29-14
13. Brady Duncan - Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 238
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 16-07 Total: 10 29-07
14. Evan Sutton - Grant Olsen McKendree University 237
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 18-08 Total: 10 29-06
15. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 236
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 15-07 Total: 10 29-06
16. Cal Culpepper - Ryan Thomas University of Montevallo 235
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-01 Total: 10 28-04
17. Kyle Workman - Evan Barker Campbellsville University 234
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 27-15
18. Carson Palmer - Dylan May Carson-Newman University 233
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 27-14
19. Brody Robison - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 232
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 10 27-09
20. Tyler Cory - Scott Sledge University of Montevallo 231
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 11-15 Total: 10 27-08
21. Aaron Jagdfeld - Elliot Wielgopolski Adrian College 230
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 15-10 Total: 10 27-04
22. Nate Triplett - Cy Lambert University of North Alabama 229
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 27-04
23. Hayden Pirman - Luke Chaddock West Virginia University 228
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-05 Total: 10 27-00
24. Morgan Miracle - Jake Thornbury Campbellsville University 227
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-09 Total: 10 26-15
25. Jacob Butts - Mark Kershaw-Klara USC Union 226
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-10 Total: 10 26-15
26. Ben Brockwell - Justice Gayhart Kentucky Christian University 225
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 16-09 Total: 10 26-12
27. Landon Surrett - Hampton Shull Lander University 224
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-07 Total: 10 26-12
28. Colby Carrier - Justin Frey Bethel University 223
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 26-11
29. Ryan Park - Sam Niemeyer Murray State University 222
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-05 Total: 10 26-10
30. Matthew Benson - Spencer Bargfrede Emmanuel College 221
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 13-02 Total: 10 26-08
31. Kaden Proffitt - Cason Ragsdale East Texas Baptist University 220
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-02 Total: 10 26-06
32. Hunter Fillmore - Dylan Fogarty Bethel University 219
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 4 11-03 Total: 9 26-03
33. Carson Kamien - Tyson Verkaik University of Florida 218
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 25-15
34. Colton White - Brooks Parker University of Montevallo 217
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-12 Total: 10 25-14
35. Charles Baird - Lee Lambrecht Drury University 216
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-06 Total: 10 25-11
36. Brycen Williamson - Trevor Gorman Erskine College 215
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 25-11
37. Laindree Richardson - Carter Smith Wabash Valley College 214
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 15-15 Total: 10 25-09
38. Connor Hicks - Chad Sentell University of Tennessee 213
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 10 25-07
39. Justin Botts - Tim Herrmann Bryan College 212
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 25-06
40. Jackson Paden - Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 211
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 4 06-12 Total: 9 24-13
41. Connor Jacob - Sam Smith Auburn University 210
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 14-14 Total: 10 24-07
42. Brock Bila - Dylan Chambers Drury University 209
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 15-01 Total: 10 24-05
43. Christian Turner - John Gray Coastal Carolina University 208
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 24-05
44. Cole Moulton - Riley Hendricks Lander University 207
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 23-15
45. Evan Thomas - Holden Zinda Liberty University 206
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 3 07-13 Total: 8 23-14
46. Hunter Keller - Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 205
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 13-08 Total: 10 23-14
47. Garrett Thompson - Ethan Perry West Virginia University 204
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 23-14
48. Tucker Dottley - Jordan Hampton Bethel University 203
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 10 23-10
49. Kaden Buchmann - Jared Hubbard Lander University 202
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 23-10
50. Caleb Bridges - Matthew Dopp Bryan College 201
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 23-09
51. Brody Luckey - Tommy Steffen Liberty University 200
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 23-09
52. Aric Szambelan - Tyler Flacke Missouri State University 199
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 12-04 Total: 10 23-08
53. Max Heaton - Brooks Anderson Emmanuel College 198
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 23-06
54. Seth Slanker - Jackson Swisher Florida Gateway College 197
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 10 23-06
55. Nathan Reynolds - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 196
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 23-03
56. Taylor McMullen - Emmanuel College 195
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 22-15
57. Harmon Marien - Jack Stephens McKendree University 194
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 22-10
58. Jonathan Hanna - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 193
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 22-10
59. Tyler Altizer - Dylan Thomson King University 192
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 22-08
60. Trey Dickert III - Andrew Thompson University of Montevallo 191
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 22-06
61. Hunter Starling - William Vickery Georgia Southern University 190
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 22-05
62. Matthew Zdrazil - Easton Lindus Emmanuel College 189
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Total: 10 22-04
63. Hayden Scott - Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. Adrian College 188
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 22-01
64. Brennan Berglund - Blair Erickson University of Montevallo 187
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 21-15
65. Carter Ball - Austin Tapley Adrian College 186
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 21-14
66. Kayden Tanner - Tarleton State University 185
Day 1: 3 07-00 Day 2: 5 14-13 Total: 8 21-13
67. Andrew Ready - Harley Collins Webber International University 184
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 21-13
68. Adrian Urso - Corbin Templon Murray State University 183
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 21-13
69. Wyatt Pearman - Dustin Bauer Campbellsville University 182
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 11-06 Total: 10 21-13
70. Kyle Zainitzer - Avery Whitwell University of North Alabama 181
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 21-11
71. Dustin Weinberg - Sawyer Brady Blue Mountain Christian Universi 180
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 21-10
72. Cody Domingos - Luka Strepacki University of Tennessee 179
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 21-09
73. Matthew Dettling - Austin Wadzinski University of Tennessee 178
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 21-08
74. Seth Elkins - Dale Hansard Jacksonville State University 177
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-04 Total: 10 21-08
75. Chase Carey - Dylan Akins Emmanuel College 176
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 21-08
76. Bryson O'steen - Ty Jackson Florida Gateway College 175
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 21-07
77. Colten Drawdy - Hunter Shelton Bethel University 174
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 10 21-06
78. Levi Mullins - Matthew Cummings Bethel University 173
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 12-01 Total: 10 21-06
79. Owen Wheeler - Tyler Dubois Bethel University 172
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 21-06
80. Brycen Hendriks - Keaton Granja UNC Charlotte 171
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 21-06
81. Colton Hill - Tomas Matual McKendree University 170
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 21-05
82. Rees Williams - Walker Sahagun University of North Alabama 169
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 13-02 Total: 10 21-03
83. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 168
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 10 21-03
84. Trey Schroeder - Lane Stephens McKendree University 167
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 21-02
85. Russel Buffa - Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 166
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 20-15
86. Jordan Pennington - Andrew Oswalt University of Montevallo 165
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 20-15
87. Zach McNary - Mason Phillpotts Grand Valley State University 164
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 20-14
88. Hunter Palmer - Eli Stevenson Bryan College 163
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 20-14
89. TJ Davis - Webber International University 162
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 20-10
90. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Mathias Dahline Adrian College 161
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 09-08 Total: 10 20-06
91. Trent Buchholz - Dakota Posey Lamar State College Orange 160
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 10 20-05
92. Chase Hubble - Brent May University of Florida 159
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 20-02
93. Connor Lacy - Levi Kohl Murray State University 158
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 07-11 Total: 10 19-15
94. Kaleb Brown - Lander University 157
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 08-06 Total: 10 19-14
95. Brayden Batchelor - Alex Belin Georgia Southern University 156
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 2 08-08 Total: 7 19-13
96. Kyle Knoll - Luke Morgan Southern Union State Community C 155
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 3 05-04 Total: 8 19-11
97. Trey Ernest - Kade MacDonald University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 154
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 19-10
98. Hunter Townsend - Jonathan Wehner Jr James Madison University 153
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 4 07-04 Total: 9 19-09
99. Fischer Barber - Tucker Jordan Troy University 152
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 10 19-09
100. Cy Casey - Tanner Hadden Emmanuel College 151
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 10-10 Total: 10 19-09
101. Giancarlo Russo - Remington Potter Florida Gateway College 150
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 08-06 Total: 9 19-08
102. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 149
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 19-08
103. Brantley Anders - Cameron Dials Kentucky Christian University 148
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 10-14 Total: 10 19-06
104. David Ackerman V - Mackenzie Sanders Erskine College 147
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 08-09 Total: 10 19-04
105. Sawyer McCullough - Hunter Bettner Troy University 146
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 19-01
106. Jacob Highley - Will Rooker Kentucky Christian University 145
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 18-14
107. Lane Clark - Adam Seagle Erskine College 144
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 06-00 Total: 10 18-13
108. Cooper McLemore - Carson Dyer Georgia College 143
Day 1: 4 06-09 Day 2: 4 12-04 Total: 8 18-13
109. Reece Keeney - Kentucky Christian University 142
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 9 18-12
110. William Travis - Victor Alford Bryan College 141
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 18-10
110. Hunter Waldrop - Reese Melven University of South Carolina 141
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 18-10
112. Ethan Chase - Luke Fletcher Eastern Kentucky University 139
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 18-09
113. Gus McLarry - Jared West Texas A & M Commerce 138
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 18-09
114. Seth Jenkins - TJ McKenzie Emmanuel College 137
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 18-08
115. Max Pierlott - Mike Pierlott UNC Charlotte 136
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 10 18-06
116. Hayden Mare - High Point University 135
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 18-03
117. Michael Zawicki - Carson Tucker University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 134
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 18-02
118. Andrew Vereen - Connor Cartmell Coastal Carolina University 133
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 18-02
119. Brock Blazier - Benjamin Blank Wabash Valley College 132
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 2 03-01 Total: 7 18-01
120. Brendan Vinton - Dalton Eury Catawba Valley Community College 131
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 18-00
121. Brett Jolley Jr. - Cade Nettles East Texas Baptist University 130
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 4 07-06 Total: 9 17-14
122. Spencer Brister - Roeh Burton Lamar State College Orange 129
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 4 10-05 Total: 9 17-12
123. Storm Cline - Robbie Linginfelter Carson-Newman University 128
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 17-12
124. Jeremy Dellinger - Garrett Smith Lander University 127
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 10 17-11
125. Solomon Glenn - Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 126
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 10-10 Total: 10 17-09
126. Austin Parr - Hunter White Erskine College 125
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 08-05 Total: 10 17-09
127. Matt Short Jr - Pruitt Lansdale Eastern Kentucky University 124
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 17-05
128. Gunner Whitaker - Mitch Johnson Kentucky Christian University 123
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 17-04
129. Carson Calvert - Austin Thomas University of North Alabama 122
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 17-01
130. Tommy Dunaway - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 121
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 4 05-11 Total: 9 16-14
131. Caleb Dachenhaus - Sam Shoemaker Adrian College 120
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 3 05-01 Total: 8 16-12
132. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 119
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 03-06 Total: 8 16-11
133. Turner Hart - Summer Dees Bryan College 118
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 16-10
134. Riley Lawson - Dawson Burton Kentucky Christian University 117
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 06-12 Total: 10 16-07
135. Caleb Jacob - Dillon Schmidt Illinois State University 116
Day 1: 4 06-02 Day 2: 4 10-02 Total: 8 16-04
136. Cole Holloway - Brandon Martin Emmanuel College 115
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 10 16-03
137. Drew Fromm - Jonah Potts Wabash Valley College 114
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 2 06-04 Total: 7 15-14
138. Michael Witherup - Matt Boerboom University of Montevallo 113
Day 1: 4 06-04 Day 2: 5 09-09 Total: 9 15-13
139. Landon Howe - John Sells Georgia Southern University 112
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 3 06-07 Total: 8 15-10
140. Jacob Autry - Will Niebrugge Murray State University 111
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 15-08
141. Tyler Campbell - Parker Guy Emmanuel College 110
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 5 08-09 Total: 9 15-05
142. Grant Dohle - Alex Wood Missouri State University 109
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 8 15-03
143. Hunter McClaskey - Landon Lawson King University 108
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 2 05-07 Total: 7 15-03
144. Gabe Brown - Evan Eckstrom University of South Carolina 107
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 15-01
145. Carson Aarup - UNC Charlotte 106
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 3 04-08 Total: 8 15-00
146. Logan Dillow - Oakley Powers King University 105
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 14-15
147. Luke Dardeen - Dalton Phelps Wabash Valley College 104
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 4 06-06 Total: 9 14-13
148. Ridge Rutledge - Ryan Daugherty Campbellsville University 103
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 3 04-11 Total: 8 14-11
149. Dalton Coleman - Joe Bob Burchett Kentucky Christian University 102
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 14-06
150. Mason Gross - Braden Thompson Wabash Valley College 101
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 9 14-06
151. Logan East - Rob Lindsey Bryan College 100
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 4 07-00 Total: 9 14-03
152. Austin Smith - Jaden Purkey Carson-Newman University 99
Day 1: 4 06-06 Day 2: 3 07-05 Total: 7 13-11
153. Cross Campbell - Ethan Thurston East Texas Baptist University 98
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 3 05-01 Total: 8 13-07
154. Hank Sturm - Mitch Straffon Adrian College 97
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 3 04-00 Total: 8 13-04
155. Stephen Botek - Anthony Riello Penn State University 96
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 3 05-07 Total: 6 12-15
156. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 95
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 03-01 Total: 7 12-07
157. Zane Odomirok - Brandon Sales Roane State Community College 94
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 12-01
158. Matthew Kauffung - Nick Baumer Ohio State University 93
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 2 02-12 Total: 6 11-04
159. Lane Bailey - Justin Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 92
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 8 11-04
160. Miller Kieran - James Madison University 91
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 3 06-03 Total: 6 10-13
161. Brendon Brones - Ethan Tant Lamar State College Orange 90
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
162. Will Gordon - Grant Meisenhelter Murray State University 89
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-04
162. Nick Pemberton - Will Holloway University of Montevallo 89
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
162. Nick Staub - Lake Norsworthy Blue Mountain College 89
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-04
165. Teddy Peznola - University of Tennessee 86
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 3 03-08 Total: 5 09-04
166. Wyatt Montle - Noah Lieberman Missouri State University 85
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 07-14 Total: 6 09-03
167. Colton Kentopp - UNC Charlotte 84
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 4 05-09 Total: 6 08-09
168. Nick Mallmann Conto - Nick Harenda University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 83
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-03
169. Troy Gibson - University of Louisville 82
Day 1: 4 06-11 Day 2: 1 01-02 Total: 5 07-13
170. Braden Cox - Joel Berelsman Ohio State University 81
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-11
170. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 81
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-11
172. Spencer Knight - Brandon Oakes Ohio State University 79
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 2 03-04 Total: 4 07-07
173. Doug Kelly - Robert Campbell Mississippi State University 78
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 06-12
174. Cody Clifton - Missouri State University 77
Day 1: 2 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 06-11
175. Zachary Bowen - Harrison Terry Bethel University 76
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 00-14 Total: 4 06-06
176. Austin Paulus - Andrew Berger Ohio State University 75
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-00
177. Aidan Gordinier - Jonathan Craddock Penn State University 74
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-15
178. Jeremy Monda - Florida Gateway College 73
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 05-10
179. Luke Iles - Northwestern State University 72
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 1 00-13 Total: 3 05-09
180. Archer Smith - Hunter Holguin Murray State University 71
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-06 Total: 3 05-06
181. Tanner Herndon - Bryan College 70
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 2 02-15 Total: 3 04-13
182. Will Mullin - Leo Romano James Madison University 69
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 03-02 Total: 3 04-07
183. Jacob Panichi - William Serrano St. Cloud State University 68
Day 1: 2 02-01 Day 2: 2 02-03 Total: 4 04-04
184. Braiden Koerber - Cole Hadlock Murray State University 67
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 1 01-09 Total: 3 04-02
185. Conner Giles - Christian Wright Bryan College 66
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-03
186. Tanner Brockman - Aidan Kolb Murray State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Jonathan Fraley - Jonathan Fitch Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Logan Hopper - Austin Owen Clemson University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Jacob Lauterbach - Jack Hammond High Point University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Jacob - Maddy Phipps King University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Blake Milligan - Matthew Parrish Auburn University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Colton Odom - Auburn University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Thomas Shockey - Jackson Davies Penn State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
186. Cameron Smith - Thomas Phillips Ohio State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Carson Palmer Richfield, NC 08-01 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 152 846 1899-09
2 133 779 1730-01
----------------------------------
285 1625 3629-10

by AnglersChannel

Fujita becomes third leader in three days at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Murray

Kyoya Fujita of Minamitsuru, Japan, is leading after Day 3 of the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with a three-day total of 65 pounds, 8 ounces.

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

April 22, 2023

Fujita becomes third leader in three days at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Murray

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kyoya Fujita has been a star in Japan for several years, winning four Angler of the Year titles in his home country. Now, the 27-year-old is starting to make a name for himself here in the United States.

Fujita caught 20 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 3 of the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray — and with a three-day total of 65-8, he became the event's third leader. He also guaranteed his second-straight Top 10 finish after a second-place showing at Lake Seminole in February.

After catching 22-6 each of the first two days, Fujita is now the only angler to top the 20-pound mark each day this week. Tennessee pro Hunter Shryock is in second with 64-3 and South Carolina’s Patrick Walters is third with 62-8.

While the rain and storms were not as heavy as expected, clouds and wind were more prominent Saturday morning than they were on Days 1 and 2. As Semifinal Saturday wore on, the clouds cleared and sunny skies prevailed. That led to a great day of bass fishing, as 48 of the 50 anglers competing caught limits.

With several different LiveScope transducers, Fujita has been picking out bass that are suspended in open water near a creek channel in 6 to 18 feet. He said he has been using one bait primarily, a Jackall RV DriftFry with a 1/8-ounce Keitech jighead.

“The LiveScope wasn’t showing me fish,” said Fujita, who added through an interpreter that he will not make a cast unless there is a fish on the screen. He said he is also seeing a lot of stripers swimming around his area. He can tell the difference between the two if they are sitting still, but if the fish is swimming he cannot tell which species he is seeing.

“I am still figuring out the difference,” he said.

Fujita was hampered by boat problems to start the morning and the fishing wasn’t stellar when he got to his first spot. Although he caught one over 5 pounds around 8:30 a.m., he was not seeing a lot of activity on his Garmin LiveScope and changed areas.

He then caught a 3-pounder shortly after 11 a.m. before catching three bass between 1 and 2:15 p.m., including another bass over 5 pounds. The area he fished Saturday afternoon was the same one that produced for him Friday.

The fishing is getting tougher, however, and he believes he may need to find a new area to fish for Championship Sunday.

“I’m not sure if I can catch them or not,” Fujita said. “Morning, (I will start) in the same area.”

With bags of 22-9 and 23-5 the first two days, Shryock caught his lightest bag of the tournament so far, adding 18-5 on Saturday to land in second for the second day in a row. He said he caught a quality bass about every hour to fill his limit by about 11 a.m.

“It was more consistent today than yesterday, but it was still a grind,” he said. “I feel like we had the same amount of big bites we have had the last two days, we just didn’t capitalize on two of them and that made all of the difference in my bag. I’m pretty sure I lost a 5 and a 6, but I had a lot of things go right this week to get us to this point.”

Shryock thought the bigger bass would bite better with the wind blowing, but that did not happen. He caught more bass Saturday than he has any day this week, but some were barely keepers.

He said those big bass are likely still in the area, but he couldn’t see them as well with the ripple on the water.

“Conditions today really hurt what I was trying to do,” he said. “I could only do one thing at that point and once I realized it, I pushed it in the window they are biting and then it shut off. After that, I was just wasting my time.”

Shryock’s best area is a mile-long stretch of shoreline where he is seeing 3- or 4-inch baitfish, which he feels are blueback herring that are trying to spawn. His best times to catch bass there have been between 10 a.m. and noon.

“When I don’t see that, I’m not catching big fish,” he said. “But when I’m around them, I’m catching better quality.”

He used three different baits, including a Berkley Choppo and a finesse presentation.

Walters has caught bags of 22-11, 20-9 and 19-4. While he wasn’t able to catch a big bass Saturday, he feels his pattern is getting better as the tournament progresses.

“They are starting to eat now. In practice, I couldn’t get them to bite,” Walters said. “I caught 35 fish today. I didn’t get a big bite, but they are starting to bite. If I can find schools tomorrow that have big ones in them, 20 pounds shouldn’t be a problem.”

He has fished new water every day, including some of the spots he used to win a college national championship. Walters’ deck is littered with rods and he said he used about every one of them on Day 3. He is primarily fishing shallow for postspawn largemouth that are feeding on blueback herring.

When the bass weren’t actively schooling, he used a Carolina rig to generate bites.

“I want to go find the fish that are biting at the time. I keep running until I run into them,” Walters said.

Matt Arey from Shelby, N.C., caught a 7-11 largemouth on Day 3, earning him Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors and $1,000. That is also currently the Big Bass of the Tournament.

Bernie Schultz and Drew Cook both caught 26-1 on Day 3, which vaulted them into the Top 10 and into a tie for the VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament award.

Greenwood, S.C., pro Brandon Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 283 points. Tyler Rivet from Raceland, La., is second with 281 points, followed by Australia’s Carl Jocumsen with 275, Alabamian Kyle Welcher with 269 and Cook is fifth with 268.

Fujita leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 233 points, followed by Alabama anglers Will Davis Jr. with 231 points and David Gaston with 206.

The Top 10 will launch from Dreher Island State Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET Sunday and return for the final weigh-in at 3 p.m. The winner will earn a $100,000 first-place prize. FS1 will broadcast live from 8 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. before live coverage transitions to Bassmaster.com.

2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray 4/20-4/23
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 15 65-08 104
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 5 20-12
2. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 15 64-03 103
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 5 18-05
3. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 62-08 102
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 19-04
4. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 15 61-08 101
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 24-09 Day 3: 5 21-12
5. John Cox DeBary, FL 15 61-08 100
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 21-02 Day 3: 5 21-09
6. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 61-03 99
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 26-01
7. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 60-11 98
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 26-01
8. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 15 60-11 97
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 17-01
9. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 60-11 96
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 20-07 Day 3: 5 19-11
10. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 15 60-09 95
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 5 14-00
11. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 15 59-03 94 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 20-02 Day 3: 5 20-11
12. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 15 58-15 93 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 22-08 Day 3: 5 19-11
13. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 58-14 92 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 20-07 Day 3: 5 21-05
14. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 58-13 91 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 23-03
15. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 58-09 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 5 18-00
16. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 58-00 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 21-02
17. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 57-10 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 18-02 Day 3: 5 18-04
18. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 15 57-10 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 20-15 Day 3: 5 17-14
19. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 55-15 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 19-03
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 55-09 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 19-10
21. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN 15 55-08 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 21-00
22. Cody Huff Ava, MO 15 55-07 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 20-14
23. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 15 55-04 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 17-13
24. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 55-01 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 15-10
25. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 55-00 80 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 20-07
26. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 15 55-00 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 18-15
27. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 15 54-14 78 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 20-05
28. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 15 54-06 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 19-11
29. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 15 54-05 76 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 13-14
30. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 54-04 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 16-07
31. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 15 53-00 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 15-01
32. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 53-00 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 16-03
33. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 52-14 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 16-12
34. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 52-11 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 16-11
35. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 14 52-06 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 21-04 Day 3: 4 11-02
36. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 52-05 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 16-01
37. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 15 52-03 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 16-02
38. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 51-15 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 16-09
39. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 51-14 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 17-11
40. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 15 51-10 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 16-09
41. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 51-02 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 15-11
42. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 51-00 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 15-14
43. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 15 50-04 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 15-13
44. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 15 50-00 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-05 Day 3: 5 14-09
45. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 49-13 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 12-01
46. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 14 49-07 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 17-14 Day 3: 4 13-01
47. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 49-06 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 14-11
48. Wes Logan Springville, AL 15 47-10 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 11-08
49. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 46-15 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 10-12
50. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 15 46-01 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 11-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 06-14 $1,000.00
2 Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 06-14 $1,000.00
3 Matt Arey Shelby, NC 07-11 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 506 1710-05
2 100 507 1679-02
3 48 248 882-04
----------------------------------
245 1261 4271-11

by AnglersChannel

Morrison & Parker Take Home Win at Lake Ray Roberts!!!

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 22, 2023) – The 2023 Bass Pro Shops/ Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive visited Lake Ray Roberts for the third stop of the season. Anglers were met with weather challenges and spawning springtime conditions. When the dust settled, local anglers Cody Morrison & Zach Parker brought to the scales 27.01 to claim the victory and walk away with over $47,320 in cash and prizes including a 2023 Triton TRX18 powered by a Mercury 150hp Pro XS.

“Today was all about fishing an area we had a lot of confidence in and grinding out the winning limit,” said Mercury angler Cody Morrison. “We knew there was quality fish in the area spawning, and although the water was too dirt to sight-fish, we stayed shallow throwing Texas-Rigged soft plastics to do our damage”. Cody and Zach reported that the area they fished was protected from the wind and produced nine keeper bites throughout the day. “We knew we had a shot coming into weigh-in but now that’s official its truly surreal to walk away the winners”, said team partner Zach Parker. “We had a lot of family here supporting us for this one, so it really came together better than we could have imagined”.

Cody Morrison also claimed the $1,000 Mercury Bonus for his win.

Russell Cecil and Todd Castledine Take Second Place

Russel Cecil and Todd Castledine are no strangers to winning and success in the state of Texas.
Their five-fish limit on Lake Ray Roberts weighed in at 23.11, good enough for second place and claimed the $500 Garmin Contingency Bonus. “I am not sure if were catching fish spawning or still staging but we junk fished areas throughout the day we knew would be key spawning areas and were able to catch the weight we did,” said T-H Marine angler Todd Castledine. “We mostly relied on trying to target fish a little deeper in the water column. Our better-quality bites seemed to come on soft plastics earlier in the day before the wind picked up,” said angler Russell Cecil.

Third Goes to Pantell & George

Nick Pantell & Kenny George, like the first and second place teams relied on soft plastics and Texas-Rigged baits to capture their third-place finish with a final weight of 23.02. The team said in the final interview that, “although we didn’t get a lot of bites, the bites we got what were needed. We were very fortunate throughout the day as things happened unexpectedly, but they paid off.”

Power-Pole Big Bass winner went to team Nitro/ Bass Pro angler Michael Clements & BJ Tarr
4th-10th place team results:
4th: Michael Clements & BJ Tarr- 22.10
5th: Nathan Sprabary & Billy Young- 22.04
6th: Garrett Dokter & Courtney Hobgood- 21.10
7th: Bo Fea & Wyatt Withers- 21.05
8th: Branden Hollingshead & Jeremy Lambert- 19.08
9th: Kelly Mauldin & James Cantwell- 19.06
10th: Tommy Murray & Keith Ivy- 18.10
The next stop of the 2023 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive is at Richland Chambers in two weeks on May 6th. REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN and anglers can visit the link to register: https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/txtt/registration/

Official results are located through this link: https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/txtt/results/

by AnglersChannel

Conrad Demecs Wins MLF Toyota Series Western Division Finale at California Delta

BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. (April 22, 2023) – An old adage in tournament bass fishing is ‘consistency is key’, and that was certainly the case this week in the final MLF Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse event of the year. Phoenix, Arizona, pro Conrad Demecs brought a five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 19 pounds, 1 ounce – his third straight 19+ pound limit of the event – to win the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna and earn the top payout of $25,819. Demecs’ three-day total of 15 bass weighing 57-6 earned him the victory by a 2-pound, 6-ounce margin over second-place angler Christian Ostrander of Turlock, California, who weighed in 15 bass totaling 55-0 to earn $9,346.

“I figured I needed at least another 19 pounds today, and I knew all the guys behind me are hammers with the potential to catch 20 pounds,” Demecs said. “I had to be consistent to pull it off.”

Demecs entered the final day just 1-pound, 4-ounces ahead of Ostrander. Demecs said he stuck with the same basic plan that worked the first two days, eventually burning more than 30 gallons of fuel each day en route to his win.

“I got two big ones pretty early and got a 5-pounder on my last cast,” Demecs said.

Demecs’ win came on a 3/8- and a ½-ounce vibrating jig, as well as punching with a beaver-style bait and throwing a frog. He primarily targeted areas in the mid- to southern part of the Delta, which offered warmer water and better grass.

“I just ran around a lot,” Demecs said. “If you want to win these events, you (usually) have to go punching but I couldn’t get much going punching. I caught fish this week on a spinnerbait, some punching, a few on a (Yamamoto) Senko, some on a frog. I think the warmer water is why I was able to generate the frog bite that I did, today. I caught it at 1:30 p.m. when it was like 80 degrees.”

The top 10 pros on the California Delta finished:

1st: Conrad Demecs, Phoenix, Ariz., 15 bass, 57-6, $25,819
2nd: Christian Ostrander, Turlock, Calif., 15 bass, 55-0, $9,346
3rd: Adam Deakin, Windsor, Colo., 15 bass, 53-2, $8,236 (includes $1,000 Phoenix Bonus)
4th: Cody Crist, Ramona, Calif., 15 bass, 48-0, $6,030
5th: Beau Joudrey, Oakley, Calif., 15 bass, 45-15, $5,427
6th: Patrick Touey, Santa Maria, Calif., 15 bass, 43-14, $4,824
7th: Hunter Schlander, Modesto, Calif., 15 bass, 43-7, $4,221
8th: Ken Phillips, Concord, Calif., 15 bass, 43-7, $3,618
9th: Bill Oshinn, Granite Bay, Calif., 15 bass, 43-3, $3,015
10th: Ty Faber, Pagosa Springs, Colo., 15 bass, 41-3, $2,412

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Mark Lassagne of Dixon, California, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Wednesday with a bass weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces. On Thursday, J.D. Blackamore of Yorba Linda, California, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize with a mammoth largemouth weighing in at 12 pounds even – the largest fish weighed in MLF competition this year.

Steve Wey of Salida, California, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Friday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 34 pounds, 2 ounces. Wey took home the top co-angler prize of $33,650, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on the California Delta finished:

1st: Steve Wey, Salida, Calif., 14 bass, 34-2, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Tyson Christman, Glendale, Ariz., 12 bass, 32-3, $3,155
3rd: Kirk Marshall, Discovery Bay, Calif., nine bass, 28-13, $2,524
4th: David Zavvar, Concord, Calif., 14 bass, 28-12, $2,208
5th: Jonathan Green, San Pablo, Calif., 11 bass, 28-1, $1,893
6th: Micheal Klemm, Oroville, Calif., 13 bass, 28-0, $1,577
7th: Ty Crofts, Cedar City, Utah, 14 bass, 27-2, $1,412
8th: Blaine Christiansen, San Jose, Calif., 13 bass, 26-8, $1,104
9th: Chad Roorda, Palm Desert, Calif., 12 bass, 26-7, $1,096
10th: Scott Bern, San Rafael, Calif., 14 bass, 26-4, $989

Chad Roorda of Palm Desert, California, earned Wednesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass award after weighing in a 7-pound, 6-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to co-angler winner Steve Wey, who brought a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass to the scale.

With the three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Western Division presented by Tackle Warehouse now complete, pro David Valdivia of Riverside, California, was crowned the 2023 Western Division Pro Angler of the Year (AOY) and earned the $5,000 AOY bonus with a total of 754 points. Bruce Harris of Oakdale, California, won the 2023 Western Division Strike King Co-angler AOY race and the $2,000 AOY bonus with 755 points.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna was hosted by the City of Oakley. It was the third and final regular-season event for the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse. The next event for the top 25 anglers in the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse AOY standings will be the Toyota Series Championship at Table Rock Lake, Nov. 2-4, in Branson, Missouri. 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 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.

by AnglersChannel

ADAMS TAKES OVER IN TEXARKANA

Starting day two with a nice kicker, Barron Adams charges to the lead in Texarkana.

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

With two keepers early to calm him down including a 6-pounder, Barron Adams added 18-pounds, 10 ounces to his day one bag to take the lead going into a showdown Saturday with a total weight of 36-pounds, 2 ounces. Although it looks good on paper, his solid performance could have been stellar with a few key missed opportunities.

“I should have had a really good day but they were biting weird and some good ones pulled off on me,” said Adams. “Once I made a move to my second spot, the wind had dirtied the place up and was blown out.”

With two fish short of a solid limit, Adams made a move at 2 PM that saved his tournament and propelled him into the lead.

“I went into an area and caught two fish back-to-back,” he added. “Those fish saved my day and the way I am fishing; I can get behind guys and catch them. Tomorrow, I feel like I can catch limit fish but to win, I need those bigger bites.”

Sheldon Collings

Sheldon Collings had a slow day two, but his 14-pound, 5 ounces was enough to slide him into the second spot with a two-day weight of 34 pounds, 12 ounces. Collings has been targeting a shad spawn to start his mornings, but the wind and waves put a damper on his plans this morning.

“I don’t know if those shad and bass were gone, or the wind scattered them,” said Collings. “I had to go for plan B today.”

Collings only landed five keeper bites on the day and missed out on another 18 to 20-pounds that missed his topwater frog. When one misses, on a couple of occasions he could get a bass to commit with a follow-up bait.

“That’s how I caught my biggest bass today; I missed one and told myself I was going to flip in and see if it would bite,” he added. “As soon as the bait hit the water, he smoked it and I got him in the boat.”

Collings is focused on winning this event, and knows if he can get the bites in the boat, he will have a shot.

Timmy Reams

Day one leader Timmy Reams opted to save his main area for the afternoon bite on day one, and on day two that plan was much more difficult. Reams junk fished his way to an 11-pound, 15-ounce limit and a two-day total of 34 pounds, 2 ounces.

“I started the same today, but the wind was affecting a lot of what I wanted to do,” said Reams. “I lost several key fish today and they were hitting the bait differently; not committing to it.”

Reams scratched and clawed his way around some of his areas, and has one clean water area for day three.

“I’m going to start in that clean water and continue my reaction bait deal,” he added. “I have nothing to lose but stick with what got me here.”

Michael Yoder

Local angler Michael Yoder junk-fished his way back into the tournament on day two with the day’s biggest bag of 18 pounds, 11 ounces. With a two-day total of 33 pounds, 12 ounces, Yoder goes into Showdown Saturday in the fourth-place spot.

Despite plans to settle in and not run around as much, Yoder moved around with muddy conditions and kept his bait in high percentage areas until he found fish willing to bite.

“I definitely moved more than I planned, but I am back in this event and look forward to getting out there tomorrow.”

Todd Goade

With 15 pounds, 8 ounces on day two, Todd Goade moves into the second-place spot with a two-day total weight of 32 pounds, 9 ounces. With the water muddying and the water column full of sediment in some areas, Goade expanded on his “decent” practice and put himself in the top five after two days of fishing.

“I had four fish at one and slipped into an area I had been saving,” said Goade. “I caught that 5-pounder right off and culled four more times. Those fish turned my day around.”

Goade still had not touched two areas from practice and hoped his swim jig bite will hold up for one more day.

“I am focusing on key bushes, and key-looking water, and skipping that jig as far back as I can up to where the bass are sitting; It is super fun,” he concluded.

Rest of the best:
Ryan Satterfield 31-11
Brad Staley 30-7
Keith Carson 29-14
Jesse Wise 29-8
Louis Fernades 28-11

by AnglersChannel

Drew Benton claims Day 2 lead in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Murray

Drew Benton of Panama City, Fla., is leading after Day 2 of the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with a two-day total of 46 pounds, 9 ounces.

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

April 21, 2023

Drew Benton claims Day 2 lead in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Murray

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Drew Benton had never fished a tournament on Lake Murray before this week, but the conditions are making him feel right at home.

With the bass right in the middle of their spawning cycle, Benton has fished his strengths and took the lead Friday in the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with a two-day total of 46 pounds, 9 ounces. After landing in second with 23-0 on Day 1, the Panama City, Fla., pro added 23-9 on Day 2 and holds a slim lead over Tennessee angler Hunter Shryock, who is second with 45-14.

“If I spent time on (a bedding bass), I caught it today,” said Benton, who earned his only career Elite Series victory on Lake Travis in Texas in 2018. “Yesterday I spent a lot of time on a couple I didn’t get to catch. You have to find them in the right mood. It isn’t just, go down the bank and you see one and catch it. A lot goes into it, and I was really fortunate today.”

Anglers once again fished under warm and sunny conditions on Friday, with winds picking up as the afternoon progressed. That allowed several of the competitors to see the cruising bass they were targeting.

Though there was also plenty of schooling activity across the lake, Benton has ignored schoolers for the most part this week. Instead, he’s cruising around the shallows looking for bass that are locked on bed. According to BassTrakk, he caught 11 total bass and made important culls throughout the day.

Around 1:20 p.m., Benton landed his biggest bass of the day, a 6-9 largemouth. Then with about 30 minutes to go, he caught a 4 1/2-pounder that lifted him to his final tally.

It was an efficient day for Benton, who never spent more than 30 minutes on one bass. The 6-9 took the longest — and the only reason for that, Benton said, was because the male bit four times before he coaxed the female into biting.

“It would have been a lot easier to catch that female if I could have kept the male, but I already had five in the livewell,” Benton said. “The male I kept catching was about a 1/2-pound smaller than the smallest fish in my limit, and I seriously considered releasing my fifth keeper just to get that male out of the way.

“Fortunately, I managed to catch that female without doing that.”

The area of the lake where Benton is fishing is about 3 degrees colder than the rest of the lake. He hasn’t found his spawners in a specific depth range, but he thinks more bass are coming in to spawn.

“They have to be. There were three new ones (today) that weren’t there yesterday,” Benton said. “I have got to stay in that zone of the lake because it is the only place I am getting new fish. Up here where it is 75 degrees, it isn’t enticing them to come up.”

A cold front is expected to move through the area overnight and into Saturday morning, bringing with it a chance of rain, wind and storms. Benton feels he will need to adjust to keep his lead.

“I am going to have to make some of those fish bite that I am seeing up on the points,” he said. “With the conditions, I feel like they will bite better. If a man ever figures out how to catch the ones that are just up there swimming around, he will walk away with this thing. Tomorrow will be the day for that to happen.”

Shryock is also fishing shallow, but he abandoned his sight-fishing strategy on Day 2 and caught 23-5 to add to his Day 1 mark of 22-9.

“It wouldn’t have surprised me if we had caught 25 to 27 pounds today,” Shryock said. “But it also wouldn't have surprised me if I caught 12. That is just the way this place is. As soon as we went off Bassmaster LIVE, I caught a 5 1/2. I also had a 6 or 7 try to eat my topwater. It chased after it and boiled on it. If I catch that one, we are at 25 1/2.

“There are 27 pounds swimming all around. It is that crazy.”

On Day 1, Shryock had all of his weight in about an hour. On Friday, he opened the day with a 5-pounder and slowly made his way to a limit by 11 a.m.

The only bass from that limit that made his final bag was that 5-pounder. After 11, he made four upgrades with four different baits.

“I got bites doing other things today that I didn’t do yesterday,” he said. “So that gave me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow. Getting that rotation down — where to be at the right time — I feel like I was a little early knowing this is what I needed to be doing. I kind of rushed and tomorrow we will try to pinpoint that.”

Shryock is seeing plenty of bass that are bigger than what he has put in the livewell. Making them bite has been a challenge and he is hoping that in the next two days, he can get a couple of them to eat.

“I’m talking, they are as long as your leg,” Shryock said. “And they live in the same places. I come back through again and they are still there. One of these times I am going to catch one and that is going to make all the difference.”

With a two-day total of 44-12, Japanese pro Kyoya Fujita jumped into third place on Friday. He has caught 22-6 both days of the event and anchored his Day 2 bag with a largemouth that was about 6 pounds.

Fujita has been fishing offshore for his bass this week, in anywhere from 6 to 18 feet of water. He said the deep, clear nature of Lake Murray reminds him of his home lakes.

This morning, the Japanese pro struggled with execution. But by noon, the bass started biting consistently. He has been rotating through several areas, using mostly one bait to catch his bass.

“They were biting morning and afternoon,” he said. “(I have) many spots. Low light has been best.”

Brandon Card had the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day Friday with a 6-14 largemouth — an accomplishment worth $1,000. He is tied with Matt Robertson’s Day 1 6-14 for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament.

Robertson also holds the VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament with the 25-8 limit that earned him the lead on Day 1.

The Top 50 remaining anglers will launch from Dreher Island State Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET Saturday and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The Top 10 after Saturday’s weigh-in will compete on Championship Sunday for a $100,000 first-place prize and the coveted blue trophy. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday from 8-10:30 a.m. Live coverage will transition to Bassmaster.com afterward.

2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray 4/20-4/23
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 46-09 104
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 23-09
2. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 45-14 103
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 23-05
3. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 10 44-12 102
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 22-06
4. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 43-10 101
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 24-04
5. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 43-04 100
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 20-09
6. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 41-04 99
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 21-04
7. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 41-00 98
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 20-07
8. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 40-09 97
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 19-15
9. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 40-07 96 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 14-15
10. John Cox DeBary, FL 10 39-15 95
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 21-02
11. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 39-12 94
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 24-09
12. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 39-12 93
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 20-15
13. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 39-07 92
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 20-03
14. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 39-06 91
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 18-02
15. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 39-04 90
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 22-08
16. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 10 38-08 89
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 20-02
17. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 37-15 88
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 19-09
18. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 37-13 87
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 17-08
19. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 37-12 86
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 18-06
20. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 37-09 85
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 20-07
21. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 37-07 84
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 19-07
22. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 36-14 83
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-10
23. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 36-13 82
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 17-08
24. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 36-12 81
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 14-12
25. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 10 36-06 80
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 17-14
26. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 36-04 79
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-07
27. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 36-03 78
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 15-14
28. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 36-02 77
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-04
29. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 36-02 76
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 18-11
30. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 10 36-01 75
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 15-10
31. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 36-01 74
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 19-04
32. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 36-00 73
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-03
33. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 35-15 72
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 18-05
34. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 35-10 71
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 15-05
35. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 35-07 70
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-05
36. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 35-07 69
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 18-00
37. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 35-06 68
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-06
38. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 35-02 67
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-13
39. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 35-02 66
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-04
40. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 35-01 65
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-07
41. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 10 35-01 64
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 19-07
42. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 10 34-11 63
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 14-06
43. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 34-11 62
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 15-08
44. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 34-10 61
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 16-00
45. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 34-09 60 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 22-10
46. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 34-09 59
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-01
47. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 34-09 58
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 18-00
48. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi, JAPAN 10 34-08 57
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 15-10
49. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 34-07 56
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 16-07
50. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 34-03 55
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 16-04
51. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 34-03 54 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 16-14
52. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 34-01 53 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-01
53. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 33-15 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 15-04
54. Chad Pipkens DeWitt, MI 10 33-14 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 18-09
55. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 33-13 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 17-13
56. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 33-10 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 12-10
57. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 33-08 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 15-09
58. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 33-06 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 14-05
59. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 10 33-03 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 18-12
60. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 33-03 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 14-13
61. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 33-02 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 20-01
62. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 32-14 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 16-02
63. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 32-09 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 16-14
64. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 32-07 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 18-05
65. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 32-02 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 18-03
66. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 31-13 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 18-14
67. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 31-08 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 18-00
68. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 10 31-02 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 14-11
69. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 30-08 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 12-14
70. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 30-07 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-08
71. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 10 30-01 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 12-15
72. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 10 29-10 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-02
73. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 29-08 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-06
74. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 29-06 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-00
75. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 29-03 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 14-10
76. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 29-02 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 12-15
77. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 28-14 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-09
78. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 28-11 27
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 13-13
79. Taku Ito Chiba, JAPAN 10 28-10 26
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 12-08
80. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 28-09 25
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 10-10
81. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 9 28-07 24
Day 1: 4 12-05 Day 2: 5 16-02
82. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 10 28-05 23
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 12-07
83. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 28-00 22
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 15-07
84. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 28-00 21
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-15
85. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 9 27-13 20
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 17-15
86. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 10 27-13 19
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-00
87. Bryan New Saluda, SC 10 27-01 18
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-00
88. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 27-00 17
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
89. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 26-08 16
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 08-09
90. Skylar Hamilton Jefferson, TN 10 26-02 15
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 13-01
91. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 25-14 14
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 14-03
92. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 25-05 13
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 12-11
93. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 25-03 12
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 5 13-15
94. KJ Queen Conover, NC 10 24-12 11
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-01
95. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 10 24-00 10
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-15
96. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 23-11 9
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-15
97. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 23-08 8
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 13-01
98. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, AR 9 22-15 7
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 15-00
99. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 8 21-15 6
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 5 15-03
100. Mike Huff London, KY 9 20-14 5
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 08-02
101. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 7 17-15 4
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 2 03-14
102. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 7 15-11 3
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 5 11-12
103. David Williams Newton, NC 6 15-06 2
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 1 01-08
104. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 06-14 $1,000.00
2 Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 06-14 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 506 1710-05
2 100 507 1679-02
----------------------------------
197 1013 3389-07

by AnglersChannel

UNC Charlotte's Monti and Dunson ride the tide for Bassmaster College Series lead at James River

Jake Monti and Samuel Dunson of UNC Charlotte are leading after Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops with 24 pounds, 5 ounces.

Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.

April 21, 2023

UNC Charlotte's Monti and Dunson ride the tide for Bassmaster College Series lead at James River

RICHMOND, Va. — Jake Monti and Samuel Dunson of UNC Charlotte had high hopes for low water and leveraging that premise delivered a Day 1 limit of 24 pounds, 5 ounces that leads the Strike King Bassmaster College Series event at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops.

As Monti explained, he and Dunson fished a large stretch from the mouth of the Chickahominy River, upstream to the confluence of the James and the Appomattox rivers. Hitting approximately 15 spots, the leaders earned their bites by moving with the tide.

“We let the tide dictate where we fished,” Monti said. “We wanted the lowest water possible, either going out toward low tide or the start of the incoming tide.

“It was outgoing most of the day until about 1:30 and then it came in at the end of the day.”

While the habitat-rich Chickahominy typically hosts a large percentage of tournament fields — especially during the spring — Dunson said he and his partner intentionally avoided the congestion.

“We stayed out of there just to get away from the crowded area,” he said.

Monti and Dunson caught all their bass by flipping black and blue creature baits. Monti said they found wood was most productive on the lower and the incoming tide stages, while spatterdock seemed to ignite as the water rose high enough to flood this emergent vegetation.

“They were tight to the cover, but they were moving around on the cover based on the tide direction,” Monti said. “The key was slowing down across the board. We were being methodical and picking everything apart.

“We were flipping with 25-pound Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon to make sure we didn’t get broken off.”

Dunson said he and Monti got 10 keeper bites. They got bit early, but their action was spread throughout the day.

“We got our limit by 8:30, then we continued catching them into the afternoon,” Monti said. “We culled twice in the last 30 minutes. A lot of times, the beginning of the incoming can be really good.”

Carrying a 2-pound lead into the final day, Monti and Dunson are making no assumptions, other than their expectation for what a final-round wrap-up will require. With big Florida-strain largemouth roaming the James River, one cast could make their day — or that of a competing team.

“It was a whole bunch of work today and it won’t be easy tomorrow because we’re not sure how much we have left,” Monti said. “We think we’ll need another 18 pounds and we’ll have to work hard to get that.

“I think we’re going to have to make a pretty good adjustment to get bites.”

Sam Hanggi and Sam Hoesley of Auburn University are in second place with 22-4. Staying close to takeoff, they maximized their fishing time, wrapped up their limit by about 1 p.m. and spent the rest of their day practicing for Saturday’s final round.

“It started off pretty slow and at the end of the day, it started picking up when the water was low,” Hanggi said. “We caught a couple of 4 1/2-pounders late in the day on back-to-back casts.”

Hanggi and Hoesley caught all of their bass on the same reaction bait. Staying off the bank 10 to 15 feet was key to their productivity, while confidence in their presentations kept their options open.

“We weren’t afraid to fish behind people,” Hanggi said. “We knew we had the best presentation for the situation.”

Garrett Walters and Reese Walters of the University of Alabama are in third place with 18-2. The brothers began their day with a long run downriver to the Wards Creek area, where they caught a 3 1/2-pounder on a frog, but left when they determined the tide was too low.

“We ran back up to (the take-off area) and went into a creek,” Garrett said. “We picked up a frog and they started eating. The tide was going out so they were pulled off to the edges of the wood where they were easier to catch.

“We had planned to start in that creek. But when we took off, the tide was still too high. When we got there, it was perfect.”

Throwing a Spro Bronzeye Shad 65 in the killer gill and spooky shad colors, the Walters team anchored their bag with a 6-pounder.

Carson Palmer and Dylan May of Carson-Newman University are in the lead for Big Bass honors with their 8-1 largemouth. Palmer and May are currently in fifth in the overall standings.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:10 a.m. ET from Osborne Landing. The final weigh-in will be held at the landing at 2:10 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at James River presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/21-4/22
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Jake Monti - Samuel Dunson UNC Charlotte 250
Day 1: 5 24-05 Total: 5 24-05
2. Sam Hanggi - Sam Hoesley Auburn University 249
Day 1: 5 22-04 Total: 5 22-04
3. Garrett Walters - Reese Walters University of Alabama 248
Day 1: 5 18-02 Total: 5 18-02
4. Jackson Paden - Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 247
Day 1: 5 18-01 Total: 5 18-01
5. Carson Palmer - Dylan May Carson-Newman University 246
Day 1: 5 18-00 Total: 5 18-00
6. Brody Robison - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 245
Day 1: 5 17-15 Total: 5 17-15
7. Caleb Barrow - Corey Yaden Brewton-Parker College 244
Day 1: 5 17-11 Total: 5 17-11
8. James Willoughby - Jacob Pfundt University of Montevallo 243
Day 1: 5 17-01 Total: 5 17-01
9. Easton Fothergill - Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 242
Day 1: 5 16-10 Total: 5 16-10
10. Cole Moulton - Riley Hendricks Lander University 241
Day 1: 5 16-07 Total: 5 16-07
11. Evan Thomas - Holden Zinda Liberty University 240
Day 1: 5 16-01 Total: 5 16-01
12. Carson Kamien - Tyson Verkaik University of Florida 239
Day 1: 5 15-14 Total: 5 15-14
13. Clay Oberman - Ryan Lachniet Campbellsville University 238
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
14. Trevor Easter - Clayton Easter Tarleton State University 237
Day 1: 5 15-10 Total: 5 15-10
15. Tyler Cory - Scott Sledge University of Montevallo 236
Day 1: 5 15-09 Total: 5 15-09
16. Justin Botts - Tim Herrmann Bryan College 235
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
16. Cal Culpepper - Ryan Thomas University of Montevallo 235
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
16. Tucker Dottley - Jordan Hampton Bethel University 235
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
19. Colby Carrier - Justin Frey Bethel University 232
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
20. Brock Blazier - Benjamin Blank Wabash Valley College 231
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
20. Hunter Fillmore - Dylan Fogarty Bethel University 231
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
22. Drake Sturgill - Beau Browning University of Montevallo 229
Day 1: 5 14-14 Total: 5 14-14
23. Connor Hicks - Chad Sentell University of Tennessee 228
Day 1: 5 14-11 Total: 5 14-11
24. Kyle Knoll - Luke Morgan Southern Union State Community C 227
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
25. Morgan Miracle - Jake Thornbury Campbellsville University 226
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
26. Caleb Bridges - Matthew Dopp Bryan College 225
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
27. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 224
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
28. Hayden Pirman - Luke Chaddock West Virginia University 223
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
29. Cody Domingos - Luka Strepacki University of Tennessee 222
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
30. Matthew Benson - Spencer Bargfrede Emmanuel College 221
Day 1: 5 13-06 Total: 5 13-06
31. Jacob Butts - Mark Kershaw-Klara USC Union 220
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
31. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 220
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
31. Landon Surrett - Hampton Shull Lander University 220
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
34. Hayden Marbut - Tucker Smith Auburn University 217
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
34. Kyle Workman - Evan Barker Campbellsville University 217
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
36. Brady Duncan - Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 215
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
37. Colten Drawdy - Hunter Shelton Bethel University 214
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
37. Andrew Ready - Harley Collins Webber International University 214
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
39. Garrett Thompson - Ethan Perry West Virginia University 212
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
40. Lane Clark - Adam Seagle Erskine College 211
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
41. Bryson O'steen - Ty Jackson Florida Gateway College 210
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
42. Kaden Buchmann - Jared Hubbard Lander University 209
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
42. Harmon Marien - Jack Stephens McKendree University 209
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
44. Nate Triplett - Cy Lambert University of North Alabama 207
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
45. Brody Luckey - Tommy Steffen Liberty University 206
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
46. Hunter Townsend - Jonathan Wehner Jr James Madison University 205
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
47. Connor Lacy - Levi Kohl Murray State University 204
Day 1: 5 12-04 Total: 5 12-04
47. Kaden Proffitt - Cason Ragsdale East Texas Baptist University 204
Day 1: 5 12-04 Total: 5 12-04
49. Trent Buchholz - Dakota Posey Lamar State College Orange 202
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
50. Nathan Reynolds - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 201
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
51. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain College 200
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
51. Zane Odomirok - Brandon Sales Roane State Community College 200
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
53. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 198
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
54. Christian Turner - John Gray Coastal Carolina University 197
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
55. Brennan Berglund - Blair Erickson University of Montevallo 196
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
55. Hayden Scott - Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. Adrian College 196
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
57. Brycen Williamson - Trevor Gorman Erskine College 194
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
58. Caleb Dachenhaus - Sam Shoemaker Adrian College 193
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
59. Aaron Jagdfeld - Elliot Wielgopolski Adrian College 192
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
60. Kaleb Brown - Lander University 191
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
61. Jacob Highley - Will Rooker Kentucky Christian University 190
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
61. Owen Wheeler - Tyler Dubois Bethel University 190
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
61. Kyle Zainitzer - Avery Whitwell University of North Alabama 190
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
64. Charles Baird - Lee Lambrecht Drury University 187
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
64. Ryan Park - Sam Niemeyer Murray State University 187
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
64. Hunter Starling - William Vickery Georgia Southern University 187
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
67. Brayden Batchelor - Alex Belin Georgia Southern University 184
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
68. Matthew Dettling - Austin Wadzinski University of Tennessee 183
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
68. Aric Szambelan - Tyler Flacke Missouri State University 183
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
70. Trey Dickert III - Andrew Thompson University of Montevallo 181
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
70. Tommy Dunaway - Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 181
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
70. Jordan Pennington - Andrew Oswalt University of Montevallo 181
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
70. Seth Slanker - Jackson Swisher Florida Gateway College 181
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
74. Giancarlo Russo - Remington Potter Florida Gateway College 177
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
74. Colton White - Brooks Parker University of Montevallo 177
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
76. Colton Hill - Tomas Matual McKendree University 175
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
77. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Mathias Dahline Adrian College 174
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
77. Evan Sutton - Grant Olsen McKendree University 174
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
79. Max Heaton - Brooks Anderson Emmanuel College 172
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
80. David Ackerman V - Mackenzie Sanders Erskine College 171
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
80. Zach McNary - Mason Phillpotts Grand Valley State University 171
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
82. Jonathan Hanna - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 169
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
83. Ethan Chase - Luke Fletcher Eastern Kentucky University 168
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
84. Brycen Hendriks - Keaton Granja UNC Charlotte 167
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
85. Carson Aarup - UNC Charlotte 166
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
85. Chase Carey - Dylan Akins Emmanuel College 166
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
85. Brett Jolley Jr. - Cade Nettles East Texas Baptist University 166
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
85. Hunter Palmer - Eli Stevenson Bryan College 166
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
89. Wyatt Pearman - Dustin Bauer Campbellsville University 162
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
89. Trey Schroeder - Lane Stephens McKendree University 162
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
91. Carson Calvert - Austin Thomas University of North Alabama 160
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
91. Hunter Keller - Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 160
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
91. Adrian Urso - Corbin Templon Murray State University 160
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
94. Will Gordon - Grant Meisenhelter Murray State University 157
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
94. Hayden Mare - High Point University 157
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
94. Nick Staub - Lake Norsworthy Blue Mountain College 157
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
97. Seth Elkins - Dale Hansard Jacksonville State University 154
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
98. Ben Brockwell - Justice Gayhart Kentucky Christian University 153
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
99. Michael Zawicki - Carson Tucker University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 152
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
100. Ridge Rutledge - Ryan Daugherty Campbellsville University 151
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
101. Dustin Weinberg - Sawyer Brady Blue Mountain Christian Universi 150
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
102. Tyler Altizer - Dylan Thomson King University 149
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
102. Trey Ernest - Kade MacDonald University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 149
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
102. Hunter Waldrop - Reese Melven University of South Carolina 149
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
105. Hunter McClaskey - Landon Lawson King University 146
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
105. Taylor McMullen - Emmanuel College 146
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
107. Riley Lawson - Dawson Burton Kentucky Christian University 144
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
107. Sawyer McCullough - Hunter Bettner Troy University 144
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
107. Matthew Zdrazil - Easton Lindus Emmanuel College 144
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
110. Matt Short Jr - Pruitt Lansdale Eastern Kentucky University 141
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
111. Drew Fromm - Jonah Potts Wabash Valley College 140
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
111. Laindree Richardson - Carter Smith Wabash Valley College 140
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
111. Gunner Whitaker - Mitch Johnson Kentucky Christian University 140
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
114. Jeremy Dellinger - Garrett Smith Lander University 137
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
114. Connor Jacob - Sam Smith Auburn University 137
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
116. Gus McLarry - Jared West Texas A & M Commerce 135
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
117. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 134
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
117. Seth Jenkins - TJ McKenzie Emmanuel College 134
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
119. Chase Hubble - Brent May University of Florida 132
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
120. Levi Mullins - Matthew Cummings Bethel University 131
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
121. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 130
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
121. Brock Bila - Dylan Chambers Drury University 130
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
121. Austin Parr - Hunter White Erskine College 130
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
121. Hank Sturm - Mitch Straffon Adrian College 130
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
125. Landon Howe - John Sells Georgia Southern University 126
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
125. Max Pierlott - Mike Pierlott UNC Charlotte 126
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
127. Russel Buffa - Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 124
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
128. Storm Cline - Robbie Linginfelter Carson-Newman University 123
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
129. Carter Ball - Austin Tapley Adrian College 122
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
129. Cy Casey - Tanner Hadden Emmanuel College 122
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
129. Eric Wawrzyniak - Dylan Crystaloski Penn State University 122
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
132. William Travis - Victor Alford Bryan College 119
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
133. TJ Davis - Webber International University 118
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
134. Brantley Anders - Cameron Dials Kentucky Christian University 117
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
135. Matthew Kauffung - Nick Baumer Ohio State University 116
Day 1: 4 08-08 Total: 4 08-08
136. Luke Dardeen - Dalton Phelps Wabash Valley College 115
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
136. Andrew Vereen - Connor Cartmell Coastal Carolina University 115
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
138. Cross Campbell - Ethan Thurston East Texas Baptist University 113
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
139. Brendan Vinton - Dalton Eury Catawba Valley Community College 112
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
140. Nick Mallmann Conto - Nick Harenda University of Wisconsin-Whitewat 111
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
141. Rees Williams - Walker Sahagun University of North Alabama 110
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
142. Cole Holloway - Brandon Martin Emmanuel College 109
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
143. Reece Keeney - Kentucky Christian University 108
Day 1: 4 07-13 Total: 4 07-13
144. Turner Hart - Summer Dees Bryan College 107
Day 1: 5 07-12 Total: 5 07-12
145. Braden Cox - Joel Berelsman Ohio State University 106
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
145. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 106
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
147. Dalton Coleman - Joe Bob Burchett Kentucky Christian University 104
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
148. Stephen Botek - Anthony Riello Penn State University 103
Day 1: 3 07-08 Total: 3 07-08
149. Spencer Brister - Roeh Burton Lamar State College Orange 102
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
149. Logan Dillow - Oakley Powers King University 102
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
151. Fischer Barber - Tucker Jordan Troy University 100
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
152. Logan East - Rob Lindsey Bryan College 99
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
153. Mason Gross - Braden Thompson Wabash Valley College 98
Day 1: 4 07-01 Total: 4 07-01
154. Gabe Brown - Evan Eckstrom University of South Carolina 97
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
155. Kayden Tanner - Tarleton State University 96
Day 1: 3 07-00 Total: 3 07-00
156. Solomon Glenn - Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 95
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
157. Jacob Autry - Will Niebrugge Murray State University 94
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
158. Tyler Campbell - Parker Guy Emmanuel College 93
Day 1: 4 06-12 Total: 4 06-12
159. Doug Kelly - Robert Campbell Mississippi State University 92
Day 1: 3 06-12 Total: 3 06-12
160. Troy Gibson - University of Louisville 91
Day 1: 4 06-11 Total: 4 06-11
161. Cody Clifton - Missouri State University 90
Day 1: 2 06-11 Total: 2 06-11
162. Cooper McLemore - Carson Dyer Georgia College 89
Day 1: 4 06-09 Total: 4 06-09
163. Austin Smith - Jaden Purkey Carson-Newman University 88
Day 1: 4 06-06 Total: 4 06-06
164. Michael Witherup - Matt Boerboom University of Montevallo 87
Day 1: 4 06-04 Total: 4 06-04
165. Caleb Jacob - Dillon Schmidt Illinois State University 86
Day 1: 4 06-02 Total: 4 06-02
166. Austin Paulus - Andrew Berger Ohio State University 85
Day 1: 4 06-00 Total: 4 06-00
167. Aidan Gordinier - Jonathan Craddock Penn State University 84
Day 1: 4 05-15 Total: 4 05-15
168. Teddy Peznola - University of Tennessee 83
Day 1: 2 05-12 Total: 2 05-12
169. Jeremy Monda - Florida Gateway College 82
Day 1: 3 05-10 Total: 3 05-10
170. Zachary Bowen - Harrison Terry Bethel University 81
Day 1: 3 05-08 Total: 3 05-08
171. Grant Dohle - Alex Wood Missouri State University 80
Day 1: 3 05-04 Total: 3 05-04
172. Luke Iles - Northwestern State University 79
Day 1: 2 04-12 Total: 2 04-12
173. Miller Kieran - James Madison University 78
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
174. Spencer Knight - Brandon Oakes Ohio State University 77
Day 1: 2 04-03 Total: 2 04-03
175. Lane Bailey - Justin Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 76
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
176. Colton Kentopp - UNC Charlotte 75
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
177. Braiden Koerber - Cole Hadlock Murray State University 74
Day 1: 2 02-09 Total: 2 02-09
178. Jacob Panichi - William Serrano St. Cloud State University 73
Day 1: 2 02-01 Total: 2 02-01
179. Tanner Herndon - Bryan College 72
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
180. Wyatt Montle - Noah Lieberman Missouri State University 71
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
180. Will Mullin - Leo Romano James Madison University 71
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
182. Conner Giles - Christian Wright Bryan College 69
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
183. Tanner Brockman - Aidan Kolb Murray State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Brendon Brones - Ethan Tant Lamar State College Orange 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Jonathan Fraley - Jonathan Fitch Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Logan Hopper - Austin Owen Clemson University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Jacob Lauterbach - Jack Hammond High Point University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Jacob - Maddy Phipps King University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Blake Milligan - Matthew Parrish Auburn University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Colton Odom - Auburn University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Nick Pemberton - Will Holloway University of Montevallo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Thomas Shockey - Jackson Davies Penn State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Archer Smith - Hunter Holguin Murray State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
183. Cameron Smith - Thomas Phillips Ohio State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 152 846 1899-09
----------------------------------
152 846 1899-09

by AnglersChannel

Big Bass Tour - Berkley Lake Breakdown - Best Baits for Lake Murray

By Pete Robbins

Anyone who follows either or both of the major pro bass fishing tours is well aware of how incredibly South Carolina’s Lake Murray is fishing. Limits aren’t a problem. Seventeen pounds is ho-hum. Twenty pounds barely gets a raised eyebrow. And 30-plus pounds isn’t out of the question. This fishery near the city of Columbia may have more 3-, 4- and 5-pound bass per acre and total than any place else in the country – and it just seems to be getting better.

The trick, at least when it comes to the Big Bass Tour event, will be setting yourself apart from the pack. The numbers of sixes and sevens doesn’t lag far behind the legion in the next class down.

While the Murray BBT has switched back and froth between spring and fall over the years, it has almost never taken less than 6 pounds to creep into the overall top five – the last time that happened was 2016, when fifth place missed it by the weight of just one baitfish and logged in at 5.95. Baitfish – specifically the lake’s prolific blueback herring – will be the key said local expert Joey Sabbagha. Find the herring and you’ll find the bass.

“I would run shallow herring points with a big topwater,” he said. The lake’s lower end up through the mid-section. has tons of clay points, as well as blow-throughs where the bait gangs up and the bass follow in behind them. Some of his choices would include the Berkley Cane Walker, J-Walker and Drift Walker, in colors like chrome and bone, or any natural baitfish color. They’re big, but it’s heft, not length, that is the primary driver in that decision.

“It’s not about bigger, it’s about being accurate,” he said. “Those bass are moving one way or the other. You need to get in front of them. The first time it moves they’ll grab it if they see it, so it’s critical to recognize which direction they’re moving.”

He said that anglers should pick a favorite creek and go to work, but he’d caution against going far up the river, noting that it “hasn’t been fishing very well.”

Anglers also shouldn’t worry about the pressure the lake, or a given section thereof, is receiving. The bass continue to gorge on the fast-moving herring and never let them get far away. Sometimes it’s a matter of camping in a key place and waiting for the washing machine to start swirling. The action can be fast and furious, but once it’s done it can be hard to pick more off, even if you see them swimming around nearby.

For those anglers who are nevertheless convinced that the pressure has the bigger fish turned off, or more difficult to catch, Sabbagha would recommend going as far back in the creeks as possible and engaging in old-fashioned target fishing with a hollow-bodied frog and a Berkley Choppo. These fish are residents, not focused on the herring, and act more like traditional ambush-feeding largemouths.

While the largest waves of spawning bass have completed the reproductive process, there may also be some bedding fish available, either visible or not. He’d target them with a Berkley Rocket Craw or a Berkley General stickbait. The latter is especially good on the lake’s many docks for both spawners and fry guarders.

Finally, for those anglers who are true giant hunters, willing to hero or zero, Sabbagha recommends tying on a big glide bait and covering water. It’s back breaking work, but it may provide the best overall chance at an 8 or above. Last year’s BBT winner topped the 8 pound mark with an 8.02, making the four other anglers who caught 7-pounders or greater quite disappointed. Even if you find yourself in that boat, by following the live leaderboard it’s possible to salvage a solid hourly check.

by AnglersChannel

Spring diversity on tap for Bassmaster Elite Series event at Santee Cooper Lakes

2022 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes champion Drew Cook earned a century belt last year and will be among the field when the Elites return to Clarendon County for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes April 27-30.

Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.

April 21, 2023

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Whenever a tournament returns to a fishery in consecutive years, comparison is inevitable. This notion certainly applies to the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes, but despite a later time frame than last year’s event, local pro Patrick Walters has no doubt this Palmetto State powerhouse will again deliver the goods.

Competition days will be April 27-30 with daily takeoffs from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins at the same spot each day at 3 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

With stocked Florida-strain bass living alongside native Northern largemouth, Santee Cooper holds the potential for impressive quantity and quality. Double-digit giants live in these lakes and, as Walters notes, the event’s timing brings the Elite field to town when some of the fishery’s biggest bass are most accessible.

“There’s already been a couple good waves of fish spawn, but there’s still a lot to come — and that’s the good thing,” Walters said. “We had a cold front (two weeks before the event) and it was 42 degrees in the morning. That kept a lot of them from spawning. They’ll spawn all the way into May on Santee Cooper, so it’s going to progress the fish.

“The first fish to the bank are bass, but now the bream are coming to spawn, the shad are going to be spawning and the (bass) stay up there once they spawn, because of all the forage. The bite only gets better.”

With this year’s tournament scheduled a month later than the 2022 event, it’s likely anglers will find bass in a mix of prespawn, spawn and postspawn positions. This scenario, Walters said, will widen the options and spread the field.

“It’s setting up great; we couldn’t ask for a better scenario,” he said. “You can catch them any way you want and everyone will have fish. With a mix of all three stages, you can catch them doing anything. Guys are going to be able to fish their strengths.

“April is my favorite month because you can catch them just fishing. You can catch them anywhere on the bank; you don’t have to catch them on one tree.”

Common search baits for pre- and postspawners include spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, frogs, swim jigs and bladed jigs. For bed fishing, a mix of Texas-rigged creature baits, finesse worms and jigs handle most of the work.

“The early morning shad spawn is the bite that will be going on the best,” Walters said. “You’re (probably) not going to be able to catch a five-fish limit bed fishing, but if you catch 17 to 18 pounds in the shad spawn, you’ll be able to go catch one big one bed fishing. That’s how you’ll get over the 23- to 24-pound mark.”

The playing field comprises the 110,000-acre Lake Marion and 60,000-acre Lake Moultrie, with a 6 1/2-mile canal linking the two. While Moultrie’s mostly known for its offshore brushpiles, Marion holds docks, lily pads, stumps, grass and its signature feature known as the “The Swamp” — vast cypress habitat at the upper end’s riverine section.

The second-largest river on the eastern U.S. coast, the Santee originates at the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree rivers and exits Marion’s east side through the 8-mile-long Santee Dam before winding its way to the coast and splitting into North and South rivers, southwest of Georgetown Inlet. Originating in Moultrie, the Cooper River flows through the Pinopolis Hydroelectric Dam at the lake’s south end and concludes in Charleston Harbor.

“Both the lakes are in really good shape right now,” Walters said. “The water level is up and it has a good color to it. The water’s not gin clear.”

Walters said the entire fishery could be in play, but most spring tournaments tend to favor Marion’s expansive shallow-water habitat. Typically, a significant portion of the field disperses throughout The Swamp and seeks out the unique features like drains and high spots that make particular sections stand out from the masses.

Given the event’s later seasonality, Walters expects slightly lower weights than last year’s heavily spawn-centered event. His prediction: 16 to 17 pounds a day to make the Semifinal Saturday Top 50 cut, with 90 pounds being a likely target for the win.

Another key measurement of a tournament’s productivity, the Century Club recognizes anglers who amass 100 pounds or more over four days. Last year’s tournament produced two Century Club belts — winner Drew Cook (105-5) and second-place Caleb Kuphall (103-1).

“I don’t think we’ll see 100 pounds this time, just because more of the fish will be postspawn than prespawn, so the average (fish) weight will be lower,” Walters said. “We might see one, possibly two, but it’s less likely this time.”

That being said, Walters has no doubt that the field will stay busy with multiple options.

Success, he said, will require versatility and adaptation.

“It will be about doing something different every day,” Walters said. “You’re not going to be able to get keyed in on one thing or one spot this time.

“You’ll have to stay on your toes and fish the conditions of that day.”

New for 2023, fans can enjoy predictions, conditions and live hits from the lake as part of the LIVE Preview show streaming on Bassmaster.comWednesday, April 26 at 9 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Thursday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms while FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday.

by AnglersChannel

Timmy Reams puts together a solid bag on day one to take the lead on Wright Patman Lake.

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

When the NPFL visited Wright Patman in 2021, Timmy Reams finished in the 20th spot and left a lot of weight on the table with some misfortune. This year, the tables have turned and Reams connected with a nice 6-pounder to anchor his 22-pound, 3-ounce day-one leading weight.

After a decent practice, Reams figured out on day two a few areas he could get some quality bites later in the day. He spent the morning fishing some new water and things started slow for the West Virginia angler.

“My best bites in practice were in the afternoon so today I left that stuff alone for a while,” said Reams. “Once I got in the area, things were on fire and I was able to get four big bites in my spot pretty quickly, and I even had a 2-pounder in my bag at the end of the day.”

Reams focused on similar places as his previous trip to Texarkana but noted that several things are “new” this time around. He has his area to himself today and is looking forward to getting back out on day two.

“There was nobody where I was at and certainly not anyone doing the same type of thing,” he added. “Tomorrow, I am thinking I will run some new water again in the morning and try to expand on changing water, and then get back and go to work on my main areas.”

Sheldon Collings

Finishing third in 2021, Oklahoma anger Sheldon Collingspicked up where he left off and brought a 20-pound, 7-ounce bag of Wright Patman bass to the scales to finish day one of 2023 in the third-place spot as well. Anchored by a 6-pound, 7-ounce kicker. Like others, Collings found the changing conditions more challenging this go around throughout practice and made a day-one adjustment to catch his weight.

“It was tough for me this week,” said Collings. I ran a lot of new water today that I have never fished, in 2021 or practice. I caught a lot of fish and had a small limit before culling everything out in about 30 minutes this afternoon. I don’t know if it was timing or the area, but I will see what happens tomorrow.”

Brad Staley

With 18 pounds, 5 ounces on the day, North Carolina angler Brad Staley overcame a tough practice and lower water to finish the day in the third-place spot.

“I had two tough days of practice and one decent day,” said Staley. “My game plan today was to expand on that good day and I was fortunate that it worked out. With everything changing, the water level, and the weather we have, I will keep on bobbing and weaving to stay with the fish.”

After watching the event from home in 2021, Staley had hoped the bushes would play, but when practice began, he knew he has to change his approach.

“I figured out a few key things in practice and I learned where some of the fish were sitting and I am thinking more will be moving to me as the week goes along,” he added.

Louis Fernandes

After a tough go in 2021, Louis Fernandes made the right adjustments using his day as a practice day in an effort to conserve his main areas. His weight of 18 pounds, 4 ounces was enough to put him in fourth place after the first day of competition.

“I made some key adjustments in practice and knew the fish were mostly done spawning,” said Fernandes. “I am playing some chess this week and basically left my best spots alone today and just went fishing.”

His goal was to “junk” fish his way to a limit and then try and expand on his learnings from practice while gearing up for increased pressure the next two days.

“The fish are going to get pressured hard and the fishing will get super tough. For that reason, I left things alone and it’s working out even better for me as I found some new stuff today that I can fish tomorrow,” he added. “I am fishing around, chasing bait balls, fishing some brush, and whatever looks good.”

Nick Brown

Rounding out the top five, Texas angler Nick Brownexpanded on his practice period to put together a limit that weighed 18 pounds, 1 ounce on the day. Brown learned a few key details on the final day of practice and executed them while fishing around several other anglers.

“I figured out more about what is going on out here on the final practice of practice and it went well today,” said Brown. “I had guys around me and I was able to get some key bites, and caught multiple limits of bass.”

Brown is focusing on a variety of shallow covers and noted key subtleties in the cover and water clarity that lead to his day one success.

Rest of the best:
Marc Schilling 17-15
Brian Hatfield 17-12
Barron Adams 17-8
Quentin Cappo 17-2

Check out the Day One Leaderboard, here!

How to Watch

Tune in tomorrow and Saturday to watch daily action from Wright Patman, with Live Coverage here and on the FREE PHYX TV App from 8 AM to 1 PM.

Follow along and watch the daily LIVE Leaderboard, LIVE Blog, and on-the-water photo galleries and blogs of the anglers on Wright Patman.

Under the Go Live Tab, choose LIVE Broadcast or check out the real-time leaderboard on the Weigh Live Trackerwith estimated weights entered by the anglers on the water and join us for the LIVE Weigh-ins, here!

by AnglersChannel

Afternoon rally lifts Robertson to Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Elite on Lake Murray

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 1 of the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with 25 pounds, 8 ounces.

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

April 20, 2023

COLUMBIA, S.C. — At mid-morning, things were far from perfect for Matt Robertson.

With three little bass in his livewell, the Kuttawa, Ky., pro was back at the ramp at Dreher Island State Park trying to work out some motor issues and calm more than a few frustrations.

Fortunately, he was able to get them fixed and had one of his best days on the water this season, catching 25 pounds, 8 ounces. That has him leading the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray with a 2-8 advantage over second-place angler Drew Benton.

Robertson's five-bass limit was anchored by the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day, a 6-14 largemouth.

“You know what? I’m happy my boat broke down,” he said. “Because if it hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have caught those fish. Some things just happen for a reason.

‘I’m telling you, I can take a lot of credit for a lot (of stuff), but today wasn’t me. It was something else. We’ll just roll with it.”

As many anticipated, Lake Murray is showing out so far. The weather was almost as good as the fishing, with 16 bags over 20 pounds hitting the scales on the warm, calm April day. Of the 103 anglers competing, 97 limits were recorded and every angler caught at least two bass.

Robertson has spent some time on the central South Carolina reservoir in the past, but most of those days were in winter.

While the day couldn’t have started much worse for Robertson, he got into a rhythm when he was able to return to the water after midday. Every bass he brought back to weigh-in was caught after 12:50 p.m. according to BassTrakk.

“I just kind of went with it and went fishing,” he said. “I just assumed I was going to weigh in three for 6 pounds. I’ve been caring too much and today I stopped.”

Robertson’s practice period did not go particularly well either. He had only one decent day on the water and decided to run some new water when the tournament began. His afternoon rally went down on a couple of different spots.

There were several other competitors in the area, but they filtered out as the day wore on.

“I caught all of the big ones on one bait mostly,” he said. “These places have big ones. I think I just got lucky.

“I hope I can be as lucky tomorrow as I was today.”

Benton, meanwhile, has felt right at home on Lake Murray. The Panama City, Fla., pro caught 23-0 on Day 1 cruising around the shallows looking for spawning largemouth.

“I had some things go my way today,” Benton said. “I went and caught bed fish early. Went to one that was probably done and it was 20 or 30 feet off the bed. I pitched a wacky worm to it as I was going up there and got it to bite. That was my biggest one. If stuff like that doesn't happen today, then I (would have) had 18 pounds.”

Benton found one section of the lake in practice where the water is a little cooler, and that is where he has been focusing much of his attention. The warmest water he has seen in that area is 70 degrees.

With his trolling motor on high, he has been cruising around looking for beds. In between spawners, Benton said he picked up a few bonus fish by throwing a moving bait.

Along with the bedding bass he found in practice, he found several new ones Thursday. Others he found were completely gone.

He spent an hour on a big female and thought it was going to bite. But just when he thought it was going to bite, it vanished.

“I think we are right in the middle of the spawn, moving toward the end,” he said. “There are some that are yet to spawn. Some of them are done, obviously. This place is kind of odd. They move up and do it really fast and get gone really fast.”

Benton added that he tried to find bass that were keying on blueback herring, but couldn’t find anything consistent.

Patrick Walters has plenty of history of Lake Murray and that helped him locate and catch 22-11 on Day 1. The Summerville, S.C., native bounced around several areas and caught bass doing just about everything.

“I did what I needed to do today,” Walters said. “The goal today was to survive. I’m thinking my bite is going to get better as the week goes. I’m catching some spawning fish. I’m catching some fish that are moving around. My goal was to be consistent every day.”

An assortment of baits played for Walters in two sections of the lake — one of which was better than the other.

Since the herring spawn is not progressing as quickly as Walters thought it might, a lot of the bass he is catching are roaming.

“I’m just looking for as many fish as I can possibly find,” he said. “You aren’t going to catch them until they are ready to bite. So, it is about being in the right place at the right time.”

Louisiana pro Tyler Rivet, who is in 12th place after Day 1 with 20-5, continues to lead the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 299 points. He is followed by South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb with 282 points, North Carolina’s Shane LeHew with 260, Australian pro Carl Jocumsen with 258 and Alabamian Kyle Welcher with 257.

Japanese rookie Kyoya Fujita leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 229 points, followed by Canadian Cooper Gallant with 227 points and Alabamian Will Davis Jr. with 214.

The full field will launch from Dreher Island State Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET Friday morning and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The field will be cut to the Top 50 anglers after the Day 2 weigh-in. Bassmaster LIVE coverage begins at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms.

2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray 4/20-4/23
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 25-08 104 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-08
2. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 23-00 103
Day 1: 5 23-00
3. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 22-11 102
Day 1: 5 22-11
4. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 22-09 101
Day 1: 5 22-09
5. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 5 22-06 100
Day 1: 5 22-06
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 22-00 99
Day 1: 5 22-00
7. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 21-04 98
Day 1: 5 21-04
8. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 21-00 97
Day 1: 5 21-00
9. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 20-10 96
Day 1: 5 20-10
10. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 20-09 95
Day 1: 5 20-09
11. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 20-07 94
Day 1: 5 20-07
12. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 20-05 93
Day 1: 5 20-05
12. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 20-05 93
Day 1: 5 20-05
12. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 20-05 93
Day 1: 5 20-05
15. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 20-05 90
Day 1: 5 20-05
16. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 20-00 89
Day 1: 5 20-00
17. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 19-13 88
Day 1: 5 19-13
17. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 19-13 88
Day 1: 5 19-13
19. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 19-10 86
Day 1: 5 19-10
20. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 19-06 85
Day 1: 5 19-06
20. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 19-06 85
Day 1: 5 19-06
22. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 19-05 83
Day 1: 5 19-05
22. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 19-05 83
Day 1: 5 19-05
24. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 19-04 81
Day 1: 5 19-04
25. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 19-03 80
Day 1: 5 19-03
26. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 19-01 79
Day 1: 5 19-01
27. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 19-00 78
Day 1: 5 19-00
28. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi, JAPAN 5 18-14 77
Day 1: 5 18-14
28. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 18-14 77
Day 1: 5 18-14
30. John Cox DeBary, FL 5 18-13 75
Day 1: 5 18-13
30. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 18-13 75
Day 1: 5 18-13
32. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 18-11 73
Day 1: 5 18-11
33. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 18-10 72
Day 1: 5 18-10
34. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 18-08 71
Day 1: 5 18-08
34. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 18-08 71
Day 1: 5 18-08
36. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 18-06 69
Day 1: 5 18-06
36. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 18-06 69
Day 1: 5 18-06
36. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 5 18-06 69
Day 1: 5 18-06
39. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 18-04 66
Day 1: 5 18-04
40. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 18-00 65
Day 1: 5 18-00
40. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 18-00 65
Day 1: 5 18-00
42. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 17-15 63
Day 1: 5 17-15
42. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 17-15 63
Day 1: 5 17-15
42. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 17-15 63
Day 1: 5 17-15
42. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 17-15 63
Day 1: 5 17-15
46. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 17-10 59
Day 1: 5 17-10
46. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 17-10 59
Day 1: 5 17-10
48. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 17-07 57
Day 1: 5 17-07
48. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 17-07 57
Day 1: 5 17-07
50. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 17-05 55
Day 1: 5 17-05
51. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 17-02 54
Day 1: 5 17-02
51. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 17-02 54
Day 1: 5 17-02
53. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 17-00 52
Day 1: 5 17-00
54. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 16-14 51
Day 1: 5 16-14
55. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 16-13 50
Day 1: 5 16-13
56. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 16-12 49
Day 1: 5 16-12
56. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 16-12 49
Day 1: 5 16-12
58. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 16-09 47
Day 1: 5 16-09
59. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 16-07 46
Day 1: 5 16-07
60. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 16-03 45
Day 1: 5 16-03
61. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 16-02 44
Day 1: 5 16-02
61. Taku Ito Chiba, JAPAN 5 16-02 44
Day 1: 5 16-02
63. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 16-00 42
Day 1: 5 16-00
64. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 5 15-14 41
Day 1: 5 15-14
65. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 15-11 40
Day 1: 5 15-11
66. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 15-10 39
Day 1: 5 15-10
67. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 15-08 38
Day 1: 5 15-08
68. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-05 37
Day 1: 5 15-05
69. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 15-03 36
Day 1: 5 15-03
70. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 15-02 35
Day 1: 5 15-02
71. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 14-15 34
Day 1: 5 14-15
71. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 14-15 34
Day 1: 5 14-15
73. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 14-14 32
Day 1: 5 14-14
74. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 14-09 31
Day 1: 5 14-09
75. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 5 14-07 30
Day 1: 5 14-07
76. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 14-06 29
Day 1: 5 14-06
77. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 14-02 28
Day 1: 5 14-02
78. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 14-01 27
Day 1: 5 14-01
78. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 14-01 27
Day 1: 5 14-01
78. Bryan New Saluda, SC 5 14-01 27
Day 1: 5 14-01
81. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 13-15 24
Day 1: 5 13-15
82. David Williams Newton, NC 5 13-14 23
Day 1: 5 13-14
83. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 13-08 22
Day 1: 5 13-08
84. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 13-05 21
Day 1: 5 13-05
85. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 13-01 20
Day 1: 5 13-01
85. Skylar Hamilton Jefferson, TN 5 13-01 20
Day 1: 5 13-01
85. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 13-01 20
Day 1: 5 13-01
88. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 12-15 17
Day 1: 5 12-15
89. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 12-13 16
Day 1: 5 12-13
90. Mike Huff London, KY 5 12-12 15
Day 1: 5 12-12
91. KJ Queen Conover, NC 5 12-11 14
Day 1: 5 12-11
92. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 12-10 13
Day 1: 5 12-10
93. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 12-09 12
Day 1: 5 12-09
94. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 4 12-05 11
Day 1: 4 12-05
95. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 11-15 10
Day 1: 5 11-15
96. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 11-11 9
Day 1: 5 11-11
97. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 4 11-04 8
Day 1: 4 11-04
98. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 10-12 7
Day 1: 5 10-12
99. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 10-07 6
Day 1: 5 10-07
100. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 4 09-14 5
Day 1: 4 09-14
101. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, AR 4 07-15 4
Day 1: 4 07-15
102. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 3 06-12 3
Day 1: 3 06-12
103. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 03-15 2
Day 1: 2 03-15
104. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 06-14 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 506 1710-05
----------------------------------
97 506 1710-05

by AnglersChannel

Bassmaster Classic generates more than $35 million for Knoxville

The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota drew record crowds to venues across Knoxville, Tenn., helping to generate an economic impact of more than $35 million.

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

April 20, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota has not only been credited with shattering attendance and viewership records, but now the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing has proven itself as one of the best investments in sports.

According to numbers released by Visit Knoxville, the Bassmaster Classic generated an economic windfall of more than $35.5 million for the community, which welcomed a staggering crowd of 163,914 fans to Classic Week activities.

“Knoxville as a destination is the perfect fit for events like the Bassmaster Classic,” said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “From natural resources like the Tennessee River and surrounding lakes to the multiple venues hosting various events throughout the weekend, fans from all over the world enjoy an experience like no other here in Knoxville.”

Fans traveling from across the nation and as far away as Australia and Japan not only packed Thompson-Boling Arena for weigh-ins and the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall — which hosted the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army — but those same visitors accounted for 31,525 room nights at hotels across Knox County.

“We’ve had an excellent relationship with B.A.S.S. since hosting the Elite Series in 2017 (at Cherokee Lake),” said Chad Culver, Sr., director of the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission and Convention Sales. “Our partnership successfully continues with hosting the Bassmaster Classic in 2019, another Elite Series (event) in 2021 and the Classic once again this year in 2023 — the highest attended Classic to date.”

When the Classic was first hosted in Knoxville just four years ago, the event created an economic impact of $32.2 million. That tournament earned recognition as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism (Mid-Market Division) by Sports Destination Management.

In addition to producing more than $2.85 million in state and local tax revenue, including taxes on sales, restaurant purchases and lodging, the 2023 Bassmaster Classic and associated activities supported a total of 12,698 jobs, according to a report from the local host.

“I grew up fishing the Tennessee River and was excited at the opportunity to spotlight Knoxville, the Tennessee River and the passionate fishing community found in east Tennessee,” said Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We were thrilled at the enormous reception from people across the region had to the Bassmaster Classic, allowing us to break all previous attendance records. I can’t thank our partners at Visit Knoxville and the entire community enough.

“It has been proven time and time again that fishing and the outdoor industry strengthen local economies. It’s our hope that through media coverage of our exciting tournaments and by attracting our signature large, passionate crowds, every Bassmaster tournament can be an economic win for our host cities.”

The Bassmaster Classic heads west to Oklahoma for 2024. For the first time since 2016, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota will be held in Tulsa March 22-24.

by AnglersChannel

Can they catch them two at a time at Murray?

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

The fishing is extremely good at Lake Murray. The 2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite Series is going to be a fun one to watch. It seems everything with fins is in some phase of the spawn, and a wide variety of patterns are in play.

Local experts say that because bass behave more like hungry wolf packs as they chase down spawning baitfish, it’s not uncommon to hook two bass on one bait.

So, should we expect to see that?

“If we were allowed to use a double fluke rig, it would almost definitely happen, but after three days of practice, I’ve yet to double up,” says Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester.

B.A.S.S Elite Series rules state that anglers can only cast one rod and one lure at a time, so that makes catching two on one lure a lot more challenging.

Lester is hoping it happens on derby day, and if it does, it may be when two hungry hefty ones fight over the 8” glide bait he has tied on.

“I actually caught two keepers on one medium diving crankbait last month at the Bassmaster Open on Lake Eufaula, and I did it one other time at the 2015 Bassmaster Elite on Kentucky Lake. So yes, I never rule it out, and it could certainly happen here,” says Lester.

More importantly than catching two at a time on Murray, is simply being able to keep up with the rest of the field, as 17-pound limits are predicted to be really plentiful.

“I just want to make sure I’m not fishing the same water somebody else just got done thrashing. Everything from soft plastic jerkbaits to bed fishing is going to be in play here, but I just want to make sure that whatever I’m doing, it’s not right behind somebody else,” emphasizes Lester.

Stay tuned for what’s setting up to be a fun-to-watch “catchfest” – and maybe – just maybe – we’ll see them get caught two at a time. Lester’s totally content with that happening to him here at Murray, just like it did last month at Eufaula.

by AnglersChannel

THE BASS TANK REFRESHES OLD VISION WITH NEW OWNERSHIP

The Bass Tank, one of the largest authorized Dealers for Garmin and Lowrance in the U.S.A, is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for Scott Palmer to become the sole owner of the company.

The company has built a well-known reputation, rooted in helping customers with their fishing electronics and providing expert technical support.

“Looking ahead, I am excited about the future and where our team is going to take us. I’ve always looked at us as a customer service company that just happens to sell products, and I truly do look forward to getting back to those roots,” Palmer stated.

The company will be releasing new opportunities, for all fisherman wanting to get the most out of their electronics, in the coming months that will help accomplish these goals.

Palmer concluded, “I am passionate about giving our past customers the support they deserve, as well gaining the trust of future customers. I absolutely love to catch fish, but I equally, if not more, want to see my customers catch fish.”

The Bass Tank specialises in retailing and installing marine electronics and accessories, and was founded and staffed with fishermen and outdoorsmen.

www.thebasstank.com

by AnglersChannel

Iaconelli: All about baitfish at Murray Elite

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

We can’t be sure why Mike Iaconelli returned to the ramp at dark following a long day of practice on Lake Murray with one dead shad and one dead blueback herring in his boat. But one thing’s for certain, he’s very much in touch with how bait will largely determine where and how bass will be caught in this tournament.

Lake Murray is fishing extremely well right now. Fans should expect to see numerous limits over 17 pounds weighed-in, and it’s likely that Elite Series pros will need to average 18 pounds a day to take home a Top 10 finish, but blueback herring still remain an often-perplexing piece of the puzzle.

“First off, I’m not sure why they’re called blueback herring, because to me their backs look brown,” laughs Iaconelli. “They’re a blessing because they make such awesome forage for growing big bass, but a curse because they’re always moving, which makes finding the bass that feed on them a constant challenge,” he explains.

Iaconelli says he’s seen bluebacks as shallow as five feet where so many of them are spawning on Murray right now, but also as deep as 30-feet. So, it’s anybodys guess as to where they’ll show up in the midst of a tournament day, but wind is highly influential in determining which of the hundreds of flat clay points they’ll show-up on.

While bluebacks will be talked about excessively this week, Iaconelli is wise enough to realize they’re not the only baitfish Murray’s bass will be chowing down.

“Just about everything in this lake seems to be in some phase of the spawn right now, including largemouth and bluebacks, but also shad. So, while the bluebacks are kind of the star of the show here, you can’t ignore the importance of shad too,” emphasizes Iaconelli.

That said, the recent Bass Fishing Hall of Fame electee is tying on numerous lures to imitate both species of bait.

“I’ve got an entire tackle tray full of lures designed to look like blueback herring, and a soft jerk bait is a proven winner on this lake, but when I’m around shad, I’ll pick up something like this Rapala OG Tiny crankbait to better imitate them,” he explains.

Practice is going well for the Team Toyota pro. He’s dialed-in Murray’s bass and the forage they feed on. In fact, if Iaconelli had a spirit animal this week, it’d be a Lake Murray baitfish. That awful smell on his hands proves it.

by AnglersChannel

Lure Masters Signs Exclusive MLF Licensing Agreement to Run MLF Fishing Tournaments in Central Europe

Sixteen Countries Now Operating MLF Fishing Tournaments, Including New Additions Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland

BENTON, Ky. (April 19, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced an exclusive licensing agreement today with Lure Masters, a European tournament-fishing organization dedicated to providing top-notch tournament experiences for anglers of all skill levels, to provide anglers in six countries the opportunity to compete in MLF-sanctioned fishing tournaments in 2023.

MLF Central Europe will run a series of tournaments that advance anglers, who are citizens or permanent residents of the host countries, to the International Division at the MLF Toyota Series Championship beginning in 2023. One angler from Central Europe will compete as a pro, with MLF providing a fully-rigged boat, and one angler will compete as a Strike King co-angler.

MLF Central Europe will operate under the direction of Christian Biereth, CEO of Lure Masters.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Major League Fishing and bring in their world-class tournament and broadcasting experience to enhance tournament fishing in our region," said Biereth. "Our passion for fishing and commitment to providing top-notch experiences for our competitors aligns perfectly with MLF's mission, and we are eager to bring this unique experience to the anglers of Central Europe."

The top pro award at the Toyota Series Championship is $200,000, with an additional $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers, and the top Strike King co-angler award is a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The highest finishing pro from the International Division at the Toyota Series Championship will also be awarded a $10,000 bonus as well as qualification into the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

"We are excited to welcome Lure Masters to the MLF family and bring our innovative tournament format to the passionate anglers of Central Europe," said Dave Washburn, Vice President of Operations at Major League Fishing. “Lure Masters' expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional fishing experiences make them the perfect partner to help us grow the sport and bring MLF's fast-paced competition to even more fans."

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and our international partners, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Phoenix BFL Great Lakes Division Opener on Mississippi River in La Crosse Postponed Due to River Flooding

WHAT:
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine (BFL) Great Lakes Division tournament on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, scheduled for Sat. April 29, has been postponed to Sunday, May 21, due to the flooding from the river and ramp closures. All launch and weigh-in locations and times will remain the same.

WHEN:
Sunday, May 21
Takeoff: 6 a.m. CT
Weigh-In: 2 p.m. CT

WHERE:
West Copeland & Clinton Boat Ramp, Northside Beach Road, La Crosse, Wis.

NOTES:
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each Great Lakes Division qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 Phoenix BFL Regional on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.

by AnglersChannel

Lake Murray Mauler

The winner of the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Stop 3 on Lake Murray, Anthony Gagliardi, provides the details on how he was able to manhandle the competition and defend home turf.

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. names top student athletes to 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team

April 18, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fifty-two of the most outstanding high school anglers from across the country have been named to the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.

The students were selected for the honor based on their success in bass tournament competition, academic achievement and leadership in conservation and community service.

To be considered for the All-State Fishing Team, a student must have been nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students enrolled in grades 10-12 with a current-year grade point average of 2.5 or higher were eligible.

B.A.S.S. received over 300 nominations from across the nation. From these, judges selected 52 student anglers from 30 states to make the All-State Fishing Team. Additionally, 42 students received Honorable Mentions recognizing them for their tournament success as well as community service and academic achievement.

“Congratulations to all 52 anglers on being selected to be a part of the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team as well as our 42 Honorable Mentions,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Manager — College, High School and Junior. “It’s always impressive to see the accolades of each applicant. Every parent and angler should be very proud of joining the team.”

A second panel of judges will review the nominations of the 52 All-State team members and select the 12 members of the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. As in All-State judging, criteria include success in high school fishing tournaments, involvement in conservation efforts and other community service activities.

The 12 finalists will compete in a one-day Bassmaster High School All-American Bass Tournament presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, which will be held during the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River scheduled for June 1-4 in Orange, Texas.

Elite Series anglers will serve as teammates and “coaches” of the student anglers in the tournament. The high school standouts will be honored on the main stage at the weigh-in.

Below is the list of the 52 All-State anglers and 42 Honorable Mentions, in order by state:

Alabama
Triton Graham, Citronelle
Avery Padgett, Elba
Fisher Anaya, Eva (Honorable Mention)
Breanna Arnold, Cullman (Honorable Mention)
James Quinlivan, Headland (Honorable Mention)
Jake Woodward, Birmingham (Honorable Mention)

Arizona
Jeff Giffen, Phoenix

Arkansas
Ely Hagans, Scotland
Cole Martin, Hot Springs
Brady Horton, Clinton (Honorable Mention)
Garrett Ring, Greenbrier (Honorable Mention)

California
Logan Howarter, San Diego

Florida
Bryce DiMauro, Longwood
Evan Newell, Lakeland
Drew Bradstreet, Lutz (Honorable Mention)
Cody Morgan, Jacksonville (Honorable Mention)
Syler Prince, Palatka (Honorable Mention)

Georgia
Peyton Dunn, Fitzgerald
Gage Sellars, Bainbridge
Branton Champion, Richmond Hill (Honorable Mention)
Gabriel Clark, Ellerslie (Honorable Mention)
Will Hart, Danielsville (Honorable Mention)
Cooper Moon, Cartersville (Honorable Mention)

Illinois
Brett Mouw, Joliet
Hunter Petrovic, Minooka
Trevor Wilburn, Pulaski (Honorable Mention)
Zach Wolfe, Mokena (Honorable Mention)

Indiana
Braci Ault, Brookston
Ryan Seitz, Fishers (Honorable Mention)

Iowa
Evan Powell, Norwalk
Matthew Melvin, Libertyville

Kansas
Colton Hutchinson, Bonner Springs
Cydney Hutchinson, Bonner Springs
Lucas Sheafer, Louisburg (Honorable Mention)

Kentucky
Jake Mattingly, Stanford
Hayden Short, Harrodsburg
Michael “Hunter” Flynn, Irvine (Honorable Mention)

Louisiana
Garrett Hooker, Boyce
Jase White, Haughton
Baylen Guy, Breaux Bridge (Honorable Mention)
Hunter Hamilton, Baton Rouge (Honorable Mention)
Tanner Meyer, Mermentau (Honorable Mention)
Tyler Morris, Port Allen (Honorable Mention)

Maine
Brody Loiko, Vassalboro

Michigan
Gus Dietrich, Oxford
Rylan Hamlin, Jackson
Ephraim Cretsinger, Jackson (Honorable Mention)
Colten Dickerson, Zeeland (Honorable Mention)
Brayden Ruckman, Freeland (Honorable Mention)

Minnesota
Katherine Wedes, Excelsior
Noah Wells, Esko
Jaydon Manteufel, Fergus Falls (Honorable Mention)
Jonathan Waschek, Apple Valley (Honorable Mention)

Mississippi
Phillip Herring, Richton

Missouri
Alex Avery, West Plains
Jace McMasters, Reeds Spring
Brock Rogers, Bradleyville (Honorable Mention)
Ryan Thompson, Ava (Honorable Mention)

New Hampshire
Andrew Hebert, Litchfield
Cameron Yates, New Durham
Alex Gross, Jefferson (Honorable Mention)

New Jersey
Nicholas DellaPorta, Pequannock

New York
Connor Bell, Lisbon
Logan Wood, Adams Center

North Carolina
Garrett Christy, Salisbury
BJ Collins, Robbinsville
Hunter Alexander, China Grove (Honorable Mention)
Jarrett Barfield, Rocky Mount (Honorable Mention)
Coleman Self, Shelby (Honorable Mention)

Ohio
Brayden Hoehn, Saint Marys
Braden McNamara, Delaware

Oklahoma
Zack Cooper, Tahlequah

Pennsylvania
Nolan Fernandez, Mechanicsburg
Luke Rokavec, Mifflinburg
Ayden Cowan, Breezewood (Honorable Mention)

South Carolina
Kaleb Butts, Anderson
Luke McGuffin, Iva
Michael Gammons, North Charleston (Honorable Mention)
Anna Kay, Anderson (Honorable Mention)

Tennessee
Easton Drennon, Lebanon
Carson Holbert, Louisville
Zach Knight, Gallatin (Honorable Mention)
Ty Trentham, Sevierville (Honorable Mention)

Texas
Jacob Longlois, Orange
Zane Parker, Kingwood
Garry “Trace” Antunes, Henderson (Honorable Mention)
Karson Denton, Splendora (Honorable Mention)
Kaden Mueck, Livingston (Honorable Mention)
Dylan Sorrells, Dallas (Honorable Mention)

Virginia
Hunter Barrow, Ridgeway
Logan Buttolph, Doswell

West Virginia
Mason Grose, Nettie

Wisconsin
Hayden Fry, Brookfield
Julian Gallmeier, Neenah

by AnglersChannel

Lake Chickamauga Set to Host MLF Toyota Series Central Division Season Finale

DAYTON, Tenn. (April 18, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to return to the Dayton Boat Dock and Dayton, Tennessee, next week, April 25-27, for the Toyota Series at Lake Chickamauga . Hosted by Fish Dayton and the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council, the three-day tournament is the third and final regular-season event in the Toyota Series Central Division.

“As of this week, the water levels are still really down – they haven’t filled it up yet – and it’s almost like a different lake right now,” said Bass Pro Tour pro John Murray of Spring City, Tennessee. “The water is warm, and the conditions are right, but we haven’t seen that big wave of fish move up to spawn, yet. There are definitely some on beds, but the big ones wait until the water comes up to full pool, and that is going to be the biggest factor in this tournament.”

“Overall, the lake is fishing really good,” Murray continued. “My son fished a big High School tournament there last weekend, and it took 25 pounds to win. So we’re going to see plenty of mid-20-pound limits. The key is being consistent – popping one big bag, and then backing it up with some solid limits.”

Murray said that anglers should expect to see fish caught in all three phases of the spawn.

“If the lake comes up to full pool, that’ll change everything,” Murray said. “Wacky-rigged (Yamamoto) Senkos, swimbaits and a big glidebait or MagDraft-type swimbaits will be strong, and if the water stays down I also think a ChatterBait will play – covering the grass in 3- to 5-feet of water.”

After two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division, Trent Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, leads the Central Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 481 points, while Alan Hults of Gautier, Mississippi, leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 508 points.

Anglers will launch each day at 7 a.m. ET from the Dayton Boat Dock, located at 175 Lakeshore Street in Dayton. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat dock and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.

The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 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.

by AnglersChannel

One Bass for $100K?! Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Event Set to Hit Caney Creek and Bussey Brake Next Week

MLF’s Bass Pro Tour All-Star Event to Showcase 30 Top Pro Anglers Targeting Monster Bass Over Six Days for Huge Payouts and Daily Big Bass Bonuses of Up to $100K

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 18, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is set to return to northwest Louisiana next week, April 24-29, for the fourth-annual General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops at Caney Creek Reservoir & Bussey Brake . The first five days of competition will be held at Caney Creek Reservoir, but on the sixth and final day the final 10 competitors will compete on Bussey Brake.

The General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event, hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Office of Tourism, will showcase the 30 pros that qualified from the 2022 Bass Pro Tour season competing in a no-entry-fee tournament for a purse of more than $500,000, with a top prize of $100,000 to the winner. Anglers will also be awarded Big Bass Bonuses during the competition that pay out $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 to the single biggest bass in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.

“We are excited to work in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Tourism once again to host one of Major League Fishing’s premier tournaments,” said Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe President/CEO. “The excitement and fun of having the world’s best professional fisherman in our area competing for the largest bass showcases the regions diverse fisheries, our great outdoors and spotlights reasons to visit Monroe-West Monroe and Northeast Louisiana. We look forward to a great week of competition and fantastic fishing.”

Although he failed to qualify this year, pro Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, was the event winner last season, earning the top prize of $100,000 on Texas’ Lake Palestine. Waco, Texas, pro Alton Jones, Jr. , was the big winner, however, as the Texas pro finished fifth, but earned the Big Bass Bonuses in both the Knockout and Champion Rounds to earn a total of $165,000 in winnings.

“Last year’s event was magical. I just love the format of this tournament, and I love hunting big fish,” said Jones, who will be among the 30 competitors in this event. “It’s what I do for fun in the offseason – I love to target one big fish. Hopefully this year I’ll get a chance to compete on Bussey Brake. All money aside, I just want to fish there because of the quality of fish that live there. It looks so fun.”

The Bass Pro Tour visited Caney Creek and Bussey Brake to open the season last year, in a tournament in early February. In that event, pro Randy Howell of Guntersville, Alabama, set a new Bass Pro Tour record in the Knockout Round on Caney Creek for largest bass ever weighed – a 10-pound, 14-ounce brute. The very next day, Howell broke his own record, catching a 12-pound, 11-ounce behemoth on Bussey Brake.

“I was excited to see this event when the schedule was announced, and I pray that I can make it to the final day,” Howell said of a chance to beat his record. “We were there in February, and it was freezing. I can only imagine how good it will be with warmer weather, throwing topwaters around those bushes.”

“Caney is a great lake, and the grass was just starting to grow the last time we were there,” Howell continued. “Later in the year, it should be much healthier, and the fish should be done spawning and feeding up. I can see big topwaters, swimbaits and a bladed jig catching some big bass.”

“I’m so happy to be in this one – we think about this tournament every single day during the regular season,” said pro Josh Bertrand of Queen Creek, Arizona. “Our championship, REDCREST, is great, but this is an event that you don’t want to miss. It’s the most fun tournament we fish all year. One swing of the rod and you can cash a huge check and it’s such a blast to be a part of that.”

Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. CT. The Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, Days 1-5, will launch from Caney Creek Hooks Marina, located at 400 Spillway Road in Chatham, Louisiana.The final 10 anglers competing in the Championship Round will launch from Bonner Ferry Road, located five miles northwest of Bastrop off of Highway 593. 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.

Different from the Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, this tournament will feature anglers competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format in which anglers catch as many scorable bass and as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. A bass must meet the 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable.

The 30 anglers that will be competing in the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2023 All-Star Event Caney Creek Reservoir and Bussey Brake are:

Group A:
Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas
Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas
Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas
Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas
Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala.
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala.
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Group B:
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.
Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala.
Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.
Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala.
Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla.
Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala.

by AnglersChannel

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