Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Set for Grand Lake

2023 All-American Championship Opportunity and $60,000 up for Grabs as Hundreds of Boaters and Co-anglers Descend on Grove, Oklahoma

GROVE, Okla. (Oct. 4, 2022) – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Arkie, Cowboy, Great Lakes and Ozark divisions will finish out their 2022 season later this month in Grove, Oklahoma, Oct. 20-22, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Presented by T-H Marine at Grand Lake.

Hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau, the three-day regional will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners in all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.

The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.

Local pro Darrel Robertson of Jay, Oklahoma said he expects this to be a good, but tough, competition.

“Now that we’re into October, the brush piles and that type of stuff won’t really play a big role like they typically would in the summertime or spring on Grand Lake,” Robertson said. “The way the sun has been shining, there may still be a lot of fish around docks, but there will also be a lot of big fish following the shad into back pockets.”

Robertson said he thinks it’ll be tough to catch 45 pounds, but if an angler can get up around 45 pounds for three days, they’ll have a good shot at winning the event.

“We are supposed to get some cooler nights over the next couple weeks, so if that water temperature starts to drop, I expect we’ll see a good spinnerbait bite,” Robertson said. “If it drops 8 to 10 degrees, I think we’ll see a lot of spinnerbaits, as well as buzzbaits, spooks, and River2Sea Whopper Ploppers play a big role in catching fish.

“There are just a large number of 2-pounders on Grand Lake right now, so there will be a lot of 10- to 11-pound stringers, which makes it a little harder,” Robertson continued. “It seems like the bigger fish are just a lot harder to catch right now on Grand, so it should be a good competition.”

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24-divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.

The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.

The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Set for Lewis Smith Lake

Hundreds of Boaters and Co-anglers to Compete in Cullman for $60,000 and Their Shot at the 2023 All-American Championship

CULLMAN, Ala. (Oct. 4, 2022) – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Mississippi, Mountain, Savannah River and Volunteer divisions will finish out their 2022 season later this month in Cullman, Alabama, Oct. 20-22, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Presented by T-H Marine at Lewis Smith Lake.

Hosted by the Cullman Area Local Organizing Committee, the three-day regional will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners in all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.

The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.

Local pro Alex Davis of Albertville, Alabama said the event is hitting at a time of year that can be incredibly unique on Lewis Smith Lake.

“The fish typically feed on really small shad for most of the later part of the summer and early part of the fall, however this event gets closer to a special time on the fishery, where they start eating bigger baits and herring show up out of nowhere,” Davis said. “When that happens it’s a recipe for awesomeness. I’ve had days on Smith Lake during this time where I’ve caught 50 to 60 bass chasing herring.”

Davis said the fishery is pretty diverse this time of year, but he expects most anglers will be fishing one of two different patterns – targeting spotted bass chasing herring or fishing shallow for largemouth.

“The largemouth population on Smith Lake has really increased over the past few years, so I expect to see guys throwing topwater baits, including buzzbaits and River2Sea Whopper Ploppers for largemouth, as well as spooks, pencil poppers and Lucky Craft Gunfish for spotted bass.”

For anglers who choose not to fish either of those patterns, Davis said they will most likely focus on brush piles, throwing shaky heads, Ned rigs and drop shots.

“I expect it will take between 45 to 49 pounds to win the event, so 16 to 17 pounds per day should get you in the top spot,” Davis concluded.

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Smith Lake Park in Cullman. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24-divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.

The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.

The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing General Tire Team Series Wraps Production of First Event in Alexandria, Minnesota

New Team Bass Fishing Event Completes Week-Long Television Shoot in Alexandria, Minnesota, with Nine Three-Man Teams Competing to Advance to General Tire Team Series Championship

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (Oct. 4, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and 27 of the world’s best pro anglers wrapped production this past weekend at the General Tire Team Series Lucas Oil Qualifier presented by B&W Trailer Hitches in Alexandria, Minnesota. The event, hosted by Explore Alexandria Tourism, and filmed entirely for television broadcast, was shot over six days this week and featured nine teams of three anglers competing to finish in the top three to advance to the General Tire Team Series Championship.

Central Minnesota and Alexandria have played host to numerous bass-fishing tournaments over the years, however, the General Tire Team Series Lucas Oil Qualifier presented by B&W Trailer Hitches event will mark the first time that MLF has visited Alexandria with an event that showcases the catch, weigh, immediate-release tournament format.

“The Alexandria area has long been a destination for fishermen, but that’s been somewhat overshadowed by all of the families who spend their time here in the heart of lakes country, not only enjoying time on the water, but also the golf courses, the parks and our other great vacation venues,” said Joe Korkowski, Executive Director of Explore Alexandria. “Having the Major League Fishing anglers put their expertise to the test on a few of our lakes brings the attention on fishing to a whole new level.

“Living in Minnesota, with our four very distinct seasons, we know the importance of being adaptable,” Korkowski continued. “These pros are demonstrating just how good they are at figuring out all of the elements that go into a successful day on the water and showing the average fisherman what’s possible. Alexandria is a great community for many reasons, including the fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation, but the friendships, collaborations and community spirit are why we say it’s easy to get to, but hard to leave.”

The six-episode, two-hour series features the professional anglers visiting the Alexandria area to compete on Lake Le Homme Dieu or Lake Ida on each day of competition. The anglers do not learn where they are competing until they arrive to the launch ramp each morning of competition, creating a reality-based television episode that showcases how the top anglers in the world break down new and unfamiliar waters.

The nine teams that competed in the General Tire Team Series Lucas Oil Qualifier presented by B&W Trailer Hitches in Alexandria, Minnesota, are:

Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas
Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss.

Team Builders FirstSource:
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla.
Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Team Crockett Creek:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark.
Jason Lambert, Michie, Tenn.

Team Ferguson:
Shinichi Fukae, Osaka, Japan
Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.

Team Fox Rent A Car:
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.
Jonathan VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Team Knighten Industries:
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark.
Mike McClelland, Blue Eye, Mo.

Team Kubota:
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala.

Team Smokey Mountain:
Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.
Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.

Team Starbrite:
Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas
Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

The MLF General Tire Team Series Lucas Oil Qualifier presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, hosted by Explore Alexandria Tourism, will air on the Outdoor Channel as six, two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting Dec. 31, 2022, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. EDT. The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com/tv-schedule.

The winning three-man team in the General Tire Team Series Championship will claim the $300,000 top prize. The second-place team will earn $60,000, and the third-place team will win $30,000. Teams 4-9 in the championship will each earn $15,000 prize. All anglers receive $3,000 for participating in the no-entry fee Qualifying Events.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: B&W Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Covercraft, Crockett Creek Beef Jerky, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Frogg Toggs, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NGK Spark Plugs, Onyx, Optima Batteries, Phoenix Boats, Power-Pole, Rapala Baits, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Sonic, Star brite, Strike King, T-H Marine, Toyota, USAA, and YETI.

For complete details and updated information 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

Ever Green Adds Extensive Colors to Shallow-Running Cranks

New SH-3 colors bring bass anglers an option for every situation and forage type

Cypress, CA (October 4, 2022) – The mother of all shallow crankbaits, the Ever Green SH-3 attracts big bass with its powerful, water-moving action.

Development of the Ever Green SH-3 was initiated by bass pros Brett Hite and Justin Kerr, professional staff for Ever Green US. The SH-3 has undergone rigorous testing in various conditions and waters in both Japan and the U.S. The result is a highly refined shallow-diving crankbait that produces powerful water movement.

Its highly buoyant, fat body and square lip produces an action response on par with wood crankbaits, while its characteristic super-wide wobble action make a strong appeal to big bass. The SH-3 is free from the problems typical of shallow-diving crankbaits, such as lack of distance or difficulty casting. The tungsten weight transfer system promises incredible distance; its body density commands presence and yet offers superior accuracy with less effort when casting. The SH-3 represents a dramatic increase in cover cranking precision and efficiency.

The SH-3 is versatile and performs in variety of situations—from expansive, shallow flats to bluff banks and reeds, to cut grass and other vegetation, as well as slowly maneuvered through wood and rock. It simply excels at drawing reaction bites.

Satoshi Ito, Ever Green Product Manager, comments, “With the input of Brett Hite and Justin Kerr, we’ve been able to really refine the SH-3 product line and expand its efficacy on the water with nine new bass-catching colors. There’s now a pattern and color to match the forage base on any U.S. big bass body of water.”

New colors include SPEED CRAW, GHOST BABY GILL, CHAMPION SHAD, SKELETON PUMPKINSEED, COLD SHAD, ALBINO CRAW, CHART SHAD, GHOST GREEN GIZZARD, and GHOST WAKASAGI. Existing colors include FIRE CRAW, OLIVE CRAWDAD, GREEN PUMPKIN GILL, and BIG BITE SHAD.

Gear up for a whole new range of shallow-diving cranks that rocket-cast to match any situation, on any body of water. Experience for yourself the overwhelming power of this world-class shallow crankbait.

GHOST WAKASAGI

COLD SHAD

CHART SHAD

GHOST GREEN GIZZARD

ALBINO CRAW

SKELETON PUMPKINSEED

CHAMPION SHAD

GHOST BABY GILL

SPEED CRAW

FEATURES:

  • Nine additional colors added to the SH Series
  • Floating crankbait
  • Diving Depth: 2- to 3-feet
  • Length: 2 ¾-inches (69mm)
  • Weight: 11/16-ounces (19.0 grams)
  • Hook size: Front #3; Rear: #3

Available November 2022. MSRP $15.95

by AnglersChannel

Bassmaster Kayak Series Wraps 2022 Season On Pickwick Lake

The Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX will wrap up the 2022 season on Tennessee's Pickwick Lake Oct. 8-9. 

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

October 4, 2022

Bassmaster_Kayak_YamahaRW_4C.png

COUNCE, Tenn. — Talented kayak anglers from around the country take to the waters of Pickwick Lake, Tenn., October 8-9 for the final regular-season stop of the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX season.

Competition starts each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, with lines out at 2:30 p.m. An award ceremony will be held Sunday at The Lodge at Pickwick Landing at 4:00 p.m.

The Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation ranks Pickwick as the best lake in the state and, in the recent Bassmaster Magazine ranking of the country's 100 Best Bass Lakes, beautiful scenery paired with a chance to catch a trophy trifecta — smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass of above-average size — helped Pickwick claim the No. 16 spot in the Southeastern division.

Not only will the Old Town  Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year be crowned, but it will be the final chance to qualify for the Kayak Series Championship that will be held on Chickamauga Lake in conjunction with the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tenn.

Sitting atop the field with 972 points in the Angler of the Year race is Justin Largen of Roanoke, Va., who won the second event at Florida's Harris Chain of Lakes and followed that up with Top 10 finishes in the next two tournaments at Oklahoma's Grand Lake and Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama.

“When I saw B.A.S.S. was doing an Angler of the Year, I signed up for all of them right away,” Largen said. “The win was huge for me. It was my first win at a national level and there were a bunch of big names fishing. It was a huge confidence boost.

“Going into Grand and into Smith, they weren’t places I have fished before and I didn’t have a ton of confidence, but my goal was to be competitive and stay relevant. Don’t have a bomb and take myself out of it. To be leading it feels great.”

Largen is followed closely by West Virginia angler Larry Edwards (967 points) and Garrett Morgan (950), who led the AOY standings through the first three events and took the victory in the season’s first tournament at Lake Fork.

Instead of a standard weigh-in that requires scales measuring pounds and ounces, anglers will practice “catch, photograph and release” to determine the kayak tournament standings.

When an angler catches a bass, he or she will photograph it lying on an approved measuring board and submit the photo through a special mobile app provided by TourneyX. The boards will measure each bass in inches down to a quarter of an inch, and the angler with the longest five-bass limit will win.

by AnglersChannel

Late Rally Pushes Monetti To Victory In Bassmaster College Classic Bracket

UNC Charlotte's Louis Monetti, of Brielle, N.J., has won the 2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s and will compete in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

                                                                                                                                                   Photos by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
October 3, 2022

 

Monetti.jpgGREENWOOD, S.C. — As he ran back to Greenwood State Park on Championship Monday of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, Louis Monetti was heartbroken. Although he had a limit, Monetti had fallen short of the target weight he thought he would need to beat his opponent, Florida Gateway College’s Seth Slanker.

So, as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Slanker on shore at day's end, convinced he didn’t catch enough, Monetti was stunned when he flipped over a card that revealed he was the winner.

With a final-day weight of 8 pounds, 13 ounces, Monetti claimed the Bracket title over Slanker, who led most of the day but ultimately fell short with 7-11.

“I thought the whole time I had lost. I had it in my head that Seth had caught somewhere between 9 and 10 pounds,” Monetti said. “He has been incredibly consistent with that this week. I said it on camera; I was heartbroken and thought it was a blown opportunity.

“So, when I turned over that card, I didn’t believe the words I was reading and I thought it was a prank.”

With the win, Monetti earned a berth into the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 24-26 in Knoxville, Tenn. He will also receive paid entry fees into all nine 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by Mossy Oak Fishing and the use of a fully rigged Toyota Tundra and Nitro boat.

“I’m speechless. It is a dream come true,” Monetti said. “I have been thinking about this moment since I was 13 years old when I first started tournament fishing, and for it to actually be happening hasn’t sunk in. It has come a lot earlier than expected.”

The Bracket victory is the exclamation point on a phenomenal season for the now-graduate of UNC Charlotte. After fishing solo for several years, he and partner Michael Fugaro won the 2022 College Series Team of the Year title to qualify for the Bracket out of Monetti’s ’96 Ranger, a boat with torn-up seats, frayed carpet and no electronics on the bow.

“More than anything, I feel like this is a legitimizing win,” he explained. “I felt inside myself, especially in the last two or three years, that I am a solid and capable angler. There were just some key mistakes along the way, whether it was fish losses or mental breaks.

“Funds and time haven’t allowed me to enter as many tournaments as I would have liked to prove who I am. This year, committing to fishing the College Series as hard as we did just to get here, let alone try and win it, feels great. I am more than blessed to have the opportunity.”

For the first two days, Monetti put his trolling motor on high and cruised down the bank throwing a True South V-TWIN buzzbait, a Whopper Plopper 90 and a wacky-rigged Bizz Baits 5-inch Sassy Stick. He opened the event by catching 10-4 to defeat Trey Schroeder in the first round and then caught the biggest bag of the event in the semifinal round with 16-14 to advance over Florida Gateway College’s Jackson Swisher.

In a normal tournament setting, Monetti would have felt really comfortable with his cumulative weight. But with weights zeroing each day, he never felt great about his chances.

“The week was incredibly stressful, today especially,” he said. “I feel like I did a good job blocking it out, but I thought about it yesterday, and if it was your everyday tournament, I would have had to catch only 5 or 6 pounds today. You have a big day like I did yesterday, and then today I had a terrible day, to put it plainly. I thought yesterday had been all for naught.”

With stronger winds than the previous two days — conditions Monetti struggled in during practice — he and Slanker battled a much tougher Lake Greenwood on Championship Monday. While Slanker found an early limit, Monetti could not recapture the magic he found in the semifinal round.

He trailed Slanker most of the morning but cut the deficit to a couple of ounces before the midday break at 11 a.m. with a 2 1/2-pounder that ate his True South Fathead Jig with a chunk trailer.

“My teammate Jake Monti turned me on to the chunk as a trailer and I have lived and died by it ever since,” Monetti said. “That bite was the absolute turning point. I don’t want to say I was spinning out, but I was losing confidence. I had been talking all week that on Lake Norman in the fall, you can get a good bite on a jig. Being this is a similar lake to Norman, I thought it would set up well for a jig and it never did until today.

 

“This morning I pulled up on a dock and caught a 1 1/2-pound spot and then I caught that fish, and I said, ‘Okay, I am really going to roll with today being a jig day.’”

Late in the day, Monetti discovered a pattern where he could get bites with the jig on the first dock inside of a river channel bend and used that to rally to the lead in the final two hours by catching a 2 1/2-pounder at 12:45 p.m. before he sealed the win with a 1-5 bass that entered the boat with two minutes to go.

“I feel like I figured it out, but a little too late,” Monetti said. “But it ended up being just enough.”

As seen on Bassmaster LIVE, Slanker hooked one he believed could have won the tournament with around a half hour to go, but the bass wrapped him around a dock pole and broke off.

With the Bracket trophy secured, Monetti will set his sights on Knoxville and begin his research for Fort Loudoun and Tellico.

“I have watched all the shows that have been there and was at the Classic in 2019,” he said. “I watched the Elite event there last year. It seems like it is going to be interesting. I’m a smallmouth guy; I’m not sure if it is my kind of smallmouth fishing. But I am so excited to get there, and I don’t know how to put it into words knowing that I am going to go. I’m excited to be there and experience it.”

by AnglersChannel

Smith Victorious at Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Lake Dardanelle

Blackwell Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 3, 2022) – Boater Kirk Smith of Edmond, Oklahoma, caught 10 bass weighing 27 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas. The tournament, hosted by Russellville Advertising and Promotion, was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Arkie Division. Smith earned $6,367 for his victory.

“I’m pretty familiar with Dardanelle and started running all of my old stuff,” said Smith, who notched his second win on Lake Dardanelle in MLF competition. “I was running down the lake and noticed there were a lot of shad on the main lake and not a lot in the backwaters. So, I started targeting little pockets off the main river that had the shad, where I think bass were hanging out to ambush them.”

Smith said he relied on a vibrating jig and a square-bill crankbait in three to four feet of water in the mid- to upper-Dardanelle area to catch his bass. He targeted laydowns or brush on both days of competition, but admits fishing was tougher on Sunday.

“I caught 20 to 25 fish during the tournament,” Smith said. “About 15 of those were keepers. Fishing got a lot tougher for everybody on Day 2. Saturday there was a little bit of wind, but there was none on Sunday.

“This win feels fantastic,” Smith added. “I really love to win multiple-day events because it shows you were on something really strong instead of just a one-day fluke.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Kirk Smith, Edmond, Okla., 10 bass, 27-8, $6,367
2nd:        Eugene Moore, III, Little Rock, Ark., 10 bass, 22-11, $2,816
3rd:        Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., 10 bass, 21-7, $2,177
4th:         Jason Lieblong, Conway, Ark., 10 bass, 20-13, $1,314
5th:         Chris Huselton, Conway, Ark., nine bass, 20-5, $1,126
6th:         Kevin Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., nine bass, 19-15, $1,933 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
7th:         Blake Martin, Dardanelle, Ark., 10 bass, 19-0, $939
8th:         Brandon Lee, Ratcliff, Ark., 10 bass, 17-7, $845
9th:         Aaron Mize, Clarksville, Ark., nine bass, 17-3, $751
10th:      Derrick Damon, Clarksville, Ark., eight bass, 16-14, $657
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Smith also caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $735.

Buck Blackwell of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,116 Sunday after catching a two-day total of eight bass weighing 19 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Buck Blackwell, Pine Bluff, Ark., eight bass, 19-6, $3,116
2nd:        Reagan Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., six bass, 13-12, $1,775
3rd:        Jonathan Simms, Hot Springs, Ark., seven bass, 12-2, $941
4th:         Don Billiot, Hot Springs Village, Ark., five bass, 12-0, $657
5th:         Cody Mangrum, West Memphis, Ark., five bass, 11-10, $563
6th:         Corey Ruff, Jacksonville, Ark., four bass, 11-9, $516
7th:         John Foster Case, Clarksville, Ark., eight bass, 11-6, $469
8th:         Ryan Glenn, Mansfield, Ark., four bass, 11-3, $422
9th:         Randy Allen, Russellville, Ark., six bass, 9-11, $375
10th:      Jonathan Dotson, Dover, Ark., five bass, 9-4, $329
Reagan Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $367.

With the regular season now complete, boater Kevin Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Arkie Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,337 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Andrew Wooley of Little Rock, Arkansas, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Arkie Division AOY race with 1,307 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 20-22 Bass Fishing League Regional on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regionals 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Greenberg Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on the Potomac River

by AnglersChannel

Jason Lambert Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Old Hickory Lake

by AnglersChannel

Lee Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Lake Eufaula

Suratt Claims Victory in Strike King Co-Angler Division

EUFAULA, Ala. (Oct. 3, 2022) – Boater John Lee of Cataula, Georgia, caught 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. The tournament, hosted by the Eufaula County Chamber of Commerce, was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Bama Division. Lee earned $6,143 for his victory.

Lee said he focused his fishing between Cheneyhatchee Creek and Pataula Creek and relied on crankbaits to fill his livewell.

“We fished a medium-deep pattern, mid-lake, in 16 to 18 feet of water,” Lee said. “The bite was really strong. On Saturday I caught about 18 fish and culled a lot of really nice fish.”

What started out as a hot bite turned south for Lee on Sunday when forces of nature came into play. Lee stuck with his game plan, however.

“The wind picked up on Sunday, and it was ferocious, and I could not get a bite,” Lee added. “I got seven bites all day and culled two fish. What carried me through was the nice ones I caught Saturday.

“This is the biggest win I’ve ever had,” Lee added. “I’ve been close before but have never been able to seal the deal. This is just unbelievable and I’m elated.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          John Lee, Cataula, Ga., 10 bass, 35-4, $6,143
2nd:        Mark Stillwell, Salem, Ala., 10 bass, 31-10, $2,723
3rd:        Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Ala., 10 bass, 29-2, $1,816
4th:         Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., 10 bass, 28-1, $1,271
5th:         Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 10 bass, 28-0, $1,089
6th:         Mike Cavender, Phenix City, Ala., 10 bass, 27-10, $998
7th:         Hunter Nanney, Dumas, Miss., 10 bass, 24-7, $1,108
8th:         Nathan Ashmore, Baldwyn, Miss., 10 bass, 23-14, $1,017
9th:         Jimmy Mason, Rogersville, Ala., 10 bass, 22-6, $1,826 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
10th:      Steve Graziano, Phenix City, Ala., eight bass, 22-0, $635
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Lee also earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $697 with a bass that he caught on Day 1 weighing 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

Johnny Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,723 Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 25 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Johnny Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-15, $2,723
2nd:        Rodney Thompson, Highland Home, Ala., nine bass, 23-0, $1,361
3rd:        Daniel Buswell Jr., Fayetteville, Ga., nine bass, 22-7, $908
4th:         Ethan Shaw, Raymond, Miss., eight bass, 16-9, $935
5th:         Mark Black, Selma, Ala., five bass, 15-15, $545
6th:         Robert Enke, Columbus, Ga., eight bass, 15-10, $499
7th:         Daniel Corkern, Florence, Miss., seven bass, 15-8, $604
8th:         Justin Nalley, Fayetteville, Ga., seven bass, 13-7, $408
9th:         Justin Foster, Thomaston, Ga., seven bass, 13-2, $363
10th:      Richard White, Alexander City, Ala., seven bass, 13-1, $318
Cole Bedsole of Prattville, Alabama, caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $349.

With the regular season now complete, boater Robbie Robinson of Mobile, Alabama, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Bama Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,287 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Mike Langdale of Sycamore, Georgia, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Bama Division AOY race with 1,303 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 13-15 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Chickamauga To Host Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship

Tennessee's Chickamauga Lake will host the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship March 22-23, 2023. 

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

October 3, 2022

Bassmaster_Kayak_YamahaRW_4C.png 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The country’s best kayak anglers are heading back to Tennessee, this time competing for a National Championship. The Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX will be held at legendary Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn., as part of festivities surrounding the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville.

The championship at Chickamauga Lake will be a two-day event, March 22-23, 2023. The awards ceremony will be held on the Bassmaster Classic stage at Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee campus on March 24 prior to the Day 1 Classic weigh-in.

Chickamauga, which recently ranked No. 18 on Bassmaster Magazine’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes list, Southeastern Division, last hosted the Bassmaster Kayak Series in 2020. The winner of the season-ending tournament was Iowa’s Tyler Cole, with five bass measuring 89.5 inches. The big bass of that event was a largemouth coming in at a whopping 23 inches.

Since 2019, this rich fishery has hosted six B.A.S.S. tournaments, including two Elite Series events and the 2021 Bassmaster High School Series National Championship.

When the Kayak Series returns to eastern Tennessee in 2023, Dandridge native and two-time Bassmaster Kayak Series champion Jim Davis is expected to compete. Davis took home titles at the inaugural tournament on Alabama’s Logan Martin Lake in 2020 and followed that up in 2021 with a win on the Upper Mississippi River. With just one event remaining in the 2022 season, Davis is currently sitting in eighth place in the Old Town Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.

Anglers will take to the waters of Pickwick Lake, Tenn., October 8-9 for one last chance to qualify for the championship. Competitors can register for the event through October 4, 2022 at Bassmaster.com.

Instead of a standard weigh-in that uses scales to measure pounds and ounces, anglers will practice “catch, photograph and release” to determine the standings.

When an angler catches a bass, he or she will photograph the fish lying on a standard-issue measuring board and submit the photo through a special mobile app provided by TourneyX. The boards will measure each fish in inches down to a quarter of an inch, and the angler with the longest five-bass limit will win.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Announces Wheeler Lake as Venue for 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card Regional

TULSA, Okla. (Oct. 3, 2022) – Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, announced that the 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Wild Card Regional will take place on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama, Nov. 11-12.  The two-day event, hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism, will launch from Ingalls Harbor in Decatur.

Anglers must have entered all five events within a Phoenix Bass Fishing League division during the 2022 season and fished at least two of them in order to be eligible to fish the Wild Card. In addition, anglers who fish in a regular BFL Regional are ineligible.

Anglers will take off from Ingalls Harbor, located at 701 Market St. NW in Decatur, at 7 a.m. CTeach day of competition. Weigh-ins will be held at the harbor both days beginning at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The full field competes both days at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card, with winners determined by the heaviest two-day catch. The top six boaters and top six Strike King co-anglers will advance to the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine All-American, held on Lake Harwell in Seneca, South Carolina, May 31 – June 2, hosted by Visit Oconee SC.

There will be no official practice period or off-limits period prior to the pretournament meeting for the Wild Card. No contestant may be on tournament waters for the purpose of locating bass or potential fishing waters after the start of the pretournament meeting except during tournament hours.

Entry for the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card is now open and runs through Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 5 p.m. CT. Anglers can enter by phone at 270.252.1000.

The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.

The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook,  Twitter,  Instagram and YouTube.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Big Largemouth Vault Monetti Into Final Day Of Bassmaster College Classic Bracket

Collegiate anglers Louis Monetti from UNC Charlotte and Seth Slanker from Florida Gateway College have advanced to the final round of the 2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s and will compete for a spot in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

October 2, 2022

GREENWOOD, S.C. — On a lake where 1- to 2-pound spotted bass are plentiful, catching a big largemouth or two becomes paramount to success. UNC Charlotte’s Louis Monetti did just that on Semifinal Sunday at the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket at Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s, landing a 6-pounder and a 4-pounder on his way to a 16-pound, 14-ounce day.

By catching the biggest bag of the tournament thus far, Monetti powered past Florida Gateway College’s Jackson Swisher in the head-to-head matchup to advance to Championship Monday. There, he will face Florida Gateway College’s Seth Slanker, who caught 9-11 and defeated McKendree University’s Tyler Christy, who caught 8-12 Sunday.

Although a spot in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic will be awarded Monday, Monetti said he is doing his best not to think about it.

“I have not and will not think about it,” he said. “I am doing everything I can to keep that out of my mind. I am doing everything I can do to go out there and just have a good time. Every one of my marshals and cameramen has been awesome and kept a good vibe going in the boat.

“Every day, we have a job to do and I am going to go out tomorrow and have a good time and we will see what happens.”

Coming into the event, Monetti expected 14 or 15 pounds would be a really big bag. With overcast and calm conditions on Day 1, he landed 10-4 to advance. On Sunday, sunnier and breezier conditions took over, although Monetti said he wasn’t sure how much that contributed to his increase in quality.

While the final tally looked good on paper, Monetti said he lost several key bass. But just as he and his partner Michael Fugaro did throughout their 2022 Team of the Year campaign, Monetti kept a positive mindset and was rewarded.

“Keeping a positive mindset has been the key to the whole year and the key to today,” he said. “I went down hard early. I lost some really key fish. Fish that were as big or bigger than the one I caught yesterday.

“Being able to shake that off, I was impressed with myself, honestly. It was something special, and to rebound with a giant like that, there’s no better way to turn a day around. It really encapsulates what this year was.”

After losing a couple of bass between 2 and 4 pounds early in the day, Monetti made a short move to the other side of the lake to clear his head. He picked up a Whopper Plopper, and after a few casts, he hooked and landed the biggest bass of the tournament.

“I was reeling that Plopper down the bank and she ate it,” Monetti said. “I felt like I had a really good chance of landing her. She jumped and the bait was visible to me. I had 30-pound braid and put brand-new hooks on it. That really eased my mind and made me feel like I was going to be able to do this today.”

Most of the day was spent chasing that shallow bite, which yielded a bass over 4 pounds and then filled his limit with a couple of 1 1/2-pound bass. As the day came to a close, he switched to a different shallow tactic and caught a 3 1/2-pounder.

Monetti has taken lessons he has learned from living around Lake Norman, a fishery with a healthy population of spotted bass and largemouth, and applied them to Lake Greenwood this week. His bag today featured four largemouth and a spotted bass.

He has been confused by one thing, however, and that is how to get a quality spotted bass bite. That will be his focus Monday if more big largemouth don’t show up early.

“I am planning on doing the same thing,” he said. “But I would like to find some way to get that better than average bite, like in the 2 to 2 1/2-pound range. Fishing for only big ones is very stressful. At least there are a couple of limit fillers along the way. I feel like I got enough of those big bites today to make it happen, and I don’t see why it’s something that couldn’t happen tomorrow, too.”

Slanker meanwhile had a tougher start to the morning. After several bass blew up on his topwater bait but did not get hooked, he made a move to an area where he caught fish on Saturday and caught three on a ChatterBait.

From there, he ran new water and landed a 2-pounder for his fourth fish but went a long while before landing his fifth keeper. Around midday, he learned he was slightly behind Christy but was able to fight the nerves and stay focused on the bass.

“I didn’t want to let it get to my head. I didn’t want to get thrown off my deal,” Slanker said. “It is a big mental game and I didn’t want to worry about it. I picked up my jig and started pitching around docks, and finally, I got back to my good dock stretch and caught one.”

He officially sealed his win over Christy with about two minutes to go by catching a keeper bass that lifted him close to 10 pounds.

The areas he has been fishing haven’t produced as well during the event as they did in practice. Slanker isn’t sure what changed, but later in the day, he noticed his ChatterBait bite began to improve and he hopes that will continue into the final day.

Most of his bites have been spotted bass, but Slanker added he would love to have a kicker largemouth in his bag Monday.

“I’m going to pick up a ChatterBait more and throw it around,” Slanker said. “I would hope to catch a bunch more largemouth. My chances of getting a bigger bite would be a lot better. I know if I can get some quality spotted bass and a kicker largemouth, I’ll be happy.”

Monetti and Slanker will take off from Greenwood State Park at 7 a.m. ET and will have until 3 p.m. to catch their five biggest bass. The winner will earn their spot in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 24-26 in Knoxville, Tenn., as well as paid entries into the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with use of a fully loaded Toyota Tundra and Nitro boat.

Live coverage will be available starting at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com. With this being a catch, weigh, release event, all scores will be official on BassTrakk.

2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew's 10/1-10/3
Lake Greenwood, Greenwood SC
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Club/School Total

Louis Monetti UNC Charlotte 5 16-14
Jackson Swisher Florida Gateway College 5 09-06

Seth Slanker Florida Gateway College 5 09-11
Tyler Christy McKendree University 5 08-12

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 36 66-14
2 4 20 44-11
----------------------------------
10 56 111-09

by AnglersChannel

Big Bite Powers Swisher To Semifinal Round Of Bassmaster College Classic Bracket

Collegiate anglers Louis Monetti from UNC Charlotte, Tyler Christy from McKendree University and Jackson Swisher and Seth Slanker, both from Florida Gateway College, are moving forward after Day 1 of the 2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s.
Photos by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

October 1, 2022

GREENWOOD, S.C. — A season ago, Jackson Swisher from Florida Gateway College fell just short of qualifying for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic with a sixth-place finish at the Bassmaster Southern Open at Douglas Lake.

But with a stellar Day 1 performance at the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket at Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s, he is now in range of redemption.

Swisher, who entered Saturday as the No. 5 seed, secured the victory in his head-to-head matchup with No. 4 seed Connor Cartmell from Coastal Carolina University by catching a mixed bag of largemouth and spotted bass weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces, the heaviest of any competitor for the day. He anchored his bag with a 4-2 largemouth that was also big bass of the day.

“As I fished the Opens, I wanted to win one to make the Classic,” he said. “I look at this the same way. I am only fishing to win. Second place doesn’t do you any good. That is the mindset I came in with. I am going to swing for the fences tomorrow.”

Swisher advances to the semifinals and will face the No. 1 seed Louis Monetti from UNC Charlotte. Monetti caught 10-4 Saturday to defeat No. 8 seed Trey Schroeder from McKendree University, who landed 8-12.

Swisher's partner No. 6 seed Seth Slanker from Florida Gateway College caught the second-heaviest bag, 10-13, and advanced over No. 3 seed Andrew Vereen from Coastal Carolina University, who caught 7-9 and fell just shy of a limit. Slanker will face No. 7 seed Tyler Christy from McKendree University in the semifinals. Christy caught 7-10 to earn a win over No. 2 seed Michael Fugaro from UNC Charlotte, who finished with 2-5.

One of the four anglers remaining will clinch a spot in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic, which is scheduled for March 24-26 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Although it did cancel the seeding day for anglers on Friday, Hurricane Ian left behind relatively calm and stable conditions on Lake Greenwood on Saturday, although Swisher mentioned it muddied some areas he wanted to try.

A former member of the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors with five Opens under his belt, Swisher has felt the pressure of fishing as an individual as well as the nerves that being in contention brings. He has learned from some of the mistakes he made at Douglas, which has helped him navigate the emotions this tournament brings so far.

“Fishing the Opens, you can’t let the pressure get to you, and you block it out and just go,” Swisher said. “After leading the Open (at Douglas Lake), having all that pressure on me and not blocking it out, I used that as a learning experience. I don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

While he is from Florida, Swisher has fished Lake Hartwell several times in his young career and used his experience there to break down Lake Greenwood, which features a hefty population of spotted and largemouth bass.

“I figured this place would fish a lot like Hartwell,” Swisher said. “There are a lot of 2-pound fish here. I had a really good practice. I caught more fish in practice than I did today just bouncing around. I got a lot more topwater bites in practice.”

A topwater walking bait produced the first three keepers of the day for Swisher, but with several more blowing up and missing the bait entirely, he decided to make a move. Skipping a ChatterBait under a dock produced the big largemouth of the day.

“I had three or four really good ones just blow my topwater out of the water and never commit,” he said. “The day changer was fish number four. That is what got me to the next day. As soon as I caught that fish, it took a bunch of pressure off of me. I fished freely the rest of the day. I knew he would have to catch them to beat me.”

Swisher had three spotted bass and two largemouth in his final total, but he landed six largemouth throughout the course of the day, an encouraging sign moving forward.

“I still think I have to have around 12 pounds tomorrow to advance,” he said. “I’m just going to fish for the win. I am going to fish for five bites as opposed to going around today and culling by ounces. I want to cull by pounds tomorrow. As soon as I catch a limit I am going to go headhunting.”

Slanker, meanwhile, also used his and his partner’s experience on Hartwell to evaluate Greenwood. Trolling motor issues messed up his practice, but on tournament morning he was able to find early success.

“This morning I caught four or five on a Spook and they were all smaller. Not the ones I was looking for,” Slanker said. “I never got a 2-pound bite in that area. I went from there and started looking for a bigger bite. I picked up a jig and started skipping docks.

“The fish were few and far between, but I caught a 3-5 in the middle of the day and that helped me quite a bit.”

A lot of the bass Slanker has found are chasing bait, but he found some of the areas he practiced in are more stained now due to the hurricane.

“It hurt a few of my areas. I am throwing a ChatterBait around the docks, and I don’t think they can see the ChatterBait as well now. I am trying to fish fluently and cast where I think the fish will be so it lands on top of them.”

He hopes he will be able to capitalize on a couple more big bites Sunday and reach the 12-pound mark.

The final four anglers will launch from Greenwood State Park at 7 a.m. ET and will have until 3 p.m. to catch their five biggest bass. This is a catch, weigh, release event, so all weights will be official on BassTrakk throughout the day.

Live coverage on FS1 will begin at 8 a.m. and run through 10:30 a.m. before switching to Bassmaster.com.

The tournament is being hosted by Discover Greenwood, S.C.

Sunday’s Matchups
(1) Louis Monetti, UNC Charlotte vs. (5) Jackson Swisher, Florida Gateway College
(6) Seth Slanker, Florida Gateway College vs. (7) Tyler Christy, McKendree University

2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew's 10/1-10/3
Lake Greenwood, Greenwood, SC
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Total

Louis Monetti UNC Charlotte 5 10-04
Trey Schroeder McKendree University 5 08-12

Tyler Christy McKendree University 5 07-10
Michael Fugaro UNC Charlotte 2 02-05

Seth Slanker Florida Gateway College 5 10-13
Andrew Vereen Coastal Carolina University 4 07-09

Jackson Swisher Florida Gateway College 5 11-12
Connor Cartmell Coastal Carolina University 5 07-13

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 36 66-14
----------------------------------
6 36 66-14

by AnglersChannel

Hurricane Ian Forces Cancellation Of Bassmaster College Bracket Seeding Day

GREENWOOD, S.C. —- Due to high winds and rough lake conditions caused by Hurricane Ian, seeding day at the 2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket at Lake Greenwood presented by Lew’s has been canceled.

“I spoke with the anglers this morning at the ramp and assured them safety is our first priority,” said Glenn Cale, tournament manager for college, high school and youth. “They all agreed, and it was the right call. We will resume tomorrow as planned and scheduled.”

While not as destructive as it has been in Florida to this point, Ian has brought north winds from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph to the area, forcing the National Weather Service to issue a wind advisory that extends through Saturday morning. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are also expected today.

With the canceled day, Louis Monetti and Michael Fugaro from UNC Charlotte will claim the first two seeds respectively by virtue of winning the Bassmaster Team of the Year title. From there, the seeding is based on each team’s finish in the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. The 2022 National Champions Andrew Vereen and Connor Cartmell from Coastal Carolina University claim the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, followed by Florida Gateway College’s Jackson Swisher and Seth Slanker in the No. 5 and No. 6 positions. McKendree University anglers Tyler Christy and Trey Schroeder round out the field as the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.

In the head-to-head, elimination-style event, anglers will compete as individuals and the winner will earn a berth in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 24-26 in Knoxville. Anglers will launch from Greenwood State Park starting at 7 a.m. ET for this catch, weigh, release tournament and end their day at 3 p.m.

Live coverage will be available Saturday starting at 8 a.m. on FS1 before switching to Bassmaster.com and FOX Sports Digital for the afternoon session.

The tournament is being hosted by Discover Greenwood, S.C.

Here are the matchups for Day 1:

(1) Louis Monetti, UNC Charlotte vs. (8) Trey Schroeder, McKendree University 

Prior to this year, Monetti had fished by himself at UNC Charlotte, so he is no stranger to handling big moments as a solo angler. With UNC Charlotte close to Lake Norman, he is also very familiar with lakes that are fully spotted bass lakes. Monetti and Fugaro won the Team of the Year title and finished no worse than 26th during the regular season.

Schroeder, meanwhile, qualified for the College Classic Bracket in 2019 and that experience will likely benefit him in this event. Schroeder and his partner Tyler Christy have been one of the most consistent teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops throughout their careers, and a third-place finish at the National Championship at Winyah Bay proved that once again.

(2) Michael Fugaro, UNC Charlotte vs. (7) Tyler Christy, McKendree University 

Fugaro is in the middle of his first season as a tournament angler and has learned a ton from Monetti on his way to their Team of the Year title. He will be tested again this week, as he will be in full control of the boat and his decisions, which will be a tall task against the experienced Christy.

Since his first trip to the College Classic Bracket in 2019, Christy has been itching to get back. Now, he will have a great chance of competing for the Classic berth as one of the more experienced anglers in the field. In their four years at McKendree, he and Schroeder have finished in the Top 12 of the National Championship three times, each on vastly different types of fisheries. That versatility will go a long way on Lake Greenwood, a fishery that will likely undergo a lot of changes this weekend from the hurricane.

(3) Andrew Vereen, Coastal Carolina University vs (6) Seth Slanker, Florida Gateway College 

Vereen is a tidal specialist and used that experience to help him and Cartmell win the National Championship. Vereen and Cartmell weren’t even qualified for the Championship until they fished the College Series Wild Card event at Logan Martin Lake, a lake with spotted bass and largemouth, and finished in eighth.

Slanker is also a tidal specialist from the St. Johns River area and came close to upsetting Vereen and Cartmell in the National Championship. Slanker and Swisher qualified for the National Championship at the first event of the season at the Harris Chain of Lakes. A buzzbait was his main presentation at Winyah Bay, and that could potentially carry into this event.

(4) Connor Cartmell, Coastal Carolina University vs (5) Jackson Swisher, Florida Gateway College

While Vereen had the true home field advantage at Winyah Bay, Cartmell will have it this week. A Columbia area native, Cartmell knows his way around the midlands of South Carolina and grew up fishing Lake Murray, which is just below Lake Greenwood. That local knowledge will be a huge help this week with the changing conditions.

Meanwhile, Swisher has been on a mission to get to the Classic since he nearly won the 2021 Bassmaster Southern Open at Douglas Lake. A former member of the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, he ended up finishing sixth in that event, and while sixth-place is a good finish, Swisher views it as a missed opportunity. Swisher’s Open experience last year will go a long way fishing as an individual this weekend.

by AnglersChannel

Giving Hurricane Ian the Middle Finger

 

NPAA lends support to the Florida fishing community; annual conference will go forward.

Forestville, WI (September 30, 2022) – Turn off the weather channels for a minute. The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) has been in close contact with sources in Fort Meyers, Florida, and want to share some good news. The 2023 Annual Conference is a go – take that Hurricane Ian – and NPAA is joining the cause to rebuild the fishing industry in Southwest Florida.

“Our entire organization knows how catastrophic this storm has been to the fishing community,” said NPAA President Pat Neu. “Especially the guides, charter captains, and fishing businesses like marinas and tackle shops.”

To that point, the NPAA has created a fundraising campaign to support local relief efforts in Southwest Florida. NPAA will be lobbying its membership to contribute to the relief fund and to support fellow angling professionals. After all, the fishing community is tightknit. We’re all in this together.

If you’re concerned about the recreation opportunities following the hurricane, Neu says the fishing after 2017’s Hurricane Irma recovered quickly. In fact, if there’s any sliver-lining, the aftermath created new habitat that the fish quickly occupied.

“Don’t immediately cancel your fishing plans,” Neu says. “Now more than ever, Florida’s coastal communities need the tourism revenue. There will be plenty of places to stay very soon – coastal Florida is resilient. Guides and charter captains are incredibly resourceful. Trust that they’re already taking steps to assure they will be back on the water in the very near future.”

Fortunately, NPAA conference headquarters – Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport /Town Center – did not sustain any major structural damage and expects to reopen in the next few days once water and power are restored. However, many throughout Florida will be facing a long road to recovery.

The 2023 NPAA Conference will be held January 6 through 8, 2023. Member’s Only Registration begins at 7 a.m. (CST) on October 5 and continues through October 6. Open registration begins at 7 a.m (CST) on October 7.

Footnote: NPAA President Pat Neu owns a condominium in Everglades City, Florida. At the time of this writing, his homestead was under 3-feet of water.

by AnglersChannel

Torn Boat Seats and College Team of the Year Titles

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

When I phoned Louis Monetti earlier this week he was on Lake Norman, “skipping a jig under every pontoon boat on the lake”, trying to stay primed for the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s that takes place September 30th – October 3rd.  Spending time on the water and putting in the work is largely what led Monetti and his partner Michael Fugaro to winning the coveted College Series Team of the Year title.

The TOY award was the culmination of a yearlong effort Fugaroand Monetti strived for after starting the season with a 26th place finish on the Harris Chain. Throughout the rest of the season, the UNC Charlotte duo never finished below that 26th spot, which is truly impressive given the diverse fisheries they competed on.

But I didn’t call Monetti and Fugaro to talk about their incredible season. Instead, I wanted to hear more about the message they promoted on-stage in front of their peers at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Winyah Bay a few weeks ago. It’s something every young, aspiring angler could benefit from hearing.

“Just encourage people. Whether they’ve never fished a tournament before or they are just starting out, let them know they can do it,” Monetti said. “Having the latest and greatest equipment is awesome, but it doesn’t take a brand-new bass boat and truck to have fun on the water, or even tournament fish at a high level. We proved that this year. If you have the opportunity,just encourage those who might look up to you.”

Powerful words from a couple twenty-something year oldcollege anglers.

Everything about Monetti and Fugaro’s 2022 Team of the Year campaign is unique and inspiring. For starters, both are laid back dudes who somewhat buck the trend of your average tournament angler. Monetti grew up saltwater fishing before getting bit by the bass bug at 12 when he started fishing local clubs around New Jersey, and the BASS Nation out of the back of the boat.

While Fugaro had never competed in a bass tournament before 2021 when he met Monetti and eventually started fishing UNC Charlotte club tournaments with him. As a senior, 2022 was Fugaro’s first year fishing the Bassmaster College Series.

“This whole year has been an incredible experience, but truth be told I started out just trying to not mess anything up,” Fugarohumbly said with a smile. “Louis is super good at fishing and so dedicated, I just tried to stay focused while keeping things light-hearted and fun. Throughout the year I surprised myself. I was able to catch some key fish and contribute more than I expected. I learned so much from Louis, it was just an awesome year.”

 

 

On top of their unassuming nature, the duo competed the entire year somewhat infamously out of Monetti’s 1996 Ranger bass boat, with the original 115-hp outboard on the back. The seats and carpet were in impressively bad shape, and they each employed a half dozen well-worn discount rods and reels. Their boat didn’t have a graph on the front deck until the last tournament of the season and 44mph was the fastest they ever cruised to a fishing spot.

There is absolutely nothing flashy about the equipment these two used enroute to the Team of the Year title, and that’s partially why their story is so cool.

In this modern world of tournament fishing where it seems you “have to have” the latest technology, the best and brightest equipment, the shiny new boat, all the bells and whistles; it’s refreshing to see guys like Monetti and Fugaro reach the pinnacle with some old, beat-up gear and a can-do attitude.

“That’s why Team of the Year was our goal all season, we wanted to prove to people in our situation that the gear you own is capable,” Monetti explained. “One of the negative aspects of tournament fishing is it can be intimidating from the outside looking in if you don’t have a lot of money. We didn’t have the gear going for us, so we relied on hard work, guts, and a positive attitude. You can do that, too!”

Fugaro and Monetti are realistic and know this way of thinking only gets tougher in higher levels of tournament fishing, but they are proud of what they accomplished this year, and they should be. Following in the footsteps of some of their fishing heroes like Matty Wong and John Cox, they proved anything is possible regardless of equipment if you stay true to yourself and put in the time.

It’ll be hard not to pull for these two as they compete in the College Classic Bracket this weekend with a one-in-eight shot at winning a brand-new Toyota Tundra and Nitro Boat along with a ticket to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic.

by AnglersChannel

Lake Hartwell Fishing At Its Best Ahead Of Final Bassmaster Southern Open

South Carolina's Lake Hartwell will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing Oct. 6-8, 2022. 

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

September 29, 2022

Lake Hartwell Fishing At Its Best Ahead Of Final Bassmaster Southern Open

 

ANDERSON, S.C. — With 7-, 8- and even 9-pound bass being caught on a regular basis this year, South Carolina native Jayme Rampey says Lake Hartwell is fishing the best he has ever seen, and he expects that to continue when the final St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing begins next week.

“It has fished really good all spring and all summer,” Rampey said. “I’d say it has fished the best and taken more weight to win tournaments this year than I have ever seen it. It has been phenomenal this year.”

Tournament days are scheduled for Oct. 6-8 with teams launching each day from Green Pond Landing and Event Center beginning at 7:15 a.m. ETand weigh-ins scheduled for 3:15 p.m. The full field will compete the first two days before the field is cut to the Top 10 on Championship Saturday. The event’s winner will qualify for the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic if they have fished all three Southern Opens.

The Savannah River impoundment is no stranger to historic moments. This year alone, it hosted one of the most compelling Bassmaster Classicsever as Jason Christie fought off Kyle Welcher and Stetson Blaylock to claim his first win in pro fishing’s biggest event. The last time Hartwell hosted an Open, in September 2020, South Carolina’s Patrick Walters claimed the title, edging Rampey by 2 pounds.

For the past three or four years, Lake Hartwell has had higher-than-normal water levels, which is part of the reason Rampey believes the lake is fishing so well now.

“The lake has been high for three straight springs, and I think a lot of those bass got to spawn and the bait got to spawn,” he said. “That is the size of fish that are out there now.

“Those 3- to 5-pound fish, which should be 3 to 5 years old, there’s a pile of those right now. You used to not catch a lot of 3-pounders, but now in the last few tournaments, I’ve seen 8-pounders and 9-pounders. Crazy stuff for here.”

Not only are the spotted and largemouth bass growing larger, so are the numbers and size of the blueback herring.

“The herring roam so much and move so much that someone may not have a clue they are on them and show up Thursday and win off of one place,” Rampey said. “There are more bluebacks and big bluebacks than I have seen in years. The funny thing is, they are everywhere.

“Typically, they are (down) midlake, but I have seen big bluebacks up the rivers. There is a healthy population right now.”

As it stands, the water level is 3 or 4 feet below full pool with mostly clear water conditions, but Hurricane Ian is expected to bring heavy rains and winds to the area this weekend. That will likely bring the water level up some, but how much will depend on the path of the storm and the exact rainfall totals.

With chilly rains and colder daytime and overnight lows, the system could also speed up the turnover process, which will affect fishing in some areas of the lake.

“The lake isn’t far from turning over, so that hurricane could turn it over and if it does, that could change a lot of stuff,” Rampey said. “I don’t know if it will, but it could. In some parts of the lake it will. It will be cold and raining and we already have 77-degree water temps now. You are five or six degrees from turnover.”

Depending on if the lake turns over, Rampey said conditions will likely be about back to normal come tournament time and anglers will be able to do a lot of different things to catch both spotted and largemouth bass in this tournament, from fishing way up the Tugaloo and Seneca rivers to fishing clear water closer to takeoff. Both species will be a factor as well.

“You could weigh in 18 or 19 pounds of largemouth one day and then 18 or 19 pounds of spotted bass the next day or have a mixed bag,” he said. “Usually the spotted bass and largemouth don’t bite on the same day. Some days the spots bite better than the largemouth and other days the largemouth bite better than the spots.”

The herring will be roaming the main lake and the spotted bass will follow. Offshore brush and cane piles will also hold fish. Topwaters, swimbaits and even some finesse techniques will come into play.

Meanwhile, the shallow bite has been excellent all year and Rampey expects that to continue, especially with some stained water likely entering the lake from the hurricane. Docks, laydowns and points will be the main draw and if the water rises enough, some of the bushes might factor.

The shad population in the creeks and shallow areas is also prominent right now.

“You’ll see a lot of offshore stuff and schooling fish,” he said. “You will see people running brush and throwing spybaits and topwaters. And then half the field will be fishing shallow because the shallow bite is just as good.

“The whole lake is fishing well. It is going to make it challenging because you can go to the bank and get a bite and then go offshore and get a bite. It has been very interesting to me how many bass are showing up.”

With bass showing up everywhere on the lake, Rampey anticipates it will take a lot more weight to win this time around than it did in 2020.

“It will take at least 17 a day to win, unless it turns over, in which case it could be around 15 per day,” he said. “There was a tournament here this past weekend and I think 20th-place was 15 1/2 pounds. The lake is fishing really well and it has been like this since April.”

The Top 3 anglers in the Southern Opens point race will also be extended invitations to the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series. As it stands, Joey Cifuentes III and current Elite Series pro Brandon Lester are tied with 380 points, while Elite Series pro Bryan New is third with 376 points. If Lester and New finish in the Top 3, their invitations will be extended to the next two anglers in the standings who are not Elite pros.

Keith Poche currently leads the overall Bassmaster Opens standings with 1,170 points with two events remaining. He is followed by John Soukupwith 1,093 points and David Gaston in third with 1,091.

Full coverage of the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing can be found on Bassmaster.com and live coverage of Championship Saturday will be available on FS1 beginning at 8 a.m. ET.

by AnglersChannel

One lucky Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners attendee will win a 4Runner

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

The fast approaching no-entry fee Toyota Bonus Bucks event at Table Rock Lake is known for truckloads of fun and fellowship, and this year’s 11th annual event will be no exception when one lucky attendee will win a brand new Toyota 4Runner in a random drawing to highlight the registration dinner on Saturday October 15th.

Last year’s randomly chosen winner of a new Tundra was 24-year old Cole Anderson, an Arkansas angler known for his love of casting oversized swimbaits, and whose family owns three Toyota trucks, plans to attend again this year.

“Last year was my first Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners event, but everybody made me feel so welcome. And while winning the Tundra was obviously the memory of a lifetime, it was also awesome to be surrounded by so many likeminded Toyota owners as we shared countless memories made with our trucks, and strategized our next outdoor adventures,” smiles Anderson.

The weekend kicks-off earlier Saturday afternoon with a registration meeting at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Shooting Academy where Team Toyota Pro Anglers will be on hand to greet guests and talk fishing tips and tricks of the trade.

B.A.S.S. tournament staff will conduct the tournament and be onsite Saturday afternoon for angler registration, where participants will receive a generous amount of commemorative gear, along with a complimentary dinner.

Only one of the two team members must be currently registered in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Program to be eligible to compete in the 2022 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament. (To be eligible to participate in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Program- participant must own or lease a 2018or newer Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, or 4Runner).

Bassmaster Elite Series, MLF Bass Pro Tour and Pro Circuit anglers are not eligible to participate in the Toyota Owners Tournament. Participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible for this prize-rich event. Registration is limited to 300 teams. 

Please visit https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ to get signed-up.

by AnglersChannel

BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME SET TO HONOR 2022 INDUCTEES, OFFER EXCITING ONLINE AUCTION DURING ‘CELEBRATE BASS FISHING WEEK’

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – September 28, 2022 – ‘Celebrate Bass Fishing Week’ kicks off on Monday, Oct. 3 with the start of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s annual online auction - https://one.bidpal.net/bassfishinghof22/browse/all - all leading up to induction of the 2022 class at the Hall’s annual plaque unveiling ceremony and dinner gala at the Wonders of Wildlife  Museum & Aquarium on Oct. 6.

            “This is the one night of the year when everyone in the bass fishing world gathers to celebrate our sport,” said Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “There’s a great deal of excitement over the exceptional support we’ve received for our online auction, and the induction dinner is on track to have its largest number of attendees in our history.”

To provide financial assistance to the Hall’s mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing, the online auction (and live auction during the induction dinner with 2018 HOF inductee Kevin VanDam serving at auctioneer), will include a large selection of bucket list trips with Hall of Fame inductees, plenty of other fishing and hunting experiences, unique fishing art items and memorabilia, tournament jerseys from leading professional bass anglers, fishing tackle, and much more. Here’s just a short list of some of the major items up for bid:

 

 

  • Bass fishing trip in Tennessee with Bill Dance
  • Original artwork featuring Hall of Famer’s Ray Scott and Aaron Martens
  • Fishing trips with leading pro anglers including Skeet Reese, Johnathon VanDam, Edwin Evers, Jason Christie, Bobby Lane, Randy Howell, Tako Ito, and Hall of Famers Denny Brauer and Larry Nixon
  • Guitar signed by country music star Luke Bryan & Bill Dance
  • Grenada Lake (MS) guided crappie trip for 2
  • Rods, reels and lures from leading brands including Daiwa, Strike King, Lew’s, PRADCO, Rapala, Big Bite Baits, SPRO, Sunline, Gamakatsu, St. Croix, Shimano, Duckett Fishing, and more
  • Technical fishing clothing from AFTCO, Simms, HUK, and Marsh Wear
  • Handmade custom swimbaits and glide baits, some valued at up to $1,200
  • Fishing adventures for redfish on the Mississippi River Delta, big bass action at Grosse Savanne Resort in Louisiana, and crappie fishing with ‘Mr. Crappie’ Wally Marshall.

The online auction can be accessed by bass fishing enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada on their smartphones, tablets and computers.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame wishes to acknowledge the financial support provided by presenting sponsors B.A.S.S., Major League Fishing, Phoenix Boats; gold sponsors PRADCO Outdoor Brands, Wired2fish, and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s; silver sponsors AFTCO, Daiwa, Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Shimano; and bronze sponsors In-Fisherman, St. Croix, Simms Fishing, Bass Fishing Archives, Costa Compete & Conserve.

by AnglersChannel

Catching up and moving forward

 

This week Chris & the boys welcome in Elite Series Toyota Pro Darold Gleason to talk about the upcoming Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament coming up in October. CB brings some Lithium vs Mercury news, they recap the Duckett Interview and Chris has a few words for those who think they can do his job better than him...... Short, fun show. Enjoy.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Announces Schedule, Details, Entry Dates for 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 28, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today details for the new 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals. Highlighted by six events with a total season purse of more than $3.9 million, the Invitationals will showcase 150 anglers in each event competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete in REDCREST 2024 for a shot at winning $300,000. The 2023 season will kick off in early February at Florida’s famed bass-fishing paradise, Lake Okeechobee, and wrap up in late July on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational anglers will compete over three days in a five-fish, weigh-in format. All 150 anglers will compete the first two days, with the top 50 pros advancing to the third and final day. The winner of each Invitational will be determined by heaviest three-day cumulative weight. The winner of each of the six Invitationals in 2023 will also receive an invitation to compete in REDCREST 2024. The season-long Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) will also earn a berth into REDCREST for a total of seven REDCREST qualification opportunities.

“The MLF/Tackle Warehouse Invitationals schedule offers a diverse group of fisheries – some old favorites with a lot of history, and some new locations that we haven’t been to for quite some time,” said MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations Daniel Fennel. “We expect the Invitationals to fill quickly, as they are an attractive offering for anglers who qualified to test their mettle against some of the best pros in the country en route to qualifying for the Bass Pro Tour and REDCREST 2024.”

Every day of competition will be broadcast live on MLF NOW!® and streamed to the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Each event will also air on CBS Sports Network, with 12 weeks of 2-hour shows scheduled in 2023.

The top eight pros in Tackle Warehouse Invitational Angler of the Year standings at the end of the season qualify for the Bass Pro Tour.

2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Schedule:

Feb. 8-10                         Lake Okeechobee                        Clewiston, Fla.
Hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council

Feb. 28-March 2            Clarks Hill Lake                             Appling, Ga.
Hosted by Columbia County, Georgia, & Thomson-McDuffie County CVB

April 14-16                      Eufaula Lake                                 Eufaula, Okla.
Hosted by the Eufaula Conservation & Fishing Association

May 4-6                           Lake of the Ozarks                       Osage Beach, Mo.
Hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association

June 17-19                      Potomac River                              Marbury, Md.
Hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners

July 25-27                       Mississippi River                           La Crosse, Wis.
Hosted by Explore La Crosse

To fill the 150-angler field, invitations have been extended to the top 75 pros from the 2022 Pro Circuit AOY standings (round 1 qualifiers), the top 15 pros from the 2022 Pro Circuit based on lifetime AOY rank average (excluding their worst year every four years) not included in round 1 qualification (round 2 qualifiers), the top five pros from each U.S. division of the 2022 Toyota Series as defined in Toyota Series rules (round 3 qualifiers), the 2022 All-American boater-division winner, the 2022 TBF National Championship boater-division winner, the highest finishing pro from the International division at the 2021 Toyota Series Championship (round 4 qualifiers), and Bass Pro Tour pros who did not requalify for the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season. These anglers can enter beginning Oct. 10 and have until Nov. 7, 2022, to secure entry in all six Invitationals.

Remaining invitations into the 150-angler field will first be extended to 2023 Bass Pro Tour anglers fishing all six Invitationals and will be accepted Nov. 8, 2022. Entries from 2023 Bass Pro Tour anglers fishing five or fewer Invitationals will be accepted Nov. 9, 2022, based on availability. Entries from 2022 Pro Circuit anglers not included in round 1 and 2 fishing all six Invitationals will be accepted Nov. 10, 2022, based on availability, starting with the highest-ranked angler in 2022 AOY standings. Entries from 2022 Pro Circuit anglers fishing five or fewer Invitationals will be accepted Nov. 11, 2022, based on availability, starting with the highest-ranked angler in 2022 Angler of the Year standings. Any remaining spots will be filled by league invitation beginning Nov. 14, 2022. Anglers must enter and pay deposits by 5 p.m. Central time on their assigned entry date or the date an invitation is received. Entries must be made by calling MLF at 270.252.1000.

Complete rules for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals will be distributed to qualified anglers and posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com early next week.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing, the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals 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

All-Star Teams Announced For 2022 Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship

The Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter returns to Port Aransas, Texas, Nov. 4-6. Five all-star teams will be in the field, including 2021 Redfish Cup champions Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain and IFA Redfish Tour angler Ryan Rickard.

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

September 28, 2022

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The five all-star teams who will compete in the 2022 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter have been set, and headlining this group are returning champions Chris Zaldain and Ryan Rickard. A combination of all-star teams and redfish champions will battle for a top prize of $75,000 Nov. 4-6 on Texas’ Port Aransas.

The five all-star teams featuring Bassmaster pro anglers paired with redfish pros are:

  • Eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Zaldain and veteran IFA Redfish Tour angler Rickard
  • 2022 Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk and social media sensation and saltwater fishing lecturer Mike Goodwine, one of Florida’s most in-demand guides
  • Elite Series champion and 2019 Rookie of the Year Drew Cook and Elite Redfish Series pro Kevin Akin, who won the 2021 Waterloo Rods National Championship
  • Elite Series champion Wes Logan and veteran multispecies charter captain Brent Roy
  • Bassmaster Classic qualifier and Forrest Wood Cup champion Scott Martin and redfish charter guide Johnathan Willis

“After fishing with Capt. Ryan for a whole week during the 2021 Redfish Cup, I feel like I’ve been fishing with him for years,” said Zaldain of the advantage he and Rickard will have in trying to defend their title. “The Redfish Cup is truly a team effort, and we definitely have the chemistry required to win. This year, I already know what to expect from him, and he knows what he’s getting with me. All we have to do is focus on locating fish together. The rest of it is easy and natural.”

Joining these all-star teams will be five teams from the Professional Redfish League, Elite Redfish Series and Power-Pole Pro Redfish Tour. Elite Redfish Series Team of the Year Barnie White and Dwayne Mills, who started the 2022 Elite Redfish Series season with a second-place finish, won the second event and never finished out of the Top 3, will be joined by fellow Elite Redfish Series pros Gary Moreno and Bo Favre, who locked up the Top 2 spots in the Angler of the Year standings fishing solo tournaments. Competing from the Power-Pole Pro Redfish Tour are its 2022 Team of the Year Chris Cenci and Chris Kennedy, the multispecies championship team who competed in last year’s Redfish Cup Championship, and 2022 Redfish World Series qualifiers Graham Taylor and Copeland More. The last qualifying team will be announced at a later date.

“It was a long season fishing against the best sportsmen across the Southeast,” Cenci said. “We got lucky and finished first in Team of the Year and are the only (professional) team to have qualified two years to fish the Redfish Cup Championship. We feel blessed and lucky to be going back. Hopefully, we can have a better showing this time around.”

Fans can catch Bassmaster Redfish LIVE coverage all three days of the tournament on Bassmaster.com. FS1 will broadcast live Nov. 5-6. Once more, Capt. Rick Murphy will co-host LIVE coverage. The host of three fishing shows, Murphy is the winningest saltwater tournament angler in the U.S. with 139 titles, including three redfish titles in a single year.

by AnglersChannel

New Jersey BFL Angler Wins Major League Fishing – Favorite Fishing Boat Giveaway Sweepstakes

Bass Fishing League Competitor Anthony Ell of Stanhope, New Jersey, Wins Special Favorite Edition Lowe Stinger 198 Boat

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 28, 2022) – The next time Phoenix Bass Fishing League competitor Anthony Ell launches his boat at a Northeast Division event, he expects that quite a few more heads will be turning to scope out his new rig. The 52-year-old boater from Stanhope, New Jersey, was selected from the hundreds of thousands of entries into the online sweepstakes courtesy of Favorite Fishing and Major League Fishing (MLF) and was awarded his beautiful new boat on the final day of competition at the Bass Pro Tour Stage Seven event at Mille Lacs Lake.

The sweepstakes began at REDCREST 2022 in March of this year and ran through the conclusion of the Bass Pro Tour Stage Six event at Lake Cayuga. Ell’s new boat was awarded to him by Favorite Fishing Founder and CEO Winston Tucker at the event. The special Favorite edition Lowe Stinger 198 boat was valued at a total of $55,000.

“This is absolutely amazing,” an excited Ell said as he was handed the keys. “I’m looking at this setup, and I am speechless. This is just an amazing package – the boat, rods, reels, electronics. The only thing I need to do now is just go fishing.”

Ell has competed in Bass Fishing League events for more than 25 years, competing both as a boater and more recently as a co-angler.

“I decided not to fish out of the front of the boat this year, but I actually qualified for the upcoming Regional Championship at the James River as a co-angler. Now, with my new setup, you will absolutely see me competing out of the front of the boat again as a boater.”

For another chance to win, fans can enter the MLF Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro & More Sweepstakes, currently underway at MajorLeagueFishing.com. The winner will receive a new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, while runner-up prizes include prize packages each in excess of $1,000 from General Tire, Abu Garcia, Favorite Fishing, Grundéns, Power-Pole, frogg toggs, Onyx Outdoors, and 13 Fishing. In addition, a daily prize is awarded each day from one of 10 additional MLF sponsors.

The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and More Sweepstakes is open now through Nov. 6.

For more information on Major League Fishing sweepstakes visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/promos.

For complete details and updated information about MLF, 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

La Crosse Readies for Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional

Hundreds of Boaters and Co-anglers Descend on La Crosse to Compete for $60,000 and Their Shot at the 2023 All-American Championship

LA CROSSE, Wis. (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Hoosier, Illini, Michigan and Okie divisions will finish out their 2022 season next month in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Oct. 13-15, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Presented by T-H Marine at the Mississippi River - La Crosse.

Hosted by Explore La Crosse, the three-day event will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners in all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.

The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.

Local pro Matt Stefan of Junction City, Wisconsin, said the Mighty Miss is setting up for a fantastic event.

“We’ve had some really cold weather come in, with a frost warning the past couple nights and highs only in the mid-50’s, which will ignite the bite,” Stefan said. “By mid-October, the shad will have started their migration into backwaters with deep holes, anywhere from 8 to 25 feet of water, and the largemouth will follow, so depth is going to be key.

“They will still be caught relatively shallow, in probably 2 to 6 feet of water, but those deep holes will attract the shad and will have bass around them, so areas like the Black River are going to be a major player in this event.”

Stefan said he expects the smallmouth to be set up pretty good as well, either on wing dams or general current-break areas where the shad will also be schooling.

“There will be a lot of 14-pound bags, but I think an angler who can consistently catch 16 pounds per day will have a shot at winning the event,” Stefan continued. “I expect to see various baits, including swimbaits, big topwater walking baits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs and crankbaits. The Berkley Choppo and the Dirty Jigs Swim Jig should be big players as well.”

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Veterans Freedom Park in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24-divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.

The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.

The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship Set for Pickwick Lake, Tennessee

Hundreds of Boaters and Co-anglers to Compete in Counce, Tennessee for $60,000 and Their Shot at the 2023 All-American Championship

COUNCE, Tenn. (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Bama, LBL, Music City and South Carolina divisions will finish out their 2022 season next month in Counce, Tennessee, Oct. 13-15, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship Presented by T-H Marine at Pickwick Lake.

Hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the three-day regional championship will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners in all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.

The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.

Local pro and guide on the fishery, Jimmy Washam of Stantonville, Tennessee, said he’s been seeing the late summer lull and many fish out in “no man’s land”, but expects to see cooler temperatures create some changes by mid-October.

“As the temperature starts to drop, we should see a push toward shallow water,” Washam said. “The fish will really get oriented on bait and start chasing gizzard shad in the grass. Any of the shallow water stuff that’s got a shad population around it should have some bass nearby.

“The topwater bite will start heating up and we typically see a smallmouth push toward the tailraces as well. The Wilson Lake tailrace will probably play in this event, for guys that like to target smallmouth in current.”

Washam said he expects to see a lot of shad-imitation lures and topwater baits, including walking baits, River2Sea Whopper Ploppers and popping baits, along with spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. Smallmouth finesse tactics are also expected to play a big role, such as a shaky head, Ned rig and other finesse jigs.

“The Azuma Z Dog Topwater Walker is a walking bait by Profound Outdoors that I’ve caught a lot of fish on recently, so I think it will be a big player in the event, as well as the Azuma Shaker Z Lipless Crankbait . I think both of those will weigh in a lot of fish right now,” Washam continued. “There’s usually a lingering deep bite this time of year and there’s a good chance that someone could have that to themselves if they find some quality fish that are still offshore.

“That would be the ‘sleeper pattern’ that I think we will probably see someone be successful with, utilizing traditional offshore baits like a football jig, swimbait and crankbait.”

Washam said he predicts it will take 18 pounds per day to put anglers in contention to win the event.

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24-divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championships.

The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.

The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Catch Bassmaster College Classic Bracket Coverage Live From South Carolina

Andrew Vereen and Connor Cartmell from Coastal Carolina University, who won the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, will be among the eight competitors at the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew's Sept. 30-Oct. 3 on South Carolina's Lake Greenwood. 

                                                                                                                                                   Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
September 27, 2022

Catch Bassmaster College Classic Bracket Coverage Live From South Carolina

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Fishing fans and college sports enthusiasts alike will have three days to catch live coverage of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew's on Lake Greenwood from Greenwood, S.C. The tournament runs Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

The event pits the season’s eight top college anglers against one another for a coveted spot in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic. On Day 1 of the event, all eight anglers will compete individually to determine seeding and set the bracket for head-to-head competition.

FS1 kicks off a day of college sports with morning action from Day 2 of the tournament beginning at 8 a.m. ET. Bassmaster College Classic Bracket LIVE will feature real-time coverage from every boat on Saturday and Sunday as anglers battle to advance. Continuing coverage of the tournament can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms.

The 2022 Bassmaster College Team of the Year — UNC Charlotte's Louis Monetti and Michael Fugaro — automatically punched their ticket to the College Classic Bracket to compete alongside the Top 3 teams from the Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops in this individual, elimination-style tournament

Joining Monetti and Fugaro will be National champions Andrew Vereen and Connor Cartmell from Coastal Carolina University, former Bassmaster High School All-American Jackson Swisher and Seth Slanker from Florida Gateway College and Tyler Christy and Trey Schroeder from McKendree University in Illinois. Christy also qualified for the 2019 College Classic Bracket.

The 2022 College Classic Bracket is being hosted by Discover Greenwood, S.C.

Date Time (All times Eastern) Network
Saturday, October 1 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. FS1; FOX Sports Digital
  1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Bassmaster.com; FOX Sports Digital
Sunday, October 2 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. FS1; FOX Sports Digital
  11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bassmaster.com; FOX Sports Digital
Monday, October 3 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Bassmaster.com; FOX Sports Digital
  12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Bassmaster.com; FOX Sports Digital

 

 

by AnglersChannel

Plano Expands EDGE Tackle Storage Line

EDGE series continues to solve anglers’ storage problems one box at a time.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 27, 2022) — With a mission to solve every angler’s storage problems, Plano has expanded their line of EDGE boxes offering even more customization and storage options to their already award-winning offerings. With input from anglers and pros alike, the newest expansions include added solutions for leader management, hooks, jigs and bladed jigs, and spinnerbaits. This line expansion gives anglers the EDGE they need to customize their tackle storage to fit their individual needs.

Plano EDGE Leader Management 

The new EDGE Leader Management box is perfect for those who demand quick and convenient leader and line storage that gets the job done and gets them back to fishing. It is designed to easily manage filler spools of line and leaders for faster line changes. Each box comes with eight user-adjusted tension bands to keep the spools secure to avoid tangled messes.

Key Features
• Designed to manage leader and filler spools, includes eight tension bands
• Holds eight 300-yard spools
• WaterWick with reusable moisture-wicking packet
• Dri-Loc O-Ring seal
• Rustrictor technology delivers 360 degree rust-preventative protection
• EZ Label system for quick identification
• DuraView crystal-clear polycarbonate lid

MSRP: $49.99
Available: September 2022

Plano EDGE 3600 & 3700 Hook Box 

Storing and managing a variety of hooks has always been a challenge, until now. The EDGE 3600 & 3700 hook boxes take customizable organization a step further by giving anglers a clean and protective environment to store hooks. The 3600 model features a soft compound mat that holds hooks for easy organization and identification in a smaller-sized footprint. The larger 3700 size box features a dual-level design for organization of both loose and packaged hooks giving anglers even more flexibility to always have the equipment they need.

Key Features
• Soft compound mat holds hooks for easy organization and identification
• Dual-level design offers organization of booth loose and packaged hooks (3700 only)
• WaterWick with reusable moisture-wicking packet
• Dri-Loc O-Ring seal
• Rustrictor technology delivers 360 degree rust-preventative protection
• EZ Label system for quick identification
• DuraView crystal-clear polycarbonate lid

MSRP: 3600 Hook Box: $34.99, 3700 Hook Box: $59.99
Available: September 2022

Plano EDGE 3600 Jig/Bladed Jig Box

Bladed jigs and jigs have met their match in the EDGE 3600 Jig/Bladed Jig Box. As an addition to the 3700 size box, this uniquely designed, smaller 3600 size box comes equipped with vertical dividers to maximize storage space while protecting the baits - giving anglers even more options when building a storage solution to fit their needs.

Key Features
• Vertical dividers that maximize storage and protection for jigs and bladed jigs
• WaterWick with reusable moisture-wicking packet
• Dri-Loc O-Ring seal
• Rustrictor technology delivers 360 degree rust-preventative protection
• EZ Label system for quick identification
• DuraView crystal-clear polycarbonate lid

MSRP: $32.99
Available: September 2022

Plano EDGE 3700 Spinnerbait Box

Holding up to 36 baits, the new EDGE 3700 Spinnerbait Box is the real deal. The traditional 3700 size EDGE box is now designed for spinnerbaits, giving anglers yet another useful solution for wire baits that previously required a larger and hard-to-store box.

Key Features
• Innovative spinnerbait retainers hold up to 36 baits
• Dri-Loc O-Ring seal
• Rustrictor technology delivers 360 degree rust-preventative protection
• EZ Label system for quick identification
• DuraView crystal-clear polycarbonate lid

MSRP:  $34.99
Available: September 2022

by AnglersChannel

New CH-1 Shallow-Running Crankbait Patterns

New colors bring bass anglers an option for every situation and forage type

Cypress, CA (September 27, 2022) – One of the most bass-appealing super-shallow running crankbaits ever designed is the brainchild of Ever Green’s Japanese bait designer and big bass fanatic, Morizo Shimizu. With a target running range of less than one-foot, it’s the perfect bait to mimic forage running just below or breaking the surface.

A floating crankbait, the diminutive 2 ¼-inch, 7/16-ounce crankbait dives just below the water surface to bring aggressive reaction bites from bass feeding near or on the water’s surface.

The problem with small crankbaits, though, especially when fished on baitcasting gear is casting distance. No issues here. The Ever Green CH-1 features a rattle room at the end of its body filled with both tungsten and stainless-steel balls, allowing remarkable casting distance to cover wide, watery expanses, especially flats and open water.

The dive curve is less than one-foot at a normal retrieve, but the angler can adjust the running depth with the angle of the rod and retrieve speed to attract fish that stay just below—and feed—on the water’s surface.

For those already hip to the benefits of the Ever Green CH-1 crankbait, they already know it’s a. real fish-catcher. The secret behind the bait is its quick response upon retrieving and a powerful action whether fished fast or slow. Due to the circuit board design and fixed weight at a low center of gravity, the CH-1 responds quickly upon contact with the water. The action and the rattle attract fish from an extensive area. Even at low speed, the CH-1 takes firm hold of the water with action and during high-speed retrieval it does not break the water so the angler can use it stress free without problems with how the bait is running or fouling.

A mixture of tungsten and stainless-steel, the weight transfer system offers a complex, low-pitched sound that is appealing to big bass on waters around the globe. It also produces a unique and powerful high-pitched wobble that has proven irresistible.

The CH-1’s wide grip and wide action helps avoid cover. Even after contact with wood or vegetation it recovers quickly and keys in on the strike zone.

The CH-1 is currently available in BLUE BACK CHART and FIRECRAW, new patterns to include MATTE TIGER, BLACK BLUE CRAW, MYSTIQUE BONE, CHAMPION SHAD, CHART SHAD, PRE-SPAWN DYNAMITE, ROOTBEER, and GHOST WAKASAGI.

GHOST WAKASAGI

ROOT BEER

PRE SPAWN DYNAMITE

CHART SHAD

CHAMPION SHAD

MYSTIQUE BONE

BLACK BLUE CRAW

MATTE TIGER

BLUE BACK CHART

FEATURES:

  • Floating crankbait
  • Weight: 7/16 ounce (12.5 grams)
  • Length: 2 ¼ inches (58mm)
  • Diving curve: 0-1 feet
  • Hook size: Front #5; Rear: #6

Daiwa Senior Marketing Manager, Marc Mills, comments, “This bait has some strong Japanese design heritage and has proven itself on the most difficult clear bass waters in the world. It’s going to be perfect for anglers fishing shallow waters and cover as well as anywhere there’s bait breaking, and bass are grouped up on the feed. And now with the new colors there’s an option for every situation, everywhere.”

Looking for that perfect shallow-running crankbait? You better give the Ever Green CH-1 a shot—and don’t skip on the colors, either—bass feed on a lot of different prey, so it’s best to have baits on hand that match all of the possible forage!

Available November 2022. MSRP $15.95

by AnglersChannel

Warren Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Pickwick Lake

McMahan Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

FLORENCE, Ala. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Boater Garrett Warren of Hoover, Alabama, caught 10 bass weighing 35 pounds even to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. The tournament, hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division. Warren earned $5,831 for his victory.

Warren said he keyed in on Pickwick’s Seven Mile Island area and fished to his strengths to claim the victory. He said he flipped a ½-ounce jig tipped with a green-pumpkin Zoom Z-Craw Jr. with a hand-dyed chartreuse tail to bushes on the bank where current had cut the bank to 2-to-4-feet deep. He said a mixture of oxygen in the water and a good presence of bluegill had the bass holding and actively feeding.

“I’ve had a pretty good history with BFLs on Pickwick,” Warren said. “In all three of the BFL events I’ve fished there, I’ve caught all of my fish shallow. I fish the Chattahoochee River in a 17-foot boat and fish a lot of channel-swing banks, and I’m able to really understand current now.”

Warren said he lost a good fish early Saturday but filled his limit on three different stretches of water as he “fished by the seat of his pants” to hook five keeper bass on the first day of competition. Warren said his last keeper of the day came just seven minutes before his afternoon check-in.

Sunday was more of the same grind, as Warren had only two keepers at 1:30.

“I caught one on a buzzbait early Sunday, then proceeded to lose three really big fish – one on a buzzbait and two on a frog skipping around the bushes,” Warren said.

“I never lost confidence, because I knew if I got mentally out of it in the last hour I would lose,” Warren added. “I had to focus and make perfect skips and flips for the last hour, and it really paid off. It’s just unreal to win on Pickwick. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s made me want to strive harder for the next win.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Garrett Warren, Hoover, Ala., 10 bass, 35-0, $5,831
2nd:        Casey Martin, Brownsboro, Ala, 10 bass, 31-8, $2,915
3rd:        Christopher Whitehead, Fulton, Miss., 10 bass, 31-7, $1,945
4th:         Jade Keeton, Florence, Ala., 10 bass, 31-4, $1,661
5th:         Scott Towry, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., 10 bass, 30-5, $2,453
6th:         Trent Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., nine bass, 28-15, $1,069
7th:         Edward Gettys, Paris, Tenn., 10 bass, 27-4, $1,472 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
8th:         Blake Fritts, Florence, Ala., 10 bass, 26-15, $875
9th:         Keith Miller, Chattanooga, Tenn., nine bass, 25-7, $777
10th:      Jared Kawalec, Waterloo, Ala., eight bass, 24-11, $680
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Scott Towry of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, caught a bass weighing 4 pounds, 13 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $787.

Chaz McMahan of Saint Joseph, Tennessee, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,909 Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 34 pounds, 9 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Chaz McMahan, Saint Joseph, Tennessee, 10 bass, 34-9, $2,909
2nd:        John Anderson, Baysprings, Miss., 10 bass, 26-14, $1,904
3rd:        Kevin Lankford, Hollywood, Ala., nine bass, 25-7, $970
4th:         Isaac Warta, Mount Juliet, Tenn., eight bass, 23-13, $679
5th:         Rex Henry, Hixson, Tenn., seven bass, 21-14, $582
6th:         Nick Quaintance, Russellville, Ala., six bass, 18-13, $533
7th:         Ray Higginbotham, Estill Springs, Tenn., four bass, 17-12, $485
8th:         Joe Cornelius, Corinth, Miss., six bass, 15-4, $436
9th:         Allen Rhodes, Decherd, Tenn., four bass, 11-12, $774
10th:      Roger Schilling, Athens, Ala., five bass, 11-7, $339
Allen Rhodes of Decherd, Tennessee, caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $386.

With the regular season now complete, boater Casey Martin of Brownsboro, Alabama, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,307 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Randy Wilson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Choo Choo Division AOY race with 1,282 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 6-8 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Murray in Prosperity, South Carolina. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Ells Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks

Maxwell Bests Field of Strike King Co-Angler Anglers

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Boater Matt Ells of Shell Knob, Missouri, caught 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. The tournament, hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association, was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division. Ells earned $10,749 for his victory.

“I caught everything pitching a jig under and inside docks,” Ells said. “The deepest fish I caught was probably six feet deep. The key was swimming the jig instead of hopping it.”

Ells said Saturday was a struggle for him, as he had only two fish in the livewell with 20 minutes left to fish. He pulled up to a group of docks where he had lost three bass in last year’s Super Tournament. He caught four bass there and culled a 12-inch Kentucky bass to finish the first day of competition.

Ells said he used the same plan of attack Sunday in the Osage River area, and he caught 12 keepers on the final day of competition. Ells said a Jewel Baits football-head jig provided the action needed to entice bites. He used a 1/2-ounce jig for most of his fish but switched to a ¾-ounce size when he targeted larger docks with longer casts where fish were holding in three feet of water.

“There are so many legends that fish Lake of the Ozarks,” Ells said. “To even compete with those guys and make it to the final day is an accomplishment. My goal going into this was just to make the cut. I’m just so humbled. I just can’t believe I could catch enough fish to win the tournament.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Matt Ells, Shell Knob, Mo., 10 bass, 35-7, $10,749
2nd:        Dion Hibdon, Versailles, Mo., 10 bass, 32-14, $4,196
3rd:        Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 10 bass, 32-10, $2,798
4th:         James Dill, Sunrise Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 32-0, $2,158
5th:         Chris Macy, Diamond, Mo., 10 bass, 30-5, $1,678
6th:         Paul Davis, Battlefield, Mo., 10 bass, 29-5, $1,539
7th:         Lawson Hibdon, Versailles, Mo., 10 bass, 29-4, $1,399
8th:         Casey Scanlon, Eldon, Mo., 10 bass, 29-3, $1,259
9th:         Payden Hibdon, Versailles, Mo., 10 bass, 28-3, $1,119
10th:      Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 10 bass, 27-12, $1,479 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Ells also caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,357.

 

Dustin Maxwell of Fairway, Kansas, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $4,196 Sunday after catching a two-day total of seven bass weighing 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Dustin Maxwell, Fairway, Kansas, seven bass, 19-8, $4,196
2nd:        Max Weigel, Shawnee, Kansas, five bass, 19-5, $2,098
3rd:        Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., seven bass, 17-5, $1,847
4th:         Chris Bunk, Sullivan, Mo., eight bass, 16-2, $979
5th:         Mark Horton, Clinton, Mo., eight bass, 15-15, $839
6th:         Oliver Siebert, Fenton, Mo., eight bass, 15-5, $769
7th:         Caleb Welch, Bolivar, Mo., five bass, 14-1, $699
8th:         Jake Stras, Las Vegas, Nev., six bass, 13-11, $629
9th:         Jo Cook, Marble Hill, Mo., five bass, 13-7, $559
10th:      Jeremy Greil, Imperial, Mo., six bass, 13-1, $490

Jeremy Flynn of Liberty, Missouri, caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $679.

With the regular season now complete, boater Cole Breeden of Eldridge, Missouri, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Ozark Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,231 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Jeff Moss of Oronogo, Missouri, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Ozark Division AOY race with 1,194 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 20-22 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Richardson Bests Field at Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Lake Wateree

Robbins Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

CAMDEN, S.C. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Boater Michael Richardson of Elgin, South Carolina, caught 10 bass weighing 24 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Wateree in Camden, South Carolina. The tournament was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League South Carolina Division. Richardson earned $4,668 for his victory.

“I started out Saturday morning with a ¼-ounce shaky-head with a green pumpkin worm, as well as a junebug worm,” Richardson said. “I caught a 4 ½-pounder under one of the docks that put me into second place Saturday.”

Richardson said he targeted mid-lake docks and seawalls in two to three feet of water to catch his winning stringers.

“On Sunday we had cloud cover and wind, and it hurt my bite a little bit,” Richardson said. “It stayed cloudy until 11:30 or so, and we had 10 to 15 mile-per-hour winds. I had one fish that came on a popper at 9:30 and another at 10:30 on a popper.”

Richardson said he relocated down the lake and pulled into a pocket and filled his limit for the victory.

“This feels awesome,” Richardson said. “It’s especially nice to win on your home lake.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Michael Richardson, Elgin, S.C., 10 bass, 24-6, $4,668
2nd:        Jacob Norris, Lugoff, S.C., nine bass, 21-11, $2,334
3rd:        Jason Burroughs, Hodges, S.C., nine bass, 21-4, $2,757 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
4th:         Thomas Steven Phillips, Lugoff, S.C., nine bass, 20-11, $1,089
5th:         Chuck Howard, Elloree, S.C., seven bass, 13-15, $934
6th:         Chad Sims, Lancaster, S.C., five bass, 13-4, $856
7th:         Kameron Harbin, Abbeville, S.C., six bass, 13-0, $778
8th:         Fisher Rodgers, Camden, S.C., seven bass, 12-10, $700
9th:         Jay Jefferies, Mount Pleasant, S.C., five bass, 12-10, $622
10th:      Robert Clarke III, Pineville, S.C., six bass, 11-9, $545
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.James Gibbons of Timmonsville, South Carolina, caught a bass weighing 4 pounds, 14 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $547.

Rennison Robbins of Jackson, South Carolina, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,608 Sunday after catching a two-day total of eight bass weighing 16 pounds, 7 ounces.The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Rennison Robbins, Jackson, S.C, eight bass, 16-7, $2,608
2nd:        Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., five bass, 9-3, $1,167
3rd:        Jerry Neuner, Rutherfordton, N.C., three bass, 7-10, $779
4th:         Denvelle Ketron, Kingsport, Tenn., four bass, 6-8, $995
5th:         Harold Addison II, Columbia, S.C., three bass, 6-5, $667
6th:         Terry Jarvis, Inman, S.C., three bass, 5-11, $428
7th:         Stephen Britt, Chapin, S.C., two bass, 4-15, $389
8th:         Dean Dalton, Keeling, Va., two bass, 4-14, $350
9th:         Carter Jefferies, Mount Pleasant, S.C., two bass, 4-13, $311
10th:      Rusty Forsyth, Fort Myers, Fla., two bass, 4-1, $272
Robbins also caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $274.With the regular season now complete, boater Jason Burroughs of Hodges, South Carolina, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League South Carolina Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,349 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Thomas Pennell III of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler South Carolina Division AOY race with 1,281 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 13-15 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Hoinig Claims Victory at Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on Lake Okeechobee

Dimauro Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

CLEWISTON, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Boater Nicholas Hoinig of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, caught 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida. The tournament, hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council, was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Gator Division presented by Revital Outdoors. Hoinig earned $8,075 for his victory.

Hoinig said he found his tournament fish late during his practice on Friday. He caught almost all of his fish that he weighed from that area, pitching a black and blue Gambler Fat Ace Stick Worm on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover hook with an Ark Fishing Tungsten Weight. He fished his rig with a heavy Ark Invoker Pro rod and 65-pound-test braid line.

“The fish were staging and getting ready to spawn,” said Hoinig. “It was just an early wave of fish that was coming up. I was one of two boats fishing in there; the third-place finisher was the only other guy in the area. I milked that area pretty good. I caught only one other fish I weighed in from another spot.

“This win feels awesome,” Hoinig added. “I’ve been fishing BFLs for eight or nine years and never won. I’ve had buddies win one and they all say, ‘You’re time is coming.’ I finally got it done, and it feels freaking awesome.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Nicholas Hoinig, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., 10 bass, 38-6, $8,075
2nd:        Caleb Frazier, Beverly Hills, Fla., 10 bass, 35-2, $3,537
3rd:        Ronnie Buck, Miami, Fla., 10 bass, 33-2, $2,359
4th:         Eric Panzironi, Longwood, Fla., nine bass, 32-7, $1,651
5th:         Bob Knoerzer, Winter Springs, Fla., nine bass, 30-6, $2,957 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
6th:         Greg Jones, Sarasota, Fla., six bass, 29-4, $1,297
7th:         Lance Pemble, Leesburg, Fla., 10 bass, 28-15, $1,179
8th:         Douglas Sauls, Winter Garden, Fla., 10 bass, 28-10, $1,061
9th:         John Adkinson, Winter Haven, Fla., 10 bass, 28-1, $943
10th:      Ben McCann, Bradenton, Fla., 10 bass, 27-0, $825
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Bob Knoerzer of Winter Springs, Florida, caught a bass weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,042.

Davis Dimauro of Longwood, Florida, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,537 Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Davis Dimauro, Longwood, Fla., 10 bass, 20-2, $3,537
2nd:        Daniel Valois, Coral Springs, Fla., eight bass, 20-1, $1,769
3rd:        Robert Kinder, Tampa, Fla., eight bass, 19-5, $1,180
4th:         Luis Lindstedt, Melbourne, Fla., 10 bass, 19-1, $825
5th:         Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., 10 bass, 17-8, $707
6th:         Mike Greenwell, Alva, Fla., seven bass, 17-6, $649
7th:         J.P. Sims, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., seven bass, 17-5, $590
8th:         Randy Paquette, Sarasota, Fla., eight bass, 16-9, $531
9th:         Steven Hollingsworth, Lakeland, Fla., nine bass, 15-9, $472
10th:      Jarrett Vick, Archer, Fla., four bass, 15-9, $934
Jarrett Vick of Archer, Florida, caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $521.

With the regular season now complete, boater Mark Lundgren of Saint Cloud, Florida, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Gator Division presented by Revital Outdoors Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,243 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Davis Dimauro of Longwood, Florida, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Gator Division presented by Revital Outdoors AOY race with 1,330 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 6-8 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Murray in Prosperity, South Carolina. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Sitko Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament on the Detroit River

Nega Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

TRENTON, Mich. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Boater Michael Sitko of Pinckney, Michigan, caught 10 bass weighing 46 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the two-day MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on the Detroit River in Trenton, Michigan . The tournament was the fifth and final regular-season event for the Bass Fishing League Michigan Division. Sitko earned $5,874 for his victory.

“I’ve really been wanting a Super Tournament win,” said Sitko, who now has four BFL wins and a Toyota Series victory on the Detroit River. “I’ve been close at second and third place, but I’ve been after this one for a while.”

Sitko said he fished isolated humps in 20 to 23 feet of water in the Canadian shoreline of Lake Erie to catch around 30 smallmouth during the course of the tournament. Sitko said the smallies fell for a drop-shot rig as well as a tube on Saturday in a hard south wind, but wind switched to out of the west on Sunday, and the fish wouldn’t bite the tube.

“I rotated through a half dozen spots or so to catch my fish,” Sitko said. “On my second cast on Sunday I caught one that weighed 6-1, and I thought it was going to be a pretty good day. Then I fired right back out and broke off a fish and lost one right after that. I was off to a great start, but it went sideways on the next two casts.”

However, Sitko remained composed and finished his limit within the hour and finished out the win.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Michael Sitko, Pinckney, Mich., 10 bass, 46-13, $5,874
2nd:        Angel Rosario, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 46-4, $2,937
3rd:        Mike Raber, Elkhart, Ind., 10 bass, 45-7, $1,957
4th:         Ryan Hochstetler, Shipshawana, Ind., 10 bass, 43-6, $2,071 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF5 contingency bonus)
5th:         Wilson Burton, Findlay, Ohio, 10 bass, 42-11, $1,675
6th:         Scott Dobson, Clarkson, Mich., 10 bass, 42-10, $1,377
7th:         Jeremy Antrup, Fremont, Ind., 10 bass, 42-1, $979
8th:         Kerry Frey, Middlebury, Ind., 10 bass, 41-6, $881
9th:         Mike Trombly, Belleville, Mich., 10 bass, 40-14, $783
10th:      Grant Gallagher, Fremont, Ohio, 10 bass, 40-10, $685
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.Brad Ballew of Macomb Township, Michigan, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – to earn the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $780.

Joe Nega of Chicago, Illinois, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,427 Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 45 pounds, 12 ounces.The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:          Joe Nega, Chicago, Ill, 10 bass, 45-12, $3,427
2nd:        Alex Newman, Celina, Ohio, 10 bass, 42-2, $1,468
3rd:        James Marcum, Catlettsburg, Ky., 10 bass, 39-9, $1,379
4th:         Sean Hupp, Logan, Ohio, 10 bass, 37-9, $685
5th:         Jim Betts, Fort Wayne, Ind., 10 bass, 37-5, $587
6th:         Kristian Dus, Roselle, Ill., 10 bass, 35-11, $538
7th:         David Roche, Center Line, Mich., 10 bass, 35-10, $489
8th:         Ryan Legg, Parma, Ohio, 10 bass, 35-4, $441
9th:         Andrew White, Canton, Mich., 10 bass, 33-7, $392
10th:      Terry Bucciarelli, Ypsilanti, Mich., eight bass, 32-10, $493
Nega also caught the largest bass in the Strike King Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 12 ounces. The catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $390.With the regular season now complete, boater Scott Dobson of Clarkston, Michigan, won the 2022 Bass Fishing League Michigan Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with a five-event total of 1,337 points to earn the $1,000 boater AOY award. Dennis Sepeck of Bethel, Ohio, won the 2022 Strike King Co-Angler Michigan Division AOY race with 1,245 points and earned the $500 Strike King Co-angler of the Year award.

Now, the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to compete in the Oct. 13-15 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

TEENAGER TAKES TITLE AT HOBIE B.O.S.

Roumbanis claims tie-breaker victory to become youngest Hobie BOS winner. 

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (September 26, 2022) - In a stunning victory that required a tie-breaker procedure to decide the victor, 15-year-old Jackson Roumbanis from Russellville, Arkansas, became the youngest competitor to win a Hobie Bass Open Series (BOS) Anchored by Power-Pole® event.

Competing on Russellville, AR’s famed bass haven, Lake Dardanelle, Roumbanis finished in a first-place tie with Francis Tran, 30,  of Starkville, Mississippi, each recording 165 inches of largemouth bass in the two-day, catch, photograph and release (CPR) tournament. The tie was broken by the largest fish taken between the two competitors, an 18.50-inch lunker giving the young angler the victory over Tran’s 18-inch top effort. Jordan Marshall, 27, of Maryville, Tennessee, finished third with 163.5 inches of bass.

“What a great event this turned out to be!” said Hobie BOS tournament director, A.J. McWhorter. “This is our third visit to Lake Dardanelle, and it was our largest attended event here – and the largest kayak tournament event of any kind ever held in the state of Arkansas. September is always a challenging time of year for bass as the fish transition into their fall patterns. Those challenges, however, showcased the skills of our anglers as they worked hard to come away with some solid scores and many familiar names made big moves to improve their AFTCO Angler of the Year (AOY) standings. Add in a teenage, first-time kayak tournament angler winning against a stacked field of national-class competitors from around the country and it proved to be one of the most entertaining events of our season.”

Indeed, it was, as Roumbanis tallied 86.5 inches of bucketmouths to finish third on Day One of the event and moved into a first-place tie with Tran after adding 78.75 inches of bass to his tally with an eight-place finish on Day 2. Tran finished in seventh-place on Day 1 with an 82.25 limit and followed that up with 82.75 inches on Day 2, which was good for fifth. Third-place finisher Jordan Marshall, meanwhile, rallied from a 23rd-place finish on Day 1 with a 75.75-inch haul to lead the field on Day 2 with 87.75 inches.

For their efforts, Roumbanis earned $8,100, Tran took home $4,200, and Marshall received $2,300. James Haeberle of Colcord, OK, took home Bassin’ Big Bass honors and a $500 check for a 21.5-inch lunker caught on Day 1. AFTCO AOY points were also distributed to the first 100 finishers. Additionally, Roumbanis, Tran and Marshall qualified for the Hobie Tournament of Champions (TOC).

“I’ve won a few fishing tournaments for juniors,” said Roumbanis, “but this is the first time I’ve competed at an adult level, so it’s hard to believe I came out on top. This was my first Hobie BOS event – and first kayak tournament. I was a little worried at the start because my options were limited. I don’t drive so I had to have my Dad drop me off at the lake. That meant I had to make my spot work both days until he picked me up in the afternoon. If the bite wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be able to pull my boat and head to another ramp.”

Turns out Roumbanis had no need for concern. Working main points, lily pads and deeper grasses off of sandbar points, he scored right out of the gate and had his best action tossing frogs early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Following a solid performance on Day 1, he hit the same area to clean-up on Day 2.

“I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time,” explained Roumbanis, humbly. “Both Frances and Jordan fished really well, too. Finishing in a tie was awesome – I didn’t realize I had won until I heard my name called at the awards ceremony. I’d like to thank my family for their support and the Hobie community for treating me so well during the event,” continued Roumbanis,” adding that tips learned from his father, pro bass angler Fred Roumbanis, factored heavily in his victory. “I would especially like to give a shout out to Drew Gregory,” he continued. “I met him at some fishing shows, and he encouraged me to enter this event.”

For his part, Tran, who has now competed in all three Hobie Lake Dardanelle events, spent a week scouting and pre-fishing only to return to his favorite spot. Probing a backwater pond with big matts of milfoil, extremely shallow water and clean visibility on both days, he threw a weedless soft-plastic frog and followed-up missed hits with a Berkley PowerBait® MaxScent The General worm.

“I worked that frog real slow because the mats were so thick,” revealed Tran. “If a bass missed that frog, I’d immediately pitch that General into the hole it left behind. I probably connected with 50-percent of the fish that missed on their first strike. I had limits before 9:30 a.m. on both days. The fishing was consistent, but I just couldn’t find a big kicker to put me over the top.”

Tran made a point to recognize the performance by Roumbanis, noting it’s the kind of story every young angler dreams about. “He competed against a star-studded field with some big names here. To walk away a winner, that’s just amazing. With kayak fishing at this level, everything has to go perfect on both days for that kind of outcome. I fish the Hobie BOS because it’s the most difficult, challenging and competitive kayak fishing tournament out there. If you get a victory here, you really earned it. Congratulations on a job well done.”

As for Marshall, he was pleased with his third-place finish. “I’ll take it every time,” said the frequent Hobie BOS competitor who fishes from a Hobie Pro Angler 14. “I had found some fish around main islands in practice, but they were gone come tourney time, so I had to scramble a bit,” he revealed. “I ended up pushing far back into a creek and the action there was solid. On Day 1, I used a Jackhammer and had my limit in 20 minutes once I got on that spot. At that point, I left those fish to rest.”

Returning on Day 2, Marshall found the bite still red-hot and pounded away with a 20.5-inch brute helping him take the day’s top limit at 87 inches. “I thought I might win the event because I was in first when the leader board was turned off,” he recalled. “Still, I was working moving baits both days, which is what I love to do, so it really was fun fishing.”

Marshall, too, offered kudus to Roumbanis on his improbable win. “I’ve had some strong finishes but never won a Hobie event, so he’s off to a great start,” he said. “Obviously, he’s a fantastic angler. I hope to see him again at the TOC.”

So does McWhorter, who summed up the event as being a real thriller. “Lake Dardanelle and the city of Russellville has always welcomed the Hobie community while sharing their great bass fishery with our kayak anglers,” he concluded. “This was our last open event for 2022, and it was wonderful to see a 15-year-old in his first national level kayak event get the win. As we wrap up this season, it shows us a bright glimpse into the future of competitive fishing, and kayak fishing in particular.”

The final stop for the 2022 Hobie BOS Anchored by Power-Pole® series is the 2022 Hobie Tournament of Champions (TOC) on Caddo Lake, November 11-13, in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. The TOC is a three-day, 50-angler championship with a $100,000 payout guarantee and $45,000 first-place prize.

by AnglersChannel

Spike Stoker Wins Toyota Series Season Finale at St. Lawrence River Presented by Boatlogix

MASSENA, N.Y. (Sept. 26, 2022) – Pro Spike Stoker of Cisco, Texas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 13 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Boatlogix and earn the top payout of $40,555. Over the three days of competition Stoker weighed in 15 bass totaling 64-12 to earn the win by a 2-pound, 4-ounce margin over North Carolina’s Todd Walters, who finished second with a three-day total of 62-8, good for $15,134.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Town of Massena, was the third and final event of the season for the Toyota Series Northern Division, and the last regular season event before the Toyota Series Championship next month.

“I can’t believe it,” said Stoker, who was fishing in his inaugural season as a pro in the Toyota Series. “There’s been a lot of times I’ve been close; something terrible happens and it kills me. The second day, the trolling motor not working, I thought that was it.”

Stoker admits he “said a few bad words” that day, but he also was able to regroup, get the trolling motor working and get back to fishing his main area – an area that just happened to have the right quality.

“Every day in practice, I idled a different 3- to 4-mile stretch,” Stoker said. “Every day I found areas that you could catch 17 to 19 pounds, but that one stretch, every time I went there, it was 22 to 23 pounds.”

Like most everyone else, a drop-shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm played a big role, but the real key for Stoker was a Carolina-rigged Zoom Speed Craw. He’d cast it out on top the shoal and slowly let the current pull it along as it pulled the boat with it. Often, when he caught a fish, multiple more would be with it when he reeled it in, and he could then drop down the drop-shot on them to catch one or two more.

On Day 2, the brutal wind and lack of a trolling motor made it near impossible for Stoker to drift his spot, as the wind would push him up on top of the shoal instead of along it. Once Stoker sat and settled himself down, that ended up being the turning point for his tournament, because while many guys let the wind alone ruin their days, he salvaged his to get him past the cut and fishing on Day 3. And, with hardly any wind and clear skies Saturday, everything set up perfectly for the Texas rookie to pull off the biggest win of his career.

“I really didn’t think I had enough any day,” Stoker said. “I thought I blew it today because the conditions were so good. Well, all I know is this feels good.”

The top 10 pros on the St. Lawrence River finished:

1st:          Spike Stoker, Cisco, Texas, 15 bass, 64-12, $40,555
2nd:         Todd Walters, Kernersville, N.C., 15 bass, 62-8, $15,134
3rd:         Tommy Dickerson, Orange, Texas, 15 bass, 62-5, $11,717
4th:         Cory Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 61-9, $9,764
5th:         Cody Petit, Arundel, Maine, 15 bass, 61-7, $9,387
6th:         Brent Anderson, Kingston Springs, Tenn., 15 bass, 60-12, $8,811
7th:         Elijah Meyers, Fort Wayne, Ind., 15 bass, 59-3, $7,335
8th:         Wayne Vaughan, Chester, Va., 15 bass, 58-15, $5,858
9th:         Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 15 bass, 58-11, $4,882
10th:       Tristan McCormick, Burns, Tenn., 15 bass, 58-7, $3,906

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Randy Caruso of Liberty, New York, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a smallmouth weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. On Friday, pro Elijah Meyers of Fort Wayne, Indiana, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass after bringing a 6-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth bass to the scale.

Anderson took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Yua Kishimoto of Osaka, Japan, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Thursday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 54 pounds, 9 ounces. Kishimoto took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on the St. Lawrence River finished:

1st:          Yua Kishimoto, Osaka, Japan, 15 bass, 54-9, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd:         Sakae Ushio, Tonawanda, N.Y., 15 bass, 52-8, $4,900
3rd:         Chris Hurley, Carlisle, Pa., 14 bass, 52-6, $3,920
4th:         Matthew Kremers, Pittsford, N.Y., 14 bass, 51-12, $3,430
5th:         Jeff Turner, Plainfield, Ill, 14 bass, 51-9, $3,140
6th:         Jeff Mellott, Warfordsburg, Pa., 13 bass, 51-9, $2,450
7th:         Jeff Somers, Crystal, Minn., 13 bass, 45-12, $1,960
8th:         Paul Gelles, Pingree, Idaho, 12 bass, 45-10, $1,865
9th:         Alex Bradley, Wellford, S.C., 13 bass, 43-4, $1,470
10th:       Carter Wijangco, Naperville, Ill., 15 bass, 42-14, $1,225

Gelles was the Berkley Big Bass $150 award winner in the Strike King co-angler division, Thursday, with a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to Lazarus Durham of Dumfries, Virginia, with a 5-pound, 7-ounce fish.

With three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Northern Division are complete, pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, has won the Toyota Series Northern Division Pro Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 757 points, while Carter Wijangco of Naperville, Illinois, won the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 764 points.

The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the final event of the season – the Toyota Series Championship, Nov. 3-5 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and hosted by Marshall County Tourism and Sports. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. consisted of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains Presented by Outlaw Ordnance, Southern, Southwestern Presented by Outlaw Ordnance and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fished in any of the six divisions and finished in the top 25 – or the top 12 from the Wild Card division – now qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 cash. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Outlaw Ordnance, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.

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

by AnglersChannel

Bassmaster Volunteers Clean Up Over 18,000 Pounds Of Trash From American Waterways

Volunteers in three different states pulled over 18,000 pounds of trash from ramps, shores and waterways as part of the 2022 Lake Clean-Up Challenges sponsored by AFTCO and Yamaha RightwatersTM. 

Photos by B.A.S.S.

September 26, 2022

cleanup bill dance.jpgBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Volunteers from communities in Tennessee, New York and Wisconsin pulled just under 18,200 pounds of trash from the ramps and shores of Chickamauga Lake, Pickwick Lake, Oneida Lake and the Mississippi River as part of the 2022 Bassmaster Lake Clean-Up Challenges sponsored by AFTCO and Yamaha RightwatersTM.

While the majority of the 254 volunteers across the four Clean-Up Challenges were from community organizations and local high school and college teams, a variety of Elite Series anglers and even legendary angler and television personality Bill Dance joined in on the conservation efforts.

Participants received a gift package from AFTCO and Yamaha Rightwaters. Plus, AFTCO and Yamaha Rightwaters pledged $25,000 in conservation grants to be shared among the participating organizations.

The three Lake Clean-Up Challenges at Chickamauga, Pickwick and the Mississippi River in the La Crosse, Wis., area were timed to allow Elite Series pros to join volunteers in protecting the fisheries where they compete. Jason Christie, Jeff Gustafson, Taku Ito, Carl Jocumsen, Luke Palmer, Chad Pipkens, Matty Wong and Jay Yelas all took to the shoreline to collect trash during the events. Efforts like the Lake Clean-Up Challenges are particularly important to these pros, who recognize the opportunity to make an even bigger impact on the river and our sport by showing how important it is to help these environments thrive.

christie-cleanup.jpg“If everyone does their part, we can help control and even alleviate the issue with trash on our lakes. But it has to be a team effort,” said Christie.

Putting trash in its place was also a key part of Dance’s message to outdoor enthusiasts. Dance joined the group at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee as they weighed in their haul of debris, pleading with every angler and boater to carry a trash bag with them on outings and pick up whatever trash they find, “Leaving it cleaner than you found it.”

According to statistics from Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, 80% of trash pulled from waterways originated on land, making cleanup efforts at ramps and parks adjacent to waterways even more critical for the long-term health of American fisheries.

“Thriving fish populations start with clean water. Left untouched, some of the waste collected would have become a permanent part of our food chain,” explained AFTCO President Casey Shedd. “We’re making progress and much more continues to be needed to address the problem before it gets to our waterways.”

And while initiatives like community cleanups are growing in popularity, New York B.A.S.S. Nation Technical Director Mike Arndt reports that, during the Clean-Up Challenge held in conjunction with the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Oneida Lake presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, he saw noticeable improvements, including fewer large items, like tires, in the lake.

cleanup-yamaha.jpg“When I was younger, we pulled out lots of tires and other large stuff,” Arndt said. “We didn’t do that this time. This was a cool testament for a 10-year span. We’re going in the right direction.”

“Events like this underscore the importance of the role we all have to play in keeping our waterways clean,” said John O’Keefe, senior specialist, government relations, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “Organizations like B.A.S.S. and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, along with many B.A.S.S. Nation team members and volunteers, really helped to set the example for other outdoor enthusiasts by participating. The Yamaha Rightwaters team looks forward to supporting future cleanup events with this dedicated group.”

For more information on B.A.S.S. Conservation efforts, visit Bassmaster.com/Conservation.

by AnglersChannel

Poche Prevails With Bassmaster Central Open Victory On Louisiana’s Red River

Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., has won the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a three-day total of 37 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
September 24, 2022

Poche Prevails With Bassmaster Central Open Victory On Louisiana’s Red River

BOSSIER CITY, La. — You might say Keith Poche channeled Frank Sinatra, because the pro from Pike Road, Ala., absolutely did it his way en route to a three-day total of 37 pounds, 12 ounces that won the St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.

After catching 13-3 on Day 1, Poche trailed the leader by a mere 6 ounces. Matching that weight again on Day 2, he took over the top spot with a 14-ounce margin over Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney. Although Championship Saturday saw Poche weigh his smallest bag of 11-6, he edged Hackney by 2 1/2 pounds.

“To do it like I like to do it; to just go get back into stuff, I fish more comfortably like that,” said Poche, who’s originally from nearby Natchitoches, La. “They say fishing is (largely) mental and it is. It’s making good decisions on the water — and when you’re comfortable, you’re going to make good decisions.”

Poche spent the majority of his time in a small backwater area about 10 minutes from takeoff. Having found the area with a drone during pre-practice, he described it as a long, narrow ditch that led to a deeper backwater with shoreline vegetation and laydowns.

Approaching the area required Poche to traverse a treacherously shallow zone. This barrier, he said, would likely prevent a heavier fiberglass bass boat from reaching the fish, but Poche’s vessel was ideally suited for the task.

“I run an 18-foot Gatortrax boat with a 90-horsepower Mercury and that’s the toughest aluminum boat on the market,” Poche said. “That boat is perfect for getting into little places like this. I do what I do — it’s a style of fishing; it’s who I am.

“There’s so much that can go wrong; you can break down, you can get stuck. I’m just so happy it worked out.”

Poche caught his bass by flipping a 3-inch Berkley Havoc Pit Boss rigged with a 3/8-ounce weight and a 4/0 Berkley Fusion 19 hook. Green pumpkin was his top color, but when he ran out, he found black/blue also produced.

Days 1 and 2, Poche got the weight he felt he needed and then left his backwater spot to fish the remaining hours on main-river structure. Both days he made key afternoon culls by flipping random cover, but the final day saw Poche committed to his top spot.

“You have to manage these fish when you get back in these places,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot back in there; it’s not like I was running around and fishing a lot of spots. It’s just one of those deals where you go with it and see what happens.

“It wasn’t just that hole that got me to the win; it was making good decisions to manage those fish and go out to the main river and get those big bites to carry me into the final day so I could stick it out in there and catch all I could catch.”

Poche took home the $48,100 top prize and earned an invitation to fish the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic, to be held in Knoxville, Tenn., March 24-26.

Hackney placed fifth on Day 1 with 11-14, then moved into second after weighing the event’s heaviest catch — 13-10. In the final round, he added a limit of 9-12 and settled at 35-4.

Spending most of his time in Pool 4, Hackney found his bass by looking for areas of greater current flow. September on the Red River typically sees slow water movement, but surges for lock releases often triggered bites.

“Anytime I get to fish in the state, I like to,” Hackney said. “I like to fish at home and I don’t get to do this much because I do a lot of traveling. But it’s been a good week; it’s been fun.”

Noting that he caught his fish on a spinnerbait, a Strike King Sexy Frog and a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug, Hackney said the key to his success was getting around concentrations of baitfish.

“The river is really healthy now,” he said of the Red River’s upward trend, after altering floods of 2015 and 2016. “It’s crazy how many shad are in the river. I’ve been all the way to Pool 3, Pool 4 and all the way up here to Pool 5 and every pool is exactly the same.

“There’s just so much bait and the vegetation is coming back. There’s grass and pads in the backwaters.”

David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., started the final day in third place and finished there with 31-1. The first two days, he caught limits of 11-8 and 12-7 but fell two fish short on Day 3 with 7-2.

Focusing on shallow backwaters, Gaston rotated between a 3/8-ounce Nichols swim jig with a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw, a Spro Bronzeye Jr. frog and a Texas-rigged Zoom Speed Worm.

“It was really tough; the secret this week was water and sunscreen,” Gaston said. “Three fish is what I thought I was going to have the first day and the second day, so I needed a crash and this was a good day to do it because I could only finish 10th.”

Day 1 leader Todd Risinger of West Monroe, La., won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with his 5-1.

Gaston leads the Central Open standings with 393 points. Jimmy Washam of Covington, Tenn., is second with 390, followed by Risinger with 371, Doug Guins of Lake Charles, La., with 366 and Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, La., with 362.

Poche leads the overall Bassmaster Opens points standings with 1,170 points.

2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open #2 Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 9/22-9/24
Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 15 37-12 200 $48,100.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 11-06
2. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 35-04 199 $23,120.00
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 09-12
3. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 13 31-01 198 $16,320.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 3 07-02
4. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 15 29-07 197 $13,600.00
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 08-04 Day 3: 5 11-07
5. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 15 29-02 196 $11,832.00
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 5 09-06
6. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 15 28-04 195 $10,880.00
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 08-14 Day 3: 5 09-11
7. Jimmy Washam Covington, TN 13 26-13 194 $10,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 3 06-12
8. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 15 26-08 193 $9,520.00
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 09-10 Day 3: 5 08-08
9. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 15 25-07 192 $7,480.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 06-11 Day 3: 5 07-04
10. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 10 23-08 191 $6,120.00
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 3 09-08 Day 3: 3 04-05
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Todd Risinger West Monroe, LA 05-01 $750.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 63 579 985-13
2 37 469 794-10
3 7 44 85-09
----------------------------------
107 1092 1866-00

by AnglersChannel

Poche’s Backwater Strategy Yields Lead At Bassmaster Central Open On Red River

Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., is leading after Day 2 of the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a two-day total of 26 pounds, 6 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
September 23, 2022

Poche’s Backwater Strategy Yields Lead At Bassmaster Central Open On Red River

BOSSIER CITY, La. — Everyone knew consistency would be critical during the tough seasonal transition, and Keith Poche embodied that principle as he took over the Day 2 lead of the St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a two-day total of 26 pounds, 6 ounces.

Poche caught 13-3 on Day 1 and duplicated that catch perfectly during Friday’s second round to take a 14-ounce lead over Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney. Not surprisingly, Poche said his day was a template of the first round.

“The same exact thing that happened yesterday, happened today,” Poche said. “I went back into my spot and it happened pretty fast; I was able to catch a good, solid limit of about 11 to 12 pounds by about 9:30.”

Poche is staying within 10 minutes of takeoff and traversing a small ditch that leads into a hidden pool with about 6 to 7 feet of water. Sparse shoreline vegetation and scattered wood make it the ideal backwater fishery.

“There’s a lot of bait in this area and I’m seeing a lot of fish busting — I think it’s crappie,” Poche said. “There’s a lot of activity; there’s gar, there’s fish popping everywhere.

“I’ve caught fish from 8 inches to 3 pounds in there. I was just lucky to find this hole and I was able to get it going.”

Poche located his backwater gem during pre-practice — initially through drone recon, then a mix of wading and boating. His spot remains connected to the river, but the depth makes it inaccessible to heavier fiberglass boats.

Poche is able to reach this inner sanctum because he runs an 18-foot aluminum boat with a 90-horsepower outboard. He’s able to run into the area, but he has to push pole his way out.

He caught his bass by flipping a 3-inch Berkley Havoc Pit Boss with a 3/8-ounce weight and a 4/0 Berkley Fusion 19 hook. Short pitches to scattered structure delivered his weight.

“The water’s hot, so I feel like that small profile bait is really working,” Poche said. “The water’s off color a little bit; it’s not really muddy, so that green pumpkin color looks really natural.”

Furthering the consistency theme, Poche again got a solid limit by late morning and left his fish. He spent the rest of his day flipping main-river cover. As he did on Day 1, Poche made a late-day upgrade.

“After I came out of my spot, I spent the rest of the day fishing new water,” he said. “I just went fishing and caught my biggest fish. That gave me that extra pound to pound and a quarter upgrade.”

After two days of managing his fish, Poche said he’s looking forward to exploiting the backwater spot.

“I’m trying to preserve my spot, but I had to catch what I could catch to get what I needed (to reach Championship Saturday),” Poche said. “I don’t know what’s in there; I don’t know what would happen if I fished it for eight hours, but we’re going to see tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s going to be enough and we can get it done.

“Today, I lost a couple of good ones, so that gives me confidence that there’s more in there.”

Hailing from Gonzales, La., Hackney is second with 25-8. After placing fifth on Day 1 with 11-14, Hackney added 13-10 — the tournament’s heaviest catch — and secured his final-round berth.

Continuing with the strategy he followed in the first round, Hackney focused on hard cover where current stimulated feeding. Locating attractive areas was fairly straightforward, Hackney said, but timing the current impacts was far less exact.

“It’s hard to time that deal because you just don’t know, it could be boats locking through and (the water influx) creates current,” Hackney said. “There’s no rhyme or reason; I don’t have a timing deal. You just have to fish around and wait for that to happen.”

Hackney said he caught his bass on several strips of bank in a 500-yard area. Flipping and cranking were his top tactics.

David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., is in third place with 23-15. Returning to the same shallow backwaters he fished on Day 1, he rotated between a swim jig, flipping and frogging.

“Yesterday, flipping produced bigger bites, but today, the frog produced bigger bites today,” Gaston said. “I think it was just the right time at the right place. There were other guys in that area with me and they didn’t catch them, but I did.”

Gaston focused on lily pads and found the bass preferred a slower frog cadence.

Day 1 leader Todd Risinger of West Monroe, La., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 5-1.

Michael Scalise of Port Allen, La., won the co-angler division with 12-5. Posting daily weights of 6-11 and 5-10, Scalise edged Day 1 leader Tim Neumann of Humble, Texas, by 6 ounces and collected a top prize of $18,814.

“All I can say is ‘Wow!’” Scalise said. “What an awesome feeling.”

On Day 1, Scalise caught his bass punching shallow vegetation with a NetBait Paca Craw. In the second round, he fared best by flipping a Missile Baits D Bomb.

When his Day 2 pro realized his fish had left, Scalise offered suggestions from his practice scouting. They went to his fish and Scalise employed the extreme hot-weather tactics he knew would deliver.

“I was flipping bushes, but I wasn’t flipping them like normal; I was really getting in the dirt with them,” Scalise said. “A lot of people were fishing the end of the bushes, but I was catching them so shallow their fins should’ve been sticking out of the water.

“I’m from South Louisiana, so I know what the fish do in this heat. A lot of times, the oxygen will get depleted and they’ll go dirt shallow just to get some oxygen.”

Neumann won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award among co-anglers with a 4-3.

Gaston leads the St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open standings with 393 points. Jimmy Washam of Covington, Tenn., is second with 393, followed by Risinger with 371, Doug Guins of Lake Charles, La., with 366 and Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, La., with 362.

Poche leads the overall St. Croix Bassmaster Opens points standings with 1,170 points.

The remaining Top 10 anglers will take off Saturday at 7 a.m. CT from Red River South Marina. The final weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3 p.m. Event coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

2022 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open #2 Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 9/22-9/24
Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 26-06 200
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-03
2. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 25-08 199
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-10
3. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 23-15 198
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-07
4. Jimmy Washam Covington, TN 10 20-01 197
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-01
5. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 10 19-12 196
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 10-13
6. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 7 19-03 195
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 3 09-08
7. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 18-09 194
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 08-14
8. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 10 18-03 193
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 06-11
9. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 18-00 192
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 08-04
10. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 10 18-00 191
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 09-10
11. Richard Ballard Sulphur, LA 8 17-10 190 $5,440.00
Day 1: 4 08-12 Day 2: 4 08-14
12. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 17-07 189 $4,760.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 4 07-03
13. Todd Risinger West Monroe, LA 8 17-06 188 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 3 03-13
14. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 10 17-02 187 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 08-01
15. Brian Post Janesville, WI 9 17-02 186 $3,740.00
Day 1: 4 08-09 Day 2: 5 08-09
16. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 9 16-12 185 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 4 07-02
17. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 16-12 184 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 08-14
18. John Garrett Union City, TN 10 16-11 183 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 06-01 Day 2: 5 10-10
19. Tanner Crim Devine, TX 9 16-11 182 $3,740.00
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 5 09-02
20. Aaron Johnson Shreveport, LA 8 16-09 181 $3,740.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 04-06
21. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 9 16-08 180 $3,400.00
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 5 10-05
22. Branden Hollingshead Azle, TX 9 16-08 179 $3,400.00
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 4 07-10
23. Doug Guins Lake Charles, LA 9 16-05 178 $3,400.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 4 06-00
24. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 9 16-05 177 $3,400.00
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 4 07-02
25. Theron Caldwell Decatur, TX 8 16-01 176 $3,400.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 3 06-01
26. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 8 15-10 175 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 3 05-05
27. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 9 15-10 174 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 4 07-10
28. Brent Shores Boise, ID 8 15-09 173 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 3 06-08
29. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 8 15-07 172 $3,128.00
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 4 10-03
30. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 10 15-05 171 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 06-00 Day 2: 5 09-05
31. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 7 15-03 170 $3,128.00
Day 1: 4 06-08 Day 2: 3 08-11
32. Jacob Walker Springville, AL 9 14-12 169 $3,128.00
Day 1: 4 05-09 Day 2: 5 09-03
33. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 9 14-10 168 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 4 06-06
34. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 7 14-08 167 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 2 04-03
35. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 8 14-08 166 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 3 06-15
36. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 7 14-07 165 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 2 02-03
37. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 14-07 164 $3,128.00
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 5 11-05
38. Nick LeBrun Bossier City, LA 8 14-04 163 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 3 04-05
39. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 8 14-00 162 $3,128.00
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 3 05-08
40. Gary Caruso Baton Rouge, LA 6 13-14 161 $3,128.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 06-04
41. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 8 13-12 160
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 3 06-01
42. David Cavell Prairieville, LA 10 13-12 159
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 07-03
43. Kyle Cortiana Broken Arrow, OK 9 13-11 158
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 4 05-09
44. Joseph Hardy Hewitt, TX 10 13-11 157
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 06-09
45. Jason Borofka Lavon, TX 8 13-10 156
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 3 03-07
46. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 13-10 155
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 05-15
47. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 10 13-07 154
Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 5 07-01
48. Wesley Dawson Chester, TX 7 13-05 153
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 02-03
49. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 7 13-05 152
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 5 08-08
50. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 6 13-05 151
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 2 06-02
51. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 9 13-04 150
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 4 05-11
52. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 9 13-03 149
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 5 06-04
53. Jeremy Johnson Mansfield, TX 6 13-02 148
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 4 08-01
54. Marshall Hughes Hemphill, TX 5 13-01 147
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 4 11-09
55. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 12-14 146
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 2 02-09
56. Travis Kelehan Many, LA 8 12-14 145
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 3 03-15
57. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 6 12-09 144
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 2 04-03
58. Darold Gleason Many, LA 6 12-08 143
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 5 09-09
59. Mark Watson Midlothian, TX 10 12-07 142
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 5 05-12
60. David Keith Bossier, LA 8 12-06 141
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 5 07-13
61. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 7 12-02 140
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 02-12
62. Bert Thompson Keithville, LA 8 11-15 139
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 3 03-12
63. Eric Brigman Bryan, TX 8 11-15 138
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 3 04-13
64. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 11-11 137
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 1 01-13
65. Craig Schuff Springtown, TX 7 11-10 136
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 2 03-13
66. Wyatt Frankens Corrigan , TX 6 11-09 135
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 5 10-09
67. Cody Nichols Fayette, AL 9 11-03 134
Day 1: 5 05-15 Day 2: 4 05-04
68. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 7 11-00 133
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 2 03-05
69. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 8 11-00 132
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 3 04-01
70. Justin Margraves Diana, TX 10 10-14 131
Day 1: 5 06-00 Day 2: 5 04-14
71. Zack Birge Blanchard, OK 8 10-13 130
Day 1: 4 05-09 Day 2: 4 05-04
72. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 6 10-11 129
Day 1: 4 08-01 Day 2: 2 02-10
73. Matt Pangrac Bixby, OK 7 10-10 128
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 2 02-08
74. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 6 10-08 127
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 1 01-04
75. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 7 10-08 126
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 2 04-00
76. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 6 10-07 125
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 1 01-08
77. D.J. Ellis Crestview, FL 3 10-05 124
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 10-05
78. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 6 10-05 123
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 5 08-03
79. Chris McCall Kirbyville, TX 7 10-04 122
Day 1: 2 02-01 Day 2: 5 08-03
80. Brett Cannon Willis, TX 5 10-02 121
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 4 08-13
81. Tim Malone Kodak, TN 6 10-02 120
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 1 01-10
82. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 10-01 119
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 2 02-14
83. Kayden Tanner Tolar, TX 6 09-13 118
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 1 01-07
84. Chad Petrie Scroggins, TX 8 09-12 117
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 06-02
85. Keith Nabours Hemphill, TX 8 09-08 116
Day 1: 3 03-03 Day 2: 5 06-05
86. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 6 09-07 115
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 1 00-13
87. Chad Murray Ferriday , LA 5 09-07 114
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 2 04-06
88. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 6 09-05 113
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 5 08-04
89. Bart Stanisz Wichita Falls , TX 4 09-02 112
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 3 07-04
90. Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 4 09-00 111
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 2 05-07
91. Bradford Beavers Summerville, SC 5 08-15 110
Day 1: 4 07-04 Day 2: 1 01-11
92. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 6 08-15 109
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 1 01-14
93. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 08-15 108
Day 1: 3 03-07 Day 2: 2 05-08
94. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 6 08-13 107
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 5 07-05
95. Bruce Whitmire Channelview, TX 5 08-13 106
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 3 04-15
96. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 5 08-12 105
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 05-12
97. Marvin Ettredge Shreveport, LA 6 08-11 104
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 3 03-09
98. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 4 08-09 103
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 3 05-04
99. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 6 08-08 102
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 1 01-02
100. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 5 08-07 101
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 3 05-13
101. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 6 08-07 100
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 04-07
102. Chris Jones Bokoshe, OK 7 08-06 99
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 5 05-12
103. William Mcnutt II Benton, LA 5 08-05 98
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 03-05
104. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 08-04 97
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 6 08-04 96
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 1 01-00
106. Edgar Romero Renteria Leon MEXICO 5 08-04 95
Day 1: 4 06-13 Day 2: 1 01-07
107. Jacob Ormond Sterlington, LA 5 08-04 94
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 1 01-08
108. Kyle Owen Guntersville, AL 4 08-03 93
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 2 05-02
109. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 6 08-02 92
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 3 03-06
110. Kirk Tisdale Ellisville, MS 6 07-15 91
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 4 05-06
111. Trey Bayles III Eros, LA 5 07-14 90
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 5 07-12 89
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
113. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 4 07-09 88
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 2 03-04
114. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 6 07-09 87
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 3 03-05
115. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 6 07-08 86
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 3 03-10
116. Nick Abshire Sulphur, LA 5 07-06 85
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 2 02-07
117. Daisuke Kita Ohtsu Shiga JAPAN 6 07-06 84
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 4 04-04
118. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 6 07-06 83
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 03-06
119. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 5 07-05 82
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 3 04-00
120. Christopher Thornton Morgan City, LA 4 07-05 81
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 2 03-11
121. Dustin Wilkey Durant, OK 4 07-01 80
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 2 02-08
122. Shannon Denson Brandon, MS 4 06-13 79
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 05-07
123. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 06-12 78
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 4 05-12
124. Todd Carnes College Station, TX 4 06-11 77
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 00-14
125. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 6 06-09 76
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 5 05-10
126. James Caldemeyer Gilmer, TX 4 06-09 75
Day 1: 3 05-09 Day 2: 1 01-00
127. Travis Franks Lake Charles, LA 3 06-04 74
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 4 06-04 73
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 04-13
129. Todd Childs Waxahachie, TX 4 06-03 72
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
130. Drew Sloan Scurry, TX 3 06-01 71
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Brady Vernon Birmingham, AL 4 06-00 70
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 04-12
132. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 3 06-00 69
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 2 04-09
133. Tommy Robinson Westland, MI 3 05-15 68
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 04-10
134. Jeff Avery El Dorado, AR 3 05-14 67
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 1 02-09
135. B.J. Usie Bourg, LA 3 05-12 66
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
136. Nathan Donnell China Spring, TX 4 05-08 65
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 3 04-05
137. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 4 05-07 64
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 05-07
138. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 3 05-07 63
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-07
139. Larry Puckett Decatur, TX 5 05-07 62
Day 1: 2 01-11 Day 2: 3 03-12
140. Jason Pittman Covington, MS 4 05-04 61
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 1 01-11
141. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 4 05-03 60
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 1 00-14
142. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 4 05-03 59
Day 1: 3 04-01 Day 2: 1 01-02
143. Blake Whatley Harleton, TX 3 05-02 58
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 1 02-01
144. Brad Hollowell Azle, TX 4 05-01 57
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 03-13
145. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 3 04-14 56
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 1 01-05
146. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 3 04-14 55
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 1 02-00
147. Nick Brown Lindale, TX 3 04-13 54
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 3 04-11 53
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Brandon Burks Stephenville, TX 3 04-10 52
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 02-14
149. Jimmy Green Jenks, OK 3 04-10 52
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 02-14
151. Austin Howard Granby, CO 3 04-08 50
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 02-12
152. Connor Graham Minneapolis, MN 3 04-06 49
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 1 01-09
153. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 3 04-02 48
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
154. Sterling Martin Comfort, TX 2 04-02 47
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
155. Jason Smith Forney, TX 3 04-01 46
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 1 01-10
156. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 3 03-12 45
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 1 01-06
157. Tanner Sanderson Ackerly, TX 2 03-12 44
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 02-02
158. Richard Cathey San Antonio, TX 2 03-11 43
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
159. Darrell Newman Bruceville, TX 3 03-11 42
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 1 01-03
160. Blake Schroeder Whitehouse, TX 3 03-08 41
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
161. Connor Rushing Zachary, LA 3 03-07 40
Day 1: 3 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
162. Bill Hutchison Jr. Bessemer, AL 3 03-05 39
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
163. Steven Gilliam Blanchard, OK 2 03-03 38
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 1 02-02
164. Randy Craft Seminary, MS 2 03-02 37
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 01-07
165. Noah Boyett Mountain Home, AR 2 02-15 36
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
166. Allen Stewart Lakeview, AR 2 02-13 35
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
167. Jack Tindel Orange, TX 2 02-13 34
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 1 01-06
168. Kenji Yamada otsu,shiga 5200222 Shig 2 02-12 33
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 01-02
169. Bill McNutt Henry, IL 2 02-10 32
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-10
170. Alfred Williams Jackson, MS 2 02-09 31
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
171. Kylie Sparks Denham Spgs, LA 2 02-09 30
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 01-03
172. Zack Holwerda Wittmann, AZ 1 02-08 29
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
173. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 2 02-07 28
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-07
174. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 2 02-07 27
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 1 00-14
175. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 2 02-06 26
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
176. Stephanie Hemphill Village Mills, TX 2 02-05 25
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
176. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 2 02-05 25
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
178. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 1 02-03 23
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
178. Chandler Stewart Canyon Lake, TX 1 02-03 23
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
180. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 1 01-14 21
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
181. Justin Hymel Norco, LA 1 01-10 20
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
182. T-Roy Broussard Port Arthur, TX 1 01-07 19
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
182. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 1 01-07 19
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
184. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 1 01-05 17
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
184. Michael Wooten White House, TN 1 01-05 17
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 1 01-03 15
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Hayden Newberry Jonesboro, IL 1 01-01 14
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-01
188. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 1 01-00 13
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-00
188. Dave Redington Winnsboro, TX 1 01-00 13
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
190. Clay Dyer Hazel Green, AL 1 00-13 11
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 00-13
191. Allen Armour Cumming, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Lonnie Cochran Section, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Robert Crowe Denham Springs, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Johnny Grice Arp, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Wayne Hall Cottonwood, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Victor Hawkins Sugar Land, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Eric Pinter Little Rock, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Michael Quatrone Atoka, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Mark Russell Yantis, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Bert Worrell Jr Longview, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 63 579 985-13
2 37 469 794-10
----------------------------------
100 1048 1780-07

2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open #2 Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 9/22-9/24
Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Michael Scalise Port Allen, LA 6 12-05 200 $18,814.00
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 3 05-10
2. Tim Neumann Humble, TX 4 11-15 199 $4,677.00
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 1 04-03
3. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 6 10-04 198 $3,321.00
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 04-09
4. Skip Rayborn Hammond, LA 6 09-11 197 $2,490.00
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 3 05-01
5. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 5 09-08 196 $2,324.00
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 3 07-03
6. Dalton Haynes Hamburg, AR 5 09-03 195 $2,214.00
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 3 06-01
7. Travis Culbreth Alexander City, AL 6 09-03 194 $2,103.00
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 3 03-06
8. Cameron Naquin Gray, LA 5 09-00 193 $1,992.00
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 2 02-06
9. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 6 08-15 192 $1,826.00
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 3 03-15
10. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 5 08-14 191 $1,660.00
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 3 06-03
11. John Higginbotham Clinton, LA 4 08-07 190 $1,550.00
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 3 06-01
12. Austin Adams Raceland, LA 5 08-06 189 $1,439.00
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 05-06
13. Matt Michel Gonzales, LA 6 08-05 188 $1,218.00
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 3 04-09
14. Hunter Hamilton Baton Rouge, LA 4 08-02 187 $1,107.00
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 2 03-10
15. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 4 08-00 186 $996.00
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 2 03-10
16. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 5 07-13 185 $886.00
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 2 03-07
17. Ross Bryant Alexandria, LA 4 07-10 184 $830.00
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 01-13
18. Nathan Bourque Prairieville, LA 6 07-09 183 $830.00
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 3 03-05
19. Marvin Delong Colfax, LA 4 07-05 182 $830.00
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 1 00-14
20. Tiffany Leal Austin, TX 5 07-04 181 $830.00
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 04-04
21. Cody Richardson Gautier, MS 5 07-03 180 $775.00
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 2 02-11
22. Jason Campbell Berwick, LA 5 07-03 179 $775.00
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 2 02-14
23. Jason Fontenot Lake Charles, LA 4 07-01 178 $775.00
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-10
24. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 3 07-00 177 $775.00
Day 1: 3 07-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
25. Marco Flores Topeka, KS 5 07-00 176 $775.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 2 02-01
26. Rick Ivy Ponder, TX 4 06-14 175 $664.00
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 05-10
27. Nick Melcher Gypsum, CO 5 06-13 174 $664.00
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 3 04-07
28. Will Major Port Allen, LA 4 06-11 173 $664.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 1 01-12
29. Ray Thomasson Jr El Dorado, AR 3 06-08 172 $664.00
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
30. Christian Kuper Burleson, TX 2 06-07 171 $664.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-07
31. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 3 06-06 170 $609.00
Day 1: 3 06-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
32. Clay Osteen Fort Worth, TX 4 06-06 169 $609.00
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 05-00
33. Blake Graves Natchez, LA 4 06-05 168 $609.00
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 3 04-07
34. Laken Howard Bogue Chitto, MS 4 06-02 167 $609.00
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 1 01-07
35. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 06-01 166 $609.00
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Chris Gaudin Camden, AR 4 06-01 165 $609.00
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 2 02-10
37. Tim Faircloth Bossier City, LA 4 06-00 164 $609.00
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 1 01-13
38. Scott Maness Minden, LA 4 05-15 163 $609.00
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 02-03
39. Joe Stokes Kentwood, LA 5 05-15 162 $609.00
Day 1: 3 03-04 Day 2: 2 02-11
40. Terry Morris Spearsville, LA 3 05-12 161 $609.00
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 1 01-11
41. Trey Bigger Celina, TX 3 05-11 160
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-11
42. Eric Melton Flowood, MS 4 05-11 159
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 1 02-05
43. Dale Jackson Lindale, TX 4 05-11 158
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 02-08
44. Nicholas Ezernack Many, LA 3 05-09 157
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 1 02-02
45. John Polasini Iii Leland, MS 3 05-08 156
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 2 04-04
46. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 4 05-07 155
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 3 04-04
47. Kenneth Cheramie Keatchie, LA 4 05-05 154
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 04-00
48. Robert Kessler Spring, TX 3 05-04 153
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-04
49. Brady Dill Spring, TX 3 05-02 152
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 03-15
50. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 5 05-02 151
Day 1: 3 02-15 Day 2: 2 02-03
51. Billy Graves Montgomery, LA 4 05-01 150
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 1 01-12
52. Michael Greer Deridder, LA 4 05-01 149
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 01-13
53. Greg Gleason Houma, LA 4 05-00 148
Day 1: 3 03-04 Day 2: 1 01-12
54. Caleb Prestenbach Thibodaux, LA 3 04-15 147
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-15
55. Steve Foushee Murphy, TX 3 04-15 146
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 1 01-04
56. Bernard Crump Jackson, MS 3 04-14 145
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Todd Eppinette Downsville, LA 3 04-13 144
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 1 01-11
58. Grant Bourque Prairieville, LA 3 04-12 143
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 03-09
59. Allen Heston Pittsburg, TX 2 04-11 142
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Chuck Halbert Jr Lexa, AR 3 04-10 141
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-10
61. Cody Williams Carthage, TX 3 04-09 140
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. Lance Owen Greer, SC 3 04-08 139
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 2 03-06
63. Charles Reed Batesville, MS 3 04-08 138
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 03-05
64. Jeff Collier Mount Pleasant, TX 3 04-07 137
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
65. James Hickman Shreveport, LA 3 04-06 136
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
66. James Boyett Mountain Home, AR 3 04-05 135
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-05
66. Jon Mohon Sr Port Neches, TX 3 04-05 135
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
68. Albert Hudson Austin, TX 2 04-05 133
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 02-15
69. Terry Barnson Bullard, TX 3 04-04 132
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-04
69. Marian Hall Hattiesburg, MS 3 04-04 132
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 3 04-04 132
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-04
72. David Booth Erin, TN 3 04-04 129
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 1 01-12
73. George Autenreath Monticello, AR 2 04-03 128
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
74. Charlie Watts Zavalla, TX 3 04-03 127
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 1 01-07
75. T.J. Reed Fredericktown, MO 3 04-02 126
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
76. Andrew Althoff Neoga , IL 3 04-00 125
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
77. Clifton Overstreet Dothan, AL 2 04-00 124
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 1 02-12
78. Stuart Woodman Prairieville, LA 3 04-00 123
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 02-11
79. Tommy James Amarillo, TX 3 04-00 122
Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 1 01-12
80. Adam Tims Royse City, TX 3 03-15 121
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 1 01-04
81. Bryan Gibson Arlington, TN 3 03-14 120
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 2 02-04
82. Curtis King Plaquemine, LA 3 03-13 119
Day 1: 3 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
82. David Winters Rock Hill, SC 3 03-13 119
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-13
84. Caleb Black Mcalester, OK 3 03-12 117
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
85. Gary Ogden Purvis, MS 2 03-11 116
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 02-01
86. Bill Black Mcalester, OK 3 03-08 115
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 2 02-06
87. Granger Samaha Denham Springs, LA 2 03-07 114
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Vincent Todaro Luling, LA 3 03-07 113
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 2 02-01
89. Gary Mumphrey Gonzales, LA 1 03-06 112
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
90. Justin Gilliard Kearney, NE 3 03-03 111
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 01-14
91. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 2 03-02 110
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
91. Timothy Hedrick Andrews, TX 2 03-02 110
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
91. Bert Petrie Garland, TX 2 03-02 110
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
94. Elliot Gardner Brenham, TX 2 03-02 107
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 01-12
95. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 2 03-01 106
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 01-07
96. Tony Brossette Vidor, TX 2 02-12 105
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Cody Ryan Greaney Ledbetter, TX 2 02-11 104
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
98. Noel Allen Jr Brandon, MS 2 02-10 103
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-10
99. Chad Gawel Bossier City, LA 2 02-10 102
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 01-05
100. Mike Alls Fort Worth, TX 2 02-06 101
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-06
100. Jacob Vincent Abbeville, LA 2 02-06 101
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Marcus Horace Harvey, IL 2 02-04 99
Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Bob Meder New Braunfels, TX 2 02-04 99
Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 2 02-03 97
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 00-14
105. Craig Danna West Monroe, LA 1 02-00 96
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
106. Jeff Cox Walker, LA 2 02-00 95
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 1 00-15
107. Charles Glorioso II Thibodaux, LA 1 01-15 94
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Kevin Mallow Kansas, OK 1 01-15 94
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
109. Matteo Turano Naperville, IL 1 01-14 92
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Bill Watts Beaumont, TX 1 01-12 91
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
111. Steve Kline Hilltop Lakes, TX 1 01-10 90
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
112. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 1 01-09 89
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-09
112. Nevan Osburn Lipan, TX 1 01-09 89
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. David Riggs Highland, IL 1 01-09 89
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Jason Smith Manvel, TX 1 01-09 89
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Stephen Vogel Muenster, TX 1 01-07 85
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
117. Coach K Kilgore Longview, TX 1 01-05 84
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Bryan Flenniken Fort Worth, TX 1 01-04 83
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Todd Robertson Youngsville, LA 1 01-04 83
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-04
120. Gary Bates Athens, AL 1 01-01 81
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-01
120. Neill Beckham Jacksonville, TX 1 01-01 81
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-01
122. Frank Williams Jackson, MO 1 01-00 79
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-00
123. Vern Deatherage Ava, MO 1 00-15 78
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Blake Alford West Monroe, LA 1 00-14 77
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Jordan Lane Conroe, TX 1 00-14 77
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Jeff Lantz Haughton, LA 1 00-14 77
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. John Stewart Lone Jack, MO 1 00-14 77
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Michael Page Shreveport, LA 1 00-06 73
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 0 -01-00
129. Jacob Altman Olathe, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Charles Armstrong Arthur City, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Anthony Boris Kansasville, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Adam Boyd Humble, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Trey Brafford Kings Mtn, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Robert Brewer LANGSTON, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Ricky Bridges Haughton, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Patrick Butler Hemphill, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Cody Coggin Texarkana, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Max Deroche Duson, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Jeremy Duke Gautier, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. John Gaumnitz Oak Ridge, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. David Harrell Downsville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Darrell Hille Springfield, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Ryker Holmes Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Brandon Hudman Carthage, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Yu Kawamura Kashiwashi JAPAN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Dewayne Lewis Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. WK Luckett Jr Ridgeland, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Lumpy Lumpkin Fort Riley, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Scott McDaniel Stonewall, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Brent Mcneill Lindale, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Von Moore Princeton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. James Newsom Memphis, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Robert Pennell Cuero, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Steven Phillips Bowie, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Bobby Sharpley Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. David Sherrer Elm Grove, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. William Slusher Corpus Christi, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Marty Tanner Tolar, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Rodney Teel Ponchatoula, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Marty Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Kerry Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Jaime Venegas Chihuahua MEXICO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Karl Voss Sulphur, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Chase Weems Gilmer, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 36 215 337-13
2 27 168 263-09
----------------------------------
63 383 601-06

by AnglersChannel

AC Insider Podcast - The Duckett Interview

 

In this special episode, Chris & the boys have the opportunity to sit down with Major League Fishing's President and CEO Boyd Duckett to talk about the new MLF Invitationals, removing the Pro Circuit and why, answering some listener questions along with some tough questions about the MLF Bass Pro Tour and more. If you want answers to some of the most recent questions about MLF, this should help clear some of those up.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Unveils Schedule, Details for 2023 Bass Pro Tour

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 23, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced Friday the schedule for the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour. The fifth season of professional bass fishing’s most prestigious circuit will showcase 80 of the top bass anglers in the world competing in seven regular-season tournaments around the country for millions of dollars, valuable points in the Bally Bet Angler of the Year race, and to qualify for REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, and the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event.

The 2023 Bass Pro Tour kicks off with Stage One on the Kissimmee Chain, in Kissimmee, Florida, Feb. 13-18. Giant largemouth are always a possibility on these famed Florida fisheries, and this event will mark the Bass Pro Tour’s third time to compete on Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain. The venue hosted the circuit’s first ever event in early 2019.

Already announced earlier this year, REDCREST 2023 will take place March 8-12 on Lake Norman in Charlotte, North Carolina. The five-day championship will feature the top 40 anglers from the 2022 Bass Pro Tour season competing for the REDCREST Championship trophy and the sport’s top prize of $300,000. In addition to the championship event, the MLF Outdoor Sports Expo featuring hundreds of exhibitors and activities for fishing fans of all ages will be held March 10-12 at The Park Expo & Conference Center in Charlotte.

In March, the Bass Pro Tour regular season continues in Jefferson County, Tennessee, for Stage Two at Cherokee and Douglas Lakes, March 18-23. Bass Pro Tour anglers should expect a strong prespawn bite as they compete on Cherokee Lake for the Qualifying Round, Douglas Lake for the Knockout Round, then back to Cherokee Lake for the Championship Round showdown.

Stage Three will take place April 2-7, on the “Jewel of South Carolina”, Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, host to numerous major bass fishing tournaments and championships over the years. Stage Three will mark the Bass Pro Tour’s first foray onto the 50,000-acre reservoir. Fans can expect to see some classic late spring patterns in play. Bass will likely be caught in all three phases of the spawn. Bream beds, the shad spawn and fry guarders are all expected to play a role on Lake Murray in early April.

After an extremely successful event in 2022 that showcased the Northern Louisiana fisheries to a global audience, the Bass Pro Tour returns to Caney Creek Reservoir and the Bussey Brake Wildlife Management area in Monroe, Louisiana, April 24-29, for the fourth annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event. Numerous Bass Pro Tour records were set at the venue in 2022, including Randy Howell weighing in the largest bass ever caught in Bass Pro Tour competition – a 12-pound, 14-ounce giant. Although this event will be held during the postspawn, it’s a safe bet that fans will still see a few behemoths weighed in on the MLF NOW! livestream.

From Louisiana, the Bass Pro Tour travels on to Alabama’s Lake Guntersville for Stage Four out of Guntersville, Alabama, May 16-21. Alabama’s largest lake – 75 miles long and covering more than 69,100 acres – is no stranger to major bass tournaments as the venue hosts hundreds of tournaments each year and has for decades been considered one of the best largemouth lakes in the United States. An emergence of eelgrass in recent years has replaced a lot of the milfoil and hydrilla the fishery was once known for, but with bass so spread out viewers can expect to see numerous different tactics in play.

For Stage Five, the Bass Pro Tour will return to Union Springs, New York, and Cayuga Lake, June 6-11, for a historic occurrence – the first major professional bass fishing tournament ever held prior to the traditional start of bass fishing season. The unique Bass Pro Tour format of catch, weigh, photograph and immediate-release fits within the definition of catch-and-release angling season for black bass in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations and guidelines and has been approved by the DEC. Though traditional bass season doesn’t officially start until June 15, catch and release season runs from Dec. 1-June 14. Like the 2022 Bass Pro Tour event on Cayuga Lake, expect huge quantities of both largemouth and smallmouth bass to be caught at Stage Five, as the tournament could be won on either species – or a mixture of the two.

The Bass Pro Tour wraps up the 2023 season on big waters – first with Stage Six at Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township, Michigan, June 24-29. The Bass Pro Tour visited Lake St. Clair in 2021, when pro Michael Neal set numerous Bass Pro Tour records, including the heaviest two-day Qualifying Round total ever weighed and the heaviest Championship Round total ever weighed. Although that event was held a little later in the year, fans can still anticipate excellent fishing in this June event. Most of the bass will be postspawn and well into their summertime patterns, but a few stragglers could still be found on beds. Four-, 5- and 6-pound smallmouth bass are seemingly everywhere, making Lake St. Clair one of the best bronzeback fisheries in the world.

The 2023 Bass Pro Tour season finale will take place Aug. 1-6, with Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay in Bay City, Michigan. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will be in play for Bass Pro Tour anglers, as the Michigan fishery is known for trophy-sized specimen of both species. The fishery remains a bit of a mystery to a lot of fans and anglers alike, as MLF does not have any tournament history on this bay and tributary of Lake Huron. With valuable end-of-year Bally Bet Angler of the Year points, and REDCREST and General Tire Heavy Hitters qualifications up for grabs, expect to see the most stressful, intense competition of the season.

“We are proud to announce our 2023 Bass Pro Tour schedule, bringing these top-level events to new fisheries and returning to a few venues that have hosted some of the greatest events in our Bass Pro Tour history,” said MLF Vice President of Strategic Planning, Michael Mulone. “The success of the Bass Pro Tour is due in large part to an incredible host organization and sponsorship base, which allows us to provide a stellar tournament schedule year in and year out. We appreciate their support and expect that 2023 will be the most competitive and fun season that we have ever had.”

2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour Schedule:

Feb. 13-18        Stage One at Kissimmee Chain                                                                            Kissimmee, Fla.
Hosted by the Kissimmee Sports Commission

March 8-12      REDCREST 2024 at Lake Norman                                                                         Charlotte, N.C.
Hosted by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

March 18-23   Stage Two at Lake Cherokee & Douglas Lake                                                    Jefferson County, Tenn.
Hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism

April 2-7            Stage Three at Lake Murray                                                                                 Columbia, S.C.
Hosted by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board

April 24-29      General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star Event                                                           Monroe, La.
                                Caney Creek Reservoir & Bussey Brake Wildlife Management Area
Hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Office of Tourism

May 16-21        Stage Four at Lake Guntersville                                                                           Guntersville, Ala.
Hosted by Marshall County Tourism & Sports

June 6-11          Stage Five at Lake Cayuga                                                                                     Union Springs, N.Y.
Hosted by the Union Springs/Springport Chamber, Village of Union Springs, and Cayuga County

June 24-29       Stage Six at Lake St. Clair                                                                                       Harrison Township, Mich.
Hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission, Macomb County, Michigan, and Lake St. Clair Metro Parks

Aug. 1-6             Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay                                                                                 Bay City, Mich.
Hosted by Bay City, Michigan

Each stage of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour will feature six days of competition using the catch, weigh, immediate-release format, broadcast live on MLF NOW! and streamed to the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour will air on Discovery Channel beginning in July 2023.

The full 80-angler roster will be officially announced later this fall.

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

Risinger Punches His Way To Lead At Bassmaster Central Open On Red River

Todd Risinger of West Monroe, La., is leading after Day 1 of the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with 13 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
September 22, 2022

Risinger Punches His Way To Lead At Bassmaster Central Open On Red River

BOSSIER CITY, La. — While most of the field fished in about 5 feet of water or less, Todd Risinger of West Monroe, La., went off-script and sacked up a limit of 13 pounds, 9 ounces that leads Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open at Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.

Rising heads into Day 2 with a 6-ounce lead over Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala.

Targeting an oxbow lake off the main river, Risinger found depths of 19 feet and banks of hyacinth blown into the bend. After throwing a ChatterBait around stumps produced a few good bites there during practice, Risinger made a gut decision that put him on the leading fish.

“We started this morning doing the same thing I had done in practice, but then I (told my co-angler) ‘We haven’t done this,’” Rising said. “I went over there and did something else and all of a sudden, boom, boom, boom, we went to catching them. We culled three or four times.”

Risinger’s change: Punching a beaver-style bait with a 1-ounce weight. The results were immediate.

“I hadn’t seen a 3-pounder all week and this morning, on my third cast, I caught a 5-1 and two casts later, I caught one about 4,” Risinger said. “It happened really quickly. I had my weight by about 10 o’clock.

“That beaver-style bait’s narrow head and (streamlined profile) is perfect for punching through hyacinth mats. My co-angler was punching with a bait that had more appendages and he was having more trouble getting through because his bait kept hanging on the vegetation.”

Conventional wisdom says flipping/punching heavy cover tends to improve as the sun gets higher and positions fish in the shadows, while the morning hours often find bass roaming the edges and eating reaction baits.

Risinger said his fish’s appearance clued him into their resident lifestyle.

“Those fish were jet black; they stay in there,” Risinger said. “I told my co-angler ‘These fish are here all the time.’ There was no color to them. They were as dark as they can be. I think they live in that stuff, so the sun angles don’t make much difference.”

Bass spending long periods in dimmer habitats typically darken to blend into their surroundings for safety and ambush feeding strategy. Conversely, fish living in open water and/or over lighter bottoms typically take on a lighter greenish tone.

Risinger noticed the bass seemed to be holding higher in the water column, apparently relating to the mats.

“I’d feel them hit it (when the bait broke through the mat) and when you’d pick up, it was heavy,” he said. “My co-angler missed some fish because they’d hit it on the fall and I think they’d chase it down. They were just kind of suspended under there.”

Risinger spent his day in the local waters of Pool 5. He spent some of his practice in Pool 4 but was unimpressed with the potential.

“I wasn’t catching enough fish in Pool 4, so I just wanted to put my head down and fish as hard as I could in this pool,” Risinger said. “I wanted to give myself as much time as possible.”

Poche is in second place with 13-3. Running what is likely the shallowest drafting boat in the field, he took advantage of river topography — specifically, the changes rendered by back-to-back floods in 2015 and 2016.

“The river’s not what it used to be; there’s a lot of silting in and a lot of places you used to be able to better access with a big boat,” Poche said. “Now it’s just little shallow ditches.”

Using his 18-foot Gatortrax aluminum boat with a 90-horsepower outboard, Poche skimmed through one of those little ditches to reach a small backwater pool with comfortable depths, shoreline cover, lots of baitfish and unpressured bass. Pitching a green pumpkin Berkley Pit Boss produced his bites.

“I caught quite a few fish to get what I had,” Poche said. “I actually caught my biggest fish outside of there. It was about 2:15 on the main river.”

Billy Billeaud of Lafayette, La., is in third place with 12-4. Catching all of his fish punching hyacinths, Billeaud said he used a 1 1/4-ounce punch weight but had to vary his baits.

“I used a Strike King Rage Bug and a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm,” he said. “I was running out of Rage Bugs so I said ‘I've got to see what else they’ll bite.’ I had a few bites on a trick worm in practice, so I put one on and I immediately caught a 3-pounder.”

Billeaud said he methodically fished a 400-yard area for four hours then went to another area where he caught a keeper and lost a good one. On his way back to check in, he stopped on a patch of main river lily pads and caught his biggest fish — a 3-13.

Risinger is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 5-1.

Tim Neumann of Humble, Texas, leads the co-angler division with 7-12. While his bait selection was fairly conservative, success came through presentation diversity.

“The three fish I had came on three different baits,” Neumann said. “The baits were similar, but a little different presentation.

“It was a consistent day, but the bites were few and far between. It was better earlier; I think the bite died later in the day. It was one bite every 45 minutes; you just had to embrace the grind.”

Gary Mumphrey of Gonzales, La., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 3-6.

David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., leads the Central Opens standings with 389 points. Jimmy Washam of Covington, Tenn., is second with 388, followed by Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, La., with 383, Risinger with 383 and Doug Guins of Lake Charles, La., with 379.

Poche leads the overall Bassmaster Opens points standings with 1,169 points.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT from Red River South Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3 p.m. Event coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open #2 Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 9/22-9/24
Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Todd Risinger West Monroe, LA 5 13-09 200
Day 1: 5 13-09
2. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 13-03 199
Day 1: 5 13-03
3. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 5 12-04 198
Day 1: 5 12-04
4. Aaron Johnson Shreveport, LA 5 12-03 197
Day 1: 5 12-03
5. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 11-14 196
Day 1: 5 11-14
6. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 5 11-08 195
Day 1: 5 11-08
7. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 11-08 194
Day 1: 5 11-08
8. Wesley Dawson Chester, TX 5 11-02 193
Day 1: 5 11-02
9. Jimmy Washam Covington, TN 5 11-00 192
Day 1: 5 11-00
10. Doug Guins Lake Charles, LA 5 10-05 191
Day 1: 5 10-05
10. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 5 10-05 191
Day 1: 5 10-05
10. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 10-05 191
Day 1: 5 10-05
10. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-05 191
Day 1: 5 10-05
14. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 10-04 187
Day 1: 5 10-04
15. Jason Borofka Lavon, TX 5 10-03 186
Day 1: 5 10-03
16. Theron Caldwell Decatur, TX 5 10-00 185
Day 1: 5 10-00
17. Nick LeBrun Bossier City, LA 5 09-15 184
Day 1: 5 09-15
18. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 4 09-14 183
Day 1: 4 09-14
19. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 09-12 182
Day 1: 5 09-12
20. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 09-11 181
Day 1: 5 09-11
21. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 4 09-11 180
Day 1: 4 09-11
22. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 09-10 179
Day 1: 5 09-10
23. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 09-06 178
Day 1: 5 09-06
24. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 5 09-04 177
Day 1: 5 09-04
25. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 09-03 176
Day 1: 5 09-03
26. Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 09-01 175
Day 1: 5 09-01
27. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 09-01 174
Day 1: 5 09-01
28. Travis Kelehan Many, LA 5 08-15 173
Day 1: 5 08-15
28. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 08-15 173
Day 1: 5 08-15
28. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 08-15 173
Day 1: 5 08-15
31. Branden Hollingshead Azle, TX 5 08-14 170
Day 1: 5 08-14
32. Richard Ballard Sulphur, LA 4 08-12 169
Day 1: 4 08-12
33. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 5 08-10 168
Day 1: 5 08-10
34. Brian Post Janesville, WI 4 08-09 167
Day 1: 4 08-09
35. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 5 08-08 166
Day 1: 5 08-08
35. Tim Malone Kodak, TN 5 08-08 166
Day 1: 5 08-08
37. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 08-06 164
Day 1: 5 08-06
37. Kayden Tanner Tolar, TX 5 08-06 164
Day 1: 5 08-06
39. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 4 08-06 162
Day 1: 4 08-06
40. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 08-04 161
Day 1: 5 08-04
41. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 08-04 160
Day 1: 5 08-04
42. Bert Thompson Keithville, LA 5 08-03 159
Day 1: 5 08-03
43. Kyle Cortiana Broken Arrow, OK 5 08-02 158
Day 1: 5 08-02
43. Matt Pangrac Bixby, OK 5 08-02 158
Day 1: 5 08-02
45. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 4 08-01 156
Day 1: 4 08-01
46. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 08-00 155
Day 1: 5 08-00
47. Trey Bayles III Eros, LA 5 07-14 154
Day 1: 5 07-14
47. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 07-14 154
Day 1: 5 07-14
49. Craig Schuff Springtown, TX 5 07-13 152
Day 1: 5 07-13
50. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 5 07-12 151
Day 1: 5 07-12
51. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 5 07-11 150
Day 1: 5 07-11
51. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 5 07-11 150
Day 1: 5 07-11
53. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 07-11 148
Day 1: 5 07-11
54. Gary Caruso Baton Rouge, LA 3 07-10 147
Day 1: 3 07-10
55. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 07-09 146
Day 1: 5 07-09
55. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 07-09 146
Day 1: 5 07-09
57. Tanner Crim Devine, TX 4 07-09 144
Day 1: 4 07-09
58. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 07-06 143
Day 1: 5 07-06
59. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 07-04 142
Day 1: 5 07-04
60. Bradford Beavers Summerville, SC 4 07-04 141
Day 1: 4 07-04
61. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 4 07-03 140
Day 1: 4 07-03
62. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 3 07-03 139
Day 1: 3 07-03
63. Eric Brigman Bryan, TX 5 07-02 138
Day 1: 5 07-02
63. Joseph Hardy Hewitt, TX 5 07-02 138
Day 1: 5 07-02
65. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 5 07-01 136
Day 1: 5 07-01
66. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 5 06-15 135
Day 1: 5 06-15
67. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 4 06-15 134
Day 1: 4 06-15
68. Edgar Romero Renteria Leon MEXICO 4 06-13 133
Day 1: 4 06-13
69. Jacob Ormond Sterlington, LA 4 06-12 132
Day 1: 4 06-12
70. Mark Watson Midlothian, TX 5 06-11 131
Day 1: 5 06-11
71. David Cavell Prairieville, LA 5 06-09 130
Day 1: 5 06-09
72. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 5 06-08 129
Day 1: 5 06-08
73. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 4 06-08 128
Day 1: 4 06-08
74. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 5 06-06 127
Day 1: 5 06-06
75. Travis Franks Lake Charles, LA 3 06-04 126
Day 1: 3 06-04
76. Todd Childs Waxahachie, TX 4 06-03 125
Day 1: 4 06-03
76. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 4 06-03 125
Day 1: 4 06-03
78. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 06-01 123
Day 1: 5 06-01
79. Drew Sloan Scurry, TX 3 06-01 122
Day 1: 3 06-01
80. Justin Margraves Diana, TX 5 06-00 121
Day 1: 5 06-00
80. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 06-00 121
Day 1: 5 06-00
82. Cody Nichols Fayette, AL 5 05-15 119
Day 1: 5 05-15
83. Todd Carnes College Station, TX 3 05-13 118
Day 1: 3 05-13
84. B.J. Usie Bourg, LA 3 05-12 117
Day 1: 3 05-12
85. Zack Birge Blanchard, OK 4 05-09 116
Day 1: 4 05-09
85. Jacob Walker Springville, AL 4 05-09 116
Day 1: 4 05-09
87. James Caldemeyer Gilmer, TX 3 05-09 114
Day 1: 3 05-09
88. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 4 05-04 113
Day 1: 4 05-04
89. Marvin Ettredge Shreveport, LA 3 05-02 112
Day 1: 3 05-02
90. Chad Murray Ferriday , LA 3 05-01 111
Day 1: 3 05-01
91. Jeremy Johnson Mansfield, TX 2 05-01 110
Day 1: 2 05-01
92. William Mcnutt II Benton, LA 3 05-00 109
Day 1: 3 05-00
93. Nick Abshire Sulphur, LA 3 04-15 108
Day 1: 3 04-15
94. Nick Brown Lindale, TX 3 04-13 107
Day 1: 3 04-13
95. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 2 04-13 106
Day 1: 2 04-13
96. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 3 04-12 105
Day 1: 3 04-12
97. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 3 04-11 104
Day 1: 3 04-11
98. David Keith Bossier, LA 3 04-09 103
Day 1: 3 04-09
99. Dustin Wilkey Durant, OK 2 04-09 102
Day 1: 2 04-09
100. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 3 04-05 101
Day 1: 3 04-05
101. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 2 04-05 100
Day 1: 2 04-05
102. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 3 04-04 99
Day 1: 3 04-04
103. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 3 04-02 98
Day 1: 3 04-02
104. Sterling Martin Comfort, TX 2 04-02 97
Day 1: 2 04-02
105. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 3 04-01 96
Day 1: 3 04-01
106. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 3 04-00 95
Day 1: 3 04-00
106. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 3 04-00 95
Day 1: 3 04-00
108. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 3 03-14 93
Day 1: 3 03-14
109. Bruce Whitmire Channelview, TX 2 03-14 92
Day 1: 2 03-14
110. Richard Cathey San Antonio, TX 2 03-11 91
Day 1: 2 03-11
111. Chad Petrie Scroggins, TX 3 03-10 90
Day 1: 3 03-10
112. Christopher Thornton Morgan City, LA 2 03-10 89
Day 1: 2 03-10
113. Jason Pittman Covington, MS 3 03-09 88
Day 1: 3 03-09
114. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 2 03-09 87
Day 1: 2 03-09
114. Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 2 03-09 87
Day 1: 2 03-09
116. Blake Schroeder Whitehouse, TX 3 03-08 85
Day 1: 3 03-08
117. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 3 03-07 84
Day 1: 3 03-07
117. Connor Rushing Zachary, LA 3 03-07 84
Day 1: 3 03-07
119. Bill Hutchison Jr. Bessemer, AL 3 03-05 82
Day 1: 3 03-05
120. Jeff Avery El Dorado, AR 2 03-05 81
Day 1: 2 03-05
120. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 2 03-05 81
Day 1: 2 03-05
122. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 1 03-05 79
Day 1: 1 03-05
123. Keith Nabours Hemphill, TX 3 03-03 78
Day 1: 3 03-03
124. Daisuke Kita Ohtsu Shiga JAPAN 2 03-02 77
Day 1: 2 03-02
124. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 2 03-02 77
Day 1: 2 03-02
126. Kyle Owen Guntersville, AL 2 03-01 75
Day 1: 2 03-01
126. Blake Whatley Harleton, TX 2 03-01 75
Day 1: 2 03-01
128. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 2 03-00 73
Day 1: 2 03-00
129. Noah Boyett Mountain Home, AR 2 02-15 72
Day 1: 2 02-15
130. Darold Gleason Many, LA 1 02-15 71
Day 1: 1 02-15
131. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 2 02-14 70
Day 1: 2 02-14
132. Connor Graham Minneapolis, MN 2 02-13 69
Day 1: 2 02-13
132. Allen Stewart Lakeview, AR 2 02-13 69
Day 1: 2 02-13
134. Chris Jones Bokoshe, OK 2 02-10 67
Day 1: 2 02-10
134. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 2 02-10 67
Day 1: 2 02-10
136. Kirk Tisdale Ellisville, MS 2 02-09 65
Day 1: 2 02-09
136. Alfred Williams Jackson, MS 2 02-09 65
Day 1: 2 02-09
138. Darrell Newman Bruceville, TX 2 02-08 63
Day 1: 2 02-08
139. Zack Holwerda Wittmann, AZ 1 02-08 62
Day 1: 1 02-08
140. Jason Smith Forney, TX 2 02-07 61
Day 1: 2 02-07
141. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 2 02-06 60
Day 1: 2 02-06
141. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 2 02-06 60
Day 1: 2 02-06
143. Stephanie Hemphill Village Mills, TX 2 02-05 58
Day 1: 2 02-05
143. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 2 02-05 58
Day 1: 2 02-05
145. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 1 02-03 56
Day 1: 1 02-03
145. Chandler Stewart Canyon Lake, TX 1 02-03 56
Day 1: 1 02-03
147. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 1 02-02 54
Day 1: 1 02-02
148. Chris McCall Kirbyville, TX 2 02-01 53
Day 1: 2 02-01
149. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 1 01-14 52
Day 1: 1 01-14
149. Bart Stanisz Wichita Falls , TX 1 01-14 52
Day 1: 1 01-14
151. Brandon Burks Stephenville, TX 1 01-12 50
Day 1: 1 01-12
151. Jimmy Green Jenks, OK 1 01-12 50
Day 1: 1 01-12
151. Austin Howard Granby, CO 1 01-12 50
Day 1: 1 01-12
154. Larry Puckett Decatur, TX 2 01-11 47
Day 1: 2 01-11
155. Randy Craft Seminary, MS 1 01-11 46
Day 1: 1 01-11
156. Justin Hymel Norco, LA 1 01-10 45
Day 1: 1 01-10
156. Tanner Sanderson Ackerly, TX 1 01-10 45
Day 1: 1 01-10
156. Kenji Yamada otsu,shiga 5200222 Shig 1 01-10 45
Day 1: 1 01-10
159. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 1 01-09 42
Day 1: 1 01-09
160. Marshall Hughes Hemphill, TX 1 01-08 41
Day 1: 1 01-08
160. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 1 01-08 41
Day 1: 1 01-08
162. T-Roy Broussard Port Arthur, TX 1 01-07 39
Day 1: 1 01-07
162. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 1 01-07 39
Day 1: 1 01-07
162. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 1 01-07 39
Day 1: 1 01-07
162. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 1 01-07 39
Day 1: 1 01-07
162. Jack Tindel Orange, TX 1 01-07 39
Day 1: 1 01-07
167. Shannon Denson Brandon, MS 1 01-06 34
Day 1: 1 01-06
167. Kylie Sparks Denham Spgs, LA 1 01-06 34
Day 1: 1 01-06
169. Brett Cannon Willis, TX 1 01-05 32
Day 1: 1 01-05
169. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 1 01-05 32
Day 1: 1 01-05
169. Tommy Robinson Westland, MI 1 01-05 32
Day 1: 1 01-05
169. Michael Wooten White House, TN 1 01-05 32
Day 1: 1 01-05
173. Brad Hollowell Azle, TX 1 01-04 28
Day 1: 1 01-04
173. Brady Vernon Birmingham, AL 1 01-04 28
Day 1: 1 01-04
175. Nathan Donnell China Spring, TX 1 01-03 26
Day 1: 1 01-03
175. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 1 01-03 26
Day 1: 1 01-03
177. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 1 01-01 24
Day 1: 1 01-01
177. Steven Gilliam Blanchard, OK 1 01-01 24
Day 1: 1 01-01
179. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 1 01-00 22
Day 1: 1 01-00
179. Wyatt Frankens Corrigan , TX 1 01-00 22
Day 1: 1 01-00
179. Dave Redington Winnsboro, TX 1 01-00 22
Day 1: 1 01-00
182. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 1 00-15 19
Day 1: 1 00-15
183. Allen Armour Cumming, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Lonnie Cochran Section, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Robert Crowe Denham Springs, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Clay Dyer Hazel Green, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. D.J. Ellis Crestview, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Johnny Grice Arp, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Wayne Hall Cottonwood, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Victor Hawkins Sugar Land, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Bill McNutt Henry, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Hayden Newberry Jonesboro, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Eric Pinter Little Rock, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Michael Quatrone Atoka, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Mark Russell Yantis, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
183. Bert Worrell Jr Longview, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 63 579 985-13
----------------------------------
63 579 985-13

2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open #2 Red River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 9/22-9/24
Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Tim Neumann Humble, TX 3 07-12 200
Day 1: 3 07-12
2. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 3 07-00 199
Day 1: 3 07-00
3. Michael Scalise Port Allen, LA 3 06-11 198
Day 1: 3 06-11
4. Cameron Naquin Gray, LA 3 06-10 197
Day 1: 3 06-10
5. Marvin Delong Colfax, LA 3 06-07 196
Day 1: 3 06-07
6. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 3 06-06 195
Day 1: 3 06-06
7. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 06-01 194
Day 1: 3 06-01
8. Ross Bryant Alexandria, LA 3 05-13 193
Day 1: 3 05-13
8. Travis Culbreth Alexander City, AL 3 05-13 193
Day 1: 3 05-13
10. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 3 05-11 191
Day 1: 3 05-11
11. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 3 05-00 190
Day 1: 3 05-00
12. Ray Thomasson Jr El Dorado, AR 2 05-00 189
Day 1: 2 05-00
13. Marco Flores Topeka, KS 3 04-15 188
Day 1: 3 04-15
13. Will Major Port Allen, LA 3 04-15 188
Day 1: 3 04-15
15. Bernard Crump Jackson, MS 3 04-14 186
Day 1: 3 04-14
16. Laken Howard Bogue Chitto, MS 3 04-11 185
Day 1: 3 04-11
17. Allen Heston Pittsburg, TX 2 04-11 184
Day 1: 2 04-11
18. Skip Rayborn Hammond, LA 3 04-10 183
Day 1: 3 04-10
19. Cody Williams Carthage, TX 3 04-09 182
Day 1: 3 04-09
20. Cody Richardson Gautier, MS 3 04-08 181
Day 1: 3 04-08
21. Hunter Hamilton Baton Rouge, LA 2 04-08 180
Day 1: 2 04-08
22. Jeff Collier Mount Pleasant, TX 3 04-07 179
Day 1: 3 04-07
23. Jason Fontenot Lake Charles, LA 2 04-07 178
Day 1: 2 04-07
24. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 3 04-06 177
Day 1: 3 04-06
25. James Hickman Shreveport, LA 3 04-06 176
Day 1: 3 04-06
26. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 2 04-06 175
Day 1: 2 04-06
27. Jason Campbell Berwick, LA 3 04-05 174
Day 1: 3 04-05
27. Jon Mohon Sr Port Neches, TX 3 04-05 174
Day 1: 3 04-05
29. Nathan Bourque Prairieville, LA 3 04-04 172
Day 1: 3 04-04
29. Marian Hall Hattiesburg, MS 3 04-04 172
Day 1: 3 04-04
31. Tim Faircloth Bossier City, LA 3 04-03 170
Day 1: 3 04-03
32. George Autenreath Monticello, AR 2 04-03 169
Day 1: 2 04-03
33. T.J. Reed Fredericktown, MO 3 04-02 168
Day 1: 3 04-02
34. Terry Morris Spearsville, LA 2 04-01 167
Day 1: 2 04-01
35. Andrew Althoff Neoga , IL 3 04-00 166
Day 1: 3 04-00
36. Curtis King Plaquemine, LA 3 03-13 165
Day 1: 3 03-13
37. Caleb Black Mcalester, OK 3 03-12 164
Day 1: 3 03-12
37. Matt Michel Gonzales, LA 3 03-12 164
Day 1: 3 03-12
39. Scott Maness Minden, LA 2 03-12 162
Day 1: 2 03-12
40. Steve Foushee Murphy, TX 2 03-11 161
Day 1: 2 03-11
41. Nicholas Ezernack Many, LA 2 03-07 160
Day 1: 2 03-07
41. Chris Gaudin Camden, AR 2 03-07 160
Day 1: 2 03-07
41. Granger Samaha Denham Springs, LA 2 03-07 160
Day 1: 2 03-07
44. Eric Melton Flowood, MS 3 03-06 157
Day 1: 3 03-06
45. Gary Mumphrey Gonzales, LA 1 03-06 156
Day 1: 1 03-06
46. Billy Graves Montgomery, LA 3 03-05 155
Day 1: 3 03-05
47. Greg Gleason Houma, LA 3 03-04 154
Day 1: 3 03-04
47. Joe Stokes Kentwood, LA 3 03-04 154
Day 1: 3 03-04
49. Michael Greer Deridder, LA 2 03-04 152
Day 1: 2 03-04
50. Dale Jackson Lindale, TX 2 03-03 151
Day 1: 2 03-03
51. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 2 03-02 150
Day 1: 2 03-02
51. Todd Eppinette Downsville, LA 2 03-02 150
Day 1: 2 03-02
51. Dalton Haynes Hamburg, AR 2 03-02 150
Day 1: 2 03-02
51. Timothy Hedrick Andrews, TX 2 03-02 150
Day 1: 2 03-02
51. Bert Petrie Garland, TX 2 03-02 150
Day 1: 2 03-02
56. Austin Adams Raceland, LA 2 03-00 145
Day 1: 2 03-00
56. Tiffany Leal Austin, TX 2 03-00 145
Day 1: 2 03-00
58. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 3 02-15 143
Day 1: 3 02-15
59. Tony Brossette Vidor, TX 2 02-12 142
Day 1: 2 02-12
59. Charlie Watts Zavalla, TX 2 02-12 142
Day 1: 2 02-12
61. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 2 02-11 140
Day 1: 2 02-11
61. Cody Ryan Greaney Ledbetter, TX 2 02-11 140
Day 1: 2 02-11
61. Adam Tims Royse City, TX 2 02-11 140
Day 1: 2 02-11
64. David Booth Erin, TN 2 02-08 137
Day 1: 2 02-08
65. Nick Melcher Gypsum, CO 2 02-06 136
Day 1: 2 02-06
65. Jacob Vincent Abbeville, LA 2 02-06 136
Day 1: 2 02-06
67. John Higginbotham Clinton, LA 1 02-06 134
Day 1: 1 02-06
68. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 2 02-05 133
Day 1: 2 02-05
69. Marcus Horace Harvey, IL 2 02-04 132
Day 1: 2 02-04
69. Tommy James Amarillo, TX 2 02-04 132
Day 1: 2 02-04
69. Bob Meder New Braunfels, TX 2 02-04 132
Day 1: 2 02-04
72. Craig Danna West Monroe, LA 1 02-00 129
Day 1: 1 02-00
73. Charles Glorioso II Thibodaux, LA 1 01-15 128
Day 1: 1 01-15
74. Blake Graves Natchez, LA 1 01-14 127
Day 1: 1 01-14
74. Matteo Turano Naperville, IL 1 01-14 127
Day 1: 1 01-14
76. Bill Watts Beaumont, TX 1 01-12 125
Day 1: 1 01-12
77. Bryan Gibson Arlington, TN 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
77. Gary Ogden Purvis, MS 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
77. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 1 01-10 124
Day 1: 1 01-10
80. Nevan Osburn Lipan, TX 1 01-09 121
Day 1: 1 01-09
80. David Riggs Highland, IL 1 01-09 121
Day 1: 1 01-09
80. Jason Smith Manvel, TX 1 01-09 121
Day 1: 1 01-09
83. Stephen Vogel Muenster, TX 1 01-07 118
Day 1: 1 01-07
84. Elliot Gardner Brenham, TX 1 01-06 117
Day 1: 1 01-06
84. Albert Hudson Austin, TX 1 01-06 117
Day 1: 1 01-06
84. Clay Osteen Fort Worth, TX 1 01-06 117
Day 1: 1 01-06
84. Michael Page Shreveport, LA 1 01-06 117
Day 1: 1 01-06
84. Vincent Todaro Luling, LA 1 01-06 117
Day 1: 1 01-06
89. Kenneth Cheramie Keatchie, LA 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
89. Chad Gawel Bossier City, LA 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
89. Justin Gilliard Kearney, NE 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
89. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
89. Coach K Kilgore Longview, TX 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
89. Stuart Woodman Prairieville, LA 1 01-05 112
Day 1: 1 01-05
95. Bryan Flenniken Fort Worth, TX 1 01-04 106
Day 1: 1 01-04
95. Rick Ivy Ponder, TX 1 01-04 106
Day 1: 1 01-04
95. Clifton Overstreet Dothan, AL 1 01-04 106
Day 1: 1 01-04
95. John Polasini Iii Leland, MS 1 01-04 106
Day 1: 1 01-04
99. Grant Bourque Prairieville, LA 1 01-03 102
Day 1: 1 01-03
99. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 1 01-03 102
Day 1: 1 01-03
99. Brady Dill Spring, TX 1 01-03 102
Day 1: 1 01-03
99. Charles Reed Batesville, MS 1 01-03 102
Day 1: 1 01-03
103. Bill Black Mcalester, OK 1 01-02 98
Day 1: 1 01-02
103. Lance Owen Greer, SC 1 01-02 98
Day 1: 1 01-02
105. Jeff Cox Walker, LA 1 01-01 96
Day 1: 1 01-01
106. Vern Deatherage Ava, MO 1 00-15 95
Day 1: 1 00-15
107. Blake Alford West Monroe, LA 1 00-14 94
Day 1: 1 00-14
107. Jordan Lane Conroe, TX 1 00-14 94
Day 1: 1 00-14
107. Jeff Lantz Haughton, LA 1 00-14 94
Day 1: 1 00-14
107. John Stewart Lone Jack, MO 1 00-14 94
Day 1: 1 00-14
111. Noel Allen Jr Brandon, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Mike Alls Fort Worth, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Jacob Altman Olathe, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Charles Armstrong Arthur City, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Terry Barnson Bullard, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Gary Bates Athens, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Neill Beckham Jacksonville, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Trey Bigger Celina, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Anthony Boris Kansasville, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Adam Boyd Humble, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. James Boyett Mountain Home, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Trey Brafford Kings Mtn, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Robert Brewer LANGSTON, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Ricky Bridges Haughton, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Patrick Butler Hemphill, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Cody Coggin Texarkana, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Max Deroche Duson, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Jeremy Duke Gautier, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. John Gaumnitz Oak Ridge, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Chuck Halbert Jr Lexa, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. David Harrell Downsville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Darrell Hille Springfield, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Ryker Holmes Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Brandon Hudman Carthage, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Yu Kawamura Kashiwashi JAPAN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Robert Kessler Spring, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Steve Kline Hilltop Lakes, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Christian Kuper Burleson, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Dewayne Lewis Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. WK Luckett Jr Ridgeland, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Lumpy Lumpkin Fort Riley, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Kevin Mallow Kansas, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Scott McDaniel Stonewall, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Brent Mcneill Lindale, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Von Moore Princeton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. James Newsom Memphis, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Robert Pennell Cuero, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Steven Phillips Bowie, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Caleb Prestenbach Thibodaux, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Todd Robertson Youngsville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Bobby Sharpley Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. David Sherrer Elm Grove, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. William Slusher Corpus Christi, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Marty Tanner Tolar, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Rodney Teel Ponchatoula, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Marty Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Kerry Trent Dodge City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Jaime Venegas Chihuahua MEXICO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Karl Voss Sulphur, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Chase Weems Gilmer, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Frank Williams Jackson, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. David Winters Rock Hill, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 36 215 337-13
----------------------------------
36 215 337-13

by AnglersChannel

Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Landing Nets

The toughest nets on the market for the toughest fish in the lake

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 22, 2022) – When the toughest tools, accessories and equipment are needed – Ugly Stik delivers. The new Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Landing Nets are worthy of the Ugly Stik name and will withstand any battle with the toughest fish in the lake.

Available in three sizes: small, medium and large, the Ugly Tuff Landing Nets feature virtually unbreakable handles with non-slip Ugly Tuff handle grips to keep you holding on in slippery, slimy and wet conditions. The rugged aluminum yoke supports a high strength aluminum hoop with a fish friendly, knotless dipped net. The Ugly Tuff net beats them all with a load rating of up to 120-pounds. The toughest net for the toughest fish. Fish the way it was meant to be done. Fish Ugly.

Key Features
• Withstands 120-pound load
• Ugly Tuff virtually unbreakable handles
• Ugly Tuff non-slip grips
• Forged aluminum yoke
• Rugged 5/8-inch aluminum hoop
• Fish-safe knotless coated nylon netting
• Flat bottom net
• Withstands 120-pound load

MSRP: Small – $139.99 • Medium – $169.99 • Large – $199.99
Available: November 2022

by AnglersChannel

New Finesse Bass Jig

Ever Green IR Finesse Jig produces more fish on pressured waters 

Cypress, CA (September 22, 2022) – Known for their extraordinary bass-catching abilities, there’s just something special about rubber-skirted jigs. Pitched, flipped, dragged, or hopped, they simply catch fish—no bones about it. Largemouth and smallmouth bass all eat forage that rubber-skirted jigs resemble—like young-of-the-year bluegills, and, of course, crawfish in all stages of development.

Enter the Ever Green IR Finesse Jig, a rubber-skirted jig unlike any other on bait shop shelves. A new take on the rubber-skirted finesse jig design—like a lot of cutting-edge baits and techniques—the IR Finesse Jig finds its origin on pressured, Japanese waters where anglers are constantly having to find the next big thing.

So, Ever Green is proud to introduce a radical new take in rubber-skirted finesse bass jig design. The lure is sure to please the most discerning anglers looking for that perfect cross between a football-head, round head, grass jig, and sim jig to ply bluegill and crawfish inhabited waters.

The new IR Finesse Jig is fraught with stealthy and consequential features. For one, the head is perfectly rounded to drop straight, deflect of structure, and crawl linearly on bare bottoms like gravel and sand. The head’s line-tie is at a 45-degree angle, which accommodates direct line to your rod tip for better feels and control. The intended line-tie angle also assists successful hooksets. Its custom long-shank hook is bloody sharp and unbending. The IR Finesse Jig also features a significant wire bait-keeper to fortify plastic trailers, while a single and double rattle holder on the base of the head allows for an audible addendum for mimicking crawdad “clicks”. Lastly, you’ll appreciate the weed-guard, which extends beyond the hook point, beating back snags, yet keeps the hook gap open for bass inhales and the subsequent hookset.

The IR Finesse Jig is available in three sizes – 5/16-, 3/8- and ½-ounce – and ten uber-bassy colors, to include: DARK GREEN PUMPKIN, BROWN PURPLE, GREEN PUMPKIN CRAW, BLACK BLUE TIP, SAPPHIRE CRAW, DK GRN PUMPKIN BRN CRAW, CLASSIC BROWN, CLEARWATER CRAW, ALABAMA CRAW, and HITE'S HOT CRAW.

Again, designed in Japan to service bass anglers used to difficult, discerning bass on waters like famed Lake Biwa, the Ever Green IR Finesse Jig was painstakingly designed and tested to catch fish when other methods fail.

ALABAMA CRAW

CLEARWATER CRAW

CLASSIC BROWN

DARK GREEN PUMPKIN BROWN CRAW

SAPPHIRE CRAW

BLACK BLUE TIP

GREEN PUMPKIN CRAW

BROWN PURPLE

DARK GREEN PUMPKIN

HITES HOT CRAW

Its design is simple—yet effective. Satoshi Ito, Ever Green Product Manager, comments, “Since Ever Green started designing and building baits, our first concern has been to create lures that look and act realistically. With the IR Finesse Jig, you’ve got a great option for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass that looks and behaves like juvenile baitfish or crawdads skittering along the bottom. It can be fished like a football jig—and dragged on bottom without snags—but also excels as a flipping jig when you want a slightly smaller profile for neutral to negative fish. It also comes through the grass and junk easily for fishing all conditions. All around, it’s just a great bass jig.”

You’ll immediately appreciate the IR Finesse Jig, a bass jig unlike any other. There are numbers of other realistic-looking bass jigs on the market, but none are capable of summoning so many bites.

The bait also casts, flips, and pitches like a bullet. DAIWA recommends throwing it on baitcasting gear with Daiwa J-Braid and a green and brown J-Fluoro Samura Hidden Concept fluorocarbon leader or straight fluorocarbon to feel the slightest movement of the bait and anticipate bone-crushing strikes.

FEATURES:

  • Crossover rubber-skirted finesse design with a compact, round head
  • Ten initial crawfish/panfish colors in the bait family
  • Strong, unbending custom, long-shank design hook
  • Wire bait keeper that keeps plastic trailers buttoned and prevents sliding off
  • Single or double rattle holder
  • Plastic brush weed guard that extends beyond the hook point but keeps hook gap open
  • Three sizes: 5/16-, 3/8- and ½- ounce

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Announces 2023 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Schedule, Entry Dates, Advancement Opportunities

TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2022)  – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced Thursday details for the 2023 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E., which kicks off its regular season in late-January at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas, and runs through late-September when it wraps up at the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Offering the biggest payouts for the lowest entry fees of any national tournament trail, the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. gives anglers the opportunity to fish close to home for incredible awards and advancement to the nationally televised Toyota Series Championship where pros compete for up to $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and co-anglers compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury.

New in 2023, the winning pro at the Toyota Series Championship will also qualify for REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour Championship – for the chance to win $300,000.

“We are extremely excited about the lineup of fisheries for the 2023 season and thrilled to offer Toyota Series anglers the opportunity for advancement to REDCREST 2024,” said Mark McWha, Toyota Series Tournament Director. “New opportunities in the Wild Card division and the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ format guarantee that anglers are never out of contention to qualify for the Toyota Series Championship where pros only have to beat 27 anglers from their home division to win $10,000. That’s an incredible opportunity.”

The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be hosted by ExploreBranson.com, November 2-4, at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. The championship field will feature the top 25 pros and co-anglers from each of the six U.S. Toyota Series divisions and the Wild Card division (up from 12 Wild Card division anglers in 2022) plus tournament winners; the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each of the six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regionals and the TBF from the All-American; the top three teams from the College Fishing National Championship; the High School Fishing National Champions; the TBF National Champions; and up to two pros from each MLF International country.

“We are excited to host the Toyota Series Championship for Major League Fishing next fall in Branson,” said Jason Outman, President and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We look forward to following all of the anglers who will bring the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing to Table Rock Lake and look forward to welcoming their families and fans who will be here, too.”

Every Toyota Series tournament features live weigh-in coverage and the Toyota Series Championship will be televised on CBS Sports.

The top five pros from each U.S. division in Angler of the Year standings qualify for the new MLF Invitationals. If a top-five pro declines his or her bid or earns qualification through the Invitationals or Bass Pro Tour, the next eligible pro qualifies. This process continues through the top 10 pros in each division.

“We are proud to provide anglers from coast to coast with opportunities to fish for incredible awards on their favorite fisheries while advancing to the sport’s highest level,” said Alan Gray, Toyota Series Western Division Tournament Director. “Some of the best anglers in the world compete in our Western Division, and I look forward to working with them to showcase their talents.”

The highest-finishing pro from each division, now including the Wild Card division, at the Toyota Series Championship receives a $10,000 bonus. The Anglers of the Year and Strike King Co-anglers of the Year will also be awarded $5,000 and $2,000, respectively, in each of the six U.S. divisions.

Anglers automatically qualify for Wild Card division advancement and bonuses by fishing four or more tournaments in any combination of divisions and keeping their three highest finishes.

The complete 2023 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

2023 MLF Toyota Series Schedule:

Central Division
Feb. 16-18                           Lake Guntersville                            Scottsboro, Ala.
Hosted by the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce

March 21-23*                     Lewis Smith Lake                            Cullman, Ala.
Hosted by the Cullman County Tourism Bureau

April 25-27*                       Lake Chickamauga                          Dayton, Tenn.
Hosted by Fish Dayton - Rhea Economic & Tourism Council

Northern Division
June 22-24                           Lake Champlain                              Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Hosted by the City of Plattsburgh & Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau

August 10-12                       St. Lawrence River                          Massena, N.Y.
Hosted by the Town of Massena

September 21-23                 Potomac River                                  Marbury, Md.
Hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners

Plains Division
March 16-18                      Grand Lake                                        Grove, Okla.
Hosted by the City of Grove

April 20-22                         Kentucky/Barkley Lake                   Calvert City, Ky.
Hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

September 28-30                Lake of the Ozarks                           Osage Beach, Mo.
Hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association

Southern Division
February 1-3**                  Harris Chain of Lakes                      Leesburg, Fla.
Hosted by Visit Lake County, Florida

March 30 – April 1            Lake Okeechobee                              Clewiston, Fla.
Hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council

May 11-13                           Lake Eufaula                                     Eufaula, Ala.
Hosted by the Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce

Southwestern Division
January 25-27 **                Sam Rayburn Reservoir                  Brookeland, Texas
Hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce

April 4-6*                            Lake Dardanelle                               Russellville, Ark.
Hosted by Russellville Advertising and Promotions

May 18-20                            Sam Rayburn Reservoir                 Brookeland, Texas
Hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce

Western Division
February 2-4                       Lake Havasu                                     Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Hosted by Go Lake Havasu

March 16-18                        California Delta                                Oakley, Calif. †
Hosted by the City of Oakley

April 20-22                           California Delta                               Oakley, Calif. †
Hosted by the City of Oakley

Toyota Series Championship
November 2-4                      Table Rock Lake                               Branson, Mo.
Hosted by ExploreBranson.com

*  Tuesday – Thursday event
** Wednesday – Friday event
† Subject to DNR draw

Entry fees are unchanged for 2023 at $1,700 per tournament for pros and $550 per tournament for co-anglers. Anglers can register for the 2023 Toyota Series season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:

  • Entries from the top 25 pros and co-anglers and tournament winners from each division of the 2022 Toyota Series and the top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division of the 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League plus the winner of each 2022 Bass Fishing League tournament (who paid an entry fee for all five tournaments in a division and fished at least two tournaments in the same division) and the top 10 anglers from the 2022 College Fishing National Championship will be accepted beginning November 7. These anglers have until November 28 to secure their priority entry position.
  • Phoenix boat owners (Phoenix owners with current registrations or confirmation of a boat order who will use their Phoenix boat in Toyota Series competition) may enter beginning November 29.
  • Anglers who fished a full division of the 2022 Toyota Series or a full division of the 2022 Bass Fishing League may enter beginning November 30.
  • TBF members may enter beginning December 1.
  • All other entries will be accepted beginning December 2.
For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF Toyota Series on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube .

by AnglersChannel

Ugly Stik Carbon Species Specific Rods

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 22, 2022) – Still 50% stronger and now 30% lighter, the all-new Ugly Stik Carbon Species Specific rods feature the legendary Ugly Stik toughness that’s matched with Ugly Tech construction to make a lineup of lighter and more sensitive rods. Designed specifically for Catfish, Crappie and Salmon/Steelhead, the new Carbon Species rods are packed with increased sensitivity, crisp actions and models to perfectly suit each individual species application.

With 28 new models of rods joining the Ugly Stik Carbon family, Ugly Stik is now even more versatile for anglers regardless of their species of choice.

Ugly Stik Carbon Series KEY FEATURES
• Still 50% stronger*, now 30% lighter**
• Ugly Stik solid graphite tip provides increased sensitivity
• Ugly Tech construction – 100% 24-ton graphite
• One-piece, stainless steel Ugly Tuff guides provide maximized durability and eliminate guide damage
• 7-year warranty

Crappie
• Full high-density EVA rear grip for added durability
• Golf style fore grip for added comfort and control
• Ten different rod models ranging from 5’4” to 11’
MSRP: $59.95 – $74.95
Available: September 2022

Catfish
• Full EVA shrink tube rear grip for added durability
• Oversized golf-style fore grip for added comfort and control
• Eight different rod models ranging from 7’6” to 9’6”
MSRP: $89.95 – $99.95
Available: September 2022

Salmon/Steelhead
• Oversized carbon fiber fore grip
• Golf style full rear grip for added durability and control
• Ten different rod models ranging from 7’6” to 10’6”
MSRP: $99.95 – $119.95
Available: October 2022

*On average, based on controlled lab testing, when comparing Ugly Stik Carbon model USCBSP701MH to Abu Garcia Vendetta model VDTS70-6. Actual strength may vary.
**On average, based on controlled lab testing, compare to like Ugly Stik GX2 rod models. Actual weight may vary.

by AnglersChannel

AC Insider Podcast - "An Incredible Inspiration"

 

This week Chris & the boys are back, and excited to welcome back to the show your latest Toyota Series CHAMP, Arkansas' Hunter Baughman. Hunter has an incredible story to go along with being an incredible young man, husband and father. This one is worth the listen.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Announces 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Schedule, Entry Dates, Advancement Opportunities

TULSA, Okla. (September 21, 2022) – Major League Fishing announced today the schedule, rules, payouts and entry dates for the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine, the only circuit offering weekend anglers the opportunity to advance to the prestigious All-American, Toyota Series Championship and new in 2023, REDCREST – the Bass Pro Tour Championship – for a shot at winning top boater awards of $120,000, $235,000 and $300,000, respectively, including lucrative Phoenix MLF Bonuses.

The 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be hosted by Visit Oconee South Carolina May 31-June 2 at Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each of six Regional tournaments and the Wild Card will qualify. The highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each Regional and the Wild Card at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus – Beat just five anglers from your regional and advance to a second no-entry-fee championship for a shot at one of the sport’s biggest paydays. The All-American boater champion will also advance to REDCREST 2024 for a shot at winning $300,000.

“For well over a decade, we have enjoyed and prospered from our relationship with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League, and we are looking forward to the All-American on Lake Hartwell,” said Ken Sloan, President and CEO of Visit Oconee South Carolina. “We are exceptionally excited to host this as our first major event on our new mega ramp at Seneca Creek.”

The Phoenix Bass Fishing League is the premier grassroots tournament circuit for weekend anglers, maintaining the best payouts and advancement opportunities for the lowest entry fees available in the sport.

With every tournament featuring live streaming weigh-in coverage, the Phoenix Bass Fishing League allows anglers to fish close to home – creating a clear path to the Toyota Series, the new MLF Invitationals and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour – while placing anglers in front of the sport’s largest fan base, with more than 5 million visitors on MajorLeagueFishing.com and 2.3 million followers on MLF’s social media outlets, as well as coverage in Bass Fishing magazine and in dedicated public relations outreach that generates a potential reach of 5.5 billion impressions annually across all MLF circuits.

“The Phoenix Bass Fishing League has a rich history of providing a competitive outlet for weekend bass anglers and launching professional careers, and we’re excited to continue to provide that opportunity for the lowest cost available in the sport,” said MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations Daniel Fennel. “We are finishing up an amazing 2022 season and our team has put together another fantastic schedule with more than $8.4 million on the line for Bass Fishing League anglers in 2023, including advancement to REDCREST for our All-American champion.”

The Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency award will continue for the 2023 season, enhancing payouts from $500 to $7,000 for registered Phoenix boat owners in every qualifier, super-tournament and regional tournament, an additional $20,000 in the All-American, and $35,000 in the Toyota Series Championship.

Each qualifying tournament will continue to offer a top boater award of up to $13,000, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top Strike King co-angler award of $3,000. Top awards jump up to $16,000 for boaters, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and $4,500 for Strike King co-anglers in super tournaments.

-  The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers, plus the five tournament winners in each division, advance to a Regional. Boaters in each Regional compete for a $67,000 top award, in cluding a Phoenix 819 Pro with 200 HP Mercury and $10,000 plus a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers in each regional compete for a $50,000 Phoenix 819 Pro with 200 HP Mercury. Additionally, the highest finishing boater from each division in each regional receives a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division receives a $500 bonus – you only have to beat 49 anglers from your division to win big. New for 2023, each Regional will also feature a $1,000 boater and $500 co-angler Berkley Big Bass award.
-  Entry fees will increase slightly in 2023 for qualifying tournaments and the Wild Card – going from $200 to $220 per boater and from $100 to $110 per co-angler for one-day qualifying tournaments.
-  Two-day super-tournaments and Regionals will see a slight increase as well, from $300 to $330 per boater and from $150 to $165 per co-angler.

-  The Wild Card will maintain the $13,000 top boater award, including Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top co-angler award of $3,000. Enter all five events in a division, fish at least two and automatically advance to the Wild Card if you are not qualified for a Regional. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each Regional and the Wild Card advance to the All-American.

-  New in 2023, the All-American winner in the boater division advances to REDCREST 2024 to compete against the top pros in the sport for a shot at winning $300,000.

-  The highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each regional and the Wild Card at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship – anglers only need to beat five anglers from their regional to advance to a second no-entry-fee championship for a shot at one of the sport’s biggest paydays.

-  New in 2023, the Toyota Series Championship winner in the pro/boater division advances to REDCREST 2024 to compete against the top pros in the sport for a shot at winning $300,000.

-  The 2023 All-American and Toyota Series Championship will both be nationally televised on CBS Sports, offering Bass Fishing League anglers unmatched media exposure.

The complete 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League schedule, rules and payouts are online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Anglers can register for the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League season at MajorLeagueFishing.comor by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:

  • December 5, 2022 – Bama, Choo Choo, Cowboy, Gator and Savannah River.
  • December 6, 2022 – Arkie, Bulldog, North Carolina, South Carolina and Volunteer.
  • December 7, 2022 – LBL, Mississippi, Okie, Ozark and Piedmont.
  • December 8, 2022 – Great Lakes, Hoosier, Mountain, Music City and Shenandoah.
  • December 9, 2022 – Buckeye, Illini, Michigan and Northeast.
  • Phoenix boat owners (Phoenix owners with current registrations or confirmation of a boat on order who will use their Phoenix boat in Bass Fishing League competition) and TBF members may enter all divisions by phone starting December 2, 2022.
2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Schedule:
Arkie Division                                   
Feb. 25                   Lake Ouachita, Mount Ida, Ark.
Mar. 25                  DeGray Lake, Arkadelphia, Ark.
April 22                 Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark.
June 17                  Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Ark.
Sept. 23-24            Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark.

Bama Division                 
Feb. 11                   Lake Martin, Alexander City, Ala.
Mar. 18                  Lake Mitchell, Clanton, Ala.
April 22                 Demopolis Lake, Demopolis, Ala.
June 24                  Neely Henry, Gadsden, Ala.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Alabama River, Prattville, Ala.

Buckeye Division                            
May 13                   Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
June 24                   Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
July 15                    Indian Lake, Lakeview, Ohio
Aug. 5                    Ohio River, Maysville, Ky.
Sept. 9-10               Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio

Bulldog Division                              
Feb. 18                   Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Ga.
Mar. 4                    West Point Lake, LaGrange, Ga.
April 15                 Lake Oconee, Buckhead, Ga.
May 20                  Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, Ga.
Aug. 26-27            Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Ga.

Choo Choo Division     
Jan. 28                    Lewis Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Feb. 25                   Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
Mar. 25                  Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
May 6                    Pickwick Lake, Florence, Ala.
Sept. 23-24            Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.

Cowboy Division           
Jan. 7                      Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Brookeland, Texas
Feb. 4                     Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La.
Mar. 25                  Toledo Bend Reservoir, Zwolle, La.
April 22                 Lake of the Pines, Jefferson, Texas
Aug. 26-27            Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Brookeland, Texas

Gator Division                                   
Jan. 14                    Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.
Feb. 25                   Lake Toho, Kissimmee, Fla.
Mar. 18                  Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
April 15                 Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Sept. 16-17            St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.

Great Lakes Division                   
April 29                  Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
May 20                   Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
June 17                   Wolf River Chain, Winneconne, Wis.
Aug. 19                   Mississippi River, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Sept. 16-17             Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.

Hoosier Division                             
April 22                  Lake Monroe, Bloomington, Ind.
May 20                   Patoka Lake, Birdseye, Ind.
June 17                   Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
July 8                      Ohio River-Rocky Point, Cannelton, Ind.
Aug. 26-27             Ohio River-Tanners Creek, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Illini Division 
May 13                  Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, Ill.
June 10                  Rend Lake -, Sesser, Ill.
July 15                   Lake Shelbyville -, Shelbyville, Ill.
Aug. 12                  Ohio River, Paducah, Ky.
Sept. 23-24            Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Calvert City, Ky.

LBL Division                     
Mar. 4                    Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
Mar. 25                  Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
April 15                 Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
May 6                    Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Gilbertsville, Ky.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Kentucky/Barkley Lake, Buchanan, Tenn.

Michigan Division        
July 8                     Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
July 22                   Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Aug. 12                  Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Aug. 26                  Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
Sept. 23-24            Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.

Mississippi Division                     
Mar. 4                    Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon, Miss.
April 1                   Pickwick Lake, Iuka, Miss.
April 29                 Ross Barnett Reservoir, Brandon, Miss.
May 20                  Columbus Pool, Columbus, Miss.
Sept. 9-10              Pickwick Lake, Iuka, Miss.

Mountain Division                         
Mar. 18                  Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 1                   Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
May 13                  Lake Cumberland, Monticello, Ky.
June 10                  Barren River, Scottsville, Ky.
Sept. 9-10              Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.

Music City Division                       
Mar. 11                  Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 2*                 Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.
April 29                 Center Hill Lake, Sparta, Tenn.
June 17                  Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, Tenn.
Sept. 16-17            Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, Tenn.

North Carolina Division                              
Feb. 25                   Lake Norman, Mooresville, N.C.
Mar. 25                  High Rock Lake, Lexington, N.C.
May 6                    Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
June 24                  High Rock Lake, Lexington, N.C.
Sept. 23-24            Lake Norman, Mooresville, N.C.

Northeast Division                        
April 29                 Chesapeake Bay, Northeast, Md.
July 8                     Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
July 29                   Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Aug. 19                  Cayuga Lake, Union Springs, N.Y.
Sept. 9-10              St. Lawrence River, Massena, N.Y.

Okie Division 
Mar. 4                    Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
April 1                   Arkansas River , Muskogee, Okla.
April 29                 Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.
June 10                  Fort Gibson Lake, Wagoner, Okla.
Sept. 9-10              Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.

Ozark Division                
Feb. 25                  Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
Mar. 25                  Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.
April 15                 Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
May 6                    Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Mo.
Sept. 16-17            Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.

Piedmont Division      
Mar. 4                    Smith Mountain Lake, Huddleston, Va.
May 13                  Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
June 17                  High Rock Lake, Salisbury, N.C.
July 22                   James River, Henrico, Va.
Sept. 9-10              Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.

Savannah River Division                            
Jan. 28                   Lake Keowee, Seneca, S.C.
Feb. 25                   Lake Hartwell, Lavonia, Ga.
Mar. 18                  Lake Hartwell, Seneca, S.C.
April 29                 Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.
Sept. 16-17            Lake Keowee, Seneca, S.C.

Shenandoah Division
Mar. 18                  Kerr Lake, Henderson, N.C.
April 15                 Smith Mountain Lake, Huddleston, Va.
May 6                    Potomac River, Marbury, Md.
June 24                  James River, Henrico, Va.
Sept. 16-17            Potomac River, Marbury, Md.

South Carolina Division                              
Feb. 11                    Lake Murray, Prosperity, S.C.
Mar. 4                     Santee Cooper, Summerton, S.C.
April 1                    Lake Hartwell, Lavonia , Ga.
May 13                   Lake Murray, Prosperity, S.C.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1       Lake Hartwell, Lavonia , Ga.

Volunteer Division      
Feb. 11                   Lake Chickamauga, Dayton, Tenn.
April 15                 Norris Lake, Andersonville, Tenn.
May 20                  South Holston Lake, Bristol, Tenn.
June 24                  Watts Bar, Spring City, Tenn.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1      Cherokee Lake, Jefferson City, Tenn.

* Sunday

2023 Regional Tournaments:
Oct. 5-7                 Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.
Divisions: Arkie, Cowboy, Mississippi and Ozark
Hosted by Eufaula Conservation and Fishing Association

Oct 5-7                  Potomac River, Marbury, Md.
Divisions: Buckeye, North Carolina, Northeast and Piedmont
Hosted by Charles County Board of Commissioners

Oct 12-14             Dale Hollow Lake, Byrdstown, Tenn.                
Divisions: Bama, Illini, Michigan and Volunteer
Hosted by Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce

Oct 12-14            Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.
Divisions: Choo Choo, Gator, Music City and Savannah River
Hosted by Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce

Oct 19-21            Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.
Divisions: Great Lakes, Hoosier, LBL and Okie
Hosted by Tri-County Lodging Association

Oct 19-21            Lake Norman, Huntersville, N.C.
Divisions: Bulldog, Mountain, Shenandoah and South Carolina
Hosted by Visit Lake Norman, Visit Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

Nov 10-11          Wild Card: TBA

2023 All-American:
May 31 –              Lake Hartwell, Seneca, S.C.
June 2                   Hosted by Visit Oconee South Carolina

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Jackson Roumbanis wins HOBIE BOS Event on Dardanelle in his FIRST ever Kayak Event!

The record breaking regular season of the Hobie BOS – Bass Open Series Anchored by Power-Pole Total Boat Controlconcluded in dramatic fashion on Lake Dardanelle today.
A 2- day cumulative total of 165″ was caught by the top two anglers! The champion was going to come down to a big fish tie-breaker in a stacked field of 141 anglers from all over the country!
Winning the tiebreaker and the event was 1st time kayak angler and 15 year old Jackson Roumbanis (AR). Jackson was a quick learner in the kayak game and it complimented his skills as a young angler well on his home lake. His longest fish in this Catch, Photo, and Release style tournament measured 18.5″ and was just enough! Jackson takes home $8,100 for this impressive showing.
On the short end of the Tie-breaker was BOS veteran Francis Tran (MS). While securing his 165″ his big fish only measured 18″. And although he was only .75″ from winning the tie-breaker, he was still able to take home $4,200 for his equally impressive total and a 2nd place finish.
Reigning Angler of the Year, Jordan Marshall (TN) battled hard today for a strong limit and 2-day total of 163.50″. His 3rd place finish was worth $2,300.
All 3 anglers earned the final automatic qualifying spots for the upcoming $100,000 Guarantee Tournament of Champions on Caddo Lake in Shreveport – Bossier City, LA.

by AnglersChannel

Five Anglers Earn Automatic Qualification into 2023 ACA Championship

SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 20, 2022) – This past weekend, the Association of Collegiate Anglers hosted its first event of the 2022-23 season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.  Close to 500 anglers competed for two days at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN for the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.  Each of the Top 5 finishing anglers in the overall standings earned automatic qualification into the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC.  In this article, we will take a look at each of the anglers that finished in the Top 5 and punched their ticket to the 2023 ACA Championship.

Parker Brown – Dallas Baptist University

Parker won the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley with a Kentucky Lake stud of a largemouth bass weighing 7.21 pounds.  Weighed in during Day 1 Session 3 presented by Bass Pro Shops, that seven plus pound fish went on to claim overall top prize in the near 500 angler field.  For the first-place finish, Parker earned over $5,500 in prizes.  Combined with the Day 1 Session 3 payout and the valuable contingencies he cashed in on, Parker went home with over $7,500 in prizes & contingencies.

This will mark the third time in which Parker Brown has qualified to participate in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  Each of the last two years, he has competed in college fishing’s longest-running National Championship event with his brother Layton.  In 2021 the duo finished in 94th at Lake Murray in South Carolina, and at the 2022 ACA Championship on Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL they finished 77th overall.

Harper Burkeen – McKendree University

Harper Burkeen is one of two anglers from third ranked McKendree University to earn an automatic qualification to compete at Lake Hartwell next May.  Harper finished second overall at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley with a bass weighing 5.43 pounds.

2023 will mark the first time that Harper has competed in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

As a perennial top team in the country, the additional qualification spots could play a key role in McKendree University’s attempt to win the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  With the new addition to the points system of teams being eligible to earn triple points at the 2023 ACA Championship, the more boats a given school has qualified to compete in the event…the better their odds are to maximize the triple points opportunity.

Levi Mullins – Bethel University

Levi Mullins from Bethel University finished third overall at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley with 5.40 pounds.  Like Harper from McKendree in second place, Levi is also one of two anglers from his school to place in the Top 5 and earn automatic qualification into the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Levi has competed in the year-end Championship each of the last two years.  In 2021, Levi Mullins and Cody Gregory finished 18th overall at Lake Murray.  This past season at Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL, fishing with fellow teammate Matthew Cummings, Levi finished in 33rd.  At Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC this upcoming May, Levi will be looking to secure his personal best finish at the ACA Championship.

Ethan Fields – McKendree University

Ethan Fields is the second angler from McKendree University to place in the Top 5 at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.  Ethan notched a fourth-place finish with a fish weighing 5.39 pounds.

Ethan is also the second angler in this feature to never have competed in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  Provided that McKendree remains in the Top 25 for the remainder of the season, they would currently qualify to send six teams to the 2023 ACA Championship at Lake Hartwell.

Gage Sherrod – Bethel University

Rounding out the Top 5 is Gage Sherrod from Bethel University.  Gage finished fifth overall with a fish weighing 5.35 pounds.  This makes for the second angler from Bethel to earn automatic qualification into the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

This marks the first time in which Gage has qualified to compete in the year-end Championship.

Bethel University has a long history of success at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  The team has won three ACA National Championships and claimed the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia once.  Two additional qualifications will give Bethel additional chances to earn points and show out at Lake Hartwell.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Announces Schedule, Rules, Entry Dates for 2023 Abu Garcia College Fishing, High School Fishing Programs

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 20, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced Tuesday the schedule, rules and entry dates for the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI and 2023 High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing seasons. Both circuits include advancement opportunities to compete in the 2023 Toyota Series Championship, and for college anglers, enhanced payouts with a shot to compete against the world’s best pros for a $300,000 top prize at REDCREST 2024.

The winning team at the 2023 Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship Presented by Lowrance will receive $43,500, including a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury and $10,000. The winning team also advances to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros for a shot at winning as much as $235,000. The highest finishing team member at the Toyota Series Championship advances to REDCREST 2024. The runner-up at the 2023 College Fishing National Championship will receive a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by Mercury. The team will also advance to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros. Third place at the 2023 National Championship will receive $4,000 and advance to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers for the chance to win a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury. Fourth and fifth place will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively, with sixth through 10th receiving $1,000 each.

Additionally, each angler finishing in the top 10 at the 2023 College Fishing National Championship will receive priority entry into the 2024 Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Invitationals and the Bass Pro Tour. Every tournament will feature live weigh-in coverage on MLF NOW!, and the National Championship will receive national television coverage on CBS Sports.

MLF will recognize the top performing school with the Tackle Warehouse School of the Year Presented by QuikTrip title, which includes a $10,000 award. Each school receives the total points earned by its top two teams in each tournament. School of the Year is awarded to the school with the highest point total from its three best tournaments.

“We are extremely excited about our new offerings for our college anglers, including a Phoenix boat for first and second place at the National Championship with cash awards through 10th place, and, for the first time ever, the opportunity for a college angler to compete against the best in the world at REDCREST,” said Kevin Hunt, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations, College and High School. “We’re visiting some of the top fisheries in the country at the right time of the year, and, with so much on the line in a condensed schedule, we expect 2023 to be the most competitive season we’ve ever had.”

MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing teams can compete in up to eight qualifying tournaments around the country. The top 12 percent of teams from each event will advance to the following year’s College Fishing National Championship.

The successful Wiley X College Faceoffs will also return in 2023. The four-event series showcases teams competing in an MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release team format. The Faceoff tournaments occur the day following an Abu Garcia College Fishing competition, on the same body of water. The results from the College Fishing tournament the previous day determine the 20 competitors for the Wiley X College Faceoff, with the top two teams (four anglers) from the top five schools in the qualifying tournament advancing to compete in the 10-boat Faceoff.

Registration for the 2023 season opens at 8 a.m. CT on Dec. 12, 2022, for teams from school clubs represented in the 2022 College Fishing National Championship. All other teams may enter beginning Dec. 13. Fields are capped at 250 boats per tournament, so teams are encouraged to enter at their earliest opportunity. Teams can register at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. The entry fee is $100 per team.

The 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing circuit will feature teams competing in eight open events held in conjunction with Abu Garcia College Fishing events so students and parents can network with prospective college teams and coaches during college weigh-ins. MLF High School Fishing Opens are two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF)-affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of teams in each tournament advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. Tournaments held on or before June 12, 2023, advance teams to the 2023 National Championship. Tournaments held after June 12, 2023, advance teams to the 2024 National Championship.

Both members of the winning team at the 2023 High School Fishing National Championship, held simultaneously  with the TBF High School Fishing World Finals, are guaranteed $5,000 scholarships to the school of their choice, plus the opportunity to compete for a share of more than $3 million in scholarships and prizes. The 2023 High School Fishing National Champions will also advance to the 2023 Toyota Series Championship as co-anglers to compete on national television for a Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115-horsepower Mercury.

Registration for the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Opens will begin at 8 a.m. CT on Dec. 14, 2022. Teams can register at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. There is no entry fee for high school anglers to compete in any MLF or TBF High School Fishing tournament. Both anglers must, however, be a member of the Student Angler Federation (SAF). There is no limit to the number of teams accepted into a tournament from each school or club, but the maximum field size is 250 boats. Teams are encouraged to enter at their earliest opportunity.

The popular Wiley X High School Fishing Camp for students and parents will be held July 19-21 at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/camp for details.

2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Schedule:
Jan. 20*                Harris Chain of Lakes                    Leesburg, Fla.
Feb. 4                    Lake Havasu                                   Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
March 17*           Lake of the Ozarks                         Osage Beach, Mo.
March 18             California Delta**                          Oakley, Calif.
April 22                California Delta**                          Oakley, Calif.
April 28*              Lake Guntersville                           Guntersville, Ala.
Sept. 8*               Sam Rayburn Reservoir                 Brookeland, Texas
Oct. 27                 Lake Hartwell                                  Anderson, S.C.
TBA                       NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP         TBA
* Includes Wiley X College Faceoff

2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Payouts:
Qualifiers
Place     Club
1           $2,000
2           $1,000
3              $700
4              $600
5              $500
Top 12% of teams advance to the 2024 National Championship.
A tournament must have at lest 100 boats for awards and point to be active.

2023 Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship Presented by Lowrance
Place    Club + Anglers
1             $43,500, including a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro with 115-hp Mercury and $10,000 + 2023 Toyota Series Championship as pros and REDCREST 2024 for the highest-finishing team member at the Toyota Series Championship
2             $33,500, including a Phoenix 518 Pro with 115-hp Mercury + 2023 Toyota Series Championship as pros
3             $4,000 + 2023 Toyota Series Championship as co-anglers
4             $3,000
5             $2,000
6             $1,000
7             $1,000
8             $1,000
9             $1,000
10           $1,000

2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Opens Schedule:
Jan. 21                  Harris Chain of Lakes                                              Leesburg, Fla.
Feb. 4                    Lake Havasu                                                             Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
March 18              Lake of the Ozarks                                                  Osage Beach, Mo.
March 18              California Delta**                                                   Oakley, Calif.
April 22                 California Delta**                                                   Oakley, Calif.
April 29                 Lake Guntersville                                                    Guntersville, Ala.
June 21-24           2023 National Championship on Miss. River     La Crosse, Wis.
Sept. 9                  Sam Rayburn Reservoir                                          Brookeland, Texas
Oct. 28                 Lake Hartwell                                                           Anderson, S.C.

Wiley X High School Fishing Camp:
July 19-21           Murray State University                                           Murray, Ky.

Complete rules for the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI program can be found online at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Complete rules for the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing program can be found online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

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

** Subject to California DNR approval.

by AnglersChannel