Simms Launches All New Fall 22 Product Collection
Designed And Developed For Anglers That Are Always On The Water.
Bozeman, Mont. (August 24, 2022) – Simms Fishing Products, preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear, and technical apparel release Fall 2022, a product collection boasting new styles, features, and innovations across all categories. Fall 2022 launches in conjunction with the brand new campaign — Always On The Water, a campaign designed to not only inspire anglers to embrace the colder fishing seasons ahead, but also to celebrate the lifestyle they live when they’re off the water.
“The dog days of summer always reinforce how much I love the colder temps and less crowded waters of fall and winter,” says Simms CEO, Casey Sheahan. “This Fall collection really captures Simms’ longstanding heritage and reputation of delivering industry leading, performance driven, innovative, and durable fishing gear and apparel. It also reflects the fact that for us, we truly are always on the water. If we’re not physically there, we certainly are in our minds. Fall 2022 perfectly represents two of the most important aspects of fishing — the technical side as well as the lifestyle that comes with it.”
Adhering to the Always On The Water theme, Simms’ product team spent the past 18 months designing and developing an array of technical gear and apparel that allows anglers to comfortably fish longer and harder than ever before, regardless of the weather and conditions.
Leading the charge on the technical side is Simms’ all new Guide Insulated Jacket and Bib. Featuring an outer shell constructed from premium waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, both the Guide Insulated Jacket and Bib are lined with PrimaLoft® insulation that provides incredible warmth without excess bulk. The jacket also comes equipped with an insulated hood, ventilation zips under the arms, handwarmer pockets, and two chest pockets that utilize TRU® Zip zippers for fully submersible protection. Paired with the bib, the Guide Insulated Suit is the ultimate foul weather fortress.
For the coldest days on the water, Simms has introduced two new styles that are sure to keep anglers warm and in the moment without sacrificing range of motion. Available in Men’s and Women’s, the all new ExStream® Hooded Jacket and ExStream® Pull Over Hoody are powered by ultra-warm PrimaLoft insulation and feature a quilted stitchless construction for next level layering capabilities and durability.
Simms’ ever popular Freestone collection expands with the addition of the all new Women’s Freestone Jacket and Freestone Backpack. Built with a fully taped waterproof/breathable 3-layer Toray® fabric, the W’s Freestone Jacket features two oversized chest pockets, an adjustable hood, articulated sleeves and a shaped waist with two zippered gussets for a flattering women’s fit. Constructed from a 330D Nylon Ripstop with a DWR finish, the Freestone Backpack features a clamshell top opening as well as a U-shaped side opening to access a spacious main compartment that features internal organization. Equipped with a fully cushioned harness system, the Freestone backpack also includes a tethered, stashable rain cover to keep cargo dry in wet weather.
The Tributary collection also receives a new member with the all new Tributary Hip Pack. Constructed from recycled polyester fabric with a water-resistant, polyeurathane finish, the Tributary Hip Pack features internal organization, hypalon tabs for docking tools and a large loop fly filed for storing and drying flies.
Recycled materials don’t stop with the Tributary Hip Pack, Fall 2022 also inlcudes the Fall Run Collared Jacket. With an exterior and interior built from 100% recycled materials, the warming qualities of this jacket are powered by PrimaLoft Eco Black insulation which consists of 60% recycled materials.
Finally, for anglers looking for footwear innovation, Fall 2022 includes the all new Simms Challenger Mid-Deck Shoe. Built with a highly abrasion resistant textile mesh upper with TPU overlays for increased durability, these shoes also come equipped with a waterproof/breathable membrane to keep angler’s feet dry all day long. For comfort and support Simms’ Challenger Mid-Deck Shoes feature a dual density comfort footbed with a molded arch suppport while a non-marking EVA outsole with micro-siped rubber pods provide unmatched traction and slip-resistance.
On the lifestyle end of the spectrum, Simms is excited to launch the Cardwell Hooded Jacket. Built from a Nylon Elastane blend, the Cardwell’s canvas-like exterior offers just enough stretch in an incredibly rugged, durable package. Chunky baffles house PrimaLoft insulation for warmth and two zippered chest pockets and two handwarmer pockets provide a secure place to store small necessities and provide relief for cold hands. Built from the same fabric, Simms is also offering the Cardwell Jacket and the Cardwell Vest, both of which boast a super cozy Sherpa fleece liner.
Simms extensive line of flannels continues to grow with the inclusion of the Guide Flannel, a soft, warm, moisture wicking flannel built from recycled materials that features a double weave for performance and mobility. The Guide Flannel also comes equipped with vertical, zippered chest pockets to secure small essentials and a left chest pocket designed to house a pair of sunglasses. The Santee Flannel Hoody and the Men’s and Women’s Santee Flannel Shirts provide a slightly lighter weight option that offers comfort and style for on and off the water applications.
Other key standouts to the Fall 2022 collection include the Henry’s Fork Hoody (also available in a crewneck) and the Vermillion Hoody (also available in a full zip). Built from natural, recycled, and synthetic fibers, the Henry’s Fork collection offers comfort and performance at every turn. A French Terry backer constructed from an organic cotton polyester blend provides comfortable warmth while its HeiQ Fresh finish provides anti-microbial protection against odor.
Featuring an athletic cut, a brushed soft interior and a comfy 3-panel hood, the Vermillion collection feels cozy, moves with you, and keeps you odor free with HeiQ Fresh technology. As an added bonus, both the Vermillion Hoody and Full Zip feature a unique drop-in pocket specifically designed to hold the angler’s beverage of choice.
To See Simms’ Fall 2022 product collection in its entirety, click here.
Arey talks frogs, family, and whitetails at La Crosse Elite
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota’s Matt Arey is the kind of guy you’d want for a college roommate. Goal focused, spiritually grounded, a great sense of humor, and willing to call time-out to share a plate of cheese curds along Wisconsin’s most famous farmhouse ale, Spotted Cow.
Those traits have him sitting solidly in the Top 20 of the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race on the eve of this season’s final event. So Arey paused after two full days of practice to talk topwater frogs, family and whitetail deer at one of Wisconsin’s many neighborhood gathering places – the Thirsty Turtle.
Q: Let’s start by looking back at last week’s event at massive Lake Oahe. What will you remember most about that event?
Arey: If fans haven’t seen the ‘agony of defeat’ video I posted on Instagram @MattAreyFishing, it’s worth a look. I get a 5-pound smallie inside the boat, grab him to walk to the front deck, he jerks and jumps back in the lake. I’ll never forget that fish.
Q: You’ve logged two long days of practice here on the Upper Mississippi River at La Crosse. What can you tell Bassmaster fans to expect this weekend?
Arey: They’ll be a lot of fish catches, but a 3-pounder here is a treasure, and 4-pounders are fairly rare. So they’ll be plenty of action, but a 15-pound limit here is really strong.
Q: The Upper Mississippi River at La Crosse is a topwater frog anglers dream. What should fans look for when buying a topwater frog?
Arey: No doubt frogs will be one of the top three most used lures this week, along with swimjigs and Chatterbaits.
When picking out a quality frog, make sure it has great hooks, a really soft body, and don’t get caught-up buying ten different colors. All you need is a couple light-bellied frogs, and a couple dark bellied frogs. I like the Lunkerhunt compact frog because it comes out of the package with the hooks bent upward a bit and the legs already trimmed.
Q: You’ve been away from your wonderful wife Emily, and your two young daughters for 12 days. How’s everybody holding up back home in Shelby, NC?
Arey: Everybody is doing great, but as always, my sweet wife is balancing the start of a new school year with a golden retriever puppy, plus feeding horses and cleaning their stalls.
Q: As this Elite Series comes to an official end Monday afternoon, I know you’ll soon be immersed in whitetail hunting. Do you have your eye on a particular buck?
Arey: Oh yea, for sure. I’ve got my eye on two great bucks. One is a Pope & Young caliber 8-pointer we call “B 2” – and the other is a buck we call “City Slicker” – he has matching flyers growing off both his G2 antlers.
Rivet and Huff Cash Toyota Bonus Bucks
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Five years ago, young Elite Series pros Tyler Rivet and Cody Huff would have been starting classes and preparing to compete in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship. The fact these two just notched top 10 finishes at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe is not only atestament to their own skills, but to their college fishing roots as well.
Both Rivet and Huff made a name for themselves in the college fishing ranks before qualifying for the Elites through the Bassmaster Opens. In addition to top ten finishes, Rivet earned an extra $3,000 and Huff pocketed $2,000 of added rewards thanks to Toyota Bonus Bucks. Highlighting the fact you don’t need to win an event to reap the rewards of Bonus Bucks, you simply must be among the highest finishing registered anglers.
Huff employed a drop shot to trick Lake Oahe smallmouth and finish 10th, while Rivet slowly dragged a Carolina-rig en route to his 9th place finish. Though they used different tactics, both twenty something-year-old bass fishing talents trust a Tundra as their ride for the ~30,000+ miles they put on the odometer throughout the Elite Series season. When asked why, Rivet gave a quick, honest response.
“The main reason I run a Tundra is Bonus Bucks for sure,” Rivet said with a smile. “The chance to win extra money each tournament is huge, and Toyota supports our sport in a big way. On top of that, my truck tows my boat like it’s not even there.”
This was the fourth top-10 Rivet has notched since joining the Elite Series in 2019. The Raceland, Louisiana native believes his Lake Oahe finish locked up his spot in the 2023 Bassmaster Classic.
Which gives him plenty reason to celebrate at one of the Walk-On’s Restaurant and Sports Bistreaux locations between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and his Louisiana homeland. Walk-On’s isRivet’s title sponsor, and he absolutely plans to pay them a visitduring his homeward travels.
Huff on the other hand, is finishing up his rookie season on the Elite Series. After winning the Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket in 2020 and spending a year towing a Nitro Boat wrapped in his alma mater’s colors with a loaned Tundra, Huff immediately bought one of his own to serve as his tow vehicle.
“I’ve put over 90,000 miles on my 2021 Tundra and out of all those miles I haven’t had to do anything other than change the oil and change the tires,” Huff added. “It has awesome towing capacity and I’ve got a CrewMax so I can fit dang near my whole house in the back seat. Which is such a luxury when you live on the road half the year like us. I really couldn’t ask more out of a truck.”
Toyota’s popular contingency program has been rewarding anglers who drive eligible Toyota tow vehicles for over thirteen years. If you’re late to the party and want to learn more about Bonus Bucks, follow this link: https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/. You can get registered, see a full list of payouts and events, and get anyquestions you have answered while you discover why it pays to tow with Toyota.
Student Anglers From 22 States To Showcase Skills At Bassmaster High School Combine
High school anglers from 22 states will participate in the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter Sept. 16-18 in Decatur, Ala.
August 24, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter kicks off on Sept. 16, 100 gifted anglers from 22 states will have the opportunity to showcase their talents for a host of college coaches and earn college scholarships. The three-day event will be held on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala.
The inaugural High School Combine in 2021 generated more than $2.6 million in scholarship offers.
“Response to the High School Combine has been incredible,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager for the College, High School and Junior series. “The fact that high school anglers are traveling here from as far away as Minnesota, New Hampshire and Connecticut really speaks to the massive growth and appetite for high school and college bass fishing over the past few years.
“Hearing anglers share from the weigh-in stage at the High School National Championship that they were heading on to fish in college as a direct result of meeting a coach at the inaugural combine was a huge testament to the impact this event can have on the sport and the skill level that will be on display.”
At the High School Combine, anglers will perform multiple tasks to show their skill set not only on the water, but also to display their knowledge of the sport as a whole. After the first day, colleges will have the opportunity to select anglers for a “second look” where they can further explore everything that angler has to offer and see if they would be the perfect fit for their fishing program.
“I’m looking forward to seeing anglers from across the nation and what they can do,” said Corey Yarish of Trophy Club, Texas. “Coming to this combine is going to allow me the opportunity to showcase my abilities like I would not otherwise be able to. I’m looking forward to meeting the coaches and all the great anglers to talk about the sport. I would love to get a scholarship to pursue my dream of fishing in college and an education.”
While some anglers are looking for a college where they can compete next year, other student-athletes hope to learn from the 2022 High School Combine and establish relationships for the future.
“I’m hoping to gain experience for next year’s combine and (am) curious to meet the college coaches and get their feedback about the way I fish,” said Matthew Melvin of Fairfield, Iowa. “I’m definitely going to be a little nervous, but if I think of it as being fun and getting me experience then a lot of that nervousness should go away.”
Briley Mills of Dallas, Ga., attended the inaugural High School Combine as a sophomore and hopes to build on that experience. Mills is one of several anglers who is returning to the combine as an upperclassman.
“Through the first combine, I learned that there are endless opportunities for young ladies like me to pursue fishing at a collegiate level. I am currently looking into different colleges as well as their fishing programs to find out what is the best fit for my future,” Mills said.
The opportunity to meet individually with prospective anglers is critical for coaches.
“The combine has given me the opportunity to meet and recruit anglers that I would've never been able to evaluate otherwise,” said Campbellsville University Coach Tony Miracle. “It also gives kids the opportunity to meet and talk to universities and coaches that they never would’ve had the chance to meet. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for both sides.”
The following schools have committed to participating in the Bassmaster High School Combine:
Auburn University
Blue Mountain College
Campbellsville University
Carson-Newman University
Catawba Valley Community College
Dallas Baptist University
East Texas Baptist University
Emmanuel College
East Tennessee State University
Faulkner University
Kentucky Christian University
Lander University
Louisiana State University - Shreveport
Southeastern University
Troy University
University of Montevallo
University of North Alabama
Webber International University
"It's All Mental" With Dakota Ebare
This week Dakota Ebare joins the show to talk about Bull Riding, Bull Fighting and Bass Fishing. From his incredible run in the Pro Circuit to a current top 10 in points in the Bass Pro Tour Dakota is an up and coming Pro that should be at the top of your Fantasy Fishing Teams. The Boys also discuss the Bassmaster Angler of the Year Race and CB makes a call and welcomes in an impromptu guest to the show mid-stream without missing a beat. Tune in now!
Brandon Lester, the Elite Series’ best cutman
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Boxing’s “cutmen” are responsible for managing a fighter’s lacerations during a match to help him continue competing effectively, but on the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series tour, no other angler has made more “cuts” than Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester.
Entering this week’s final regular season Elite Series event on the Upper Mississippi River at La Crosse, Lester is the only angler on tour to make every semi-qualifier round this season once the full field of anglers in the opening rounds is cut in half, and he highlighted the streak by winning at Pickwick in June.
Not to mention, Lester made ‘the cut’ in both Bassmaster Opens he competed in this year too, and claimed victory at the Southern Open at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes back in early February.
“Obviously, everybody on the Elite Series wants to make the cut, get at least a $10,000 paycheck, and the chance to fish on Championship Sunday. But at the St. Lawrence River, I started realizing I had the chance to make every single cut this season, including the Opens, and that’s pretty special,” smiled the always humble Tennessean.
Never did his streak come so close to ending as last week at Lake Oahe, SD, but in true Brandon Lester style, he squeaked into semi-final Saturday by grabbing the final cut spot in 47th place.
“I thought there was no way I was gonna make it after catching 10-pounds on Day 1, but on Day 2 my 12-pound limit was barely enough to make it,” says Lester, still shaking his head in disbelief.
Asked what two lures he’d call his MVP of this incredible season, he singled out a Berkley Maxscent plum apple-colored worm that helped him win Pickwick, and a 3/8-ounce Chatterbait Jackhammer tipped with a Lake Fork Live Magic Shad – none of which are sponsor’s lures.
However, there’s more than just “making cuts” on the line this week in La Crosse. Lester sits barely behind Brandon Palaniuk in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year title race, and could in fact win the highly respected title if Palaniuk slips up.
“Palaniuk really has to stumble, and that seldom happens. So, my focus is purely on doing my job, and making sure I put myself in position to win, in the rare event he struggles,” says Lester.
That starts with making the cut for the chance to compete on Sunday and Monday, and nobody has been better at that this year than Lester.
Who Picks Up the Tab?
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Rising costs are hitting retailers and consumers right in the teeth. Here’s how the best businesses are battling back. |
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Forestville, WI (August 23, 2022) – You may have noticed skyrocketing prices while picking up a rod, reel, or pile of lures at your local tackle shop. Rest assured–by the time that price made it to the shelf, you weren’t the first with sticker-shock. Retailers are fighting the same battle against rising costs–often needing to choose between happy customers and keeping the lights on. Still, NPAA’s many retail members report they are surviving and even thriving in this dicey sales environment by carefully planning their purchases, minimizing costs, and being up-front with customers about the factors driving price increases. “This is the toughest sales environment I’ve seen in thirty-plus years of retail operation,” says National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) member, retail outdoors store owner and 2022 Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, Tom Keenan. The 53-year-old head of Chase Outdoors in Wausau, Wisconsin, notes 2021 saw a big increase in the number of people taking up fishing as way to have fun, get outdoors and social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this summer brought concerns over the cost of retail items and continued supply-chain issues for some manufacturers into the limelight. |
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Rapala stocked to the gills at Chase Outdoors in Wausau, WI. |
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“It’s a battle keeping our prices reasonable right now,” continues Keenan. “Supply has improved since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic but price increases have been steep on just about everything. People now seem to be holding off on purchases like high-end fishing poles and innovative reels. They’re making do with what they have as long as it's in decent shape. That’s the sales battle we’re facing now.” Keenan has taken steps to sustain inventory levels and maintain reasonable retail pricing. He notes fishing sales continue to be good in his store but isn’t sure they’ll continue to hold steady. “To combat price increases and remaining supply-chain problems, we’re ordering more items directly from vendors,” he reveals. “We’re also eating a lot of the fuel surcharges where shipping is concerned to help keep prices down. Packaging a lot of things together when ordering or holding out for deals that include free shipping also help to minimize costs.” In terms of dealing with customers who do a double-take at prices, Keenan believes being up front works best. “If you invest a little time educating people about supply-chain issues and the new cost of shipping, most get it. Still, customers generally don’t love price increases.” Retailers are also using focused forecasting to buy ahead at current prices and ensure products arrive before you need them. Keenan is already purchasing for the 2023 fishing season. “Planning ahead with your supplier as a partner is critical now,” he says, and being an NPAA member helps, too. “You need to be as professional as possible to survive this storm, and NPAA drives home the point that professionalism is a key to profitability. I rely heavily on their press releases and newsletter because they keep me abreast of new products and what’s trending in the angling world. That info helps you present as a true fishing authority when customers have questions. It’s the kind of advanced knowledge that makes the difference between a good retailer and a great one.” |
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Tom Keenan |
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Like Keenan, NPAA Member Dave Krantz believes the current retail sales environment to be a tricky one. Still, the 63-year-old proprietor of Dave’s Bait and Tackle in Crystal Lake, Illinois, has kept things rolling thanks to insightful planning. “COVID taught us we can order further in advance,” he states. “Some of our terminal tackle–rods and reels for instance–don’t age out on the floor, so I’ve been buying heavier than normal to stay ahead of supply chain issues.” In Krantz’ view, the U.S. entered a recession last spring but many retail fishing outfits were insulated from initial price increases thanks to a two-year bump in sales. Looking forward, he says, it’s vital to build on what you learned during the pandemic. “I plan to continue buying heavy to resolve remaining supply-chain issues,” he says. “There are some product lines I’ve already bought and paid for during the pandemic. With some other lines I still have stock enough that I can order 15- to 30-percent less this year and use those funds for other inventory.” Another smart move, reveals Krantz, is to buy from multiple sources to ensure you always have product coming in. “Don’t cancel additional shipments when the first ones arrive,” he counsels. “Instead, stockpile those additions because they aren’t going to be less expensive going forward. If you have the means to get ahead of inventory, the sooner the better is a good rule. It allows you to not only to turn a profit, but to keep prices reasonable so customers aren’t always looking at 10-, 15- and 20-percent price hikes.” |
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Dave Krantz |
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Similar to Keenan, Krantz buys well ahead of time. He’s currently placing his 2023 summer orders and bought much of his spring stock immediately following the ICAST Show in July. “When stuff comes in, I put it right out rather than wait for any special season,” he offers. “I sell fishing tackle 12 months of the year. This summer, I sold ice augers in July. People couldn’t get them last winter so they grabbed them right away.” Another suggestion from Krantz is to focus on your best opportunities. Some people open several stores, he notes, but that doesn’t always work in the long run. “If one store is great, one is fair and one is a dog dragging you down you’ll be better off having one terrific store where you can do everything right, he surmises.” Krantz counts himself fortunate to have several income streams. In addition to his retail outdoors operation, he writes a retail fishing column for Fishing Tackle Retailer, works as a fishing guide, hosts a fishing podcast, and competes in Major League Fishing’s Toyota Series. “I guess you could say I wear a lot of hats that make it worthwhile for me to be an NPAA member,” he states. “It’s a great organization, especially when it comes to making contacts. NPAA makes it easy to keep my name in front of the people I need for sponsorship, retail operations and my guide business. I even draw on other members to be podcast guests. If people know you’re an NPAA member, they instantly recognize you as a true outdoors professional and take your business seriously. The NPAA newsletter also keeps me clued into industry happenings.” According to Krantz, one thing that clearly separates professionals from wannabees in this industry is having a passion for the business end of things, a point you’ll pick up quickly with an NPAA membership. “You have to have a passion for the business end of things that’s every bit as strong as your passion for fishing,” he states. “NPAA is a great place to grow both of those essentials.” |
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Loud and proud St. Croix Rod display at Dave's Bait & Tackle. |
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NPAA president, Patrick Neu, calls the advice from Keenan and Krantz “spot on,” adding that true angling professionals also help set themselves up for long-term success by working extra hard for their sponsors during tough economic times. One effective way to do just that is by reaching out to the retail stores in your market area and offering to help in any way that you can, he advises. That might be through promotions, referring customers to local tackle shops, or by helping make sure your sponsor’s products are well merchandised and in stock at the store. “That kind of investment in each other makes a big difference for everyone in the long run,” contends Neu. “NPAA members after all are opinion leaders in their marketplaces and, as such, valuable assets to the retailers in their communities - especially during stretches of economic upheaval when every sale counts. Long-time NPAA members realize helping retailers whenever possible can pay dividends with their own sponsors or can add a few additional guide trips a year when retailers return the favor by referring customers. We’re all in this business together,” sums up Neu. “As NPAA members, we’re all on the same team.” For information on joining the NPAA and exploring the many benefits of membership, visit www.npaa.net. |
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Plastics, anyone? Dave's Bait & Tackle |
Berkley Gulp! Adds Chrome Colorway to Four classic Saltwater Shapes
COLUMBIA S.C. (August 23, 2022) Berkley’s lineup of revolutionary Gulp! saltwater soft baits now gets better. Berkley Gulp! upgrades four of their classic shapes with game-changing Chrome colorways, making this bait even more life-like and enticing to fish.
Backed by science and proven to create 400 times more scent dispersion than the competition to expand the strike zone, Berkley’s proprietary Gulp! scent technology is infused into the core of each bait. The expanded colors represent another step forward in the evolution of Gulp!, as most saltwater baitfish exhibit some silver hue that flashes with the sun’s reflection. Chrome Gulp! mimics this trait with metallic tones that are available in four essential Gulp! bait shapes - Paddletail, Shrimp, Swimming Mullet, and Jerkshad and the new color offering includes Chrome, Fools Gold, Green Chrome, Purple Chrome, and Red Chrome colors.
Saltwater anglers can find the perfect fit for any inshore species with even more color options. The combination of the Gulp! infused scent and flavor, proven swimming movement, and now these new life-like Chrome colors will ensure big-fish strikes under all conditions.
Key Features:
• Paddletail, Shrimp & Swimming Mullet come in 3-inch & 4-inch sizes
• Jerkshad comes in 5-inch & 6-inch sizes
• New Chrome tone colors: Chrome, Fools Gold, Green Chrome, Purple Chrome and Red Chrome
• Saltwater Gulp! bag only
MSRP $7.99
Team Support Leads High Schoolers to $5K in Yamaha Power Pay
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Competitive bass fishing can be a financially demanding endeavor, even at the high school level. And when good parents encounter challenging times, the cash strain intensifies.
Thankfully, generous support from their Mt. Pleasant High School fishing team, and a 5th place finish, made it possible for the team of Spencer Lovett and Evan Word to earn the $5,000 Yamaha Power pay bonus at the recent Bassmaster®High School Championship on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.
“There’s probably no way we’d ever make the championship on Hartwell without the incredible support of our Mt. Pleasant, TN High School Bass Fishing team,” says Spencer’s dad and their boat captain, Alan, who runs a 19-foot Xpress aluminum boat powered by a 150-horsepower Yamaha V MAX SHO®.
“Our high school team is a special group of generous people – and Spencer and Evan were absolutely ecstatic when they learned we’d won the $5,000 Power Pay bonus from Yamaha,” he added with a smile.
While Spencer and Evan actually won the very first Bassmaster® High School event they ever fished together with a 19-pound limit of Pickwick smallmouth, their 5th place finish at the high school championship on Hartwell using a spinnerbait and a squarebill crankbait was good enough to collect the Power Pay contingency money.
Their earnings spotlight a big advantage of the Power Pay program -- you don’t have to win the tournament to win the Power Pay money. You just have to be the highest finishing registered participant, and it’s free to sign-up.
“Whether you’re fishing big tournaments or high school events, if you’re running a Yamaha purchased in the past 60 months, you’d be foolish not to sign-up for Power Pay. I’m certainly grateful we did,” concluded Lovett.
Making sure you’re eligible for Power Pay bonuses is easy, just visit https://yamahapowerpay.com/.
Brueggen Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Ohio River
Harper Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PADUCAH, Ky. (Aug. 22, 2022) – Boater Mike Brueggen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, caught five bass Saturday weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on the Ohio River at Paducah. The tournament, hosted by the City of Paducah Parks and Recreation, was the fourth event for the Bass Fishing League Illini Division. Brueggen earned $4,514 for his victory.
Brueggen, who now has nine BFL career wins, said he caught only five keepers during the tournament. He began the day fishing a creek that produced two keepers, then relocated to the main river and caught two spotted bass, before ending his day in another creek where he caught his two biggest fish of the day. Brueggen said he caught all of his bass on Texas-rigged soft plastics.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 9-9, $4,514
2nd: Brandon Broadway, Golconda, Ill., five bass, 8-13, $2,257 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd: Patrick Odell, Windsor, Ill., five bass, 7-4, $1,172
4th: Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., five bass, 7-0, $1,120
5th: Chris Randell, Saint Charles, Mo., two bass, 6-5, $703
6th: Keith Nemcek, Saint Charles, Ill., four bass, 6-2, $644
7th: Peyton Coleman, Paducah, Ky., two bass, 5-15, $586
8th: Curtis Samo, Rochelle, Ill., four bass, 5-12, $927
9th: Taylor Umland, Carlock, Ill., four bass, 5-10, $469
10th: Riley Walk, Neoga, Ill., three bass, 5-9, $410
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Drew Cress of Highland, Illinois, had a largemouth that weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $450.
Andrew Harper of Shelbyville, Illinois, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,057 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 10 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Andrew Harper, Shelbyville, Ill., five bass, 10-3, $2,057
2nd: Ovidiu Marginean, Glenview, Ill., five bass, 8-2, $879
3rd: Brandon Depew, Odin, Ill., four bass, 6-9, $585
4th: Andy Heisler, Sun Prairie, Wis., three bass, 5-6, $410
5th: Steve Grigsby, Washington, Ill., two bass, 5-1, $351
6th: Brian Huber, Saint Peters, Mo., four bass, 4-15, $322
7th: David Workman, Harrisburg, Ill., three bass, 4-14, $293
8th: Shaun Avery, Plainfield, Ill., three bass, 4-6, $464
9th: Alan Bernicky, Joliet, Ill., three bass, 3-12, $234
10th: Eugene Kim, Lindenhurst, Ill., two bass, 3-7, $205
Roman Perun of St. Louis, Missouri, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 3 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $225.
After four events, Riley Walk of Neoga, Illinois, leads the Bass Fishing League Illini Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 961 points, while Derick Holmes of Fairfield, Illinois, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 917 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered 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.
Minnesota Pro Austin Felix Conquers Lake Oahe For First Bassmaster Elite Series Victory
Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., has won the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with a four-day total of 71 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 21, 2022
MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Austin Felix views himself as a well-rounded angler but he loves to fish for smallmouth. So, it’s fitting Felix’s first Bassmaster Elite Series title would involve catching those big, beautiful brown fish.
With a five-bass limit that weighed 16 pounds, 3 ounces on Championship Sunday, the Eden Prairie, Minn., native secured the victory at the Guarantee Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with a total of 71-9, earning $100,000.
Felix overcame a disappointing Day 1 performance of 14-2 that put him in 34th and then rebounded with the VMC Monster Bag of the tournament at 23-3 that lifted him to second place after Day 2 and earned him an additional $2,000. Felix took the lead on Day 3 with 18-1 and held off a hard-charging Chris Johnston on the final day.
“I feel like I have an advantage on a smallmouth event over the field, at least most of them,” the 2020 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year said. “It is my wheelhouse, I would like to think. I had never been here before but when I came here for (pre-practice) it was the most incredible fishing in the world.
“I fully expected driving out here that the 23-pound bag would be what you had to have to compete. But, when we got here, these fish have gotten a lot of pressure over the last year.”
While he had close to 18 spots marked, two main-lake points on Lake Oahe produced the bulk of Felix’s weight, one above the Highway 212 Bridge that crosses the lake south of takeoff in Mobridge and one below the bridge. These points had an important characteristic: they dropped off sharply into deeper water and had rockpiles on the bottom.
For the most part, Felix’s smallmouth were relating to the bottom or close to the bottom. If he found they were set up on the bottom, he could stay off his spots and cast to them. But on many occasions, they would be constantly on the move and that’s when his Lowrance Active Target came into play.
“The key is it had to have a really steep drop-off into the main river channel, and you wanted that break to be somewhere between 30 and 35 feet,” Felix explained. “I think they like to be over the open water and then they can slide up.
“Their feeding zone was between 25 and 35 feet. Most of it had rocky patches on it. Sometimes they would settle on it. This afternoon there was a big group and all they did was swim around the point. They swam around the boat every 20 minutes.”
A Z-Man Big TRD on a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce Ned head was a key bait for Felix, as well as a Carolina-rigged Zoom Speed Craw with a 5/8-ounce Ryugi Carolina rig weight. The weight has a plastic sleeve in it that keeps the line from getting nicked up on the bottom.
Fishing around Lee Livesay keyed Felix in to the Carolina rig bite that helped produce the giant Day 2 bag that turned his tournament around.
“I had one tied on in the box and ready to go,” Felix explained. “After we wore them out on a drop shot, he pulled it out and slung it out there and caught one. I was like, ‘It doesn’t take me long to figure this out.’ So, I yanked one out, threw it out there and caught one.
“We sat there for three hours and would each catch one every 15 or 20 minutes. It was just one of those days. We were chatting and joking, it was the best day ever.”
On Sunday, Felix landed a smallie that was entered on BassTrakk as a 3-8 first thing in the morning and filled his limit on his starting spot. With his afternoon magic on Day 3 in mind, he waited as long as he could to run down the lake, and it paid off with three important catches late in the afternoon.
The bass he found there bit a Carolina rig on Semifinal Saturday, but he hunted them down with the Ned rig and Active Target Sunday.
“I figured out how to catch that group of fish way south and I caught three good ones yesterday and I left it with the idea I would come back,” Felix said. “All day I was sitting there (telling myself) I wasn’t going before noon. I bided my time.
“Fortunately, my starting hole paid off with a limit, which calmed me down a lot. At noon, I ran 25 miles south and I caught a good one really quick.”
After catching two smallmouth that bumped him up to the 16-pound range, Felix realized a blue trophy was within reach. But before he got too excited, he refocused by thinking about the next event on the Upper Mississippi River scheduled for next week.
“It really hasn’t hit me yet and the fact we have such a short turnaround before La Crosse, I was actually using that all day,” Felix said. “When I started thinking about winning or daydreaming, I clicked over and thought about what I had to do for La Crosse when this is over. I tried to keep my mind off of winning and on something else.
“But I’m sure when I am driving home, I’ll be screaming in the truck by myself going down the highway.”
Johnston recovered from a Day 3 stumble to finish second with a 68-6. The Canadian pro secured 18-15 on Day 1 before catching 18-13 on the second day to take the lead. But a disappointing 13-12 on Semifinal Saturday dropped him to third, and his comeback attempt on the final day fell just short.
“I didn’t think I was on the winning fish after practice, so to get second, I am still happy with it,” he said. “Obviously I’m a little disappointed. I had one or two missed opportunities today that would have made it a little more interesting. But still, it was a fun week fishing and catching smallmouth.”
One main-lake area produced almost all of Johnston’s weight the first two days and on Championship Sunday, it reloaded with more quality smallmouth.
“It was just a flat, it wasn’t like chunky rock, but it was a subtle point,” he said. “They weren’t grouped in one spot. They were just roaming it. They are out in deeper water and for whatever reason, they move up shallow on that flat point and hang out. Around midday, they go in the middle of the lake and chase bait if I had to guess.”
Johnston secured a limit before 9:30 a.m. and landed a 4-pounder just before 10:30. Unfortunately, he could not get another big bass to commit to his presentation.
“I caught them the way I wanted to catch them. I used Garmin LiveScope and drop shots, Ned rigs and a Carolina rig,” he said. “Some new ones moved up today and my first pass over them they were biting. My second pass I caught one or two more and then the gig was up.”
Japanese pro Taku Ito finished third with 67-13 — a total he amassed with bags of 17-4, 16-13, 15-6 and 18-6. Ito continued an impressive streak of making the Day 3 cut at each of the seven smallmouth tournaments he has competed in on the Elite Series. He has now made five of the seven final-day cuts in those events.
“I tried to find the big schools and every day I changed my spot,” Ito said. “I tried a new spot and found a big school. Easy to catch. Today the wind was strong and it was easy to catch a 4-pounder.”
Ito focused his efforts on main-lake areas that had big groups of smallmouth that were constantly swimming and used Japanese finesse techniques. His go-to bait was an Ecogear Jukusei Aqua Swim Shrimp rigged on a 1/0 Ryugi Talisman Hook and a 3/16-ounce Boreas ANO ST TG Sinker.
The 4-8 smallie he caught late in the day earned him the $1,000 bonus for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day. South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb earned $2,000 total for catching the Phoenix Bass Big Bass of the Tournament, a 5-12 he caught on Day 1.
Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., took home $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and Missouri rookie Cody Huff earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Ito also earned an additional $2,500 as the highest-placing entrant and Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
Kentucky pro Mark Menendez won the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency award for the most accurate weight reporting.
Rathdrum, Idaho, native Brandon Palaniuk leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 647 points entering the final event of the season next week. Tennessee pro Brandon Lester is second with 610 points, followed by Johnston with 601.
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 543 points, followed by Huff with 479 and Tennessee’s Jacob Foutz with 456.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe 8/18-8/21
Lake Oahe, Mobridge SD.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 20 71-09 100 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 23-03 Day 3: 5 18-01 Day 4: 5 16-03
2. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 20 68-06 99 $35,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 13-12 Day 4: 5 16-14
3. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 20 67-13 98 $30,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 15-06 Day 4: 5 18-06
4. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 20 66-06 97 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 20-02 Day 3: 5 13-11 Day 4: 5 16-05
5. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 20 64-10 96 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 19-00 Day 4: 5 12-01
6. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 20 63-08 95 $19,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 12-15 Day 4: 5 13-07
7. Seth Feider New Market, MN 20 63-02 94 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 19-05 Day 4: 5 14-11
8. Bryan New Saluda, SC 20 60-06 93 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 5 17-04 Day 4: 5 13-02
9. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 20 57-08 92 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 5 14-05 Day 4: 5 09-08
10. Cody Huff Ava, MO 20 54-15 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 08-13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 05-12 $1,000.00
2 Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 05-11 $1,000.00
3 Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 05-06 $1,000.00
4 Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA04-08 $500.00
4 Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 04-08 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 05-12 $1,000.00
VMC MONSTER BAG
Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 23-03 $2,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 78 428 1120-03
2 69 403 928-06
3 39 217 530-00
4 10 50 139-06
----------------------------------
196 1098 2717-15
Spencer Shuffield Wins MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
Arkansas Pro Weighs Five-Bass Limit of 22 pounds, 12 ounces to Win TITLE Belt and Top Prize of $200,000
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 21, 2022) – Weights were again stacked atop the leaderboard, but 11-time Championship Qualifier Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, brought a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 12 ounces across the stage Sunday to win the first major event of his professional career, earning $200,000 and the TITLE belt at the third-annual Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York. Shuffield earned the win by a 12-ounce margin over pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, who weighed a limit of 22 pounds even, good for second place and $50,000. Alabama pro Jacob Wall of New Hope, rounded out the top three, weighing a five-bass limit of 21 pounds even to take home $30,000.
Shuffield had been near a win several times on the Pro Circuit, including the infamous 2020 TITLE Championship on Sturgeon Bay, where bad weather prevented him from getting to his primary area on Championship Day, resulting in a heart-breaking 6th place finish.
“I had 18 pounds pretty quick this morning, and then the storm hit, and the wind kicked in and I thought ‘not again’,” Shuffield said. “But thankfully the wind never got out of control, and I was still able to manage it and fish my areas effectively enough to catch the fish.
“I had about a 25-minute lull where I wasn’t able to fish as hard or cover as much ground as I had been, due to the wind and the current. I was seeing the big ones and trying to pitch that perfect cast in front of them, but it was nearly impossible during the storm.”
Finally, the wind died down just enough that Shuffield was able to make more precise pitches in front of the stingy smallmouth and get them to bite.
“I caught most of my fish today on a 7-foot, 4-inch medium Phenix M1 rod with 6-pound test Yo-Zuri T-7 Premium Fluorocarbon leader, throwing a ½-ounce Ark Tungsten Drop-Shot Weight and a No. 2 Gamakatsu Drop Shot Hook with a green-pumpkin party or brown-back-colored Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm,” Shuffield said. “The rest came on a 7-foot, 2-inch Phenix M1 rod, with an 8-pound test Yo-Zuri leader, a 3/8-ounce WOO! Tungsten Ned Head Jig and a Goby Bryant-colored Z-Man Finesse TRD.”
Shuffield said he’d always dreamed of being on the big stage and winning tournaments. Although he never realized just how hard he’d have to work to get to this point, he was always determined that this was going to be his path in life.
“To get my first win right here, and for my first major win to be a championship event is huge,” Shuffield said in his post-game interview. “God has blessed me. This last year has been a trying year, and I definitely don’t feel like I deserve it. But I’m thankful He does.
That achievement is even more meaningful to Shuffield, who said he lost his fishing career six years ago, and went into one of the deepest, darkest places of depression he’d ever experienced.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get this opportunity back, but I fought hard, knowing I would eventually get back here, even if it was the death of me,” Shuffield said. “I was able to make it back to fishing as a pro strictly off of local tournaments. I earned seven boats in four years back home winning local championships, which, combined with my families’ support and the good Lord above, enabled me to be here today.
“I wouldn’t have cared if a regular-season Tour win had been my first win – I’m not stingy, I just wanted to get that first one under my belt. For it to be in a championship event against the best of the best, I just can’t believe it,” said an emotional Shuffield. “Tournament wins are necessary to sustain a career, but championship wins are worth so much more. I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was three years old.”
Shuffield recounted taking a Walmart sack out to the backyard when he was a kid, gathering up the five biggest pinecones he could find and pretending to pull them out of the bag one at a time, practicing for the day he would be winning on stage and in this moment.
“To be living that out and doing it in real-life now is just unreal. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into being a pro angler, that a lot of people don’t ever see, so to finally make it happen – it’s by the grace of God, no doubt. I’m most thankful to Him, for giving me the opportunity to be standing here today,” added a tearful Shuffield. “I give it 110% out here every day and some days it’s not good enough, but the days that it is, it really counts and puts things into perspective and is a reminder how far hard work truly goes. The appreciation of just being able to see your hard work come to fruition is really special.”
The top 10 pros at the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 22-0, $50,000
3rd: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 21-0, $30,000
4th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., five bass, 20-10, $25,000
5th: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 20-6, $19,000
6th: Josh Bragg, Fayetteville, Ga., five bass, 20-1, $18,000
7th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., five bass, 18-5, $17,000
8th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 17-3, $16,000
9th: Matt Becker, Finleyville, Pa., five bass, 17-1, $15,000
10th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 16-1, $14,000
Overall, there were 50 bass weighing 195 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the 10 pros on Sunday, all with five-bass limits.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – featured a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers were seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2022 qualifying events – where they competed in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament.
The top 10 anglers in each group moved on to the Knockout Round on Day 5, with zeroed weights, to compete for the chance to fish on the final day. The top 10 anglers from the Knockout Round then advanced to Championship Sunday, where weights were again zeroed as anglers competed for the $235,000 prize. Winners were determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of each round.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Austin Felix Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite On Lake Oahe Heading Into Championship Sunday
Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., is leading after Day 3 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with a three-day total of 55 pounds, 6 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 20, 2022
MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Thanks to a late-day push, Austin Felix secured a limit of smallmouth weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce on Day 3 of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe, pushing his three-day total to a tournament-leading 55-6.
A lackluster Day 1 that included losing a big smallmouth put Felix in 34th place with 14-2, but he rocketed up the leaderboard with the VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament so far, a 23-3 sack of smallmouth that put him in second entering Semifinal Saturday.
The Eden Prairie, Minn., native now holds nearly a 3-pound lead over Kentucky pro Matt Robertson in second and nearly a 4-pound advantage over Day 2 leader Chris Johnston of Canada, who dropped to third.
On a volatile fishery that has seen anglers move up and down the standings each day, Felix is trying not to think about his status entering Championship Sunday.
“I’m just trying to keep my head down because I know I have another day, and that’s the most important thing,” Felix said. “I need to catch five more good ones. It isn’t easy out there right now. A lot of guys struggled today. I was fortunate enough to figure out something late and caught a few good ones.”
Felix, the 2020 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year and a two-time Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic qualifier, started where he caught his monster bag Friday with two other competitors and found the smallmouth were not loaded up like they had been previously.
“I caught one solid 4-pounder and then a rat, but it definitely wasn’t as good as I was hoping,” Felix said. “Fortunately for tomorrow, I will have it to myself. There may be scraps left, but if I can get all the scraps I might be able to get a few decent ones or scratch a bag together.”
Felix has been fishing main-lake points located close to steep breaks on the main river channel. He has about 18 of those points marked, but it is a mystery as to which one will produce on a given day.
“I am just running waypoints,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of people found them because it is pretty obvious stuff, but hopefully tomorrow you will be able to do what you want to do.”
After starting in 20th place with 16-1 on Day 1, Robertson caught 17-8 on Day 2 to move into ninth and sacked 19-0 on Saturday for a three-day total of 52-9.
“The last three days I have changed it up every day,” Robertson said. “Don’t just stick to one thing. You have to give them a little different look. One day I caught them on a drop shot. I caught a few on a Damiki rig and a Carolina rig today. Honestly, it’s been about not getting too stuck on anything.”
Robertson has fished three or four main spots he knows are holding quality bass. On Saturday, he got three quality smallies to start the day, adding he lost another bass bigger than all of them in the process. He added his fourth fish around 11 a.m. and finished his bag around noon.
Now that he is squarely in contention, he is considering making a 72-mile run down lake to an area he hasn’t touched. But he is worried he won’t be able to make it back to check-in before running out of gas.
“It is far enough to where I am 99 percent sure I am going to run out of gas on the way back,” Robertson said. “I almost went there today and (Seth) Feider made the Top 10, so I will probably end up down there to take a crack at it. I know whenever I run out of gas he will be there to give me a ride back.”
After taking the lead on Day 2, Johnston found his big bass spot did not reload and scrambled to catch 13-12 on Saturday. The Canadian pro is now third with 51-8.
“I went to my starting spot, which I was a little worried was going to run out of fish, and sure enough it was pretty vacant,” Johnston said. “I gave it two hours and started running some secondary stuff. Seth (Feider) was on my second-best spot and he beat on them pretty good — which is good for him, but it sucked for me.”
Johnston saw quite a few smallies on several areas he visited, but getting them to bite was a difficult task. Winds are expected to pick back up on Sunday, and Johnston hopes that will help the bite.
“Tomorrow the pressure is off. I am just going to go out and have some fun and see what I can catch,” he said.
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day, a 5-6 smallie that anchored his 19-10 bag and gave him a $1,000 bonus. South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb still holds the overall Phoenix Boats Big Bass with the 5-12 smallmouth he caught on Day 1.
Rathdrum, Idaho, native Brandon Palaniuk leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 647 points. Fayetteville, Tenn., pro Brandon Lester moved up to second with 610 points and Johnston fell one spot to third 600.
Przekurat continues to lead the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 543 points while Ava, Mo., pro Cody Huff is second with 479 after making the Top 10 cut. Tennessee pro Jacob Foutz follows in third with 456.
The Top 10 remaining anglers will launch from the Indian Creek Recreation area at 7 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The weigh-in will be livestreamed on Bassmaster.com.
Bassmaster LIVE coverage will begin at 7 a.m. CT on FS1 and run through 10:30 a.m. before transitioning to Bassmaster.com until 2 p.m.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe 8/18-8/21
Lake Oahe, Mobridge SD.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 55-06 100
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 23-03 Day 3: 5 18-01
2. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 15 52-09 99
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 19-00
3. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 51-08 98
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 13-12
4. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 50-01 97
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 12-15
5. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 15 50-01 96
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 20-02 Day 3: 5 13-11
6. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 15 49-07 95
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 15-06
7. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 48-07 94
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 19-05
8. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 48-00 93
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 5 14-05
9. Bryan New Saluda, SC 15 47-04 92
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 5 17-04
10. Cody Huff Ava, MO 15 46-02 91
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 15-09
11. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 15 44-05 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 11-02
12. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 15 43-12 89 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 15-13
13. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 43-08 88 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 06-15 Day 3: 5 19-10
14. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 15 43-06 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 21-06 Day 3: 5 07-02
15. Frank Talley Temple, TX 14 43-03 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 12-06 Day 3: 5 12-13
16. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 15 43-00 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 17-02
17. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 40-14 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 11-03
18. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 40-13 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 08-13 Day 3: 5 13-13
19. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 40-06 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 13-01
20. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 40-05 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 08-12 Day 3: 5 16-14
21. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 15 40-04 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 08-08
22. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 15 40-03 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 08-05 Day 3: 5 16-10
23. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 40-01 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 10-13
24. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 15 39-13 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 12-02
25. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 39-12 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 10-06
26. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 15 39-04 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 09-04
27. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 12 39-03 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 4 12-10 Day 3: 3 04-15
28. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 13 38-14 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 3 06-14
29. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 15 36-13 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 12-11
30. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 15 36-12 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 06-09 Day 3: 5 14-00
31. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 15 36-10 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 09-00
32. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 36-04 69 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 05-07
33. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 36-03 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 12-00
34. Darold Gleason Many, LA 15 36-00 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 09-06
35. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 13 35-02 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 3 04-13 Day 3: 5 11-11
36. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 34-12 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 09-05
37. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 34-09 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 11-14
38. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 12 34-00 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 2 05-00 Day 3: 5 09-15
39. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 13 33-14 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 3 05-01
40. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 14 33-12 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 08-09 Day 3: 5 06-11
41. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 15 32-00 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 07-06
42. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 15 31-07 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-13 Day 3: 5 08-09
43. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 12 31-00 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 4 11-14 Day 3: 4 08-04
44. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 14 29-09 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 4 05-15
45. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 28-11 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 3 09-15 Day 3: 2 02-12
46. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 12 28-01 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 2 01-14
47. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 11 26-02 54 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 1 00-14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 05-12 $1,000.00
2 Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 05-11 $1,000.00
3 Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 05-06 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 78 428 1120-03
2 69 403 928-06
3 39 217 530-00
----------------------------------
186 1048 2578-09
Kurt Mitchell Wins Knockout Round at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
Delaware Pro Weighs Biggest Bag of the Event to Win Knockout Round, Final 10 Anglers Set for Sunday’s Championship Shootout to Compete for up to $235,000
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 20, 2022) – After an absolute slugfest, with 13 out of 18 anglers weighing in bags over 20 pounds, pro Kurt Mitchell of Milford, Delaware, brought a five-bass limit to the stage Saturday weighing 24 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest bag of the event – to win the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – in Massena, New York.
The Championship Round on Sunday will feature Group A winner Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Group B winner Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tennessee, and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round, competing in a final-day shootout for a top prize of up to $235,000. The six-day event, hosted by the Town of Massena, features the top 48 pros in the 2022 Pro Circuit standings, along with last year’s reigning TITLE champion and reigning Angler of the Year – all competing for a purse of more than $800,000.
The top eight pros from Saturday’s Knockout Round that will compete in Sunday’s Championship Round on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 22-4
3rd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 21-10
4th: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 21-5
5th: Matt Becker, Finleyville, Pa., five bass, 21-5
6th: Bobby lane, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 21-2
7th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 21-1
8th: Josh Bragg, Fayetteville, Ga., five bass, 21-0
Group B: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.
Mitchell said he figured 21 pounds would get him into the Championship Round, but his day didn’t start off at all like he’d planned.
“I thought I had a good game-plan going into today,” Mitchell said. “I hit four or five different areas where I thought I’d catch some good fish, but everything I caught was small. Disappointed, I ran to a buoy where I had caught three good ones on the first day, but they weren’t there anymore.
“I was getting really frustrated and decided to just try to figure out where those fish went. I started searching the shoal where the buoy was, and I found some depressions in that shoal where the fish were holed up. That’s where I caught almost all my fish today. I had about 21 pounds by noon, which is when I started feeling good about making it into the Championship Round.”
While most of the field is running upwards of 90 miles each day, Mitchell said he only has a 55-mile run to his primary area, which he hopes will play to his advantage with the weather that’s forecasted for Sunday’s Championship Round.
“I still have a long run to make, but if the weather comes in like it’s forecasted, the waves can only get so big where I’m going, so I should have a distinct advantage. These guys running all the way to the mouth of the lake are going to have to combat some large waves if they decide to make that run.”
Mitchell said he caught all his fish drop-shotting a swimbait and although he struggled to catch a 3-pounder on Thursday, once he topped 23 pounds in the Knockout Round, he began catching 3-pounders constantly.
“Today was just one of those days – I even caught a 5½-pound kicker accidentally at the end of the day,” Mitchell laughed. “I was running around looking for new areas and I cast over to what looked like a little tiny pebble on my Garmin (Livescope) and reeled in a 5½-pounder.
“Things may change up a little bit tomorrow with the weather coming in, but I’m happy with what’s going on so far and am looking forward to Sunday,” Mitchell finished.
Rounding out the top 20 finishers were:
12th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 20-9, $11,000
13th: Jared McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 20-9, $11,000
14th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., five bass, 20-6, $11,000
15th: Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, five bass, 20-0, $11,000
16th: Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., five bass, 19-10, $11,000
17th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 18-3, $11,000
18th: Evan Barnes, Dardanelle, Ark., five bass, 18-2, $11,000
19th: Casey Scanlon, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 17-7, $11,000
20th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., five bass, 16-6, $11,000
Overall, there were 90 bass weighing 366 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the 18 pros on Saturday, all with five-bass limits.
Pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas was also presented the Forrest L. Wood Sportsmanship and Community Leadership Award during the weigh-in on Saturday. The award recognizes a TITLE qualifier, nominated by his peers, who displays an overall commitment to sportsmanship and community leadership, on and off the water, through ethical behavior, integrity, class, selflessness, conservation, volunteerism and kindness to others. Ebare’s nomination cited his genuine concern for the nation’s fisheries and his reflection of a true sportsman and leader who is always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – features a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers were seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2022 qualifying events – where they competed in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament.
The 25 anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on the St. Lawrence River on Tuesday and Thursday – the 25 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each group’s two-day Qualifying Round, the anglers that finished in 2nd through 10th place from both Group A and Group B advanced to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed and the remaining 18 anglers (nine anglers from Group A, and nine anglers from Group B) competed to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. Tomorrow, in the final day Championship Round, weights are again zeroed, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of the final round.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET on Sunday from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Sunday’s weigh-in will also be held at the boat launch at 3 p.m.The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Along with the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to the MLF Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Sunday, Aug. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at the Massena Intake Boat Launch, where fans can meet the pros and check out the latest in fishing and outdoor gear. The expo includes food trucks, kids’ activities, giveaways and more.
The first 100 middle school and high school students will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel at the Expo on Sunday and fans can register for a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV giveaway onsite at the Expo. The winner will be drawn after the final weigh-in on Sunday. PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall will also be at the event with MLF pro Charlie Evans and will be available for photos. Appearance times may vary. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com for updates and more details.
The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit featured a field of 154 of the top professional anglers in the world competing at six regular-season events around the country. The top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the six events qualified to compete in the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
3 Tips for Picking Off Pelagic Smallmouth
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Figuring out how to find and catch five keeper smallmouth a day on an immense fishery like Lake Oahe is tricky enough. When the fish you do find favor a gypsy life cycle, it adds a whole new element to an already difficult task. That’s the puzzle many anglers faced for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Lake Oahe.
Part of the allure of fishing for bass in South Dakota is that they don’t receive the kind of fishing pressure that bass see in the south. Which would lead you to believe Oahe smallmouth would be easier to catch than the average fish, but that’s not necessarily been the case for Elite Series pros this week. And if you ask the anglers why, many of them will tell you it’s partially due to these fish being “pelagic”.
The definition of pelagic is listed as, “of, relating to, or living or occurring in the open sea.” Yamaha Outboards pro Darold Gleason is one of many pros successfully targeting smallmouth labeled as pelagic on Oahe and provided some insight on how the term pelagic relates to bass fishing.
“These fish are what I would call roamers,” Gleason said. “You hear people call it pelagic behavior but what this refers to is the fact these Oahe smallmouth don’t necessarily relate to any type of cover or specific depth range. It seems like they spend most of their day swimming, and swimming fast, chasing bait fish or relocating to the next area they use to feed.”
Fish with this trait are notoriously difficult to catch consistently. Instead of patiently milking a select few spots to catch his fish, Gleason has had to move with them. We picked the longtime Toyota Bonus Bucks participant’s brain for any tips to help the average angler catch pelagic smallmouth.
“The only way I’ve been successful this week is by chasing these fish like I used to have to chase Randi back in high school,” Gleason said jokingly about his supportive and loving wife Randi.
Forward facing sonar
Gleason’s first and perhaps most crucial tool for catching smallmouth with a tendency to roam has been keeping one eye locked on his forward facing sonar (FFS) screen on the bow of his boat.
“With my Lowrance Active Target I can see exactly where the fish are positioned in the water column and individually pick them off,” Gleason explained. “Forward facing sonar has been an absolute game changer for catching pelagic fish, especially smallmouth.”
Instead of using a jerkbait or damiki style rig, Gleason has been locating fish with his FFS and then pitching a ½-ounce drop shot at them. If he sees the fish follow his bait to the bottom, he readies himself for a hook set.
2D sonar
While forward facing sonar is an incredible tool, it’s also an expensive technology. Fortunately, Gleason has more tips for catching pelagic fish if you don’t have the ability to take advantage of FFS.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, smallmouth arecurious and will sometimes swim up to the boat to kind of check you out,” Gleason said. “When they do this, you can see them on your ‘old school’ 2D sonar. A lot of times you can catch those fish just by dropping your bait straight down to them, but more than that it will key you in on the depth range those fish want to be in if you pay attention.”
Gleason is fishing over primarily 30 to 50 feet of water on Oahe, but he said that most of the fish he’s catching are spending most of their time only 10-feet below the surface. He was clued into this detail by his traditional 2D sonar in practice and it’s helped him catch several key fish this week.
Good pair of sunglasses / keep your head on a swivel
The former Toledo Bend fishing guide’s final tip simply revolves around making sure you’ve got a good pair of polarized sunglasses on your face and being vigilant of your surroundings.Gleason relies on Costa Sunglasses Fantail frames with a blue mirror lens for most of his days on the water.
“A few fish I’ve weighed in I literally caught sight fishing in 30 feet of water,” Gleason admitted. “Now, they certainly aren’t spawning but occasionally you see an individual fish or small group of them swimming near the surface. When you’re able to pick them out like this, they’ve been very catchable. Oahe isn’t a super clear fishery and we’ve had to deal with lots of waves this week, so having a quality pair of sunglasses is critical.”
Heed this advice and give Gleason’s tips a try if you’ve been dealing with roaming or pelagic bass and are struggling to connect with them.
Consistency Lifts Johnston To Day 2 Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Event At Lake Oahe
Chris Johnston of Otonabee, Ontario, is leading after Day 2 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with a two-day total of 37 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 19, 2022
Consistency Lifts Johnston To Day 2 Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Event At Lake Oahe
MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Chris Johnston’s primary spot on Lake Oahe doesn’t look particularly special, but it holds big smallmouth that have lifted him to the lead at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with a two-day total of 37 pounds, 12 ounces.
Entering Day 2 in seventh place with 18-15, the Otonabee, Ontario, native caught 18-13 Friday and holds a 7-ounce lead over second-place Austin Felix and a 10-ounce lead over third-place Patrick Walters.
“I’m thrilled with it,” Johnston said. “I caught them all right where I caught them yesterday. I had them by about 9:30. There’s not a lot of fish there and I wasn’t seeing many left. But after I caught them yesterday morning, I didn’t see any fish. So, some new ones moved up today and I was able to catch them.”
While the north wind raced across Lake Oahe the entirety of the day, creating rough and wavy conditions, the 2021 St. Lawrence River Elite champion caught a limit quickly using mostly the new Spro CJ Smasher as well as a couple of other baits. A key adjustment, however, led to two big bites late in the morning.
“I am (Garmin) LiveScoping around and today they actually pushed out deeper on me,” Johnston said. “I had three good ones and I wasn’t seeing any more, so I pushed out deeper and caught two more big ones and left it after that.”
There isn’t anything remarkable about his primary area. While there is a hard bottom and access to deep water, Johnston said there is nothing that really sets it apart from anything else on the lake other than the quality it seems to hold.
He added that he has been the only angler in the area.
“If I get bit there, they are big ones,” he said. “In practice, I caught two 4s there and every fish seems to be 3-plus pounds. There are just better quality fish in this one little area.”
With a limit filled and the wind battering much of the lake, Johnston began his journey back to check-in three hours early. Winds are predicted to calm down significantly and shift to the east on Semifinal Saturday, which will allow him to move more freely around Lake Oahe.
“I don’t think the fishing is going to be any better with the calm weather, but I can hit more spots,” Johnston explained. “Today I left almost three hours early to come back. I didn’t know how rough it was going to be. I figured I had a decent weight and there was no point in pushing it and beating my boat up. It will give me a lot more fishing time.”
As boat 80 on Day 1, Felix was discouraged to find several competitors on his best spot first thing in the morning, forcing him to scramble to collect the 14-2 limit that put him in 34th. But with a much more favorable boat number Friday, Felix vaulted up the leaderboard with the VMC Monster Bag thus far, a 23-3 sack of smallmouth that has him in second place with a two-day mark of 37-5.
“Honestly I could just get on something. With the wind the way it was the last two days, you can’t fish that much and the fish are on pretty obvious stuff. The spot I started on today had four boats on it (yesterday) so I kept driving,” he said. “Today, I got on it and my first drop was a 2 3/4, my second drop was a 5 1/2 and then it slowed down a little.
“Lee (Livesay) pulled in and we took our time and grinded it out. We each probably caught 10 or 15 off of that hole.”
Felix’s bag today resembled more of what he thought Lake Oahe would be like when he finished his pre-practice last August.
“I had over 25 one day and over 26 another day,” Felix said. “There were giants everywhere. It wasn’t like you would catch six fish. You would catch a 5-pounder and 10 bass would follow it to the boat and sit under the boat, and you could catch all 10 of them if you wanted to.”
Walters held steady in third place with 37-2, adding 16-13 to his Day 1 bag of 20-5. He said he caught a quality smallmouth early on, but had to grind out the rest of his bites.
“It was probably 10:30 when I had three fish and by 11:30 I had five,” Walters said. “There are some good fish in the area. I thought 15 per day after three days would put you in the Top 10. I got lucky and got some really good bites the last two days.
“What I have seen is also better than what I thought. If you get a good day, I think I can catch more than what I caught the first day.”
With calmer conditions ahead, Walters said Lake Oahe could show what it is really made of the rest of the tournament.
“I think it can show out if I can get to my destination and fish for them,” he said. “I am catching them panning (forward-facing sonar) and catching them out deep — and with that water today, it makes it hard to fish. If you can get down there in an efficient amount of time and move around, you can catch them.”
Japanese pro Masayuki Matsushita earned the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with a 5-11 smallmouth, but Brandon Cobb still holds the overall Big Bass with the 5-12 he landed on Day 1.
Rathdrum, Idaho, native Brandon Palaniuk remains atop the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 647 points, but missed the cut with a 66th-place finish. Johnston has moved to second with his strong performance thus far with 602 points and Fayetteville, Tenn., native Brandon Lester is third with 600.
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 517 points followed by Missouri’s Cody Huff with 475 and Tennessee’s Jacob Foutz with 456.
The field will be cut to the Top 47 anglers for Semifinal Saturday, and the Top 10 will compete on Championship Sunday for a first-place prize of $100,000.
Bassmaster LIVE Coverage of Day 3 will begin on FS1 at 7 a.m. CT and run through noon before transitioning to Bassmaster.com from noon to 2 p.m. The weigh-in will begin at the Walleye Up Statue around 3 p.m. on Bassmaster.com.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe 8/18-8/21
Lake Oahe, Mobridge SD.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 37-12 100
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-13
2. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 37-05 99
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 23-03
3. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 37-02 98
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 16-13
4. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 36-06 97
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 20-02
5. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 36-04 96
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 21-06
6. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 9 34-04 95
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 4 12-10
7. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 10 34-01 94
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-13
8. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 33-11 93
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-15
9. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 33-09 92
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 17-08
10. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 33-03 91
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 16-01
11. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 32-00 90
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 11-10
12. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 31-12 89
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 12-03
13. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 30-13 88 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 12-00
14. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 30-09 87
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 16-04
15. Frank Talley Temple, TX 9 30-06 86
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 12-06
16. Bryan New Saluda, SC 10 30-00 85
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 10-11
17. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 30-00 84
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 19-01
18. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 29-11 83
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 19-01
19. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 29-06 82
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-01
20. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 29-04 81
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-13
21. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 29-02 80
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 13-04
22. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 28-13 79
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-06
23. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 10 27-15 78 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
24. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 27-11 77
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 12-00
25. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 27-10 76
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 11-08
26. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 27-05 75
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
27. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 27-01 74
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 08-09
28. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 27-00 73
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 08-13
29. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 26-10 72
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-07
30. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 26-03 71
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 11-07
31. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 8 25-15 70
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 3 09-15
32. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 25-14 69
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 13-11
33. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 25-07 68
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 15-01
34. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 10 25-04 67
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-05
35. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 24-10 66
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-01
36. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 24-03 65
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 14-05
37. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 24-02 64
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 11-07
38. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 7 24-01 63
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 2 05-00
39. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 23-14 62
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 06-15
40. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 23-10 61
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
41. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 23-09 60
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 08-05
42. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 8 23-07 59
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 3 04-13
43. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 23-07 58
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 08-12
44. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 22-14 57
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-13
45. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 22-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 06-09
46. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 8 22-12 55
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 4 11-14
47. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 22-11 54
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-09
48. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 22-09 53 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 12-10
49. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 22-09 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 12-09
50. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 22-04 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 10-02
51. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 21-15 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 12-09
52. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 21-11 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 07-12
53. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 21-11 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 08-12
54. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 21-02 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-11
55. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 20-15 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 07-02
56. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 20-14 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 07-01
57. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 20-11 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
58. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 9 20-04 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 4 05-09
59. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 9 19-15 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 4 08-02
60. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 19-15 41
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 09-12
61. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 19-10 40
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 08-14
62. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 10 19-07 39
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-07
63. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 8 19-04 38
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 5 14-12
64. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 18-15 37
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 11-08
65. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 18-13 36
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 07-02
66. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 9 18-11 35
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 5 06-12
67. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 17-14 34
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 07-03
68. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 17-11 33
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 08-07
69. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 17-08 32
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 09-14
70. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 9 17-01 31
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 4 05-11
71. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 9 16-12 30
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 06-14
72. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 9 16-09 29
Day 1: 4 07-06 Day 2: 5 09-03
73. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 7 16-00 28
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 5 12-04
74. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 8 16-00 27
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 5 06-14
75. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 15-09 26
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 05-10
76. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 10 14-10 25
Day 1: 5 05-15 Day 2: 5 08-11
77. John Cox Debary, FL 10 14-05 24
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 05-00
78. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 14-05 23
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 06-01
79. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 7 13-11 22
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 3 05-00
80. Mike Huff London, KY 7 13-04 21
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 2 04-04
81. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 7 13-04 20
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 2 04-13
82. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 8 11-15 19
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 3 05-04
83. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 6 11-05 18
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 1 01-02
84. David Williams Newton, NC 10 10-11 17
Day 1: 5 05-10 Day 2: 5 05-01
85. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 8 10-06 16
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 3 03-02
86. David Fritts Lexington, NC 4 09-15 15
Day 1: 4 09-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
87. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 08-02 14
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 3 03-06
88. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 6 07-11 13
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 1 01-02
89. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 4 07-08 12
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 1 00-15
90. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 4 04-02 11
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 3 03-02
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 05-12 $1,000.00
2 Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 05-11 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 78 428 1120-03
2 69 403 928-06
----------------------------------
147 831 2048-09
Rookie Nick Hatfield Wins Group B Qualifying Round at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
ROY Bests Alabama’s Chris Lane to Win Group B Qualifying Round and Advance Directly to Sunday’s Championship Round, Saturday’s Knockout Round Field Now Set
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 19, 2022) – It was a battle at the top of the unofficial leaderboard for most of the day between several hard-charging pros, but pro Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tennessee – the 2022 Polaris Rookie of the Year (ROY) – maintained his lead atop the field at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – in Massena, New York. Hatfield shored up the Group B win Friday, punching his ticket straight through to Sunday’s Championship Round with a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 3 ounces, bringing his two-day total to 46-4. Hatfield finished 2-pounds, 7-ounces ahead of Power-Pole pro Chris Lane of Guntersville, Alabama , who caught a two-day total of 43-13 to end the Qualifying Round in second.
The top 20 anglers from Group B will move on in the competition. Anglers finishing 21st – 30thearned $10,500 at the event, while anglers finishing 31st – 50th took home $10,000.
Group A and Group B Qualifying Round winners will enjoy a day off on Saturday, while the remaining 18 anglers – 9 from Group A and 9 from Group B – will compete in the Knockout Round. Weights will be zeroed, and anglers will compete to finish in the top eight and advance to Championship Sunday.
The Championship Round on Sunday will feature Group A winner Spencer Shuffield, Group B winner Nick Hatfield and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round, competing in a final-day, five-bass-limit shootout for a top prize of up to $235,000. The six-day event, hosted by the Town of Massena, showcases the top 48 pros in the 2022 Pro Circuit standings, along with last year’s reigning TITLE champion and reigning Angler of the Year – all competing for a purse of more than $800,000.
“I caught a lot of good fish the last two days, but there are a lot of great fishermen right behind me and they were on them as well,” Hatfield said. “I felt like I made some good decisions today and winning this automatic berth to the Championship Round feels good, but I’ve got to get back out there and do it again on Sunday.
“I’m seeing a lot of big fish. I weighed in a 3½ and a 3¼, and lost a couple big ones. The wind is supposed to blow on Sunday, but if I can get to my spot and just lean on them, I think I can catch another 23 to 25 pounds.”
The wind could definitely be a factor for Hatfield, who is making an hour and 45-minute run to his primary spot.
“I had some mechanical issues today, but was able to make it back for the weigh-in. I’ll definitely be getting that fixed on my day off and getting everything prepped and ready to go for the final round.”
Hatfield said he knew he’d found something special in practice but is pleasantly surprised at how much the area is producing.
“I have a mile stretch of isolated clumps of rocks that’s really good. There’s a ton of bait in there – perch and gobies – and I’m even seeing some balls of bait,” Hatfield said. “In practice, you don’t really know the extent of what you’ve got, you just kind of catch a couple then leave it alone. So it’s definitely playing out better than I expected it to.
“Some of the bass are in 20- to 30-feet of water, but most are in 35- to 45-feet. I’m utilizing my (Garmin) LiveScope and moving around until I find some, then just pitching a drop-shot at them. If I see one big fish, there are usually 4 or 5 right there with it and I’m able to catch at least one of them.”
Hatfield only caught 3 bass out of his primary spot on Friday, but those bass weighed upwards of 15 pounds. Although he’s basically laid off his fish the first two days of competition, he was still able to finish on top, and said he’s super excited for Championship Sunday.
“I feel really good about what I’m doing and where I’m at,” Hatfield continued. “I know these smallmouth could leave and things could change on Sunday, but I’m just excited to be fishing on the final day and hopefully I can go out there and do what I did today or better.”
The top 10 pros from Qualifying Group B that now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 43-13
3rd: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., 10 bass, 41-5
4th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 40-10
5th: Jon Canada, Helena, Ala., 10 bass, 40-4
6th: Jared McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 40-1
7th: Bobby lane, Lakeland, Fla., 10 bass, 39-12
8th: Casey Scanlon, Eldon, Mo., 10 bass, 39-9
9th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 38-14
10th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 38-4
12th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 37-9
13th: Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore., 10 bass, 37-7
14th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 10 bass, 37-1
15th: Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., 10 bass, 36-2
16th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 35-11
17th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 35-6
18th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 10 bass, 33-2
19th: Jeff Reynolds, Calera, Okla., 10 bass, 32-8
20th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 32-4
21st: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., 10 bass, 31-10
22nd: Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 31-0
23rd: Phillip Dutra, Guntersville, Ala., nine bass, 27-1
24th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, nine bass, 25-8
25th: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., nine bass, 25-5
Hatfield brought a smallmouth weighing 6-pounds, 3-ounces to the scale to win the Group B $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler in each group that weighs the biggest bass over their two-day Qualification Round.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – features a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers were seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2022 qualifying events – where they competed in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament.
The top 18 anglers will fish the Knockout Round on Saturday. Ten anglers will be eliminated on Saturday and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round will join Group A and Group B leaders in the Championship Round on Sunday.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET Saturday and Sunday from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat launch daily at 3 p.m. The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Along with the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to the MLF Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at the Massena Intake Boat Launch, where fans can meet the pros and check out the latest in fishing and outdoor gear. The expo includes live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, giveaways, fireworks and more.
The first 100 middle school and high school students will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday and fans can register for a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV giveaway onsite at the Expo. The winner will be drawn after the final weigh-in on August 21. PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall will also be at the event with MLF pro Charlie Evans and will be available for photos. Appearance times may vary. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com for updates and more details.
In addition to the launch, weigh-ins and Expo, youth 14 and under are also invited to attend a free Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Hill Causeway. Participants can bring their own fishing gear or use provided gear on a first come, first serve basis and will compete for tagged fish and cash prizes.
The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit featured a field of 154 of the top professional anglers in the world competing at six regular-season events around the country. The top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the six events qualified to compete in the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Big Bites Will Be Key For Final Bassmaster Elite Series Event On The Mississippi River
La Crosse, Wis., will host the season-ending Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River August 26-29.
Photo by Kara Pasma/B.A.S.S.
August 19, 2022
LA CROSSE, Wis. — “Big” will be a relative term, but the season-ending Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River promises plenty of angling intrigue, as 90 pro anglers square off against one of the nation’s most storied waterways.
Competition days will be Aug. 26-29 with daily takeoffs from Veterans Freedom Park at 7 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at Copeland Park at 3 p.m. Anglers will take off in Pool 7, with tournament boundaries also extending downriver through Pools 8 and 9.
Wisconsin native Bob Downey said he expects most of the bass to be in summer patterns, but he’s not discounting the potential for early seasonal shifting. As he explained, there’s just enough potential weather volatility to keep anglers on their toes, but his game plan will lean more toward stability.
“It’s late summer, on the brink of early fall,” Downey said. “We could get a weird cold front, but it should be steady temperatures.”
A week prior to the event, all three pools held stable water levels. Water temperatures were in the mid- to upper 70s and the warm-weather forecast shows possible showers the first and final days of tournament competition.
Nothing dramatic in the overall picture, but Downey’s biggest concern is man-made. This is a popular section of the river, he said, and it’s late in the season.
“It could be tougher than some people might expect because those pools have been getting a lot of pressure,” he said. “The water has been pretty low the past few years, and when it’s low, it can fish small.”
On the upside, the population justifies the popularity. Downey said there are plenty of fish to catch in Pools 7-9; it’s just a matter of finding the right ones.
“Catching high 2-pound to 3-pound fish will be the key to success,” he said. “I think 3-pounders are what you shoot for on the river. If you weigh in 15 pounds a day, you’re going to make the Top 10 and be really close to winning it.
“It’s a change of mindset from some places that we go. It’s a great fishery, it has a lot of good numbers, but 3-pounders are gold. High 3s and 4-pounders are your kicker fish.”
While tournament waters hold largemouth and smallmouth bass, Downey said largemouth will dominate. Anglers will no doubt catch smallmouth, but seasonality will limit the species’ competitive impact.
“That smallmouth deal generally plays more in the spring and fall,” Downey said. “We’re getting close to that fall period, but we’re not quite there yet. It could happen and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone made a Top 10 or came close to winning with smallmouth.
“They just don’t weigh much in the summer. After the spawn, they get really skinny, but later in the year, they put on the feed bag. If they’re really grouped up, I could see that playing.”
Anglers will find a diverse mix of shallow wood, rock and vegetation (submerged and emergent) welcoming a variety of presentations. Downey said the standard technique lineup will include flipping shallow wood and grass, frogging — especially the light, leafy duckweed — and swim jigs.
“We might start seeing fish pushing bait onto shallow sand edges or in the grass,” Downey said. “The fish get grouped up more later in the year, but we may start to see more of them grouping up (during the tournament).
“Also, you might see some guys dragging football jigs and Carolina rigs, especially in the Black River (Mississippi River tributary). This area fishes more like a lake; there’s less current and there’s offshore structure. If the smallmouth are set up right, the wing dams could come into play.”
Noting that the entirety of tournament waters could be in play, Downey said consistent and replicable patterns are likely to develop. However, he does not expect any one area to deliver four days of productivity.
“I think you could land on one type of deal and do well enough to win, but I think you’re going to need multiple areas,” Downey said. “You might have one core area and then a few other areas to complement it.
“I think you could win on any of the pools. Some weeks, one fires better than another.”
That being said, locking from pool to pool presents a time management consideration that must be factored into a day’s game plan. Downey said it’s common for locals to fish multiple pools in a day, in order to capitalize on particular scenarios. However, tournament competitors may approach this with varying value judgments.
“Being the last event of the year, some guys are going to take more risks and some aren’t, based on where they are in the standings,” Downey said. “If a guy is way down in the points and they’re fighting to win to get into the Bassmaster Classic, they might take more risks and run all the way down to the bottom end of Pool 9.
“But if a guys on the Classic bubble, or if he’s in the Classic, you might see them take fewer risks. This makes it an interesting place to hold the last tournament.”
However the numbers shake out, there will be more at stake than the coveted blue trophy and the $100,000 first-place prize. The winner earns an automatic berth into the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic. This event also concludes the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, as well as the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race. Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis., currently lead these contests, respectively.
Full coverage from all four days at Lake Oahe will be available on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 7 a.m. CT.
Card Capitalizes On Bite Windows To Take Early Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Oahe
Brandon Card of Salisbury, N.C., is leading after Day 1 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe with 21 pounds, 10 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 18, 2022
Card Capitalizes On Bite Windows To Take Early Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Oahe
MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Capitalizing on several different flurries throughout the day, Brandon Card landed 21 pounds, 10 ounces to claim the Day 1 lead at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Lake Oahe.
The Tennessee native turned North Carolinian holds narrow advantages of 1-4 over Georgia's Drew Cook in second and 1-5 over South Carolina angler Patrick Walters in third. With his Day 1 bag, Card exceeded the biggest bag weighed at the 2018 Elite Series event on Oahe, a 20-11 sack brought in by Clifford Pirch.
“I didn’t know how good it was going to be. I had high hopes, and it turned out to be a lot better than I thought,” Card said. “It was weird. I had several flurries, but then lots of just nothing. There were hours of no bites and then several in a row. It was like there were small little feeding windows.”
With a rotation of baits, Card caught quality bass that were consistent in size, with his biggest smallmouth weighing 4-14.
Despite seeing miles of dead water, Card located six or seven areas in practice that held decent schools of smallmouth. One of those areas produced most of his action on Day 1, while he didn’t end up going to another of his better areas.
Fishing what he called “pretty deep,” Card landed a limit early and culled several times throughout the day.
A calm start quickly gave way to a gusty north wind that got stronger, giving Lake Oahe a decent chop. While that may sound daunting, Card said it actually improved his bite.
“In the South, a north wind is bad,” Card said. “But it must be good up here because they bit way better today with a north wind than the south wind for the three days of practice. It was interesting that they turned on with a north wind.”
Using his Humminbird MEGA Live imaging, Card has been able to see several different types of baitfish — and while he doesn’t know what types there are, they are the key to his bite.
“When you start seeing life, the bass aren’t too far away,” he said.
Cook got off to a frantic start, landing all of his 20-6 limit of smallmouth during a 30-minute stretch as soon as he reached his first spot.
“I ran an hour one way, sat the boat down, panned over on LiveScope and I hooked one the first pitch I made into them,” the 2022 Santee Cooper Elite champion said. “They sat under the boat and for 30 minutes I caught them at will. After that, the strategy kicked in. I still had a 3-something I wanted to get rid of but it wasn’t worth burning an 18-pound bag over. So, I left.”
Cook had five drop shots ready to go on his deck with a Big Bite Baits Scentsation SoMolly in a smelt color and a Big Bite Baits Scentsation Quarantine Craw with the pinchers removed. As soon as he hooked and landed one smallmouth, he would unhook it and drop to the next one with a different rod. Once he had hooked one on each of his drop shots, he re-rigged and started the process over.
“I had no idea it was like it was,” he said. “There is a different caliber of fish once you get to a point in the lake. They really start eating the bigger-profile bait. Whenever you hook one, they are spitting it up everywhere. They are spitting out like eight or 10 of them.”
Following his 30-minute rally, Cook essentially practiced the rest of the day. With the wind projected to blow harder out of the north tomorrow, he looked at areas closer to takeoff in the event the wind is too bad to make the run to his primary spot on Friday.
Walters did not benefit from a quick start but managed to work his way to a limit of smallmouth weighing 20-5 despite having a 14-incher in his bag.
“At 11:30, I only had three fish. I pulled up on a spot and on the first drop I caught one that was 12 inches,” Walters said. “At that point, I was so happy with that fish. I dropped back down there and caught a 2-pounder, and dropped down there again and caught another big one and culled the 12-incher.”
After practice, Walters thought he would be throwing a topwater bait with the goal of catching 15 to 17 pounds. On tournament day, Walters rotated through 12 different rods and kept an open mind.
“Don’t commit to anything,” he said. “Just go until you find the fish. Day 1 of practice I caught them in 3 feet with a topwater. Day 2 I caught them in 40 feet. Today I caught them in 25 to 30. Really, you find the good areas that have the bait and smallmouth and adjust accordingly.”
Greenwood, S.C., pro Brandon Cobb anchored his 18-13 bag with a 5-12 smallmouth, earning the $1,000 prize for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day.
Rathdrum, Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk remains on top of the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 665 points. David Mullins from Mt. Carmel, Tenn., is second with 609, and Georgia pro Drew Benton moved into third with 600.
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat continues to lead the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 541 points. Tennessee pro Jacob Foutz is second with 461, followed by Missouri pro Cody Huff with 457.
The full field of 90 anglers will launch from Indian Creek Recreation Area beginning at 7 a.m. CT Friday and return for weigh-in at the Walleye Up Statue in Mobridge starting at 3 p.m. The field will be cut to the Top 47 anglers after the Day 2 weigh-in, and the Top 10 will compete on Championship Sunday for a first-place prize of $100,000.
Bassmaster LIVE Coverage of Day 2 will begin on Bassmaster.com beginning at 7 a.m. CT and run through 2 p.m. Omnia Fishing and B.A.S.S. have partnered to simulcast Day 2 of Bassmaster LIVE as a shoppable stream on Omnia’s website and mobile app.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe 8/18-8/21
Lake Oahe, Mobridge SD.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 21-10 100
Day 1: 5 21-10
2. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 20-06 99
Day 1: 5 20-06
3. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 20-05 98
Day 1: 5 20-05
4. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 19-09 97
Day 1: 5 19-09
5. Bryan New Saluda, SC 5 19-05 96
Day 1: 5 19-05
6. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 19-01 95
Day 1: 5 19-01
7. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 18-15 94
Day 1: 5 18-15
8. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 18-13 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13
9. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 18-10 92
Day 1: 5 18-10
10. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 18-08 91
Day 1: 5 18-08
11. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 18-03 90
Day 1: 5 18-03
12. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 18-00 89
Day 1: 5 18-00
13. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 17-04 88
Day 1: 5 17-04
14. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 17-02 87
Day 1: 5 17-02
15. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 16-15 86
Day 1: 5 16-15
16. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 16-07 85
Day 1: 5 16-07
17. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 16-04 84
Day 1: 5 16-04
18. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 16-03
19. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 16-02 82
Day 1: 5 16-02
20. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 16-01 81
Day 1: 5 16-01
21. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 16-00 80
Day 1: 5 16-00
22. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 15-14 79
Day 1: 5 15-14
23. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-11 78
Day 1: 5 15-11
24. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 15-07 77
Day 1: 5 15-07
25. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 15-05 76
Day 1: 5 15-05
26. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 15-04 75
Day 1: 5 15-04
27. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 14-14 74
Day 1: 5 14-14
28. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 14-12 73
Day 1: 5 14-12
28. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 14-12 73
Day 1: 5 14-12
30. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 14-11 71
Day 1: 5 14-11
30. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 14-11 71
Day 1: 5 14-11
32. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 14-05 69
Day 1: 5 14-05
33. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 14-03 68
Day 1: 5 14-03
34. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 14-02 67
Day 1: 5 14-02
35. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 13-15 66
Day 1: 5 13-15
36. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 13-13 65
Day 1: 5 13-13
37. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 13-13 64
Day 1: 5 13-13
38. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 5 13-12 63
Day 1: 5 13-12
39. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 13-05 62
Day 1: 5 13-05
40. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 13-01 61
Day 1: 5 13-01
41. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 12-15 60
Day 1: 5 12-15
41. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 12-15 60
Day 1: 5 12-15
43. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 12-11 58
Day 1: 5 12-11
44. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 12-09 57
Day 1: 5 12-09
45. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-08 56
Day 1: 5 12-08
46. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 12-03 55
Day 1: 5 12-03
47. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 12-02 54
Day 1: 5 12-02
48. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 4 11-15 53
Day 1: 4 11-15
49. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 11-13 52
Day 1: 5 11-13
50. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 11-11 51
Day 1: 5 11-11
51. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 11-06 50
Day 1: 5 11-06
52. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 10-15 49
Day 1: 5 10-15
53. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 10-14 48
Day 1: 4 10-14
54. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 10-12 47
Day 1: 5 10-12
55. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 10-11 46
Day 1: 5 10-11
56. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 10-10 45
Day 1: 5 10-10
57. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 10-07 44
Day 1: 5 10-07
58. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 10-06 43
Day 1: 5 10-06
59. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 10-03 42
Day 1: 5 10-03
59. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 10-03 42
Day 1: 5 10-03
61. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 10-02 40
Day 1: 5 10-02
62. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 10-00 39
Day 1: 5 10-00
63. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 09-15 38
Day 1: 5 09-15
63. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 09-15 38
Day 1: 5 09-15
65. David Fritts Lexington, NC 4 09-15 36
Day 1: 4 09-15
66. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 09-14 35
Day 1: 5 09-14
66. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 09-14 35
Day 1: 5 09-14
68. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 4 09-14 33
Day 1: 4 09-14
69. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 09-06 32
Day 1: 5 09-06
70. John Cox Debary, FL 5 09-05 31
Day 1: 5 09-05
71. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 09-04 30
Day 1: 5 09-04
72. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 3 09-02 29
Day 1: 3 09-02
73. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 09-00 28
Day 1: 5 09-00
74. Mike Huff London, KY 5 09-00 27
Day 1: 5 09-00
75. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 4 08-11 26
Day 1: 4 08-11
76. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 08-07 25
Day 1: 5 08-07
77. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 08-04 24
Day 1: 5 08-04
78. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 07-10 23
Day 1: 5 07-10
79. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 07-07 22
Day 1: 5 07-07
80. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 4 07-06 21
Day 1: 4 07-06
81. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 5 07-04 20
Day 1: 5 07-04
82. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 06-11 19
Day 1: 5 06-11
83. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 06-09 18
Day 1: 5 06-09
84. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 3 06-09 17
Day 1: 3 06-09
85. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 5 05-15 16
Day 1: 5 05-15
86. David Williams Newton, NC 5 05-10 15
Day 1: 5 05-10
87. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 2 04-12 14
Day 1: 2 04-12
88. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 3 04-08 13
Day 1: 3 04-08
89. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 2 03-12 12
Day 1: 2 03-12
90. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 1 01-00 11
Day 1: 1 01-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 05-12 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 78 428 1120-03
----------------------------------
78 428 1120-03
Rookie Rationale for Lake Oahe
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Lake Oahe and the mind-boggling 370,000 acres of surface area this fishery encompasses must be intimidating to all Bassmaster competitors. But for an Elite Series rookie like Cody Huff, who had never seen this body of water before practice began on Sunday, the task of breaking down Oahe could seem downright daunting.
Add in the fact that Huff came into this event near the Classic cut line in Progressive AOY Standings along with being in the hunt for winning the Rookie of the Year title, and you have a recipe tailor-made for stress and nerves.
The truth is, the former Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Champion really isn’t feeling the pressure this week and wasn’t overwhelmed with the idea of finding enough fish for a solid finish on Lake Oahe. Since his days as a college fishing standout at Bethel University, Huff has proven he can perform when the stakes are high.
“The nice thing about this event is all these other guys haven’t fished 10 tournaments here either,” Huff explained. “Sure, I had never seen Lake Oahe before, but no one in this field has a lot of experience here. It’s nice to fish places you’ve been to, but I’ve got a long way to go before I can match 90% of this field with historical knowledge at any place we visit. In a way it’s more of an even playing field.”
This calm, even-keeled demeanor is a trait of many of the best bass fishermen in the world, especially the young phenoms whocontinue to break onto the professional fishing scene. Huff has carried himself this way since the first day I met him. Thanks to a solid upbringing by his salt of the earth family, that instilled a no-nonsense work ethic in Cody from a young age.
But being as cool as a cucumber doesn’t mean you automatically find and catch bass. Huff recently posted a 2nd place Elite Series finish on Pickwick Lake. Pickwick is a sizeable, well-known fishery that commonly holds major tournaments with upwards of 250 boats. All that said, Pickwick makes up 43,100 acres of surface area. That means you could fit over EIGHT Pickwicks within Lake Oahe. “Big” doesn’t do this fishery justice.
How in the heck does a 25-year-old dude from Missouri show up to South Dakota and find enough bass to compete on the fourth largest reservoir in the world?
“I wasn’t able to come pre-practice last year, so I tried to make up for lack of experience with map studying,” Huff said. “There really isn’t much bass fishing info about this place online, which lead me back to basics. It seems like if you are trying to catch a smallmouth anywhere in the country you want to find bigger than average boulders.
“So, I used Google Earth to look at the banks and search for areas with big rocks. I marked these spots and transferred them to my Garmin Active Captain on my phone. When I launched my boat on Sunday, I already knew the areas I wanted to look at and focus on. Having a game plan really can make all the difference.”
After developing his game plan Huff hopped in his Toyota Tundra, drove 15-hours to get to Mobridge, used his electronics to scour the areas he located using aerial maps and found plenty of bass during official practice. Today his logic and efforts proved fruitful after weighing over 14-lbs of Oahe smallmouth. He currently sits in 32nd place and is on pace to have another good event, moving him closer towards his goals of a Classic qualification and a shot at the ROY Title.
While he may not win this event, or even place in the top 10, it’s hard not to be impressed by Huff’s efforts thus far on Lake Oahe and in his entire rookie campaign. No matter how the rest of the Elite Series season plays out, Huff has proven himself as a young angler to watch and will be a force in this game for a long, long time.
Spencer Shuffield Wins Group A Qualifying Round at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
Arkansas pro Advances Directly to Sunday’s Championship Round, Nine Anglers from Group A Now Advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 18, 2022) – Although the bite was a little harder to come by Thursday for Group A anglers, pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, made it seem like a breeze, bringing a five-bass limit to the stage weighing 23 pounds, 3 ounces to win the automatic Championship Round berth at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – in Massena, New York. Shuffield’s two-day total of 44-8 earned him the win by a 1-pound, 7-ounce margin over Berkley pro Joey “Cowboy” Cifuentes of Clinton, Arkansas, who led Day 1, and punched Shuffield’s ticket straight through to Sunday’s Championship Round finale. Cifuentes’ two-day total of 43-1 finished the Group A Qualifying Round in second place.
The top 10 anglers from Group A will now have an off-day Friday, while the 25 anglers in Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. The Knockout Round, featuring 18 anglers competing to finish in the top eight, will take place on Saturday. Sunday’s Championship Round will feature Shuffield, Friday’s Group B winner and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round, competing in a one-day shootout to catch the heaviest five-bass limit for the top prize of up to $235,000.
The six-day event, hosted by the Town of Massena, showcases the top 48 pros in the 2022 Pro Circuit standings, along with last year’s reigning TITLE champion and reigning Angler of the Year – all competing for a purse of more than $800,000.
“I had a slow start today, then lost a big bass at the end that could have put me up around 25 to 26 pounds, so I’m thrilled to be sitting in the top spot at the end of the day,” said the Arkansas pro in his post-game interview. “This place has got a ton of large smallmouth right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a 27- or 28-pound bag before the week is over.
“I don’t know if the one I lost was quite 6 pounds, but she for sure was a heavy 5-pounder. It might be a blessing from God that I lost that fish though. These smallmouth are very aggressive and tend to bite again, so there’s a good chance I can catch her again on Sunday. She’s on a very small spot and there were 5 or 6 fish there with her, so hopefully I can land at least one of those big ones in the Championship Round.”
Shuffield said the area he’s fishing is featureless and doesn’t look like anything special, but he found it on the second day of practice, using his electronics.
“My Garmin Livescope is key because it shows the contour lines so well. There’s nothing there, but I found a good, sharp grass edge with a narrow channel running through it and the bass are really holding up in there. I caught several smallmouth really quick once I pulled over there today, and I found two more places in that area that may be even better.”
All of Shuffield’s bass were caught fishing a drop-shot rig and he said he couldn’t be more thrilled about earning the straight shot through to the Championship Round.
“It feels great to be guaranteed to fish for the win, especially since I laid off them a bit and still managed to finish on top. I’ve already narrowed down an area where I’m going to live or die on Sunday, so laying off those fish for two days and then hitting them again should be a great advantage.
“I plan to go straight back to that spot on Sunday, and I’ve got several other areas that are producing a big bite, so I feel really good going into the Championship Round,” Shuffield went on to say.
The top 10 pros from Qualifying Group A that now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., 10 bass, 43-1
3rd: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 10 bass, 42-15
4th: Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, 10 bass, 41-9
5th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 41-6
6th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 10 bass, 40-10
7th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 40-5
8th: Josh Bragg, Fayetteville, Ga., 10 bass, 40-1
9th: Matt Becker, Finleyville, Pa., 10 bass, 37-7
10th: Evan Barnes, Dardanelle, Ark., 10 bass, 37-6
12th: Jimmy Washam, Stantonville, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-13
13th: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., 10 bass, 36-12
14th: Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 10 bass, 36-7
15th: Jason Reyes, Huffman, Texas, 10 bass, 34-7
16th: Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 33-6
17th: David Walker, Huntingdon, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-8
18th: Jim Moynagh, Shakopee, Minn., 10 bass, 32-6
19th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 10 bass, 31-11
20th: Braxton Setzer, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 30-14
21st: Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala., eight bass, 30-11
22nd: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., 10 bass, 29-8
23rd: Derrick Snavely, Piney Flats, Tenn., 10 bass, 27-12
24th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., five bass, 16-5
25th: Barron Adams, Mineral Bluff, Ga., five bass, 16-0
Overall, there were 115 bass weighing 412 pounds even caught by the 25 pros on Thursday, with 23 five-bass limits.
Pro Alex Davis of Albertville, Alabama’s 6-pound, 3-ounce bass caught Tuesday earned him the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler in each group that weighs the biggest bass over their two-day Qualification Round.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – features a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers are seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2022 qualifying events – where they compete in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament. Group B will fish again on Day 4, with total weight determined by the cumulative weight of their biggest five-bass limit from both days.
The winner of Group B will join Shuffield to advance directly to the Championship Round on Sunday, while pros who finish in second to 10th place in each group will again battle it out with zeroed weights in the Knockout Round on Saturday. On the final day of the event, the Championship Round, weights will again be zeroed and the top eight pros from the Knockout Round, plus the two Qualifying Round winners will compete. The winner will be determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of the final round.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET each day of competition from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat launch daily at 3 p.m. The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Along with the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to the MLF Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at the Massena Intake Boat Launch, where fans can meet the pros and check out the latest in fishing and outdoor gear. The expo includes live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, giveaways, fireworks and more.
The first 100 middle school and high school students will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday and fans can register for a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV giveaway onsite at the Expo. The winner will be drawn after the final weigh-in on August 21. PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall will also be at the event with MLF pro Charlie Evans and will be available for photos. Appearance times may vary. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com for updates and more details.
In addition to the launch, weigh-ins and Expo, youth 14 and under are also invited to attend a free Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Hill Causeway. Participants can bring their own fishing gear or use provided gear on a first come, first serve basis and will compete for tagged fish and cash prizes.
The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit featured a field of 154 of the top professional anglers in the world competing at six regular-season events around the country. The top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the six events qualified to compete in the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Gravel Roads and Ghostly Smallmouth
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Ask Elite series competitors what they think of Lake Oahe and you’ll likely hear one of these words in their response: unique, massive, weird, or different. These are some of the buzzwords this week for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe and they are all absolutely true. The scale of this Missouri River reservoir is hard to comprehend.
With over 2,200-miles of shoreline and maximum depths of over 200-feet, Oahe earns the moniker of massive and is unlike any other fishery on the tournament schedule. And that’s just the lake; the surrounding terrain, the dusty gravel roads, the scenery,and the rural feel in this area of South Dakota give off a vibe that is not at all typical of professional bass fishing derbies.
Elite Series veteran Gerald Swindle summed it up in a social media post upon arriving to Mobridge.
“When I think of gravel roads, I don’t normally think about smallmouth bass,” Swindle said.
The Team Toyota pro added nearly 1,400 miles to his 2022 Tundra while making the 21-hour drive from Alabama. This fishery is a long way from home for just about everyone in the Elite Series field, which is partially why this event is so intriguing. Oahe is a wildcard.
Even though this is the Elite Series second time to this fishery, the 2018 event was held out of Pierre, SD, which is over 100-miles as the crow flies from tournament HQ this week in Mobridge.
“After three days of practice I have literally not seen any of the same water I fished in 2018,” Swindle said. “That sounds insane, but on this lake it’s easy to do. I’ll be honest, with the way the wind blows here I don’t want any part of a 100-mile boat ride (each way). In my opinion, the guys who make the long run to the lower end of the lake will have a strong chance of winning this tournament… if they can make it back each day.”
En route to amassing $2.5 million in winnings and two Bassmaster AOY titles, Swindle has plenty of experience with wind, waves, and long runs. But he’s opting to avoid those factors this time around. Instead Swindle plans to stay relatively close to takeoff with two rods on the deck of his Phoenix boat, keeping his baits wet as much as possible. He said Minn Kota Spot-Lock and an emphasis on not getting in a hurry will be key for him on Oahe.
“These fish disappear like the dust you kick up driving on the gravel roads around here,” Swindle explained. “One minute the dust or the smallmouth are everywhere, and the next they settle out of sight like they were never there. It’s almost spooky. You can’t get in a hurry and try cover water with your electronics or spot hop here, or at least I can’t. You have to give the fish time to show themselves.”
Swindle described one example from practice where he saw two lone fish on his graph, but after hooking one of them, his screen lit up with a school of what had to be fifty bass. He said it was like they came out of nowhere. This ability to appear out of thin air must be a quality of all South Dakota wildlife, because I’ve had similar experiences on land driving around the lake.
Even though this area has a lot of relief in terms of topography, there are very few trees, and it somehow appears flat. You can see a long way around here, so it’s easy to take a quick glance and think the creek draws and agricultural fields are devoid of life. But if you slow down and take a closer look for a few minutes, you’ll come to realize there are plenty of critters here, hiding in plain sight.
In the faced-paced hustle and bustle of today’s world it’s hard to slow down, but Lake Oahe and the South Dakota terrain stand in contrast to this societal norm. Around here if you don’t decelerate you just might miss a covey of quail, big mule deer buck, sacred Native American site, or even a giant school of smallmouth bass.
Rookie Nick Hatfield Leads Group B at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
Tennessee Pro Catches 22-1 to Take Early Lead in Group B - Group A to Wrap Qualifying Round Thursday
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 17, 2022) – Champions were stacked atop the leaderboard Wednesday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – in Massena, New York. But at the end of the day, it was a rookie atop the leaderboard. Pro Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tennessee, the reigning Polaris Rookie of the Year (ROY) brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 22 pounds, 1 ounce to grab the early lead in Group B following their Day 1 Qualifying Round.
Hatfield holds a slim 2-ounce advantage over second place pro and reigning REDCREST Champion "Big Fish" Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, who brought a limit across the stage weighing 21-15, while fellow rookie Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Virginia , caught a limit weighing 21-4, to end the day in third.
After a slow start to the day and an hour and 45-minute run down the river, Hatfield rallied late in the afternoon to finish atop the field at his first TITLE appearance. While he said he expected 20 pounds to be a reasonable target, the rookie said he certainly didn’t expect to bust 22 pounds on his first day.
“There are a ton of fish down where I’m fishing – I’ve probably seen 50 to 60 fish today, but only got 7 or 8 bites in there,” Hatfield said. “I’m not sure if they are pressured or it’s just the time of year. I dropped a camera down there during practice, and it was so thick in some places that the smallmouth were bumping into the camera. So, they are certainly down there. It’s just going to take some patience and making that long run every day to get to them.”
The Tennessee pro said he caught over 20 pounds in his area before deciding to make the long trek back toward Massena.
“I stopped on a hole on my way back,” Hatfield continued. “I caught a 4-10 that culled up, putting me at 22-1.
“Today was a good day – I had fun. Anytime I’m fishing for smallmouth, I feel like I can contend because I do it so much at home. But at a place like this where it’s so big, it’s a lot more difficult. I mean, so many different things have to go your way on the water, as far as getting there, getting back and just landing the fish.”
Hatfield said he is targeting big boulders in 35 to 45 feet of water and caught all his fish on a drop-shot rig, using five or six various drop-shot baits.
“There were 3 or 4 fish on one boulder, and 3 or 4 on another. I pulled up to one that had 12 fish on it, and I caught three or four of those and left the rest.
“There are a lot of fish down there that are just roaming and are out away from the rocks, but they are harder to catch. Most of the ones I caught are sitting right on or around a rock.”
When asked his game plan for Friday, Hatfield said he’s going all in on winning the Qualifying Round for his group and taking the automatic berth to the Championship Round.
“I couldn’t have expected anything better from today and with the long run I’m making to these fish, it just makes sense to try to go straight to the Championship Round,” Hatfield continued. “I’ve dreamed of doing this for a long time and winning ROY is still really surreal. But to be out here doing it, and seeing some success, is absolutely amazing. I’m super pumped about it.”
The standings for the 25 pros in Group B after Day 2 on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Bobby lane, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 21-15
3rd: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 21-4
4th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 20-15
5th: Casey Scanlon, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 20-10
6th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., five bass, 20-9
7th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 20-3
8th: Jon Canada, Helena, Ala., five bass, 19-5
9th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 19-4
10th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 18-15
11th: Lane Olson, Forest Grove, Ore., five bass, 18-5
12th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., five bass, 17-15
13th: Jared McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 17-12
14th: Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., five bass, 17-3
15th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 17-1
16th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., five bass, 16-13
17th: Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 16-7
18th: Jeff Reynolds, Calera, Okla., five bass, 15-13
19th: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 15-10
20th: Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 15-9
21st: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 15-4
22nd: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 13-12
23rd: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 13-9
24th: Phillip Dutra, Guntersville, Ala., four bass, 12-4
25th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, four bass, 8-12
Overall, there were 123 bass weighing 437 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the 25 pros on Wednesday, with 23 five-bass limits.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – features a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers are seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2021 qualifying events – where they compete in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament. Group A will fish again on Day 3, and Group B will fish again on Day 4, with total weight determined by the cumulative weight of their biggest five-bass limit from both days.
The winner of each group will then advance directly to the Championship Round on Sunday, while pros who finish in second to 10th place in each group will again battle it out with zeroed weights in the Knockout Round on Saturday. On the final day of the event, the Championship Round, weights will again be zeroed and the top eight pros from the Knockout Round, plus the two Qualifying Round winners will compete. The winner will be determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of the final round.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET each day of competition from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat launch daily at 3 p.m. The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all six days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Along with the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to the MLF Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at the Massena Intake Boat Launch, where fans can meet the pros and check out the latest in fishing and outdoor gear. The expo includes live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, giveaways, fireworks and more.
The first 100 kids (10 and under) will receive a free rod and reel at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday and fans can register for a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV giveaway onsite at the Expo. The winner will be drawn after the final weigh-in on August 21. PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall will also be at the event with MLF pro Charlie Evans and will be available for photos. Appearance times may vary. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com for updates and more details.
In addition to the launch, weigh-ins and Expo, youth 14 and under are also invited to attend a free Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Hill Causeway. Participants can bring their own fishing gear or use provided gear on a first come, first serve basis and will compete for tagged fish and cash prizes.
The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit featured a field of 154 of the top professional anglers in the world competing at six regular-season events around the country. The top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the six events qualified to compete in the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
AC Insider Podcast - The TITLE & The League!
This week Chris & the boys welcome in Major League Fishing PR Guru Chairty Muehlenweg to the show to talk about her career, her fishing and the Pro Circuit TITLE happening now on the St. Lawrence. The National Professional Fishing League President Brad Fuller joins the Circus in the second segment and talks candidly about the NPFL, the ups and downs of running a tournament circuit, what they have learned AND Brad drops some HUGE news on the boys regarding 2023. The best thing you can do is hit PLAY! NOW!
B.A.S.S. And Wildlife Forever Sign National Agreement To Fight Invasive Species
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“Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to our nation’s waters. We’re proud to join the national conservation movement and encourage members to become a Clean Drain Dry Pro Ambassador in protecting the future of our sport,” said Gene Gilliland, conservation director for B.A.S.S.
Cowboy Cifuentes Grabs Early Group A Lead at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury on the St. Lawrence River
Arkansas Pro Catches 23-4 to Slide into Group A Lead by Four Ounces - 25 Anglers in Group B to Compete Wednesday
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 16, 2022) – It was a smallmouth slugfest Tuesday at the kickoff of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse TITLE at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship. Pro Joey “Cowboy” Cifuentes of Clinton, Arkansas, stayed atop the unofficial leaderboard throughout most of the day, and despite several pros being in hot pursuit, was able to end the day in the top spot with a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 4 ounces. Cifuentes’ final total put him a mere 4 ounces ahead of pro Kurt Mitchell of Milford, Delaware , who brought a limit to the scale weighing 23 pounds even, good for second place.
Cifuentes made big waves on the St. Lawrence River in 2021, bringing in 67 pounds, 5 ounces over three days before a disappointing final day that yielded only 12-5 earned him a third-place finish. The Arkansas pro said he is focused and ready for revenge on the fishery and spent the day targeting deep water, close to ledges, after making a long 1½-hour run downriver.
“I have approximately 50 spots out that way to hit, and I only fished maybe five of them today, but the area where I think I can get the real big ones is close to the border and only has two main spots,” Cifuentes said. “If I don’t have a big bite pretty quick there on Thursday, I’ll definitely have to expand that area.
“I caught my biggest fish today in 65 feet of water and I didn’t catch all my good ones that deep, but there are some really big ones out there.”
While making that long of a run means less time with his bait in the water and a rough ride to and from his prime location, Cifuentes said he believes it’s worth it.
“First thing in the morning on this fishery is critical for me, because I tend to catch smaller fish as the day goes on,” Cifuentes said. “I have a shorter time window due to the long run I’m making, so I just have to make that time count. I pulled up to my area around 8:30 a.m. and had 22½ pounds by 10. I pulled up on another spot around noon and caught a 4½-pounder, and that put me at the 23-4.”
Cifuentes said he didn’t know if he could pull another smallmouth close to 6 pounds out of his main spot Thursday, but he saw some of the biggest fish in that area on his camera during practice, so he’s willing to take the chance.
“I’m fishing around the Canadian line, literally as far down the river as you can go,” Cifuentes continued. “I know most of the big ones live out in Lake Ontario, so I want to be as close to it as I can get.”
Cifuentes said he caught all his fish on Tuesday with a brown back-colored Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm – a known smallmouth favorite – on a drop-shot rig.
“I think one of the keys to catching these fish is the 6-pound Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon (line) which is really light compared to what a lot of other guys are probably using,” Cifuentes added. “The fish I’m targeting are really pressured, so I like to use a light line and a small, #6 Berkley Fusion19 Drop-Shot Hook . I think that makes a big difference as well.”
The 25 anglers in Group A will now have the day off on Wednesday, while the 25 anglers in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A will resume competition on Thursday.
The standings for the 25 pros in Group A after Day 1 on the St. Lawrence River are:
2nd: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., five bass, 23-0
3rd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 21-9
3rd: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., five bass, 21-9
5th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 21-5
6th: Mitch Crane, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 21-3
7th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., five bass, 21-0
8th: Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, five bass, 20-10
9th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 20-9
10th: Jimmy Washam, Stantonville, Tenn., five bass, 19-13
11th: Jason Reyes, Huffman, Texas, five bass, 19-11
12th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., five bass, 19-6
13th: Josh Bragg, Fayetteville, Ga., five bass, 18-14
14th: Matt Becker, Finleyville, Pa., five bass, 18-5
15th: David Walker, Huntingdon, Tenn., five bass, 18-2
16th: Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., five bass, 17-9
17th: Jim Moynagh, Shakopee, Minn., five bass, 17-7
18th: Evan Barnes, Dardanelle, Ark., five bass, 16-14
19th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., five bass, 16-5
20th: Barron Adams, Mineral Bluff, Ga., five bass, 16-0
21st: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., five bass, 15-14
22nd: Braxton Setzer, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 14-15
23rd: Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 14-13
24th: Derrick Snavely, Piney Flats, Tenn., five bass, 11-7
25th: Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala., three bass, 10-9
Overall, there were 123 bass weighing 460 pounds, 1 ounce caught by the 25 pros on Tuesday, with 24 five-bass limits.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – features a hybrid tournament format. All 50 anglers are seeded into two groups of 25 – Group A & Group B, based on points earned in 2022 qualifying events – where they will compete in Qualifying Rounds over the first four days of the tournament. Group A will fish again on Day 3, and Group B will fish Day 2 and Day 4, with total weight determined by the cumulative weight of their biggest five-bass limit from both days.
The winner of each group will then advance directly to the Championship Round on Sunday, while pros who finish in second to 10th place in each group will battle it out with zeroed weights in the Knockout Round on Saturday. On the sixth day of the event, the Championship Round, weights will again be zeroed and the top eight pros from the Knockout Round, plus the two Qualifying Round winners will compete. The winner will be determined by the heaviest five-bass limit of the final round.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET each day of competition from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat launch daily at 3 p.m. The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET daily. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Along with the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to the MLF Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at the Massena Intake Boat Launch, where fans can meet the pros and check out the latest in fishing and outdoor gear. The expo includes live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, giveaways, fireworks and more.
The first 100 kids (10 and under) will receive a free rod and reel at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday and fans can register for a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV giveaway onsite at the Expo. The winner will be drawn after the final weigh-in on August 21. PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall will also be at the event with MLF pro Charlie Evans and will be available for photos. Appearance times may vary. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com for updates and more details.
In addition to the launch, weigh-ins and Expo, youth 14 and under are also invited to attend a free Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Hill Causeway. Participants can bring their own fishing gear or use provided gear on a first come, first serve basis and will compete for tagged fish and cash prizes.
The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit featured a field of 154 of the top professional anglers in the world competing at six regular-season events around the country. The top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the six events qualified to compete in the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship.
Television coverage of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, Oct. 8 on the CBS Sports Network. Episodes premiere Sunday mornings on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Episodes will run through Nov. 13.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fuel Me, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
3 Easy Steps for Midseason Maintenance for Your Rig!
Courtesy of TH Marine
Read the full story at the Link Here:
Elite Angler Wendlandt Out Remainder Of Season With Eye Injury
August 16, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Former Bassmaster Angler of the Year Clark Wendlandt has taken a medical hardship exemption and will forgo the remainder of the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series season after suffering retinal hemorrhaging in his left eye on Friday morning.
The Austin, Texas, native made the drive to South Dakota a few days early, along with his wife Patti, to do a little sightseeing prior to the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe.
“I woke up Friday morning, and I couldn’t see anything but red,” said Wendlandt. “Everything was red. If I looked at the sky it looked red. If I looked at anything white it was red and anything yellow it would be orange.”
This was obviously alarming enough, but as Wendlandt attempted to regain his bearings, he realized the issue wasn’t only with colors.
“I couldn’t see out of it. Everything was really blurry. I couldn’t read numbers. Nothing. I could see a shape, but that’s about it. And it’s still that way.”
Though they were able to locate an eye care clinic in Rapid City, S.D., the doctor on duty recommended Wendlandt see a retina specialist, and that doctor wouldn’t be available until Monday.
The Wendlandts opted to make the trek back home to Austin, Texas, where they were able to meet with a specialist on Monday morning as well.
“It’s not a detached retina. It’s really retinal hemorrhaging. The way they treat it is with injections in the eye and laser surgery. Once the injections have done their due diligence, then you do laser surgery to correct it.”
Wendlandt was able to receive the first injection on Monday morning during the doctor’s visit, and the prognosis is promising.
“The doctor thought I’d have full recovery of my vision. It was as good of a prognosis as you could get. They acted like it would be three to four weeks (between injections) and the whole process would take about three months. And he was pretty confident.”
Wendlandt is in 43rd place in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race and currently in the cut to make the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic thanks to anglers who double qualified through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.
“Right on the Classic line and missing two tournaments, in a 31-year career never having had to do that, that’s pretty brutal.”
Wendlandt didn’t make the decision to opt-out of the last two Elites until Monday morning after the second doctor’s visit. He naturally pushed back a little, testing the proverbial waters to see if he could somehow still turn around and sprint back to South Dakota to compete this week.
However, one of the big things they try to prevent in this type of injury is water getting into the eye. Ultimately the decision to withdraw was inevitable.
“Running in rough water, that’s pretty tough to deal with. So to get my vision back 100%, it seems like it’s the best thing to do.”
Operating with only one eye for the last 72 hours or so, Wendlandt has already found it’s pretty difficult to do a lot of things. He was thankful his wife was with him for this event, surely on many fronts, but particularly for the practical purposes of driving them the 17 hours back to Austin.
Though the emotional pain for Wendlandt is excruciating, thankfully he feels fine physically.
“It doesn’t hurt. I don’t feel bad. I just have to be patient. There are lots of tournaments in my life, but there are only two eyes, and I’d just as soon have both of them.”
Adding insult to injury, Wendlandt is particularly fond of fishing events where he has little to no experience. That describes Oahe perfectly for most of the Elite Series field, Wendlandt included.
“I like the newness and not having ideas already in my head of what I’m going to do. And last year, once B.A.S.S. announced the schedule, I was able to go up there and fish. I really like South Dakota, and Oahe was a really cool place. I think they’re going to have a banner tournament, and I’ll be following it closely.”
Matt Arey: “Pro bass fishing’s a team sport.”
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponso
As Matt Arey piloted his Toyota Tundra past countless acres of corn and soybean fields along his 23-hour drive from home in Shelby, NC to massive Lake Oahe in South Dakota the answer to a question he’s been asked dozens of times tugged at his heart once again.
“Is pro bass fishing a team sport?”
It’s a question Arey says he gets asked a lot by folks who aren’t hard-core fishing fans when he’s at elementary school functions with his daughters, church, and elsewhere.
“The obvious answer is “no, pro fishing’s not a team sport” but I usually follow-up by explaining to people from an emotional and mental standpoint this career is absolutely a team sport,” says Arey. “If you don’t have loved ones sacrificing to help you chase your dreams and prosper, this sport will eat your lunch in a hurry,” he adds.
This current Elite Series travel swing to South Dakota and Wisconsin means he won’t see his beloved bride Emily and their two young daughters Reese and Wren for at least 18 days.
That’s rough. And for Arey, leaving home these days seems to be even tougher than when his daughters were younger. At ages 5 and 9, they love interacting with their daddy – fully conversational, active in school, dance, and church activities, and not yet teens seeking independence – family time is the centerpiece of the entire Arey family universe right now – and that includes drawing with colored chalk on the family driveway.
There’s never been a time in Arey’s illustrious pro career that Emily and his daughters failed to draw him a fish-themed “Good Luck” message on the driveway just before he leaves. The colorful heart felt messages on the concrete are among the last images of home as he heads-out to the next tournament, and generally lead to smiles, hugs, and a few flooded tear ducts too.
“About the only way I’m able to cope with leaving is knowing Emily is such an incredible woman and mom, that whether it’s a broken kitchen appliance, a flat tire, or simply getting the girls to all their activities, I can leave home knowing she’ll handle things incredibly well. But don’t get me wrong, her job at home is way tougher than mine as a pro angler,” reflects Arey.
Regarding the job he has to do at giant Lake Oahe, he says managing productive fishing areas based on wind will be the biggest challenge. But a Pulse jig head tipped with a small swimbait, and a Lunkerhunt finesse worm on a Ned head should help yield the 20-pound limits he expects he’ll need to do well at the 370,000-surface acre reservoir.
Arey enters the Oahe event sitting securely in 8th place in the Progressive Angler of the Year points race, and while we all know there’s no such thing as an easy event in this sport, he says the 18 days away from Emily, Reese and Wren will be the toughest challenge of all.
“There’s nothing about this job that’s more challenging than leaving my wife and daughters. It’s tougher than making Classic cuts and Top 10s. But at least I’m blessed to compete with a clear mind knowing I’ve got such an awesome team cheering me along from 1,500 miles away,” says Arey.
Because after all, pro bass fishing really is a team sport as far as the Areysare concerned.
Feldermann Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on the Mississippi River
Remian Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (Aug. 15, 2022) – Boater Mike Feldermann of Galena, Illinois, caught three bass Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien. The tournament was the fourth event for the Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Division. Feldermann earned $4,052 for his victory.
“I down one pool and made a 40-mile run south, to a 200-yard section of lily pads,” Feldermann said. “I made one pass through there, and I caught one that weighed 5-2. I made another pass and caught one that weighed 4¼ pounds.”
Feldermann said he stayed committed to the stretch he had run to and made a couple more passes that resulted in a 17-inch keeper before he made the long run back to the Washington Street Ramp for weigh-in. He said all four of his fish, including a short 15-inch bass, came on a black and yellow SPRO Frog.
“This win feels great,” said Feldermann, who now has 11 career BFL wins to his credit. “I’ve been fishing these tournaments for about 30 years, so when you get a little older you appreciate them more. BFLs are a tough tournament to win, but like I say, ‘You’re not going to win if you’re not there.’”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Mike Feldermann, Galena, Ill., three bass, 12-6, $4,052
2nd: Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., three bass, 9-15, $1,996
3rd: Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., three bass, 9-14, $1,201
4th: Dan Mohn, Lansing, Iowa, three bass, 9-10, $1,238
5th: Jeff Ritter, Prairie du Chien, Wis., three bass, 9-9, $718
6th: Aidan Hansen, Osceola, Wis., three bass, 9-3, $659
7th: Brandon Gann, Sparta, Wis., three bass, 9-2, $599
8th: Darren Hahne, Ottowa, Ill., three bass, 9-1, $539
9th: Bill Sepke, Indian Head Park, Ill., three bass, 9-0, $449
9th: Ryan Lewis, Glasford, Ill., three bass, 9-0, $449
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Feldermann’s 5-pound, 2-ounce largemouth was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $460.
Ed Remian of Schiller Park, Illinois, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,226 Saturday after catching three bass weighing 10 pounds, 1 ounce.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Ed Remian, Schiller Park, Ill., three bass, 10-1, $2,226
2nd: Brian Brecka, Alma, Wis., three bass, 8-9, $638
2nd: Nicholas Oates, Marengo, Ill., three bass, 8-9, $738
2nd: Will Ahnen, Fennimore, Wis., three bass, 8-9, $638
5th: Mack Traynor, Hanover, Minn., three bass, 8-4, $359
6th: Dan McAdams, Reedsburg, Wis., three bass, 8-0, $329
7th: Danny Mancini, Necedah, Wis., three bass, 7-13, $284
7th: Alan Bernicky, Joliet, Ill., three bass, 7-13, $484
9th: Mike Toft, Belleville, Wis., three bass, 7-8, $224
9th: Kyle Simonson, Appleton, Wis., three bass, 7-8, $224
Remian caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 8 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $230.
After four events, Jeff Ritter of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, leads the Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 966 points, while Ed Remian of Schiller Park, Illinois, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 949 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered 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.
Logan Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Ohio River
Zelinskas Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
LAWRENCEBERG, Ind. (Aug. 15, 2022) – Boater Bob Logan of Waynesfield, Ohio, caught four bass Saturday weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek. The tournament was the fourth event for the Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division. Logan earned $4,498 for his victory.
“I didn’t really get a good bite until about 9:30,” Logan said. “I stayed in Hogan Creek all day flipping wood and stumps in the creek channel.”
Logan said his keeper bites came spread out throughout the course of the day with his first coming at 9:30 and the last at 1:30. Logan said the water was up, and the fish were holding on wood shallow near the bank. He relied on a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver to provoke the few strikes he could during the tournament.
“Fishing was really tough,” Logan said. “I only had four bites. I didn’t even have a lot of short fish. Everybody struggled.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Bob Logan, Waynesfield, Ohio, four bass, 9-2, $4,498
2nd: Brandon Smith, Mason, Ohio, four bass, 7-12, $2,249
3rd: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 6-6, $2,198
4th: David Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, four bass, 5-10, $1,050
5th: Seth Fricke, Oxford, Ohio, three bass, 5-6, $900
6th: Pat White, Amelia, Ohio, four bass, 5-4, $825
7th: Rob Flowers, West Harrison, Ind., three bass, 5-3, $750
8th: Jamie Cunnagin, New Lebanon, Ohio, four bass, 5-1, $675
9th: Kyle Weisenburger, Columbus Grove, Ohio, three bass, 4-14, $600
10th: Chris Malas, Cincinnati, Ohio, three bass, 4-13, $525
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Tim Adams of Burlington, Kentucky, had a largemouth that weighed 4 pounds, 3 ounces that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $645.
Brian Zelinskas of Beavercreek, Ohio, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,603 Saturday after catching four bass weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Brian Zelinskas, Beavercreek, Ohio, four bass, 6-5, $2,603
2nd: Myles Jackman, White Lake, Mich., four bass, 5-3, $1,096
3rd: Brent Wilkens, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 4-13, $930
4th: Matt Fisher, Glouster, Ohio, three bass, 4-8, $862
5th: Austin Black, Walton, Ky., two bass, 4-3, $439
6th: Howard Smith, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 3-13, $402
7th: Dustin Burk, Brookville, Ind., two bass, 3-12, $365
8th: Ray Yocum, Waynesville, Ohio, two bass, 3-1, $329
9th: Justin Dillon, Dayton, Ohio, two bass, 2-12, $292
10th: J.R. Selke, Waynesville, Ohio, two bass, 2-11, $256
Zelinskas caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 2 pounds, 13 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $310.
After four events, Michael Nesbitt of St. Paris, Ohio, leads the Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 955 points, while Brian Zelinskas of Beavercreek, Ohio, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 944 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 20-22 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the James River in Richmond, Virginia. 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.
Late Rally Lifts Keeney, Moder To Bassmaster High School National Championship Win On Lake Hartwell
Reece Keeney and Bryce Moder of the Northeast Wisconsin Bass Club have won the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Lake Hartwell with a three-day total of 43 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
August 13, 2022
ANDERSON, S.C. — When Bryce Moder researched Lake Hartwell ahead of the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell, he thought he and partner Reece Keeney would be fishing strictly for spotted bass in deep water.
Little did he know it would be the duo’s Wisconsin roots that would carry them to victory.
With a three-day total of 43 pounds, 1 ounce, the Northeast Wisconsin Bass Club anglers claimed the prestigious title, with each angler earning a $2,500 scholarship in the process. After placing 14th on the first day with 13-5, the now high school graduates took over the lead on Day 2 with a 16-12 sack before landing 13-0 the final day.
“All the hours in the boat have paid off,” said Keeney, a member of the 2022 Bassmaster High School All-State Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. “I can’t thank my dad enough for teaching me everything I know. To this day he sits in the bottom of the boat no matter the weather.”
“This is so special,” Moder added. “I just can’t be more thankful and I appreciate the good Lord. This is definitely a blessing. I never expected to come here and fish Wisconsin-style and catch largemouth. It was so rewarding. It is my favorite type of fishing.”
With the exception of one spotted bass on the first day, the Wolf River system natives brought all largemouth to the scales this week. Keeney and Moder picked apart about a mile of vertical clay bank that had brush, current and, most importantly, bait.
One particular section of that bank with an overhanging tree as the predominant cover produced their biggest bites each day, including a 5-pounder Friday afternoon and another 5-pounder with 20 minutes to go on Championship Saturday.
A white Brovarney Baits swim jig with a Zoom Speed Craw trailer carried them through the first two days while a Zoom Horny Toad lifted them to victory on Day 3.
“The key to the week was there was bait in the area,” Keeney said. “The boat was sitting in 15 feet of water and we were throwing up to about 8 feet. Early in the week, the water was low so you could skip a swim jig up under the trees but the water came up so we switched to the Horny Toad. But I feel like there was so much bait and the fish kept reloading on those banks.”
The first two days of the tournament, Keeney and Moder got off to quick starts. But on Championship Saturday, the early-morning bite was nonexistent.
“It was superslow,” Keeney said. “We struggled all day. We probably didn’t get a limit until 12 o’clock. Then we just kept culling.”
Despite the slow start, Moder said they knew the bass were still there, they just had to keep their baits in the water.
“They would eat eventually,” Moder said. “We didn’t know if the current or sunlight was going to affect them, but it just panned out and we put our baits in the right spots.”
As he watched the topwater bite go down, the team’s boat captain Josh Keeney was amazed by what he was seeing.
“Watching those fish eat that Horny Toad, when the 5 and 6-pounders eat it, it is like throwing a bowling ball from a pine tree,” Josh said. “They get so aggressive and angry. It was fun to watch.”
Keeney began his first semester at Kentucky Christian University this week, missing the majority of practice to attend his first classes. As a member of the KCU fishing team, Keeney said he thinks this will give him a lot of momentum heading into the college ranks.
“It gives me a lot of confidence just knowing I can compete at the top level and win,” he said. “To go into college with an open mind and knowing I can compete is key.”
Moder has started his career as an operating engineer, but he is thankful for his time fishing the High School Series.
“This is my last tournament and I’m going out with a bang,” he said. “I never once dreamed of it. Going out with a National Championship is something else.”
Using a couple of their Lewis Smith Lake techniques, Brady Vest and Brody Hopper from Alabama's Cullman High School finished second with 38-11. With bags of 13-13, 12-15 and 11-15, the duo claimed $2,000 in scholarships each.
“It was an amazing week,” Hopper said. “The second day hurt us, but it was a good week.”
On Day 1, Vest and Hopper found fish under the walkways and had a productive day throwing a shaky head. But as Day 2 progressed they discovered they would need another pattern to make the final day.
“The second day they weren’t under the walkways,” Vest said. “We had to find something else. We found a school of baitfish and started dropping on them and caught 12 pounds doing it.”
Fellow Alabama anglers Chris Fallon and Briar Dodson finished in third with 38-2 with bags of 13-0, 14-11 and 10-7.
“It means a whole lot to me to even make it here,” Dodson said. “I think Alabama is truly the hardest state to qualify in. Chris and I fished a state championship in 100-degree weather and we made it.”
The Gardendale High School anglers fished a railroad bridge all three days of the tournament that they discovered had quality bass holding in 4 to 8 feet of water during the last hour of practice. The presence of bluegill and bait fueled the bite and they were able to catch most of their bass using a Roboworm.
“We talked to a bunch of people at weigh-in and they mentioned the full moon had some of the bream spawning,” Dodson said. “There were several bream around the bridge.”
On the final day, they were forced to scramble and fish new water, catching a big one in the last hour to improve their bag.
Chase McCarter and Ty Trentham of Sevier County High School finished fourth and took home the $2,000 Hunter Owens Memorial Scholarship for Big Bag of the Tournament with their 17-15 Day 1 limit.
Along with a ninth-place finish, Destin Morales and Samuel Cobb Jr. from Livingston Parish High School claimed $200 in scholarships for the Big Bass of the Tournament, a 7-8 largemouth they caught on Day 1.
The tournament was hosted by Visit Anderson.
2022 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors 8/11-8/13
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Reece Keeney - Bryce Moder Northeast Wisconsin Bass - WI 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 13-00 Total: 15 43-01
2. Brady Vest - Brody Hopper Cullman High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 11-15 Total: 15 38-11
3. Chris Fallon - Briar Dodson Gardendale High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 10-07 Total: 15 38-02
4. Ty Trentham - Chase McCarter Sevier County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 08-11 Day 3: 5 10-15 Total: 15 37-09
5. Evan Wood - Spencer Lovett Mt. Pleasant High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 5 12-06 Total: 15 37-02
6. Nathan Reynolds - Luke Malik Backwoods Bassin' - TN 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 11-05 Total: 15 37-01
7. Braci Ault - Brody Ault Frontier - IN 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 10-00 Total: 15 35-02
8. Peyton Sorrow - The Eagle Eye Anglers - SC 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 08-04 Total: 15 34-02
9. Destin Morales - Samuel Cobb Jr Livingston Parish High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 07-10 Day 3: 5 07-02 Total: 15 32-09
10. Dylan May - Brady Westrich Brownsburg High School - IN 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 05-14 Total: 15 32-03
11. Ely Hagans - Cole Pennington Southside Bee Branch - AR 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 05-15 Total: 15 30-15
12. Kasey Ferguson - Jakari Thomas Ringgold Bassin - VA 0
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 0 00-00 Total: 10 27-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 169 1165 2050-13
2 150 1080 1868-10
3 11 55 107-03
----------------------------------
330 2300 4026-10
T-H Marine Announces Ocean Bio-Chem Acquisition
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BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME AWARDS 2022 CONSERVATION GRANTS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – August 10, 2022 – For Immediate Release - For the third consecutive year, the Board of Directors of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announces that the Hall has awarded four conservation grants to contribute to the mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. The awardees were selected through a highly competitive process, and they represent a diverse group of deserving projects.
“Each year we continue to be impressed by the seriousness and dedication of our applicants,” said Bass Fishing Hall of Fame President John Mazurkiewicz. “We all agree that habitat restoration and management, and other conservation efforts, remain the bedrock of our sport and are critical to bass fishing’s future. These grants are one means of giving back to the wider community.”
The four grantees are as follows:
- Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation and High School/Youth -- Tims Ford Lake Reservoir Habitat Restoration/Enhancement: This project encompasses angler (youth and adult) education, reservoir habitat enhancement/clean up, fish attractor construction and organizational partnership development. With the guidance and supervision of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) fisheries personnel, US Army Corp of Engineers (Nashville District), Tennessee Valley Authority Natural Resources personnel and BASS Nation leaders, this grantee will coordinate build, educate anglers on how to build effective habitat and fish attractor structures and the benefits of both through proper planning, placement and evaluation on Tims Ford Lake in support of the Bill Dance Fishing Trail.
- Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School Team Trail -- Mobile Fish Care Trailer: This grantee will buy a dual-axle heavy duty trailer and modify it with a tool box and oxygen tank holder and subsequently mount upon it a fiberglass live release tank. Oxygen and aeration systems will be added in consultation with BASS and AL Fisheries biologists. This trailer will be used for high school events instead of a live release boat as it is much less expensive to build and easier to maintain, with greater conservation benefits
- Bluegrass Bassmasters -- Lake Barkley cypress tree planting: This project aims to decrease siltation and the expansion of mud flats on Lake Barkley by increasing shoreline stability through cypress tree plantings. Cypress trees are native to western Kentucky and are one of only a few species that can thrive along the shoreline and within the drawdown zone of Lake Barkley. One thousand young trees will be planted in groves of several individual trees in sites chosen by KDFWR. This project may be expanded if and when more funds become available in the future.
- Texas B.A.S.S. Nation -- Lake Belton Structural Habitat Improvement Project: This project will replace fish habitat that has been lost to natural reservoir aging processes. Specifically, Texas B.A.S.S. Nation worked with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the US Army Corp of Engineers, and the Brazos River Authority to create four new fish habitat sites and will use the provided funds to further enhance artificial fish habitat at these same sites.
“Once again we are proud to incentivize and reward the substantial sweat equity that these entities will produce,” said Board member Gene Gilliland, who is also the B.A.S.S. Conservation Director and a recent Hall inductee. “It was difficult to choose the best four, but we’re confident that this group represents the best of the best. As time goes on, we hope that our efforts will become even more inclusive and substantial.” Gilliland and Board member Casey Shedd with AFTCO spearheaded the BFHOF conservation grant selection process.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has become much more than honoring the legends and innovators in the sport of bass fishing. Noted pro bass angler Kevin VanDam, a 2018 Bass Fishing HOF inductee and recent addition to the Board, “I have clearly reaped the benefits of the many volunteers and organizers who take on these types of projects. While people come to the induction ceremony to recognize the big names of the sport, all of these contributors need to be recognized for their efforts as well.”
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction dinner on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. There will also be a concurrent auction, taking place from October 3-6 (visit www.BassFishingHOF.com for details), which will assist the Board in hosting the dinner and other recognition events each year, along with funding its conservation grants and other worthy endeavors benefiting the sport of bass fishing. Sponsor tiers for the “Celebrate Bass Fishing Week” are still being offered. Information on the plaque unveiling presenting sponsor, along with Gold, Silver, Bronze and table sponsors, along with individual dinner tickets is available by contacting the BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at [email protected] or (501) 541-6660, or Board president John Mazurkiewicz at [email protected] or (574) 292-2500.
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Wisconsin Duo Takes Lead In Bassmaster High School National Championship At Lake Hartwell
Reece Keeney and Bryce Moder of the Northeast Wisconsin Bass Club are leading after Day 2 of the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Lake Hartwell with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
August 12, 2022
ANDERSON, S.C. — Despite slinging an ear on their prop during their morning run, Reece Keeney and Bryce Moder from the Northeast Wisconsin Bass Club secured 16 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 2 of the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell to jump into the lead with 30-1.
Adding to their 13-5 Day 1 performance, which put them in 14th place, Keeney and Moder hold more than a 2-pound advantage over the Gardendale High School team of Chris Fallon and Briar Dodson.
“It is a true dream come true. This is my senior year, so to be fishing the final day of the National Championship and have a shot to win, I couldn’t dream of anything else,” Keeney said.
As multitime Bassmaster Junior National Championship qualifiers, Keeney and Moder have gotten a taste of what being on the Bassmaster stage is like, and Moder said that has helped them stay positive.
“We just don’t get frustrated,” Moder said. “Any adversity, we just shun it and look forward to the next catch.”
It has been a week of adapting for the Wisconsin duo on Lake Hartwell. After finding a productive pattern in practice, Moder said conditions changed and they had to find a different way to catch them.
On Day 1, they were able to catch 12 bass. On Friday, they only got six or seven bites but their quality improved.
“Today was tougher fishing. We put our heads down and grinded the day out. We tried to forget about the adversity and focus on the fish,” Moder said. “We were able to find a pattern and stick to it, and that’s what we are going to stick with.”
As natives of the Wolf River system, one technique has traveled well with them to South Carolina. Keeney and Moder have been using a Brovarney Baits swim jig in 15 to 20 feet of water — and while they have been catching a mixture of spotted bass and largemouth, only largemouth have made up their five-fish limit each day.
“(The swim jig) hasn’t disappointed yet so hopefully it won’t disappoint tomorrow and we can go whack them,” Keeney said.
Despite a longer run due to the prop issue, Moder and Keeney went right to work when they reached their starting spot, catching a quality bass on their first or second cast. From there, the duo filled their limit around 11 a.m. and on the final cast of the day, they landed a 5-pounder to boost their bag.
“We have one main spot that seems to keep reloading with fish,” Keeney said. “We are going to run that tomorrow and give it our best.”
When the anglers launch for Championship Saturday, they plan to rely on their main area but have several other locations marked as backup that have been productive as well.
“It isn’t as good, not the same quality. But there are still fish on it,” Moder said.
After landing in 15th after Day 1 with 13-0, Fallon and Dodson caught 14-11 on Day 2 and jumped into second with a total of 27-11. On their third cast this morning, the Coosa River anglers landed a 4-pounder to get the day started and were able to find a consistent bite.
“Throughout the day we were culling by ounces,” Dodson said. “(Fallon) ended up catching a big one around lunchtime. It all came together today.”
Fallon entered practice wanting to flip bushes on Lake Hartwell. But with the water lower than normal, they had to pivot and didn’t find their pattern until the last day of practice. Although they lost a fish over 3 pounds on the first morning, they have found a consistent bite they can run throughout the lake with one bait.
“We have a pattern,” Fallon said. “It is something the fish are doing in every creek. They are getting on the first thing they can where the bait is at. We are just running around, and we have some big largemouth.”
He added that a particular spot has produced bigger than average bites.
Kasey Ferguson and Jakari Thomas from Ringgold Bassin in Virginia climbed to third place with 27-7, adding 12-5 to their 15-2 performance on Day 1. Ferguson said they were able to jumpstart their day with an early morning pattern before the sun got high.
“The job isn’t finished yet,” Thomas said. “We have to do what we have to do tomorrow.”
Once the sun came out, the bite slowed down and they had to find new water.
“It was hot. We had to find new stuff and luckily we found the right spots,” Ferguson said. “It's a blessing to be where we are on a lake we’ve never fished before and doing somewhat decent.”
Destin Morales and Samuel Cobb Jr. from Livingston Parish High School remain on top for Big Bass of the Tournament with a 7-8 largemouth they caught on Day 1, while Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter from Sevier County High School hold Big Bag of the Tournament honors with their 17-15 sack from the first day.
The Top 12 teams will compete on Championship Saturday for the top prize of a $5,000 scholarship. Teams will launch at 6:20 a.m. ET from Green Pond Landing and Event Center and return for weigh-in at 2:20 p.m. Weigh-in will be streamed live on Bassmaster.com.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.
2022 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors 8/11-8/13
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Reece Keeney - Bryce Moder Northeast Wisconsin Bass - WI 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-12 Total: 10 30-01
2. Chris Fallon - Briar Dodson Gardendale High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 14-11 Total: 10 27-11
3. Kasey Ferguson - Jakari Thomas Ringgold Bassin - VA 0
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 12-05 Total: 10 27-07
4. Brady Vest - Brody Hopper Cullman High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 26-12
5. Ty Trentham - Chase McCarter Sevier County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 26-10
6. Dylan May - Brady Westrich Brownsburg High School - IN 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 16-02 Total: 10 26-05
7. Peyton Sorrow - The Eagle Eye Anglers - SC 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 25-14
8. Nathan Reynolds - Luke Malik Backwoods Bassin' - TN 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-00 Total: 10 25-12
9. Destin Morales - Samuel Cobb Jr Livingston Parish High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 25-07
10. Braci Ault - Brody Ault Frontier - IN 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 25-02
11. Ely Hagans - Cole Pennington Southside Bee Branch - AR 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 25-00
12. Evan Wood - Spencer Lovett Mt. Pleasant High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 16-10 Total: 10 24-12
13. Drew Bradstreet - Kamden Bradstreet Bradstreet Homeschool - FL 0
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 10-14 Total: 10 24-12
14. Michael Mcnulty - Angelo Foto Riley's Catch - NC 0
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 15-11 Total: 10 24-10
15. Walker LaRue - Joe Vaulton Alcoa Fishing Team - TN 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 11-15 Total: 10 24-10
16. Layne Mercer - Lumberton High School - TX 0
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 08-09 Total: 10 24-02
17. Bryce Mcdonald - Ethan Elliott Paintsville High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 24-02
18. AJ McGee - Evan Dunn Bibb County - AL 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 10 23-06
19. Mitchell Robinson - Cody Abbott Byrnes High School - SC 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-00 Total: 10 23-02
20. Jacob Lycans - Brody Diamond Louisa Bass Club High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 22-11
21. Bryce Dimauro - Justin Lawrence Seminole Junior High School Angl 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-10 Total: 10 22-08
22. Blake Beckmann - Hunter Beckmann Breese Central - IL 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 4 06-04 Total: 9 22-07
23. Parker Stalvey - Jacob Deel Clay High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 13-00 Total: 10 22-07
24. Bryce Balentine - Dalton Loos Central Florida Youth Anglers - 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-04 Total: 10 22-07
25. Mason White - Levi Singletary Cook High School - GA 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 14-07 Total: 10 22-00
26. Anna Swisher - Ty Jackson Columbia High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 22-00
27. Elijah Benson - Dawson Christian Academy - GA 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 21-15
28. Bb Brown - Shane Dill Bainbridge High School - GA 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 21-14
29. Hayden Barnett - Will Bacon Roane County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 09-09 Total: 10 21-07
30. Will Hart - Logan Fisher Madison County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 21-05
31. Carter Nutt - Dylan Nutt Sale Creek High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-05 Total: 10 21-02
32. Cole Martin - Kanon Goss Lakeside High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 21-01
33. Edward Marston - Percy Marston Southern Outcast Dinwiddie - VA 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 21-01
34. Tallis Morrison - Xander Patton Hart County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 20-08
35. Benjamin Travis - Clay Wade Spain Park High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 20-08
36. Miles Allen - Nick Biller St. Xavier High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 20-07
37. Chase Fluty - JL Simmons Sumner County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 20-05
38. Caden Cardoza - Jamison Conyer Gallatin High School - TN 0
Day 1: 4 14-14 Day 2: 3 05-05 Total: 7 20-03
39. Derek Landis - Cale Harlan Kickback High School - KS 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 20-03
40. Greer Gammon - Trevor Sanford Dickson County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-02 Total: 10 19-15
41. Zack Cooper - Kobe Rider Tahlequah Sequoyah High School - 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 4 05-12 Total: 9 19-14
42. Caleb Martinez - Logan Gibson Lincoln County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-00 Total: 10 19-13
43. Kaden Freeze - Kylan Mantooth Coffee County Youth Bass Club - 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 19-13
44. Will Boyd Jr - Jeremy Monda Quincy Jr. Bassmasters - FL 0
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 19-12
45. Cole Gotcher - Blaise Bellard Columbia High School - TX 0
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 19-10
46. Logan Withrow - Braden Crumley Chilhowee Bassmasters - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 08-09 Total: 10 19-09
47. Latt Durrance - Jacob Hardy Okeechobee High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 08-08 Total: 10 19-08
48. Hunter Travis - Jameson Norris Baldwin County High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 08-06 Total: 10 19-05
49. Lainie Holbert - Sarah Swindle Riverside High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 19-02
50. Jameson Pursley - Braxton Campbell Warren County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 19-00
51. Carter Pjesky - JD McBroom Kaneland High School - IL 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 18-15
52. Jon Foster - Isaac Patrick Bandys High School - NC 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 8 18-14
53. Jake Brown - Preston Kolisek Loretto Mustangs Bass Club - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 18-13
54. Mason Snider - Dalton Benson Mt Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 18-11
55. Justin James - Will Henson Little Cypress-Mauriceville - TX 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 06-01 Total: 10 18-10
56. Chase Logue - Garrett White Argenta Oreana - IL 0
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 18-09
57. Landon Rollison - Chris Hackle Dixie County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 2 05-14 Total: 7 18-05
58. Hayden Short - Archer Smith Burgin Independent - KY 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 08-06 Total: 10 18-05
59. Kolten Goolsby - Hayden Goolsby Cayuga High School - TX 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 07-01 Total: 10 18-04
60. Brayden Ruckman - Nate Helmreich Freeland High School - MI 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 4 08-07 Total: 9 18-03
61. Austin Curtis - Todd Crosley Ottawa High School - KS 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 18-03
62. Owen Hershberger - Wyatt Giddens Sebring High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 08-15 Total: 10 18-03
63. Braxton Copeland - Chase Johnson Livingston Academy - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 07-00 Total: 10 18-01
64. Braxton Wall - Tyler Wall Sloan-Hendrix High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 10 18-01
65. Madison Busch - Keaton Bassham Salem High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 18-01
66. Cole Moulton - Ian Moulton Mascoma Valley High School - NH 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 3 08-06 Total: 8 18-01
67. Lake Smith - Micah Horton Woodruff High School - SC 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 18-01
68. Hudson Choquette - Cal McInnis Headland High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 17-15
69. Jacob Policka - Collin Jolman Fruitport High School - MI 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 17-11
70. Ian Hurd - Kyle Snowden Madison Central Bass Anglers - K 0
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 17-10
71. Nathan Fiant - Braden McNamara Hartley's Hawgs - OH 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 9 17-08
72. Braydon Kelley - Trent Wall Newton ISD - TX 0
Day 1: 4 06-14 Day 2: 5 10-09 Total: 9 17-07
73. Kaden Mueck - Breckett Long Livingston Fishing Team - TX 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 06-13 Total: 10 17-06
74. Evan Mabrey - Andrew Oswalt Helena High School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 8 17-06
75. Carter Mccollum - James Laney Pickens High School - SC 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 10 17-03
76. Levi Loe - Trace Loe Magnolia High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 09-05 Total: 10 17-02
77. Boots Burleson - Brady Mikes YFL - TX 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 07-00 Total: 10 17-00
78. Miles Smith - Casen Rogers Central Lafourche High School - 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 07-03 Total: 10 16-14
79. Jonah Bickley - Reed Williams Chapin High School - SC 0
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 09-08 Total: 10 16-14
80. Levi Thibodaux - Jace Andras Lafourche Bassmaster - LA 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 06-13 Total: 10 16-13
81. Kasen Pemberton - Samuel Godwin Sneads High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 4 04-15 Total: 9 16-11
82. Cody Brooks - Fisher Anaya Brewer High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 16-11
83. Rein Golub - Matthew Pitcher Pittsford High School - NY 0
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 16-10
84. Ryan Kahut - Cougar Fagan Michigan A1 Anglers - MI 0
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 08-13 Total: 10 16-09
85. Keenan Waugh - Blake Recker West Delaware High School - IA 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 16-08
86. Kyle Pomes - Kaleb Hall Arkansas High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 07-03 Total: 10 16-07
87. Logan Howarter - Kaine Navarro Liberty Charter High School - CA 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 06-00 Total: 9 16-06
88. Eli Rowton - Xander Cobb Cutter Morning Star - AR 0
Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 16-06
89. Kaden Snavely - Logan Cardwell Central Florida Youth Anglers - 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 10 16-06
90. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Mooresville High School - NC 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 2 02-15 Total: 7 16-05
91. Dustin Swafford - Mason Long Arkansas Youth Anglers - OK 0
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 8 16-05
92. Curt Ferguson - Mathew Sisk Huntsville High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 05-13 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 16-03
93. Hunter Shelton - Jordan Hampton Trigg County High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 16-03
94. Max Himmel - Tyler Morris Catholic High School of Baton Ro 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 06-03 Total: 10 16-02
95. Mason Mccormick - Evan Lee Bossier Parish High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 08-08 Total: 10 16-02
96. Layton Lammers - Will Massey Arkansas High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 2 03-12 Total: 7 16-01
97. Logan Evans - Brentlea Rodgers Soddy Daisy High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 4 06-11 Total: 9 16-01
98. Casey Tissue - Clayton Vote Vilonia High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 16-00
99. Logan Greeno - Matthew Nichols McCook High School - NE 0
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 5 08-06 Total: 9 15-15
100. Kai Barnett - Layten Kent Shelby County High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 3 06-13 Total: 8 15-12
101. Brooks Hale - Lexi Hale Brookeland ISD - TX 0
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 15-10
102. Jack Sprague - Cole Jimkoski Freeland High School - MI 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 15-09
103. Rafe Sexton - Hilary Sue Martin Hendry County Bass Masters - FL 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 3 03-12 Total: 8 15-07
104. Dylan Holcomb - Grayson Faircloth Liberty County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 5 06-12 Total: 9 15-07
105. Jacob Longlois - Tanner Stewart Little Cypress-Mauriceville - TX 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 05-03 Total: 10 15-06
106. Zach Wolfe - Billy Erdakos Lincoln-Way Central High School 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 07-01 Total: 10 15-06
107. Griffin Ralph - Kaleb Snow Lakeside High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 08-13 Total: 10 15-05
108. Cole Johnson - Keegan Cranmer North Bullitt High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 15-04
109. Peter West - Zach Knight Gallatin High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 1 02-05 Total: 6 15-02
110. Hunter Petrovic - Minooka High School - IL 0
Day 1: 5 05-01 Day 2: 3 10-00 Total: 8 15-01
111. Nick Edington - Jarred Jones Maynard High School - AR 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 4 05-15 Total: 9 15-01
112. Wyatt Marler - Brock Rogers Bradleyville Fishing Team - MO 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 3 06-10 Total: 8 14-15
113. Cole Mcneely - Wyatt Parker Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 10 14-14
114. Marcus Livingston - Hunter Kirchoff Augusta High School - WI 0
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 07-14 Total: 10 14-13
115. Dylan Edwards - Luke Rokavec Susquehanna Valley High School - 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 14-11
116. Spencer Grooms - Hudson Galimore Auburn High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 1 03-15 Total: 6 14-07
117. Ridge Faircloth - Chaff Foran Liberty County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 5 07-12 Total: 10 14-07
118. Adam Mcghee - Scott Woicehovich Liberty Raiders - WV 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 14-06
119. Joseph Mashburn - Kobe Walden Clinton High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 2 03-15 Total: 7 14-05
120. Andrew Kunz - Spain Park High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 2 04-13 Total: 7 14-05
121. Colby Carrier - Zachary Morris Skowhegan High School - ME 0
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 10-10 Total: 8 14-04
122. Phillip Herring - Calup Williams Greene County Youth Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 14-04
123. Jack Mcillwain - Dyson Weaver Creekwood High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 06-13 Total: 10 14-03
124. Riley Faulkner - Blake Roberts Campbell County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 4 04-11 Total: 9 14-02
125. Kody Glass - Merrick Diaz Strawberry Crest High School - F 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 05-15 Total: 10 14-01
126. Clay Taylor - Arden Layton Woodruff High School - SC 0
Day 1: 4 04-13 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 9 14-00
127. Jamison Drake - Alex Girodo East Limestone High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 5 07-02 Total: 10 14-00
128. Cameron Yates - Lucas Snyder Kingswood High School - NH 0
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 8 13-15
129. Graham Raines - Ben Buchanan Crockett County - TN 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 05-14 Total: 10 13-14
130. Carson Falk - Eli Mcdaniel Capital City Bass Hunters - FL 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 2 02-07 Total: 7 13-13
131. Nicholas Frumkin - Jack Houghton Good Spirit Academy - MA 0
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 7 13-12
132. Hunter Schouest - Cody Pellegrin Fishing Squad of South Louisiana 0
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 3 06-11 Total: 8 13-12
133. Alex Gordon - Brandon Aux CT Thunder - CT 0
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 07-12 Total: 8 13-11
134. Bryson Dotson - Holden Pistello Campbell County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 5 10-14 Total: 7 13-10
135. Lucas Sheafer - Steele Smith Louisburg High School - KS 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 7 13-10
136. Jacob Payne - Blake Thomas Liberty County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 13-10
137. Chase Osborne - Jayden Stokes Smiths Station High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 4 05-01 Total: 9 13-09
138. Bre Arnold - Connor Clark Good Hope Fishing Team - AL 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 10 13-09
139. Carson Winn - Grant Thomas Franklin High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 3 04-08 Total: 8 13-08
140. Dylan Eschette - Rhett Theriot Brusly High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 05-14 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 10 13-07
141. Rance Eddleblute - Nicholas Finley Renegades - OH 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 5 06-09 Total: 10 13-07
142. Nicholas Allen - Bailey Martin Northwest Rankin High School - M 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 3 04-02 Total: 8 13-04
143. Jeremiah Proulx - Dylan Riney DJ Fishing - AR 0
Day 1: 5 05-13 Day 2: 5 07-07 Total: 10 13-04
144. Szymon Piton - Leo Glynn Carl Sandburg - IL 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 06-04 Total: 10 13-04
145. Cambre Webb - Dakota Skipper Silliman Fishing - LA 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 06-04 Total: 10 13-00
146. Bailey Davidson - Parker O'bryan Brandon High School - MS 0
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 3 04-01 Total: 8 12-15
147. Tyler Schumacher - Cody Hamann Eureka Wildcats Fishing Team - M 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 05-10 Total: 10 12-15
148. Austin Roberts - Jake Krauth Franklin County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 5 08-05 Total: 8 12-14
149. Tyson Verkaik - Claude Loftin Marion County High School Bassma 0
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 4 05-07 Total: 9 12-13
150. Nicholas Wells - William Spears Genoa Central - AR 0
Day 1: 4 04-15 Day 2: 5 07-11 Total: 9 12-10
151. Wes Wodarz - Kyle Braun Southeastern Bass Anglers - IN 0
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 2 06-08 Total: 7 12-10
152. Benjamin Jumonville - David Gummow Catholic High School Pointe Coup 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 7 12-09
153. Chance Shelby - Tyler Jordan Live Oak High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 3 03-12 Total: 8 12-09
154. BJ Collins - Banks Shaw Sale Creek Anglers - NC 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 3 04-10 Total: 8 12-09
155. Philip Parker - Brody Tuinder MGM JR Fishing - AL 0
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 05-07 Total: 6 12-09
156. Drew Pitts - Luke Romesburg Tampa Bay High School - FL 0
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 7 12-08
157. Arlo Mckee - Luke Wenger Rocky Mountain High School - CO 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 1 01-09 Total: 6 12-07
158. Eli Rogers - Nathan Griffin Charles Page High School - OK 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 3 03-06 Total: 8 12-07
159. Wyatt Holifield - Blake Baughman Picayune Memorial High School - 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 5 08-06 Total: 7 12-07
160. Alex Gore - Kobi May Jefferson County High School - T 0
Day 1: 4 04-12 Day 2: 5 07-11 Total: 9 12-07
161. Gage Sellars - Brock Lewis Bainbridge High School - GA 0
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 3 04-13 Total: 7 12-07
162. Canon Ybarra - Ethan Locke Beech High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 05-02 Total: 10 12-07
163. Jackie Hatfield - Graham Willis Alcoa Fishing Team - TN 0
Day 1: 5 05-01 Day 2: 5 07-02 Total: 10 12-03
164. Garrett Smith - Dalton Webb Springfield High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 02-07 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 8 12-01
165. Cody Morgan - Brant Langley Marion County High School Bassma 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 4 08-06 Total: 6 12-01
166. Mack Taylor - Parker Haling Sand Springs High School - OK 0
Day 1: 5 06-00 Day 2: 4 06-01 Total: 9 12-01
167. Hunter Sandschafer - Garrett Gaddis Teutopolis High School - IL 0
Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 3 05-10 Total: 8 12-00
168. Colten Dickerson - Gabe Aldrich Fishhawx - MI 0
Day 1: 5 06-03 Day 2: 2 05-10 Total: 7 11-13
169. Chaser Ellison - Gage Phillips Morris Community High School - I 0
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 4 05-14 Total: 8 11-13
170. Clayburn Reed - Pasco High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 05-02 Day 2: 3 06-08 Total: 8 11-10
171. Kyle Stentz - Cohen Stentz Eastmont High School - WA 0
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 3 06-05 Total: 6 11-09
172. Rusty Mccollum - Blake Thompson Pisgah High School - MS 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 4 06-11 Total: 7 11-08
173. Nick Herrman - Kyle Herrman Capital City High School - KS 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 4 05-12 Total: 7 11-07
174. Landon Myers - Jacob Teffeteller Alcoa Fishing Team - TN 0
Day 1: 4 05-03 Day 2: 5 06-03 Total: 9 11-06
175. Ethan Chmielewski - Ryan Herbst Anoka Ramsey - MN 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 1 02-00 Total: 6 11-05
176. Connor Dunn - Ian Nash Lovejoy High School - TX 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 5 06-12 Total: 7 11-04
177. Makenzie Bailey - Dalton Bailey Winter Springs High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 3 04-12 Total: 8 11-04
178. Mark Murdock - Pate Willis South Arkansas Youth Bass Angler 0
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 4 06-10 Total: 7 11-03
179. Brody Herron - Liam Tanner Mynderse Academy - NY 0
Day 1: 5 05-10 Day 2: 4 05-09 Total: 9 11-03
180. Traydun Freeze - Austin Hayes Roco Anglers - NC 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 6 11-01
181. Trey Richardson - Reid Luckett Free State Bass - MD 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 3 03-13 Total: 8 11-01
182. Jacob Lacroix - Noah Roberts Tioga High School - LA 0
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 5 06-09 Total: 8 11-01
183. Shamar Pierre - Devrin Harper West St John High School - LA 0
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 5 06-14 Total: 7 11-00
184. Kalen Slocum - Hunter Roberts Glenwood High School - AL 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 09-09 Total: 6 10-14
185. Thomas Ledford - Cameron Beard York County High School - SC 0
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 4 04-05 Total: 9 10-14
186. Luke McGuffin - Kaleb Butts Crescent High School - SC 0
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 4 06-07 Total: 7 10-12
187. Fisher Tyler - Blake Ingram Salem High School - AR 0
Day 1: 4 05-14 Day 2: 4 04-14 Total: 8 10-12
188. Andon Goins - Daniel Moon Rhea County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 3 03-15 Total: 8 10-11
189. Talan Leith - Bryson Glover Chapman High School - SC 0
Day 1: 1 04-03 Day 2: 4 06-07 Total: 5 10-10
190. Triton Graham - Huntley Dees Citronelle High School - AL 0
Day 1: 4 04-05 Day 2: 5 06-02 Total: 9 10-07
191. Justin Jacobs - Jackson Jacobs Grundy County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 05-13 Day 2: 4 04-10 Total: 9 10-07
192. Syler Prince - Austin Peters Palatka High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 1 00-14 Total: 6 10-06
193. Jace Akers - Cody Mullis Palatka High School - FL 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 5 08-10 Total: 6 10-06
194. Brayson Claunch - Cameron Owens Boyle County High School - KY 0
Day 1: 3 03-11 Day 2: 3 06-11 Total: 6 10-06
195. Aaron Yavorsky - Jett Stanley Tampa Bay Junior High School - F 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 6 10-05
196. Hunter Hamilton - Noah Higgins Parkview Baptist School - LA 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 7 10-05
197. Jacob Cavanaugh - Seth Calvert Kawartha High School - ON 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 4 06-07 Total: 6 10-04
198. Brody Mitchell - Eli Dix Grissom High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 06-01 Day 2: 3 04-03 Total: 8 10-04
199. Logan Carter - Angus Roberson Lincoln County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 3 02-14 Total: 8 10-03
200. Lake Johnson - Beau England West Morgan Fishing Team - AL 0
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 1 01-04 Total: 6 09-13
201. Brody Lineberry - Ryan Wright Baldwin County High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 1 01-06 Total: 6 09-11
202. Carson Walker - Jake Collins Livingston Academy - TN 0
Day 1: 4 05-03 Day 2: 3 04-08 Total: 7 09-11
203. Jake Mattingly - Danville Christian Academy - KY 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 4 05-12 Total: 7 09-10
204. Garry Antunes - Griffin Antunes Henderson High School - TX 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 3 05-09 Total: 5 09-10
205. Caiden Ellis - Gage Byars Henry County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
206. Colton Hutchinson - Cydney Hutchinson Bobcat Bass - KS 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 4 06-02 Total: 6 09-07
207. Langston Martin - Coleman Mezick Lee County Anglers - AL 0
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 2 04-11 Total: 5 09-05
208. Carty Shoen - Dylan Mladick Brophy College Prep - AZ 0
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 4 06-04 Total: 5 09-04
209. Braxton Hopper - Jake Woodward Chelsea Anglers - AL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
210. Cason Hill - Jamison Hester Handley High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-02
211. Karson Denton - Luke Goodrum Splendora High School - TX 0
Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 5 06-15 Total: 7 09-01
212. Ridge Rutledge - Ryan Sponcil East Jessamine High School - KY 0
Day 1: 5 05-13 Day 2: 3 03-04 Total: 8 09-01
213. Nolan Holloway - Jackson Fanning Morgan County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-00
214. Caleb Cason - Kale Robinson Lone Star JR Bassmasters - TX 0
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 2 02-09 Total: 7 09-00
215. Dawson Ettinger - Camren Teuton Clay County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 6 08-14
216. Ben Hester - Mason Caldwell Rhea County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 2 01-12 Total: 7 08-12
217. Sam Dameron - Trent Gilmore Oak Mountain High School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 08-11
218. Baylen Guy - Brandt Babineaux Teurlings Catholic High School - 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 5 06-13 Total: 6 08-08
219. James Murphy - Hayden White Gilbert Christian - AZ 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 5 05-15 Total: 6 08-08
220. Mason Martin - Grant Raney East Limestone High School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 4 04-04 Total: 7 08-08
221. Cason Price - Gabe Winham Rocky Mount Academy - NC 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 08-07 Total: 4 08-07
222. Aiden Lacy - Ben Fulton Windsor High School - CO 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 5 05-08 Total: 7 08-07
223. Conner Lanham - Jed Defee Baldwin County High School - AL 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 5 06-10 Total: 6 08-06
224. Easton Drennon - Brady Raines Mt Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 2 04-01 Total: 5 08-04
225. Garrett Christy - Jake Ross Jesse C. Carson High School - NC 0
Day 1: 5 06-10 Day 2: 1 01-07 Total: 6 08-01
226. Tristan Fawley - Van Price Carlson High School - MI 0
Day 1: 3 03-04 Day 2: 3 04-13 Total: 6 08-01
227. Lawson Lewing - Many High School 0
Day 1: 3 03-01 Day 2: 5 04-15 Total: 8 08-00
228. River Eubanks - Parker Eubanks Wilson High School - OK 0
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 3 03-09 Total: 6 08-00
229. JD Sewell - Holden Hatcher Hamshire-Fannett High School - T 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-15
230. Ethan Stant - Peyton Dixon Kent Fishing Club - DE 0
Day 1: 5 05-08 Day 2: 2 02-07 Total: 7 07-15
231. Jay Armstrong - Jake Shoemaker Pisgah High School - MS 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 2 05-00 Total: 4 07-13
232. Luke Salvail - Tyler Seikel Grissom High School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 4 04-03 Total: 7 07-13
233. Logan Sparkman - Austin Reed Chiles High School - FL 0
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 6 07-12
234. Dash Murray - Emmett Van Den Broek Kawartha High School - ON 0
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 4 07-12
235. Payton Thompson - Jacob Ford Blue Mountain Anglers - VA 0
Day 1: 4 04-13 Day 2: 2 02-15 Total: 6 07-12
236. Devan Perkins - Ty Ross Denham Springs High School - LA 0
Day 1: 4 04-02 Day 2: 3 03-10 Total: 7 07-12
237. Hunter Stuckey - Logan Clark Ultimate High School Fishing - T 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 2 03-00 Total: 4 07-11
238. Riley Hendricks - Wesley Allen Hurricane High School - WV 0
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 1 01-14 Total: 6 07-10
239. Brady Whitworth - Hunter Becke Faith Christian School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-11 Total: 4 07-03
240. Zeke Stevens - Kade Ratcliff Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR 0
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 3 03-11 Total: 6 07-03
241. Kaden Holley - Caleb Pourciau Brusly High School - LA 0
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 1 01-00 Total: 6 07-02
242. Will Haynes - Austin Thomas Curry High School - AL 0
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-01
243. Brady Talbot - Bryce Distefano Live Oak High School - LA 0
Day 1: 4 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-09 Total: 5 07-01
244. Kaden Cissom - Sawyer Brady Pine Grove - MS 0
Day 1: 4 04-11 Day 2: 2 02-06 Total: 6 07-01
245. Jaxson Wells - Caden Davis Coffee County Bass Club - TN 0
Day 1: 4 06-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-14
246. Drew Cruzen - Aiden Grad Chiawana - WA 0
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 01-01 Total: 4 06-14
247. Austin Hicks - Micah Cromer Bossier Parish High School - LA 0
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-12
248. Carter Doren - Ryan Lachniet Sin City Bass Club - NV 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 3 03-06 Total: 5 06-12
249. Landon Story - Garrett Sharp East Limestone High School - AL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 06-11 Total: 5 06-11
250. Cole Pickett - Dutch Kor Many High School - LA 0
Day 1: 4 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-08
251. Chance Bryars - Noah Bryars Baldwin County High School - AL 0
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 2 02-02 Total: 5 06-07
252. Jakob Stamper - Luke Lowery Howell High School - MI 0
Day 1: 4 00-00 Day 2: 4 06-06 Total: 8 06-06
253. Kaden Casey - Jackson Pulley Montgomery County High School - 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 2 03-14 Total: 3 06-05
254. Carson Volz - Trent Volz Indian Creek - IN 0
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 06-04
255. Tristan Whittaker - Caleb Straight Panhandle Youth Anglers - FL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 06-03 Total: 5 06-03
256. Tanner Herndon - Jaden Purkey Jefferson County High School - T 0
Day 1: 5 04-02 Day 2: 2 02-01 Total: 7 06-03
257. Gavin Mcghee - Nash Thompson Patrick County High School - VA 0
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 1 01-00 Total: 5 06-02
258. Hunter Daniels - Joshua King Okeechobee High School - FL 0
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-15
259. Hayden Buchanan - Barrett Choquette Headland High School - AL 0
Day 1: 2 02-00 Day 2: 1 03-12 Total: 3 05-12
260. Drake Hart - Evadale High School - TX 0
Day 1: 2 05-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 05-11
261. Andrew Mailer - Kaleb Walton White Bear Lake - MN 0
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 3 03-02 Total: 5 05-11
262. Kaiya Ziga - Trace Mckinney Morris Community High School - I 0
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 3 04-08 Total: 4 05-10
263. Matthew Rome - Connor Dawson Central High School - LA 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-05 Total: 3 05-05
264. Brody Jones - Parker Batts Jefferson County High School - T 0
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 05-03
265. Caleb Kuykendall - Asher Williams Murfreesboro High School - AR 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
266. Trent Labauve - Carson Granier Brusly High School - LA 0
Day 1: 2 01-14 Day 2: 2 03-04 Total: 4 05-02
267. Colton Smith - Huntlee York Y and S Fishing - AR 0
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 3 04-00 Total: 4 05-01
268. Ayden Cowan - Kason Hinish Bloody Run Bassin - PA 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 02-02 Total: 3 05-01
269. Nicholas Dellaporta - Alex Burton New Jersey High School Club - NJ 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 03-06 Total: 4 04-14
270. Mason Melton - Cason Mcnutt Mt Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 3 04-13
271. Garrett Thomas - Hunter Holland Walker High School - LA 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 04-11 Total: 4 04-11
272. Dylan Brown - Harrison Bassmasters - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-11
272. Elijah Bryant - Christian Bales Jessamine County High School - K 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-11
272. Jake Panichi - Louie Panichi North Woods - MN 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-11
275. George Mahassel - John Mcshane Blackstone Valley Tech - MA 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 1 00-14 Total: 3 04-11
276. Matt Knudson - AJ Quaid Elk River High School - MN 0
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 1 00-15 Total: 3 04-11
277. Gabe Blair - Jc Howard Madison Southern High School - K 0
Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 3 02-12 Total: 5 04-09
278. Alex Barrett - Davis Ray Fayetteville High School - AL 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 2 02-01 Total: 3 04-07
279. Drew Kuhnle - Jake Jones Hartley's Hawgs - OH 0
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-06
280. Jordan Guest - Landon Guest Skyline High School - AL 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 1 01-10 Total: 3 04-06
281. Presley Lannom - Morgan Lannom Mt Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 00-13 Day 2: 3 03-06 Total: 4 04-03
282. Kade Palmer - Evan Burris Walker High School - LA 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 2 02-04 Total: 3 04-03
283. James Saylor - Tre Smith Garrard County High School - KY 0
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 1 01-10 Total: 3 04-01
284. Austin Barnard - Josh Kight Southern Garrett - MD 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 2 01-11 Total: 3 03-15
285. Jackson Rogers - Caden Sellers Denham Springs High School - LA 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 03-14
286. Conner Frederick - Timothy Finley Nassau Christian Bass Club - FL 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-13
287. Barrett Clark - Benjamin Clark Putnam County Bassmasters - FL 0
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 1 01-08 Total: 3 03-13
288. Brady Howard - Bradlee Reffitt Louisa Bass Club High School - K 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
289. Collin Hampton - Lucas Cheatham Magnolia High School - AR 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 1 02-12 Total: 2 03-12
290. Archer Reese - Harrison Helms Meigs County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 4 03-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 03-10
291. Luke Somerville - Leland Fox Gaylord High School - MI 0
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 03-10
292. Cutty Labrum - Jordan Werner Redrock Bass - UT 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 1 01-12 Total: 2 03-08
293. Blake Marcum - Louisa Bass Club High School - K 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-05
294. Cal Ambrose - Zach Loken White Bear Lake - MN 0
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 2 02-02 Total: 3 03-01
295. Jake Carney - Knox Whalen Soddy Daisy High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 03-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 03-00
296. Adam Dionne - Zach Waters Eastside Elites - MI 0
Day 1: 1 00-08 Day 2: 1 02-08 Total: 2 03-00
297. Ethan Park - Jack Richtman Downers Grove North - IL 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-13
297. Kane Weekley - Trent Handley LaBelle High School - FL 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-13
299. Avery Johnson - Drake Middleton Riverside High School - TN 0
Day 1: 2 01-12 Day 2: 1 01-00 Total: 3 02-12
300. Cullen Asbeck - Ethan Bassett Elk River High School - MN 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-11
301. Holten Phillips - Hunter Little Lakeside High School - AR 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 02-06
302. Alex Douglas - Will Douglas Cumberland Gap - TN 0
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 1 01-06 Total: 2 02-02
303. Ben Delvecchia - Ryan Teixeira CT Thunder - CT 0
Day 1: 2 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 01-15
304. Brent Christopher - Connor Young Boyle County High School - KY 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-08
305. Clayton Ellis - Jesse Floyd Saltillo High School - MS 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-05
306. Zach Holler - Klayton Nelson Woden ISD - TX 0
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-02
307. Alex Bowen - Aaron Mills Cardinal Fishing Team - KY 0
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 00-14
308. JD Stack - John Cooper Scotts Hill High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 00-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 00-13
308. Trey Woliver - Hayden Poe Heritage High School - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 00-13 Total: 1 00-13
310. Ashley Sanner - Caden Cranford Sanner Cranford - AR 0
Day 1: 1 00-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 00-11
311. Derek Davis - Connor Jaco Mt.Pleasant High School - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
311. Jake Haynes - Chance Webb Choctaw High School - OK 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
311. Connor Mclaughlin - Barclay Butler Scottsboro High School - AL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
311. Carter Oberbroeckling - Marcus Gaul Bass Kickers - IA 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 169 1165 2050-13
2 150 1080 1868-10
----------------------------------
319 2245 3919-07
Martin Family Embracing First Trip To Bassmaster High School National Championship
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Scott Martin is serving as boat captain at the 2022 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
August 12, 2022
ANDERSON, S.C. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Scott Martin has been antsy this week, and not just because he’s been thinking about the upcoming Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Oahe.
This week, he is the boat captain for his daughter Hilary and her fishing partner Rafe Sexton at the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell.
“How awesome is it for me to be able to enjoy this with my daughter? Her first year fishing, she qualified for the National Championship. It is a blessing,” Scott Martin said.
Representing Hendry County Bass Masters, Hilary and Sexton entered Day 2 in 31st after catching 11 pounds, 11 ounces. While that is below their personal expectations, Hilary Martin said that they can make a major move up the leaderboard.
“It is pretty tough,” Hilary said. “I haven’t met my expectations just yet, but hopefully tomorrow, if the sun peaks up a little, we might move into some shallower areas and hopefully get those big fish to bite. We are looking for a 17-pound bag tomorrow, and that would be awesome.”
As merely a boat driver and observer this week, the Florida pro has been anxiously watching the two young anglers’ every move. With his graphs turned on in the driver seat, he has been able to watch and see how many fish they are actually around.
“On a normal lake, you don’t know when a bite is going to happen. But here we are using the sonar and if we are shallow we can see them swimming,” Scott said. “They throw out on these schools of fish and I can see them on the graph swim up to the bait and (I get excited). This is my first year doing this. Before the first event, I thought I was going to be bored, taking a nap or on my phone, but I have watched every single cast and every rod movement. I critique them throughout the day and plant seeds on how to be effective. I love this.”
The fishing lineage of the Martin family has been well documented, from Roland Martin dominating the tournament scene in the 70s and 80s to Scott becoming one of the most dominant anglers in FLW history before joining the Elite Series in 2021.
Now it is Hilary’s turn.
She has spent plenty of time in the boat with her father while also establishing her presence on social media, YouTube and making appearances on The Scott Martin Challenge television show from time to time, but this year is the first year she has jumped into the tournament scene full time.
“Now that I’m fishing hardcore kind of like him, I have grown a new respect for how hard these fisherman work just to get one bite,” she said. “It can be really tough some days and especially in tournaments like this, it takes a lot of mental game and effort. I have a whole new respect for my grandpa and my dad fishing like this.”
Years of tournament experience are now being funneled to Hilary and she is soaking up as much as possible.
“It has been awesome. My dad has been fishing since he was my age. He knows a lot and retaining information like that is very valuable to me,” she explained. “We butt heads because we are related, but it is good to have him on the boat as my support system. He talks me through everything I’m doing. It is a great time.”
Sexton, meanwhile, has been fishing for several years through the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation in the youth division as well as the adult division. While they have known each other for a while, this is the first year Sexton and Hilary have fished together full time. After navigating the Florida Nation schedule, with up to 140 boats in each tournament, the duo finished fifth in the state championship event and qualified for the National Championship.
Through the Nation schedule, Sexton and Hilary agree that they have been able to improve their offshore game.
“I’m a shallow water guy. Growing up on Okeechobee, I throw a popping frog a lot,” Sexton said. “Through the B.A.S.S. Nation, I have adapted my offshore game. When we travel to lakes like the Harris Chain or Seminole, we have to expand on more than our shallow water game. It has sharpened my edges and especially coming to Nationals, you get to see different angles and see how to fish different fisheries.”
This year has been largely about getting comfortable in a tournament setting and finding consistency, but going into both Hilary and Sexton’s senior year, the focus will shift slightly.
“Not to say we haven’t tried to win a tournament, but we really wanted to be consistent. It’s a process,” Scott said. “Next year we will push a lot harder to try and pull off a victory. We came close a few times this year.”
Regardless of how this National Championship turns out, Scott has been impressed with the caliber of angler that they are competing against this week.
“We fished the entire B.A.S.S. Nation in Florida and now to see 300 boats here,” Scott said. “They are the cream of the crop of high school anglers. They are all professional and well-spoken. Bassmaster is breeding up a world-class group of anglers. It is so encouraging. When I was growing up, we didn’t have these opportunities. I’m really proud to see what B.A.S.S. is doing and I’m proud of the parents supporting their kids in this.”
The Top 12 teams after Friday’s weigh-in will advance to Championship Saturday.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.
Bryan Labelle Wins Toyota Series at Lake Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Aug. 12, 2022) – Pro Bryan Labelle of Hinesburg, Vermont, brought five bass to the stage Saturday weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Lake Champlain Presented by Boat Logix and earn the top payout of $86,500. Labelle’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 61-11 earned him the victory by a narrow 2-ounce margin over second place pro Kyle Hall of Granbury, Texas, who finished first at the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on Lake Champlain last week.
The three-day event, hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, was the second event of the season for the Toyota Series Northern Division.
“It’s awesome, undoubtedly,” an excited Labelle said after earning the win. “I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think I was on that caliber of fish in practice, but it worked out.”
While others have made headlines with smallmouth in recent years, Labelle never hesitated on his plan for the week, going for a classic Champlain mixed bag every day.
Day 1 saw him bring four largemouth to the scale. Day 2, he brought just one, and on the final day, three green ones made the cut.
Of course, his start to Day 2 would be the envy of any smallmouth specialist on the lake.
“I had 20 pounds, 1 ounce in 25 minutes on Day 2, and I said ‘I gotta go largemouth fishing,’” Labelle said. “So I did, but I only upgraded a little bit.
“I’m new to the forward-facing sonar. I’m a knucklehead when it comes to it,” he joked. “Learning it, it’s easier than what I thought. I guess I didn’t understand it. I was seeing a few fish, but I wasn’t seeing what these guys are. But on Day 2, I understood it very well. It was unbelievable, and undoubtedly it helped the win.”
Still, Labelle put quality largemouth in play every day, and he did it mostly in grass and on deeper rock, not the docks Champlain is so known for.
“The largemouth are not that good this year, they’re really not,” he shared. “I had a couple deals in Missisquoi early that I got some real big fish on, but that dried up and it became very tough. I thought it was going to be a good largemouth year, but I think it’s gone downhill. Forward-facing sonar I think is going to take some pressure off them, and that’ll be a good thing.
“I tried some docks. I tried to mix in a few, but they’re just not on the docks good. I’ve got some rocks a little bit deeper that really helped, and grass. The grass really wasn’t all that good. I didn’t get a lot of big bites – I feel like I got lucky with the fish I caught.”
For baits, Labelle said he caught fish on his trusty ½-ounce Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Flippin’ Jig, plus a drop-shot with either a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flatnose Minnow in white or a perch-colored Jackall Crosstail Shad.
The top 10 pros on Lake Champlain finished:
1st: Bryan Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., 15 bass, 61-11, $86,500 (including $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
2nd: Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas, 15 bass, 61-9, $20,000
3rd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 60-7, $14,250
4th: Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 13 bass, 60-5, $12,250
5th: Wayne Vaughan, Chester, Va., 15 bass, 59-12, $11,250
6th: Joseph Thompson, Coatesville, Pa., 15 bass, 59-6, $9,125
7th: Stephen Estes, Auburn, N.H., 15 bass, 59-6, $7,900
8th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 15 bass, 58-15, $6,900
9th: Kyle Gelles, Pingree, Idaho, 15 bass, 58-3, $5,900
10th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 15 bass, 57-14, $4,500
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Jimmy Kennedy of Plainfield, Vermont, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a largemouth weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces. On Friday, pros Wendell Causey, Jr., of Irmo, South Carolina, and Scott Wiley of Bay Minette, Alabama, split the $500 Berkley Big Bass award after each brought a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass to the scale.
Labelle took home an extra $35,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Tim Nichols of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Thursday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 54 pounds, 4 ounces. Nichols 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 Lake Champlain finished:
1st: Tim Nichols, Pittsgrove, N.J., 15 bass, 54-4, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Chad Dorney, Slatington, Pa., 15 bass, 49-7, $6,125
3rd: Cody Howard, Snow Hill, N.C., 15 bass, 48-13, $5,050
4th: Jim Opetaia-Williamson, Winter Garden, Fla., 13 bass, 46-5, $3,950
5th: Randy Sullivan, Breckenridge, Texas, 15 bass, 46-4, $3,450
6th: Todd Adamitis, Glen Carbon, Ill., 13 bass, 44-7, $2,950
7th: Lenny Baird, Stafford, Va., 14 bass, 44-4, $2,850
8th: Carter Wijangco, Naperville, Ill., 12 bass, 42-1, $1,975
9th: Ryan Fronina, Mohrsville, Pa., 14 bass, 40-13, $1,590
10th: Harry Moore, Clarington, Ohio, 12 bass, 40-3, $1,350
The Day 1 Berkley Big Bass $150 award winner in the Strike King co-angler division, was Drew Crawford of Knightstown, Indiana, with a 5-pound, 13-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to Leslie Brandenburg of Springfield, Missouri, with a 5-pound, 9-ounce fish.
After two events in the Toyota Series Northern Division, pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, leads the Toyota Series Northern Division Pro Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 512 points, while Carter Wiijangco of Naperville, Illinois, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 513 points.
The next event for Toyota Series Northern Division anglers will take place Sept. 22-24 – the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Boat Logix in Massena, New York. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. consists 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 fish in any of the six divisions and finish in the top 25 – or the top 12 from the Wild Card division – will 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. The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Championship will be held Nov. 3-5 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by Marshall County Tourism and Sports.
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.
HOBIE B.O.S. SPONSORED BY POWER-POLE TO TEST WISCONSIN’S WOLF AND FOX RIVERS
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Elite fleet of kayak anglers hope to cash-in while highlighting super largemouth and bronzeback potential of state’s longest rivers. |
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OCEANSIDE, Calif. (August 12, 2022) - The 2022 Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Anchored by Power-Pole heads for the Wolf and Fox Rivers in Appleton, Wisconsin, August 20 – 21, and the eighth event of the season promises yet another action-packed kayak fishing slugfest. Offering just about every feature a bass fan could want, from dams and hard structure to extensive weedlines, grass beds and blowdowns, this inviting pair of rivers flow in and out of the state’s most notable lakes and bays. A brand-new stop on the Hobie tour, competitors will be able to spread out across a huge swath of water and fish to their strengths for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. “When you have a schedule featuring as many big-name venues as the Hobie B.O.S. trail, it’s easy to overlook one that isn’t known as a bucket-list destination – but don’t let this one fool you,” says tournament director A.J. McWhorter. “These are two of the longest rivers in the state and they feed Wisconsin’s largest bodies of water! That means there’s going to be some great opportunities for our competitors to enjoy unlocking the mysteries of these storied fisheries while showcasing their bassing potential. I expect to see a lot of solid limits and quality largemouths and bronzebacks submitted to TourneyX during our two-day, catch, photograph and release (C.P.R.) event.” |
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Jeremiah Burish from La Crosse, Wisconsin, fully agrees. The 33-year-old serious kayak tournament angler has fished these waters before with solid results, including a recent second-place finish. “There’s a ton of bass in these rivers with plenty of quantity for largemouth and smallmouth up to 16 inches,” notes Burish. “Catching a solid limit shouldn’t be much of a problem, but it’s going to take more than that to win this event. You’re going to have to find a few of those big 18-inch fish to set yourself apart. With both species of bass abundant, you can mix it up or target whichever you prefer based on your own personal fishing strengths. Still, any way you slice it, I think you’ll need at least 85 inches a day to come away the winner.” Burish notes that his most recent forays on these rivers found them running a little low, but still featuring a gentle flow. He points out, however, that there are significant differences between the two. For starters, he explains, the Fox River flows northward, which can take some getting used to if you haven’t fished here before, he cautions. “The upper (northern) section of the river flows in and around the city of Appleton and features several dams plus other manmade structure. The southern end of this river has more weeds and seems a little less manicured with a lot of grass and softer edges. The Wolf River, by comparison,” continues Burish, “snakes along with a lot of twists and turns, sand and rock, overhanging trees and deadfalls.” The lakes on this flow are shallow and smaller than on the Fox but still hold some high-quality fish, he adds. |
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Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Burish |
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With three Tournament of Champions (T.O.C.) qualifications going to the highest non-qualified finishers plus extremely valuable AFTCO Angler of the Year (AOY) points on the line, this event is also going to play a major role in deciding who will be fishing for the series’ ultimate championship 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. Additionally, the Wolf and Fox River event will see Bassin’ Big Bass honors, and a $500 check, bestowed on the angler catching the largest bass over the course of the tourney. As always, cash payouts will go to the top 10% of the field and all competitors will have a chance to win a 2022 Hobie Outback in custom Orange and Black ‘BOS Camo’ color way, plus many prizes that will be randomly given away by event sponsors. |
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Anglers traveling to the Wolf and Fox River event can expect to be greeted with open arms by the local community, says Matt Ten Haken, Director of Sports Marketing for the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We are excited to welcome the anglers of the Hobie Bass Open Series,” he states. “Competitors will find our waterways to be among the best fisheries in the Midwest and they’ll surely provide a fun challenge. When not on the water, be sure to take advantage of the unique dining, shopping, and nightlife options for a complete Fox Cities weekend experience." With only Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas, (September 17 and 18) remaining on the Hobie BOS schedule after the Fox and Wolf River event, the pressure is really mounting to see who will rise to the challenge and punch their ticket to the big show. Who will make their move now and who will have to sweat it out for one last chance in Arkansas? Like you, we can’t wait to find out. |
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Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Burish |
Sevier County Takes Lead In Bassmaster High School National Championship On Lake Hartwell
Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter of Tennessee's Sevier County High School are leading after Day 1 of the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Lake Hartwell with 17 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
August 11, 2022
ANDERSON, S.C. — Ty Trentham and Chase McCarter recovered from a slow start to catch 17 pounds, 15 ounces to take the lead on Day 1 of the Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Lake Hartwell.
The Sevier County High School juniors hold a 2-ounce lead on Livingston Parish High School anglers Destin Morales and Samuel Cobb Jr.
“It was consistent all day,” Trentham said. “They bit a little better in the morning, but it was a grind really. We didn’t fish the cleanest. We missed a few and lost a few. We were kind of down at first, but after we caught a few good ones it got us up.”
While this is their first tournament at Lake Hartwell, the east Tennessee natives said the diverse fisheries in their home region prepared them well.
“Tennessee has a lot of different types of lakes,” McCarter said. “You have the Tennessee River, you have highland reservoirs, smallmouth, spotted bass — all of it.”
While Lake Hartwell has become known as a great spotted bass fishery, the Tennessee anglers filled their limit with all largemouth. The morning got off to a frustrating start, but Trentham and McCarter completed their limit around lunchtime before making several key culls.
During practice, the duo got bites but weren’t exactly sure what they had in their areas before the tournament started. They landed the majority of their bag in one main stretch while a different section produced a key big bite.
They rotated through several baits, and McCarter acknowledged the bite they have going is a “home run” type of pattern.
“You've got to hope for the best,” he said. “We just tried to get another bite. We would go back through our area and we might leave if we think it (isn’t working). We were just experimenting in one of the areas where we caught a big one, and we may have to experiment more tomorrow. You can’t make a mistake when we are getting as many bites as we are getting.”
As Louisiana River rats, Morales and Cobb Jr. weren’t sure what to expect. That didn’t stop them from catching 17-13 on Day 1 and landing a 7-8 behemoth largemouth to take the lead for Big Bass of the Tournament.
“We didn’t expect there to be any fish that big in here,” Cobb Jr. said. “Much less me catching it. I was really excited, and I was shaking for a while afterward.”
“I was like a kid in the candy shop,” Morales added. “It jumped and it looked like a whole dolphin coming out of the water.”
Morales and Cobb Jr. brought in all largemouth, but they reported catching several spotted bass as well. Morales described their strategy as “junk fishing,” and they have a milk run of about 12 to 15 areas.
Several different types of cover have produced for them.
“First thing this morning it was slow, and then toward the middle of the day it got better. It’s been like that all week,” Morales said. “I didn’t think we were going to do this well today. But then Samuel hooked that kicker and that helped us out a lot.”
Illinois anglers Hunter and Blake Beckmann from Breese Central High School landed in third with 16-3, all largemouth. After losing a big fish in the morning, they filled their limit around midmorning and anchored their bag with a 5-10 largemouth.
They used a rotation of baits, but they are using one specific technique they use on their home fishery of Lake Carlyle to get familiar with Lake Hartwell.
“Today went better than we expected,” Blake said. “Tuesday, we had roughly 12 pounds, and Wednesday we had about 9 pounds. Today we were blown (away). We didn’t think we had this much weight.”
The full field will launch from Green Pond Landing and Event Center at 6:20 a.m. ET on Day 2 and return for weigh-in beginning at 2:20 p.m. The Top 12 teams after Friday’s weigh-in will advance to Championship Saturday.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Anderson.
Dustin Connell Claims Third Career Victory at MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six at Cayuga Lake
Googan Baits Pro Catches 25 Scorable Bass Weighing 96-12 to Win Third Career Title – Second in 2023 – and Earn Top Payout of $100,000
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (Aug. 11, 2022) – In a week where largemouth bass made up more than 80-percent of all of the fish caught on and weighed by the 80 anglers that competed in the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour on Cayuga Lake, Googan Baits pro Dustin Connell, stuck with smallmouth and bested them all. The Clanton, Alabama pro caught 25 scorable smallmouth bass weighing 96 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits in Union Springs, New York on Thursday. The victory was the third Bass Pro Tour win of Connell’s career – second of the season – and earned him the top payout of $100,000.
“I am shook up. This is unbelievable,” an emotional Connell said in his post-game interview. “I worked so hard for this tournament man. I sat out here and battled these waves, every day, and I practiced so hard, from daylight to dark. It’s so special to win two in one year. This is just nuts.
“I’d only been here once before – I came here a couple of years ago for an MLF Cup event on Cayuga,” Connell continued. “I only caught two bass, all day long. And now we’re holding the trophy up. And to win it with smallmouth – this is unreal.”
Connell spent the tournament drop-shotting a variety of baits, using his Lowrance ActiveTargetforward-facing sonar to follow the roaming schools of smallmouth.
“I caught all of my fish this week on a spinning rod. I had seven or eight of them tied up every day,” Connell said. “I was using 12-pound Gold Label Seaguar (fluorocarbon), and a variety of different baits. I was using a (Googan) Drag N Drop in green-pumpkin. I caught a bunch of key fish on it around all of the structure. For the suspended fish, I caught them on a shad bait. Just following them around. They love to roam during the summer and that’s the best way to catch them.”
The victory tied Connell with Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe for second-most career wins on the Bass Pro Tour all-time list with three. Academy Sports + Outdoors pro Jacob Wheeler, who finished runner-up to Connell this week, has the most Bass Pro Tour wins with five.
“I look at guys like Jacob and Ott, and to even be mentioned in the same conversation with them, as that type of fisherman… my gosh,” Connell said. “I’m just a kid out here, living his dream. I am so blessed to get this win.”
The top 10 pros from the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits are:
1st: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 25 bass, 96-12, $100,000
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 27 bass, 80-9, $45,000
3rd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 17 bass, 49-7, $38,000
4th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 17 bass, 48-13, $32,000
5th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 14 bass, 46-10, $30,000
6th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 11 bass, 46-10, $26,000
7th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 14 bass, 43-12, $23,000
8th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 14 bass, 41-8, $21,000
9th: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, 11 bass, 32-14, $19,000
10th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., eight bass, 32-14, $16,000
Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 158 scorable bass weighing 519 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the final 10 pros on Thursday.
Brookeland, Texas pro Dakota Ebare earned Thursday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award, and the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event, with a massive 7-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth that bit a Strike King Baby Z-Too during Period 1. Ebare’s giant smallmouth was just 10 ounces shy of the New York state record that was set on Cayuga Lake in late June.
After six regular-season events in the 2022 Bass Pro Tour season, reigning Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler leads with 459 points with just one event left in the regular season, while Jordan Lee is in second place with 394 points. Dayton, Tennessee’s Andy Morgan sits in third with 373 points. Texas pro Alton Jones currently sits in fourth place with 356.5 points, while Randall Tharp rounds out the top five with 352 points.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits featured anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
This six-day event was hosted by the Village of Union Springs and showcased 80 of the best professional anglers in the world competing for a purse of more than $805,000, with a top payout of $100,000. The tournament was livestreamed each day at MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MOTV app, and also filmed for television broadcast later this fall on the Discovery Channel.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits will premiere as a two-hour episode at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 12 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of tournament competition.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST IV, the Bass Pro Tour championship, which will be held next March on Lake Norman in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Covercraft, Favorite Fishing, Garmin, General Tire, Googan Baits, Grundéns, Guaranteed Rate, Humminbird, Lowrance, Luminox, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Nitro Performance Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop, Rapala, Starbrite, Toro, Toyota, Wrangler, Yellowstone Bourbon and Zoom.
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.
Smallmouth Bonanza On Tap For Bassmaster Elite Series Event At Massive Lake Oahe
For the first time since 2018, the Bassmaster Elite Series will be back in South Dakota for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe August 18-21.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
August 11, 2022
MOBRIDGE, S.D. — Just over a year ago, Troy Diede landed the new South Dakota state-record smallmouth bass on Lake Oahe, a 7-pound, 4.7-ounce monster.
Now, as 91 professional anglers prepare for the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe on Aug. 18-21, Diede said he wouldn’t be surprised if his record is given a run for its money.
“It is definitely possible. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit,” said Diede, a B.A.S.S. Nation regular who qualified for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. “I’m honestly surprised no one has caught one bigger yet. Oahe has giant fish in it and both Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case (two other premier South Dakota fisheries) have giant smallies in them too.
“It is only a matter of time before someone catches an 8-pound-plus fish. It is going to happen. The fisheries are all pretty healthy right now.”
Anglers will take off from Indian Creek Recreation Area at 7 a.m. CT each day while weigh-ins will be held on Park Blvd., near the Walleye Up Statue in Mobridge starting at 3 p.m. The field will be cut to the Top 47 anglers after the Day 2 weigh-in, and the Top 10 will compete on Championship Sunday for a first-place prize of $100,000.
This will be the second trip to the massive 231-mile-long impoundment for the Elite Series. During the first visit to Lake Oahe in June 2018, Mark Daniels Jr. won with 69 pounds, 9 ounces.
This time around, the Elites will face off against smallmouth bass that are in a full summer pattern on a venue that is lower than normal. Even still, Diede expects quality smallmouth to be caught throughout and bags to exceed the 20-pound mark. Largemouth may also be caught, but they are hard to pattern and he doesn’t expect them to factor into a winning bag.
“We are down about 10 to 12 feet right now,” Diede said. “The river is coming back up. This is the first drawdown we’ve had in a while. It is mainly due to the Montana snowmelt. There hasn’t been a lot of snowmelt and water coming into the basin. So, there are a lot of spots that are high and dry right now.
“It has challenged everyone to dig for some new stuff this year. Where you would normally be fishing, you might be another 50 yards farther (toward the main river).”
Lake Oahe has a slow-moving current and largely features rocks, boulders and hard structures, but the most productive areas for smallmouth tend to be long, tapering points. While much of it is out of the water, there are also willow bushes, and standing timber is featured in isolated sections of the river.
“They will hunker down on the ends of points and they will bunch up and sit there in 18 to 30 feet of water. That is kind of the sweet spot,” Diede said. “That’s where a lot of the fish summer. They will hold to those areas and they will wander from there. Guys are going to have to find four or five of those spots and try to milk them.”
While structure will be an important aspect, the presence of bait will also play an important role. The lake features large cisco (or lake herring), shad and rainbow smelt. Diede said the bass will eat all three types of bait — and with an abundance of bait, topwater lures like Spooks and poppers will come into play.
“Right now, we have a lot of roamers,” Diede said. “It is kind of like chasing ghosts out there. A lot of those fish that are chasing can be quality fish. You might only get six bites, but five of those bites might be the right ones.”
While this year's tournament is taking off farther north than in the 2018 season, Diede predicts many of the same areas that produced big bags in 2018 will again play. Expect some anglers to stay near the bridges around Mobridge and the Moreau River while others will run south to places like the Whitlock Bay area, the Highway 212 bridge, Sutton Bay and even the Cheyenne River.
Typical smallmouth catchers like drop shots and Ned rigs will produce, and Diede added things like magnum tubes, crankbaits, spybaits, tail spinners and some larger baits will come into play.
The X factor will be the wind. If relatively calm conditions are present, Diede estimates the VMC Monster Bag of the tournament could exceed 22 pounds. If the wind blows hard from the south, and with no trees to block the onslaught, the lake can get rough in a hurry and fishing could become extremely difficult.
Even areas that seem protected could end up being affected.
“The wind just has so much room to build,” he said. “It’s not like another lake where you have a shoreline within a couple miles of you. The way the terrain is around the river, it directs and guides the wind in different directions.”
Entering these final two tournaments of the 2022 Elite Series season, Rathdrum, Idaho, native Brandon Palaniuk leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 612 points. Tennessee’s David Mullins is in second place with 571 points and Floridian John Cox is third with 561 points.
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat sits atop the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 455 points. He is followed closely by Tennessee pro Jacob Foutz who sits in second with 444 points, while Missouri pro Cody Huff is third with 388 points.
Full coverage from all four days at Lake Oahe will be available on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21 beginning at 7 a.m. CT.
Omnia Fishing and B.A.S.S. have also partnered to simulcast Bassmaster LIVE as a shoppable stream on Omnia’s website and mobile app for Days 1 and 2 of the event.
Connell Cruises in Knockout Round, Final 10 Set at MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six at Cayuga Lake
Alabama Pro Catches 22 Scorable Bass Totaling 82-2 to Front Knockout Round Field, Final 10 Anglers Set for Championship Thursday and Final-Day Shootout for $100,000
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (Aug. 10, 2022) – Googan Baits pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, caught 22 scorable bass weighing 82 pounds, 2 ounces, to best the 38 anglers competing Wednesday and win the Knockout Round at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits in Union Springs, New York. The final 10 anglers are now set, and competition will resume Thursday with the final-day Championship Round. Weights are zeroed, and the angler that catches the heaviest one-day total will earn the top payout of $100,000.
This six-day tournament, hosted by the Village of Union Springs, showcases 80 of the best professional anglers in the world competing for a purse of more than $805,000. The tournament is livestreamed each day at MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MOTV app, and also filmed for television broadcast later this fall on the Discovery Channel.
The top eight pros from Wednesday’s Knockout Round that will compete in Thursday’s Championship Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 22 bass, 82-2
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 23 bass, 73-3
3rd: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 24 bass, 72-5
4th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 22 bass, 68-11
5th: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, 23 bass, 68-5
6th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 23 bass, 68-1
7th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 18 bass, 67-4
8th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 17 bass, 62-2
They’ll be joined by Qualifying Round Winners:
Group A: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Group B: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
“I can’t complain about anything , that was an awesome day,” said Connell, who won a Bass Pro Tour event earlier this year at Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake. “There wasn’t much wind, it was a beautiful day in New York, and the smallmouth were biting. So, it feels good. This will be my fourth Championship Round this year, and it feels good to be in it and I feel like we’ve got a great chance.
“I set the hook today on a few that I didn’t want to, but I’m glad that I did, just knowing where they were at,” Connell continued. “It gives me confidence in those areas. There are a ton of fish in this lake, and I backed off a bunch of areas. There were several places I went to that had 10 to 12 fish on them, and I’d catch one then leave. But these guys are catching them too, and it all zeroes out tomorrow, so we shall see.”
Like his Qualifying Round, Connell targeted smallmouth with a couple of different drop-shot baits and credited his Lowrance electronics as being crucial to his success.
“I was using a 7-(foot)2-(inch) medium(action) Hex, by Favorite Rods,” Connell said. “It is an awesome drop-shot rod, with enough backbone to get those big smallmouth up. I was using 12-pound Seaguar Gold Label, with a straight-shank Googan Baits drop-shot hook and a ¾-ounce weight with a (Googan) Drag N Drop. I was switching between goby baits and shad baits. Just using my electronics, panning around, finding these smallmouth and catching them.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Connell went on to say. “I’ve got a good shot. I’m in it. You can’t win it unless you in it. And we’re in it.”
Rounding out the top 40 finishers on Cayuga Lake were:
11th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 19 bass, 57-10, $10,000
12th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 18 bass, 57-3, $10,000
13th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 18 bass, 56-13, $10,000
14th: Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 17 bass, 54-3, $10,000
15th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 18 bass, 54-0, $10,000
16th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 16 bass, 53-0, $10,000
17th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 16 bass, 52-8, $10,000
18th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., 14 bass, 51-8, $10,000
19th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 17 bass, 49-14, $10,000
20th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., 15 bass, 47-12, $10,000
21st: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 11 bass, 46-12, $10,000
22nd: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 15 bass, 44-9, $10,000
23rd: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 13 bass, 44-4, $10,000
24th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 12 bass, 43-13, $10,000
25th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 12 bass, 42-6, $10,000
26th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., 13 bass, 41-7, $10,000
27th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., 12 bass, 37-10, $10,000
28th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 13 bass, 37-3, $10,000
29th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 11 bass, 37-1, $10,000
30th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 10 bass, 36-1, $10,000
31st: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 11 bass, 35-10, $10,000
32nd: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., 10 bass, 31-10, $10,000
33rd: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 31-9, $10,000
34th: Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., nine bass, 28-12, $10,000
35th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., eight bass, 28-7, $10,000
36th: Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss., 10 bass, 28-3, $10,000
37th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., eight bass, 28-1, $10,000
38th: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., six bass, 23-2, $10,000
39th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., five bass, 18-11, $10,000
40th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., five bass, 13-7, $10,000
Overall, there were 544 scorable bass weighing 1,775 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the 38 pros Wednesday.
Oklahoma pro Zack Birge earned the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award Wednesday, catching a 6-pound, 15-ounce largemouth on a medium-diving crankbait in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After the two-day Qualifying Round, the anglers that finished in 2nd through 20th place from both groups advanced to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advanced directly to Thursday’s Championship Round. In the Knockout Round weights were zeroed, and the remaining 38 anglers competed to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. Tomorrow, in the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
The final 10 anglers will launch Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ET from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs.
Also on Thursday, MLF will host a Celebration Event from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for fans of all ages, inviting fans to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour as they crown the champion of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits. Before the celebration, an MLF watch party starts at 1:30 p.m., and the first 50 middle school or high school anglers in attendance will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo valued at $100. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST IV, the Bass Pro Tour championship, which will be held next March on Lake Norman in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on Championship Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits will premiere as a two-hour episode at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 12 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of tournament competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Covercraft, Favorite Fishing, Garmin, General Tire, Googan Baits, Grundéns, Guaranteed Rate, Humminbird, Lowrance, Luminox, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Nitro Performance Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop, Rapala, Starbrite, Toro, Toyota, Wrangler, Yellowstone Bourbon and Zoom.
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.
First Helen Sevier Pioneer Scholarships Awarded To Eastman And Morris
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and Shimano have partnered to award the inaugural Helen Sevier Pioneer Scholarships to Elizabeth Eastman of Fairhope, Ala., and Dixie Morris of Valley, Ala. These scholarships not only honor Sevier’s leadership and long-term vision for the growth of sportfishing, but also recognize the efforts of young female anglers as they pursue fishing at the collegiate level.
“Shimano is thrilled to support Elizabeth and Dixie in their future ambition as anglers,” said Sarah Harper Burke, senior marketing manager, Shimano North America Fishing. “They are exemplary young women who are claiming their space within the fishing industry. We applaud their drive and encourage their pursuit of taking their fishing to the next level.”
Eastman, who is entering her senior year at Fairhope High School, grew up fishing the biodiverse Mobile-Tensaw Delta with her dad and sister. She plans to attend Louisiana State University, where she will compete on the fishing team while pursuing a degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture. In addition to a Top 15 finish at the 2022 Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School State Championship and serving as treasurer for her fishing team, Eastman is also active in dance, archery team, art club, marine life club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America and was named a National Archery in the Schools Program Academic Archer.
“Winning this scholarship connects me to some amazing women,” said Eastman. “It gives me a sense of support that will help me push through any barrier I may encounter. It also creates a sense of obligation to carry on the legacy that Helen Sevier started.”
Morris is a freshman on the Southern Union Community College Bison Fishing Team with plans to complete a pre-veterinary bachelor’s degree at Auburn University before veterinary school and a master’s degree. Morris had the initial idea to start her high school’s fishing team, the Valley Bass Team, and earned Top Angler (along with her teammate) three times while also helping to grow the team. Morris lives on the Chattahoochee River, with West Point Lake and Lake Harding providing other rich “home waters” for family fishing excursions. In addition to fishing, Morris is active in 4-H, Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society, an award winner in the SkillsUSA program and earned a Bronze Award from Girl Scouts.
“Winning the Helen Sevier Pioneer Scholarship has meant so much to me,” said Morris. “I was already looking forward to fishing on the Southern Union fishing team, but now I am even more excited because this helps to show women and young girls that they can achieve great things in a male-dominated sport. This has really encouraged me to step out and try for more scholarships and things that seemed unachievable.
“I want to thank B.A.S.S. and Shimano for choosing me for this award. I also want to thank Helen Sevier for making the pathway for the entire sportfishing industry.”
Sevier, the second full-time member of B.A.S.S. hired by founder Ray Scott in 1970, was a pioneer at all levels of the organization. During her 31-year career at B.A.S.S., Sevier oversaw a boom in membership as well as the expansion of Bassmaster’s media operation to include seven magazines and two television shows. Sevier was also instrumental in recruiting young people to the sport through the innovative CastingKids program. In 2004, Sevier was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, and her induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame came in 2018.
Both Eastman and Morris earned a $2,500 scholarship.
College Anglers - Register Now for the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley
No entry fee, double points event set to take place in Paris, TN at Kentucky Lake on September 17-18
SAN ANTONIO, TX (August 9, 2022) – The calendar recently turned over to August and in just a few weeks many students will be returning to the classroom for the start of the 2022-23 school year. With the start of a new school year also comes a new season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The Association of Collegiate Anglers will kick off the year at Kentucky Lake for the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley on September 17-18.
Registration
Register for the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley.
Registration for the first ACA event of the 2022-23 season is set to close Sunday September 11 at 6:00 PM (CT).
Anglers that originally registered to compete in the event back in March are required to register again for the fall installment of the tournament.
Full details for those who are looking to register, or have already registered, can be found here, to include a complete breakdown of the rules. Each angler is expected to register individually prior to the cutoff deadline listed above. If you have any changes to your registration, please notify ACA staff. All anglers, upon registering for the event, should review the Angler Packet and Official Tournament Rules.
Prizes, Contingencies, and Valuable Points
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is always one of the most anticipated events of the season thanks to it featuring a robust prize payout several times a day and double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
80 total places will be paid out over the course of two days of competition on Kentucky Lake. Day 1 will feature four weigh-in sessions, and Day 2 will be comprised of three weigh-in sessions. All sessions will pay out the Top 10 largest fish, except for Day 2 Session 3 which will award prizes to the Top 20 fish in the final session.
Here is a look at the presenting sponsors for weigh-in sessions throughout the event:
Day 1
Session 1 – Engel Coolers
Session 2 – HydroWave
Session 3 – Bass Pro Shops
Session 4 – Garmin
Day 2
Session 1 – Abu Garcia
Session 2 – Bob’s Machine Shop
Session 3 – Bass Pro Shops & Abu Garcia
Along with the valuable prizes & contingencies available to anglers competing in the event, schools will also be able to earn points for each of their highest two placing fish in the event down to 150th place.
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley is a defining event in the race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia each season. Teams travel from all across the country to earn their share of the points awarded at this ACA major event. The winner of the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley will earn 1,750 points.
Be on the lookout for updated standings in the race for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia leading up to the event.
Berkley Baits Only on Day 2
On the second day of tournament competition, anglers will be permitted to use only Berkley baits. Here is how this is addressed in the official tournament rules:
Berkley Special Lure Rules for Day 2 Only:
During Day two of the Big Bass Bash only artificial Berkley Baits, including hard baits, may be used. Please refer to “Special Lure Rules” below.
Special Lure Rules
- All contestants must use Berkley baits EXCLUSIVELY during this event on Day 2. The complete line up may be viewed at https://www.berkley-fishing.com/
- Spinner bait frames, jig heads, buzz bait frames, etc. may be used when paired with Berkley products as trailers. To clarify you may use other brands jigs and spinner-baits, but those baits must have a Berkley trailer on them.
- All terminal tackle (Alabama Rig Style) must include a “functional” Berkley soft plastic.
- Non-Berkley soft plastic trailers are NOT permitted at any time.
BTL - New Head Man in Charge!
This week Chris & the boys welcome in Bass Talk Live Host Matt Pangrac to the show to talk about Bass Talk Live, his quest for the Elites through the Bassmaster Opens and much more! Matt is a huge wealth of knowledge in the bass fishing industry and a really good dude. Listen as we talk about all of this and more!
Neal Outlasts Field to Top Group B at MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six at Cayuga Lake
Tennessee Angler Boats Two-Day Haul of 139 Pounds, 11 Ounces to Punch Ticket to Championship Round, Field of 38 Set for Wednesday’s Knockout Round
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2022) – Pro Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee, who led Group B after the first day of competition, added another 14 scorable bass weighing 56 pounds, 8 ounces to finish the charge and earn the Group B Qualifying Round win Tuesday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits in Union Springs, New York. Neal’s two-day total of 35 bass weighing 139 pounds, 11 ounces, earned him the win by an 11-pound, 12-ounce margin and advanced the Tennessee pro directly to Thursday’s final-day Championship Round.
B&W Trailer Hitches pro Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Arkansas, caught a two-day total of 37 bass weighing 127-15 to end the round in second place. Lorena, Texas, angler Alton Jones caught 39 scorable bass weighing 116-15 to finish the round in third. Both Davis and Jones held the lead for periods of time Tuesday, but both were eventually overtaken by a Neal flurry.
The remaining 38 anglers – 19 from each group – now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, where weights are zeroed, and the anglers compete to finish in the top eight to advance to the Championship Round on Thursday. The Championship Round will feature Group A winner Justin Lucas, Group B winner Michael Neal, and the top eight finishers from the Knockout Round competing in a final-day shootout for the top prize of $100,000.
“I really didn’t want to catch as many as I had to today, especially at the end of the day. But I kept feeling like everyone else was catching too many for me to totally let up and go practice,” Neal said in his post-game interview. “I wish I could have. Sometimes it works out where you can, and sometimes you can’t. The good news is that I don’t think there is much else in this section of the lake for me to find, so it might have been a good thing that I didn’t have any time to go look and spread myself out even further.”
On Day 1 of competition Sunday, Neal caught both species – 10 largemouth and 11 smallmouth – to jump out to the early lead. On Tuesday, Neal caught only smallmouth.
“Coming out of practice, I thought the majority of the fish that I caught during this event would be smallmouth, but after the first day of the tournament it was basically half and half,” Neal said. “I definitely didn’t expect it to be all smallmouth today. It’s always fun to catch them, though, and the last time I did that and won a round with big smallmouth was when I won last year at Lake St. Clair. So hopefully we can keep that momentum rolling, now that we’ve won the round maybe we can move on and win the Championship Round, too.
The biggest key for me today was downsizing my line,” Neal continued. “On Sunday I was using 8-pound (test) Sunline Shooter (line), but today I used 7-pound. I just feel like with as much pressure as these fish are getting, any advantage is important and I feel like the smaller diameter of that line makes a big difference.
“I think the Championship Round is going to be pretty difficult – these fish are getting a ton of pressure on the places where they’re really schooled up, and where they’re not there is hardly any singles or anything. I’m going to regroup, get a good gameplan together tomorrow, hopefully, and we’ll see what happens in the Championship Round.”
The top 20 pros in Qualifying Group B that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 35 bass, 139-11
2nd: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 37 bass, 127-15
3rd: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, 39 bass, 116-15
4th: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 29 bass, 100-0
5th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 31 bass, 96-0
6th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 25 bass, 93-15
7th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 25 bass, 93-13
8th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 31 bass, 92-14
9th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 25 bass, 92-14
10th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 29 bass, 92-1
11th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 26 bass, 86-14
12th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 28 bass, 84-15
13th: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 26 bass, 84-9
14th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., 25 bass, 80-3
15th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 27 bass, 78-10
16th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 25 bass, 78-6
17th: Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., 24 bass, 76-9
18th: Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss., 24 bass, 72-5
19th: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., 22 bass, 70-7
20th: Timmy Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 20 bass, 69-11
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 363 scorable bass weighing 1,224 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the 40 pros Tuesday.
Pros Cody Meyer of Star, Idaho, and Spring City, Tennessee’s John Murray each earned a share of Tuesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award, as both caught fish weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces. Meyer’s largemouth came on a drop-shot rig during Period 2, while Murray’s largemouth came on a deep-diving crankbait during Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
This six-day tournament, hosted by the Village of Union Springs, showcases 80 of the best professional anglers in the world competing for a purse of more than $805,000. The tournament is livestreamed each day at MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MOTV app, and also filmed for television broadcast later this fall on the Discovery Channel.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. Now that each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finished in 2nd through 20th place from both groups advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advances directly to Thursday’s Championship Round. In tomorrow’s Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 38 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round on Thursday, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, Aug. 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will host a Celebration Event for fans of all ages, inviting fans to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour as they crown the champion of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits. Before the celebration, an MLF watch party starts at 1:30 p.m., and the first 50 middle school or high school anglers in attendance will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo valued at $100. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST IV, the Bass Pro Tour championship, which will be held next March on Lake Norman in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits will premiere as a two-hour episode at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 12 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of tournament competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Covercraft, Favorite Fishing, Garmin, General Tire, Googan Baits, Grundéns, Guaranteed Rate, Humminbird, Lowrance, Luminox, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Nitro Performance Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop, Rapala, Starbrite, Toro, Toyota, Wrangler, Yellowstone Bourbon and Zoom.
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.
Whatley Returns To Bassmaster Elite Series After Medical Hardship
August 9, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bassmaster Elite Series angler Brad Whatley of Bivins, Texas, is returning to fish the final two Elite Series tournaments of 2022 after missing three tournaments due to a medical hardship.
Whatley, who has been battling the effects of Crohn’s disease for nearly two decades, had been in and out of the hospital since January. By the end of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake, he had to take the medical hardship that B.A.S.S. offers anglers on the Elite Series once during their career.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to the emergency room several times,” said Whatley. “But I’ve never been admitted to the hospital for several days. I wound up spending five days in the hospital.”
Whatley’s body was doing all it could to fight off infection after infection, but it was time for medical intervention.
“They thought my small intestine was completely closed off. That’s why I was getting the infections. I got really, really sick at Harris Chain.”
Whatley, who was rooming with fellow Elite Series pros Brock Mosley, Hank Cherry and Tyler Rivet, was so sick during practice that he couldn’t get out of bed.
“They’d come in there and check on me, and I’d be in the bed with three jackets on and covered up. It wasn’t that it was cold. I’d get an infection, and then I’d get a fever and freeze to death. Then the fever would break and I’d sweat like a hog. It was a vicious cycle. And then while all that was going on I’d feel like I’m getting my guts ripped out.”
After starting a new medication and having a small procedure done, Whatley’s Crohn’s disease is finally in remission again.
“I started infusions at the end of April and wound up getting sick again. I thought the medicine wasn’t working. But that wasn’t the case. It takes eight to 10 weeks for it to get into your system. I have not been sick since the last day of that Fork event and feel better than I’ve felt in 10 years.”
The medication Whatley started taking in April, Stelara, helped to fight off the infection, and once that was under control, it was then time to talk about surgery.
“I had two options: They could cut out part of my small intestine and reattach it, or, if we got the inflammation down, they could put me under and basically put a balloon in me and blow it up and stretch out where I have a lot of scar tissue and I’m really constricted.”
Whatley was able to undergo the second and less aggressive surgery a few weeks ago, and it has made an enormous difference in his quality of life. This is a procedure that is not expected to have to be done again. Though there are certainly still some negative effects of having Crohn’s, Whatley is feeling optimistic.
“From what I understand, if you can get to your golden years, it finally lessens up and you don’t have the problems.”
Focusing on the near future, Whatley is excited to get back onto the Elite Series trail. He’s certainly missed the competition and camaraderie.
“I’m no different than anybody else out there. I eat, breathe and sleep competition. If we’re going to sit down and play dominoes, I’m here to beat you.”
It was tough for Whatley to sit out for three events, especially with those fisheries traditionally being good to him. Whatley has finished fifth, ninth and 26th at Lake Fork, the St. Lawrence River and Pickwick Lake respectively.
“Feeling like I feel now, I could go ahead and not fish the remaining couple of tournaments on the schedule. At the same time, I’m a competitor and I want to fish. It’s killing me to not fish.”
Whatley will be rejoining the remainder of the Elite field for the final two events, and he’s happy B.A.S.S. has set it up to where he is unable to negatively affect the outcome of the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race.
“I’m going to fish to win, but I’m going to stay out of everybody’s way. I wouldn’t come back if I was going to affect somebody’s points. And I haven’t had any negative feedback. I’ve had lots of guys that have texted me, ‘Man I miss you out here.’ Everybody’s been cool about it and checked up on me pretty often, which I appreciate.”
Whatley will not receive AOY points for the remainder of the year, and the cut to fish Day 3 will remain at 47 boats. The last check will still go to the angler who finishes in 61st place.
The Elite Series field takes to the water again August 18-21 at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe in South Dakota.
BROTHERS MINOR TOP THE CHART AT HOBIE B.O.S. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER EVENT
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Nolan Minor captures first tourney victory, brother Ewing snags second on one of country’s premiere smallmouth rivers. |
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OCEANSIDE, Calif. (August 8, 2022) - Nolan Minor panned the shallows of the Susquehanna River and sifted up a bounty full of bronzebacks to seal his first professional tournament victory at the 2022 Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Anchored by Power-Pole® Susquehanna River event held July 30-31. Throwing an Evergreen Gizmo to tempt shy but surface feeding smallies in mostly shin-deep water, the 24-year-old from Charlottesville, VA, tallied 187.75 total inches of bass to top the field – and his brother, Ewing Minor, who finished second – buy a full two inches. Jake Harshman grabbed third as all three finished in the top four slots on both days of the catch, photograph and release (CPR) event. “It really was a great weekend if your last name was ‘Minor’” said tournament director, Cody Prather. Not only did Nolan grab the gold while Ewing captured silver but their dad, Todd Minor, finished in the top 20 on Day 1 before falling off the pace. What a great weekend he must have had tracking his boys as they battled it out for the top two spots.” Which is exactly what the Minors squared had set out to do, explained Nolan. “Ewing and I don’t really share waters because we’d be splitting the potential catch, but we do exchange information during tournaments. So, when I found myself on a solid pattern, I clued him in. He managed to find a comparable spot that offered a similar bite, but his fish were just slightly smaller on Day 1. He’s had some serious success in these competitions, so I was glad I managed to hold him off down the stretch.” |
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Nolan Minor spent most of his time working the famed smallmouth river on foot since, due to the shallow nature of the Susquehanna, the rules allowed safe portaging and wading as long as the boat remained tethered to the angler. “I had a few bass on a Berkley Choppo, but most of the fish I saw were giving it a look and then shying off,” said Nolan. “Fortunately, I brought along a couple of Ever Green Gizmos after talking to a friend who had said he was experiencing a solid topwater bite on the James River back home in Virginia. At 1.5 inches and 3/64-ounces, that lure is a lot more subtle, and it proved just the ticket for those cautious smallies. I was simply floating black and green pumpkin patterns on the surface for those ‘bug fish,’ adding a twitch for any that seemed interested but wouldn’t commit. The bass just crushed ‘em.” Nolan, who is no stranger to shallow water river smallmouths, having grown up targeting them at home, planned out his entire approach to the Susky event more than two weeks prior. “I know from experience that big shallow water smallmouths will smack topwater offerings in the heat of summer, but I still can’t believe how perfectly things worked out,” he said with a laugh. “Usually, you need to make some adjustments at any event - but this game plan proved spot-on right from the start.” |
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While Nolan walked the flats, Ewing, 20, chose to stay in his vessel but used a novel approach to round up his fish. “I was floating down past my spots and then looping back upriver to approach them from below,” he revealed. “I didn’t find quite the concentrations of fish that Nolan was able to locate, but I had plenty of action. I was mostly sight-fishing, letting that Gizmo float and giving it just a slight twitch or two if a bass nosed-up and didn’t eat it.” While this was Nolan’s first win on the tournament trail, it didn’t come as a surprise to his brother. “He can fish,” said Ewing. “He’s as good an angler as you’ll ever meet. He’s taught me more about fishing than anyone else. Having him and my father as mentors has really helped me grow into the successful angler I’ve become.” “It was nice to have the whole family out there this weekend,” continued Ewing, “and I’m thrilled my brother got it done against such stiff competition. You had anglers like back-to-back champion Jody Queen and Drew Gregory at this event, plus a packed field of river smallmouth sharpies. When you win a Hobie B.O.S. event, there’s no doubt you’ve beaten the best.” |
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Both Minor brothers were using Hobie Kayaks for the event with Nolan in a PA12 360 and Ewing in an Outback loaned to him by Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN, where he is currently a sophomore member of the fishing team. Nolan totaled 95.5inches of bass on Day 1 to lead the field while Ewing took the third spot with 92.5 inches. On Day 2, Ewing charged hard to lead the pack with a 95.5-inch total while Nolan drilled 92.23 inches for fourth place. Harshman, 37, of Pennsylvania, chose to focus his efforts on stretches of fast-moving, highly oxygenated water, buzzing a spinnerbait so the blades mostly fluttered on the surface. “I found about four spots in a 200-yard stretch of the river that were holding a lot of bait and just kept rotating through them,” he revealed after finishing fourth on Day 1 with 91.75 inches, and second on Day 2 with 93.25 inches. “Congratulations to Nolan and Ewing, they are both class acts and solid fishermen. For his youth, Nolan has a wealth of knowledge about bass and his victory was well deserved.” For their efforts, Nolan Minor banked $10,500, Ewing Minor earned $5,500, and Harshman pocketed $3,200. Bassin’ Big Bass honors and a $500 check for the tourney’s largest fish went to Collin Lamkin, of Chicago, IL, for a 21.50-inch lunker smallmouth caught on Day 2 using a Whopper Plopper 75. Additionally, AFTCO Angler of the Year (AOY) points were awarded to the top 100 finishers in the 192-angler field. Nolan Minor, Jake Harshman and fourth-place finisher Chris Blair also punched tickets to the 2022 Hobie Tournament of Champions (TOC) on Caddo Lake, November 11-13, in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. Ewing Minor had previously qualified by winning the Broken Bow event. The TOC is a three-day 50-angler championship with a $100,000 payout guarantee and $45,000 first-place prize. |
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“The Susquehanna River welcomed us with open arms once again,” summed up Prather following the award ceremony. “When it comes to river fishing, this place is a smallmouth heaven and a kayaker’s dream. There are very few boats to pressure the fish here, and our competitors basically have the waters to themselves when the Hobie B.O.S. comes to town. Big thanks to the Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Event Authority for inviting us out. We had a slugfest from the first cast to the last cast which is just the way we like it. All of our participants seemed to catch well with a lot of limits, plenty of smiles and even some personal bests. Everyone went home happy.” Especially Nolan Minor, who expressed his admiration for the tournament’s competitors in general and the Hobie B.O.S. Anchored By Power Pole in particular. “It’s really neat to be able to fish for river smallmouths from a kayak while cutting in some wade fishing,” he remarked. “And to have a chance to win $10,500 doing it is a unique opportunity that’s so new to the kayak fishing scene. Payouts like this simply didn’t exist on the kayak trail a few years ago. The Hobie B.O.S. is undisputedly the most competitive kayak series right now, and that’s drawing even more great anglers to these contests. I love the opportunity to fish with the best, and I get that chance every time I launch in a Hobie competition.” Up next on the Hobie® B.O.S. Series Anchored By Power-Pole® schedule is the Wolf and Fox Rivers event in Appleton, August 20-21. Registration is now underway. |
Omnia Fishing Will Simulcast Bassmaster LIVE From Lake Oahe As Shoppable Feed
August 9, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the second time this season, fishing fans will be able to watch, learn and shop in one seamless experience during Days 1 and 2 of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe. Omnia Fishing and B.A.S.S. have partnered to simulcast Bassmaster LIVE as a shoppable stream on Omnia’s website and mobile app.
Omnia's simulcast will identify the baits and gear used by the pros during the event, making them available for purchase in real time. Plus, new for Oahe, the shoppable simulcast will feature special guests, behind-the-scenes content and discounts.
“The response that we got from our first shoppable livestream of a Bassmaster Elite event was great,” said Matt Johnson, CEO of Omnia Fishing. “We're excited to see what the Lake Oahe event brings and will be ready with info on the gear, as well as a bunch of new goodies for viewers.”
Anglers often use their time on camera during Bassmaster LIVE to help educate anglers of all levels on how to break down a fishery and what techniques and gear will help them be most successful. The Omnia Fishing Bassmaster LIVE simulcast will provide an opportunity for enthusiastic fans to follow along as their favorite Elite anglers adjust to current conditions while Omnia’s live shopping platform guides detail-hungry anglers through the pros’ bait, rod and reel selections.
Omnia Fishing currently sponsors three Elite Series anglers — Wisconsin’s Bob Downey, who is coming off a Top 10 on the St. Lawrence River, 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Seth Feider of Minnesota and South Carolina’s Patrick Walters, who has earned Century Belts in two consecutive seasons.
Fans will be able to shop along with the pros August 18-19 during the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe at OmniaFishing.com and on the Omnia Fishing app, which is available free in the Apple and Google Play stores.
Lester’s Ice Cream Treats for Back to School Bass
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester loves ice cream. Chocolate chip cookie dough, as well as butter pecan top his list. But if you want to go next level, he’s picking a Dairy Queen Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard® with extra peanut butter cups blended in.
Lester’s passion for fishing is on par with extra peanut butter cups too. Between Bassmaster events, you’ll often find him on Lake Guntersville or Tims Ford Lake near home, and when on vacation at the beach, you guessed it, he chases saltwater species in the Gulf.
“I try to fish at least two days a week between tournaments. And this morning, as I was launching at Alred’s Marina on Guntersville, I spotted them busting shad, and I’ve been catching 3-pounders on a Super Spook Jr. ever since,” grinned Lester amid our phone interview.
The Super Spook Jr. is actually one of Lester’s top three choices for catching largemouth as kids prepare to head back to class while daytime highs are still well into the 90s.
He graciously shared his wisdom about how he fishes the iconic topwater, along with insightful thoughts on two of his other favorite lures for back-to-school largemouth.
3.5” Super Spook Jr.
“Anytime you get into late summer there’s gonna be bass schooling on bait near the surface. And while ten pros might tell you the names of ten different topwater lures they love most, I’ll tell you with zero sponsor affiliation a Super Spook Jr. has always been the one I can count on to catch August and September schooling fish,” he shares.
Lester adds a #4 Mustad feathered treble to the rear of this time-proven topwater, and stresses the importance of improving your hook-to-landing ratios by using 30-pound Vicious No-Fade braided line.
Deep Crankbait
“If I was going to try to win a tournament on a Tennessee River impoundment like Pickwick or Guntersville in August, there’s a strong chance I’m going to be throwing a deep diving crankbait first,” says Lester.
He strongly believes the heat of summer keeps plenty of winning schools positioned in the 12 to 20-foot deep zone during August, and a crankbait tends to catch bigger bass than most lures.
Neko Rig
Lester’s not the only one who pounds on summer schools with a crankbait. In fact, thousands of other anglers have joined him since the post-spawn days of May to show largemouth a menu full of diving plugs. As a result, largemouth often grow leery of smashing diving baits by this time of year.
“A Neko Rig on a spinning rod is a ‘bite-getter’ in August when they’ve seen every crankbait in the book all summer long and start getting really finicky,” says Lester.
“And the best part is, a Neko Rig also catches big ones like the 6-pound 13-ounce beast that helped me win the Elite Series on Pickwick,” he smiles.
He picks apart finicky August schools from 5 to 25-feet deep with a Neko-rigged finesse worm with a 1/8-ounce Mustad Tungsten nail weight inserted in one end.
As we began to hang up from our interview around 9:30 a.m., Lester promised to send me a photo from the water when he caught a big one later in the day. And I won’t be shocked if his Tundra pulls into a Dairy Queen near Huntsville on the drive back home for a Blizzard with extra Reese’s.
Lucas Catches 181 Pounds Over Two Days at MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six at Cayuga Lake
Abu Garcia Pro Earns Two-Day Qualifying Round Win With 51 Scorable Bass Weighing 181 Pounds, 1 Ounce, Group B to Wrap Up Qualifying Round Tuesday
UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (Aug. 8, 2022) – Abu Garcia pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama, caught 16 scorable bass weighing 54 pounds even to earn the Group A Qualifying Round win Monday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits in Union Springs, New York.
Lucas’ two-day Qualifying Round catch of 51 bass totaling 181 pounds, 1 ounce – the fourth-largest two-day total ever weighed in Bass Pro Tour history – earned him the win by a 16-pound, 7-ounce margin over Academy Sports + Outdoors pro Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, who caught a two-day total of 56 bass weighing 164-10 to end the round in second place. Favorite Fishing pro Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, caught a two-day total of 33 bass weighing 124-3 to finish the round in third, while Waco, Texas, pro Alton Jones, Jr., ended the round in fourth place with a two-day total of 37 bass, good for 123-2. Rounding out the top five was Googan Baits pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who caught 30 bass for 118-11 to advance in fifth place.
The six-day tournament, hosted by the Village of Union Springs, showcases 80 of the best professional anglers in the world competing for a purse of more than $805,000. The tournament is livestreamed each day at MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MOTV app, and also filmed for television broadcast later this fall on the Discovery Channel.
Lucas, who started the day atop the leaderboard, lost the lead in Period 1 to a red-hot Wheeler, but regained the lead with a strong Period 2 and held it throughout the third and final period.
“Man, that was a tough day. That was not nearly as easy as Saturday, for sure,” Lucas said in his post-game interview. “Somehow, I ended up with 54 pounds today, but it felt a lot tougher. It felt like I was taking on King Kong today in Wheeler. He is so dominant, lately, and when he caught 41 pounds in the first period I was just like ‘here we go’. This is going to be the day he’s going to smack them and knock me out of first.
“But, we were able to go into the second period and catch some nice fish, and thankfully Jacob seemed to struggle. That dude is so dangerous, so I’m very thankful to get him this time in the Qualifying Round. I definitely expect to see him again in the Championship Round.”
Like Saturday, Lucas caught all largemouth on Monday, relying on a drop-shot and a Neko rig.
“I’ve got to give all the credit to my Fantasista X rods from Abu Garcia, with a (Abu Garcia) Zenonspinning reel. I’ve been drop-shotting and Neko-rigging with that combo all week, and it is just unbelievably sensitive. Crazy sensitive – I can feel the lightest bites in the windiest of conditions out here.
“I don’t really know what I’m going to do in the Championship Round yet, but you’ve got to make it there first and I am very, very thankful to have made it,” Lucas went on to say. “That was, hands down, the goal coming into this tournament. This qualifies me into REDCREST next spring, which is amazing, and now I’ve got a chance to win this tournament, too.”
The top 20 anglers from Group A will now have an off day from competition Tuesday, while the 40 anglers competing in Qualifying Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round. The Knockout Round, featuring 38 anglers competing to finish in the top eight, will take place Wednesday. Thursday’s Championship Round will feature Lucas, Tuesday’s Group B winner, and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round competing in a final-day shootout for the top prize of $100,000.
The top 20 pros in Qualifying Group A that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Cayuga Lake are:
1st: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 51 bass, 181-1 (ADVANCES TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND)
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 56 bass, 164-10
3th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 33 bass, 124-3
4th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 37 bass, 123-2
5rd: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 30 bass, 118-11
6th: Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 35 bass, 107-0
7th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 36 bass, 105-5
8th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 35 bass, 105-3
9th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 36 bass, 105-0
10th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 33 bass, 102-5
11th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 35 bass, 98-2
12th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 26 bass, 84-7
13th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 25 bass, 82-13
14th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., 24 bass, 82-6
15th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 22 bass, 81-12
16th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 22 bass, 81-7
17th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 23 bass, 78-13
18th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., 25 bass, 78-6
19th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., 26 bass, 75-1
20th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 24 bass, 73-3
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 391 scorable bass weighing 1,221 pounds, 12 ounces caught by the 40 pros Monday, which included 57 four-pounders and seven five-pounders.
Hot Springs, Arkansas’ Dylan Hays caught a 5-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass on a drop-shot rig in Period 2 to earn the day’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The 40 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 20th place from both groups advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advances directly to Thursday’s Championship Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 38 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Thursday, Aug. 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will host a Celebration Event for fans of all ages, inviting fans to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour as they crown the champion of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits. Before the celebration, an MLF watch party starts at 1:30 p.m., and the first 50 middle school or high school anglers in attendance will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo valued at $100. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits will feature anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST IV, the Bass Pro Tour championship, which will be held next March on Lake Norman in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Six on Cayuga Lake Presented by Googan Baits will premiere as a two-hour episode at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 12 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of tournament competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Covercraft, Favorite Fishing, Garmin, General Tire, Googan Baits, Grundéns, Guaranteed Rate, Humminbird, Lowrance, Luminox, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Nitro Performance Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop, Rapala, Starbrite, Toro, Toyota, Wrangler, Yellowstone Bourbon and Zoom.
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.
