MLF Toyota Series Set for Western Division Tournament on Clear Lake
CLEARLAKE, Calif. (April 19, 2022) –Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to visit California and Clearlake, for a tournament next week, April 28-30, with the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Clear Lake. The three-day bass fishing tournament is the second event of the season for the Toyota Series Western Division.
The tournament will showcase a field of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize package of up to $75,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 pro boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor, in the co-angler division.
While still excellent fishing, Clear Lake has not been immune from the drought that has affected the West in recent years. The last three years in California have been the driest on record since 1895, which means Clear Lake is a bit different than some of MLF’s prior visits.
Despite the low water levels, pro Todd Woods of Long Beach, California, who won at Clear Lake in 2016, still thinks the fishing will be really good.
“It’s still about 5 feet below normal pool, and when I won it was about 4 feet above normal pool,” Woods said. “The fishing is great right now – you can catch all the 2-pounders you want. But, the days of 35-pound limits are almost completely gone – a huge bag there is 27 pounds now. To make the Top 25, I would say it’s going to take 16 pounds a day.
“Typically you might catch 20 that are 2-pounders, and then all of a sudden you’ll catch a 6-pounder,” Woods said. “The days of pulling up on a spot and catching five 5-pounders, that’s very unusual.”
Still, even with some of the size not there, the fishing should be pretty good, and Woods expects a lot of different techniques to play that time of year.
“They spawn there ‘til June, so it’ll definitely be a prespawn-spawn-postspawn deal, just depending on the weather and the moon phase,” Woods said. “There will be a shad spawn. The year that I won, there were shad everywhere, I would throw an underspin, and there would be six or seven shad trying to spawn with it every cast. It’s not like that anymore. Now, I think it’s a hitch deal, if you find the hitch, you’ll find the better quality of fish.”
Even if the weights aren’t truly amazing like the old days, Woods still expects to see a good event.
“I absolutely love Clear Lake any time of the year,” Woods said. “I absolutely love Clear Lake, because even when I don’t cash a check I have a really good time catching fish.”
For this event, Woods expects basically anything in the tackle box to work.
“Sight fishing, swimbaits, finesse fishing – like Senkos and drop-shots – reaction baits, a ChatterBait and a little bit of crankbait,” Woods said. “Really, you’ll be able to do whatever you want to do.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. PT from Redbud Park, located at 14655 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, California. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park, beginning at 2:30 p.m. each day. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Currently after one event in the Toyota Series Western Division, Patrick Touey of Santa Maria, California, leads the Pro Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 260 points, while Colby Huntze of Discovery Bay, California, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 260 points.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 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.
Big Bass Tour - Berkley Lake Breakdown - Smith Mountain
Crews Says All of Smith Mountain Lake in Play for Giant Bass
By Pete Robbins
As the Big Bass Tour crosses the country in search of the best fisheries available, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake in recent years. Not only is the Blue Ridge gem remarkably scenic, but an already-fantastic venue just keeps on getting better. Expect that to continue this week, said veteran tour pro John Crews.
Historically, this has been a lake that was chock-full of chunky 3- to 5-pound largemouths and smallmouths, but of late there’s been a big bass explosion. In fact, during two of the last four Big Bass Tour tournaments on Smith Mountain we’ve seen 8-pound-plus largemouths brought to the scales. In April of 2018 we saw a massive 8.32 pounder, and then last fall a contestant barely topped that with a massive 8.37. There’s almost aways one over 7, and usually a handful of sixes to go with it. The days of being competitive for the top prize with a fish under 6 pounds are likely over.
That’s particularly true now, said Crews, not only because the lake keeps getting healthier, but because multiple patterns should be in play.
“The fish really just started spawning, so they’ll still be spawning when the contestants get there,” he explained. “But by the time they arrive there should also be a shad spawn kicking off at night. It’ll start any day now.”
Recent tournament results have been exceptional, with it consistently taking over 20 pounds for a five-fish limit to claim victory, and invariably there’s a bass in the 7-pound class brought to the scales.
“The thing I really like about Smith Mountain is that all of the creek arms can be productive,” Crews explained. “Because there’s no vegetation, there’s no one area with a higher concentration of fish. I believe one year the BBT was won way up the river and the next year it was one down on the lower end. You can find any area you want with the water clarity you like and start fishing.”
For bedding fish he’d look for protected pockets and secondary points with hard bottoms. “You have to find those fish as they pull up,” he said. “If we have some weather, you can power fish for them with a spinnerbait or even a swimbait, but if you’re sight fishing for them a big creature bait is tough to beat.”
Unlike some lakes where the shad spawn primarily on rocks or dock floats, Crews said that at Smith Mountain it’s “more of a bank oriented deal.” The great thing, again, is that it exists all over the lake, although it tends to last longer in stained water. Wind may kill it off, but calm conditions with overcast or drizzle can prolong it up to an hour or two. Again, power fishing is the way to capitalize on “big ones up there to get heavy.” A swimbait, topwater and swim jig are all prime choices, but Crews said that “it’s hard not to throw a spinnerbait.”
For anglers who don’t care to pursue either of those patterns, Crews added that “there are always fish on docks,” He’d fish as many as he could, focusing shallower than usual, and close to bedding areas. “If they’re not on the beds, they’ll be close by,” he concluded.
Big Bass Tour Berkley Top Lure Choices:
Bedding Fish
- Berkley Maxscent The General
- Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Creature Hawg
- Berkley Powerbait Hollow Belly
Shad Spawn
- Berkley Powerbait Finesse Swim Jigs
- Berkley Powerbait Gilly Swimbait
Dock Fishing
- Berkley Maxscent The General
- Berkley Powerbait Skippin’ Jigs
Grand Lake Set to Host Toyota Series Plains Division Presented
GROVE, Okla. (April 19, 2022) – The Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Plains Division will continue its 2022 season next week in Grove, Oklahoma, Apr. 28-30, with the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Grand Lake Presented by Outlaw Ordnance. Hosted by the City of Grove, the three-day tournament is the second event of the season for the Toyota Series Plains Division anglers and will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $75,000.
Local pro James Elam of Tulsa, Oklahoma said Grand Lake makes for fun fishing in the spring and this event should be an exciting time for anglers to be out on the water.
“We’ve had a bit of a later year in terms of fish spawning, due to a warmer winter,” said Elam. “You might think that would make the fish spawn earlier, but we really need a hard, cold winter to signal winter-time to the fish, then a solid warming trend to move them up. That seems to make for a bigger bang for the spawn, and we just didn’t get that this year.”
Elam said some of the fish have been up at the bank for a long time, due to the unusual weather patterns, but anglers should still be able to catch them right in the heart of the spawn next week.
“We’ve had a lot of cold nights around here, and the fish are all ready to be spawning at the same time, but it’s been an odd season because of the low temperatures at night. We should see a couple warm nights right before the tournament begins and that’s definitely going to change things and make for better fishing.”
Elam said anglers should expect to see a lot of numbers caught during the event, but that will require them to continually adapt on the water.
“I expect to see a lot of junk fishing at the current stage of the spawn,” continued Elam. “Depending on where guys are fishing, they’ll have to figure out the 5 to 6 rods to have on their deck and I expect it will be junkier than it was a month or so ago. Things are changing every day – hour by hour – so adapting to that will be crucial and guys will have to mix it up quite a bit to stay on top.”
Elam said it’s hard to predict weights at this point in the spring, especially with the pressure this lake has gotten and the number of guys that will be practicing and fishing.
“With all those factors in play, I think it will be difficult to catch the 22- to 24-pound bags that Grand Lake is known for,” said Elam. “I expect we’ll see one or two of those big bags, but I think an average of 20 pounds per day can win the event.
“It’s definitely going to take consistency and mixing it up a little bit though. I don’t think you can do the same thing every single day and catch 20 pounds per day.”
Anglers will take off daily at 6:30 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th Street in Kingston. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern 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 Ordinance, 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 .
Females In Fisheries Scholarship Application Deadline May 1
April 19, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Applications are being accepted until May 1 for the 2022 Noreen Clough Memorial Scholarship for Females in Fisheries. The two scholarships will honor female graduate students with a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in fishery management and conservation. The women selected will best reflect Noreen’s passion and commitment to the profession and to the sport of fishing.
This will be the sixth year that the American Fisheries Society Black Bass Conservation Committee and B.A.S.S. have awarded the scholarships. In 2021 the honors went to AnaSara Gillem, of Andalusia, Ala., a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Shaley Valentine, of Hudsonville, Mich., a doctoral student at Southern Illinois University.
Clough blazed many trails in the field of fisheries. As the first female regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and later as the B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, her long and distinguished career was dedicated to the conservation and management of fish and wildlife. Clough passed away in January 2015 from pancreatic cancer. As a tribute to her, friends and colleagues established an endowment to provide a scholarship for female students working toward a career in fisheries conservation.
More information on the scholarship requirements and judging criteria can be found at Bassmaster.com/conservation-news or by contacting B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland at [email protected].
Inspired by the Pacific shores, Costa Lido combines technical chops with west coast vibe
Costa grows its spring 2022 collection with a new hybrid frame built for anything the water sends your way
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, brings next-level performance and style to its spring 2022 collection with the new Lido. Versatile, stylish and packed with performance features, Lido is where form meets function.
Lido might have a laid back vibe, but don’t let it fool you, its pro-level features compete with some of Costa’s best. The vented, adjustable nose pads help reduce fogging and provide a custom fit. Sweat channels and eyewire drains move sweat and water away from your eyes. Hydrolite® grips on the nose pad and temples help keep your frames locked in place when the water gets rough. Top shields and side hooding minimize light leak and protect your eyes from the sun. Spring hinges allow for flexibility in fit and the thin temple fits perfectly underneath a hat.
“Lido is a brand new category for us,” said John Acosta, Vice President of Marketing at Costa. “We took the performance features that Costa is famous for and added them to a more modern frame designed for the west coast consumer. The Lido moves seamlessly from the water - fishing, surfing, paddling - to happy hour after a long day in the sun.”
Lido comes with Costa’s polarized, color-enhancing 580® glass lens technology for next-level clarity. The scratch-resistant lens cuts haze and blur and enhances key colors for superior clarity and definition. The lightweight Bio-Resin frame reduces the carbon footprint of each frame and maintains the durability standards required for long days on the water.
From east to west, whether watching waves or riding them, Lido is there for the adventure. For more information about Lido and Costa’s full collection of best-selling sunglasses, visit Costadelmar.com.
About Costa Sunglasses
As the first manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lenses, Costa combines superior lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability. Costa has made the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983, and now its product portfolio includes optical frames. Costa’s growing cult-brand status ties directly to its purpose to provide high-quality products with a focus on sustainability and conservation as the company works hard to protect the waters it calls home. From the use of sustainable and water-friendly materials to its Kick Plastic initiative, IndiFly Foundation, and meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.
Gregory Notches First Bassmaster Kayak Series Victory On Oklahoma’s Grand Lake
Drew Gregory of Canton, Ohio, has won the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Grand Lake powered by TourneyX with a five-fish limit of 91.5 inches.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
April 16, 2022
GROVE, Okla. — When Drew Gregory first saw the schedule for the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, he told his wife that he was going to win at Grand Lake.
Then on Saturday, the Canton, Ohio, native made good on that promise, catching a five-bass limit that measured 91.50 inches to earn his first Bassmaster Kayak Series event victory and a $3,400 check.
Anchoring his bag with a 20.25-incher, Gregory beat second-place angler Daniel Maffei by over 8 inches and third-place angler Mark Pendergraf by over 9 inches.
“I said I was going to win this tournament and figure it out,” Gregory said. “It has been my plan all year to fish four of the five to have a chance for the (Old Town) Angler of the Year title. I have a kayak I designed that is coming out really soon for Crescent Kayaks and it is pretty crazy to win this right before this boat is coming out.”
Gregory had never been to the Oklahoma reservoir, but through map study he thought it might set up similarly to Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas, a lake where he won a Hobie Bass Open Series event.
“(Dardanelle) has some clear Ozark streams feeding it and then part of the lake is muddier coming from the farmlands,” he explained. “This lake is similar to that. It has clearer streams and then it has some creeks that are muddier.”
In practice, Gregory pinpointed a spawning pocket where prespawn bass were staging and fattening up for the spawn. When he arrived on tournament day, the bass he found had relocated and it took a little while for Gregory to find them.
“I was getting really concerned. I realized they couldn’t have gone far. The water has been coming up on this lake. It was under full pool by half a foot and has risen about a foot,” Gregory said. “When the water had risen, the fish had moved to the bank and were in about a foot of water getting on those beds.”
After starting the day by catching a couple on a Z-Man SlingBladeZ spinnerbait, Gregory used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man CrossEyeZ Flipping Jig paired with a Z-Man Pro CrawZ trailer to target undercut roots and trees located on steeper banks. His limit was mostly full of fatter females that were preparing to spawn.
He noted a couple of those females could have been on bed but had not dropped their eggs. The bucks he caught, meanwhile, had torn up tails and were preparing beds.
“I caught two or three on the spinnerbait, but my whole day changed when I picked up the jig,” he said. “I flipped this one bush and the line jumped, I set the hook and it was an 18-incher, my first big fish. That clued me in to maybe the moving baits aren’t the deal today. I went around the pocket again with the jig and started getting bit like crazy.”
Gregory went back to the basics of kayak fishing, using arm strength and a paddle to maneuver his 10-foot Crescent UltraLite Kayak. With no graphs, motor or shallow-water anchor on this particular model, he was able to focus on what was happening in the moment.
“In my map work and study, there were enough good-looking places that were my kind of place — hard to get to and where you almost need a lightweight kayak to get in them,” he said. “When everyone else has that stuff, they can’t help but use it.
“The reason I got into kayak fishing was the simplicity of it. That kayak opens up a lot of water for me that other people don’t look at. I enjoy rivers, creeks and backwaters. That is the reason kayak fishing started.”
Despite not having any practice on Grand Lake prior to Saturday, Maffei landed 83.25 inches to take home second place and $2,000. Using mostly a finesse Carolina rig with a watermelon candy Zoom Baby Brush Hog, the Dennis, Kan., native targeted prespawn bass that were relating to bigger rocks.
“It was all map study and I picked a cove I thought looked good that fished to my strengths. I focused on areas where I thought the prespawn fish were staging in the cove,” he said. “I had my first two fish pretty early on with a spinnerbait and then I was working a secondary point flat and missed three on a Texas rig. After that, I went to the finesse Carolina rig.”
Most of his damage in that cove was done in a 100-yard stretch.
Pendergraf caught all of his 82-inch limit on a wacky-rigged XCite Baits Xtreme Stix in Duck Creek around root balls as well as the backs of docks and walkways on the docks. With rising water affecting his areas as well, the 2021 National Champion said the bass were pushed up and ready to start spawning.
Most of the bass Pendergraf caught today were likely buck bass, and fishing his bait slowly produced the majority of his bites.
“In prefishing, there was the Angler’s Choice Classic and 300 boats were on the water Thursday and Friday,” he said. “The lake was highly pressured and I had to fish superslow to get my bites.”
Tennessee native Keith Shadwick only landed one bass, but his 22.75-inch largemouth earned him Big Bass honors and $500.
The next Bassmaster Kayak Series event will be held on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama on May 21 followed by the season finale at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee on Oct. 8-9.
Elite Pro Kimura Wins Bassmaster Northern Open In His James River Debut
Kenta Kimura of Osaka, Japan, has won the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a three-day total of 65 pounds.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
April 16, 2022
RICHMOND, Va. — Bassmaster Elite Series angler Kenta Kimura said earlier in the week that he did not know what he was doing on the James River. But now that he’s won the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a three-day total of 65 pounds, his story seems less than convincing.
After a Day 1 limit of 17 pounds put him in 19th place, the pro from Osaka, Japan, added 23-5 a day later and surged into second. Finishing Championship Saturday with 24-11 — the event’s second-heaviest bag — Kimura edged Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., by a margin of 3-9.
Kimura, who was fishing the James River for the first time, earned the top prize of $52,500, along with the $500 Garmin contingency bonus for being the top finishing pro using Garmin products. He also earned a berth in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, to be held in Knoxville, Tenn., March 24-26.
“I really didn’t expect this because I had a horrible practice,” Kimura said. “I was going to be happy with 14 pounds a day, but I figured some things out.
“Some guys said it was going to take 18 pounds a day to make the cut, but I said, ‘No way.’ But this river is full of big fish. This might be the best river I’ve ever been to in the whole world. I love the James River.”
Complicating his first trip to the James River, Kimura left last week’s Elite event on Chickamauga Lake with little time to practice. But what he brought played a key role in his win.
He caught several of his bass this week on the same DRT Tiny Klash swimbait he used to catch his 19-pound Day 2 bag on Chickamauga. The jointed swimbait with a lateral tail and adjustable ABS plastic bill produced a 6-pounder in the tournament’s waning minutes.
“I culled out a 2-pounder with that fish,” Kimura said. “Without that fish, I wouldn’t have won.”
Kimura also caught bass on a spinnerbait and a Deps Evoke 2.0 squarebill. Those baits produced some of his limit fish, but his other big fish bait was a 3/8-ounce buzzbait. Kimura added a Berkley creature bait trailer and removed the side appendages for a more streamlined look.
“Anywhere in the world, the bigger fish like buzzbaits in a river,” he said. “Especially this place; all the fish are pressured.”
Kimura said he overcame his lack of James River experience with time management. He spent about half of his practice in the popular Chickahominy River — a major downstream tributary — but couldn’t put together what he considered a winning plan.
Ultimately, Kimura did all of his damage within 5 miles of the takeoff site at Osborne Park & Boat Landing. He said one of his spots was 30 seconds away.
“Every time I’ve fished rivers, I make a long run, but I stayed closer to give me time to figure out what tide they liked,” he said. “The first day I was just running around a lot of different places and caught all of my fish on the buzzbait. I had a good day, but it was only 19th place.
“The second day, I caught a limit pretty easy on the squarebill and the spinnerbait, but I couldn’t get a big one, so I switched to the big swimbait. They really liked the bigger profile.”
Kimura concluded with a show of respect for his U.S. competitors: “I want to thank the American anglers. You guys have created a great sport. This is my dream. It’s what I’ve wanted to do all my life since I was a little kid.”
Poche finished second with 61-7. After placing 14th on Day 1 with 17-6, he added 23-10 to take over the Day 2 lead and closed the event with a Day 3 limit of 20-7.
Fishing out of a 17 1/2-foot Gator Trax aluminum boat with a 90-horsepower Mercury outboard and a low-water pickup, Poche committed to fishing shallow tributaries, where he targeted spawning and prespawn bass with a Texas-rigged Berkley PowerBait The General and a Berkley Warpig lipless bait.
“It really slacked off (on Day 2) and I was really able to see those beds right off the bank,” Poche said. “The first day it was windy and today it was windy, so it was a little bit tougher.
“I was throwing that General weightless on a 7-3 heavy Fenwick rod and it was just really tough today to pinpoint those spots. This was my first time here and this river really showed out; I’d definitely like to come back.”
John Soukup of Sapulpa, Okla., finished third with 60-0. His daily weights were 21-9, 17-8 and 20-15.
Soukup spent his time targeting bed fish with a War Eagle Jiu-Jigsu Jig and a Yum Craw Chunk trailer and prespawners with a 3/8-ounce Booyah Covert spinnerbait. Day 3 ended with a difference-maker.
“At the end of the day with about five minutes left, I made a cast and kept getting caught in some fishing line,” Soukup said. “Eventually, I made another cast and it just stopped. I thought I was caught in that line, so I’m just pulling and pulling and pulling, trying to get it unhung.
“The next thing I know, it’s under the boat digging and now I think I have a catfish and I’m just trying to rip this thing up. All of a sudden, this thing comes up and it’s this giant bass — a 6-4. That was just a gift. God blessed me on that one.”
Joey Murphy of Elkton, Md., won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with his 7-11 largemouth that he caught on Day 1.
Kimura leads the Bassmaster Northern Opens Angler of the Year season standings with 200 points. Poche is second with 199, followed by Soukup with 198, Alex Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., with 197 and Bassmaster Elite angler Koby Kreiger of Alva, Fla., with 196.
Kimura also leads the overall Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year standings with 543 points.
2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open #1 James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 4/14-4/16
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 15 65-00 200 $53,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 5 24-11
2. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 15 61-07 199 $25,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 23-10 Day 3: 5 20-07
3. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 15 60-00 198 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 20-15
4. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 15 57-01 197 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-09 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 17-10
5. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 15 55-02 196 $13,050.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 5 19-01
6. Brad Leuthner Independence, MN 15 50-06 195 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 13-00
7. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 48-14 194 $11,250.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 15-12
8. Brian Post Janesville, WI 15 47-09 193 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 13-09
9. Tj Milton Chester, VA 15 45-12 192 $8,250.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 09-10
10. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 15 45-12 191 $6,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 18-12 Day 3: 5 11-01
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Joey Murphy Elkton, MD 07-11 $750.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 185 1011 2537-06
2 176 989 2326-03
3 10 50 165-12
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371 2050 5029-05
Poche Goes Shallow For Day 2 Lead At Bassmaster Open On James River
Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., is leading after Day 2 of the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a two-day total of 41 pounds.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
April 15, 2022
RICHMOND, Va. — Keith Poche was equipped to do what no one else could do, and it helped him take over the Day 2 lead at the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with a two-day total of 41 pounds.
Hailing from Pike Road, Ala., Poche caught a Day 1 limit of 17-6 and tied Texas pro Randy Sullivan for 14th place. On Friday, he added 23-10 — the event’s second-heaviest bag — which was anchored by a 6-4 largemouth.
Committing to the far reaches of shallow tributaries, Poche fished out of a 17 1/2-foot Gator Trax aluminum boat with a 90-horsepower Mercury outboard. The lightweight vessel has low-water pickup, which allows Poche to run supershallow.
Poche left his push pole at home, so he improvised with a 2x4, using the simple tool to negotiate the tighter spots.
“I found a little deal in practice and I had a lot of bites on Monday,” Poche said. “I never went back (in practice), so I went back yesterday and caught a ton of fish. I should have had over 20 pounds yesterday, but it was really windy, they bit funny and a lot of fish just came unbuttoned.
“It slicked off today and I was really able to pick some stuff apart, really fine-tune it and really capitalize on some of those bigger bites. I quit early and left about 12 o’clock because I wasn’t doing myself any good culling a 3- or 4-pounder I may need (on Championship Saturday).”
Targeting a mix of cover in a foot of water or less, Poche was looking for spawning bass. He caught his fish on a Texas-rigged Berkley PowerBait The General and a Berkley Warpig lipless bait.
“I noticed that I did better when the tide was out, and I think that’s going to help me tomorrow,” Poche said. “When the water is low, I’m able to see those stumps and dark spots on the flat where they’re spawning and I’m able to pinpoint them. Yesterday, the wind was so bad, that I was just casting around.
“I lost so many yesterday because I was throwing a moving bait and they were just nipping at it. They weren’t really eating it; they were just running it off their bed. I had a lot of short strikes and that’s why they came off.”
With today’s improved visibility, Poche’s hook-up percentage was significantly higher. He caught one of his limit fish on the lipless bait and the other four on the Texas rig.
Timing was key for Poche, as he found bass moving up to the spawning locations later in the day.
“I went by a stump first thing this morning that had deep water pretty close, and I went by a couple of hours later and I saw a big fish up there next to a log,” he said. “I pitched over there and she ate it.
“I think that, as it warms up, they’re pulling up and getting ready to do their thing and backing off at night. They’re in the vicinity; it’s just catching them when they’re right there.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kenta Kimura of Osaka, Japan, is in second place with 40-5. He added 23-5 Friday to the 17 pounds he caught on Day 1.
“After the Elite event on Chickamauga (April 7-10), I had less than three days to practice,” he said. “I spent a day and a half in the Chickahominy River (a major tributary downstream from takeoff), but it took me all day to catch 14 to 15 pounds.
“I figured just stay close and try to figure something out. I had two main areas; one was 10 minutes from takeoff and one was 30 seconds away.”
Relying on techniques he mastered on his home waters of Japan’s Lake Biwa, Kimura caught his bass on a large hard-body swimbait and a 3/8-ounce buzzbait with a prototype Berkley PowerBait creature bait.
“I just went back and forth between my two areas,” Kimura said. “Yesterday, I probably caught six keepers, but today I caught 20 keepers.”
Hailing from Middletown, Conn., Alex Wetherell is in third place with 39-7. After setting the high mark on Day 1 with a 25-9 limit that included a couple of 7-pounders, he added a Day 2 bag of 13-14.
Returning to the same creek scenario he fished on Day 1, Wetherell lamented the morning’s 80-minute fog delay, which cost him a critical morning bite.
“On tidal water, timing is everything, so having that delay definitely hurt me,” he said. “I’m definitely still around the fish, so I feel good about tomorrow.”
Wetherell fished a mix of reaction baits and targeted presentations with a jig and a Texas-rigged worm. During the higher tide stage, slowing down proved helpful.
Joey Murphy of Elkton, Md., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-11 largemouth caught on Day 1.
James Nealy of Yale, Va., won the co-angler division with a two-day total of 26-14. After leading Day 1 with 15-2, he added 11-12 and took home the $25,183 top prize.
Focusing on shallow wood, Nealy relied mainly on a 5/16-ounce chartreuse/white spinnerbait with tandem gold and silver Colorado blades. Making contact with the hard cover was the key to getting bites.
“Every fish I caught except for one was on a spinnerbait,” Nealy said. “Around midday today, the spinnerbait bite slowed down and I needed one more keeper, so I went to flipping a craw bait and got my last one.”
Nealy’s first-round bag included an 8-2, which earned the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for the co-angler division. He also won the $500 St. Croix Rods bonus for being the highest finishing co-angler who fished with St. Croix Rods.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Osborne Park & Boat Landing. The weigh-in will be held back at the Landing at 2:30 p.m. Coverage is available on Bassmaster.com.
2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open #1 James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 4/14-4/16
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 41-00 200
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 23-10
2. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 40-05 199
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 23-05
3. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 39-07 198
Day 1: 5 25-09 Day 2: 5 13-14
4. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 10 39-01 197
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 17-08
5. Brad Leuthner Independence, MN 10 37-06 196
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 15-02
6. Tj Milton Chester, VA 10 36-02 195
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-07
7. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 36-01 194
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 18-15
8. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 10 34-11 193
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 18-12
9. Brian Post Janesville, WI 10 34-00 192
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 15-13
10. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 33-02 191
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-13
11. Justin Margraves Diana, TX 10 33-01 190 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 18-01
12. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 10 32-15 189 $5,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 17-14
13. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 10 32-15 188 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 16-07
14. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 10 32-13 187 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 17-03
15. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 32-10 186 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 17-11
16. Chaz Carrington Suffolk, VA 10 32-04 185 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 15-06
17. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 10 31-13 184 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 11-10
18. danny Snyder Annandale, VA 10 31-10 183 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 17-14
19. Jacob Walker Springville, AL 10 31-05 182 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 11-08
20. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 31-01 181 $4,125.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-11
21. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 10 31-01 180 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 17-04
22. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 10 31-00 179 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 18-09
23. Raymond Jones III Mocksville, NC 10 31-00 178 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 17-08
24. Douglas Reed Bridgeton, NJ 10 31-00 177 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 15-02
25. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 30-13 176 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 13-11
26. John Garrett Union City, TN 10 30-04 175 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 20-00
27. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 30-02 174 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 17-15
28. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 10 30-02 173 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-02
29. Nick Radtke Greenwood Lake, NY 10 30-01 172 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 16-07
30. Tanner Sanderson Ackerly, TX 10 29-09 171 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 14-10
31. Donnie Bell Jr Hopewell, VA 10 29-08 170 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 13-13
32. Frank Poirier North Prince George, VA 10 29-07 169 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 12-15
33. Christiana Bradley Goldvein, VA 10 29-07 168 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 15-14
34. Chris Price Church Hill, MD 10 29-03 167 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-00
35. Joey Murphy Elkton, MD 9 29-02 166 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 4 06-15
36. John Vanore Mullica Hill, NJ 10 29-02 165 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 18-05
37. Brad Webb Hampton, VA 10 28-15 164 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-08
38. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 10 28-12 163 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 11-01
39. Steve Morella Townshend, VT 10 28-11 162 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 16-12
40. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 28-08 161 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 11-01
41. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 28-07 160
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 17-11
42. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 10 28-07 159
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-13
43. Jefferson Hamilton Henrico, VA 10 28-05 158
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 16-06
44. Jared Miller Norman, OK 10 28-04 157
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 11-10
45. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 10 28-04 156
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-15
46. Sam George Athens, AL 10 27-11 155
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 10-12
47. Gunnar Meger Otsego, MN 10 27-08 154
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 10-08
48. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 10 27-06 153
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-14
49. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 10 27-06 152
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 12-03
50. Cody Salzmann Southgate, MI 10 27-04 151
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 13-02
51. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 27-04 150
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-10
52. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 10 27-01 149
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-06
53. Michael Duarte Middle River, MD 9 26-14 148
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 4 09-07
54. Greg Fernandez Chesterfield, VA 10 26-13 147
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-05
55. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 26-13 146
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 12-05
56. Chance Woodard Paris, TX 10 26-12 145
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-14
57. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 26-11 144
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-12
58. Caden Acree Powder Springs, GA 10 26-10 143
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 12-00
59. John Murray Spring City, TN 9 26-10 142
Day 1: 4 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-01
60. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 10 26-09 141
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 10-09
61. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 10 26-08 140
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-05
62. Tyler Morgan Pine Grove, PA 10 26-08 139
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 12-14
63. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 10 26-06 138
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-14
64. Tommy Little Chester, VA 10 26-04 137
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 13-10
65. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 10 26-03 136
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-00
66. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 10 26-02 135
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 15-00
67. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 26-01 134
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 07-14
68. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 26-01 133
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
69. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 10 26-01 132
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-12
70. John Duarte Jr Conway, SC 10 25-13 131
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-14
71. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 10 25-09 130
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-04
72. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 25-09 129
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-01
73. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 10 25-08 128
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 11-08
74. Kerry Frey Middlebury, IN 10 25-08 127
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-15
75. Cody Pike Powhatan, VA 10 25-07 126
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
76. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 10 25-06 125
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 10-10
77. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 10 25-04 124
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 10-14
78. Matt Pangrac Bixby, OK 10 25-04 123
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-11
79. Jeff Salmon Chester, VA 10 25-03 122
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 11-00
80. Casey Smith Victor, NY 10 25-00 121
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 15-10
81. Tanner Ward Woodsfield, OH 10 24-15 120
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 10-15
82. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 10 24-15 119
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-06
83. Jacopo Gallelli Horton AL ITALY 10 24-11 118
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-10
84. Patrick Martin St Roch De L Achigan Qu 10 24-11 117
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 11-14
85. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL 10 24-11 116
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 12-09
86. Jason Borofka Lavon, TX 10 24-10 115
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 06-05
87. Ryan Powroznik Prince George, VA 10 24-10 114
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 09-15
88. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 10 24-09 113
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 14-00
89. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 10 24-08 112
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 13-05
89. Jon Jezierski Troy, MI 10 24-08 112
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 13-05
91. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 24-05 110
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 07-11
92. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 10 24-04 109
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 15-13
93. Jared Williams Hampton, VA 10 24-04 108
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 14-11
94. Joe Labarbera Montrose, PA 10 24-04 107
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-03
95. Caiden Sinclair Wilsonville, AL 10 24-04 106
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 11-08
96. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 10 24-04 105
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 12-05
97. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 10 24-02 104
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-00
98. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 10 24-01 103
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-03
99. Chris Hellebuyck Waterford, MI 10 24-00 102
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 08-00
100. Jon Canada Helena, AL 10 24-00 101
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 08-14
101. Mike Raber Elkhart, IN 10 23-12 100
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 10-04
102. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 10 23-11 99
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 13-04
103. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 10 23-10 98
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 10-00
104. Stanley Sypeck Jr Sugarloaf, PA 10 23-08 97
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-07
105. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 23-02 96
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-00
106. Sheron Brown Leominster, MA 10 22-15 95
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 12-10
107. Jody Gardner Tippecanoe, OH 10 22-13 94
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 15-09
108. Reese Hudson Broomall, PA 10 22-12 93
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 13-03
109. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 8 22-12 92
Day 1: 4 11-01 Day 2: 4 11-11
110. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 10 22-09 91
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 11-02
111. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 10 22-08 90
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 08-11
112. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 10 22-08 89
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 11-10
113. Luke Shrader Maple Shade, NJ 10 22-03 88
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 09-05
114. James Loomis III Parish, NY 10 22-02 87
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-02
115. Josh Cotier Clinton, MA 10 22-01 86
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 11-03
116. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 9 22-00 85
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 09-04
117. Jacob Otto Lagrange, IN 10 21-14 84
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 5 15-03
118. Travis Lugar McGaheysville, VA 10 21-14 83
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 10-13
119. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 10 21-10 82
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 07-09
120. Destin DeMarion Harborcreek, PA 10 21-10 81
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 09-15
121. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 10 21-10 80
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 10-11
122. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 10 21-09 79
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-01
123. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 9 21-08 78
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 4 08-08
124. Coop Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 21-07 77
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-02
125. Michael Rowe Providence Forge, VA 10 21-05 76
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 09-14
126. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 10 21-02 75
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 08-11
127. Zak Fadden Plymouth, MI 10 21-02 74
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 09-09
128. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 20-15 73
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 10-01
129. Bobby "J" Nakatomi Sacramento, CA 7 20-14 72
Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 5 13-11
130. Spencer Peters Corryton, TN 10 20-14 71
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-09
131. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 9 20-13 70
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 4 04-08
132. Wesley Cashwell Roanoke Rapids, NC 8 20-13 69
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 3 07-00
133. Bart Stanisz Wichita Falls , TX 10 20-08 68
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 06-08
134. Jordan Sypeck Weston, PA 9 20-08 67
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 4 09-05
135. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 8 20-07 66
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 07-02
136. Daisuke Kita Ohtsu Shiga JAPAN 10 20-06 65
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 08-06
137. Jonathan Carter Portland, ME 10 20-06 64
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 11-09
138. Mamoru Kagiya Takahama JAPAN 10 20-06 63
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 10-09
139. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 10 20-05 62
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-00
140. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 10 20-00 61
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 07-01
141. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 10 19-15 60
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 06-13
142. Josh Summerville Lilly, PA 10 19-14 59
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 06-10
143. Jason Casteel Ocoee, FL 10 19-11 58
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 09-15
144. Trent Cole Mullica Hill, NJ 8 19-06 57
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 06-01
145. Marshall Johnson Montpelier, VA 8 19-01 56
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 3 04-09
146. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 10 19-00 55
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 08-04
147. Brent Shores Boise, ID 9 18-15 54
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 5 11-06
148. Jason Bishop North Prince George, VA 10 18-14 53
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 08-06
149. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 10 18-13 52
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 09-05
150. Rick Hawkins Roanoke, VA 9 18-12 51
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 4 06-15
151. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 10 18-08 50
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 06-11
152. Kane Stein Jeannette, PA 7 18-07 49
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 5 13-07
153. Danny Rodriguez Monkton, MD 9 18-05 48
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 07-15
154. Greg Secord Salem, SC 10 18-04 47
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 10-09
155. Jeff Jensen Beech Creek, PA 10 18-03 46
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 07-05
156. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 10 18-02 45
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 09-09
157. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 10 18-01 44
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
158. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 10 18-00 43
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 04-12
159. Paul Kimball Glastonbury, CT 9 18-00 42
Day 1: 4 05-09 Day 2: 5 12-07
160. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 10 18-00 41
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 10-02
161. Dave Husnay Conklin, NY 6 17-15 40
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 1 03-11
162. Tom Knee Newtown Square, PA 6 17-15 39
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 3 11-12
163. Eddie Casey Whiteford, MD 10 17-15 38
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 09-03
164. Vincent Melfi Bellmawr, NJ 10 17-14 37
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 07-00
165. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 7 17-13 36
Day 1: 2 05-05 Day 2: 5 12-08
166. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 10 17-13 35
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 08-00
167. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 10 17-11 34
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 5 11-07
168. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 10 17-11 33
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 09-09
169. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 10 17-09 32
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 08-11
170. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 9 17-08 31
Day 1: 4 04-09 Day 2: 5 12-15
171. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 7 17-04 30
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 4 12-04
172. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 6 16-15 29
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 2 06-06
173. Steven Camp Mechanicsvlle, VA 10 16-14 28
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 08-00
174. Mark Dimarzio McDonald, PA 9 16-13 27
Day 1: 4 06-09 Day 2: 5 10-04
175. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 10 16-10 26
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 07-08
176. Mike McKay Manlius, NY 6 16-08 25
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 1 01-10
177. Joe Ford Bewdely CANADA 9 16-07 24
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 07-07
178. Cass Terrance Akwewsane, NY 7 16-04 23
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 5 12-10
179. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 8 16-01 22
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 5 10-07
180. Brian Brooks Sea Isle City, NJ 10 15-08 21
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 08-11
181. Linwood Shores Powhatan, VA 7 15-06 20
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 5 12-05
182. Christopher Fiore Midlothian, VA 7 15-05 19
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 5 12-13
183. Michael Kinard Concord, NC 9 15-01 18
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 4 06-05
184. Marcus Griffin North East, MD 7 15-00 17
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 5 11-01
185. Brandon Brown Lockport, NY 9 14-13 16
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 4 06-08
186. Michael Zampese Haskell, NJ 10 14-10 15
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 5 08-05
187. Lucas Bogosian Harrington Park, NJ 10 14-05 14
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-05
188. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 6 14-01 13
Day 1: 3 10-06 Day 2: 3 03-11
189. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 10 13-15 12
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 05-11
190. Noah Boyett Mountain Home, AR 10 13-11 11
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 07-02
191. Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA 5 13-00 10
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
192. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 7 12-14 9
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 4 08-08
193. Richard Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 7 12-12 8
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 03-06
194. Hunter Bland Williston, FL 10 12-11 7
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 5 06-06
195. Hermilo Salgado-Zavaleta Artemus, KY 7 12-10 6
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 2 05-15
196. Christopher Bryant Disputanta, VA 5 12-07 5
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
197. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 7 12-00 4
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 2 04-11
198. Kayden Tanner Tolar, TX 9 11-12 3
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 4 04-01
199. Tim Malone Kodak, TN 8 11-10 2
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 5 06-13
200. Carmen Peluso Pittsburgh, PA 6 11-08 1
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 5 09-13
201. D.J. Ellis Crestview, FL 9 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 4 04-09
202. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
203. Douglas Dulin Apex, NC 7 10-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 5 06-04
204. Ed Stiefel Mahwah, NJ 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
205. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 6 10-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 5 07-09
206. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
207. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 6 10-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 5 07-03
208. Chris Dillow Waynesboro, VA 6 09-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 1 01-07
209. Bridget Allen Manheim, PA 4 09-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 08-02
210. Michael Harter Westminster, SC 6 09-01 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 4 06-11
211. John Watts Jr Flushing, MI 6 08-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 5 07-06
212. Bo Boltz Jr New Kent, VA 4 08-09 0
Day 1: 4 08-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
213. Wayne Hall Cottonwood, AZ 3 07-02 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-02
214. Vince Troiano Chesterfield, NJ 5 06-11 0
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
215. Daniel Dooner Wyckoff, NJ 5 05-05 0
Day 1: 5 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
216. Troy Coney Endicott, NY 2 05-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
217. Richard Kaluba Litchfield, OH 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 04-13
217. Shane Oltjenbruns Neligh, NE 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Richard Vonnordick Jarrettsville, MD 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
220. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
221. Douglas Lyon Glendale, OH 3 03-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-05
222. Burley Warf Moneta, VA 3 03-04 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-04
223. Anthony Cicero Palmyra, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
223. Oliver Ngy Frisco, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
223. Kaoru O'Bryan Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 185 1011 2537-06
2 176 989 2326-03
----------------------------------
361 2000 4863-09
2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open #1 James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 4/14-4/16
James River, Richmond VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. James Nealy Yale, VA 6 26-14 200 $25,183.00
Day 1: 3 15-02 Day 2: 3 11-12
2. Mathew Thompson Hogansburg, NY 6 23-09 199 $5,867.00
Day 1: 3 14-15 Day 2: 3 08-10
3. Anthony Ross Hopewell, VA 6 20-08 198 $4,400.00
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 3 11-15
4. David Williams Fredericksburg, VA 6 18-11 197 $3,300.00
Day 1: 3 08-12 Day 2: 3 09-15
5. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 6 18-10 196 $3,080.00
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 3 12-08
6. Francis Andrews Petersburg,, VA 6 18-09 195 $2,933.00
Day 1: 3 13-08 Day 2: 3 05-01
7. EJ Thomas Roanoke, VA 6 18-06 194 $2,787.00
Day 1: 3 11-13 Day 2: 3 06-09
8. Brooks Parker Bridgeville, DE 6 18-03 193 $2,640.00
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 3 11-12
9. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 6 18-00 192 $2,420.00
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 3 10-13
10. Jason Sherwood Damascus, MD 6 18-00 191 $2,200.00
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 3 09-11
11. Joe Lineberry Selwn CANADA 6 17-12 190 $2,053.00
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 3 09-09
12. Lynn Hoeffer Newport News, VA 6 17-04 189 $1,907.00
Day 1: 3 10-14 Day 2: 3 06-06
13. Rob Tipton III Pitman, NJ 6 17-03 188 $1,613.00
Day 1: 3 09-15 Day 2: 3 07-04
14. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 6 16-02 187 $1,467.00
Day 1: 3 08-08 Day 2: 3 07-10
15. Alex Richard Hampton, VA 6 16-00 186 $1,320.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 09-02
16. Joe Franzwa Pittsgrove, NJ 6 15-15 185 $1,173.00
Day 1: 3 09-12 Day 2: 3 06-03
17. Ryan Drewery South Prince George, VA 6 15-10 184 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 10-06 Day 2: 3 05-04
18. Tony Long Moseley, VA 6 15-10 183 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 3 06-04
19. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 6 15-09 182 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 3 06-08
20. Jeremy Hise Midlothian, VA 6 15-09 181 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 3 08-12
21. Cody Wilson Ladson, SC 6 15-07 180 $1,027.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 10-08
22. David Deciucis CHESTER, VA 6 15-05 179 $1,027.00
Day 1: 3 10-09 Day 2: 3 04-12
23. John Cary Ruther Glen, VA 6 15-05 178 $1,027.00
Day 1: 3 09-09 Day 2: 3 05-12
24. David Camp Sterling, OH 6 15-02 177 $1,027.00
Day 1: 3 09-08 Day 2: 3 05-10
25. Richard Roselle La Plata, MD 6 14-13 176 $1,027.00
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 3 07-00
26. Richard Rodriguez Williamsburg, VA 6 14-13 175 $880.00
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 3 07-05
27. Clayton Payne The Plains, VA 6 14-10 174 $880.00
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 3 05-06
28. Phillip Arnold Powhatan, VA 6 14-10 173 $880.00
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 3 05-12
29. Scott Devault New Philadelphia, OH 6 14-10 172 $880.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 3 06-04
30. Michael Martinez Lanexa, VA 5 14-09 171 $880.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 2 05-08
31. Maurice Curley Prince George, VA 6 14-07 170 $807.00
Day 1: 3 08-12 Day 2: 3 05-11
32. Travis Heath Chester, VA 6 14-06 169 $807.00
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 3 06-03
33. Bryce Bason Mill Hall, PA 6 14-06 168 $807.00
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 3 06-05
34. Lenny Baird Stafford, VA 6 14-04 167 $807.00
Day 1: 3 09-11 Day 2: 3 04-09
35. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 6 14-01 166 $807.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 09-02
36. John Barnes Henrico, VA 6 14-00 165 $807.00
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 3 05-07
37. Hunter Reifschneider Marion, IA 6 14-00 164 $807.00
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 06-14
38. Stacey Jefferson Conway, SC 6 13-15 163 $807.00
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 3 06-02
39. Brian Setlock Lancaster, PA 6 13-14 162 $807.00
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 3 07-05
40. Christopher Mcdaniel Victoria , VA 5 13-12 161 $807.00
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 2 03-00
41. Joseph Zapf Oak Ridge, NJ 6 13-12 160
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 3 06-00
42. Brent Temple BREWERTON, NY 4 13-09 159
Day 1: 3 11-01 Day 2: 1 02-08
43. Jason Holder Powhatan, VA 6 13-09 158
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 06-11
44. Scott Spencer Raleigh, NC 6 13-08 157
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 3 07-11
45. Ernest McIntyre Jr Fayetteville, NC 6 13-07 156
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 3 09-11
46. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 6 13-06 155
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 08-07
47. Tim Mcglenn Welcome, MD 6 13-05 154
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 3 09-13
48. Thomas Edmunds Mechanicsville, VA 6 13-05 153
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 06-06
49. Alex Watts Roanoke, VA 6 13-04 152
Day 1: 3 08-08 Day 2: 3 04-12
50. Joe Stalb Manheim, PA 6 13-02 151
Day 1: 3 08-10 Day 2: 3 04-08
51. Tyler Caldwell Portsmouth, VA 6 13-02 150
Day 1: 3 08-04 Day 2: 3 04-14
52. Jimmy Schaffer Oak Ridge, NJ 5 13-02 149
Day 1: 2 07-13 Day 2: 3 05-05
53. David Booth Erin, TN 6 13-02 148
Day 1: 3 05-09 Day 2: 3 07-09
54. Derek Brown Charlottesville, VA 6 13-01 147
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 06-03
55. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 6 12-15 146
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 3 05-03
56. Joey Deluke Glen Allen, VA 6 12-15 145
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 3 05-10
57. Craig Ferguson Emporia, VA 6 12-15 144
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 3 06-04
58. Les Forrest Chesterfield, VA 4 12-14 143
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 1 03-14
59. Christopher Underwood Oak Hill, VA 5 12-14 142
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 3 07-11
60. James Williams Sims, NC 6 12-13 141
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 3 04-11
61. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 6 12-11 140
Day 1: 3 05-09 Day 2: 3 07-02
62. Aaron Bartlett New Kent, VA 6 12-10 139
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 3 04-05
63. Christopher Trovinger Sabillasville, MD 6 12-08 138
Day 1: 3 03-03 Day 2: 3 09-05
64. Mike Roselle La Plata, MD 6 12-08 137
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 3 08-01
65. Akira Okuyama Forest Hills, NY 6 12-06 136
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 3 05-01
66. Nicole Jacobs Saint Paul, MN 5 12-06 135
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 2 05-01
67. Logan Buttolph Doswell, VA 6 12-05 134
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 3 07-11
68. David Dickerson Colonial Heights, VA 4 12-04 133
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 09-15
69. Nathaniel Kilgore Franklin, VA 5 12-04 132
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 2 06-00
70. Michael Baldwin Jr South Chesterfield, VA 6 12-03 131
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 3 04-08
71. Charles James Richmond, VA 6 12-03 130
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 05-04
72. Bill Turonis Jr Kill Devil Hills, NC 4 12-02 129
Day 1: 1 03-08 Day 2: 3 08-10
73. Todd Long Midlothian, VA 6 12-01 128
Day 1: 3 05-09 Day 2: 3 06-08
74. Richard Griswold Jr Windsor, VA 6 11-15 127
Day 1: 3 07-00 Day 2: 3 04-15
75. Richard Stewart Chesterfield, VA 6 11-13 126
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 3 04-05
76. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 6 11-12 125
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 3 08-03
77. Michael Rustin Henrico, VA 6 11-12 124
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 07-12
78. Rick Jerman Springfield, VA 5 11-12 123
Day 1: 2 07-05 Day 2: 3 04-07
79. Chris Whittaker Waverly, VA 5 11-12 122
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 2 04-08
80. Matt Noraas Pamplin, VA 6 11-11 121
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 3 07-15
81. Kenny Stelter Forest Lake, MN 5 11-11 120
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 3 06-09
82. Joseph Strauss Lititz, PA 6 11-10 119
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 3 05-06
83. Jonathan Patkus Columbia, MD 6 11-07 118
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 3 04-02
84. Gerald Heffler Chester, VA 6 11-07 117
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 3 07-00
85. Jessie Moore Severn, MD 6 11-07 116
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 04-08
86. Jordan LaClair Ogdensburg, NY 6 11-07 115
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 3 05-15
87. Robert Bruguiere Roseland, VA 6 11-06 114
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 05-11
88. Charles Pulay Fulton, MD 6 11-05 113
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 04-06
89. Jonathan Lakota Memphis, NY 5 11-05 112
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-14
90. Joe Mantione West Milford, NJ 6 11-05 111
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 3 06-08
91. Joshua Torres Port Tobacco, MD 6 11-04 110
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 04-03
92. Tommy Young II Linden, NC 4 11-03 109
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 1 02-08
93. Roger Walters Jr Colonial Heights, VA 6 11-00 108
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 3 03-12
94. Kelly Robinette Colonial Heights, VA 6 10-13 107
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 3 04-12
95. Chris Donavant Yorktown, VA 6 10-11 106
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 3 05-06
96. Brian Langford Petersburg, VA 5 10-10 105
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 05-10
97. William Stallings Midlothian, VA 4 10-09 104
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 3 09-07
98. Mark Kines Virginia Beach, VA 6 10-09 103
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 03-08
99. John Dunn Deltaville, VA 6 10-08 102
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 3 04-06
100. Jared Phillips Addison, NY 5 10-07 101
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 3 06-12
101. Trey Grow III Mechanicsville, VA 6 10-07 100
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 05-12
102. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 4 10-05 99
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 3 09-02
103. Brian Durham Dinwiddie, VA 6 10-04 98
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 3 05-00
104. Eric Bedford Keswick, VA 4 10-02 97
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 3 08-01
105. Andy Lavin Lanexa, VA 6 10-01 96
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 3 04-04
106. Michael Mcmanama Hopewell, VA 4 10-00 95
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 1 01-11
107. William Gaston Sylacauga, AL 6 09-15 94
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 3 06-00
108. Kevin Pfautz Barboursville, VA 6 09-14 93
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 3 03-07
109. Burley Langford III South Chesterfield, VA 5 09-12 92
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 2 03-11
110. Frank Elasavage Owings Mills, MD 6 09-12 91
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 3 04-07
111. Travis Wyatt Gloucester, VA 4 09-11 90
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 1 02-06
112. Eric Osborne Jefferson, NC 6 09-11 89
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 3 03-08
113. Hamilton Derricott Chesterfield, VA 6 09-11 88
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 3 04-08
114. Bird Jones Loxahatchee, FL 5 09-10 87
Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 3 07-13
115. Todd Hughes Mount Bethel, PA 5 09-10 86
Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 3 07-06
116. Mark Kendra Great Meadows, NJ 3 09-06 85
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
117. Mickey Soler Newington, CT 6 09-06 84
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 04-11
118. Bill Butler Chester, VA 3 09-05 83
Day 1: 1 04-04 Day 2: 2 05-01
119. Jim Opetaia-Williamson Winter Garden, FL 5 09-04 82
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 2 03-02
120. Devon Norwood Kitson Montclair , NJ 6 09-03 81
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 3 04-15
121. Donnie Meade Richmond, VA 6 09-03 80
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 04-08
122. Laz Durham Dumfries, VA 3 09-02 79
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Rodney Manson Glen Burnie, MD 6 09-02 78
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 3 05-12
124. Stephen Brady Woodlawn, VA 6 09-02 77
Day 1: 3 03-11 Day 2: 3 05-07
125. Riley Kolich Long Beach, CA 4 09-01 76
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 1 01-00
126. Keith Jones Newport News, VA 6 09-01 75
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 3 04-12
127. Rich Knisely Jr. Disputanta, VA 5 08-15 74
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 2 03-03
128. Tom Tennity Ontario, NY 6 08-15 73
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 3 05-05
129. Amos Troyer Millersburg, IN 5 08-14 72
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 2 02-05
130. Arthur Carrier Colonial Heights, VA 5 08-14 71
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 2 03-15
131. Eugene Kim Lindenhurst, IL 5 08-14 70
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 3 04-03
132. Rich Williams Sutherland, VA 4 08-12 69
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 1 02-03
133. Jonathan Ceaser Maidens, VA 6 08-12 68
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 04-12
134. Yousel Torres Hampton, VA 6 08-11 67
Day 1: 3 03-03 Day 2: 3 05-08
135. Jc Condrey Saxe, VA 6 08-11 66
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 04-00
136. William Condrey Chesterfield, VA 6 08-10 65
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 04-10
137. Mike Mueller Mechanicsburg, PA 4 08-09 64
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 3 05-14
138. Gavin English Atwater, OH 5 08-09 63
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 3 04-08
139. Joshua Geyer Loganton, PA 6 08-09 62
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 3 04-03
140. Ryan Patterson Scott Township, PA 5 08-08 61
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 2 03-10
141. Ron Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 6 08-08 60
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 3 04-00
142. Avery Neely Richmond, VA 6 08-08 59
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 3 04-05
143. Steven Bowling Chesterfield, VA 6 08-05 58
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 3 04-12
144. Hunter Atkins Carrsville, VA 4 08-04 57
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 06-14
145. Guy Cisternino Oak Ridge, NJ 3 08-02 56
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-02
146. David Slaybaugh Colonial Heights, VA 4 08-02 55
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 3 06-15
147. Jiles Richards New Carrollton, MD 6 08-01 54
Day 1: 3 03-07 Day 2: 3 04-10
148. Robert Mcgarry Clarks Summit, PA 5 08-01 53
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 3 04-07
149. Doug Griles Providence Forge, VA 6 08-00 52
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 03-01
150. Cj Combs Sandston, VA 6 08-00 51
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 3 04-01
151. Richard Slomba Dundalk, MD 5 07-15 50
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 2 02-10
152. Todd Fisher Hopewell, VA 5 07-15 49
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 2 03-07
153. Paul Propst Jr. Kearneysville, WV 4 07-14 48
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 1 02-13
154. Burley Langford Jr. South Chesterfield, VA 5 07-14 47
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 02-14
155. David Compton Mount Bethel, PA 5 07-14 46
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 2 03-05
156. Benjamin Fisher Elizabeth City, NC 5 07-14 45
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 3 04-06
157. Gus Kneidinger Prospect, PA 4 07-13 44
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 1 01-14
158. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 07-10 43
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 02-10
159. Wesley Watson Huntington, WV 4 07-10 42
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 3 04-03
160. Tevinn Rollins Hampton, VA 5 07-08 41
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 3 04-09
161. Paul Kimball Philadelphia, PA 4 07-06 40
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 3 05-13
162. Harry Nurk Elkton, MD 6 07-06 39
Day 1: 3 03-04 Day 2: 3 04-02
163. Mark Ely Chester Springs, PA 4 07-03 38
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 3 06-07
164. Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ 6 07-03 37
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 3 03-13
165. Tommy Hamilton Disputanta, VA 4 07-02 36
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 3 04-06
166. James Johnson Chester, VA 4 07-00 35
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 04-11
167. Chip Stith Piscataway, NJ 5 07-00 34
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-09
168. David Everhart Kearneysville, WV 5 06-14 33
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 2 02-14
169. John Stoughtenger Waterloo, NY 3 06-13 32
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
170. Kyle Bolenske Goochland, VA 4 06-12 31
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 3 03-13
171. Steve Webb Montpelier, VA 3 06-11 30
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
172. Mike Hedrick Chester, VA 4 06-11 29
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 3 04-01
173. Wayne Morris Somerdale, NJ 4 06-09 28
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 1 01-04
174. Joshua McGeary Mt. Pleasant, PA 5 06-09 27
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 2 02-06
175. Christopher House Walworth, NY 4 06-07 26
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 3 04-14
176. Jim O'Connell Jr Castle Rock, CO 4 06-07 25
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 2 02-09
177. Anthony Boris Kansasville, WI 3 06-07 24
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 2 03-02
178. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 3 06-00 23
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
178. James Tilley Aylett, VA 3 06-00 23
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-00
178. Robert Winward Jr Newark, DE 3 06-00 23
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-00
181. Brad Goetz Montello, WI 3 05-13 20
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
182. David Waack Cary, NC 4 05-13 19
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 04-05
183. Steve Ritchie Franklin, OH 5 05-13 18
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 2 02-05
184. Roland Gittings Perryville, MD 4 05-10 17
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 3 04-09
185. Steven Miller Glen Allen, VA 3 05-09 16
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-09
186. Kevin Fore Powhatan, VA 3 05-08 15
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 4 05-08 14
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 2 02-10
188. Jacob Kidd Petersburg, VA 4 05-06 13
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 3 04-07
189. Jared Sutton Chester, VA 3 05-05 12
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
190. Kent Barker Sterling, VA 4 05-05 11
Day 1: 3 04-01 Day 2: 1 01-04
191. Troy Bowings Essex, MD 3 05-03 10
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. George Epley Livingston Manor, NY 3 05-03 10
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-03
193. Joey Price Jr Powhatan, VA 4 05-03 8
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 3 04-00
194. Kevin Gregory Midlothian, VA 3 05-02 7
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-02
194. Chris Moore Mechanicsville, VA 3 05-02 7
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
196. Rick Lemocks Carson, VA 4 05-02 5
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 1 01-09
197. Jimmy Fellegy Lakeville, MN 4 05-01 4
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 2 02-07
198. Travis Ruddock Mechanicsville, VA 3 05-00 3
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-00
199. Andy Semonco Chester, VA 3 04-12 2
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
200. Frank Williams Jackson, MO 3 04-12 1
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 1 01-07
201. Michael Mawyer Midlothian, VA 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 1 01-10
202. Dante Gray Ruther Glen, VA 3 04-03 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-03
203. Tom Cahill Danville, VA 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-03
204. Tim Byers Emporia, VA 3 03-14 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
205. Antuan Vincent Newport News, VA 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 1 03-02
206. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-06
206. Steve Plude Franklin, VA 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
208. Bob Harper Lombard, IL 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-05
209. Tyrone Adams Fredericksburg, VA 5 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 3 00-00
210. Mark Ludwig Chesterfield, VA 3 03-02 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-02
211. Jeffrey Ball Richmond, VA 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
212. James Burtner Penn Laird, VA 2 02-10 0
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
213. Ricky Meyers Fredericksburg, VA 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
214. Lou Britos Disputanta, VA 2 01-14 0
Day 1: 2 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
215. Danny Ware Shacklefords, VA 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
216. Matt Martin Colonial Heights, VA 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
217. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
217. John Brzozowski Plymouth, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
217. David Patterson Flowood, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
217. Kevin Ritchie Trenton, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 155 535 1145-03
2 153 532 1057-13
----------------------------------
308 1067 2203-00
Wetherell Follows Two-Stage Plan To Lead Bassmaster Open On James River
Alex Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., is leading the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing with 25 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
April 14, 2022
Wetherell Follows Two-Stage Plan To Lead Bassmaster Open On James River
RICHMOND, Va. — Alex Wetherell was not particularly thrilled with his practice, but his mood changed dramatically after catching a five-bass limit that weighed 25 pounds, 9 ounces to lead Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at the James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.
“This is proof that practice does not matter,” said Wetherell, who lives in Middletown, Conn. “This was not a good practice at all. I sampled (various areas) and, thankfully, that sampling turned into a pretty good bag today.
“In practice, I’d catch a fish and get out of there. I didn’t sting too many of these fish and, come tournament time, I expanded on these areas and caught some good ones.”
Wetherell’s leading bag — his biggest in tournament competition — included a pair of 7-pounders. One of those big fish bit during the first 20 minutes.
Making a long run, Wetherell spent his day in tributary waters where he targeted a mix of cypress trees and pads with moving baits. Some of the bass in his areas were prespawners, but some had moved onto beds.
“I’m running into both in the same areas, but (prespawn and spawning fish) are 20 yards apart,” Wetherell said. “I’m fishing stuff right near the areas where they’re spawning. I caught some of my bigger fish doing that, and I caught 2- to 4-pound fish that seemed to be on beds.”
Wetherell knew the week’s warming trend would hasten the fish’s seasonal pattern, but with the low-visibility characteristic of tidal rivers, he couldn’t count on seeing any spawning fish.
“It scared me that we’re having all this warm weather and all these fish were going to move in for the spawn because I didn’t feel like I had areas where I thought they would spawn,” he said. “Today I just kind of figured it out just by the way they would hit. The deal I found was a prespawn deal and the spawn deal was just kind of a bonus.”
Typically, fish that are guarding beds will only nip at intrusive baits and try to carry them off their property. This often yields multiple missed bites, but Wetherell was able to dial in a presentation that allowed him to hook several bed fish.
“The key was slowing down and really picking apart the areas,” he said. “As windy as it was, I would just put my Minn Kota Raptors down, fancast an area and really work it through. Having a couple of big fish early settled me down and allowed me to work thoroughly and that gave me some of those key bites.
“In practice, I really didn’t catch many fish that were very big and I thought, ‘If I catch 15 pounds today, I’ll be really happy.’ I’m over the moon about the bag I had today. From yesterday to today, I feel totally different.”
Looking ahead to Day 2, Wetherell said, “There are definitely fish around. I don’t know if I’m going to catch another 7-pounder, but I’ll definitely be around them.”
Brad Leuthner of Independence, Minn., is in second place with 22-4. Catching a 7-5 kicker eased the pain of seeing what could have been a monster bag diminished by tough breaks.
“That 7-pounder goes a long way, but I had another one on that was that big if not bigger,” Leuthner said. “This morning, I got some mud in my livewell pump and I had a 2 1/2-pound fish die. I could have had another 3 or 4 pounds today.”
Leuthner said he fished the Chickahominy — a major tributary downstream from takeoff — and sought areas with the gravel bottom that spawning fish favor. He said he caught all prespawners, but they were located adjacent to those hard-bottom areas.
“I mixed it up throughout the day,” Leuthner said of his bait selections. “When the tide was right, I could throw a moving bait, but when the tide (was unfavorable), I had to slow down with plastic baits.”
Joey Murphy of Elkton, Md., is in third place with 22-3. Fishing shallow cover with slower presentations, Murphy said his best strategy involved making the most of the day’s different tide stages.
“For what I was fishing, I wanted more water over their heads, but I was able to get them on the lower tides as well,” Murphy said. “It seemed like you had to transition with them as the tide changed.”
Murphy caught good bass throughout the day, but he ended with a bang.
“I caught a 7-11 25 minutes before check-in time,” he said. “I culled out a 2 1/2-pounder with that one.”
Murphy is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with that 7-11.
James Nealy of Yale, Va., leads the co-angler division with 15-2. Fishing shallow wood cover with reaction baits, Nealy’s day got off to a quick start and included an 8-2 that leads the Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings for the co-angler division.
“When you get your limit early and you catch a big kicker fish (8-2) early, it makes you feel good and makes the rest of the day easy,” Nealy said. “I had my limit in the first hour and a half, then I caught the big one around 11 o’clock.
“About an hour before we came in, I made one final cull with a 4-pounder.”
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Osborne Park & Boat Landing. The weigh-in will be held back at the Landing at 2:30 p.m. Coverage is available on Bassmaster.com.
2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open #1 James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 4/14-4/16
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 25-09 200
Day 1: 5 25-09
2. Brad Leuthner Independence, MN 5 22-04 199
Day 1: 5 22-04
3. Joey Murphy Elkton, MD 5 22-03 198
Day 1: 5 22-03
4. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 21-09 197
Day 1: 5 21-09
5. Tj Milton Chester, VA 5 20-11 196
Day 1: 5 20-11
6. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 5 20-03 195
Day 1: 5 20-03
7. Jacob Walker Springville, AL 5 19-13 194
Day 1: 5 19-13
8. Jason Borofka Lavon, TX 5 18-05 193
Day 1: 5 18-05
9. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 18-03 192
Day 1: 5 18-03
10. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 18-03 191
Day 1: 5 18-03
11. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 17-11 190
Day 1: 5 17-11
12. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 17-07 189
Day 1: 5 17-07
12. Michael Duarte Middle River, MD 5 17-07 189
Day 1: 5 17-07
14. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 17-06 187
Day 1: 5 17-06
14. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 17-06 187
Day 1: 5 17-06
16. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 17-05 185
Day 1: 5 17-05
17. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 17-02 184
Day 1: 5 17-02
17. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 17-02 184
Day 1: 5 17-02
19. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 17-00 182
Day 1: 5 17-00
19. Gunnar Meger Otsego, MN 5 17-00 182
Day 1: 5 17-00
21. Sam George Athens, AL 5 16-15 180
Day 1: 5 16-15
22. Chaz Carrington Suffolk, VA 5 16-14 179
Day 1: 5 16-14
23. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 16-10 178
Day 1: 5 16-10
23. Jared Miller Norman, OK 5 16-10 178
Day 1: 5 16-10
25. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 16-08 176
Day 1: 5 16-08
25. Frank Poirier North Prince George, VA 5 16-08 176
Day 1: 5 16-08
27. Brad Webb Hampton, VA 5 16-07 174
Day 1: 5 16-07
28. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 16-05 173
Day 1: 5 16-05
29. Chris Price Church Hill, MD 5 16-03 172
Day 1: 5 16-03
30. Chris Hellebuyck Waterford, MI 5 16-00 171
Day 1: 5 16-00
31. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 5 16-00 170
Day 1: 5 16-00
32. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 5 15-15 169
Day 1: 5 15-15
33. Douglas Reed Bridgeton, NJ 5 15-14 168
Day 1: 5 15-14
34. Donnie Bell Jr Hopewell, VA 5 15-11 167
Day 1: 5 15-11
35. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 5 15-10 166
Day 1: 5 15-10
36. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 5 15-08 165
Day 1: 5 15-08
37. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 5 15-05 164
Day 1: 5 15-05
38. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 5 15-03 163
Day 1: 5 15-03
38. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-03 163
Day 1: 5 15-03
40. Jon Canada Helena, AL 5 15-02 161
Day 1: 5 15-02
41. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 5 15-01 160
Day 1: 5 15-01
42. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 15-00 159
Day 1: 5 15-00
42. Justin Margraves Diana, TX 5 15-00 159
Day 1: 5 15-00
44. Tanner Sanderson Ackerly, TX 5 14-15 157
Day 1: 5 14-15
45. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 14-15 156
Day 1: 5 14-15
46. Mike McKay Manlius, NY 5 14-14 155
Day 1: 5 14-14
47. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 5 14-12 154
Day 1: 5 14-12
48. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 5 14-11 153
Day 1: 5 14-11
48. Ryan Powroznik Prince George, VA 5 14-11 153
Day 1: 5 14-11
50. Caden Acree Powder Springs, GA 5 14-10 151
Day 1: 5 14-10
51. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 5 14-10 150
Day 1: 5 14-10
52. John Murray Spring City, TN 4 14-09 149
Day 1: 4 14-09
53. Marshall Johnson Montpelier, VA 5 14-08 148
Day 1: 5 14-08
53. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 14-08 148
Day 1: 5 14-08
55. Cody Pike Powhatan, VA 5 14-07 146
Day 1: 5 14-07
56. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 5 14-06 145
Day 1: 5 14-06
57. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 5 14-05 144
Day 1: 5 14-05
58. Dave Husnay Conklin, NY 5 14-04 143
Day 1: 5 14-04
59. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 5 14-03 142
Day 1: 5 14-03
59. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 5 14-03 142
Day 1: 5 14-03
59. Jeff Salmon Chester, VA 5 14-03 142
Day 1: 5 14-03
62. Cody Salzmann Southgate, MI 5 14-02 139
Day 1: 5 14-02
63. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 5 14-01 138
Day 1: 5 14-01
64. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 5 14-00 137
Day 1: 5 14-00
64. Bart Stanisz Wichita Falls , TX 5 14-00 137
Day 1: 5 14-00
64. Tanner Ward Woodsfield, OH 5 14-00 137
Day 1: 5 14-00
67. John Duarte Jr Conway, SC 5 13-15 134
Day 1: 5 13-15
67. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 13-15 134
Day 1: 5 13-15
69. Wesley Cashwell Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 13-13 132
Day 1: 5 13-13
69. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 5 13-13 132
Day 1: 5 13-13
69. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 5 13-13 132
Day 1: 5 13-13
72. danny Snyder Annandale, VA 5 13-12 129
Day 1: 5 13-12
73. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 5 13-10 128
Day 1: 5 13-10
73. Tyler Morgan Pine Grove, PA 5 13-10 128
Day 1: 5 13-10
73. Nick Radtke Greenwood Lake, NY 5 13-10 128
Day 1: 5 13-10
73. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 13-10 128
Day 1: 5 13-10
77. Christiana Bradley Goldvein, VA 5 13-09 124
Day 1: 5 13-09
78. Raymond Jones III Mocksville, NC 5 13-08 123
Day 1: 5 13-08
78. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 5 13-08 123
Day 1: 5 13-08
78. Mike Raber Elkhart, IN 5 13-08 123
Day 1: 5 13-08
81. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 13-05 120
Day 1: 5 13-05
81. Trent Cole Mullica Hill, NJ 5 13-05 120
Day 1: 5 13-05
83. Josh Summerville Lilly, PA 5 13-04 118
Day 1: 5 13-04
83. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 5 13-04 118
Day 1: 5 13-04
85. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 5 13-02 116
Day 1: 5 13-02
85. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 13-02 116
Day 1: 5 13-02
87. Stanley Sypeck Jr Sugarloaf, PA 5 13-01 114
Day 1: 5 13-01
88. Shaun Brown Slippery Rock, PA 5 13-00 113
Day 1: 5 13-00
88. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 5 13-00 113
Day 1: 5 13-00
90. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 5 12-15 111
Day 1: 5 12-15
91. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 12-14 110
Day 1: 5 12-14
91. Luke Shrader Maple Shade, NJ 5 12-14 110
Day 1: 5 12-14
91. Chance Woodard Paris, TX 5 12-14 110
Day 1: 5 12-14
94. Patrick Martin St Roch De L Achigan Qu 5 12-13 107
Day 1: 5 12-13
95. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 12-12 106
Day 1: 5 12-12
95. Caiden Sinclair Wilsonville, AL 5 12-12 106
Day 1: 5 12-12
97. Tommy Little Chester, VA 5 12-10 104
Day 1: 5 12-10
98. Matt Pangrac Bixby, OK 5 12-09 103
Day 1: 5 12-09
99. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 12-08 102
Day 1: 5 12-08
100. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 12-07 101
Day 1: 5 12-07
100. Christopher Bryant Disputanta, VA 5 12-07 101
Day 1: 5 12-07
100. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 12-07 101
Day 1: 5 12-07
103. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 5 12-05 98
Day 1: 5 12-05
104. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 12-03 97
Day 1: 5 12-03
105. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL 5 12-02 96
Day 1: 5 12-02
105. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 12-02 96
Day 1: 5 12-02
107. Daisuke Kita Ohtsu Shiga JAPAN 5 12-00 94
Day 1: 5 12-00
108. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 5 11-15 93
Day 1: 5 11-15
108. Jefferson Hamilton Henrico, VA 5 11-15 93
Day 1: 5 11-15
108. Steve Morella Townshend, VT 5 11-15 93
Day 1: 5 11-15
111. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 11-13 90
Day 1: 5 11-13
111. Rick Hawkins Roanoke, VA 5 11-13 90
Day 1: 5 11-13
113. Destin DeMarion Harborcreek, PA 5 11-11 88
Day 1: 5 11-11
114. Zak Fadden Plymouth, MI 5 11-09 87
Day 1: 5 11-09
114. Kerry Frey Middlebury, IN 5 11-09 87
Day 1: 5 11-09
114. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 5 11-09 87
Day 1: 5 11-09
117. Greg Fernandez Chesterfield, VA 5 11-08 84
Day 1: 5 11-08
117. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 11-08 84
Day 1: 5 11-08
119. Michael Rowe Providence Forge, VA 5 11-07 82
Day 1: 5 11-07
120. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 5 11-07 81
Day 1: 5 11-07
121. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 11-03 80
Day 1: 5 11-03
121. Jon Jezierski Troy, MI 5 11-03 80
Day 1: 5 11-03
121. Jordan Sypeck Weston, PA 5 11-03 80
Day 1: 5 11-03
124. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 5 11-02 77
Day 1: 5 11-02
125. Jacopo Gallelli Horton AL ITALY 5 11-01 76
Day 1: 5 11-01
125. Travis Lugar McGaheysville, VA 5 11-01 76
Day 1: 5 11-01
127. Joe Labarbera Montrose, PA 5 11-01 74
Day 1: 5 11-01
128. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 4 11-01 73
Day 1: 4 11-01
129. James Loomis III Parish, NY 5 11-00 72
Day 1: 5 11-00
130. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 10-15 71
Day 1: 5 10-15
131. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 10-14 70
Day 1: 5 10-14
131. Josh Cotier Clinton, MA 5 10-14 70
Day 1: 5 10-14
131. Jeff Jensen Beech Creek, PA 5 10-14 70
Day 1: 5 10-14
131. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 10-14 70
Day 1: 5 10-14
131. Vincent Melfi Bellmawr, NJ 5 10-14 70
Day 1: 5 10-14
136. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 10-13 65
Day 1: 5 10-13
136. John Vanore Mullica Hill, NJ 5 10-13 65
Day 1: 5 10-13
138. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 10-12 63
Day 1: 5 10-12
138. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 10-12 63
Day 1: 5 10-12
140. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 5 10-09 61
Day 1: 5 10-09
141. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 4 10-09 60
Day 1: 4 10-09
142. Jason Bishop North Prince George, VA 5 10-08 59
Day 1: 5 10-08
143. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 10-07 58
Day 1: 5 10-07
144. Danny Rodriguez Monkton, MD 5 10-06 57
Day 1: 5 10-06
144. Ed Stiefel Mahwah, NJ 5 10-06 57
Day 1: 5 10-06
146. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 3 10-06 55
Day 1: 3 10-06
147. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 5 10-05 54
Day 1: 5 10-05
147. Sheron Brown Leominster, MA 5 10-05 54
Day 1: 5 10-05
147. Coop Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 10-05 54
Day 1: 5 10-05
147. Spencer Peters Corryton, TN 5 10-05 54
Day 1: 5 10-05
151. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 10-04 50
Day 1: 5 10-04
152. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 10-01 49
Day 1: 5 10-01
153. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 5 09-13 48
Day 1: 5 09-13
153. Mamoru Kagiya Takahama JAPAN 5 09-13 48
Day 1: 5 09-13
155. Jason Casteel Ocoee, FL 5 09-12 46
Day 1: 5 09-12
156. Reese Hudson Broomall, PA 5 09-09 45
Day 1: 5 09-09
156. Jared Williams Hampton, VA 5 09-09 45
Day 1: 5 09-09
158. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 5 09-08 43
Day 1: 5 09-08
159. Richard Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 5 09-06 42
Day 1: 5 09-06
159. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 09-06 42
Day 1: 5 09-06
161. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 09-02 40
Day 1: 5 09-02
162. Joe Ford Bewdely CANADA 4 09-00 39
Day 1: 4 09-00
163. Steven Camp Mechanicsvlle, VA 5 08-14 38
Day 1: 5 08-14
163. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 5 08-14 38
Day 1: 5 08-14
165. Jonathan Carter Portland, ME 5 08-13 36
Day 1: 5 08-13
166. Eddie Casey Whiteford, MD 5 08-12 35
Day 1: 5 08-12
166. Michael Kinard Concord, NC 5 08-12 35
Day 1: 5 08-12
168. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 08-09 33
Day 1: 5 08-09
169. Bo Boltz Jr New Kent, VA 4 08-09 32
Day 1: 4 08-09
170. Chris Dillow Waynesboro, VA 5 08-08 31
Day 1: 5 08-08
171. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 5 08-07 30
Day 1: 5 08-07
172. Brandon Brown Lockport, NY 5 08-05 29
Day 1: 5 08-05
173. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 08-04 28
Day 1: 5 08-04
174. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 08-02 27
Day 1: 5 08-02
175. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 5 07-14 26
Day 1: 5 07-14
176. Greg Secord Salem, SC 5 07-11 25
Day 1: 5 07-11
176. Kayden Tanner Tolar, TX 5 07-11 25
Day 1: 5 07-11
178. Brent Shores Boise, ID 4 07-09 23
Day 1: 4 07-09
179. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 5 07-05 22
Day 1: 5 07-05
180. Jody Gardner Tippecanoe, OH 5 07-04 21
Day 1: 5 07-04
181. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 07-03 20
Day 1: 5 07-03
182. Bobby "J" Nakatomi Sacramento, CA 2 07-03 19
Day 1: 2 07-03
183. Lucas Bogosian Harrington Park, NJ 5 07-00 18
Day 1: 5 07-00
184. Brian Brooks Sea Isle City, NJ 5 06-13 17
Day 1: 5 06-13
185. Jacob Otto Lagrange, IN 5 06-11 16
Day 1: 5 06-11
185. Hermilo Salgado-Zavaleta Artemus, KY 5 06-11 16
Day 1: 5 06-11
185. Vince Troiano Chesterfield, NJ 5 06-11 16
Day 1: 5 06-11
188. Noah Boyett Mountain Home, AR 5 06-09 13
Day 1: 5 06-09
189. Mark Dimarzio McDonald, PA 4 06-09 12
Day 1: 4 06-09
190. D.J. Ellis Crestview, FL 5 06-08 11
Day 1: 5 06-08
191. Hunter Bland Williston, FL 5 06-05 10
Day 1: 5 06-05
191. Michael Zampese Haskell, NJ 5 06-05 10
Day 1: 5 06-05
193. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 5 06-04 8
Day 1: 5 06-04
194. Tom Knee Newtown Square, PA 3 06-03 7
Day 1: 3 06-03
195. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 3 05-10 6
Day 1: 3 05-10
196. Paul Kimball Glastonbury, CT 4 05-09 5
Day 1: 4 05-09
197. Daniel Dooner Wyckoff, NJ 5 05-05 4
Day 1: 5 05-05
198. Troy Coney Endicott, NY 2 05-05 3
Day 1: 2 05-05
198. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 2 05-05 3
Day 1: 2 05-05
200. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 3 05-00 1
Day 1: 3 05-00
201. Kane Stein Jeannette, PA 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-00
202. Shane Oltjenbruns Neligh, NE 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13
203. Tim Malone Kodak, TN 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
204. Richard Vonnordick Jarrettsville, MD 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
205. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 4 04-09 0
Day 1: 4 04-09
206. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 3 04-06 0
Day 1: 3 04-06
207. Douglas Dulin Apex, NC 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-06
208. Marcus Griffin North East, MD 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
209. Cass Terrance Akwewsane, NY 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10
210. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
211. Linwood Shores Powhatan, VA 2 03-01 0
Day 1: 2 03-01
212. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
213. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 1 02-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-11
214. Christopher Fiore Midlothian, VA 2 02-08 0
Day 1: 2 02-08
215. Michael Harter Westminster, SC 2 02-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-06
216. Carmen Peluso Pittsburgh, PA 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
217. John Watts Jr Flushing, MI 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
218. Bridget Allen Manheim, PA 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
219. Anthony Cicero Palmyra, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Wayne Hall Cottonwood, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Richard Kaluba Litchfield, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Douglas Lyon Glendale, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Oliver Ngy Frisco, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Kaoru O'Bryan Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
219. Burley Warf Moneta, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 185 1011 2537-06
----------------------------------
185 1011 2537-06
2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open #1 James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing 4/14-4/16
James River, Richmond VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. James Nealy Yale, VA 3 15-02 200
Day 1: 3 15-02
2. Mathew Thompson Hogansburg, NY 3 14-15 199
Day 1: 3 14-15
3. Francis Andrews Petersburg, VA 3 13-08 198
Day 1: 3 13-08
4. EJ Thomas Roanoke, VA 3 11-13 197
Day 1: 3 11-13
5. Brent Temple BREWERTON, NY 3 11-01 196
Day 1: 3 11-01
6. Lynn Hoeffer Newport News, VA 3 10-14 195
Day 1: 3 10-14
7. Christopher Mcdaniel Victoria , VA 3 10-12 194
Day 1: 3 10-12
8. David Deciucis CHESTER, VA 3 10-09 193
Day 1: 3 10-09
9. Ryan Drewery South Prince George, VA 3 10-06 192
Day 1: 3 10-06
10. Rob Tipton III Pitman, NJ 3 09-15 191
Day 1: 3 09-15
11. Joe Franzwa Pittsgrove, NJ 3 09-12 190
Day 1: 3 09-12
12. Lenny Baird Stafford, VA 3 09-11 189
Day 1: 3 09-11
13. John Cary Ruther Glen, VA 3 09-09 188
Day 1: 3 09-09
14. David Camp Sterling, OH 3 09-08 187
Day 1: 3 09-08
15. Mark Kendra Great Meadows, NJ 3 09-06 186
Day 1: 3 09-06
15. Tony Long Moseley, VA 3 09-06 186
Day 1: 3 09-06
17. Clayton Payne The Plains, VA 3 09-04 184
Day 1: 3 09-04
18. Laz Durham Dumfries, VA 3 09-02 183
Day 1: 3 09-02
19. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 3 09-01 182
Day 1: 3 09-01
19. Michael Martinez Lanexa, VA 3 09-01 182
Day 1: 3 09-01
21. Les Forrest Chesterfield, VA 3 09-00 180
Day 1: 3 09-00
22. Phillip Arnold Powhatan, VA 3 08-14 179
Day 1: 3 08-14
23. Maurice Curley Prince George, VA 3 08-12 178
Day 1: 3 08-12
23. David Williams Fredericksburg, VA 3 08-12 178
Day 1: 3 08-12
25. Tommy Young II Linden, NC 3 08-11 176
Day 1: 3 08-11
26. Joe Stalb Manheim, PA 3 08-10 175
Day 1: 3 08-10
27. John Barnes Henrico, VA 3 08-09 174
Day 1: 3 08-09
27. Anthony Ross Hopewell, VA 3 08-09 174
Day 1: 3 08-09
29. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 3 08-08 172
Day 1: 3 08-08
29. Alex Watts Roanoke, VA 3 08-08 172
Day 1: 3 08-08
31. Scott Devault New Philadelphia, OH 3 08-06 170
Day 1: 3 08-06
32. Aaron Bartlett New Kent, VA 3 08-05 169
Day 1: 3 08-05
32. Michael Mcmanama Hopewell, VA 3 08-05 169
Day 1: 3 08-05
32. Jason Sherwood Damascus, MD 3 08-05 169
Day 1: 3 08-05
35. Tyler Caldwell Portsmouth, VA 3 08-04 166
Day 1: 3 08-04
36. Travis Heath Chester, VA 3 08-03 165
Day 1: 3 08-03
36. Joe Lineberry Selwn CANADA 3 08-03 165
Day 1: 3 08-03
38. James Williams Sims, NC 3 08-02 163
Day 1: 3 08-02
39. Bryce Bason Mill Hall, PA 3 08-01 162
Day 1: 3 08-01
39. Riley Kolich Long Beach, CA 3 08-01 162
Day 1: 3 08-01
41. Stacey Jefferson Conway, SC 3 07-13 160
Day 1: 3 07-13
41. Richard Roselle La Plata, MD 3 07-13 160
Day 1: 3 07-13
43. Jimmy Schaffer Oak Ridge, NJ 2 07-13 158
Day 1: 2 07-13
44. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 3 07-12 157
Day 1: 3 07-12
44. Joseph Zapf Oak Ridge, NJ 3 07-12 157
Day 1: 3 07-12
46. Michael Baldwin Jr South Chesterfield, VA 3 07-11 155
Day 1: 3 07-11
47. Richard Rodriguez Williamsburg, VA 3 07-08 154
Day 1: 3 07-08
47. Richard Stewart Chesterfield, VA 3 07-08 154
Day 1: 3 07-08
49. Joey Deluke Glen Allen, VA 3 07-05 152
Day 1: 3 07-05
49. Nicole Jacobs Saint Paul, MN 3 07-05 152
Day 1: 3 07-05
49. Jonathan Patkus Columbia, MD 3 07-05 152
Day 1: 3 07-05
49. Travis Wyatt Gloucester, VA 3 07-05 152
Day 1: 3 07-05
53. Akira Okuyama Forest Hills, NY 3 07-05 148
Day 1: 3 07-05
54. Rick Jerman Springfield, VA 2 07-05 147
Day 1: 2 07-05
55. Roger Walters Jr Colonial Heights, VA 3 07-04 146
Day 1: 3 07-04
55. Chris Whittaker Waverly, VA 3 07-04 146
Day 1: 3 07-04
57. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 3 07-03 144
Day 1: 3 07-03
58. Hunter Reifschneider Marion, IA 3 07-02 143
Day 1: 3 07-02
59. Mark Kines Virginia Beach, VA 3 07-01 142
Day 1: 3 07-01
59. Joshua Torres Port Tobacco, MD 3 07-01 142
Day 1: 3 07-01
61. Richard Griswold Jr Windsor, VA 3 07-00 140
Day 1: 3 07-00
62. Thomas Edmunds Mechanicsville, VA 3 06-15 139
Day 1: 3 06-15
62. Charles James Richmond, VA 3 06-15 139
Day 1: 3 06-15
62. Jessie Moore Severn, MD 3 06-15 139
Day 1: 3 06-15
62. Charles Pulay Fulton, MD 3 06-15 139
Day 1: 3 06-15
66. Derek Brown Charlottesville, VA 3 06-14 135
Day 1: 3 06-14
66. Jason Holder Powhatan, VA 3 06-14 135
Day 1: 3 06-14
66. Alex Richard Hampton, VA 3 06-14 135
Day 1: 3 06-14
69. Jeremy Hise Midlothian, VA 3 06-13 132
Day 1: 3 06-13
69. John Stoughtenger Waterloo, NY 3 06-13 132
Day 1: 3 06-13
71. Craig Ferguson Emporia, VA 3 06-11 130
Day 1: 3 06-11
71. Steve Webb Montpelier, VA 3 06-11 130
Day 1: 3 06-11
73. Brian Setlock Lancaster, PA 3 06-09 128
Day 1: 3 06-09
73. Amos Troyer Millersburg, IN 3 06-09 128
Day 1: 3 06-09
73. Rich Williams Sutherland, VA 3 06-09 128
Day 1: 3 06-09
76. Brooks Parker Bridgeville, DE 3 06-07 125
Day 1: 3 06-07
76. Kevin Pfautz Barboursville, VA 3 06-07 125
Day 1: 3 06-07
78. Nathaniel Kilgore Franklin, VA 3 06-04 123
Day 1: 3 06-04
78. Joseph Strauss Lititz, PA 3 06-04 123
Day 1: 3 06-04
80. Eric Osborne Jefferson, NC 3 06-03 121
Day 1: 3 06-03
81. John Dunn Deltaville, VA 3 06-02 120
Day 1: 3 06-02
81. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 3 06-02 120
Day 1: 3 06-02
81. Jim Opetaia-Williamson Winter Garden, FL 3 06-02 120
Day 1: 3 06-02
84. Burley Langford III South Chesterfield, VA 3 06-01 117
Day 1: 3 06-01
84. Kelly Robinette Colonial Heights, VA 3 06-01 117
Day 1: 3 06-01
86. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 3 06-00 115
Day 1: 3 06-00
87. Gus Kneidinger Prospect, PA 3 05-15 114
Day 1: 3 05-15
88. Brad Goetz Montello, WI 3 05-13 113
Day 1: 3 05-13
88. Andy Lavin Lanexa, VA 3 05-13 113
Day 1: 3 05-13
88. Scott Spencer Raleigh, NC 3 05-13 113
Day 1: 3 05-13
91. Rich Knisely Jr. Disputanta, VA 3 05-12 110
Day 1: 3 05-12
92. Robert Bruguiere Roseland, VA 3 05-11 109
Day 1: 3 05-11
93. David Booth Erin, TN 3 05-09 108
Day 1: 3 05-09
93. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 3 05-09 108
Day 1: 3 05-09
93. Todd Long Midlothian, VA 3 05-09 108
Day 1: 3 05-09
96. Kevin Fore Powhatan, VA 3 05-08 105
Day 1: 3 05-08
96. Jordan LaClair Ogdensburg, NY 3 05-08 105
Day 1: 3 05-08
98. Chris Donavant Yorktown, VA 3 05-05 103
Day 1: 3 05-05
98. Frank Elasavage Owings Mills, MD 3 05-05 103
Day 1: 3 05-05
98. Wayne Morris Somerdale, NJ 3 05-05 103
Day 1: 3 05-05
98. Richard Slomba Dundalk, MD 3 05-05 103
Day 1: 3 05-05
98. Jared Sutton Chester, VA 3 05-05 103
Day 1: 3 05-05
103. Brian Durham Dinwiddie, VA 3 05-04 98
Day 1: 3 05-04
104. Troy Bowings Essex, MD 3 05-03 97
Day 1: 3 05-03
104. Hamilton Derricott Chesterfield, VA 3 05-03 97
Day 1: 3 05-03
106. Christopher Underwood Oak Hill, VA 2 05-03 95
Day 1: 2 05-03
107. Chris Moore Mechanicsville, VA 3 05-02 94
Day 1: 3 05-02
108. Kenny Stelter Forest Lake, MN 2 05-02 93
Day 1: 2 05-02
109. Paul Propst Jr. Kearneysville, WV 3 05-01 92
Day 1: 3 05-01
110. Brian Langford Petersburg, VA 3 05-00 91
Day 1: 3 05-00
110. Burley Langford Jr. South Chesterfield, VA 3 05-00 91
Day 1: 3 05-00
110. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 3 05-00 91
Day 1: 3 05-00
113. Arthur Carrier Colonial Heights, VA 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Doug Griles Providence Forge, VA 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Cody Wilson Ladson, SC 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 3 04-15
118. Ryan Patterson Scott Township, PA 3 04-14 83
Day 1: 3 04-14
119. Joe Mantione West Milford, NJ 3 04-13 82
Day 1: 3 04-13
120. Andy Semonco Chester, VA 3 04-12 81
Day 1: 3 04-12
121. Jc Condrey Saxe, VA 3 04-11 80
Day 1: 3 04-11
121. Trey Grow III Mechanicsville, VA 3 04-11 80
Day 1: 3 04-11
121. Donnie Meade Richmond, VA 3 04-11 80
Day 1: 3 04-11
121. Mickey Soler Newington, CT 3 04-11 80
Day 1: 3 04-11
125. Eugene Kim Lindenhurst, IL 2 04-11 76
Day 1: 2 04-11
126. Logan Buttolph Doswell, VA 3 04-10 75
Day 1: 3 04-10
127. David Compton Mount Bethel, PA 3 04-09 74
Day 1: 3 04-09
128. Todd Fisher Hopewell, VA 3 04-08 73
Day 1: 3 04-08
128. Ron Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 3 04-08 73
Day 1: 3 04-08
130. Gerald Heffler Chester, VA 3 04-07 71
Day 1: 3 04-07
130. Mike Roselle La Plata, MD 3 04-07 71
Day 1: 3 04-07
130. Chip Stith Piscataway, NJ 3 04-07 71
Day 1: 3 04-07
133. Jonathan Lakota Memphis, NY 2 04-07 68
Day 1: 2 04-07
134. Joshua Geyer Loganton, PA 3 04-06 67
Day 1: 3 04-06
135. Keith Jones Newport News, VA 3 04-05 66
Day 1: 3 04-05
136. Devon Norwood Kitson Montclair , NJ 3 04-04 65
Day 1: 3 04-04
137. Bill Butler Chester, VA 1 04-04 64
Day 1: 1 04-04
138. Joshua McGeary Mt. Pleasant, PA 3 04-03 63
Day 1: 3 04-03
138. Avery Neely Richmond, VA 3 04-03 63
Day 1: 3 04-03
140. Kent Barker Sterling, VA 3 04-01 61
Day 1: 3 04-01
141. Gavin English Atwater, OH 2 04-01 60
Day 1: 2 04-01
142. Jonathan Ceaser Maidens, VA 3 04-00 59
Day 1: 3 04-00
142. William Condrey Chesterfield, VA 3 04-00 59
Day 1: 3 04-00
142. David Everhart Kearneysville, WV 3 04-00 59
Day 1: 3 04-00
142. Michael Rustin Henrico, VA 3 04-00 59
Day 1: 3 04-00
146. Cj Combs Sandston, VA 3 03-15 55
Day 1: 3 03-15
146. William Gaston Sylacauga, AL 3 03-15 55
Day 1: 3 03-15
148. Tim Byers Emporia, VA 3 03-14 53
Day 1: 3 03-14
149. Jim O'Connell Jr Castle Rock, CO 2 03-14 52
Day 1: 2 03-14
150. Ernest McIntyre Jr Fayetteville, NC 3 03-12 51
Day 1: 3 03-12
150. Matt Noraas Pamplin, VA 3 03-12 51
Day 1: 3 03-12
152. Stephen Brady Woodlawn, VA 3 03-11 49
Day 1: 3 03-11
153. Jared Phillips Addison, NY 2 03-11 48
Day 1: 2 03-11
154. Tom Tennity Ontario, NY 3 03-10 47
Day 1: 3 03-10
155. Robert Mcgarry Clarks Summit, PA 2 03-10 46
Day 1: 2 03-10
156. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 3 03-09 45
Day 1: 3 03-09
156. Rick Lemocks Carson, VA 3 03-09 45
Day 1: 3 03-09
158. Steven Bowling Chesterfield, VA 3 03-09 43
Day 1: 3 03-09
159. Tim Mcglenn Welcome, MD 3 03-08 42
Day 1: 3 03-08
159. Steve Ritchie Franklin, OH 3 03-08 42
Day 1: 3 03-08
161. Benjamin Fisher Elizabeth City, NC 2 03-08 40
Day 1: 2 03-08
162. Bill Turonis Jr Kill Devil Hills, NC 1 03-08 39
Day 1: 1 03-08
163. Jiles Richards New Carrollton, MD 3 03-07 38
Day 1: 3 03-07
164. Wesley Watson Huntington, WV 1 03-07 37
Day 1: 1 03-07
165. Rodney Manson Glen Burnie, MD 3 03-06 36
Day 1: 3 03-06
165. Joe Sodora Garfield, NJ 3 03-06 36
Day 1: 3 03-06
167. Steve Plude Franklin, VA 2 03-06 34
Day 1: 2 03-06
168. Frank Williams Jackson, MO 2 03-05 33
Day 1: 2 03-05
169. Anthony Boris Kansasville, WI 1 03-05 32
Day 1: 1 03-05
170. Harry Nurk Elkton, MD 3 03-04 31
Day 1: 3 03-04
171. Yousel Torres Hampton, VA 3 03-03 30
Day 1: 3 03-03
171. Christopher Trovinger Sabillasville, MD 3 03-03 30
Day 1: 3 03-03
173. Tyrone Adams Fredericksburg, VA 2 03-03 28
Day 1: 2 03-03
174. Tevinn Rollins Hampton, VA 2 02-15 27
Day 1: 2 02-15
175. Kyle Bolenske Goochland, VA 1 02-15 26
Day 1: 1 02-15
176. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 2 02-14 25
Day 1: 2 02-14
177. Michael Mawyer Midlothian, VA 1 02-13 24
Day 1: 1 02-13
178. Tommy Hamilton Disputanta, VA 1 02-12 23
Day 1: 1 02-12
179. Mike Mueller Mechanicsburg, PA 1 02-11 22
Day 1: 1 02-11
180. James Burtner Penn Laird, VA 2 02-10 21
Day 1: 2 02-10
180. Jimmy Fellegy Lakeville, MN 2 02-10 21
Day 1: 2 02-10
182. Mike Hedrick Chester, VA 1 02-10 19
Day 1: 1 02-10
183. Ricky Meyers Fredericksburg, VA 1 02-06 18
Day 1: 1 02-06
184. David Dickerson Colonial Heights, VA 1 02-05 17
Day 1: 1 02-05
184. James Johnson Chester, VA 1 02-05 17
Day 1: 1 02-05
186. Todd Hughes Mount Bethel, PA 2 02-04 15
Day 1: 2 02-04
187. Eric Bedford Keswick, VA 1 02-01 14
Day 1: 1 02-01
188. Lou Britos Disputanta, VA 2 01-14 13
Day 1: 2 01-14
189. Bird Jones Loxahatchee, FL 2 01-13 12
Day 1: 2 01-13
190. Christopher House Walworth, NY 1 01-09 11
Day 1: 1 01-09
190. Paul Kimball Philadelphia, PA 1 01-09 11
Day 1: 1 01-09
192. David Waack Cary, NC 1 01-08 9
Day 1: 1 01-08
193. Danny Ware Shacklefords, VA 1 01-07 8
Day 1: 1 01-07
194. Hunter Atkins Carrsville, VA 1 01-06 7
Day 1: 1 01-06
195. Matt Martin Colonial Heights, VA 1 01-03 6
Day 1: 1 01-03
195. Joey Price Jr Powhatan, VA 1 01-03 6
Day 1: 1 01-03
195. David Slaybaugh Colonial Heights, VA 1 01-03 6
Day 1: 1 01-03
195. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 1 01-03 6
Day 1: 1 01-03
199. William Stallings Midlothian, VA 1 01-02 2
Day 1: 1 01-02
200. Roland Gittings Perryville, MD 1 01-01 1
Day 1: 1 01-01
201. Jeffrey Ball Richmond, VA 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
202. Jacob Kidd Petersburg, VA 1 00-15 0
Day 1: 1 00-15
203. Mark Ely Chester Springs, PA 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
203. Antuan Vincent Newport News, VA 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
205. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. John Brzozowski Plymouth, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Tom Cahill Danville, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Guy Cisternino Oak Ridge, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. George Epley Livingston Manor, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Dante Gray Ruther Glen, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Kevin Gregory Midlothian, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Bob Harper Lombard, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Mark Ludwig Chesterfield, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Steven Miller Glen Allen, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Lance Owen Greer, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. David Patterson Flowood, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Kevin Ritchie Trenton, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Travis Ruddock Mechanicsville, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. James Tilley Aylett, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
205. Robert Winward Jr Newark, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 155 535 1145-03
----------------------------------
155 535 1145-03
Ott DeFoe Wins General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Palestine to Earn $100K, Alton Jones Jr. Catches $100K Big Bass
Tennessee Pro Grinds Out Four Bass Weighing 16 Pounds, 6 Ounces to Win Heavy Hitters Title and $100,000, Alton Jones, Jr. Lands 6-Pound, 4-Ounce Largemouth to Earn $100,000 Big Bass Bonus
TYLER, Texas (April 15, 2022) – Despite being from Tennessee, something about Texas just ‘fits’ with pro angler Ott DeFoe. DeFoe, of Blaine, Tennessee, boated four scorable bass weighing 16 pounds, 6 ounces to top the final-day Championship Round and win the top prize of $100,000 at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Palestine. DeFoe won by a narrow 12-ounce margin over pro Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama, who caught four bass totaling 15-10.
The victory marks DeFoe’s fourth career victory on the Bass Pro Tour, three of which have come on Texas fisheries – Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and now Lake Palestine.
“Man, I love Texas,” a jubilant DeFoe said as the SCORETRACKER® clock expired. “I’m so thankful to have pulled it out. It was a hard day of fishing, and when it’s the 3-pound minimum like we had today, you have to really make every bite count.
“After the first period, I felt like I was out of it,” DeFoe continued. “I had fished all through this area and hadn’t caught anything. It really killed my confidence. I was around a ton of fish on the lower end, and there were some big ones. But I couldn’t get anything going. I came back up here for the last hour or so and I got it done.”
At 3:20 p.m., with just 40 minutes remaining in the competition, DeFoe had weighed in just two scorable bass for 8-2 and was in the bottom half of the leaderboard. In the final 35 minutes, DeFoe caught a 4-10 and a 3-10 to overtake Lucas and earn the top spot.
“Two main baits were the key for me this week,” DeFoe said. “The first was a 4½-inch swimbait, rigged on a VMC Tokyo Rig with a 3/8-ounce weight. I caught some key fish on that, but the big thing was I’d use that to get the fish aggravated and then catch them with the Texas rig. I fished the Tokyo Rig on a 7-foot, 3-inch (Bass Pro Shops) Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 with an 8:3:1 gear ratio CarbonLite reel and 40-pound braided line with a 20- pound (Bass Pro Shops) XPS fluorocarbon leader.
“The other one – that did most of my damage this week – was a Texas-rigged Bass Pro Magnum Fin-Eke Worm. I used the Sooner Run color, with a new VMC hook that is not available yet – but the heavy-duty worm hook works really well with that – and fished it on my favorite setup, a 7-foot, 1-inch medium-heavy Johnny Morris Platinum rod and an 8:3:1 gear ratio Platinum reel with 40-pound braided line and a 17-pound (Bass Pro Shops) XPS fluorocarbon leader.
“I am so thankful, it has been an absolutely awesome week,” DeFoe went on to say. “I really enjoy it when we visit Texas. It doesn’t always work out in a win for me, but it’s treated me well over these past few years.”
Although DeFoe will bring the Heavy Hitters Title and $100,000 top prize back to Tennessee, the big money will be staying in Texas. After catching the $50,000 Berkley Big Bass in the Knockout Round on Wednesday, Waco, Texas, pro Alton Jones, Jr. added another to his resume in the Championship Round Thursday – this one weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces – to also earn the Championship Round $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Award. All told, the young angler will earn $165,000 for his two Big Bass bonuses and prize money for his 5th place finish.
“Man, we have made some money on (Lake) Palestine this week catching big bass,” Jones said. “$50,000 yesterday, $100,000 today – I can not believe it. Sight fishing in the springtime is what I love to do, it’s my favorite thing in the world. Kind of like how my dad won Heavy Hitters last year. He taught me a lot when it comes to sight fishing, and what I learned really paid off for me this week.”
Jones said both of his Big Bass Award winners came on a bait that will be released around ICAST this year – a Geecrack Bellow Shad, in AJ’s Juice color.
“Just like yesterday, I caught my fish on the Bellow Shad,” Jones said. “It’s not available yet, but I can’t wait to roll it out later this year – it’s going to be my signature bait. It’s pretty cool to be throwing things out here that nobody else has.
“It’s already been a special year, and I didn’t think anything could top winning Lake Fork earlier this season, but we managed to do it this week,” Jones said. “This is a heck of a payday - $165,000. I think that’s probably the best you can get without winning REDCREST. I’m so excited – life is good in the Jones’ household.”
The top 10 pros from the General Tire Heavy Hitters event on Lake Palestine are:
1st: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., four bass, 16-6, $100,000
2nd: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., four bass, 15-10, $25,000
3rd: Ish Monroe, Oakdale, Calif., three bass, 12-11, $20,000
4th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., three bass, 12-1, $18,000
5th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, two bass, 9-6, $165,000
6th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., two bass, 8-6, $14,500
7th: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., two bass, 7-6, $13,500
8th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., two bass, 6-12, $12,500
9th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, one bass, 3-6, $11,000
10th: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., one bass, 3-2, $8,000
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 24 scorable bass weighing 95 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the final 10 pros in Thursday’s Championship Round. A bass had to weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable in the Championship Round.
Berkley Big Bass Bonus Award Winners:
Qualifying Round Group A: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky. (6-9), $25,000
Qualifying Round Group B: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif. (8-5), $25,000
Knockout Round: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas (8-3), $50,000
Championship Round: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas (6-4), $100,000
The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 featured the 32 anglers with the heaviest five-fish totals from the 2021 season competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, and a 3-pound minimum in the final day Championship Round. 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.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20 on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Bassmaster College Series Takes On Norfork Lake
Norfork Lake will host the third regular-season stop on the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops trail April 22-23.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
April 14, 2022
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Many teams will face unfamiliar waters when the country’s top college anglers travel to Norfork Lake in northeast Arkansas April 22-23 for the third stop of the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, but Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Cody Huff of Ava, Mo., believes the tournament could be a bed fishing bonanza.
“It will be a cool event,” Huff said. “There will be a lot of bass caught.”
This will be the first trip to Norfork Lake for the Bassmaster College Series and the first B.A.S.S. event there since the Bassmaster Elite Series visited the Arkansas reservoir in 2016, an event that was split between Norfork and Bull Shoals.
“It is a highland reservoir and has clear water unless we get a big flood, and then we’ll have some off-colored water,” Huff said. “It is a very healthy fishery.”
The fishery features largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, but Huff said it will likely take all largemouth to contend.
Historically during the end of April, depending on the weather trends, Huff said bass are typically in the middle of the spawn and will be shallow around flooded bushes, ledge rock and around docks, although docks are not as common.
“There will no doubt be fish spawning,” he said. “It just depends on whether the majority of them have already come or if the majority of them are still coming on how it is won. But I would say it will be won by bed fishing or blind flipping. There will be guys that catch them on ledge rock as well.”
This time of the year, flipping soft-plastic baits like creature baits, Senkos, floating worms and flukes will all come into play, as well as a jig. Huff added that topwater baits like poppers could also catch fish during the event and, if the weather sets up right, spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and big swimbaits like a Megabass Magdraft could excel.
The Bassmaster College Series will compete April 22-23 with daily takeoffs from Norfork Lake Marina/Henderson Park at 6:10 a.m. CT. Weigh-ins will take place back at the marina at 3:10 p.m. Coverage can be found on Bassmaster.com.
The 2022 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series at Norfork Lake presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors event and the one-day Bassmaster Junior Series event will follow on April 24.
Alton Jones Jr. Catches 8-Pound, 3-Ounce Lunker to Win $50K, Final 10 Set for Championship Round at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Lake Palestine
Birge Paces Knockout Round Field as Eight Anglers Advance, $100K Top Prize and $100K Big Bass Bonus Up for Grabs Thursday
TYLER, Texas (April 13, 2022) – Last year at the 2021 Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star Event, pro Alton Jones, Sr. put on a Championship Round sight-fishing clinic enroute to winning the Championship Title and the $100,000 top prize. This year, Jr. wants a crack at the belt.
Pro Alton Jones, Jr., of Waco, Texas, caught an 8-pound, 3-ounce largemouth Wednesday afternoonon Lake Palestine – the heaviest bass of the day – to win the $50,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus at the General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Palestine. Jones, Jr. finished the day in 6th place and now earns his way into Thursday’s final-day Championship Round and a shot at the $100,000 top prize, and the $100,000 Big Bass Bonus.
| I finished in sixth place, but I feel like I won,” Jones, Jr. said. “Man, 50 grand isn’t too bad for one bite. You always hope you’re going to get that bite, and with big fish it can be a little bit of luck. But I caught the biggest and the second-biggest today, and it was just a really fun day.”
Jones, Sr. won the Heavy Hitters title last year despite not earning a Berkley Big Bass Bonus Award during the event. Jones, Jr. said his strategy tomorrow will be a little different. “It would be cool to win that belt, but I’ve got one goal on my mind tomorrow and that’s catching the biggest bass of the day for $100,000,” the Waco, Texas pro said. “It’s going to be hard to catch a bunch of 3-pounders, but if you can catch an 8 or a 9, you’ll be sitting in a really good position. I’m going to treat this event like a big bass tournament – but it would be very cool to get back-to-back Heavy Hitters titles for the Jones’. “Tomorrow we’re going have bluebird skies, light winds, and it’s going to be the best sight-fishing day we’ve had all week,” Jones, Jr. went on to say. “It’s going to be hard for me to keep up numbers wise, but I’m going to really try hard to put myself in front of the biggest bass on this lake and make her bite.” Joining Jones, Jr. in the Championship Round Thursday will be pro Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who won Wednesday’s Knockout Round with 10 scorable bass weighing 37 pounds, 14 ounces – including an 18-pound third period.
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| “It was a good day. Frustrating, but good,” Birge said. “I ended up with 37 pounds, but I should have had 37 pounds this morning in the first couple of couple of hours if I just could have got them stuck. I’m just thankful I finally got a few of them pegged and got enough bites to fish tomorrow.
“Tomorrow I’ll come back out and start fresh, and hopefully we’ll stick a few more of those early in the day bites,” Birge continued. “It would be nice to get up 20 to 30 pounds before lunch and then continue to do what we did this afternoon. That would be perfect. If any day is going to go perfect, tomorrow is the day. I’ve got my fingers crossed – tomorrow will be better.” The top eight pros from the Knockout Round that will compete Thursday’s Knockout Round on Lake Palestine are: 1st: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 37-14 They’ll be joined by Qualifying Round Winners: Group A: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn. Eliminated from competition after the Knockout Round on Lake Palestine are: 9th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., seven bass, 18-7 Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Overall, there were 90 scorable bass weighing 301 pounds, 5 ounces caught by the 14 pros on Wednesday. Berkley Big Bass Bonus Award Winners: Qualifying Round Group A: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky. (6-9), $25,000 The final 10 anglers competing in Thursday’s Championship Round will depart at 7 a.m. from the Villages Marina, located at Big Eddy Road in Flint, Texas. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any boat ramp of their choosing on Lake Palestine, but competition begins with “lines in” at 8 a.m. Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour on Thursday, April 14, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Villages Marina in Flint, Texas, as they crown the champion of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Presented by Bass Pro Shops. The first 50 children at the event will receive a free Dora the Explorer rod and reel, and the first 50 High School Fishing anglers will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo, valued at $100. Free food will be provided for all, and the Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, take selfies and participate in tackle giveaways. 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. The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable. 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. To qualify for the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 event, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2021 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 32 anglers with the heaviest five big-fish totals from those seven events qualified to compete in this event. The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from the Championship Round on Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app. Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20 on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Bassmaster Clean-Up Challenge Volunteers Haul In Nearly 13,000 Pounds Of Trash At Chickamauga Lake
Volunteers pulled 12,982 pounds of trash from the ramps and shores of Chickamauga Lake as part of the Lake Clean-Up Challenge sponsored by AFTCO and Yamaha RightwatersTM.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
April 13, 2022
DAYTON, Tenn. — Before the world’s best anglers took to the water for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake, 155 volunteers spread out along the area’s shores and ramps to collect trash as part of the Lake Clean-Up Challenge sponsored by AFTCO and Yamaha Rightwaters™.
The volunteers, who represented 12 different organizations from across East Tennessee, gathered a staggering 12,982 pounds of garbage, including 61 tires, a camper shell and even a mattress. Teamwork played a huge role in the clean-up, with young anglers from seven junior and high school teams participating in the afternoon-long challenge. Those teams included Rhea County, Meigs County, Sale Creek, Chilhowee, Soddy-Daisy, Whitwell and Alcoa.
“When these kids are out here picking up trash it really makes them think about where the garbage at the ramps and along the water comes from and where it goes when you drop used line, for example, in the water,” said Meigs County Anglers Coach Terry Elliott. “This gets them thinking about disposing of their own trash in the proper place. At their young age, it reinforces just doing the right thing.”
“People should be more responsible and manage their garbage,” said eighth-grade angler Gaige Lunsford of Meigs County. “It’s bad for the fish, and without healthy fish, we can’t keep weighing in big bags.”
According to statistics from Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, 80% of trash pulled from waterways originated on land, making clean-up efforts at ramps and parks adjacent to waterways even more critical for the long-term health of American fisheries.
Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful along with the TVA, Tactical Bassin’ and AFTCO staff worked alongside 95 junior and high school anglers and seven Bassmaster Elite Series pros during the Lake Clean-Up Challenge at Chickamauga.
“Our mission is to rally communities to keep the river beautiful for generations to come, and the most important part of the goal are the words ‘future generations,’” said Kathleen Gibi, executive director of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful. “Today was a physical example of what can happen when we come together, and we’re grateful to AFTCO, Yamaha Rightwaters, B.A.S.S. and all of these people from the community for coming together to clean up one of the most beautiful parts of the Tennessee River.”
Participants received a gift package from AFTCO and Yamaha Rightwaters. Plus, registered volunteer organizations are eligible for conservation grants from AFTCO and Yamaha Rightwaters. The brands will select the conservations grants — totaling over $25,000 across the three 2022 challenges — based on their participation in the Lake Clean-Up Challenges and the group’s overall conservation or public service mission.
“If everyone does their part, we can help control and even alleviate the issue with trash on our lakes. But it has to be a team effort,” said Jason Christie, the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk champion who would go on to win the weekend’s Elite event at Chickamauga. Christie was joined by fellow Elite Series pros Jeff Gustafson, Taku Ito, Carl Jocumsen, Luke Palmer, Matty Wong and Jay Yelas at the Lake Clean-Up Challenge.
As the groups brought in trash, their haul was weighed on an industrial scale donated by Chattanooga’s Wingfield Scale.
The next Lake Clean-Up Challenge will be held June 4 in Counce, Tenn., as part of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake. The final event will be August 27 in La Crosse, Wis.
In order to participate, volunteers and groups must preregister by contacting Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director, at [email protected].
“Whether they’re part of a junior Bassmaster club, fishing team, church group, Scout troop or a group of civic-minded friends, anyone who wants our waters to be clean and free of trash is welcome to join us lake-side for these events,” said Gilliland.
For full details, visit Bassmaster.com/Conservation-News.
Christie and Costa Make Waves for Conservation via Classic Victory
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Bassmaster Classic champion Jason Christie won an extra $7,500 for himself and a $1,000 cash donation to a conservation partner of his choice through Costa’s Compete + Conservecontingency program for his finish at the 2022 Classic. Compete + Conserve rewards the highest finishing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses on the water for over 300+ supported tournaments.
In conjunction with the angler payout / prize, there is an allotted conservation contribution included with every event. For his Classic win, Christie chose the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to receive his $1,000 donation.
“I’ve been ate up with the outdoors long before I was a professional bass fisherman,” Christie said. “Growing up I fished, hunted, camped, hiked, and walked in creeks or the woods every chance I could get. I didn’t care what it was, as long as it was outside.
“That’s what’s so cool about the Compete + Conserve program, more than just earning bonus money, it allows anglers to give back. To donate to organizations working to protect and improve our lakes and rivers for us now and for future generations.”
“Unfinished business” was the phrase coined around Christie’s return to Bassmaster Elite Series, and he wasn’t afraid to admit it had everything to do with the Classic. Christie’s near misses in previous Classics are well-documented and have been talked about ad nauseum since 2018, the last time he came up short of bass fishing’s biggest prize. While he was at peace with his decision making on Lake Hartwell in 2018, the end result still left a bad taste in his mouth.
For him to leave the Elite Series in 2019, requalify through the Bassmaster Opens in 2020, make it back to the Classic via his performance in 2021, and then win the Classic on Lake Hartwell four years removed from his third-place finish on the same fishery is truly incredible. Hollywood screenwriters couldn’t come up with a better story.
Christie certainly isn’t done winning tournaments. Heck, he just proved that on Lake Chickamauga, capturing his fifth Bassmaster Elite Series trophy, but in many ways, he’s put a bow around his unfinished business on the water. The bass fishing phenom from a small town in eastern Oklahoma is now thinking more about the bigger picture of enhancing opportunities in the outdoors.
“Honestly this conservation donation from Costa has lit my fire a little bit and got me thinking,” Christie said. “For years I’ve wanted to do more in my local or regional area to get kids fishing and more people outside. We’ve been hosting a Children’s Fishing Day with the Cherokee Nation for several years and it’s truly one of my favorite days of the year. There is nothing better than helping young people discover the magic of the outdoors.
“I don’t have my hands around exactly what it is yet, but I want to do more things like that. If we want to get more kids outdoors, we need to have healthy lakes, rivers, and woods for them to get out in. Costa’s commitment to conservation through Compete + Conserve helps with that and gets us bass anglers thinking about what more we can do.”
As long as you own a pair of Costas, Compete + Conserve is completely free to register. Get signed up here and start earning rewards for yourself and the watery resources we all love.
Counce, Tennessee Set to Host MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Lithium Pros Stop 3 on Pickwick Lake
158 Professional Anglers to Compete over Four Days for Top Prize of up to $135,000 and Season Purse of More Than $6 Million
COUNCE, Tenn. (April 13, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Counce, Tennessee, next week, April 21-24, for the third event of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me regular-season – the Lithium Pros Stop 3 on Pickwick Lake Presented by Covercraft. Hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the tournament will showcase professional anglers competing for a total purse of more than $850,000.
“This is a really exciting time for Hardin County,” said Beth Pippin, Tourism Director, Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, “We are honored to have Major League Fishing back on Pickwick Lake, Tennessee for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event. Our partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, TWRA and Tennessee State Parks continue to grow our reputation as a great place to fish for professionals, amateurs or visiting families. We welcome MLF anytime to our waters.”
In its 27th season, the Pro Circuit features a roster of 158 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals – including 16 pros from Tennessee – competing across six regular-season events, each with a top award of up to $135,000. The field is also competing for valuable points to qualify for the 2022 Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship – held this year on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York – and the coveted Pro Circuit Angler of the Year (AOY) title.
MLF has held 72 tournaments on Pickwick Lake over the past 22 years, placing it just inside the top 10 fisheries most visited by MLF. This event will mark the seventh time the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit has competed on Pickwick Lake. When the Pro Circuit visited the lake in 2011, pro Mark Rose of Wynne, Arkansas racked up a four-day total of 77 pounds, 11 ounces, to take home the top prize. When the Pro Circuit last visited, local pro Buddy Gross earned the victory over four days with 74 pounds, 5 ounces. The reigning Pro Circuit AOY Michael Neal, who will be competing in this event, has finished runner up twice in the last two Pro Circuit visits to the fishery.
In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 158 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros, based on cumulative weight from the first three days, will continue competition on Championship Sunday, where weights will be zeroed and anglers will compete in a one-day shootout for the grand prize of up to $135,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.
Pro Circuit angler and reigning 2021 TITLE champ Jimmy Washam of Stantonville, Tennessee ,has spent a lot of time on the fishery recently and said he is excited to see how the tournament is shaping up.
“The fish were biting well and had started making a push to the bank,” said Washam. “The lake seemed really healthy, with a lot of 2½-pound chunky largemouth and even more healthy smallmouth than we normally see. There was a lot of bait and the lake seems to be in really great shape for the event.”
With heavy rains in the forecast, Washam said guys will have to be on the lookout for fluctuating water levels, which will affect the fishing.
“The thing about TVA fisheries is, if necessary, they can put an extra 2- to 3-foot of water in the lake at the snap of a finger, which would definitely throw a curveball for the whole field, displacing fish and shaking things up.
“If we get pretty heavy rain out east, they may have to pull the water down real hard, then fill it back up to allow for the water to flow through this system. This time of year, you can definitely see some extreme water fluctuation – 3- to 4-foot in a matter of a couple days – and that will definitely change things drastically.”
While there are many variables to the fishing conditions, patterns and baits expected to be used during the event, with anglers catching fish around docks, on drop-offs and out a little deeper, Washam said he believes the event will mostly feature standard bank-fishing on visible targets.
“Some guys will have a spinning reel in hand and others will be flipping a Texas rig or jig – just your standard stuff to fish targets and cover when the fish move up to the bank,” said Washam. “I expect to see a lot of Texas-rigged and Carolina-rigged plastics, finesse stuff, a lot of shaky heads, Ned rigs and wacky rigs.
“There’s always the wild card on the Tennessee river where someone could catch a mega-bag, but I think somewhere around the 80-pound mark will probably be the winning weight for the event,” continued Washam. “Daily weights can be hard to predict because when fish are really into spawn mode they can get harder to catch, but I think a little shy of 18 pounds per day should get you into the top 10.”
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. CT, Thursday through Sunday, from the Pickwick Landing State Park located at 120 Playground Loop in Counce. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park daily at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all four days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Fans can also meet PAW Patrol’s Marshal and Skye prior to the weigh-in from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, and youth can fish in the Kids’ Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. Bait will be provided, as well as the use of 50 rods and reels during the event. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place youth anglers who catch the most fish.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Lithium Pros Stop 3 at Pickwick Lake Presented by Covercraft will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere in July on the CBS Sports Network.
The 2022 season culminates with the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where the top 48 pros in the points standings, along with 2021 TITLE Champion Jimmy Washam and 2021 AOY Michael Neal, will compete for a top prize of $235,000. The 2022 TITLE will be on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York, Aug. 16-21, and is hosted by the Town of Massena.
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.
Browning Wins Round, Ehrler’s Big Bass Wins $25K at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Lake Palestine
Arkansas Pro Weighs Two-Day Total of 27 Bass for 83 Pounds, 10 Ounces to Top Group B, 14 Anglers Set for Wednesday’s Knockout Round
TYLER, Texas (April 12, 2022) – Pro Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Arkansas, caught 11 scorable bass totaling 32 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the Qualifying Round for Group B at the General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Palestine. Browning’s two-day total of 27 bass weighing 83 pounds, 10 ounces earned him the round win by a 29-pound, 6-ounce margin and advances him straight into Thursday’s Championship Round of competition.
The six-day all-star event showcases the 32 pros that qualified from the Bass Pro Tour competing in the no-entry fee tournament for a purse of more than $500,000.
Pro Russ Lane of Prattville, Alabama finished the day in second place with a two-day total of 17 bass weighing 54-4, while Berkley pro Jordan Lee of Cullman, Alabama finished in third with 16 bass weighing 50-5. Period three brought big moves for Favorite Fishing pro Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who slid into fourth with a two-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds even, but Tennessee pro Michael Neal made the biggest jump of the day – moving from 14th place to round out the top five, with 17 bass weighing 45 pounds, 9 ounces.
Pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, California, caught the heaviest bass of the Group B Qualifying Round on Sunday, weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces, to win the Group B Qualifying Round Berkley Big Bass Bonus of $25,000. Another prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the heaviest fish landed Wednesday in the Knockout Round, and $100,000 will be awarded for the single biggest fish in Thursday’s Championship Round.
With the Qualifying Round now complete, the anglers that finished in 2nd through 8th place from each group advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round. The Knockout Round will feature 14 anglers competing to finish in the top eight. Thursday’s Championship Round will feature DeFoe, Browning and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round competing in a final-day shootout for the top prize of $100,000 along with the $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus.
“It was really nerve wracking this morning,” said Browning. “Russ (Lane) put a lot of pressure on us right out of the gate, but I just stuck to my game plan to go back to the area where I caught them all on Day One and just catch enough to make sure we won the Qualifying Round and could skip straight to the Championship Round – and we did that.”
This will mark the first time Browning has won the Qualifying Round for his group and the berth straight through to the Championship Round.
“I got a little impatient with the slow bite this morning, but I knew there were plenty of fish where I started to accomplish what I needed to do. Those fish just decided not to bite early, which is typical of true, shallow spawning fish. Once they got fired up late in the first period, we had a great second period and was able to explore at the end of the day to eliminate some areas for the Championship Round.
“That’s the most important thing on this fishery, being able to home in on where you want to be. You need to have a game plan and have an area to fish, but on Lake Palestine you can’t just jump up and run all over the place. You’ve got to have a couple of areas you feel you can catch fish in, and you just have to stick with them. Thankfully we’ve been able to do that.”
Browning said he caught most of his fish on the Z-Man (ChatterBait) Jack Hammer again today and caught a few others on a basic Green Pumpkin-colored lizard with a chartreuse-dipped tail, on a 3/16-ounce weight.
“I also caught a few later in the day on the Z-Man Big Blade ChatterBait, trying to catch a 9-pounder and chase down Ehrler’s big bass award,” said Browning. “That’s my go to bait for big fish, but I didn’t make that happen.
“I feel really good about what I’m doing though – I feel good about my technique and my set up going into the final round,” continued Browning. “I missed it just a bit on Day One, but I’ve made a few changes and I’m looking forward to the challenge in the Championship Round.”
The top eight pros from Qualifying Group B that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Lake Palestine are:
1st: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 27 bass, 83-10
2nd: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., 17 bass, 54-4
3rd: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 16 bass, 50-5
4th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 47-0
5th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 17 bass, 45-9
6th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 16 bass, 43-4
7th: Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla., 13 bass, 39-6
8th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 10 bass, 37-14
Finishing in 9th through 16th in the Group B Qualifying Round are:
9th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., 10 bass, 32-14
10th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 11 bass, 32-6
11th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 10 bass, 30-9
12th: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., eight bass, 28-8
13th: Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., nine bass, 27-2
14th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 10 bass, 27-0
15th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 10 bass, 26-13
16th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., eight bass, 21-13
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 111 scorable bass weighing 336 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the 16 pros Tuesday.
Anglers will depart at 7 a.m. on Wednesday from the Villages Marina, located at Big Eddy Road in Flint, Texas. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any boat ramp of their choosing on Lake Palestine, but competition begins with “lines in” at 8 a.m. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the Marina, beginning at 4:30 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.
Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour on Thursday, April 14, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Villages Marina in Flint, Texas, as they crown the champion of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Presented by Bass Pro Shops. The first 50 children at the event will receive a free Dora the Explorer rod and reel, and the first 50 High School Fishing anglers will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo, valued at $100. Free food will be provided for all, and the Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, take selfies and participate in tackle giveaways.
The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable. 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.
To qualify for the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 event, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2021 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 32 anglers with the heaviest five big-fish totals from those seven events qualified to compete in this event.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all five days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Bobby Lane continuing to collect checks from REDCREST
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Bobby Lane says two of the best post-victory experiences following his REDCREST win on March 27th have been his youngest daughter Amberly asking to have her picture taken with the trophy nearly every day, and a surprise party his wife Madeline hosted in his honor at a local Beef ‘O’ Brady’s sports bar so all their friends who weren’t in Tulsa could share in the celebration.
Not to mention, checks from contingency bonus programs Lane believes in like Costa’s Compete + Conserve, Yamaha Power Pay, and Toyota Bonus Bucks keep rolling in.
“I can still remember the very first Toyota Bonus Bucks check I won. It was from an Elite Series event on Smith Mountain Lake about a dozen years ago. I finished around 20th place, and still won a Bonus Bucks check. I told my wife how awesome it was that I didn’t have to win the tournament to win the Bonus Bucks,” says Lane.
“We’ve now bought four more Toyotas, and have been huge believers in the Bonus Bucks program since that first check hit our mailbox back in 2010,” adds Lane.
And if you ask Lane what’s kept him loyal to Toyota beyond the Bonus Bucks program, you’ll receive a response dipped in the same straight-forward common sense he applies to all facets of life.
“It’s simple. In 12 years of towing with a Toyota, the only thing I ever have to worry about is changing the oil and buying new tires. No other truck offers you that kind of reliability, plus it tows my Phoenix like a beast, and pays you Bonus Bucks too. I mean seriously, why in the world would you tow with another brand of truck if you fish tournaments?” challenges Lane.
“I’ll tell you this much, my current Tundra is a 2018 with 130,000 miles on it, and I’m already talking to my buddy Travis at Scott Clark Toyota about getting my hands on an all new 2022 Tundra,” grinned Lane in conclusion.
To learn more about Toyota Bonus Bucks, and to register for the program, please visit https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/
Garmin announces support for Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchors and CHARGE Power Management Station
Latest software update enables Power-Pole control from compatible Garmin chartplotters
OLATHE, Kan., April 12, 2022 – Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., the world’s largest1 and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, today announced that select ECHOMAP™ and GPSMAP® chartplotters are now compatible with Power-Pole® Shallow Water Anchors. This added support allows anglers to stow and deploy their Power-Poles directly from their compatible Garmin chartplotter for even more onboard control. Support for Power-Pole CHARGE Power Management Station integration is expected in a future release, which will allow anglers to also monitor their battery charge from their compatible Garmin chartplotter.
Power-Pole Anchor integration is available to existing Garmin customers via the Q2 2022 marine software update, which is available now as a free download at Garmin.com, or through the ActiveCaptain® app under the “My Marine Device” tab. In addition to a compatible ECHOMAP or GPSMAP chartplotter, a Power-Pole C-Monster Gateway is required for anchoring control.
The new Power-Pole control functionality is available for the following Garmin chartplotters:
GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series, GPSMAP 10x2/12x2, GPSMAP 7x3/9x3/12x3, GPSMAP 7x2/9x2/12x2 Plus series, and the ECHOMAP Ultra and ECHOMAP UHD 7- and 9-inch Touch series.
DeFoe Coasts to Qualifying Round Win, Roy’s Big Bass Holds on For $25K at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Lake Palestine
Tennessee Pro Advances Straight into Thursday’s Championship Round, Group B to Conclude Qualifying Round Tuesday
TYLER, Texas (April 11, 2022) – After jumping out to an early lead on Saturday, pro Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, put the pedal down and ran away with the Qualifying Round victory Monday for Group A at the General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Palestine. DeFoe caught seven scorable bass weighing 21 pounds, 7 ounces – both high totals among the 16 anglers competing Monday – to earn the Qualifying Round win and advance directly to Thursday’s final-day Championship Round.
DeFoe’s two day total of 18 bass weighing 57 pounds even earned him the win by a 14-pound, 15-ounce margin over pro Takahiro Omori of Tokyo, Japan, who finished second in the round with 13 scorable bass good for 42 pounds, 1 ounce. Reigning REDCREST 2022 Champion Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, rounded out the top three with a two-day total of 12 scorable bass for 36-13.
Lancaster, Kentucky pro Bradley Roy, caught the heaviest bass of the Group A Qualifying Round on Saturday – a healthy 6-pound, 9-ounce largemouth – to win the Group A Qualifying Round Berkley Big Bass Bonus of $25,000. Another $25,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus will be awarded Tuesday to the heaviest bass weighed by Group B in their Qualifying Round, and prizes of $50,000 and $100,000 will be awarded for the single biggest fish in the Knockout and Championship rounds.
The eight anglers advancing from Group A will have a day off Tuesday, while the 16 anglers in Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. The Knockout Round, featuring 14 anglers competing to finish in the top eight, will take place on Wednesday. Thursday’s Championship Round will feature DeFoe, 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 along with the $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus. The six-day all-star event showcases the 32 pros that qualified from the Bass Pro Tour competing in the no-entry fee event for a purse of more than $500,000.
“Coming out today the goal was to hang onto the top spot and advance, and it feels pretty good to get that automatic bid to the Championship Round,” DeFoe said. “I had to adapt a little bit this morning – I wasn’t able to catch anything on the shad spawn. But I was able to catch some off of the beds – some I could see, some that I couldn’t – and there are a lot more fish up today than there were two days ago. So that’s really exciting.”
DeFoe said he was a “one-rod Todd” Monday, sight fishing with just one setup.
“I did catch one early on a Tokyo rig, but it was pretty much all about one rod for me, today,” DeFoe said. “Same thing I was throwing on Day 1 – a Texas-rigged Bass Pro Magnum Fin-Eke Worm. I used Sooner Run color – kind of a dark watermelon with red fleck – and fished it on my favorite setup, a Johnny Morris Platinum rod and reel with 40-pound braided line and a 17-pound (Bass Pro Shops) XPS fluorocarbon leader.
“I actually saw Alton (Jones) Jr. today in the same area, and I feel like I was catching more fish than him because I was throwing the Texas rig. I tried throwing a wacky rig, with that same exact worm, and they just don’t like that for whatever reason right now. And that’s what it looked like he was throwing. For some reason that Texas rig is absolutely getting it done. We are in Texas, so… when in Texas, right?”
Not only did Kentucky pro Bradley Roy take home the $25,000 Berkley Big Bass Award for Group A, he also had the second best day of the 16 anglers on the water to vault up inside the top 8 after starting the day in 10th place and advance with seven bass weighing 18-15.
“It was a super good day for me – I jumped inside the cut, which was the most important thing, and earned $25,000 for the big bass,” Roy said. “This event is all about big bass. That’s what got us here, and that’s what this tournament is all about this week. I’m super thankful that my big fish from Day 1 held up.”
The top eight pros from Qualifying Group A that now advance to Wednesday’s Knockout Round on Lake Palestine are:
1st: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 18 bass, 57-0
2nd: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 13 bass, 42-1
3rd: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 12 bass, 36-13
4th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 11 bass, 35-10
5th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 33-3
6th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., nine bass, 28-10
7th: Ish Monroe, Oakdale, Calif., nine bass, 25-13
8th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, nine bass, 25-12
Finishing in 9th through 20th in the Group A Qualifying Round are:
9th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., seven bass, 23-6
10th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., seven bass, 22-10
11th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., six bass, 19-15
12th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., seven bass, 18-5
13th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., five bass, 14-13
14th: Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala., four bass, 13-9
15th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., four bass, 9-14
16th: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., three bass, 8-2
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 66 scorable bass weighing 197 pounds, 14 ounces caught by the 16 pros Monday.
Anglers will depart at 7 a.m. from the Villages Marina, located at Big Eddy Road in Flint, Texas. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any boat ramp of their choosing on Lake Palestine, but competition begins with “lines in” at 8 a.m. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the Marina, beginning at 4:30 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.
Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour on Thursday, April 14, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Villages Marina in Flint, Texas, as they crown the champion of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Presented by Bass Pro Shops. The first 50 children at the event will receive a free Dora the Explorer rod and reel, and the first 50 High School Fishing anglers will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo, valued at $100. Free food will be provided for all, and the Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, take selfies and participate in tackle giveaways.
The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable. 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.
To qualify for the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 event, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2021 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 32 anglers with the heaviest five big-fish totals from those seven events qualified to compete in this event.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all five days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20 on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Morrison Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Dale Hollow Lake
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (April 11, 2022) – Boater Michael Morrison of Stamping Ground, Kentucky, caught five bass Saturday weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake . The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina and Resort, was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division. Morrison earned $5,475 for his victory.
“We started out on a spot I had found during the Toyota Series Central Division event two weeks ago,” Morrison said. “The fish were still there, and I made the first drop and caught one about 4 pounds, then I caught a 14-inch keeper smallmouth.
“I had some Carolina-rig spots that I had caught some fish on, and I thought I could get a quick limit doing that, but I hit those places and didn’t do any good,” Morrison added.
Morrison said he decided to relocate and made a run toward the dam and filled out his limit in 30 minutes. A 4-pound, 14-ounce bass replaced the 14-inch smallmouth, and his weigh bag was set at 2:15 p.m.
“We started back up the lake about 2:45, and I got about midway, and it started sinking in a little bit,” Morrison said. “I told myself, ‘I think I just won this thing.’
“To beat these guys here on Dale Hollow is an accomplishment I can’t describe,” Morrison added.
Morrison said his baits of choice were a Damiki Armor Shad Soft Jerkbait and a Venom Lures Dream Craw on a wobble-head jighead. He also caught fish on a Carolina rig tipped with a Zoom Brush Hog.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
2nd: Tristan Abbott, Somerset, Ky., five bass, 18-13, $2,937
3rd: Brian Wilson, Somerset, Ky., five bass, 18-10, $1,827
4th: Tim McDonald, Paintsville, Ky., five bass, 18-8, $1,277
5th: Bailey Gay, Union, Ky., five bass, 18-7, $1,595, (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th: Tony Eckler, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 18-3, $1,004
7th: Branden Grubb, Lily, Ky., five bass, 18-2, $1,112
8th: Brett Graham, Cold Spring, Ky., five bass, 17-11, $821
9th: Nathan Adams, High Ridge, Mo., five bass, 17-8, $730
10th: Matthew Mullins, Russellville, Ky., five bass, 17-6, $639
Jim Dean of Huntington, West Virginia, had a largemouth that weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $870.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
2nd: Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., five bass, 15-11, $1,315
3rd: Timothy Jolley, Monroe, Tenn., five bass, 14-14, $877
4th: Will Bandy, Edmonton, Ky., five bass, 14-11, $614
5th: Bill Haunert, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 14-6, $526
6th: Curt Fannin, Prestonsburg, Ky., five bass, 13-10, $582
7th: Brent Clark, Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 13-7, $438
8th: Mike Morrison, Staffordsville, Ky., five bass, 13-4, $395
9th: Jake Mattingly, Stanford, Ky., five bass, 12-11, $551
10th: Todd Stopher, London, Ky., four bass, 10-10, $307
After two events, Tristan Abbott of Somerset, Kentucky, leads the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 499 points, while Timothy Jolley of Monroe, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 497 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 Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama. 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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Jarvis Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Smith Mountain Lake
Miskell Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
HUDDLESTON, Va. (April 11, 2022) – Boater Jim Jarvis of Timberville, Virginia, caught five bass Saturday weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Smith Mountain Lake . The tournament was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Shenandoah Division. Jarvis earned $4,981 for his victory.
“I started off the day on one of my rock piles,” Jarvis said. “I wasn’t feeling it. I had found some beds earlier in the week, so I ran to them and caught all of my fish on the beds with a drop-shot and a Roboworm.”
Jarvis said he caught eight keepers during the tournament – seven on the Roboworm and one on a Strike King Thunder Cricket Vibrating Jig.
“I didn’t know if I could win the tournament, just because of the quality of fishermen on the lake,” Jarvis said. “But by 2 o’clock I figured I was good enough for a top-5 finish. But, when I caught the last one at 3:30 and it put me close to 20 pounds, I thought then I might have a shot.
“This win feels great because I’m a river guy, so to win one on a lake is an accomplishment for me,” Jarvis added.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
2nd: Billy Kohls, Huddleston, Va., five bass, 19-6, $2,490
3rd: Bryan Elrod, Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 18-4, $1,662
4th: Chris Brummett, Lynch Station, Va., five bass, 17-8, $1,762
5th: Ryan Powroznik, Hopewell, Va., five bass, 17-7, $996
6th: Dennis Burdette, Pembroke, Va., five bass, 17-0, $1,631
6th: Chris Atwell, Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 17-0, $1,371 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
8th: Chad Green, Moneta, Va., four bass, 16-14, $747
9th: Boogie Atkins, Greenville, Va., five bass, 16-0, $664
10th: Rick Tilley, Vinton, Va., five bass, 15-9, $581
2nd: Seth Brogan, Montvale, Va., three bass, 9-15, $1,229
3rd: Matthew Rock, Bristol, Va., five bass, 9-12, $817
4th: Fred Mojica, Taneytown, Md., four bass, 9-10, $573
5th: Scott Howard, Bedford, Va., five bass, 8-10, $492
6th: Wyatt Novak, Virginia Beach, Va., three bass, 8-7, $451
7th: John Robinson, Fairfax, Va., three bass, 8-5, $389
7th: Jeramy Evans, Forest, Va., three bass, 8-5, $389
9th: Anthony Pulley, Chester, Va., three bass, 7-13, $428
10th: Jeff Rollins, Roanoke, Va., three bass, 7-11, $272
10th: Phillip Ragland Jr., Rustburg, Va., two bass, 7-11, $472
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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Alvarez Tops Field at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Hartwell
Pabon Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
ANDERSON, S.C. (April 11, 2022) – Boater Sean Alvarez of Anderson, South Carolina, caught five bass Saturday weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell . The tournament, hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division. Alvarez earned $11,133, including the lucrative $5,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“When we got out on the water we had forecasts for high winds, and I was pretty excited,” Alvarez said. “I’m pretty old-school when it comes to some of my favorite styles of bass fishing. When that wind blows I go right to my spinnerbait, and I knew I was going to be able to do that as long as the wind blew and it would allow me to do it in areas where other fishermen were going to avoid.”
Alvarez, who lives on Lake Hartwell, said he had about 30 spots where baitfish were present that he was keying in on during the week leading up to the tournament. Windy conditions prevailed for three days prior to the competition, so Alvarez felt confident in his approach.
“The second cast of the morning landed me a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces,” Alvarez said. “Another dozen casts later, I caught a 4-pounder. It was nice to get two fish out of the same area.”
Alvarez said he was targeting post-spawn largemouth that were feeding on main points outside of spawning areas. After his first stop, he relocated to another main point that produced a 4- and 5-pounder to add to his bag.
“I was just moving around trying to target active fish that were nose into the wind,” Alvarez said. “I never was able to cull up, but fish bit every place I went.”
Alvarez said he caught about 30 keepers during the course of the day on a modified BOOYAH spinnerbait.
“The action was just so fast,” Alvarez said. “It was just net the fish, grab the fish, throw it in the livewell and get back up and do it again.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
2nd: Tracy Watkins, Belton, S.C., five bass, 18-11, $2,566
3rd: Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 18-10, $1,710
4th: Jody Wilson, Blue Ridge, Ga., five bass, 18-5, $1,998
5th: Cody Hoyle, Rutherfordton, N.C., five bass, 18-4, $1,027
6th: Jason Burroughs, Hodges, S.C., five bass, 17-15, $1,541
7th: Michael Webster, Gastonia, N.C., five bass, 16-6, $855
8th: Justin Raines, Easley, S.C., five bass, 16-5, $770
9th: Bradley Day, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 16-4, $684
10th: Brad Benfield, Demorest, Ga., five bass, 15-10, $599
2nd: Dale Ball, Asheville, N.C., five bass, 13-11, $1,283
3rd: William Chris Bensel, Abbeville, S.C., five bass, 12-10, $955
4th: Paul Ellis, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 12-2, $599
5th: Johnny Hancox, West Union, S.C., five bass, 12-1, $513
6th: Aiden Free, Hodges, S.C., five bass, 11-13, $471
7th: Chris Wilson, Easley, S.C., five bass, 11-12, $428
8th: Kevin Henderson, Honea Path, S.C., five bass, 11-7, $385
9th: Gerald Glouse, Easley, S.C., five bass, 11-2, $342
10th: Don Meury, Marietta, S.C., four bass, 11-0, $899
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 Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama. 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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Ray Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Greers Ferry Lake
Choate Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
GREERS FERRY, Ark. (April 11, 2022) – Boater Josh Ray of Alexander, Arkansas, caught five bass Saturday weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Greers Ferry Lake . The tournament was the third event for the Bass Fishing League Arkie Division. Ray earned $13,024, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“It took all day to grind them out,” Ray said. “I found the fish in practice, but I only caught nine or 10 keepers all day.
“I’m somewhat familiar with Greers Ferry,” Ray added. “I’ve been coming up here pretty regularly for tournaments.”
Ray said his fish fell for a shaky-head tipped with a green-pumpkin trick worm in 20 to 25 feet of water. He said he focused on deep brush in the mid-lake area.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
2nd: Chuck Hamby, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 13-4, $2,093
2nd: Brian Bean, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 13-4, $2,093
4th: Justin Hake, Conway, Ark., five bass, 13-1, $1,947
5th: Bradley McDaniel, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 10-11, $1,005
6th: Terry Cordum, Cotter, Ark., five bass, 10-10, $921
7th: Cody Davis, Higden, Ark., five bass, 10-9, $837
8th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 10-8, $754
9th: Kevin Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 10-5, $1,028
9th: Jamey Black, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 10-5, $628
2nd: Dustin Forsythe, Amity, Ark., five bass, 11-3, $1,256
3rd: Randy Allen, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 10-11, $1,038
4th: Joseph Aguilar, Bauxite, Ark., five bass, 9-10, $586
5th: Jody Jones, Harvey, Ark., five bass, 9-6, $602
6th: Jonathan Dotson, Dover, Ark., five bass, 9-2, $461
7th: Rusty Allen, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 8-14, $398
7th: Kyle Huneycutt, Malvern, Ark., five bass, 8-14, $398
9th: Terry Owens, Danville, Ark., five bass, 8-11, $335
10th: Kelby Humble, Rogersville, Mo., five bass, 8-9, $293
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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Johnson Claims Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event Title on Wheeler Lake
Lamon Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
DECATUR, Ala. (April 11, 2022) – Boater James Johnson of Trinity, Alabama, caught five bass Sunday weighing 24 pounds, 2 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Wheeler Lake. The tournament, hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism, was the third event for the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division. Johnson earned $4,963 for his victory.
“For the past couple of weeks my fish had been staying out on the river channel,” Johnson said. “I had several shell beds that they were on, but I couldn’t get them to bite. I threw a shaky-head rig just to try to get a bite, and I caught one close to 3 pounds, and then one that was 6 pounds, 12 ounces, so I just didn’t put the shaky-head down.”
Johnson said he caught 14 fish – all keepers – on flats near Decatur during the course of the tournament, which Johnson described as “very slow.” His biggest five, however, provided him with a sought-after win.
“I’ve had four or five top top-five finishes in BFL and Toyota Series tournaments, but I never could get the win,” Johnson said.
“I don’t typically get nervous at the scales, but during weigh-in I went out to the parking lot and stayed away from the stage,” Johnson continued. “I kind of knew I had a chance. And I ended up finally getting that trophy that says ‘Champion.’ To get this win was special to me.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: James Johnson, Trinity, Ala., five bass, 24-2, $4,963
2nd: Mickey Beck, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 20-0, $1,981
3rd: Casey Martin, Brownsboro, Ala., five bass, 19-8, $1,322
4th: Chad Hall, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 19-2, $925
5th: Chris Webb, Decatur, Ala., five bass, 18-6, $793
6th: Hunter Brewer, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., five bass, 18-4, $927
7th: Brad Vice, Tanner, Ala., five bass, 17-12, $660
8th: Mason Smith, Danville, Ala., five bass, 17-10, $594
9th: Lavoyd Lemmond, Decatur, Ala., five bass, 17-5, $528
10th: Shawn Diehl, Harvest, Ala., five bass, 16-12, $462
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Mitchell Gowen of Decatur, Ala., had a largemouth that weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $535.
Paul Lamon of Trinity, Alabama, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,248 Sunday after catching five bass weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Paul Lamon, Trinity, Ala., five bass, 18-10, $2,248
2nd: Alex Gault, Flintville, Tenn., five bass, 15-10, $991
3rd: Jason Bladow, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 15-2, $662
4th: Briar Terry, Moulton, Ala., four bass, 13-9, $462
5th: Justin Stephenson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 13-7, $396
6th: Chase Owens, Elkmont, Ala., five bass, 12-6, $363
7th: Bradley Mealer, Columbia, Tenn., five bass, 11-15, $330
8th: Donald Cawthon, Auburn, Ala., five bass, 11-14, $297
9th: Jerry Armstrong, Shelbyville, Tenn., five bass, 11-13, $264
10th: Matt Cameron, Southside, Ala., five bass, 10-15, $231
Lamon caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 7 pounds even. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $267.
After three events, Mickey Beck of Lebanon, Tennessee, leads the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 739 points, while Craig Johnson of Trinity, Alabama, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 716 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. 6-8 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Murray in Prosperity, South Carolina. Boaters will compete for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. The 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Drury University Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Table Rock Lake
BRANSON, Mo. (April 11, 2022) – The Drury University duo of Clay Henderson of Purdy, Missouri, and Zachery Ward of Cabot, Arkansas, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event Table Rock Lake Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 4 ounces. The victory earned the Panthers’ bass club $2,000 and a slot in the 2023 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
“We made a bit of a long run because I felt the majority of the field was going to fish from the dam to the Kimberling City area,” said Henderson, a Drury freshman. “I grew up on Table Rock, so I ran up past Kimberling City and went to an area I was familiar with.”
Henderson said the morning action was slower than he expected, and the team had only two keepers at 1 p.m., so he changed areas to try to fill their limit. The anglers relocated to a spot Henderson had caught fish on a couple of weeks prior to the tournament. The duo used a Garmin Panoptix LiveScope System to locate a school of fish feeding on shad and filled out their limit in 30 minutes.
Henderson said the morning bite was triggered by a 2.8-inch Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbaitin Rainbow Shad and Sexy Shad colors and a 2.8-inch Rainbow Shad-colored Berkley Powerbait Power Swimmer Swimbait. The team’s afternoon baits of choice were a 4-inch Sexy Shad-colored Storm Largo Shad as well as the 2.8-inch Keitech swimbait. Henderson said the team caught 25 short fish and eight keepers during the course of the day.
“If we weren’t looking at the fish on the LiveScope we were targeting pea gravel flats in anywhere from 15 to 20 feet of water,” Henderson said. “We were just scrubbing the bottom. Then when we threw it through schools of fish, it just depended on how deep the bait was; the fish were directly under them. It varied from 5 to 15 feet deep.
“Growing up on Table Rock, I’ve seen how tough that lake can be in post-front conditions,” Henderson added. “To catch 20 pounds on a lake I know and love feels great - especially to do it my freshman year. This feels great.”
The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2023 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Drury University – Clay Henderson, Purdy, Mo., and Zachery Ward, Cabot, Ark., five bass, 20-4, $2,000
2nd: McKendree University – Devon Rathbun, Springfield, Mo., and Lane Stephens, Grove, Okla., five bass, 18-6, $1,000
3rd: University of Missouri – Evan Japlon, Columbia, Mo., and Brian Walkup, Eureka, Mo., five bass, 18-4, $500
4th: University of Missouri – Cale McCandless, Wentzville, Mo., and Nick Trusso, Columbia, Mo., five bass, 16-15, $500
5th: Campbellsville University – Dustin Bauer, Louisville, Ky., and Wyatt Pearman, Hodgenville, Ky., five bass, 15-12, $500
6th: University of Nebraska – Cade Ludwig, Lincoln, Neb., and Hunter Suchsland, Kearney, Neb., five bass, 15-7
7th: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Nate Boenning, Waukesha, Wis., and Reed Kochan, Middleton, Wis., five bass, 15-5
8th: Missouri State University – Blair Cox, Branson, Mo., and Ryder Parkhill, Ozark, Mo., five bass, 15-3
9th: Drury University – Stanislav Sedletskii, Springfield, Mo., and Brycen Soliday, Noble, Okla., five bass, 14-14
10th: Campbellsville University – Cade Hayford, Blissfield, Mich., and Wil Rigdon, Campbellsville, Ky., five bass, 14-8
MLF also advances one additional team to the National Championship for every 10 teams over 100 that compete. A total of 149 teams participated in this event, so also advancing to the 2023 College Fishing National Championship in 11th through 14th place are:
11th: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Brock Lederman, Deforest, Wis., and Kyle Schwibinger, Plymouth, Wis., five bass, 14-0
12th: University of Missouri – Payton Sapp, Osage Beach, Mo., and Max Valkner, Columbia, Mo., five bass, 13-13
13th: Arkansas Tech University – Cole Lamb, Melbourne, Ark., and Tristan Weaver, Sage, Ark., five bass, 13-13
14th: Arkansas Tech University – John Foster Case, Clarksville, Ark., and Mat Higby, Lamar, Ark., five bass, 13-7
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Table Rock Lake was hosted by Explore Branson. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments for Central Conference anglers. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Smith Mountain Lake, April 29, in Huddleston, Virginia.
MLF College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top 10 teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open will advance to the following season’s National Championship. The 2022 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship Presented by Lowrance will be held on Fort Gibson Lake in Wagoner, Oklahoma, March 29-31, and is hosted by the Wagoner Area Chamber of Commerce.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, 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, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Eureka High School Wins MLF High School Fishing Open on Table Rock Lake
BRANSON, Mo. (April 11, 2022) – The Eureka Senior High School team of Jacob Hiebsch and Justin Rodenberg, both of Eureka, Missouri, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 5 ounces, to win the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open at Table Rock Lake.
A field of 49 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Table Rock State Park Marina in Branson. In MLF and The Bass Federation (TBF) High School Fishing competition, the top 10% of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top four teams that advanced to the 2022 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Eureka Senior High School, Eureka, Mo. – Jacob Hiebsch and Justin Rodenberg, both of Eureka, Mo., five bass, 12-5
2nd: Trigg County High School, Cadiz, Ky. – Jordan Hampton and Hunter Shelton, both of Cadiz, Ky., five bass, 11-15
3rd: NCA Fishing – Carter Phillips and Coleman Phillips, both of Harrison, Ark., four bass, 10-5
4th: Blue Eye High School, Blue Eye, Mo. – Trey Lippe, Blue Eye, Mo., and Colton Spinning, Lampe, Mo., four bass, 9-12
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
5th: Ketchum High School, Ketchum, Okla. – Tyler Lake and Jesse Woodward, both of Vinita, Okla., three bass, 9-10
6th: Bobcat Bass, Basehor, Kan. – Wyatt Eidson and Grant Matthews, both of Basehor, Kan., two bass, 7-11
7th: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. – Tommy McElyea and Kasen Uthe, both of Camdenton, Mo., two bass, 7-3
8th: Cambridge-Isanti High School, Cambridge, Minn. – Ty Iten and Wyatt Landt, both of Cambridge, Minn., three bass, 6-14
9th: Century High School, Ullin, Ill. – Bryce McClellan, Grand Chain, Ill., and Trevor Wilburn, Pulaski, Ill., three bass, 6-8
10th: Peoria Notre Dame High School, Peoria, Ill. – James Hodskins and Charles Woolsey, both of Peoria, Ill., three bass, 6-1
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open at Table Rock Lake was hosted by Explore Branson. The next event for High School Fishing anglers will be the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on Smith Mountain Lake, April 30 in Huddleston, Virginia.
MLF High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10% of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, will advance to the 2022 High School Fishing National Championship. The 2022 MLF High School Fishing National Championship will be held on Pickwick and Wilson Lakes in Florence, Alabama, June 22-25, and is hosted by the Florence-Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The High School Fishing National Champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2022 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, 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, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Brian Stiffler and Wesley Gore catch 20.19 pounds in 24 minutes to claim victory
By Jason Duran
Prattville, Ala April 9 – The South Division reached the midway point at the Alabama River- Cooter’s Pond. The river system has seen an abundance in water and current from recent rains. The banks were overflowing with water and pushed many fish into the back water areas and to areas normally not reachable by boat. Anglers made long runs and found non-typical areas to find the fish needed to win this event.
Brian Stiffler and Wesley Gore reeled in 20.19 pounds, a record weight in the ABT South Division for Alabama River, to claim first place and 10,000 plus bonuses and contingency money. The goal for them today was just to survive and collect some points. “Before this event we were doing well in the points, and we just wanted to keep adding to that. We had a good practice on Friday and found a spot that was holding some fish, so we hoped it would be there come tournament day.”
Each day of practice they paid close attention to the water levels. Recent rains caused the water to rise to flood levels. They noticed how the water was rising on the docks at the ramp and used that as an indicator for where levels were. They knew the water level needed to be high to reach the spot they had found. Wesley said he did some “really extensive google map study to locate these back water areas. “If you looked at the trails on our electronics for this event you would think we were fishing in the woods.” He noted this was an unmapped area, but it held water and was only accessible when the water is high. It was a risk, but it was something they were willing to give it a shot.
On tournament morning they noticed for the first time in the week the water had fallen over night. This did cause them some concern as to whether they were going to be able to get to their fishing spot. They decided to make the run and give it their best shot. Ryan describes this spot as “a ditch about the size of the front of his truck just stacked with fish. When the water fell overnight, it concentrated even more fish in the area.” They made it to the magical spot and quickly went to work using four key baits. A Zman 5/8 CrossEyez black and blue flipping jig, Megabass Magdraft 6 inch swimbait, Crusher lures swimbait head with a 3.8 rage swimmer and a Dirty Jig Canterbury crush jig. Time was not on their side. When they arrived at the spot the key to them was making the right cast. It was difficult to fish because of how specific the cast needed to be.
When they started making the right cast, the fish quickly came, and for 24 minutes they caught fish cast after cast and probably caught 20 fish. They culled up to what they felt like was a solid 19 pounds of fish then decided time was not on their side. They needed to leave because the water was falling fast, and they risked not being able to get out of the back water area if they didn’t leave quickly. Thankfully they made it back to the river and decided to head back to the ramp early. They made this decision because they didn’t want to risk tearing up their equipment and not making it back to the ramp to weigh in. When they arrived back around 9 am, they decided to order pizza and spend the remainder of the tournament resting in the shade. It was a long wait for the scales to open so they could weigh their limit. They not only held on to their points, but they moved up to second place in the standings just 14 points behind the leaders.
The second and third place teams made the long run to fish the Jordan Dam. This area is normally extremely shallow year-round and prevents boats from traveling as far as they did. This is a rocky area and can be seen from the bridges just how dangerously rocky is it at a lower river level. However, when the water rises it sends lots of spotted bass that love the current to feed. The rocks and high water make for some very strong current and causes fish to group up just out of the current and wait for the bait to flow by.
Adam Bain and Kris Colley weighed 19.27 pounds to claim second place and $5,000. This morning our main concern was “how low the water is going to be when we go upriver, we don’t know a lot about this place. We have only been here a few times, but everyone says they really bite up there when the flood gates turn on. We got just a couple bites in practice, and we felt it was our best shot to go upriver.” Throughout the day the team had to make changes and adjust to the flowing current conditions. “When we made changes, we caught fish. We really didn’t have fish particularly located so we had to move a lot. We worked an area of about a mile long and within sight of Jordan Dam.” When they found a good-looking spot,
they “made casts that were really close to the boat in the current seams.” The key for them were baits that could be fished in the current to create flash for the bass to see. “We use 1oz spinner bait with willow leaf blades, and we also used a 1 oz jig to flip to the current seam and let current pull the bait back to the boat just past the fish.” They said it was difficult to navigate the river up there. “We didn’t know much about the terrain up there other than what we have seen from the bridge when the water is down.” They caught two large spotted bass- one over 5 pounds at 5.10 and one just blow 5 pounds. Those two fish were the key to their second-place weight. “We really needed to cull one more fish to win today, but we are happy with our day.” They are currently sitting in seventh place in AOY Points for the year after this event.
James White Eugene Davis claimed third place with 18.61 pounds and $4000. The team shared they know this lake well. “Our experience on this river dates back 30 years.” Their practice was productive very early in the week and then it seemed to fade. “The bite has been tough in recent weeks. We spent a lot of time in practice last week and located a group of fish. However, the last couple days of practice the fish just seemed to go away.” Like the second-place team they made the long run up to the Jordan Dam to fish the areas they had located in practice. “Thankfully today the fish returned.” The team spent their day using a ¾ oz jig all day fishing current breaks and rock eddies. They shared, “this area is a really tough area to navigate, and it is easy to tear up your equipment in the rocks and rough current.” They looked for a couple key indicators when navigating, “real high waves are great indicators for where the rocks are. It’s important to steer away from the rocks and go between them.” We caught all our fish in a 50-yard stretch behind the rocks and current breaks. The water was so high it pushed water back into the woods, so we couldn’t reach where the water touched the bank.” They stuck with the plan of fishing the rocks and it paid off.
The Top 10 places are below for a complete list of standings visit: https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/alabama-river-cooters-pond/results/
Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The podcast is released each week on Tuesday.
Harris Wins One-Day Shootout at Toyota Series on Lake Texoma
“I had a decent practice prior to all the wind and weather coming in, but I think the two days being cancelled actually helped me,” said Harris. “A lot of the things you plan for a three-day event just go out the window in a one-day tournament, so you either make it or break it.”
Harris’ limit of 21-13 gave him a three-pound margin over second place Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Phoenix Boats pro Jeff Reynolds of Calera, Oklahoma, who finished the day with a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 13 ounces. While the three-pound gap between first and second place at the end of the day may look as though it were a ‘slam dunk’ for Harris, the Texas pro said that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I started the morning in Highport and there were a ton of boats in there fishing a high school tournament,” said Harris. “I fished in that area all morning, but never got a bite. I made a move to Big Mineral and caught a 2 ½-pounder on a ¾-ounce BOOYAH Covert Series spinnerbait with a Hayabusa Trailer Hook pretty quickly, but didn’t catch another fish for over two hours.
“Around 1:30 in the afternoon I had just decided to leave that spot when I caught a 6-11 on my Ark Tharp Series Casting Rod 7’ Fast Hammer. That gave me a little hope that I could salvage out a limit and finish well.”
With only two fish in the box and the time clock ticking, Harris was on the hunt for more bass – and more water.
“I ran around for over an hour and a half, just trying to find an area where there wasn’t a boat – everywhere I ran there were six or seven boats,” said Harris. “I tried fishing those places, but it just wasn’t working.
“Around 3 p.m. I was running back and remembered I’d found a fish on a bed earlier in the week, so I pulled in that pocket to see if she was still there. She wasn’t, but as I was about to leave, I pitched my bait and caught a 3-pounder on a point.”
With only 20 minutes left until check-in, Harris said he decided to spend the remainder of his time fishing down that bank.
“We had planned to leave there at 3:25, and I’d told my co-angler, ‘this is my last flip, get your things ready to go’”, said Harris. “I made a flip and hopped a homemade jig with a green-pumpkin-colored Reins Ring Craw trailer, and got nothing. As I’m reeling the jig in and turning the boat away to leave, I see a 6-pounder following my bait.
“I flip back in there with my Ark Tharp Series 7’6” Heavy King Cobra rod and catch a 3-pounder – put it in the box, flip in there again and catch a 6-pounder – then we raced back to check-in, where we made it with only 30 seconds to spare.”
With mere ounces separating second through fourth place, losing either of those two fish would have meant an entirely different outcome for Harris, who is celebrating his first MLF win.
“I had three in the box and was heading back to check-in without a limit – that just blows my mind,” said Harris. “It’s been very humbling to receive all the calls and text messages after winning the event. When we went to bed that night, I had 280 text messages to reply to – I still can’t believe it.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Texoma finished:
2nd: Jeff Reynolds of Calera, Okla., five bass, 18-13, $16,500
3rd: Evan Barnes of Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 18-11, $12,000
4th: Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas, five bass, 18-2, $10,000
5th: Jake Goodrum of Cleveland, Texas, five bass, 17-9, $9,000
6th: Kyle Hall of Granbury, Texas, five bass, 16-9, $8,000
7th: Kris Wilson of Montgomery, Texas, five bass, 16-8, $7,000
8th: Bret Stafford of Temple, Texas, five bass, 15-15, $6,000
9th: Jason Bonds of Lufkin, Texas, five bass, 15-13, $5,000
10th: Tommy Martin of Hemphill, Texas, five bass, 15-2, $4,000
Pro Wardell Motley of Cleburne, Texas won the $500 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Saturday with a bass weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces.
Reynolds took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Ricky Friedrich of Pearland, Texas won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a one-day total of four bass weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces. Friedrich took home the top prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Texoma finished:
2nd: Joe Lee of Midlothian, Texas, three bass, 12-15, $5,150
3rd: Robert Chavers of Knoxville, Ark., five bass, 12-12, $4,400
4th: Johnny Matthews of Laguna Park, Texas, five bass, 11-11, $3,500
5th: Kevin Hitt of Yukon, Okla., five bass, 11-11, $3,000
6th: Gilbert Herald of Pittsburg, Texas, three bass, 11-9, $2,500
7th: Domonick Poullard of Conroe, Texas, three bass, 9-15, $2,000
8th: Kevin Carter of Spring, Texas, four bass, 9-10, $1,750
9th: Jason Sandidge of Centerton, Ark., four bass, 9-9, $1,500
10th: Albert Ignacio of Dallas, Texas, four bass, 9-6, $1,250
The Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Lake Texoma was hosted by Discover Durant. It was the second tournament in the Southwestern Division Presented by Outlaw Ordnance. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place on Apr. 28-30 – the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2022 Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern 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 .
Stephen Browning Out Front for Group B at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Lake Palestine
Hot Springs, Arkansas Angler Weighs 51 Pounds, 4 Ounces of Scorable Bass to Lead Group B, Group A to Wrap Up Qualifying Round Monday
TYLER, Texas (April 10, 2022) – Hot Springs, Arkansas pro ”The Puma” Stephen Browning, caught 16 scorable bass weighing 51 pounds, 4 ounces to grab the early lead for Group B in the Qualifying Round of the General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Palestine. The six-day all-star event showcases the 32 pros that qualified from the Bass Pro Tour competing for a purse of more than $500,000, with a top prize of $100,000 to the winner along with massive Big Bass Bonus payouts.
Redlands, California pro Brent Ehrler, caught an 8-pound, 5-ounce lunker that was the heaviest bass of the day Sunday. The big fish engulfed Ehrler’s frog midway through the third period. If Ehrler’s fish remains the largest bass weighed by Group B after the conclusion of the two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday, he will take home a $25,000 Big Bass Bonus. Big Bass Bonuses are awarded throughout the competition, with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 being awarded for the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds.
Browning will bring a 18-pound, 6-ounce, lead over second-place pro Jordan Lee of Cullman, Alabama, into Tuesday’s second day of competition in the Qualifying Round for Group B. Lee landed 10 scorable bass totaling 32-14, while pro Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Oklahoma, rounds out the top three, catching nine bass weighing 28-2 to end the day in third place.
The 16 anglers in Group B will now have the day off Monday, while the 16 anglers in Group A will wrap up their two-day Qualifying Round. Group B anglers will complete their Qualifying Round of competition on Tuesday.
“Today was so fun – exactly how I grew up fishing, this time of the year on the lower Arkansas River. It just felt like home,” Browning said. “I had several bites, and some quality, and anytime I can put a Z-Man (ChatterBait) Jack Hammer in my hand and they’re biting it, we’re going to hold our own.”
Browning spent most of his day Sunday throwing the vibrating jig and targeting fish spawning on the numerous backwater stumps.
“Some of the water I’m fishing is about 2½ to 3 feet, and some of it is only 2 feet,” Browning said. “When I get into that 2-foot range, I put the (Z-Man) DieZel MinnowZ on the back end of it. When I’m fishing a little bit deeper, I can get away with the (Z-Man) RaZor ShadZ. I’m throwing a 3/8-ounce Jack Hammer – bluegill-colored – with my 7-foot 10-inch Extra Heavy Moderate St. Croix Legend Tournament (Bass) series rod.
“On Tuesday we’re going to go with a little softer rod – probably a heavy-moderate – just to lighten it up a little bit, so when I set the hook on these fish I don’t bring them to the top like I did today,” Browning continued. “We had a little misfortune – one took our bait from us, and I’d missed that fish earlier on a crankbait off that same bush. So, if we can get her to bite before the day is over, we might even give Ehrler a run for his money on that 8-pounder.”
Second-place pro Jordan Lee had a very successful first and second period before his day slowed in the afternoon. Lee caught all of his fish Sunday throwing a frog.
“I’m definitely excited about second, but I’m even more excited about how I was catching them today,” Lee said in his postgame interview. “I caught them on a frog – I used a white one early, then switched to a black one when the sun got up. I used my (Abu Garcia) Signature Series Frog rod – it’s a 7-foot, 3-inch heavy – with 50-pound-test Berkley X9 braided line with an (Abu Garcia) Revo Premier reel . And just made casts to where I feel like a lot of guys weren’t throwing a bait.
“It wasn’t automatic, but I had a really good two periods doing that. Overall, I’m excited about what I found and definitely have something to build off of for Day 2,” Lee went on to say.
Oklahoma pro Jeff Kriet mainly fished in the mid-lake area, having a lot of water to himself and catching most of his fish on a worm.
“I started off this morning before the wind got up and I was swinging around a wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senko with a 1/0 Gamakatsu (G-Finesse) weedless hook,” Kriet said. “I’m catching them way up in the grass, and you’d be amazed at how weedless that hook is.
“When it got windy, I had to go to flipping a weight and I switched to McClelland’s (Gamakatsu G-Finesse) Hybrid hook,” Kriet continued. “I didn’t lose any fish today, and in this much wind that is hard to do. All in all it was a good day, a challenging day with the wind, but I’m really happy and I fished good.”
The standings for the 16 pros from Qualifying Group B on Lake Palestine are:
1st: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 16 bass, 51-4
2nd: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 32-14
3rd: Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla., nine bass, 28-2
4th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., seven bass, 26-4
7th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., nine bass, 25-10
6th: Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala., nine bass, 25-6
4th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., seven bass, 22-5
14th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., five bass, 13-0
13th: Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla., four bass, 11-10
10th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., four bass, 10-9
8th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., three bass, 9-9
15th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.., four bass, 9-3
9th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., three bass, 8-5
11th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., three bass, 7-10
12th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., two bass, 7-9
16th: Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., one bass, 2-10
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 96 bass weighing 291 pounds, 14 ounces caught by the 16 pros Sunday, which included one 8-pounder, one 7-pounder, and two 6-pounders caught from Lake Palestine.
The 16 anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 16 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 8th 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 14 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins.
Anglers will depart at 7 a.m. from the Villages Marina, located at Big Eddy Road in Flint, Texas. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any boat ramp of their choosing on Lake Palestine, but competition begins with “lines in” at 8 a.m. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the Marina, beginning at 4:30 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.
Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour starting at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 at the Villages Marina in Flint, Texas, as they crown the champion of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Presented by Bass Pro Shops. The first 50 children at the event will receive a free Dora the Explorer rod and reel, and the first 50 High School Fishing anglers will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel combo valued at $100. Free food will be provided for all, and the Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, take selfies and participate in tackle giveaways.
The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable. 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.
To qualify for the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 event, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2021 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 32 anglers with the heaviest five big-fish totals from those seven events qualified to compete in this event.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all five days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20 on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Christie Rights His Ship, Wins Bassmaster Elite Series Event At Chickamauga Lake
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., has won the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a four-day total of 73 pounds, 7 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 10, 2022
DAYTON, Tenn. — Jason Christie left Dayton Municipal Park on Championship Sunday just 6 ounces out of the lead with a crystal-clear plan for where he wanted to start.
But thick fog created by temperatures that had plunged into the 30s overnight changed that plan — and ultimately played a huge role in his eighth career victory with B.A.S.S.
To let the fog clear, Christie stopped on a bank he hadn’t fished all week and quickly put a solid limit in his livewell. He culled up a few ounces throughout the day until he reached a five-bass limit of 15 pounds, 12 ounces that helped him win the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a four-day total of 73-7.
“The fog is why I won,” said Christie, who is a little more than a month removed from winning the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on Lake Hartwell. “I went through one fogbank at about 25 mph going to where I was going to start. But then I hit another fogbank and I saw a boat wave that I knew didn’t come from one of our guys, so I just immediately peeled off to an area that I fished three or four years ago in another event.”
After a warm start on Thursday, Days 2 and 3 were the polar opposite with cloudy skies, temperatures in the 40s and a spattering of rain, sleet and snow. But the low-light conditions played into the hands of Christie, who fished all week with a 1/2-ounce Booyah Covert Spinnerbait (chartreuse, white and blue with a white Yum Swim’n Dinger as a trailer), a bladed jig and the same War Eagle Jiu-Jigsu Jig (green pumpkin) he used at the Classic.
The conditions made another sharp turn Sunday, with the return of the sun, calm winds and a high temperature near 70 degrees. But Christie once again took advantage of a short window of low visibility aided by the early morning fog.
“I knew the spot I stopped at had had a lot of traffic, but I figured I would just go in there and fish until the fog lifted,” Christie said. “But really it set up perfectly because it was shaded and had all the right stuff.”
While much of the field was still navigating the fog, Christie caught a quick limit, taking the unofficial lead on BassTrakk by 8 a.m. and never relinquishing it.
“That was the key, just getting off to a good start,” he said. “What was weird is every day those fish have been tight to cover. But the first big one I caught today was halfway back to the boat. Then the next bite was about the same — and that’s how I ended up catching them.
“I think the bait would come by the cover, and they were sitting right out in front of it.”
The win provided a bit of redemption for Christie, who followed his Classic victory with a 93rd-place finish at the next Elite Series event at Santee Cooper Lakes — one of the worst finishes of his career. He said the same stubbornness that cost him at Santee Cooper Lakes might have helped him to the victory on Chickamauga.
“I certainly don’t like to make excuses,” he said. “But during practice for Santee, I was doing every interview, every podcast about the Classic win — I didn’t turn anyone down. I still thought I was on a good deal there and that I would catch them. But I was too stubborn to give up on it when it didn’t work.
“That’s just like today. The fishing was a lot tougher than it had been the last two days, but I stuck with what I was doing.”
Like Christie, Mississippi pro Brock Mosley stayed with the program he had been using all week, alternating between a bladed jig, a jig, a Senko and a spinnerbait. But with a modest limit of 11-14, he finished second with a four-day total of 69-15.
It marked his fifth career second-place finish on the Elite Series and the third time he’s finished one spot behind Christie.
“I caught plenty of fish today, but I just didn’t run into any big fish,” Mosley said. “I thought as good as I was catching them, everybody else was probably catching them too. So late in the day, I decided to run down the lake and try to catch a couple of big ones on a big swimbait.
“Looking back, I probably should have just stuck with what I was doing.”
Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors went to Arizona pro Clifford Pirch for a 5-4 largemouth. Wisconsin pro Pat Schlapper won Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Week with the 10-5 he caught Thursday.
Hawaiian Matty Wong failed to make the Top 10 cut for Championship Sunday, placing 14th with 48-5. But he earned the VMC Monster Bag of the Week award for the 25-13 limit he weighed in Friday.
Christie took home $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and Mosley earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Christie also earned $4,000 for winning while Australian Carl Jocumsen claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
Ed Loughran III won the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency award for the most accurate weight reporting.
With a 33rd-place finish, Florida pro John Cox maintained his lead in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 353 points. Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk moved into second with 343, followed by Pirch (338), David Mullins of Tennessee (321) and Drew Benton of Georgia (321).
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 293 points, followed by Joseph Webster of Alabama (249) and Tennessee pro Jacob Foutz (200).
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake 4/7-4/10
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 20 73-07 100 $100,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 20-15 Day 3: 5 20-12 Day 4: 5 15-12
2. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 20 69-15 99 $35,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 20-00 Day 4: 5 11-14
3. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 20 67-06 98 $31,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 23-08 Day 4: 5 11-09
4. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 19 66-01 97 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 14-06 Day 4: 4 11-06
5. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 18 64-13 96 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 16-04 Day 4: 3 10-10
6. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 18 63-15 95 $19,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-12 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 17-10 Day 4: 3 06-01
7. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 19 63-04 94 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 4 08-04 Day 3: 5 18-03 Day 4: 5 12-01
8. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 17 58-00 93 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 22-10 Day 4: 2 05-15
9. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 18 58-00 92 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 16-11 Day 4: 3 09-03
10. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 16 51-14 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 12-00 Day 4: 1 02-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10-05 $1,000.00
2 Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 09-12 $1,000.00
3 Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 07-12 $1,000.00
4 Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 05-04 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10-05 $1,000.00
VMC MONSTER BAG
Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 25-13 $2,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 394 1192-01
2 54 390 1182-02
3 29 194 557-00
4 4 36 97-00
----------------------------------
148 1014 3028-03
Ott DeFoe Leads Early at Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Event on Lake Palestine
| Tennessee Pro Catches 11 Bass Weighing 35 Pounds, 9 ounces to Lead Group A Qualifying Round after Day 1, 16 Anglers in Group B Set to Compete Sunday
TULSA, Okla. (March 23, 2022) – A chilly morning turned into a beautiful day on the water in East Texas Saturday, but it was still a tough day of fishing for anglers on a stingy Lake Palestine at the third-annual General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops. After Day 1 of competition concluded at 4 p.m., pro Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee , held the early lead catching 11 scorable bass weighing 35 pounds, 9 ounces. Pro Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Kentucky, caught the heaviest bass of the day Saturday – a chunky largemouth weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces that came on a trick worm in Period 2. If Roy’s fish remains the largest bass weighed by Group A after the conclusion of the two-day Qualifying Round on Monday, he will take home a $25,000 Big Bass Bonus. Big Bass Bonuses are awarded throughout the competition, with payouts of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 being awarded for the single biggest fish in the Qualifying, Knockout and Championship rounds. |
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| DeFoe will bring a 10-pound, 12-ounce tournament lead into Monday’s second day of competition for Group A. In second place on the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard is the REDCREST 2022 Champion Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, who caught 11 bass totaling 24-13, while Tokyo, Japan’s Takahiro Omori, who now resides 60 miles northwest in Emory, Texas, sits in third place with seven bass weighing 24-5.The 16 anglers in Group A will now enjoy a day off Sunday, while the 16 anglers in Group B will begin their Day 1 Qualifying Round. Group A will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition on Monday.
“I’m pretty happy with the day – it was a good start and I really was not expecting it to go quite that well,” DeFoe said in his postgame interview. “I caught a couple of fish this morning with a swimjig targeting the shad spawn, but sight fishing was the main deal for me today.” Besides the swimjig, DeFoe credited two baits as being his key to success Saturday. “When I could see them, the best thing that I could get to aggravate them was the VMC Tokyo Rig, with a 4½-inch swimbait on the back of it,” DeFoe said. “Something about the way that rig keeps the bait off of the bottom, just a little bit, drives those fish crazy. “The other one that I caught a lot of fish just pitching around – as well as fish that I’d get fired up with that swimbait – was a Texas-rigged Bass Pro Magnum Fin-Eke Worm. I used Sooner Run color – kind of a dark watermelon with red fleck – and fished it on my favorite setup, a Johnny Morris Platinum rod and reel with 40-pound braided line and a 17-pound (Bass Pro Shops) XPS fluorocarbon leader.” The standings for the 16 pros from Qualifying Group A on Lake Palestine are: 1st: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 11 bass, 35-9 Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Overall, there were 68 bass weighing 217 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the 16 pros on Saturday, which included one 6-pounder and two 5-pounders caught from Lake Palestine. The 16 anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 16 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 8th 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 14 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins. Anglers will depart at 7 a.m. from the Villages Marina, located at Big Eddy Road in Flint, Texas. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any boat ramp of their choosing on Lake Palestine, but competition begins with “lines in” at 8 a.m. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the Marina, beginning at 4:30 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. The General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable. 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. To qualify for the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 event, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2021 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 32 anglers with the heaviest five big-fish totals from those seven events qualified to compete in this event. The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all five days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app. Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2022 Event will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, July 16 and running each Saturday through August 20 on the Discovery Channel. A one-hour special episode of MLF Inside Heavy Hitters will also air on CBS in late 2022. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition. Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Covercraft, Ferguson, FuelMe, GEICO, General Tire, Guaranteed Rate, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Power Stop Brakes, Shore Lunch, Sonic, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Wiley X, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Mosley Remains Consistent, Takes Slim Lead In Bassmaster Elite Event At Chickamauga
Brock Mosley of Collinsville, Miss., is leading after Day 3 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a three-day total of 58 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 9, 2022
DAYTON, Tenn. — The Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake has been anything but your typical early April event in the South.
At one point during Semifinal Saturday, anglers were actually sight fishing for bedding bass in 52-degree water with sleet peppering down on them. Any angler will tell you that’s not only an odd scenario, but one of the hardest to figure out.
Through it all, though, Mississippi pro Brock Mosley has remained consistent, building a three-day total of 58 pounds, 1 ounce to grab the lead heading into Championship Sunday. He caught 19-6 Thursday, 18-11 Friday and 20-0 Saturday and will now head into the final round with five anglers within 4 pounds of him.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again,” Mosley said. “I didn’t know if I could catch a fish at all going into the first day of the tournament. I caught five that weighed 17 or 18 pounds early that first day and then laid off of them because I didn’t know if I’d be able to find anything else the second day.
“But what I’m doing has pretty much worked every day.”
While Mosley has stayed in the same basic areas each day, he has alternated between several lures, including a bladed jig, a lipless crankbait and an assortment of flipping baits. He said it’s been a process of trial and error to figure out which of those offerings the bass want.
“Every day they’re in a different mood,” said Mosley, who has 13 Top 10 finishes with B.A.S.S. “The last two days, the flipping bite has been slow. So, it’s been the moving baits that worked. I kind of have to mix it up until I figure out which mood they’re in.”
Mosley has benefited each day from fast starts — something he said has given him the confidence to mix up his lures and find which one the fish want most in the moment.
“Getting a couple of keepers early has been big for me,” he said. “I think I’ve had a limit every day by 11:30, and that really calms me down and allows me to fish without getting in a hurry and stressed out.
“People won’t believe it, but like I said, I’ve been kind of worried about catching a limit every day.”
Mosley will carry the pressure of four previous second-place finishes into Sunday with Japanese pro Daisuke Aoki just 3 ounces behind in second place with 57-14. Oklahoma pro Jason Christie, who is a month removed from winning the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, is only 6 ounces back in third.
After using two patterns the first two days, Aoki saw one of those fizzle on Saturday.
“On Day 1 and Day 2, I started off on a shallow spawning area,” Aoki said, with longtime B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito interpreting. “That is a really tiny place and the fish were gone from there. It was really tough this morning.”
Luckily for Aoki, the offshore spot where he’s been using a collection of finesse tactics had actually improved in the frigid conditions. The only drawback was it took more time and patience to put together the solid limit of 17-10 he brought to the scales.
Another weather change is predicted for Sunday — sunny skies, calm winds and a high temperature of 75 degrees. But while it seems Aoki’s offshore pattern would be less susceptible to weather changes than shallower patterns, he wasn’t sure how the fish in his area will react.
“I know there will be fish there,” he said. “It’s just a question of whether or not bigger fish move into that area. If they do, I think I can make them bite.”
Christie, who seemed to struggle a bit with a Classic hangover — finishing 93rd place in the next Elite Series event after the Classic at Santee Cooper Lakes — has regained his form this week with catches of 16-0, 20-15 and 20-12.
That puts him in excellent position to score his eighth career B.A.S.S. victory.
“I’ve never seen a situation quite like the one we have this week,” Christie said. “The water temperature is 50 to 52 degrees and it’s sleeting. But I think a few of these fish have just decided the water’s coming up and it’s time to get up there and try to spawn.
“I caught fish in inches of water today, and I know that they’re spawning because yesterday I missed two on open banks. Then today, I made the same casts on those banks and caught those fish.”
Christie is employing his usual selection of baits — spinnerbait, bladed jig and jig — and each has worked well in certain water colors. But Christie’s priority Sunday will be finding areas that haven’t been fished out.
“There’s so much pressure out there right now that you don’t know where you’re gonna be at in the rotation when you go into a pocket,” he said. “They might not even be doing the same thing, but when there’s a boat in a pocket, you go on to the next one.
“In some pockets, there are five casts to make and in some there’s 50.”
Tennessee rookie Jacob Foutz earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors with a 7-12 largemouth, but Wisconsin pro Pat Schlapper still holds the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Week with the 10-5 he caught Thursday.
Hawaiian Matty Wong failed to make the Top 10 cut for Championship Sunday, placing 14th with 48-5. But he still leads for VMC Monster Bag of the Week with the 25-13 limit he weighed in Friday.
With a 33rd-place finish, Florida pro John Cox maintained his lead in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 353 points. Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk moved into second with 343, followed by Clifford Pirch of Arizona (337), Drew Benton of Georgia (322) and David Mullins of Tennessee (321).
Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 293 points, followed by Joseph Webster of Alabama (249) and Foutz (199).
The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off Sunday at 7 a.m. ET from Dayton Boat Dock with weigh-in back at the dock at 3 p.m. The winner will earn $100,000 and the fourth blue trophy awarded on the Elite Series this season.
FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday. Live coverage can also be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake 4/7-4/10
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 58-01 100
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 20-00
2. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 15 57-14 99
Day 1: 5 23-12 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 17-10
3. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 15 57-11 98
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 20-15 Day 3: 5 20-12
4. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 15 55-13 97 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 23-08
5. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 15 54-11 96
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 14-06
6. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 15 54-03 95
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 16-04
7. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 15 52-01 94
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 22-10
8. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 14 51-03 93
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 4 08-04 Day 3: 5 18-03
9. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 15 49-05 92
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 12-00
10. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 48-13 91
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 16-11
11. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 48-12 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 15-14
12. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 48-08 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 15-14
13. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 48-06 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 16-05
14. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 14 48-05 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 5 25-13 Day 3: 5 11-15
15. Mike Huff London, KY 15 47-10 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 14-07
16. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 47-05 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 12-03
17. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 15 46-05 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 12-05
18. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 14 46-05 83 $11,000.00
Day 1: 4 18-07 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 12-08
19. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 15 46-01 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 12-12
20. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 44-06 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 15-10
21. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 15 43-13 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 14-08
22. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 43-08 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 12-12
23. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 42-12 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 14-05
24. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 14 41-13 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 4 11-06
25. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 12 41-12 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 23-03 Day 3: 2 04-10
26. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 41-11 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 15-07
27. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 13 41-08 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 3 08-11
28. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 15 41-01 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-13
29. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 14 41-00 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 4 11-02 Day 3: 5 13-11
30. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 12 40-14 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 5 23-04 Day 3: 3 07-06
31. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 12 39-12 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 2 04-10
32. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 11 38-13 69 $11,000.00
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 3 09-13
33. John Cox DeBary, FL 13 38-11 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 3 06-02
34. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 38-11 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 09-13 Day 2: 4 16-05 Day 3: 4 12-09
35. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 13 38-07 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 3 11-04 Day 3: 5 09-06
36. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 15 38-06 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 10-11
37. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 15 38-02 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 09-11
38. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 13 36-02 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 3 05-08
39. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 14 35-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 4 08-04
40. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 11 34-14 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 3 06-13
41. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 13 34-02 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 3 08-08
42. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 12 33-10 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 3 07-11
43. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 13 33-05 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 3 05-09
44. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 11 30-12 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 4 12-05 Day 3: 2 04-06
45. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 12 30-07 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 2 04-04
46. Seth Feider New Market, MN 11 30-03 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 1 02-05
47. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 8 28-03 54 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 1 02-08
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10-05 $1,000.00
2 Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 09-12 $1,000.00
3 Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 07-12 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 394 1192-01
2 54 390 1182-02
3 29 194 557-00
----------------------------------
144 978 2931-03
Robertson Inches Into Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Event At Chickamauga Lake
Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 5 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 8, 2022
DAYTON, Tenn. — Before this week’s Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake, Matt Robertson made an important decision.
After a tough start to his season, the second-year Elite Series pro from Kentucky came into this week determined to fish more to his strengths — and so far, the strategy has worked well as he’s climbed into the lead with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 5 ounces. He caught 21-13 on Day 1 to open in third place and added 18-8 Friday to move atop the leaderboard heading into Semifinal Saturday.
An offshore prespawn pattern has been the ticket for him so far.
“I know the fish are still wanting to spawn, so I’m happy we got this little cold snap to slow them down a little bit,” Robertson said. “I’m throwing a lipless bait in grass and then going headhunting with a big swimbait after that.
“Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to get a couple of big bites out of the grass, but today I didn’t. That was really the only difference in the two bags.”
Robertson’s biggest bass Friday — a 5 1/2-pound largemouth — came on the big swimbait around 11:40 a.m. That was the only difference-making fish the lure produced, but he’s confident in his two-pronged approach.
“Tomorrow, I’m gonna do the same thing, just fishing for five bites,” he said. “I don’t care if I catch a fish, I’m going to fish how I want, do what I want. If I come in with no fish tomorrow, that’s fine because I’m fishing how I want.”
After picture-perfect weather on Thursday, the temperature dropped 20 degrees Friday and the winds blew 10 to 20 mph all day with occasional light rain and even some sleet.
While the conditions might not have been pleasant for many on the lake, Robertson said they helped in multiple ways. Besides the cold weather possibly delaying the approaching spawn, the wind also gave him a boost.
“Whenever that wind blows, the fish bite — especially on a lake with this kind of pressure,” he said. “The only thing that equalizes the pressure is the weather. I wanted it to blow hard.”
With more cold, windy weather on tap for Saturday, Robertson is feeling plenty confident. But he’ll need to keep up the pace with Japanese rookie Daisuke Aoki just 1 ounce behind him with 40-4.
Aoki, who was in second place with 23-12 after Day 1, maintained that spot despite a lighter bag of 16-8 on Friday. After weighing in a five-bass limit that included two 7-pounders on Day 1, his two biggest bass Friday were in the 4-pound range.
Aoki has been using the same two-part game plan all week.
“I started off with the shallow pattern today early just like I did yesterday. Then as it got tougher, I moved offshore,” said Aoki, with longtime B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito serving as his translator. “The fish are getting less and less in my area, so it was tougher today.”
The plan for Saturday, Aoki said, is a little less certain.
“I’m going to start out doing the same thing I did today — start sight fishing shallow and then move offshore when that gets tougher,” he said. “But then I’m going to have to go searching for new bites.”
One of the most consistent anglers in the event has been Mississippi pro Brock Mosley, who now sits in third place with a two-day total of 38-1. After catching 19-6 Thursday, Mosley added 18-11 Friday and will start Saturday less than 2 1/2 pounds back of the leader.
“I honestly didn’t know if I could catch one at all going out yesterday morning, and I felt the same way going out today,” said Mosley, who has four second-place Elite Series finishes on his resume. “I figured out one deal in practice the last afternoon, and yesterday I went and did it until about 11 o’clock.
“Today, I stayed at it all day and ended up catching about 15 keepers.”
Like Robertson, Mosley welcomed the colder, windier weather.
“I’ve always said these Tennessee River fish seem to like nasty weather,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to do to these shallow fish. But where I’m fishing, I think those fish kind of live out there all the time.”
Florida pro Scott Martin took Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors with a 9-12 largemouth. His bass ranks behind the 10-5 caught by Wisconsin's Pat Schlapper on Thursday for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Week.
It took 25-10 to make the Top 47 semifinal cut — and by placing 20th with 32-9, Florida pro John Cox maintained his lead in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 366 points. He is followed by Drew Cook of Georgia (339), Brandon Palaniuk of Idaho (336), Drew Benton of Georgia (326) and Clifford Pirch of Arizona (325).
The lead continues to change hands in the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race, as Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat moved back into the top spot with 299 points. Alabamian Joseph Webster (255) fell into second place, followed by Masayuki Matsushita of Japan (197), Jonathan Kelley of Pennsylvania (191) and Matty Wong of Hawaii (189).
Wong jumped from ninth place in the ROY standings to fifth by catching 25-13 Friday — a five-bass limit that currently leads the race for VMC Monster Bag of the Week. With a two-day total of 36-6, the native Hawaiian moved into eighth place in the event.
The Top 47 remaining anglers will take off Saturday at 7 a.m. ET from Dayton Boat Dock with weigh-in back at the dock at 3 p.m. After Saturday’s weigh-in, only the Top 10 will compete on Championship Sunday for a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. Live coverage can also be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake 4/7-4/10
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 40-05 100
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 18-08
2. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 10 40-04 99
Day 1: 5 23-12 Day 2: 5 16-08
3. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 38-01 98
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 18-11
4. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 37-15 97
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 17-01
5. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 37-05 96
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 18-14
6. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 37-02 95
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 23-03
7. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 36-15 94
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 20-15
8. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 9 36-06 93
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 5 25-13
9. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 35-02 92
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 16-13
10. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 35-02 91
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 17-12
11. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 34-00 90
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 20-01
12. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 9 33-13 89 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 18-07 Day 2: 5 15-06
13. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 9 33-08 88
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 5 23-04
14. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 33-05 87
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-01
15. Mike Huff London, KY 10 33-03 86
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 15-12
16. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 9 33-00 85
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 4 08-04
17. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 32-14 84
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-00
18. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 32-13 83
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 11-13
19. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 32-10 82
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 16-08
20. John Cox DeBary, FL 10 32-09 81
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 16-12
21. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 10 32-05 80
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 17-01
22. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 32-02 79
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 19-12
23. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 32-01 78
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 12-00
24. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 30-12 77
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 14-05
25. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 10 30-10 76
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 14-04
26. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 30-07 75
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 18-10
27. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 29-07 74
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-00
28. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 29-05 73
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 12-05
29. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 8 29-01 72
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 3 11-04
30. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 8 29-00 71 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 5 21-03
31. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 28-12 70
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 14-03
32. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 28-07 69
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
33. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 10 28-07 68
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-10
34. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 8 28-01 67
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 5 19-06
35. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 27-14 66
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-15
36. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 27-12 65
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 12-12
37. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 27-11 64
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 13-07
38. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 9 27-05 63
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 4 11-02
39. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 27-04 62
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-07
40. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 27-02 61
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 16-00
41. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 9 26-06 60
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 4 12-05
42. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 26-04 59
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-02
43. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 26-03 58
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-03
44. Cody Huff Ava, MO 6 26-02 57
Day 1: 2 09-13 Day 2: 4 16-05
45. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 9 25-15 56
Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 5 16-05
46. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 7 25-11 55
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 5 19-01
47. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 25-10 54
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-04
48. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 25-06 53 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-13
49. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 8 25-05 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 5 18-07
50. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 25-00 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 11-10
51. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 7 24-13 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 10-08 Day 2: 5 14-05
52. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 24-10 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 14-09
53. Frank Talley Temple, TX 9 24-10 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 4 10-05
54. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 10 24-05 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-13
55. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 7 24-03 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 2 05-09
56. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 7 24-00 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 4 15-09
57. Jay Yelas Turner, OR 10 24-00 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 11-00
58. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 24-00 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-02
59. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 7 23-15 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 2 03-12
60. Wes Logan Springville, AL 8 23-06 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 11-14 Day 2: 5 11-08
61. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 8 22-08 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 3 07-00
62. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 6 22-03 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 1 05-00
63. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 8 21-14 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 3 11-01
64. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 8 21-09 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 3 08-01
65. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 8 21-04 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 4 11-12
66. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 8 21-00 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 3 07-09
67. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 7 20-10 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 2 06-14
68. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 8 20-09 33
Day 1: 4 11-01 Day 2: 4 09-08
69. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 7 20-07 32
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 2 07-07
70. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 7 20-06 31
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 2 07-11
71. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 7 20-05 30
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 2 05-14
72. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 20-05 29
Day 1: 4 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-00
73. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 8 20-00 28
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 3 06-06
74. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 8 19-09 27
Day 1: 4 09-04 Day 2: 4 10-05
75. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 8 19-00 26
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 06-13
76. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 6 17-13 25
Day 1: 3 09-07 Day 2: 3 08-06
77. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 6 17-08 24
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 1 03-04
78. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 7 17-02 23
Day 1: 4 10-00 Day 2: 3 07-02
79. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 8 17-02 22
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 4 08-02
80. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 6 16-15 21
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 10-00
81. David Williams Newton, NC 7 16-10 20
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 2 04-12
82. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 15-12 19
Day 1: 2 06-14 Day 2: 3 08-14
83. Darold Gleason Many, LA 7 14-15 18
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 3 06-01
84. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 14-08 17
Day 1: 2 06-12 Day 2: 3 07-12
85. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 4 14-07 16
Day 1: 1 06-02 Day 2: 3 08-05
86. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 6 13-06 15
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 3 06-01
87. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 6 12-14 14
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 4 08-13
88. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 4 12-09 13
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 3 10-05
89. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 12-03 12
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 3 06-03
90. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 12-02 11
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-02
91. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 11-15 10
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-15
92. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-15 9
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 2 05-08
93. Bryan New Saluda, SC 5 11-14 8
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-14
94. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 11-03 7
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 3 06-14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10-05 $1,000.00
2 Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 09-12 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 394 1192-01
2 54 390 1182-02
----------------------------------
115 784 2374-03
Weather Forces Cancellation at Toyota Series on Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s Cook Earns Win with 28-pound, 9-ounce Day 1 Limit
SUMMERTON, S.C. (April 8, 2022) – Strong winds and inclement weather have forced MLF tournament officials to cancel Day 3 of competition Saturday at the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. on Santee Cooper . Originally scheduled as a three-day tournament, anglers were able to get in the first day of competition Thursday before the weather led tournament officials to cancel Friday’s Day 2. With the strong winds remaining in the forecast for Saturday, and no end in sight, tournament officials declared the tournament over and announced that the final standings would be determined by the Day 1 catch.
The cancellation marks just the third time in Toyota Series history that a three-day event has had competition canceled after just one day on the water. The inclement weather and wind have also prompted tournament officials at the Toyota Series event at Lake Texoma to cancel their first two days of competition, and those anglers will fish for the valuable points and prize money Saturday, also now a one-day event.
“The safety of our anglers is priority No. 1 and always will be,” said MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “It’s never an easy decision for our tournament directors who have to make these judgement calls, but we stand behind their decisions 100-percent and know that they have the best interests of all of our competitors and staff in mind. Congratulations to Bryan Cook for his victory at Santee Cooper, and we look forward to watching how the competition plays out tomorrow at Lake Texoma.”
Vance, South Carolina, pro Bryan Cook was declared the winner at Santee Cooper Friday based on his Day 1 tally of five bass weighing 28 pounds, 9 ounces. Cook earned the victory and $51,500 by a 3-pound, 7-ounce margin over second place pro Matt Wieteha of Miami, Florida.
The event, hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, was the second event of the season for the Toyota Series Southern Division.
As the winner, Cook is certainly happy with the outcome but found himself disappointed that they couldn’t spend more time on the water. Fishing on his home lake, he felt he had what it would take to go the distance, no matter what the wind blew his way.
“Day 1 was great,” Cook said. “I honestly wish we could’ve fished another day or two, but we can’t control mother nature. I had a really good practice. I had found fish and prepared for everything from calm conditions to strong winds. I had four different patterns that I was getting bites on. With those four patterns, I feel comfortable that I could’ve consistently caught them throughout the week.”
To start the tournament, Cook targeted prespawn fish with a Santee staple – the wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senko. Pitching to key pieces of cover, a fluorocarbon leader and Falcon LowRider Salt Series rod were key to his success.
“The Senko is a namesake here that always works well,” Cook said. “I caught a lot of fish on that. Wacky rigged with a parabolic rod, that’s really important.”
After adding a few anchor fish to the box, Cook began probing grass lines with a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. While the fish weren’t as plentiful, the pounds were.
“I didn’t get a lot of bites, but the ones I got were good,” he said. “I actually left those fish, preparing for the next two potential days.”
With five fish in the livewell and the wind picking up, Cook switched to two different moving baits. He leaned heavily on a Z-Man/Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, and also picked up an old-school Terminator Spinnerbait in preparation for when the wind really started to blow.
At this point, the long-term strategy began to come into play.
“When I had about 24-25 pounds in the box I considered backing off,” Cook said. “But I knew some weather was coming and I realized I needed to continue a little bit more. I caught two more key fish, which got me up to 28 pounds, 9 ounces. That was midday. After that, I cut all my hooks off and went practicing for the potential following days. I continued to have some really good bites the rest of the afternoon.”
In the end, he wouldn’t need those fish to take home first place, but it solidifies Cook’s knowledge and experience on his home body of water. He began fishing tournaments at the age of 16, when the local club actually changed the rules to allow him to participate.
“I fished out of a John boat in those early club tournaments,” Cook said. “I carried more cotter keys in my tackle box to fix the prop than I did baits back in the day.”
Cook’s investment of time and effort has certainly paid dividends, this time to the tune of $51,500 and a first-place trophy. Even more important, he has overcome the odds and solidified his place among the local legends.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Cook said. “It’s very meaningful to win here against all my idols – the people I’ve looked up to my entire fishing career – it makes it really special.”
The top 10 pros on Santee Cooper finished:
1st: Bryan Cook, Vance, S.C., five bass, 28-9, $51,500
2nd: Matt Wieteha, Miami, Fla., five bass, 25-2, $20,000
3rd: Zach Crider, Tunnel Hill, Ga., five bass, 24-5, $14,250
4th: Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C., five bass, 22-11, $12,250
5th: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., five bass, 21-10, $12,550 (includes $1,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency)
6th: Johnny McCombs, Morris, Ala., five bass, 21-3, $9,125
7th: Kyle Austin, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 20-9, $7,900
8th: Kyle Glasgow, Guin, Ala., five bass, 20-5, $6,900
9th: Danny Shanz, Summerton, S.C., five bass, 20-3, $5,900
10th: Lee Stalvey, Palatka, Fla., five bass, 20-2, $4,500
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Danny Kirk of Bartow, Georgia, won the $500 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division with a bass weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces.
Robinson took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Pros 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.
Andy Bond of McIntyre, Georgia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division at Santee Cooper with four bass weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces. Bond took home the top prize package worth $34,750, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Santee Cooper finished:
1st: Andy Bond, McIntyre, Ga., four bass, 18-12, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard + $1,250
2nd: Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., four bass, 18-3, $6,125
3rd: Lonnie Drusch, Sumter, S.C., five bass, 17-10, $4,900
4th: Michael Daniels, Leesburg, Ga., four bass, 15-4, $3,950
5th: Brennan Gunther, Mount Pleasant, S.C., five bass, 14-10, $3,450
6th: Kevin Richbourg, Wagener, S.C., four bass, 14-5, $2,950
7th: Joey Diaz, Deltona, Fla., five bass, 13-10, $2,450
8th: Frank Lauria, Wesley Chapel, Fla., four bass, 13-6, $1,975
9th: Doug Wooldridge, Williston, S.C., five bass, 12-8, $1,590
10th: Roger Phillips, Delta, Ala., five bass, 12-7, $1,350
The Berkley Big Bass $150 award winner in the Strike King co-angler division was Mark Howard of Emory, Texas, who caught a 7½-pounder.
After two events in the Toyota Series Southern Division, pro Lee Stalvey of Palatka, Florida, leads the Toyota Series Southern Division Pro Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 506 points, while Andy Niles of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 501 points.
The next events for Toyota Series Southern Division anglers will take place May 19-21 – the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida, hosted by Lake County, Florida. 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.
Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Table Rock Lake Rescheduled Due to High Winds and Inclement Weather
WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Tournament on Table Rock Lake, scheduled for Friday, April 8, has been cancelled and rescheduled to Saturday, April 9 due to high winds and unsafe boating conditions. This will be the first of three events for the Central Conference anglers, who will fish on Saturday alongside the MLF High School tournament, also being held on Table Rock Lake.
College anglers competing in the event will launch Saturday at 7 a.m. CT from Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road Hwy 165 in Branson, Missouri. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Marina beginning at 3 p.m.
The High School tournament will remain as previously scheduled, with launch at 7 a.m. CT and weigh-in at 2 p.m.
NOTES:
Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open advance to the following year’s Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Tournament on Wheeler Lake Rescheduled Due to High Winds and Inclement Weather
WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Wheeler Lake, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, has been cancelled and rescheduled to Sunday, April 10 due to high winds and unsafe boating conditions. This will be the first of three events for anglers competing in the Choo Choo division.
Anglers competing in the event will launch Sunday at 6:30 a.m. CT from Ingalls Harbor, located at 7011 Market St. NW in Decatur, Alabama. Sunday’s weigh-in will be held at the harbor beginning at 2:30 p.m.
NOTES:
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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube .
Morgan Leads Bassmaster Kayak Angler Of The Year Race
After a win at the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX at Lake Fork and a Top 20 on the Harris Chain, Garrett Morgan of Conway, Ark., is leading the Old Town Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race halfway through the season.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
April 8, 2022
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Being a Division I college football kicker can be a thankless job, but former University of Central Arkansas kicker Garrett Morgan of Conway, Ark., learned how to be mentally strong in the face of adversity.
That mental toughness has helped Morgan navigate the first two tournaments of the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX season and grab the lead in the Old Town Angler of the Year race after two tournaments with 484 points.
Morgan leads Justin Largen of Roanoke, Va., by one point and holds an 11-point lead over third-place angler Larry Edwards (473 points).
In the first event of the season at Lake Fork, Morgan claimed his first national-level victory with a two-day total of 10 fish measuring 201.75 inches at a tournament that featured a lowered Lake Fork and frigid temperatures.
“My goal coming into this year was to win a national level event, and to come out to the first event that I signed up for and check that box was huge,” he said. “It made it more special that it was on Lake Fork. It gave me a boost to know I can come out here and compete with those elite anglers. I have always felt like I could.”
Lake Fork has become Morgan’s favorite fishery, and he did something different than a lot of other anglers to seal his first victory.
“I didn’t see a lot of people focusing on a jig bite and didn’t see a lot of people fishing the 6- to 7-foot range,” he said. “And I didn’t see a lot of people on the main lake, and a lot of the fish I caught the first day were on the main lake.”
Morgan decided to fish the rest of the Bassmaster Kayak Series schedule and placed 17th at the next tournament on the Harris Chain of Lakes. He flew to Orlando with only a couple of reels and a bag of tackle, borrowing rods and a kayak from Old Town teammate Jimmy McClurkan.
“I flew in on the Friday before the tournament, and I didn’t get to the lake until 4 a.m. My flight got delayed, and I had to wait in line for a rental car,” Morgan said. “I asked Jimmy to bring me three rods, and I just showed up. I fished the moment and fished the conditions, and I was lucky enough that it worked out and (I) got a limit.”
While he had never been to the Harris Chain before this event, Morgan had spent time fishing the Kissimmee Chain and other Central Florida fisheries on various trips, giving him an idea of what to look for and what the bass do in the postspawn.
“I felt pretty confident, even though I hadn’t been on the lake. In the past, I have hopped off a plane, got in a bass boat and went and caught fish that were postspawn. Maybe I was hardheaded and didn’t really know any better, but I felt like I could go out there and do this. And I was able to make it happen.”
Morgan is no stranger to competing for Angler of the Year titles, having won four straight seasons with the Natural State Kayak Anglers.
“I stepped away from that this year, and I wanted to focus on one trail and see if I could win (the Bassmaster Kayak Series) Angler of the Year,” Morgan said. “I know from winning the local trail, you have to fish all of them. I jumped a lot of hoops to get to Florida, and I didn’t think I would be in the Top 20 like I was.”
While he entered with the goal of winning a tournament, that goal has now evolved into winning the Old Town Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.
“When you get that lead early, it’s like, ‘When am I ever going to have a better chance to chase this?’” Morgan said. “This is my primary focus for the year. I may never start the year out in first place again, so that is now the goal. Let’s go see if we can win Angler of the Year or have fun trying.”
Morgan is within three hours of Grand Lake, the site of the next Bassmaster Kayak Series, and will be able to prefish for the next few weeks. The final two lakes on the schedule, Lewis Smith Lake and Pickwick Lake, are places Morgan has never been to.
“From what I hear, Pickwick can fish to my strengths,” he said. “I’m pretty good at shallow-water fishing. I don’t know a lot about Smith Lake, but I’ve been to some Alabama lakes and done well. I feel like I have some things to learn for sure.”
The Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX will be back on the water April 16 at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake. In addition to Morgan, the field will feature Largen, multiple-time winner Jim Davis of Tennessee and 2021 Kayak Series Championship winner Mark Pendergraf of Texas.
Inclement Weather Forces Two Toyota Series Event Cancellations Friday, Competition to Wrap Up in Both Events Saturday
WHAT:
With strong winds creating unsafe boating conditions, both Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Southwestern Division event on Lake Texoma have now been canceled. Since Thursday morning, wind gusts upwards of 25 mph and sustained winds around 20 mph have created an untenable situation on the big border reservoir. Now, with the first two days of competition canceled, the full field will fish for the win in a one-day shootout on Saturday.
Anglers competing at Lake Texoma will launch Saturday at 7:30 a.m. CT from Catfish Bay Marina, located at 11586 Rooster Creek Drive in Kingston, Oklahoma. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will be held at the Marina beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Southern Division event on Santee Cooper has also canceled competition Friday due to inclement weather. However, the 426 boaters and co-anglers in that event were able to get in their first day of competition Thursday, and pro Brian Cook of Miami, Florida, caught a Day 1 limit of five bass totaling 28 pounds, 9 ounces to take the lead in that tournament. Competition will resume Saturday with the full field competing and the winner determined by the highest two-day cumulative total weight.
Anglers competing at Santee Cooper will launch Saturday at 7 a.m. ET from John C. Land III Landing, located at 4404 Greenall Road in Summerton, South Carolina. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will also be held at the landing, beginning at 4 p.m.
NOTES:
The 2022 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern 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.
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.
Talking Torn Calf Muscles and Turkeys
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota’s Matt Arey has had quite the eventful past few weeks. Two top 25 finishes on Bassmaster’s biggest stages, his first Tennessee turkey, and a torn calf muscle sure makes for some excitement.
Following another strong 14th place finish in the Bassmaster Classic, Arey was enjoying his week off before Santee Cooper and playing a little pickle ball with friends. The 41-year-old North Carolina native said he’s been playing pickleball regularly this year to get some exercise and stay active.
Unfortunately, just days before the Santee Cooper Elite Areynearly put himself on the DL list with a nasty calf injury.
“Getting old isn’t for wimps,” Arey said with a laugh. “It was strange, really. I wasn’t making a Sportscenter top 10 diving play or anything, I guess I just moved awkwardly and felt a sharp pain on the back of my right leg. I thought I got hit with the ball or something, but when I turned around and didn’t see a ball bouncing away, I knew something wasn’t right.”
What wasn’t right was his calf muscle. Arey tore his right calf muscle and was in excruciating pain in the days that followed the injury. Along with bringing his professional pickle ball career to a grinding halt, Arey worried he wouldn’t be able to compete in the Santee Cooper Elite. After a few doctor visits, a lot of ice, and some encouragement from his family Areydecided he’d work through the pain at Santee Cooper.
The injury absolutely slowed him down, but it didn’t stop his ability to bring big bass to the scales. Arey put his Costa Sunglasses to work and committed to a slow and steady sight fishing program at Santee. While it came with a few lumps and tumbles he caught over 57-lbs of bass in three days en route to a respectable 22nd place finish.
“It was a mess of a tournament, but we got through it and my doctor was only marginally mad at me,” Arey admitted. “My leg was a swollen mess after standing on it looking at bedding fish for three days, but you gotta do what you gotta do. My doctor said it was about the worst thing I could do for my calf, but it’s been healing well since Santee. It’s a slow process but I’d say I’m back to 75% already.”
To put his injured leg to the test Arey spent his off-day on Wednesday morning doing one of his favorite things on the planet… chasing turkeys. April is hands down one of Arey’sfavorite months of the year due to big prespawn bass flooding shallow water and turkey gobbles erupting in the woods.
“It was a beautiful morning in the hills,” Arey smiled. “Our season doesn’t open until this weekend back in North Carolina. So, to be able to scratch my turkey itch this week in Tennessee before tournament was a dream come true. If I can figure out how to bring five keeper bass to the scales each day and leave here with a decent finish, I’ll be the happiest guy in Tennessee.”
Arey had a perfect morning in the woods. He ended up bagging his first Tennessee long-beard thanks to help from his buddy Jason Heathcoe and walked nearly 13,000 steps in the process.Then today, he captured nearly 17-lbs of Chickamauga largemouth to bring to Dayton Boat Dock .
His calf may still be a little tender, but time in the outdoors coupled with a little R&R is proving to be good medicine for Arey. If he can keep the pace tomorrow, he’ll find himself fishing another semi-final Saturday and can put what was nearly a season-altering injury further behind him.
Jocumsen Takes Early Lead In Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Chickamauga Lake
Carl Jocumsen of Toowoomba, Australia, is leading after Day 1 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with 24 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 7, 2022
DAYTON, Tenn. — Despite living just 15 minutes from Chickamauga Lake, Carl Jocumsen insists he doesn’t have a true home-field advantage on the fishery because he spends so much time traveling the country with the Bassmaster Tournament Trail.
But he sure seemed to feel at home Thursday.
Jocumsen, an Australian pro who relocated to Tennessee a few years back, caught five bass that weighed 24 pounds, 12 ounces to take the opening-round lead in the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake. He holds a narrow advantage over Japanese pro Daisuke Aoki (23-12) and Kentucky pro Matt Robertson (21-13) in an event where the conditions seem destined to change by the day.
“I might not get a bite tomorrow,” Jocumsen said. “A few of those bites I got today, I sort of knew I was going to get. Now, they’re not there anymore, and I’m gonna have to continually adjust.
“With the way the weather is shaping up, the fishing is not going to get better as the week goes on. It’s going to get harder.”
The 94-boat field was treated to a typical spring day on Thursday with sunny skies and an afternoon high of 65 degrees. As a result, there were 30 bags of 15 pounds or more brought to the scales and 14 bass over 5 pounds, including the 10-5 that helped Wisconsin pro Pat Schlapper win Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day.
But daytime highs are supposed to top out in the high 40s to low 50s over the next two days — and Jocumsen said he doesn’t know what that will do to the shallow pattern he’s working with what he only called a “big swimbait.”
“The best day I had in practice was when it was cloudy and rainy and nasty,” Jocumsen said. “That’s how it will be tomorrow, but the cold could hurt. I need it to get warmer, not colder.
“I only know how to catch them one way. Every other way is supertough, so I’m probably just gonna go for it.”
No matter what happens, Jocumsen insists fans shouldn’t expect him to have all the answers just because he lives nearby.
“We’ve come here — the Elite Series and Bassmaster — so often that I haven’t been able to fish this lake much by myself,” he said. “I try to fish every time I’m home, but I haven’t been able to do a big learning curve.
“I’ll be out there trying to figure things out just like everyone else.”
It would seem Jocumsen can’t afford a bad day when six anglers are within 5 pounds of him in the standings. Closest to him is Aoki, whose Thursday bag included two 7-pounders that were caught in distinctly different ways.
“One 7-pounder, I was sight fishing,” said Aoki, who speaks in broken English. “One 7-pounder, I was finesse fishing. Couldn’t see.”
Aoki said he spent his morning sight fishing for bedding bass and then moved offshore — but not necessarily to deeper water.
“There is no current where I’m fishing offshore,” he said. “It’s maybe a shallow flat with bed fish — maybe. But I can’t see them.”
Robertson, who had struggled in the first three Elite Series events this season — placing 61st, 49th and 78th, said he relished the chance to avoid sight fishing for bedding bass and stay a little further away from shore.
His bag included three 6-pounders.
“This year, I haven’t really been fishing my strengths,” Robertson said. “I come here and I know they’re about to spawn and there’s not many out there where I’m fishing. But I decided to go out there anyway and fish how I like to fish.
“All I’ll say is I’m going to go fish for big ones — and I won’t be looking at them when I’m fishing for them.”
After placing 27th for the day with 15-13, Florida pro John Cox retained the lead in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 359 points. He is followed by Drew Cook of Georgia (333), Brandon Palaniuk of Idaho (330), Brandon Lester of Tennessee (327) and Drew Benton of Georgia (321).
Meanwhile, a new leader emerged in the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race, as Alabamian Joseph Webster, with 271 points, overtook previous leader Jay Przekurat of Wisconsin, who fell to second place in the ROY standings with 256. They are followed by Jonathan Kelley of Pennsylvania (233), Masayuki Matsushita of Japan (192) and Josh Douglas of Minnesota (185).
The tournament will continue Friday with the full field of 94 anglers taking off at 7 a.m. ET from Dayton Boat Dock and weigh-in back at the dock at 3 p.m. After Friday’s weigh-in the field will be trimmed to the Top 47 for Semifinal Saturday.
Full coverage can be streamed on Bassmaster.com.
2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster at Chickamauga Lake 4/7-4/10
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 24-12 100
Day 1: 5 24-12
2. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 5 23-12 99
Day 1: 5 23-12
3. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 21-13 98
Day 1: 5 21-13
4. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 21-00 97
Day 1: 5 21-00
5. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 20-14 96
Day 1: 5 20-14
6. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 20-03 95
Day 1: 5 20-03
7. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 20-01 94
Day 1: 5 20-01
8. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 19-06 93
Day 1: 5 19-06
9. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 18-10 92
Day 1: 5 18-10
10. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 18-07 91
Day 1: 5 18-07
11. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 4 18-07 90 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 18-07
12. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 18-05 89
Day 1: 5 18-05
13. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 17-13 88
Day 1: 5 17-13
14. Mike Huff London, KY 5 17-07 87
Day 1: 5 17-07
14. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 17-07 87
Day 1: 5 17-07
16. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 17-06 85
Day 1: 5 17-06
17. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 17-04 84
Day 1: 5 17-04
18. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 17-03 83
Day 1: 5 17-03
19. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 17-00 82
Day 1: 5 17-00
20. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 16-14 81
Day 1: 5 16-14
21. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 16-07 80
Day 1: 5 16-07
21. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 16-07 80
Day 1: 5 16-07
23. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 16-06 78
Day 1: 5 16-06
24. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 16-03 77
Day 1: 5 16-03
25. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 16-02 76
Day 1: 5 16-02
26. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 16-00 75
Day 1: 5 16-00
27. John Cox DeBary, FL 5 15-13 74
Day 1: 5 15-13
28. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 15-08 73
Day 1: 5 15-08
29. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 15-04 72
Day 1: 5 15-04
30. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 15-00 71
Day 1: 5 15-00
31. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 14-13 70
Day 1: 5 14-13
32. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 14-09 69
Day 1: 5 14-09
33. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 14-07 68
Day 1: 5 14-07
34. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 14-05 67
Day 1: 5 14-05
35. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 14-04 66
Day 1: 5 14-04
35. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 14-04 66
Day 1: 5 14-04
37. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 14-01 64
Day 1: 5 14-01
38. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 13-15 63
Day 1: 5 13-15
38. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 13-15 63
Day 1: 5 13-15
40. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 13-12 61
Day 1: 5 13-12
41. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 13-10 60
Day 1: 5 13-10
42. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 13-08 59
Day 1: 5 13-08
43. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 13-07 58
Day 1: 5 13-07
44. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 13-06 57
Day 1: 5 13-06
45. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 13-02 56
Day 1: 5 13-02
46. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 13-00 55
Day 1: 5 13-00
46. Jay Yelas Turner, OR 5 13-00 55
Day 1: 5 13-00
48. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 12-14 53
Day 1: 5 12-14
49. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 12-13 52
Day 1: 5 12-13
50. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 12-11 51
Day 1: 5 12-11
51. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 12-09 50
Day 1: 5 12-09
52. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-06 49
Day 1: 5 12-06
53. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 12-03 48
Day 1: 5 12-03
54. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 12-00 47
Day 1: 5 12-00
55. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 11-15 46
Day 1: 5 11-15
56. David Williams Newton, NC 5 11-14 45
Day 1: 5 11-14
57. Wes Logan Springville, AL 3 11-14 44
Day 1: 3 11-14
58. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 11-13 43
Day 1: 5 11-13
59. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 5 11-08 42
Day 1: 5 11-08
60. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 11-06 41
Day 1: 5 11-06
61. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 11-02 40
Day 1: 5 11-02
62. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 4 11-01 39
Day 1: 4 11-01
63. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 10-13 38
Day 1: 5 10-13
64. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 4 10-09 37
Day 1: 4 10-09
65. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 2 10-08 36
Day 1: 2 10-08
66. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 4 10-05 35
Day 1: 4 10-05
67. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 4 10-04 34
Day 1: 4 10-04
68. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 10-01 33
Day 1: 5 10-01
69. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 4 10-00 32
Day 1: 4 10-00
70. Cody Huff Ava, MO 2 09-13 31
Day 1: 2 09-13
71. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 4 09-10 30
Day 1: 4 09-10
72. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 4 09-08 29
Day 1: 4 09-08
73. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 3 09-07 28
Day 1: 3 09-07
74. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 4 09-04 27
Day 1: 4 09-04
75. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 4 09-00 26
Day 1: 4 09-00
76. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 08-14 25
Day 1: 5 08-14
77. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 3 08-11 24
Day 1: 3 08-11
78. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 3 08-07 23
Day 1: 3 08-07
79. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 3 07-13 22
Day 1: 3 07-13
80. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 3 07-05 21
Day 1: 3 07-05
81. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 3 06-15 20
Day 1: 3 06-15
82. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 3 06-14 19
Day 1: 3 06-14
83. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 2 06-14 18
Day 1: 2 06-14
84. David Fritts Lexington, NC 2 06-12 17
Day 1: 2 06-12
85. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 2 06-10 16
Day 1: 2 06-10
86. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 3 06-07 15
Day 1: 3 06-07
87. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 1 06-02 14
Day 1: 1 06-02
88. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 2 06-00 13
Day 1: 2 06-00
89. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 2 04-05 12
Day 1: 2 04-05
90. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 2 04-01 11
Day 1: 2 04-01
91. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 1 02-04 10
Day 1: 1 02-04
92. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Bryan New Saluda, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10-05 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 62 395 1192-01
----------------------------------
62 395 1192-01
MLF 2022 Builders FirstSource Patriot Cup Filmed in Dallas Set to Premiere Saturday on Outdoor Channel
Twenty-Four MLF Anglers Compete on Lewisville Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake and Lavon Lake over Six Days for Prestigious Patriot Cup
DALLAS, Texas (April 7, 2022) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) 2022 Builders FirstSource Patriot Cup Presented by Guaranteed Rate, filmed over six days in November in the Dallas area, is set to premiere this Saturday, April 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel and on-demand on the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) streaming app. The event showcases 24 of the top pro anglers in the world competing in the third MLF Cup event of the 2022 season.
“We were very excited to welcome Major League Fishing to Dallas,” said Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul. “Major League Fishing choosing us to host the Patriot Cup is indicative of how truly diverse our portfolio of sporting events is and how much opportunity there is for fishing events specifically in our market. We appreciate our partnership with Major League Fishing and hope to continue working together for years to come.”
The first episode, set to premiere Saturday, features the eight anglers in Group 1 competing in their opening Elimination Round. Episode two features the eight anglers in Group 2; Episode three will feature the eight anglers in Group 3. The top six finishers from each group’s Elimination Round advance to the two-day Sudden Death Round – episodes four and five – where nine anglers compete each day and try to finish in the top four. The sixth and final episode will feature the final eight anglers competing in the Championship Round to catch the most weight that they can to be crowned the 2022 Patriot Cup Champion.
The 24 Anglers that compete in the 2022 Builders FirstSource Patriot Cup Presented by Guaranteed Rate in Dallas are:
- Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.
- Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
- Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
- John Cox, DeBary, Fla.
- Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
- Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
- James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
- Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
- Shin Fukae, Osaka, Japan
- Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas
- Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas
- Matt Lee, Cullman, Ala.
- Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho
- Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
- Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
- Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
- Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
- Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark.
- Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
- Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La.
- Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
- Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
- Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark.
- Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
The 2022 Builders FirstSource Patriot Cup Presented by Guaranteed Rate was hosted by the Dallas Sports Commission. The event will air on the Outdoor Channel as six, two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting April 9, 2022, and running through May 14, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. ET. Each episode is available for viewing on the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) streaming app on the Monday morning following each episode’s Saturday premiere.
The 2022 Builders FirstSource Patriot Cup Presented by Guaranteed Rate features 24 MLF pro anglers visiting the Dallas area to compete on either Lewisville Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake or Lavon Lake on each day of competition. The fisheries are unknown to the anglers – they do not learn where they are competing until they arrive to the launch ramp each morning of competition.
The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF Cup events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
BERKLEY BAITS DOMINATE MLF REDCREST
Berkley Pros open up about the juice in their Plano EDGE boxes from the 2022 Major League Fishing’s REDCREST on Grand Lake in Oklahoma.
TULSA, OK. (April 6, 2022) – After an impressive comeback performance on the final day of the 2022 Major League Fishing’s REDCREST, Berkley and Plano pro Bobby Lane reigns king of Grand Lake. But he didn’t do it alone. The Berkley Frittside was the difference needed to put him above the competition. In addition, numerous anglers including Berkley pros Edwin Evers and Jordan Lee found success using a proven championship-winning bait, the Berkley Stunna.
Diving into each Berkley pro’s Plano EDGE box, it was clear that flat sided crankbaits and jerkbaits were the presentations of choice for those who found success on Grand Lake. With water temperatures hovering in the high forties to low fifties, Berkley baits designed to trigger bites from pre-spawn largemouth played a role for both the champion and a wide spectrum of anglers participating in this year’s event.
Looking into Lane’s Plano EDGE box, it was chock full of Berkley Frittsides – more specifically the Berkley Frittside 5. Being a plastic flat-sided crankbait, the Frittside delivers proven balsa action but also features the durability and casting performance of a plastic bait. The tight balsa-like thumping action proves to be effective during tough conditions like those seen on Grand Lake during REDCREST.
“The Berkley Frittside was the key to putting 99% of my fish in the boat this week. It’s an amazing bait to crank shallow rock and certainly saved the day for me on Grand Lake.” Mentioned Lane after becoming the 2022 MLF REDCREST Champion.
Opening up Evers and Lee’s Plano EDGE boxes, we find a different but championship-proven Berkley bait – the Stunna. Designed by Berkley pro and Bassmaster Classic Champion Hank Cherry, the Stunna was critical to bringing Cherry his second Bassmaster Classic trophy and almost brought an MLF Redcrest Championship title to several anglers on championship Sunday. The Stunna delivers a unique slow sink triggering bites from the finickiest of fish and the tungsten weight transfer system allows for long casts getting the bait to depths where fish typically don’t see a jerkbait.
“We spend countless hours here at the Berkley Lab using a scientific approach to building our baits,” says Dan Spengler, Berkley’s Senior Project Manager of Bait Development. “To watch the Frittside and the Stunna be such an imperative aspect of the equation for anglers to win big time championship events really reflects what our team here at Berkley strives for.”
To learn more about Berkley fishing, click here. To learn more about tackle storage from Plano, click here.
AC Insider Podcast - "Canadian Invasion"
This week Chris & the boys welcome in Bassmaster Open Cherokee Champ Coop Gallant to the show to talk about his win, his path and his goals to qualify for the Elites. An old familiar voice rejoins the show to talk about Redcrest and more!!
Montevallo Ranked Number One College Bass Fishing Team Entering Barnett Reservoir Rumble
Auburn University just over 600 points behind in 2nd, and Carson-Newman University is in 3rd
SAN ANTONIO, TX (APRIL 5, 2022) – The race for 2021-22 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is reaching a fever pitch as the chase enters the final two months of the season. The next nationally televised major event on the schedule is the Association of Collegiate Anglers’ Barnett Reservoir Rumble, which is set to take place on Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, MS. This ACA double points major event will be a key tournament in determining who will finish the season ranked number one. 15 of the top 20 teams in the nation are entered in the Barnett Reservoir Rumble, so this event will likely shape which teams are highly ranked at the end of the season. The University of Montevallo is in 1st place with a more than 600-point lead over Auburn University in 2nd, and Carson-Newman University rounds out the top three.
The latest update to the standings in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia features tournament results and points awarded at the following events:
- MLF Southern Regional at Sam Rayburn
- BASS College Series at Lake Norman
- MLF Championship at Fort Gibson Lake
- Missouri BASS State Qualifier at Lake of the Ozarks
With the addition of these events to the overall points standings, here is a look at the teams moving up in the Top 25 in the National Rankings:
6) Drury University – Previously Ranked 7th
8) Bryan College – Previously Ranked 12th
15) Wabash Valley College – Previously Ranked 19th
19) Campbellsville University – Previously Ranked 22nd
24) Kentucky Christian University – Previously Ranked 31st
View the complete updated rankings.
The spring of the year is one of the busiest times of the year on the schedule for collegiate anglers. This latest stretch for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia awarded over 78,000 points across four different events to approximately 50 different bass fishing teams. Numerous teams earned over 2,000 points during this stretch, expanding their team points earnings for the year.
Taking a look at the top of the standings, Auburn University closed the gap slightly between themselves and number one ranked University of Montevallo. Entering the first ACA event of the spring semester, Auburn is within striking distance of the defending School of the Year winners.
15 of the Top 20 teams, including eight of the Top 10, in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia are set to compete in the Barnett Reservoir Rumble this upcoming weekend. 1st place will earn 1,250 points for their respective school, and college bass fishing teams will be awarded points for their two highest-finishing boats inside of the Top 125.
As the final ACA major regular season event of the 2021-22 season before the year-end Championship at Pickwick Lake, the Barnett Reservoir Rumble is one of the most important events of the season to this point. Double points open up the possibility for a team to shoot up the standings with two good finishes. Two Top 10 finishes would net a given school over 2,000 points leaving Barnett Reservoir. That gives teams ranked roughly 2nd– 14th with a very realistic shot at supplanting themselves down the stretch as a true contender to finish the year ranked in the Top 5 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
Following the completion of the Barnett Reservoir Rumble, be on the lookout for a complete video breakdown of the updated standings in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia next week.
Tidal Impacts Will Be Key For Bassmaster Northern Open On James River
Virginia's James River will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing April 14-16, 2022.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
April 6, 2022
RICHMOND, Va. — Independent thinking is the cornerstone of competitive fishing. However, anglers may find that going with the flow leads to success at the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open at James River presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.
Competition days will be April 14-16 with daily takeoffs from Osborne Park & Boat Landing at 6:30 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins will take place back at the Landing at 2:30 p.m. The Top 10 boaters after Day 2 will advance to the championship round while the co-angler champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the Day 2 weigh-in. Full coverage can be found on Bassmaster.com.
Emptying into Chesapeake Bay, which meets the Atlantic Ocean, the James River experiences daily ebb and flow, but Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Jonathan Kelley knows well the seasonal tendencies. Moreover, the 2021 Bassmaster Opens Northern Division points champion, who placed eighth at last year’s James River Open, nods to the week’s lunar cycle.
“The main factor is the tide level, high or low, and then if you have a supertide where it floods or it does the opposite where it completely flows out (and drains shallow targets),” said Kelley, who makes his home in Old Forge, Pa. “Both of those can happen in the spring. You can’t predict it that far in advance, so it’s all going to come down to a couple of days before the tournament.
“This tournament is right around a full moon (April 16), so sometimes, that does bring an extreme tide. But it could be a good thing. If the weather stays consistent, it’s setting up to be a really good tournament.”
Notwithstanding this anticipation, Kelley notes the variables of seasonal volatility.
“It’s the perfect time to be there; we’ve gotten into those early warmups, and I know they’ve had decent weather there,” Kelley said. “But anything could change this time of year — you could have heavy rains, you could have a fall-out tide, you could have a cold front. We experienced that last year, we had a major cold front and a major blow-out.”
Tournament week will begin warm and sunny with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. The forecast calls for increasing clouds, with showers Thursday afternoon and Friday morning ushering cooler temperatures.
Day 1 should remain warm, but Days 2 and 3 will dip into the mid- to upper 60s. Overnight lows will only fall into the upper 40s, so the cooldown shouldn’t impact the bite too much.
Typically, even a mild cooling trend can slow or stall spawning migrations, but as Kelley points out, river fish typically live close to where they’ll spawn. When it’s time to go, they’ll dash into the nearest firm-bottom area — sandy spots, cypress knees, gravel pits, etc. — so a relatively mild shot of cooler weather shouldn’t drastically affect their positioning.
The James River is certainly not devoid of traditional sight fishing opportunities, but the proximity between prespawn and spawning areas creates a lot of overlap. Visibility is often limited on tidal rivers, so anglers typically target likely areas with blind fishing techniques.
“You won’t have to do a whole lot different to catch spawners or prespawners,” Kelley said. “Fish could be bedding, but either you won’t see them, or you’re not going to know when you catch one. There may be pockets of clearerRead more
BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME TO AWARD GRANTS FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – 4/6/22 – As part of its mission to celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will award conservation grants to worthy organizations and efforts for the third consecutive year. Applications must be submitted to BFHOF Conservation Committee Chairman Gene Gilliland by May 15, 2022, for review by a panel of BFHOF Board Members.
“We are thrilled to be able to contribute in this way,” said Hall of Fame President John Mazurkiewicz. “We’ve really gained momentum in the past several years. Our induction banquet and intermittent auctions have proven to be wildly successful. That increasingly gives us the means to give back to the fishing community. Conservation and youth projects are key ways of doing that.”
In 2020, the Hall awarded grants to four organizations: The Clarks Hill Youth Fishing Team; the Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation; the Indiana Bass Federation and the Virginia Bass Federation.
Last year, the Hall again provided grants to four projects spearheaded by the following groups: The Southwest Iowa Fishing Team; the Spring Bassmasters and Southern Colorado Junior Bass Club; the Tri-County Bass Anglers of Indiana; and the Chattanooga Bass Association.
The grants totaled $15,000. This year, the Hall intends to match that total. “Our sport depends on these grassroots warriors to keep us going,” said Board member Gene Gilliland, who is also the B.A.S.S. Conservation Director as well as a 2021 inductee into the Hall. “While we recognize that we can’t reward every worthy project, we are increasingly able to help a few each year get completed.”
Gilliland and fellow Board member Casey Shedd of AFTCO will lead the BFHOF conservation grant selection process. Criteria for appropriate projects is outlined on the Hall of Fame’s website at: https://www.bassfishinghof.com/bass-fishing-hall-of-fame-grant-program. Completed applications can be sent to Gilliland at [email protected], as can any questions.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction dinner on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. There will also be a concurrent auction which will assist the Board in hosting the dinner and other recognition events each year, along with funding next year’s conservation grants and other worthy endeavors benefiting the sport of bass fishing. Generous donors from all walks of the fishing and outdoors industries have already donated numerous products and experiences, many of them one-of-a-kind items that cannot be purchased elsewhere at any price.
About the BFHOF -- The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors and is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. Since 2017, the Hall’s inductees and memorabilia representing the history of bass fishing is showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, where it has rapidly become a popular destination.
For more information about the Hall, its mission, and to become a supporting member,
visit www.BassFishingHOF.com,
MLF Fisheries Management Division Announces New Partnerships, Schedule of Events and Places Local Habitat During REDCREST
| TULSA, Okla. (April 5, 2022) – At the REDCREST 2022 Outdoor Sports Expo Presented by Costa, the Major League Fishing Fisheries Management Division in partnership with Berkley Labs made several announcements and completed the industry’s first live habitat build.
A press conference was held on March 26 officially announcing the formation of the Fisheries Management Division (FMD), as well as a partnership with Berkley Labs. During the press conference, FMD directors Steven Bardin and Gary Klein outlined two habitat projects to be completed during the 2022 Bass Pro Tour Season: MossBack Fish Habitat and Mercury Marine will support one of these projects while Berkley Labs will support the other. "Without healthy fisheries, there is no fishing so we are proud to put the cutting edge resources of Berkley Labs to work with Major League Fishing's Fisheries Management Division to protect and preserve waterways and fish habitats around the country," said Berkley Senior VP of Marketing Jon Schlosser. "With decades of research and the most experienced and capable team of experts in studying fish behavior and product development, we are proud to work as part of the team committed to ensuring this passion we all share is around for generations to come.” “This has been in the works for a very long time and we are so excited to be rolling out a full slate of conservation projects in 2022,” said Gary Klein. “With the support of our amazing lineup of industry partners we know these events are going to be extremely beneficial for the local communities and fisheries that we visit.” Costa Sunglasses also joined the MLF-FMD with the announcement of the Costa Clean Water Matters campaign. This campaign will work to clean up trash dumped in fisheries all over the country. SeaArk Boats will support Costa’s efforts by providing their revolutionary trash clean-up boat for use by MLF professionals during four events this season. 2022 MLF-FMD Schedule of Events: April 30-May 1 FMD Costa Clean Water Matters Program supported by SeaArk at Lake of the Ozarks May 11 FMD Habitat Restoration Project supported by Mercury Marine and MossBack at Lake Guntersville June 4 FMD Habitat Restoration Project supported by Berkley Labs and MossBack at Watts Bar Lake June 15 FMD Costa Clean Water Matters Program supported by SeaArk at the James River July 28 FMD Costa Clean Water Matters Program supported by SeaArk at Lake Champlain Aug. 6-7 FMD Costa Clean Water Matters Program supported by SeaArk at Cayuga Lake Outside of the press event, the FMD used the REDCREST expo to provide the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) with more than 150 artificial structures. Incorporating a habitat build directly into the Expo was a first for the industry. At the Ferguson Habitat Build booth, volunteers from the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance used PVC materials donated by Ferguson to construct 100 4x4x4-foot Georgia Cubes, as well as assemble a MossBack Fish Habitat. The Mossback structures were donated by MossBack, the Kevin VanDam Foundation and via fan donations at the expo. |
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(Photo by: Ricky Bodsford/Bass365)
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| The ODWC will deploy the majority of the habitat in Grand Lake over the next several months. Some of those units will go to Lake Eufaula in eastern Oklahoma and to Bixhoma Lake, a small fishery south of Tulsa.
“Habitat for many of our reservoirs is being lost due to the aging process. Much of the natural fish habitat once found in a reservoir has been either buried by siltation or slowly degraded over time as it decomposes. This habitat loss must be addressed if we plan to continue to support healthy fish populations. This is why a project like the Ferguson Habitat build and partnerships with USA, MossBack Fish Habitat, the KVD Foundation and Berkley Labs is so important to MLF Fisheries Management division,” said Steven Bardin, Fisheries Biologist for the MLF-FMD. On March 28 – less than 24 hours after Bobby Lane claimed the REDCREST trophy – the first step in the deployment of these fish structures took place with six Georgia Cubes and seven MossBack trophy trees placed by the ODWC in Bixhoma Lake. The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance volunteers, MossBack Fish Habitat owner David King, MLF co-founder Gary Klein and FMD biologist Steven Bardin assisted with the Bixhoma Lake habitat deployment. |
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(Photos by: Chris Neal/MLF)
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| Tulsa’s KOTV News on 6 covered the habitat deployment live via helicopter and on the water with anchor Tess Maune joining to place three of the MossBack Fish Habitats under a handicap accessible dock. The GPS locations for these and all the future habitat locations will be available under the “Where to Fish” tab on the ODWC website along with in their interactive state habitat map.
Proud partners of the MLF Fisheries Management Division include: Berkley Labs, Costa Sunglasses, SeaArk, Mercury Marine, Ferguson and MossBack Fish Habitat. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF Fisheries Management Division, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/fisheries-management. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Edwards Claims Phoenix Bass Fishing League Win on Day 2 of Table Rock Lake Double-Header
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (April 4, 2022) – Boater Landon Edwards of Springdale, Arkansas, caught five bass Sunday weighing 19 pounds, 1 ounce, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Table Rock Lake . The tournament was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division. Edwards earned $6,000 for his victory.
“I caught a lot of fish today,” said Edwards, who said he fished around Kimberling City and the James River. “I found bait, and where you found bait is where you found fish. I was just looking for birds diving for bait and then using my graph to find fish. I’d roll up on a school and start smashing them.”
Edwards said he caught 30 bass over three pounds during the course of the day and described the action as “insane.” He relied on a jerkbait, weighted with lead tape and wire on the hooks to get the bait down to the depths where fish were holding. A Rapala Jigging Shad Rap Ice and a small Keitech soft plastic bait filled his limit. He targeted bass in 100 feet of water that were suspended in depths from 10 to 60 feet.
“Wherever they were blowing holes in the baitfish is where I was catching them,” Edwards said. “I rolled up early to my spot where I knew they were loaded, made a cast and caught a 5-pounder, then caught a few more good ones. Then the sun came up and they got a little finicky. So I started throwing the little Keitech and hitting them in the face with it, and they just couldn’t resist it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Landon Edwards, Springdale, Ark., five bass, 19-1, $6,000
2nd: Ryder Mains, Wellsville, Kan., five bass, 19-0, $3,000
3rd: Joe Grafeman, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 18-13, $2,500 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Jacob Wade, Mountain Grove, Mo., five bass, 18-12, $1,400
5th: Graden Hansen, Sachse, Texas, five bass, 18-7, $1,200
6th: Dustin Blevins, Harrison, Ark., five bass, 17-14, $1,300
7th: Matt Ells, Mount Vernon, Mo., five bass, 17-0, $2,000
8th: Tim Merkh, Bennington, Kan., five bass, 16-3, $850
8th: Cole Breeden, Eldridge, Mo., five bass, 16-3, $850
10th: Cole Anderson, Bentonville, Ark., five bass, 16-2, $665
10th: Eric Olliverson, Lampe, Mo., five bass, 16-2, $665
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Ells had a 6-pound, 10-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,000.
Shane McGinnis of Springfield, Missouri, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,000 Sunday after catching five bass weighing 14 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Shane McGinnis, Springfield, Mo., five bass, 14-7, $3,000
2nd: Drew Boehle, Saint Charles, Mo., five bass, 14-3, $1,500
3rd: Easton Blankenship, Iberia, Mo., five bass, 13-14, $1,000
4th: D.J. Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., five bass, 13-12, $700
5th: Kory Ries, Union, Mo., five bass, 13-4, $600
6th: Mark Horton, Lees Summit, Mo., four bass, 11-1, $625
6th: Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., four bass, 11-1, $825
8th: Walter Dechau, Pontiac, Mo., five bass, 10-15, $450
9th: Chris Bardill, Highland, Ill., three bass, 10-13, $400
10th: Taylor Surly, Bella Vista, Ark., four bass, 10-11, $350
Michael Mulberry of Galena, Missouri, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $500.
After two events, Landon Edwards of Springdale, Arkansas, leads the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 499 points, while Jeff Moss of Truesdale, Missouri, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 483 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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Garner Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Table Rock Lake
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (April 4, 2022) – Boater Justin Garner of Highlandville, Missouri, caught five bass Saturday weighing 21 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Table Rock Lake . The tournament was the season-opener for the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division. Garner earned $13,000, which included the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“I started out in pre-spawn areas where I know bass like to stage,” Garner said. “I pulled into my second spot and there were shad everywhere, and it was just game on.”
Garner said a Picasso Umbrella Rig with Keitech Swimbaits fished in spots from the Joe Bald area to the Table Rock Dam accounted for most of his bass Saturday.
“This win is awesome,” Garner said. “This Phoenix boat and Major League Fishing makes a good combination and a good payday.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Justin Garner, Highlandville, Mo., five bass, 21-13, $13,000 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Landon Edwards, Springdale, Ark., five bass, 21-2, $3,000
3rd: Shawn Kowal, Linn Creek, Mo., five bass, 20-3, $2,000
4th: Travis Harriman, Huntsville, Ark., five bass, 20-2, $1,400
5th: Dustin Blevins, Harrison, Ark., five bass, 17-14, $1,400
6th: Wesley Rogers, Thayer, Mo., five bass, 17-13, $1,100
7th: Connor Cunningham, Springfield, Mo., five bass, 17-11, $1,000
8th: Tom Statler, Kimberling City, Mo., five bass, 16-14, $900
9th: Chris Horton, Highlandville, Mo., five bass, 16-12, $800
10th: Cade Alsbury, Gentry, Ark., five bass, 16-7, $700
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Thomas Rallo of Eldon, Missouri, had a 5-pound, 12-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,000.
Sam Poulos of Kirbyville, Missouri, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,000 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Sam Poulos, Kirbyville, Mo., five bass, 18-12, $3,000
2nd: Aaron Lorenz, Branson West, Mo., five bass, 18-8, $1,500
3rd: Christopher Coy, Kirksville, Mo., four bass, 15-3, $1,500
4th: Bryan Barnard, Harrison, Ark., five bass, 13-10, $700
5th: Dennis Spell, Bonne Terre, Mo., five bass, 13-7, $600
6th: Josh Hood, Dupo, Ill., five bass, 12-8, $550
7th: Rich Carpenter, Parkville, Mo., four bass, 11-8, $500
8th: Luke Ahart, Ulman, Mo., five bass, 11-7, $450
9th: Barry Aumiller, Wildwood, Mo., five bass, 10-9, $600
10th: Alan Quick, Springfield, Mo., four bass, 10-5, $350
Coy caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $500.
After one event, Garner leads the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Poulos leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race, also with 250 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 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
Dorsett Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Mitchell
CLANTON, Ala. (April 4, 2022) – Boater Kyle Dorsett of Springville, Alabama, caught five bass Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Mitchell . The tournament was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Bama Division. Dorsett earned $5,498 for his victory.
“We had about an hour fog delay, and I really didn’t have any expectations,” Dorsett said. “I had practiced a couple of days, and the sun was out then, but I had never even caught a 3-pounder.
“After the fog delay Saturday I went to my spot and there were two boats sitting on it, so I just picked up a jig and went fishing,” Dorsett added. “I fished the way I like to fish.”
Dorsett said his bass came on a Dirty Jigs Swim Jig and a Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Flippin’ Jig. He said he focused on fishing Lake Mitchell from the boat ramp mid-lake to the Coosa River.
“This win feels awesome,” Dorsett said. “This is my third BFL win, but it’s been a while. It’s just awesome to win against this caliber of fishermen.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Kyle Dorsett, Springville, Ala., five bass, 15-7, $5,498
2nd: Chad Hall, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 13-1, $1,873
2nd: Austin Shields, Lake View, Ala., five bass, 13-1, $1,873
4th: Dennis Barnes, Boaz, Ala., five bass, 12-14, $1,050
5th: Danny Grantham, Bay Minette, Ala., five bass, 12-13, $900
6th: Michael Smith, Andalusia, Ala., five bass, 12-4, $987
6th: Cory Gardner, Estill Springs, Tenn., five bass, 12-4, $787
8th: Robbie Robinson, Mobile, Ala., five bass, 12-3, $675
9th: Dusty Robinson, Eclectic, Ala., five bass, 12-0, $600
10th: Austin Archer, Anniston, Ala., five bass, 11-10, $1,025 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Tyler Smith of Selma, Alabama, had a 4-pound, 6-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $645.
Mike Langdale of Sycamore, Georgia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,249 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 13 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
1st: Mike Langdale, Sycamore, Ga., five bass, 13-12, $2,249
2nd: Joseph Chilcott, Crestview, Fla., five bass, 13-3, $1,447
3rd: Lonnie Hill, Pine Mountain, Ga., five bass, 11-2, $852
4th: Rodney Thompson, Highland Home, Ala., five bass, 10-8, $525
5th: Daniel Buswell Jr., Fayetteville, Ga., five bass, 10-1, $450
6th: Dennis Sandoval, Decatur, Ala., five bass, 9-14, $762
7th: Anthony Davis, McCalla, Ala., five bass, 9-9, $337
7th: Michael Corbett, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 9-9, $337
7th: Sam Fish, Alexander City, Ala., five bass, 9-9, $337
10th: Gary Marlowe, Montgomery, Ala., five bass, 9-7, $249
10th: Jeffery McCoy, Montgomery, Ala., five bass, 9-7, $249
Chilcott caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 14 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $322.
After two events, Dusty Robinson of Eclectic, Alabama, leads the Bass Fishing League Bama Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 487 points, while Mike Langdale of Sycamore, Georgia, and Daniel Buswell, Jr., of Fayetteville, Georgia, are tied for the lead in the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race, both with 487 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 Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. Boaters will compete for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. The 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
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.
