NPFL - The Numbers Are In!
WILKESVILLE, Ohio—The National Professional Fishing League has announced that the official report from Strike King NPFL Stop 1 at Santee Cooper Lakes is in, and the numbers exceeded all expectations. The event—March 7-9 and hosted by Clarendon County Tourism—broke every online audience record in League history and is a harbinger of bigger things to come.
For 2025, the NPFL created its own production company—FullCom Media—and made its platform for presenting tournament events more accessible to fans. Coverage is now available on the League website (thenationalprofessionalfishingleague.com) and on the League’s YouTube channel, where subscriptions are dramatically up year-over-year.
“We’re excited about the growth we’re seeing from our efforts,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller, “and we know there’s still a long way to go to make our production what we want it to be, but I’m confident we’ll get there.”
Website page views for the first tournament were up by nearly 1,800% and user engagement increased by more than 1,600% over last season. Advanced advertising impressions jumped by 1,835%.
Much of the success can be attributed to finding a new audience. There was a 1,041% increase in first-time web visitors.
There was also substantial growth on social media, particularly Facebook, where page views and likes increased roughly 1,000%.
“The improvement in our numbers means a lot to us,” Fuller said, “but it means even more to our sponsors and advertisers. We’re delivering a greater return on investment than ever before, and that will continue. We’re determined to be the best value in the sport.
“Moving forward, we’re focused on refining our live broadcast execution and maximizing sponsor value,” Fuller added. “It’s an exciting time for the League and we’re encouraged by the progress, but there’s a long road ahead and we’re not taking our foot off the gas!”
About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.
Media Contact: Ken Duke — (407) 574-1898 or ken@tnpfl.com.
Benton’s Kell Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes
Illinois’ Westfall Tops Co-Angler Division
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (March 17, 2025) – Boater Brad Kell of Benton, Kentucky, caught a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 14 ounces, Sunday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes . The tournament, hosted by Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, was the first event of the season for the BFL LBL Division. Kell earned $4,244 for his victory.
Mother Nature presented a big challenge to the LBL anglers, giving them muddy water, high water and a north wind to contend with. Kell fell back on one of his tried-and-true tactics for the big Tennessee River reservoir.
“I did the same thing I’ve been doing for years – throwing a (lipless crankbait) on river bars and current breaks, looking for schools of smallmouth with my eyeballs and not necessarily forward-facing sonar. I never turned it on,” he said. “I found them just by fishing; fishing by the seat of my pants.”
To be clear, Kell wasn’t sight-fishing. It was way too muddy for that. But these days, casting and winding on main-lake bars without sonar can feel a little like stepping back in time. And time was also a factor for Kell.
“These were places that I’ve been fishing since I was 15 years old,” he said. “Sweet spots that I’ve found since I was a little kid. It’s related to the time of year. The fish are coming up to do their thing, and they get ganged up.”
Kell ran far enough south that he could see the Paris Landing bridge. There, he caught a limit of smallmouth bass, primarily from two schools. He had three other schools located, but the weather shut those fish down.
“It took a little bit (to get a bite),” he said. “My first spot didn’t pan out. I hung out there for about an hour. The second spot, it was on like Donkey Kong – 4- or 5-pounders on every cast. I lost a 7. I had a 7-pounder straighten out a split ring, and then it jumped up by the boat, and my co-angler (Kristin Hamilton), she saw it too. It was a 7-pound smallmouth all day long.”
Kell figures that giant bass created such a commotion that the rest of the school shut down because he never got another bite.
“The next spot, I caught them really good,” he continued. “They were smaller, but I did catch one that I weighed in. And when she (Hamilton) went to net the fish, it came off and the hook caught her right in the nose. The fish came off and fell in the net. She was bleeding. The fish was bleeding. It was pandemonium.”
After those two flurries, bites were tough to come by, but Kell had all he needed to sew up the win. He caught his fish primarily with Duo Realis G-Fix lipless crankbaits.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Brad Kell, Benton, Ky., five bass, 24-14, $4,244
2nd: Kane Hackemack, Georgetown, Ind., five bass, 23-7, $2,122
3rd: Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill., five bass, 22-8, $1,413
4th: Garrett McDowell, Windsor, Ill., five bass, 22-5, $990
5th: Harlan Thomas, Paducah, Ky., five bass, 21-14, $849
6th: Randy Stone, Dexter, Ky., five bass, 21-1, $778
7th: Josh Dowdy, Mayfield, Ky., five bass, 19-15, $707
8th: Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., five bass, 18-11, $637
9th: Harold Buchmeier, Gilbertsville, Ky., five bass, 18-5, $566
10th: Harrison Terry, Burns, Tenn., five bass, 18-0, $495
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
John Riegger of Metropolis, Illinois, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $600.
Mike Westfall of Norris City, Illinois, won the co-angler division and $2,122 Sunday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Mike Westfall, Norris City, Ill., three bass, 12-12, $2,122
2nd: Philip Thomas, Clarksville, Tenn. three bass, 12-8, $1,061
3rd: Eric Law, Primm Springs, Tenn., three bass, 11-13, $707
4th: Jerry North II, Three Way, Tenn., three bass, 11-8, $495
5th: Jeff McWhorter, New Concord, Ky., three bass, 11-1, $424
6th: Jack Ryan, Salem, Ill., three bass, 10-12, $389
7th: Daniel Nolen, Lexington, Tenn., three bass, 10-4, $354
8th: Mike Raymer, Paris, Tenn., three bass, 9-9, $318
9th: Joshua Smith, Benton, Ky., three bass, 9-7, $283
10th: Bo Bivins, Evansville, Ind., three bass, 9-6, $248
Anthony Cancelli of Clarksville, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $300, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to winning the tournament, Brad Kell of Benton, Kentucky, has the early lead the Fishing Clash LBL Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Mike Westfall of Norris City, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash LBL Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL LBL Division anglers will be held May 10, at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes out of Gilbertsville, Kentucky. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Little Rock’s Hawkins Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Hamilton
Searcy’s Warden Tops Co-Angler Division
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (March 17, 2025) – Boater Chip Hawkins of Little Rock, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. Hawkins earned $11,000, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Even with all the advanced electronics and new, high-end tackle out there for bass anglers, there are some simple, old-school fishing adages that still hold true – and can still lead to winning stringers.
“My whole life, people have always told me, when it starts raining throw a spinnerbait, and I’ve always done it,” said Hawkins. “And I’ve actually had some of my best tournaments doing it.”
It worked on Saturday at Lake Hamilton. Hawkins caught his winning fish on a BOOYAH spinnerbait with an orange kicker blade. Hawkins was expecting to find fish moving up to get ready to spawn, so in practice he hunted for pockets with the warmest water – areas closer to 60 degrees. While his practice was pretty terrible – in his words – those pockets ended up being where he caught his fish.
“This morning it was raining and cloudy, and so I just picked up a spinnerbait and started running shallow pockets,” he said. “Until it quit raining around 11:30 or 12. Then it was pretty much over.
“I think I was just fishing shallower than most people, to be honest,” Hawkins added. “I was fishing 2 feet of water, where everybody else was still fishing points.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Chip Hawkins, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 18-12, $11,000 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Kevin Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 16-8, $2,000
3rd: Eugene Moore III, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 14-13, $1,334
4th: Jackson Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 14-11, $933
5th: Brady Horton, Clinton, Ark., five bass, 14-9, $800
6th: Russell Richmond, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 14-7, $1,273
7th: Allen Stewart, North Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 14-5, $633
7th: Cody McEntire, Walnut Ridge, Ark., five bass, 14-5, $633
9th: Chris Darby, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 14-2, $533
10th: Kollin Crawford, Broken Bow, Okla., five bass, 13-15, $467
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Russel Richmond of Sheridan, Arkansas, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $540.
Rocky Warden of Searcy, Arkansas, won the co-angler division and $2,270 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 11 co-anglers finished:
1st: Rocky Warden, Searcy, Ark., three bass, 9-13, $2,270
2nd: Benjamin Russell, Saint Robert, Mo., three bass, 9-8, $1,000
3rd: Michael Brown, Arkadelphia, Ark., three bass, 9-5, $666
4th: Tommy McCullar, Benton, Ark., three bass, 8-4, $467
5th: Dale Clark, Malvern, Ark., three bass, 7-15, $400
6th: Jody Jones, Harvey, Ark., three bass, 7-14, $367
7th: Keagan Harrison, Sulphur Rock, Ark., three bass, 7-13, $333
8th: Aaron Calvert, Russellville, Ark., three bass, 7-11, $300
9th: Reagan Brown, Hot Springs, Ark., three bass, 7-10, $236
9th: Zachary Morrow, Lonsdale, Ark., three bass, 7-10, $236
9th: Trenton Williams, Alma, Ark., three bass, 7-10, $236
Warden also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $270, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to winning the event, Chip Hawkins of Little Rock, Arkansas, has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Rocky Warden of Searcy, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Arkie Division anglers will be held April 12, at Lake Ouachita out of Royal, Arkansas. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
South Carolina’s Mitchell Robinson Earns First Major Win at Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 2 on Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine
Landrum, South Carolina pro catches final day limit weighing 17-5 on Championship Sunday to earn $115,000 top prize
ANDERSON, S.C. (March 16, 2025) – The final day of Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 2 Presented by Suzuki Marine on Lake Hartwell turned out to be a classic. Big spotted bass and largemouth hit the scales left and right, and the event went down the wire, as all the leaders struggled to put it away.
Going out with the lead, Dustin Smith weighed an even 13 pounds on the final day for a 53-11 total, which was not quite enough to hold off young Mitchell Robinson . Starting the day in second, Robinson never caught more than 20 pounds any day of the week, but he managed to scrape up 17-5 on Day 3 for a 53-13 total to earn his first win above the high school level. For the win, Robinson takes home the trophy plus $115,000, which is a lot of money to win at 19 years old.
In July 2023, Robinson and partner Cody Abbott won the Bassmaster High School National Championship at Lake Hartwell – at the time, it was the culmination of years fishing Hartwell and Keowee, the home lakes for the Robinson family. Robinson and Abbott split $5,000 in scholarship money in that one – not insignificant, but maybe not a huge factor for someone diving headlong into the family plumbing and fishing businesses.
This week, Robinson made some real money, combining knowledge he learned fishing with family and top-tier skills with forward-facing sonar. His best days, Day 1 and Day 3, Robinson was allowed full use of forward-facing sonar, and he ran a pattern that relied on moving fast and looking for fish off the beaten path.
“Those fish have always been there, but they've never been fished for,” said Robinson. “So, now with LiveScope, you can target them, because these fish are a cast off the bank. They're under people's boats. It's probably the fish they used to see on 2D. So, that little ‘Scope pattern panned out really good for me.”
Keeping the trolling motor moving, Robinson scanned banks that might not look like much but had the right characteristics for him.
“These banks are either sand, clay or pea gravel – any sort of flatter bank, but not like a big, long flat,” he explained. “A lot of times it is just it's a little flat, but then it has a drop or a ditch running by it. And transitions, too: If you see some rock and then it switches to sand real quick and then back to rock.
“You want something for them to ease up there and just cruise around and eat. That's about all they're doing is feeding. I think it's the same fish you see cruising down the bank that you try to catch. There's a group that cruises shallower and then a little deeper and a little deeper. I think that's all these fish do on this lake.”
The beauty of the mid-depth cruisers is that Robinson could catch them at a much higher rate than he could have on the bank. Though they’re not hidden anymore, Robinson still thinks that they’re more willing to bite.
“When they see your boat, you’re done with the ones way up shallow. They're already skittish to be up there because they know they can be seen by everything,” he said. “But these I'm fishing for, they know they're a little hidden.”
Putting his boat in about 10 feet of water, Robinson panned to each side, looking as deep at 20 to 25 feet and as shallow as he can see. He likes to run his forward range at about 80 feet, his color gain at 55 and his gain at 70.
Today, because of the pollen washed in from overnight rains, he ran his noise reject on medium.
Pollen is often the bane of forward-facing sonar, and really one of the few environmental conditions outside of wind that can slow the experts down. It looked for a bit like it might end Robinson’s comeback bid.
“The pollen and the wind ruined my entire area where I caught 20 pound of spots Day 1,” said Robinson. “So, I went back today and I got one bite. It was a good one, but literally one bite there, and it kinda spun me out a little bit.”
To catch his fish, Robinson used the same things that have been working for spotted bass for years – a shaky head and a Neko rig.
For both, he used a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, putting it on a light shaky head or using a 1/16-ounce nail weight. The key for both baits was to go light, so he could keep it out of the low and sticky grass and moss growing on the bottom. For his shaky head, he used a 7-foot, 2-inch, medium Phenix M1, and he used a 7-1, medium-light Phenix K2 Torzite for his Neko.
On Day 2, fishing without forward-facing sonar, Robinson used the shaky head to catch two big fish from a little bridge – no ‘Scope needed. Even with ‘Scope, the fishing wasn’t point and shoot – according to Robinson, even the easier ones he’s targeting aren’t easy.
“I think I've seen five bass for 30 to 35 pounds a day on ‘Scope,” said Robinson. “That big one had 25 or 30 with him, and most of them were the same size. To show you how finicky they are, seven or eight went down. ‘Donk.’ I set the hook. Nothing. ‘Donk.’ He drops it. And then ‘donk,’ he swims off with it, and then I get that 5 1/4. You know he don't have no trouble sucking that 5-inch Senko in, so they just don't want to bite.”
Of course, if you give yourself enough opportunities and convert at an above average rate, you can overcome a finicky bite.
With father Marty and older brother Marshall fishing on the Bass Pro Tour , Mitchell looks to be on track to join the duo in short order. That’s a goal for the future – in the present, the youngest Robinson got the job done on the home pond again.
“Winning here might be a little less impressive than winning somewhere else, but it definitely feels the best winning on the home pond,” said Robinson. “I put in a lot of time here, so I think winning here is probably the best feeling ever.”
Based on the reaction of the crowd of friends and family at weigh-in, he’s probably right.
The top 30 pros at the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 2 on Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine finished:
1st: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 15 bass, 53-13, $115,000 (includes $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
2nd: Dustin Smith, Trussville, Ala., 15 bass, 53-11, $30,000
3rd: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 51-13, $20,000
4th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 51-7, $18,000
5th: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 15 bass, 50-7, $17,000
6th: Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., 15 bass, 50-0, $16,000
7th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 49-13, $15,000
8th: Ken Thompson, Roaring Springs, Penn., 15 bass, 49-8, $14,000
9th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 49-1, $13,000
10th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 15 bass, 48-15, $12,000
11th: Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., 15 bass, 47-8, $10,000
12th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 15 bass, 47-2, $10,000
13th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 47-1, $10,000
14th: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., 15 bass, 47-0, $10,000
15th: Lucas Black, Saint Simons Island, Ga., 15 bass, 46-11, $10,000
16th: Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala., 15 bass, 45-9, $10,000
17th: Hayden Marbut, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 45-7, $10,000
18th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 15 bass, 45-6, $10,000
19th: Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 15 bass, 45-5, $10,000
20th: Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., 15 bass, 45-4, $10,000
21st: Jacob Walker, Springville, Ala., 15 bass, 44-12, $9,500
22nd: Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., 15 bass, 44-2, $9,000
23rd: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, 15 bass, 43-8, $9,000
24th: Alex Bradley, Wellford, S.C., 15 bass, 43-4, $9,000
25th: Austin Swindle, Parrish, Ala., 15 bass, 42-13, $9,000
26th: Gary Adkins, Green Bay, Wis., 15 bass, 42-1, $9,000
27th: Samuel Fish, Chelsea, Ala., 15 bass, 41-15, $9,000
28th: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 41-1, $9,000
29th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 15 bass, 40-7, $9,000
30th: Donnie Davis, Greer, S.C., 15 bass, 40-0, $9,000
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 150 bass weighing 459 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the final 30 pros on Sunday. The catch included 30 five-bass limits.
The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Anderson, featured pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and valuable points to qualify for the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship in September. The full field of anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advanced to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they competed for the grand prize of up to $115,000.
Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 2 at Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 11 on CBS Sports Network.
The next event on the schedule for 2025 is the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 3 at Lewis Smith Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats, set for April 15-17 in Cullman, Alabama.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Bubba, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Invitationals updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Alabama Bass Trail Announces 2026 ABT 100 Tournament Schedule and Payout
Priority Registration Opens June 1
Decatur, Ala. (March 14, 2026) – The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) announces dates and locations of the 2026 ABT 100 tournament series which includes a payout reaching $300,000 for all three tournaments. Returning for the sixth season, the tournament series is held on three different lakes beginning January 17, 2026, at Lewis Smith Lake, in Cullman, Alabama. This event attracts professional and amateur anglers from across the United States who will compete for a $25,000 first place prize.
“We are looking forward to taking 100 of the best teams in bass fishing back to the Coosa River in 2026. We have seen the Coosa River flourish over the last several months and we look forward to showcasing these awesome fisheries to our fan base around the world”. said ABT Program Director Kay Donaldson.
The ABT 100 Series is open to professional and amateur anglers and features three tournaments. The maximum number of boats for each tournament is 100. Entry fee for each event is $1,000 and teams must fish in all three tournaments. (No single entries allowed.)
Tournament dates and locations for the 2026 Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series:
January 17, 2026 Lewis Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala., hosted by Visit Cullman June 6, 2026 Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden, Ala., hosted by City of Gadsden November 7, 2026 Lake Jordan, Wetumpka, Ala., hosted by Elmore County Economic Development Authority and the City of Wetumpka
Each tournament features a $25,000 guaranteed first place prize and pays 20 places plus a $1,000 big fish totaling $100,000.
Payout Schedule:
First place $25,000 Second place $12,500 Third place $10,000 Fourth place $ 9,000 Fifth place $ 7,500 Sixth place $ 6,000 Seventh place $ 5,000 Eighth place $ 4,000 Ninth place $ 3,000 Tenth place $ 2,000 11th – 20th $ 1,500 each Big Fish $ 1,000
The ABT 100 Series will bring live on-the-water tournament action to viewers directly from the boats competing in the events and also will be televised later in 2026. The weigh-in and Live Leaderboard for each event will be streamed live on www.AlabamaBassTrail100.org
, on Facebook at Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series and on the Alabama Bass Trail TV YouTube channel. The entry fee is $3,000 per team. Each team may choose to pay a $1,500 non-refundable deposit to hold the team’s spot. The balance of $1,500 must be paid by December 1, 2025. Registration is limited to 100 boats and teams that fished the ABT 100 in 2024 will receive priority registration beginning June 1 until June 10, 2025, at www.AlabamaBassTrail100.org
. Registration opens for new teams on June 11, 2025, at 6:00 A.M. CST. The Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series made its debut in January 2021 with professional and amateur anglers from 13 different states competing. Anglers will be traveling from across the United States to compete in the 2026 ABT 100 Series.
ABT 100 Series sponsors include Phoenix Bass Boats, Landers McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw–Webb Chevrolet, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Advantage Trailer Rentals, Alabama State Parks, Jack’s, Mountain Dew, FishAlabama.org, America’
s First Federal Credit Union , Visit North Alabama, Alabama Tourism Department, T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., Power-Pole Total Boat Control, Yamaha, VMC, Rapala,Crush City , American Baitworks, Pro-Guide Batteries, Buffalo Rock Company, Garmin, Lew’s, Strike King, and Southern Protection Agency SPA.For more information, call Donaldson at 855.934.7425 or visit online at www.AlabamaBassTrail100.org
, on Facebook at Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series and on Instagram at albasstrail100. About Alabama Bass Trail Since its inception, the Alabama Bass Trail has generated over $103 million in tourism revenue for Alabama, underscoring its importance as a premier fishing destination.
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org
and www.alabamabasstrail100. org .
Alabama’s Dustin Smith Jumps to Day 2 Lead at Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 2 on Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine
Trussville, Alabama pro paces field into Championship Sunday with 4-pound, 3-ounce lead
ANDERSON, S.C. (March 15, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 2 Presented by Suzuki Marine on Lake Hartwell is turning out to be just as interesting as predicted. Through two days, Dustin Smith has the lead, having added 18 pounds, 8 ounces today for a 40-11 total.
Smith, of course, is operating with no forward-facing sonar entirely, running a shallow-heavy game plan. So, the new Invitationals format, which doesn’t allow anglers to use the technology on Day 2, didn’t impact him. More than 4 pounds behind Smith, Mitchell Robinson and Marshall Robinson have combined superlative ‘Scope days with local knowledge to hang right in it. Jayme Rampey dropped from the lead to fourth with a slower day, while Jack Daniel Williams rocketed up from 37th to fifth with 19-3.
Mixed into the Top 10, there are anglers catching big bags on Carolina rigs (aptly named apparently), crankbaits, wacky rigs, jerkbaits, buzzbaits and about anything else you can think of. Multiple anglers caught bass on beds today, the big largemouth are playing and there’s a significant weather front rolling into the area overnight, which will delay the start of competition by one hour. So, we’ll see what happens on the final day – it’s bound to be interesting.
Running shallow, dirty water, Smith brought a few pretty small fish to weigh-in, but he captured a few key fish as well. Starting where he fished on Day 1, he adapted his way into the lead.
“I got a lot less bites today,” said Smith. “I wasn't sure if my area was shot, or if I was just waiting for them to bite. And I think more I just kind of caught them all yesterday. So, I bailed on that and just went and ran all new water and found some pretty good stuff. I got that big one on the buzzbait, man, that was sick.”
Then, fishing a dock near weigh-in with minutes to go, Smith connected with another big fish.
“I got it in the net, scooped it up, threw a fish out, threw him in, and just took off running,” said Smith. “Like, I'd never ever had that happen.”
Though Smith had a great day, and produced some highlights on MLFNOW!, he knows he’s not running back out to a guaranteed motherlode on Day 3. Between the prospect of storms with heavy rain and shallow fish that seem to be a little limited, he’s cautious.
“In that new area, I think I only had four bites,” he said. “I mean, even if you find a good area, you're not going in there and getting 15 bites. It's so hard to run new water because you don't know if there aren’t any fish in there or if there are just a couple in there. And the rain and stuff that's coming through, I mean, this could totally ruin my life. If we get a warm rain tonight, and you could find some warm water run ins, you could get right very quickly, or it could just kill them. It's going to be one or the other.”
Smith has had some pretty close calls at the Toyota Series level, and he won the Southeastern Division AOY in 2020, but he’s still lacking a big tournament win. Tomorrow, he’ll be going out with the lead and in a position to put $115,000 in his pocket.
“It's so hard to get into contention to win one of these, as you know,” said Smith. “But I had a 1-12 in my bag, and I lost two pretty good ones today. Man, if I had just a 2-pound cull, it would have got me over 20 two days in a row. I have had some close calls, and one or two lost fish is the difference between winning one and taking, you know, third or something like that. So, it would be incredible.”
Marty Robinson missed the Top 30 cut by a literal ounce, but there’s a good chance he’ll still be at weigh-in tomorrow. Both Mitchell (the younger brother in his second year on the Invitationals) and Marshall (slightly older and a sophomore on the Bass Pro Tour) are firmly in the hunt.
“I tried to start out on the main lake and throw a crankbait and a swimbait and get me a limit, but that didn't really pan out like I thought it would,” said Mitchell. “But I did catch two small ones. So, I ran to a little bridge that I always fished growing up, and it's usually decent for one good one. But we actually caught a limit in there – a small limit – and then we actually caught two good ones. So, that kind of set my day up for success.”
Splitting their time between Hartwell and Keowee, both Robinsons have grown up fishing the lake and banked on local knowledge with no forward-facing sonar at their disposal on Day 2.
“I spent most of my practice ‘Scoping,” said Marshall. “I didn't really care about the no-‘Scope day because I knew I was going to probably just fish like I always do – a little bit of cranking, a little bit of dock fishing – and I knew what areas I was going to fish. The places I caught them in the past, the fish usually use the same general areas year after year in the spring.”
Today, both Robinsons ran almost entirely different water than they did on Day 1, but they’ll need to pull out all the stops tomorrow.
“The ceiling really isn't there right now,” said Marshall. “It usually is, and it's usually about 20 pounds, 21 pounds. But right now, for some reason, there's some big largemouth biting. So, a guy could definitely bust 22-plus. I think for me, if I could get around that 19-pound mark I had on Day 1, man, I'd feel good about my chances.”
Mitchell and Marshall will obviously both turn their transducers back on tomorrow, but the forecasted wind won’t make it easy on the pair.
“If we were having just semi-light winds, I'd feel like I have about an 80% chance at it, but the wind is going to make it tough,” said Mitchell. “I’ve got plenty of ways I can catch them in it, but it's mainly like 14- to 17-pound patterns. It's hard to get that big bag doing those type of patterns. I'm going to try to ‘Scope, of course, use my eyes again. If I can get it around five of them, the good thing about that wind is I think it's going to make them bite a whole lot better.”
For both, a win on the home front would be super cool.
“I'd rather win here than anywhere else, because I’ve got all my friends and family supporting me,” said Marshall. “I had a good group today; a big group came out to watch weigh-in. And, man, if me or my brother, either one of us, if we could get the win here, it'd be pretty special.”
Only the top 30 competitors, based on their two-day cumulative weight, now advance to Championship Sunday. The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Anderson, features pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and valuable points to qualify for the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship in September.
The top 30 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Lake Hartwell are:
1st: Dustin Smith, Trussville, Ala., 10 bass, 40-11
2nd: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 10 bass, 36-8
3rd: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 10 bass, 35-14
4th: Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., 10 bass, 35-13
5th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 10 bass, 33-8
6th: Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., 10 bass, 33-5
7th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 10 bass, 32-13
8th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 10 bass, 32-8
9th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 10 bass, 32-6
10th: Gary Adkins, Green Bay, Wis., 10 bass, 32-4
11th: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., 10 bass, 32-0
12th: Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala., 10 bass, 31-0
13th: Cole Breeden, Lebanon, Mo., 10 bass, 30-15
14th: Ken Thompson, Roaring Springs, Penn., 10 bass, 30-15
15th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 30-6
16th: Lucas Black, Saint Simons Island, Ga., 10 bass, 30-5
17th: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, 10 bass, 29-14
18th: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 29-12
19th: Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., 10 bass, 29-7
20th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 29-6
21st: Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., 10 bass, 29-5
22nd: Samuel Fish, Chelsea, Ala., 10 bass, 29-5
23rd: Austin Swindle, Parrish, Ala., 10 bass, 29-0
24th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 10 bass, 28-14
25th: Alex Bradley, Wellford, S.C., 10 bass, 28-11
26th: Donnie Davis, Greer, S.C., 10 bass, 28-9
27th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-6
28th: Jacob Walker, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 27-14
29th: Hayden Marbut, Birmingham, Ala., 10 bass, 27-12
30th: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 27-9
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Dylan Mayo of Athens, Texas, earned Saturday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces.
In Tackle Warehouse Invitationals competition, the full field competed in the two-day opening round on Days 1 and 2 in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, now advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000. The winner of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 2 at Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight.
Due to severe weather in tomorrow’s forecast, Day 3 takeoff has been delayed by one hour. Anglers will launch at 8:30 a.m. ET Sunday from Green Pond Landing, located at 470 Green Pond Road in Anderson, South Carolina. Weigh-ins will be held at the landing and will begin at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 2 at Lake Hartwell Presented by Suzuki Marine will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 11 on CBS Sports Network.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Bubba, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Invitationals updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Nutt continues Pickwick magic; wins B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier
FLORENCE, Ala. — Dylan Nutt has only been fishing Pickwick Lake consistently for three years, but there may not be anyone who is more dialed into what is happening on that Tennessee River reservoir than him right now.
The University of North Alabama junior secured the victory at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance with a three-day total weighing 77 pounds, 6 ounces, one of the largest winning weights ever in B.A.S.S. Nation competition. Nutt caught mostly largemouth to outlast fellow college angler Nick Dumke by 1-10.
“It is unbelievable,” Nutt said. “I don’t even know what to say. I was beyond blessed this week to say the least.”
This is Nutt’s third trophy on Pickwick in the span of a month. He earned a Toyota Series win in February and then won the Bill Dance Giant Bass Open on Saturday, the first day of practice for the Nation event.
“I just feel like I know the bass,” he explained. “At least right now, I really understand what’s going on out there and it has worked for me the last couple of weeks.”
Nutt opened the tournament in second with a limit weighing 25-15 before taking the lead on Day 2 with 27-15, the tournament’s biggest bag. He rounded out his tournament with a 23-8 sack, which proved to be the most difficult limit of the week to complete.
“When I was running down the lake this morning, God told me he was going to test me. And he did.” Nutt said. “I caught two (little) smallmouth and then lost like two or three in a row. I ran around some more and I lost two pretty big ones. My nonboater landed a 4, a 5 and another 5 and stopped fishing. It was tough all day. But something kept me calm.”
Between noon and 3 p.m., Nutt caught the majority of his limit and in the last 15 minutes of fishing, he landed a 5 ½-pound largemouth to seal the victory.
During the week, Nutt followed the bass from their wintering holes to their prespawn staging areas. Each day, the bass got shallower and on the final day, the majority of his limit came in less than 6 feet of water.
“It seemed like some of the smallmouth started spawning and the largemouth aren’t far from it,” he said. “At the start of practice, I was catching bass in their winter patterns and today they aren’t even close to that anymore. Today I saw 61-degree water temperatures.”
While he rotated through about five or six baits throughout the week, a ¼-ounce Damiki rig with a minnow-style bait and a jerkbait were his most productive. As temperatures warmed, he switched from a deeper-diving jerkbait to a shallow-diving jerkbait. Translucent shad patterns were key.
“The water wasn’t too dirty,” he said. “The fish out here eat shad, so I was trying to match the hatch.”
Dumke, meanwhile, was arguably the most consistent angler of the week, landing limits weighing 25-3, 25-7 and 25-2 for a total of 75-12. The
University of Montevallo senior knew he needed things to go perfectly to unseat Nutt, and they nearly did.
“I was so close, yet so far,” he said. “It is a really special lake. It is absurd what this place is doing right now. It was such a fun week. One of the most fun tournaments I’ve ever had. There are so many big ones in this lake. I almost gave Dylan a run and I’m super fortunate for how everything turned out.”
One half of the 2023 College Series Team of the Year, Dumke targeted prespawn staging spots between 8 to 14 feet of water. Those spots were close to some of the winter holes he fished during the Toyota Series event in February. Wind was a key piece of the equation, and he needed that wind to be blowing in on his spots.
“With water temperatures being in the 50s and climbing, the bass had spawning on the brain. They were trying to make their way up there. So, my entire deal was targeting stopping points for bass trying to go to their spawning areas. Steep banks and brush and stumps along those steep areas.”
In areas where largemouth were more prevalent, he threw a 6- or 8-inch Deps Sakamata Shad on a jighead. A 5-inch CrushCity Freeloader was more productive where he found more smallmouth. When the wind really kicked up, he tossed an assortment of jerkbaits including a Rapala Mavrik and a Megabass Vision 110.
Indiana’s Eli Lubbehusen finished third with a three-day total of 70-10. Lubbehusen held down third place the entire tournament with bags weighing 25-4, 20-11 and 24-11. Using mostly a CrushCity Freeloader, Lubbehusen targeted the backsides of current breaks in 8 to 10 feet of water.
“There could be rocks or brush, just as long as I was on the backside and out of the current, it was good,” he said. “I had one big smallmouth every day, but most of my bites were largemouth.”
Having a lighter jighead seemed to trigger the better bites, Lubbehusen noticed.
“I had to go super light. It seemed like the bass wanted it to fall slower,” he said.
Illinois boater Corey Bohlmann landed the Big Bass of the Tournament, an 8-3 largemouth that earned him the $500 bonus.
Bruce, Wis., angler Gabriel Fabbri claimed the nonboater title with a three-day total of 37-8. He collected three-bass limits weighing 11-10 and 11-15 before landing the biggest non boater limit of the week at 13-15. Kacey Meyer finished second with a total of 28-12 and John Doolittle finished third with 24-8.
Tennessee’s Bill Scharton Jr. caught the Big Bass of the Tournament on the nonboater side, a 6-14 he landed on Day 2.
The Top 17 boaters and nonboaters claimed a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25.
Visit Florence hosted the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 15 77-06 0 $10,487.00
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 27-15 Day 3: 5 23-08
2. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 15 75-12 0 $5,094.00
Day 1: 5 25-03 Day 2: 5 25-07 Day 3: 5 25-02
3. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 15 70-10 0 $3,596.00
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 24-11
4. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 15 65-11 0 $2,780.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 21-13
5. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 13 62-15 0 $2,607.00
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 3 14-01 Day 3: 5 25-01
6. Adrian Urso Union, KY 15 62-05 0 $2,397.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 23-08
7. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 15 61-10 0 $2,247.00
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 20-07
8. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 15 60-14 0 $2,097.00
Day 1: 5 25-01 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 15-10
9. Nathan Reynolds Nashville, TN 14 59-00 0 $1,530.00
Day 1: 4 16-11 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 20-13
10. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 15 58-00 0 $1,348.00
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 17-11
11. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 15 56-05 0 $1,199.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 21-01 Day 3: 5 19-00
12. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 15 56-05 0 $1,475.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 17-12
13. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 15 56-02 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 16-08
14. Wesley Kent Smithville, TN 14 53-05 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 4 17-12 Day 3: 5 17-08
15. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 15 52-15 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 15-08
16. Landon Myers Maryville, TN 11 52-11 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 27-07 Day 2: 4 16-11 Day 3: 2 08-09
17. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 12 50-04 0 $1,324.00
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 18-07 Day 3: 2 08-14
18. Evan Newell Lakeland, FL 13 48-10 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 3 05-02
19. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 12 42-10 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 2 06-06
20. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 11 37-12 0 $824.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 1 02-03
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Corey Bohlmann Le Roy, IL 08-03 $0.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 43 400 1389-15
2 37 333 1199-08
3 15 85 335-10
------------------------------
95 818 2925-01
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gabriel Fabbri Bruce, WI 9 37-08 0 $2,644.00
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 3 11-15 Day 3: 3 13-15
2. Kacey Meyer Hewitt, WI 8 28-12 0 $1,557.00
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 3 12-06 Day 3: 2 05-09
3. John Doolittle Kennesaw, GA 7 24-08 0 $778.00
Day 1: 3 10-03 Day 2: 2 04-04 Day 3: 2 10-01
4. Jason Kirks Clarksville, TN 8 22-12 0 $721.00
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 3 07-01 Day 3: 3 09-04
5. Kevin Jones Fort Campbell, KY 6 22-11 0 $533.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 10-07 Day 3: 3 12-04
6. Nico Urso Union, KY 6 21-04 0 $448.00
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 3 12-02
7. Todd Mowery Madison, AL 6 18-12 0 $400.00
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 1 02-13 Day 3: 2 07-01
8. Ryan Shriber Franklin, TN 6 18-11 0 $374.00
Day 1: 2 05-13 Day 2: 3 11-04 Day 3: 1 01-10
9. Dustin Shuler Tallahassee, FL 6 18-01 0 $350.00
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 10-15 Day 3: 0 00-00
10. Bill Scharton Jr Soddy Daisy, TN 4 17-09 0 $561.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 10-05 Day 3: 2 07-04
11. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 6 16-03 0 $311.00
Day 1: 1 04-03 Day 2: 3 07-03 Day 3: 2 04-13
12. Mike Riter Harriman, TN 5 14-00 0 $272.00
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 07-03 Day 3: 2 04-13
13. David Godwin Lucedale, MS 5 13-11 0 $234.00
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 3 07-09 Day 3: 1 04-05
14. Sam Jackson Jr Northport, AL 5 13-05 0 $234.00
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 3 08-15 Day 3: 1 01-14
15. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 5 13-04 0 $195.00
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 2 05-05 Day 3: 1 02-15
16. Kb Bridges Spring City, TN 5 12-07 0 $195.00
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 10-02 Day 3: 1 00-00
17. Tristan Bramblett Tiger, GA 4 11-15 0 $195.00
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 3 09-02 Day 3: 0 00-00
18. Robert Daniels Sioux City, IA 4 11-08 0 $195.00
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 3 09-06 Day 3: 0 00-00
19. Harvey Miller Melvin, IA 4 10-06 0 $195.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 1 01-15 Day 3: 0 00-00
20. Steve Blakeney Acworth, GA 3 10-02 0 $195.00
Day 1: 3 10-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 0 00-00
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Bill Scharton Jr Soddy Daisy, TN 06-14 $0.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 59 170-02
2 14 73 227-00
3 4 29 97-14
------------------------------
27 161 495-00
Monster bags await Kayak Series Championship anglers at Lake Fork
March 14, 2025
YANTIS, Texas — Giant bass await anglers who qualified for the 2025 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship at Lake Fork scored by TourneyX. With temperatures rising, multitime championship qualifier Matthew Scotch, who is based out of Fort Worth, Texas, believes this tournament will produce impressive bags.
“That time of year is probably the best time of the year to be there,” the east Texan said. “In my opinion, you're gonna have the most fish at their fattest and healthiest as the spawn kicks off. There will be waves of fish spawning all the way through May, but when you get there in March, I mean, you just got the first crack at him. It's gonna be really, really good.”
Tournament days are scheduled for March 19-20. Competitors will be able to launch from any approved public access on the lake starting at 7 a.m. CT and will have until 3 p.m. to fish. This is a catch-measure-release format event, and the top finishers will be honored on the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour stage at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on March 21.
Lake Fork has reached a legendary status as one of, if not the, primary destination in the country for trophy largemouth bass. The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series showed the fishery’s amazing potential last March as then-rookie Trey McKinney caught 130 pounds, 15 ounces over four days to win a massive event that saw the entire Top 10 join the Century Club.
The Kayak Series has made three trips to Lake Fork, with one-day events in March of 2020 and 2021 respectively and the first two-day event on the lake in February 2022.
Scotch, who finished second in last October’s Bassmaster Kayak Series event at Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau to qualify for this event, believes multiple patterns could play out, which opens up plenty of opportunities for anglers. Weather will determine how far bass will move toward their spawning areas. The Little Caney section of the lake will be popular, but Scotch thinks much of the lake will be in play.
“It turns on early here. It may not be a heavy spawn, but it depends on the weather,” he said. “If we have the right warming trend, we might see an awesome spawn tournament. But if we get a cold front, it might be one of those things where it is a little more prespawn. You can’t come to Fork at a better time of year, really. The middle of March is the sweet time to come.”
A shallow bite should be heating up when anglers arrive, Scotch said. The bass heading toward beds will stage on secondary points close to the spawning grounds. There is also shoreline alligator grass the bass like to get in, but if the water is low, that won’t play quite as much.
Some of those prespawn bass will also school up around hard spots in 12 to 24 feet of water. For those with forward-facing sonar on their kayaks, there will also be opportunities to pick apart some of the standing timber the lake is known for.
Any pattern could produce a heavyweight class of largemouth, and Scotch said he would not be surprised to see a 24.5-incher light up TourneyX during the tournament.
“Just because there will be bass up shallow doesn’t mean someone won’t catch them out deep,” he said. “You will be able to catch them in so many different ways.”
Red crankbaits, ChatterBaits and Texas-rigged worms like a Yamamoto Senko will be popular choices amongst anglers, Scotch anticipates. During the 2024 Elite event, jerkbaits and jighead minnows played a major role offshore as well.
The Wood County Economic Development Commission will be hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Championship Sponsor: Yamaha Rightwaters
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport
2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium
Saturday’s Major League Fishing BFL Tournament on Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Postponed
WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine LBL division tournament on Kentucky and Barkley lakes, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, March 15, has been postponed due to the forecast of incoming severe storms and damaging winds. The tournament has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 12, and will now launch from Kentucky Dam Marina.
The LBL division season-opening tournament, which was previously cancelled and rescheduled for Sunday, March 16, is on as scheduled. Anglers will launch on Sunday at 7 a.m. CT from Moors Resort & Marina, located at 570 Moors Road in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Weigh-ins will take place at the marina, starting at 3 p.m. Fans are invited to attend Sunday’s weigh-in and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.
NOTES:
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Big bag lifts Nutt to the lead at Pickwick Lake
March 13, 2025
FLORENCE, Ala. — It is safe to say Dylan Nutt has a good thing going on Pickwick Lake right now.
With a two-day total of 53 pounds, 14 ounces, the University of North Alabama junior leads the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier presented by Lowrance. After landing 25-15 on Day 1, Nutt landed a 27-15 limit on Day 2, the tournament's biggest bag thus far, and anchored it with a 7-pound largemouth.
Nutt holds a 3-4 advantage over second-place Nick Dumke and a nearly 8-pound lead over Eli Lubbehusen in third place.
“Today was a good day,” Nutt said. “Everything went to plan.”
This will be the former Bassmaster All-American’s third major tournament victory on Pickwick this season after winning a Toyota Series event on the Tennessee River impoundment in February and the Bill Dance Giant Bass Open last Saturday.
Limits were tough to come by for the 155-boat field on Thursday, with only 37 boaters landing five bass on Day 2. Quality continued to show up at the top half of the field, however, as 13 bags of 20 pounds or better crossed the weigh-in stage.
As temperatures have warmed across the region over the past week, Nutt has been targeting prespawn bass in multiple different staging areas. A mix of cover has been productive in these staging areas including stumps, brushpiles and points. He has caught bass anywhere between 5 and 15 feet of water. The majority of his areas have multiple bass staging in them. Five different baits came into play on Day 2.
“I fished some new water today,” he explained. “I’m just fishing a lot of staging areas where they are getting set up to spawn. Some of them are on the bottom, some are a foot off the bottom and then others are a little higher in the water column.”
The majority of his bass have been largemouth, with some bigger smallmouth also counting toward his total.
Bright, calm conditions made the fishing tough on Day 1, Nutt said, but overcast and rainy conditions made for a better Day 2.
“I think they were just in a feeding mood,” he said.
Nutt opened the morning by fishing one of his primary schools, and on the second cast he landed a 5 ½-pounder. From there, he proceeded to fill out a quick limit, which included the 7-pounder. From there, he made several upgrades throughout the afternoon before check-in time.
“That bass was sitting down there on the bottom and ate my bait,” Nutt said. “When I got him up, I realized I didn’t have the net ready, so I had to play it around the boat and grab it.”
Another weather change is expected tomorrow in northern Alabama as a massive storm system approaches. Winds are forecast to blow between 15 and 25 mph out of the southeast with higher gusts possible, which will make it difficult for Nutt to execute his milk run.
“It’ll be pretty crazy. The lake will get huge,” he said. “I like to move around a lot out here, so that will definitely hurt me.”
Meanwhile, Dumke has been consistent so far this week, catching bags of 25-3 and 25-7 to move from fourth to second on Day 2.
Dumke has visited Pickwick Lake plenty during his college career at the University of Montevallo but has never been here this time of year.
Prespawn bass have also been the key to his success, landing quality bass anywhere from 8 to 14 feet of water around multiple types of cover. Three baits have proved to be the most productive.
On the way back to check-in on Day 1, Dumke’s trim sensor malfunctioned, limiting how fast his boat can go. After attempting to fix it with no success Wednesday evening, Dumke puttered to his starting spot on Day 2. The wait was worth it, however, as the Minnesota native landed a 6 3/4-pounder within his first five minutes of fishing.
“I fished around from there,” he said. “I ran some areas close to that spot. It was a blessing in disguise almost because I was forced to hunker down and pick apart my areas. I had my whole bag around 11 o’clock. It got really tough after that.”
While he is certainly within striking distance, Dumke knows it will be a tough task to unseat Nutt as the leader on Championship Friday.
“The stars are going to have to align a little bit for sure,” he said. “Dylan obviously has a crazy track record here. Him and his brother (Carter) are probably the most dialed anglers out here. You can’t let that get to your head. I’m just going to see what I can put together. I know there are giant ones in my areas.”
Illinois angler Corey Bohlmann continues to hold Big Bass of the Tournament honors with his 8-3 largemouth from Day 1.
Wisconsin’s Gabriel Fabbri leads the nonboater division with a two-day total of 23-9. He is followed by Wisconsin’s Kacey Meyer in second with 23-3 and Florida’s Dustin Shuler in third with 18-1. Tennessee’s Bill Scharton Jr landed a 6-14 bass on Day 2, which leads the Big Bass of the Tournament standings.
The Top 20 boaters and Top 20 nonboaters will return to Pickwick tomorrow for Championship Friday. Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The Top 17 in each division will advance to the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance in October.
Visit Florence is hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 10 53-14 0
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 27-15
2. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 10 50-10 0
Day 1: 5 25-03 Day 2: 5 25-07
3. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 10 45-15 0
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 20-11
4. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 10 45-04 0
Day 1: 5 25-01 Day 2: 5 20-03
5. Landon Myers Maryville, TN 9 44-02 0
Day 1: 5 27-07 Day 2: 4 16-11
6. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 10 43-14 0
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 24-04
7. Evan Newell Lakeland, FL 10 43-08 0
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 22-06
8. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 10 41-06 0
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 18-07
9. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 10 41-03 0
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 20-09
10. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 10 40-05 0
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 20-03
11. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 10 39-10 0
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 16-15
12. Adrian Urso Union, KY 10 38-13 0
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-11
13. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 10 38-09 0
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 18-00
14. Nathan Reynolds Nashville, TN 9 38-03 0
Day 1: 4 16-11 Day 2: 5 21-08
15. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 8 37-14 0
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 3 14-01
16. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 10 37-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 22-14
17. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 10 37-05 0
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 21-01
18. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 10 36-04 0
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 16-11
19. Michael Kent Smithville, TN 9 35-13 0
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 4 17-12
20. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 10 35-09 0
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-11
21. Jackson Perry Houston, MN 8 35-02 0 $749.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 3 17-03
22. Blake Knies Jasper, IN 9 34-15 0 $749.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 4 15-10
23. Dylan Jarvis Acworth, GA 8 34-10 0 $749.00
Day 1: 5 25-01 Day 2: 3 09-09
24. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 10 34-08 0 $749.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 17-10
25. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 8 33-14 0 $749.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 3 11-10
26. Casey Majni Knoxville, TN 10 33-09 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 16-06
27. Ed Payne Guin, AL 10 33-07 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 17-12
28. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 9 33-04 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 15-04
29. Colton Boelkes Roscoe, IL 9 32-15 0 $689.00
Day 1: 4 12-13 Day 2: 5 20-02
30. Brian Baker Lewisburg, KY 10 31-15 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 16-06
31. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 10 31-03 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 13-12
32. Brad Smith Collierville, TN 8 30-04 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 3 08-08
33. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 8 30-01 0 $689.00
Day 1: 3 12-11 Day 2: 5 17-06
34. John Thornton Russellville, AL 8 30-01 0 $689.00
Day 1: 3 14-04 Day 2: 5 15-13
35. Tyler Nekolny Coral Springs, FL 10 29-09 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-04
36. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 8 27-14 0 $689.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 5 19-07
37. Cliff King Dayton, TN 10 26-06 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-03
38. Jeremy Nokken La Crosse, WI 9 26-06 0 $689.00
Day 1: 4 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-14
39. Robert Myers Lacona, IA 8 25-11 0 $689.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 3 07-06
40. Brian Gibler Clarksville, TN 7 24-12 0 $689.00
Day 1: 2 07-04 Day 2: 5 17-08
41. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 9 24-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-02 Day 2: 5 15-06
42. Justin Yenter Stevens Point, WI 7 24-02 0
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 5 17-11
43. Dale Coleman Hattiesburg, MS 8 24-01 0
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 3 08-07
44. Austin Lytle New Market, TN 8 24-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 10-12
45. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 7 22-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 3 14-06
46. Bill Rosch Michie, TN 7 22-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 5 17-11
47. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 6 22-03 0
Day 1: 2 07-02 Day 2: 4 15-01
48. Larry Carter Lucedale, MS 6 22-03 0
Day 1: 2 07-15 Day 2: 4 14-04
49. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 6 21-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-01 Day 2: 4 15-06
50. Dustin Williams Tiskilwa, IL 6 21-06 0
Day 1: 4 12-03 Day 2: 2 09-03
51. Keith Glasgow Guin, AL 8 20-15 0
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 5 12-01
52. Chad McMurrian Hawkinsville, GA 6 20-13 0
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 4 14-14
53. Marc Fields Dover, TN 5 20-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 4 16-13
54. Dakota Bell Monticello, KY 6 20-00 0
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 3 10-11
55. David Gorman Jr Canton, GA 5 19-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 4 17-06
56. Gaven Millington Strawberry Plains, TN 6 19-15 0
Day 1: 4 13-15 Day 2: 2 06-00
57. Harry Linsinbigler IV Dover, FL 5 19-07 0
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Joshua Shuler Tallahassee, FL 7 19-07 0
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 3 08-01
59. Mel Biggs Jr Kingston, TN 8 19-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 5 13-08
60. Mason Gunter Franklin, GA 6 19-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 1 05-01
61. Greg Hill Eldridge, IA 5 18-11 0
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. Kevin Meeks Smyrna, TN 8 18-10 0
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-13
63. Bryan Schumacher Sparta, WI 7 18-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 5 14-03
64. Eric Cerny Cumming, GA 5 18-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 3 13-05
65. Collin French Clarksville, TN 4 17-14 0
Day 1: 4 17-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
66. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 5 17-09 0
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
67. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 4 17-09 0
Day 1: 3 12-10 Day 2: 1 04-15
68. Jeffery Lawson Ellisville, MS 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 2 05-06
69. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 6 16-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-13 Day 2: 4 11-01
70. Hunter Baughman Judsonia, AR 5 16-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
71. Jason Howland Albert Lea, MN 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 3 08-10
72. Tony Puelz Garnavillo, IA 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 3 09-07
73. Luke Schmits Alexandria, KY 5 15-01 0
Day 1: 1 04-00 Day 2: 4 11-01
74. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 4 14-13 0
Day 1: 1 03-14 Day 2: 3 10-15
75. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
76. John Mayo Maiden, NC 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 3 10-06
77. Scott Robert Greene, ME 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
78. Corey Bohlmann Le Roy, IL 3 13-15 0
Day 1: 1 08-03 Day 2: 2 05-12
79. Richard Welch Athens, AL 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 3 09-10 Day 2: 2 04-00
80. Dave Turner Citrus Springs, FL 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 3 07-00 Day 2: 2 06-06
82. Joe Johnson Clarksville, TN 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 2 05-01
83. Kevin Ruh Onalaska, WI 4 12-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 3 09-13
84. Randall Christopher Danville, KY 4 12-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 3 09-03
85. Mason Gillihan Manchester, IA 3 12-01 0
Day 1: 2 07-02 Day 2: 1 04-15
86. Dustin Hinkle Mount Juliet, TN 4 12-00 0
Day 1: 4 12-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
87. Charlie Scott Santa Fe, TN 4 11-13 0
Day 1: 4 11-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Kyle Coffman Minbun, IA 4 11-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 3 08-15
89. John Miller Sunrise Beach, MO 3 11-02 0
Day 1: 2 07-14 Day 2: 1 03-04
90. David Chase Las Cruces, NM 3 11-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-00
91. Keith Broyles Jackson, TN 4 10-14 0
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
92. Wyatt Szymanski Stevens Point, WI 4 10-10 0
Day 1: 4 10-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Peter Balishin Sharps Chapel, TN 3 10-08 0
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 1 05-06
94. Mason Phillpotts Swartz Creek, MI 3 10-07 0
Day 1: 2 07-06 Day 2: 1 03-01
95. Jason Brennan Summerville, GA 3 10-05 0
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
96. Gary Little Soso, MS 4 09-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 2 04-14
97. Parker Frew Greenville, MS 2 09-06 0
Day 1: 2 09-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
98. Nathaniel Melgaard Elk Mound, WI 2 09-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 09-05
99. Clay Peters Butler, KY 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
100. Billy Harris Clarksville, TN 2 08-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-14
101. JJ Patton Eldridge, IA 4 08-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 08-11
102. Tom Howland Riceville, IA 2 08-09 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-09
103. Justin Shepard Lansing, IA 3 08-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 2 05-08
104. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 2 07-12 0
Day 1: 2 07-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Kenneth Oakes Spring Hill, FL 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
106. Collin Tweten Decorah, IA 2 07-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 1 04-00
107. Johnny Bigger II Spring Hill, FL 2 06-14 0
Day 1: 2 06-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
108. Shane Hoelzle Peachtree City, GA 2 06-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-11
109. Tristan Garriga Lucedale, MS 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Jeff Giffen Northport, AL 1 06-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 06-05
111. Colby Robertson Summerfield, FL 2 06-04 0
Day 1: 2 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Hunter Nanney Dumas, MS 2 06-03 0
Day 1: 2 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
113. Derek Ehrhardt Garnavillo, IA 2 06-02 0
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
114. Chris Fondren Lebanon, TN 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Nick Ward Newnan, GA 2 05-09 0
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Eric Morgan Royal Palm Beach, FL 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
117. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 2 05-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 1 02-00
118. Tom Hill Nicholasville, KY 2 04-14 0
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Thom Abraham Winchester, TN 1 04-13 0
Day 1: 1 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
120. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
121. Chad Garrison Nolensville, TN 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Bo Collins Robbinsville, NC 1 04-08 0
Day 1: 1 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Danny Carter Hernando, MS 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Ricardo Guzman Farmington, MO 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Austin Hubatch Rosholt, WI 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Richard Pugh Knoxville, TN 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Andrew Mlotek Plainfield, IL 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-10
129. Jeffray Gooch Westport, TN 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Bryan Greene Trinity, NC 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Terry Ezzell Russellville, AL 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
132. William Camp Blytheville, AR 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
133. Marcus Warren Jefferson City, TN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Roger Morris Fayetteville, AR 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Ben Ballou Dickson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Bradley Baxter Willshire, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Dustin Berryman Russellville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Dan Carrigan Citrus Springs, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Kaden Casey Clarksville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Gary Coffman Earlham, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Emile Gennaro Sr Wesson, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. James Hardy Jacksonville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Shannon Jones Morristown, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Mark Jones Meadville, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Casey Knaup Fort Atkinson, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Matt Martin Brookhaven, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Connor Mingo Vinton, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Rick Pullen Houston, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Bo Quinnie Duncanville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Jeremiah Shaver Holmen, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Mark Tonjum Jr Spencer, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Charles Verfuerth Port Washington, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Daniel Ward Sage, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 43 400 1389-15
2 37 333 1199-08
------------------------------
80 733 2589-07
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gabriel Fabbri Bruce, WI 6 23-09 0
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 3 11-15
2. Kacey Meyer Hewitt, WI 6 23-03 0
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 3 12-06
3. Dustin Shuler Tallahassee, FL 6 18-01 0
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 10-15
4. Ryan Shriber Franklin, TN 5 17-01 0
Day 1: 2 05-13 Day 2: 3 11-04
5. John Doolittle Kennesaw, GA 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 10-03 Day 2: 2 04-04
6. Jason Kirks Clarksville, TN 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 3 07-01
7. Kb Bridges Spring City, TN 4 12-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 10-02
8. Tristan Bramblett Tiger, GA 4 11-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 3 09-02
9. Todd Mowery Madison, AL 4 11-11 0
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 1 02-13
10. Robert Daniels Sioux City, IA 4 11-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 3 09-06
11. Sam Jackson Jr Northport, AL 4 11-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 3 08-15
12. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 4 11-06 0
Day 1: 1 04-03 Day 2: 3 07-03
13. Kevin Jones Fort Campbell, KY 3 10-07 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 10-07
14. Harvey Miller Melvin, IA 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 1 01-15
15. Bill Scharton Jr Soddy Daisy, TN 2 10-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 10-05
16. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 4 10-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 2 05-05
17. Steve Blakeney Acworth, GA 3 10-02 0
Day 1: 3 10-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
18. David Godwin Lucedale, MS 4 09-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 3 07-09
19. Mike Riter Harriman, TN 3 09-03 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 07-03
20. Nico Urso Union, KY 3 09-02 0
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
21. Amanda Riley Galesville, WI 3 08-15 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-15
22. Jaiven Cuevas Perkinston, MS 3 08-10 0 $200.00
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 2 06-04
23. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 2 08-03 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-03
24. Eli French Lucedale, MS 3 08-01 0 $200.00
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 2 04-11
25. Ted Tinlin Des Moines, IA 3 07-11 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-11
26. David Lundy Clermont, GA 3 07-01 0 $200.00
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
27. Brandon Troupe Chicago, IL 2 07-00 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 07-00
28. Russ Engelbart Anamosa, IA 3 07-00 0 $200.00
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 1 01-10
29. Kevin Kent Alexandria , TN 2 06-09 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-09
30. Donny Davis Waterloo, AL 2 06-06 0 $200.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-06
31. Jacob Lange Marion, IA 2 06-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 1 02-13
32. Mike Morris Hubert, NC 2 05-12 0
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
33. Justin Ortiz Cumming, GA 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 1 03-13 Day 2: 1 01-14
34. Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA 1 05-07 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 05-07
35. David Wheat Philadelphia, MS 1 04-13 0
Day 1: 1 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Mark Smith Brandon, FL 2 04-04 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
37. David Hawkes Conyers, GA 1 03-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-15
38. Edward Malloy Johns Creek, GA 1 03-00 0
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
39. Chase Kinney Stevens Point, WI 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
40. Dante Johnson Gurnee, IL 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
41. Arthur Ballard Irvine, KY 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
42. Julie Price Ripley, WV 1 02-03 0
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
43. Nick Fariss Carthage, TN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
44. Sam Jenkins Abita Springs, LA 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-00
45. Eric Davis Dandridge, TN 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
45. Matt Tumlin Hillsboro, GA 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Gary Toombs La Grange, KY 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Owen Worthington Kenosha, WI 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-14
49. Terry Pinkard Decatur, AL 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
50. Tim Albrecht Rapids City, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Cody Blau Brookings, SD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Matt Champion Scottsville, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Johnny Clark Northport, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Joel Cox Evansdale, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Steven Dahl Muscatine, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Buddy French Ruth, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Jon Houpt Buford, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Kenneth Johnson Monticello, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Jeff Meyer Wheatland, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. William Page Lyles, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Danny Roberts Eatonton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Allen Smith Knoxville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Zak Steigerwald Cedar Rapids, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Tim Towers Crane Hill, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Chris Walker Mount Juliet, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Chase Ward Jackson, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Jason Wulf Crown Point, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 59 170-02
2 14 73 227-00
------------------------------
23 132 397-02
Crowd Courtesy with Brandon Palaniuk
Courtesy Dynamic Sponsorships / Photos: Bassmaster
Now that the scales have settled following Palaniuk’s incredible performance on Lake Okeechobee and dozens of stories have been published covering this victory from every which way, there is one underlying theme revolving around the “Prodigy’s” sixth Elite Series win that deserves some extra spotlight… the positivity.
This year, much like the last several years, the world of bass fishing can’t seem to escape drama and would-be negativity. Take a quick scroll through social media comments and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. Lake Okeechobee Elite was no different; with DQ’s, technology criticisms, and general negative chatter swirling around the start of the event.
Thankfully, much of that noise seemed to disappear on day two when Palaniuk captured 34-plus-pounds of bass, all broadcasted on Bassmaster LIVE, while fishing one key spot boat-to-boat with several competitors. What was just as impressive as BP’s massive limit was the fact that all the anglers not only got along, they worked together.
Heck, at one point Team Toyota’s newest pro was handing out the obscure crankbait (Megabass BIG-M 4.0) that caught one of the two nine-pounders in his bag to two of his closest competitors, and he was genuinely rooting for them to catch a big bass with it.
The get-along-gang, as Dave Mercer affectionately dubbed them, comprised of Greg DiPalma, Will Davis Jr., Tim Dube, and Brandon Palaniuk walked the line of sportsmanship and competitiveness about as respectfully as possible during their four-day-dance in the canals of Okeechobee.
This isn’t the first time Palaniuk has served as a beacon of positivity in this sport. There is a plethora of examples I could list, but none stand out as much as Palaniuk staying for the final weigh-in of nearly every Elite Series event the past few years to simply support his fellow competitors and be among the first to congratulate them on their victory. Pure class.
Palaniuk’s plight for positivity is admirable and, hopefully, infectious. We could turn this into a ten-part series on how to be a better fisherman, by first being a better person per Brandon Palaniuk. Perhaps we will, but first we’ll start with something simple that we can all relate to; fishing in a crowd and how to do so respectfully.
Crowd Courtesy
According to Palaniuk, sharing water is inevitable in this modern age of tournament fishing. With the improvements in mapping and technology, so many anglers find the same fish, even in what used to be considered sneaky locations. This is a common theme across all levels of fishing and is happening more than ever before. With the explosion of popularity for bass tournaments at the youth level, knowing how to handle these situations with grace is imperative.
“Communication is the number one key to success when sharing water in a tournament,” Palaniuk said. “Communication is key with any relationship in life. When you show up to a spot you want to fish on day one of a multiday event and there are other anglers in the area, talk it out so that everyone is on the same page. Every angler has the same goal; catch fish and make money, so by communicating you ensure each person can do what they need to, and no one gets too worked up.”
The level of communication varies from tournament-to-tournament, or spot-to-spot. Sometimes, like we saw in the canal at Okeechobee, anglers talk about boat placement, casting angles, and even specific baits. Usually, anglers remain tight-lipped about their specifics, but by communicating to start with they establish expectations as a group. Keeping the peace and avoiding heated confrontations that negatively affect all anglers involved.
When Palaniuk burst onto the scene as a B.A.S.S. Nation champion in the 2011 Classic on the Louisiana delta, he was an unknown Idaho pro fishing in a crowd with many household names like KVD, Aaron Martens, and Scott Rook to name a few. The longtime Yamaha Outboards pro ultimately finished fourth in that event, doing so within shouting distance of numerous bass fishing legends.
“That 2011 Classic really laid the groundwork for me in terms of how to share water at this level,” Palaniuk recalled. “We all essentially found the same fish on this massive flat with stumps scattered throughout, but we all established our own little bubbles, or areas we laid claim to. The edges of these bubbles touched, but we wouldn’t encroach the core of each person’s area. There was some chirping, especially on day one, but everyone showed respect.
“Respect is my number two rule behind communication. That sounds simple, but it really is the golden rule. You don’t have to love the fact you’re splitting fish with a competitor, but you should show them and their gameplan respect above all else if they lay claim to a spot on day one.”
The reason Palaniuk mentions “day one” is in reference to an unwritten rule of sharing water at the professional level during a multi-day event. Elite Series anglers know they need to stake their claim to an area during day one of a tournament if they want to be treated with respect by fellow competitors.
Showing up unannounced to a specific spot and moving in on a competitor during day two or three of an event is bad form and will likely result in an ear-full from anglers who fished the area the first day of the event.
It can get contentious, but this tightrope is something professional fishermen walk every single tournament. Through communication, respect, and setting expectations as early as possible you can navigate the challenge of fishing in a crowd appropriately just like Palaniuk has proven to do throughout his career.
Rocket City Makes Final Preparations for Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech Energy at Lake Guntersville
MLF Championship to feature massive Outdoor Sports Expo at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center along with top 50 pro anglers battling on Lake Guntersville for $300,000 grand prize
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 13, 2025) – The top 50 professional bass fishing anglers from the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour will compete for the top prize of $300,000 and to crown bass fishing’s newest world champion at Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech Energy on Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama, April 3-6. In In conjunction with the event, the FREE, family-friendly MLF Outdoor Sports Expo will also take place throughout the weekend, April 4-6 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.
The four-day event, hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, and the Madison County Commission , will showcase the top 50 MLF anglers from 2024 – including the top 40 anglers from the Bass Pro Tour – competing for the prestigious REDCREST Championship and a total prize pool for more than ¾ of a million dollars.
“We are excited about bringing the fishing world to Huntsville for REDCREST 2025,” said Judy Ryals, President and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Sitting in the middle of one of the great bass fishing areas in the United States, we look forward to welcoming REDCREST to the Rocket City and seeing the Outdoor Sports Expo take over the Von Braun Center as we create a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone interested in the sport.”
Reigning and two-time REDCREST champion Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who will be among the 50 competitors, said that Lake Guntersville is fishing as good as it’s ever been and that he expects to see some big fish caught all across the lake.
“Lake Guntersville is fishing unbelievable right now,” Connell said. “It’s been that way for the last few years. It’s one of the best, healthiest lakes in the country, and I think we’re going to see some giant fish caught. It’s going to be an awesome tournament, no doubt.”
Lake Guntersville has long been a bucket-list destination among tournament anglers, regularly producing tournament-winning weights of 30 pounds or more. This year’s event presents a little bit of a challenge, taking place during the spring transition.
“We’re right on the verge of things getting a little funky,” Connell explained. “The fish are starting to move up, but it’s a grindy time of year because they’re transitioning from feeding to spawning. If we hit it just right, they might be shallow and ready to bite, but they could also be cruising and a little harder to catch.”
Connell, whose two prior REDCREST victories have come on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula and Lay Lake, knows that adaptability will be key.
“There are four or five major creeks that could produce the winning fish – North Sauty, Honeycomb, Seibold, Browns, and Spring,” Connell said. “With only 50 boats on the water, the field will probably be spread out and you could realistically not see another angler all day. That’s what makes REDCREST so special—everybody has a real shot.
“You’ll see guys fishing docks, throwing jerkbaits, ChatterBaits, maybe even frogs,” Connell said. “I’ll definitely be throwing a Rapala Mavrik – I love throwing that jerkbait, and we're getting to that time of year where we’re really going to catch them on it. And a (Rapala Crush City) Janitor and (Rapala Crush City) Pigstick weightless stick bait for targeting those shallow, structure-oriented fish. Forward-facing sonar is definitely going to play a role in this one, and I’ll definitely be using it when I can. There isn’t a single tournament where I don’t have a (Rapala Crush City) Freeloader tied on and ready to go.”
Connell is eager for a chance to claim an unprecedented third championship title. For Connell, REDCREST represents the pinnacle of the sport.
“This is the one you want to win,” he said. “It’s not just the $300,000 payday – it’s the prestige. Winning REDCREST sets you apart. Lake Guntersville is world-famous, and to win the biggest tournament on that stage? That’s what we do this for and what it’s all about.”
Anglers will launch each morning from Civitan Park, located at 1130 Sunset Drive, in Huntsville, Alabama, at 7:15 a.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch 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 free, family-friendly MLF Outdoor Sports Expo will also take place throughout the weekend, April 4-6 at the Von Braun Center, located at 700 Monroe St. SW, in Huntsville. Fishing and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to explore an array of booths and vendors, featuring the newest innovations and gear in fishing, boating, and outdoors. Meet some of the biggest names in the industry, including professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour and legendary Bass Fishing Hall of Famers like Kevin VanDam.
The tournament will showcase the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech Energy at Lake Guntersville will feature anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable.
The 2024 Bass Pro Tour featured a field of 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech Energy.
The full field of anglers will compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins professional bass fishing’s top prize of $300,000.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on each day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
Television coverage of MLF’s Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 Presented by MillerTech Energy at Lake Guntersville will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, July 5 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Saturday, July 19. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel and Vice TV.
Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour and REDCREST 2025 include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech Energy, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
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, X , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire returns for 2025 Bassmaster Classic
March 13, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and Progressive Insurance, a leader in auto and other insurance since 1937, has announced the return of the massively popular Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire to kick off the extravaganza of activities that surrounds the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Pro-Am will boast a wide variety of celebrity guests, ranging from NFL, NASCAR, WWE and Olympic athletes to musicians, actors, comedians and other celebrities. The star-studded field will team with a host of pro anglers, including pros from the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, in kicking off Classic week events. The pro anglers and celebrities will be competing for a top prize of a set of Yokohama tires and a $2,500 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
Cavender’s Boot City will host an exclusive Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Meet & Greet on Tuesday, March 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT at the Cavender’s store in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards (2601 N. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76164).
Takeoff for the Pro-Am will be March 19 at 8 a.m. from Twin Points Park at Eagle Mountain Lake (10200 Ten Mile Bridge Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76135), with the weigh-in back at the park at 3:15 p.m. Both takeoff and weigh-in are open to the public and free to attend.
“The inaugural Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am was a massive success,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operations Officer Phillip Johnson. “It’s back bigger and better for 2025, as we’ve expanded the field and increased the whole scope of the event. This year, fans will also get to watch their favorite anglers and celebrities teamed together competing in a special prime-time production that will stream for free on The Roku Channel on April 5.”
The Pro-Am celebrates the meteoric rise of competitive fishing in pop culture and will feature teams of celebrities matched with some of the world’s best anglers.
The celebrity guests featured include:
- Social media influencer and reigning Bassmaster Classic Pro-Am champion Hood Fishing Entertainment
- Barstool Sports talent/host Sydnie Wells
- Tennessee Titans defensive linebacker Jeffery Simmons
- Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist for shot put and discus Ryan Crouser
- NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen
- Social media personality Justin Chiasson (Stalekracker)
- Comedian and actor Lavell Crawford
- U.S Marine Veteran & Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer
- BlacktipH content creator/designer Jake Jorgensen
- Bluegrass music artist Billy Strings
- Southern Methodist University Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee
- Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Kevin Dotson
- 8-year NFL veteran Barkevious Mingo
- WWE Superstar Bron Breakker
- WWE Superstar Tony D’Angelo
- TV personality Heavy D (Diesel Brothers)
- TV personality Diesel Dave (Diesel Brothers)
- Canadian TV personality Pat Roach (Trailer Park Boys)
- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark
- 12-year NFL veteran Trent Cole
Celebrities in the Pro-Am will be paired with some of the biggest names in bass fishing, including:
- 50-year Bassmaster pro and four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn
- 30-year Bassmaster pro and Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli
- Two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 20-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Gerald Swindle
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Andrew Loberg
- Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion and Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Joey Cifuentes
- Two-time Bassmaster High School All-American Tucker Smith
- Sixteen-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell
- 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation champion Matty Wong
- Two-time Bassmaster Opens champion and Bassmaster Team Championship champion Matt Robertson
- 2021 Bassmaster Northern Opens Angler of the Year Jonathan Kelley
- Three-time Elite Series champion Steve Kennedy
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Emil Wagner
- Two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and six-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Brandon Palaniuk
- Bassmaster Elite Series champion Luke Palmer
- Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Bill Lowen
- Three-time Bassmaster Opens champion Stephen Browning
- Bassmaster Opens champion Cliff Crochet
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie and Bassmaster College Series champion Beau Browning
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Paul Marks
- Bassmaster Elite Series newcomer and seven-year professional angler Dakota Ebare
- Bassmaster Opens champion and Bassmaster College Classic Bracket champion Tristan McCormick
- Bassmaster Opens pro and BassmastHER ambassador Anastasia Patterson
The pairings for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire are:
- Dakota Ebare and Hood Fishing Entertainment
- Joey Cifuentes and Ben Cleveland
- Tucker Smith and Sydnie Wells
- Rick Clunn and Ross Chastain
- Gerald Swindle and Dakota Meyer
- Mike Iaconelli and Billy Strings
- Matty Wong and Diesel Dave (Diesel Brothers)
- Matt Robertson and Tony D’Angelo
- Jonathan Kelley and Jake Jorgensen
- Steve Kennedy and Rhett Lashlee
- Brandon Palaniuk and Heavy D (Diesel Brothers)
- Luke Palmer and Pat Roach (Trailer Park Boys)
- Bill Lowen and Bron Breakker
- Cliff Crochet and Justin Chiasson (Stalekracker)
- Beau Browning and Ryan Crouser
- Emil Wagner and Lavell Crawford
- Paul Marks and Kevin Dotson
- Andrew Loberg and Barkevious Mingo
- Randy Howell and Jeffery Simmons
- Stephen Browning and Trent Cole
- Tristan McCormick and Patrick Queen
- Anastasia Patterson and Damone Clark
Coverage of the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire will be presented on The Roku Channel on April 5.
About Progressive Insurance
Progressive Insurance® makes it easy to understand, buy and use car insurance, home insurance, and other protection needs. Progressive offers
Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles and homes; it is the second-largest personal auto insurer in the country, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance, and one of the top 15 homeowners insurance carriers.
Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot® and HomeQuote Explorer®.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE: PGR.
About Yokohama Tire Corporation
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology, innovation, sustainable manufacturing and environmentally conscious products. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, and commercial truck and bus. For more information on Yokohama’s broad product line, visit yokohamatire.com and yok
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tires 101” section at yokohamatire.com.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Vexus Demo Rides Coming to Ft. Worth
The Revolution Tour is coming to North Texas next week! Vexus Boats will be showcasing the VXs21, VXs20, AVX2100, and AVX1980 through Demo Rides at “Arrow S Park” on Lake Worth.
Demo Rides will be held Saturday, March 22nd & 23rd from 8:00 a.m. until Noon. Come check out our industry leading performance and innovation, and visit with Vexus factory reps.
Appointments can be made now on the home page of our website by visiting VexusBoats.com, or sign up in person at Vexus booth #2708 at the Classic Outdoors Expo.
Daniels, Jr. Dives into a Stellar Finish
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota pro Mark Daniels, Jr. pulled quite an acrobatic move during Power Stop Stage 3 on Lake Murray.
Are fisherman not athletes? When Team Toyota pro Mark Daniels Jr. lurched over the side of his bass boat to retrieve a snagged bass, one might argue different. With seven minutes to go in a less-than-stellar period, the Alabama-based angler hooked a big largemouth underneath a dock covered with crossmembers. If you’re an angler, and if you’re reading this - I assume you are, you can imagine the sinking feeling you get in your gut when you set the hook over these unfortunate obstacles.
You feel the “thump” on the end of your line and when it comes time to set the hook, your line is wrapped around every possible thing it can be.
That’s what happened to Daniels Jr., but it didn’t stop him from weighing a game-changing 4-pound, 9-ounce bass when he needed it most.
“I was out of the cut line before that bite,” MDJ said. “In Period 3 I was in 19th place by about 8 ounces. You know how fishing goes; I figured somebody was going to catch one and knock me out of the cut. With seven minutes to go, however, I’m fishing a Neko rig underneath the skinny, shallow section of the boat dock and I get bit. I set the hook, and it felt solid but no matter what I did, I couldn’t get it unwrapped from the dock post and crossbeams. I was just about to bite my line to cut it off but a second before I did that, I saw the fish rise to the surface and it was one I needed to make the Knockout Round.”
According to MDJ, he didn’t have a choice but to take matters into his own hands. With his heart beating out of his chest with just a few minutes to go, he asked his boat official for permission to jump into the 55-degree water and manually retrieve the fish. It was allowed per Major League Fishing rules but doing so would result in a three-minute penalty. The decision was a no-brainer for Daniels Jr. and the penalty was well worth it.
“If it was a tiny fish, I don’t think I would have done it,” Daniels said. “But my gosh, this fish was a big one. When she surfaced I thought I was going to have a stroke. She was a giant based on what I had been catching. So I stripped down and jumped into the water.”
The cold, pre-spawn water wasn’t exactly comfortable, as you could guess. But duty called and he knew he needed the fish to fish on into the Knockout Round.
“When I got my hands on the fish’s mouth, I cut the line with my teeth, grabbed the fish and swam back underneath the dock to get it back to my boat,” Daniels Jr. said. “I haven’t played sports in a while and I’ll be honest, it was a project getting back into my boat from the bow of the boat. But I did it and as I said earlier, it was totally worth the small penalty.”
His practice was tough. Coming off of a rough Harris Chain event, it was a much-needed confidence boost. Throughout his practice, he kept noticing the pre-spawn and spawning fish setting up on shallow dock posts. While it took a little coaxing to get them to bite, the ones that did fall prey turned out to be the quality fish which led him to a fourth-place finish.
“It finally worked out,” Daniels Jr. said. “It’s not often that a pattern holds up throughout an entire practice period and tournament. But this was special for me. I was just running new water every day because it was totally a pattern thing on those boat docks. It’s so rare that a pattern stays so solid over multiple days, and it allowed me to fish new places and target fresh fish every single day. You’re going to have some tough derbies in this business so when it all works out, you need to take advantage of every opportunity you have. That’s why I took a swan dive into the water for a four-pounder.”
The fish seemed to be farther along in the spawning process in the mid-lake section of Lake Murray. Due to the dirtier water, Daniels Jr. felt as if the water was warming up quicker and staying warmer throughout the day.
“Dirty water gets warmer quicker and stays warmer because of its density,” MDJ said. “I know it sounds nuts but it’s the truth. I was getting bit on a Neko rig on dock posts right at daylight because those big females moved up and the warmer water, dirtier allowed them to commit.”
Commitment comes in two forms, apparently. When the fish are on dock posts, they’ll bite. But sometimes you have to strip down, get ‘em in by hand and take care of business and that’s exactly what MDJ did.
Prespawn largemouth carry Myers to Day 1 lead at Pickwick
March 12, 2025
FLORENCE, Ala. — Landon Myers enjoyed the best day of tournament fishing of his young life so far on Day 1 of the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance. The 18-year-old Alcoa High School (Tennessee) senior landed a five-bass limit weighing 27 pounds, 7 ounces to take the Day 1 lead over second-place Dylan Nutt, who brought 25-15 to the scales.
“I love fishing,” Myers said. “It is a passion of mine. This is a lake I like. I wanted to come here ready to swing on them. I was able to do that today. It was pretty crazy. It was a great day.”
It may not have been easy to get a bite on Pickwick Lake on a bright and warm Day 1, but the bass that did bite were the right size. Of the 43 limits caught today, 15 of them weighed more than 20 pounds. Several other anglers put together impressive bags with just four bass in them.
The Top 17 boaters and nonboaters at the end of the week will advance to the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance Oct. 22-25 in La Crosse, Wis.
Myers, who committed to fish for Carson-Newman University in November, has fished Pickwick in the past. But over the winter, he spent much of his time on Watts Bar and Chickamauga Lake, and some of that knowledge has helped him this week.
Coming off a 57th-place finish at the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series event at Smith Lake at the beginning of the month, Myers wanted to have a strong showing at his first Nation event. His practice period gave him a good reason to be excited.
“Last night I was sitting at dinner shaking. I was pumped (for today),” he explained. “I had a decent practice. I tried not to catch them. There’s not a lot of point in leaning on them in practice. But I had a good idea of what I was going to be doing.”
While his first stop of the day did not pan out as expected, it didn’t take much longer for Myers to find his rhythm. By 10 a.m., the east Tennessean had landed a 22-pound limit fishing sweet spots in one primary area. At 11:30, he caught a 6-pound largemouth to bolster his limit.
“At that point, I had quit fishing my stuff,” he said. “I was running new water from 11:30 on. All of my fish looked like twins. Everything was healthy and fat.”
Then at around 2:30, he boated another kicker largemouth, one that weighed over 6 pounds. His final tally included four largemouth and a smallmouth.
Myers caught bass as shallow as 8 feet of water and as deep as 40 feet of water, but as the temperatures rose, he noticed the prespawners he was targeting started to move shallower. Three baits caught the majority of his weight on Day 1, and he noted his Garmin LiveScope was an important component to his success.
A few other competitors are also fishing the same area, but not as many as he expected.
“I’m probably fishing the bank more often,” he noted. “I’ve caught a lot of bass off wood so far. As it got warmer, I started catching them shallower.”
Warm temperatures are expected to continue throughout the week, and Myers is confident there are still plenty of bass in the area; it is just a matter of getting them to bite.
Nutt, a junior at the University of North Alabama and 2022 Bassmaster High School All-American, continued his impressive streak at Pickwick Lake with his nearly 26-pound limit on Day 1. He has already won a three-day Toyota Series event this year and also won the Bill Dance Giant Bass Open on Saturday (the first day of Nation practice) with an 8-pound largemouth.
It was an overall tougher practice for Nutt, but some of his productive areas paid off once again on Day 1.
“It was really tough, to be honest,” Nutt said. “I did get keyed into a few little things about what the fish are doing. I’ve been catching a lot of 3-pounders, which don’t get you anywhere on Pickwick.”
Targeting bass moving into prespawn staging areas, Nutt landed 20 pounds within his first 30 minutes of fishing. He then went a long while without landing a quality keeper.
“I started second guessing myself. I said a prayer and asked The Lord to help me make the right decisions and fish open-minded,” Nutt said. “The next two spots I went to, I caught a 5 ½ off one of them and a 5 and a 5 ½ off the second one. Today was just a blessing.”
He finished the day with three largemouth and two smallmouth in his bag. Nutt said he rotated through plenty of baits on Day 1, with four turning out to be the most productive. Forward-facing sonar has played a role in his success as well. Water temperatures were between 54 and 56 degrees in his areas.
Indiana’s Eli Lubbehusen sits in third place with 25-4 followed by Minnesota’s Nick Dumke in fourth with 25-3. Georgia’s Dylan Jarvis and Wisconsin’s Harmon Marien are tied for fifth with 25-1.
Corey Bohlmann of Le Roy, Ill., landed the Big Bass of the Day, an 8-3 largemouth that has him sitting in 63rd place.
Gabriel Fabbri of Bruce, Wis., leads the nonboater standings with a three-bass limit weighing 11-10. He is followed by fellow Wisconsin angler Kacey Meyer in second with 10-13 and Georgia's John Doolittle in third with 10-3. Mississippi’s David Wheat caught a 4-13, the Big Bass of the Day.
The full field of 155 boats will launch from McFarland Park beginning at 7 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in starting at 3 p.m. The Top 20 boaters and nonboaters after Day 2 will advance to Championship Friday. Weigh-in will be available to watch live on Bassmaster.com.
Visit Florence is hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
-30-
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Landon Myers Maryville, TN 5 27-07 0
Day 1: 5 27-07
2. Dylan Nutt Nashville, TN 5 25-15 0
Day 1: 5 25-15
3. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 5 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 25-04
4. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 5 25-03 0
Day 1: 5 25-03
5. Dylan Jarvis Acworth, GA 5 25-01 0
Day 1: 5 25-01
5. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 5 25-01 0
Day 1: 5 25-01
7. Leslie Brandenburg Springfield, MO 5 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 23-13
8. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 5 22-15 0
Day 1: 5 22-15
9. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 5 22-11 0
Day 1: 5 22-11
10. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 22-04 0
Day 1: 5 22-04
11. Brad Smith Collierville, TN 5 21-12 0
Day 1: 5 21-12
12. Evan Newell Lakeland, FL 5 21-02 0
Day 1: 5 21-02
13. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 20-10 0
Day 1: 5 20-10
14. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 5 20-09 0
Day 1: 5 20-09
15. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 5 20-02 0
Day 1: 5 20-02
16. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 5 19-10 0
Day 1: 5 19-10
17. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 5 19-09 0
Day 1: 5 19-09
18. Harry Linsinbigler IV Dover, FL 5 19-07 0
Day 1: 5 19-07
19. Blake Knies Jasper, IN 5 19-05 0
Day 1: 5 19-05
20. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 18-14 0
Day 1: 5 18-14
21. Greg Hill Eldridge, IA 5 18-11 0
Day 1: 5 18-11
22. Robert Myers Lacona, IA 5 18-05 0
Day 1: 5 18-05
23. Adrian Urso Union, KY 5 18-02 0
Day 1: 5 18-02
24. Michael Kent Smithville, TN 5 18-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-01
25. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 5 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 18-00
26. Jackson Perry Houston, MN 5 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 17-15
27. Collin French Clarksville, TN 4 17-14 0
Day 1: 4 17-14
28. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 5 17-09 0
Day 1: 5 17-09
29. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 5 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 17-07
30. Casey Majni Knoxville, TN 5 17-03 0
Day 1: 5 17-03
31. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 5 16-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-14
32. Hunter Baughman Judsonia, AR 5 16-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-12
33. Nathan Reynolds Nashville, TN 4 16-11 0
Day 1: 4 16-11
34. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 5 16-04
35. Ed Payne Guin, AL 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
36. Dale Coleman Hattiesburg, MS 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
37. Brian Baker Lewisburg, KY 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
38. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-12
39. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
40. John Thornton Russellville, AL 3 14-04 0
Day 1: 3 14-04
41. Cliff King Dayton, TN 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
42. Scott Robert Greene, ME 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
43. Mason Gunter Franklin, GA 5 14-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-01
44. Gaven Millington Strawberry Plains, TN 4 13-15 0
Day 1: 4 13-15
45. Dave Turner Citrus Springs, FL 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
46. Jeremy Nokken La Crosse, WI 4 13-08 0
Day 1: 4 13-08
47. Austin Lytle New Market, TN 5 13-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05
48. Colton Boelkes Roscoe, IL 4 12-13 0
Day 1: 4 12-13
49. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 3 12-11 0
Day 1: 3 12-11
50. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 3 12-10 0
Day 1: 3 12-10
51. Tyler Nekolny Coral Springs, FL 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
52. Dustin Williams Tiskilwa, IL 4 12-03 0
Day 1: 4 12-03
53. Dustin Hinkle Mount Juliet, TN 4 12-00 0
Day 1: 4 12-00
54. Charlie Scott Santa Fe, TN 4 11-13 0
Day 1: 4 11-13
55. Jeffery Lawson Ellisville, MS 3 11-09 0
Day 1: 3 11-09
56. Joshua Shuler Tallahassee, FL 4 11-06 0
Day 1: 4 11-06
57. Keith Broyles Jackson, TN 4 10-14 0
Day 1: 4 10-14
58. Wyatt Szymanski Stevens Point, WI 4 10-10 0
Day 1: 4 10-10
59. Jason Brennan Summerville, GA 3 10-05 0
Day 1: 3 10-05
60. Richard Welch Athens, AL 3 09-10 0
Day 1: 3 09-10
61. Parker Frew Greenville, MS 2 09-06 0
Day 1: 2 09-06
62. Dakota Bell Monticello, KY 3 09-05 0
Day 1: 3 09-05
63. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 4 09-02 0
Day 1: 4 09-02
64. Keith Glasgow Guin, AL 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14
64. Clay Peters Butler, KY 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14
66. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-07
67. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 4 08-06 0
Day 1: 4 08-06
68. Corey Bohlmann Le Roy, IL 1 08-03 0
Day 1: 1 08-03
69. Joe Johnson Clarksville, TN 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
70. Larry Carter Lucedale, MS 2 07-15 0
Day 1: 2 07-15
71. John Miller Sunrise Beach, MO 2 07-14 0
Day 1: 2 07-14
72. Kevin Meeks Smyrna, TN 3 07-13 0
Day 1: 3 07-13
73. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 2 07-12 0
Day 1: 2 07-12
74. Kenneth Oakes Spring Hill, FL 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-07
75. Mason Phillpotts Swartz Creek, MI 2 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 07-06
76. Brian Gibler Clarksville, TN 2 07-04 0
Day 1: 2 07-04
77. Mason Gillihan Manchester, IA 2 07-02 0
Day 1: 2 07-02
77. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 2 07-02 0
Day 1: 2 07-02
79. Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA 3 07-00 0
Day 1: 3 07-00
80. Jason Howland Albert Lea, MN 2 07-00 0
Day 1: 2 07-00
81. Johnny Bigger II Spring Hill, FL 2 06-14 0
Day 1: 2 06-14
82. Tristan Garriga Lucedale, MS 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08
83. Justin Yenter Stevens Point, WI 2 06-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-07
84. Colby Robertson Summerfield, FL 2 06-04 0
Day 1: 2 06-04
85. Hunter Nanney Dumas, MS 2 06-03 0
Day 1: 2 06-03
86. Derek Ehrhardt Garnavillo, IA 2 06-02 0
Day 1: 2 06-02
87. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 2 06-01 0
Day 1: 2 06-01
88. Tony Puelz Garnavillo, IA 2 06-00 0
Day 1: 2 06-00
89. Chris Fondren Lebanon, TN 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
89. Chad McMurrian Hawkinsville, GA 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
91. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 2 05-13 0
Day 1: 2 05-13
92. Mel Biggs Jr Kingston, TN 3 05-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-12
93. Nick Ward Newnan, GA 2 05-09 0
Day 1: 2 05-09
94. Eric Morgan Royal Palm Beach, FL 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
95. Peter Balishin Sharps Chapel, TN 2 05-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-02
96. Eric Cerny Cumming, GA 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-00
97. Gary Little Soso, MS 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-15
98. Tom Hill Nicholasville, KY 2 04-14 0
Day 1: 2 04-14
99. Thom Abraham Winchester, TN 1 04-13 0
Day 1: 1 04-13
100. Bill Rosch Michie, TN 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
100. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
102. Chad Garrison Nolensville, TN 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
103. Bo Collins Robbinsville, NC 1 04-08 0
Day 1: 1 04-08
104. Bryan Schumacher Sparta, WI 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-06
105. John Mayo Maiden, NC 2 04-04 0
Day 1: 2 04-04
106. Danny Carter Hernando, MS 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
107. Luke Schmits Alexandria, KY 1 04-00 0
Day 1: 1 04-00
108. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 1 03-14 0
Day 1: 1 03-14
109. Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
110. Ricardo Guzman Farmington, MO 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
110. Austin Hubatch Rosholt, WI 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
112. Marc Fields Dover, TN 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
112. Richard Pugh Knoxville, TN 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
114. Randall Christopher Danville, KY 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-02
115. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
115. Collin Tweten Decorah, IA 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
117. Kyle Coffman Minbun, IA 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
117. Kevin Ruh Onalaska, WI 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
119. Justin Shepard Lansing, IA 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
120. David Gorman Jr Canton, GA 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
121. Jeffray Gooch Westport, TN 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07
121. Bryan Greene Trinity, NC 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07
123. Terry Ezzell Russellville, AL 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06
124. William Camp Blytheville, AR 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
125. Marcus Warren Jefferson City, TN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
126. Roger Morris Fayetteville, AR 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
127. Ben Ballou Dickson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Bradley Baxter Willshire, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Dustin Berryman Russellville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Dan Carrigan Citrus Springs, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Kaden Casey Clarksville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. David Chase Las Cruces, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Gary Coffman Earlham, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Emile Gennaro Sr Wesson, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Jeff Giffen Northport, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. James Hardy Jacksonville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Billy Harris Clarksville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Shane Hoelzle Peachtree City, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Tom Howland Riceville, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Shannon Jones Morristown, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Mark Jones Meadville, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Casey Knaup Fort Atkinson, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Matt Martin Brookhaven, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Nathaniel Melgaard Elk Mound, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Connor Mingo Vinton, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Andrew Mlotek Plainfield, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. JJ Patton Eldridge, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Rick Pullen Houston, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Bo Quinnie Duncanville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Jeremiah Shaver Holmen, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Mark Tonjum Jr Spencer, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Charles Verfuerth Port Washington, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
127. Daniel Ward Sage, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 43 400 1389-15
------------------------------
43 400 1389-15
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance 3/12-3/14
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gabriel Fabbri Bruce, WI 3 11-10 0
Day 1: 3 11-10
2. Kacey Meyer Hewitt, WI 3 10-13 0
Day 1: 3 10-13
3. John Doolittle Kennesaw, GA 3 10-03 0
Day 1: 3 10-03
4. Steve Blakeney Acworth, GA 3 10-02 0
Day 1: 3 10-02
5. Nico Urso Union, KY 3 09-02 0
Day 1: 3 09-02
6. Todd Mowery Madison, AL 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14
7. Harvey Miller Melvin, IA 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-07
8. Dustin Shuler Tallahassee, FL 3 07-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-02
9. David Lundy Clermont, GA 3 07-01 0
Day 1: 3 07-01
10. Jason Kirks Clarksville, TN 2 06-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-07
11. Ryan Shriber Franklin, TN 2 05-13 0
Day 1: 2 05-13
12. Mike Morris Hubert, NC 2 05-12 0
Day 1: 2 05-12
13. Russ Engelbart Anamosa, IA 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
14. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-00
15. David Wheat Philadelphia, MS 1 04-13 0
Day 1: 1 04-13
16. Mark Smith Brandon, FL 2 04-04 0
Day 1: 2 04-04
17. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 1 04-03 0
Day 1: 1 04-03
18. Justin Ortiz Cumming, GA 1 03-13 0
Day 1: 1 03-13
19. Eli French Lucedale, MS 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
20. Jacob Lange Marion, IA 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04
21. Edward Malloy Johns Creek, GA 1 03-00 0
Day 1: 1 03-00
22. Tristan Bramblett Tiger, GA 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
22. Chase Kinney Stevens Point, WI 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
24. Dante Johnson Gurnee, IL 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
25. Sam Jackson Jr Northport, AL 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
26. Jaiven Cuevas Perkinston, MS 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06
27. Kb Bridges Spring City, TN 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
28. Arthur Ballard Irvine, KY 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04
29. Julie Price Ripley, WV 1 02-03 0
Day 1: 1 02-03
30. Robert Daniels Sioux City, IA 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
30. Nick Fariss Carthage, TN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
32. Mike Riter Harriman, TN 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
33. Matt Tumlin Hillsboro, GA 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
34. Gary Toombs La Grange, KY 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
35. David Godwin Lucedale, MS 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
36. Tim Albrecht Rapids City, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Cody Blau Brookings, SD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Matt Champion Scottsville, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Johnny Clark Northport, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Joel Cox Evansdale, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Steven Dahl Muscatine, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Donny Davis Waterloo, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Eric Davis Dandridge, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Buddy French Ruth, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. David Hawkes Conyers, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Jon Houpt Buford, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Sam Jenkins Abita Springs, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Kenneth Johnson Monticello, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Kevin Jones Fort Campbell, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Kevin Kent Alexandria , TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Jeff Meyer Wheatland, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. William Page Lyles, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Terry Pinkard Decatur, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Amanda Riley Galesville, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Danny Roberts Eatonton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Bill Scharton Jr Soddy Daisy, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Allen Smith Knoxville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Zak Steigerwald Cedar Rapids, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Ted Tinlin Des Moines, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Tim Towers Crane Hill, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Brandon Troupe Chicago, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Chris Walker Mount Juliet, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Chase Ward Jackson, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Owen Worthington Kenosha, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
36. Jason Wulf Crown Point, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 59 170-02
------------------------------
9 59 170-02
B.A.S.S. announces TNT Fireworks as local partner for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic
March 12, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is thrilled to announce TNT Fireworks as a local partner for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, set to take place March 21-23 in Fort Worth, Texas.
As part of this exciting partnership, TNT Fireworks will serve as the official sponsor of the new Bassmaster Classic App Light Show, bringing an electrifying atmosphere to Dickies Arena each evening during the Bassmaster Classic Weigh-In presented by Yokohama. Fans will have the unique opportunity to be a part of the action, using the Bassmaster Classic App to sync their mobile devices with an immersive light display, transforming the arena into a dazzling spectacle that celebrates the excitement of professional bass fishing.
“We are always looking for new ways to elevate the Bassmaster Classic experience for both our fans and anglers, and TNT Fireworks brings a dynamic energy to this event,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “With their support, we’re adding a new layer of excitement to the weigh-ins, creating a can’t-miss moment for everyone at Dickies Arena.”
For more than 100 years, TNT Fireworks has been a leading name in the fireworks industry, bringing families together with thrilling entertainment. Their partnership with Bassmaster further strengthens the connection between outdoor sports enthusiasts and high-energy experiences.
“The Bassmaster Classic is an iconic celebration of the great outdoors, and TNT Fireworks is thrilled to bring our own brand of excitement to this year's event,” said Carson Anderson, president of TNT
The Bassmaster Classic is the biggest stage in bass fishing, drawing thousands of fans to experience the competition, explore the Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors and to attend the most anticipated weigh-in in fishing. With the addition of TNT Fireworks as a local Classic partner, the 2025 Classic promises to be bigger, brighter and more thrilling than ever before.
For more information on the Bassmaster Classic and how to be part of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Classic App Light Show, visit Bassmaster.com.
About TNT Fireworks
TNT Fireworks (TNT) is the nation’s number one selling fireworks brand and the nation’s largest distributor of consumer fireworks and sparklers, providing safe, family fun for consumers in 49 states, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada and Puerto Rico. TNT products are sold in 40,000 retail stores, as well as seasonal locations run by nonprofits and additional partners who sell TNT Fireworks to raise money for their respective causes.
For more than 100 years, TNT has set the benchmark for safety, customer satisfaction, innovation and quality in the fireworks industry. TNT is also an industry leader in environmental sustainability, focusing on eliminating waste, sustainable sourcing and water conservation.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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B.A.S.S. announces Mountain Dew as local sponsor for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic
March 12, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., the global leader in bass fishing, is proud to welcome Mountain Dew as a local sponsor for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, taking place March 21-23 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The most anticipated event in professional fishing, the Bassmaster Classic will draw tens of thousands of passionate fans to Fort Worth and Lake Ray Roberts, where the world’s best bass anglers will compete for the sport’s most prestigious title. Mountain Dew, a brand synonymous with outdoor adventure, will be on-site to enhance the fan experience throughout the event.
“We are thrilled to have Mountain Dew on board as a local sponsor for the biggest stage in bass fishing,” said Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. “The brand’s commitment to living life to the fullest and outdoor adventures aligns perfectly with the high-energy atmosphere of the Bassmaster Classic. Together, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for our anglers and fans.”
As part of its sponsorship, Mountain Dew will have an exciting presence at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors, offering fans interactive experiences, product samples and exclusive giveaways. Attendees will have the chance to grab an ice-cold Mountain Dew while checking out the latest fishing gear.
Mountain Dew branding will also be prominently featured throughout the Classic, including at the daily Weigh-in presented by Yokohama at Dickies Arena, where anglers will cross the biggest stage in bass fishing as they compete for the coveted Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic Trophy. With Mountain Dew joining the impressive roster of Classic sponsors, the 2025 Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth is shaping up to be an event to remember. Fans can follow all the action live on Bassmaster.com and on Bassmaster’s social media channels throughout the tournament.
For more information on the Bassmaster Classic and all event details, visit Bassmaster.com.
About PepsiCo.
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit Pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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MUSKEGON, Mich. (March 12, 2025) – Yes, a wool sunshirt. Leave it to Whitewater Fishing with their combined 100-years of apparel design expertise to leverage the inherent comfort, moisture-wicking, and cooling properties of Merino wool and merge them with sunshirt features and technologies. And it’s called the Merino Spindrift Fishing Hoodie…
What is Merino wool?
For starters, it’s not that itchy, scratchy fabric in your ugly Christmas sweater. Rather, it’s a superfine natural fiber that’s sheared from Merino sheep. Originally from Spain, Merino sheep are now raised in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.
Key to Merino wool of the highest quality is the diameter of its fibers, measured in microns (one millionth of a meter). For example, routine Merino wool measures in the low 20’s, whereas Whitewater’s new Merino Hoodie comes in at 17.5 microns. That means more of Merino wool’s beneficial properties per square inch of material. (To give you an idea of how fine that is, human hairs average between 50 and 100 microns.)
So, what are those beneficial properties?
Temperature Regulation
Merino wool adapts to your body’s needs. It provides a degree of warmth when it’s cold and offers breathability when it’s warmer. So, in the case of Whitewater’s Merino Fishing Hoodie, it can perform as a lone outer-layer if it’s warm – or – there’s a bit of a nip in the air. Additionally, the Merino Fishing Hoodie serves as the ultimate mid-layer under raingear, such as Whitewater’s Great Lakes Pro and Tamer jacket.
Sun Protection
Perhaps surprising to some, Merino fibers possess natural pigments that absorb UV light. This inherent UV resistance provides some level of sun protection, but not enough for Whitewater. They jacked up the sun protection on the Merino Fishing Hoodie to 50+ UPF.
Odor Resistance
While Whitewater is famous for its antimicrobial treatments, in the case of the Merino Hoodie, the fabric alone offers native antimicrobial properties. This comes from a sheep’s ability to produce a natural wax (sheep grease) that repels water and prevents the accumulation of bacteria, mold, and fungus.
Moisture Wicking
Specialty fabrics and treatments, including some of those from Whitewater, are purposed for wicking moisture off your skin. Merino wool? It naturally lifts perspiration off and away as it does for sheep. Mother Nature is amazing…
Elasticity
Unlike conventional wool, Merino wool offers a degree of elasticity. Meaning, the fabric holds its shape. For the purposes of the Merino Fishing Hoodie, Whitewater blended in nylon and elastane to add the stretch and motion-promotion required for fishing.
Comfort and Softness
This is the no-brainer. Instantly feel the softness with one touch of the fabric. This softness translates into unrivaled comfort against your skin.
Hypoallergenic
Maybe not a requirement for fishing, but it’s factual, nonetheless. Merino wool is officially recognized as asthma and allergy friendly by the international certification body Allergy Standards Limited (ASL).
Fire-Resistant
Yes, it’s true. Merino wool fibers are difficult to ignite, have limited ability to sustain a flame, and can self-extinguish. Merino wool clothing is worn by firemen, police, soldiers, and rescue teams because of its natural fire protection.
Construction-wise, the Merino Fishing Hoodie features flatlock seams for maximum durability and comfort. The exceptional flatlock seams are visible on the outside and designed to keep the smooth Merino feel on the inside.
The Merino Fishing Hoodie’s premium 3-piece hood is designed for fit and comfort, as well as sun protection. And, in cooler conditions, it yields a level warmth.
You might pay a little more for the Spindrift Fishing Hoodie, but when you consider all the benefits of Merino wool, it’s really more of an investment.
Merino Fishing Hoodie FEATURES:
- Betaspun® yarn featuring 82% 17.5-micron Merino Wool, 16% Nylon, and 2% Lycra helps resist abrasion & pilling
- Lightweight 120g fabric
- Natural thermal regulation
- Natural moisture-wicking
- Natural antimicrobial
- Natural sun protection increased to 50+ UPF
- 3-piece hood offers sun protection and warmth if temps drop
- Flatlock seams for next-to-skin comfort and overall durability
$129.99
The gathering and processing of Merino wool is low impact to the environment, earning Whitewater the bluesign® PRODUCT seal.
MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Set for Lake Chickamauga
DAYTON, Tenn. (March 11, 2025) – The second event of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central division is set to take place next week, March 18-20, at Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee – the Toyota Series at Lake Chickamauga.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Rhea County Department of Tourism – Fish Dayton, will showcase the region’s top bass-fishing boaters and co-anglers competing for a grand prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.
The tournament is shaping up to be a classic spring showdown, but pro Kevin Drake of Cleveland, Tennessee, who has six top-10 finishes on Lake Chickamauga in MLF competition, says that anglers should stay ready for anything.
"For the most part, everything should still be pre-spawn," Drake explained. "I wouldn’t be surprised if a few early spawners show up, but this time of year, the majority are still staging."
Weather will play a key role in determining the winning patterns in this event. A forecast of potential thunderstorms and rain could lead to higher, dirtier water levels, drastically changing the playing field.
“If the water comes up and gets dirty, I’ll be looking for fish on shallow structure, like shell beds and flats,” Drake said.
On the other hand, stable conditions might shift his focus to deeper drop-offs and suspending fish visible on forward-facing sonar. The changing conditions will also very much influence the weights anglers bring to the scales.
"If it stays stable, I think it could take 70 to 80 pounds to win over three days," Drake predicted. "But if it gets muddy, it might take less – maybe in the 55 to 60-pound range. Either way, someone will find them.”
Drake said that having the right mix of baits is critical for success.
“I’ll definitely have a bladed jig, crankbait, and a swimbait tied on,” he said. “You’ve got to be ready for anything, and this lake can get really tough, so you have to keep grinding.”
Anglers will begin each day at 7:30 a.m. ET, launching from the Dayton Boat Dock at 175 Lakeshore St. in Dayton. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 3:30 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on 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 up to $75,000, 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 or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, 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 or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Bassmaster honors Rick Clunn’s legendary 50-year career with inaugural Bassmaster Person of the Year Award
March 11, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following a historic 2024 season that marked his 500th Bassmaster event and celebrated a remarkable 50-year career, legendary angler Rick Clunn will be honored with the inaugural Rick Clunn Bassmaster Person of the Year Award at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of bass fishing — both on and off the water — the award celebrates those who exemplify integrity, character and a lasting impact on the fishing community.
At 78 years old, Clunn has spent six decades defining professional angling while inspiring countless anglers to take to the water. In recognition of his unparalleled influence, the award will bear his name moving forward, with future recipients receiving the Rick Clunn Bassmaster Person of the Year plaque.
Clunn’s list of accolades is staggering:
- 16 B.A.S.S. career victories, including four Bassmaster Classic wins — two of them back-to-back.
- A record-setting 32 Classic appearances over his career.
- Voted by fans as the greatest professional bass angler of all time.
“Rick Clunn’s 2024 season featured two milestones that may never be repeated — 50 years of participation in B.A.S.S. events and 500 tournaments fished,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “He was there in the earliest days of professional fishing and has watched the sport evolve into the international sensation it is today. Through it all, Rick has remained a model of class and sportsmanship, earning the admiration of both his peers and the next generation of anglers. His milestones in 2024 made it an easy decision to name him the first Bassmaster Person of the Year.”
Despite his legendary status, Clunn remains humble. “I don’t feel deserving of this award,” Clunn said. “I’ve seen these honors given in other sports to people who have done truly special things. I just try to be a person with a positive outlook, to treat people with kindness. To me, this award simply means striving to be a good and kind person.”
Clunn’s age has never slowed him down. At 69, he became the oldest angler to win a Bassmaster Elite Series event, claiming victory at the 2016 St. Johns River Elite. Three years later, he broke his own record at 72, winning at St. Johns once again. In 2024, his 500th Bassmaster event — the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite — was fittingly held at the same river where he made history multiple times. Beyond tournament fishing, Clunn was featured in the first season of The Cast presented by Bass Pro Shops, which aired on FOX Sports networks, and he made a return appearance in season two.
As the 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River drew to a close, Clunn took the stage for what would be his final Elite Series weigh-in. Addressing the mixed crowd of New York and Canadian fans, he made it clear: He wasn’t retiring — just stepping away from bass fishing’s highest level of competition.
“I have to challenge my mind and my body every day, and fishing does that ... ” Clunn said. “I need to thank everybody, but I can’t name them all. So I’ll just thank my family — they’ve supported me forever. This is going to be tough, but it’s also been an incredible journey. I appreciate all of you who have come out, today and through the years.”
As the crowd erupted in applause, an emotional Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer summed up the moment, reflecting on Clunn’s legacy. “Rick, every athlete in every sport says they just want to leave the game better than they found it,” Mercer said. “And I think it goes without saying — what you have given, what you have built, what you have created ... we are all thankful for it.”
With the introduction of the Rick Clunn Bassmaster Person of the Year Award, Bassmaster ensures that Clunn’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of anglers to come.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Travel Tuesday - Why Are You Afraid of BIG Fish?
There have always been a certain percentage of tournament bass anglers who specialize in the offshore game. Guys like David Fritts made careers out of it while most of their competitors were beating the banks. With the rise of new technologies in recent years, more of them have headed offshore.
For me, however, since 2021 the term “offshore” has taken on a different meaning – I’ll always love Guntersville and Rayburn and the smallmouth of the Great Lakes, but I’ve gained a new appreciation for the ocean and the fish that truly live offshore.
I’d been fishing in Costa Rica in the 90s, but when we went to Casa Vieja Lodge in 2020, and then Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge in 2021 (twice in 2021, to be exact), something more clicked in my brain. These fish were apex predators, big and mean and altogether new to me. I had next to no clue about how to catch them, how they fed, or how they lived. I became obsessed.
Part of it, but not all of it, is just how damn big and how damn strong these fish are. Until you’ve lost to a 100-pound yellowfin tuna on spinning gear, and then conquered the next one, you can’t fully understand it. Until you’ve seen two sailfish zigzagging in the spread, greyhounding your teasers looking to eat, you can’t understand it. Until you’ve had a roosterfish stalk your popper, and felt the hairs on the back of your neck standing up just like his comb, you can’t understand it.
I know that many of our readers are hard core bass anglers. That’s what you live, sleep and breathe. That’s cool. It was my first love and resides in my DNA, too. But I strongly suggest that if you think you are a capital-A-Angler that you at least taste a trip into the ocean. This is the stuff that inspired Melville and Hemingway and countless others, and it’s not out of your reach.
After our first trip to Panama, I told Hanna that I’d sell my bass boat if I could pop for tuna 30 days a year. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that, but we’ve taken a whole bunch of serious, accomplished bass anglers down there since then, and every one has had those same wide-eyed moments. No one’s going to force you to give up your trolling motor, your hollow-bodied frogs, your flipping sticks, or your Roland Martin signature glasses, but time on the big pond will change the way you think about fighting fish, about tackle, and about breaking down water.
So why am I telling you this?
We are headed back to Guatemala in February of 2026. We currently have claimed four of the lodge’s boats and there is one left. If you’d like one of them, act quickly, before they too are gone.
We’re headed back to Panama in May of 2026 with a group of 12, 16 or 20 depending on how the chips fall. Currently we have 12 who are going. Whether you’re a single, a pair, or a larger group, we’d love for you to join us during prime popping time.
Shoot us an email at fishmore@halfpastfirstcat.com and let’s see what you’re made of!
MillerTech Energy Announced as Presenting Sponsor for Major League Fishing’s REDCREST 2025
BENTON, Ky. (March 11, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that MillerTech Energy has been named presenting sponsor of REDCREST 2025, April 3-6, at Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama.
As one of professional bass fishing’s most prestigious events, REDCREST allows MillerTech Energy to showcase its cutting-edge products during daily MLFNOW!® livestreams to viewers around the world and in person to thousands of fans from across the country in the event’s Outdoor Sports Expo at the Van Braun Center.
The partnership represents a strategic move for MillerTech. By aligning its innovative lithium battery technology that provides unmatched reliability and performance with the sport’s biggest names, MillerTech is solidifying its position as a leader in the outdoor and marine industries and underscoring its commitment to the outdoor community.
“REDCREST provides an incredible stage to connect with our core audience and demonstrate the superior quality of our products,” said Lester Miller, Founder and Owner of MillerTech Energy. “As a faith-based, American-owned company, we’ve always been passionate about supporting outdoor enthusiasts. Being named the presenting sponsor of REDCREST is an exciting opportunity to elevate our brand and share our story with the fishing world.”
The sponsorship marks MillerTech’s third season as an MLF sponsor, further cementing its status as a cornerstone partner in the fishing community. The company also sponsors the MillerTech Time Clock on the popular MLFNOW!® livestream and supports 14 Bass Pro Tour anglers along with numerous other pros that compete across the country at the sport’s highest levels.
“MillerTech has been an incredible partner, and we’re excited to see their involvement grow as the presenting sponsor of REDCREST 2025,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President of Sales. “Their dedication to innovation and quality mirrors the spirit of competition we celebrate at REDCREST. Together, we’re creating a premier event that fans, anglers and the entire fishing community won’t soon forget.”
MillerTech’s 10-year warranty and dedication to innovation have earned it a loyal following among outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to its involvement in fishing, MillerTech is a major sponsor of NASCAR Cup Series driver Noah Gragson, further demonstrating its commitment to performance-driven industries.
REDCREST 2025 in Huntsville, Alabama, promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fishing fans, featuring the top 50 MLF anglers from the 2024 season competing for a $300,000 top prize. Anglers will launch daily from Civitan Park in Guntersville, and the entire event will be livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble. The free, family-friendly Outdoor Sports Expo will host fishing legends, numerous industry vendors, and interactive activities, making it a must-attend event for all fishing and outdoor enthusiasts.
For more information about Major League Fishing and REDCREST 2025, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For more information about MillerTech and its innovative line of lithium batteries, visit MillerTechEnergy.com.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
B.A.S.S. announces Progressive Insurance® as new platinum sponsor
March 11, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, today announces Progressive Insurance’s landmark sponsorship across the Bassmaster platform to be the title sponsor for several high-profile Bassmaster properties, including the prestigious Bassmaster Angler of the Year award, recognizing the most consistent and outstanding angler throughout the season.
Progressive will also serve as the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series, which will now be known as the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. Fans and competitors alike can expect enhanced event experiences and expanded coverage under this premier sponsorship.
Additionally, Progressive will take center stage as the title sponsor of the Progressive Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama, bringing together renowned celebrities and top professional anglers for an exciting and entertaining competition that benefits charitable causes.
In a move to elevate fan experiences, Progressive will sponsor the Bassmaster Tailgate Experience at both the Bassmaster Classic and one select Elite Series tournament. These interactive events will feature engaging activities, entertainment and exclusive merchandise, further cementing Progressive’s role in connecting with the passionate Bassmaster audience.
Attendees at the upcoming Bassmaster Classic will also receive a special giveaway: custom Progressive-branded buckets distributed during the event, adding a fun and practical souvenir for fans.
“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Progressive Insurance into the Bassmaster family as our new platinum sponsor,” said Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. “Their commitment to innovation, community involvement and enhancing the fan experience aligns perfectly with our mission. This sponsorship will undoubtedly elevate our events and provide lasting value to our anglers, fans and industry partners.”
"As the No. 1 boat insurer in the country, Progressive is excited to continue its collaboration with Bassmaster, an organization that shares our passion for the outdoors and dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for anglers and fans alike,” said Eric Doubler, Progressive Recreational Lines Direct Business Leader. “By expanding our sponsorship commitment, we aim to further engage with and support the incredible community of anglers while bringing new levels of excitement to Bassmaster events.”
The Progressive sponsorship officially begins with the kickoff of the 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season and will be prominently featured during the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour taking place March 21-23 in Fort Worth, Texas.
For more information about Bassmaster events and the new Progressive sponsorship, visit Bassmaster.com.
About Progressive Insurance
Progressive Insurance® makes it easy to understand, buy and use car insurance, home insurance, and other protection needs. Progressive offers
Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles and homes; it is the second-largest personal auto insurer in the country, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat, and RV insurance, and one of the top 15 homeowners insurance carriers.
Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot®, and HomeQuote Explorer®.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE: PGR.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Rutledge’s Gordon Catches Last-Second Fish to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at South Holston Reservoir
Kingsport’s Blakely Tops Co-Angler Division
BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Jeremy Gordon of Rutledge, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on South Holston Reservoir. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Gordon earned $3,255 for his victory.
“It started off decent,” Gordon said. “I caught like 17 1/2 pounds fairly quick. Then we had a little front come in, the clouds kind of rolled in and the wind started blowing out of the north-northeast. The bite got pretty tough after like 9 o’clock.”
The front also forced Gordon to make a strategy change. In practice, he was catching one or two quality largemouth bass each day, and his hope was to land a couple 5-pound-class largemouths as kickers. In the tournament, however, he spent a couple fruitless hours running that program before abandoning ship and shifting back to his smallmouth areas.
Around 2 p.m., he did get a break, catching a 4-pounder. Then the wind died down and the sun started shining, which turned on the bite and led to a wild moment that gave Gordon the win by just 2 ounces.
“They started doing what I needed them to do,” Gordon said. “I caught a couple key fish toward the end. Then I caught a 4 1/2-pounder with literally my last cast. I barely made it in (to check-in). It was crazy. I’ve fished a lot of tournaments – Toyotas, Invitationals, local stuff – and I’ve never won a tournament like that on the last cast.”
Gordon caught all his fish around schools of bait near spawning areas. The smallmouth bass are staging up, and he took advantage of it, using forward-facing sonar and a jighead minnow to get five of the right bites.
“It’s my first BFL win,” he added. “I’ve been close in some Toyotas. I mostly fish the Toyotas but decided to get in the Volunteer Division. To get an early win like this, it’s exciting.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jeremy Gordon, Rutledge, Tenn., five bass, 20-5, $3,255
2nd: Bryce McDonald, Paintsville, Ky., five bass, 20-3, $1,628
3rd: Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 19-9, $1,584 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Greg McDavid, Blountville, Tenn., five bass, 19-7, $760
5th: Donavan Carson, Bluff City, Tenn., five bass, 19-6, $651
6th: Michael Morrison, Stamping Ground, Ky., five bass, 18-12, $722
7th: Jake Cross, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 18-9, $543
8th: Josh Lee, Powell, Tenn., five bass, 18-7, $461
8th: Jason Bridwell, Blountville, Tenn., five bass, 18-7, $461
10th: Gavin Daniels, Kingston, Tenn., five bass, 18-3, $780
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Gavin Daniels of Kingston, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $400.
T.J. Blakely of Kingsport, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and $1,628 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: T.J. Blakely, Kingsport, Tenn., three bass, 9-4, $1,628
2nd: Brady Field, Gallatin, Tenn., three bass, 9-0, $1,014
3rd: Daniel Perkins, Honaker, Va., two bass, 8-10, $542
4th: Kirk Miles, Crossville, Tenn., three bass, 8-9, $353
4th: Konnor Sweet, Abingdon, Va., three bass, 8-9, $353
6th: Jake Davis, Wartburg, Tenn., three bass, 8-5, $298
7th: David Mundy, Dandridge, Tenn., three bass, 7-11, $271
8th: Aaron Webb, Kingsport, Tenn., three bass, 7-10, $244
9th: Isaac Mueller, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 7-4, $217
10th: Shane Winebarger, Abingdon, Va., three bass, 7-1, $190
Brady Field of Gallatin, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $200, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Corey Neece of Bristol, Tennessee, now leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 498 points, while Konnor Sweet of Abingdon, Virginia, leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 485 points.
The next event for BFL Volunteer Division anglers will be held March 29, at South Holston Reservoir in Bristol, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Auburndale’s Maxwell Posts First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Toho
Sanford’s Westhelle Tops Co-Angler Division
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Christopher Maxwell of Auburndale, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Toho. The tournament, hosted by Experience Kissimmee, was the second event of the season for the BFL Gator Division. Maxwell earned $4,541 for his victory.
A Toho local, Maxwell has been on the water a lot lately, including for another tournament last weekend, when he weighed in about 17 pounds.
“I didn’t get a big bite (in that tournament),” he said, “but I just did pretty much the same thing today. I had a little bit of a crowd today. I just fished around them and did the same thing. I got the lucky bites today. That’s all I can say.”
Maxwell spent the tournament fishing in Toho’s southern end. He fished pads and grass, intercepting postspawn fish as they left the beds before transitioning to deeper water. He caught his limit pitching a black and blue Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.
“I didn’t catch many fish. I caught seven today,” Maxwell said. “They were just the right ones. I just stuck with what I was doing and moved slow because all the boats were coming around, and I just didn’t let myself get aggravated with it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Christopher Maxwell, Auburndale, Fla., five bass, 23-15, $4,541
2nd: George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 20-11, $2,270
3rd: Connor Macdougall, Cape Coral, Fla., five bass, 20-6, $1,514
4th: Chris Crow, Lake Placid, Fla., five bass, 18-10, $1,560 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
5th: Fred Chivington Jr., San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 18-9, $1,530
5th: Austin Chism, Auburndale, Fla., five bass, 18-9, $870
7th: Dylan Quilatan Windermere, Fla., five bass, 18-5, $757
8th: John Kremer, Orange City, Fla., five bass, 17-9, $681
9th: Cedric Perry, Trenton, Fla., five bass, 16-11, $605
10th: Anthony Cilladi, Oviedo, Fla., five bass, 15-14, $530
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Fred Chivington Jr. of San Mateo, Florida, caught a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $660.
Chris Westhelle of Sanford, Florida, won the co-angler division and $2,580 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 11 co-anglers finished:
1st: Chris Westhelle, Sanford, Fla., three bass, 13-7, $2,580
2nd: Zachary Bach, Bartow, Fla., three bass, 11-11, $1,127
3rd: Leandro Saratt, Winter Garden, Fla., three bass, 11-1, $751
4th: Brian Yusavage, Tamarac, Fla., three bass, 10-1, $488
4th: Preston Williams, Tallahassee, Fla. three bass, 10-1, $488
6th: Larry Austin, The Villages, Fla., three bass, 9-5, $413
7th: Andrew Wiedmann, Titusville, Fla., three bass, 9-1, $376
8th: Taylor Harris, Haines City, Fla., three bass, 8-13, $338
9th: Robert Linthout, Cape Coral, Fla., three bass, 8-9, $300
10th: Justin Hampton, Orlando, Fl., three bass, 8-6, $250
10th: Kenneth Bivins, Orlando, Fla., three bass, 8-6, $250
Westhelle also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $327, catching a bass that weighed in at 9 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Dylan Quilatan of Windermere, Florida, now leads the Fishing Clash Gator Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 493 points, while James Sponaugle of Auburndale, Florida, leads the Fishing Clash Gator Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 473 points.
The next event for BFL Gator Division anglers will be held March 22, at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-18 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Tecumseh High School Wins MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Open on Grand Lake Presented by Columbia PFG
GROVE, Okla. (March 10, 2025) – The MLF High School Fishing team of Maddox Dickson and Alex Hurst, representing Tecumseh High School, brought four bass to the scale Saturday weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces to win the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open at Grand Lake Presented by Columbia PFG in Grove, Oklahoma.
A field of 56 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by the City of Grove. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10 percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top five teams that advance to the 2025 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Tecumseh High School, Tecumseh, Okla. – Maddox Dickson and Alex Hurst, four bass, 8-3
2nd: Westmoore High School, Oklahoma City, Okla. – Cale Compton and Adam Reed, three bass, 8-3
3rd: Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, Mo. – Nathan Meyer and Hunter Rushton, one bass, 5-13
4th: Westside (Okla.) High School Hawg Hunters Fishing Club – Jeremiah Nichols and Jakob Williams, three bass, 5-7
5th: Southwest Louisiana Legacy Fishing – Jackson and Carter Lanclos, two bass, 4-13
Rounding out the top 10 teams are:
6th: Cherokee County (Oklahoma) Anglers – Carl Robbins and Logan Taulbee, one bass, 4-5
7th: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. – Caston Embry and Kasen Uthe, two bass, 4-0
8th: Inola High School, Inola, Okla. – Chance Lawrence and Eli Rogers, one bass, 3-14
9th: Broken Arrow, Okla. – Maddox Houtman and Fin Kimura, one bass, 3-7
10th: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. – Corbin Bailey and Kaden Messina, two bass, 3-1
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing presented by Tackle Warehouse 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 percent of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. Tournaments held on or before March 29, 2025, advance teams to the 2025 National Championship. Tournaments held after March 29, 2025, advance teams to the 2026 National Championship.
The 2025 Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship & World Finals events will take place June 25-27, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. The High School Fishing National Champions each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2025 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota , WIX Filters 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.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Oldfield’s Marler Earns Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake
Fayetteville’s McKee Tops Co-Angler Division
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Wyatt Marler of Oldfield, Missouri, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Table Rock Lake . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Marler earned $11,000, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Marler rolled into the Table Rock tournament straight from a multi-day event on Kentucky Lake. With no practice, he just went fishing.
“I just drove around until I found some birds diving,” he said. “I caught them on a 6th Sense Provoke jerkbait and a Damiki rig.”
Marler used forward-facing sonar to bird dog a school of fish busting bait and wasted little time assembling a tournament-winning limit. He only ran that pattern for about an hour and a half before working a few brush piles to finish out his day.
“It was pretty gnarly this morning,” he said. “I caught three 5s in the same place. For two weeks not being out here, I’ll take it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Wyatt Marler, Oldfield, Mo., five bass, 21-13, $11,000 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Travis Harriman, Huntsville, Ark., five bass, 19-8, $2,000
3th: Jacob Wade, Mountain Grove, Mo., five bass, 19-2, $1,334
4th: Jacob Christeson, Theodosia, Mo., five bass, 18-8, $933
5th: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 18-1, $1,340
6th: Eric Olliverson, Shell Knob, Mo., five bass, 17-14, $733
7th: Ben McCord, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, five bass, 17-13, $667
8th: Jacob Bennett, Pea Ridge, Ark., five bass, 17-12, $600
9th: Cody Huff, Ava, Mo., five bass, 17-9, $533
10th: Derek Felton, Shell Knob, Mo., five bass, 17-0, $467
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Missouri, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $541.
Travis McKee of Fayetteville, Arkansas, won the co-angler division and $2,000 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Travis McKee, Fayetteville, Ark., three bass, 8-13, $2,000
2nd: Dalton Brake, Mountain View, Mo., three bass, 8-12, $1,000
3rd: Loyd Davis, Cape Fair, Mo., three bass, 8-6, $666
4th: Kirk Short, St. Clair, Mo., three bass, 8-4, $467
5th: Brock Krohne, Belton, Mo., three bass, 7-12, $400
6th: Khye Scoggins, Willard, Mo., three bass, 7-10, $350
6th: Shay Hassell, Springfield, Mo., three bass, 7-10, $350
8th: Bart Burford, Loose Creek, Mo., three bass, 7-8, $300
9th: Rhett Hill, Fair Grove, Mo., three bass, 7-7, $250
9th: Michael Adams, Springfield, Mo., two bass, 7-7, $250
Caleb Welch of Bolivar, Missouri, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $270, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to winning the tournament, Wyatt Marler of Oldfield, Missouri, has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Travis McKee of Fayetteville, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Ozark Division anglers will be held March 29, at Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
College Angler Berlinsky Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Chickamauga
Alabama’s Cook Tops Co-Angler Division
DAYTON, Tenn. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Tripp Berlinsky of St. Cloud, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 32 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Chickamauga. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Choo Choo Division. Berlinsky earned $3,794 for his victory.
As far as competitive fishing goes, Berlinsky stays pretty busy. He’s a member of the bass fishing team at the University of North Alabama. Plus, he competes in BFL and Toyota Series events. Spending all that time on the water paid off big time on Lake Chickamauga.
“I was planning on fishing the Toyota Series here on the 18th of March, and while I was practicing I was doing pretty good,” he said. “So I decided Thursday night to hop in the (BFL) tournament.”
He more than hopped. Berlinsky jumped in and immediately crushed a big bag of fish.
“It was the best day of my career,” he said. “In practice I just figured out that they were keying in on a certain area of current breaks on the main lake. I really just homed in on finding as many replicates of that as possible. In practice, I was catching some small ones, but Saturday I got in an area and I was just seeing a bunch of big ones. So I just hunkered down and hoped I could get five to bite, and I did.”
Using live sonar and an Alabama rig, Berlinsky went to town. He pulled in at 7:35 a.m. and caught a 4 1/2-pounder on his first cast. It got better from there. His first three keepers totaled about 12 pounds. Berlinsky followed up with a 10-pound, 2-ounce kicker. On the very next cast, he landed an 8-9.
“I had 32 pounds at 9 o’clock this morning,” he said.
After the morning flurry, Berlinsky caught a few more before leaving his primary area and bouncing around to a few other main-lake current breaks. He made a couple small culls to eventually get to his winning limit. Interestingly, Berlinsky estimates he saw about 300 bass on sonar during the day, adding to a memorable tournament all around.
“It was God’s doing for sure,” Berlinsky said. “He was looking out for me today.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tripp Berlinsky, St. Cloud, Fla., five bass, 32-9, $3,794
2nd: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 28-12, $1,897
3rd: Jackson Rollins, Town Creek, Ala., five bass, 25-13, $1,265
4th: John-Dalton Miller, Albertville, Ala., five bass, 22-11, $1,380
5th: Kevin Drake, Cleveland, Tenn., five bass, 20-14, $1,259 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th: Lake Johnson, Trinity, Ala., five bass, 20-12, $696
7th: Scott Towry, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., five bass, 20-8, $632
8th: Mike Lowry, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 19-15, $537
8th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 19-15, $537
10th: Chip Wammack, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 19-5, $443
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
John-Dalton Miller of Albertville, Alabama, caught a bass that weighed 11 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $495.
Brent Cook of Gardendale, Alabama, won the co-angler division and $1,897 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Brent Cook, Gardendale, Ala., three bass, 11-2, $1,897
2nd: John Daniel, Waynesboro, Tenn., three bass, 10-5, $949
3rd: Kevin McWithey, Flintville, Tenn., three bass, 10-3, $633
4th: Tony Eckler, Lebanon, Tenn., three bass, 9-6, $443
5th: Reagan Eldridge, Fayetteville, Tenn., three bass, 9-5, $379
6th: Alex Roberts, Columbia, Tenn., three bass, 9-0, $332
6th: Tyson Giesbrecht, Gurley, Ala., three bass, 9-0, $332
8th: Chris Wade, Acworth, Ga., three bass, 8-15, $285
9th: Mike Pewitt, Mount Juliet, Tenn., two bass, 8-7, $253
10th: Chad Hill, Flemingsburg, Ky., two bass, 8-0, $221
Bradley Pruiett of Farragut, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $247, catching a bass that weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Mike Lowry of Hixson, Tennessee, now leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 491 points, while James Ramsey of Boaz, Alabama, leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 477 points.
The next event for BFL Choo Choo Division anglers will be held March 29, at Wheeler Lake out of Rogersville, Alabama. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Logan Martin Lake in Lincoln, Alabama. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Georgia’s Partain Gets the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Keowee
Simpsonville’s Gurkin Tops Co-Angler Division
SENECA, S.C. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Kerry Partain of Elberton, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Keowee. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Savannah River Division. Partain earned $3,505 for his victory.
The spawn is just getting going on Lake Keowee, and spawners would play a role in Partain’s victory. Just not right off the bat.
“I started out with (Lowrance) ActiveTarget, just catching some on a Zoom Winged Fluke on jigheads,” he said. “When I got to 12 pounds, I just left and started looking for some bedded fish. I caught a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass on a Zoom Fluke Stick wacky rigged. I saw two more after that, and I caught a few more on a shaky head with a Zoom Speed Craw.”
For his sonar fish, Partain prefers a more patient approach than many run-and-gun anglers have adopted. Instead of covering a ton of water, he sits tight in areas where he knows there are fish – in this case, an area where he’s been catching them the last few weeks – and waits for fish to funnel in and out. Whenever he sees the school, he throws on them. For the bedding fish, Partain benefitted from a fortunate “discovery.”
“I hung up on a dock, and I went up there to get it loose and saw it sitting there,” he said, referring to the 6-2 kicker he caught. “I would have never seen it. So I kind of backed off of it and kept throwing a few things in there, and it finally bit a Fluke Stick. It was kind of crazy. That was a gift for sure. Thank you, Lord.”
Reflecting on the win, Partain extended his gratitude to the team at 72 Marine Sales in Elberton, Georgia, which hooked up his lithium batteries last week in time for the tournament.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Kerry Partain, Elberton, Ga., five bass, 17-0, $3,505
2nd: Chase Stewart, Laurens, S.C., five bass, 15-14, $1,901
2nd: Furman (Joe) Thompson, Clayton, Ga., five bass, 15-14, $1,961 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Lane Parker, Waleska, Ga., five bass, 15-13, $818
5th: Logan Smith, Easley, S.C., five bass, 15-12, $701
6th: Britt Myers Jr., Lake Wylie, S.C., five bass, 15-8, $643
7th: Landon Lawson, Jonesborough, Tenn., five bass, 15-2, $584
8th: Jody Holland, Clermont, Ga., five bass, 15-1, $526
9th: John Micheal, Ortman Douglas, Ga., five bass, 14-15, $467
10th: Flint Davis, Leesburg, Ga., five bass, 14-13, $409
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Partain caught a bass that weighed7 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $440.
Chase Gurkin of Simpsonville, South Carolina, won the co-angler division and $1,753 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 1 ounce.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Chase Gurkin, Simpsonville, S.C., three bass, 9-1, $1,753
2nd: Rusty Odom, Simpsonville, S.C., three bass, 8-13, $876
3rd: Clint Jackson, Six Mile, S.C., three bass, 8-4, $497
3rd: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 8-4, $497
5th: Dax Liner, Mineral Bluff, Ga., three bass, 8-2, $351
6th: Don Meury, Marietta, S.C., three bass, 8-0, $306
6th: Brandon Lawson, Union, S.C., three bass, 8-0, $406
8th: Blane Holcombe, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-15, $263
9th: Gibson Huntley, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-14, $234
10th: Jeff Rikard, Leesville, S.C., three bass, 7-5, $204
Craig Monnin of Cumming, Georgia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $220, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Lane Parker of Waleska, Georgia, now leads the Fishing Clash Savannah River Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 490 points, while Rusty Odom of Simpsonville, South Carolina, leads the Fishing Clash Savannah River Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 497 points.
The next event for BFL Savannah River Division anglers will be held April 12, at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Virginia’s Trent Posts Fifth Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kerr Lake
Indiana’s Cornelius Tops Co-Angler Division
HENDERSON, N.C. (March 10, 2025) – Boater Tyler Trent of Nathalie, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake . The tournament, hosted by Vance County Tourism Development Authority, was the first event of the season for the BFL Piedmont Division. Trent earned $7,748, including the lucrative $5,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Trent kept it pretty simple on Saturday. He used his best tool for Kerr Lake – experience.
“It’s been fishing off and on because the lake level got up so high, but it’s getting close to back down to normal level,” he said about Kerr Lake. “I basically just used past experience because it’s my home lake, and I was just able to run a lot of places and just happened to run across the right fish throughout the day.”
Trent figures he made close to 50 stops on Saturday, catching one or two here and there and hitting a variety of targets that he’s marked on his GPS over the years. His go-to lure was a homemade jig with a DNZ Products Agitator crawfish trailer.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tyler Trent, Nathalie, Va., five bass, 21-10, $7,748 (includes $5,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Hunter Tibbetts, Centreville, Va., five bass, 19-14, $1,374
3rd: Thomas Milton, Chester, Va., five bass, 19-8, $1,221
4th: Shawn Hammack, Gasburg, Va., five bass, 17-12, $766
5th: Bryson Peed, Clarksville, Va., five bass, 16-11, $550
6th: Michael (Tony), Eskridge Delmar, Md., five bass, 15-8, $504
7th: Adam Lester, Huddleston, Va., five bass, 15-7, $458
8th: Rodney Sorrell, Stokesdale, N.C., five bass, 15-5, $412
9th: Micah Mitten, Powhatan, Va., five bass, 14-12, $366
10th: David Wright, Lexington, N.C., five bass, 14-11, $321
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Thomas Milton of Chester, Virginia, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $305.
Casey Cornelius of Indianapolis, Indiana, won the co-angler division and $1,374 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 7 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Casey Cornelius, Indianapolis, Ind., three bass, 7-13, $1,374
2nd: Derek Stanley, Fuquay Varina, N.C., three bass, 7-7, $687
3rd: David Deciucis, Chester, Va., three bass, 6-10, $459
4th: Dalton Marlow, Maiden, N.C., three bass, 6-4, $321
5th: Collier Clemmons, Wilmington, N.C., two bass, 5-1, $275
6th: Chad Liptrap, High Point, N.C., two bass, 4-15, $252
7th: Steve Cannon, Wilkesboro, N.C., two bass, 4-8, $329
8th: Kieran Packard, Oklahoma City, Okla., two bass, 4-5, $206
9th: Dwayne Bingman, Julian, N.C., two bass, 3-14, $183
10th: Morris Mustian, Oxford, N.C., one bass, 3-13, $312
Morris Mustian of Oxford, North Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $152, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 13 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to winning the tournament, Tyler Trent of Nathalie, Virginia, has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Piedmont Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Casey Cornelius of Indianapolis, Indiana, leads the Fishing Clash Piedmont Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Piedmont Division anglers will be held March 30, at Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston, Virginia. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 3-4 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Murray State College Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Grand Lake Presented by Columbia PFG
GROVE, Okla. (March 10, 2025) – The Murray State College duo of Shaden Farley of Valliant, Oklahoma, and Sam Sutter of Bixby, Oklahoma, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Grand Lake Presented by Columbia PFG Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 2 ounces. The victory earned the Aggies’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2025 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
There’s a cliché every fan of tournament bass fishing has heard a thousand times: When it’s your time, it’s your time. There may be no recent example as worthy of that phrase as Murray State College’s win at Grand Lake. From the very start, it looked like everything was going to go wrong. And then, just as quickly, it all went so right.
“We had a plan to run all the way south down there on the south end of Grand Lake,” said Sutter. “We had the fish found down there. We ended up running midway down there today, and we lost my trim. It got stuck all the way down. We had to fish what was in front of us the rest of the day. We probably had a quarter mile of bank in front of us, and that’s what we fished all day.”
“The key to it all was definitely that leading back there was just a little bitty cut right on the edge,” added Farley, “which would make a spawning pocket, and there were brush piles right out in front of that. And that’s what was holding them.”
When they first pulled up, the Aggies spotted one of the brush piles on live sonar, tossed an Alabama rig over it and two fish followed it up. Though they lost one of those fish right off the bat, they took it as a sign that there might be potential there. Once they expanded, Sutter and Farley were able to locate three key brush piles in 10 to 15 feet of water. Those brush piles produced four of the winning fish.
Sutter and Farley used YUM YUMbrella Flash Mob Jr. rigs with 1/16-ounce heads and a mix of Keitech swimbaits for their wires with hooks and small shad-colored swimbaits for their hookless teasers. The lightweight setup was perfect for staying over the top of the brush.
And to go back to the “if it’s your day” cliché, Farley and Sutter weren’t done yet. When they idled back to the ramp at the end of the day, they caught a last-minute keeper to seal up the win by flipping a Strike King Rage Craw in some dirty water by the ramp.
“God is good,” Sutter said. “Right as we sat down, I was just punching my rod box, asking why? Why is this happening? I had an all right practice, and I knew the bite was tough. And I was just asking myself why? I think we put our heads down, and the good Lord made it happen. When it’s your time, it’s your time.”
The top 10 teams finished:
1st: Murray State College – Shaden Farley, Valliant, Okla., and Sam Sutter, Bixby, Okla., five bass, 18-2, $2,000
2nd: Drury University – Jacob Longlois, Orange, Texas, and Seth Prather, Dallas, Texas, five bass, 16-8, $1,000
3rd: Drury University – David Derubertis, Frankfort, Ill., and Curt Ferguson, Huntsville, Ark., five bass, 14-8, $700
4th: McKendree University – Jaxson Freeman, Loda, Ill., and Jack Stephens, St. Louis, Mo., five bass, 14-3, $600
5th: University of Missouri – Brett Hurst, Helena, Mo., and Ty Nielsen, Wheaton, Ill., five bass, 13-15, $500
6th: Tarleton State - Stephenville – Dawson Lynch, Ben Wheeler, Texas, and Jared Mizell, Pearland, Texas, five bass, 13-10
7th: Wabash Valley College – Hunter Russell, Salem, Ill., and Richard Skiff, Edwardsville, Ill., five bass, 13-8
8th: Campbellsville University – Clay Oberman, Campbellsville, Ky., and Will Oberman, Lancaster, Ky., five bass, 13-7
9th: Drury University – Clay Henderson, Purdy, Mo., and Brant Rowland, Little Suamico, Wis., five bass, 13-6
10th: McKendree University – Ryan Foster, Columbia, Ill., and Angelo Malek, Lake St. Louis, Mo., four bass, 12-14
The full list of National Championship qualifiers and complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Grand Lake was hosted by the City of Grove. The next tournament for MLF College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes, March 28 in Gilbertsville, Kentucky.
The 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI season features college teams from across the country competing in six regular-season open tournaments. The top 15 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota , WIX Filters 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.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Christie Conquers NPFL at Santee Cooper
Coming into the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes, estimates suggested that 75 pounds would be enough to claim victory. But Santee Cooper—and Lakes Marion and Moultrie—had other plans, delivering big bass throughout the event. Despite changing temperatures and high winds, Oklahoma’s Jason Christie set a new NPFL three-day weight record of 82 pounds, 12 ounces, surging from sixth place after Day Two to earn his first NPFL Shield and the $100,000 prize.
As the top ten lined up to weigh in, Caleb Kuphall briefly set a new NPFL three-day total weight record, but his time at the top was short-lived. Christie surged ahead with a massive 32-pound, 5-ounce bag on the final day, claiming the hot seat. The last angler to weigh in, Day Two leader Corey Casey, faced his toughest day of the tournament, managing just 15 pounds, 5 ounces. Despite tying Kuphall in total weight, Casey finished second due to the tiebreaker.
With several giants landed over three days, Harmon Davis claimed Big Bass honors with a 10-pound, 9-ounce lunker caught on Day One. Twenty-three anglers cracked the 20-pound mark on Championship Sunday, including North Carolina’s Josh Hook, who jumped to 40th place with his biggest bag of the week to secure the final check.
Christie Comes Roaring Back
Two “dirty thirty” bags were all Jason Christie needed to erase a slow Day Two and charge to victory. The Oklahoma pro stuck to his strengths, locking in a BOOYAH Covert Spinnerbait and going to work on Santee Cooper. He kicked off the tournament with 31 pounds, 6 ounces on Day One, followed by 19 pounds, 1 ounce on Day Two, before surging back to the top with a dominant 32-pound, 5-ounce bag on Sunday—the biggest limit of the day.
All week, Christie focused on cypress trees in Lake Marion, in a well-known area referred to as “The Brickyard.” Searching for the coldest water temperatures he could find, he keyed in on isolated trees in 2 to 5 feet of water.
“Throughout practice and during the tournament, I looked for the coolest water in the area because I didn't want my fish to leave and try to spawn,” said Christie. “Some parts of the lake were further along, but where I was focusing, the cooler water kept them positioned where I could catch them.”
Fishing just north of Eutaw Springs, he slow-rolled a ½-ounce BOOYAH Covert Single Colorado Blade spinnerbait, rotating between chartreuse/white/blue and chartreuse/white.
“I opted to fish the NPFL this season because I wanted to fish more,” he said on stage. “When I’m back home in Oklahoma, I don’t fish a whole lot, so this keeps me focused and hungry. Anytime you can get a victory, it’s special. When you do this long enough, you never know when it’s going to be the last one.”
SC Angler Casey Falls to Second
After increasing his weight from Day One to Day Two, changing conditions finally caught up with Day Two leader Corey Casey, as he struggled to find quality fish on Sunday. He kicked off the event on Friday with 27 pounds, 3 ounces, then called an audible on Day Two, relocating to land 30 pounds, 4 ounces. As the last angler to weigh in on the final day, his 15-pound, 9-ounce limit dropped him to second place—still a strong finish for Stop One of the 2025 NPFL Season.
On Day Two, strong winds forced Casey to abandon his main area and move to a more protected deep weed point. While he had confidence in the spot, he was surprised to find quality fish staging to spawn.
“I wanted to jump around and hit a few places where I could actually fish,” said Casey. “The first spot I got to had them. It was a one-cast spot, and that cast was producing 30 pounds—I definitely didn’t expect that.”
Still, Casey had a gut feeling that fishing the same spot back-to-back wouldn’t pan out, and he was right. He landed no keepers and moved on. Working his way back down the lake, he jumped between spots and slowly built a small limit. When the camera guy left at 2:00, it was game on—Casey caught his entire Day Three bag in short order.
“I salvaged the day,” he added. “And honestly, it’s nice to lose by almost ten pounds rather than making it close. Even if Christie hadn’t caught a big one late, he still would have edged me out. It was a phenomenal week, and to start the season like this at home is incredible.”
For Casey, competing at a high level on his home waters is more than just personal pride—it’s also a reflection of the knowledge he’s built as a full-time guide on Santee Cooper.
“I’m a guide on Santee Cooper—Corey Casey Guide Service—and this is my second year doing it,” he concluded. “I also have to thank my local sponsors for their support: Arrow Fencing LLC, Atlantis Heating & Air, Diamond Decorative Coatings, Kennedy's Grading, Excavation & Materials, New Haven Construction LLC, Phantom Outdoors - Tournament Grade Fishing Apparel, Riverland Services - Tree and Land Management, and Rodney Wrenn - Custom Wood Framed Metal Buildings.”
Top ten:
Jason Christie 82-12
Corey Casey 73-0
Caleb Kuphall 73-0
Bill Lowen 71-12
Hank Cherry 71-3
Patrick Walters 71-0
Keith Bardolf 68-12
Greg Hackney 67-13
Buck Mallory 67-12
Buddy Gross 67-4
Orange’s Riley Harris Catches 30-Pound Limit on Final Day to Win MLF Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir
BROOKELAND, Texas (March 9, 2025) – The final weigh-in of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southwestern Division event at Sam Rayburn was one for the record books. Three different pros weighed over 30 pounds on the day, and nobody was safe on the leaderboard. Coming in with a big lead after two days, local pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, faltered on Day 3, and Riley Harris of Orange, Texas, surged to the top for his first MLF win.
Weighing bags in the mid-20s each of the first two days, Harris added 30 pounds, 9 ounces on Day 3 for an 82-10 total to earn the win. For the win, which was his first with MLF, Harris takes home $29,930 and a berth in the $200,000 Toyota Series Championship this fall.
The ideal tournament scenario for any angler is to find fish, and for more of them to show up every day. Often, it’s an impossible task – fish in the summer and winter are generally not flooding in or out of areas. Fishing fans might recall it happening a lot in May and June on Kentucky Lake during the heyday of ledge fishing, with weights going up day after day and leaders throwing back 3-pounders without weighing them because their expectations were set so high. This week at Rayburn, big fish were rolling into the shallows, routing along Texas drains, and Harris was right there to meet them.
“I think the inconsistent weather that has been happening in the past month has kinda made it hard for everybody to stay on them,” said Harris, who fishes both Rayburn and Toledo Bend frequently. “I knew this week they were coming into the spawning areas, and they hadn't seen a lot of baits. And, man, it was just absolutely electric.
“I knew they were coming to me the entire event, I knew that I didn't have to really go anywhere or go out, I just knew that I had to stay put, and they were just going to keep filtering in.”
Fishing from 5 feet to 15 feet deep, Harris was fishing typical Texas patterns, but with little to no company – which was not the case for many others in the event.
“I was just fishing the drains that were right there in spawning areas, they were just sitting in the bottom of the drains or up on the sides of them,” Harris explained. “I didn't have any time to find any cranking fish or anything, so I just had to mainly ‘Scope the grass and the drains that were right there in the spawning areas.”
For baits, Harris relied on a 6th Sense Ozzie, a Neko-rigged 6th Sense Divine Shakey Worm with a 1/10-ounce weight, and an umbrella rig with three 1/8-ounce heads and two ¼-ounce heads and 6th Sense Divine Swimbaits.
Practice days this week leading up to the event were atrociously windy, and it almost seemed like having less practice was better. Coming in off events in Florida, Ebare and Lee Livesay both caught over 30 pounds on Day 1 with just slight hints of practice. Harris was in a similar boat, having lost his lower unit on the weekend.
“I was pretty much off the water ‘til Wednesday,” Harris said. “I got to get out there when it was blowing really hard, and I was able to run a couple areas that I had confidence in, and I saw some things. But I knew it was only a matter of time before they were going to push up like they did.”
Being perfectly in tune with the fishery isn’t new for Harris, especially this year – he and Luke Potter won a February Texas Team Trail event on Rayburn with 41-9. Some lost fish certainly could have derailed his victory, though – Day 2 featured two heartbreaking mishaps.
“It was just freak accidents,” he said. “That 10 straightened out my hook. And then the 8, I guess I just had a soft spot in my line, and it just broke as soon as I laid into her, and she was sitting there flopping on top of the water in front of me trying to throw it. In an event like this where literally everything matters, I thought I blew my chance for sure.”
Still, dropping 30 on the final day makes up for a lot, and Harris was thrilled with the win.
“I have dreamt of this moment literally my entire life,” said Harris. “It's really humbling because, I wanted to compete at the top, and I've been chasing this dream for years. And its finally just kind of all started to come together, and I've been able to put things together. It’s really humbling for sure, to see where we were and now where we're at.”
The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir finished:
1st: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 15 bass, 82-10, $29,930
2nd: Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, 15 bass, 79-12, $11,404
3rd: Dylan Thompson, Del Rio, Texas, 15 bass, 76-5, $8,829
4th: Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas, 15 bass, 74-4, $7,358
5th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 15 bass, 72-4, $6,622
6th: Ryan Satterfield, Texarkana, Ark., 15 bass, 64-1, $6,886
7th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 63-12, $5,650
8th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 62-9, $4,415
9th: Nick Kincaid, Brookeland, Texas, 15 bass, 60-14, $3,679
10th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 59-15, $3,443
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Chad Mrazek earned Thursday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award with a bass weighing 10 pounds even, while tournament winner Riley Harris won Friday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass, weighing in a 9-pounder to earn the $500 award.
Phillip Hudnall of Bixby, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division Saturday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 34 pounds even. Hudnall earned the top co-angler prize package worth $34,050, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn finished:
1st: Phillip Hudnall, Bixby, Okla., 13 bass, 34-0, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Justin Swayze, Gurdon, Ark., 12 bass, 32-1, $3,766
3rd: David Bozarth, Montgomery, Texas, 11 bass, 29-1, $3,013
4th: Stephen Vogel, Muenster, Texas, 11 bass, 28-4, $2,636
5th: Jacob Smith, McKinney, Texas, 13 bass, 27-9, $2,260
6th: Elijah Soto, Inyokern, Calif., 13 bass, 27-1, $1,883
7th: Errol Sigue, Jeanerette, La., nine bass, 26-0, $1,506
8th: Sieg Kilby, Kilgore, Texas, 12 bass,25-3, $1,318
9th: Mark King, Gurdon, Texas, 11 bass, 24-1, $1,130
10th: Lawrence Lacour, Mabank, Texas, 12 bass, 23-15, $942
Co-angler John Warren of Shawnee, Oklahoma, earned the first Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of the event on Thursday with a 10-pound, 2-ounce bass to earn the $150 prize, while Friday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Micheal Sharp of Calera, Oklahoma, who brought a 6-pound, 11-ounce largemouth bass to the scale.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Sam Rayburn Reservoir was hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce. It was the second of three regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Southwestern Division. The third and final event for the Toyota Series Southwestern Division regular season will be May 1-3 on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Drew Gill Wins MLF Bass Pro Tour PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King at Lake Murray
22-year-old pro catches 19 bass weighing 58-2 in Sunday’s Championship Round to earn top prize of $150,000
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 9, 2025) – The Championship Round of PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King at Lake Murray quickly turned into a microcosm of the past two years on the Bass Pro Tour (BPT): a one-on-one battle between Drew Gill and Jacob Wheeler for the top spot.
Gill and Wheeler have been arguably the two most dominant pros not just on the BPT but in all of professional bass fishing over the past two years, when Gill arrived on Major League Fishing’s top tour. Both have multiple national wins in that span. They finished first and second in the 2024 Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race and are now back in the top two spots in 2025.
So, perhaps it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the two employed virtually identical game plans on Lake Murray, using forward-facing sonar during Period 1 to rocket to the top of SCORETRACKER®, then skipping boat docks with Neko rigs for the rest of the day. They separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the first couple hours of the Championship Round, but neither angler ever built a comfortable lead over the other in the race for the $150,000 top prize.
Ultimately, despite a stressful third period that saw him fail to catch a scorable bass during the final 89 minutes, Gill prevailed. His total of 58 pounds, 2 ounces edged Wheeler by 2-3 – less than the average size of a scorable bass caught on Lake Murray this week.
Even though he spent the final hour convinced Wheeler was going to run him down, Gill came away with his second Bass Pro Tour victory in just 10 career events and his fourth win across BPT, Team Series and Tackle Warehouse Invitationals competition in the past 13 months.
“If you had told me, ‘Hey, last hour and a half, you’re not going to catch a bass. Do you think Wheeler is going to catch 4 pounds?’ I would have been like, ‘Absolutely, he is,’” Gill said with a chuckle. “And [the bite] just died for both of us.”
Gill rode an emotional roller coaster not just for the final period but the entire Championship Round. When he launched his boat Sunday morning, he admitted he didn’t like his chances of winning, as he figured the overcast, cool conditions would hurt his afternoon dock pattern.
“I knew the conditions were going to shoot my dock bite, and to be honest, I didn’t think I could do 45 (pounds) in the first period to make up for that,” the 22-year-old said.
While Gill’s prediction about a slower afternoon bite proved correct, he made up for it with his two greatest strengths – a well-thought-out, math-based strategy and his mastery of forward-facing sonar.
Gill used the first period each day to target bass that were chasing blueback herring in ditches. He fished deeper than most other anglers, catching his fish in 28 to 35 feet of water, where some related to stumps on the bottom and others suspended. He believes those bass weren’t getting as much pressure as the shallower populations other anglers targeted with forward-facing sonar, allowing him to fool a higher percentage of them into biting.
“With a lake like Murray that has so many bass in it, your focal point when you’re using ‘Scope should always be bite percentage,” Gill explained. “You’re always going to be able to put a bait in front of a bass. You're not going to beat other people by putting a bait in front of more bass than they are. You’re going to beat other people by dialing your deal as best you can and ideally finding a population that other people aren’t pressuring. And I fished for them deeper than anybody else did this week.”
Wielding a 4-inch minnow on a 1/4-ounce jighead with a 1/0 hook, Gill used a pair of flurries to stack weight on SCORETRACKER® in a hurry. In one 37-minute window, he boated six bass totaling nearly 25 pounds. Then, toward the end of Period 1, he added four more for 11-8 within 23 minutes.
He credits a fortuitous break for the latter action: The overnight switch to daylight savings time put the field on the water an hour earlier than they’d fished the rest of the week, extending his bite window.
“(The bite) kind of went away around 9 a.m. all week,” Gill said. “But because of the time change, we got out there an hour earlier, and so that 9 a.m. became today’s 10 a.m. So, without the time change, I don’t win this tournament.”
Gill’s first-period total of 45-7 led Wheeler by 9-6 and put him nearly 27 pounds clear of everyone else. At that point, even though he wasn’t overly optimistic about skipping docks, he started to believe he could pull off the win.
“The two days when I needed to catch shallow fish, I caught like 17 pounds both days and shook them off the rest of the day,” Gill said. “I thought no way, even though the conditions were worse, do I catch any less than 20 pounds.”
The bass had other plans. After locking up his forward-facing sonar unit, Gill went more than 2 hours without boating a scorable bass. Meanwhile, Wheeler steadily added to his total. He passed Gill and built a lead of more than 6 pounds.
Finally, with less than 10 minutes left in Period 2, Gill connected with his most important bass of the day. Twice, he skipped his Big Bite Baits Nekorama, which he paired with a No. 1 straight-shank hook and 1/16-ounce Bass Pro Shops tungsten nail weight, under the same dock, got bit and failed to hook up. On the third try, he let the fish eat his bait a tad longer, then connected with a 5-1.
Not only did that fish close his deficit to one scorable bass, it gave him a clue about what sort of docks to look for – floating docks on round, shallow points, the more isolated the better.
“That 5-pounder was a real turning point in my day,” Gill said. “Because it kind of clued me in to the deal that allowed me to get a handful of bites, which was anywhere I had a little, round, shallow point. If there was a dock on the side of it and under it was like 4 to 7 feet, I knew it was going to be pretty high percentage. Of my five scorable bites I got the rest of the day, four of them were on that deal. … They wanted to be on that break, that depth break, anyways, and if you had that depth break occur right under a dock, it just kind of doubled the percentage of that dock having a fish.”
Armed with that information, Gill added three more bass for 7-10 early in the third period, not only retaking the lead but extending his advantage over Wheeler to more than 6 pounds. That included a 3-pounder that he somehow landed despite having his line wrapped around the motor of a docked boat and the dock’s ladder – another break that seemed to prove the oft-repeated fishing axiom that when it’s your time to win, it’s your time.
“I don’t land that fish, I don’t win this tournament,” Gill said. “Because of a couple very fortunate turns of events, we got it done.”
The fact that it was Wheeler, an eight-time winner on the Bass Pro Tour, chasing him down made Gill’s late lull even more stressful. Once he got the news that Wheeler had pulled within one bite with about 30 minutes left before lines out, Gill became convinced he needed to catch one more to ice the win.
In the end, holding off the No. 1-ranked angler in the world made this win even more memorable. Gill seems to be making a habit of winning in stressful fashion, as he had to weather a similarly slow final period in his first BPT victory, which came on the Chowan River last June.
“At Chowan, I got chased within a handful of pounds by Michael Neal, and this one, by Wheeler,” Gill said. “Those are two guys that I have tremendous respect for their fishing abilities, and they’re two guys that you don’t want to have chasing you. And it was something where I did not see that coming, and I was very gratified by the fact that I was able to hold my ground enough to steady this one out.”
Gill – who, as recently as January 2024 was competing in Abu Garcia College Fishing events – emphasized that any national-level win is special to him, no matter how it comes.
However, he acknowledged that he set out this season to prove that his success isn’t just a product of forward-facing sonar. Mission accomplished. On the Bass Pro Tour, where anglers can only utilize the technology for one of three periods each day, he’s finished seventh, 11th and first in three events. He sits second to Wheeler in the Angler of the Year standings, just six points back. Throw in a runner-up finish two weeks ago at an Invitationals event on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, where forward-facing sonar was banned on Day 2 of the three-day tournament, and Gill has left little doubt about his ability to catch them, no matter the circumstances.
“I will say, to come out here with the new format this year – and with some question marks spiraling – and to start the year with a seventh, an 11th and a win, I feel like is a statement that I was wanting to make to start the year, and it’s one that is made now,” Gill said. “Especially after the second at Kissimmee as well, not having it at all the second day of that tournament.
“It does mean something to me. But it’s no sweeter than a win any other way. … A win is a win, man, and it’s sweet either way.”
The top 10 pros at the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King finished:
1st: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 19 bass, 58-2, $150,000
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 20 bass, 55-15, $45,000
3rd: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 11 bass, 37-10, $35,000
4th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 13 bass, 36-2, $30,000
5th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 10 bass, 30-4, $25,000
6th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., nine bass, 27-4, $23,000
7th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, seven bass, 24-6, $22,000
8th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., seven bass, 23-3, $21,000
9th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, seven bass, 19-8, $20,500
10th: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., seven bass, 18-10, $20,000
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 110 scorable bass weighing 331 pounds even caught by the final 10 pros on Sunday.
Pro Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, won Sunday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 6-pound largemouth that he caught on a crankbait in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The four-day PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King event was hosted by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board and showcased 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $650,000, including a top payout of $150,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
Television coverage of the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Sunday, Oct. 5. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
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, X , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Corey Casey Takes Over NPFL Santee Cooper Lead
The South Carolina angler called an audible this morning to jump into the lead at the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes.
Through two days at the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina is delivering in a big way. The weather may be shifting, but the big fish are still biting. After two days of competition, South Carolina pro Corey Casey leads with a two-day total of 57 pounds, 7 ounces. Buck Mallory sits in second with 53 pounds, 15 ounces. And Skeeter Crosby holds third with 53 pounds, 10 ounces.
Changing conditions shook up the leaderboard, with anglers making moves on day two. Once again, over 19 competitors weighed in more than 20 pounds, with the final check cut (40th place) currently held by Ricky Robinson, who has 32 pounds, 11 ounces. The big fish of the tournament still belongs to Harmon Davis, who landed a massive 10-pound, 9-ounce Santee Cooper lunker on day one.
Casey Rockets Into Lead
South Carolina angler Corey Casey remained unfazed by the shifting weather between days one and two, opting to start in a completely new spot on Saturday. Looking to avoid the wind, his decision paid off as his “staging” area fired up, producing a 30-pound, 4-ounce bag. Coupled with his 27-pound, 3-ounce effort on Day One, Casey now holds a two-day total of 57 pounds, 7 ounces, giving him a 3-pound, 8-ounce lead heading into Championship Sunday.
He arrived at his backup water first thing in the morning, protected from the wind, dropped his Power-Poles, and got to work—quickly filling his limit and culling to his final weight before 10 a.m. His area, which features scattered vegetation and hard cover, is attracting bass moving in to spawn. Positioned slightly deeper than other anglers, his fish have remained unaffected by the cooler temperatures.
“There was nobody in there this morning, and I got after them, hardly having to move,” Casey said. “I caught most of them on reaction baits and a few on a worm. It’s very specific where they’re sitting—I had one cast that caught everything the same way.”
With another weather shift expected for Sunday, Casey remains confident, believing his area will be protected from the wind and still produce.
“I’m having an absolute blast out there. There isn’t anything better—unless they start biting a topwater,” he laughed. “I don’t know how tomorrow will go, but I’m excited. A lead is better than no lead, but this place changes fast, and these guys can catch them.”
Mallory Moves to Second
Unlike most of the field, Buck Mallory saw his water get cleaner and warmer on Day Two—a change that didn’t work in his favor. Struggling with missed fish and short strikes early, he quickly adjusted, switching colors on his Z-Man EVO ChatterBait, and saw an immediate difference. He “salvaged” his day, adding 22 pounds, 14 ounces and sits in second-place with a total weight of 53 pounds, 15 ounces.
“Today, the wind blew out my cooler, stained water, and it got really clean—it jumped from 51 to 57 degrees on me,” Mallory said. “On top of that, the water level dropped as the wind pushed it out. Yesterday, I got hung up a few times, but today I got hung up 18 times—it didn’t help. The cooler water temperature was key.”
With the wind expected to shift 180 degrees and cooler, cloudy conditions moving back in for Championship Sunday, the Michigan angler is optimistic that his fish will reset.
“I had, what, 23 pounds today? But in reality, I saw 27-plus pounds worth of fish bite and not get the bait,” he added. “They’re in there, and they want to eat—I know where the key spots are. Using Humminbird MEGA 360, I can see hard spots in the grass and stumps around me, so I know exactly where to cast. The weather should help me out tomorrow, and I’ve got a long day to make it happen.”
Crosby Jumps to Third
Managing fish over a three-day tournament is no easy task, but Skeeter Crosby has executed his game plan flawlessly. After two days, he sits in third place with a total weight of 53 pounds, 10 ounces, just 5 ounces behind Mallory. Originally planning to push hard on Day Two and fish his spot out, Crosby didn’t need to—he secured a hefty 29-pound limit early and was able to back off, saving fish for Championship Sunday.
He kicked off the event with 24-10 on Friday, then followed it up with a dominant 29-pound bag today. Fishing one main area with five or six key spots, Crosby has yet to touch all of his water after two days.
“Yesterday, I caught everything on one spot, and today I pulled up and fished that spot again,” he said. “I had my weight early, so I made a couple of extra casts just to see what would happen and caught two decent fish that didn’t help. After that, I decided to bail and go practice.”
Crosby hasn’t had much company aside from a few locals but remains tight-lipped about the details. He noted that he’s targeting offshore hard cover, locking down his Power-Poles, and making the same cast repeatedly without moving.
“I’m fishing one single bait, and every fish has come on that,” he added. “When it’s cold and windy, this area gets even better. The wind helped me today, and tomorrow looks like more of the same. The fish are still coming, and typically, there are fish on this spot all year long. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Top Ten:
Corey Casey 57-7
Buck Mallory 53-15
Skeeter Crosby 53-10
Patrick Walters 51-15
Buddy Gross 51-4
Jason Christie 50-7
Bill Lowen 50-4
Jordan Osborne 49-1
Chad Marler 48-0
Hank Cherry 47-9
Aoki's consistency and decision making are keys for win at Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
March 8, 2025
PARIS, Tenn. — Nothing was certain on the final day of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN.
But this much was true — Japan’s Yui Aoki, who led by more than 6 pounds when the day began, would have to stumble substantially to not win the tournament.
He didn’t stumble at all. In fact, he shined.
The 25-year-old Aoki finished the three-day tournament with a total of 66 pounds, 14 ounces, which was 3 ½ pounds more than his closest competitor in the field of 10 that survived Friday’s cut to Championship Saturday.
He sealed the deal with the second-heaviest bag on Day 3, a limit of three smallmouth and two largemouth bass that weighed 18-10. Coming into the tournament, many pundits predicted that the angler who caught a mix of the two would be hard to beat this week.
Aoki proved them right, collecting $50,305 cash with the victory. That was part of a $334,028 cash purse split among the Top 45 competitors in the field of 226 that began the derby on Thursday. Aoki also clinched a berth in the 2006 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held next March 13-15 in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River.
Though he doesn’t speak much English, the signs of happiness are a universal language. A wide smile spread across Aoki’s face when he closed Saturday’s weigh-in with a bang. He pumped his fists high into the air with delight and he posed for photos with fishing fans and fellow competitors gathered at Paris Landing State Park.
“This feels so good,” he said of his first B.A.S.S. win.
As for earning a trip to the Classic?
“A dream come true,” he acknowledged.
Aoki was fishing some 6,600 miles from his home in the Minamitsuru District of Japan, but he looked right at home on Kentucky Lake — the mammoth 160,000-plus-acre impoundment of the Tennessee River he was fishing for the very first time.
Perhaps what was most impressive about Aoki’s win was the consistency he showed on what can be quite the fickle fishery. It’s not uncommon for the best anglers in the world to catch a 25-pound sack one day, fall to 12 pounds fishing the very same spot the next day, only to catch 25 pounds again a day later.
Aoki defied that possibility, working instead with machine-like precision. He bagged 24 pounds of smallmouth bass on Day 1 of the tournament to put himself in second place, trailing only local ace Jordan Hartman and his 25-4 limit.
Then the weather changed, going from cold and clear on Thursday to overcast and blustery on Friday. Aoki didn’t flinch, returning to the main channel and bagging a 24-4 limit, with three of five fish in his creel being largemouths.
Aoki gave bass fishing fans more of the same clinical approach on Championship Saturday, and he didn’t make long runs to do it. Though he focused on flooded timber in a stretch of the main channel just north of Paris Landing for the first two days of the derby, he decided instead to fish the Big Sandy area just south of takeoff on Day 3.
Another sharp decision from the young angler.
“I had to expand my area, look for new (fish),” Aoki said, “It was windy, but it helped me today.”
He used a variety of swimbaits to hook his best catches on Kentucky Lake, most in white or smoke colors to mimic the threadfin shad which were thick throughout the reservoir this week. Aoki’s key lures included a Dstyle Virola Tail Swimbait 145 and a Dstyle Virola 4 or 5 rigged with a 3.5-gram jighead.
The win secured for Aoki valuable points in the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers points race, too. He already finished 10th in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN in February and now has a first-place finish to his credit. Aoki is scheduled to compete in the final two Division 2 Bassmaster Opens this year — April 3-5 on Arkansas’ Norfork Lake and Aug. 14-16 on Minnesota’s Leech Lake.
The Top 50 anglers in both the Division 1 and Division 2 Open standings will qualify for the EQ Series which starts in September. The Top 10 anglers in that inaugural three-tournament competition will win invitations to compete in the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Rounding out the Top 10 anglers on Kentucky Lake, and furthering their cause to reach the EQ Series, are second, Illinois resident and McKendree University angler Ethan Fields, 63-5, $20,122; Kentucky Elite Series pro Matt Robertson, 56-3, $15,092; fourth, Kentucky’s Clint Knight, 56-0, $14,086; fifth, Kentucky’s Jordan Hartman, 55-9, $13,079; sixth, Tennessee’s Sam Hanggi, 53-5, $12,073; seventh, Alabama’s Laker Howell, 52-1, $11,067; eighth, Colorado’s Ty Faber, 49-6, $10,061; ninth, Georgia’s Tanner Hadden, 48-9; $10,061; and 10th, Tennessee’s Miles Burghoff, 43-0; $10,061.
Nebraska’s BJ Miller won $750 and the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award for the 8-3 he caught on Day 1.
The City of Paris hosted the event.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN 3/6-3/8
Kentucky Lake, Paris TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 15 66-14 200 $50,305.00
Day 1: 5 24-00 Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 18-10
2. Ethan Fields Breese, IL 15 63-05 199 $20,122.00
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 22-06
3. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 15 56-03 198 $15,092.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 5 17-11
4. Clint Knight Russellville, KY 14 56-00 197 $14,086.00
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 4 15-14 Day 3: 5 17-03
5. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 15 55-09 196 $13,079.00
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-13
6. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 14 53-05 195 $12,073.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 4 13-00
7. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 13 52-01 194 $11,067.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 3 09-14
8. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 14 49-06 193 $10,061.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-05 Day 3: 4 11-05
9. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 13 48-09 192 $10,061.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 3 08-11
10. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 11 43-00 191 $10,061.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 25-06 Day 3: 1 02-15
------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Bj Miller Adams, NE 08-03 $750.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 62 607 1993-00
2 46 482 1545-12
3 5 40 137-08
------------------------------
113 1129 3676-04
Becker Paces Field in Knockout Round at MLF Bass Pro Tour PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King at Lake Murray
Final 10 anglers ready for Championship Sunday, heaviest one-day total earns top prize of $150,000
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 8, 2025) – As the final period of the Qualifying Round at PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King ticked away, Matt Becker couldn’t buy a bite. Across the last three hours of competition Friday, Becker never landed a Lake Murray bass – although he still managed to hold on to the final spot above the Elimination Line, topping two competitors by less than 1 pound to secure a spot in Saturday’s Knockout Round.
A new day brought zeroed weights, and Becker took full advantage. He caught fire early on Saturday, sprinting to the top of SCORETRACKER® with 10 bass totaling 30 pounds, 13 ounces during the first hour of competition. He then maintained the top spot for nearly the entire rest of the day, finishing with 44-10 on 15 scorable bass. That was just 11 ounces ahead of Jacob Wheeler, while Drew Gill and Alton Jones Jr. also finished within 2-2 of Becker’s total.
That quartet – all former Bass Pro Tour winners – will be joined by Qualifying Round victor Jeff Sprague as well as the rest of the top nine finishers from the Knockout Round in what’s shaping up to be a loaded Championship Round. Weights will once again zero, then the angler who can amass the most weight Sunday will take home $150,000.
Becker grew up in Pennsylvania, where he spent a lot of time on Lake Erie, and now lives on the Tennessee River. So, on paper, it doesn’t really make sense why he’s found so much success at Lake Murray. But the South Carolina impoundment has always treated him well.
Becker earned his first national win on the fishery at a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event in 2021, then finished a solid 27th when the Bass Pro Tour visited in 2023 en route to winning the Angler of the Year title as a rookie. Now, he’s back in the Top 10 again. Multiple times Saturday, he remarked that Lake Murray is his favorite tournament venue in the country.
“I really can’t explain it,” Becker said. “I love clean water, and I guess it’s a blueback herring thing. I’ve always done well on herring lakes. But yeah, from the very first day I launched my boat on Murray, I just clicked with it and loved it.”
That past success helped bolster Becker’s confidence entering the Knockout Round despite his slow finish Friday. Like most of the field has all week, he opted to use his one allotted period with forward-facing sonar during Period 1. He returned to the same pocket where he caught four scorable bass the morning prior, and this time, he found the fish positioned shallower and feeding aggressively.
Using a jighead minnow, he boated 12 scorable bass for 36-6 during the opening period – more weight than he caught during either of the first two days of competition.
“I had the opportunity to have a similar morning yesterday, but I just missed them,” Becker explained. “I lost them; they weren’t eating the bait right. So, I knew the potential was there. I didn’t expect that this morning, but I knew I had to go back to that same zone and see if I could trick a few into biting, and it was fast and furious this morning. They were biting instead of following.”
With his forward-facing sonar turned off, Becker spent the rest of the day skipping a wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senko around boat docks. That became the dominant pattern across the field on a warm, sunny afternoon.
Becker added three scorable bass with his transducers turned off, including the first one he’s landed during the third period all week. He knows he’s going to need to do a better job of keeping up the pace during the latter two periods of the Championship Round if he hopes to add another Lake Murray trophy to his collection. Sprague sailed through the Qualifying Round, amassing the heaviest total of the field on each of the first two days (although it will be interesting to see if he can continue to ride his crankbait bite after no one in the field found consistent success with moving baits Saturday). Plus, Wheeler and Gill admitted they stopped trying to catch fish Saturday afternoon once they’d put a safe distance between themselves and the elimination line.
“I feel okay about the first period; I feel like I can survive,” Becker said. “But I don’t really feel like I’m on anything for the afternoon. I’ve got maybe two or three stretches of docks that I feel like I may be able to get a bite on again, but other than that, I really don’t know what I’m going to do yet. So, I’m going to have to think about it and maybe make a gametime adjustment.
“There’s definitely a couple areas I feel like I could have went to this afternoon had I needed to catch one. I was just kind of trying to explore and look at new stuff. But still, I wish I would have caught a few more.”
While cooler, cloudier conditions could hurt the bite a bit, Becker expects it to take at least 50 pounds to earn the win, possibly more than 60. That might seem like a tall task, but the fact that he has a spot in the final-day field means he has a shot, especially on his favorite lake.
“The weather is going to be different, so I really don’t know what the fish are going to do tomorrow,” he said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a little bit tougher than today just given the weather we have coming through – the clouds and the cooler temperatures. I think it’s going to take somewhere in the 50- to 60-pound range to win. We’re going to have to figure something out to make that happen.”
The top nine pros from the Knockout Round that now advance to Championship Sunday on Lake Murray are:
1st: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 15 bass, 44-10
2nd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 13 bass, 43-15
3rd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 14 bass, 42-12
4th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 13 bass, 42-8
5th: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 11 bass, 40-5
6th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 14 bass, 38-13
7th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 12 bass, 38-8
8th: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 12 bass, 35-9
9th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 11 bass, 34-6
*QR Winner: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
Eliminated from competition are:
11th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., nine bass, 31-11, $15,900
12th: Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., nine bass, 29-3, $15,800
13th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 28-1, $15,700
14th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., nine bass, 23-4, $15,600
15th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., seven bass, 22-10, $15,500
16th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., eight bass, 22-5, $15,400
17th: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, seven bass, 21-3, $15,300
18th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., five bass, 14-1, $15,200
19th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 11-10, $15,100
20th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., three bass, 6-13, $15,000
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 187 scorable bass weighing 572 pounds, 3 ounces caught by the 19 pros on Saturday.
Pro Marshall Robinson won Saturday’s Berkley Big Bass Award, boating a 5-pound, 13-ounce largemouth in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round was complete, leader Jeff Sprague advanced directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. The anglers that finished 2nd through 20th competed in Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed, and the top nine finishers now join Sprague in Sunday’s Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
The final 10 anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET Sunday from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Sunday’s Championship festivities will be held at the State Park, beginning at 3 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 MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Sunday, March 9 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, participate in casting contests, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall and a youth fishing derby. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King is hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Sunday, Oct. 5. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
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, X , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
MLF Pros Give Back to Lake Murray and Local Students During MLF Bass Pro Tour
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 7, 2025) – On Wednesday, March 5, professional anglers from the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour used their “off day” before PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray to give back to the community in two meaningful ways: creating new fish habitat and improving bass fishing conditions in Lake Murray as a part of the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project Supported by Humminbird and Kubota and visiting with students at Piney Woods Elementary School.
In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the Habitat Restoration event at Lake Murray brought together nine MLF pros, local volunteers and students from six bass fishing teams across the state Wednesday morning.
Despite a downpour that threatened to impede the event, the stormy weather didn’t dampen spirits as volunteers constructed nine MossBack Fish Habitat 40-inch Conservation Cubes, 12 MossBack Root Wads, and 15 MossBack Reed Mat structures, which were then deployed at three unique locations on Lake Murray. These newly created habitats will improve bass fishing conditions, which is a crucial part of the mission of the MLF Fisheries Management Division (FMD) – to sustain healthy fish populations for future generations of anglers. MLF Bass Pro Tour pros in attendance included Justin Cooper, Gary Klein, Bobby Lane, Jeremy Lawyer, Skeet Reese, Mark Rose, Fred Roumbanis, Greg Vinson and David Walker.
Students from the USC Gamecock Bass Fishing team, Mid-Carolina Fishing Team, Chapin Youth Bassmasters, Aiken County Anglers, Eagle Eye Anglers and Gilbert Bass Anglers worked side-by-side with MLF pros and staff from the SCDNR to build and deploy the essential structures. Kubota tractors provided by Carolina Power Equipment helped transport the habitat materials, ensuring the project ran smoothly despite the challenging weather.
Thanks to MLF sponsors, numerous student volunteers walked away with exciting giveaway items, including Abu Garcia rods and reels, a signed MLF angler jersey, bait packs and MLF hats.
“We had a blast, and it was so cool to have all these bass teams show up – in the rain – to help us build these structures,” Reese said. “The students were excited to learn about conservation, and why it’s important to protect our fisheries. It was awesome to work alongside them to benefit the fishery and create some new honey holes for these anglers to fish in the future.”
The second half of the day saw MLF pros head to Piney Woods Elementary School in Chapin, where they met with excited fourth graders to discuss the importance of conservation and fishing. MLF pros Jared Lintner, Brent Chapman and Mark Daniels Jr., along with MLF Competition Official Brian Poppe, spoke to students about what it means to be a professional angler and shared their personal fishing stories. The students were eager to share fishing stories of their own and ask questions, and they were amused to learn that Poppe got to assess penalties and put the adult pros in “time out” for fish landing violations.
The pros also demonstrated how MLF works to protect fish populations, including how fish are weighed on the boat in the Bass Pro Tour and immediately returned to their natural habitats.
“We love being able to give back to the communities we visit on the Bass Pro Tour,” Lintner said. “The fourth graders at Piney Woods were so excited to meet professional anglers and learn about protecting our fisheries. Someone visited my class to talk about fishing 35 years ago, and I still remember it to this day. It’s great to have the opportunity to make that same kind of impact on these kids.”
As the Bass Pro Tour kicks off its third stage, hosted by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board , the pros and community members involved in Wednesday’s events left a lasting legacy – not only enhancing the lake’s fishery but also inspiring young minds to value and protect the natural resources around them.
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, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Sprague Cruises to Qualifying Round Win at MLF Bass Pro Tour PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King at Lake Murray
Texas pro advances directly to Championship Sunday with two-day total of 36 bass weighing 122 pounds, 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 7, 2025) – During Day 1 of PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King on Lake Murray, pro Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, grabbed the lead early and finished nearly 9 pounds clear of the rest of the field. A day later, despite what should have been less favorable conditions and the fact that he didn’t really try to catch fish during the final period, he amassed even more weight.
That sums up just how special Sprague’s bite has been so far. The Texas pro added 18 scorable bass for 62 pounds, 3 ounces on Friday, bringing his total to 122 pounds even. That earned him the Qualifying Round win with ease, topping his nearest pursuer, Toyota pro Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Florida, by more than 30 pounds.
“This is what hooks people on bass fishing,” Sprague said. “This is what bass fishing is all about. It really has been a special bite no matter how it turns out, just being able to find what I found. … Genuinely, these are the type of conditions and events that come around only so very often, and it’s just a lot of fun.”
As a result, Sprague will skip Saturday’s Knockout Round and advance directly to the Championship Round. The rest of the Top 20 will advance to Saturday and compete for the remaining nine Championship Round berths.
Despite his strong performance on Day 1, Sprague was nervous as he took the water on Friday. Slick, calm conditions greeted the field rather than the strong wind that blew all day Thursday, and he worried that might hurt his shallow cranking bite while helping those anglers who started the day using forward-facing sonar.
It didn’t take long to assuage his concerns. Sprague returned to the area where he’d done most of his damage a day prior and boated nine bass totaling 33-11 in the first period. That included a 6-11, a 5-0 and a 4-9. By the end of the period, his lead had expanded to more than 13 pounds, discouraging anyone else from trying to track him down.
That confirmed the spots where Sprague has already caught fish are reloading. Just as important, he’s figured out a pattern for the type of habitat bass are using to stage, and as he found more areas that set up the same way, he continued to reel them in.
“I was really nervous this morning, to be honest with you, about whether or not they were going to bite with no wind at all,” Sprague said. “It was very glass calm. Had a few bites pretty quick, and that really set my lightbulb off, so I continued to kind of expand a little bit in the area where I was at. It’s a big area, but the fish aren’t everywhere. They’re pretty specific about what they want to be on. And when I find it, man, it’s special. They’re there, and they’re coming.”
Some of the fish Sprague landed in the afternoon essentially came by accident while he was checking out new water, including one that ate his crankbait as he was trying to pull it out of the water after time expired at the end of Period 2.
“I don’t know what I could have caught today had I continued, because I really laid up for the last 3, 3 1/2 hours and just looked,” he said. “But even then, I was able to catch some fish. So, I got a lot of things out of my mind today, and I got a lot of things in my mind today. It was a good learning day for both where (they are) and where they are not.”
Sprague is generally fishing fast, but one key to his success has been staying patient once he hooks a fish. He’s willing to play the bass for a minute or more rather than horsing them, a lesson he learned the hard way after losing several big ones on Day 1.
“Those fish are so heavy, and they’re so green right now,” Sprague explained. “Bigger fish have a harder mouth, and I’ve lost so many bass this week – and I’ve lost so many bass in my career, especially the bigger ones. And I’ve got them on light line, even though it’s a baitcaster, because the water is really clear. You just need to make every one count, so patience is your friend. You have to just do your thing and let the fish play itself out, and eventually they’ll get winded and just kind of come to you. It makes your life a lot easier, and you’re not getting hooks in your hand, either.”
Sprague isn’t worried about spending a day off the water. He’s committed to his pattern no matter what, and he thinks the upper-70s temperatures forecast for Saturday will only push more bass shallow.
His 14th career Bass Pro Tour Top 10 secured, his focus now is on finally landing his first tour-level win. Only pro Brent Ehrler has more Top-10 finishes in BPT competition without a victory. After so many close calls, Sprague didn’t want to get ahead of himself and talk too much about what it would mean to finally hoist a trophy, but he thinks this could be one of his best opportunities yet.
“I feel like I’ve been cursed for the past five years from getting one of these things closed out, if you want to know the truth,” he said. “I legitimately feel like I have an opportunity to make it happen here. I really do. Either way, it’s been an amazing week, and it’s just a lot of fun to catch these fish. But I do feel like I’m on the winning way to catch them.”
The top 20 pros that now advance in competition on Lake Murray are:
1st: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 36 bass, 122-0
2nd: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 28 bass, 90-6
3rd: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 27 bass, 89-1
4th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 27 bass, 81-6
5th: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 23 bass, 81-5
6th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 26 bass, 80-5
7th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 28 bass, 79-15
8th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 28 bass, 78-3
9th: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, 23 bass, 76-6
10th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 24 bass, 73-12
11th: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 26 bass, 73-5
12th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 21 bass, 73-3
13th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 23 bass, 68-14
14th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 24 bass, 66-11
15th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 21 bass, 63-8
16th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 20 bass, 61-12
17th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 20 bass, 60-13
18th: Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., 20 bass, 59-8
19th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 19 bass, 59-0
20th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 17 bass, 58-14
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 540 scorable bass weighing 1,661 pounds, 14 ounces caught by the 66 pros on Friday.
Friday’s Berkley Big Bass Award went to Erie, Pennsylvania pro Dave Lefebre, who caught a nice 7-pound, 8-ounce largemouth in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. With the two-day Qualifying Round now complete, Sprague advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. The anglers that finished 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the top nine anglers will join Sprague in Sunday’s Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s takeout will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 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 MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, participate in casting contests, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall and a youth fishing derby. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King is hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Sunday, Oct. 5. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
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, X , Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Mixed bag of bass gives Aoki solid lead at Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
March 7, 2025
PARIS, Tenn. — There’s no such thing as an insurmountable lead in a B.A.S.S. tournament, but Yui Aoki has put himself in a very enviable position after Day 2 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN.
Aoki, a 25-year-old native of Minamitsuru District in Japan, weighed a five-bass limit of 24 pounds, 4 ounces on Friday, which when paired with his 24-pound sack on Day 1, gives him a 48-4 total. That’s 6-1 more than Alabama’s Laker Howell, who’s in second place with 42-3.
Illinois’ Ethan Fields (40-15) and Tennessee’s Sam Hanggi (40-5) are the only other anglers in the field of 226 within 8 pounds of Aoki’s lead.
The 45-degree temperatures and bluebird skies that factored on Thursday gave way to dense cloud cover, occasional sprinkles of rain and steady winds of 10 to 15 mph on Friday. The change hardly bothered Aoki, who had nearly identical weights on the first two days of the three-day tournament.
The only noticeable difference was Aoki’s Friday bag contained three largemouth bass when Thursday’s had all smallmouths. Several pundits predicted catching a mix of bass would be the winning combination on this mammoth Kentucky/Barkley fishery, and Aoki is proving them right.
“I feel very good (about my chances of winning),” Aoki said. “Of course.”
The 6-pound lead gives him reason for confidence. Aoki is fishing flooded timber on the main channel of Kentucky Lake not far from Paris Landing, where daily takeoffs and weigh-ins are being held. He’s throwing a variety of 5- and 6-inch swimbaits (smoke, white) that mimic the shad in the lake, and he mixed in some dropshots on Friday, too.
“It was very windy, very hard to keep my bait on the fish,” he said of the Day 2 conditions. “This is my first time to fish the river channel system and it’s very different to me. But I like it very much.”
Howell, a 23-year-old from Guntersville, Ala., caught a limit of five smallmouth on Friday weighing 21-5. The young gun had only four keeper bass with less than hour of fishing time remaining, but he eventually completed his limit and gave himself the best chance (on paper, at least) of catching Aoki.
Howell was in 11th place after Day 1 with 20-14 but fished his way into Friday’s Top 10 cut with another top-notch bag. His bait of choice has been a 4 1/2-inch paddle-tail swimbait (chartreuse/blue) on a Buckeye Lures J-Will jighead.
“The current was a little bit different today (with the south wind blowing), but things really did set up pretty much the same for me,” Howell said. “I got five bites again and the Good Lord allowed me to land all five of them.”
Howell said he’s targeting a spot that is loaded with shad.
“The birds are swooping down to eat the baitfish, flying off with shad in their mouth,” he said. “It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet spot, and If I can get to it again tomorrow, I think I’ll be good.
“The main thing is getting five bites,” he continued. “If I do, I think they’ll be about the same size as what I’ve had so far. They’re all 3- to 5-pounders that are set up in this particular spot.”
Rounding out the Top 10 anglers competing Saturday are fifth, Tennessee’s Miles Burghoff, 40-1; sixth, Georgia’s Tanner Hadden, 39-14; seventh, Kentucky’s Jordan Hartman, 39-12; eighth, Kentucky’s Clint Knight, 38-13; ninth, Kentucky Elite Series pro Matt Robertson, 38-8; and 10th, Colorado’s Ty Faber, 38-1.
Nebraska’s BJ Miller maintained his lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award with an 8-3 he hooked on Day 1. The angler with the heaviest bass will net an additional $750.
A total of $334,028 cash is being split among the Top 45 competitors in the Open, including $50,305 to the winner. Top anglers also will earn valuable points toward a berth in the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers this fall.
Championship Saturday is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. CT from Paris Landing State Park, with weigh-in set to start at 2:15 p.m. Bassmaster LIVE will stream the final day’s action on Bassmaster.com and the Roku Sports Channel will air coverage from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Stay up-to-date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-
The City of Paris is hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN 3/6-3/8
Kentucky Lake, Paris TN.
Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 10 48-04 200
Day 1: 5 24-00 Day 2: 5 24-04
2. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 10 42-03 199
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 21-05
3. Ethan Fields Breese, IL 10 40-15 198
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 5 20-03
4. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 10 40-05 197
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 21-07
5. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 10 40-01 196
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 25-06
6. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 10 39-14 195
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 19-11
7. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 10 39-12 194
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 14-08
8. Clint Knight Russellville, KY 9 38-13 193
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 4 15-14
9. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 38-08 192
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 24-05
10. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 10 38-01 191
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-05
11. Fisher Anaya Eva, AL 10 37-07 190
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 14-07
12. Rylan Hamlin Jackson, MI 10 36-15 189
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 19-14
13. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 9 36-14 188
Day 1: 4 16-08 Day 2: 5 20-06
14. Brock Reinkemeyer Warsaw, MO 10 36-11 187
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 14-15
15. Brennan Flick West Monroe, LA 10 36-07 186
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 18-01
16. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 10 35-06 185
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 15-14
17. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 35-03 184
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 18-12
18. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 10 34-15 183
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 13-05
19. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 9 34-01 182
Day 1: 4 13-06 Day 2: 5 20-11
20. Cole Breeden Lebanon, MO 10 33-10 181
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 18-01
21. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 10 33-06 180
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-02
22. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 8 32-13 179
Day 1: 5 23-01 Day 2: 3 09-12
23. Pake South Winnsboro, TX 10 32-10 178
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 19-00
24. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 8 32-04 177
Day 1: 3 10-02 Day 2: 5 22-02
25. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 9 32-01 176
Day 1: 4 12-12 Day 2: 5 19-05
26. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 8 31-13 175
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 3 08-14
27. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 31-13 174
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-14
28. Dillon Harrell New Caney, TX 10 31-06 173
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 15-02
29. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 8 31-00 172
Day 1: 5 23-06 Day 2: 3 07-10
30. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 8 30-14 171
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 3 12-03
31. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 9 30-13 170
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 5 21-15
32. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 8 30-09 169
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 3 13-09
33. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 10 30-02 168
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 16-08
34. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 9 29-02 167
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 4 11-13
35. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 8 28-14 166
Day 1: 3 10-07 Day 2: 5 18-07
36. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 10 28-13 165
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 13-08
37. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 8 28-12 164
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 3 08-11
38. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 9 28-10 163
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 10-10
39. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 8 27-07 162
Day 1: 4 15-08 Day 2: 4 11-15
40. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 8 26-14 161
Day 1: 3 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-06
41. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 9 26-14 160
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 5 14-15
42. Jay Nyce Rogers, AR 10 26-13 159
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-00
43. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 9 26-12 158
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 4 09-07
44. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 10 26-10 157
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 11-05
45. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 7 26-09 156
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 2 05-07
46. Michael Harlin Gravois Mills, MO 10 26-09 155
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 10-08
47. Lane Olson Forest Grove, OR 7 26-08 154
Day 1: 2 09-11 Day 2: 5 16-13
48. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 9 26-08 153
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 13-06
49. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 8 26-03 152
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 5 15-15
50. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 8 25-15 151
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 3 08-10
51. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 7 25-13 150
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 2 06-07
52. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 9 25-12 149
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-06
53. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 9 25-11 148
Day 1: 4 09-15 Day 2: 5 15-12
54. Bailey Gay Union, KY 8 25-04 147
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 5 15-15
55. Tim Sprouse Clarksville, TN 9 25-04 146
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 4 11-00
56. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 9 24-09 145
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 5 14-13
57. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 8 24-06 144
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 3 07-13
58. Matt Wieteha Port St Lucie, FL 9 24-06 143
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 14-05
59. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 7 24-05 142
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 2 06-13
60. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 9 23-15 141
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 4 11-08
61. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 8 23-12 140
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 5 16-10
62. Doc Wootton Collierville, TN 8 23-06 139
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 4 12-02
63. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 23-05 138
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-01
64. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 23-02 137
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 13-02
65. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 8 23-01 136
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 5 15-09
66. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 9 22-10 135
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 09-14
67. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 7 22-08 134
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 2 05-02
68. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 7 22-05 133
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 2 06-01
69. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 6 21-10 132
Day 1: 3 11-01 Day 2: 3 10-09
70. Matt Baker Glenwood, AR 7 21-05 131
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 2 06-06
71. Jack York Emory, TX 6 20-14 130
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 3 09-03
72. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 6 20-12 129
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 1 02-04
73. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 7 20-11 128
Day 1: 4 11-02 Day 2: 3 09-09
74. Bj Miller Adams, NE 6 20-10 127
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 1 02-02
75. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 7 20-06 126
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 2 07-09
76. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 7 20-04 125
Day 1: 4 09-05 Day 2: 3 10-15
77. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 7 20-01 124
Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 4 10-15
78. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 6 19-13 123
Day 1: 4 14-12 Day 2: 2 05-01
79. John Murray Spring City, TN 7 19-05 122
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 4 10-12
80. Tai Au Glendale, AZ 6 19-00 121
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 1 02-02
81. Dalton Smith Taylorsville, KY 5 18-12 120
Day 1: 2 09-15 Day 2: 3 08-13
82. Isaac Peavyhouse Monroe, TN 6 18-11 119
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 2 08-05
83. Brent Anderson Kingston Springs, TN 5 18-09 118
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
83. Dewayne French Mammoth Spring, AR 5 18-09 118
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 18-09
85. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 5 18-08 116
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
86. Seiji Kato Los Alamitos CA JAPAN 7 17-15 115
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 4 08-14
87. Evan Poroznik Nestleton Station Ontar 5 17-13 114
Day 1: 4 13-11 Day 2: 1 04-02
88. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 7 17-13 113
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 3 06-15
89. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 6 17-10 112
Day 1: 4 11-09 Day 2: 2 06-01
90. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 6 17-10 111
Day 1: 2 08-11 Day 2: 4 08-15
91. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 5 17-09 110
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
92. Josh Butler Hayden, AL 5 16-14 109
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 5 16-08 108
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 1 04-14
94. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 5 15-15 107
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 2 07-10
95. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 5 15-14 106
Day 1: 4 11-13 Day 2: 1 04-01
96. Chris Whitson Louisville, TN 5 15-03 105
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 2 06-02
97. Jacob Welch Jefferson City, MO 5 15-02 104
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 4 12-00
98. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-15 103
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Angel Rosario Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-15 102
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 4 12-05
100. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 14-11 101
Day 1: 2 07-05 Day 2: 3 07-06
101. Kane Weekley Davie, FL 5 14-07 100
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 3 07-13
102. Randy Millender Teague, TX 4 14-04 99
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 1 03-07
103. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 14-04 98
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 2 05-14
104. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 5 14-04 97
Day 1: 2 06-09 Day 2: 3 07-11
105. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 14-03 96
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 1 02-09
106. Brian Post Janesville, WI 4 13-14 95
Day 1: 4 13-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 13-11 94
Day 1: 4 11-07 Day 2: 1 02-04
108. Drake Hemby Tallbot, TN 4 13-07 93
Day 1: 1 05-02 Day 2: 3 08-05
109. Rick Harris Jr Carlsbad, NM 5 13-04 92
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Joseph Titus Bemidji, MN 4 13-03 91
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 2 08-15
111. Cole Lamb Russellville, AR 4 13-02 90
Day 1: 1 04-13 Day 2: 3 08-05
112. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 4 12-15 89
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 3 09-15
113. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 12-15 88
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 3 08-07
114. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 4 12-13 87
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 2 06-08
115. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 3 12-12 86
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 2 09-11
116. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 4 12-08 85
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 3 09-12
117. Caz Anderson Hayesville, NC 4 12-07 84
Day 1: 1 04-00 Day 2: 3 08-07
118. Sammy Burks Jr Joplin, MO 5 12-06 83
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 12-06 82
Day 1: 3 08-08 Day 2: 2 03-14
120. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 12-05 81
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 2 04-08
121. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 12-03 80
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Jim Moynagh Outing, MN 3 12-03 79
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 12-03
123. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 3 12-02 78
Day 1: 3 12-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 4 11-15 77
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 2 06-06
125. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 4 11-14 76
Day 1: 1 04-07 Day 2: 3 07-07
126. Joey Teofilo Richmond Hill Ontario C 4 11-13 75
Day 1: 4 11-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 4 11-10 74
Day 1: 3 08-12 Day 2: 1 02-14
128. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 4 11-08 73
Day 1: 4 11-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 3 11-05 72
Day 1: 3 11-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
130. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 4 11-05 71
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 1 03-14
131. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 4 11-05 70
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 2 05-03
132. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 3 11-04 69
Day 1: 1 04-02 Day 2: 2 07-02
133. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 4 11-03 68
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 2 04-12
134. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 3 10-13 67
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Tomm
CHRISTIAN OSTRANDER FISHES HIS WAY TO 2nd BAM PRO/AM VICTORY
Vinson Climbs His Way to Co Win
By Jody Only
La Grange, Calif. – As the only pro to break the 50-pound mark, Christian Ostrander of Turlock, Calif. over came an early a seven-pound Day One deficit, with his five-fish limit of 15.81 by adding a Day Two sack at 18.60 that boosted him not only into first place but to the top with a two-day total close to three-pounds over his nearest competitor.Ostrander maintained the number one position on Championship Sunday with a final day’s weight of 16.61, sealing the deal on his second BAM Pro/Am win with a three-day total of 51.07. His victory at the Don Pedro event earned $9,665.00.
“It feels killer,” he exclaimed. “But my main goal is to get AOY.”
Ostrander felt his difference-maker was the time and travel he put in during practice.
“I went to every section (of the lake) twice in practice, different times each day,” he explained. “Each day, I burned $165 in gas. I ran around a bunch. I checked each area at different times and that matters big time in the spring like this.”
Although many felt the event would be won with a swimbait, Ostrander’s time on the water sent him on a different route.
“This lake can be really good with big baits, but that can also mess your head up,” he explained. “I caught em all doin’ stuff I don’t normally do on this lake. It was definitely a tougher bite.”
Ostrander reported fishing a wacky dropshot and a weightless Yamamoto Senko, sprinkling in a light jerkbait.
“I caught ‘em all on a spinning rod,” he shared.
Ostrander hopes to ride the momentum of his win, as he is heading from weigh-in to the airport, off to another event.
“I’m hoppin’ on a plane tonight to Kentucky Lake,” he concluded.
Vinson Finds His Way to First for the Co-Anglers
Climbing the leaderboard each day of the competition, Thaddius Vinson moved from 6th on Day One with 12.75 to 4th on DayTwo adding 13.43 with a 4.18 Big Bass, and finally into the top-spot at close of scales on Championship Sunday with a tournament total of 40.29.
Vinson made his way from his hometown of Medford, Ore. to Pedro without any prior fishing experience at the lake.
“I came the night before the tournament and I just brought a few bags of worms I like to throw,” he shared.
He credited his pro draws for keeping him around good fish.“On Day One, it was a spot that was really convenient for a co-angler, and I got a pretty decent bag,” Vinson said.
He described his Day Two pro being focused on a “similar spot”.
“He knew I was doing well, he was a very accommodating pro, and kept me around fish,” he added. “I was able to catch ‘em pretty good on a worm moved and up to 4th place.”
Conditions changed for Vinson on the final day and only long casts were productive.
“I was around ‘em pretty good, but I noticed the bigger ones weren’t biting near the boat for whatever reason,” he said.
Even though he repeated a 14-pound sack, Vinson didn’t think it would be enough to pull out the “W”.
“Being here, usually, everyday somebody catches a big one – a five or six-pounder; but nobody did, and I got pretty lucky to win,” he remarked.
Vinson attributed his weigh-fish to a green pumpkin/red FlickShake worm on a Neko-rig and a dropshot fished on a Dobyns Extreme 741 paired to a Daiwa Certate reel spooled with six-pound Seaguar Tatsu.
“Those are a couple baits that do good everywhere,” he commented. “You can them take to any lake. I didn’t think I would be able to compete for a win; but I thought I could use a dropshot and get some points. It ended up being the right bait.”
Vinson banked $3,750 as a BAM back seater.
The Best of The Rest - see all the results here
Pro Top-10
1 Christian Ostrander 15.86 18.60 16.61 51.07
2 Adam Deakin 22.12 09.42 17.58 49.12
3 Chad Sweitzer 14.67 16.49 17.20 48.36
4 Billy Hines
5 Nick Cloutier 12.24 17.67 12.90 42.81
6 Jason Crone 14.39 16.12 11.63 42.14
7 Brennan Osborn 13.74 15.49 12.62 41.85
8 AJ Azevedo
9 Alex Niapas 14.59 12.84 12.89 40.32
10 Matt Miley 16.161 1.2 11.92 39.28
Co Top-10
1 Thaddeus Vinson 12.75 13.43 14.11 40.29
2 Jodie White 13.59 11.24 11.54 36.37
3 Troy Mays 15.2 11.1 7.75 34.05
4 Curtis Thornhill 16.35 8.44 8.86 33.65
5 Ugene Downing 13.21 14.51 5.73 33.45
6 Jeffrey Slayter 12.22 1 4.06 6.68 32.96
7 Shawn Nash 9.98 12.12 32.22 10.12
8 Tommy Rice 15.156.98 9.56 31.69
9 Andy Stilly 18.08 4.03 9.03 31.14
10 Rocky Ward 10.04 13.33 7.53 30.9
The next BAM Pro/Am will blast off on May 30 at the California Delta. Registration is underway.
BAM Don Pedro Scholastic Series: High School & College Champions Crowned
High School Division
Kaiden Dinning secures his second High School Division win with an impressive 23.49-pound limit on Lake Don Pedro! As a two-time Scholastic Series Champion, Dinning is on track to become the first-ever BAM High School Angler of the Year, bringing him closer to earning a $100,000 scholarship to fish for the Simpson University Bass Team.
Right behind him, Tyler Peterson landed in second place with 21.85 pounds, including a 4.82-pound Big Fish. Noah Nguyen of the East County Student Anglers rounded out the Top 3, proving the high-level talent in this growing series.
The BAM High School Scholastic Series is a unique pilot program that allows high school anglers to compete from the back of the boat in BAM Pro/Am events. These young anglers fish the first two days of the Pro/Am, paired with a pro in a random draw, gaining invaluable experience while competing at a high level.
The next High School event takes place at the California Delta on May 30-31. With limited spots (max 15 anglers, based on event availability), now is the time to register!
- Entry Fee: $100
- Scholastic Membership Required: $35
College Division
Brayden Bishop & Payton Lyndall of Simpson University dominated Stop #2 of the BAM College Scholastic Series, securing victory with 14.87 pounds, including a 3.92-pound kicker.
Brandon Huse and Peter Khoury of the Chico State Bass Team have brought consistency to the table. Taking 2nd place at both Lake Shasta and Don Pedro, their knowledge and ability to break down new water is impressive. On the same note, our Lake Shasta Champion finished 3rd in this event with another quality bag and 3.85 Big Fish!
Jordan Harris and Fisher Perkins also cashed in, taking home the Tackle Warehouse Contingency prize.
With teams from across Northern California, the BAM College Series continues to grow into a premier platform for the next generation of competitive anglers. Unlike traditional college circuits, teams do not have to come from the same university, making it even more accessible.
The next College Series event will be held on the California Delta, with future stops planned in the Pacific Northwest.
- Entry Fee: $155
Don't miss your chance to compete against the best young anglers and build your future in tournament fishing!
Trophies provided by Bridgford Outdoors
Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Set To Induct Three In 2025 Class: Hopper, Lamb and Shakespeare Jr.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— For Immediate Release — The plaque wall at the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will see three new additions in 2025, a formidable trio that represents a cross section of industry pillars, including boat building, media, tournament organization and tackle innovation.
The Hall of Fame will welcome Randy Hopper, Craig Lamb and William Shakespeare Jr., who were selected from a diverse 20-person ballot by the Hall of Fame’s 30-member Selection Panel and living Hall of Fame inductees. A total of 81 ballots were distributed and 65 were returned, eclipsing last year’s total for most ballots submitted in a single year. The roster of Hall of Famers now stands at 103.
Hopper is an innovator whose fingerprints are all over various breakthrough developments in the design, construction and evolution of modern bass boats.
Lamb has spent the vast majority of his 40-plus year career behind the scenes in various media roles and on the B.A.S.S. tournament operations staff with the sum total of his invaluable contributions leading to his election.
Shakespeare’s contributions to sport fishing border on immeasurable with his development of the first level-wind reel in the late 1800s, ground-breaking lure inventions and the introduction of the world’s first fiberglass fishing rod in the 1940s.
The Class of 2025 will be honored later this year during Celebrate Bass Fishing Week, which will highlight the Hall’s 25th anniversary and culminate with the induction banquet on Sept. 25 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.
“It’s special to see the exceptional interest so many of the current Hall of Fame inductees have shown in selecting the new members of their club,” said Bass Fishing HOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “I can’t thank our Board and our nominations committee led by Neil Paul for all the volunteer hours they put in in administrating the process.
“I’ll look forward to our events during Celebrate Bass Fishing Week honoring Randy, Craig and Mr. Shakespeare, and also where we’ll be giving special recognition to those members of the Hall’s first induction class at the induction dinner.”
Hopper, who along with Lamb received the most first-place votes in the balloting, has been a driving and innovative force in the bass boat industry for more than 50 years. The Flippin, Ark., native worked side-by-side with company founder Forrest L. Wood in building and refining the standard-setting Ranger bass boats. He helped design and incorporate the first aerated livewell for a bass boat in 1973, paving the way for catch-and-release tournaments to become more common. Under Hopper’s direction, Ranger was the first boat brand to incorporate flotation foam that didn’t deplete ozone, and he also helped refine boat-building processes that drastically reduced other harmful emissions. Further, he was invaluable in the launch of FLW Outdoors, which advanced tournament fishing through higher payouts, innovative television coverage, engagement of non-endemic sponsors, wrapped boats and NASCAR-inspired uniforms. Hopper, along with other former Ranger colleagues, launched Vexus Boats eight years ago, and he continues to design and engineer new, state-of-the-sport fiberglass and aluminum models.
Lamb has been omnipresent on the bass fishing scene since the mid-1980s when he served as Wood’s “caddy” on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail. That gig allowed him to help in the production of “The Bassmasters” TV show, which aired to a nationwide cable audience on The Nashville Network. In 1986, when Dewey Kendrick replaced Harold Sharp as the tournament director, he tapped Lamb as his assistant, allowing the Tennessee native to witness and participate in some of the watershed moments on the sport’s historical timeline. Among them, he helped produce the made-for-television MegaBucks events that featured predetermined fishing areas, known as a hole course. He also helped manage the Western Division, which expanded B.A.S.S.’s reach beyond the Southeast and fueled the sport’s wider growth. He later served as TNN’s manager of Outdoor Programming and was instrumental in helping drive the launch and growth of Bassmaster’s web site in the digital age. He currently serves as a Senior Editor at B.A.S.S. and continues to coordinate tournament coverage while writing extensively.
Much like the works of his (unrelated) namesake playwright and poet did for literature, William Shakespeare Jr. left an everlasting mark on the sport of fishing through his innovation and marketing. Born in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1869, Shakespeare’s achievements in product development put him in elite company. His first breakthrough innovation was incorporating a level-wind, traveling bracket into a casting reel that allowed fishing line to spread evenly across the spool as it was wound. It made casting baits less frustrating and more fun, and arguably did more for the fledgling sport of bass fishing than any other invention of its time. Additionally, Shakespeare’s manufacturing efforts spread into artificial lures, such as The Evolution, The Sure-Lure, The Shakespeare-Worden Bucktail Spinner and The Tournament Frog. By the late 1930s, Shakespeare had developed the Wondereel, which incorporated features that reduced backlash and improved drag performance. Shakespeare celebrated its 50th year in 1947 by securing the patent rights to the world’s first fiberglass fishing rod, the Howard Glastik Wonderod. The revolutionary rod made bamboo and steel rods virtually obsolete.
For more information about the Class of 2025 and other inductees, click here .
Jeff Sprague Leads Early at MLF Bass Pro Tour PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King at Lake Murray
Texas pro catches 18 largemouth weighing 59-13 to lead after Day 1 on Lake Murray, full field to complete Qualifying Round Friday
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 6, 2025) – Cold, windy, post-frontal conditions might have chilled the bite a tad from what some anglers expected on Day 1 of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 Presented by Strike King . But Lake Murray’s healthy largemouth population still made its presence felt, with 21 of the 66 Bass Pro Tour anglers topping 30 pounds and doing so with a variety of techniques.
Bites seemed to come in flurries, and no one had a more prolific one than Jeff Sprague. The veteran Texan rocketed to the top of SCORETRACKER® when he stacked up nearly 40 pounds in a 90-minute span during Period 1. He maintained his lead for the rest of the day, totaling 59 pounds, 13 ounces on 18 scorable bass. That has him 9 pounds clear of Marshall Hughes in second. Brent Ehrler sits right behind Hughes with 49-15.
Lake Murray has been good to Sprague over the years. He finished 12th in the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup on the fishery and seventh when the Bass Pro Tour visited in 2023. Yet he admitted he didn’t take the water Thursday morning expecting to find himself leaving with the lead.
For one thing, Sprague heard the pre-tournament chatter about how many fish anglers were seeing during practice and figured the weights could get heavy in a hurry – especially for those anglers utilizing forward-facing sonar. He also didn’t hook many fish during practice, so he didn’t know just how productive his bank-oriented approach could be.
“The way I’m fishing, I would have potentially burned it up, burned fish that I don’t want to burn,” Sprague said. “So, once I figured out what they wanted to eat, I just kind of looked at the area and milled around and tried to find some other areas that set up similar to that.”
Turns out, while 45 anglers utilized forward-facing sonar during Period 1, Sprague outpaced all of them. He found several sweet spots in the same vicinity that produced multiple bass apiece. He totaled 42-1 during the opening frame, distancing himself from his nearest pursuer by more than 14 pounds.
“I had a starting area; I didn’t have a starting spot,” Sprague explained. “I was just fishing the conditions, and I knew where the fish were at. It’s just put the trolling motor down and go. Once you’re going, you could locate those fish in little groups on little turns and little rolls, then you’re able to Spot-Lock and make multiple casts and catch multiple fish off each one of those little special areas.”
From there, Sprague spent the rest of the day covering water and looking for more key spots. He turned his Lowrance ActiveTarget on during Period 2 but never deviated from winding around the shoreline.
While Sprague didn’t want to divulge many details about his technique of choice, he believes the groups of bass he found were fresh fish staging prior to the spawn. Quite a few anglers found the bass to be finicky, but Sprague said those that recently migrated from deeper water are willing to bite. He’s optimistic that more groups will move in, replenishing those areas as the tournament progresses.
“The fish are coming,” he said. “The fish are really starting to move in, to get there, and that’s the thing that’s the most intriguing. Guys are going to have to find the fish that are starting to move in and are fresh and haven’t been messed with at all.”
Sprague’s goal now is to finish atop the Qualifying Round standings, which would earn him a direct trip to Sunday’s Championship Round and his 14th career Bass Pro Tour Top 10. However, he did note that if he falls behind the pace Friday morning, he’s willing to ease off his best areas and spend the afternoon preparing for the Knockout Round.
“It’s great to get a strong start like that,” Sprague said. “It takes a little pressure off. But then it adds an additional pressure, because now you start to think about making it to the Championship Round if you’re able to put it together two days in a row and skip that Knockout Round. That’s kind of what we’ll shoot for in the morning. We’ll just see what the day gives us, and then we’ll make a decision on whether we lay into them and try to make that Championship or if we lay up and just go fish the Knockout Round and try to make it through that way.”
With seemingly infinite creek arms, coves and contour lines to explore, Lake Murray can be an intimidating place for a first timer. That learning curve is only exacerbated by the collective experience on the fishery for much of the Bass Pro Tour field and the fact that competitors had just two days of official practice.
Hughes addressed the challenge by picking one area to spend his entire first day of practice then another where he spent all of the second day. That seems to have paid off.
“It was like a maze trying to get around,” Hughes said of Murray. “It’s got all them little islands and pockets. I kind of picked an area the first day of practice and picked an area the second day of practice, and here we are.”
The BPT rookie found two distinct bites, one that he targeted during his lone period with forward-facing sonar and another that produced after he turned off his transducers. Fishing water protected from the wind, Hughes boated six bass for 19-5 while using his forward-facing sonar in Period 1. He then added 31-8 on 10 fish the rest of the day, bringing his total to 50-13.
Hughes actually expected the fish he targeted with forward-facing sonar to bite better. However, he was pleasantly surprised by his secondary pattern. He ended up using part of Period 3 to run new water and find more areas that set up the same way.
“I just kind of started hopping around,” Hughes said. “I had marked some different things in the lake that looked good, and I kind of figured one little pattern out, and I ran with it, and it turned out to be pretty good. I spent a lot of the last period idling around, looking for more of that, marking that kind of stuff.”
Hughes is optimistic that he can replicate his Day 1 success – although having never fished on Murray before, he admitted he’s not sure what to expect as conditions change. Like Sprague, his plan is to gauge where he stands midway through Day 2 and then decide whether to make a push for the Qualifying Round win.
“I’m going to see how tomorrow starts shaking out, and we’ll go from there,” he said.
The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Lake Murray are:
1st: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 18 bass, 59-13
2nd: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, 16 bass, 50-13
3rd: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 17 bass, 49-15
4th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 17 bass, 43-3
5th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 13 bass, 41-8
6th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 15 bass, 39-14
7th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 14 bass, 37-14
8th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 11 bass, 37-13
9th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 11 bass, 35-15
10th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 11 bass, 35-15
11th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 12 bass, 35-13
12th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 11 bass, 34-3
13th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 12 bass, 33-10
14th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 33-7
15th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier, La., 10 bass, 32-9
16th: Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 11 bass, 32-9
17th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., nine bass, 32-0
18th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 11 bass, 31-11
19th: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., nine bass, 31-9
20th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., 10 bass, 30-15
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Alabama, earned the Day 1 Berkley Big Bass Award Thursday with a 7-pound, 4-ounce largemouth that he caught on a crankbait in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s takeout will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 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 MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, participate in casting contests, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall and a youth fishing derby. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King is hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Sunday, Oct. 5. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
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 , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Hartman rides home-water knowledge to Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
March 6, 2025
PARIS, Tenn. — The lead changed hands often on Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN.
But when Thursday’s weigh-in was complete, a local stick was in the pole position.
Jordan Hartman, who lives in Benton, Ky., on the north side of Kentucky Lake, caught a limit of five bass weighing 25 pounds, 4 ounces and seized the early lead in the three-day tournament. That haul gave him more than a 1-pound cushion on the field, consisting of 226 anglers from around the U.S. and several foreign countries.
Hartman said he fished in 10 to 15 areas on Thursday and had consistent bites throughout the day. The best was a monster smallmouth bass that weighed approximately 6 ½ pounds.
“That doesn’t happen often around here, but I’ll take it,” he said, laughing. “I’m ready to go.”
As well he should be, with his knowledge of the lake likely to help if Friday’s weather forecast proves true. Thursday featured cloudless skies and temperatures that stayed in the upper 40s. By sunrise on Friday, however, winds are expected to pick up, blowing consistently from 10-15 mph and with higher gusts.
Hartman isn’t fretting even though he’s fishing the main channel and not likely near cover.
“It all depends on what I see when I get to my first area tomorrow,” he said. “You can usually tell if things are gonna be on when you get there. If not, I’ll move.”
Hartman said Thursday’s best bites came in 10 to 15 feet of water, with chartreuse and blue minnows proving his best lures.
“It’s all current-related,” he said. “That’s the deal this week. The water is moving pretty good through here right now. It’s a little lower than I’d like, so I’m fishing a little deeper than I might this time of year ... And the water’s a little dirty. You have to get your bait on the fish. It’s not clear enough to keep the bait above them. You’ve got to put it to the cover, where they’re hiding.”
Japan’s Yui Aoki is in second place with a 24-pound limit. Though he’s fishing about 6,600 miles away from his hometown, he proved Thursday the ability to catch bass knows no geographic boundaries.
Like Hartman, the 25-year-old Aoki is fishing the main channel of Kentucky Lake for smallmouth bass, keying on timber in anywhere from 5 to 10 feet of water. He said he’s throwing a five-inch white swimbait and that his best fish came later in the day.
“I had 15 bites and caught 10 fish,” he said. “I had a limit by (noon), but the fish got bigger then.”
Andy Newcomb, of Camdenton, Missouri, is in third place with 23-6. He said he’s only fished Kentucky Lake once previously and that it was a complete failure.
Day 1 of this tournament, however, certainly was not.
“I weighed three largemouth and two smallmouth,” Newcomb said. “I wasn’t looking for one or the other in particular, but I was looking for areas where a lot of fish would be. On this lake they live together. That’s what I found, at least. I don’t know enough about the place to have specific spots to hit. I’m just looking around on the main river for current breaks. It worked today and hopefully we’ll get more of the same tomorrow.”
Rounding out the Top 5 on Day 1 of the derby are fourth, Missouri’s Brad Jelinek, 23-1; fifth, Alabama’s Fisher Anaya, 23-0. In all, 14 anglers weighed more than 20 pounds on Thursday.
Nebraska’s BJ Miller has the early lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award with an 8-3 he hooked on Day 1. The angler with the heaviest bass after Saturday’s final weigh-in will win $750.
A total of $334,028 cash will be split among the Top 45 competitors in the Open, including $50,305 to the winner. Top anglers also will earn valuable points toward a berth in the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Qualifier Series this fall.
Day 2 of the Open is scheduled to begin Friday at 6:15 a.m. CT from Paris Landing State Park, with weigh-in set to start at 2:15 p.m. The full field will fish again Friday and the Top 10 anglers will fish on Championship Saturday.
Bassmaster LIVE will stream the final day’s action on Bassmaster.com and the Roku Sports Channel will air coverage from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. ET and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Stay up-to-date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-
The City of Paris is hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley presented by SEVIIN 3/6-3/8
Kentucky Lake, Paris TN.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 5 25-04 200
Day 1: 5 25-04
2. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 5 24-00 199
Day 1: 5 24-00
3. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 5 23-06 198
Day 1: 5 23-06
4. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 5 23-01 197
Day 1: 5 23-01
5. Fisher Anaya Eva, AL 5 23-00 196
Day 1: 5 23-00
6. Clint Knight Russellville, KY 5 22-15 195
Day 1: 5 22-15
6. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 22-15 195
Day 1: 5 22-15
8. Brock Reinkemeyer Warsaw, MO 5 21-12 193
Day 1: 5 21-12
9. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 5 21-10 192
Day 1: 5 21-10
10. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 5 21-02 191
Day 1: 5 21-02
11. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 20-14 190
Day 1: 5 20-14
12. Ethan Fields Breese, IL 5 20-12 189
Day 1: 5 20-12
13. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 20-03 188
Day 1: 5 20-03
14. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 5 20-01 187
Day 1: 5 20-01
15. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 19-08 186
Day 1: 5 19-08
16. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 5 19-06 185
Day 1: 5 19-06
17. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 18-14 184
Day 1: 5 18-14
18. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 5 18-11 183
Day 1: 5 18-11
19. Brent Anderson Kingston Springs, TN 5 18-09 182
Day 1: 5 18-09
20. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 5 18-08 181
Day 1: 5 18-08
20. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 18-08 181
Day 1: 5 18-08
20. Bj Miller Adams, NE 5 18-08 181
Day 1: 5 18-08
23. Brennan Flick West Monroe, LA 5 18-06 178
Day 1: 5 18-06
24. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 18-00 177
Day 1: 5 18-00
25. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 17-12 176
Day 1: 5 17-12
26. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 5 17-09 175
Day 1: 5 17-09
27. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 5 17-08 174
Day 1: 5 17-08
28. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 5 17-06 173
Day 1: 5 17-06
29. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 5 17-05 172
Day 1: 5 17-05
29. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 17-05 172
Day 1: 5 17-05
29. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 5 17-05 172
Day 1: 5 17-05
32. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 5 17-04 169
Day 1: 5 17-04
33. Rylan Hamlin Jackson, MI 5 17-01 168
Day 1: 5 17-01
34. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 17-00 167
Day 1: 5 17-00
35. Tai Au Glendale, AZ 5 16-14 166
Day 1: 5 16-14
35. Josh Butler Hayden, AL 5 16-14 166
Day 1: 5 16-14
37. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 5 16-09 164
Day 1: 5 16-09
38. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 4 16-08 163
Day 1: 4 16-08
39. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 16-07 162
Day 1: 5 16-07
40. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 5 16-04 161
Day 1: 5 16-04
40. Dillon Harrell New Caney, TX 5 16-04 161
Day 1: 5 16-04
42. Michael Harlin Gravois Mills, MO 5 16-01 159
Day 1: 5 16-01
43. Cole Breeden Lebanon, MO 5 15-09 158
Day 1: 5 15-09
44. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 4 15-08 157
Day 1: 4 15-08
45. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 5 15-05 156
Day 1: 5 15-05
45. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 5 15-05 156
Day 1: 5 15-05
47. Matt Baker Glenwood, AR 5 14-15 154
Day 1: 5 14-15
47. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-15 154
Day 1: 5 14-15
47. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 14-15 154
Day 1: 5 14-15
50. Jay Nyce Rogers, AR 5 14-13 151
Day 1: 5 14-13
51. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 4 14-12 150
Day 1: 4 14-12
52. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 5 14-11 149
Day 1: 5 14-11
53. Tim Sprouse Clarksville, TN 5 14-04 148
Day 1: 5 14-04
54. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 14-03 147
Day 1: 5 14-03
55. Brian Post Janesville, WI 4 13-14 146
Day 1: 4 13-14
56. Evan Poroznik Nestleton Station Ontar 4 13-11 145
Day 1: 4 13-11
57. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 5 13-10 144
Day 1: 5 13-10
57. Pake South Winnsboro, TX 5 13-10 144
Day 1: 5 13-10
59. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 4 13-06 142
Day 1: 4 13-06
60. Rick Harris Jr Carlsbad, NM 5 13-04 141
Day 1: 5 13-04
61. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 13-02 140
Day 1: 5 13-02
62. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 12-13 139
Day 1: 5 12-13
63. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 12-12 138
Day 1: 5 12-12
64. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 4 12-12 137
Day 1: 4 12-12
65. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 12-07 136
Day 1: 5 12-07
66. Sammy Burks Jr Joplin, MO 5 12-06 135
Day 1: 5 12-06
67. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 12-04 134
Day 1: 5 12-04
68. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 12-03 133
Day 1: 5 12-03
69. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 3 12-02 132
Day 1: 3 12-02
70. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 4 11-15 131
Day 1: 4 11-15
71. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 4 11-13 130
Day 1: 4 11-13
71. Joey Teofilo Richmond Hill Ontario C 4 11-13 130
Day 1: 4 11-13
73. Jack York Emory, TX 3 11-11 128
Day 1: 3 11-11
74. Brock Bila Republic, MO 4 11-10 127
Day 1: 4 11-10
74. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 4 11-10 127
Day 1: 4 11-10
76. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 4 11-09 125
Day 1: 4 11-09
77. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 4 11-08 124
Day 1: 4 11-08
78. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 3 11-08 123
Day 1: 3 11-08
79. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 4 11-07 122
Day 1: 4 11-07
80. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 4 11-06 121
Day 1: 4 11-06
81. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 3 11-05 120
Day 1: 3 11-05
82. Doc Wootton Collierville, TN 4 11-04 119
Day 1: 4 11-04
83. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 4 11-02 118
Day 1: 4 11-02
84. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 3 11-01 117
Day 1: 3 11-01
85. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 4 10-14 116
Day 1: 4 10-14
86. Randy Millender Teague, TX 3 10-13 115
Day 1: 3 10-13
86. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 3 10-13 115
Day 1: 3 10-13
88. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 3 10-07 113
Day 1: 3 10-07
89. Isaac Peavyhouse Monroe, TN 4 10-06 112
Day 1: 4 10-06
90. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 3 10-04 111
Day 1: 3 10-04
91. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 3 10-02 110
Day 1: 3 10-02
92. Matt Wieteha Port St Lucie, FL 4 10-01 109
Day 1: 4 10-01
93. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 5 10-00 108
Day 1: 5 10-00
94. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 4 09-15 107
Day 1: 4 09-15
95. Dalton Smith Taylorsville, KY 2 09-15 106
Day 1: 2 09-15
96. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 4 09-12 105
Day 1: 4 09-12
97. Lane Olson Forest Grove, OR 2 09-11 104
Day 1: 2 09-11
98. Tommy Durham Whitney, TX 4 09-10 103
Day 1: 4 09-10
99. Matthew Kennedy Littlefork, MN 3 09-10 102
Day 1: 3 09-10
100. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 4 09-05 101
Day 1: 4 09-05
101. Bailey Gay Union, KY 3 09-05 100
Day 1: 3 09-05
102. Evan Barnes Dardanelle, AR 2 09-05 99
Day 1: 2 09-05
103. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 09-04 98
Day 1: 2 09-04
104. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 3 09-02 97
Day 1: 3 09-02
105. Seiji Kato Los Alamitos CA JAPAN 3 09-01 96
Day 1: 3 09-01
105. Chris Whitson Louisville, TN 3 09-01 96
Day 1: 3 09-01
107. Joe Lucarelli Benton, NH 3 08-15 94
Day 1: 3 08-15
108. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 4 08-14 93
Day 1: 4 08-14
109. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 3 08-12 92
Day 1: 3 08-12
109. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 3 08-12 92
Day 1: 3 08-12
111. Kyle Palmer Winchester, TN 2 08-12 90
Day 1: 2 08-12
112. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 2 08-11 89
Day 1: 2 08-11
113. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 3 08-10 88
Day 1: 3 08-10
114. John Murray Spring City, TN 3 08-09 87
Day 1: 3 08-09
115. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 3 08-08 86
Day 1: 3 08-08
116. Timothy Matt Lake Village, IN 3 08-07 85
Day 1: 3 08-07
117. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 3 08-06 84
Day 1: 3 08-06
118. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 3 08-05 83
Day 1: 3 08-05
119. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 3 07-13 82
Day 1: 3 07-13
120. Chase Carey Hoschton, GA 2 07-13 81
Day 1: 2 07-13
121. Christian Nash Allons, TN 2 07-10 80
Day 1: 2 07-10
122. Ron Johnson Skanee, MI 3 07-09 79
Day 1: 3 07-09
123. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 3 07-08 78
Day 1: 3 07-08
124. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 3 07-07 77
Day 1: 3 07-07
125. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 2 07-05 76
Day 1: 2 07-05
126. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 3 07-02 75
Day 1: 3 07-02
127. Kane Weekley Davie, FL 2 06-10 74
Day 1: 2 06-10
128. John Hammersmith Branson, MO 3 06-09 73
Day 1: 3 06-09
129. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 2 06-09 72
Day 1: 2 06-09
130. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 2 06-07 71
Day 1: 2 06-07
131. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 2 06-05 70
Day 1: 2 06-05
132. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 2 06-02 69
Day 1: 2 06-02
133. Joey Punko Broomfield, CO 1 05-10 68
Day 1: 1 05-10
134. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 2 05-09 67
Day 1: 2 05-09
134. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 2 05-09 67
Day 1: 2 05-09
136. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 2 05-07 65
Day 1: 2 05-07
137. Brandon Hightower Edgerton, KS 2 05-06 64
Day 1: 2 05-06
138. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 1 05-06 63
Day 1: 1 05-06
139. Tommy Parker Delano, MN 2 05-05 62
Day 1: 2 05-05
140. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 1 05-05 61
Day 1: 1 05-05
141. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 1 05-03 60
Day 1: 1 05-03
142. Drake Hemby Tallbot, TN 1 05-02 59
Day 1: 1 05-02
143. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 2 05-00 58
Day 1: 2 05-00
144. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 2 04-15 57
Day 1: 2 04-15
145. Curt Mcguire Jr Buchanan, TN 2 04-14 56
Day 1: 2 04-14
146. Derek Sandlin Mount Ida, AR 2 04-13 55
Day 1: 2 04-13
147. Cole Lamb Russellville, AR 1 04-13 54
Day 1: 1 04-13
147. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 1 04-13 54
Day 1: 1 04-13
149. Johno Roberts Golden, CO 2 04-12 52
Day 1: 2 04-12
150. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 2 04-08 51
Day 1: 2 04-08
150. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 2 04-08 51
Day 1: 2 04-08
152. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 1 04-08 49
Day 1: 1 04-08
153. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 2 04-07 48
Day 1: 2 04-07
154. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 1 04-07 47
Day 1: 1 04-07
155. Robert Davenport Brooksville, FL 2 04-06 46
Day 1: 2 04-06
156. Trent Holloway Groesbeck, TX 1 04-05 45
Day 1: 1 04-05
156. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 1 04-05 45
Day 1: 1 04-05
158. Joseph Titus Bemidji, MN 2 04-04 43
Day 1: 2 04-04
159. Ian Waterer East Selkirk CANADA 2 04-03 42
Day 1: 2 04-03
160. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 1 04-03 41
Day 1: 1 04-03
161. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 1 04-02 40
Day 1: 1 04-02
162. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 1 04-01 39
Day 1: 1 04-01
162. Troy O'Rourke Bentonville, AR 1 04-01 39
Day 1: 1 04-01
164. Caz Anderson Hayesville, NC 1 04-00 37
Day 1: 1 04-00
165. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 1 03-13 36
Day 1: 1 03-13
166. Satoshi Egawa Fort Lee, NJ 1 03-06 35
Day 1: 1 03-06
167. Ryan Thompson Seymour, MO 1 03-05 34
Day 1: 1 03-05
168. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 1 03-04 33
Day 1: 1 03-04
169. Jacob Welch Jefferson City, MO 1 03-02 32
Day 1: 1 03-02
170. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 1 03-01 31
Day 1: 1 03-01
171. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 1 03-00 30
Day 1: 1 03-00
172. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 1 02-15 29
Day 1: 1 02-15
172. Wade Werner II Portland, TN 1 02-15 29
Day 1: 1 02-15
174. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 1 02-12 27
Day 1: 1 02-12
174. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 1 02-12 27
Day 1: 1 02-12
176. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 1 02-11 25
Day 1: 1 02-11
176. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 1 02-11 25
Day 1: 1 02-11
178. Mark Condron Murfreesboro, TN 1 02-10 23
Day 1: 1 02-10
178. Angel Rosario Kalamazoo, MI 1 02-10 23
Day 1: 1 02-10
180. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 1 02-09 21
Day 1: 1 02-09
180. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 1 02-09 21
Day 1: 1 02-09
182. David Boelkins Waukesha, WI 1 02-07 19
Day 1: 1 02-07
182. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 1 02-07 19
Day 1: 1 02-07
182. Blake Schroeder Bullard, TX 1 02-07 19
Day 1: 1 02-07
185. Josh Pladies Belton, MO 1 02-06 16
Day 1: 1 02-06
186. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 1 02-05 15
Day 1: 1 02-05
186. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 1 02-05 15
Day 1: 1 02-05
188. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 1 02-03 13
Day 1: 1 02-03
189. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 1 02-01 12
Day 1: 1 02-01
189. Jacob Policka Twin Lake, MI 1 02-01 12
Day 1: 1 02-01
191. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 1 01-15 10
Day 1: 1 01-15
192. Shannon Abbott Louisville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Ryan Bass Royse city, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Drew Boggs Lebanon, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Tripp Bowman Princeton, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Kaden Casey Clarksville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Douglas Chapin Tigerton, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Connor Cunningham Springfield , MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Dewayne French Mammoth Spring, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jacob Lang Bullard, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jason Lieblong Conway, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Eli Lubbehusen Huntingburg, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Mike Mayo Athens, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jim Moynagh Outing, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Brian Neal Big Lake, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Kara Pasma Golden Valley, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Lucas Ragusa Gonzales, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Forrest Reasons Big Rock, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Brent Shores Savannah, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Jeremy Simmons Warsaw, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Kirk Stickler Eden, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Tim Tyndell Mineola, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
192. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 62 607 1993-00
------------------------------
62 607 1993-00
Palaniuk Gets Paid with Yamaha Power Pay
Bassmaster Elite Series pro cashes in with popular contingency program.
What a weekend it was in The Sunshine State.
With a multitude of environmental factors at play, Yamaha pro Brandon Palaniuk managed to catch 95 pounds, 4 ounces in the 2025 Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee enroute to winning his sixth coveted Elites Series trophy.
Once regarded as a young gun, the now-veteran fisherman has worked tirelessly to establish himself as a highly regarded professional angler and as skill would have it, the man just simply has “it.” When he pulls up to a tournament, his competition gets a bit more nervous. He is one of the best in the world, on and off the water.
He’s a force with whom to be reckoned and one of the several factors instrumental to his success has been the outboard motor at his back, a decision he made over 15 years ago.
Throughout Palaniuk’s career, he’s trusted a Yamaha outboard. You can accredit it to several different reason but when it all comes out in the wash, the reliability has been a major factor.
While long runs are often part of the game when it comes to high-level tournaments, that wasn’t the case on Lake Okeechobee for Palaniuk. Reliability reigned and he was able to fish until the very last minute because of the confidence he had in his Yamaha 250-horsepower V MAX SHO.
“I wasn’t traveling long distances, but I was running up a river,” Palaniuk said. “I was purposefully cautious throughout my morning runs because the crappie anglers were everywhere. They have every right to be there just like me, so I had to make sure I wasn’t messing them up because I know they want to have a fun day of fishing. I had to be very careful and respectful. But after that very short run, I was pretty much putting the trolling motor down and fishing all day long. After I had loaded my Skeeter livewells, I’d come straight back to the launch at the end of the day and weigh my fish.”
This strategy worked flawlessly and was made plain by the confidence in his outboard motor. Palaniuk knew that he could fish to the very last second of each competition day because when he turned the key, he knew his SHO would fire and provide the performance he has come to expect.
“When you sit in that seat and you’re looking for a last-minute cull it’s essential you have the confidence in your outboard to make those moves,” Palaniuk said. “I’m a man of conviction and I have run a Yamaha for the entirety of my professional bass-fishing career. When you sit down into that driver’s seat to check out another nearby area or run back to the boat ramp, you have to know that your outboard is going to do what you need it to do.”
On top of his win, Palaniuk earned an additional $4,000 check from the Yamaha Power Pay program for being the highest finishing angler running an eligible Yamaha motor. He has long been sold on the performance, dependability and fuel mileage of these outboards… the Power Pay bonus is the icing on the cake.
Thankfully you don’t have to be a full-time pro like Palaniuk to benefit from your Yamaha. There are hundreds of collegiate, amateur and semi-pro tournament trails sanctioned by Power Pay. But you do have to make sure you are registered to be eligible. It’s free to register and anglers don’t have to place first in their tournament to cash in on the Power Pay money. To learn more, please visit https://yamahapowerpay.com/.
Cold Mornings be Danged, Scroggins Has a Plan
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota pro Terry Scroggins looks to battle cold morning temperatures on Lake Murray this week.
With millions in earnings over his storied career, Team Toyota pro Terry Scroggins is looking forward to a slugfest at Lake Murray this week. While the Florida pro is most comfortable flipping and pitching shallow vegetation, the rapidly warming water temperatures have him thinking about several different strategies.
“I think this is going to be a mainly pre-spawn deal, to be honest,” Scroggins said. “There are a bunch of fish pulling up shallow right now. At the start of practice, the water temperature was 49 degrees but the last I saw it was 56 degrees. That is a huge change when you think about the behavior of a largemouth bass. It has been super cold throughout the mornings, but I think once that water warms up in the afternoon, the bite is going to go crazy.”
Lake Murray has been recently known as a big-bass factory. Its propensity for big bass comes in a variety of ways and the local weights have been extremely impressive. 20-plus bags for a five-fish limit are a normal thing on Lake Murray and it has Scroggins excited for what may be to come.
“It just seems like they always bite here,” Scroggins said. “They just bite all the time. Whether they’re shallow or deep, they live here. With the weather getting right and everything getting warmer, I’d bet you my bottom dollar that the fish will be chomping. Whether you like to beat the bank or chase offshore fish, I truly believe everyone will have a chance to catch ‘em doing what they like to do most.”
The bottom-end of the fishery tends to hold the most vegetation right now. While you might think a Florida-based angler like Scroggins would be most comfortable fishing shallow grass, he is keeping an open mind, and all options are fair game.
“This event could be won in a variety of ways,” Scroggins said. “You could crank, throw a topwater plug or pitch grass and it wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever. The world is waking up and it just seems like the bass are biting just about anything you throw at ‘em. Those cold mornings are a little bit of a booger but once the sun warms up that water, you’re good as gold and everything seems to start getting active.”
The Team Toyota pro has had a mixed practice which means several different strategies have produced bites and coming off his solid Harris Chain performance, he is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming event.
“This lake is really good,” Scroggins said. “And I mean that. This is a super-good fishery, and the bass are really getting right with the springtime feel in the air. But the biggest key is going to be figuring out quality from quantity. There are a lot of small buck bass up there right now but as you know, we’re not in the business of that. I have to find the big females. There will be some giants biting somewhere.”
This is, or can be, a magical time of year. Big females that have been deep all year are moving shallow to do their yearly duty and you can bet that Scroggins will be waiting to intercept them.
Expect a springtime slugfest at first B.A.S.S. Nation event of the season
March 5, 2025
FLORENCE, Ala. — If you ask Jimmy Washam, Pickwick Lake is as healthy as it has been in a while. It has taken 30 pounds to win almost every winter tournament the Tennessee pro has fished there this year. A 20-pound bag didn’t even land anglers in the Top 10.
That is good news for anglers competing in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Pickwick Lake presented by Lowrance.
“The average size of the bass is as good as I’ve seen it in the 20-plus years I’ve fished the lake,” the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro said. “I’ve heard a lot of grumbling and people talking about (how) the numbers in the lake are struggling, and to me that is absolutely not the case. It is as healthy as it has ever been. The population of threadfin and gizzards is unbelievable too.”
Tournament days are scheduled for March 12-14 in Florence, Ala. Pickwick as well as Wilson Lake will be inbounds. Competitors will launch from McFarland Park each day starting at 7 a.m. and will return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The top finishers will earn a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, to be held on the Upper Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis., Oct. 22-25.
Pickwick Lake has been one of the top destinations in the Southeast for some time now. The Tennessee River reservoir has hosted every level of competition B.A.S.S. has to offer, from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft all the way up to the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.
The last time it hosted an event during the spring, Bill Lowen claimed his first Elite Series title after heavy rains brought the lake level up in 2021. What spring rains do to the reservoir will be the X factor, Washam said. If stable conditions prevail, however, Washam expects prespawn largemouth and smallmouth to be feasting.
“March is one of my favorite months for big fish. The only hiccup you have is the weather is changing. But if things line up, it could be the best time to be on Pickwick. You’ll have a lot of staging female largemouth that are deciding that it is time to feed up and make the transition to the spawning areas.”
For smallmouth, Washam expects the Wilson Dam tailrace to be a popular area. Depending on the conditions, the brown fish could be in all stages of the spawn.
Washam believes good bags of green fish can be caught anywhere on the lake, from the Wilson Dam to the Pickwick Dam. Main-lake and secondary points as well as gravel bars will hold bass this time of year. Largemouth that move shallow will hang around any type of hard cover like laydowns, stumps and rock.
Isolated grassbeds could also come into play, although Washam said the grass coverage on Pickwick was not as impressive this past year as it usually is.
“I don’t think the grass will be as significant as what people [suspect],” he said.
A lipless bait like a Profound Outdoors Azuma Shaker Z will be a popular choice for anglers, Washam said, as well as a crankbait, a jighead minnow and a jerkbait.
Visit Florence is hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Lippert joins as presenting sponsor of Progressive Bassmaster Classic Tailgate
March 5, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is proud to announce the return of the Progressive Bassmaster Classic Tailgate and the addition of Lippert, a leading supplier of premium RV, towing and marine products designed to enhance your outdoor recreation adventures, as the Tailgate experience’s presenting sponsor.
The Progressive Bassmaster Classic Tailgate presented by Lippert will take place in conjunction with the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour and will include an experiential activation including cornhole and ladder ball games, product giveaways and caricature artists Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The crown jewel of the Tailgate will be the stage of the Bassmaster LIVE set, featuring host Tommy Sanders, who will be broadcasting live as the Classic contenders compete on nearby Lake Ray Roberts for the Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic Trophy.
“We’re excited for Lippert to come on board as presenting sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic Tailgate,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “Bass fishing fans from all over will be experiencing the best in recreational vehicle products and accessories in an exciting and fun atmosphere designed to showcase Lippert’s broad lineup of ... what else? Essential tailgating gear for RV, camping and water sports enthusiasts!”
Lippert will follow up their Classic participation by signing on as the presenting sponsor of a regular-season Elite event. With this sponsorship, Lippert is reinforcing its commitment to the outdoor and fishing communities. As a premier outdoor brand serving the RV, marine and automotive industries, Lippert continues to innovate and support those who live life on the water and the road.
“The Bassmaster Classic is the pinnacle event for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts, and we’re honored to be the presenting sponsor (of the Tailgate),” said Lippert Chief Marketing Officer Jarod Lippert. “At Lippert, we’re committed to delivering premium products that enhance every aspect of the outdoor experience — whether that’s on the water, on the road or at the campsite. With CURT and Lewmar alongside us, we’re excited to connect with attendees and showcase how our brands support their adventures and way of life.”
Joining Lippert at the Progressive Bassmaster Classic Tailgate presented by Lippert are CURT, a leader in towing solutions, and Lewmar, a trusted name in marine anchoring and docking systems. Together, these brands will showcase products that enhance the outdoor lifestyle, from seamless towing experiences to premium marine equipment. Attendees can engage with the Lippert family of brands and explore the innovations designed to support their passions.
About LCI Industries
LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), through its Lippert subsidiary, is a global leader in supplying engineered components to the outdoor recreation and transportation markets. We believe our innovative culture, advanced manufacturing capabilities and dedication to enhancing the customer experience have established Lippert as a reliable partner for both OEM and aftermarket customers. For more information, visit lippert.com.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
Garmin introduces new Force Pro trolling motor
Next-gen Force Pro combines legendary power with superior anchor lock performance, innovative reverse thrust control and more to maximize anglers’ time on the water
OLATHE, Kan./March 5, 2025/PR Newswire — Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer, today announced Force® Pro – a brushless trolling motor engineered with extreme power and Garmin’s most precise GPS positioning technology. It gives anglers everything they love about Force, now with multi-band GPS for superior anchor lock performance and a built-in GT56UHD, Garmin’s latest and most powerful Ultra High-Definition scanning transducer. Force Pro also adds reverse thrust capability which adds another dimension of control, useful for anglers slowing the boat or backing up through tight quarters, like creeks or dock slips.
“Garmin Force has quickly become a trusted name in trolling motors for professional and recreational anglers all over the world. By adding premium features like our most advanced positioning technology with fishing-friendly enhancements like reverse thrust, we’re excited to offer anglers a trolling motor that’s second to none and continue to grow our presence in this market.”
–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing
“After running the Force Pro, I can tell you that it’s everything I want in a trolling motor and more. The anchor lock and reverse thrust features are true game changers.”
–Jason Christie, former Bassmaster Classic Champion and Garmin Pro Angler
Legendary power and reverse thrust capability
Force Pro features a brushless motor that uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust1. It can move anglers quickly from one dock or brush pile to the next, standing up to high winds and strong currents along the way. Now with reverse thrust control, anglers can quickly shift into reverse to control their boat without spinning the motor around. It’s whisper quiet, too, so the fish are less likely to notice. Thanks to its extreme efficiency, anglers can count on Force Pro to last all day while maintaining its power with minimal sonar interference.
Outstanding anchor lock performance
Utilizing multi-band GPS signal reception and an integrated heading sensor, Force Pro delivers superior performance when in anchor lock or while following a route or heading hold, allowing anglers to position their boat more precisely near brush piles, schools of fish, channel breaks and more.
Force Pro is optimized for anchor lock—with the push of a button, anglers can automatically position the boat where they want to be. In calm conditions, the new reverse thrust feature can reduce steering activity and noise levels. In rough waters or windy conditions, Force Pro utilizes the full range of its powerful brushless motor to deliver superior anchor lock performance.
Fish with Force
- Force Pro offers built-in sonar integration with an included GT56UHD, Garmin’s premium all-in-one scanning transducer that delivers Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar along with CHIRP traditional sonar for brilliant image clarity of structure and fish below and to the sides of the boat.
- Wireless integration with Garmin chartplotters allows anglers to create routes, patterns and tracks for the trolling motor to follow while they fish.
- Connect Force Pro to a compatible Garmin smartwatch to control steering, anchor lock and more, right from the wrist.
- Anglers can fish in low light and know at-a-glance what direction they’re headed thanks to the lighted indicator on the trolling motor shaft cap.
- With the included foot pedal or wireless remote, anglers can control of the Force Pro with Garmin’s simple point-and-go gesture steering.
- Rugged and durable, all Force Pro components—including the sturdy composite shaft and reinforced pull cable—are built to endure hard marine environments with advanced corrosion and saltwater protection.
- Add an optional LiveScope™ transducer for award-winning live sonar; Force Pro is designed for easy installation of the full line of LiveScope live sonar transducers.
The Force Pro trolling motor is debuting at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth, Texas, March 21-23, where it will be on display in booth #512. It’s available now with a scissor-style mount, built-in GT56UHD transducer and choice of 50- or 57-inch shaft lengths for $3999.99 and $4099.99, respectively. A weedless and high-efficiency propeller are also included and can be easily swapped as needed. The Force Pro is backed by a 3-year limited warranty and a lifetime limited warranty on the shaft, along with support through an ever-increasing servicing dealer network.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for anglers, sailors, mariners and boat enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing the most innovative, highest quality, and easiest to use marine electronics the industry has ever known, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For the tenth consecutive year, Garmin was named the Manufacturer of the Year by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminfishhunt on social, or follow the Garmin blog.
1In compliance with ISO standard 13342 for forward thrust only.
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About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Force are registered trademarks and LiveScope is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/en-US/company/investors/earnings/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
MEDIA CONTACT: Carly Hysell // 913-397-8200 // media.relations@garmin.com
NPFL Cancels Day 1 at Santee Cooper
SANTEE, S.C. — The National Professional Fishing League has canceled Day 1 of the Strike King NPFL Stop One at Santee Cooper Lakes due to unsafe weather conditions. The bass tournament was scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 6, but will now start on Friday, March 7, and run through Sunday, March 9.
The decision was made after tournament officials reviewed reports from the National Weather Service and other sources calling for high winds on Thursday coming from directions that make for unsafe boating conditions.
“Our commitment is to the safety and well-being of our anglers,” said NPFL president Brad Fuller. “Here at the Santee Cooper lakes, wind velocity and direction can combine to create dangerous conditions. This is a legendary fishery and part of the reason for that is the amount of cover and structure in the water. Boat traffic must stay within certain lanes to be safe, and high winds from certain directions can wreak havoc. We will not subject our anglers to that. Instead, we anticipate that the tournament will begin on Friday and run through Sunday.”
Weigh-ins will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET at the John C. Land Boat Ramp in Summerton, South Carolina, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and can be viewed online at the NPFL website (TheNationalProfessionalFishingLeague.com) and on YouTube. A live band and food trucks are scheduled to be on site where fans can meet and talk with the pros.
Livestream coverage of the event with Luke Dunkin and Fat Cat Newton will be available online on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.
About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.
Media Contact: Ken Duke — (407) 574-1898 or ken@tnpfl.com.