AnglersChannel

16th Annual High School Fishing National Championship and World Finals Set to Take Place Next Week on Grand Lake

Prestigious High School Fishing National Championship to offer more than $3.8M in scholarships and prizes to student anglers

GROVE, Okla. (June 17, 2025) – The 16th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship – the world’s premier high school fishing event – is set to take place at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, next week, June 25-27. Teams from nearly every U.S. state and multiple foreign countries are set to compete for a share of the record-setting prize pool in high school bass fishing, with the total amount of scholarships and prizes totaling over $3.8 million dollars, according to The Bass Federation (TBF) Student Angler Federation (SAF).

Each High School team consists of three people to a boat – two High School Fishing anglers and their adult boat captain or coach. The 2025 High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship, hosted by the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau , are set to bring an estimated 3,000 people to Grand Lake and Grove, Oklahoma, for the week-long event.

“We live and breathe fishing in Grove, Oklahoma, and to host a world-class championship of this caliber with student anglers from around the world is an honor,” said Brent Malone, Grove Convention & Tourism Director. “Our town is super excited for the 2025 High School World Final Championship that will be held at Wolf Creek Park. We have hosted thousands of tournaments in past years, but when you get to showcase our lake and community to families from all over the country you get excited to roll out the red carpet. We will be ready and prepared to make these student anglers feel at home in our wonderful community.”

Student anglers will launch each day at 5:30 a.m. CT (or first safe light) from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th St. in Grove. Weigh-ins will also be held at Wolf Creek Park and will begin at 1:30 p.m. each day. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event live online through weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at HighSchoolFishing.org .

The event is held in conjunction with the High School Fishing World Finals – open to all Student Angler Federation (SAF) members worldwide – the largest and most competitive tournament in high school fishing. At the same time, on the dual-stage, the top 10% of teams from all SAF-sanctioned events over the past year – including the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens Presented by Tackle Warehouse – will also battle it out in the prestigious High School Fishing National Championship, boasting its own set of prizes and scholarships that top more than $500,000. These qualified teams are automatically entered into both events, giving them double the opportunity to win from a combined prize pool in a single trip.

In addition to the college scholarships and prizes offered, the High School Fishing National Champions will also advance to compete as co-anglers at the 2025 MLF Toyota Series Championship, held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and a shot at the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Columbia PFG, Deep Dive, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PiranhO2, 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 HighSchoolFishing.org. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow High School Fishing on Facebook and on 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.

by AnglersChannel

Potomac River Set to Host MLF Bass Pro Tour Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Athletic Brewing

A stacked field of 66 top pro anglers to compete for top prize of $150,000, all four days of competition live streamed at MajorLeagueFishing.com

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (June 17, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour (BPT) is set to continue its season next week, June 26-29, in Marbury, Maryland, with the sixth regular-season tournament of the year – the Zenni Stage 6 at the Potomac River Presented by Athletic Brewing .

Hosted by the Charles County Government, Dept. of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, the four-day event will feature 66 of the top professional anglers in the world competing for a $150,000 top prize, a share of the $6.49 million season purse, and valuable AOY points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

The tournament will feature numerous top pros and fan favorites, including reigning Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) and nine-time BPT champion Jacob Wheeler, back-to-back REDCREST 2024 & 2025 Champion Dustin Connell, Ott DeFoe, Skeet Reese, Edwin Evers and more. The tournament will feature 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. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on Discovery.

Although the Potomac River has long played host to numerous MLF events across different circuits, this event will mark the first time that the MLF’s top circuit, the Bass Pro Tour, has visited the historic fishery. Few anglers in the 66-angler field know the historic tidal fishery better than Abu Garcia pro Justin Lucas. The Alabama pro owns a previous Tour-level victory on the Potomac in 2016 and he fully expects the river to showcase its classic early-summer form.

“I think this one is going to be standard postspawn Potomac River grass fishing,” Lucas said. “Everything’s going to be related to grass, whether it’s low tide or high tide. Docks and wood might play a little bit, but to catch numbers like our format calls for, you’re going to have to find the biggest populations on the grass flats.”

With fewer boats in the BPT format than previous major events on the Potomac, Lucas hopes the fishery may feel a bit more open.

“I’m hoping with 66 people it’ll fish a little bigger than it normally does with 100-plus boat fields. But the reality is, it’s still a place where it’s hard to hide,” he said. “If you see someone catch one in practice, you instantly know there’s fish there, and that draws guys to the same areas. Some anglers might find something in the back of a creek where they’re a little more hidden, but the question is whether that can hold up over four days.”

When it comes to baits, Lucas is leaning into tried-and-true grass weapons.

“I’ll definitely have a wacky-rigged (Berkley PowerBait) MaxScent 5-inch General tied on – no doubt that’s going to play,” he said. “I’ll also have a Berkley Swamp Lord frog, and then you’ll see some topwater, soft plastics, and probably a few vibrating jigs or swimjigs mixed in.”

As for weights, Lucas predicts plenty of fish catches – and some strong totals. He added that the timing of the event may benefit the field.

“I think a solid day will be somewhere around 20 to 40 fish,” he said. “I’d guess something like 40 pounds a day will be pretty solid, and maybe 70 or 80 pounds leading. There haven’t been any really big tournaments here yet this year. It hasn’t been hammered yet, so that should help the fishing.”

Ultimately, Lucas believes success next week will come down to managing tides and timing.

“Maximizing your time on the tides will be key,” he said. “When your window’s gone, you’re going to have to move more than you might in a five-fish format. You’re not going to be able to afford to just wait them out in this one.”

Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from Smallwood State Park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury, Maryland. The takeout will be held at the same location beginning at 3:45 p.m. daily. 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 Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism is excited to welcome Major League Fishing back to our county for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour", said Ashley Chenault, Chief of Tourism for the Charles County Government, Dept. of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. "This year, we are partnering with Major League Fishing on a family-friendly event, which will provide a fantastic opportunity for anglers and guests to explore our beautiful local parks, shop at our unique businesses, and experience the charm of our community."

On Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Village Green Park, located at 100 Walter Thomas Road in Indian Head, Maryland for the Hooked! on the Potomac Festival and MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free dessert, enter to win giveaways, listen to live music from country music artist Megan Barker, and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day. The event also includes a youth casting contest. The Bass Pro Tour anglers, along with the PAW Patrol’s Skye and Marshall, will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The Zenni Stage 6 at the Potomac River Presented by Athletic Brewing will feature anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce 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.

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 heaviest 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 the top prize of $150,000.

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.

Television coverage of the Zenni Stage 6 at the Potomac River Presented by Athletic Brewing will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 1 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Saturday, Nov. 8. 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 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota and Zenni.

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.

by AnglersChannel

The NPFL Announces Military Classic: A Tournament by Veterans, for Veterans

WILKESVILLE, OHIO–The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) is honored to announce the upcoming NPFL Military Classic, a tournament designed by veterans, for veterans. This event embodies the "NPFL Way"—a commitment to excellence, community, and giving back.

The Military Classic is purpose-built to serve those who have served our nation. It offers a platform for veterans and active-duty service members to connect, compete, and find camaraderie through the shared passion of bass fishing.

"This tournament is more than a competition; it's our way of honoring the sacrifices made by our military brothers and sisters," said NPFL President Brad Fuller. "We're excited for the opportunity to give back and provide an environment where veterans can thrive."

Adding to the excitement, the NPFL is proud to announce a commitment from Lew's American Hero® Program as a supporting partner. The American Hero® Program pledges a portion of profits from the sale of every American Hero® rod, reel, and combo to support programs that benefit military veterans in their return to enjoying recreational opportunities outdoors, such as fishing. For more, visit lews.com.

The NPFL is currently coordinating with additional sponsors and partners to bring this vision to life. Full event details, including location, format and registration, will be released in the near future.

The Military Classic will be 100% centered around bringing back a meaningful, impactful experience for our veteran and active-duty community through the sport of bass fishing.

About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League 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.

For sponsorship or involvement inquiries, please contact Brad Fuller at [email protected].

by AnglersChannel

Malvern’s Huneycutt Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Dardanelle

Waldron’s Defoor Tops Co-Angler Division

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Kyle Huneycutt of Malvern, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Dardanelle. The tournament, hosted by Russellville Tourism, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. Huneycutt earned $4,642 for his victory.

Huneycutt, who drives a train for a living, describes himself as “just a country boy that loves to fish.” He’s had a passion for fishing for years, but as sometimes happens in life, he wasn’t always able to pursue it the way he wanted.

“I’ve only been doing this for two years as a boater,” he said. “I didn’t own a fishing pole for 15 years.”
Now, he’s making up for lost time. Huneycutt caught all his fish on an awesome frog bite.

“I’m not gonna lie to you, I should’ve had about 22 or 23 (pounds). I lost some big ones,” he said. “The place I was at, if you go back over there right now, you could catch another 20 pounds off of it.”

He found the spot on Friday in practice, after two long and mostly fruitless days leading up to it. The key stretch was about 30 yards long, with emergent grass out in front of some flooded timber. He said the grass grew up out of the water, tumbled over and created a sort of canopy that in some areas kept his frog from even splashing the surface of the water. But that didn’t keep the bass from finding it.

“I was throwing a Booyah popping frog in brown,” he said. “It (the grass) was about a boat-length all the way around the bank. I was having to throw the frog up on top of that. Half of my fish came on bites when the frog wasn’t even in the water. It was unbelievable.”

Working back and forth in circles, Huneycutt had no reason to leave. He knew there were more fish moving in because he could hear them busting back in the timber. Because he couldn’t get to the timber, he stayed patient and let the fish work their way out to him. The only thing that kept him from catching a real mega-bag was losing a pair of 5-pound-class fish. Even still, it was such an incredible bite that Huneycutt was ecstatic about his day.

“It was so awesome, man. It was so awesome.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Kyle Huneycutt, Malvern, Ark., five bass, 19-4, $4,642
2nd:      Brandon Lee, Ratcliff, Ark., five bass, 18-3, $2,041
3th:        Bobby Ammons, Waldron, Ark., five bass, 17-11, $1,362
4th:        Justin Howard, Austin, Ark., five bass, 16-13, $952
5th:        Bryan Hunt, Water Valley, Miss., five bass, 16-2, $816
6th:        Mike Rhinehart, Pottsville, Ark., five bass, 16-1, $748
7th:        Matt Tucker, Pottsville, Ark., five bass, 15-15, $680
8th:        Leland Nixon, Bee Branch, Ark., five bass, 15-14, $612
9th:        Zach King, Clarksville, Ark., five bass, 15-13, $544
10th:     Cody McEntire, Walnut Ridge, Ark, five bass, 15-12, $476

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Huneycutt caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $560.

Blake Defoor of Waldron, Arkansas, won the co-angler division and $2,041 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 1 ounce.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Blake Defoor, Waldron, Ark., three bass, 9-1, $2,041
2nd:       Stephen Simms, Hot Springs, Ark., three bass, 8-15, $1,021
3rd:       Michael Brown, Arkadelphia, Ark., three bass, 8-6, $683
4th:        Eli Garrison, Ward, Ark., three bass, 8-0, $476
5th:        Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., three bass, 7-13, $408
6th:        Dustin Schluterman, Alexander, Ark., two bass, 7-11, $374
7th:        Zach Oliver, Coal Hill, Ark., two bass, 7-10, $340
8th:        Koby Gooden, North Little Rock, Ark., three bass, 7-0, $306
9th:        Rick Habarka, Conway, Ark., three bass, 6-14, $272
10th:     Marlin Tice, Jonesboro, Ark., three bass, 6-12, $238

Chad Nolan of Muldrow, Oklahoma, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $280, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Brian Bean of Hot Springs, Arkansas, now leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 947 points, while Michael Brown of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 951 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Arkie Division anglers will be held Sept. 20-21, at Lake Hamilton out of Hot Springs, 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, 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.

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 Sport 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.

by AnglersChannel

Iowa’s Dvorak Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Mississippi River Presented by Lew’s

La Crosse’s McKittrick Tops Co-Angler Division

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Devon Dvorak of Keystone, Iowa, 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 the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien Presented by Lew’s. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Great Lakes Division. Dvorak earned $3,553 for his victory.

Having to turn to Plan B right away wound up being a pretty good way to start the day for Dvorak.

“I had planned on locking down to Pool 11, and I ran down to the bottom of 10 and there was a barge sitting in the lock,” he said. “So I slid off the side of the channel and fished a spot that we had some fish last week. I never got a bite in the whole area. Then I got down to a part that we hadn’t fished last week and caught a 3-pounder, 3 1/2 and 4 out of one little spot.”

Dvorak added another around 2 1/2, giving him close to 14 pounds by the time the barge cleared the lock. From there, he locked through to 11 and caught a good one on a SPRO Bronzeye Frog right off the bat. He was able to cull the 2 1/2 out for a 3-pound smallmouth, which he caught on a Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer, and that got him to his final weight. He caught more fish throughout the day, but nothing that helped.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Devon Dvorak, Keystone, Iowa, five bass, 17-0, $3,553
2nd:       Ryan Doty, Galena, Ill., five bass, 16-13, $2,232
3rd:       Adam Crigger, Le Claire, Iowa, five bass, 16-4, $1,185
4th:        Clayton Reitz, Morton, Ill., five bass, 16-1, $829
5th:        Maddox Cejka, Prairie Du Chien, Wis., five bass, 15-14, $711
6th:        Hunter Litchfield, Macomb, Ill., five bass, 15-13, $651
7th:        Wyatt Becker, West Salem, Wis., five bass, 15-10, $592
8th:        Austin Brimeyer, Dubuque, Iowa, five bass, 15-9, $533
9th:        Rob Leidholdt, Milton, Wis., five bass, 15-5, $474
10th:     Derek Ehrhardt, Elkader, Iowa, five bass, 15-1, $415

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Ryan Doty of Galena, Illinois, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $455.

Nolan McKittrick of La Crosse, Wisconsin, won the co-angler division and $1,777 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 10 pounds, 5 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Nolan McKittrick, La Crosse, Wis., three bass, 10-5, $1,777
2nd:       Thomas Bridges, Kankakee, Ill., three bass, 9-12, $938
3rd:       Jeff Ripp, Sparta, Wis., three bass, 9-4, $592
4th:        Blake Miller, Cedar Falls, Iowa, three bass, 9-2, $415
5th:        Wil Plank, Holmen, Wis., three bass, 8-15, $355
6th:        Danny Mancini, Necedah, Wis., three bass, 8-14, $326
7th:        Timothy Wittren, Ontario, Wis., three bass, 8-12, $266
7th:        Mark Folsom, Waterville, Iowa, three bass, 8-12, $266
7th:        Sean Ricker, Springfield, Ill., three bass, 8-12, $266
10th:     Art Gneuhs, Plainfield, Ill., three bass, 8-9, $207

Brad Parent of Oakdale, Minnesota, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $227, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, Wyatt Becker of West Salem, Wisconsin, now leads the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 734 points, while Timothy Wittren of Ontario, Wisconsin, leads the Fishing Clash Great Lakes Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 714 points.

The next event for BFL Great Lakes Division anglers will be held Sept. 22, on the Wolf River Chain of Lakes out of Winneconne, Wisconsin. 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 the Mississippi River out of Quad Cities, Illinois. 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.

by AnglersChannel

Kansan Sloan Flips Bushes to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Truman Lake Presented by Witch Doctor Tackle

Kansan Lay Tops Co-Angler Division

WARSAW, Mo. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Kenny Sloan of Gaylord, Kansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Truman Lake Presented by Witch Doctor Tackle. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Sloan earned $3,979 for his victory.

Sloan recently relocated to north-central Kansas to train bird dogs and spend his fall hunting quail, but he’s fished Truman Lake his entire life. His experienced helped him deal with pressured fish and water that is around 9 feet high.

“It was really good today,” he said. “I had eight keepers. I culled twice. I stayed in the Grand River arm, which is what I usually fish, for the most part. I have my whole life.”

He kept his presentation simple, flipping Texas-rigged soft plastics around flooded bushes.

“I’ve got points and spots that I typically fish, and I just kind of went over that stuff and moved around. The pressure was real bad today with all the people. I went up the Grand River arm quite a ways to get away from all the pressure, and that’s where I caught several of my fish.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Kenny Sloan, Gaylord, Kan., five bass, 17-12, $3,979
2nd:       Oliver Siebert, Fenton, Mo., five bass, 16-0, $1,940
3rd:       Marcus Sykora, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 15-10, $1,793 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th:        Nathan Portell, Festus, Mo., five bass, 15-5, $1,162
5th:        Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 14-15, $776
6th:        Brock Reinkemeyer, Warsaw, Mo., five bass, 14-5, $711
7th:        Andres Jackson, Crystal City, Mo., five bass, 13-8, $647
8th:        Lance Williams, Billings, Mo., five bass, 13-7, $582
9th:        Shane Long, Willard, Mo., five bass, 13-3, $517
10th:     Kyle Alsop, Overland Park, Kan., five bass, 13-0, $453

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Nathan Portell of Festus, Missouri, and Alex Avery of West Plains, Missouri, each caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 11 ounces, earning them a tie for the Berkley Big Bass Boater award. They each took home $257 for their share of the prize.

Joseph Lay of Gardner, Kansas, won the co-angler division and $1,940 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Joseph Lay, Gardner, Kan., three bass, 9-6, $1,940
2nd:       Matt Zimmerly, Hillsboro, Mo., two bass, 9-0, $1,227
3rd:       Dennis Spell, Bonne Terre, Mo., three bass, 8-15, $696
4th:        Thad Hewitt, Delaware, Okla., three bass, 8-10, $520
4th:        Ryan Doel, Springfield, Mo., three bass, 8-10, $420
6th:        Roy Bradford, Ashland, Mo., three bass, 8-9, $356
7th:        Donald Pailer, Arnold, Mo., three bass, 8-3, $291
7th:        Bobbie Green, Greenwood, Mo., three bass 8-3, , $291
7th:        Stephen Babcock, Belton, Mo., three bass, 8-3, $291
10th:     Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., three bass, 8-2, $226

Matt Zimmerly of Hillsboro, Missouri, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $257, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Eric Olliverson of Shell Knob, Missouri, now leads the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 976 points, while Dennis Spell of Bonne Terre, Missouri, leads the Fishing Clash Ozark Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 956 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Ozark Division anglers will be held Sept. 13-14, 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.

by AnglersChannel

Norton’s Oldham Gets the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Mosquito Lake Presented by Lew’s

Troy’s Blinn Tops Co-Angler Division

CORTLAND, Ohio. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Trevor Oldham of Norton, Ohio, caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Mosquito Lake Presented by Lew’s . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Buckeye Division. Oldham earned $11,456, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Oldham estimates that he and his co-angler partner, Vernell Day, combined to catch about 60 fish, but they had to sort through a bunch of shorts to find the better-quality bites. They rotated through 15 or so areas throughout the day.

“I know the lake pretty darn well, so we kind of were running and gunning for the first bit in the morning, just trying to get a feel for the day,” Oldham said. “Then I kind of settled in and rotated like four different areas where we were getting a little better bites.”

His best area wound up being a 200-yard stretch of stumps in 8 to 12 feet of water where he’d fished during a local tournament the week before.

“Basically, we found one area that had hard bottom and stumps and pretty much caught three good fish there,” he said. “I caught a 5-7 there, a 4-pounder and a high 3, and that was pretty much the anchor of the bag.

“For me, the stump bite doesn’t really get going ’til a little bit later in the morning. So we actually started fishing on some bluegills beds and some hard spots, more shallow grass line kind of stuff (in the morning).”

Oldham relied on a pair of jigs. He used a 1/2-ounce football head and a 1/2-ounce pitching jig. He also caught one key fish on a minnow bait.

“That was about it,” he added. “I keep it pretty simple out there.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Trevor Oldham, Norton, Ohio, five bass, 16-4, $11,456 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF COntingency Bonus)
2nd:      Pat Upthagrove, Monroe, Mich., five bass, 14-5, $1,963
3th:        Larry Freeman, Waynesburg, Pa., five bass, 12-15, $1,309
4th:        Corey Johnson, Tipp City, Ohio, five bass, 12-8, $916
5th:        Jack Dalzell, Elyria, Ohio, five bass, 11-15, $752
5th:        Seth Fricke, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 11-15, $852
7th:        Joel Berelsman, Minster, Ohio, five bass, 11-12, $654
8th:        Travis Millard, Carlisle, Ohio, five bass, 11-8, $589
9th:        Roy Lester, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 11-7, $523
10th:     David Hoheisel, Westerville, Ohio, five bass, 10-12, $458

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Oldham caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $530.

Brian Blinn of Troy, Ohio, won the co-angler division and $1,963 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Brian Blinn, Troy, Ohio, three bass, 9-3, $1,963
2nd:      Mark Conner, North Canton, Ohio, three bass, 7-15, $1,246
3rd:       Austin Brock, West Chester, Ohio, three bass, 7-13, $655
4th:        Eric McKean, New Philadelphia, Ohio, three bass, 7-10, $458
5th:        Ryan Sykes, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 7-9, $526
5th:        Kenneth Ritchie, Trenton, Ohio, three bass, 7-9, $376
7th:        Edward Seiler, Lancaster, Ohio, three bass, 7-7, $327
8th:        David Prater, Franklin, Ohio, three bass, 7-5, $278
8th:        Thomas (Tom) Illar Jr., Hyde Park, Pa., three bass, 7-5, $278
10th:     Ryan Rich, Eaton, Ohio, three bass, 7-1, $229

Mark Conner of North Canton, Ohio, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $265, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Seth Fricke of Oxford, Ohio, now leads the Fishing Clash Buckeye Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 479 points, while Jesse Foster of Franklin, Ohio, leads the Fishing Clash Buckeye Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 470 points.

The next event for BFL Buckeye Division anglers will be held July 19, at the Ohio River-Tanners Creek out of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. 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 Erie out of Sandusky, Ohio. 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.

by AnglersChannel

27-Year-Old Knight Wins His First at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes

Tennessee’s Nolen Tops Co-Angler Division

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Clint Knight of Russellville, Kentucky, caught a three-bass limit weighing 15 pounds Saturday 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 third event of the season for the BFL LBL Division. Knight earned $3,794 for his victory.

Knight used an old-school Kentucky Lake ledge fishing practice strategy to prepare for this tournament. The key: not actually fishing.

“I idled for almost about 14 hours,” he said. “I found 31 schools, and I just tried to be as productive as I could. I didn’t really waste that much time on them. Especially with this being a three-fish tournament (anglers were limited to three bass in their limit), I tried to target 4-plus-pounders. I’ve been so close so many times. I’ve been second through 10th, and I really just wanted to win one so bad.”

The preparation paid off. Knight targeted most of his schools in 15 to 25 feet of water. He started right outside the takeoff around Moors resort, then ran to the dam. By the time he was done, he’d fished all the way to Paris, Tennessee. In between, he caught enough good ones, he figures, that his best five would’ve surpassed 24 pounds. The three he brought to weigh-in included a 4 1/2-pound smallmouth – the only smallie he caught all day.

“Where I started it helped because I did catch a 5-pounder early,” Knight added. “I had 11-something off my first stop, and throughout the day I kept hitting as many spots as I could. Then about 1 o’clock I had 13 1/2, and I knew I was probably one bite away. I actually found a new school today during the tournament. I was so focused on trying to find a school that was set up correctly. A lot of people had already busted them up. When they’re not set up correctly, it’s very hard to catch a big one.”

The new school produced in a big way. Knight landed a 5-plus-pounder, which culled out a 3 1/2, earning him the win by 10 ounces.

“I cycled through baits,” he said. “It was kind of a typical ledge deal. I started off with a (Strike King) 8XD, and just watching the Major League Fishing (Bass Pro Tour) last week, seeing how productive a Carolina rig was, I threw that in. And I threw a minnow bait in there, and a big spoon, too. Once I knew they’d seen my bait, if they didn’t bite it the first time, I just tried to keep a good cycle.”

For a guy that didn’t even have a true fishing boat until a few years ago, Knight is off to a heck of a start as a tournament angler. The 27-year-old, who works for a masonry company, has earned 16 top-10 finishes across MLF circuits since 2022. That includes finishing fourth in the 2025 BFL All-American just a couple weeks ago.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky., three bass, 15-0, $3,794
2nd:       Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill., three bass, 14-6, $1,897
3rd:       Jeff DeFew, Benton, Ky., three bass, 13-11, $1,265
4th:        Harlan Thomas, Paducah, Ky., three bass, 13-10, $885
5th:        Ryan Kirkpatrick, Benton, Ky., three bass, 13-9, $1,254
6th:        Brad Hutcheson, Hornbeak, Tenn., three bass, 13-6, $696
7th:        Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., three bass, 13-2, $732
8th:        Chase Dempsey, Marion, Ky., three bass, 13-0, $569
9th:        Micah Mulvany, Salem, Ill., three bass, 12-11, $506
10th:     Sam Boss, Paducah, Ky., three bass, 12-10, $443

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Ryan Kirkpatrick of Benton, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $495.

Daniel Nolen of Lexington, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and $2,144 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Daniel Nolen, Lexington, Tenn., three bass, 11-3, $2,144
2nd:       Carson Fitzgerald, Whitesville, Ky., three bass, 11-2, $949
3rd:       Josh Mileur, Murphysboro, Ill., three bass, 10-13, $633
4th:        Mitchell Adams Sr., Smyrna, Tenn., three bass, 9-11, $443
5th:        Javon Booker, Beaver Dam, Ky., three bass, 9-6, $379
6th:        Adam Lucas, Cape Girardeau, Mo., three bass, 8-15, $348
7th:        Hunter Holguin, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 8-3, $300
7th:        Jeff Johnston, Nashville, Tenn., three bass, 8-3, $300
9th:        Jim Elmore, Independence, Ky., three bass, 8-1, $237
9th:        Tim Burke, Burlington, Ky., three bass, 8-1, $237

Daniel Nolen of Lexington, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $247, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, Levi Kohl of Edinburg, Illinois, now leads the Fishing Clash LBL Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 747 points, while Daniel Nolen of Lexington, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash LBL Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 744 points.

The next event for BFL LBL Division anglers will be held July 12, at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes in 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.

by AnglersChannel

Monticello’s Kenney Posts Fourth Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Sinclair Presented by Suzuki Marine

Covington’s Chandler Tops Co-Angler Division

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (June 16, 2025) – Boater Byron Kenney of Monticello, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Sinclair Presented by Suzuki Marine. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Bulldog Division. Kenney earned $3,641 for his victory.

Kenny experienced a slow start. In fact, fishing was much tougher than he expected, considering how well Sinclair has fished recently. But he scrapped around, kept his head down and eventually righted the ship, catching his first keeper at around 9 a.m.

“I started fishing docks with a jig, and the Lord just blessed me with the good ones, I guess,” he said. “I didn’t catch a lot of fish. I caught eight or nine. I wish I could say there was some rhyme or reason (to where he caught them), but really it was just covering as much water as possible.

“Normally, the morning bite is really crucial,” Kenny added. “But I didn’t catch another good one until about 10:40, and then I caught back-to-back 4s. It was just tough. I just grinded around. I fished the rest of the day, and it probably wasn’t until around 2 o’clock that I caught another good one. I had four good ones and just a 2-pounder.”

Kenny caught his winning fish on a 1/2-ounce “nothing special” jig.

“I was just my faith and just fishing hard, and the Lord just blessed me,” he said.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Byron Kenney, Monticello, Ga., five bass, 17-10, $3,641
2nd:       John Pearson, Perry, Ga., five bass, 15-8, $1,820
3rd:       Ryan Thomas, Madison, Ga., five bass, 15-3, $1,214
4th:        Jamie M. Fountain, East Dublin, Ga., five bass, 15-2, $950
5th:        David Millsaps, Ranger, Ga., five bass, 13-14, $1,228
6th:        Travis Clay, Jackson, Ga., five bass, 13-9, $668
7th:        Matt O'Connell, Brooks, Ga., five bass, 13-6, $1,232 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
8th:        Callaway Robinson, Conyers, Ga., five bass, 13-5, $546
9th:        John Duvall, Madison, Ga., five bass, 12-14, $485
10th:     Brooks Anderson, Marietta, Ga., five bass, 12-12, $425

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Michael Dike III of Acworth, Georgia, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $475.

Jacob Chandler of Covington, Georgia, won the co-angler division and $1,820 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jacob Chandler, Covington, Ga., three bass, 9-15, $1,820
2nd:       Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 9-10, $910
3rd:       Jackson Ford, Loganville, Ga., three bass, 9-5, $607
4th:        Clayton Faircloth, Milledgeville, Ga., three bass, 8-3, $425
5th:        William Thomas Cowart, Danielsville, Ga., three bass, 8-2, $364
6th:        Timothy Stone, Conyers, Ga., three bass, 7-15, $571
7th:        Bryan Burch, Climax, Ga., three bass, 7-10, $303
8th:        Jeff Stone, Jackson, Ga., three bass, 7-4, $273
9th:        Michael O’Neal, Cleveland, Ga., three bass, 7-0, $243
10th:     Conery Williams, Macon, Ga., three bass, 6-14, $212

Timothy Stone of Conyers, Georgia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $237, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Michael Wilder of Lizella, Georgia, now leads the Fishing Clash Bulldog Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 947 points, while Daniel Arnberg of Auburn, Alabama, leads the Fishing Clash Bulldog Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 942 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Bulldog Division anglers will be held Aug. 23-24, at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia. 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.

by AnglersChannel

Logan’s consistency pays off with victory at Lake Tenkiller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Ten months ago, Wes Logan found himself in a hospital bed with a gash across his head and a set of broken bones after hitting an unknown object on Day 2 at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. Logan knows how fortunate he is to even still be alive, making his second Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series trophy all the more meaningful.

“I could be dead. That is the reality of it,” Logan said. “The good Lord wants me here for some reason. I’m truly blessed to be here.”

Arguably the most consistent angler all week, Logan won the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller with a four-day total of 63 pounds, a Father’s Day gift for his father Doug. It is the second win of Logan’s five-year career, the first coming at the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake on Mother’s Day.

“I don’t deserve this,” the Springville, Ala., native said. “I got to fish how I wanted to. I got to pitch a jig like how I grew up with my dad.”

Opening the tournament in 11th place with 14-12, Logan climbed to fifth on Day 2 with 15-13 before jumping into third on Semifinal Saturday with 15-9. He then landed the biggest bag of Championship Sunday, a 16-14 limit anchored by a 5-1 largemouth, edging out fellow Elite Series pro Andrew Loberg, who had led the first three days, by 1 ounce.

This victory couldn’t have come at a better time for the “Little Ball of Hate.” After two good tournaments to start the 2025 season, Logan has struggled outside of the state of Florida, so much so that he questioned if he still belonged on the Elite Series stage. He entered Lake Tenkiller in 40th place in Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

“This year has not been easy. I hit a wall and didn’t even know my last name,” Logan said. “After Lake Hartwell, I sat in Bill Lowen’s boat and cried my eyes out because I wanted to quit. I didn’t know if I was good enough to be here.

“Practice wasn’t that great for this tournament, but I got a few bites doing what I like to do, and I ran with it.”

Fluctuating water levels at Lake Tenkiller challenged the 101 Elite Series anglers all week long. Waters rose dramatically during the first half of official practice before falling several feet between the Wednesday off-day and Thursday’s opening round. More water entered the lake as multiple rounds of strong storms and heavy rains moved through the second and third tournament days.

All of this set up in Logan’s favor. Many of the similar scenarios he faced this week at Tenkiller he has seen on his home lake of Neely Henry, including where the bass tended to set up.

“For some reason, the little area I found, the bass just kept coming to it. I don’t really know why,” he said. “Six of the Top 10 were fishing this stretch, and I would pull in behind them and catch a 3-pounder.”

Logan mainly fished the upper end of Lake Tenkiller, focusing on flooded bushes and cover in shallow water. One particular laydown, Logan said, produced 12 of his keeper bites and dozens of other bass that didn’t make his team.

“It was on a straight bank. It was just a laydown with some limbs coming off of it,” he explained. “Every time I went to it, I caught one. It was just on a flat, nothing bank. I never saw any bream around it, but it seemed like there might be something like that going on. It’s a good tree. Best tree on the lake.”

A 1/2-ounce green pumpkin Ark Randall Tharp Signature Flipping Jig paired with a Zoom Salty Chunk produced several of his biggest bites around the flooded cover. On the final day, he received key bites around debris mats with a punch rig he built with a 1/2-ounce Ark tungsten weight, a green pumpkin punch skirt and a green pumpkin Zoom Z Hog.

He pitched both of those baits with a 7-foot-6 heavy Ark Wes Logan Signature Series FAFO Flipping Stick and 22-pound Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon.

Each morning, however, Logan started in a marina where he fished around the remnants of a shad spawn. He filled in a limit using a 1/2-ounce Z-Man JackHammer in the spot remover color paired with a ghost shad colored Zoom Shimmer Shad.

Logan started Championship Sunday by filling out an 11-pound limit in a new marina in a 45-minute flurry before heading to his best stretches of flooded cover. That initial limit included a 3-pound smallmouth. The water rose noticeably on Day 4, but Logan was able to trigger key bites throughout the day, including that 5-1 that earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.

His one miss came around 11:30 a.m., when Logan hooked into a 4-pound largemouth that spit his jig after coming over a log. At that point, he was convinced he had lost the tournament.

“When it came off, I laid on the front deck of the boat and thought I lost 100 grand again,” Logan said. “Hardly ever do you lose a bass that big on a fishery like this and it doesn’t cost you.”

Later in the afternoon, Logan returned to his favorite tree and landed a 3-8, the bites he needed to get his head back in the game. Then, with minutes to go before check-in, Logan pitched his jig again to the magic tree and saw a bass miss his bait. He spun around, made several pitches to the tree, and got that bass to bite.

“I had a 2-11 and this bass weighed 2-13,” Logan said. “When it is meant to be, it is meant to be. Hats off to Andrew. He is a heck of a fisherman. He is going to win plenty.”

After leading the first three days of the tournament, Loberg fell to second with a total of 62-15.

“I’m just ready for the next one,” Loberg said.

Loberg took the Day 1 lead with a limit of largemouth weighing 17-9, backing it up with limits of 118-4 and 15-9 the next two days. On the final day, the California native only landed 11-9 and missed his biggest bite, which allowed Logan to overtake him.

“The water came up and we had sort of a post-front deal going on,” Loberg said. “My areas kind of dried up on me.”

The 31-year-old rookie employed a similar strategy as Logan, starting the morning in a marina before fishing around shallow cover the rest of the day. A Strike King Rage Bug on a 1/2-ounce weight was his best producing bait around wood while the marina fish fell for a ChatterBait and a Lucky Craft 1.5 squarebill.

Opelika, Ala., pro Kyle Welcher climbed into third place, collecting limits weighing 15-15, 12-13, 16-13 and 14-12 for a total of 60-5. Welcher’s best area was one of the major creeks on the lake's northern end, which was clear enough to sight fish a bedding smallmouth on Day 2, but turned dirty with heavy current by the final day.

The 2023 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year felt right at home in that current though, catching quality smallmouth and largemouth off the current seams and current breaks. A Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug, a Rapala CrushCity The Mayor and a vibrating jig all played into Welcher’s strategy.

“Today was kind of crazy,” he said. “I started on a shad spawn and caught one big one. I got into my best area and pushed up into some heavy current. All heck broke loose for a little while there. I caught two 3 1/2’s within five minutes and another nice one. But I couldn’t build on it the rest of the day.”

Logan’s 5-1 largemouth from Championship Sunday and Bryan New’s 5-1 from Day 2 split the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament honors. Each angler earned a $1,000 bonus.

Huntington, Texas pro Keith Combs claimed the $2,000 Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament award with his 19-2 Day 2 limit while Virginia’s John Crews earned the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency bonus for reporting accurate weights.

Not only did Logan with the $100,000 first-place prize, he also claimed $3,000 through Toyota Bonus Bucks and $4,000 through Yamaha Power Pay. Welcher earned a $2,000 Toyota Bonus Bucks bonus while Combs earned $2,500 through Yamaha Power Pay.

Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 598 points, but a lead that was over 40 points entering the Lake Tenkiller event has shrunk. Canadian pro Chris Johnston is second with 595 points, only 3 points behind Przekurat. Illinois pro Trey McKinney is third with 586 points, South Carolina’s Patrick Walters is fourth with 553 points followed by Indiana’s Bill Lowen in fifth with 547 points. Kyoya Fujita, Will Davis Jr., Taku Ito, Shane LeHew and Paul Marks round out the Top 10.

Marks leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 514 points followed by Alabama’s Tucker Smith in second with 451 points and Easton Fothergill in third with 435 points.

The Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller was hosted by the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite 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 Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive 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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2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller 6/12-6/15
Tenkiller Lake, Cookson OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

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

1. Wes Logan Springville, AL 20 63-00 104 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 16-14
2. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 20 62-15 103 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 11-09
3. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 20 60-05 102 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 16-13 Day 4: 5 14-12
4. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 20 59-00 101 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 15-10 Day 4: 5 16-13
5. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 20 56-09 100 $11,750.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 14-00 Day 4: 5 11-13
6. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 20 56-01 99 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 11-13 Day 4: 5 13-11
7. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 20 55-15 98 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 12-08 Day 4: 5 08-06
8. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 20 54-07 97 $10,300.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 16-05 Day 4: 5 12-02
9. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 20 54-04 96 $11,200.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 16-07 Day 4: 5 11-12
10. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 20 52-09 95 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 10-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 04-10 $1,000.00
2 Bryan New Leesville, SC 05-01 $1,000.00
3 Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 04-10 $1,000.00
4 Wes Logan Springville, AL 05-01 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Bryan New Leesville, SC 05-01 $1,000.00
Wes Logan Springville, AL 05-01 $1,000.00
RAPALA CRUSHCITY MONSTER BAG

Keith Combs Huntington, TX 19-02 $2,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 505 1260-12
2 101 505 1257-11
3 49 249 612-15
4 10 50 128-03
----------------------------------
261 1309 3259-09

by AnglersChannel

Loberg increases lead on Day 3 at Lake Tenkiller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — There have been very few constants during this week’s Lowrance Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Tenkiller, but Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Andrew Loberg continues to make all of the right moves.

The California native landed 15 pounds, 9 ounces on Semifinal Saturday, increasing his three-day total to 51-6. Loberg has never trailed this week, opening the tournament with a 17-9 limit of largemouth before catching 18-4 on the second day. After only being separated by ounces after Friday’s weigh-in, the gap between him and second-place Keith Combs is now 3-13.

“It has been a really cool week. Nothing has set in,” Loberg said. “I’m just fishing the way I like to fish. It’s not like I have one hole I’m sitting on. I just wake up in the morning, launch the boat, buzz around and hope for the best.”

If he can hold the lead, Loberg will become the third rookie to claim an Elite Series trophy this season. Two of his roommates, Paul Marks and Tucker Smith, are responsible for those wins. The winning recipe in the house, he remarked, includes Cheez-Its, Pop-Tarts and fruit snacks.

Loberg has won two Toyota Series events in his West Coast career, but an Elite Series win would be the top accomplishment of his young career.

“I’m still in grind mode,” Loberg said. “All I’m thinking about is catching five more good ones.”

The weather continues to be unpredictable in eastern Oklahoma. Several rounds of thunderstorms moved through Friday night, bringing the lake levels up several inches in the process. Then, an intense line of storms moved through late Saturday morning and hung around during the early afternoon hours.

While earlier forecasts indicated a quieter Sunday, more inclement weather is now expected to impact the region overnight and into official tournament hours. The conditions, however, have played into the hands of the anglers fishing in shallow water, including Loberg who has spent most of his tournament fishing in less than 6 feet of water.

“It went up a quarter of a foot from yesterday at least,” Loberg said. “You run down the lake and there are waterfalls everywhere. So, it will probably be a lot higher (tomorrow).

“In practice, there was so much water, and you had to find certain banks that didn’t have water behind them. Now I’m finding water that has flatter and shallower pockets that the fish can move into.”

The 31-year-old, who now calls Grant, Ala., home, started the tournament with around 30 rods on the deck expecting to mix in shallow and deeper patterns. As the tournament has progressed, he has whittled it down to five or six rods. A Texas-rigged flipping bait was his go-to on Semifinal Saturday, but moving baits like a ChatterBait, a swim jig and Lucky Craft 1.5 crankbait have also come into play.

The upper section of the lake has produced the bulk of his weight, and while he has a seven-mile region of the lake dialed in, Loberg has been fishing new stretches of flooded bushes every day. In fact, several of his best bites from Day 3 all came from cover he had not yet fished this week. He has noticed the baitfish have been moving around and the bass seem to be moving out of the thickest cover.

“It is a pattern and something I can run, but the sketchy part is, it’s not like I have one (confidence) hole,” he explained. “I just launch the boat and have to figure it out.”

Loberg repeated his morning routine on Semifinal Saturday, opening the day by landing a limit around marina slips that were harboring a shad spawn. Moving baits have been key to triggering those bites.

“I didn’t get that one bonus fish there this morning,” Loberg said. “I scratched out a pretty small limit and then had to fish a bunch of new water.”

From there, Loberg moved around the upper end of the lake fishing flooded bushes with his flipping bait.

After those hefty storms moved over the lake in the early afternoon, Loberg caught two 3-pound largemouth in a 15-minute span just after 1:15 p.m., bolstering his bag and increasing his lead over the field. His final upgrade, a 2-10 according to BassTrakk, came with just 15 minutes before check-in time.

“I went to a stretch where I lost a big one this morning and got those two key bites flipping,” Loberg said. “It is good to know there are more fish moving up into those areas. But there was definitely a little window in the afternoon.”

After landing bags of 15-15 and 19-2 the first two days, Combs suffered his worst day so far on Day 3, landing a limit weighing 12-8. Still, the Huntington, Texas pro remains in second place with a three-day total of 47-9. The three-time Bassmaster champion has landed mostly largemouth, but several smallmouth have entered his livewell too.

“Andrew has a good lead,” Combs said. “Each day (of this tournament) is a different day, and totally different than practice. Today, the lake came back up and things I was really excited about after yesterday’s big bag just never materialized. You would think with all this weather they would just choke a bait, but they were barely getting it.

“The guy who reads the conditions the best and makes the best decisions is going to win this tournament.”

Combs started on a shallow offshore area and landed several smaller keepers before moving to a rock point. There, he caught a 2 1/2-pounder and filled out his limit, but also lost a 4-pound largemouth that would have bolstered his bag.

“I thought it was going to be a really good day,” Combs said. “After that, it stopped. I couldn’t get anything going anywhere I went. I probably caught 30 2-pounders yesterday. Today I wasn’t even getting bit.”

Watching the water go up, Combs decided to flip for a while, but did not find much success. As the afternoon wore on, he moved back to some of his better rock stretches and landed four quality bass in the last hour of the day.

“It is random,” he explained “I noticed there are times I can go down a good bank and not catch them and then come back an hour or two later and catch four or five nice fish. There’s a lot of small shad where I’m fishing, but I’ve been picking crawfish out of my livewell.”

Springville, Ala., pro Wes Logan jumped into third with a three-day total of 46-2. The Elite Series champion opened the tournament with 14-12 before landing 15-13 and 15-9 the next two days. Logan has also been fishing in shallow water, landing a mix of spotted bass and largemouth.

“When it started raining, I ran to where I thought the better-quality bass were. They were biting when I got there. I caught two nice ones right when I started fishing there,” he said. “I didn’t realize how many people were fishing in the same general area. I went up there earlier today and saw a bunch of people running around.”

Logan added that some of his better bites came around “off the wall stuff,” a product of trying to avoid areas his fellow competitors had just picked apart.

“I was watching where people weren't fishing,” he said. “I go over there and see if there would be anything a bass would be on. It has worked so far. But I’m going to have to have two 5-pounders to have a chance tomorrow.”

Louisiana’s Logan Latuso anchored his 16-7 Day 3 limit with a 4-10 largemouth, claiming Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors and launching him into the Top 10. South Carolina’s Bryan New leads the overall Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament race with a 5-1 largemouth he landed on Day 2.

Combs holds the Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament with his 19-2 Day 2 limit.

Wisconsin pro Jay Przekurat leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 598 points, but he leads second-place Chris Johnston by only 3 points. Neither angler made the final day cut at Lake Tenkiller. Illinois pro Trey McKinney is third with 585 points, but could make the gap tighter if he moves up from seventh place on the final day. South Carolina’s Patrick Walters is fourth with 553 points followed by Indiana's Bill Lowen in fifth with 547 points.

Marks currently leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 514 points followed by Smith in second with 451 points and Easton Fothergill in third with 435 points.

The Top 10 anglers will launch from Chicken Creek Boat Ramp beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT tomorrow morning and check-in at 2:30 p.m. Weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah. The winner will earn the $100,000 first-place prize and a coveted blue trophy.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of Championship Sunday at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m.-Noon with afternoon action to follow on FOX from Noon-3 p.m.

The Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller is being hosted by the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller 6/12-6/15
Tenkiller Lake, Cookson OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 15 51-06 104
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 15-09
2. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 15 47-09 103
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 12-08
3. Wes Logan Springville, AL 15 46-02 102
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 15-09
4. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 15 45-09 101 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 16-13
5. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 15 44-12 100
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 14-00
6. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 15 42-08 99 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 16-07
7. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 15 42-06 98
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 11-13
8. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 42-05 97
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 16-05
9. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 15 42-03 96
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 15-10
10. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 15 42-02 95
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-05
11. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 42-02 94 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 14-02
12. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 41-05 93 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 12-03
13. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 15 41-04 92 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 15-08
14. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 41-02 91 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 12-07
15. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 15 41-02 90 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 13-08
16. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 41-01 89 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 12-12
17. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 15 40-14 88 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 14-13
18. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 15 40-13 87 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 12-06
19. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 15 40-11 86 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 13-10
20. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 40-03 85 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 11-11
21. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 40-02 84 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 13-10
22. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 39-15 83 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 14-07
23. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 15 39-10 82 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 11-12
24. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 15 39-07 81 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 12-08
25. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 39-06 80 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 12-01
26. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 15 39-06 79 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 13-08
27. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 15 39-05 78 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 12-13
28. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 15 39-00 77 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 12-06
29. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 38-15 76 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 11-15
30. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 15 38-10 75 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 10-07
31. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 15 38-02 74 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-03 Day 3: 5 13-00
32. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 38-01 73 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 10-11
33. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 15 38-01 72 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 12-02
34. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 38-00 71 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 11-05
35. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 15 37-15 70 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 11-07
36. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 15 37-14 69 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 12-01
37. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 15 37-09 68 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 09-11 Day 3: 5 11-13
38. Bryan New Leesville, SC 15 37-08 67 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 11-10
39. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 15 37-07 66 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 10-15
40. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 15 37-06 65 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 11-11
41. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 15 37-01 64 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 11-05
42. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 15 36-14 63 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 11-08
43. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 15 36-13 62 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 11-10
44. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 15 36-11 61 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 07-13
45. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 36-08 60 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 09-05
46. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 15 36-05 59 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 10-09
47. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 15 35-10 58 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 10-05
48. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 14 35-06 57 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 4 08-02
49. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 33-14 56 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 06-11
50. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 15 28-03 55 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 02-10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 04-10 $1,000.00
2 Bryan New Leesville, SC 05-01 $1,000.00
3 Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 04-10 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 505 1260-12
2 101 505 1257-11
3 49 249 612-15
----------------------------------
251 1259 3131-06

by AnglersChannel

Loberg dials in shallow largemouth bite, continues to lead at Lake Tenkiller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Growing up on the California Delta, Andrew Loberg is plenty comfortable fishing shallow, and that has been on full display so far this week at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller.

With a total of 35 pounds, 13 ounces, the 31-year-old pro leads the 101 boat field after two days of competition. Loberg backed up his 17-9 Day 1 bag with 18-4 on Friday, giving him a 12-ounce advantage over Texas pro Keith Combs. The gap between Combs and third-place Bob Downey is over 4 pounds.

“Fishing the Delta, you have to run a tide and most of the time you have to have a big flipping stick,” Loberg said. “The water fluctuation on Tenkiller correlates to the tide a little bit. It makes sense to me and I can run around and see what looks good.”

The style of fishing in Oklahoma has suited Loberg in his first two trips to the Sooner State. He claimed a second-place finish at Lake Eufaula last year during the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN throwing a square-bill and a jig.

“There are big largemouth and they like to stay shallow,” Loberg said. “Even offshore fishing, they stay in 10 to 15 feet of water and that’s still shallow. I feel comfortable doing a lot of that type of stuff. The reservoirs aren’t gin clear. I don’t know, there’s something about these lakes I get honed in on.”

While the lake level stabilized some, falling at a slower rate than it did between the day off and Day 1, the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros battled heavy rains and thunderstorms the majority of Friday morning. Despite the adverse conditions, the entire field caught a five-bass limit for the second day in a row.

Building off of his Day 1 performance, Loberg power fished in the shallows the entire day. Along with a flipping bait, moving baits like ChatterBaits, swim jigs and squarebills also produced key bites. Loberg even caught a bass on a buzzbait and a frog.

His best areas have had a shad present.

“I’ve been just rolling into a stretch, seeing what it looks like and then throwing whatever I think will work,” he said. “When something looks good, there is more bait than in other places.”

The water has dropped out of some of Loberg’s areas between Day 1 and Day 2, and the water has cleared up. He doesn’t know, however, how Friday’s heavy rainfall will impact the lake.

Loberg started the morning fishing a shad spawn around a marina, and lost a 4-pounder early in the morning, a fish Davy Hite speculated was caught by fellow Elite Series pro Chris Johnston several hours later. Despite the missed opportunity, he was able to fill out a limit quickly.

From there, he fished stretches of shallow bushes and flooded cover hunting for bigger bites. “Yesterday, I ran the whole lake. Today I only ran half of it,” Loberg said. “I feel like I have a better zone to go to now. I just dunked around, caught a few here and there and dodged a few thunderstorms.”

His biggest bite came around 11 a.m., a 4-pound largemouth he landed on a ChatterBait.

“I was running around that area, and I saw something that looked good,” he said. “When something sets up right, you are going to get a bite. I got fortunate with a good bite. I’ve been fortunate to get into the right rotation.”

If the lake continues to fall, Loberg has a feeling he will have to adjust his strategy. He said he had a fairly productive bite offshore during practice, giving him confidence that he can continue to manufacture bites.

“So if the shallow thing is a total bust, I will go out deep. I do have a lot of stuff marked that I haven't touched yet,” Loberg said.

Combs, meanwhile, has been mixing up offshore and shallow patterns. After landing 15-15 on Day 1, the Texan landed 19-2 on Friday, the Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament thus far.

In 2019, the three-time Bassmaster champion notched a 7th-place finish at Lake Tenkiller. While fishing is much better this time around, he said, a lot of the same concepts are coming into play this time around.

“I did the same thing in 2019. I would fish places I never fished and catch one,” he explained. “It seems like the lake is set up to do that. If you see something you think a fish should be on, better check it out.”

Early in the morning, Combs landed 13 pounds around a shad spawn, including a 4-pound smallmouth to start the day. From there, he evaluated the conditions and pieced together quality bites. His best bite, a 5-pound largemouth, came flipping.

“After that, I started mixing it up on some mid depth, offshore holes and hopefully found a little something for tomorrow.”

Downey remains in third place with a two-day total of 30-12. The Detroit Lakes, Minn., pro has caught a mixed bag each day, backing up his 16-2 Day 1 performance with 14-10 on Day 2. The three-time Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour qualifier landed his initial Day 2 limit at 8 a.m., fishing around shallow cover with a swim jig and a flipping bait.

When the heavy rains moved into his areas, the bite turned on, and he landed a 4-pound smallmouth and a 3-pound largemouth. Both of those baits came on a specific winding bait, but Downey is unsure that pattern will continue.

“That is really what made my bag,” he said. “That’s what happened yesterday too. I don’t know if we are going to have that tomorrow, so it has me a little concerned. If the water stabilizes or even comes up a little I think I can flip all day long. I have been catching some nicer ones winding a bait and without that rain, I don’t know if that will happen.”

Leesville, S.C. pro Bryan New landed the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day, a 5-1 largemouth that also controls the overall Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament.

Canadian pro Chris Johnston leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 601 points, a three point advantage over second-place Jay Przekurat, who missed the Day 3 cut in 51st place. Illinois pro Trey McKinney is third with 588 points followed by Bill Lowen in fourth with 553 points and Kyoya Fujita in fifth with 547 points.

Georgia’s Paul Marks leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 502 points followed Tucker Smith in second with 451 points and Easton Fothergill in third with 435 points.

The Top 50 anglers will launch from Chicken Creek Boat Ramp beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and check-in at 2:30 p.m. Weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah. The Top 10 at the conclusion of Saturday’s weigh-in will advance to Championship Sunday.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon. Day 4 can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m.-Noon with afternoon action to follow on FOX from Noon-3 p.m.

The Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller is being hosted by the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller 6/12-6/15
Tenkiller Lake, Cookson OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 10 35-13 104
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 18-04
2. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 35-01 103
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 19-02
3. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 30-12 102
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-10
4. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 10 30-09 101
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 13-08
5. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 30-09 100
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-13
6. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 29-02 99
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 13-03
7. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 10 28-14 98
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-15
8. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 10 28-13 97
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-12
9. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 10 28-12 96 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-13
10. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 28-11 95
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 17-11
11. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 28-08 94
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-07
12. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 10 28-07 93
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 14-14
13. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 28-05 92
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 13-03
14. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 10 28-03 91
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 15-02
15. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 28-00 90
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-06
16. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 27-14 89
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-03
17. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 27-10 88
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-05
18. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 27-06 87
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-00
19. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 27-05 86
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 14-07
20. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 27-04 85
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-03
21. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 27-03 84
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-07
22. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 27-03 83
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-09
23. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 27-01 82
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 14-07
24. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 27-00 81
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
25. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 26-15 80
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 12-11
26. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 26-11 79
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-01
27. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 26-10 78
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-01
28. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 26-09 77
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 11-15
29. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 10 26-08 76
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 16-06
30. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 26-08 75
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-15
31. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 26-08 74
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-15
32. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 26-08 73
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-10
33. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 26-01 72
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09
33. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 26-01 72
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09
35. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 26-00 70
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 15-02
36. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 10 25-15 69
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 11-13
37. Bryan New Leesville, SC 10 25-14 68 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-12
38. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 10 25-14 67
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-00
39. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 25-13 66
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-08
40. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 25-12 65
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 09-11
41. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 25-12 64
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 14-08
42. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 25-12 63
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-06
43. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 10 25-12 62
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 13-05
44. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 10 25-11 61
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-02
45. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 25-09 60
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-04
46. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 25-08 59
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-15
47. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 25-06 58
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-04
48. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 25-05 57
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-13
49. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10 25-03 56
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-09
50. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 10 25-02 55
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-03
51. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 10 25-01 54
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 10-08
52. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 25-00 53
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-07
53. John Cox Debary, FL 10 24-14 52
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-12
54. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 10 24-13 51
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-04
55. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 10 24-12 50
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 14-02
56. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 24-11 49
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 10-04
57. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 10 24-10 48
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 13-05
58. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 10 24-06 47
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 09-12
59. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 24-05 46
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-12
60. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 24-04 45
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 09-13
61. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 10 24-04 44
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-06
62. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 10 24-03 43
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 13-03
63. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 24-03 42
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-13
64. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 24-00 41
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-05
65. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 24-00 40
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 11-15
66. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 23-15 39
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-01
67. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 23-15 38
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-11
68. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 23-13 37
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 15-03
69. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 23-13 36
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 11-04
70. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 23-13 35
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 11-06
71. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 23-12 34
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-07
72. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 10 23-11 33
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-05
73. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 10 23-07 32
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 12-06
74. John Garrett Union City, TN 10 23-06 31
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 11-06
75. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 23-04 30
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 13-01
76. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 23-02 29
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 12-10
77. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 22-15 28
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-14
78. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 22-11 27
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 13-08
79. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 22-08 26
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 11-10
80. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 10 22-06 25
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-14
81. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 22-06 24
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-06
82. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 22-05 23
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 11-11
83. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 21-15 22
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 09-08
84. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 21-11 21
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 12-06
85. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 10 21-09 20
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
86. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 10 21-08 19
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-11
87. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 21-07 18
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 09-15
88. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 21-03 17
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 11-10
89. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 21-02 16
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 11-03
90. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 21-00 15
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 08-15
91. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 21-00 14
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-09
92. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 10 20-09 13
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
93. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 20-06 12
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 09-14
94. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 20-03 11
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 11-01
95. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 20-02 10
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 09-12
96. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 10 19-14 9
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 08-08
97. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 19-13 8
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 10-08
98. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 19-08 7
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 08-07
99. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 19-04 6
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 07-11
100. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 18-12 5
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 10-03
101. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 10 15-09 4
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 06-14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 04-10 $1,000.00
2 Bryan New Leesville, SC 05-01 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 505 1260-12
2 101 505 1257-11
----------------------------------
202 1010 2518-07

by AnglersChannel

The Thrilla at Lake Tenkilla

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

We’re less than halfway through the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller and this fishery nestled into the western edge of the Ozark mountains in eastern Oklahoma is proving to be an excellent playing field for Elite Series competition. If you took a scroll through social media following the pros’ official practice, you would have seen plenty of Elites being critical of this ~13,000 reservoir.

Most of the criticism surrounded Tenkiller’s size, as this is the smallest body of water the Elite’s will visit in 2025. Anglers also bemoaned the fluctuations of both water level and water clarity on Tenkiller right now.

This lake was constructed for flood control back in 1953 and this part of the country has had a lot of rain recently. It’s not abnormal for Tenkiller to fluctuate 20-feet or more in the spring, but Elite pros have dealt with water levels ranging from eight feet to just under four feet above normal pool this week.

While there are certainly factors to critique, I’d propose Tenkiller is as close to a perfect host for an Elite Series tournament that you’ll find.

First off, every single competitor weighed in a limit on day one of the tournament. In and of itself, that is impressive. To be fair, there is usually at least one derby per season where this happens; these guys are the best in the world after all.

But Tenkiller offers the opportunity at the trifecta of keeper bass; meaning there is a healthy population of largemouth, smallmouth and spots. That’s another plus in favor of Tenkiller Ferry.

Standing behind the weigh-in stage yesterday, there was plenty of lamenting on the lack of size of their limits, but what stood out to me was the numbers of keepers many anglers caught, and the variety of patterns employed to catch them.

Bass were caught from six inches to forty feet deep on everything from topwaters to finesse FFS techniques. Marina docks, flooded bushes, offshore brush piles and points, suspended bass roaming the depths, willow trees, and bluff walls were all included in the mix.

Team Toyota pro Matt Arey was one such pro who caught dozens of fish enroute to his 13-10-lb. bag of fish that had him sitting in 31^st place.

“I never got a big bite but man I caught a lot of fish today,” Arey said. “I flipped bushes most all of day one and probably boated close to 30 keepers. All three species, too. You can’t beat flipping into a bush and catching a smallmouth… sure, this lake is small, comparatively, but it’s a lot of fun and full of fish.”

Limits across the board, fish of all three species, a variety of patterns, and super tight weights keeping anglers from 1^st to 101^st within striking range. Sounds like a pretty good lake to have a tournament.

Another redeeming quality of this fishery that can’t be overstated is the stunning beauty of Tenkiller and the rolling hills that surround it. Even with rainy, inclement weather the first two days this area has impressed with its picturesque aesthetic.

Remarking on the main criticism of Tenkiller, it’s smaller than usual size, I would argue that this is actually a good thing for bass fishing fans watching this event. It’s common for this fishery to host 100 to 200 boat local tournaments, much like many major bass fisheries in the south.

These regional and local anglers have to deal with fishing pressure and a plethora of boats every time they jump into a weekend tournament. They know all-too-well the negatives of getting in a bad rotation when fishing shallow or having to wait for another boat to vacate an offshore spot before slipping in to make a cast.

Managing a myriad of boats and fishing pressure is a reality of most club tournaments. Elite pros should have to grapple with these same elements. It’s relatable and refreshing to see from a fans’ standpoint.

“I think whoever wins this tournament had no idea going into day one,” Toyota Bonus Bucks pro Cody Huff offered. “You can learn a lot in practice, but fishing pressure is something that has to play out during the tournament.

“Not to mention, with the fluctuating water levels we’re faced with this week, the leading pattern is likely going to change. Heck, if you’re fishing shallow to start the event, the cover you’re casting at is likely going to be dry by the weekend.”

To excel in this tournament anglers will have to adapt every single day, adjusting in real time to stay with groups of fish and outmaneuver their peers. All these factors and nuances have set this weekend up to be The Thrilla at Lake Tenkilla, a heavyweight battle of changing conditions and decision making. May the best man win.

by AnglersChannel

Loberg junk fishes his way to Day 1 lead at Lake Tenkiller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — On a lake where the only constant seems to be change, Andrew Loberg took advantage of the conditions on Day 1 of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller.

The California native caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces to lead the field after one day of competition on the eastern Oklahoma reservoir. He holds an 8-ounce advantage over second-place Trey McKinney. Wisconsin’s Bob Downey is third with 16-2.

Lake Tenkiller has fluctuated greatly thanks to heavy rains that spread over the area ahead of official practice. From the final day of practice on Tuesday to the start of Day 1, the water fell several feet and anglers were forced to scramble to adjust.

The field of 101 anglers adjusted well, however, as each pro landed a limit, with 90 of those limits weighing over 10 pounds. Mixed bags of smallmouth and largemouth crossed the scales, but it was Loberg's bag of largemouth that led the way.

“I think the conditions played really well for me,” he said. “I think the low pressure system helped the big largemouth eat a little bit better than other stuff going on.”

While this is his first tournament at Lake Tenkiller, Loberg has shown early in his Bassmaster career he’s comfortable in Oklahoma. During the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN season, Loberg notched a second-place finish down the road at Lake Eufaula.

Loberg isn’t dialed in necessarily. He has 30 rods on the front deck of his bass boat and is testing both offshore and shallow patterns. On Day 1, the shallows won out as he caught all largemouth.

“It was 50/50 between shallow and deep,” he said. “It is a timing thing, for sure. There are so many boats hitting the same stuff and I think I got lucky and pulled up on the right stretch at the right time. There were boats all over the place.”

The day didn’t start particularly quickly for Loberg as he felt out the lake in the morning. But as the morning progressed, he discovered a productive pattern that produced most of his final tally.

“I ran with it until I reached my limit,” Loberg said. “Honestly, all day I was really trying new stuff and seeing what was going on. With how much things are changing, I want to eliminate water and see what’s happening.”

With how much the lake is changing, Loberg said he isn’t set on doing one thing.

“I’m going to keep an open mind like I did today,” Loberg said. “This place is just changing so much. You have to have a couple things going on, because I don’t think one thing can take you four days.”

McKinney finished Day 1 with a mixed bag weighing 17-1, which included four largemouth and a smallmouth. The Carbondale, Ill., Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro started the morning shallow, but did the majority of his damage on two or three offshore areas. In about a 30 minute flurry, McKinney caught his initial limit which weighed about 15 pounds.

After testing more shallow cover, McKinney went back offshore and culled up to his final weight.

“I really didn’t even hit some of my good stuff today,” he said. “I still have some tricks up my sleeve. I left them about half way through the day. I didn’t want to be greedy. This place is tough and small, I didn’t want to catch fish I would need tomorrow. I played a little defense.”

Conditions changed around McKinney several times throughout the day. When the lake got choppy, he saw the bite improve. Thunderstorms moved through late morning, which shut down his bite for a while. Only one other angler shared water with McKinney on Day 1.

“Overall, I had a lot of stuff to myself,” he explained. “A lot of people probably fished it, but not at the same time as I did. A lot of stuff I’m fishing isn’t getting as pressured as I thought.”

On Day 2, McKinney plans on leaning on his areas a little bit harder than he did on the first day. As the tournament progresses, he believes the more consistent bite will be the offshore bite, but the shallows may produce the bigger bites.

Opelika, Ala., pro Kyle Welcher landed a 4-10 on Day 1, claiming Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.

The full field of anglers will launch from Chicken Creek Boat Ramp beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and will return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. The Top 50 anglers after Day 2 will advance to Semifinal Saturday in hopes of cracking the Top 10 and qualifying for Championship Sunday. Day 3 and 4 weigh-ins will be held at Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller will be available on Bassmaster.com Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. FS1 will carry the morning action on Day 3 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before heading over to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon. Day 4 can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m.-Noon with afternoon action to follow on FOX from Noon-3 p.m.

The Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller is being hosted by the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Unveils Dates for 2025 Team Series, Teams for Challenge Cup and Heritage Cup Events

BENTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today the dates, teams and details for the 2025 Major League Fishing Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, which kicks off August 24-29, at a location that will be announced just 30 days prior to the event.

Like 2024, the 2025 MLF Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops is comprised of four Cup events, each featuring two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing from the same boat and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than a half of a million dollars.

Each minute of competition from the 2025 MLF Team Series will be livestreamed daily, meaning every cast and every catch will be covered live and fans can watch as teammates work together to break down a brand new body of water in real time.

Each MLF Team Series Cup event will feature 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. The top two teams from each of the three Elimination Rounds will advance to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 and 5. The top two teams from each Knockout Round will then move on to the Championship Round on Day 6, where the final four teams compete for the Cup Championship.

In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, the host city is not revealed to Team Series anglers until one month prior to each event. All fishable waters within 60 miles of that city then become off limits to anglers, and the competitors will discover where they’re competing only after arriving at the boat ramp on the morning of competition. Fans watching the MLFNOW! livestream will find out the fishery right along with the anglers and watch all the action unfold live as teams work together and share their knowledge to break down each fishery in real time.

The dates for the 2025 MLF Team Series are:

Challenge Cup: Aug. 24-29, 2025
Heritage Cup: Sept. 14-19, 2025
Patriot Cup: Oct. 22-27, 2025
Summit Cup: Nov. 16-21, 2025

The first MLF Team Series draft of 2025 took place last week in conjunction with the Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury at Kentucky Lake, where 24 team captains – based on the 2025 Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the first three Bass Pro Tour events – drafted a teammate. Those 24 teams will compete in the first two events, the Challenge Cup (Aug. 24-29) and the Heritage Cup (Sept. 14-19).

The 12 teams that will compete in the Challenge Cup, Aug. 24-29 are:

Team #1:
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.

Team #2:
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.

Team #3:
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas

Team #4:
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.

Team #5:
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.

Team #6:
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas

Team #7:
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.

Team #8:
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.

Team #9:
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn.
Colby Miller, Elmer, La.

Team #10:
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.

Team #11:
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.
Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo.

Team #12:
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.

The 12 teams that will compete in the Heritage Cup, Sept. 14-19 are:

Team #1:
Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.

Team #2:
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La.
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.

Team #3:
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C

Team #4:
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Gerald Spohrer, St. Francisville, La.

Team #5:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.

Team #6:
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark.

Team #7:
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio
Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.

Team #8:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.

Team #9:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.

Team #10:
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.

Team #11:
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.

Team #12:
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga.

At Stage 7, 24 new team captains, based on AOY rankings from Stages 4-6, will draft a teammate for the final two Team Series events, the Patriot Cup (Oct. 22-27), and the Summit Cup (Nov. 16-21).

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition during the 2025 MLF Team Series. MLFNOW!® is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and on Rumble.

Each MLF Team Series episode will air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting in Q1 of 2026. The complete television schedule will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Team Series include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.

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

by AnglersChannel

Tenkiller Expectations with Logan Parks and Cody Huff

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships/Photos: Bassmaster

Prior to starting practice this week for the 2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller, the last time Cody Huff and Logan Parks saw this pond was for the 2018 Bassmaster College Series National Championship. Huff and his partner Garrett Enders, who attended the collegiate fishing powerhouse Bethel University, won that event with a three-day total of 41-6.

Parks and his partner, fishing for another college fishing staple of Auburn University, had a tough day one but bounced back on day two, ultimately finishing in the top 30. That tournament proved pivotal for both future Elite Series pros, as it helped to lay the groundwork that would one day propel them to compete at the highest level of the sport.

“What I remember most about that tournament was how hot it was,” Huff recalled, and Parks agreed. “It was late July, there was no wind, and I think the real feel was 112 degrees. It was brutal.”

Huff and Enders capitalized on a similarly hot marina bite during that tournament while Parks targeted schooling fish to success on day two. Lake Tenkiller is proving to be a whole different can of worms this time around for Huff, Parks, and the rest of the Elite Series field.

It’s been a prolonged spring in eastern Oklahoma this year and the past few weeks there has been a lot of rain in the Tahlequah area. This added inflow has caused flooded conditions on Tenkiller and surrounding fisheries, while the Army Core of Engineers continues to pull water as fast as possible, creating a literal ebb and flow on this fishery right now.

Water level was at the front of the Elite Series fields’ mind before competition began this morning as the fluctuation can throw both fishermen and the fish a curveball.

We will see anglers have to adapt with the conditions this week, changing their techniques and presentations as the tournament unfolds. Parks and Huff agreed as they looked out over Lake Tenkiller from their Air BnB perched in the Ozark Mountains.

We caught up with the former college fishing standouts and Toyota Bonus Bucks members for their expectations on Lake Tenkiller for the seventh stop of the 2025 season.

Q - With water level fluctuations being a main talking point, what percentage of the fish weighed in this week will be caught shallow vs offshore?

Huff – “I’d would say 60% shallow and 40% deep. The shallow bite should be strong to start but if they keep pulling water I think the offshore bite will start to shine.”

Parks – “I think it’ll be a solid mix. Probably like 60% shallow and 40% offshore, but the deep fish will be better quality.”

Q – What are three lures or techniques you believe will play a major role on Lake Tenkiller this week?

Huff – “There is a lot going on right now, both shallow and deep. I’d say the three main deals will be flipping flooded cover, using FFS with a minnow, and my wildcard would be a spinnerbait.”

Parks – “I think a jig will play a big role, flipping bushes and docks and what not. A drop shot and then some kind of topwater, like a Berkley Bullet Pop.”

Q – Grammy award winning country music superstar Carrie Underwood’s alma mater is Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where the Bassmaster Expo will be held this week. If you had to characterize your practice and tournament expectations for Lake Tenkiller using a Carrie Underwood song title, which song would you choose?

Huff – “Logan took the only other song I know, so I’m going to say Before he Cheats. And thankfully that’s not really something I have to worry about because of B.A.S.S.’s increased polygraphs.”

Parks – “No doubt Jesus, Take the Wheel, except I’m changing it to Jesus, Take the Reel.”

Q – How much weight per day do you expect it to take to make Championship Sunday this week?

Huff – “I think fourteen and change will get you a top 10. Fourteen pounds per day.”

Parks – “Fifteen pounds per day should be strong.”

by AnglersChannel

RLVNT Adds Frame to Hi-Tech Fishing/Hunting Sunglasses Family

Designed to cover more of the face while still looking good, anglers and hunters are hot for BUCK

FINLAYSON, MN (June 11, 2025) – True to their name which means “Solving Real Life Vexes with New Technology,” Minnesota-based hi-tech sunglasses manufacturer, RVLNT, is proud to introduce another frame style to its current collection of 13 unique frames.

RVLNT’s BUCK is a sturdy, hardworking frame with maximum coverage. Sitting snugly on the wearer’s face, this dynamic frame will block sunlight from all angles. With its thick, durable arms and large wrap lenses, BUCK is sure to be your new favorite sunglasses for all your outdoor adventures.

BLACK FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

BIRCH FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

TORTOISE FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

“We’ve had stellar feedback on this new frame style,” said RLVNT Sales Director, Pat Kalmerton. “It’s designed to keep out light from all angles but still look good on the face. For fishing or hunting, the beta versions we sent out prior to full launch were well received for sharpening up the fishing and hunting experiences while maintaining a fresh, cool look.”

“Plus, our glasses are way more than polarized. All lenses are made of Trivex, as opposed to the scratch collecting properties of polycarbonate. Trivex has the same optical clarity as the human eye, significantly lighter, and shatter-resistant.”

Originally developed for the military, Trivex is a stronger, lighter, clearer, and overall, far superior lens material to polycarbonate. Trivex is also resistant to chemicals and offers better light refraction than polycarbonate. While Trivex lenses may be more expensive, the clarity, safety features, and built-in UV protection make RLVNT’s sunglasses a worthwhile investment.

Kalmerton concluded: “At the end of the day, BUCK caters to those who want a bigger, somewhat boxier frame that doesn’t let in sunlight from the sides and creates a large viewing area when worn. It fits in nicely with our other frames, offering something a lot of anglers and hunters want – basically bigger wrapping lenses and wider, taller, and comfortable arms.”

BUCK is available in three frame colors: Grey, Birch, and Tortoise, as well as Brown, Grey, or Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™, the latter which not only adjusts in shade to light intensity, but provides the wearer with crisp, crystal-clear views of today’s sophisticated fishing electronics or your cell phone while maintaining the benefits of a polarized lens for seeing into the water.

RLVNT’s Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™ provides crisp, crystal-clear views of today’s sophisticated fishing electronics or your cell phone while maintaining the benefits of a polarized lens for seeing into the water.

How do you pick the best BUCK version for your situation and use?

First, you need to choose your base lens color, which can be Brown, optimized for enhancing warm colors in low light, cloudy or shady environments. Grey is great for bright sunshine and reducing brightness without affecting the color balance. The third option is the company’s most popular—Chameleon, which is light adapting for all-day adventures and features ScreenVu™ for clearly and crisply representing digital device screens.

SUNFIRE MIRROR Lens Technology

SMOKE MIRROR Lens Technology

CONCEALMENT Lens Technology

Second, it’s time to pick the mirror style that meets your adventure. BUCK is currently available in eight finishes.

Bronze Mirror is best for maximum glare reduction with bright reflections like on snow and ice.
Smoke Mirror, too, is good for glared reduction and most suitable for wearers with especially sensitive eyes.
Sunfire Mirror is optimized to lower reds, yellows, and oranges while enhancing blues, violets and greens, catering to those fishing in brown or red environments.
Blue Mirror is your classic coastal/offshore mirror that lowers blues and enhances reds, golds, and brown.
Rose Gold Mirror is perfect for any environment with how it lowers reds and oranges and enhances blues and greens.
Red Mirror was designed for those fishing high iron or muddy waters with its ability to lower reds and enhance greens and blues.
Green Mirror is great for fishing in heavy greenery; it lowers greens and enhances reds and browns.
And lastly, there’s RLVNT’s proprietary Concealment Mirror, which provides UV invisibility from all angles—in other words, invisibility to game and fowl when sitting in the blind.

BUCK is also available in Single Vision or Progressive digital prescription types.

TAKE HOME

So RLVNT has done it again with BUCK, and just in time for showing off at ICAST 2025 in Orlando, Florida, where they will be exhibiting at Booth 4438. Sign up here now to set a time to see the entire RLVNT lineup and talk with the tech-heads whose goal is to give all outdoors enthusiasts an edge! Try on a pair and we know you’ll be impressed!

RLVNT’s Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™ self-adjust shading to the available ambient light. As a result, the lenses also perform at dawn, dusk, and during overcast conditions.

View Online Version

ABOUT

RLVNT was founded by Norm and Adam in 2018, two friends from the optical industry who loved the outdoors and wanted sunglasses tailormade for their environments. The problem? That technology didn’t exist. And what’s more, other outdoor enthusiasts had great ideas but weren’t being heard. RLVNT became the solution to these problems as a company committed to listening to the community and solving Real-Life Vexes with New Technology.

From inception to becoming a leading outdoor brand, RLVNT’s commitment to quality and science-based solutions shines through.

by AnglersChannel

Vexus® pro Kyle Cortiana: “I’m living my dad’s dream.”

Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he’d cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series, would pounce on it like a feisty largemouth.

“Much like Kyle, I too dreamed of being a professional bass fisherman when I was a young man, but like a lot of guys, fatherhood, work, and home life took a more important precedence than being gone from home and spending money I didn’t have to chase a dream,” says the always joyful and perspective-rich Cortiana.

With zero bitterness, Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper on every small accessible body of water they could explore around Tulsa and Broken Arrow, OK, long before he went to kindergarten.

“I don’t think Kyle was even 3-years old when he caught his first bass on a Texas-rigged worm, and we’ve been chasing fish together ever since,” smiled Carl while sharing a day on Lake Guntersville recently in Kyle’s Vexus.

As a 2-time Toyota Series Angler of the Year, a 2-time Toyota Series tournament champion, with several Top 10 finishes in the 100 MLF events he’s competed in, it’s fair to say the 42-year old former pond hopper was destined to catch fish for a living, despite having a civil engineering degree in his hip pocket from Oklahoma State University.

“Kyle’s obviously turned out to be one heck of an angler, he’s indeed living the dream I once had, but first and foremost I’m most proud of the fact he’s a kind, thoughtful, super determined, young man. I’m proud to be his dad,” reflects the elder Cortiana, a mostly retired machinist, who travels from Oklahoma to join Kyle and Miranda somewhere ‘on tour’ each year.

Sometimes it’s Guntersville, on other occasions it’s been the St. Lawrence River, NY. He’d like to make it to more events in the future, but they’re always sure to talk on the phone at least three times a week.

“I’ve been a bad fisherman my whole life,” laughs Carl. “But I’ve learned a lot from my son – especially how effective the drop shot rig is.”

Perhaps no catch was more meaningful however than a 10-pounder Kyle guided his dad to in 2014 back home in Oklahoma. “My mom had just died, and Kyle and Miranda weren’t about to let me spend Thanksgiving alone. So, we went to dinner at Miranda’s family’s home near Ardmore, and that afternoon we went fishing. That 10-pound 12 ounce fish proved to be the biggest bass of my nearly 70-years on earth, and I’m convinced it was Heaven-sent as a sign from Mom to keep living life,” reflects Cortiana.

Carl Cortiana has kept living life indeed. His cup is full these days, having a cushy front row seat in his son’s Vexus to vicariously live-out the dreams he had in the 1980s of catching bass for a living.

The numerous trophies prove Kyle Coritana’s success, but perhaps more importantly is the fact he had a dad who was wise enough to know he might be starting something awfully special when Kyle first pounced on that rubber practice casting plug in the family living room.

by AnglersChannel

Feider and Cox: bologna sandwiches and minimal FFS at Tenkiller

Vexus pros Seth Feider and John Cox call Minnesota and Florida home. But both love the shallow water fishing in Oklahoma, especially this week with the high-water flooding lots of shoreline habitat at the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Tenkiller. Oh, and the BBQ and bologna sandwiches are pretty good too.

We caught up with the two highly accomplished, down-to-earth pros, for a fast Q & A, on the eve of competition.

Q: Are you excited about Tenkiller’s lake level being 5+ higher than normal?

Feider: Absolutely! If it were at normal pool it would be a totally offshore deal, but I truly believe this derby can be won shallow.

Cox: Yes! If the water level was low, it’d be way tougher on me.

Q: What percentage of the time do you anticipate using forward-facing sonar in this event?

Feider: If the water stays in the bushes – 0%. If it falls drastically, then maybe 20% at the most.

Cox: 0%

Q: What’s the best meal you’ve had since arriving at Tenkiller?

Feider: I’m still waiting on it, because we tried to eat at Roxie’s BBQ, but they had just run out of meat. It smelled so good! So, we’re definitely going back to try again.

Cox: Oh my gosh! The bologna, cheese, mustard and pickle sandwich my roommate Brandon Lester made us for lunch was amazing! I told my mom it took me right back to memories of elementary school.

Q: What do you love most about being part of Team Vexus?

Feider: The people. Everybody I’ve met has been so cool, and they build a phenomenal boat, man.

Cox: Being able to talk to the factory leaders as though they’re my best buddies.

Q: What will your average daily weight need to be to score a Top 10 at Tenkiller?

Feider: 16 or 17 pounds

Cox: 17 pounds

by AnglersChannel

Kristine Fischer Previews Lake Tenkiller Elite

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / Photos: Bassmaster

Kristine Fischer added to her impressive kayak fishing accomplishments when she won the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Tenkiller presented by Native Watercraft last week. Fischer now has victories in three different national kayak tournament trails and has helped to make kayak fishing cool, amassing a huge following on social media and beyond in the process.

Fischer is one of the most decorated kayak anglers in the country but this year she’s stepped out of her comfort zone, competing in Bassmaster Opens and Lady Bass Angler Association (LBAA) tournaments out of her Ranger boat. The Team Toyota pro already notched an LBAA win out of her bass boat on Lake Seminole earlier in the year and now has her first Bassmaster Kayak Series title.

“It was such a whirlwind and I couldn’t be more grateful for my first Bassmaster win,” Fischer beamed. “I am not anti-FFS at all, but this win was extra special because I fished the way I love to. Skipping docks, flipping bushes and never having to even turn my electronics on. It was so much fun and definitely felt meant to be.”

Fischer is a BassmastHER ambassador and as good as she is on the water, perhaps her best work is done in supporting and inspiring women or inexperienced anglers to get outside and get their feet wet. Fishing, especially tournament fishing, can be intimidating but anglers like Fischer have done a great deal to help bust down barriers for folks who aspire to try their hand.

“It is my biggest dream that every single other woman out there can see this and believe that they can do this, too,” Fischer said. “I just want more story to help pave the way for future female Bassmaster Elite & Classic qualifiers.”

With the seventh stop of the Bassmaster Elite Series set to kick off tomorrow on Lake Tenkiller less than two weeks after Kristine’s big win, who better to preview this event and talk current conditions? According to Fischer, water level fluctuations will have a big impact on this tournament.

“The lake levels have been all over the place at Tenkiller the past few weeks,” Fischer explained. “When we started practice water was 8+ feet high, but by the end of the tournament it was only three feet high. I’ve kept my eye on the lake level this week and the Elites are going to experience similar conditions.

“The water was 7-feet high and rising to start practice for the Elites and they are pulling water again. It was just over 5-feet high the last time I looked. Because of these fluctuations I purposely stayed away from the backs of creeks and tried to focus on the mouths of creeks and steeper banks. It’s looking like the Elite guys might have to do the same.”

Fischer explained that she found a solid offshore bite in practice, catching fish at depths all the way down to 40+ feet, but she decided to fish her strengths and left the offshore bite to others. That decision proved fruitful as she used a variety of swimbaits like a Berkley Cull Shad to catch quality keepers around floating docks and then had a strong flipping bite around bushes and willow trees using a Texas-rigged Berkley Crud Craw on a 5/8-ounce weight.

This one-two punch was enough to propel Fischer from second place on day one to the top spot by the end of day two. While Fischer believes Elite Series anglers will continue to capitalize on the shallow bite, she knows things are changing fast and expects to see a different side of Tenkiller shine.

“I expect the Elites to show out the deep bite on Tenkiller this weekend,” Fischer said. “The water has a lot of color to it but it’s mid-June, it’s hot, and a big population of fish will be offshore or moving offshore during the tournament. I think we’ll see a lot of 15-16-lb mixed bags of both largemouth and smallies. That makes for a fun tournament for the anglers and an exciting show for the fans!”

At just under 13,000 acres, Lake Tenkiller is on the small side in terms of Elite Series venues, but as Fischer alluded to, there are a myriad of ways to catch bass in this eastern Oklahoma reservoir. What Tenkiller lacks in size, it makes up for in number of fish and beauty.

Perched in the rolling hills and scenic bluffs near the western edge of the Ozark Mountains, this fishery is full of bass. Despite curveball conditions with regional flooding and lots of debris in the water, Fischer believes Tenkiller is poised to show out once again for the 2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite.

by AnglersChannel

Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Announces Support for Eight Conservation Projects Across U.S.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – June 11, 2025 - The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame continues to prove its commitment to conservation by again granting a total of $40,000 to be dispersed among eight different bass fishing-related conservation projects. The efforts range from building live release boats for use at tournaments, to enhancing black bass habitat across the United States. When paired with additional funds raised by these recipients, the Hall of Fame grants will greatly enhance the likelihood of these projects being completed.

“With these latest grants, we’ll exceed $200,000 given in support of fishery enhancement projects over the past six years,” said BFHOF conservation committee chair Gene Gilliland. “These bass clubs have boots-on-the-ground members who donate their sweat equity to these projects, while the Hall of Fame’s Board provides financial support for building live release tournament boats, conservation-based youth fishing camps, fish stocking projects, habitat enhancement, and other needed gear to help make the projects a reality.”

The eight grantees receiving financial assistance from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame under these most recent grants are:

Bill Dance Signature Lakes Trail – an ongoing joint effort between the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation, along with help from high school anglers to continue enhancing habitat at select lakes across Tennessee.
Fishing’s Future – Bass Anglers Start Early Family Fish Camp – (Texas and Indiana) – educational camps in both Texas and Indiana that emphasize environmental stewardship, including the establishment of fishing line recycling stations.
Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation – to enhance habitat quality at Wilson Reservoir by building and submerging both natural and artificial habitat.
Louisiana Fellowship of Christian Athletes Outdoors – hosting day camps for middle and high school anglers to teach ethical bass tournament competition behavior and environmental stewardship.
New Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation Youth & Conservation – in cooperation with the New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, this group plans to purchase and stock bass at Ute Lake, NM, with post-stocking evaluation to follow in subsequent years.
Northwest Arkansas Fish Habitat Alliance – a joint effort among high school students, the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and MossBack Fish Habitat to build and deploy fish habitat in Lake Fort Smith.
Ohio B.A.S.S. Nation – purchase and customize a tournament Live Release boat to be used at both youth and adult bass tournaments across Ohio for improved post-tournament survival and redistribution of tournament caught bass.
Texas B.A.S.S. Nation Youth – improvements to current tournament Live Release trailer to give special attention to bass that appear compromised, and a roof to shade the primary holding tank, to keep it cooler.

“Between our conservation grants and scholarship program for students pursuing fishery management careers, the BFHOF Board-designated financial support we’ve provided to other fishing clubs and organizations over the past six years, and the recent enhancements we’ve made to the Hall’s venue within Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium, we’ve contributed nearly $500,000 to support the Board’s mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing,” said BHFOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “We could not have done it without the support we receive from so many leading brands in the bass fishing industry, along with support from the many B.A.S.S. and MLF pro anglers who contribute to our fundraising efforts. We can’t thank them enough for the crucial role they play in the Hall’s mission.”

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction ceremony and dinner on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. It’s the culmination of ‘Celebrate Bass Fishing Week’ which also includes the Hall’s online silent auction (visit www.BassFishingHOF.com for details) to assist the Hall of Fame in funding its operations and future conservations projects such as these and other worthy endeavors benefiting the sport of bass fishing.

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About the BFHOF -- The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors and is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. Since 2017, the Hall’s inductees and memorabilia representing the history of bass fishing is showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, where it has rapidly become a popular destination. For more information about the Hall, its mission, and to become a supporting member, visit www.BassFishingHOF.com, or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at [email protected].

by AnglersChannel

Card hopes Tenkiller’s high water will turn his season around

Over the past 13 years, Vexus® Boats pro Brandon Card, has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic seven times. However, this year has been one of his most frustrating. Still, he was kind enough at the end of three long days of practice for the Lake Tenkiller Bassmaster Elite Series event to talk about why he’s struggled, and if the high-water levels might help turn his season around.

Q: The lake has risen roughly three feet since you guys started practice Sunday. It’s now 5+ feet above normal, to the point shoreline bushes, benches, grills, and campsites are flooded. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Card: It’s a good thing for shallow water anglers, and I’m in that category this week.

Q: You started this season with a great event on the St. Johns River in Florida, but you’ve had an atypically tough year since then. Why do you think that is?

Card: I don’t know. It’s a head scratcher. The only explanation is that I’m still trying to refine my forward-facing sonar skills. I do well with the technology on smallmouth, but largemouth are a different animal. At Hartwell and Fork I found myself with one foot on the shallow bite, and one foot on FFS, and you have to fully commit one way or the other.

Q: There’s an old saying in relation to the economy that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ Will Tenkiller’s high water lift your Vexus to a Top 10 this weekend?

Card: Heck yea! My confidence is still good. I know where they’re living. I just have to adjust as the water level falls throughout this event.

Q: How many pounds will you have to average each day to score a Top 10?

Card: I’ll say 13 to 14-pounds a day will do really well here.

Q: What keeps a smile on Brandon Card’s face amid a tough season?

Card: I’m just blessed. The Lord has been so good to me. I have a great wife, a cool little boy named Davis, and a baby girl due in October. I see life’s bigger picture way better than I did early in my career when a bad tournament would devastate me.

by AnglersChannel

James River Readies for Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 5 Presented by 7Brew Coffee

RICHMOND, Va. (June 10, 2025) – The fifth Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational event of the season is set to visit Richmond, Virginia, next week, June 20-22, on the James River – the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 5 Presented by 7Brew Coffee.

The three-day Invitational tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, will feature professional bass anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000. Anglers will take to the river to catch their five biggest bass each day, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total.

“We’re proud to welcome Major League Fishing, their anglers and fans back to the Richmond Region for the upcoming Tackle Warehouse Invitational,” said Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales at Richmond Region Tourism. “Osborne Landing and the James River offer some of the best bass fishing in the country, and we’re excited for participants to experience everything that makes our outdoor scene so special. We look forward to a fantastic weekend on the water.”

Although MLF history on the James River was mainly limited to one-day Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournaments in the past, the last two pro-level events were a great example of what the river can produce over multiple days. Pro Nick LeBrun won the June 2022 Pro Circuit event with 17 pounds, 9 ounces on the final day, and he had 47-11 on the scale through three days. Last year, Skeet Reese won the Bass Pro Tour (BPT) event on the James, held in late June. The Bass Fishing Hall of Famer put up 23 bass for 54-3 on the final day to add another trophy to his already-packed trophy case.

In the Pro Circuit event, LeBrun did almost all his damage in the Chickahominy, though that event saw anglers utilize a lot of the river. Reese used the Chickahominy as well, but did most of his damage on the final day in the Appomattox, which is quite close to takeoff at Osborne Landing compared to the Chick.

Between the James and its tributaries, there are tons of options for the field in next week’s event. Expansive fields of spatterdock, cypress trees, docks, rip rap, brush and some submerged vegetation give anglers and bass plenty of choice. Given the time of year, fish should be postspawn and in summer patterns, and the fishing should be pretty good.

“The key is going to be finding where those big ones are,” said Jason Tibbetts of Centreville, Virginia, a second-year pro on the Invitationals and a local to the James. “The James has a lot of sneaky little areas, we have plenty of fishing area. It’s that guy that’s going to find that bigger than 2-pound average fish and really capitalize on that and possibly have a kicker – if you can go 18, 20 pounds each day, I think you’re going to do very well, if not win it.”

One of the big decisions on the James is where to fish, or, if you’re going to attempt to fish everywhere. Running the tide and hitting many areas on a long stretch of river is a tactic that local anglers tend to have a huge edge with. Alternatively, there are plenty of creeks and sections of the fishery where an angler could stay all day. But, the James is not the easiest fishery to navigate, and it is very spread out.

“It used to be the Chick was where you would go run,” Tibbetts said. “There were big fish, but with years and years and years of tournament fishing, they’ve kind of transported a lot of those big fish up to Osborne Landing. So now in that area you have a good chance of catching some big fish, but they are scattered, and they’ve got a lot of places to go.”

Last year, the Appomattox was key in the BPT event, and Tibbetts thinks it could play well again this time.

“The Chick will have the grass and the pads, but the Appomattox, which isn’t anywhere near the run to get to the Chick, is starting to get a lot of grass and pads in it as well. So that may be a big player,” he said. “People might overlook that. They’re thinking, ‘Oh, I’m going to run all the way down to the Chick.’ You run all the way down to the Chick, you don’t really have a lot of time to come back and hit the Appomattox. So, if you find fish in the Appomattox and they’re good fish, you’ve got a lot of fishing time.”

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. ET each day from Osborne Landing, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike in Richmond, Virginia. Weigh-ins will be held at the landing and will begin at 2:30 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 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals feature a field of professional anglers competing across six invitational tournaments around the country, for a total purse of $4.3 million and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points to qualify for the Invitationals Championship, set for Sept. 5-7 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the sport’s premier circuit.

In Tackle Warehouse Invitationals competition, the full field competes 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, advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000.

Forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to only days 1 and 3 of competition. No forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar will be allowed on day 2 of competition.

The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live all three days of competition from 7 a.m. to 2:15 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 5 at the James River Presented by 7Brew Coffee will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 25 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, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, 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.

by AnglersChannel

Anderson Fishes Shallow Grass for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Ross Barnett Reservoir

Madison’s Hendry Tops Co-Angler Division

BRANDON, Miss. (June 9, 2025) – Boater John Anderson of Bay Springs, Mississippi, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Ross Barnett Reservoir. The tournament, hosted by Visit Ridgeland, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Mississippi Division. Anderson earned $3,531 for his victory.

This is Anderson’s second BFL win in as many seasons. And like last year, when he got the W on Lake Ferguson, Anderson gave his outboard a workout.

“I burned a lot of gas,” he said. “The last time I won, I did a whole bunch of running that day, too. I ran all over the lake.”

He kicked things off running far up the river to get away from the crowd.

“I caught a bunch of fish just fishing anything that looked good in front of me,” Anderson said. “Then later on in the day, I went out in the main lake to two known community holes and started throwing a frog in some windblown lily pads. I was able to secure two quality fish and didn’t think I had enough because I lost several big ones doing that.”

Anderson’s fears were nearly right, as he wound up getting the win by just 3 ounces over John Berry. He says not hooking fish in practice was an important strategy on a lake where “you can’t catch ’em two days in a row.” Instead, Anderson ran around listening for bluegills in grass, marking those areas to fish in the tournament.

“I keep it pretty simple up there,” he added. “I was throwing a frog and a swim jig on anything that was green touching the water.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        John Anderson, Bay Springs, Miss., five bass, 17-3, $3,531
2nd:      John Berry, Mt. Olive, Miss., five bass, 17-0, $1,535
3rd:       Alfred Williams, Jackson, Miss., five bass, 15-13, $1,024
4th:        Roger Stegall, Iuka, Miss., five bass, 15-10, $716
5th:        Charles Watts, Corinth, Miss., five bass, 14-14, $614
6th:        Hunter Briles, Russellville, Ala., five bass, 14-13, $563
7th:        Blake Daugherty, Pope, Miss., five bass, 14-12, $512
8th:        Shannon Denson, Brandon, Miss., five bass, 13-10, $461
9th:        Timmy Ming, Louisville, Miss., five bass, 13-6, $409
10th:     Barrett Saunders Hammond, La., five bass, 13-0, $858 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Anderson caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $360.

Davis Hendry of Madison, Mississippi, won the co-angler division and $1,535 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Davis Hendry, Madison, Miss., three bass, 7-11, $1,535
2nd:      Ryan Lecompte, Picayune, Miss., three bass, 7-8, $640
2nd:      Lance Jackson, Starkville, Miss., three bass, 7-8, $640
4th:        Finn Norsworthy, Brandon, Miss., three bass, 7-5, $358
5th:        Cy Matlock, Crump, Tenn., three bass, 7-4, $307
6th:        Thomas Russell, Clarksdale, Miss., two bass, 7-1, $281
7th:        Daryl Powell, Leesville, La., three bass, 7-0, $243
7th:        Isiah Kelly, Memphis, Tenn., three bass, 7-0, $243
9th:        Reggie Thornton, Columbus, Miss., three bass, 6-15, $205
10th:     Will Herrington, Brandon, Miss., three bass, 6-14, $229

Chris Mitchell of Millport, Alabama, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $180, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Luke Glasgow of Guin, Alabama, now leads the Fishing Clash Mississippi Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 950 points, while Steve Hammack of Caledonia, Mississippi, leads the Fishing Clash Mississippi Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 909 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Mississippi Division anglers will be held Sept. 27-28, at Pickwick Lake in Iuka, Mississippi. 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. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes out of Paris, 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.

by AnglersChannel

Hensley, Wilkinson Tie for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Ohio River at Rocky Point

Brownsburg’s Troyer Tops Co-Angler Division

CANNELTON, Ind. (June 9, 2025) – Boaters Todd Hensley of New Albany, Indiana, and Chris Wilkinson of Farmersburg, Indiana, each caught a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to tie for the win at the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Ohio River at Rocky Point. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Hensley earned $3,416, which includes contingency prizes, while Wilkinson earned $2,916.

A couple heavy storms the day before the tournament had a big impact on both winners, muddying up waters and limiting where they could get bit.

“I didn’t fish the main Ohio River,” Hensley said. “I fished in the creeks, and I was just targeting large stumps that the bass are spawning on.”

In practice, Hensley located three creeks where he could get bit. He fished his primary area in the morning and caught all his keepers on a tube.

“After that, about noon, I went to other areas and they were just so blown out by the rain, there was just nothing to catch there,” he added.

For Wilkinson, it was basically the same.

“Everything I was wanting to do kind of went to the wayside and muddied up,” he said. “This morning I just kind of went fishing. I went to an area where I did have one or two bites in practice, and I caught one there pretty early and just kind of stuck it out through the day.

“All my fish came off of wood, either laydowns or stumps,” he added. “I caught two early on a Hook Some Bass spinnerbait. And the rest came on a Natural Forage Flapper Hog.”

This makes 52 top-10 finishes and 11 wins for Wilkinson in a BFL career spawning two decades.

“It took me 10 years to figure it out though,” he joked. “The first 10 didn’t count. It (winning) just makes me want to keep going for more. Whenever it’s not special is when I’ll be done. I don’t see that happening anytime in the near future.”

For Hensley, this is BFL win No. 4 and his 38th top-10 finish.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Todd Hensley, New Albany, Ind., five bass, 11-1, $3,416
1st:        Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., five bass, 11-1, $2,916
3rd:       Jeffery Johnson, Austin, Ind., five bass, 9-8, $1,897 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th:        Justin Berger, Murray, Ky., five bass, 9-3, $907
5th:        Chris Leclere, Cannelton, Ind., five bass, 9-1, $778
6th:        Kenny Hornsby, Goshen, Ohio, five bass, 9-0, $713
7th:        Brandon Barker, Magnet, Ind., five bass, 8-6, $648
8th:        Stacey Edwards, Milton, Ky., five bass, 8-4, $583
9th:        Kevin Meunier, Lamar, Ind., five bass, 8-3, $519
10th:     Brad Hostetler Jr., Franklin, Ind., five bass, 8-1, $454

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jeremy Johnson of Austin, Indiana, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 2 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $525.

Adam Troyer of Brownsburg, Indiana, won the co-angler division and $2,206 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 7 pounds, 13 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Adam Troyer, Brownsburg, Ind., three bass, 7-13, $2,206
2nd:      Mason Bohland, Noblesville, Ind., three bass, 5-14, $972
3rd:       Martin Bryant, North Vernon, Ind., three bass, 5-8, $699
4th:        Aaron Powell, Leitchfield, Ky., three bass, 5-6, $454
5th:        Adam Lohr, Boonville, Ind., three bass, 5-5, $389
6th:        Daniel Fromme, Jasper, Ind., three bass, 5-0, $356
7th:        David Prater, Franklin, Ohio, three bass, 4-11, $324
8th:        Charlie Kuebler, Jasper, Ind., three bass, 4-10, $292
9th:        Stu Laughead, Vine Grove, Ky., three bass, 4-9, $243
9th:        Dan Pardue, Morgantown, Ind., three bass, 4-9, $243

Troyer also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $262, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Jamil Abdullah of Indianapolis, Indiana, now leads the Fishing Clash Hoosier Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 485 points, while Martin Bryant of North Vernon, Indiana, leads the Fishing Clash Hoosier Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 489 points.

The next event for BFL Hoosier Division anglers will be held June 28, at Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Indiana. 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 Kentucky-Barkley Lakes out of Paris, 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.

by AnglersChannel

Blaine’s Sales Posts Second Career Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Dale Hollow

Kentucky’s Back Tops Co-Angler Division

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (June 9, 2025) – Boater Hunter Sales of Blaine, Tennessee, caught a three-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake. The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina & Resort, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Mountain Division. Sales earned $2,703 for his victory.

With BFL anglers restricted to three keepers on Dale Hollow, separating yourself from the pack was almost certainly going to take a big kicker fish. And Sales got one. Among the three largemouth in his bag was one that weighed around 5 pounds.

“Most of the fish that I was catching were singles, not really in groups,” he said. “I caught those a couple different ways. I caught some dragging a jig on the end of some long points and also scoping a minnow.

“I put my trolling motor down this morning at probably 6:20 or so, and I never picked my trolling motor up until it was time to come back to weigh-in,” Sales added.

Sales spent the entire day in one area where he located some 3 1/2-pound-class fish in the four or so hours that he got to practice on Friday. Staying in that area and casting to as many fish as he could, from the points to the river channel, allowed him to be most efficient and effective.

His winning fish came on a Z-Man football jig and Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ on a 3/8-ounce Queen Tackle jighead tied to 15-pound-test Seaguar Smackdown braid with an 8-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon leader.

The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Hunter Sales, Blaine, Tenn., three bass, 11-15, $2,703
2nd:      Chris Halfacre, Cookeville, Tenn., three bass, 11-12, $1,452
3rd:       Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., three bass, 11-11, $901
4th:        Tristan Abbott, Somerset, Ky., three bass, 11-10, $631
5th:        Whit Terry, Cookeville, Tenn., three bass, 11-7, $541
6th:        Clint Brodsky, Burlington, Ky., three bass, 11-6, $996 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th:        Isaac Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., three bass, 11-5, $576
8th:        Blake Smith, Byrdstown, Tenn., three bass, 11-2, $405
9th:        Ryan Laper, Bowling Green, Ky., three bass, 11-1, $660
10th:     Branden Grubb, Lily, Ky., three bass, 10-12, $299
10th:     Christian Nash, Allons, Tenn., three bass, 10-12, $299

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Ryan Laper of Bowling Green, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $300.

Doug Back of Jackson, Kentucky, won the co-angler division and $1,352 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 9 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Doug Back, Jackson, Ky., three bass, 8-9, $1,352
2nd:      Stephen Waldon, Ellenwood, Ga., three bass, 8-2, $676
3rd:       Chris Rushing, Gamaliel, Ky., three bass, 7-6, $450
4th:        Tim Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., three bass, 7-3, $315
5th:        Brad Thacher, Murray, Ky., three bass, 7-1, $270
6th:        Tyler Thompson, Radcliff, Ky., three bass, 6-15, $248
7th:        Grant Aumiller, Danville, Ky., three bass, 6-12, $225
8th:        Jayden Hearn, Brush Creek, Tenn., two bass, 6-9, $203
9th:        Isaac Mueller, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 6-5, $180
10th:     Cajun Rob Welsh, Berea, Ky., three bass, 5-10, $158

Tracy Helton of London, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $150, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Lee Sinclair of Albany, Kentucky, now leads the Fishing Clash Mountain Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 963 points, while Allen Neal of Whitley City, Kentucky, leads the Fishing Clash Mountain Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 956 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Mountain Division anglers will be held Sept. 13-14, at Lake Cumberland in Monticello, 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. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Douglas Lake in Dandridge, 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.

by AnglersChannel

Lake View’s Shields Gets Second Win of the Season at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Neely Henry

Georgia’s Slaton Tops Co-Angler Division

GADSDEN, Ala. (June 9, 2025) – Boater Austin Shields of Lake View, Alabama, caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Neely Henry. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Bama Division. Shields earned $3,553 for his victory.

Shields is on a roll. Last season, he secured top-10 finishes in BFL events held in back-to-back weekends on Neely Henry. He then opened this season’s Choo Choo Division on Lake Guntersville with a win. Last weekend, Shields and his team partner won a team championship and divisional team-of-the-year title in a trail they fish together. The weekend before that, Shields won another local tournament. To cap it all off, he got the W in the Bama Division event on Neely Henry.

“Winning that BFL at the beginning of the year gave me a lot of confidence this year,” he said. “I just fished free. It felt good. I don’t think it’s really set in that I won yet.”

Neely Henry sets up well for Shields’ strengths as a shallow-water fisherman. He says it’s a place where he can focus on grass and docks. With a late boat draw, he started down the lake first thing in the morning just hunting for an available spot to get started. He came across a stretch where he has some history, pulled up and caught a 3 1/2-pound bass on the first cast. Shields worked the rest of the stretch with no luck, then bounced around for a while, eventually bagging a small limit – mostly 1-pound fish to go with that early kicker. His co-angler also sacked up a small limit.

“I decided to run back up the lake just a little bit, bouncing my way back up toward Gadsden, fishing small pockets,” he recalled. “I had a big fish come off at the boat in one of those pockets. That gave me the confidence to keep doing what I was doing – keep grinding shallow. I knew it was what I needed to do to get the big bites.”

On his next stop – a place Shields had never fished before – he tossed his swim jig up to a mat and caught a 4.8-pound bass, culling out a fish that weighed just shy of a pound. Shields fished around some more but made sure to leave himself about 90 minutes to check some spots near the takeoff area, where he knows a lot of bass are released in local tournaments.

“I get to my good stretch, my favorite stretch, where literally last year in my two top 10s I caught a fish over 4 pounds in back-to-back weekends,” he said. “And I don’t know why but they like to eat late in the day. Sure enough, like clockwork, I get to my grass and I fish this stretch and I’m working my frog. I see a little piece of grass twitch. I’m like, ‘Oh, one’s coming for it.’ I gave it a nice little pause and she ate it, and it was like a 4 1/2.”

That closing kicker sealed the deal for Shields, giving him the win by just 2 ounces over Hunter Hayes.

“Man, it feels awesome,” he added. “It just really hasn’t set in yet because I wasn’t thinking I had a shot to win. I was thinking I might have a top 10 or top 20. I was feeling pumped about that. And I had a great co-angler, too, a guy by the name of Jeffrey Ford. He was really cool. Really positive. He kept me kind of level throughout the day and had a great attitude. That along with having my family here cheering me on for the whole thing. We made a vacation out of it this whole week, staying up in Gadsden. We love Gadsden. It’s a really cool place.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Austin Shields, Lake View, Ala., five bass, 15-4, $3,553
2nd:      Hunter Hayes, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 15-2, $1,777
3rd:       Bobby McCaa, Selma, Ala., five bass, 14-13, $1,685 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th:        Dusty Robinson, Eclectic, Ala., five bass, 14-6, $829
5th:        Manning Larkins, Hueytown, Ala., five bass, 14-5, $711
6th:        Jason Gator Howard, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 13-7, $1,106
7th:        Kris Colley, Ragland, Ala., five bass, 13-6, $592
8th:        Todd Newchurch, Livonia, La., five bass, 13-2, $503
8th:        Allan Glasgow, Foley, Ala., five bass, 13-2, $503
10th:     David Wesson, Southside, Ala., five bass, 12-15, $415

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jason Gator Howard caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $455.

Robert Slaton of Marietta, Georgia, won the co-angler division and $1,777 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 10 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Robert Slaton, Marietta, Ga., three bass, 12-10, $1,777
2nd:      James Ramsey, Boaz, Ala., three bass, 8-8, $888
3th:        Brad Mahan, Clanton, Ala., three bass, 8-3, $819
4th:        Chris Allen, Bremen, Ga., three bass, 7-12, $415
5th:        Sam Fish, Alexander City, Ala., three bass, 7-10, $355
6th:        Don Griffin, Roswell, Ga., three bass, 7-9, $326
7th:        Elijah Clark, Alabaster, Ala., three bass, 7-6, $296
8th:        Matt Adcock, Somerville, Ala., three bass, 7-4, $267
9th:        Michael Petras, Biloxi, Miss., three bass, 7-3, $387
10th:     Larry Chastain, Laurel, Miss., three bass, 7-2, $207

Brad Mahan of Clanton, Alabama, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $227, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Kris Colley of Ragland, Alabama, now leads the Fishing Clash Bama Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 964 points, while Larry Chastain of Laurel, Mississippi, leads the Fishing Clash Bama Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 963 points.

The fifth and final regular-season event for BFL Bama Division anglers will be held Aug. 16-17, at the Alabama River out of Prattville, 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 out of 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.

by AnglersChannel

The Final Standings for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia

Montevallo finishes in 1^st, UNA is ranked 2^nd, and Carson-Newman rounds out the Top 3

SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 6, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers releases the final points update for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The University of Montevallo finishes the year ranked number one, with a total of 40,575 points. The University of North Alabama holds onto 2^nd with 38,830 points, and Carson-Newman University climbs one place to end the year ranked 3^rd with 36,695 points.

The race for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia began in June of last year. Since that time, a total of 63 points eligible events were contested. 158 different colleges/universities competed in those qualifying tournaments. 22 of the final Top 25 teams were picked inside of the Top 25 for the ACA Pre-Season Poll entering this campaign.

The latest points update to college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system is highlighted by results from the Bassmaster College Series event at Chickamauga Lake. Here is a look at schools that made significant moves up in the standings following the completion of that tournament:

3) Carson-Newman University – Previously Ranked 4

11) Blue Mountain Christian University – Previously Ranked 12

23) Troy University – Previously Ranked 24

Click here to view the complete final standings.

The 2024-25 race for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia was a closely contested race for the number one overall spot, Top 10, and Top 25 throughout the year. Three different programs occupied the number one overall spot at different points in this season.

Emmanuel University – September 2024

Carson-Newman University – October 2024-February 2025

University of Montevallo – September 2024, February 2025-End of Season

5^th-10^th in the final overall standings were separated by just less than 3,000 points. The same goes for 19^th-25^th as well.

With the conclusion of this season, the race for the 2025-26 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is now underway. Read the complete program details here. View the current list of points eligible events at this link. To get an event sanctioned to be eligible for points, email [email protected].

by AnglersChannel

ISLAND OPTICS LAUNCHES NEW OX2 LOW LIGHT LENS FOR ANGLERS

[BOCA RATON, FLA.] — ISLAND OPTICS has announced the launch of our new Low Light OX2 Lenses engineered specifically for anglers and the conditions they most often face. As an angler, you know you aren't always able to go fishing on the best calmest, sunniest days. You deal with a lot of weather as an angler, and something that is often overlooked is a lens on sunglasses that allows you to see into the water on those dark, stormy days as well as early and late in the day and in very shaded areas.

Island Optics has been working on a low light lens for more than a year with their anglers to offer a better advantage over the fish in a multitude of conditions. Their proprietary OX2 lens offers layers of protection and vision enhancing qualities that now help you see into the water in every condition you face, while enhancing the color and adding clarity to your day. Their polycarbonate lenses offer maximum protection to your eyes while also offering you unparalleled visual acuity in a wide range of environments.

The new OX2 Lowlight Lens features a brighter yellow base that filters more helpful light penetration to see into darker, shadier waters while still blocking out all the harmful UVA and UVB rays. They spent additional time mastering the filtering of light more accurately for the low light conditions while still reducing the maximum amount of glare to give you a deeper look into the waters you fish in a wider range of conditions.

These lenses feature hydrophobic, oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings to ensure the elements, dirt, oils and other things won't mask your vision. A quick wipe with the micro fiber cloth case, and your lenses are like new again in seconds. All to keep you seeing clearly on long days on the water.

Island Optics offer these new lenses on several styles and many anglers wearing them are raving about the combination of this new lens on the larger fishing frame the Mako XL.

"I love the new Low Light OX2 Lens from Island Optics," said longtime fishing publisher and media stalwart Jason Sealock. "These lenses have been some of the best I've ever tested, at a much more affordable price point for anglers. And I've found them to be very comfortable on my eyes even in bright conditions. On those early mornings where I'm stalking fish in the shallows and again in the late evenings, these quickly became my go-to lenses on the Mako XL frame for hunting good fishing spots and individual fish."

"After many requests from charter captains and serious anglers to supply a Low Light Lens that would help them during the early mornings and overcast days, we decided to create a superior lens that visually exceeded the top tier lenses by other makers like Costa and Smith," said Island Optics Founder, Josh Alovis. "Through many months of testing different amber/yellow/mirror color combinations and levels of polarization with a VLT of 32%, we are proud to finally offer the OX2 Low Light lenses to anglers. Perfect for sight fishing and shallow water angling at all times of the day and any type of weather."

Island Optics seeks to build the highest quality sunglasses for anglers without exceeding their budget, breaking the longtime stigma that you have to spend $250 or more to have quality fishing sunglasses. They are focused on providing twice the quality at half the cost of most other high-end sunglasses manufacturers and disrupting the price points anglers have suffered through for decades.

Not only that, but Island Optics offers the best options for prescription and transitional sunglasses for anglers with every vision type at much better prices than you will find anywhere else in the fishing space. They are able to rely on their family's generational knowledge of building prescription glasses to offer super competitive options for all anglers.

For a closer look at these new lenses, see our video here or visit IslandOptics.com.

ABOUT ISLAND OPTICS

This fifth generation family owned eyewear business comes from a rich background of eye care professionals that gives them not only generational knowledge about lens and frame production but also answering customers' needs related to vision and eye care. This Florida-based company want to provide quality sunglasses for everyone who enjoys boating, fishing and spending as much time on the water as possible. Based in Boca Raton, Florida and focused on providing better angling opportunities through better sunglasses at better price points, Island Optics also believes in giving back to the fisheries and people around the fisheries they support.

by AnglersChannel

Jacob Wheeler Notches Ninth MLF Bass Pro Tour Win at Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury

Harrison, Tennessee pro catches 46 bass weighing 110-13 in final day Championship Round to earn top prize of $150,000

CALVERT CITY, Ky. (June 8, 2025) – At each of the past two Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, Jacob Wheeler has finished in second place, one bite short of the win. He fell 2-3 shy of Drew Gill on Lake Murray, then lost a heartbreaker to Jake Lawrence on Chickamauga and Nickajack, when Lawrence caught a 5-9 in the final seconds before lines out.

At Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury on Kentucky Lake, Wheeler made sure no one else even got a chance to steal the trophy.

Wheeler rallied after a slow morning and stacked up 110 pounds, 13 ounces on 46 scorable bass during Sunday’s Championship Round. He turned what looked like it would be another slugfest with Lawrence, the home-lake favorite, into a rout, topping Lawrence by 32-7.

The win is Wheeler’s first of 2025 and ninth overall on the Bass Pro Tour, adding to his tour-best trophy count.

This one carried special significance, not just because he was able to flip the script and get revenge on Lawrence, but because he grew up traveling to Kentucky Lake to compete in tournaments alongside his father, Curtis, who passed away from cancer in April.

“I just felt like he was with me all week,” Wheeler said through tears shortly after the victory became official. “It’s the first tournament that I’ve fished on a lake that we fished together, and this one had a lot of meaning to it. Obviously, he was a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without him. I just wanted to win it for him.”

On paper, Stage 5 will go down looking like vintage Wheeler domination. He blasted more than 95 pounds during the first half of the first day of qualifying, then spent the rest of the day idling and scouting for new schools. He only fished for about a third of Day 2 but caught enough to win the Qualifying Round, earning himself a direct berth to the Championship Round. Sunday, while a north wind slowed the bite for everyone else, he cruised past the 100-pound mark.

But the Championship Round didn’t start as planned for Wheeler. Anticipating a barnburner with Lawrence and several other ledge luminaries among the final-day field, he started in the area where he’d caught his weight on Day 1. An hour in, he had just 12-1 – despite using his lone period with forward-facing sonar during the opening frame. Meanwhile, Lawrence steadily stacked bass on SCORETACKER®, putting up 41-15 in the first two hours.

Even though he knew his deficit would continue to grow and the clock was ticking on his forward-facing sonar period, Wheeler decided to make about a 30-minute run south.

“I hadn’t been out during the weekend, and I realized very quickly there was a lot of local pressure and a lot of other anglers on the water today,” Wheeler said. “I didn’t know for sure how the fish would react to the pressure.

So, I started there, thinking maybe I could really catch them, and come to find out it was definitely not the deal.”

Wheeler thinks there were more fish schooled up on Kentucky Lake’s famous river-channel ledges on the northern end of the lake, and he couldn’t bring himself to run past the area Sunday morning then potentially double back later in the day. However, he believes the schools he found toward the southern end of the competition boundaries weren’t getting as much pressure, which made the bass more willing to bite.

“There wasn’t as many schools in that area, but they were places that I felt like not very many local anglers and a lot of our tournament anglers were fishing, so it was something I could manage,” Wheeler explained.

That he had a backup plan at his disposal was a testament to Wheeler’s early-tournament strategy. While he initially wavered over whether to win the Qualifying Round and the automatic trip to the Championship Round that came with it or use the Knockout Round to do some additional idling, he ended up achieving both objectives because he was able to catch fish so quickly during the first two days. He hit a total of 13 schools Sunday, a few of which he found during the Qualifying Round.

“I found two of my best places in the third period of the final qualifying day,” he said. “After I had already won and basically no one was trying to run me down, I found two more places that were instrumental in winning this tournament.”

By the time he made the trek south and found a cooperative school, ending a 1-hour, 6-minute drought, Wheeler trailed Lawrence by more than 26 pounds. A flurry of seven scorable bass totaling 18 pounds in 22 minutes cut his deficit to a more manageable 14-5 at the first period break.

At that point, Wheeler at least knew where he would spend the rest of the day. And while Lawrence, who also utilized forward-facing sonar during the first period, struggled to maintain his pace once he turned his transducer off, Wheeler steadily chipped away.

He caught a 3-3 in the first minute of the second period, then added four more scorables. Perhaps his most important flurry came an hour into the second stanza, when he boated four straight largemouth over 3 pounds to take the lead.

All of those fish ate a 3/4-ounce football jig with a Rapala CrushCity Cleanup Craw as the trailer. Wheeler, who had 18 rods on his front deck to start the day, caught bass on the full gamut of offshore staples during the event. But prior to the Championship Round, he hadn’t spent much time throwing a football jig. It wound up accounting for 30 of his 46 bass, and he caught more weight during each of his two periods without forward-facing sonar than he did in Period 1.

“There’s just something about a heavier football jig with a Cleanup Craw,” Wheeler said. “The Cleanup Craw having a really high-frequency kick, it’s not drawn out, it looks real natural. I caught fish dragging it, and I caught fish snapping it. You always have it on the deck. It’s a classic. Baits like that just don’t go away. Bass still like them.”

Wheeler credited his two recent close losses for keeping him focused on catching one fish at a time rather than the final result. While Lawrence blitzed from spot to spot throughout the afternoon, looking for a magic school that never materialized, Wheeler stayed steady. He turned a lead of a little more than 10 pounds at the start of the third period into a winning margin of more than 30. Finally, with about 10 minutes left, he let himself start to soak in the moment.

“Obviously Jake beat me close to my house – it wasn’t my home lake, by any means, at Nickajack, but I was like, man, it would be nice to get him back a little bit,” Wheeler said. “It was fun to be able to compete with him and battle it out on Kentucky.”

Not only did Wheeler take home the trophy and $150,000 top prize at Stage 5, he put himself in an excellent position to win another title (and $100,000 paycheck).

Wheeler now has a 38-point lead in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race over Lawrence, who moved up from fourth to second. As long as Wheeler makes the Knockout Round at each of the final two events of the regular season, he’s virtually assured of his fourth AOY crown in the past five years.

At this point, the better question might not be whether Wheeler will win Angler of the Year but whether he can break his own Bass Pro Tour record. Through five events, he’s averaging a finish of 3.2. That’s well ahead of the mark he set when he won his second points title in 2022 (5.4) for the best average finish in the seven-year history of the Bass Pro Tour.

Given all he’s achieved over the past seven years, it’s natural to wonder whether the wins still mean as much. Wheeler’s reaction after lines out erased any doubt that this victory is special.

For one thing, he completed the unofficial Tennessee River Grand Slam – he’s now won on Chickamauga, Guntersville, Pickwick and Kentucky. And Kentucky Lake has a particularly special place in Wheeler’s heart. Growing up in Indianapolis, it was the closest venue that regularly hosted national-level events, and Wheeler’s father drove him to the fishery to compete throughout his teenage years.

As focused as he was on earning the win, every time he came across a familiar landmark, Wheeler couldn’t help but think back to those times in the boat with his dad.

“I stopped at a point that my dad caught a 6 1/2-pounder on in March in a club tournament in practice just to reminisce,” he said. “Stuff like that, as you’re running down the lake, it just brings back insane memories at such a young age. That’s what made it even so much sweeter.”

The top 10 pros at the Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury on Kentucky Lake finished:

1st: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn. 46 bass, 110-13, $150,000
2nd:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 30 bass, 78-6, $45,000
3rd: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 32 bass, 69-8, $35,000
4th:         Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 27 bass, 62-13, $30,000
5th:         John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 26 bass, 62-10, $25,000
6th:         Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 22 bass, 53-11, $23,000
7th:         Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 18 bass, 51-11, $22,000
8th:         Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 16 bass, 44-11, $21,000
9th:         Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 16 bass, 35-15, $20,500
10th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 12 bass, 29-10, $20,000

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Cole Floyd won the Berkley Big Bass Award Sunday with a 5-pound, 12-ounce largemouth that he caught on a crankbait early in the first period. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

The four-day tournament, hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Calloway County Tourism Commission, 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 Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 25 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Saturday, Nov. 1. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing to Host Celebration for Local Fans with Watch Party and Championship Trophy Ceremony at Kentucky Dam Swim Beach

WHAT:
On Saturday and Sunday, Major League Fishing (MLF) will host a Celebration Event for MLF fans of all ages, inviting fans to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour as they crown the champion of Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury.

WHEN:
Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
3 p.m. – MLF Bass Pro Tour Watch Party
4 p.m. – Live Music
5 p.m. – Top 10 Interviews & Trophy Ceremony

WHERE:
Kentucky Dam Swim Beach
466 Marina Drive
Gilbertsville, Kentucky

NOTES:
The FREE, family-friendly event will be fun for fishing fans of all ages, with opportunities to watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, 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 and the first 100 attendees will receive vouchers for free food. The event also includes a youth fishing derby and a casting contest. Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

Hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Calloway County Tourism Commission, the four-day tournament will feature 66 of the world’s top professional anglers competing for a $150,000 top prize, crucial points in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) race and coveted qualification spots for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026.

by AnglersChannel

Wheeler Advances Directly to Championship Round After Day 2 at Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury

Tennessee pro tops Qualifying Round with two-day total of 60 bass weighing 152 pounds, 8 ounces, 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round

CALVERT CITY, Ky. (June 6, 2025) – For almost 24 hours, it looked like Jacob Wheeler had no interest in winning the Qualifying Round at Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury. As usual, the Bass Pro Tour superstar rocketed to a fast start during Day 1 on Kentucky Lake, stacking up more than 95 pounds during the first half of the day. At that point, he strapped his rods down and spent the rest of the day searching for new schools of offshore fish, not adding another scorable bass to his total.

Friday morning brought more of the same, with Wheeler idling and graphing for just about all of Period 1 and only boating one scorable bass during that time. Then, during the break between Periods 1 and 2, he FaceTimed his wife, Alicia.

“I FaceTimed my wife at the break, and she said, ‘I didn’t marry a loser,’” Wheeler said with a laugh. “That’s actually the real story.”

Whether to appease his wife, strategize the best way to try to win his ninth Bass Pro Tour trophy or solidify his lead in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race – or, realistically, a combination of all three – Wheeler resumed reeling them in. During the second period, he racked up 50 pounds, 1 ounce on 17 scorable bass. He went back to scouting during the third period but added a couple more fish in the process, bringing his two-day total to 152-8, which earned him the Qualifying Round win by 28-9 over Day 1 leader Michael Neal.

Always one of the savviest strategists on the Bass Pro Tour, Wheeler took to the water Friday torn about whether to fish for the Qualifying Round win. Normally, the automatic Championship Round berth is coveted. But given how much the bass on Kentucky Lake seem to be moving around and the value of idling and graphing to find them, he wanted to spend as much time as possible scouting for the potential winning school.

Both approaches had their advantages. On one hand, if he were to start strong once again during the Knockout Round, Wheeler could spend even more time graphing, and being on the water Saturday would give him a better idea of which schools are getting pressured by other anglers. On the flip side, though, he’d have to burn fish just to make it to the Championship Round, and advancing wouldn’t be guaranteed. He also noted that he can learn more about how to maximize a school by fishing for the bass than just graphing them.

“You get a better understanding about how to fish a place when you actually catch them,” he said. “There were a couple places I hadn’t fished that I had found, and I wanted to sort of catch a few and get an idea. And I was like, ‘well, heck, I might as well catch enough to win, and if it happens, great, and if it doesn’t, whatever.’”

The factor that pushed Wheeler to fish for the win was the fact that he has a chance to take a commanding lead in the Angler of the Year race. Gunning for his fourth points title in the past five seasons, Wheeler has now assured himself a fifth Top 10 in as many regular-season events this season. Meanwhile, his two closest pursuers entering Stage 5, Drew Gill and Matt Becker , both finished outside the Top 20. Wheeler is now guaranteed to have a lead of at least 28 points with two events left in the season.

“It’s hard, because it’s split between (winning Stage 5 and) Angler of the Year,” he said. “If I was just completely focused on winning, I wouldn’t have tried to catch them today. But, at the end of the day, I’m like, take the guarantee and let’s roll with it.”

Once Wheeler decided to add more weight to his total, he did so seemingly at will. Despite the fact that he essentially only fished for one-third of the day, his Day 2 total of 56-9 marked the second-best day of anyone on the water behind only Nick Hatfield’s 66-2. Interestingly, he caught an even split of smallmouth and largemouth, whereas the rest of the field has caught about 80% largemouth. Wheeler’s best spot produced a 4-1 smallmouth, a 4-15 smallmouth and a 5-6 largemouth.

“One cast can be a largemouth, one cast can be a smallmouth,” Wheeler said. “Pretty crazy.”

Wheeler is now one day away from adding to his Bass Pro Tour-best win total. While he always wants to hoist the trophy, this victory would be especially sweet coming on the heels of consecutive second-place finishes in each of the past two regular-season events, including a last-second loss to Jake Lawrence at Stage 4 on Chickamauga and Nickajack.

“Absolutely, I’d love to win this one,” Wheeler said. “You have a couple second places, and you’re like ‘gosh dang it, I’ve been so close.’ If I can figure out a way to win this thing, that’s the plan, for sure.”

Throughout Day 2, anglers constantly shuffled spots around the elimination line. It wasn’t until the final minute of competition that the Top 20 was set.

Brent Ehrler caught a 2-5 with about 12 minutes left to jump from 21st place to the right side of the cut. He then secured his spot with a 3-0 a few minutes later. Ehrler’s fish bumped Brandon Coulter out of the Top 20. However, Coulter quickly answered with a 2-6. That knocked Alton Jones to 21st place with about 4 minutes left.

Jones, one of the few anglers to find success fishing shallow, flipped up a 3-1 largemouth with less than a minute left to put himself into the Top 20 and knock Coulter back to 21st. As a result, both Jones and his son, Alton Jones Jr., will compete in Saturday’s Knockout Round after starting Friday outside the Top 20.

The 20 pros that now advance in competition on Kentucky Lake are:

1st: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 60 bass, 152-8
2nd: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 48 bass, 123-15
3rd: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 48 bass, 113-4
4th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 42 bass, 102-4
5th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 49 bass, 101-5
6th: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 40 bass, 100-3
7th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 42 bass, 99-7
8th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 40 bass, 93-10
9th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 37 bass, 89-4
10th:      Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 42 bass, 88-7
11th:      Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 36 bass, 87-1
12th:      John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 35 bass, 86-12
13th:      Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 34 bass, 86-11
14th:      Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 37 bass, 86-8
15th:      Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 37 bass, 85-13
16th:      Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 32 bass, 85-12
17th:      Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 36 bass, 81-4
18th:      Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, 32 bass, 79-15
19th:      Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 33 bass, 79-4
20th:      Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 29 bass, 78-1

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jared Lintner earned the Day 2 Berkley Big Bass Award Friday with a 5-pound, 7-ounce largemouth that he caught on a swim jig 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, Wheeler 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 Wheeler in 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. CT from the Kentucky Dam Marina, located at 466 Marina Drive in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. The takeout will be held at the same location beginning at 3:45 p.m. daily. 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.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Kentucky Dam Swim Beach at 466 Marina Drive in Gilbertsville for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, 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 youth fishing derby and a casting contest. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

Hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Calloway County Tourism Commission, the Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce 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.

by AnglersChannel

Mental Reset has Been Money for Justin Lucas

Major League Fishing pro Justin Lucas is competing as good as any bass angler on the planet right now. The Bass Pro Tour standout notched another trip to the Knockout Round today for Lowrance Stage 5 Kentucky Lake presented by Mercury and has put together an impressive string of finishes.

He narrowly missed out on wins in the last two BPT events, Stage 4 on Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack as well as Heavy Hitters on Smith Mountain Lake, finishing in 10^th and 2^nd place respectively.

Reviewing these finishes , it would be easy to overlook the fact that Lucas dominated the Qualifying Rounds at Chickamauga and then the Knockout Round at Smith Mountain Lake. The pros’ weights are zeroed to start the Knockout and Championship Rounds in the BPT format, nullifying some of Lucas’s best work.

To excel in Bass Pro Tour competition, anglers must showcase a wide variety of skills, with nuances specific to the BPT format. You must be proficient with forward-facing sonar to capitalize on the single FFS period, and elite at catching them with traditional methods the other two periods. Pros must take their weights being zeroed into consideration and make their gameplans accordingly.

There is enough strategy and high-pressure decision making rolled into BPT competition to make a high stakes card-counter blush.

Watching Lucas fish freely through this proverbial gauntlet has been impressive. Lucas has showcased his versatility, catching them shallow and deep, power fishing and finesse, with old-school offshore tactics and new age FFS approaches. According to the Alabama pro, his results this season are a product of mindset more than mechanics.

“Man, I am having a lot of fun fishing right now and truly enjoying what I do,” Lucas said. “I had this realization before we started this season that I am halfway through my career. I thought to myself, I can either be a grumpy old guy or I can just have fun and be thankful for being out here. And that’s been my mindset this year. Every day of practice, every day of the tournaments I am just enjoying being on the water.”

This mental approach may sound simple, but it’s not always easy to find joy in your day job. 2025 is Lucas’ 15^th season as a professional angler and it would be easy for fishing to start to feel like “work” if he let it. Thanks large in part to the steadfast support of his wife and two boys at home, Lucas has been able to keep his mind right and his results have proven it.

Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga was an impressive display of Lucas having fun while making all the right decisions on the water. The first two days of that event alone Lucas weighed scoreable bass bed fishing, on topwaters, fishing docks, and then busted offshore schools with both FFS and traditional methods. He was having fun.

The hybrid format the BPT presents in terms of FFS is another factor Lucas believes is benefitting him this year.

“I think the hybrid format probably plays into my favor a little bit,” Lucas offered. “I started tournament fishing way before FFS came out, but I’ve also taken the time to learn FFS the last several years. I’m super comfortable with our format and I feel like we’ve got the best of both worlds. I’m feeling good and fishing good, but I feel like I’m due to get my hands on a trophy.”

While Lucas’s pursuit of a BPT title this year continues, he is holding down a top 10 spot in the AOY race and has cashed multiple Toyota Bonus Bucks and Yamaha Power Pay contingency checks. Lucas’s second place at Heavy Hitters earned him $4,500 in bonus payouts, with $3,000 coming from being the highest finishing pro driving a 2021 or newer Toyota tow vehicle.

“Bonus money is always a good thing,” Lucas said as a smile spread across his face. “In all seriousness, if you are a tournament angler and you’re not taking advantage of contingency programs like Bonus Bucks and Power Pay; you’re crazy. I have the utmost confidence in my truck, boat, and motor; plus, they put extra money in my pocket. How can you beat that?”

Lucas’s performance the past few months is proof that having fun, having trust in your equipment and enjoying yourself on the water is indeed a formula that is tough to beat.

by AnglersChannel

Kentucky Lake Smorgasbord for Stage 5

Courtesy Dynamic Sponsorships

If you asked most of the Bass Pro Tour field how Kentucky Lake was fishing after practice concluded, you’d have heard a lot of poor reports and bellyaching. While this might not be the “Kentucky Lake of old”, day one proved this fishery is still full of bass and is perfectly capable of producing the infamous Tennessee river beatdowns like we used to see a decade ago.

Kentucky Lake was a frequent destination for me and teammates back in our college fishing days, and there used to be a country buffet near Paris, Tennessee - in between the Kenlake and Paris bridges – that we would stop in to. Regardless of how we did on the water, Kentucky Lake was always synonymous with that old-school, homey buffet for us.

After embarking in a lengthy Google search, it seems that restaurant must have gone out of business, but thankfully Kentucky Lake is still serving up a smorgasbord for Lowrance Stage 5 of the Bass Pro Tour presented by Mercury. There were scoreable bass of both the largemouth and smallmouth variety caught on literally dozens of different lures and multiple techniques during day one of competition.

Many of the anglers at the top of the leaderboard employed traditional ledge fishing tactics likes deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs, football jigs, hair jigs, or magnum spoons. While other top performers took full advantage of their single forward-facing sonar period, using FFS and a jighead minnow to pick off suspended bass.

Local favorites like Jake Lawrence showcased the “new” Kentucky Lake, firing up schools of offshore bass with traditional ledge tactics while mixing in single swimbaits and a drop shot to target Tennessee River smallmouth to add to his weight. Smallmouth used to seemingly disappear from this lake in the summertime, but their population is established to a point that anglers can target them these days.

To add to the buffet menu, overcast conditions and rain greeted BPT pros to start the event today. This helped lead to plenty of shallow bass being caught on topwaters, chatterbaits, squarebills, and flipping baits. It's been truly impressive and refreshing to see so many patterns at play on a fishery you could have been led to believe was only home to carp and non-scoreable bass if you listened to the dock talk.

BPT anglers are spread out from the Kentucky Lake dam down to the Kenlake bridge (southern boundary for Stage 5), with boats venturing to Lake Barkley to catch their fish, too. Mark Daniels Jr. is one such pro choosing to spend his time shallow, on lesser-known Barkley, where the Team Toyota pro caught over 30-lbs of bass en route to a mid-pack finish after day one.

“I came into practice for this event dead set on finding those big Tennessee river schools to target,” MDJ explained. “But I just never found enough. The best thing I had going was a flipping bite over an hour away on Lake Barkley. That’s what I decided to do today and, honestly, I had a dang good day based on my expectations.”

Daniels Jr. boated over 25 bass today, with thirteen scoreables that has him below the cut line going into tomorrow. MDJ, like many BPT competitors, is going back to the drawing board tonight to make his gameplan for day two of the Qualifying Round.

“I’ve got some thinking to do tonight man,” MDJ offered. “There are ten different ways I feel like I could go catch some tomorrow, but I have to catch enough to jump up ten places, and these boys on those offshore schools are smashing right now. I want to go power fishing shallow again, but my gut says I’d be lucky to replicate my weight today. I only have one school I found on the Kentucky side, but I might have to gamble with it.”

Tournament fishing is always a game of decision making at the highest level, but with so many viable patterns on Kentucky Lake – these decisions are magnified. The good news, you can catch ‘em in a myriad of ways right now. The bad news is the competition can, too.

Mother Nature is serving a smorgasbord for Stage 5 right now and there is a long list of lures and techniques on the menu.

by AnglersChannel

Michael Neal Cracks 100 Pounds to Take Day 1 Lead at Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury

ennessee pro catches 39 bass weighing 103-10 to lead after Day 1 on Kentucky Lake, full field to complete Qualifying Round Friday

CALVERT CITY, Ky. (June 5, 2025) – Kentucky Lake almost certainly has more tournament history in early June than any other fishery in the country. And yet, when the Bass Pro Tour kicked off Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury on the fishery Thursday, no one seemed to know what to expect. Kentucky Lake and neighboring Lake Barkley hadn’t hosted a top-level tournament since 2018, prior to a downturn in the lakes’ largemouth population, and this marked the first ever visit for the Bass Pro Tour and its every-fish-counts format.

At least for the top few performers, Kentucky Lake looked a lot like the bass factory of old.

Keeping with tradition, Michael Neal found a red-hot bite on the lake’s legendary offshore ledges and amassed 103 pounds, 10 ounces on 39 scorable bass to pace the field. He has a 3-7 lead over home-lake favorite Jake Lawrence, who also hit triple digits with 100-3 on 40 scorable bass.

“I was really skeptical before we got here about how it was going to be,” Neal said, “But it’s definitely coming back, for sure.”

While not everyone was able to find productive offshore schools, those who did stacked up weight in a hurry. Neal and Lawrence were two of four anglers who topped 50 pounds in the opening period, along with Justin Lucas and Jacob Wheeler . Wheeler caught all his 95-15 before the midpoint of the day, then spent the rest of his time scouting for new schools.

Having grown up on Lake Chickamauga, Neal has ample experience fishing river-channel ledges, so he was in his comfort zone targeting offshore schools. However, unlocking the bite on Kentucky Lake wasn’t nearly as simple as finding structure that held bass in the past and reeling them in.

Neal came to Kentucky Lake with a trove of waypoints from past tournaments, but he said he only found bass on two of those spots.

“I really think the main contributing factor to that is the current is so strong right now, I don’t think they’ve set up exactly right,” he explained.

Plus, the fish seem to be on the move. Neal located 12 offshore schools in practice, and of those, only six were still there Thursday. In fact, even the school that produced 19 scorable bass for 54-6 during the first period seemed to disappear by the end of the day.

“Even the schools that I caught them all out of this morning, I went back at the end of the second period, and they were gone,” he said. “I don’t know if that was just from pressure from me, or if they left for the same reason that all the rest of them do.”

Neal separated himself from his competition by finding a better average size. He caught one fewer scorable bass than both Lawrence and Wheeler but had more weight than both. Thirteen of his fish weighed more than 3 pounds.

Neal, who noted that he caught fish on just about every rod on his front deck during the course of the day, attributes that quality to his willingness to stick with moving baits like crankbaits, hair jigs, swimbaits and spoons (which produced his biggest bass of the day, a 5-4) as long as possible before switching to finesse or dragging presentations.

“I stuck with the staple ledge baits, the moving baits – crankbait, hair jig, swimbait, spoon – things like that to get the bigger bites,” Neal said. “And I would make them work as long as I could and then follow up with bottom baits – Carolina rig, drop-shot, etc. – instead of just leaning on that to begin with. Your bigger bites always come on that moving stuff first.”

Neal now has a decision to make. The winner of the Qualifying Round gets to skip the Knockout Round and advance directly to the Championship Round. While an automatic Top 10 is usually coveted, Neal thinks the fact that Kentucky Lake’s bass seem to be moving means spending a day off the water would actually hinder his chances of claiming his third Bass Pro Tour trophy. He’ll spend the evening weighing whether to fish for the Qualifying Round win on Friday or devote his day to graphing and scouting new water.

“I still may decide to go for the win and the automatic berth, but if I do that, I have zero shot to win the tournament,” he said. “At this point, it’s whether or not you take a guaranteed Top 10 and know you’re not going to win or have to fight through the Knockout Round and have a chance to win. I’m not saying that’s the same for everybody, but for the number of fish I’ve found right now, that’s where I’m at.”

The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Kentucky Lake are:

1st: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 39 bass, 103-10
2nd: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 40 bass, 100-3
3rd: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 40 bass, 95-15
4th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 34 bass, 81-6
5th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 30 bass, 72-15
6th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 29 bass, 68-6
7th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 25 bass, 65-8
8th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 23 bass, 63-6
9th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 22 bass, 62-6
10th:      Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 26 bass, 59-10
11th:      Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 24 bass, 56-9
12th:      Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 22 bass, 54-7
13th:      Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 23 bass, 54-2
14th:      Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 23 bass, 52-11
15th:      Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 23 bass, 52-3
16th:      Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 25 bass, 51-15
17th:      Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 25 bass, 51-2
18th:      Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 20 bass, 49-7
19th:      Shin Fukae, Osaka, Japan, 19 bass, 43-11
20th:      Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, 17 bass, 42-4

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Greg Vinson of Wetumka, Alabama, earned the Day 1 Berkley Big Bass Award Thursday with a 5-pound, 14-ounce largemouth that he caught on a swimbait early in Period 2. 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.

The Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury will feature anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce 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.

by AnglersChannel

Water levels, current make Tenkiller a potential wildcard tournament

June 5, 2025

COOKSON, Okla. — Multiple patterns could be at play during the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller, but which ones perform best will be determined by potentially high water levels and current generation, according to Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Blake Capps.

“It will be a really fun tournament to watch live. Just going out and fun fishing, this is one of the best lakes to go to,” the Muskogee native said. “I have been over there plenty of times with the water up, and you’ll be flipping trees and catching smallmouth. That’s not something you see all the time.

“This is the smallest lake we are going to this year, and having the water up will help spread us out.”

Tournament days are set for June 12-15 with daily takeoffs starting at 6:30 a.m. at Cherokee Landing State Park. Weigh-in time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday back at State Park, while the weigh-ins on Saturdy and Sunday will take place at Cherokee Casino Tahlequah starting at 3 p.m.

The full field will fish Day 1 and 2, while only the Top 50 will fish on Semifinal Saturday. The Top 10 anglers following the Day 3 weigh-in will compete for a blue trophy and the $100,000 first-place prize.

Often overshadowed by the larger reservoirs in the state like Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees and Lake Eufaula, the 12,900-acre Illinois River reservoir has a history of producing quality largemouth, smallmouth and even spotted bass. The Elite Series made its first trip to Tenkiller in late September of 2019, an event originally scheduled to be held at Fort Gibson Lake. Australia native Carl Jocumsen won that event with 54 pounds, 15 ounces.

This go-round, Capps expects the weights to be tight throughout the field with the winner averaging 18 pounds per day.

“It is hard to win on smallmouth alone. You need a largemouth or two in your bag to win,” Capps said. “The guys with mixed bags or just largemouth are hard to beat.”

Heavy rains have inundated eastern Oklahoma throughout the spring. Just last week, as anglers were practicing for the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Tenkiller presented by Native Watercraft, the lake rose over 8 feet above full pool. By the end of the tournament, which was won by BassmastHER Ambassador Kristine Fischer with mostly largemouth, the Corp of Engineers brought the lake level down several feet.

While water fluctuation moved the bass around, the kayak anglers still reported catching promising numbers and quality of both largemouth and smallmouth. Capps said the area is expecting another 10 inches of rain before tournament time, which will create an interesting dynamic for the Elite Series field.

“The rain and current will be our biggest curveballs,” Capps said. “It has been a roller coaster. I haven’t been on the lake, either, and I haven’t been on the lake to see how dirty it is. Generally speaking, Tenkiller is one of the cleanest lakes in Oklahoma. With this much rain and current, I don’t expect it to be as clean as usual.”

With higher lake levels, buckbrush and flooded wood on the bank will be the main cover the bass will use. Capps expects anglers who fish shallow to catch fish with creature baits and topwaters. There is also the potential for an angler to stumble upon a bluegill spawn.

Capps also believes there will be a good offshore bite. Rockpiles and brushpiles will be key targets. Channel swing banks are also plentiful. Football jigs and topwaters have also been historically productive offshore presentations this time of the year.

“They have had current running through the lake for a month straight now,” Capps said. “I don’t know if they will be as deep as they normally are. We don’t normally have this much current this late in the year.”

With conditions likely to change from day to day, Capps envisions the winner executing several different patterns over the course of the four-day tournament.

“I don’t think anyone is going to win it on one spot. It will be the guys who move around and change it up. Things are changing, and it is going to be a tournament where you need to keep an open mind.”

After six events, Plover, Wis., pro Jay Przekurat leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 544 points. Reigning Angler of the Year Chris Johnston is second with 502 points followed by Japanese standout Kyoya Fujita in third (494), Illinois’ Trey McKinney in fourth (487) and Alabama’s Will Davis Jr in fifth with 480 points. South Carolina pro Patrick Walters is sixth with 479 points; veteran Elite Series pro Bill Lowen is seventh with 467 points; North Carolina’s Shane LeHew is eighth with 451 points; Japan’s Taku Ito is ninth with 448 points; and California's Bryant Smith is 10th with 439 points.

Georgia’s Paul Marks leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 435 points followed by Alabama’s Tucker Smith in second with 418 points and Minnesota’s Easton Fothergill in third with 403 points.

Live coverage of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller will be available on Bassmaster.com Thursday and Friday beginning at 8 a.m. ET until 3 p.m. ET. Roku will have coverage on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. Coverage on Saturday will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday’s coverage will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. before FOX takes the reins from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association is hosting the event.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

Rapala and Association of Collegiate Anglers Renew Partnership for the 2025 Season

SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 5, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers, in partnership with Rapala, is excited to announce continued sponsorship of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series for the 2025 season. Rapala is dedicated to growing the sport of fishing and will continue this mission in 2025 through support of collegiate anglers. As a part of this partnership, the following brands: Rapala, CrushCity, VMC, Sufix, and 13 Fishing are all affiliated with the weekly podcast and elite college trail, to include the 20^thCollegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Hartwell this May.

“2025 is set up for an exciting season and ACA helps build the foundation of our brands with the college level tournament anglers.” Says Matt Jensen, Vice President of Marketing for Rapala USA. “College anglers through ACA continues to be a focus for us because of the talent pool and community of avid bass anglers that love to fish the products we develop for them to succeed.”

In 2025, Rapala will continue the promotion and support of its discount program tailored to collegiate anglers. Teams competing in ACA ran events will be eligible for key discounts off products from brands associated with Rapala, CrushCity, VMC, Sufix and 13 Fishing. Throughout the year, Rapala and the ACA will work together to provide anglers with other incentives and opportunities including special discounts and social media campaigns. Products from these same companies will also be included in prize payouts at numerous events throughout the year. For eligibility and discount information, email [email protected].

“We are excited to continue this partnership between the ACA and Rapala for going on seven years,” said Kyle Curry, ACA Managing Director. “Last year, we surpassed 200 episodes of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass. This upcoming year, we look forward to continuing to record more episodes, as well as showcasing the Rapala family of brands to the many elite college anglers.”

One of the latest additions to the Rapala lineup of baits is the PXR Deep Mavrik 110. On the heels of its successful launch of the PXR Mavrik jerkbait, Rapala introduced the PXR Deep Mavrik 110, a new deep-diving suspending jerkbait.

Developed with some of the most meticulous bass pros in the industry, the PXR Deep Mavrik features a long, premium bill that lets the bait dive to a depth of 10 feet – perfect for bass hanging on the edges of weed lines.

“Deep diving jerkbaits have become a staple of what we do as bass anglers,” said Rapala pro Ott Defoe “It has all of the features we love in the PXR Mavrik 110 but with a deeper bill. We need a bait like this to get down quick to the desired depth (9 to 11 feet), but stay suspending, right there in their faces to tempt them.”

In this ongoing partnership, Rapala will continue to be the title sponsor of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast. Now entering its eighth season, the ACA has surpassed the milestone of producing over 200 episodes. The podcast covers topics including the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, tournament previews with top pros, current events in college fishing, and much more! The Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast publishes new episodes regularly and is available across a multitude of podcast streaming services.

by AnglersChannel

2025 TXTT Championship Just TWO DAYS Away on Sam Rayburn Reservoir

SPRINGFIELD, Mo (June 5th, 2025) – The final tournament of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive is the 2025 TXTT Championship. The two-day event is coming up this weekend on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, TX. It features the Top-75 teams based on the regular season standings. With over $150,000 in cash in prizes on the line, which includes a boat for 1st place in the championship as well as a boat for the winner of the Progressive Team of the Year, this event promises to bring out the best in the anglers who compete in it.

The winning team of the two-day championship will walk away with a 2025 Nitro Z-18 boat and motor package rigged with Garmin electronics. The winning team of the 2025 Progressive Team of the Year race will win a 2025 Ranger Z-520 boat and motor package, also rigged with Garmin electronics.

Everyone is invited to watch the LIVE Weigh-In from Sam Rayburn Reservoir at the 2025 TXTT Championship on June 7th & 8th, starting at 2:00pm CST through the link here: https://outdoorteamworks.com/live

Teams will also be eligible to take home up to $10,000 in cash for winning the tournament out of a qualified Ranger Cup, Nitro Rewards, or Triton Gold contingency program boat. Additional contingency cash prizes will be awarded to the Top-25 teams who are also fishing out of contingency qualified boat brands as well as other contingency prizes from the sponsors of Texas Team Trail. Teams also finishing in the Top-25 of 2025 Progressive Team of the Year points will win additional cash & prizes.

For more information about Texas Team Trail, including sponsor incentives, official tournament results and photos, visit TexasTeamTrail.com. Be sure to subscribe to the e-newsletter to receive all the up-to-date news and announcements.

About Texas Team Trail

Texas Team Trail is a part of the Outdoor TeamWorks family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For additional live updates and information, follow TXTT on Facebook and Instagram.

2025 Proud Sponsors

Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Progressive, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Aftco, Garmin, Power-Pole, TH Marine, Sunline, Gamakatsu, Rapala, VMC, Gemini G2, BeatDown Outdoors

by AnglersChannel

YETI Announces 2nd Annual YETI Open Tournament

Explore Branson and Table Rock Lake to host the second annual YETI Open Tournament.

Austin, Texas (June 4, 2025) – Back by popular demand, the Second Annual YETI Open Tournament returns to Table Rock Lake this fall, running September 26–28, 2025. In partnership with Trifecta Fishing (Big Bass Tour), YETI is proud to deliver another world-class event built for outdoor enthusiasts, competitive anglers, and loyal YETI fans alike.

The YETI Open isn’t just a tournament. It’s a gathering of anglers who live and breathe life outdoors. Whether you’re chasing your personal best or just want a great weekend on the water, this event is about big bass, great company, and even better stories.

This three-day, amateur-only tournament features an hourly big bass format and boasts $290,000 in guaranteed prizes and payouts, including the grand prize of a 2025 NITRO® Z20 XL with a Mercury® 250L Pro XS and fully loaded with Minn Kota/Humminbird product, valued at $83,000.

Registration opens Friday, June 6 at 9:00 AM CST at http://yetiopen.com.

Event Highlights
•    Three-day event: Friday–Sunday, September 26–28
•    Location: Table Rock Lake, Missouri
•    Weigh-In Site: Long Creek Marina
•    Hourly format: 7 daily weigh-ins with top 10 payouts every hour

Entry Fee Options
•    $275 – Three Days
•    $175 – Two Days
•    $125 – One Day

Early Entry Prizes (limited to the first 250 anglers who register for a 2-day or 3-day entry)
• Abu Garcia Revo® X Reel
• YETI Camino® 35 Carryall with custom patch

All entrants receive
• YETI Open 26oz Rambler Chug Bottle
• Custom YETI Open Hat

Bonus Features
•    Free lunch served daily for registered anglers
•    $63,525 in hourly cash payouts
•    Over $13,500 in draw prizes including BPS/Cabela’s gift cards, Turtlebox speakers, Costa sunglasses, and more
•    Angler welcome & prize pickup: Thursday, September 25th, 2–7 PM at Long Creek Marina

Whether you’re a seasoned big bass chaser or just looking to experience an unforgettable weekend on the water, The YETI Open is built to celebrate community, competition, and life outdoors. Early entry prizes will go fast, so be ready when registration opens on Friday, June 6 at 9:00 AM CST.

For official rules, prize breakdowns, lodging options, and more details, visit: http://www.yetiopen.com

About YETI
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, YETI (NYSE: YETI) is a global designer, retailer and distributor of innovative outdoor products. From coolers and drinkware to backpacks and bags, YETI products are built to meet the unique and varying needs of diverse outdoor pursuits, whether in the remote wilderness, at the beach, or anywhere life takes our customers. By consistently delivering high-performing, exceptional products, we have built a strong following of brand loyalists throughout the world, ranging from serious outdoor enthusiasts to individuals who simply value products of uncompromising quality and design. We have an unwavering commitment to outdoor and recreation communities, and we are relentless in our pursuit of building superior products for people to confidently enjoy life outdoors and beyond. For more information, please visit www.yeti.com.

by AnglersChannel

Shallow Summertime Power Fishing with KVD

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Kevin VanDam has made a pile of money and won a mantel full of trophies targeting bass offshore in the summertime, but this summer the G.O.A.T. urges you to not be so quick to vacate shallow water. Our calendar may read the first week of June, but KVD knows bass don’t always subscribe to our timelines or traditional patterns.

While this is VanDam’s first full year away from tournament competition, the Team Toyota pro has stayed busy spending time with family and filming his show, The VanDam Experience. KVD just wrapped up shooting an episode with NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe in Tennessee where they absolutely throttled big bass no more than a cast off the bank.

VanDam was prepared for an offshore show, but his gut told him to probe the shallows first and like so many times throughout his career… this intuition proved fruitful. Early June is a great time to collide with the first groups of bass migrating offshore, but this year in particular there are several factors keeping fish in eight feet of water or less.

“There are a couple reasons to stay shallow in the summer, but the first reason is it’s simply FUN,” VanDam said. “I started out bass fishing by burning the bank, power fishing visible cover. As much as I love deep cranking, you can’t deny how awesome it is to watch one wake your lure in the shallows before they annihilate it. There’s nothing like it.

“But conditions dictate everything. Whether I am preparing for a tournament or a filming fishing trip, the forecast and water conditions direct my thoughts and game plan.”

Conditions over calendar

When KVD mentions water conditions, he’s mainly referring to the water level and water clarity. This year in 2025, we’ve had no shortage of rain throughout the spring. This has led to high water across most of the country with lots of bushes, grass, rocks, willows, and other targets in the water.

More structure in the shallows means more bass, especially because high water levels lead to more color in the water, too. High, dirty water sets the stage for shallow bass, even in the summertime.

“It’s been a prolonged spring with cooler temperatures in the air and water,” VanDam explained. “Couple that with high, off-colored water that most of the country is dealing with and you have the perfect conditions to cover water up shallow with a moving bait. The bluegill spawn is in full force right now in the south and central part of the U.S., so bass have every reason to be hanging out near the bank.”

Bluegill bed beatdown

VanDam’s tournament career spanned over 30+ years, and the bass bite around the bluegill spawn is something he tried to capitalize on every single year. This is one pattern that holds merit from coast to coast, south to north. Most all fisheries have a population of panfish and when they spawn, bass will target them for a big meal.

“These days I use my Humminbird Mega 360 or Side Imaging to find batches of bluegill beds on my electronics,” VanDam said. “If you have the units, use them, and they will help you find bluegill beds and the big bass chasing them. If you don’t have high-end electronics, you can find bluegill beds with your eyes.

“Bluegills like to spawn midway back in a pocket, not all the way in the back. They really like the sides of a secondary point and shade trees that sticks over the water are a magnet. You can almost guarantee bluegills will be bedding in front of a big willow tree.”

Once he locates an area with spawning panfish, VanDam employs a three-pronged approach that he’s had success with from Texas to New York and everywhere in between.

“I like to use moving baits like a 3/8-ounce Thunder Cricket tipped with a Blade Minnow or a big squarebill like a Strike King 2.5 or 4.0 to cover water and show bass a bigger meal,” VanDam explained. “95% of the time I use a green pumpkin Thunder Cricket and one of our bluegill patterns for my squarebill. Start on the outer edge of the spawning beds, most of the time that’s where a big bass will be hanging out.”

According to VanDam, a Thunder Cricket and a bigger squarebill make their hay in the perfect depth range to take advantage of bluegill eaters. The baits have the right size profile, they are great for casting to shallow targets and they both have plenty of vibration for dirty water applications.

After he’s power-fished his way through the area, VanDam will make a few casts with a Texas-rigged soft plastic to play clean up and entice a few extra bites. His go-to here is a Strike King Game Hawg with a light 1/-4-ounce weight. He likes a lighter weight on the Game Hawg so the bait falls slower, letting it’s appendages dance as he glides the rig through opportune areas.

Schools out and the temperature is rising, but you don’t have to abandon shallow water to have a fun day of good fishing. Take advantage of this timely bite over the next several weeks while the conditions allow it and follow VanDam’s tips to catch more bass this summer.

by AnglersChannel

Vexus® leader Matt Raynor relishes role of “pizza delivery guy”

As Director of Operations for Vexus® Boats, Matt Raynor’s mornings always begin with a team meeting at 7:00 a.m., where he talks to department supervisors about everything on the day’s to-do list. But on Thursdays, the 20-year marine industry leader gladly adopts the important role of pizza delivery man for a Bible study group he and a few others help lead for Vexus employees each week.

Raynor, an Indiana native who grew up in the same small town as singer-songwriter John Cougar Mellencamp, began his two-decade journey in the marine industry as one of America’s very first college bass anglers when he co-founded the Ball State University bass fishing team in Muncie, IN.

“There were no organized national college fishing trails when we started, so most of our events simply consisted of partnering with local bass club anglers who were kind enough to share their boats with us,” reflects Raynor.

He may have lacked his own boat and national trails to compete on back in 2003, but Raynor’s youthful desire to spend a lifetime around bass fishing was evident enough to convince a local boat dealer to loan his college team a boat to park on campus as a tool to recruit additional student anglers.

That relationship with the dealer ultimately lead him to meeting a full-time regional boat salesman who encouraged him to pursue an internship opportunity in Flippin, Arkansas. Wide-eyed, optimistic, and passionate, Raynor packed-up his truck and drove 9-hours to interview for the summer internship that ultimately shaped the rest of his life, including meeting his treasured wife, Rebecca.

“I can still remember pulling in for the interview and seeing Forrest L. Wood’s name painted on his personal parking spot at the front door. I thought that was the coolest thing ever,” smiles Raynor.

Two decades later, despite the stress that comes with overcoming inevitable manufacturing curveballs, Raynor is still smiling over the fact he has a fruitful career -- and a fulfilled life -- working for a premium fishing boat manufacturer.

“The people who work at Vexus are the biggest reason I love my job. I get to work with people who are uniquely gifted with homemade ingenuity. When you combine that with years of experience it results in them being master craftsmen in the boat building industry. And there’s no quit in their souls, they refuse to get beat or be defeated by obstacles,” says Raynor, who still treasures a good topwater bite under cloudy skies at nearby Bull Shoals.

Many of Raynor’s beloved co-workers will also be there every Thursday at lunch, when he is often tasked with hauling pizza into an upstairs conference room at Vexus for Bible study.

“Fiberglass and aluminum last a longtime, but there’s only one thing that’s eternal,” says Raynor. “I may spend my days making sure we’ve got the people and parts to build the best boats on the planet, but nothing I do is more important than pointing others to Christ,” says Raynor.

A number of Vexus employees have actually been baptized as a result of those Thursday lunches. So, it’s easy to understand why Raynor treasures the role of pizza delivery guy when he’s not busy chasing down fiberglass resin, boat seats, or trailer tires.

To learn more about high quality fishing boats Raynor helps build, please visit https://vexusboats.com/.

by AnglersChannel

Ish Monroe Wins BAM Pro/Am West at the California Delta

Shane Martin Goes Wire-To-Wire for the Co-Angler Trophy

By Jody Only
OAKLEY, Calif. – Pro angler Ish Monroe of Oakdale, California claimed a hard-earned victory on his home waters of the California Delta at the final stop of the BAM Trail Pro/Am West Division, presented by Tackle Warehouse and the City of Oakley.

With blistering temperatures and tidal challenges, Monroe remained unfazed, weighing a final-day bag of 23.48 pounds to cap a three-day total of 62.79 pounds—securing the win and a $9,250 payday.

Monroe Finds Redemption on Familiar Waters

OAKLEY, Calif. – The past three days were everything that pro angler Ish Monroe of Oakdale, Calif. could have wanted as the final stop of the BAM Trail’s West Division’s Pro/Am presented by Tackle Warehouse and the City of Oakley played out on his home water the California Delta at his preferred time of year.

By scales closing on Championship Sunday, Monroe had bagged another 23.48 for the day, notching a tournament total of 62.79, hoisting the champion’s trophy and pocketing $9,250 including $250 contingence from Bass Boat Technologies for the W. Ish will also take home Skeeter Real Money, Yamaha Power Play, Power Pole Captains Cash and Costa bringing his winnings to $25k

“Everything went right, pretty much the whole week,” said Monroe. “This is my time of year. I love it because they’re always eating a frog and the punch. I don’t pick up a dropshot. I don’t have a spinning rod in the boat.”

Foregoing any type of finesse tactic, Monroe added a ChatterBait to his tournament arsenal and relied on it heavily for the final day of fishing.

“It was a JackHammer in B-Hites Hot Craw, a brown and red color with a Missile Baits Spunk Shad trailer in Rotten Tomato, a color exclusive to Fisherman’s Warehouse, so you got to go there to get it,” he said.

His punch rig held a Missile Baits D Bomb, and he rotated through three colors. Once again, the exclusive Rotten Tomato color from Fisherman’s Warehouse as well as Peanut Butter and Jelly and Monroe’s favorite Candy Grass. His frog fish fell to a River2Sea Phat Mat Daddy.

Although he managed to land more than two dozen keepers each day, Monroe’s fishing time was abbreviated as he made a 160 mile trek daily to his fishing location.

“I got into an area that you really cannot get into on super-low water; but we had the perfect tides; we had low incoming water to get in and high outgoing water to get out,” he said. “I ran my Yamaha 160 miles burning about 40 gallons of gas every day.”

Monroe was excited to finally get the BAM Delta victory as it had just slipped away from him the year prior when he finished 2nd on the tidal water fishery.

Also for his win Ish earns a spot in the BAM Pro Am Championship in September at Lake Almanor.

JackHammer ChatterBait in B-Hites Craw with a Missile Baits Spunk Shad in Rotten Tomato (exclusive to Fisherman’s Warehouse)
Punch setup with Missile Baits D Bomb in Rotten Tomato, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Candy Grass
River2Sea Phat Mat Daddy Frog in Yellow Head
River2Sea Whopper Plopper in Yellow Head

Despite catching more than two dozen keepers daily, Monroe’s fishing time was limited by a 160-mile round trip run.

Hunter Schlander Claims Second

Trailing Monroe by just over a pound was another NorCal pro Hunter Schlander of Modesto. Schlander secured 59.62 over the course of the three-day event to claim the 2nd place position. His biggest bag at 21.55 came in today when the conditions changed.

“The first two days there was no wind, and that made it really difficult,” said Schlander. “The fish were just not wanting to eat and cooperate; so, I punched and frogged the first two days and today completely changed it up. I threw a red ChatterBait most of the day.”

The ChatterBait that Schlander referenced was also a red and brown JackHammer. It was a ½-ounce version, rigged with a Missile Baits D Bomb trailer. He fished it with 20-pound fluorocarbon on a 6’8” ChatterBait rod and a Daiwa casting reel.

“Today it got windy; so, I ran around a little bit and tossed that thing (the JackHammer) around, when the reaction bite picked up.”

Hunter’s setup:

½-ounce JackHammer
6’8” ChatterBait rod
20-lb fluorocarbon
Daiwa casting reel

Schlander earned $3,674 for his efforts.

Christian Ostrander Rallies to Third

A formidable opponent on the Delta, Christian Ostrander of Turlock, Calif. finished his event landing in the third place spot with 52.22. Ostrander’s largest limit of 20.40 also came with the Day Three condition changes.

“I struggled the first day,” Ostrander recalled. “I had too much water on my mind.”

After dropping 13.55 on Day One, Ostrander regrouped and prepared for a comeback. He returned each day increasing his weight and catching fish on a variety of baits.

“I caught fish out of Frank’s Tract, out of Big Break, out of Mildred, I caught ‘em all throughout the Delta,” he shared. “I punched and threw a Plopper, and threw a ChatterBait, and flipped around through the tules with a ½-ounce weight. Today, I threw a squarebill with the wind.”

Although he transitioned through baits, he stuck to basics on colors. “It seems like a lot of the fish are eating bluegill and want that green color,” he said.

Ostrander shared that in addition to the ChatterBait which like the others was a JackHammer, he also employed a Missile Baits D Bomb, and a Yamamoto Flapping Hog for weigh fish.

A payout of $2,858 came with 3rd place for Ostrander.

Ostrander’s bait list included:

He took home $2,858 for third place.

Co-Angler Champion Shane Martin Dominates Wire-to-Wire

Going into the final day paired with Ish Monroe, Shane Martin of Discovery Bay, Calif. got a lesson in OG fishing style and sealed the deal on his wire-to-wire win for the co-angler side with a tournament total of 40.03.

“I got new age fishing and Ish has got the old school technique,” Martin stated. “He caught ‘em good and basically, I was junk fishing. I tied on 10 different baits.”

A frog, a dropshot, a gold Colorado-bladed underspin with a 4.8 Keitech, and a ChatterBait that Monroe gave Martin were just some of what the co-angler tried.

“Ish pointed out a fish when I was waiting to get the net and I pitched (a dropshot) in there and that was around five pounds,” Martin said. “I fished it on a Dobyns spinning rod I bought for this tournament specifically with a Lews reel and 15-pound line. You cannot go under 15 or you will break off fish and a big shoutout to Pline Tactical that stuff doesn’t break!”

The BAM event was Martin’s first-ever big stage tournament. With a win at his first Pro/Am, he will pocket $4,670 and the memory of being a champion. It is hard to imagine he won’t forever have tournament fever.

His successful baits included:

ChatterBait (courtesy of Monroe)
Frog
Dropshot
4.8 Keitech on a gold Colorado-blade underspin

Martin’s key setup:

Dobyns spinning rod
Lews reel
15-lb P-Line Tactical fluorocarbon

by AnglersChannel

Fischer claims first Bassmaster title at Lake Tenkiller

COOKSON, Okla. — In Bassmaster Kayak Series competition, Kristine Fischer has racked up second, third and fourth place finishes over the past few seasons. When fishing concluded on Day 2 of the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Tenkiller presented by Native Watercraft, a day filled with several missed opportunities, Fischer was mentally prepared for the disappointment of another close call.

What she thought wasn’t good enough turned out to be plenty.

With a two-day total of 172.75 inches, the Weeping Water, Neb., native claimed her first B.A.S.S. title, earning the top prize of $7,500 and a spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. Fischer opened the tournament in second place with a 90.5-inch limit of largemouth before jumping into the top spot with 82.25 inches Day 2, which included one smallmouth.

The BassmastHER ambassador now has victories with three different national trails.

“I’m honestly in disbelief,” Fischer said. “I thought the big fish bite was better today, and I had the bites today that I knew I would have needed to win the tournament. But the two biggest bites I got didn’t get to the boat. You get a gut feeling when one of those gets off that it was going to cost you, and I definitely had that feeling. I’m a big believer that when it is your time, it is your time. A lot lately, it hasn’t been my time, and I was just hoping to stay in the Top 3.

“I’m still reeling a little bit that I actually pulled it off.”

Oklahoma’s Luke Aryan finished second with a two-day total of 171.25 inches followed by Missouri’s Micah Funderburgh in third with 170.5 inches. Kansas angler Stony Floyd and Connecticut’s Ryan Nye rounded out the Top 5 with 170.5 and 170.25 respectively.

Fischer’s first tournament on Lake Tenkiller came early last year when she finished 36th in the 2024 Kayak Series Championship. As a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Division I angler, Lake Tenkiller was her third and final Kayak Series tournament for the season, and she knew she needed a good finish to qualify for the 2026 Championship through the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.

“Your best three events (determine AOY), and I can only fish three,” Fischer said. “I knew I had to get a Top 30 finish to make sure I am in the Championship, so I had some pressure on me.”

The water levels on Lake Tenkiller changed every day. After heavy rains moved through the area, the lake rose to 8 feet above full pool midweek before the Corp of Engineers began releasing water late in the week and into the weekend.

Targeting floating docks sitting over 15 to 45 feet of water, Fischer skipped 5-, 6- and 7-inch shad-colored swimbaits (including a 6-inch Berkley Cull Shad) under those docks to generate her biggest bites. She used sidescan to locate docks with baitfish underneath before turning around and making long skips to the backside of the particular dock.

In practice, Fischer discovered some issues with her forward-facing sonar, and she was unable to use it during the tournament, which she felt turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Some of the bigger bites were way under the dock. You almost had to hit the back of the dock,” Fischer explained. “Some of the times I couldn’t even see what was underneath.

“I didn’t turn it on once. I think that helped me. Sometimes when you have it on, it distracts you. I just did my thing around the banks and docks.”

She also flipped a Berkley Crud Craw around flooded bushes she came across during the day.

“As the water dropped, I pulled out to the midcreek areas, and anywhere I had a steeper bank with flooded bushes I would flip,” she said. “I also threw the big swimbait there and would crawl it through the flooded bushes. I got a lot of big bites doing that and had a lot of followers.”

During practice, Fischer caught quality smallmouth and largemouth. Once the tournament began, largemouth became the predominant species in her areas. After achieving a small limit in the back of a creek to open Day 1, Fischer moved out to deeper water and filled out a limit measuring just under 90 inches in the first two hours, which included a 20.5-inch largemouth.

A move down to the dam produced two culls around a stretch of chunk rock.

“I caught smallmouth in practice fishing bushes, which was very strange. They were very much mixed in with the largemouth in practice,” Fischer said. “But Day 1 I never got a smallmouth bite. The sun might have had something to do with that.”

On Day 2, Fischer felt fishing the floating docks would give her the best chance at winning. She filled out a limit around midmorning but lost a quality smallmouth and a big largemouth that would have given her a comfortable cushion over the field. Fortunately for Fischer, she didn’t need them.

“I had the big swimbait in my hand all day. I didn’t put it down,” she said. “I was hunting for those big bites, and I got them. I knew I was doing the right thing, but I felt like I needed to stay in the area and hammer down.”

West Virginia's Phillip Backus claimed the $500 Big Bass bonus with a 21.25-inch largemouth he landed on Day 2. Rus Snyders also landed a 21.25 on Day 1, but Backus broke the tie with a 20.25-inch bass.

All anglers earned points toward the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race. Those standings will be updated in the coming days.

The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft is scored by TourneyX.

Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Tenkiller presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.

The Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association hosted the tournament.

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

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.

by AnglersChannel

Consistent King and Shaw win Bassmaster College Series at Chickamauga

DAYTON, Tenn. — You know you’re doing something right when you’re throwing back 4-pounders. Such was the case for Gage King and Banks Shaw of University of North Alabama, who tallied a two-day total of 54 pounds, 10 ounces to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Chickamauga Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Both juniors majoring in geography, King and Shaw placed second on Day 1 with 27 pounds. Turning in a second-round bag of 27-10, they claimed a hard-fought victory by a margin of 4-11 over Day 1 leaders Dalton DeFelice and Evan Ludlow of University of Montevallo.

“It never goes like that out here for us,” Shaw said. “Usually, you’ll a big bite and several solid bites and then you’ll have a really good bag. We had a big bag the first day, but it was mainly a 9-6 that helped us.

“Today, it was all solid ones, and we were fishing the same stuff. Yesterday, we had a 3 1/4, a 3 1/2 and a 3 3/4 in our bag that we couldn’t cull. Today, our smallest was a 4 1/2-pounder, and we threw back some 4-pounders. It was pretty crazy.”

Committing their tournament to ledges and bars in 15-25 feet, the winners sought small schools of fish that were likely to be overlooked. King and Shaw kick-started their morning with a 7-pounder and had their limit by about 8:30.

The winners caught several fish on a Strike King 10XD in Citrus Shad and Green Gizzard. Both days, they’d start with crankbaits to catch the most aggressive fish and energize the school.

Once the fish were fired up, they’d pick of targets with a Damiki rig comprised of a 3/8-ounce Picasso tungsten ball-head jig with a 6-inch Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ and a 3/4-ounce Picasso football jig with a Zoom Super Speed Craw trailer.

Describing key technique details, King said: “With the crankbaits, we changed angles on the fish. We got a couple of key culls by showing the fish a different look from what they’d seen.

“With the football head, we changed the cadence. We’d work it like a spoon, then slow down. The more active presentation was best.”

Despite a solid second-day start, King and Shaw knew that victory would require a stronger performance. A gutsy decision would lead them to the opportunity they sought.

“After catching our limit, we went to one of our main areas from yesterday and the fish weren’t there,” Shaw said. “So, we just started bouncing around and checking new stuff, because I knew those fish would set up at some point and I didn’t want to waste time sitting there.

“While we were looking, we stumbled across a school that hadn’t been there all week. My local knowledge told me they should be going there, and we just happened to look at it at the right time and we caught two of the fish we weighed in there.”

DeFelice and Ludlow finished second with 49-15. After taking the first-round lead with 29-7 — the event’s heaviest bag — they added a Day-2 limit of 20-8.

“We fished the same midlake area we fished on Day 1,” DeFelice said. “It was a 5- to 6-acre area, but there was a 400-yard stretch where it went down.”

During practice, DeFelice and Ludlow noticed a stretch of bluegill beds in 7-8 feet of water while they were exploring their area’s offshore composition. They didn’t fish the beds during practice, but when the ledges that delivered their Day 1 mega bag turned stingy, DeFelice and Ludlow switched gears and focused mostly on that bluegill opportunity.

A Strike King 10XD crankbait and a custom-painted Biggs Denali glidebait produced Felice and Ludlow’s Day 1 fish. On Day 2, they caught one fry guarder (male bass protecting hatchlings) on a 1/8-ounce jig head with a 5-inch Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ, with the glidebait producing the rest.

“I would look at my (Garmin) Livescope and watch for active fish,” DeFelice said. “If it was swimming fast, I knew it ready to eat, so I would try to cast the glidebait ahead of the fish and work the bait in front of him.”

Fisher Heard and Hunter Brewer of the University of North Alabama placed third with 42-15. Their daily weights were 17-10 and 25-5.

“We spent both days at the dam and fished rock piles in 8-10 feet,” Heard said. “We just stayed in the (tailrace) all week and fished anything that would break the current.”

Anchoring their second-round bag with an 8-pounder, Heard and Brewer caught their fish on a 1/2-ounce Davis Baits scrounger with a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader and a dropshot with a 4 1/2-inch Zoom Finesse Worm.

“We never really expected to have 25 pounds; we were expecting 15-18,” Heard said. “It just turned out that there were a lot of big fish there. It’s just about getting the right bites at the right time.”

King and Shaw won the Big Bass award for their 9-6.

Fish Dayton hosted the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2025 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama

2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.

by AnglersChannel

Tennessee’s Matteo Turano Wins 42nd Annual Phoenix BFL All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton

LBL Division boater catches final day limit weighing 17-4 to earn All-American title and top payout of $120,000

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (May 31, 2025) – The final day of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton was never a blowout, but boater Matteo Turano of Puryear, Tennessee, always had an answer for his competition. Weighing 17 pounds, 4 ounces on Saturday, the 23-year-old angler closed strong after catching two 19-pound bags to start the event with a 56-11 total for the win. The winner of last fall’s BFL Regional on Pickwick, Turano has made the Top 10 in more than half the MLF events he’s fished, and after banking $120,000 for the win in the All-American, he’s got a robust winnings total as well. In addition to the money, Turano qualified for the Toyota Series Championship this fall, as well as REDCREST 2026, where he’ll be pitted against the best anglers that MLF has to offer.

Lake Hamilton produced more truly big fish than most non-locals expected in the event, though some locals knew there were plenty of big ones to be caught in the lake. However, despite some impressive weights, nobody had it easy on Hamilton, and while a limit wasn’t much of a problem any day, catching a kicker and assembling a solid bag around it was something that only Turano did all three days.

“I just wasn't too sure what to think about the lake,” Turano said of his practice period. “It seemed like I could catch fish on a variety of different techniques and all types of spots. Every point seemed to have bass on it. It made it really hard to know which points were going to have a big fish on it and to just catch a big fish, like, what bait they were going to eat. In practice, I caught one 5 1/2-pounder on a jig and minnow, and that kind of gave me some confidence in it. But at the same time, it was just one bite, and I was kind of thinking it might have just been a random one.”

On Day 1, Turano caught a 3-pounder around 11 o’clock, and then shortly after boxed a 7-pounder – both on the minnow.

“That's when I just stuck it in my hand and just went to town,” he said. “All my big fish, I believe they were fry guarders, which is really weird. I actually have a lake back home where big females will guard fry, and there are a lot of little fish in that lake and just a few giants.

“That place reminds me a lot of this place. When I'm there, I just put the trolling motor down until I see a big one on LiveScope, and then I try to catch it. I'm passing over lots of little fish, and it gets very mentally draining. But I'm so used to doing that at that lake and just trying to catch a giant; that's what I was doing the last three days, just moving really slow.”

To aid in his search for big bites, Turano backed his LiveScope range down to 80 feet, which allowed him to see more detail close to the bottom and tell the size of fish better. Between brush, grass and some stumps, Hamilton is loaded with shallow to mid-depth cover, but Turano had to constantly expand his horizons as the event went on.

“It seemed like everybody else in the Top 10 was also fishing a similar area, and the fish that were left were just super smart, and it was really hard to get them to bite,” Turano explained. “Part of the key this week, I think I caught all three big fish on three completely different stretches, and I just felt like I needed to keep fishing new water and try to find something nobody else had found. It started off on really obvious points, and then it turned to just me running down a contour line and staying in that 10- to 12-foot range when I was looking for a big one.”

Turano used a few minnows on a Buckeye G-Stroll head, with either a 7-foot, 6-inch, medium light or a 7-7, medium Phenix K2 Torzite spinning stick.

Since moving to Tennessee from Illinois, Turano has rigged boats for A.C.S. Marine and fished, often very successfully. This year, he finished in the Top 10 in the Central Division of the Toyota Series and he finished 16th in last year’s Toyota Series Championship. But the All-American can be the break an angler needs to go to the next level, and $120,000 will likely pay a lot of entry fees for Turano the next few years.

“It's something I've always dreamed of, not just winning the All-American, but just winning a big tournament,” Turano said. “I got so close at Guntersville a couple weeks ago, and I can't believe I got another opportunity to have a chance at winning and actually doing it. It just feels amazing.”

The Top 10 boaters at the 2025 Phoenix BFL All-American on Lake Hamilton finished:

1st:        Matteo Turano, Puryear, Tenn., 10 bass, 56-11, $120,000
2nd:       Tanner Hadden, Appling, Ga., 15 bass, 53-7, $35,000
3rd:       Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C., 15 bass, 48-12, $25,000
4th:        Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky., 15 bass, 45-7, $14,000
5th:        Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 15 bass, 44-10, $18,000
6th:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 15 bass, 44-9, $14,000
7th:        Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 43-2, $11,000
8th:        Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., 15 bass, 42-14, $10,000
9th:        Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, 10 bass, 42-9, $9,000
10th:     Zack Fogle, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 41-2, $8,000

A full list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 50 bass weighing 146 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the final 10 boaters on Saturday. All of the final 10 boaters caught a five-bass limit.

The highest-finishing boater from each Regional Championship (including the Wild Card) at the All-American also now advance to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000.

The eight boaters that finished highest from their region earned an automatic qualification in to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees are:

Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C.
Logan Anderson, Sherrills Ford, N.C.
Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis.
Tanner Hadden, Appling, Ga.
Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas
Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla.
Matteo Turano, Puryear, Tenn.
Scott Wiley Jr., Bay Minette, Ala.

Scott Standafer of Milford, Ohio, led wire-to-wire and won the All-American co-angler division on Saturday with a three-day total of nine bass weighing 28 pounds even to earn the top prize package of $50,000. Co-angler Kade Wesner of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, finished runner up in second place with a three-day total of nine bass weighing 26 pounds, 7 ounces, good for $10,000.

“It’s actually my first win. I’ve been at it for eight or nine years and just couldn’t get one — I figured I’d save it for the All-American,” Standafer said on stage, holding the trophy with a mix of relief and excitement.

“I lost one the first day that probably cost me three quarters of a pound to a pound, and I was praying it wouldn’t come back to bite me. And it didn’t. I left the door open just enough. But if someone was going to beat me, they deserved it. I knew they’d have to catch nine or ten pounds to get me.”

With his family cheering him on from the crowd, Standafer called the experience “a trip of a lifetime” and smiled through the moment every co-angler dreams of, calling his victory “an investment in future fishing.”

The Top 10 co-anglers at the 2025 Phoenix BFL All-American on Lake Hamilton finished:

1st:        Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, nine bass, 28-0, $50,000
2nd:       Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., nine bass, 26-7, $10,000
3rd:       Richard Williams, Sutherland, Va., nine bass, 24-3, $6,000
4th:        D. Michael Lowe, Clinton, Tenn., nine bass, 23-15, $5,000
5th:        William Easley, Pollok, Texas, nine bass, 22-10, $4,500
6th:        Ernest Stephens, Orrum, N.C., nine bass, 19-14, $4,000
7th:        Brad Sampson, Knoxville, Tenn., nine bass, 19-1, $3,500
8th:        Robert Massey, Calhoun, La., nine bass, 18-11, $3,000
9th:        Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., nine bass, 18-9, $2,500
10th:     Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, nine bass, 17-12, $2,000

Overall, there were 30 bass weighing 70 pounds, 9 ounces caught by the final 10 co-anglers on Saturday. All of the final 10 co-anglers brought a three-bass limit to the scale.

The eight co-anglers that finished highest from their region and now earn an automatic qualification to compete at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees are:

Levi Allgeier, Bardstown, Ky.
William Easley, Pollok, Texas
Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga.
Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio
D. Michael Lowe, Clinton, Tenn.
Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio
Ernest Stephens, Orrum, N.C.
Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa.

The three-day All-American was hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, and showcased the nation’s best weekend grassroots anglers. It awarded the winning boater a top prize of up to $120,000 – and an automatic qualification into REDCREST 2026, MLF’s most prestigious event – and the winning co-angler a top prize of $50,000.

Television coverage of the 2025 Phoenix BFL All-American Presented by T-H Marine will premiere at 10 a.m. ET, November 22, on CBS Sports. The full television air schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The full field of 49 boaters and 49 co-anglers competed on Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the event. After two days of competition, the field was cut to just the top 10 boaters and co-anglers based on two-day total cumulative weight, and the final 10 anglers competed on Championship Saturday. The boater and co-angler that caught the heaviest three-day total weight earned the title of the 42nd Phoenix BFL All-American Champions.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, advanced to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they competed to finish in the top six, which then advanced them to compete in the 2025 BFL All-American. The field also included the top eligible finisher from each of seven The Bass Federation (TBF) divisions in the 2025 TBF National Championship.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport 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, PiranhO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.

by AnglersChannel

Tennessee’s Matteo Turano Takes Command at 42nd Annual Phoenix BFL All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton, Eyes Final Day Victory

23-year-old boater hauls in 19-13 limit and takes 3-7 lead, final 10 boaters and co-anglers set for Championship Saturday

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (May 30, 2025) – Boater Matteo Turano of Puryear, Tennessee, caught 19 pounds, 13 ounces on Day 2 to move up from second place and take the lead in the 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton . After weighing 19-10 on Day 1, Turano is up to 39-7 with one day left, and he has a 3-7 lead over his roommate this week, Clint Knight of Russellville, Kentucky, who is in second with an even 36 pounds.

Behind the two LBL Division sticks, Appling, Georgia’s Tanner Hadden is in third with 33-4, and Cody Ross of Livingston, Texas, cracked 18-3 on Day 2 to move up to fourth with a 31-2 total. Dropping to fifth after leading on Day 1, Dahlonega, Georgia’s Buddy Benson only managed 10-14 on Day 2.

The final 10 boaters and co-anglers are now set, and competition will resume tomorrow morning on Championship Saturday. The three-day All-American, hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, showcases the nation’s best weekend grassroots anglers, and awards the winning boater a top prize of up to $120,000 – and an automatic qualification into REDCREST 2026, MLF’s most prestigious event – and the winning co-angler a top prize of $50,000.

A recent transplant to Tennessee to chase bass, Turano is one of several remarkable young anglers who grew up in Illinois. Now rigging boats for A.C.S. Marine and catching fish up and down the Tennessee River like it’s his job, Turano is on the cusp of the sort of achievement than can define a fishing career.

On Day 2, he really only needed an hour or so in the morning to put himself in the driver’s seat.

“I just started on an area where I was seeing a lot of fish yesterday,” said Turano. “I had no idea that there were any real big fish there, but I just wanted to get a limit early. And getting a limit early turned into catching an 8- to 9-pounder on my second fish. After that fish, I was just able to fish super clean the rest of the day and do what I wanted to do, and I just had no stress.”

At weigh-in, the kicker rang in at 7-15, and it was one of a number of big fish that have been caught. So far, nobody has managed to catch two giants in a day, but if someone can do it tomorrow, they might be able to charge from anywhere in the Top 10 for the win.

Turano saw some more big ones today, and he’s hoping to take another crack at them tomorrow.

“I think there's some left tomorrow,” he said. “It's going to be really hard to get a big one, but I’ve got a couple that I just couldn't get to eat, and I'm starting on one of them.”

Since the morning, Turano has started to think about what a win could mean.

“I've been fishing since I was 2 years old,” said Turano. “My mom's taken me to little kids’ fishing derbies ever since I was 4 or 5, and it's just something I've always loved. I fished my first bass tournament in high school. I think we got third place, and after that, I've just been hooked.

“I've been thinking about it all day,” he said. “This is probably the longest tournament day I've ever had to fish, just because I caught that big one so early. And, man, my mind has been racing all day, but I just had to stay in it and remember it's not over, and we still got one more day of fishing.”

The Top 10 boaters advancing to the final day of the 2025 All-American on Lake Hamilton are:

1st:        Matteo Turano, Puryear, Tenn., 10 bass, 39-7
2nd:       Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky., 10 bass, 36-0
3rd:       Tanner Hadden, Appling, Ga., 10 bass, 33-4
4th:        Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, 10 bass, 31-2
5th:        Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 10 bass, 31-1
6th:        Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C., 10 bass, 30-1
7th:        Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., 10 bass, 29-4
8th:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-1
9th:        Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-15
10th:     Zack Fogle, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 28-9

Finishing in 11th through 49th are:

11th:     Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., 10 bass, 27-11, $3,000
12th:     Jeremy York, Conyers, Ga., 10 bass, 26-13, $3,000
13th:     Logan Anderson, Sherrills Ford, N.C., 10 bass, 26-6, $3,000
14th:     Mike Bruggen, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 25-2, $3,000
15th:     Brad Stalnaker, Eatonton, Ga., 10 bass, 25-1, $3,000
16th:     Chad Sykes, Killen, Ala., 10 bass, 24-11, $3,000
17th:     Gavin Clevenger, Knoxville, Tenn., 10 bass, 24-1, $3,000
18th:     Jeremy West, Hamilton, Miss., nine bass, 22-14, $3,000
19th:     Yeej Moua, Renton, Wash., 10 bass, 22-6, $3,000
20th:     Jonathan Lang, Joppa, Md., 10 bass, 22-5, $3,000
21st:      Tyler Campbell, Martin, Ga., 10 bass, 22-0, $2,000
22nd:    Nathan Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn., 10 bass, 21-12, $2,000
23rd:     Scott Wiley Jr., Bay Minette, Ala., 10 bass, 21-9, $2,000
24th:     Chris Baldwin, Lexington, N.C., 10 bass, 21-7, $2,000
25th:     Dillon Roberts, Oologah, Okla., 10 bass, 21-5, $2,000
26th:     Cody Kelley, Plainwell, Mich., 10 bass, 21-0, $2,000
27th:     Matt Thoin, Bolton, Mass., 10 bass, 20-13, $2,000
28th:     Grant Neubauer, Medford, Wis., 10 bass, 20-0, $2,000
29th:     Brandon Pritchett, Goode, Va., 10 bass, 19-12, $2,000
30th:     Kevin Powers, Unicoi, Tenn., 10 bass, 19-12, $2,000
31st:      Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., 10 bass, 19-12, $1,500
32nd:    Brandon Morton, San Tan Valley, Ariz., 10 bass, 19-10, $1,500
33rd:     Trent Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., 10 bass, 19-8, $1,500
34th:     Andrew George, Poplar Branch, N.C., 10 bass, 19-4, $1,500
35th:     Jamie Fountain, East Dublin, Ga., 10 bass, 19-4, $1,500
36th:     Jake Monti, Mooresville, N.C., 10 bass, 18-14, $1,500
37th:     Adam Crigger, Le Claire, Iowa, 10 bass, 18-14, $1,500
38th:     Parker Batts, Dandridge, Tenn., 10 bass, 18-10, $1,500
39th:     Wade Grooms, Bonneau, S.C., 10 bass, 18-10, $1,500
40th:     Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 10 bass, 18-1, $1,500
41st:      Chad Poteat, Mount Airy, N.C., 10 bass, 17-14, $1,500
42nd:    Glen Bingham, Texarkana, Texas, 10 bass, 17-7, $1,500
43rd:     Vernelle Quinnie, Duncanville, Ala., 10 bass, 17-4, $1,500
44th:     Billy Shelton III, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 16-15, $1,500
45th:     Mel Kennedy, Hiawassee, Ga., seven bass, 16-9, $1,500
46th:     Travis Boley, Weldon, Ill., 10 bass, 16-1, $1,500
47th:     Dustin Dyer, Johnson City, Tenn., nine bass, 14-10, $1,500
48th:     Mike Puterbaugh, Montello, Wis., six bass, 11-7, $1,500
49th:     Doug Rochelle, Texarkana, Texas, nine bass, 10-11, $1,500

A full list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 238 bass weighing 569 pounds, 14 ounces caught by the 49 boaters on Friday. The catch included 47 five-bass limits.

Co-angler Scott Standafer of Milford, Ohio, crossed the stage with a three-bass limit weighing 9 pounds even to lead the co-angler division at Lake Hamilton after Day 2, with a two-day total of six bass for 21-6. Michael Lowe of Clinton, Tennessee, sits in second place with 18-10, and Richard Williams of Sutherland, Virginia, ended the day in third with 17-0.

The Top 10 co-anglers advancing to the final day of competition at the 2025 All-American on Lake Hamilton are:

1st:        Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, six bass, 21-6
2nd:       D. Michael Lowe, Clinton, Tenn., six bass, 18-10
3rd:       Richard Williams, Sutherland, Va., six bass, 17-0
4th:        Robert Massey, Calhoun, La., six bass, 13-13
5th:        Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., six bass, 13-9
6th:        Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., six bass, 13-4
7th:        Brad Sampson, Knoxville, Tenn., six bass, 12-15
8th:        William Easley, Pollok, Texas, six bass, 12-13
9th:        Ernest Stephens, Orrum, N.C., six bass, 12-10
10th:     Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, six bass, 12-9

Finishing in 11th through 49th were:

11th:     Nathan Hall, Hensley, Ark., six bass, 12-8, $1,500
12th:     Levi Allgeier, Bardstown, Ky., six bass, 11-15, $1,500
13th:     Cy Matlock, Crump, Tenn., six bass, 11-4, $1,500
14th:     Tony Stevens, Monroe, Ga., six bass, 11-2, $1,500
15th:     Bill Hockaday, Nashville, Ark., six bass, 11-1, $1,500
16th:     Brian Townley, Wyoming, Mich., four bass, 10-15, $1,500
17th:     Luke Shrader, Monticello, Ky., six bass, 10-14, $1,500
18th:     Ryan Sykes, Fairfield, Ohio, six bass, 10-14, $1,500
19th:     Cedric Jackson, Sicily Island, La., six bass, 10-11, $1,500
20th:     Tim Greene, Loganville, Ga., six bass, 10-10, $1,500
21st:      Arthur Stahlhut, Garrett, Ind., six bass, 10-10, $1,000
22nd:    Corey Smith, Hazard, Ky., six bass, 10-3, $1,000
23rd:     Andrew Rogers, Johnson City, Tenn., six bass, 10-1, $1,000
24th:     Jason Mordhorst, Hillsdale, N.J., six bass, 9-10, $1,000
25th:     Shaquille Freeman, Farmville, Va., six bass, 9-10, $1,000
26th:     Chase Johnson, Quincy, Ill., five bass, 9-10, $1,000
27th:     Logan Slaughter, Lewisville, Texas, six bass, 9-6, $1,000
28th:     Austin Abadie, St. Amant, La., six bass, 9-5, $1,000
29th:     Jeffrey Webb, Watkinsville, Ga., six bass, 8-15, $1,000
30th:     Mark Sloan, Harrison, Ark., five bass, 8-14, $1,000
31st:      Cornell Badra, Clarksburg, Md., six bass, 8-11, $750
32nd:    Jason Anderson, Heron, Mont., five bass, 8-10, $750
33rd:     Hunter Tibbetts, Centreville, Va., five bass, 8-10, $750
34th:     Chris Medlin, Dumas, Miss., four bass, 8-5, $750
35th:     Andy Morita, La Jolla, Calif., five bass, 8-2, $750
36th:     Gabe Montgomery, Jackson, Mo., six bass, 8-0, $750
37th:     Gary Haraguchi, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 7-12, $750
38th:     Dewayne Drummonds, Gray, Ky., six bass, 7-4, $750
39th:     Noah Gurkin, Pelzer, S.C., five bass, 7-1, $750
40th:     Shelton Yonce, Lexington, S.C., five bass, 7-1, $750
41st:      Joe Yocum, Commercial Point, Ohio, four bass, 6-15, $750
42nd:    Riley Smallwood, Shallotte, N.C., three bass, 6-10, $750
43rd:     Daniel Arnberg, Auburn, Ala., four bass, 6-3, $750
44th:     Billy French, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 5-9, $750
45th:     Justin Lemaster, Royston, Ga., four bass, 5-3, $750
46th:     Mark Folsom, Waterville, Iowa, three bass, 4-3, $750
47th:     Wes Proctor, Manhattan, Kan., three bass, 3-8, $750
48th:     Ross Davis, St. Elmo, Ill., one bass, 0-14, $750
49th:     Barrett Washburn, Hardin, Ky., zero bass, 0-0, $750

Overall, there were 121 bass weighing 222 pounds, 15 ounces caught by 45 co-anglers on Friday. The catch included 36 three-bass limits.

The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will launch Saturday at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Hulsey Hatchery Access, located at 350 Fish Hatchery Road in Hot Springs. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will be held at the access and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the final day launch and weigh-in events and encouraged to follow the event’s online coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app. The weigh-in will be live streamed starting at 2:30 p.m.

The full field of 49 boaters and 49 co-anglers competed on Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the event. Now the field is cut to just the top 10 boaters and co-anglers, based on two-day total cumulative weight, and the final 10 anglers compete tomorrow on Championship Saturday. The boater and co-angler that catch the heaviest three-day total weight will be crowned the 42nd Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Champions.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, advanced to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they competed to finish in the top six, which then advanced them to compete in the 2025 BFL All-American. The field also includes the top eligible finisher from each of seven The Bass Federation (TBF) divisions in the 2025 TBF National Championship.

by AnglersChannel

Mega bag lands DeFelice and Ludlow atop Bassmaster College Series leaderboard at Chickamauga

May 30, 2025

DAYTON, Tenn. — Dalton DeFelice and Evan Ludlow felt confident with their Day 1 game plan, but after nearly doubling their projection with a five-bass limit of 29 pounds, 7 ounces, the University of Montevallo teammates lead the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Chickamauga Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Heading into the second of two competition days, DeFelice and Ludlow hold a lead of 2-7 over Gage King and Banks Shaw of University of North Alabama.

“It certainly exceeded our expectations; we never saw anything like that in practice,” DeFelice said of their first-round catch. “We started on a school, and we thought we could catch 15 pounds out of it. We caught a 7 and a 9 pretty quick, and we just kinda beat ‘em for a little bit.

“Evan got another 7 and then we stopped fishing at 10:30 and just looked around our area. There are a lot of 6- to 10-pound fish rolling around in the area. We wanted to find the most high percentage (spots) for those fish.”

Fishing the midlake area, the duo targeted offshore hard bottom in 10 to 20 feet of water. Using forward facing sonar, they spotted their targets and mostly cast reaction baits.

As DeFelice noted, the fish wanted a very slow presentation.

“Also, you had to make your bait hit the water as quietly as possible,” Ludlow added.

The tournament field endured a rainy morning, but DeFelice said he and his partner caught most of their better fish once the precipitation stopped. Their largest fish created an unforgettable memory.

“I threw my bait in the water, and the second it splashed I saw two big fish scream up to the surface and a 9-pounder had my bait choked,” DeFelice said. “That has never happened for me before, so it was a really cool thing that will stick with me forever.”

Ludlow said he and DeFelice capitalized on what the day offered, but he ultimately credits divine intervention.

“God has a timing for you, and when it’s your time, nothing will stop that,” he said. “That was very evident today. I caught my (personal best bass) under the trolling motor.

“Several fish chased Dalton’s bait back to the boat, and Dalton was like, ‘Dude, get on ‘em! Get on ‘em!’ I just made a little 20-foot underhand cast and there were three big ones that chased it back. I caught a 7-pounder out of that group."

DeFelice said the morning hours offered the most opportunity. After securing their weight, the leaders fished only one more time around noon, but the fish seemed to shut down and actually move away from their baits.

“Before 10:30, almost every fish we cast at bit,” DeFelice said.

Coming in 9 ounces shy of the elusive “dirty 30” may have been the only drawback to their day, but DeFelice said that detail motivates him and Ludlow to try and top their Day 1 performance during Saturday’s finale.

“I really believe we have the chance to have the same (weight) or better tomorrow,” DeFelice said. “It all depends on boat traffic. They get conditioned really quick.

“Hopefully we can get (the area) to ourselves and hold it.”

King and Shaw placed second with 27-0.

Storm Clark and Elisha Colley of University of Montevallo are in third place with 23-6.

King and Shaw lead the Big Bass standings with their 9-6.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET at Dayton Boat Dock. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 2 p.m. The Top 10% of the field will punch their tickets to the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake scheduled for July 10-12. Teams will also earn points towards the Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race.

Fish Dayton is hosting the tournament.

2025 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2025 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Chickamauga Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops 5/30-5/31
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
Standings Day 1

Team Club/School Pts

1. Dalton DeFelice - Evan Ludlow University of Montevallo 250
Day 1: 5 29-07 Total: 5 29-07
2. Gage King - Banks Shaw University of North Alabama 249
Day 1: 5 27-00 Total: 5 27-00
3. Storm Clark - Elisha Colley University of Montevallo 248
Day 1: 5 23-06 Total: 5 23-06
4. Carter Nutt - Dylan Nutt University of North Alabama 247
Day 1: 5 21-10 Total: 5 21-10
5. Dylan May - Evan Newell Carson-Newman University 246
Day 1: 5 21-08 Total: 5 21-08
6. Sellers Odom - Grayson Ball JC Calhoun Community College 245
Day 1: 5 20-02 Total: 5 20-02
7. Cole McNeely - Cole Martin University of Montevallo 244
Day 1: 5 20-00 Total: 5 20-00
8. Jackson Paden - University of Tennessee 243
Day 1: 4 19-09 Total: 4 19-09
9. Brody Robison - Peyton Sorrow University of Montevallo 242
Day 1: 5 19-04 Total: 5 19-04
9. Owen Wheeler - Bethel University 242
Day 1: 5 19-04 Total: 5 19-04
11. Bryce Mcdonald - Ethan Elliott University of Pikeville 240
Day 1: 5 19-01 Total: 5 19-01
12. Mason Bohland - Brady Metzger Purdue University 239
Day 1: 5 18-10 Total: 5 18-10
13. Andrew Blanton - Garrett Smith Lander University 238
Day 1: 5 18-05 Total: 5 18-05
14. Brennan Berglund - Colton White University of Montevallo 237
Day 1: 5 18-01 Total: 5 18-01
15. Caleb Dugger - Kolby Gambrel King University 236
Day 1: 5 17-15 Total: 5 17-15
16. Fisher Heard - Hunter Brewer University of North Alabama 235
Day 1: 5 17-10 Total: 5 17-10
17. Nick Dumke - Connor Bell University of Montevallo 234
Day 1: 5 17-08 Total: 5 17-08
17. Carter Teune - Andrew Ready 234
Day 1: 5 17-08 Total: 5 17-08
19. Riley Nuessle - Garrett Cromer University of Montevallo 232
Day 1: 5 17-08 Total: 5 17-08
20. Turner Hart - Bryan College 231
Day 1: 5 17-07 Total: 5 17-07
21. Preston Kolisek - Smith McGregor University of North Alabama 230
Day 1: 5 17-05 Total: 5 17-05
22. Jacob Berryhill - Zach Knight Carson-Newman University 229
Day 1: 5 16-15 Total: 5 16-15
22. Nolan Gray - Riley Brown Carson-Newman University 229
Day 1: 5 16-15 Total: 5 16-15
22. Reece Keeney - Brantley Anders Kentucky Christian University 229
Day 1: 5 16-15 Total: 5 16-15
25. Garrett Christy - Corban Chenevey Catawba Valley Community College 226
Day 1: 5 15-14 Total: 5 15-14
26. Brendon Brones - Porter Welch Lamar State College Orange 225
Day 1: 5 15-13 Total: 5 15-13
27. James Sumrell - Andrew Turner Carson-Newman University 224
Day 1: 5 15-11 Total: 5 15-11
28. Kolby Angell - Michael Markham University of Montevallo 223
Day 1: 5 15-09 Total: 5 15-09
29. Bryce Dimauro - Tripp Berlinsky University of North Alabama 222
Day 1: 5 15-08 Total: 5 15-08
30. Colin Chavers - Triton Graham Southern Union State Community C 221
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
30. Caleb Edwards - Briley Mills Emmanuel College 221
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
32. Cameron Yates - Harrison McCall Lander University 219
Day 1: 5 15-05 Total: 5 15-05
33. Easton Drennon - Chase McCarter Carson-Newman University 218
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
33. Robert Miller - Levi Bolton Emmanuel College 218
Day 1: 5 15-03 Total: 5 15-03
35. Owen Barker - Carter Jerdon Ohio State University 216
Day 1: 5 15-01 Total: 5 15-01
35. Colten Drawdy - Bethel University 216
Day 1: 5 15-01 Total: 5 15-01
37. Hunter Starling - Emory Jackson Georgia Southern University 214
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
37. Joe Vaulton - Clay Bales Carson-Newman University 214
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
39. Sam Sutter - Shaden Farley Murray State College 212
Day 1: 4 14-15 Total: 4 14-15
40. Ethan Vue - Christian Vue UNC - Charlotte 211
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
41. Daylon Milam - James Dubose University of Montevallo 210
Day 1: 5 14-11 Total: 5 14-11
42. Bryson Dotson - Jaxon Humphrey Tennessee Wesleyan University 209
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
43. Hunter Slone - Cole Petroff Tennessee Tech University 208
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
44. Carty Shoen - Jordan Brewer Auburn University 207
Day 1: 4 14-10 Total: 4 14-10
45. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 206
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
46. Paxton Giem - Nick Seitz Adrian College 205
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
47. Hampton Shull - Landon Surrett Lander University 204
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
47. Kyle Zainitzer - Brock Vogel University of North Alabama 204
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
49. Mason Kornegay - Miller Dowling University of Montevallo 202
Day 1: 5 14-04 Total: 5 14-04
49. Garrett Tucker - Tyler Randolph West Virginia University 202
Day 1: 5 14-04 Total: 5 14-04
51. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 200
Day 1: 5 14-01 Total: 5 14-01
52. Alex Geroulis - William Brogan Indiana University 199
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
52. Cade Smith - Axel Pierce Murray State College 199
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
54. Avery Hammock - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 197
Day 1: 5 13-15 Total: 5 13-15
55. Colin McGough - Jeremy Etter Virginia Tech University 196
Day 1: 5 13-13 Total: 5 13-13
55. Conner Nichols - Nathanael Eubank East Tennessee State University 196
Day 1: 5 13-13 Total: 5 13-13
57. Caleb Bridges - Jonathan Fann Middle Tennessee State Universit 194
Day 1: 5 13-12 Total: 5 13-12
57. John James Coco - JD Farage LSU 194
Day 1: 5 13-12 Total: 5 13-12
57. Hunter Keller - Wes Smith II Catawba Valley Community College 194
Day 1: 5 13-12 Total: 5 13-12
60. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 191
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
60. Blair Erickson - Jackson Pontius University of Montevallo 191
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
60. Nick Hawkins - Dillan Mcglothern Southeastern University 191
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
63. Kyle Knoll - Tyler Madden Auburn University 188
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
64. Storm Cline - Gabe Fishlock Carson-Newman University 187
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
65. Sawyer Brady - TJ Edwards Jr Blue Mountain Christian Universi 186
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
65. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 186
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
65. Brooks Parker - Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 186
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
65. Cole Taylor - Clay Taylor Lander University 186
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
69. Zachary Helton - Blake Wheat Carson-Newman University 182
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
69. Emerson Petty - Victor Alford Tennessee Wesleyan University 182
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
71. Branson James - Hunter Musick East Tennessee State University 180
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
72. Szymon Piton - Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 179
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
72. Will Rooker - Ben Brockwell Kentucky Christian University 179
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
74. Chance Shelby - Cayden Reily Southeastern Louisiana Universit 177
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
75. Brendin Simich - Benjamin Travis Auburn University 176
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
76. Will Hart - Logan Fisher Emmanuel College 175
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
77. Bryce Balentine - Connor Koch Florida Gateway College 174
Day 1: 3 12-08 Total: 3 12-08
78. Jon Foster - Lawton Williams Erskine College 173
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
79. Trace Antunes III - Garrett Ring University of Montevallo 172
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
80. Chris Fallon - Briar Dodson University of Montevallo 171
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
81. Caleb Neu - Anthony Cicero IV Bethel University 170
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
81. Brayden Ruckman - Zachary Wolfe Carson-Newman University 170
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
83. Cole Moulton - Jared Hubbard Lander University 168
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
83. Jacob Vanscoik - Robert Richbourg Catawba Valley Community College 168
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
85. Bryson Hatcher - Jake Lovingood Bryan College 166
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
86. Matthew Massey - Matthew Gunn Erskine College 165
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
87. Scooter Ligon Jr - Emmanuel College 164
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
88. Hudson Choquette - Drake Sturgill University of Montevallo 163
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
89. Charlie Moomau - Matthew Delaney West Virginia University 162
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
90. Hayden Williams - Luke Garofalo University of South Carolina - U 161
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
91. Phillip Herring - Parker O'Bryan University of Montevallo 160
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
91. Ryan Thomas - Nate Harper University of Pikeville 160
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
93. Peyton Dunn - Emmanuel College 158
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
93. Joe Lutz - Braden Stutts UNC - Charlotte 158
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
95. Wes Newman Jr. - Liberty University 156
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
96. Will Hammond - Parker Lambert Lander University 155
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
96. Anderson Jones - Lander University 155
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
98. Slade Davis - Neal Braddy University of Montevallo 153
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
99. Makenzie Irwin - Nicholas Palazzo King University 152
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
99. Colby Reece - Alex Gore Carson-Newman University 152
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
101. Cohen Cravey - Maxwell Johnson Brewton-Parker College 150
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
101. Nick Owens - Noah Varitek Adrian College 150
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
103. James Lamberth - Jaxon Leverette Troy University 148
Day 1: 3 11-00 Total: 3 11-00
103. Gavin Sheffer - Logan Birth Liberty University 148
Day 1: 3 11-00 Total: 3 11-00
105. Bryce Distefano - Caleb Roblin Southeastern Louisiana Universit 146
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
106. Carrson Sizemore - Dalton Blakley University of Pikeville 145
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
107. Hunter Olivet - Evan Polley Carson-Newman University 144
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
108. Jackson Mitchell - Will Shepherd Carson-Newman University 143
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
109. Tucker Dottley - Bethel University 142
Day 1: 4 10-02 Total: 4 10-02
109. Bryson Holderness - Isaac Greene University of South Carolina - U 142
Day 1: 4 10-02 Total: 4 10-02
111. Logan Hendrick - Cade Miller Lenoir Rhyne University 140
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
112. Hunter Kellogg - Owen Klein Ohio State University 139
Day 1: 4 10-01 Total: 4 10-01
113. Dylan Mcgee - Hayden Short Kentucky Christian University 138
Day 1: 4 09-15 Total: 4 09-15
114. Tanner Smith - Nicholas Giompalo University of Pikeville 137
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
115. Carson Owen - Dylan Reed Murray State College 136
Day 1: 3 09-12 Total: 3 09-12
116. Wyatt Wood - Wyatt Ford University of Montevallo 135
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
117. Austin Paulus - James Riegert Ohio State University 134
Day 1: 4 09-09 Total: 4 09-09
118. Spencer Knight - Colton Cybulski Ohio State University 133
Day 1: 4 09-08 Total: 4 09-08
119. Max Pierlott - Mike Pierlott UNC - Charlotte 132
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
120. Logan Howarter - Mason Lyons Kentucky Christian University 131
Day 1: 4 09-07 Total: 4 09-07
121. Trey Marco - Jake Rowlands King University 130
Day 1: 4 09-02 Total: 4 09-02
122. Chandler Pruett - Steven Deschene Blue Mountain Christian Universi 129
Day 1: 3 08-13 Total: 3 08-13
123. Peyton Bryant - Brezlyn Hightower Murray State College 128
Day 1: 4 08-10 Total: 4 08-10
123. Tomas Matual - Zach Widelski McKendree University 128
Day 1: 4 08-10 Total: 4 08-10
125. Nicholas DellaPorta - Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 126
Day 1: 4 08-10 Total: 4 08-10
126. Trent Gilmore - Evan Mabrey University of Montevallo 125
Day 1: 4 08-08 Total: 4 08-08
127. Cambell Hall - Jackson Plyler NC State University 124
Day 1: 4 08-07 Total: 4 08-07
128. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 123
Day 1: 3 08-06 Total: 3 08-06
128. Maddux Moore - Trey Martinez LSU 123
Day 1: 3 08-06 Total: 3 08-06
130. Caleb Baynes - Konnor Sweet Liberty University 121
Day 1: 3 08-05 Total: 3 08-05
131. Kenneth Vicchio - Devon Blevins East Tennessee State University 120
Day 1: 3 08-03 Total: 3 08-03
131. Dustin Weinberg - Cade McBride Blue Mountain Christian Universi 120
Day 1: 3 08-03 Total: 3 08-03
133. Kyle Werbeck - Joseph Phillips Kent State University 118
Day 1: 3 08-02 Total: 3 08-02
134. Tanner Herndon - Bryan College 117
Day 1: 4 08-01 Total: 4 08-01
135. Cameron Dials - Blayne Leeman Kentucky Christian University 116
Day 1: 4 08-00 Total: 4 08-00
136. Cole Edwards - Brody Mitchell University of Montevallo 115
Day 1: 3 07-14 Total: 3 07-14
137. Tyler Michael - University of South Carolina - U 114
Day 1: 3 07-12 Total: 3 07-12
138. Branton Champion - Cole Guck Emmanuel College 113
Day 1: 3 07-11 Total: 3 07-11
139. Cole Bedard - NC State University 112
Day 1: 3 07-10 Total: 3 07-10
140. Colin Cooper - Cory Mitchell Liberty University 111
Day 1: 3 07-09 Total: 3 07-09
141. Dylan Thayer - Brett Boswell Georgia College 110
Day 1: 4 07-08 Total: 4 07-08
142. Braden Lankford - Tityn Miller Murray State College 109
Day 1: 3 07-06 Total: 3 07-06
142. Robie Vines Jr - Colby Bryan Catawba Valley Community College 109
Day 1: 3 07-06 Total: 3 07-06
144. Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry Blue Mountain Christian Universi 107
Day 1: 4 07-05 Total: 4 07-05
144. Mathias Dahline - Henry Vincent Adrian College 107
Day 1: 4 07-05 Total: 4 07-05
146. Austin Marley - Jack Richardson Georgia Southern University 105
Day 1: 4 07-03 Total: 4 07-03
147. Ethan Hospedales - UNC - Charlotte 104
Day 1: 2 07-02 Total: 2 07-02
148. Chandler Howell - Clayton Ellis Blue Mountain Christian Universi 103
Day 1: 3 06-15 Total: 3 06-15
149. Logan Greeno - Matthew Nichols University of Nebraska - Lincoln 102
Day 1: 3 06-14 Total: 3 06-14
150. MJ Lutz Jr - CJ Chavous Jr. University of South Carolina - U 101
Day 1: 2 06-12 Total: 2 06-12
151. Thomas Osa - Kole Costello High Point University 100
Day 1: 4 06-10 Total: 4 06-10
152. Lucas Bowers - Fisher Rodgers University of South Carolina 99
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
152. Brayden Jordan - Fischer Barber Troy University 99
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
154. Max Hondorp - Ridge Faircloth Troy University 97
Day 1: 3 06-07 Total: 3 06-07
154. Kasen Pemberton - Avery Padgett Troy University 97
Day 1: 3 06-07 Total: 3 06-07
156. Caden Gettys - Tyler Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 95
Day 1: 1 06-06 Total: 1 06-06
157. Will Holloway - Nick Pemberton University of Montevallo 94
Day 1: 3 06-04 Total: 3 06-04
158. Braydon Southerland - Tennessee Tech University 93
Day 1: 2 06-04 Total: 2 06-04
159. Diego Alea - Michael John Teate Southeastern University 92
Day 1: 3 05-15 Total: 3 05-15
159. Cameron Chapman - Dyson Lewis Catawba Valley Community College 92
Day 1: 3 05-15 Total: 3 05-15
159. Nathan Preston - Auburn University 92
Day 1: 3 05-15 Total: 3 05-15
162. Brayden Batchelor - Quinn Williams Georgia Southern University 89
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
163. Matthew Strickland - Eli Ward University of Pikeville 88
Day 1: 2 05-11 Total: 2 05-11
164. Matt Brault - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 87
Day 1: 3 05-10 Total: 3 05-10
165. Hank Sturm - Matt Mosby Adrian College 86
Day 1: 2 05-04 Total: 2 05-04
166. Cody Wyatt - Fletcher Allen UNC - Charlotte 85
Day 1: 2 04-15 Total: 2 04-15
167. Connor Westerman - Michael Mcnulty West Virginia University 84
Day 1: 2 04-08 Total: 2 04-08
168. Lyndon Gaddy - Daniel Ridenour East Tennessee State University 83
Day 1: 1 04-05 Total: 1 04-05
169. Mitch Straffon - Owen Januszewski Adrian College 82
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
170. Brandon Berry - Hunter Bright University of Montevallo 81
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
170. Cole Mitchell - Hayden Mare High Point University 81
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
172. Hayden Peck - Tennessee Wesleyan University 79
Day 1: 2 04-01 Total: 2 04-01
173. Nicholas Jones - Gavin Grossman Indiana University 78
Day 1: 2 04-00 Total: 2 04-00
173. Jake Krauth - Jack Mcillwain University of North Alabama 78
Day 1: 2 04-00 Total: 2 04-00
175. Brandon Oakes - Gavyn Gamble Ohio State University 76
Day 1: 2 03-15 Total: 2 03-15
176. Seth Shuler - Aaron Mills University of Pikeville 75
Day 1: 2 03-13 Total: 2 03-13
176. Noah Strand - Max Trenz UNC - Chapel Hill 75
Day 1: 2 03-13 Total: 2 03-13
178. Chase Hubble - University of Florida 73
Day 1: 2 03-10 Total: 2 03-10
179. Carson Yero - Fisher Britt University of Montevallo 72
Day 1: 2 03-09 Total: 2 03-09
180. Nick Schaefer - Cameron Gates University of Pikeville 71
Day 1: 2 03-01 Total: 2 03-01
181. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Gavyn Rapp Adrian College 70
Day 1: 1 03-00 Total: 1 03-00
182. Philip Smyrl - Georgia College 69
Day 1: 1 02-14 Total: 1 02-14
183. Tyler Wiggins - JD Rorex University of Alabama 68
Day 1: 1 02-13 Total: 1 02-13
184. Asa Putnam - Brett Mouw University of Montevallo 67
Day 1: 2 02-12 Total: 2 02-12
185. Wyatt Gabehart - Riley Hendricks Lander University 66
Day 1: 1 02-10 Total: 1 02-10
185. Tyler Zwick - Zach Waters Adrian College 66
Day 1: 1 02-10 Total: 1 02-10
187. Brady Pinwar - Cole Carr Adrian College 64
Day 1: 1 02-07 Total: 1 02-07
188. Alexander Blanchard - Connor Hebert LSU 63
Day 1: 1 02-06 Total: 1 02-06
189. Brady Osborn - Ryan Kahut Adrian College 62
Day 1: 1 02-02 Total: 1 02-02
190. Matthew Mitchell - University of South Carolina 61
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
191. Fisher Carver - Hunter Richie Brewton-Parker College 60
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
192. Kayden Crosier - Gavin Warholic Kent State University 59
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
192. Brandon Ward - William Hurley IV Carson-Newman University 59
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
194. Landon Brown - Owen Day Morehead State University 57
Day 1: 1 01-13 Total: 1 01-13
195. Tanner Wassilchalk - Mason Kerr West Virginia University 56
Day 1: 1 00-00 Total: 1 00-00
196. Colton Boelkes - Joshua Hayes University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Isaac Carlson - Max Phillpotts Grand Valley State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Rylan Green - Luke McGuffin Erskine College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Scotty Hagan - Will Copley University of Pikeville 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Gabe Hannon - LSU 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Jacob Highley - Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Carson Holbrook - Silas Jones University of Pikeville 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Cy Lambert - Kolby Clark University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Beau Landry - Peyton Matherne LSU 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Grant Laney - University Of Montevallo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Champ Morales - Luke Lebourgeois Southeastern Louisiana Universit 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. John Mullins - Jacob Sledge Middle Tennessee State Universit 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Matthew Norton - Ian Schroeder UNC - Charlotte 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Devan Perkins - Kade Palmer LSU 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Aiden Reid - Mason Sills Catawba Valley Community College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Dylan Reid - Jaxson Smoak Georgia Southern University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Grant Rice - Blake Marcum Morehead State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Pete Shumaker - Rylan Houk East Tennessee State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Brantley Tate - Tyler Covington LSU 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Will Wester - Jackson Thomas Emmanuel College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Calup Williams - Hunter King Blue Mountain Christian Universi 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
196. Brycen Williamson - Erskine College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 106 768 2117-14
----------------------------------
106 768 2117-14

by AnglersChannel

Montevallo Wins the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 30, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers announces the latest update to the points standings for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Following the completion of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, the ACA has contested its final points eligible event for this season. The ACA’s historic 20^th National Championship was worth triple points.

The University of Montevallo is in 1^st place with a season total of 40,575 points. The University of North Alabama stays in 2^nd, and McKendree University rounds out the Top 3.

At Lake Hartwell, the University of Montevallo earned the most points of any school to compete in the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. Montevallo’s three highest-placing teams finished in 1^st, 3^rd, and 9^th.

1^st) Peyton Harris & Dalton Head

3^rd) Brody Robison & Peyton Sorrow

9^th) Brennan Berglund & Colton White

Those three Top 10 finishes earned Montevallo 7,300 points. That bumps Montevallo’s season points total to 40,575, mathematically eliminating any other team from finishing the year ranked number one.

The victory in 2024-25 marks Montevallo’s fifth-straight title as Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). No other school has ever won more than two titles.

Teams competing at Lake Hartwell were able to earn upwards of 7,000 points, depending on the placement of their highest-finishing teams. Here is a look at several schools that were able to improve their ranking since the previous points update:

5) Campbellsville University – Previously Ranked 7^th

6) Wabash Valley College – Previously ranked 8^th

8) Drury University – Previously Ranked 9^th

10) Adrian College – Previously Ranked 12^th

Click here to view the complete updated rankings.

Two teams moved up into the Top 25 after previously being on the outside looking in. Troy University moved up two places from 26^th to 24^th, and Murray State College also climbed two spots from 27^th to 25^th.

Only one more points eligible event remains to count towards the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. The Bassmaster College Series is set to host an event at Chickamauga Lake later this week. Seven of the Top 25 ranked teams have an opportunity to earn points at this tournament. Two of those are 2^ndranked University of North Alabama and 4^th ranked Carson-Newman University. The ACA will release the final points standings next week, following the conclusion of this event.

by AnglersChannel

Fish Tip Friday - Find a Hard Edge

By Vance McCullough, AC Insider

I’m watching the Bassmaster Elite Series guys jerk dinks on top of dinks out of the Sabine River in hopes of plucking 5 keepers, hopefully a kicker of 3 pounds to anchor hopefully a double-digit limit.

Tommy Sanders takes us back to an Elite Series stop, years ago, at the host city of Orange, Texas where Carl Jocumsen had missed the cut and was providing commentary on Day 3.

“Find a hard edge,” Sanders recalled Jocumsen saying. “That’s why I’m not fishing today is because, in all this high water, I couldn’t find enough of those spots.”

Jocumsen’s advice is dead on the money for those fishing in free-flowing rivers and tidewater environs. In fact, as I write this, he paces the entire field with an 8-pound, 8-ounce limit as competition nears the midpoint of the opening round.

I live a short ride from the St Johns River but not the famous part of it where good fisherfolk go when they die. No, I live near the schizophrenic, semi-salted north end where largemouth share water with redfish, sea trout and flounder. As the old saying goes, the only constant here is change.

And so it goes with any fishery where water flows relentlessly, and in the case of tidal sections, reverses flow twice a day and floods acres of inaccessible ground. In North Florida we see the tide swing up and down sometimes as much as 6 vertical feet along the coast. Again, this happens twice daily. If it spills back into the trees, you often can’t follow far enough to get a lure to the fish that rode up with it.

But you can find those hard edges. ‘Containment banks’ such as seawalls and the docks that squat along them, are obvious targets. Corners are prime. It could be a right angle in the seawall that forms an ambush point or an inside turn that traps bait and accumulates wolf packs of hungry bass working against the clock as the tide ebbs and flows, ceaseless as the sun passing overhead, creating a sense of urgency that makes these fish impulsive yet predictable. At the very least, you can present a bait to these fish.

But what about the sand bars, shell beds and firm banks that held fish at low tide – or in low water situations of any sort? They can produce some of your most memorable days. While smaller fish may run as far back in the woods as the rising water will allow, the biggest bass in an area will often cling to the same structural feature they favored on low water but that still deflects flow when the current is ripping.

Electronics can help, but a good pair of polarized glasses and a low water scouting trip are all an angler generally needs on small rivers and tidal creeks.

Next time you’re out during low water, take note of those subtle hard edges that most anglers will miss. And when the waters rise, so will your catch rate.

by AnglersChannel

Georgia’s Buddy Benson Boats 9-6 Kicker to Vault into lead on Day 1 of 42nd Annual Phoenix BFL All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton

Three-time All-American Qualifier catches 20-pound, 3-ounce limit to take early lead in the race for $120,000

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (May 29, 2025) – Day 1 of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton impressed at the scales – six boaters caught more than 15 pounds, and big bass hit the scales pretty steadily throughout weigh-in. In the lead, boater Buddy Benson of Dahlonega, Georgia, weighed 20 pounds, 3 ounces, thanks in large part to a mammoth 9-6 he wrangled midway through the day. In second, Matteo Turano of Puryear, Tennessee, weighed 19-10, and Appling, Georgia’s Tanner Hadden and Clint Knight of Russellville, Kentucky, both caught more than 18 pounds to finish the day in third and fourth, respectively.

Day 2 should prove critical, as the standings below seventh are stacked as tight as can be – 9-12 is good for 26th place and 13-12 currently stands in eighth. Making the Top 10 is going to be a real rodeo, especially considering the size of the fish that are evidently available on Hamilton at the moment.

The three-day All-American, hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism,, showcases the nation’s best weekend grassroots anglers, and awards the winning boater a top prize of up to $120,000 – and an automatic qualification into REDCREST 2026, MLF’s most prestigious event – and the winning co-angler a top prize of $50,000.

Despite his young age, Benson is fishing his third consecutive All-American, and after finishes of third and fourth, he’s looking to do just a little better this time. Today, the midday kicker propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.

“I caught it at probably 12 o’clock,” Benson said. “I had 12 1/2 pounds on my scale and then I pulled up on a little clay point. I thought it was, like, a carp or something, laying on a little brush pile in probably 5 or 6 foot of water. I pitched over there and it came up.

“I told my told my co-angler when I hooked it, I didn't know if it was a bass or a catfish or what it was, but I just knew it was giant. And it came up and could only get, like, part of its head out of the water, and I fought it, fought it, fought it; finally got it in. I literally could barely stand up for, like, five or 10 minutes.”

That fish obviously vaulted Benson into an enviable position, but 12 pounds was still a pretty good start – plenty of other anglers would have loved 12 pounds today.

“I thought I was going to do at least solid,” Benson said of his practice. “I thought I would have at least 12 or 13 pounds, but I didn't see a lot of big ones in practice. I didn't know if I could get much more than that, but I knew there were big ones in here to be caught. I felt like I got a little something figured out that's a little different, but at the same time, a 9-pounder changes everything.”

As the event goes on, one thing that Benson has going for him is his comfort with the fishery. Though his Georgia address doesn’t make him a local, Benson is a modern angler, and Day 1 of the event seemed to play into the hands of the more youthful anglers in the field.

“I definitely feel like [Hamilton] fishes pretty good to my strengths, just being clear, and the fish like to roam around on bait, which is a lot like home,” he said. “So, I definitely feel pretty comfortable here. And I always like fishing grass, so when I saw there was grass in here, that kind of made me smile a little bit.”

He’ll be smiling a lot if he can maintain for two more days – with the last two winners being Georgia products, he’s seen how far an All-American win can go first-hand.

“It would mean everything,” Benson said of the prospect. “Especially watching the last two people win it from the hometown, just seeing what it did for them. It would mean everything; it would truly be crazy.”

The Top 20 boaters after Day 1 of the 2025 All-American on Lake Hamilton are:

1st:        Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., five bass, 20-3
2nd:      Matteo Turano, Puryear, Tenn., five bass, 19-10
3rd:       Tanner Hadden, Appling, Ga., five bass, 18-8
4th:        Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky., five bass, 18-1
5th:        Zack Fogle, Longview, Texas, five bass, 17-15
6th:        Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., five bass, 15-4
7th:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., five bass, 14-15
8th:        Mike Bruggen, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 13-12
9th:        Mel Kennedy, Hiawassee, Ga., five bass, 13-6
10th:     Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, five bass, 12-15
11th:     Dillon Roberts, Oologah, Okla., five bass, 12-11
12th:     Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 12-10
13th:     Jeremy York, Conyers, Ga., five bass, 12-4
14th:     Yeej Moua, Renton, Wash., five bass, 12-3
15th:     Brad Stalnaker, Eatonton, Ga., five bass, 12-2
16th:     Logan Anderson, Sherrills Ford, N.C., five bass, 11-11
17th:     Jonathan Lang, Joppa, Md., five bass, 11-4
18th:     Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C., five bass, 10-12
19th:     Mike Puterbaugh, Montello, Wis., five bass, 10-7
20th:     Chad Sykes, Killen, Ala., five bass, 10-2
20th:     Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., five bass, 10-2
20th:     Kevin Powers, Unicoi, Tenn., five bass, 10-2

A full list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 242 bass weighing 532 pounds, 15 ounces caught by the 49 boaters on Thursday. The catch included 46 five-bass limits.

Co-angler Scott Standafer of Milford, Ohio, grabbed the early lead in the co-angler division at Lake Hamilton on Thursday with a three-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 6 ounces, anchored by a nice 8-pound, 6-ounce kicker bass. Standafer will start Day 2 of competition Friday with a slim 11-ounce lead over second-place co-angler Richard Williams of Sutherland, Virginia, who weighed in three bass totaling 11 pounds, 11 ounces.

The Top 20 co-anglers after Day 1 of the 2025 All-American on Lake Hamilton are:

1st:        Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, three bass, 12-6
2nd:       Richard Williams, Sutherland, Va., three bass, 11-11
3rd:       Brian Townley, Wyoming, Mich., three bass, 9-11
4th:        Robert Massey, Calhoun, La., three bass, 8-8
5th:        Nathan Hall, Hensley, Ark., three bass, 6-11
6th:        Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., three bass, 7-3
7th:        Bill Hockaday, Nashville, Ark., three bass, 6-11
8th:        Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, three bass, 6-6
9th:        Tony Stevens, Monroe, Ga., three bass, 6-4
9th:        Andy Morita, La Jolla, Calif., three bass, 6-4
11th:     Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 6-2
12th:     Brad Sampson, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 6-0
13th:     Luke Shrader, Monticello, Ky., three bass, 5-15
14th:     Tim Greene, Loganville, Ga., three bass, 5-13
15th:     Ryan Sykes, Fairfield, Ohio, three bass, 5-11
16th:     Ernest Stephens, Orrum, N.C., three bass, 5-10
16th:     Cy Matlock, Crump, Tenn., three bass, 5-10
18th:     Andrew Rogers, Johnson City, Tenn., three bass, 5-8
19th:     Arthur Stahlhut, Garrett, Ind., three bass, 5-6
19th:     Cornell Badra, Clarksburg, Md., three bass, 5-6

Overall, there were 132 bass weighing 252 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 48 co-anglers on Thursday. The catch included 38 three-bass limits.

Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Hulsey Hatchery Access, located at 350 Fish Hatchery Road in Hot Springs. Weigh-in each day will be held at the access and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and encouraged to follow the event’s online coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The full field of 49 boaters and 49 co-anglers will compete on Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the event. After two days of competition, the field is cut to just the top 10 boaters and co-anglers, based on two-day total cumulative weight, and the final 10 anglers compete on Championship Saturday. The boater and co-angler that catch the heaviest three-day total weight will be crowned the 42nd Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Champions.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, advanced to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they competed to finish in the top six, which then advanced them to compete in the 2025 BFL All-American. The field also includes the top eligible finisher from each of seven The Bass Federation (TBF) divisions in the 2025 TBF National Championship.

Television coverage of the 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine All-American will premiere at 10 a.m. ET, November 22, on CBS Sports. The full television air schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport 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.

by AnglersChannel

2025 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament Set for Lake Guntersville

Guntersville, AL (May 29, 2025) – Legendary Lake Guntersville will host the 14^th annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament for the first time this fall, on October 25-26, 2025. Located in northeast Alabama, in the heart of bass fishing country, Guntersville is hallowed ground for tournament anglers and has been home to bass fishing’s biggest events, like the Bassmaster Classic and Major League Fishing REDCREST.

With its spectacular views, proximity for so many Bonus Bucks members, and fertile fish-filled waters, Lake Guntersville will serve as an excellent location for this amateur-only tournament celebrating all things Toyota and bass fishing.

This exciting weekend features a no-entry fee team tournament, gift bags full of Toyota swag for registered teams, prize drawings, meet & greets with Team Toyota pro anglers, and more. The first-place prize is a guaranteed $5,000 payout, with cash prizes awarded to the top 31 teams.

“The annual Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament is an event that Toyota looks forward to every year,” said Dedra DeLilli, Vice President of marketing communications, Toyota Motor North America. “We cherish the opportunity to celebrate and spend time with people who depend on Toyota vehicles to pursue their passion for fishing and the outdoors. We’re super excited to bring this event to Lake Guntersville for the first time in its 14-year history.”

More than just a fishing competition, this event “has a family reunion feel” according to Team Toyota pro Mike Iaconelli, with an emphasis on fellowship and camaraderie.

The weekend begins Saturday afternoon with a registration meeting at Goosepond Colony Marina, where Team Toyota pro anglers will be on hand to greet guests. B.A.S.S. tournament staff will conduct the tournament and be onsite Saturday afternoon for angler registration, where participants will receive an arm-full of free gear, along with a complimentary dinner.

“This event and Lake Guntersville are a match made in heaven,” said Gerald Swindle, Guntersville local and Team Toyota pro. “Toyota tow vehicles and Guntersville are both synonymous with tournament bass fishing. It’s great to finally pair these two icons together for what will be an amazing weekend of fellowship and fishing.”

Tournament eligibility is contingent on meeting two requirements: at least one of the two team members must be currently registered in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and the eligible team must use the Bonus Bucks team member’s Toyota truck as the primary tow vehicle during the event.

The deadline to register is October 17, 2025. To get signed up or for more details, please visit https://ownersevent.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/. If you have questions, or need assistance, contact the Toyota Bonus Bucks Headquarters via email: [email protected].

Visit toyotafishing.com for more program details. Bassmaster Elite Series, MLF Bass Pro Tour, MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, and NPFL anglers are not eligible to participate in the Toyota Owners Tournament. Participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible for this prize-rich event. Registration is limited to 300 teams.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

by AnglersChannel

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