B.A.S.S. announces 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers schedule
Jan. 21, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. has announced the schedule for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series, and the slate offers up three of the hottest fisheries in the country for anglers to compete for the opportunity to walk across bass fishing’s biggest stage.
For the 2025 season, the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN evolved into an eight-event season comprised of two divisions, each featuring four tournaments. Anglers placing in the Top 50 in each division’s Angler of the Year race will advance to the newly installed Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. This stand-alone series will feature three events, spanning from September through November, to qualify anglers for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“This schedule is strong and will be a challenge for the group moving from the Opens to the EQs,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “It’s a diverse schedule, and I think we’re catching each of those fisheries at a really good time for anglers and fans alike. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new EQs shake out this year.”
The first EQ event is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Champlain checked in at No. 6 in the Northeastern Division of Bassmaster Magazine's 2024 100 Best Bass Lakes list. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are abundant in this lake that features everything from shallow grass to deep, rocky structure.
Next up is Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tenn., Oct. 2-4. Giant largemouth, smallmouth and spots can fill a bag on this body of water which ranked ninth in the Southeastern Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list, and bags of more than 25 pounds are the norm.
The third and final EQ stop on the slate will be Nov. 13-15 at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla. Okeechobee is known for giant largemouth — just ask Bassmaster Elite Series pro Scott Martin who, in the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN season-opener at Lake Okeechobee set an Opens record for the heaviest one-day bag with the massive 33-pound, 2-ounce limit he weighed in on Day 1 of the event. Martin went on to set another Opens’ record at the same event for heaviest winning catch with a three-day total of 90 pounds, 6 ounces.
In addition to the 100 anglers qualifying from both divisions of the Opens, all current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will be eligible to compete in the Elite Qualifiers, as well as the second- and third-place finishers from the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.
B.A.S.S. remains committed to the “win and you’re in” concept for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. Anglers who fish every event in a division of the Opens will receive a berth to the Classic if they win an event. The same applies to the three-event EQ series, taking the total to 11 berths to the Classic, which is an increase of two berths from years past.
Also new for 2025, the number of anglers who will qualify for the Elite Series has been increased to 10 (nine qualified in each of the past two years). Additionally, the EQ series rules will mirror those of the Elite Series, meaning the “no-info rule” is currently in effect and soliciting information for these bodies of waters is now prohibited.
EQ entry fees will be $3,500 per event. For full details please visit Bassmaster.com.
2025 Elite Qualifiers
Sept. 18-20, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Oct 2-4, Pickwick Lake, Counce, Tenn.
Nov. 13-15, Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Travel Tuesday - The First Trip of 2025!
By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
We got home from our fifth trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge at 1:30 this morning. I haven’t even unpacked yet (except for the Yeti cooler full of yellowfin fillets that went straight into our freezer) but I’m still on a high. We had a fantastic group of 20 anglers, calm seas, great multispecies action, and incredible service. Some of our traveling party who were traveling through Atlanta got waylaid by the southeast’s snowpocalypse, but fortunately they all seemed to take it in good spirits.
I’m probably starting to sound like a broken record by this point, but it bears repeating that if you are looking for a bucket list fishing trip this is one you must consider. If you’re a hard core bass angler, it’s the best topwater fishing you can possibly imagine. If you’re a novice but love great scenery and want to catch a bunch of different species, this is the place to do it. It’s safe, and while it’s not inexpensive, it’s a solid value. We won’t be heading back until the spring of 2025, so that gives you plenty of time to save if you want to join us on a hosted trip. If you can’t wait that long, we’re happy to send you down before then. Either way, just shoot us an email so you don’t miss out.
We’ll be posting more detailed content about the trip in the coming days. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures. If they don’t whet your appetite, you’re either a non-angler or have no pulse.
Toyota ShareLunker Partners with AFTCO on New ‘Guide of the Year’ Award
ATHENS – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Toyota ShareLunker Program are partnering with AFTCO on a new promotion to recognize a fishing guide who contributes to conservation and enhancement of largemouth bass in Texas.
The AFTCO Guide of the Year award is open during the entire ShareLunker season. The winning guide will be announced on Toyota ShareLunker social media channels by the following April. The winner of the AFTCO Guide of the Year award will receive $500 worth of AFTCO gear of their choice, a $500 cash prize and be recognized at the Toyota ShareLunker VIP banquet in the fall.
“With a chance to win $500 worth of AFTCO gear of their choosing and $500 cash prize, this promotion underscores the importance of conservation, and the invaluable role that guides can play in preserving Texas’s bass populations,” said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program coordinator. “Fishing guides can play a pivotal role in the Toyota ShareLunker Program’s mission to engage the public in the promotion and enhancement of Lunker bass fishing in Texas public waters.”
To be considered for the AFTCO Guide of the Year Award, the guide’s clients that catch a ShareLunker-sized bass (a largemouth bass weighing eight pounds or measuring more or 24 inches or longer) on a guided trip must enter their catch into the ShareLunker database or website in accordance with program rules. The client must indicate their fish was caught during a guided trip and include their guide’s name. The client must submit their ShareLunker data and are encouraged to submit a DNA sample to the Toyota ShareLunker Program for their guide to be considered.
“The number of ShareLunker sized bass that guides encounter is considerable,” added Goldstrohm. “By having clients reporting these catches and providing the much-needed DNA samples, TPWD biologists can better manage Lunker populations, better understand bass populations and evaluate Lone Star bass stockings.”
The guide must have held at the time of catch a valid fishing license (unless exempt), a valid fishing guide license in Texas and not have any current or pending fish and wildlife violations. All guides mentioned during ShareLunker catch submissions will be considered for the AFTCO Texas Bass Guide of the year. All eligible guides will be contacted in January 2025 to fill out the application form that highlights their accomplishments and contributions to bass conservation. Application forms should be completed by guides by Feb. 28, 2025.
A review committee will use a scoring rubric to evaluate guides based on the established criteria.
AFTCO, a partner with the Toyota ShareLunker program, is committed to conservation and the preservation of fishing resources. Freshwater conservation efforts at the local level are focused on the support of state agencies and regional projects through their bass fishing conservation grant programs. At the national level, AFTCO supports the placement of artificial and natural fish habitats, lake cleanups, the Bass Bus Live Release Boat and their Fish Care 101 education content. Additional information on AFTCO’s conservation initiatives can be found on their conservation website.
"We have had a great relationship with TPWD to this point and look forward to expanding our relationship with them in 2025 and beyond,” said Casey Shedd, President AFTCO. “Conservation is a core principle of AFTCO and it's great to build on that with a great partner like TPWD.”
During the first three months of the season (Jan. 1 — March 31), anglers who reel in a 13-plus pound bass can loan it to TPWD for the ShareLunker selective breeding and stocking program. These anglers can call the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 to report their catch 24/7 through March 31, 2025.
Anglers that catch and loan a 13-plus pound lunker earn Legacy Class status, receive a catch kit filled with merchandise, a 13lb+ Legacy decal for their vehicle or boat, VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event, a high-quality replica mount of their fish from Lake Fork Taxidermy, ShareLunker branded apparel provided by AFTCO, and Bass University will provide a swag pack and annual subscription. These anglers also receive entries into two separate drawings – a Legacy Class Drawing and the year-end Grand Prize Drawing. Both drawings will award the winner a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.
The year-round Toyota ShareLunker program offers anglers three additional levels of participation for catching bass over eight pounds or 24 inches in Texas public waters. Each of these levels provide vital data to TPWD fisheries biologists, helping them to continue to create bigger, better bass in Texas.
Anglers who enter data for any lunker they catch greater than eight pounds or 24 inches also receive a catch kit, a decal for their vehicle or boat, a one-month subscription to Bass University and an entry into the year-end Grand Prize Drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree. ShareLunker entry classes include the Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class (8 lb.+), Strike King Elite Class (10 lb.+) and Lew’s Legend Class (13 lb.+).
Once a lunker is reeled in, anglers need to enter the catch data on the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app – available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play – or on the Toyota ShareLunker online app at TexasSharelunker.com.
In addition to providing basic catch information, anglers have the option to send a DNA scale sample from their lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis. Anglers who contribute a sample to the program will receive a Lew’s baitcast reel valued at up to $200 while supplies last, with a limit of one reel per angler. Anglers who send in a genetic sample will also get a three-month subscription to Bass University. Instructions for submitting DNA samples are located on the Toyota ShareLunker website.
The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of Toyota. Toyota is a longtime supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and TPWD, providing major funding for a wide variety of fisheries, state parks and wildlife projects.
Additional vital program support comes from Legend class category prize sponsor Lew’s, Elite class category prize sponsor Strike King, Lunker class category prize sponsor Bass Pro Shops, AFTCO, Bass Forecast, Bass University and Lake Fork Taxidermy. For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker Program, visit facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram/, https://www.instagram.com/TexasShareLunker/ or TexasSharelunker.com.
Media Contacts: TPWD Press Office, 512-389-8030, news@tpwd.texas.gov
A student angler bonus program to Bragg about
High school angler Caige Bragg of Trussville, AL is not a boastful young man, despite the fact he’s fast proving himself as one of America’s most talented young bass anglers. He’s got the Vexus® Varsity trophy banners, and $500 Tackle Warehouse gift cards to prove it.
The 17-year old Springville High School junior registered for the Vexus® Boats Varsity program that rewards qualifying high school anglers who win their sanctioned event while competing out of any Vexus. Winners earn a $500 gift card from Tackle Warehouse, along with a cool banner to hang in their boat garage or bedroom.
Bragg has cashed-in twice thus far, both times by winning on Lake Neely Henry, including most recently just before Christmas in an Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School event where he caught his winning fish using Garmin forward-facing sonar on the south end of the Coosa River impoundment.
His dad, Jade, who clears utility easements for a living purchased the Vexus AVX2080 aluminum tournament rig from Freedom Marine at Lake Guntersville and serves as his talented son’s boat captain.
“It’s an aluminum boat, but it truly feels just like a fiberglass boat as far as how smooth it rides. Plus, it floats super shallow, and that’s really helpful for getting into all the crazy little backwater areas along the Coosa River,” says the younger Bragg.
He also says the really wide front deck on their Vexus is ideal for two anglers fishing shoulder-to-shoulder all day, and that unlike some aluminum boats, their AVX2080 has tons of dry storage and an ice chest that keeps ice frozen for two days amid the Alabama heat.
When asked what he’s planning to buy with his most recent Tackle Warehouse gift cards, you guessed it, Bragg says more soft plastic minnows and jig heads for use with forward-facing sonar, and possibly a glide bait too.
The folks at Vexus are proud of this young angler’s success. He’s living proof that you can win large tournaments out of an aluminum boat and stay humble, even when your last name is Bragg, as you collect trophy banners and Tackle Warehouse gift cards.
To learn more, and to get singed-up, please visit https://vexusboats.com/vexus-varsity/.
ABT 100 Lake Guntersville Adams and Whitehead Win with 28.49 pounds
Keachi’s Howe Earns First Career Phoenix Bass Fishing League Win at Toledo Bend
Sulphur’s Gilder Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
MANY, La. (Jan. 20, 2025) – Boater Evan Howe of Keachi, Louisiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 27 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Toledo Bend Reservoir . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Cowboy Division. Howe earned $3,804 for his victory.
According to Howe, Toledo Bend has been red hot all winter. Prior to the tournament, he’d been catching plenty of fish out deep using forward-facing sonar. But come competition day, those fish were gone. His counter was to rely on his experience on the lake, running and gunning drains to look for new fish.
“I just went back on history and figured out where the shad were and started scoping around them,” he said. “(I was targeting) any kind of drain with timber that had shad in it. Honestly, you would scope through it and see only one or two fish worth throwing at. I had to keep jumping drains to find enough fish to throw at.”
Howe says he eventually found fish up shallower in the drains, but “shallower” is relative. They were still in 30 feet of water. It was just a matter of covering enough water to find the right caliber of fish. Things started slowly, with Howe putting only about 5 pounds in the livewell by 9 a.m. Once he found the better-quality fish, though, Howe was able to box 20 pounds by 10 a.m. By 1 p.m., he had 27.
“I ended up catching a few good ones, but they were not biting well,” added Howe. “I had a lot followers. A lot that just nipped at the tail. They wouldn’t get the whole bait.”
Howe caught his fish using a Damiki rig with a Rapala Crush City Freeloader soft plastic.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Evan Howe, Keachi, La., five bass, 27-0, $3,804
2nd: Cole Moore, Anacoco, La., five bass, 24-0, $1,902
3rd: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., five bass, 23-1, $1,767 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Tater Reynolds, Florien, La., five bass, 21-8, $888
5th: Robert Lafitte, Many, La., five bass, 20-13, $1,266
6th: Caden Alexander, Huntington, Texas, five bass, 19-13, $697
7th: Zane Parker, Kingwood, Texas, five bass, 19-6, $634
8th: Frank Canizaro, Mansfield, La., five bass, 19-5, $571
9th: Jacob Callahan, Yantis, Texas, five bass, 18-4, $507
10th: Cal Cameron, Nacogdoches, Texas, five bass, 17-13, $444
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Robert Lafitte of Many, Louisiana, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $505.
Eddy Gilder of Sulphur, Louisiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,154 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top 11 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Eddy Gilder, Sulphur, La., three bass, 11-4, $2,154
2nd: Leavitt Hamilton, Gonzales, La., three bass, 10-1, $951
3rd: Gary Medley, Vidor, Texas, three bass, 9-4, $634
4th: Mark Sterling, Hornbeck, La., three bass, 8-15, $444
5th: Shane Landry, Winnie, Texas, three bass, 8-14, $380
6th: Logan Slaughter, Dallas, Texas, three bass, 8-0, $349
7th: James Wright, Hamshire, Texas, three bass, 7-14, $317
8th: Chris Harrell, Conroe, Texas, three bass, 7-4, $285
9th: Joe Perez, Kemp, Texas, three bass, 6-11, $225
9th: Cole Allen, Taylor, Ark., three bass, 6-11, $325
9th: Adam Brister, Meadville, Miss., three bass, 6-11, $225
Gilder also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $252, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Cole Moore of Anacoco, Louisiana, now leads the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 497 points, while Gary Medley of Vidor, Texas, leads the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 495 points.
The third event of the year for BFL Cowboy Division anglers will be held Feb. 15, at Toledo Bend out of Zwolle, Louisiana. 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 Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 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.
West Columbia’s Murphy Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Murray
Columbia’s McClinton Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
PROSPERITY, S.C. (Jan. 20, 2025) – Boater Lucas Murphy of West Columbia, South Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 26 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Murray . The tournament, hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, was the first event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Division. For his victory, Murphy earned $5,886, including a $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus.
“We had a big front come through at 10 o’clock,” Murphy said. “I caught probably two of my fish before it and three of them after, but all pretty close to it. I caught most of them shallow on a lipless crankbait and a few out deep on a brush pile with a drop-shot.”
In the morning, when the wind was cooking, Murphy took advantage of the conditions with the lipless crank – a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad in a red craw pattern – fishing in 5 feet of water or less.
“I was just kind of chasing the wind on rocky banks,” he said. “Wherever the wind was hitting the bank, if it’s got rock on it you start fishing it. Two of the three big crankbait fish I caught off of places I never caught a fish off of in my life. I just fished it because it set up right.”
Post-front, the sun eventually came out, and that’s when Murphy adjusted to fishing brush piles in 25 to 30 feet of water with a 5-inch Strike King Filler Worm on a drop-shot. Altogether, he landed about a dozen keepers, he had to cover quite a bit of water to catch them. Murphy says the fish are really spread out in Lake Murray this season.
“I caught ’em all over the place,” he said. “I do fish the lake a lot, so I kind of just have some areas and some sweet spots. I started mid-lake and just kind of fished my way down to the dam. I feel like I’d make a move to an area and catch a big one and fish a little bit, then make a move to another area and catch another big one.
“I ran into a few of the great big ones,” he added. “I caught my big fish – a 7 1/4 – and it’s the biggest fish I ever caught in a tournament. I caught that one and was feeling pretty good.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 26-10, $5,886 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Andy Wicker, Pomaria, S.C., five bass, 23-7, $2,118
3rd: Wesley Sandifer, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 22-13, $1,129
4th: Michael Murphy, Gilbert, S.C., five bass, 22-8, $790
5th: Brandon Jeffcoat, Columbia, S.C., five bass, 20-0, $677
6th: Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C., five bass, 19-7, $621
7th: Derek Lehtonen, Woodruff, S.C., five bass, 19-3, $564
8th: Matt Messer, Warfield, Ky., five bass, 19-0, $508
9th: Andrew Blanton, Chesnee, S.C., five bass, 18-15, $451
10th: Will Alewine, Newberry, S.C., five bass, 18-6, $395
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Andy Wicker of Pomaria, South Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $425.
Zahreed McClinton of Columbia, South Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,668 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Zahreed McClinton, Columbia, S.C., three bass, 13-7, $1,668
2nd: Kate Hough, Prosperity, S.C., three bass, 10-7, $834
3rd: Trent Carey, York Springs, Pa., three bass, 9-5, $558
4th: Thomas Pennell III, Boiling Springs, S.C., three bass, 8-14, $389
5th: Greg Clayton, York, S.C., three bass, 8-9, $334
6th: Coeltryn Kirkland, Lexington, S.C., three bass, 8-6, $306
7th: Kodell Keels, Columbia, S.C., one bass, 8-2, $483
8th: Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-14, $250
9th: Todd Huntley, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-13, $222
10th: Robert Adams, Greensboro, N.C., three bass, 7-8, $195
Kodell Keels of Columbia, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $205, catching a bass that weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to the win, Lucas Murphy also now has the early lead in the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while co-angler winner Zahreed McClinton leads the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL South Carolina Division anglers will be held Feb. 1, at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 3-4 BFL Regional tournament at Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 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.
Reigning Bassmaster Kayak Series champion heats up desert to win at Lake Havasu
Jan. 19, 2025
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — While most of the United States prepared for a polar blast on Sunday, Drew Gregory was heating up the Arizona desert on the closing day of the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft.
Gregory, a 45-year-old resident of Kent, Ohio, earned a come-from-behind win in the two-day tournament, the first derby of the 2025 Bassmaster season. His total of 10 bass measuring 165.25 inches was 2.25 inches better than Utah’s Caymen Rasmussen, who finished second with 163 total inches.
Gregory, who won the 2024 Yahama Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller, measured five smallmouth bass on Day 1 at Havasu for an 83.50 inch total. He followed with another limit (this time four smallmouth and one largemouth) totaling 82 inches, which was enough to slip into the pole position and take the season-opening victory on this 19,800-acre reservoir on the Arizona/California border.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but as he often does, Gregory found a way to win and claimed $7,000 on Sunday.
“It was very tough this week,” he said. “But you know, that’s typical. Anywhere in winter, except maybe Florida, it’s gonna be tough fishing. The water here was cold.”
Gregory game planned for Havasu’s winter smallmouth bite. He found a school of 10 to 15 nice-sized fish stacked up on Day 1, and he caught four measurable fish from the bunch before the run ended. He started in the same area on Day 2 but managed only one bite.
Lucky for him, it was his biggest catch of the day — a 17.75-inch smallie that came on Sunday’s second cast. Gregory then started working his way upriver, employing an arsenal of Z-Man lures, including the Gobius swim bait (natural color) that was his go-to at Havasu.
“I took note of the waypoints I made yesterday and started working them today,” he said. “The river is shallow and clear, so I looked at a lot of that both days. But my fourth fish today, the only largemouth I had, came on a spinnerbait in a backwater that was a little stained. It was just a little cut with a mudline, but it stood out as a good place to catch one.”
Gregory struggled to catch a limit on Sunday, hooking his fifth fish with only 20 minutes remaining in the competition.
“I had what I think would have been the winning fish come off twice earlier in the day,” he said. “When I missed those, I figured it just wasn’t going to be my day. But I went back to that murky water, and this time, I threw a 3/8-ounce Z-Man CrossEyeZ Power Finesse jig with a Pro Craw Trailer (both in green pumpkin). That got it done.”
Gregory also said he used a prototype signature casting rod throughout the tournament at Lake Havasu, a project he’s been working on with Yakrods.
Rasmussen, who was second, claimed $3,000 of the $22,200 cash purse up for grabs at Havasu.
Rounding out the Top 5 are third, JJ Gibbs, 158 inches, $2,500; fourth, Mark Kile, 158 inches, $2,000; and fifth, John Turner, 153 inches, $1,700. Each of that trio hails from Arizona. In all, 111 kayakers from around the U.S. competed.
The $500 Big Bass Award went to California’s Kong Yang, who hooked a 21.75-incher on Day 2. Fellow Californian Chris Cabral also caught a 21.75-inch fish on Day 1, but Yang’s next biggest fish (19.50 inches) gave him the tiebreaker edge.
The kayak event on Havasu was the first of six regular-season kayak tournaments on tap in 2025. Other kayak showdowns are scheduled Feb. 1-2 on the Kissimmee (Fla.) Chain of Lakes; April 26-27 on Dale Hollow Reservoir in Tennessee; May 31-June 1 on Lake Tenkiller; July 26-27 on Lake Champlain in New York; and Sept. 27-28 at Toledo Bend on the Texas/Louisiana border.
The 2025 Yahama Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX is scheduled for March 19-20 on Texas’ Lake Fork, immediately preceding the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas. Top anglers from the 2025 season compete in that tournament, while this year’s best from the kayak series are vying for spots in the 2026 championship.
Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.
Go Lake Havasu sponsored the week’s activities.
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.
Herber uses home-water knowledge to lead first day at Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu
Jan. 18, 2025
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — While a blistering Arctic storm made its frigid march across much of the continent Saturday, temperatures remained mild in the Arizona desert on Day 1 of the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft.
The catch was fairly tepid, too, with Paul Herber of Canyon Lake, Calif., being the hottest angler of the day with his five best bass measuring a total of 87 inches. That gave Herber a 3½-inch lead over the second-place angler heading into the second and final day of the tournament on this 19,800-acre reservoir on the Arizona/California border.
Of the 111 competing on Lake Havasu, 42 zeroed on Day 1 of the derby and only 11 anglers caught a five-bass limit. Temperatures hovered around 60 degrees all day, but once the desert sun got overhead, the Havasu smallmouth bite disappeared.
That might have helped Herber, who at 39 years of age, has more than 20 years’ experience fishing Havasu and knows the lake’s nuances. This was, however, the first time he’s ever fished from a kayak, though he made it look relatively easy on Saturday.
“A lot of my friends fish kayak and they’ve been encouraging me to do it,” Herber said. “So, I rented one and was just out here giving it my all. Things worked out today.”
Herber, who owns a swimming pool repair company, targeted Havasu’s smallmouth bass early, throwing a series of Neko and Ned rigs, drop shots and the like. He had a limit within a couple hours of takeoff but went more than four hours before catching his biggest bass of the day — a 19-inch largemouth that helped him climb atop the leaderboard at Havasu. He said the big bass came on a swimbait.
“The smallmouth were biting, but that stopped when the sun came out,” he said. “So, then I chased a largemouth bite for hours before I finally got one about 2 p.m. I was very fortunate to already have a limit because it was not easy getting that last bite.”
With the lead in hand, and home-water knowledge in his corner, Herber said he’ll approach Day 2 in much the same way, hoping for similar results.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” he said. “The smallmouth around here are notorious for being there one day and gone the next. But if I can get a couple in the boat early, that’ll be a good start. Then I focus on getting a big one to bite. Hopefully it works out like it did today.
Drew Gregory, the Kent, Ohio, resident who won last year’s Bassmaster Kayak Championship in Oklahoma, is in second place after Day 1 on Havasu with a five-fish limit measuring 83½ inches.
The remainder of the Top 5 halfway through the tournament include third, California’s Chris Cabral, 82½ inches; fourth, Nebraska’s Adam DeWitt, 82¼ inches; and fifth, Utah’s Caymen Rasmussen, 82 inches.
Cabral caught the big bass of the day — a 21.75-inch toad that helped him into third place.
The kayak event on Havasu is the first Bassmaster event of the 2025 season and one of six regular-season kayak tournaments on tap for the year. Other kayak showdowns are scheduled Feb. 1-2 on the Kissimmee (Fla.) Chain of Lakes; April 26-27 on Dale Hollow Reservoir in Tennessee; May 31-June 1 on Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma; July 26-27 on Lake Champlain in New York; and Sept. 27-28 at Toledo Bend on the Texas/Louisiana border.
The 2025 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX is scheduled March 19-20 on Texas’ Lake Fork, immediately preceding the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas. Top anglers from the 2025 season compete in that tournament, while this year’s best from the kayak series are vying for spots in the 2026 championship.
The second and final day of the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft will begin Sunday with a take-off at 7:30 a.m. MT. The derby is headquartered at Lake Havasu State Park, but competitors can launch anywhere on the lake. Lines come out of the water at 3:30 p.m. and awards will be presented to top anglers at approximately 6 p.m.
That ceremony will take place live on Bassmaster.com and fishing fans also can follow the catch throughout the day via the online leaderboard found there.
The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft is scored by TourneyX.
Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Havasu presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.
Go Lake Havasu is sponsoring this week’s activities.
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.
Winter showdown on tap for first Bassmaster Opens event at Clarks Hill Reservoir
Jan. 16, 2025
EVANS, Ga. — A true winter showdown is on tap for anglers fishing the first tournament of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN season at Clarks Hill Reservoir. Even with the cold temperatures and a daunting practice forecast, the potential for big bags is high, and 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off winner Tyler Campbell believes any section of the lake could produce winning bass.
“You typically see some solid weights this time of year,” the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour qualifier said. “There is a potential for 25- to 30-pound bags, and once every couple of years there is a double-digit-class bass caught. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a mega-bag, but low to mid-20s is about the average winning weight this time of year.
“Six of the Top 10 anglers could be doing something completely different from one another,” the Emmanuel University graduate added. “It is a very diverse fishery, and I think it will show out. I’m excited about it.”
Competition days are scheduled for Jan. 23-25 with daily takeoffs and weigh-ins to be held at Wildwood Park in Appling, Ga. The full field will compete the first two days of the event before the Top 10 competitors vie for the trophy on Championship Saturday. The winner, given they are signed up for all four tournaments in Division I of the Opens, will punch their ticket to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Those registered for all of the Division I events will also earn points based on their finishes throughout the season, with the Top 50 anglers from Division 1 as well as the Top 50 anglers from Division II of the Opens qualifying for the Elite Qualifiers Series, a three-tournament series that will determine the nine anglers moving on to the Elite Series in 2026.
Straddling the border between South Carolina and Georgia, the Savannah River impoundment has hosted plenty of Bassmaster events in the past, from the 1973 Bassmaster Classic won by Rayo Breckenridge to several Bassmaster Elite Series events in the early 2000s. Last February, B.A.S.S. returned to Clarks Hill as the College, High School and Junior Series took on the massive reservoir and brought impressive bags of largemouth and spotted bass to the scales.
Depending on how much rain the lake receives, Campbell anticipates that anglers will be able to spread out and fish their strengths.
“You will see some guys run to the very north end. The cool thing about Clarks Hill is you can win in any region of the lake. Guys will catch them deep and shallow. It is really weather-dependent. If we get a couple of good, bright, sunny days, you will see the shallow bass turn on.”
This is the first time in a long time Elite Series veteran Jason Williamson, who won the last Elite event that was held on Clarks Hill in May 2010, will be fishing a true winter tournament. December was mild across the region, but as soon as the calendar turned to the new year, Old Man Winter made his appearance.
“It’s been cold. So, the water temperatures are going to be pretty low,” he said.
He isn’t going away for this tournament, either. While this coming weekend is supposed to be relatively mild temperature-wise, forecasts call for heavy rains to accompany a cold front on Saturday and Sunday. When anglers start practice on Monday they will be greeted with 20-degree air in the morning.
It will only get colder, as another weather system is expected to move into the area with the potential to drop several inches of snow. Whether the snow forecast actually comes to fruition is yet to be seen and likely won’t be accurately determined until one or two days out, but it could throw a wrench into some competitors’ game plans before some milder weather moves in for the tournament days.
With this set of ingredients, Williamson anticipates plenty of spotted bass being caught in deeper water. Those bass will likely be chasing blueback herring, a staple baitfish in the Savannah River. Natural rock in deep water and deeper brushpiles will be key elements. Shaky heads, drop shots and minnow-style baits like a Zoom Winged Fluke will all come into play.
“The spots are going to bite. The herring are going to be out deep,” he said. “The consistency will definitely be with the spotted bass. Guys that are good with their electronics, finding bait and structure, those are the guys who are going to shine. Sun and clouds are going to make a big difference. Cloud cover hanging around early in the mornings will change the game big time.”
While largemouth may be more lethargic that time of the year, Campbell anticipates whoever wins will likely land some of the better largemouth the lake has to offer.
“(For the top half of the field) I would say it is going to be predominantly largemouth, but there will be plenty of quality spotted bass too. But guys near the top will have all largemouth or three or four largemouth and a spotted bass or two.”
Natural rock on top of deep humps will hold largemouth offshore. On the bank, meanwhile, Hurricane Helene provided plenty of new laydowns for the bass to hunker down around. Shallow crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and ChatterBaits could all produce quality bites if the conditions are right.
“Conditions will be set up for power fishing,” Campbell said.
Daily takeoffs are scheduled for 7:15 a.m. and anglers will return for weigh-in beginning at 3:15 p.m. Full coverage of the tournament will be available on Bassmaster.com.
Visit Columbia County is hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
MLF’s Mark McWha: Leading the Toyota Series with Passion and Purpose
BENTON, Ky. (Jan. 16, 2025) – Fishing has been a way of life for Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Tournament Director Mark McWha since he was a teenager. Growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, McWha spent countless hours casting lines into local waters like Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita. Back then, it wasn’t about big wins or national acclaim. It was about night tournaments, friendly rivalries, and being on the water as much as possible.
“I’d fish two or three night tournaments a week, then maybe hit one over the weekend,” McWha recalled with a laugh. “It was a grind, but I loved every second of it.”
That passion ultimately led McWha to MLF in 2004, starting as a part-time field staff member for the Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) circuit. His enthusiasm and work ethic quickly earned him a full-time role as a BFL tournament director in 2006. Over the next decade, McWha became a cornerstone of MLF’s tournament operations, overseeing countless events and building relationships with anglers and colleagues alike. In 2019, he took the reins of the Toyota Series, leading one of the most prestigious circuits in competitive fishing today.
Under McWha’s leadership, the Toyota Series has flourished, attracting anglers from all backgrounds. From seasoned touring pros to local fishing legends, the Toyota Series offers a competitive environment where the best of the best test their skills.
“What makes the Toyota Series so special is its hybrid nature,” McWha said. “You get the best local hammers and a mix of the Invitational and Bass Pro Tour professionals, creating a level of competition that is unmatched by any other circuit. If you earn a victory in a Toyota Series event, you’ve really accomplished something.”
McWha knows a thing or two about memorable moments. One of the highlights of his career was overseeing a Toyota Series Central Division tournament at Lake Guntersville in 2022 that drew a staggering 326 boats – one of the largest fields in MLF history. And while that tournament ran flawlessly and is certainly a moment to be proud of, McWha said his favorite memory is a more personal one – watching his longtime friend Hunter Baughman win a Toyota Series event at Truman Lake.
“I’ve known Hunter for years, and seeing him take home that trophy was incredible,” McWha said. “It’s those moments that stick with you.”
When he’s not running fishing tournaments, McWha is just as active outdoors. He’s an avid deer hunter and a die-hard Razorbacks fan, whether it’s football in the fall or baseball in the spring. Most of his free time, though, is spent with his wife, Stephanie, and stepson, Fisher, who’s making waves of his own as a standout high school football player.
For McWha, the Toyota Series is more than just another fishing circuit – it’s an opportunity to bring people together, create unforgettable experiences, and inspire the next generation of anglers.
“If you’ve been thinking about getting into tournament fishing, now’s the time,” he said. “The Toyota Series is where local legends and touring pros come together. It’s an experience like no other.”
Whether a seasoned professional or a weekend enthusiast, there’s never been a better opportunity for anglers to join the action. Register for a tournament on the Toyota Series today to make a mark in one of tournament bass fishing’s most exciting circuits.
Registration is now open for the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats. To sign up, click here, or contact MLF membership services at 270.252.1000. Competitors can contact tournament director Mark McWha directly with any questions at 270.703.9551.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Bill Lowen Announces New Partnership Lakewood Products
Brookville, Ind. Pro to Organize with Lakewood Products
Brookville, Ind. – January 15, 2025 – Bill Lowen, the Bassmaster Elite Series professional from Brookville, Indiana, on the eve of his 21st season on the professional tours, announces his partnership with Lakewood Products. Lakewood Products is a manufacturer of premium storage and organization solutions for the outdoors. Based in Suamico, Wisconsin, Lakewood Products features made in the USA solutions that backed with a lifetime warranty for the fishing, marine and hunting spaces.
Lowen, who makes his living competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series and other professional tours, is an avid outdoorsman who hunts all fall and winter. “I am really excited about this partnership with Lakewood Products because I know how good the product line is,” said Lowen. “I have used the mesh Billfolds to store my softbaits and transport them to and from the truck, RV and boat for a while now and they keep my plastics dry and well organized. I also love the Lakewood hunting products for transporting guns, bows and ammunition to the range and the field; these products fit my lifestyle and they will for people who love the outdoors everywhere.”
Sara Lamson, Lakewood’s Sales and Marketing Director, explained that Lowen is exactly the type of angler the company looks for. “We are a family here at Lakewood Products. Bill is without a doubt a great angler, but more importantly he is the kind of person that not only fits in here,” she said. “He has the kind of character on and off the water that represents what Lakewood Family is all about.”
She continued to explain that the appeal to partnering with the 11-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier was wholistic. “We welcomed Bill, and we have welcomed his entire family into ours because he exudes integrity, sportsmanship, and has a positive influence within the fishing community both on and off the water,” she said. “With Lowen on board, Lakewood anticipates a season marked by shared success on the water, a strengthened sense of family within the company and a broader reach of visibility to the fishing and outdoor community.”
Follow Lowen as he competes in the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series and National Professional Fishing League this season. Find out more about Lakewood Products at https://lakewoodproducts.com/.
About Bill Lowen:
Bill Lowen is a professional angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series entering his 21st season competition in B.A.S.S. competition. Known as a shallow water angler, Lowen has built a reputation as the premier swim jig fisherman in the business and has displayed those skills throughout his career. Although he is deserving of this reputation, he is wildly versatile as an angler, evidenced by his “Dollar Bill” nickname, given to him for his ability to finish in the money most of the events he enters. In his career, Lowen has finished in the top 10 22 times, qualified for 11 trips to the Bassmaster Classic, is an Elite Series Champion and posted nearly $1.6 million in career earnings.
Lowen resides in Brookville, Ind. with his wife Jennifer, daughter Neveah and son Fischer. He is an avid outdoorsman with a burning passion for waterfowl hunting and hunting in general during the offseason. Lowen is sponsored by Xpress Boats, Yamaha Motors, Drake Waterfowl, Mossy Oak, RAILBLAZA, Lure Parts Online, Seaguar, T-H Marine, Ark Fishing International, Lakewood Products, ZOOM Baits, Grosse Savanne, BOSS Shot Shells, HUMMINBIRD, MINN KOTA, Impulse Lithium and Weida’s Marine. Follow Lowen on his website at http://billlowen.com/ and on his social media channels: https://www.facebook.com/
Harris Chain success will be weather dependent at first College Series event of the season
Jan. 15, 2025
LEESBURG, Fla. — The 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops season kicks off at the Harris Chain of Lakes, and St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro Bobby Bakewell believes weather conditions will play an important role.
“It is solely going to be dependent on cold fronts,” the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour qualifier said. “Everyone always thinks it is a slugfest, but it is either really good or it can be really tough. But there can be some really big bags that time of year for sure.”
Tournament days are scheduled for Jan. 22-23, with a one-day Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Bassmaster Junior Series tournament to follow on Jan. 26. The college event will be the first tournament of the three-event Legends Trail series. The Legends Trail Team of the Year will receive an automatic bid to the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s.
New for 2025, the top two highest-finishing teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Bass Pro Shops Team of the Year race as well as each team that stands atop the rankings in the Legends and Lunkers divisions of the College Series will receive the exclusive honor of being named a Bassmaster College All-American. The All-Americans will be honored on the biggest stage in bass fishing, the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Ever since Cole Sands and Conner DiMauro smashed the record books with their 2020 National Championship victory, the Harris Chain of Lakes has been a regular stop for the College Series, and the lake has produced massive bags every time. The College Series did not visit Leesburg last season, but the Elite Series did, and former Bethel angler John Garrett won that event with a four-day total of 84 pounds, 5 ounces.
Eight lakes make up the playing field for this event, but Bakewell believes Lake Apopka and Lake Griffin will be the most popular amongst the college anglers.
Just like many other early-season tournaments that take place in Florida, Bakewell believes the success of the field will be determined by weather. If a cold front moves through right before the tournament begins, the Orlando native anticipates a tough bite. If anglers are greeted with a warming trend, Bakewell could see a slugfest breaking out.
“If they are faced with the brunt of a cold front, it can make things very tough. It does not make Florida fish bite,” Bakewell said. “But if it is on the warmer side, it could be absolutely insane.”
A late-January event usually means the bass on the Harris Chain are either preparing to spawn or actively spawning, depending on conditions, meaning the bass will be fat and healthy. The moon will be trending toward a new moon as well.
Shellbars are a common staging point for the largemouth as well as grass edges, but as it stands there isn’t much in the way of hydrilla in the lakes.
“For the spawn, you are obviously going to be looking shallow, and then areas outside of that will hold prespawners. Shellbeds and grasslines will be key for that,” he said.
Only Lake Griffin features consistent hydrilla, according to Bakewell.
“Beauclair and Griffin are the only two lakes on the entire chain that have grass flats and semi-clear water,” Bakewell said. “They spray the heck out of all the grass and the only grass they won’t spray is eelgrass, which is what is predominantly in Beauclair. Griffin has so much hydrilla they can’t really eradicate it.
“As far as the other lakes go, you will be hard-pressed to find any grass. It will be a very subtle amount, but that subtle amount could win you the tournament.”
Bakewell anticipates Carolina rigs, Senkos, ChatterBaits and jerkbaits will all come into play during this event as well as sight-fishing baits for anglers who come across bass locked on bed.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission 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 Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2025 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
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.
Huk partners with B.A.S.S. to launch Bassmaster College Series All-American Program
Jan. 15, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Launching in 2025, B.A.S.S. has announced the Bassmaster College Series All-American Program and welcomes presenting sponsor Huk, a leader in performance fishing apparel and footwear, to this new initiative.
The program will name eight College All-Americans to its 2026 class, with finalists being determined based on their performance in the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. The top two highest-finishing teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Bass Pro Shops Team of the Year race as well as each team that stands atop the rankings in the Legends and Lunkers divisions of the College Series will receive the exclusive honor of being named a Bassmaster College All-American. The All-Americans will be honored on the biggest stage in bass fishing, the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
“The All-American designation is awarded to the very best college fishermen in the country and is based on team performance during the season,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. tournament manager for the College, High School and Junior Series. “These young anglers will battle it out in three events in one of two divisions. The road to being named an All-American is not an easy path; these anglers are extremely skilled, and they take each competition very seriously for their schools.”
“Huk was founded by creating performance driven energy through tournament fishing and we’re stoked to bring this same level of excitement to the Bassmaster All-American program,” said Prescott Hughes, Huk Fishing marketing manager. “Opportunities like this will drive the future of the sport and inspire youth anglers to make it to the next level. The passion these collegiate anglers bring to the sport is unmatched and we are excited to bring added fuel this season.”
The Bassmaster College Series features a two-division format with three tour stops each — the Legends Trail and the Lunkers Trail.
The Legends Trail kicks off the 2025 season Jan. 22-23 at Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., before traveling to Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala., Feb. 26-27 and then making its final stop at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Okla., April 2-3.
The Lunkers Trail will begin competition at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla., Jan. 29-30, and will then head to Buggs Island in Mecklenburg County, N.C., April 30-May 1 before closing out the regular season at Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn., May 30-31. The Team of the Year race can be followed throughout the season on Bassmaster.com.
About Marolina Outdoor Inc.
Marolina Outdoor Inc. was founded to bring deep-seated product expertise across all outdoor categories. Our innovative designs and technologically focused products create the foundation of our authentic outdoor apparel. Huk Performance Fishing apparel represents a fresh take and a unique understanding of angling needs, offering functional styles that appeal to anglers of all ages. Huk is motivated to provide quality apparel so anglers can maximize their fishing adventures and provide quality comfort and style regardless of the size of the fish or where their pursuit leads them. Visit Huk.com for more information.
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.
Reese Fishing Introduces NEXT 2 Lineup of Fishing Rods
AUBURN, Calif. – January 15, 2025 –– Skeet Reese, Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee and the founder of Reese Fishing, made his first appearance on the bass fishing scene in Northern California nearly 40 years ago. Now, his namesake brand, Reese Fishing is launching its newest lineup – The NEXT 2 Series - and making its first public appearance at the most popular Outdoors Show in Northern California, The International Sportsman’s Exposition in Sacramento January 16 – 19, 2025 at Cal Expo.
For Reese, unveiling his newest lineup of fishing rods represents his most important and innovative design and engineering work to date. “I am extremely proud to show NEXT 2 to the fishing public,” said Reese. I’ve poured all of my knowledge, all of my experience and my heart into producing the finest rods I have ever fished, and I know people will love how they turned out; I’m excited to hear the response.”
Next 2 series is the next phase in fishing rod evolution. It is built to be the best feeling, lightest, strongest and most sensitive fishing rod available today. NEXT 2 begins with a custom designed, larger diameter, soft touch casting reel seats and carbon fiber handles to maximize fishing rod ergonomics. The reel seat and custom carbon fiber grips create a nearly seamless connection at the handle allowing the hand and fingers to spread out naturally with the reel and become one with the rod.
NEXT 2 is built with 30- and 40-Ton unsanded rod blanks that are custom layered to give the angler a precise, crisp action to each model. To enhance the build, they are made with the highest quality resins and construction process to give the rod precision feel, light weight while ensuring durability.
They are finished with Sea Guide XO Guides with Silicon Nitride inserts to reduce weight and withstand the rigors of modern fishing lines and high stress environments. They also feature Reese’s custom designed hook keepers that are specifically placed for the type of rod. NEXT 2 is available in 23 models to meet every angler’s fishing needs.
Releasing NEXT 2 and making the first public appearance with Reese Fishing at the Sacramento ISE show at Cal Expo also brings significant joy to Reese. “This area has been my home for nearly 30 years, and I’ve worked this show much of my professional life, so it means something to debut here,” he said. “I’m excited that all the Nor Cal anglers going to the ISE show in Sacramento will get to see our Reese Fishing products for the first time.
“I am also thrilled to get to unveil my greatest rod designs yet with my NEXT 2 lineup of rods. These are the most comfortable rods I've ever fished and are my true pride and joy as a designer and businessman,” he said. “We have some great show specials for everyone and are looking forward to seeing everyone there.”
Sacramento International Sportsman’s Expo will be held at Cal Expo on January 16 through 19, 2025, located at 1600 Exposition Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95815. Show hours are Thursday and Friday 11:00AM to 8:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 8:00PM and Sunday 10:00 to 4:00PM. Reese Fishing is located in the Fishing Hall in booth 3314.
About Reese Fishing
A product of more than 40 years of competitive and fishing industry excellence, Reese Fishing is the brainchild of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Skeet Reese. The Auburn, Calif. pro, being one of the most successful anglers in the fishing industry with over 40 years of experience, knows what real anglers want and need to be successful on the water. built alongside his wife and daughters, the goal is to instill our passion for the outdoors. The goal of Reese Fishing products is to help customers be inspired to explore what the outdoors has to offer; Reese Fishing strives for the best overall performance on the water.
For more information about Reese Fishing, or to order products, visit them online at http://reesefishing.com.
Why Vexus Wednesday – The New AVX2100
Last week we took a look at the all new Vexus VXs21, the heavy hitter in the fiberglass line of Vexus Bass Boats. This week we're shifting gears and looking at it's aluminum counterpart, the all new Vexus AVX2100. In 2024 we had the pleasure of running it's predecessor, the AVX 2080 and we fell in LOVE with that platform. We didn't have a single complaint on the design, layout, or fishability of the 2080 "BUT" it did leave us wanting a little "more". Vexus has certainly delivered with the AVX 2100. With 6 more inches in length (20' 8") and one additional inch in beam width, the all new AVX 2100 is rated for 250 horsepower, and boasts a larger 44 gal fuel tank, making it the pinnacle of aluminum bass boat performance. To check it out online, or build your own, click HERE
The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) 100 Series is set to kick off its fifth season January 18, 2025
DECATUR, AL (January 14, 2025) - The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) 100 Series is set to kick off its fifth season 2025 with Stop #1 at Lake Guntersville on January 18, 2025.
The blast off will take place at Goose Pond Marina, 417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro at 7:00 A.M. or safe daylight, with the first flight due in at 3:00 P.M. for weigh-in.
This stop marks the fourth time the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series has held an event at Goose Pond since its inception.
"Lake Guntersville is where we hosted the first ABT in 2014 and the winning weight that day was 32.02. And 11 years later that weight still stands as the heaviest bag ever weighed in at an ABT event. I am hopeful with the incredible fishing we have seen on Lake Guntersville in the last six weeks, we see that record broken this weekend. Goose Pond is a great facility, and we look forward to being in Scottsboro, AL to kick off the season," said Kay Donaldson, Director of the Alabama Bass Trail 100 Tournament Series.
Live coverage beginning at 7am CST on Alabama Bass Trail 100 Facebook, YouTube - Alabama Bass Trail TV, and AlabamaBassTrail100.org.
Recently named "Event of the Year" by Decatur Morgan Tourism, the Alabama Bass Trail stands as one of the Southeast's most competitive tournament circuits and is the second largest tournament trail in the United States. All Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series were completely sold out in under 39 hours this year. Each event of the ABT 100 features an elite field of 100 teams, 200 anglers, combining professional talent with top-tier amateur competitors from across the United States, all competing for a substantial prize pool exceeding $100,000 per tournament. The series maintains a guaranteed first-place prize of $25,000 per tournament, with payouts extending to the top 20 finishers. (2025 ABT100 Roster Attached)
The 2024 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors Include: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers – McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw – Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Jack's, Garmin, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.
About Alabama Bass Trail
Since its inception, the Alabama Bass Trail has generated over $103 million in tourism revenue for Alabama, underscoring its importance as a premier fishing destination.
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail100.org and www.alabamabasstrail.orgMedia Contact: Angela Cross
Social Media and Communications Director - Alabama Bass Trail
Phone: 1.855.934.7425
Email: angela@
Sam Rayburn Reservoir Readies to host MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Season Opener
JASPER, Texas (Jan. 14, 2025) – Who’s ready to go fishing? The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is kicking off the 2025 season in Texas next week, Jan. 23-25, with the first event of the Southwestern division – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce, will showcase the region’s top bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers. Competitors will vie for a grand prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.
The top-end weights in this tournament at Big Sam are likely to be extremely impressive. Already this year, Wyatt Frankens dropped 29 pounds, 1 ounce on the scales there in the opening Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) event, and the lake has kicked out some impressive limits in other events.
Seemingly always in the hunt on Rayburn, pro Marshall Hughes of Hemphill, Texas, thinks we’re in for a good event.
“I’m feeling like it’s going to take a lot to win it,” Hughes said. “As far as making a Top 10, I don’t think it’ll take anything crazy. The month of January has always been iffy for me personally as far as catching a mega bag. But, it seems like the colder it gets, the better it gets up until the water hits the 40s, which, really don’t see any 40-degree water temps normally. In the low 50s, those bigger fish, they just want to eat for some reason.”
Last year in the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals event on the lake, Hughes put together a limit weighing 38 pounds, 7 ounces on Day 2. It was a highlight of the season.
“It went down in probably, I don’t know, maybe 20 minutes,” Hughes said. “It’ll happen that quick. I’ve had days where it’ll take me ‘til noon to build a 30-pound bag. But, normally, when guys catch those 30-plus-pound bags, it happens quick, and they’re together. This time of year, when you do land on them like that, it’s a group of them.”
For baits, Hughes recommends a few staples.
“A Bill Lewis Scope Stick, or any jerkbait, of course will be good,” he said. “And an [umbrella rig] is a player since we can throw it. And a Rat-L-Trap, it’s still a player with no grass.”
Anglers will begin each day at 7:30 a.m. CT, launching from the Umphrey Family Pavilion at 5438 RR 255 in Brookeland. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 3:30 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 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.
Beau Knows Bass
Z-Man® officially welcomes Bassmaster Elite Series angler Beau Browning to the family
Ladson, SC (January 13, 2025) – Freshly qualified for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series, twenty-three year old Beau Browning recently paused to reflect on his earliest fishing memories. At seven years old, little Beau was already fishing Arkansas high school bass tourneys—and winning.
“It’s kind of funny now to remember this old cable-drive trolling motor we had,” recalls the newly minted Z-Man pro. “At the time, I was pretty little and didn’t even weigh enough to steer it with my foot. So, I’d actually hop up there and stand on the pedal with both feet or even kind of stomp on the thing just to get it to move. Somehow, I made it work.”
Indeed, he did. For even as a first-grader, the young Browning was regularly out-fishing kids more than twice his age, “winning most of them.”
Beau’s boat captain (and father), the great Stephen Browning was adamant from day-one that he’d pilot the big motor, but otherwise, let his son figure things out on his own. “He never wanted me to run the trolling motor,” notes Beau’s father, who plans to fish select Bassmaster Opens against his son in 2025. “Never wanted me to be the reason he succeeded or failed out there.”
Even from the beginning, the elder Browning never even needed to nudge son into fishing. “For Beau, like a lot of us, something about catching bass just clicked,” notes the legendary Z-Man confidant. “Back when we lived on Lake Catherine (near Hot Springs, Arkansas), I’d often wade out onto the shallow flat behind our house and test different baits. We have a picture of little Beau standing in the water, holding a stick, pretending he was fishing with me. Couple years later when he was 5 or 6, he’d hop into a little boat with our Boykin Spaniel and go explore the lake.
“Beau tells people I wanted him to be a golfer,” Stephen Browning continues. “But back then, they didn’t yet offer college scholarships for bass fishing. So I never pressured him into tournament fishing because I thought he was a good enough golfer to get a scholarship.” A year later, following his dreams, Beau finally earned that fishing scholarship with University of Montevallo. (On the college circuits, Beau often finished in the Top 10, winning at Lake Dardanelle in 2021 and Norfork Lake in 2022.)
This past May, while somehow managing to fish a full slate of tournaments, Beau Browning graduated with a major in communications and a minor in digital marketing—savvy choices for an angling professional today.
Z-Man Pro-Staff and Promotions Manager Joey Prochazka still remembers young Beau at all the big fishing events, papa Stephen’s smiling shadow and ever-curious companion. “Pretty early on, we knew we’d eventually be welcoming Beau to the big leagues,” says Prochazka. “Through our friendship with Stephen, Beau’s been a part of the Z-Man family for a long time. We’re super happy today to welcome him to our official pro team, even though he’s been an honorary member for around fifteen years.”
Beyond his undeniable angling skills, Prochazka emphasizes Browning’s natural ability to connect with people: “Everyone who meets Beau comes away impressed. At just 23, he’s got the bass dialed in, of course. But it’s his positive energy and laidback, approachable personality that continue to make him a fan favorite. Beau’s a good soul who takes the time to treat everyone like a friend.
“Let’s just say we’re happy Beau took up fishing, rather than golf,” Prochazka laughs.
It’s a sentiment not necessarily shared by the bass or his fellow competitors. In just his first full year on the Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers (EQs), Browning qualified for the prestigious Elite Series. Helping secure his spot, Browning earned four top 20 Opens finishes, including 13th at Leech Lake, Minnesota and 9th at Okeechobee—both with Z-Man baits.
“I made the Elites thanks largely to two Z-Man baits. One was a Mag FattyZ™, customized with strands of silicone for a larger fuzzy dice profile. That thing worked everywhere,” noted Browning.
“The other one’s the lure everyone’s talking about these days, the Tungsten ChatterBait® Elite EVO™. I get asked about this all the time, and while the JackHammer™ and EVO both have their days, I now throw the Tungsten EVO ninety percent of the time. My dad’s the same way.
“For me, it comes down to how well I’m able to stay in tune with the bait, when the blade hits the head. The vibration’s so powerful and sharp that it tells you everything, like when you hit a blade a grass, or when a bass comes up and just nudges the lure. The tungsten is the ultimate transmitter of underwater sound, and it goes both ways— attracts big bass and transmits messages straight to your rodtip. It’s also the perfect ChatterBait for a newbie because you feel everything.”
Watching his son ChatterBait his way to success brings a smile to the elder Browning’s face. “I’ve always been a shallow water power fisherman who likes to catch the easy ones. But even though we both love the ChatterBait, Beau’s really on the other side of the spectrum: He excels at catching finicky fish, often with a spinning rod. I think there was only one day he didn’t weigh a limit during all the (BASS) Opens. That shows me he truly understands the game. And we’re so excited to go along for the ride and watch Beau grow in the sport he loves.”
Meridian-X Rain Suit: Unmatched Wet Weather Protection for Serious Anglers
Buford, GA — The Meridian-X Rain Suit is the ultimate solution for anglers who need reliable, all-day protection from extreme wet conditions. Designed with tournament anglers in mind, the Meridian-X combines cutting-edge technology and innovative features to deliver superior waterproofing, breathability, and durability for the harshest of environments.
The Meridian-X is crafted using XPLORE® 2-layer fabric construction, a robust material that provides exceptional waterproofness while maintaining breathability to keep you comfortable, even during long, grueling days on the water. The jacket is equipped with fully taped seams, ensuring no water gets through, while the plant-based water and stain repellent finish actively resists fish blood, guts, and other stains, making cleanup fast and effortless after each outing.
To withstand high-speed conditions and variable weather, the Meridian-X jacket features 3-way volume adjustment Vortex Hood Technology, which channels airflow to keep the hood securely in place, no matter how fast you’re moving. The jacket’s high-cut thermal collar offers added warmth and comfort, ensuring you stay protected against wind and cold when it matters most.
The Meridian X bibs accompany the jacket perfectly featuring XPLORE 2-layer fabric, stretch back panel and Velcro shoulder adjustments ensure flexibility on deck. The thigh length zippered legs, adjustable ankle closures and AquaGuard YKK front relief zip keep the elements out. Store your tools and essentials safely in the multiple pockets.
The Meridian-X Rain Suit is the perfect companion for any angler who requires reliable wet weather protection without sacrificing comfort or performance. Stay dry, stay warm, and stay focused on the catch of the day with the Meridian-X.
For more information or to place an order, visit gillfishing.com.
About Gill Fishing
Gill Fishing is a global leader in technical apparel designed for the outdoor and marine lifestyle. With a focus on innovation, durability, and sustainability, Gill creates products that empower people to embrace their passions, no matter the conditions. Undeniably engineered for the elements.
Michele Eichstead
Fishing Marketing Manager
Email: michele.eichstead@gillna.com
B.A.S.S., PiranhO2 ink deal to promote fish conservation, live-release rates
Jan. 13, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and PiranhO2, a leader in oxygenation solutions for the angling industry, has announced an agreement that will complement the tournament-fishing organization’s industry-leading efforts in fish conservation and live-release rates.
As part of the agreement, in 2025 PiranhO2 will provide oxygen concentrator systems for all 12 fish holding tanks at every level of competition where bass are weighed onstage and released back into waters unharmed.
“This partnership with PiranhO2 was developed through Bassmaster’s Angler Services program and is a natural fit,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “Both organizations are committed to promoting responsible fish care and improving the sustainability of resources for the benefit of future generations.”
The oxygen concentrator systems provide the weigh-in tanks with 95% medical-grade oxygen, generated on-site from a small and highly mobile device. The oxygen implementation will not only result in lower stress rates to fish, but it will also support much larger fish weights in confined spaces while also ensuring clean and odor-free water for the duration of the tournament. PiranhO2 will be partnering with Bassmaster to bring these same oxygen-generating solutions onto their live-release boats, as well as ensuring continual high-quality care is provided to fish even after weigh-in.
“This partnership with Bassmaster is going to be a game-changer for not only PiranhO2 and Bassmaster, but for the entire angling community as a whole,” said Pro O2 General Manager Joseph M. Krawczyk II. “It represents an opportunity to showcase our high-quality, medical-grade and extremely robust and hardy oxygen concentrator technology on one of the biggest stages in tournament fishing. By aligning with a prestigious name like Bassmaster, we're not only demonstrating the effectiveness of our systems for livewell and weigh-in applications, but also reinforcing our mutual and joint commitments to the health and sustainability of fish populations for all to appreciate and enjoy. This partnership helps solidify PiranhO2 as the leader in oxygenation solutions for the angling industry, paves the way for broader adoption across both professional and recreational fishing communities and opens the door for new innovations and customizations that continue to support this ever-expanding industry for future generations.”
About PRO O2
As a pioneering subsidiary of Nidek Medical Products, Inc., PRO O2, LLC was established in 2017 to revolutionize oxygen-based solutions across all nonmedical industries. With a footprint spanning over 50 countries on six continents, PRO O2 delivers cutting-edge oxygen concentrators and other gas separation systems tailored across a wide array of applications, including water treatment, food processing/agriculture, aquaculture, veterinary care and beyond. Our acclaimed product lines exemplify engineering excellence, combining innovation with dependability to exceed industry demands, while we remain at the forefront of continuing innovation & scientific advancements in our realms of operation. Manufactured exclusively in Birmingham, Alabama, USA using EPA-compliant components, PRO O2 is dedicated to advancing oxygen technology through our collective 39 years of design & engineering experience while also maintaining a steadfast commitment to quality and sustainability. Visit proo2llc.com and piranho2.com for more information.
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.
Unveiling the Current Top 5 Teams in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia
SAN ANTONIO, TX (JANUARY 11, 2025) – Over the past few days, the Association of Collegiate Anglers has been releasing the rankings for the latest points update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. In this third and final article, we will take a look at the teams currently ranked in the Top 5 for college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system.
1) Carson-Newman University
14,765 points
Carson-Newman University is currently ranked number one overall in the race for 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. With a season-total of 14,765 points, Carson-Newman leads 2nd place by just over 1,000 points. Carson-Newman was selected 3rd overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll coming into this year. Following a 3rd place finish to wrap up the 2023-24 campaign, Carson-Newman is looking to win its first-ever title as Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
2) University of Montevallo
13,600 points
Checking in at the number two spot is the University of Montevallo. Montevallo has won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia each of the last four seasons. The team from Alabama was selected as number one overall in the annual ACA Pre-Season Poll. If Montevallo were able to finish the year ranked number one once again, the team would continue to re-write the history books.
3) Bethel University
13,460 points
In 3rd place is another past winner of the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, Bethel University. Located in McKenzie, TN, Bethel University was selected 10th overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. Bethel University finished the 2023-24 season ranked 11th. If Bethel University was able to finish the season ranked number one this year, they would join Montevallo, McKendree, and UNA as the only schools to have ever won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia two or more times.
4) University of North Alabama
13,030 points
After finishing the 2023-24 season ranked 2nd, the University of North Alabama was picked 6th overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. The team from Florence, AL currently sits in 4th, just over 1,500 points behind top-ranked Carson-Newman University. The next stop for the ACA will be the Pickwick Slam, located just minutes from the UNA campus. If UNA has a strong spring and remains in the Top 5, the Pickwick Slam could make or break their chances at claiming the school’s third title.
5) McKendree University
12,185 points
The 5th and final team to be highlighted in this rankings reveal is McKendree University. At the mid-way point of last season, McKendree was ranked in this same position. The two-time title winner went on to finish the 2023-24 season ranked 4th. McKendree University was voted 2nd overall in the ACA Pre-Season Poll. Like UNA ranked just ahead of them in 4th, if McKendree was to win the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia this season…they would join Montevallo as the only teams to win this title three or more times.
A Rodeo Cowboy’s 4,000 Mile Journey to the MLF Co-Angler Ranks
Jan. 9, 2025
Charity Muehlenweg • Major League Fishing
Ted Brown of Ontario, Oregon, is no stranger to competition. A rodeo athlete with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Brown has spent decades mastering the grit and determination needed to succeed in a highly demanding sport. But after years of traveling the country on the rodeo circuit, Brown found himself yearning for a new challenge – one that would reignite his competitive spirit. That challenge came in the form of tournament bass fishing as a co-angler with Major League Fishing (MLF).
Brown’s journey into the world of competitive bass fishing is nothing short of inspiring. After a decades-long hiatus from fishing, a chance steelhead outing with a friend rekindled his passion.
“A buddy called me up to see if I wanted to go fishing, and although I hadn’t fished for over 30 years, when I hooked that steelhead, it was like an adrenaline rush I hadn’t felt in a long time,” Brown recalled.
From that day forward, he was hooked – literally and figuratively.
He joined friends on a few more fishing trips over the next several months, chasing bass and crappie, and it wasn’t long before Brown’s rediscovered love for fishing turned into more than just a hobby. Inspired by childhood memories of fishing with his dad in Missouri and armed with a desire to learn, he dove headfirst into the world of bass fishing.
A random discovery of an MLF video on social media sparked his curiosity about tournament fishing, and after getting the go ahead from his wife, Brown was signing up as a co-angler for his first tournament in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League.
Brown said the experience was life changing. He found a tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir that he felt would mimic some of his fishing experiences as a child and drove the nearly 4,000 miles from Oregon to Texas to compete on January 4.
“I was greener than a March hare,” he laughed, recounting his first conversation last week with MLF Tournament Director Shannon Storms. But the warm welcome from MLF staff and his fellow anglers quickly eased his nerves.
For Brown, the co-angler experience was a perfect fit.
“The best part was getting to learn from seasoned anglers,” he said. “I was paired with Wesley Baxley, who finished in second place at the event. He was incredibly professional and shared so much advice. He’d point out little things, like which colors might work better, and walked me through the steps of the weigh-in process, and that made all the difference.”
Brown’s determination paid off. His hard work and old-school tactics – many of which he learned from his dad – helped him secure a three-fish limit, including a 3-pounder he caught on a ChatterBait, to finish in 22nd place and take home a check at his first tournament.
Walking up to the weigh-in station with his bag of fish, Brown says he felt overwhelmed with emotion.
“It hit me that I was really doing this – competing in a tournament and holding my own against many anglers that have spent their life fishing.”
Brown said the most remarkable thing about his story is how accessible it was for him to get involved. As an MLF co-angler, he didn’t need to invest in a high-end boat or have years of experience.
“I want people to know that anyone can get out there and do this,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re new to tournament-fishing or don’t have all the fancy gear. All you need is the desire to learn something new and the willingness to take that first step.
“I was nervous because I didn't want to fail, but I wasn't scared to go down there and try,” Brown continued. “I think the only way we fail, as people, is if we don't take that step. We all get caught up in our own lives, and sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to try something new. I did, and boy – I love it so much. I even bought a new boat while I was on my way down there so I can start competing in local tournaments back home.”
Brown is gearing up for four more MLF tournaments as a co-angler in 2025 – a Toyota Series event and three more Phoenix Bass Fishing League events – and is taking the opportunity to compete in Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. He sees each tournament as an opportunity to learn, grow and inspire others to chase their dreams – whether that’s in fishing or in life.
“I’m nearly 54 years old, and this is a whole new chapter for me and a whole new love for a sport that I’ve unlocked,” Brown said. “If this story encourages even one person to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, then it’s all worth it.”
For Brown, the rodeo arena may be fading behind him, but his competitive spirit burns brighter than ever on the water. As he puts it, “This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see what’s below the surface.”
For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X , Instagram and YouTube.
NPFL Announces Tournament Field for 2025 Season
WILKESVILLE, Ohio — What has 118 fully-rigged bass fishing machines, comes from 23 states, has earned 172 Bassmaster Classic berths and four Classic titles, 132 Forrest Wood Cup berths and six Wood Cup titles, has seven Jasons, four Scotts, and one J Todd?
Of course, it’s the 2025 National Professional Fishing League competition field—the most star-studded, talent-laden, and passionate group of anglers the league has ever assembled.
“It’s difficult to express how excited we are with the anglers who are joining us on our 2025 journey,” says NPFL president Brad Fuller. “In all, more than 150 anglers applied to fish the NPFL in 2025, and we pared that list down to these 118 who share our passion, our vision, and our commitment to the sport. It promises to be our best year ever as an organization, and we’re working hard to make it the best ever for our anglers and our fans through our enhanced coverage and platforms.”
Unlike other leagues where qualification to participate is based on lower-level tournament performance alone, the NPFL’s vetting process has been developed to demand the highest standards of personal character, reputation, and performance.
“It’s a time-consuming and interpersonal process,” says Fuller, “but we believe it leads to a better experience for everyone involved and that it better serves our sport.”
The 2025 NPFL field includes 118 anglers hailing from 23 states, including 20 from North Carolina, 14 from South Carolina, 12 from Alabama, and 11 each from Georgia and Tennessee.
Of the 118 anglers, 76 are returning from the 2024 NPFL season, with three others returning from previous seasons. Notably, the field includes 2024 NPFL Championship winner Brandon Perkins and 2024 NPFL Progressive Angler of the Year Kyle Welcher.
Ten anglers have competed in every season of the NPFL since its inception in 2021. They are Hunter Baughman, Dan Blackert, Richard Cooper, Louis Fernandes, Brian Hatfield, Stu Martel, Matt Massey, Brandon Perkins, Timmy Reams, and Kevin Rogers.
Forty anglers are new to the league in 2025, including former Bassmaster Classic champions Hank Cherry and Jason Christie and former Wood Cup champions Justin Atkins, Greg Hackney, and Scott Suggs. They join returning title holders John Cox, David Fritts, and Darrel Robertson.
Here is the full list of 2025 NPFL competitors and their hometowns:
Jason Abram — Piney Flats, Tenn.
Barron Adams — Blue Ridge, Ga.
Sean Alvarez — Anderson, S.C.
Charlie Apperson — Jay, Okla.
Allen Armour — Cumming, Ga.
Stuart Arthur — Scott City, Mo.
Justin Atkins — Florence, Ala.
Todd Auten — Lake Wylie, S.C.
Keith Bardolf — Abbeville, Ala.
Hunter Baughman — Judsonia, Ark.
Gary Bean — Chickamauga, Ga.
Tommy Biffle — Wagoner, Okla.
Zack Birge — Blanchard, Okla.
Dan Blackert — Richfield, Ohio
Joey Bloom — Winter Springs, Fla.
John Bosley — Westminster, Md.
John Branch — Magnolia, Ky.
Nick Brown — Lindale, Texas
Jason Burroughs — Hodges, S.C.
Tim Cales — Beckley, W.Va.
Scott Canterbury — Odenville, Ala.
Corey Casey — Moncks Corner, S.C.
Hank Cherry — Lincolnton, N.C.
Jason Christie — Welling, Okla.
Brandon Classon — Leesburg, Ga.
Brandon Cobb — Greenwood, S.C.
William Collie — Cherokee, Tenn.
Michael Comeau — Alburgh, Vt.
Drew Cook — Cairo, Ga.
Richard Cooper — Benson, N.C.
John Cox — Debary, Fla.
Wayne Crosby — Green Pond, S.C.
Darrell Davis — Dover, Fla.
Harmon Davis — Marlow, Okla.
Seth Ellis — Durham, N.C.
Ron Farrow — Rock Hill, S.C.
Louis Fernandes — Santa Maria, Calif.
Will Fletcher — Dallas, Ga.
Tim Frederick — Leesburg, Fla.
Dylan Freeze — Blanchester, Ohio
David Fritts — Lexington, N.C.
Nick Gainey — Charleston, S.C.
Austin Garland — Kernersville, N.C.
Kyle Glasgow — Guin, Ala.
Todd Goade — White Pine, Tenn.
Buddy Gross — Chickamauga, Ga.
Greg Hackney — Gonzales, La.
Hayden Hammond — Salisbury, N.C.
Scott Hamrick — Denver, N.C.
Will Harkins — Blairsville, Ga.
Cole Harris — Raleigh, N.C.
Brian Hatfield — Spring City, Tenn.
Stephanie Hemphill-Pellerin — Village Mills, Texas
Matt Herren — Ashville, Ala.
Jeff Hodges — Apex, N.C.
Josh Hooks — Apex, N.C.
Stacey James — Campobello, S.C.
Richard Kee — Somerville, Tenn.
Justin Kimmel — Athens, Ga.
Koby Kreiger — Alva, Fla.
Caleb Kuphall — Mukwonago, Wis.
Shane LeHew — Catawba, N.C.
Derek Lehtonen — Woodruff, S.C.
Shane Lineberger — Lincolnton, N.C.
Wes Logan — Springville, Ala.
Bill Lowen — Brookville, Ind.
Kevin Madeley — Brookeland, Texas
Buck Mallory — Lawton, Mich.
Chad Marler — Jasper, Texas
Stu Martel — Elmhurst, Ill.
Lendell Martin Jr. — Nacogdoches, Texas
Matt Massey — St. Augustine, Fla.
Matthew McBee — Concord, N.C.
Jason Meninger — Yulee, Fla.
Jesse Millsaps — Jasper, Ga.
Harry Moore — Valley, Ala.
Tavin Napier — Harriman, Tenn.
Bryan Oakley — St. Matthews, S.C.
Jordan Osborne — Longview, Texas
Brandon Perkins — Counce, Tenn.
Jamie Pierce — Hallsboro, N.C.
Pete Ponds — Madison, Miss.
Chad Poteat — Mount Airy, N.C.
Kristopher Queen — Catawba, N.C.
Mike Quinlin — Mooresville, Ind.
Andrew Ready — Auburndale, Fla.
Timmy Reams — Morgantown, W.Va.
Jason Reyes — Huffman, Texas
Darrel Robertson — Jay, Okla.
Ricky Robinson — Greenback, Tenn.
Troy Roder — Brookeland, Texas
Kevin Rogers — Pleasant Hill, Mo.
J.T. Russell — Crane Hill, Ala.
Hunter Sales — Blaine, Tenn.
Russ Simpson — Given, W.Va.
Derrick Snavely — Piney Flats, Tenn.
Brad Staley — Sophia, N.C.
Christopher Stamm — Mishawaka, Ind.
Scott Suggs — Alexander, Ark.
Gerald Swindle — Guntersville, Ala.
J Todd Tucker — Moultrie, Ga.
Andrew Upshaw — Hemphill, Texas
Patrick Walters — Eutawville, S.C.
Josh Watkins — Marissa, Ill.
James Watson — Lampe, Mo.
Mitchell Webb — Skiatook, Okla.
Kyle Welcher — Valley, Ala.
Scott Wiley — Bay Minette, Ala.
Alton Wilhoit — Noble, Okla.
Tyler Williams — Belgrade, Maine
David Williams — Newton, N.C.
Dustin Williamson — Aiken, S.C.
Jason Williamson — Aiken, S.C.
Alexander Wilson — Elmore, Ala.
Jason Wilson — Lincolnton, N.C.
Timothy Wilson — Marion, Ind.
Jesse Wise — Erwin, N.C.
Robert Wroblewski — Knoxville, Tenn.
Stop #1 of the 2025 NPFL season kicks off March 6-8 on the renowned Santee Cooper lakes. Check out the full 2025 NPFL schedule here.
About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.
Media Contact: Ken Duke — (407) 574-1898 or ken@tnpfl.com.
Winter conditions await Kayak Series anglers at Lake Havasu
Jan. 8, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft will kick off the 2025 season by heading out West. Anglers will take on Lake Havasu in western Arizona at a time when the bass will be schooled up in their winter patterns, according to Arizona local and Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation kayak angler Bradley Kuhlin.
Tournament days are scheduled for Jan. 18-19. Anglers will launch from any public access on Lake Havasu in this catch-measure-release-style tournament. The top finishers will punch their ticket to the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft, and all anglers will earn points toward the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.
It’s been several years since B.A.S.S. has visited the Colorado River impoundment. The 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional was held on Lake Havasu, a weather-shortened event won by Taylor Smith in early February.
Both smallmouth and largemouth inhabit these waters, and both could factor into this tournament, although Kuhlin believes largemouth will ultimately be the dominant species. Competitors should be able to take advantage of the entire lake, although wind will determine just how far anglers can venture.
“The current up at the north end is a lot stronger than it is everywhere else,” the two-time Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship qualifier said. “But the whole lake is in play. There are 20-inch smallmouth in this lake and a bunch of big largemouth. It will be very spot-dependent on the smallmouth.”
When kayak anglers arrive in Arizona, Kuhlin believes the bass will still be in a winter pattern, setting up in schools in 20 to 30 feet of water. Main-lake points will be an important player in this tournament. Bigger rocks and chunk rock will be the main cover, while man-made cover like cages will also hold bass.
“There’s thousands of man-made structures in all depths of water,” Kuhlin said. “Especially during the winter, those will hold plenty of bass.”
While there is healthy grass in the summer, Kuhlin doesn’t anticipate that coming into play in this tournament. Tule lines are also prominent, but those lines don’t factor until the prespawn and spawn.
“It should be pretty cool for Arizona that time of year,” he said. “You’ll be looking offshore at some super-slow fishing. There will be a lot of LiveScoping in that event, I can almost guarantee it.”
Drop shots, jerkbaits and jigs will be popular choices amongst anglers. If the waters warm enough and the bass start moving toward their prespawn areas, a lipless crankbait will also come into play.
The event is being hosted by Go Lake Havasu.
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.
BFL Gator Division Opener Scheduled for Saturday on Harris Chain Postponed
WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine tournament scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11 has been postponed due to the extremely high winds being forecast provided by the National Weather Service.
The event, set to be the season opener for the BFL Gator Division, has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 23, piggybacking on the next BFL event on the Harris Chain on March 22. The Feb. 8 event at Lake Okeechobee will now serve as the Gator division opener.
WHEN:
Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23
Takeoff: 7:30 a.m. ET
Weigh-in: 3:30 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Venetian Gardens, 201 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg, Fla.
NOTES:
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-18 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 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.
Why Vexus Wednesday - The New VXs 21!
The recent release of the new Vexus VXs caught our attention and we thought the walkthrough video was worth sharing...Talk about a BIG water bass boat! At 21' 11" in length, sporting a massive 97" beam, and the Vexus front forked bow design makes this one of the most spacious front decks in the industry! With this size, and the fuel capacity of 58 gallons, you can take this thing anywhere, AND bring several buddies. There is certainly plenty of room for everyone and everything! To check it out online, or build your own, click HERE
https://youtu.be/jRSd9xmkMSw
Travel Tuesday - Alaska Fishing: Not Just Trout, Salmon and Halibut
By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
We’re headed back to Alaska in the summer, and like most anglers we’re excited to catch the species of fish that made the state a holy land for anglers – trout and salmon in the streams and rivers, and halibut in the heavy salt. Through multiple trips to Bear Trail Lodge and one epic overnight journey with Capt. Chris Hanna out of Seward, I’ve experienced those iconic species. It’s understandable why they’re the main draw, but they’re not the only game in town.
Below are two species I’ve caught there that need more love; one I’ve caught elsewhere, and one I’ve yet to catch that intrigues me.
Lesser Known Flyout Trophy – Arctic Grayling
While the fishing on the Naknek that runs past Bear Trail Lodge is exceptional, and the flyouts are most coveted for their rainbow trout opportunities, I’ve been equally wowed by the diminutive grayling. They live around current and use it to their advantage, punch much bigger than their weight, and strike aggressively. It doesn’t hurt that these little brawlers, often called the “sailfish of the north,” are absolutely gorgeous. Put me on a stream or in a bay with an endless supply of those suckers (and running water year round) and I might be happy to chase nothing else for the rest of my life.
Lesser-Known Salt Trophy – Rockfish
While fishing for halibut in 2019, Keith Combs caught the occasional yelloweye rockfish, and then as we headed back to port on Day Two Capt. Chris took us to one spot that was absolutely crawling with black rockfish. In Keith’s hands they looked like a pair of giant largemouths, but cooler than the photo op was the fact that no matter how fast your reeled your spoon out of the depths, they’d swarm around it and fight to get it. On lightish tackle they were a joy. On that trip we caught a handful of the over 30 species that populate the waters off the state, and we also chowed down on some amazing rockfish tacos. Everyone comes to catch a barn door, but these are every bit as fun, and a lot better looking.
Underappreciated Freshwater Wolf – Northern Pike
Northern Pike are the only one of the four species on this list I’ve caught outside of Alaska, and not within Alaska. They were introduced illegally to a section of their current range, and many people blame them for the reduction in trout in their lakes. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no doubt that these prolific feeders feed aggressively, which can make them a blast, either on the fly or on conventional gear. There are now a number of lodges that cater to anglers specifically seeking big backwater pike amongst the weeds.
Only in Alaska – Sheefish
The one species on this list that I’d never heard of until recently was the sheefish, also called “inconnu” or “tarpon of the north.” They are anadromous and the largest member of the whitefish family. Sheefish are only native to a limited set of rivers in northwest Alaska. Despite living in a cold weather climate, they grow fairly rapidly, and in some cases can “reach 16 inches in length at age 2, and up to 30 inches in length and weights to 14 pounds by age 8.”
The world record is 53 pounds and the all-tackle fly record (length) – 35.4” -- was landed in 2021.
MeatEater’s Stephen Klobucar referred to them as “The Greatest Sportfish You’ve Never Heard Of”
Our friend Dan Smith has caught them on the Aniak River and has written about the best ways to catch them.
Per the US Fish and Wildlife Service, here are several popular ways to cook/eat sheefish:
- Paniqtuq (dried) — If you get a small sheefish, cut it and dry it into what’s called paniqtuq in March/April. There’s still a lot of snow here at that time and it’s a great time to dry sheefish because there are no bugs.
- Quaq (frozen) — "People will eat sheefish frozen with seal oil and it’s called quaq. You can age it before eating."
- Baked sheefish — When I bake mine I slather a little bit of mayonnaise on top, garlic, any kind of spices that you like. Hot spicy flavoring. I like to add bits of bacon.
- Blackened sheefish — Cook it on high heat with your cast iron and you fry it with your hot and spicy rub and it’s blackened sheefish and it’s to die for.
- Akutaq — Boil the sheefish and squeeze out all the water so it’s extremely dry and flaky. Then mix with caribou, moose, or muskox fat. Then add a variety of berries…whatever berries are available in your area. Mix in seal oil and sugar. Then whip it up. The fat turns just like whipped cream.
If you’d like more info on our Alaska trips – everyone needs to get there at some point – email us at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com.
DAIWA: New Underspin Jig Now Available!
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DAIWA’s new first-of-its-kind saltwater grade underspin jig - Smelthead DX - is NOW AVAILABLE! |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (January 6, 2025) – The art world has famed realists like Winslow Homer and Edgar Degas. High fashion has Valentino and Christian Dior. Even modern automotive design has Henry Fisker and Elon Musk. So, what about fishing? In the likes of lures, perhaps no one is more heralded for their contemporary designs than Hiroshi Nishine. Nishine’s website says it like this: “Hiroshi Nishine’s missions is simple – to stop at nothing and develop the most effective fishing lures in the world. His obsessive attention to detail, precision engineering, and endless testing ensure that nothing is left to chance. Even in mass production, Hiroshi still hand-carves the master prototype from which each mold is made.” So, when DAIWA set out to develop the world’s first ever saltwater grade underspin jig, Nishine was their first and only call. Welcome the Smelthead DX underspin jig. “We wanted to bring the new and popular bass fishing jig to saltwater,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, the company knowing underspin jigs could be equally as effective nearshore and offshore as they are on lakes and reservoirs. As with everything DAIWA does, the Smelthead DX is fully intellectualized in design, starting with its extraordinary head shape. “The line-tie placement on the sculpted head forces the nose of the jig downward, almost like a lipless crankbait,” said Martin. “This downward angle allows the short arm of the underspin the freedom to spin and flash.” The shape of the blade is unique, too, its upper and lower curves causing the blade to spin in a tight rotation, not striking the body of the jig. Keeping the blade tight to the body is also crucial as it forces predators to take the entire lure rather than merely striking the flashing blade. |
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FLAKE PEARL |
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GUN METAL |
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BLACK BACK |
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SMELT |
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UV FIRE ORANGE |
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UV CHARTREUSE GREEN BACK |
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UV BLACK BACK |
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The Smelthead DX’s hooks are perilously sharp, and nickel plated for maximum corrosion resistance. And its elongated bait-keeper is designed to keep plastics sturdily in place without requiring a dot of superglue. How do you fish DAIWA’s new Smelthead DX? Martin says there are multiple methods. “In the most elementary style, you can simply cast and retrieve it, either maintaining a steady pull, or letting the Smelthead DX swing pendulum-style to explore depths. You can also let it settle and then bump it along the bottom in less snaggy areas. It also performs well straight-up vertical jigging, especially if you’re on a drift and covering water.” A wealth of species is on the hitlist, too. “Consider the Smelthead DX a winner for striped bass, flounder, cod, cobia, snook, tarpon, redfish, and jacks,” said Martin. In western waters, Martin says the Smelthead DX is effective on calico bass, rockfish, lingcod, and cabrilla. Basically, anything that will smack a well placed soft plastic. The heavier weights of the Smelthead DX – 1 oz. and 1.5 oz. – make it effective out to 100 feet of water, and everything therein. Although the Smelthead DX pairs perfectly with a wealth of larger soft plastic swimbaits and grubs, DAIWA’s new 6-inch Tournament D-FIN swimbait was created specifically to partner with the Smelthead DX. The size, shape, length, and action are a match made in heaven. Color-wise, Martin says the array covers wide ranging water conditions. “Chartreuse Green Back, Fire Orange, and Motor Oil feature UV paint for added visibility in darker water, whereas the more natural Flake Pearl, Smelt, Gun Metal, and Black Back are geared for clearer conditions.” SMELTHEAD DX FEATURES:
MSRP $9.99 |
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For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@Daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |
Z-Man® Snags Bassmaster Star Josh Douglas
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REGISTRATION IS LIVE FOR THE 2025 MINN KOTA & HUMMINBIRD OWNERS TOURNAMENT
- Dates: March 28-30, 2025
- Location: Lake Eufaula, Alabama
- Weigh-In Site: Lakepoint State Park, 104 Lakepoint Dr., Eufaula, AL 36027
- Entry Fees:
- Three-Day Entry: $275 per angler
- Two-Day Entry: $175 per angler
- One-Day Entry: $125 per angler
- Registration: Now open at www.minnkotaowners.com
- Abu Garcia Revo® SX Reel: The first 250 two or three-day online entrants will receive this reel, valued at $169.95. One-day entries are not eligible for this prize.
- Humminbird VIP Experience: The first 55 registrants can opt-in for a behind-the-scenes plant tour at the Eufaula location, including additional giveaways. Participants must be available on March 27, 2025, for the tour.
- Overall Grand Prize: 2025 NITRO® Z20 XL with a Mercury® 250L Pro XS TorqueMaster outboard, valued at $80,000
- Overall Prizes: Totaling $12,600
- 2nd Overall: Minn-Kota Ultrex Quest 52"
- 3rd Overall: New Humminbird XPLORE 12" Graph
- 4th Overall: Minn-Kota Ultrex Quest 52"
- 5th Overall: New Humminbird XPLORE 12" Graph
- Hourly Paybacks: $63,525 guaranteed, with payouts to the top ten largest bass each hour:
- 1st: $1,000
- 2nd: $500
- 3rd: $300
- 4th: $250
- 5th: $225
- 6th: $200
- 7th: $175
- 8th: $150
- 9th: $125
- 10th: $100
- Draw Prizes: Over $30,000 in gear from Minn Kota, Humminbird, YETI, Turtlebox, Bass Pro Shops, and Costa eyewear
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is comprised of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fish finders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers, and premium cartography products. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.Visit Humminbird at www.humminbird.com
Visit Minn Kota at www.minnkotamotors.com
Visit Cannon at www.cannondownriggers.com
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that inspires more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Fishing, Diving and Camping.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at www.johnsonoutdoors.com
2300 Woodforest Pkwy. N, Suite 250-444
Montgomery, TX 77316
Phone: 262-240-4010
Email: info@minnkotaowners.com
Website: www.minnkotaowners.com
Corrigan’s Wyatt Frankens Wins 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Season Opener at Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Arkansas’ Thomas Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 6, 2025) – Boater Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan, Texas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 29 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine event at Sam Rayburn Reservoir . The tournament, hosted by Jasper County Development District, was the first event of the season for the BFL and the Cowboy Division. Frankens earned $4,796 for his victory.
According to Frankens, fishing and the conditions had been consistent at Rayburn ahead of the tournament, but a recent water level rise changed things pretty quickly.
“I wasn’t even sure I was going to get to fish the event,” he said. “And thankfully I did last minute and was able to get in. So I didn’t get to practice a ton for the event. That probably ended up working in my favor since I wasn’t out there getting dialed on something as it was changing. I was able to fish free and adapt, and I was able to learn some things as I fished today. That ended up helping out a ton.”
Frankens relied on forward-facing sonar to find and catch his fish. His primary lures included a 6th Sense Ozzie, a 6th Sense Crush 300DD Crankbait and a 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig . Because he didn’t have much practice, Frankens had to cover a ton of water throughout the tournament. He primarily targeted timber in creek channels, ditches and drains, and he says he ran around enough that he nearly saw the entire lake.
Frankens prefers to hunt big bites, which is obviously a good strategy if you want to catch 29-plus pounds and win at Rayburn. But it’s also a gamble, and at first, it looked like he might be holding the losing hand.
“I didn’t have a great start to the day,” he added. “I think I was just a little too deep. Just like Rayburn fish do, they kind of moved up with the rising water. Once I figured that out at about 9:30 or 10, that’s when I started getting some of my bigger ones. It wasn’t easy. I started picking up one here, one there.”
“Shallower,” in this case, was 10 to 15 feet of water, rather than mid-20s, which would be pretty standard for Frankens this time of year at Rayburn. In addition to the fish on timber, Frankens also caught some “floaters,” or suspended nomadic fish.
Ultimately, it was keeping an open mind and his strategic use of forward-facing sonar that earned him the W.
“Using that tool to learn is a big deal,” Frankens said. “I’m not just randomly running around scoping in the middle of nowhere. That’s just not how it works. Using that technology to learn and let the fish show you what they’re doing is a big deal.”
Once he got a couple better bites and started to piece together that the fish were shallower, Frankens was able to capitalize on his history on the lake to piece together an impressive limit. Altogether, he caught about 10 keepers. That included a 2 1/2-pounder that was among the five bass he weighed in. A 2 1/2 in a 29-pound, 1-ounce limit means Franken’s other four weigh-in fish averaged more than 6 1/2 pounds apiece – a great way to kick off the 2025 BFL season.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Wyatt Frankens, Corrigan, Texas, five bass, 29-1, $4,796
2nd: Wesley Baxley, Cypress, Texas, five bass, 23-15, $2,398
3rd: Cole Moore, Anacoco, La., five bass, 19-0, $1,595
4th: Hayden Heck, Lufkin, Texas, five bass, 17-15, $1,119
5th: Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., five bass, 17-12, $959
6th: Tommy Mackey, Bryan, Texas, five bass, 16-15, $879
7th: James Laramore, Vidor, Texas, five bass, 16-11, $1,514
8th: Zane Parker, Kingwood, Texas, five bass, 16-6, $719
9th: Tater Reynolds, Florien, La., five bass, 16-4, $639
10th: J.D. Chandler, Liberty, Texas, five bass, 15-15, $560
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
James Laramore of Vidor, Texas, caught a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $715.
Jaxson Thomas of Texarkana, Arkansas, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,576 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 6 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Jaxson Thomas, Texarkana, Arkansas, three bass, 11-6, $2,576
2nd: Aaron Willis, Broken Bow, Okla., three bass, 9-1, $1,199
3rd: Michael Glynn, Boerne, Texas, three bass, 8-8, $795
4th: Logan Slaughter, Dallas, Texas, two bass, 8-1, $493
4th: Gary Medley, Vidor, Texas, one bass, 8-1, $671
4th: Ronald Leist, Onalaska, Texas, three bass, 8-1, $493
7th: Richard Garcia, Hemphill, Texas, three bass, 7-13, $400
8th: Mitch Powers, Pineland, Texas, three bass, 7-12, $320
8th: Kasen Clark, Coldspring, Texas, three bass, 7-12, $320
8th: Dustin Berry, Dayton, Texas, one bass, 7-12, $320
Jaxson Thomas of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Gary Medley of Vidor, Texas, tied for the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award, each catching a bass that weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce. They each took home $178 for their share of the prize.
In addition to earning the win, Frankens has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while co-angler winner Thomas leads the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Co-Angler of the Year race, also with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Cowboy Division anglers will be held January 18, at Toledo Bend out of Many, Louisiana 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 Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Vosker, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 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.
Reese Fishing Adds Major League Fishing Pro Alton Jones Jr. to Pro Staff
Reese Fishing Expands Promotional Efforts
AUBURN, Calif. – January 6, 2025 –– Long known as one of the premier promoters and businessmen among the professional bass fishing community, Skeet Reese, the 2024 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee has once again proven that he is one who has the vision to think long term when it comes to business. In April of 2024, Reese announced the startup of Reese Fishing, a company that would produce premium fishing rods, at extreme value to the consumer.
With the reputation of being a champion of 12 major professional tours including a win on the James River at the MLF Bass Pro Tour in 2024, the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Reese holds the cache to solely and effectively promote his company. However, being one to think big picture, Reese sought to bring other anglers in to help further expose the brand.
To that vein, Reese Fishing has added Waco, Tex. Major League Fishing BPT pro Alton Jones, Jr. to the Reese Fishing pro staff. Jones, a three-time winner in his career, including a BPT win at Lake Fork in 2022, and the 2023 Heavy Hitters Champion brings many attributes to the brand that Reese appreciates.
Reese said he has been impressed with Jones as he’s watched his career develop. “Junior has deep roots in the sport, having grown up in it,” said Reese. “I have always been impressed with how he approaches the water and the competition, and he handles his business off the water as well.”
Reese continued to explain in detail. “Junior has proven himself as one of the hottest and most progressive young anglers out there and he continues to produce results as an angler,” said Reese. “His work ethic in promotions, social media and video content are also very impressive and he’s proven his reach with great social media followings and results whenever he is in front of people; he absolutely fits the mold of Reese Fishing and I am very excited to have him on the team.”
Jones said that being able to work more closely with Reese was something he had to consider when the opportunity presented itself. “Skeet is obviously a true legend in professional bass fishing circles, I’ve watched him throughout the years and looked up to him as a competitor,” he said. “But I’ve worked with him and another sponsor and was so impressed with his business acumen and the way he conducts himself in business, that I saw this as an opportunity to promote a growing brand from its inception, but also as a way to learn from the best.”
He explained that he didn’t just sign on because of the benefits of learning from Reese. “He sent me some of the rods to try before I committed because I wanted to make sure I felt like I could be competitive with them in my hands,” he said. “I fell in love with what he’s done with the NEXT 1 series, which are amazing and a tremendous value, but the soon to be released NEXT 2 rods are some of the most amazing rods I’ve ever fished with. They have unique features from the grips to the handles and reel seats Skeet has designed and they are truly one of the best feeling most durable rods I’ve ever fished with; I am proud to represent Reese Fishing and to fish with these rods; they are NEXT Level.”
Along with promoting Reese Fishing, Jones will also be representing Kastking reels, the company that produces and markets Reese’s Signature Reels.
About Reese Fishing
A product of more than 40 years of competitive and fishing industry excellence, Reese Fishing is the brainchild of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Skeet Reese. The Auburn, Calif. pro, being one of the most successful anglers in the fishing industry with over 40 years of experience, knows what real anglers want and need to be successful on the water. built alongside his wife and daughters, the goal is to instill our passion for the outdoors. The goal of Reese Fishing products is to help customers be inspired to explore what the outdoors has to offer; Reese Fishing strives for the best overall performance on the water.
For more information about Reese Fishing, or to order products, visit them online at http://reesefishing.com.
MLF Introduces Lock Box to Enforce 2025 Forward-Facing Sonar Rules
BENTON, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) has unveiled a new lock box, designed and manufactured by Precision Sonar, that will support new rules limiting anglers to the use of two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers during competition. The innovative, simple-to-use device will be provided free to all anglers who need to lock out excess transducers during competition.
The lock box provides an effective solution to temporarily disable and secure excess transducers on tournament boats, thus maintaining a fair and level playing field under new MLF rules that allow anglers to utilize the fish-catching power of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar while also preserving the traditional fishing techniques enjoyed by millions of anglers and fans.
Anglers with more than two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers on their boats will be required to:
- Disclose their setup and need for the device to the tournament director at or immediately following the pre-tournament meeting.
- Obtain a lock box from MLF staff prior to the tournament at the Precision Sonar Lock Station and install the device prior to boat launch – a quick and straightforward process that ensures excess transducers are disconnected and cable plugs are securely capped with the high-visibility lock box provided.
- Make a quick stop by the Precision Sonar Lock Station at the end of the competition day to have the device unlocked by MLF staff.
“We’re excited to debut this solution as part of our efforts to implement a new rule in a way that is both seamless for anglers and effective for our tournaments,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF President and CEO. “The new rules and lock box enforcement device reflect our commitment to fairness while embracing innovative sonar technologies as part of the sport.”
Forward-facing and 360-degree sonar technologies are powerful tools, and the new MLF rules ensure they can be used effectively without overshadowing traditional fishing techniques.
“This rule isn’t about limiting innovation—it’s about enhancing competition and creating more opportunity for strategic angling,” Duckett said. “The lock box allows us to enforce the rule consistently, so all participants can compete under the same conditions while still leveraging the power of modern sonar technology.”
The updated rules and limitations for the 2025 season vary by circuit to ensure they satisfy the majority of MLF stakeholders while considering the different levels of competition, formats and tournament dynamics of each circuit. Anglers will work with the tournament director at each event to obtain a lock box, as needed, and can look forward to a streamlined process for compliance, ensuring that tournaments remain exciting, fair and true to the spirit of bass fishing.
For a link to FAQ pages for each circuit – including the enforcement, penalties, technical questions and contact information for each Tournament Director – click the links below. Tournament Directors for each circuit are available to answer additional questions from competitors not covered in the FAQ.
Bass Pro Tour FAQ
Tackle Warehouse Invitationals FAQ
Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats FAQ
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine FAQ
Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI FAQ
Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse FAQ
The lock box from Precision Sonar will debut at the first Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) event of the season – the Cowboy division opener at Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Sat., Jan. 4, and will roll out during the opening tournament of each MLF circuit in 2025.
For more information on the lock box, tournament rules and upcoming events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 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.
Switch Hitting - the Advantages of Ambidexterity for Kayak Anglers
By Vance McCullough - AC Insider
Being able to cast with either the left or right hand is a huge advantage for any angler, especially for shallow water anglers and even more especially kayak anglers.
Boat positioning is more difficult from a kayak that it is from a bass boat with a foot-controlled trolling motor. The ability to switch hands and gain a 180-degree different angle while, say, combing a dock with a Thunder Cricket, elevates your game to a whole new level.
Also, if bass are super aggressive and eating your lure before it falls a foot in the water column, you may not be in a position to set the hook if you are passing the reel from your right hand to the left when they strike. Being able to cast and retrieve with the same hand keeps you in a constant position of readiness.
This is why hardcore flippers have long since sought left-handed reels or simply learned to flip left-handed, so their right hand is at the ready for those windows of opportunity when bass eat a lure as soon as it breaks through the cover or falls beside the target.
The mention of flippin’ brings up the subject of alternate casting techniques such as pitching and backhanding a lure into tight spots. Skipping too. Take advantage of the position - right at water level – that a kayak affords and get that sidearm skipping motion going.
With a little practice you can pitch, skip and otherwise shimmy a lure further back into cover than you probably think you can.
Paddle, pedal or power, the more casts you can make from different angles before needing to reposition your ‘yak, the more casts you can make in a day and, ostensibly, the more fish you are going to catch.
Spend some time on your next fun fishing trip developing your left hand, right hand and backhand casts.
Major League Fishing’s General Tire Team Series to Premiere Saturday on Outdoor Channel
BENTON, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2025) – The first episode of the 2024 General Tire Team Series – the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota Elimination Match 1 – is set to premiere this Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel.
The 2024 Team Series is comprised of four Cup events, each featuring 12 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 $720,000. The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota, filmed in the fall of 2024, showcased anglers competing in Erie, Pennsylvania. The event was hosted by VisitErie.
“This national exposure was an incredible opportunity for Erie,” said Mark Jeanneret, executive director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Having our waters featured on a platform like the Outdoor Channel reinforces Erie’s reputation as a top destination for anglers. We’re confident this tournament will encourage more fishing enthusiasts to visit and experience the exceptional fishing opportunities our region provides.”
In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Erie, Pennsylvania, was not revealed to Team Series anglers until 30 days prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Erie then went off limits to anglers, and the competitors discovered exactly where they were competing only after arriving at the boat ramp on the morning of competition.
The B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota in Erie is the first event of the four-event Team Series.
The complete premiere schedule for the General Tire Team Series on Outdoor Channel is:
- Jan. 4 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Elimination Match 1 (Erie, Pa.)
- Jan. 11 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Elimination Match 2 (Erie, Pa.)
- Jan. 18 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Elimination Match 3 (Erie, Pa.)
- Jan. 25 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Knockout Round Match 1 (Erie, Pa.)
- Feb. 1 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Knockout Round Match 2 (Erie, Pa.)
- Feb. 8 B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup Presented by Toyota: Championship Round (Erie, Pa.)
- Feb. 15 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Elimination Match 1 (Neenah, Wis.)
- Feb. 22 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Elimination Match 2 (Neenah, Wis.)
- March 1 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Elimination Match 3 (Neenah, Wis.)
- March 8 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Knockout Round Match 1 (Neenah, Wis.)
- March 15 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Knockout Round Match 2 (Neenah, Wis.)
- March 22 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley: Championship Round (Neenah, Wis.)
- March 29 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Elimination Match 1 (Early, Texas)
- April 5 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Elimination Match 2 (Early, Texas)
- April 12 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Elimination Match 3 (Early, Texas)
- April 19 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Knockout Round Match 1 (Early, Texas)
- April 26 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Knockout Round Match 2 (Early, Texas)
- May 3 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq: Championship Round (Early, Texas)
- May 10 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Elimination Match 1 (Vero Beach, Fla.)
- May 17 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Elimination Match 2 (Vero Beach, Fla.)
- May 24 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Elimination Match 3 (Vero Beach, Fla.)
- May 31 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Knockout Round Match 1 (Vero Beach, Fla.)
- June 7 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Knockout Round Match 2 (Vero Beach, Fla.)
- June 14 Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches: Championship Round (Vero Beach, Fla.)
Each episode will air as a two-hour broadcast, premiering each Saturday from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET. Repeats of each episode will air Sundays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Bassmaster’s The CAST returns for second season on FOX Sports in 2025
Jan. 2, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a wildly popular first-season run, B.A.S.S. is proud to announce the return of The CAST presented by Bass Pro Shops for a second season in 2025. The show will premiere Jan. 4 on FS1 and will continue to give viewers even more insight into the personalities and stories of the meteoric rise of B.A.S.S. as the biggest stage in fishing.
“We’re happy to see The CAST come back for a second season so anglers and fans can experience more of what the initial run delivered,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “The series features so much historical content about the sport and the legends who brought it to the forefront … it’s full of entertaining and nostalgic insight into how an idea transformed into what professional fishing is today.”
Episodes feature interviews and personal stories never heard before from some of fishing’s most iconic voices as well as episodes featuring the Bassmaster Classic as well as equipment and tackle of the pros.
“The season kicks off with a one-hour episode based around three special people … Johnny Morris, Forest Wood and Jerry McKinnis, who cut their teeth on the White River in North Arkansas and helped turn the bass fishing industry into what it is today,” said Mike McKinnis, VP media – content, JM Associates. “In addition, there will be superstar episodes highlighting Denny Brauer, Bryan Kerchal and Rick Clunn’s celebration of 50 years and 500 events with B.A.S.S.”
A longtime B.A.S.S. partner, Bass Pro Shops is also a premier sponsor for the Bassmaster Tournament Trail as well as title sponsor of the Bassmaster Team Championship and presenting sponsor of the Bassmaster College Series.
The CAST presented by Bass Pro Shops will begin airing in January on FS1 and lead up to live Bassmaster Elite Series tournament coverage on FS1 and the FOX Sports platforms.
The CAST presented by Bass Pro Shops
| Air Date | Start Time | Episode | |
| Sat 1/4/25 | 11 AM | Magic of the White River | |
| Sun 1/12/25 | Noon | B.A.S.S. Superstar Rick Clunn | |
| Sat 1/18/25 | 11 AM | B.A.S.S. Superstar Denny Brauer | |
| Sun 1/26/25 | 10:30 AM | B.A.S.S. Superstar Bryan Kerchal | |
| Sat 2/1/25 | 11 AM | The Greatest Show in Bass Fishing – The Bassmaster Classic | |
| Sun 2/9/25 | 8:30 AM | Equipment | |
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors.
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.
Catch the Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show on the Pursuit Channel in 2025
Columbia, SC (January 02, 2025) – The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show is now airing on Pursuit with multiple airings per week, for both Q1 and Q2 2025. You can tune in on Tuesdays at 5:30 am, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, and Thursday 7:00 am EST. The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show is an informative recap of professional, amateur, and grassroots-level bass fishing tournaments across the country. The program also mixes in informative segments on new techniques, new products, and share useful information to help the weekend angler learn about all things fishing.
Since 2008 Pursuit has been delivering extensive high-quality outdoor content to millions of viewers unserved by any other full-time outdoor network. The unique basic tier package delivery with the major satellite distributors, plus major recent additions in the cable sector, provides access to an audience that is ripe with outdoorsmen and women for its content partners. In addition to joining the network, The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show will also be featured on Pursuit’s digital platforms. Look for The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up program on the Pursuit UP streaming channel available to over 100 million users, or available 24/7 on Pursuit UP’s VOD/App platforms.
According to Danny Blandford, AC Director of Business Development, “We added the AC Bass Wrap Up Show to Pursuit in 2024 and were pleased with the additional viewership and new fans of the show. Airing three times a week in both the first and second quarter of 2025 will ensure we continue to reach millions of anglers annually. It will be great to see our program and advertising partners featured alongside so many popular outdoor television programs during the peak fishing television season on Pursuit. We look forward to showing our program to viewers who may not have seen us on the Discovery Network in years past.”
The 2024/25 season of the AnglersChannel Bass Wrap Up Show kicks off with highlights from the Bassmaster Classic and MLF Redcrest. From there the crew heads to the second annual Minn Kota/Humminbird Owners Tournament, as well as other regional events. Along the way they squeeze in additional fishing trips, tips, and much more. If you want to catch the action as it unfolds throughout the season, visit www.AnglersChannel.com, and be sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
About AnglersChannel.com
AnglersChannel.com multimedia platform combines the web, social media platforms, on-site event coverage and The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show on Discovery and Pursuit to bring you the No. 1 resource in tournament bass fishing. Anglers Channel features the web’s most robust tournament database, used by thousands of anglers daily, including schedules, results and searchable details by body of water. Anglers Channel also delivers industry news as it happens, along with coverage of all tournament bass fishing, from BASS and Major League Fishing to the weekend warriors. Visit Anglers Channel via the web, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About Pursuit
Pursuit Media, LLC, the industry leader in total home and user delivery, has its linear feed Pursuit Channel, active nationally to 22+ million homes via DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse HD, DISH Network, Sling TV HD, Comcast Xfinity, Fios by Verizon HD, Centurylink Prism HD, Cox Communication HD and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC). PursuitUP, is active to 100+ million users through Samsung’s TV Plus, Sinclair’s STIRR, Xumo, Glewed TV, Vidgo, Kloud TV, Select TV, TCL Smart TVs, Plex, and many more. Additionally, PursuitUP’s VOD library is readily available online to anyone at pursuituptv.com, or by downloading the PursuitUP app available on most devices.
For more information contact Danny Blandford at Danny@anglerschannel.com
Strong Advice for Anglers in the Coming Year
By Vance McCullough - AC Insider
“I was really good at being a bad guy.” – Ric Flair
I resolved some years ago to stop making New Year’s resolutions. Now THAT’s one I can keep.
But I do reflect, at the top of the year, on how things have gone; how they might have gone otherwise – you know, just the way we do on a long drive home from a tournament we didn’t win.
When it comes to fishing, I think of what worked well, what didn’t, how the weather played a role. I assess my strengths and my weaknesses. I might worry briefly about my weaknesses. Then I embrace my strengths.
At this time of year when others are saying ‘correct your flaws’ I encourage you to do just the opposite. Identify your strengths and hone them to a razor’s edge. A competitive edge.
You can spend all your time doing damage control or you can invest in your strong suit and make a statement. Be known for something. You rarely win by being average at a bunch of techniques. You win by being outstanding at something and then recognizing when there’s an opportunity to push that technique.
How many times have we heard a winning angler say ‘I just fished my strengths’.
You’ll likely have to grind your way through a slow bite with ‘Plan B’ or even ‘Plan C’ in any tournament. But when your bite turns on you need to cash in on what makes you unique – that one thing you do better than anybody else.
Often, it’s others who notice and give you solid feedback. When a partner asks, “How do you get that fluke to stay down while working it so fast?” or “How can you skip a lure that far back under there on baitcasting gear?” or “How are you seeing those fish in these conditions?”, such statements are strong hints at strengths you possess.
As a radio show host once said, nobody ever wrote a book titled ‘Great Moderates in American History’. We respect the bold. For better or worse, we remember the exceptions rather than the rules, especially exceptional performances.
Figure out what you’re good at and get better at it. Be the absolute best there is at it.
If it involves a certain lure, fish it on all kinds of line, especially one you never thought you would. Topwater plug on fluoro? Absolutely, if only to rule that out. Fish it in water that is too cold or too shallow for it. Tourneys have been won on buzzbaits in winter and by anglers fishing deep crankbaits in 4 feet of water. Find quirks that nobody else has. That’s what makes it your thing.
If your strength revolves around a presentation skill rather than a particular lure, say, pitching for instance, then try it with oddball lures. I’ve caught quality bass by flippin’ a swimbait into thick reeds. When working quickly and closely to a line of targets such as laydowns some guys have been known to pitch a squarebill crankbait the way others would a jig. I knew a guy who caught fish behind Gary Klein by flipping a spinnerbait into brush.
Perhaps your strength is simply the efficiency and fast pace with which you work. That’s the case for guys like Kevin VanDam and Bryan Thrift. Figure out which lures and techniques you can use to catch fish at warp speed. Forget the rest. You’ll be bored with them and your performance will suffer. Stay on pace and odds are you’ll find some fish.
If sight fishing is your thing, then you’ll cash in during bedding season but find opportunities to do it outside of the spawn so you can play to your strength year-round. Bernie Schultz once told me how he watched wolf packs of bass swim around a shallow point and just threw a Senko out in front of them. Did he catch every one he saw? No. But he caught enough. And that’s the point of having a strength. You’re never going to catch all of the fish anyway so just figure out what brings you the most joy on the water and be great at it.
Travel Tuesday - Join Us at Grosse Savanne
By Hanna Robbins - Half Past First Cast
I’ve been bass fishing at Grosse Savanne, just south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, two separate times and both times we’ve absolutely whacked ‘em – 100 fish a day, no true giants, but lots in that 2-4 pound class.
What’s crazy about it is we haven’t even been there at the best time of year. We went once in October, under horrible cold front conditions. Then we returned this past September (our second trip was confined to a particular period because we wanted to hunt alligators, too. They warned us that fishing would be tough. It was not.
That’s not to say that it couldn’t be tough on a future trip, but we’re trying to hedge against that by going back in the springtime, when the fish should be healthiest and most aggressive. For those of you who choose not to go to Mexico with us because it’s too far, requires a passport, or for some other reason, I urge you to join us on this trip.
We’re headed there in late May, and we’ve reserved a bunch of spots for our group. You can fish for bass, for saltwater species (redfish, trout, flounder) or both. You can probably even do both in the same day. The accommodations are tremendous, the food is even better.
It’s easy to get there, too. We can help you arrange flights. We fly into Houston and then drive 2+ hours essentially due east. There’s also an airport in Lake Charles itself. If you’re driving, using Lake Charles as your destination point, here are some driving distances:
- Houston (IAH): 171 miles
- Shreveport: 187 miles
- New Orleans: 205 miles
- Jackson, MS: 299 miles
- San Antonio: 339 miles
- Dallas: 342 miles
- Little Rock: 367 miles
- Tulsa: 504 miles
- Memphis: 508 miles
- Birmingham: 524 miles
- Nashville: 713 miles
- Kansas City: 736 miles
We’re happy to help you get there at any time, but if you join us on this particular trip, we’ll provide a little lagniappe – that’s a Cajun-French term that means “something added” or “a bonus.” We’ll have lure packs, prizes, and other forms of swag.
So if you’ve been itching to take a destination fishing trip, but can’t pull the trigger on international travel, or you just want an awesome weekend fishing getaway, I promise this is for you. Email me at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com and I can fill you in on the details.
Eric Naig Appointed as New President of the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA)
“Naig brings decades of experience to the Organization.”
Forestville, WI (Dec. 30th, 2024)-The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Naig as its new President, to replace Pat Neu who is retiring as of the end of the year. “With over three decades of experience in the fishing industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion to the NPAA,” said outgoing President Pat Neu.
Eric Naig's journey in the fishing industry began after graduating from Buena Vista University in 1991. Following his graduation Eric spent 11 years as a Professional Walleye Angler while simultaneously managing a successful swine farm. In 2003, he transitioned to a full-time role at Pure Fishing®, where he held various positions in marketing, branding, and product development.
In 2009, Eric joined Northland Fishing Tackle® in Bemidji, MN, where he led the organization for 15 years. Currently, he serves as a consultant for Tall Pines Tackle, specializing in OEM Fishing Tackle Manufacturing. Eric has also recently been appointed to the American Sportfishing Association’s Government Affairs Committee and Freshwater Subcommittee.
Eric is known for his enthusiasm for multi-species angling and his dedication to building great teams and products. His career-long passion for creating the culture, processes, and customer experiences needed to help organizations excel in competitive environments makes him an ideal leader for the NPAA.
"I am honored and enthused to take on the role of President at NPAA," said Eric Naig. "I look forward to collaborating with our members and partners to advance the sport of fishing and support professional anglers from across the nation."
The NPAA Board of Directors expressed their confidence in Eric's leadership. "Eric Naig's experience and collaborative approach make him the perfect fit for this role," said Chairman of the Board, John Gillman. Board Co-Chair Zach Axtman went on to say, "We are excited to see the positive impact Eric will have on our organization and the broader fishing community.”
The entire NPAA Board of Directors is confident that Eric's experience and visionary leadership will drive the organization to new heights, as well as foster growth and innovation within the fishing community in the years to come.
About the National Professional Anglers Association: The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) is dedicated to the sport of fishing and the professional anglers who take part in it. The NPAA provides resources, support, and advocacy to ensure the growth and sustainability of the fishing industry. For more information on joining the NPAA, and exploring the many benefits memberships and partnerships provide, visit www.npaa.net.
CONTACT:
Eric Naig-President
National Professional Anglers Association
Phone: (218) 766-8721
E-mail: president@npaa.net
Fishin' Tip Friday - Building a Pattern with Electronics
Fishin' Tip Friday, Video Edition with Jonathon VanDam and his Humminbird electronics. One bite is a "clue", a second bite is the "start" to a pattern. After two in a row, JVD sits down with his Humminbird and Lakemaster mapping to figure out his next move, and like a true pro, he lands right on top of number 3. Using your electronics and mapping rather than just fishing down the bank can keep you and your bait in high percentage areas and make for a GREAT day on the water! Check it out for yourself below.
https://youtu.be/f6IhtkfCWro
Fishin' Tip Friday - Get Rid of the Rust
By Vance McCullough - AC Insider
Can the way you store your tackle make you a better angler?
You bet!
For starters, look out for those hooks – your connection to the fish in the first place.
The higher the carbon content in a metal, the better it will take an edge, or hold a point in the case of a hook. But carbon is a double-edged sword, pardon the obvious pun. While it provides a sharper point, carbon is also highly prone to rust.
One way to protect your hooks from rust is to store them in specialty boxes designed to prevent the oxidation of metals. While these storage options may prove effective in preserving your hooks, the cost to immediately swap out all of your tackle boxes can put a dent in the fishing budget.
A simple trick that has served the purpose for years is to save the silica desiccant packets that come packaged with new electronic devices and the like. These little pouches of pellets are designed to trap moisture and protect sensitive equipment from humidity and dampness.
And if you’ve been good this year, maybe you’ll be getting your hands on some of these moisture-wicking wonders soon, along with the presents they were protecting.
Instead of tossing the packets out, repurpose them by placing one or two in each tackle box, especially if said box will be making trips to tidewater or full-on saltwater environs.
Of course, tight-fitting lids and secure latches go a long way towards keeping moisture out of a tackle box. While they cost a few dollars more, the latest systems will return handsomely on the investment as they protect your lures and, especially, those high-quality, high carbon hooks for years to come.
Another handy trick is to simply spray away the corrosion before it has a chance to set in. Salt Off from Starbright is a great for, you guessed it, getting salt off your fishing gear. Intended for use on everything from your boat to your baitcasters, Salt Off will extend the life of your equipment after use in marine and brackish environments. A dash will do the trick on hooks as well.
Plan now to preserve those fishing gifts you’re hoping Santa leaves beneath your tree!
B.A.S.S. announces high-powered 2025 Elite Series field
Dec. 19, 2024
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On the heels of a record-setting 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series, where attendance and viewership numbers were equaled only by record weights and nail-biting finishes, the competitive field for the 2025 season has been set. Although last year’s rookie class took the Elites by storm, the young guns stepping up to the big stage this year are just as fierce. However, the veterans will have something to say about who will be holding the blue trophies when the scales settle.
All 104 anglers invited to join the 2025 Elite class accepted the challenge, including seven former Bassmaster Classic champions and eight former Angler of the Year champions. The rookie class is led by Easton Fothergill, who won two Bassmaster Opens events in 2024 and the points race in the 2024 Elite Qualifiers division to punch his ticket to the big show. Cody Meyer, Tucker Smith, Paul Marks, Emil Wagner, Andrew Loberg, Dakota Ebare, Beau Browning and Evan Kung are also part of the stacked freshman class.
Two legends will be joining the 2025 Elites, both dragging a Classic trophy alongside them. Randy Howell won the world championship in 2014 and has almost $2 million in B.A.S.S. winnings. Cliff Pace hoisted the Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic trophy in 2013 and has almost $1.7 million in career earnings.
Each event will kick off with the full field of 104 anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the field is cut to 50 for the semifinal round. The field will then be cut to the Top 10 on the final day, with the winner taking home the title and the $100,000 first-place prize.
The 2025 Elite Series will kick off with the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River February 20-23. From there, the competitors will rattle rods through six other states while battling for the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and a berth into the 2026 Bassmaster Classic.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C.
Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala.
Drew Benton, Panama City, Fla.
Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Ark.
Beau Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala.
Blake Capps, Muskogee, Okla.
Brandon Card, Salisbury, N.C.
Hank Cherry, Lincolnton, N.C.
Jason Christie, Welling, Okla.
Joey Cifuentes III, Clinton, Ark.
Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C.
Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas
Drew Cook, Cairo, Ga.
John Cox, DeBary, Fla.
John Crews, Salem, Va.
Will Davis Jr., Sylacauga, Ala.
Greg DiPalma, Millville, N.J.
Bob Downey, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Tim Dube, Nashua, N.H.
Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas
Seth Feider, New Market, Minn.
Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Easton Fothergill, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Jacob Foutz, Charleston, Tenn.
Marc Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
Kyoya Fujita, Minamitsuru, Yamanashi, Japan
Cooper Gallant, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
John Garrett, Union City, Tenn.
David Gaston, Sylacauga, Ala.
Robert Gee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Wesley Gore, Clanton, Ala.
Buddy Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada
Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La.
Justin Hamner, Northport, Ala.
Ray Hanselman, Del Rio, Texas
Jamie Hartman, Newport, N.Y.
Matt Herren, Ashville, Ala.
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala.
Cody Huff, Ava, Mo.
Mike Iaconelli, Pittsgrove, N.J.
Taku Ito, Chiba, Japan
Carl Jocumsen, Toowoomba, Australia
Chris Johnston, Otonabee, Ontario, Canada
Cory Johnston, Otonabee, Ontario, Canada
Jonathan Kelley, Old Forge, Pa.
Steve Kennedy, Auburn, Ala.
Kenta Kimura, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
Evan Kung, Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Caleb Kuphall, Mukwonago, Wis.
Logan Latuso, Gonzales, La.
Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala.
Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C.
Brandon Lester, Fayetteville, Tenn.
Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas
Andrew Loberg, Guntersville, Ala.
Wes Logan, Springville, Ala.
Ed Loughran III, Richmond, Va.
Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind.
Paul Marks, Cumming, Ga.
Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla.
Trey McKinney, Carbondale, Ill.
Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky.
Cody Meyer, Eagle, Idaho
Ben Milliken, New Caney, Texas
Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.
Paul Mueller, Naugatuck, Conn.
David Mullins, Mt. Carmel, Tenn.
Bryan New, Leesville, S.C.
Kyle Norsetter, Cottage Grove, Wisc
Cliff Pace, Ovett, Miss.
Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho
Luke Palmer, Coalgate, Okla.
Logan Parks, Auburn, Ala.
Kyle Patrick, Cooperstown, N.Y.
Chad Pipkens, DeWitt, Mich.
Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz.
Jacob Powroznik, North Prince George, Va.
Jay Przekurat, Plover, Wis.
KJ Queen, Catawba, N.C.
Alex Redwine, Blue Ash, Ohio
Tyler Rivet, Raceland, La.
Matt Robertson, Kuttawa, Ky.
Cole Sands, Calhoun, Tenn.
Pat Schlapper, Eleva, Wis.
Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md.
Bernie Schultz, Gainesville, Fla.
Hunter Shryock, Ooltewah, Tenn.
Bryant Smith, Roseville, Calif.
Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala.
Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia, La.
Gerald Swindle, Guntersville, Ala.
JT Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga.
Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C.
Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Ala.
Alex Wetherell, Middletown, Conn.
Brad Whatley, Bivins, Texas
Jake Whitaker, Hendersonville, N.C.
Tyler Williams, Belgrade, Maine
Jason Williamson, Aiken, S.C.
Matty Wong, Honolulu, Hawaii
Chris Zaldain, Fort Worth, Texas
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.
Bass Fishing History and Christmas Spirit on Display at Vexus®
If you’ve enjoyed a ride in a Vexus® or Ranger® during the past 55 years, you might send boat designing icon Randy Hopper a brief “Thank You” note. He probably had a serious hand in building it, and if you’re struggling to find the spirit of Christmas, he’d also be a good one to call.
Hopper, along with fishing boat industry leaders Keith Daffron, Lance Newton, Gary “White Cloud” Howard, Mendel Hughes, and others, started Vexus eight years ago by turning a vacant field in Flippin, AR, into the home of Vexus Boats—a first-class facility that would make a NASCAR team envious, and Hopper has since taken on the fun challenge of decorating the building’s lobby each Christmas.
“I love decorating for the sake of our employees. We have great camaraderie at Vexus. There is a lot of mutual respect for one another. And I can’t imagine our folks working at a place where they thought their leaders didn’t care about Christmas,” smiles Hopper.
Much like the roughly 200 new boat launches he’s been a part of the past five decades, the challenge of delivering something new and innovative for the lobby each December takes a lot of creative soul-searching. Last year featured one of Forrest L. Wood’s prized sleighs.
“Forrest plowed a lot of ground with mules and never lost his love of working horses. He even used them to pull sleighs when snow fell on the Ozarks. Heck, he even picked up former B.A.S.S. owner and Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Helen Sevier in his sleigh when she landed on a snowy day at the Flippin Airport,” grins Hopper.
Once again, a big dose of bass fishing history can be found inside the Vexus lobby in the form of dear friend Jerry McKinnis’ state-of-the-art 1969 bass fishing machine that Forrest built, being towed by the 1960 Corvette that Hopper restored.
“We restored the boat more than 20 years ago for Jerry, and it’s been in the Forrest L. Wood Gallery here in Flippin ever since. Stephen Vannada, who runs our Vexus trailer shop, custom built a trailer for it recently, and we couldn’t be prouder to have the rig greeting our employees and visitors this year at Christmas,” says Hopper.
For those who love bass fishing history, Jerry McKinnis and Forrest L. Wood, now both deceased, met as total strangers when Jerry showed up from St. Louis for a guided fishing trip to catch big brown trout on the nearby White River below Bull Shoals Lake.
Wood extended his hand and said something like, “I’m Forrest Wood, and I’ll be your guide today,” and an instant friendship began in a narrow river boat on that day nearly 60 years ago. Together, the two changed bass fishing history.
But in the short term, Randy Hopper is just trying to increase the Christmas spirit of folks who enter the Vexus lobby each day during this most wonderful time of the year. “They’re already asking me what I’m going to do for decorations next year. I told them maybe we’d create a couple of mechanical camels or something,” laughs the good-natured Hopper.
To learn more about the rich culture of innovation and craftsmanship Randy Hopper leads each day, please visit vexusboats.com.
Vexus Viewpoints - Trailer Talk
In this Vexus Viewpoint Feature, AC Insider Danny Blandford talks trailers after logging over a thousand miles with the Anglers Channel Dream Rig. Made in-house by Team Vexus, these trailers are custom fit to each boat and loaded with features. Take a look at ours, or if you want to see more about how they build them, take a factory tour for yourself, right here! Vexus Custom Trailer Advantage
https://youtu.be/gZhN-7Pyu3M?list=PL9N1WhdRXZIlaTRMWjkYLSmLGHLzw42ob
Catch the Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show, Presented by Sportsman’s Warehouse Saturday mornings on Discovery! The program airs at 6:30 am EST through the month of December! It will be available on Pursuit starting in January, AND you can watch anytime at OutdoorAction.com.
Gritter Grabs Yamaha Power Pay on Grand Lake
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Michigan angler and former Bassmaster Elite Series® pro earns $5,000 at the 2024 B.A.S.S. ® Nation Championship on Oklahoma’s famed Grand Lake.
It’s no secret that blue-collared anglers are the lifeblood of tournament bass fishing. Many anglers work long hours throughout the week, waking up early and coming home late to take care of their families and hopefully make just enough scratch to enter some tournaments every now and then.
That’s exactly the story of 37-year-old Luke Gritter from Otsego, Mich., who runs a residential construction company that has been in his family for over 60 years. The knuckle-busting labor and late nights allowed him to qualify for the 2024 B.A.S.S.® Nation Championship on Grand Lake. Just as you’d expect, the long drive to Oklahoma didn’t stop him from an impressive 19th-place finish in exceptionally challenging conditions.
“I did pre-practice on Grand but before that, I’d never seen the lake in my life,” Gritter said. “We got nine inches of rain in the two days of official practice, so everything most of us found was totally washed out by the time the tournament started. The top-half of the lake was super muddy but there were a few creeks down the lake that were much cleaner.”
With this knowledge, he relied heavily on a run-and-gun approach. He knew he could catch decent keepers as far south as Duck Creek while pitching around the backs of pockets and drains, but that meant a lot of cranks and trust in his Yamaha 250-horsepower V6 V MAX SHO®.
“I was jumping around like crazy, but I didn’t really have a choice,” Gritter said. “I’d fish five minutes in one little creek and bounce to the next one. Then, I’d make a long run back to the upper end of Grand Lake to the dirty water, and that’s where I normally caught my bigger ones.”
The outboard Gritter is currently running happens to be his third Yamaha, and the Michigan angler didn’t have any reservations about his strategy.
“Man, these outboards are just so reliable,” he said. “The hole shot is amazing, and the service is super easy. I can’t remember a single time I’ve had to sit on the sidelines or at a service trailer waiting for motor work. No matter what the pattern is and regardless of where I feel like I need to run, the last thing I worry about is my outboard.”
For his finish, Gritter earned a solid $5,000 check from the Yamaha Power Pay program, making his solid finish even sweeter. It’s safe to say he’s sold on the performance, dependability and fuel mileage of these outboards.
There are dozens of collegiate, amateur and semi-pro tournament trails sanctioned by the Yamaha Power Pay program. To become eligible for bonus payouts, anglers have to register. It’s free to sign up and just like Luke Gritter, you don’t have to place first in your tournament to cash in on the Power Pay money. To learn more, please visit https://yamahapowerpay.com/.
Exotic Fishing Trips for the Solo Fishing Traveler
By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
As a confirmed introvert who spends a lot of time in the boat alone by choice, I understand the pleasure of fishing by yourself. I spend long days in my bass boat without talking to anyone, only checking the phone occasionally and doing what I want, when I want to do it – those days are restorative and necessary for my mental health. Even when I travel with a group, I still need some “me time” in the course of the day to center myself.
Despite those professed loner tendencies, I rarely take a long-distance fishing trip by myself, unless I’m going somewhere to visit someone. Even I have learned that sometimes having a great partner or great group enhances the trip – both the camaraderie and the fishing part of it, as you can put your heads together to figure out a pattern.
Going Solo?
In some cases, you may want to go on the trip by yourself, or perhaps you can’t find a friend to go. Maybe they can’t afford it, can’t get off work or aren’t as adventurous as you are.
If that leaves you traveling alone by choice, in many cases you will have to pay a “single supplement,” usually 20 to 50 percent extra, in order to account for the lodge or outfitter’s sunk costs. For example, they can’t sell the second bed in your room, and the same number of guides are committed, so they have to make up the difference somehow. It’s usually a fair trade. If it’s a bass fishing trip, you’re guaranteed to get a shot at the “money” cast every time, as well as more attention from the guide. If you’re trolling for mahi or billfish, you’ll get to handle every strike. That sounds great, but in a true first-world problem it can get tiring.
Do You Want to Get Paired Up?
Many potential travelers on our hosted trips who don’t have someone to go with them ask us what they think is an innocuous question: “Can’t you just find someone to go with me?” We often do have additional single travelers, and while many lodges recommend strongly against semi-random pairings, in some cases putting two people together can be amazing. Several of our “singles” have become lifelong friends. Two of them even dated for several years (long story).
We have, however, had two pairings that were absolute disasters. In one, the anglers strongly disliked each other, and in the other they tolerated each other but were both relatively unhappy. That’s not cool – everyone is hoping to go on a bucket list trip, and if you cannot get along with your roommate and fishing partner it’ll put a damper not only on your trip, but also on the trips of everyone around you. We’ve learned from those experiences to really try to get the two potential roommates to speak ahead of time, and to vet them for any idiosyncrasies that might not allow it to work. We will be increasingly vigilant about that in the future.
It's also incumbent upon the single looking for a roommate to be honest about his or her tendencies and quirks. Do you snore? Drink a lot? Can you only sleep with the TV on? Let them know before you go. You may also have to be a little bit flexible, allowing your partner the front of the boat, or the bed of his or her preference, to make things work.
When Hanna and I pair up two strangers, if we have any suspicion that things are not ideal we will try to fish with them for a day to break up any tension. Even if there isn’t any tension, it allows them a different perspective on the fishery.
Joining a Group
For most of us, going on an offshore fishing trip alone is cost-prohibitive. It could end up costing two or even three times as much as you’d pay to go with friends. However, for some of our trips and destinations, there are ways to go as a single and still get the group experience while enjoying some alone time. For example, Casa Vieja Lodge has a “Singles Week,” usually in June and November. You get your own single room and each day you will fish on a different boat, typically of varying sizes, with different groups of anglers. It’s actually a great way to get the full CVL experience – normally you reserve one boat for the entirety of your trip for your group, so you get broader exposure to the boats and captains this way. We know several people who’ve done this trip multiple times, and they’ve invariably met likeminded people from around the country or the globe who will travel with them elsewhere.
Our trips to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge are also perfectly tailored for single anglers. We’ve typically gone with a total of eight (including me and Hanna), although next May we’re going back with 12. On each trip we’ve had multiple single anglers go along. On the island, you will typically get your own room in one of the guest houses, and we fish four to a boat. The groups change every day so everyone gets to fish with everyone else over the course of the four or four and a half days on the water. The trip price is based on double occupancy at the Hilton during the one night in Panama City, but for a modest charge you can have your own room there, too.
Pack Obsessively
One advantage of going in a group or with a partner is that you don’t have to bring everything under the sun to have everything you need. You can split up certain necessities (and even buy them in bulk in the case of things like Senkos). I’ve borrowed medicine and bandages in the jungle, crankbaits in the Sierra Madres and water shoes in Central America. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know exactly what you’ll need on any given trip, but if you’ll be among strangers be sure to pack everything you might need within the limitations of the airlines, your luggage and what you can carry.
Note on Tipping
I understand that going alone sometimes means shouldering a heavier cost than what you’d spend if you went with a partner. Things like taxis and other random expenses end up falling exclusively on your shoulders. There are some areas where you can skimp, but tipping is definitely not one of them. Your guide, captain, mates and the service staff will work just as hard if not harder, so be sure you pay them as if there was a full boat or a full room. In many of the places we go they are highly dependent on gratuities and it’s not fair to undertip just because you’re alone.
If any of this makes you want to join us on a trip – as a single or otherwise – or if you have questions about the ins and outs of traveling alone, shoot us an email and we’ll happily discuss any issues or booking options.
B.A.S.S., FOX announce expanded 2025 television schedule
Dec. 16, 2024
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and FOX have announced details of an expanded television schedule for the 2025 Elite Series and 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. The schedule includes coverage of all nine Elite Series events on FS1, with the last days of competition at Lake Fork and Lake Tenkiller being aired on the flagship FOX broadcast channel. FOX will also air the last two days of competition of the 2025 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We are beginning our fifth year with FOX/FS1 and are proud of the relationship we have established with them and their dedication to bringing the best live tournament action from the biggest stages in professional bass fishing,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “We look forward to providing even more tournament coverage from the worldwide authority on bass fishing that will reach an even broader audience in 2025.”
The new expanded schedule is the result of a 2024 season of record viewership and increased interest in Bassmaster LIVE programming and includes a massive 300% increase in hours of coverage on the flagship FOX broadcast channel, setting the stage for a monumental surge in viewership for 2025.
B.A.S.S. expects the new agreement to deliver more than 20 million viewers in 2025, which would be the biggest television audience in the history of the sport.
Bassmaster on FOX 2025
| Air Date | Start Time | Tournament | Location | Network | |
| Sat 2/22/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #1: St. Johns River | Palatka, Fla. | FS1 | |
| Sun 2/23/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #1: St. Johns River | Palatka, Fla. | FS1 | |
| Sat 3/1/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #2: Lake Okeechobee | Okeechobee, Fla. | FS1 | |
| Sun 3/2/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #2: Lake Okeechobee | Okeechobee, Fla. | FS1 | |
| Sat 3/22/25 | 12:00PM | Bassmaster Classic: Lake Ray Roberts | Fort Worth, Texas | FOX | |
| Sun 3/23/25 | 12:00PM | Bassmaster Classic: Lake Ray Roberts | Fort Worth, Texas | FOX | |
| Sat 4/12/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #3: Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound | Elizabeth City, N.C. | FS1 | |
| Sun 4/13/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #3: Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound | Elizabeth City, N.C. | FS1 | |
| Sat 4/26/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #4: Lake Hartwell | Anderson, S.C. | FS1 | |
| Sun 4/27/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #4: Lake Hartwell | Anderson, S.C. | FS1 | |
| Sat 5/10/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #5: Lake Fork | Yantis, Texas | FS1 | |
| Sun 5/11/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #5: Lake Fork | Yantis, Texas | FS1 | |
| Sun 5/11/25 | 12:00PM | Elite Series #5: Lake Fork | Yantis, Texas | FOX | |
| Sat 5/17/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #6: Sabine River | Orange, Texas | FS1 | |
| Sun 5/18/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #6: Sabine River | Orange, Texas | FS1 | |
| Sat 6/14/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #7: Lake Tenkiller | Cookson, Okla. | FS1 | |
| Sun 6/15/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #7: Lake Tenkiller | Cookson, Okla. | FS1 | |
| Sun 6/15/25 | 12:00PM | Elite Series #7: Lake Tenkiller | Cookson, Okla. | FOX | |
| Sat 8/9/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #8: Lake St. Clair | Macomb County, Mich. | FS1 | |
| Sun 8/10/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #8: Lake St. Clair | Macomb County, Mich. | FS1 | |
| Sat 08/23/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #9: Mississippi River | La Crosse, Wis. | FS1 | |
| Sun 08/24/25 | 8:00AM | Elite Series #9: Mississippi River | La Crosse, Wis. | FS1 | |
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.
Bailey Gay Secures His First NPFL Victory on Lake Murray
Kentucky angler Bailey Gay earned his first-ever NPFL win at Stop Six on Lake Murray, with a two-day total weight of 39 pounds, 15 ounces. Demonstrating consistency throughout the shortened event, Gay brought in 18 pounds, 12 ounces on Day One and an impressive 21 pounds, 3 ounces on Finale Friday, securing victory by a margin of 2 pounds, 7 ounces.
Gay faced a tough practice, with bites decreasing each day. Heading into day one with low expectations, he capitalized on being one of the few anglers focusing on the lower end of the lake. Settling in, he methodically worked the small sections of grass he located during practice.
“I did not expect to do well after my practice, but I knew I was alone down there and just went to work,” he said. “There were big fish around, and I was able to find quality ones using the grass edges. I relied heavily on forward-facing sonar and kept a bait above the grass on a dropshot rig.”
On day one, most of his fish came from the grass. However, late in the afternoon, he found additional fish on main lake points near the dam—a discovery that ultimately made the difference.
“This morning, it was really slow,” Gay explained. “I had one three-pounder and decided to make a change and go for the win fishing on the points. I fished every point inside the dam and took my time locating single bass.”
Focusing on depths of around 35 feet, he identified big bass tight to the bottom and picked them off one by one, steadily upgrading throughout the day. Gay weighed all his fish on the dropshot, a technique he’s highly confident with, and struggled to find the words after the weigh-in.
“I just can’t believe it,” he said. “It was my first time with a camera in the boat, and I got to put on a show. I’ve been chasing one of those cool trophies all year, and this was the perfect way to end the season. God is good. Big thanks to Wieda’s Marine for working after hours to keep my boat running all year.”
Brock Bila
Missouri angler and Bait Wrx pro Brock Bila secured a second-place finish at Lake Murray with a two-day total weight of 37 pounds, 8 ounces. Bila started strong on Day One with a 19-pound, 9-ounce bag and followed it up on the final day with another solid effort, weighing in 17 pounds, 15 ounces.
Fishing in a style similar to how he approaches waters back home in the Ozarks, Bila identified three to four key areas in the midsection of the lake during practice, where bass were suspended over deep water. Throughout the event, he relocated the schools and targeted bigger fish as the tournament progressed.
“I found those fish suspended between 30 and 50 feet, but throughout the off day and Day One of the tournament, they floated up near the surface,” he said. “I had to change my approach and target them with the minnow.”
His focus was on areas adjacent to creek mouths and other locations where bass would school up on baitfish. Relying on Miller Tech Lithium Batteries from Wholesale Batteries, Bila moved around until he found active groups.
“I had one area where I could get a limit, and then I’d search for the bigger fish,” he said. “Herring lakes have always been semi-difficult for me, so ending the season on a good note feels really good.”
Bila is thrilled with his successful 2024 season, which landed him high in the Progressive Angler of the Year race and qualified him for the 2025 NPFL Championship.
“The opportunity to prove myself against pro-level competition is a really cool deal. I’m looking forward to that championship next year—40 anglers fishing for $100,000. It’s been a great season.”
For his efforts, Bila also secured the NPFL Bass Cat Boats contingency award as the top Bass Cat Boats pro.
Patrick Walters
South Carolina angler Patrick Walters remained consistent in his home state, weighing in 17 pounds, 11 ounces on Day One and 17 pounds, 14 ounces on Day Two. His total of 35 pounds, 9 ounces earned him a third-place finish overall at Lake Murray.
Focusing on a slow, methodical approach—unlike his usual style—Walters targeted isolated cover and structure in a key depth range.
“Practice was tough for me overall, but I’ve fished Murray in December a handful of times and knew where I wanted to be,” Walters said. “I went against my typical style and targeted rocks, brush, and stumps with a small football jig. It was painfully slow for me.”
Welcher Secures Progressive AOY
Overcoming a four-point deficit at the start of the event, Kyle Welcher captured the Progressive Angler of the Year (AOY) Golden Shield with a two-day total weight of 35 pounds, narrowly edging out Drew Cook. Cook, who capped off a stellar season with a 14th-place finish at Murray, made the race a thrilling battle to the very end.
“It feels incredible to win AOY—it’s a huge relief,” Welcher said. “I’ve been in contention all year, but it always felt like I was chasing. This title means more to me than any individual tournament victory.”
Familiar with winter fishing, Welcher drew on his experience from competing in local Alabama tournaments to adapt successfully at Lake Murray. After starting the event targeting shallow water, he shifted early on Day One to focus on suspended fish using forward-facing sonar. This ability to adapt not only earned him a strong fourth-place finish but also secured his first NPFL Angler of the Year title.
Welcher relied on a Crush City Mooch Minnow paired with a 12-pound Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon leader. This setup allowed him to efficiently fight striped bass to the boat and maximize his success during the two-day event.
Power Pole Big Bass
Florida angler Matt Massey claimed the Power-Pole Big Bass Award at Lake Murray with an impressive 8-pound, 3-ounce lunker caught on Day One. Massey had a strong showing throughout the event, weighing in 16 pounds, 6 ounces on the first day and adding four bass for 18 pounds, 6 ounces on the final day. His two-day total of 34 pounds, 12 ounces secured a top ten finish.
Top Ten Anglers
Bailey Gay 39-15
Brock Bila 37-8
Patrick Walters 35-9
Kyle Welcher 35-0
Matt Massey 34-12
Zack Birge 34-10
Dustin Williamson 34-2
Louis Fernandes 33-5
Michael Stout 33-0
Justin Kimmel 32-10
Dustin Williamson Grabs NPFL Lead at Lake Murray
South Carolina angler Dustin Williamson takes the lead at Stop Six of the NPFL at Lake Murray with 19 pounds, 13 ounces. Known for a "hit or miss" history on this lake, Williamson wasn’t sure how his tournament would play out. But in the shortened event, he delivered big today.
Before the tournament, Williamson hinted that a shallow bite might produce the biggest fish of the event, and he might be right. However, he also noted that the offshore fish were less volatile and had the best chance of holding up over three days. With the event cut to two days, he’s focused on milking his area for all its worth and making a run on Finale Friday.
“I’m fishing a typical deal, similar to how I would back home at Clarks Hill this time of year,” he said. “I’m fishing three spots in one main area, and the key is finding the baitfish. I have never fished in this particular area before besides practice, but it has the right ingredients for how I want to target them.”
Purposefully leaving out details on how he’s catching the bigger, quality bass, Williamson mentioned he hasn’t had much company from other anglers, and figured out later in the day how to catch the bigger fish, after culling through over 25 bass throughout the day.
“My two biggest were over four pounds, and the other three were solid,” he said. “I’m around the right fish; the hard part is getting them to bite. Once I caught those two big ones, I stopped and saved them for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to going after them one more day.”
Brock Bila
Missouri angler and Bait Wrx pro Brock Bila sits in second place just behind the leader with a strong 19-pound, 9-ounce bag on day one of fishing at Lake Murray. His solid bag puts him in striking distance heading into the final day.
Coming into the event, Bila had a practice plan in mind, but a split-second decision early on changed his entire approach. While he’s keeping the key details of his pattern under wraps, Bila shared that his strategy feels familiar to the way he fishes back home on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock.
“I had no idea that I could catch them this way coming in, but luckily, I had one of the boxes with me and decided to give it a try,” he said. “I was confident with my practice, boating 17-plus pounds each day, and the canceled day one actually worked in my favor. It might’ve been tough to fish how I am if we had started on time.”
Bila is targeting actively feeding bass in key areas around the lake and notes that he has the majority of his “four or five” spots to himself. Despite his confidence, the fish this morning had shifted due to post-front conditions, forcing him to relocate his schools.
“I’m rotating several spots, and on all but one of them – the key spot where I caught my biggest fish – the fish had vanished,” he added. “It took me a while, but once I figured it out, I was able to get on them and get to work.”
Part of his strategy involves staying on the move, and he credits his sponsor Wholesale Batteries for supplying him with Miller Tech Lithiums, which kept him charged and powered up throughout the day. With the shortened event, Bila is confident that potential weather changes may work in his favor on the final day.
“Today it was bluebird skies and chilly,” he concluded. “I think tomorrow we may have some clouds, and that will help my bite. I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
Bila leads the NPFL Bass Cat Boats Contingency program with his strong day one of fishing.
Ron Farrow
South Carolina pro Ron Farrow sits in third place with an impressive 19 pounds, 6 ounces, including a 6-pound, 0-ounce lunker, after day one of fishing at Lake Murray. Farrow’s strong start puts him in a prime position heading into the final day of competition.
Growing up on Lake Murray and fishing his first tournament on these waters, Farrow is no stranger to the lake. He focused his efforts on the shallow water, relying on his knowledge of the area’s history and running a milk run of productive spots.
"I used to live here twenty years ago, so I know this place pretty well," he said. "It’s changed, but I’m sticking with what I know—throwing some moving baits and slowing down when I hit the right areas."
His morning started slow, likely due to the lack of wind, but as the afternoon progressed, he settled in and was able to put together his third-place bag.
"I was hoping to fish on Wednesday, but it is what it is," he added. "It’s fishing. I think they’ll bite better tomorrow for everyone, but we won’t know until we get out there. The cold front after the storm slowed them down, but hopefully, they’ll get back to normal tomorrow."
Power Pole Big Bass
Florida angler Matt Massey delivered a solid day one at Lake Murray, weighing in 16 pounds, 6 ounces, anchored by a massive 8-pound, 3-ounce kicker. Massey leads the Power Pole Big Bass with one day remaining. “The big fish came late in the afternoon after I returned to a productive spot,” said Massey, on stage. I caught it on the first cast.
Top Ten Anglers
Dustin Williamson 19-13
Brock Bila 19-0
Ron Farrow 19-6
Kyle Welcher 19-3
Bailey Gay 18-12
Zack Birge 18-9
Angel Rosario 17-14
Patrick Walters 17-11
David Williams 17-7
Hunter Sales 17-4