Roku becomes the streaming hub of Bassmaster tournaments
Feb. 18, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Audiences can soon hook free access to live coverage of Bassmaster professional bass fishing tournaments thanks to a new streaming rights partnership between Roku, America’s No. 1 TV streaming platform, and Bassmaster, the world’s leading authority on sportfishing. Upcoming Bassmaster LIVE events will include action from the brand-new Elite Qualifiers (EQ) Series, five Bassmaster Open Series events, which set the field for the EQs, select coverage of all nine Bassmaster Elite Series events, Friday coverage of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour and a special prime time production of the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am presented by Yokohama, all streaming for free on The Roku Channel.
Kicking off with Thursday and Friday coverage of the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series season on Feb. 20, the Bassmaster tournaments will stream live on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel. Professional fishing fans can also enjoy replays of the live stream alongside additional on-demand content, clips and highlights across The Roku Channel, Roku Sports Channel and Roku's Sports Zone, plus a dedicated Bassmaster FAST channel launching later this year. The partnership will expand coverage availability of Bassmaster LIVE properties and further bolster Roku's free lineup of exclusive live sports.
“It’s an honor to call Roku the streaming home of Bassmaster, an iconic brand with a decades-spanning history of producing best-in-class professional fishing tournaments,” said Joe Franzetta, head of sports, Roku Media. “We look forward to bringing these events for free to the passionate fanbase of this top outdoor sport, as well as introducing Bassmaster to new audiences, expanding the tournaments’ reach to millions of streaming households in the U.S.”
“We are proud to bring so much live programming to Roku's fast-growing sports channel, and we’re very excited about the creation of a new outlet for posted video content on a dedicated Bassmaster FAST channel on Roku. It’s thrilling to have one of the first streaming-rights partnerships in outdoor sports and the first for professional fishing on America's No. 1 streaming platform,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operations Officer Phillip Johnson. “This partnership will allow Bassmaster to bring our exciting coverage of the highest level of professional bass fishing to Roku’s enormous audience and introduce our sport to a new fan base.”
Viewers not familiar with Bassmaster events are in for a real treat, as the show follows the best bass anglers on the planet racing against the clock to catch the five biggest bass they can wrangle to end the multiday tournaments with the heaviest weight. Of course, high winds, rainstorms, intense heat waves and the drama of tricking largemouth and smallmouth bass into biting leads to intense moments, as the competitors vie for the coveted trophy and millions of dollars in prize money. New viewers and die-hard fishing fans alike can expect world-class coverage of each storyline as the catches unfold across the competitions.
David Katz and Mike Kelly of ThePostGame, a leading sports media consultancy and content production company, represented Bassmaster in its recent third-party media negotiations and helped secure the partnership with Roku.
The Roku Channel is available to stream for free — no subscription or sign-up required. Audiences can watch it on Roku devices or TVs, and it's also easily accessible online at TheRokuChannel.com, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TVs, Samsung TVs, Google TVs and other Android TV OS devices.
*By hours streamed (Hypothesis Group: Dec 2024)
About The Roku Channel
Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free ad-supported streaming television on Roku, and features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 on-demand movies and programs, more than 500 live linear television channels, and premium subscription offerings in the U.S. It licenses and distributes content from more than 250 partners and features a growing library of Roku Originals. In Q3 2024, The Roku Channel was the #3 app on Roku's platform by both reach and engagement.
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.
At the Junction of Youth and Humility
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Life tried to land a right-hook on Toyota Bonus Bucks pro Easton Fothergill a few years ago. Not only did he dodge it; he landed an even stronger counterpunch showcasing his elite mental fortitude.
Imagine being a college-aged angler and having the world at your proverbial fingertips. You’re in your early 20s, you’ve earned a college scholarship to fish bass tournaments and you’re looking forward to graduating with your hard-earned 3.6 GPA in Marketing from The University of Montevallo.
Life is good.
Heck, life is better than good. The 2023 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket is in a few weeks and you’re feeling optimistic about your chances. You’re currently practicing for an upcoming derby on famed Pickwick Lake, enjoying a beautiful day in nature. What more could someone want?
As you make a cast, however, your focus is quickly interrupted when you notice a twinge of pain in your head. Maybe you didn’t drink enough water, or you might have skipped breakfast, so no big deal. You’re a young buck and you can handle it.
A few casts later, the pain returns. It goes away for a bit so hopefully it’s a one-off thing and you’re in the clear. But then it happens again. This time, it doesn’t go away. This time, the intense headache causes you to pass out in your boat.
Toyota Bonus Bucks pro Easton Fothergill will never forget that pivotal day on the water. Just three weeks before the biggest college tournament of his life, his world was turned upside down in a matter of hours.
“I was determined to fish this Pickwick tournament and somehow I got through it by taking Ibuprofen,” Fothergill said. “I felt terrible, but I was able to finish the event. Four days later, about three weeks before the 2023 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket, I couldn’t take the pain any longer and ended up at an urgent care clinic to get checked out. A few hours later, I was having brain surgery.”
The doctors found a tangerine-sized mass on Fothergill’s brain. The doctors said it was an infectious mass initially caused by a small sore in his mouth from brushing his teeth. The infection got into his bloodstream and came to rest in the young man’s brain. The doctors told him this only happens to four in one million people.
Thankfully, the surgery went well, and Fothergill was totally pain free from the moment the surgery was finished. After being prescribed 20 weeks of strong antibiotics, both his youth and impressive mental fortitude shined through.
“I had the biggest college tournament of my life in three weeks,” he said. “They gave me a recovery time of four weeks, but I had work to do. I didn’t have any intention of missing the tournament. That was absolutely not an option.”
He’s a man of his word because not only did he fish the tournament while recovering from emergency brain surgery… he won it against the best college anglers in the country.
“I was catching them on a small finesse jig and a spinnerbait,” Fothergill said. “I’ll never forget that tournament for so many reasons. As you can imagine, it was such a wide range of emotions. I had a hot starting spot each tournament day, so I’d catch some key fish first thing but after that, it was super tough and it took a lot of discipline for me to remain confident and focused.”
This impressive victory gave the Minnesota native an opportunity to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Classic while driving a 2024 Toyota Tundra. His win also earned him paid entry fees into the 2024 Bassmaster Open EQs. Fothergill ended up winning two of them—one on his home lake of Leech Lake and the other on Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. The 22-year-old also earned the 2024 Bassmaster EQ Opens Angler of the Year honors for his efforts which qualified him for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series.
That’s quite the run (and mouthful), wouldn’t you say?
While he’s always been a talented angler from a very young age, Fothergill credits his calmness and level head for his unprecedented success.
“I’ve never been the kind of person to get too up or down,” he said. “But that whole brain surgery issue put things into a unique perspective for me. I don’t take a single day on the water for granted whatsoever. There is always someone having a worse day than you so whether a fish jumps off or you have a bad tournament, it’s important to get over it quickly and accept it. Negativity doesn’t fix anything, and you can’t go back and change mishaps, so there’s no need to let it mess with your head.”
With plans to lean heavily on those traits, the Toyota Bonus Bucks angler is full of excitement and admittedly a few nerves as the 2025 Elite Series season approaches. A large part of his excitement comes from his new ride. He had never owned his own vehicle before, so Fothergill was able to purchase the 2023 Toyota Tundra he won the rights to use after his Bassmaster College Classic Bracket victory.
“I knew after about two months that I wanted to buy it,” Fothergill said. “I put about 55,000 miles on it last year and I’ve only had it in the shop for oil changes. At least I know I’m going to get to and from tournaments and to and from boat ramps towing my Skeeter/Yamaha with no problems this year. That might sound silly but having confidence in my equipment, especially my truck, boat, and outboard are huge. It lets me totally focus on my job.”
Both the fishing industry and fans are in for a treat as they watch this young man embark on his dream career. Whether it’s a shallow, dirty-water tournament on the Sabine River or a northern smallmouth event, everyone will quickly learn just how well-rounded his skillset is.
“I’ve spent the time necessary with forward-facing sonar because I have to stay with the times,” Fothergill said. “Just like I had to learn about side imaging technology when I was a kid, I owe it to my career to stay updated on technology. But I love a good junk-fishing tournament when I don’t even have to look down at my units. I’ll fish any and everything with a smile on my face and a positive attitude. I don’t ever want to be a one-trick pony.”
At the junction of youth and humility, you’ll find very few young men who have what it takes to make it in this game full of trials, difficult decisions and heartbreak. But whether it’s shrugging off emergency brain surgery, fishing old school or staying up to date with the new, Easton Fothergill has what it takes to become a household name in the fishing world.
Lawrence Loads up on Bonus Bucks at Lake Conroe
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
It took Jake Lawrence exactly one endeavor in Bass Pro Tour competition before he notched a top ten finish in the dynamic format that often throws even the most seasoned pros a curveball. This comes as no surprise to fishing fans who have been following the career of this young fishing phenom who calls Paris, Tennessee home. The BPT rookie left Lake Conroe with a sixth-place finish and strong momentum to start the 2025 season.
Lawrence backed up his Stage One finish with an impressive second-place result in the slugfest that was the Toyota Series on Pickwick Lake. These finishes allowed Lawrence to load up $4,500 of Toyota Bonus Bucks earnings ($3,000 for Lake Conroe, $1,500 on Pickwick), as he was the highest placing angler hauling his boat with a 2021 or newer Toyota tow vehicle in both events.
“This is the third Tundra I have owned, and I absolutely love this thing,” Lawrence said. “More than the added incentive of Bonus Bucks, I believe Toyota makes the safest and most comfortable vehicle on the road. I have two young children, so the safety factor means more to me than anything.”
Before becoming a full-time pro, Lawrence actually competed in the amateur-only Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament in 2023 on Pickwick Lake and won the event in dominating fashion. It was plain to see then that he was a special angler, and it nearly seemed par for the course when he continued his impressive campaign on the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals last year en route to qualifying for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour.
“Tournament anglers are crazy if they overlook the opportunities with Toyota Bonus Bucks,” Lawrence said. “My wife and I were talking, and I think we paid all but two or three truck payments with Bonus Bucks winnings last year. It’s a great vehicle that literally pays you to fish.”
Well known as a wizard with forward facing sonar, Lawrence caught most of his weight on Lake Conroe employing either a 3-inch or 4-inch Yamamota Scope Shad during the one-period he was allowed to use FFS each day. The other two-thirds of each competition day, Lawrence targeted hydrilla and eelgrass secondary points with a vibrating jig or ¼-ounce Rat-L’Trap.
Much of the BPT field employed a similar one-two punch on Lake Conroe, but Lawrence and the rest of the top ten caught scoreable bass at such a blistering rate it was hard for the field to keep up. Thankfully, you don’t have to out fish Jake Lawrence to reap the rewards of Toyota’s popular fishing contingency program.
Bonus Bucks is paying out on over 620 supported tournaments in 2025, rewarding anglers of all levels for towing their boat with an eligible Toyota tow vehicle. For more information or to get signed up today, visit https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ or shoot an email to bonusbucks@dynamicsponsorships.com.
B.A.S.S., Cavender’s Boot City announce 2025 Bassmaster Classic partnership
Feb. 17, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. announced today that Cavender’s Boot City, the leading Western wear retailer based out of Tyler, Texas, has signed on to partner for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. Cavender’s will join the Classic as a local partner as well as title sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party.
The Cavender’s Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party will officially start the festivities surrounding Classic week Thursday, March 20 at Fort Worth’s Historic Stockyards in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Last year’s Kickoff Party at the Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Okla., featured live music from the Toyota Music Den from country sensation Stoney LaRue.
“We’re excited to have Cavender’s as a partner with us at the Fort Worth Bassmaster Classic,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Cavender’s represents 60 years of building their brand into the authority on Western lifestyle clothing. The Classic Kickoff Party is one of the most anticipated events surrounding the Bassmaster Classic, and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate it in the heart of cowboy country in Fort Worth with Cavender’s.”
Details about the Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party and other fan-favorite events surrounding the Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth can be found here.
“The outdoor enthusiast and Western lifestyle go hand in hand. Cavender’s carries many products that we want to share with the Bassmaster Classic,” said Joe Cavender. “We look forward to everyone’s visit to Fort Worth and the Stockyards.”
About Cavender's Boot City
Founded by James and Patricia Cavender in 1965 in the small east Texas town of Pittsburg, Cavender’s has grown into America’s premier destination for top-of-the-line Western boots, jeans and hats for the entire family. Across a dozen states, every one of its 100-plus stores takes great pride in embracing the history, values and culture Cavender’s shares with the American West. Likewise, Cavender’s exclusive lines — Rafter C, Rockin’ C, and JRC & Sons — ensure that its customers’ wardrobes are as authentic and enduring as their lifestyles. As the Cavender’s family puts it: “We will always remain true to who we are and what we stand for: the cowboy way of life. Because ours is not just a Western lifestyle. This is how we live.”
Cavender’s commitment to quality is also evident in its comprehensive range of boots and Western wear from brands such as Ariat, Wrangler, Rock & Roll Denim, Resistol and Stetson, as well as its full line of top-shelf workwear and work boots. For more information on Cavender’s products and history, and to find a store near you, visit cavenders.com.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
Clarification on Membership Requirement for Points Leaders in The Ultimate Angler World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament
February 17, 2025 — In response to inquiries from anglers and fans, Unified Pros would like to provide a clarification regarding the requirements for qualifying for The Ultimate Angler World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament as a points leader in a professional bass fishing league.
To be eligible for qualification as a points leader, anglers must be active members of Unified Pros by the official cutoff date of March 5th. This membership requirement is an essential step in ensuring all anglers meet the necessary criteria for competing in this prestigious tournament.
Anglers who have accumulated enough points to qualify leading up to the championship, but who are not Unified Pros members by the cutoff date, will not be eligible to qualify for The Ultimate Angler World Championship, regardless of their performance.
"We want to make sure there is no confusion moving forward," said Danny Groves, Unified Pros Chairman. "To clarify, being a Unified Pros member by March 5th is a requirement for any angler hoping to qualify for the World Championship by being a points leader. This is part of our ongoing efforts to support professional anglers and maintain the integrity of the tournament."
For more details on how to become a Unified Pros member and ensure qualification, please visit www.unifiedpros.org.
The Ultimate Angler World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament will take place at Lake Guntersville, one of the top bass fishing lakes in the United States, in October 2025. This highly anticipated event promises to be a thrilling competition for anglers from around the world.
For further information about the tournament, please visit www.theultimateangler.
For any further questions or membership information, please contact:
Susan Carothers
susan@theultimateangler.org
Lake View’s Shields Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division Opener at Lake Guntersville
Illinois’ Spacil Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (Feb. 17, 2025) – Boater Austin Shields of Lake View, Alabama, caught a five-bass limit weighing 29 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine at Lake Guntersville . The tournament, hosted by the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, was the first event of the season for the BFL Choo Choo Division. Shields earned $5,133 for his victory.
Shields caught not only his biggest-ever tournament limit, but also his biggest tournament bass. And that kicker – an 8-pound, 2-ounce fish – knocked a foot of slack in the line while Shields was fishing the way he really loves to fish: old-school power fishing. But more on that in a bit.
Shields came to Guntersville Friday to practice, armed with a tip from a buddy that put him around some really nice quality bass. In fact, he was able to put 20 pounds in the boat in practice on one key spot then bounced around checking secondary areas and eventually landed more than 29 pounds for the day. You might be thinking that’s too many fish to hook in practice, but Shields was just catching one here and one there to gauge the quality on each spot – and there was plenty left for the tournament.
“This morning (Saturday), I ran to that spot first thing, and I had 25 pounds by 8 a.m.,” Shields said. “I made a couple of small culls throughout the day, and late in the day, like 2:30 or 2:45, I rolled up the river because the wind started getting rough. So we decided to come back and just kind of fish close to the ramp for the last hour or so.
“I get here, and I was like, it’s Guntersville and there’s always big fish around causeways. I pulled up to a causeway, picked up a ChatterBait and caught an 8-2 that culled out a 4.90, and that gave me 29.”
Making the switch to the Z-Man ChatterBait and following his instincts was a big reward for Shields, who spent the entire morning shaking a minnow on secondary points using forward-facing sonar. The new technology is not his favorite, but he’s driven to win and has learned to use it by necessity.
“This afternoon, I noticed that they quit biting. They wouldn’t react to the bait anymore on LiveScope,” Shields said. “So I just kind of had to go old school. I grew up fishing old school without LiveScope, so I’ve kind of been rebellious toward using it. I have not wanted to use it. But all this past winter, I made myself use it to make myself get up to date with it because in central Alabama, like on the Coosa River, if you’re not using it in the wintertime, you’re getting beat. So I had to figure it out. But it was refreshing to pull up (on the causeway with the ChatterBait) and just kind of fish instinctually.”
Reflecting on his win, Shields was quick to credit his wife, Brittney, for her support.
“We’ve got a 3-year-old, and we’ve got a 5-month-old. We’ve got two very young kids in the house,” he said. “It’s not easy taking care of them and trying to spend time with them and still get out here to do a little practice and still working Monday through Friday like most everybody does. I’m glad that my wife takes the time and sacrifice to watch our kids while daddy comes out here and fishes. I’ve got to give credit to her. My family is up here with me. We rented a cabin in Goose Pond. Because it’s not just a me thing, it’s a family thing. We’re all in it together. We’re just a little fishing family.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Austin Shields, Lake View, Ala., five bass, 29-3, $5,133
2nd: Michael Hood, Winchester, Tenn., five bass, 26-11, $2,566
3rd: Mike Lowry, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 25-3, $1,710
4th: Jake Bice, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 24-3, $1,198
5th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 24-2, $1,527 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th: Mark Guhne, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 23-14, $941
7th: Chuck Medley, Owens Cross Roads, Ala., five bass, 23-6, $855
8th: Brody Robison, Dawson, Ala., five bass, 23-2, $770
9th: Jimmy Neece Jr ., Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 22-14, $684
10th: Chip Wammack, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 22-12, $599
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Bo Collins of Robbinsville, North Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $800.
Frank Spacil of Downers Grove, Illinois, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,566 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 15 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Frank Spacil, Downers Grove, Ill., three bass, 15-15, $2,566
2nd: Tim van Polen, Guntersville, Ala., three bass, 15-12, $1,683
3rd: Rodney Bolte, Bloomington, Ind., three bass, 15-5, $855
4th: Roderick Green, Columbia, Tenn., three bass, 15-2, $599
5th: Jonathan Majors, Chelsea, Ala., three bass, 14-10, $513
6th: Coy Gregg, Cleveland, Tenn., three bass, 14-9, $449
6th: Shane Browder, Lynville, Ind., three bass, 14-9, $449
8th: Adam Brenton, Terre Haute, Ind., three bass, 14-2, $385
9th: Gerald Bennett, Dallas, Ga., three bass, 13-10, $320
9th: Jeff McWhorter, New Concord, Ky., three bass, 13-10, $320
Tim van Polen of Guntersville, Alabama, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $400, catching a bass that weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After one event, Austin Shields of Lake View, Alabama, now leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Frank Spacil of Downers Grove, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Choo Choo Division anglers will be held March 8, at Lake Chickamauga out of Dayton, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Logan Martin Lake in Lincoln, Alabama. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and 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, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Haughton Fishing Team Wins MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open on Lake Seminole
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Feb. 17, 2025) – The MLF High School Fishing team of Carsen Adcock and Colton Arnold, representing the Haughton Fishing Team, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 3 ounces to win the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open at Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia.
A field of 36 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by Visit Bainbridge. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10 percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top three teams that advance to the 2025 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Haughton Fishing Team, Haughton, La. – Carsen Adcock and Colton Arnold, five bass, 18-3
2nd: Lancaster Academy – Fisher Lancaster and Jesse Lancaster, five bass, 14-11
3rd: Bainbridge Bass Cats, Bainbridge, Ga. – Caleb Logue and Hayden Reynolds, four bass, 14-7
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
4th: Westfield High School, Perry, Ga. – Brant Beckham and Daniel Sapp, five bass, 14-3
5th: Bainbridge Bass Cats, Bainbridge, Ga. – Mason Bright and Drake Walls, five bass, 13-8
6th: Wayne County High School, Jesup, Ga. – Tucker Chalfant and Tripp Harvey, five bass, 12-15
7th: Thomas County Central High School, Thomasville, Ga. – Nathan Henson and Gareth Joslin, five bass, 12-11
8th: Highland Park High School, Dallas, Texas – Carson Falk and Dylan Sorrells, five bass, 12-7
9th: Southwest Georgia Academy, Damascus, Ga. – Nate Akers and Noah Fetner, five bass, 12-0
10th: Rehobeth High School, Rehobeth, Ala. – Jacob Johnson and Karson Peterman, five bass, 11-6
Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing presented by Tackle Warehouse tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. Tournaments held on or before March 29, 2025, advance teams to the 2025 National Championship. Tournaments held after March 29, 2025, advance teams to the 2026 National Championship.
The 2025 Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship & World Finals events will take place June 25-27, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. The High School Fishing National Champions each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2025 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota , WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
LSU-Shreveport Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Lake Seminole Presented by Suzuki Marine
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Feb. 17, 2025) – The Louisiana State University (LSU)-Shreveport duo of Miles Smith of Houma, Louisiana, and Levi Thibodaux of Thibodaux, Louisiana, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Seminole Presented by Suzuki Marine Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 2 ounces. The victory earned the Pilots’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2025 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
Both business majors, Thibodaux and Smith are comfortable fishing grass from their time on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. So when they came to Lake Seminole – the first time there for each of them – they tried to spend practice running the lake and getting a feel for the grass. Bad weather on two of the days limited their search efforts, but the anglers were able to find a handful of spots in one area where they could stay on the fish amid a cold front.
“We found a few different holes in the grass that had a few fish,” Thibodaux said. “We really didn’t know what to expect because we didn’t practice the last day because of the rain and all. We didn’t expect to do that great, to be honest.
“Basically, what we figured out in practice was there were a lot of fish roaming on the grass flats. We kind of figured out with that cold front coming some of them would get off the flats and get in the holes or edges where it’s a little deeper.”
The grass flats were mostly 2 to 4 feet deep, and Thibodaux and Smith targeted holes that were anywhere from 5 to 10 feet deep, mostly keying on edges and hard-bottom areas. They found five or so areas that fit the bill, ranging in size from an area the size of a couple bass boats to one area that was about 100 yards long. The champs caught their fish throwing a jerkbait and a Strike King Hybrid Hunter crankbait – a lure they have plenty of experience with back home.
Throughout the day, the LSU-Shreveport anglers rotated their best spots, staying close and “burning down” each spot for everything they could catch.
“Since we really couldn’t see a lot of the lake like we wanted to, we just kind of settled into that area where we knew we had fish,” Thibodaux added. “It’s a popular area. There were a lot of boats there, but I don’t know that they were focusing on the same things we were focusing on.”
The top 10 teams finished:
1st: LSU-Shreveport – Miles Smith, Houma, La., and Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., five bass, 24-2, $2,000
2nd: University of North Alabama – Jake Brown, Loretto, Tenn., and Nathan Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn., five bass, 22-14, $1,000
3rd: Florida Gateway College – Bryce Balentine, Sorrento, Fla., and Connor Koch, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 22-10, $700
4th: Emanuel University – Colby Elliott, Blairsville, Ga., and Michael Gammons, North Charleston, S.C., five bass, 21-11, $600
5th: University of Montevallo – Connor Bell, Lisbon, N.Y., and Nicholas Dumke, Grand Rapids, Minn., five bass, 21-6, $500
6th: University of Tennessee – Matthew Dettling, El Macero, Calif., and Cody Domingos, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 20-15
7th: University of Montevallo – Brennan Berglund, Zimmerman, Minn., and Colton White, Moore, Okla., five bass, 20-10
8th: Florida Gateway College – Will Boyd, Quincy, Fla., five bass, 20-9
9th: Campbellsville University – Noah Dabney, Mannsville, Ky., and Evan Fields, Shelbyville, Ky., five bass, 20-7
10th: Lander University – Harrison McCall, Salisbury, N.C., and Cameron Yates, New Durham, N.H., five bass, 19-15
The full list of National Championship qualifiers and complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Seminole was hosted by Visit Bainbridge. The next tournament for MLF College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Grand Lake, March 7 in Grove, Oklahoma.
The 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI season features college teams from across the country competing in six regular-season open tournaments. The top 15 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota , WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 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.
Western U.S. bass anglers corralling a bunch of Vexus® bonuses and buckles
California’s famous for gold, Arizona for its copper, and thanks to a loyal group of talented tournament anglers, Vexus® Boats is becoming famous throughout the Western United States for its uniquely cool silver belt buckle trophies and generous cash bonuses that are part of the premium boat brand’s REV Rewards™ tournament contingency program.
Anglers such as Matt Frazier, Alex Klein, Joe Uribe Jr., Ken Mah, Ryan Friend. K.C. Harris, and Jeff Michels made the decision to invest in a heritage-rich, top-quality Vexus bass boat, and collectively they’ve now won around $200,000 in REV Rewards bonuses, along with enough silver buckles to make a herd of bull riders happy.
In fact, Joe Uribe Jr. of Surprise, Arizona just added another buckle and $10,000 bonus check to his growing collection for his win at the cold and wet WON BASS Lake Shasta Open.
“I’ve now won $40,000 cash total through Vexus REV Rewards program, and if you don’t think the silver buckles are a source of pride for us anglers, look no further than the trophy case in our home’s dining room,” smiles Uribe, who works at Complete Marine in Phoenix, AZ.
He’s proven he can catch ‘em everywhere, but says throwing squarebill crankbaits on Clear Lake in the fall is as good as it gets, and when it comes to the favorite features of his Vexus VXs20, he loves the unmatched smooth ride, and the highly insulated cooler that will keep ice frozen for days, even in the Sonoran Desert heat.
Even better news is the fact you don’t have to live near a desert, or west of the Mississippi to win REV Rewards and silver buckles, you simply need to make sure you’re eligible by visiting https://vexusboats.com/rev-rewards/ and taking a few minutes to register.
Livingston Lures Adds Scott Canterbury to Pro Staff
2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year to Promote Brand, Help with Product Development
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. – February 14, 2025 –– Livingston Lures, the San Antonio, Tex. based manufacturer of premium fishing lures featuring their patented EBS (Electronic Baitfish Sounds) Technology introduce the addition of 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury to their world class Pro Fishing Team.
Canterbury, from Odenville, Ala., who has competed on the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series since 2008. In his career, Canterbury competed in 257 professional events, claimed two FLW wins, the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, 54 top 10 finishes, qualified for 10 trips to the Forrest Wood Cup and four Bassmaster Classics. He has claimed $1,984,937 in paychecks in his career.
The veteran pro is a shallow water, power fisherman who honed his craft on the famed Coosa River and the legendary fisheries of North Alabama before hitting the tours. He joins the Livingston Lures team because he has used the lineup throughout his career to put bass in his livewell that equates to being able to feed his family.
Having trust in a product lie is key to the Alabama pro. “I have had some success in my career with several of the Livingston Lures products before deciding to join with them officially,” said Canterbury. “I have caught a lot of fish on the Howeller Series of crankbaits, the Walking Boss is a great topwater bait and the Flat Master and Walk ‘n Pop have all been a part of my arsenal for a while.”
He said that he is proud to be joining the Livingston Lures family. “I am beyond excited to be a part of such a great team,” he said. “The EBS technology is proven to be a great fish catcher and the crew at Livingston is continuously working with their pros to bring out new, fish catching baits; I am thrilled to be a part of this family and be a part of this process.”
Erick Arnoldson, Livingston Lures’ Vice President of Operations knows adding Canterbury is a definitive addition to his team. We are thrilled to welcome Scott Canterbury to the Livingston Lures family,” said Arnoldson. “His exceptional skill, experience, and passion for fishing perfectly align with our mission to push the boundaries of innovation and performance.”
Arnoldson said he trusts Canterbury to contribute to the brand. “As a Livingston Lures Pro Staff member, he will play a key role in product development, serve as a brand ambassador at tournaments and industry events, and contribute to educational content designed to help anglers elevate their skills,” Arnoldson continued. “His insights and expertise will be invaluable as we continue developing cutting-edge solutions for anglers worldwide.”
Canterbury joins a Pro Staff that includes 2014 Bassmaster Classic Champion Randy Howell, five-time Bassmaster Champion Jacob Powroznik, Six-time Major League Fishing winner and the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup Champion Anthony Gagliardi and Bassmaster Opens pro Laker Howell.
About Livingston Lures: Livingston Lures has built a reputation among top freshwater and saltwater anglers for innovation and premium quality baits that flat out catch fish. These hard plastic lures are designed to call the fish and meet the highest standards for swimming action with quality construction. Every Livingston Lures’ bait features EBS™, Electronic Baitfish Sound Technology™. For more information visit www.LivingstonLures.com or visit a retailer near you.
Yamaha Welcomes Accomplished Bassmaster Elite Angler Randy Howell to Pro Fishing Team
KENNESAW, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Yamaha Marine today announced the addition of veteran BASS® angler Randy Howell to the freshwater Pro Fishing Team for the 2025 season. Requalifying via the Legends invitations, Howell will join current Yamaha Pro Team members to compete in the 2025 Bassmaster® Elite Series, representing Yamaha’s premium brand position and serving as an ambassador for the sport of competitive fishing.
“Not only is Randy an outstanding competitive angler, he also lends support to his community through Kings Home, an Alabama-based independent charity that houses over 160 youth, teens, ladies and moms with children suffering from severe abuse, abandonment, neglect or homelessness,” said Connor Megan, Pro Staff and Sponsorship Supervisor, Yamaha Marine Business Unit. “Overall, Randy exemplifies the Yamaha Angler Code of Ethics and his passion for competitive fishing aligns with our commitment to excellence. We look forward to supporting him as he returns to the Bassmaster® Elite Series.”
Howell, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic® champion, has more than four decades of experience under his belt. Amassing more than $1.9 million in career earnings, the elite series angler boasts four first place finishes, 37 Top 10 finishes and 125 Top 30 finishes. The Guntersville, Alabama native returns to BASS® from the Major League Fishing® (MLF), where he broke the Bass Pro Tour record twice, two days in a row during Stage One of the 2022 Bass Pro Tour.
The 2025 Bassmaster® Elite season kicks off at St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida, Feb. 20-23. Fans can follow Howell during the season on bassmaster.com.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement. B.A.S.S., Bassmaster and Bassmaster Classic are registered trademarks of B.A.S.S. LLC.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2025 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Contacts
Serena Ortiz
Public Relations Specialist
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit
Mobile: (678) 832-9158
serena_ortiz@yamaha-motor.com
Neal Wheaton
Wilder+Wheaton for
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit
Mobile: (404) 317-0698
neal.wheaton@gmail.com
Bobby Lane Rallies to Comeback Win at MLF Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at Harris Chain of Lakes
Lakeland, Florida pro catches 19 bass totaling 56-5 in final day Championship Round to earn top prize of $150,000
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2025) – Across a decorated 17-year career that includes a REDCREST victory, one of the few accomplishments that had eluded Bobby Lane was a national-tour win in his home state of Florida. He’d come close – in fact, the last time the Bass Pro Tour visited the Harris Chain of Lakes, Lane finished second to Ott DeFoe – but had yet to lift a trophy in his home state.
Midway through the Championship Round at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at the Harris Chain of Lakes, it looked like Lane would have to keep waiting.
Matt Becker and Mark Davis shot out of the starting blocks, both amassing more than 30 pounds in the first period. Lane, meanwhile, started on the opposite end of Lake Apopka from where he’d caught most of his fish due to the strong south wind and struggled to gain traction. Halfway through Period 2, he’d tallied just 17 pounds, 6 ounces and trailed Davis by more than 20 pounds – and as the wind continued to increase in intensity, presenting baits and generating bites became more difficult by the minute.
But while the action slowed for everyone else, Lane used his Sunshine State savvy to steadily stack weight onto his total. He boated six bass in an hour, which included a 5-8 and a 4-9, to pull within one scorable bass of Davis’ lead at the end of the second period. He took over the top spot on SCORETRACKER® for the first time all tournament 30 minutes into the final frame. Finally, a flurry of five fish totaling 16-10 brought his total to 56-5 and sealed the long-awaited win – and $150,000 prize that comes with it – for the Lakeland native.
“I've been close before,” Lane said of winning in Florida. “I finished second here last time to Ott DeFoe, and to finally seal the deal on one in the home state – in a big, national tournament, not just a team event or something like that, but to get a big tournament – means the world to me.”
Prior to the start of practice, much of the dock talk centered on a recent fish kill that occurred on Lake Apopka. That news made Lane, like most of the field, hesitant to venture into the southernmost lake on the Harris Chain, especially since doing so meant a long run from takeoff each morning at Venetian Gardens.
Lane almost didn’t even check Apopka during his two days of practice. It wasn’t until the second day, when he was in nearby Lake Beauclair, that he figured he might as well lock through the Apopka canal and at least check it out.
The first place he stopped, he got six bites without lifting his Power-Poles. His next spot – the area where he ultimately caught most of his fish during competition – produced similar action.
“I make maybe 15, 20 flips, and I have five bites in a row, and two of them were big ones,” Lane said. “And I’m like, oh boy.”
Lane started Day 1 of competition in Lake Harris due to his late boat number, but after that, he was all-in on Apopka, which wound up producing six of the Top 10 finishers. He said the key to finding concentrations of bass was locating hard-bottom areas next to patches of emergent reeds. He thinks bass were staging on the hard bottom before spawning on the reeds.
“When you drop your Power-Poles, it sounds like you’re hitting rocks,” Lane said. “I think with all the grass being eradicated out of that lake, those fish have nowhere else to go but to swim to shore, and I think with the full moon we had during practice, all those fish that wanted to spawn on this moon were moving into that hard spot that I was on.”
While his area was full of fish, Lane said slow presentations were the only way to get them to bite. He locked an Abu Garcia Fantasista X 7-foot, 6-inch, heavy flipping stick in his hands with an Abu Garcia Premier REVO reel spooled with 50-pound-test Durabraid. Using a 5/0 Berkley Fusion19 hook and either a 5/16- or 3/8-ounce Epic Tungsten weight, he flipped a 6-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General to every reed in the area, slowly dragging the worm along the bottom.
Even for Lane, that could be painstaking. He joked that he was “tired of looking at the same 50 or 60-yard stretch of reeds.” But for an angler born and raised in Florida, wielding a flipping stick and slowly picking apart cover made for “a breath of fresh air.”
“Forward-facing sonar has its place, but it did not have its place on the Harris Chain of Lakes this week,” Lane said. “I live and breathe on that flipping stick. It usually gets me close sometimes. I’ve made a lot of money with it. But to actually seal the deal with it in my hands, there’s nothing sweeter.”
Far from the only accomplished flipper to find the bite in Apopka, Sunday’s Championship Round set up for an old-school slugfest. Lane’s first decision of the day almost took him out of the fight.
Seeing the wind buffeting his prime stretch, Lane decided to start the morning on the more protected southern end of the lake. On his third flip, he caught a 5-8, which reinforced his confidence in the area. But over the next 1 hour, 20 minutes, he would only get one more bite, a 2-pounder.
Watching his deficit to Becker and Davis balloon, Lane decided he had no choice but to battle the wind on the north end. The conditions made it almost impossible to present his bait accurately, but skillful boat positioning and patience allowed him to keep stacking up weight when no one else in the field could.
“You really had to get the boat positioned properly when you find the piece of cover you want to fish, drop your Power-Poles, and focus on keeping your bait on the bottom no matter what the wind was doing,” Lane explained. “That was the hardest task today was trying to keep that bait down there where the fish live.”
Lane committed to fighting the wind for the rest of the day, figuring the weather system would eventually blow through the area. With about an hour left before lines out, the gusts finally relented. Right on cue, he caught a 2-pounder, then a 2-6 (which Lane dove onto the front deck of his Phoenix to wrangle after it shook free of his hook). A 5-10, his biggest bass of the day, followed by a 4-8 five minutes later sealed his victory.
“I decided I was going to stay there until the wind shifted directions, which it did, and it just got better and better and better and better,” Lane said. “The minute that wind laid down, it was just perfect. Big one, big one, big one.”
Lane’s wife, Madeline; his daughter, Lexi; and his son-in-law, Kenny, cheered from shore as they watched him swing those final few fish into the boat. When time expired, he trolled over to them to exchange hugs, the perfect cap to the Florida win he’d been waiting for.
“That’s one thing you dream of is winning a huge tournament in your home state,” Lane said. “I’ve had a lot of close calls. They couldn’t stop me today.”
The top 10 pros at the Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI on the Harris Chain of Lakes finished:
1st: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 19 bass, 56-5, $150,000
2nd: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 14 bass, 38-13, $45,000
3rd: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 15 bass, 36-15, $35,000
4th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 13 bass, 36-7, $30,000
5th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 11 bass, 27-15, $25,000
6th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., eight bass, 23-9, $23,000
7th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., seven bass, 16-10, $22,000
8th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., five bass, 10-3, $21,000
9th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., four bass, 7-6, $20,500
10th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., one bass, 2-2, $20,000
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall there were 97 scorable bass weighing 256 pounds, 5 ounces caught by the final 10 pros on Sunday.
Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, won the Berkley Big Bass Award on Sunday – his third Big Bass Award of the week – with a 7-pound, 1-ounce largemouth that he caught in the third period. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
A new angler has taken the lead in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year competition: pro Jacob Wall of New Hope, Alabama. The third-year Bass Pro Tour pro finished seventh on the Harris Chain after a third-place showing at Stage 1 on Lake Conroe.
Wall leads Jacob Wheeler, who has claimed the AOY crown in three of the past four years, by just one point. The two of them have a bit of cushion over Stage 1 winner Justin Cooper, who sits 10 points back of Wheeler.
The four-day tournament, hosted by Discover Lake County Florida , showcased 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $650,000, including a top payout of $150,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
Television coverage of the Suzuki Marine Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 20. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Malabar’s Robert Branagh Goes Wire-to-Wire, Wins MLF Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2025) – Hopes were high going into the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event on Lake Okeechobee, and through two days, the lake lived up to the hype. But on Saturday’s Day 3, with a strong southern wind blowing out many key areas, things started to fall apart.
Entering with a comfortable lead after two great days, Robert Branagh almost stumbled as well. But, with the rest of the field struggling, 16 pounds, 13 ounces for a 73-1 total was enough for the win and $44,000.
The victory is Branagh’s second Toyota Series title on Okeechobee, which is not a common feat. Branagh also set the three-day Toyota Series weight record for the fishery, bumping the top weight up to 73-1, a bit more than the previous high-water mark of 72-9 that Jessie Mizell set in 2024.
As the vegetation in Okeechobee has deteriorated in recent years, the frequency of success off the lake has increased. Now, it’s pretty well-known that the various canals and ditches around the edge of the lake can kick out winning weight. Still, old habits die hard, and the bulk of the weight and the bulk of the pressure remains in the lake.
Though Branagh did spend some practice time there, he made the canals his primary focus, and it worked.
“I saw what the wind was going to do for the first two days and then the third day,” said the Florida pro. “That’s why I targeted something out of the ordinary. I knew that the water would stay clean and the wind wouldn’t affect it, and it paid off.
“Now that there’s no grass in the lake to clean the water, I knew the water would get muddy right up to the hard line. And I knew fish were going to spawn. They spawn in the canals just like they spawn in the lake. Just so happens, I found them spawning on rocks. No grass, no nothing; but they were spawning on the rocks.”
Branagh found two key areas where bass were bedding on rock and the hard-bottom areas around it.
“I started in practice,” he explained. “I caught a few on a Senko, and then I picked up the Bruiser Baits Bullet, and I caught a couple of better ones. So, I went to another spot in another canal and did the same thing and caught an 8. So, I knew that was the plan going in.”
Branagh never used his forward-facing sonar. He simply fished very methodically, picking apart his zones foot by foot and using his Power-Poles every inch of the way.
“I’d ease up, I’d say, about 5 feet off the bank,” he said. “The fish were actually out about 3 foot from the from the actual rock piles. I would parallel the rocks, put it on the rocks, and just slow roll it out, ticking the top of the rocks. When you felt it tick the rock, sometimes it was rock, and sometimes it was a fish swimming out with your bait.”
Branagh basically only those needed two areas to win – one was responsible for his weight on Day 1, and his backup spot was the place to be on Day 2 and Day 3.
“I was going to try to save my second spot for today and not burn it up yesterday,” he explained. “But I went in there yesterday and should’ve had over 30 pounds again and lost a double-digit. So, I went in there today and just expanded on it.”
Branagh’s victory was not without flaw – he did lose some key fish. But, it turned out not to matter, and he was thrilled on stage after a grueling Day 3.
“Man, I was sick to my stomach for the last two hours,” he said. “Now, I’m freaking stoked.”
The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee finished:
1st: Robert Branagh, Malabar, Fla., 15 bass, 73-1, $44,000
2nd: Steve Lopez, Oconomowoc, Wis., 15 bass, 65-8, $17,000
3rd: Parker Knudsen, Minnetonka, Minn., 14 bass, 59-8, $13,750 (includes $1,000 Phoenix Bonus)
4th: Kyle Glasgow, Guin, Ala., 15 bass, 56-1, $10,750
5th: Michael Venditto, Boca Raton, Fla., 15 bass, 53-14, $9,750
6th: Hunter Weston, Palm City, Fla., 15 bass, 53-10, $8,375
7th: Dillon McMillan, Palm Bay, Fla., 15 bass, 52-2, $7,300
8th: Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla., 15 bass, 51-10, $6,300
9th: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., 15 bass, 50-1, $5,300
10th: Michael Catt, Jacksonville, Fla., 15 bass, 49-9, $4,200
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Brian Haseotes of West Newton, Massachusetts, earned Thursday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award with a bass weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces. On Friday, pro David Sheffield of Davie, Florida, brought an 8-pound, 5-ounce largemouth to the scale to earn the $500 award.
Alan Hults of Gautier, Mississippi, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 45 pounds, 11 ounces. Hults earned the top co-angler prize package worth $34,000, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee finished:
1st: Alan Hults, Gautier, Miss., 15 bass, 45-11, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Rich Frey, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 41-5, $5,375
3rd: Ray Ruiz, Boca Raton, Fla., 15 bass, 38-13, $4,300
4th: Brady Lunsmann, Citrus Springs, Fla., 13 bass, 38-5, $3,650
5th: Roger Phillips, Delta, Ala., 15 bass, 36-11, $3,150
6th: Garrett Vick, Lake Worth, Fla., 10 bass, 36-8, $2,650
7th: Jeffery Baffa, Estero, Fla., 14 bass, 36-0, $2,150
8th: Grant McPeters, Marion, N.C., 11 bass, 35-9, $1,825
9th: Grayson Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, 15 bass, 35-2, $1,530
10th: Michael Leach, Shenandoah, Texas, 12 bass, 34-10, $1,290
Strike King Co-angler Greg Shaughnessy of Miami, Florida, earned Thursday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with an 8-pound, 15-ounce bass, while Friday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Shannon Pike of Sarasota, Florida, who weighed in an 8-pound, 9-ounce largemouth bass.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Sam Rayburn Reservoir was hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council. It was the first of three regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Southern
Division. The next event for the Toyota Series Southern Division will be March 27-29 on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Mark Davis Tops Knockout Round at MLF Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at Harris Chain of Lakes
B&W Trailer Hitches pro catches 22 bass weighing 62-2 to pace Knockout Round, final 10 anglers set for Championship Sunday in final-day shootout for top prize of $150,000
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI on the Harris Chain of Lakes has largely turned into an old-school Florida flipping fest. And no one on the Bass Pro Tour does old-school quite like Mark Davis .
The 61-year-old Davis led the way through Saturday’s Knockout Round, stacking up 60 pounds, 2 ounces on 22 scorable bass. That put him 8-4 clear of Fletcher Shryock and easily earned him a trip to Sunday’s Championship Round. There, Davis will look to add his first Bass Pro Tour victory to his Hall of Fame resume, which already includes two national-tour Angler of the Year titles and a Bassmaster Classic win.
Davis and the rest of the top nine finishers from the Knockout Round will be joined by Qualifying Round winner Jacob Wheeler in a one-day sprint for the Stage 2 trophy. The angler who amasses the most weight will take home $150,000.
Like many of the top anglers this week, Davis has been fishing slowly, using his years of experience to identify sweet spots among the emergent vegetation that lines the shallows of Lake Apopka and methodically picking them apart with a Yamamoto Senko.
Once he got into the right zone Saturday, he stacked up weight in a hurry. During a stretch that lasted a little more than 2 hours (including the break between Periods 1 and 2), Davis boated 16 scorable bass that weighed a combined 43-6. The flurry shot him to the top of SCORETRACKER® and only ended because he decided he’d done enough to secure a spot in the Championship Round and set off to scout new water.
“It was a lot of fun,” Davis said. “It was the way I love to fish, just casting a Senko and getting a lot of bites. Had a few mishaps there in that first period, but I got it lined out and caught a 5 1/2-pounder there in the second period. I said, ‘Yep, we need to get out of here,’ and I just went kind of looking around after that.”
Davis is optimistic that he not only left some fish in that zone that he might be able to catch during the Championship Round; he said he has two other productive areas that he never visited Saturday.
That said, Davis is “not counting any chickens” yet. The veteran knows how fickle Florida bass can be, especially given the strong south wind forecast for Sunday. He experienced that firsthand in 2023, when the Bass Pro Tour opened its season on the nearby Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Davis sacked up a gaudy five-fish total of 34-10 during that Knockout Round, but the wind switched, and he was only able to muster 14-0 the following day, opening the door for Chris Lane to pass him and steal the win.
“There’s no telling what’s going to happen,” Davis said. “Everything down here is susceptible to wind and weather. If you get bad wind and weather, you can go from a hero to a zero. You just never know. It’s hard; there’s no protected areas, so depending on direction and how hard the wind is blowing, it could just take you right out of it.”
Regardless of the weather, Davis said he’s committed to Apopka. He and the rest of the anglers fishing there will benefit from the MLF trailering policy, which will be enacted on Sunday to accommodate for the wind. That frees up a minimum of 90 minutes traveling to Apopka and dealing with the lock.
“I really don’t have any other options,” he said. “I’ll have to go down there and try to make something happen no matter what the weather does.”
Davis would love to get some redemption and leave Florida with a trophy in tow. He knows better than just about anyone that opportunities like this don’t come often. His last national victory came in an FLW Tour event on Fort Loudon and Tellico Lakes in 2007, and he’s realistic about the fact that he doesn’t have too many years left in his career to earn another one.
“It’d mean a bunch,” Davis said. “At my age – I'm 61, been at this now for 40 years – it would be great to lift a trophy one more time.”
Shryock awoke Saturday morning feeling “awful.” Battling a stomach bug that brought with it a fever, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to endure the 8-hour competition day.
A red-hot punching bite was the best medicine he could ask for.
Shryock, long one of the best on tour with a big weight, returned to the hydrilla mats where he’d spent virtually the entire event and found the bass biting. By the midpoint of the day, he had hauled in 16 scorable bass totaling 47-6 – more than enough to advance to his first Championship Round since 2022. So, Shryock used the second half of the day to check some new water and conserve his strength.
“If I had to go hard all day – it's going to be hell tomorrow, I know that,” Shryock said.
While his chosen technique – wielding a heavy rod and winching bass out of thick grass mats – might not be the most suitable for someone feeling less than 100%, Shryock put a positive spin on it.
“I’m looking at it as a positive, like it might slow me down just a little bit,” he explained. “Because I got to the point today, like, it was hurting to set the hook. I’ve just got body aches and stuff. So, I’m definitely a lot more patient. Maybe that’s the deal.”
Shryock has had to deal with some company in his primary area this week – he said he spent most of Day 2 “playing defense.” But he’s the only angler in the Top 10 who has found the punching pattern, which excites him.
“I really feel good about just fishing my own deal tomorrow, and there’s no excuses,” he said.
Like Davis, though, Shryock knows how temperamental Florida bass can be. Fishing the same technique in largely the same area for the past three days, he’s now experienced two in which the action has been fast and furious and one that saw him “begging for a bite until noon.” He thinks he’ll be around enough fish to earn his first career BPT win, but whether they cooperate remains to be seen.
“When the sun comes up in Florida, you don’t ever know what you’re going to get,” Shryock said. “I know that much. Today was phenomenal. I don’t expect tomorrow to be as easy, just because it never is.
“Can I win? Absolutely. Can I go out tomorrow and finish ninth? Absolutely. I’m going to flip around and find out.”
The top nine pros from the Knockout Round that now advance to Championship Sunday on the Harris Chain of Lakes are:
1st: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 22 bass, 60-2
2nd: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 17 bass, 51-14
3rd: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 21 bass, 50-14
4th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 21 bass, 50-9
5th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 16 bass, 44-8
6th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 14 bass, 41-10
7th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 17 bass, 38-13
8th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 34-13
9th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 16 bass, 32-12
*QR Winner: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Eliminated from competition is:
11th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 11 bass, 29-5, $15,900
12th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 13 bass, 27-13, $15,800
13th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 13 bass, 27-0, $15,700
14th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 11 bass, 25-10, $15,600
15th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., nine bass, 23-11, $15,500
16th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 13 bass, 23-0, $15,400
17th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., eight bass, 22-1, $15,300
18th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., eight bass, 18-3, $15,200
19th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., seven bass, 14-4, $15,100
20th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., five bass, 11-10, $15,000
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Becker won Saturday’s Berkley Big Bass Award with a 7-pound, 15-ounce largemouth. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round was complete, leader Jacob Wheeler advanced directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. The anglers that finished 2nd through 20th competed in Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed, and the top nine finishers now join Wheeler in Sunday’s Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
Based on the forecast for stronger winds, MLF will enact the trailering policy for Championship Sunday. The final 10 anglers will arrive at 5:30 a.m. ET to the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive in Leesburg. Anglers will depart the Venetian Gardens at 6:15 a.m. to approved launch ramps located around the fishery. Anglers will return to the Venetian Gardens Sunday evening, following the end of competition at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on Championship Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Venetian Gardens for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The Suzuki Marine Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI is hosted by Discover Lake County Florida and features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the Suzuki Marine Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 20. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Iowa’s Miller ‘times it just right’ in weather-shortened Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn
Feb. 14, 2025
JASPER, Texas — Foul weather trimmed the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN from a three-day tournament to a one-day derby. So, before competition even began, the 233 competing anglers knew they’d have to go big if they wanted to go home a winner.
Chris Miller of Spirit Lake, Iowa, found the right bites Friday, weighing a limit of five bass totaling 28 pounds, 10 ounces. That clinched the win for the 37-year-old homebuilder who’d fished in only eight B.A.S.S. events prior to his victory at Rayburn.
Miller collected a hefty $52,086 cash prize with the win, part of a $345,850 cash purse split among the top 45 anglers competing on the 114,500-acre reservoir in east Texas.
“I knew it was just a matter of keeping my head down and running into a few (big bass),” Miller said, noting a 41-pound limit caught in a team tournament on Rayburn earlier this month. “And still, you’re either around them or you’re not. You still have to catch them.”
Stiff winds forced Thursday’s Day 1 competition to be postponed, though B.A.S.S. officials remained hopeful they still could pull off a two-day tournament. Saturday’s forecast of severe thunderstorms and sustained winds of 15-20 mph forced that day to be cancelled, as well, which dialed up the pressure to perform on Friday.
Miller shined in the spotlight. He set up near natural drains and fished for spawning bass in as little as 6 feet of water, as well as transitioning fish that cruised ledges some 15 to 20 feet below the surface.
“They were stationed a little deeper in practice, but I knew they would come to the drains,” he said. “These storms had them messed up, but they came to me. I went from shallow to deep all day … I timed it just right.”
Miller jumped to the top of the BassTrakk board around 10:30 a.m. on Friday after boating a pair of monster bass within a 15-minute span. His biggest fish, a 9-6 bucketmouth bass, came on a Strike King Z-Too jerkbait. It paired perfectly with the 7-pounder he caught in the same area using a white, 7-inch Berkley PowerBait Nessie swimbait. He credited Berkley Forward Braid for helping him put the lures precisely where he wanted them over big bass.
“The key was keeping the bait on top of them, not letting it fall,” Miller said.
Miller primarily fishes Spirit Lake and West Okoboji Lake back home in Iowa. He noted the differences between those smaller fisheries and a mammoth reservoir like Rayburn but said he’s getting increasingly comfortable on other water bodies.
“(The lakes I fish at home) are more deep weedlines, a lot of docks,” he said. “There’s no shad. It’s a whole different animal. But these last couple of years fishing in the Opens, I’ve really started to pick up on how these shad lakes work.
“You cut your teeth and learn a lot fishing these big tournaments … Hopefully I can keep the momentum rolling at Kentucky Lake,” which is the next Division 2 Open, scheduled for March 6-8 in Paris, Tenn.
The Top 50 anglers in both the Division 1 and Division 2 Open standings will qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. Top anglers following the three EQ tournaments, which are scheduled for September through November, will earn invitations into the vaunted 2026 Bassmaster Elites Series.
Rounding out the Top 5 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir are second, Michigan’s Garrett Paquette, 23-15, $20,834; third, Texas’ Pake South, 23-11, $15,626; fourth, Virginia’s Jack Dice, 23-3, $14,584; and fifth, Texas’ Jaden Parrish, 23-2, $13,542.
Missouri’s Brad Jelinek caught a 9-8 largemouth on Friday and won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $750. He finished sixth overall with 22-7 and won $12,501.
Jasper County (Texas) Development District #1 hosted the tournament.
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.
Wheeler Advances to Championship Round at MLF Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2
Tennessee pro draws closer to his ninth Bass Pro Tour win with two-day total of 32 bass weighing 101-9, 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2025) – When Jacob Wheeler took the water for the second day of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI on the Harris Chain of Lakes, his goal wasn’t necessarily to finish atop SCORETRACKER®.
Sure, the winner of the two-day Qualifying Round would earn a direct berth to Sunday’s Championship Round, and Wheeler started the day with a lead of nearly 11 pounds over his nearest pursuer. But he was more concerned with positioning himself to earn his ninth Bass Pro Tour victory than notching his 34th Top 10 (both far and away the highest marks among BPT anglers), and he didn’t want to handicap his chances by catching too many of the fish he’d found during practice.
Turns out, Wheeler achieved both objectives. He added 21 pounds, 6 ounces on six scorable bass, bringing his two-day total to 101-9. That was easily enough to retain his spot atop the leaderboard, 13-14 ahead of Takahiro Omori. As a result, he’ll take Saturday off, while finishers 2 through 20 contest the Knockout Round, then join the top nine from there in the winner-take-all Championship Round.
One of the leaders when it comes to tournament strategy, Wheeler didn’t decide to fish for the Qualifying Round win (rather than using all of Day 2 to scout new water) until he’d made the long run to Lake Apopka Friday morning.
Wheeler, who spent both days of practice as well as Day 1 in the southernmost lake on the Harris Chain, suddenly found himself with more company. As a result, he decided to return to the areas where he’d done most of his damage on Thursday. He figured they’d get fished hard by someone, so it might as well be him.
“Today, there was probably 30-plus local anglers and probably 25 or 30 of our guys that decided to move down (to Apopka), so it fished really small, and things got pressured a ton,” Wheeler explained. “And so, in that instance, you’ve got to start thinking through things and saying, alright, it’s not going to be as easy now as it would have been, because things are getting more pressure than I anticipated. Once I saw the pressure, I’m like, it’s not a guarantee I make the Top 10 (during the Knockout Round).”
Wheeler, who has amassed all his weight flipping a Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug around reed clumps, also chose to ply a stretch that he figures will be unfishable during the Championship Round due to the strong southwest wind forecast for Sunday. The area yielded his biggest bass of the day, a 6-9. Through two days, he’s now boated seven bass of 5 pounds or bigger.
“I knew even if I fished the Championship Round, I would never be able to fish the fish that I caught midway through the second period, so I just caught them,” Wheeler said.
After pushing his lead back above 20 pounds, Wheeler used just about all of Period 3 to check out new water – “eliminating places” for the Championship Round, he said. The benefit of having spent his entire practice in Apopka – which much of the field initially avoided due to reports of a recent fish kill – is that he still has a few areas in his back pocket that he’s yet to visit during competition.
“There’s still areas that I have not visited that I will fish in the Championship Round,” Wheeler said. “There’s probably three different zones that I have not made a cast on.”
In some ways, Wheeler said, sitting out the Knockout Round could be a disadvantage. Those anglers who take the water will have a better idea which zones are getting pressured the hardest and have a better chance of finding fresh groups of spawners that might be more willing to bite. That said, he’s excited about the opportunity to spend a day with his six-year-old daughter, Olivia, and three-year-old son, Hudson, who made the trip to Florida to cheer him on.
Wheeler is confident he can put himself around the winning fish. The key to cementing victory No. 9 will be making the right adjustments to counter the changing weather and mounting fishing pressure – something he’s historically done better than any of his peers.
“I feel like the tournament will be won in Apopka,” Wheeler said. “Now, do I feel like there’s an outside chance that I turn on (forward-facing sonar) in the last period or something like that? There is. I’ll make a decision based on the conditions, and I’ll fish the conditions exclusively. The guy who makes the right decisions and makes adjustments will win this tournament on that final day. It’ll all come down to the adjustments made on that day, and that’s what is going to be fun about it.”
While Wheeler held the top spot on SCORETRACKER® all day, Friday brought plenty of movement around the Elimination Line. Seven anglers who started the day outside the Top 20 moved across the cut and qualified for the Knockout Round: Jacob Wall, Terry Scroggins, Zack Birge, Matt Becker, John Hunter, Edwin Evers and Justin Cooper.
Evers and Hunter made the most dramatic rallies. Both anglers found themselves on the wrong side of the Elimination Line with 30 minutes left in Period 3 but manufactured clutch flurries to make the cut. Hunter boated three scorable bass totaling 6-9 in the final 15 minutes, while Evers caught three for 6-1 in the last 22 minutes.
The top 20 pros that now advance in competition on the Harris Chain of Lakes are:
1st: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 32 bass, 101-9
2nd: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 32 bass, 87-11
3rd: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 27 bass, 84-14
4th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 35 bass, 80-12
5th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 34 bass, 80-9
6th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 34 bass, 80-6
7th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 29 bass, 68-9
8th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 34 bass, 68-3
9th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 27 bass, 68-2
10th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 26 bass, 67-14
11th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 23 bass, 66-0
12th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 24 bass, 64-8
13th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 29 bass, 63-0
14th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 22 bass, 62-8
15th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 29 bass, 61-15
16th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 28 bass, 61-12
17th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 23 bass, 57-13
18th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 25 bass, 57-9
19th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 20 bass, 56-13
20th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 24 bass, 55-0
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Wheeler earned the Day 2 Berkley Big Bass Award Friday with a 6-pound, 9-ounce largemouth that he caught in Period 2. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. With the two-day Qualifying Round now complete, Wheeler advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. The anglers that finished 2nd through 20th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the top nine anglers will join Wheeler in Sunday’s Championship Round. In the Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive in Leesburg. Each day’s takeout will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Venetian Gardens for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI is hosted by Discover Lake County Florida and features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 20. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
The Ultimate Angler World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament Announces Sanctioned Qualifiers by Ikon Boats
Date: February 14, 2025
The Ultimate Angler World Championship Bass Fishing Tournament is proud to announce its partnership with Ikon Boats to sanction two of the qualifying events for the prestigious competition. The Ikon Tailgate Tour presented by Mercury Outboards, a highly anticipated grassroots team bass fishing tournament series for amateur anglers, will feature four qualifying events, with two of them taking place at iconic fishing destinations—Lake of the Ozarks (June 7, 2025) and Lake Guntersville (September 6, 2025). These events will provide an opportunity for anglers to earn a spot in the Ultimate Angler World Championship, which will take place at Lake Guntersville, Alabama from October 5-11, 2025.
The Ultimate Angler World Championship is the most prestigious and inclusive bass fishing competition ever created. It is set to crown a World Champion by bringing together top anglers from all leagues and backgrounds, providing a platform for every level of angler to compete for the ultimate title. The championship will feature the best of the best, with the world’s top anglers competing for bragging rights and a grand prize.
Details of the Qualifying Ikon Events:
- Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – June 7, 2025
- Lake Guntersville, Alabama – September 6, 2025
- Entry Fee: $200 per team + $95 for membership
- Expected Participation: 150-200 boats per event
- Prize Structure: 100% of entry fees paid back to anglers, with a guaranteed $10,000 for 1st place
The Ikon Tailgate Tour presented by Mercury Outboards is a grassroots tournament series focused on offering amateur anglers a chance to compete in team-based events, with substantial cash prizes. The series is open to all anglers who meet the eligibility requirements, and teams are not required to fish more than one event. The tournaments are designed to provide a level playing field for non-professional anglers, with a structure that promotes competition, community, and fun.
Each event will feature a conventional 5-fish weigh-in format, hosted through Fishing Chaos, a leading tournament management platform. Ikon Boats, Ikon Dealers, and well-known professional anglers such as Jacob Wheeler, Kyle Welcher, and Hunter Shryock will promote and support the events, alongside other Ikon pro-staffers.
Tournament weigh-ins will be held in an event-style manner, with additional attractions including food, raffles, boat demos, and sponsor booths for a family-friendly atmosphere.
About Ikon Boats:
Ikon Boats is a premier manufacturer of high-performance bass fishing boats that combine cutting-edge technology, durability, and precision engineering. Known for their versatility and exceptional performance, Ikon Boats provides anglers with the tools they need to compete at the highest level. The 2025 Ikon VLX20 is the latest model from the brand, offering unmatched reliability and fishing capabilities. Through their support of grassroots events like the Ikon Tailgate Tour presented by Mercury Outboards, Ikon Boats demonstrates its commitment to fostering the next generation of bass anglers.
About The Ultimate Angler World Championship:
The Ultimate Angler World Championship is a revolutionary event designed to bring anglers from every corner of the bass fishing world together to compete for a world title. Taking place in the bass-fishing capital of the world, Lake Guntersville, Alabama, this event will crown the Ultimate Angler, a true champion of the sport. With teams from all leagues and skill levels competing, the Ultimate Angler World Championship will become the pinnacle of bass fishing and the ultimate proving ground for anglers everywhere.
Media Contact: Susan Carothers
VP of Communications
Unified Pros
susan@theultimateangler.org
Major League Fishing to Host Celebration for Local Fans with Watch Party and Championship Trophy Ceremony at Ski Beach
On Saturday and Sunday, Major League Fishing (MLF) will host a Celebration Event for MLF fans of all ages, inviting fans to come out and celebrate with the professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour as they crown the champion of the Suzuki Marine Stage 2 on Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI.
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. – MLF Bass Pro Tour Watch Party
- Watch MLF pros LIVE on the big screen on MLFNOW!
- FREE food – first 100 fans each day
- Youth fishing derby – gear provided/worms donated by DMF Bait Company
- Casting contest
- Hourly giveaways
- MLF merchandise
- Sat. – Soundscaper (Rock/Classic Rock)
- Sun. – Harrison Davis (Country)
- First 50 kids 14 and under receive a FREE Abu Garcia rod and reel each day
- Autographs and photos from Bass Pro Tour finalists
- Hourly giveaways
Ski Beach
201 E. Lake Harris Drive
Leesburg, Florida
NOTES:
The FREE, family-friendly event will be fun for fishing fans of all ages, with opportunities to watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol's Skye and Marshall, a youth fishing derby, casting contest and a food festival. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to talk about their days on the Harris Chain of Lakes, meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 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.
Jacob Wheeler Leads Early at MLF Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at Harris Chain of Lakes
Tennessee pro catches 26 largemouth weighing 80-3 to lead after Day 1 on the Harris Chain of Lakes, full field to complete Qualifying Round Friday
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2025) – Across a Bass Pro Tour career that has seen him earn eight wins and three Fishing Clash Angler of the Year titles, Jacob Wheeler has enjoyed a lot of memorable days on the water. Even though there wasn’t a trophy up for grabs (yet), Thursday’s opening day of Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI just earned a spot near the top of the list.
On a day that saw the Harris Chain produce impressive numbers of bass including 10 over 6 pounds, Wheeler set a scorching pace. He stacked up 80 pounds, 3 ounces on 26 scorable bass, including an 8-7 and a 7-15, to claim the top spot on SCORETRACKER®. Wheeler leads Michael Neal by 10-15, and no other angler is within 28 pounds of his total.
“One of the best days I’ve ever had,” Wheeler said. “And to do it in a tournament, that’s always a great thing. Catching the quality of fish that we caught, whew, it was a lot of fun.”
Wheeler has embraced forward-facing sonar as enthusiastically as just about anyone during his domination of the Bass Pro Tour. His mastery of the technology is a big reason why he’s won three AOY crowns and six events since the start of the 2021 season.
But that kind of sustained excellence requires versatility, and Wheeler showed Thursday that he’s quite capable of catching bass without the beam, too. He made it a point to never unlock his forward-facing sonar transducers, even though the Bass Pro Tour’s 2025 rules allow each angler to utilize the technology for one period each day.
Instead, Wheeler glued a flipping stick in his hands and spent his entire day methodically picking apart reed patches.
“That was a point that I wanted to make: It doesn’t really matter,” Wheeler said. “The anglers that do well in these tournaments, it doesn’t matter whether you’re using (forward-facing sonar) or you’re not. It’s all strategy; it’s all part of the game we play, and I just wanted to say, hey, look, it doesn’t matter, guys.”
Wheeler’s day actually got off to a slow start. He made a long run from takeoff at Venetian Gardens in Lake Harris to his starting spot that included a wait to pass through a lock, which resulted in him missing a good chunk of Period 1. By the time he arrived at his destination, he was more than 19 pounds back of Dean Rojas, the early leader, and it took a few moments to settle himself down.
He made up the deficit in a hurry. Wheeler boated his first scorable bass around 9:30 a.m. Over the next 34 minutes, he added seven more for a total of 27-9, which vaulted him into the lead. He’d hold the top spot for almost the entire rest of the day.
That early flurry included the 8-7, which earned Berkley Big Bass honors for the day. Wheeler also landed another near-8-pounder and three bass of 5 pounds or bigger – plus he hooked and lost one that he estimated to be around 7. He attributed his ability to generate bigger-than-average bites to his bait selection. He caught all his fish on a Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug, which he helped design.
“That bait does some things that just gets bites,” Wheeler said. “It has a pretty big profile; it has a little bit more meat to it. But I’m able to maneuver it, really get into those areas, generate those big ones to bite.”
After another string of catches early in Period 3 extended his cushion on the rest of the field, Wheeler already started to think about his strategy for the days ahead. He hasn’t yet decided whether to return to the area that produced most of his Day 1 weight on Friday and fish for the Qualifying Round win – which would allow him to bypass the Knockout Round and advance directly to the Championship Round – or to search for new water.
He’s hoping he can do both, as he thinks fishing pressure and the strong southwest wind that’s forecast to blow Sunday will force him to fish elsewhere.
“If I happen to catch them practicing, too, I could still win (the Qualifying Round),” Wheeler said. “So, I don’t know yet. I’m going to sleep on it, think about it. You know, my mind is always working, trying to figure out how to win this tournament.
“I can’t win doing what I was doing,” he continued. “The wind is just not going to cooperate, I don’t think. Now, maybe I’m wrong. We’ll see. I need to find a couple little sneaky stretches to myself or a couple areas that are going to be protected from the wind with that really bad forecast for Championship Day.”
The top 20 pros after Day 1 on the Harris Chain of Lakes are:
1st: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 26 bass, 80-3
2nd: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 29 bass, 69-4
3rd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 20 bass, 52-1
4th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 24 bass, 52-1
5th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 20 bass, 51-14
6th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 21 bass, 49-8
7th: Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., 16 bass, 46-1
8th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 22 bass, 45-9
9th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 14 bass, 39-15
10th: Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 15 bass, 37-11
11th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 17 bass, 36-14
12th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 16 bass, 36-9
13th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 16 bass, 35-11
14th: Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 16 bass, 35-7
15th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 15 bass, 33-13
16th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 12 bass, 33-2
17th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 15 bass, 32-12
18th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 17 bass, 32-8
19th: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., 17 bass, 31-12
20th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 12 bass, 30-10
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Wheeler earned the Day 1 Berkley Big Bass Award Thursday with an 8-pound, 7-ounce largemouth that he caught in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.
The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive in Leesburg. Each day’s takeout will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Venetian Gardens for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI is hosted by Discover Lake County Florida and features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
Television coverage of the Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 20. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook , X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
High winds lead to shortened competition at Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir
JASPER, Texas — Due to severe weather threats and high winds forecast for Saturday, B.A.S.S. tournament officials have canceled Saturday’s competition day at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN. The decision was made after officials consulted with local meteorologists.
“The National Weather Service is forecasting sustained winds out of the SSW of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “In addition, there is a significant threat of severe weather. The meteorologist I just spoke with is confident a severe line will come through early- to midafternoon, which will be before we can complete weigh-in for a full field.”
As a result, Friday will be the only day of competition for the Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and the tournament will conclude at the end of the day.
Takeoff will be Friday at 7 a.m. CT at Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland, Texas, with weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the same location.
The event is being sponsored by the Jasper County (Texas) Development District No. 1.
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, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
MLF Pros Make a Difference in Leesburg with a Day of Service, Fan Engagement and Youth Outreach
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2025) – On Wednesday, before the Major League Fishing (MLF) pros hit the Harris Chain of Lakes for the Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2, many spent their “off day” giving back to the Leesburg, Florida, community in a series of impactful events. From volunteering at the Leesburg Food Bank to meeting fans at Bass Pro Shops Orlando and mentoring young anglers at a student angler clinic, the day was filled with meaningful connections and memorable moments.
At sunrise, four MLF pros – Justin Cooper, Alton Jones Jr., Fred Roumbanis and Jeff Sprague – arrived at the Leesburg Food Bank, ready to roll up their sleeves and serve. Food was dispensed to more than 65 families Wednesday morning, thanks in part to the anglers, who sorted, weighed and distributed shopping carts full of essentials.
"Growing up, I knew that need personally, and taking the opportunity to give back to people who are struggling to make ends meet is something very important to me,” Sprague said. “Fishing and competing is a lot of fun, but this is the kind of thing that hits me right in the heart."
Beyond the hands-on work, the pros connected with longtime food bank volunteers, including a couple of military veterans who have dedicated years to the organization. The morning was not without its lighthearted moments, as the veteran volunteers took advantage of the “young guns’” strong backs and one of the pros tried their hands at maneuvering a forklift – resulting in a few mishaps but plenty of laughs.
Roumbanis said he was impressed by the scale of the food bank’s operation – over 700,000 pounds of food pass through the food bank each year, ran solely by volunteers – and encouraged members of the Florida community to get involved.
"As we walked through room after room full of food and saw the full scope of the organization, it was obvious how much pride and determination is put in by each of these volunteers,” said Roumbanis. “With more than 7,200 shopping carts of food distributed each year, the need is great and any donations – time, food, money, drivers – is a huge necessity to help keep the wheels turning.”
By midday, the action shifted to Bass Pro Shops in Orlando, where fans gathered to meet some of the biggest names in professional fishing. Nine MLF pros – Dustin Connell, Justin Cooper, Mark Daniels Jr., Ott DeFoe, Brent Ehrler, Edwin Evers, Chris Lane, Andy Montgomery and Skeet Reese – signed autographs, took photos and even helped feed the fish in the store’s massive tank. One redfish put on a show, slamming bait at the surface and soaking fans in the splash zone.
The day wrapped up at the Venetian Center, where 25 students from the Florida Teen Sportfishing Association gathered for the MLF Student Angler Clinic. The young anglers spent over an hour peppering MLF pros Matt Becker, Wesley Strader and Jacob Wall with questions, learning tips and tricks from the Bass Pro Tour anglers.
"Being able to share our experiences and foster the love for bass fishing with these young anglers is so important,” said Wall. “I love seeing the excitement and joy on their faces as they ask questions or laugh about mishaps on the water."
Thanks to MLF sponsors, the students didn’t leave empty-handed. Many went home with Abu Garcia rods and reels, as well as MLF signed angler jerseys, bait packs and merchandise – a fun end to an unforgettable day.
While the Bass Pro Tour competition began on the Harris Chain of Lakes Thursday, Wednesday’s community events left a lasting impression on the pros, volunteers, fans and students alike. Whether handing out food, signing autographs or inspiring the next generation, MLF’s day of service reinforced that professional bass fishing is about more than just competition—it’s about community.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Water and weather foretell favorable fishing for Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River
Feb. 13, 2025
PALATKA, Fla. — “Cold” typically is a four-letter word in Florida, but Bassmaster Elite Series pro Drew Benton said winter weather in the right measure and with the right timing could unleash an eruption of Sunshine State potential during the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.
Competition days will be February 20-23 with daily takeoffs from Palatka City Dock and Boat Ramp at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at Palatka Riverfront Park at 3 p.m.
“The big thing that is going to positively influence this event is the cold weather we had leading up to the (recent) warming trend,” Benton said. “Any time we get cold weather in Florida, and it warms up, it makes these lakes explode.
“The power of weather on these Florida fisheries is incredible. When we have a good, cold winter and the fish can’t just trickle spawn and do their thing whenever they want to, it makes them flood the bank all at the same time. They don’t all spawn at once, but they get up there where you can catch them all at once.”
Acknowledging late winter’s notoriously fickle nature, Benton wisely hedges his prediction. Late January saw a historic winter storm drop 8 inches of snow at his home in Panama City, Fla., so he’s taking nothing for granted.
“That was unheard of, but barring any (extreme) weather, all things are pointing to two strong Florida events (at St. Johns on Feb. 20-23 and at Lake Okeechobee Feb. 27-March 2),” Benton said. “People think cold weather is a bad thing in Florida, but it can really set up the fishing.”
Last year’s Elite at the St. Johns was held mid-April and saw Canadian hammer Cory Johnston win by targeting spawning bass in the Salt Springs area of the fishery. Even though this year’s tournament takes place approximately two months earlier in the year, Benton expects the warming trend to again highlight the spawn.
Benton, who has placed fourth at the St. Johns twice (2024, 2016), also points to water level as a key factor. The St. Johns suffered a tremendous loss of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) — mostly eelgrass — during past hurricanes, with winds ripping up much of the vegetation and lingering high water choking out any resurgence.
While it takes years to regrow the eelgrass that once carpeted much of the system and made areas like Crescent Lake and Lake George spawning meccas, Benton said the current scenario will deliver immediate impacts.
“One thing I’ve been watching is the water level, and it has been down this year, which is a positive,” Benton said. “That’s what has negatively affected the grass growth. I don’t know if the current water level is going to impact the grass growth, but as a whole, it’s going to make the river healthier.
“Typically, as long as it’s not high it’s going to be clear. And (the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) put in a lot of work on the fishery with eelgrass planting and (protective fencing around planted areas). From what I’ve seen online, some of those planted areas have taken off. That little bit of grass will help with water quality.”
Despite a major change in fishable waters, Benton believes anglers will find significant opportunities throughout tournament waters. Last year, competitors were allowed to fish Rodman Reservoir — a man-made reservoir on the Ocklawaha River that connects to the St. Johns through a canal south of Palatka.
This year, Rodman is off-limits, but Benton remains optimistic. Tournament boundaries stretch from the Fuller Warren Bridge (I-95) in Jacksonville down to State 44 in DeLand. Past events have seen anglers push far north of Palatka and nearly to the southern boundary.
With the combination of lower water and favorable weather, Benton believes competitive bags could come from both extremes and all points in between.
“Initially, I didn’t like that Rodman was out of the equation this year, because in the past it attracted a lot of boats and kept them off the river,” he said. “I was afraid that would make the river fish extremely small this year, but because of that weather we’ve had, I think it’s going to spread guys out.
“I think the entire range is hitting the magical water temp. I think that as far as you want to go north or south could be in play.”
Sight fishing likely will make up a large portion of the angling effort, but Benton said late prespawners preparing to move up will also present solid opportunities. He’s also pondering the potential for a traditional postspawn pattern.
“Shellbeds always play, because not all the fish are gonna bed at the same time,” Benton said. “If a guy finds a place where they’re pulling up before they spawn and they’re stopping on a shellbed or a little drop on that river, that’s what’s gonna win this tournament. That’s because you’ll have fish coming to you and fish stopping on their way back out.
“The guys doing the shellbed game will have a rotation of jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, Ned rigs and rattling baits, depending on tide and depth. It’s a little early, but any time water temperatures are in the 70s, you have the potential to have a shad spawn.”
Benton went on to say that in the absence of any significant SAV, spawning bass will utilize any hard cover, including wood and lily pad root systems standing above the bottom substrate. Past events have seen anglers targeting spawning fish on cypress tree roots. That also could be in play this time around, but Benton warned of navigational challenges.
“Some of that stuff is deceptively shallow,” he said. “You may be 100 yards out trying to get in, and your trolling motor is hitting the bottom. Finding that stuff with the right amount of water on it is going to be the big deal.”
Benton said he’s looking for a four-day winning total of 88 pounds, with 19 pounds a day making the Top 10 cut. Johnston won with 93-6 last year, so if weather and water factors remain as Benton expects, the field should easily meet or exceed those numbers.
Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on FS1 on Saturday and Sunday. Stay up-to-date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch/.
Florida’s Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, 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 500,000-member 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.
High winds force postponement of Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Feb. 13, 2025
JASPER, Texas — Due to unsafe, sustained high winds, Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN has been postponed to ensure the safety of anglers. Tournament officials made the decision after examining conditions and the body of water early this morning.
“Post-frontal conditions have made navigation unsafe for our competitors,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “We are experiencing sustained northerly winds of 15-20 mph, with gusts reaching 25-30 mph. These conditions are expected to persist until later this afternoon. The full field will compete tomorrow.”
The tournament will resume Friday at 7 a.m. at Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland, Texas, with weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the same location.
The event is being sponsored by the Jasper County (Texas) Development District No. 1.
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, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
B.A.S.S., FXR Pro Fish announce Elite Series title sponsorship
Feb. 12, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. announced today that FXR Pro Fish, a leader in high-performance apparel, has signed on as the title sponsor for the upcoming FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River to be held in Palatka, Fla., Feb. 20-23.
FXR Pro Fish produces gear that integrates top-of-the-line technical features and fabrics everywhere possible, with a high-octane lifestyle in mind. FXR clothing, outerwear and accessories are designed by people who share that lifestyle and passion.
“We are excited that FXR will be the title sponsor for the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Florida,” said FXR Pro Fish Brand Director Chris Meyeraan. “This prestigious event marks a significant milestone, and we are thrilled that all of our anglers have the opportunity to chase the ultimate prize — the iconic blue trophy — at the end of the week. With the talent and dedication of our team, we are confident that the FXR anglers will be a force to be reckoned with in the Elite Series this season.”
“We are looking forward to the partnership between the Bassmaster Elite Series and FXR Pro Fish,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “Our Elite Series athletes face some very taxing conditions on the water, and having FXR join us as the title sponsor for the Elite Series event at Palatka is a welcome addition to the tournament.”
The Elite Series last visited the St. Johns River in 2024 when Canadian Cory Johnston won in stellar fashion with a total weight of 93 pounds, 6 ounces. Johnston’s winning weight was 21 pounds, 2 ounces over Texan Brad Whatley, who placed second.
“Our partnership with the Bassmaster organization as the title sponsor for the first event of the season exemplifies our dedication to the sport,” said FXR Pro Fish and FXR Racing Chief Executive Officer Brian Danielson. “It also comes at a perfect time for the FXR Pro Fish brand, as it follows the launch of our Spring 2025 lineup. We are excited to see our Elite roster take to the water in their fresh gear.”
Live coverage of all four days of the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River will begin Feb. 20 on Bassmaster.com as well as the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast the event live Feb. 22-23 at 8 a.m. ET.
About FXR
FXR is a leader in high-performance apparel, designed for anglers who demand the best in quality, durability and comfort. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, FXR continues to be a trusted name in the fishing community.
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.
Scroggins Eyes Redemption on Harris Chain
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota pro Terry Scroggins looks to take advantage of a warm front and make hay on his home waters.
If you’ve been a fan of professional bass fishing for any length of time, the name Terry Scroggins certainly rings a bell. The Team Toyota pro is a well-known expert on Florida waters, and he looks to capitalize on his reputation this week at Suzuki Marine Stage 2 - Harris Chain of Lakes.
Although the tournament is being held on a fishery just over an hour from his house, Scroggins is still dealing with somewhat of a learning curve.
“I’m coming off a tough tournament on Conroe,” Scroggins said. “Honestly, a lot of it was just trying to figure out the new forward-facing sonar format. I learned that you have to be smack-dab on a good school during that ‘scoping’ period and if you’re not, you’re essentially dead in the water. You have to make hay while you’re allowed to use the forward-facing technology, and I simply didn’t in Texas. What’s funny though, is that I caught the big bass of the event—a 9 1/2-pounder—on a little bitty jighead and minnow but I just didn’t have much else to go with it.”
If you were a betting person, you’d be hard pressed to overlook Big Show for this upcoming event on the Harris Chain. Not only is it his home water but the weather looks absolutely perfect for him to put on a Florida-fishing clinic. While he remains modest in his approach, lots of other pros have him on their short list for this event.
“I’m running around town in my Tundra on our off day and it’s 86 degrees,” Scroggins said. “The weather people say it’s going to be in the 80s for the next week so we have plenty of great weather ahead of us. The bad thing is that they’ve had a fish kill in Apopka recently and that’s where a lot of the big bags have been coming from. Add to that a bunch of recent fishing pressure from some other big tournament trails and I honestly don’t think it’s going to be as easy as some folks might think.”
Shallow fishing is likely to dominate this event due to the time of year and the weather, but when Florida bass make their moves to the shallows, they can be some of the finickiest bass in the country. Even just a degree or two of water temperature change can totally flip their moods.
“I want to spend a bunch of time sight fishing in this event,” Scroggins said. “But you have to be careful with that in this format. If you’re camped out on a single 6-pound bass, your competitor can fly down the bank and catch 10 small fish and jump way ahead of you in the standings. It’s definitely a delicate balance. I’m going to have to pay close attention to the body language of the bass when I’m sight fishing. If she’s making tight circles on my bait and staying interested, I’ll probably stay on her for a little longer than I’d like. If she’s uninterested and swimming big circles around my bait, I won’t have much of a choice but to move on to other, more willing participants. The time management aspect is just too important to ignore.”
History tends to be a tricky thing when pro anglers return to their home waters for a tournament. Imagine all the huge limits Scroggins has caught on the Harris Chain over the decades—that all has to go down the proverbial toilet this week. Every spring season is different in Florida and he has to try and ignore all of his history on this fishery to truly fish the moment. It’s easier said than done, but he’s prepared for the challenge.
“I can’t even worry about stuff like that,” Scroggins said. “I’m going to fish the way I like to fish and hopefully block out all the history I have in this area. These Florida bass don’t just change by the day and the week; they change by the hour and you have to put yourself ahead of them in order to have a shot at winning. And I plan on trying to do that.”
No matter what the weather might bring to the table, the Florida pro is certainly expecting to see some double-digit bass caught throughout the event. While that might sound crazy to some of us in the rest of the country, a February warm front in Florida does wonderful things to a bass and can create magic in a hurry.
“This is going to be one of those tournaments you’ll want to be watching because somebody is going to catch a giant on camera, if not multiple,” Scroggins said.
Will the prodigal son pull out the victory close to home? It’s too early to tell now but if you’re a betting person… he might be a safe one to put your money on.
BFL Tournament on Toledo Bend Postponed Due to High Winds
WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine tournament on Toledo Bend Reservoir, scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 15 has been postponed due to the extremely high winds and lightning being forecast by the National Weather Service.
The event, set to be the third event in the BFL Cowboy Division, has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 6, and will piggyback on the next BFL Cowboy event at Sam Rayburn Reservoir on April 5.
WHEN:
Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6
Takeoff: 7 a.m. CT
Weigh-in: 3 p.m. CT
WHERE:
Umphrey Family Pavilion, 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, Brookeland, Texas
NOTES:
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on 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, Li Time, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 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.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes set to host Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 1 Presented by Vosker
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2025) –The first Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational tournament of the 2025 season is set to kick off next week, Feb. 21-23, at Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes – the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 1 Presented by Vosker.
The three-day tournament, hosted by Experience Kissimmee, will feature a field of pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000. Anglers will take to the water to catch their five biggest bass each day, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total.
"We are excited to welcome the Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitationals to Lake Toho and the Kissimmee area,” said Tyler Weyant, Director of Sports Development at Experience Kissimmee. “It's an honor to continue our relationship with MLF, building on the success of our past collaborations. To all participants, families, and friends joining us for the tournament, I encourage you to explore our local shops, diverse flavors of our restaurants, and rich heritage that makes Kissimmee a must-see destination.”
Although Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain have played host to dozens of MLF tournaments over the years – including four Bass Pro Tour events since 2019 – this event marks the first time since 2019 that a professional-level MLF tournament with the five-fish weigh-in format will be held.
Known for its sprawling waterways and healthy bass populations, the Kissimmee Chain should offer anglers the chance to catch fish in all phases of the spawn, setting the stage for an extremely competitive tournament, according to pro Blake Smith of Lakeland, Florida, who will be among the competitors.
“Since December, we’ve already seen a few waves of fish spawning,” Smith said. “Guys are going to be able to catch some prespawn, some spawning, and some postspawn fish in this one.”
Smith said that he expects Lake Toho, where the tournament launches, to remain the most popular destination on the chain for anglers, but he predicts that some anglers may venture further due to the dense vegetation.
“Toho is always pretty good, even though right now it is a little choked out,” Smith explained. “There’s a lot of topped-out vegetation, so it’s really going to be a pick-your-poison kind of deal. You can fish Toho and punch and flip grass, or head to the other lakes like Kissimmee, Cypress or Hatchineha. Those lakes absolutely will play in this one. Especially for the guys that don’t like flipping.”
Recent weather fluctuations have added another layer of complexity.
“We’ve had some crazy weather in Florida this year,” Smith said. “It’s not been taking tons of weight to win tournaments lately, but somebody is usually in the mid-twenties for the top bag.”
When it comes to bait choices, Smith shared some standout picks.
“The first thing I’ll throw, without a doubt, is a Yamamoto Senko – it’s a staple here,” he said. “I think we’ll see a lot more of the bigger glide baits playing, now, as well. They’re getting to be pretty popular down here. I’ll have a Bucca Trick Shad tied on. And I think the traditional Florida favorites like ChatterBaits, swim baits, and (Yamamoto) Speed Senkos will all come into play.”
For this event, Smith said he expects the winner to average about 25 pounds per day, with a final three-day total of 75 pounds likely to take the crown.
“If you can get to 20 pounds a day, you’re going to be in good shape,” Smith went on to say.
Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. ET each day from Big Toho Marina, located at 69 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee, Florida. Weigh-ins will be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals feature a field of professional anglers competing across six invitational tournaments around the country, for a total purse of $4.3 million and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points to qualify for the Invitationals Championship, set for Sept. 5-7 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the sport’s top circuit.
In Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field compete in the two-day opening round on Days 1 and 2 in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000. The winner of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by Vosker will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight.
New this season, forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to only days 1 and 3 of competition. No forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar will be allowed on day 2 of competition.
The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live all three days of competition from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by Vosker will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on CBS Sports Network.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals 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 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
2025 Bassmaster Team Championship to return to Lake Hartwell
Feb. 11, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. has announced the 2025 Bassmaster Team Championship will make a return to Lake Hartwell Dec. 3-6. The winner of the four-day event featuring the best grass-roots anglers in the country will fill the final spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
The event’s return marks the first time the Team Championship has been held in Anderson, S.C., since 2022. Lake Hartwell was ranked No. 22 in the Southeastern Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s 2024 100 Best Bass Lakes list and features a world-class facility in Green Pond Landing.
“We're very excited to have the Bassmaster Team Championship back to Green Pond Landing, Lake Hartwell and Anderson County,” said Visit Anderson Executive Director Neil Paul. “The leadership of our county continues to provide us with the resources to host championship events and the continued support to develop our facilities. We have a tremendous inventory of local and regional anglers that will have an opportunity to earn their way to the Bassmaster Classic. We look forward to welcoming B.A.S.S. and the many wonderful anglers, their families and industry representatives to our community for an experience that is second to none.”
The team portion of the event will be held Dec. 3-4, with the winning duo not only claiming a cash prize, but also leading the charge into the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off section of the event, which will take place Dec. 5-6.
The Top 3 teams through Day 2 — six anglers in all — will have their weights zeroed and then compete individually in the Fish-Off. The competitor with the heaviest two-day total of the group will earn the final spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic.
“We’re thrilled to return to Lake Hartwell for the 2025 Bassmaster Team Championship,” said GL Compton, tournament manager for the B.A.S.S. Nation and Kayak Series. “This iconic fishery has a rich history of producing exciting competition, and its deep, clear waters and vast shoreline make this the perfect stage for anglers to showcase all of their skills. The enthusiasm and support from the local community make Hartwell a special destination, and we can't wait to crown the next Team champions and award the final 2026 Bassmaster Classic berth in such a legendary setting.”
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Blake Hall and Jeremy Lamb Win ABT Smith Lake with 19.03
By Jason Duran
The Alabama Bass Trail kicked off its 12th season at Smith Lake. Historically, this lake has presented challenges for teams, as Mother Nature often throws unexpected weather conditions just before tournament day. Some years, it has been extremely cold, while other times, the water has even reached the parking lot at the ramp. This year, however, Mother Nature delivered a week of summer weather right at the beginning of February. With the warming trend, teams needed to adjust their strategies on Smith Lake to locate fish that seemed confused by the transition from shallow to deep water. Nevertheless, the 225 teams competing in the Alabama Bass Trail North Division always find a way to adapt. Blake Hall and Jeremy Lamb emerged victorious, leading the field by over two pounds and securing the first ABT North win of 2025.
Blake Hall and Jeremy Lamb managed to catch a mixed bag consisting of four largemouth bass and one nice spotted bass, with a total weight of 19.03 pounds. “Our practice didn’t go well at all. We spent a couple of days out here and only found a few spots with small fish. After exhausting those areas, we decided to explore new water today, and it paid off. We started deep in the morning, targeting spotted bass. Initially, we weren’t sure if we could catch a largemouth, so we focused on getting a limit of spots first before pursuing largemouth bass. Finding some good largemouths was crucial for us to even have a chance at a payout, considering our practice. We managed to secure a limit in about 30 minutes, including a nice spotted bass that weighed over 4 pounds. We caught it using a Rapala Mooch Minnow in green shad, fished on a ¼ oz head while utilizing Live Scope to guide our casts. The fish were really scattered, and most of the time, we were targeting individual fish. The four largemouth bass we weighed in were caught on a Rapala DT6 in Brown Crawdad. After completing our limit, we decided to revisit some areas we had fished in the past, hoping that the fish would be moving shallower due to the warm weather. We found some wind and muddy water, and we used the DT6 to target fish holding close to the bottom. We also fished around long points mixed with wood. After culling through about 15 fish, we put together our mixed bag." This win earned them $15,000 plus a $8,000 Phoenix Boats Bonus.
Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst finished in second place with a total catch of 16.85 pounds. They practiced for two days, stating, “We caught fish, but we didn’t catch the size we did today.” They noted that recent weather changes had impacted fishing conditions at Smith Lake. Just a few weeks prior, the air temperature had been below freezing for several days. However, the week leading up to the event saw temperatures in the 70s. The team observed, “When it was really cold, the fish were locked on the bottom, but now, with the warming trend, they have started moving shallower.
The water temperature is currently in the mid- to upper 50s.” They explained that the fish were so shallow that casting would spook them and they could see it on their Live Scope. By around 10:30 AM, they had already caught their limit. In practice, the area they fished contained a lot of spotted bass, but on the day of the event, they were able to locate more largemouth bass in the same area. Throughout the day, they caught a total of 20 fish, most of which were found in 12 to 15 feet of water within brush. Previously, the fish had been deeper than that. The warm front and windy conditions contributed to a better bite from the largemouth bass. They targeted these fish using the Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow. Later in the afternoon, they noticed that they could typically scope the fish around the brush more effectively, but that changed. They decided to switch to using a jig in the brush, which led to them catching one fish and ultimately changing their strategy. This adjustment allowed them to cull up to the weight they achieved. They had expected to catch around 12 to 13 pounds and thought it would take about 16 pounds to win. However, being able to catch more largemouth bass significantly boosted their weight today. They expressed their love for this location, mentioning that they come here often. “This lake is full of fish, and it’s really fun when the spotted bass start spawning,” they added. With their second place finish they won $7,500.
Chad Hall and Ryan Hall's team caught a total of 16.38 pounds, securing a third-place finish. They shared that practice was somewhat slow, noting, "The fish were trying to move up to shallow water. We think they are confused because it got so warm so quickly. We had a decent practice, but nothing really noteworthy." Their day began with them catching their limit within about an hour in a ditch where they found fish. After attaining their limit, they moved on and culled the rest of the day, ultimately landing around 20 fish, which included a mix of spots and two largemouth bass. They used a ned rig and minnows, fishing in depths of 15 to 40 feet of water. They covered both the Ryan side and the Rock Creek side, emphasizing that covering a lot of water was crucial to their success. When asked about their goals for the year, they expressed, "We want to qualify for the Team Championship. It seems like every year we have one tournament where we perform poorly, and that's usually this one. By starting off strong here, we hope to avoid that setback and have a great year." For their efforts, they earned a $6,000 payday for their third-place finish. Plus a $1,000 AmFirst Bonus.
The top ten standings are below. For a complete list of standings please visit: https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/lewis-smith-lake/results/
Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for "Alabama Bass Trail Podcast." The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday.
For Live coverage of this event and others visit https://www.youtube.com/@alabamabasstrailtv
The 2025 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.
Gill North America (Gill NA) promotes the Aqua Parka: The Essential Utility Parka for Anglers and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Engineered for comfort, protection, and convenience on the water and in the wild.
Gill NA, a trusted leader in outdoor and fishing gear, is proud to share one of its best sellers - the Aqua Parka, a waterproof, windproof, and breathable utility parka designed specifically for anglers and outdoor adventurers. Built to withstand the toughest conditions, the Aqua Parka offers unparalleled protection, comfort, and convenience, making it the go-to choice for those who live to fish, boat, and explore the outdoors.
Whether you’re prepping your boat for an early morning tournament, changing clothes on a windy deck, braving the weather for kids sports or simply seeking extra warmth and protection, the Aqua Parka has you covered. Crafted with a waterproof shell, 4-way stretch fabric, and a thermal lining that wicks moisture away from the skin, this utility parka keeps you dry, warm, and comfortable, even in the harshest weather.
Key Features of the Aqua Parka:
- Waterproof and Windproof Shell: Featuring a stitch-free, welded seam construction with stretch the Aqua Parka keeps you dry and shielded from the wind, providing reliable protection from the elements while you're on the water or in the field.
- 4-Way Stretch Fabric: Designed to move with you, the fabric makes changing quick and easy while ensuring freedom of movement—whether you’re reeling in the big one or getting ready for the next fishing spot.
- High-Loft Thermal Lining: The high-loft thermal lining wicks moisture away and traps heat, keeping you warm even when you're wearing it over damp clothes—perfect for chilly mornings on the boat or cold, rainy days outdoors.
- Generous, Oversized Design: The Aqua Parka’s loose fit allows you to pull your arms inside and change comfortably anywhere if that suits your fancy, offering full coverage and privacy, even in the most exposed locations.
- Adjustable Full-Length Sleeves and YKK Zipper: With adjustable cuffs and a two-way YKK zipper, the Aqua Parka provides a customizable fit, letting you zip up quickly for warmth or unzip for ventilation as needed.
- Multiple Storage Pockets: Equipped with both internal zippered and stow pockets, the Aqua Parka keeps your valuables safe, and your gear organized, so you can stay focused on your next catch.
- Portable and Easy to Pack: Pair the Aqua Parka with the Gill changing mat for added convenience and easily stow the robe in the Gill wet/changing bag for easy transport—so you can stay prepared wherever your adventure takes you.
"The Aqua Parka was designed with anglers and outdoor adventurers in mind," said Jane Scott Design Manager of Gill. "We know how important it is to stay comfortable and dry, especially during those long days on the water. With its innovative features, the Aqua Parka makes being on the go simple and comfortable, all while providing the warmth and protection needed to keep you performing at your best."
A perfect addition to your fishing and outdoor gear lineup, the Aqua Parka is made to stand up to tough weather and help you make the most of every outdoor experience. Whether you’re battling the wind on a boat deck, changing out of wet clothes after a day of fishing, or simply staying warm during your outdoor adventures, the Aqua Parka delivers the reliability and performance you need.
The Aqua Parka is now available for purchase on Gill’s website and at select retailers. For more details, including pricing and availability, visit gillfishing.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Michele Eichstead
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About Gill:
Trusted on the water for 50 years Gill did not start as a brand or business, it started as a solution to find better more capable sailing clothing using the best fabrics possible. Combined with innovative design to increase performance and tested on elite athletes in the most challenging of conditions it means you can rely on Gill on or off the water – only you limit how you use our products.
Our collection of fishing apparel and gear is specially designed to cover all bases, with fishing clothing and accessories that can truly help you focus on the task at hand, rather than worrying about protecting your body and staying comfortable. Our fishing apparel comes with the best design features and fabrics to allow you to stay warm, dry, and able to concentrate fully on your fishing. Engineered for all elements.
2025 NPFL Championship Set For Lake Hartwell
WILKESVILLE, Ohio—The National Professional Fishing League and Visit Anderson today announce that Lake Hartwell on the South Carolina-Georgia state line will be the site of the 2025 NPFL Championship, October 3-5, 2025, and that Visit Anderson will host the event. It will be the second annual championship for the league and the third NPFL bass tournament to be held on the lake.
“We’ve known for some time that Lake Hartwell would be the site for our Championship,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller, “but settling on the dates took a little time because of our scheduling demands and the popularity of the venue. Lake Hartwell, with the support of Visit Anderson, is one of the most attractive and popular tournament sites in the country. We’re confident that early October will offer excellent weather and outstanding fishing, making it a true test of the best for the anglers scheduled to compete.”
In all, 42 anglers will vie for the Championship, including the top 40 finishers in the Progressive Angler of the Year standings, defending champion Brandon Perkins, and Nick Brown—winner of the Chompers/NPFL Stop #5 on Lake of the Ozarks. The full list of qualifiers is available here.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to host the NPFL Championship at Green Pond Landing, Lake Hartwell and Anderson County,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson. “Our community has enjoyed a special relationship with the NPFL and their anglers for several years now. In each visit to Anderson County, the NPFL has made a positive impact in our community, and we’re looking forward to providing a championship-caliber experience.”
The 2025 NPFL season begins March 6-8 at the Santee Cooper lakes (Marion and Moultrie) in South Carolina. That’s the first of six regular season tournaments that will qualify 40 or more top pros for next year’s Championship. The full schedule can be found 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.
SPRO Expands Distribution of Premium Japanese Fishing Brands to U.S. Market
Kennesaw, GA - SPRO, a leading distributor of high-quality fishing gear, proudly announces the expansion of its portfolio to include more premier Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) brands, making them accessible to U.S. anglers and retailers. SPRO is now the exclusive U.S. distributor for Hide Up, a renowned Japanese fishing brand known for its innovative and high-performance tackle, including the highly sought after Coike.
SPRO’s growing lineup already includes top-tier Japanese brands such as Nories, Meiho, Marfix, and Sea Falcon. By strengthening its distribution network, SPRO ensures that hard-to-find JDM products are now more accessible than ever to U.S. consumers. With SPRO’s inventory strategically located in the United States, anglers can enjoy faster shipping, eliminating the long wait times typically associated with international orders. Additionally, by purchasing through SPRO, U.S. customers can avoid the complexities of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, import duties, and elevated shipping costs.
"Japanese fishing gear is highly sought after for its superior craftsmanship and performance," said Syd Rives SPRO National Sales Manager. "We are excited to bring these exceptional brands to anglers across the United States, helping them elevate their fishing experience without the usual challenges of importing."
We are Sports Professionals. SPRO works with America's best anglers to design the world's finest fishing tackle. Using cutting edge technology and innovation, SPRO leads the way in developing the highest quality premium fishing equipment available.
For more information, please visit
Bass Fishing Hall of Fame offering grants to fisheries students and conservation groups again in 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— For Immediate Release — Feb 10, 2025 —The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has funded over $100,000 in conservation projects since 2020, and in 2024 awarded fisheries students $27,500 in scholarship money.
Continuing to stand true on its pillars of celebrating, promoting and preserving bass fishing, the BassFishing Hall of Fame begins 2025 with an invitation to grassroots conservation groups and students to again apply for grants and scholarships at: https://www.bassfishinghof.com/community-impact.
Bass Fishing Hall of Famer and fisheries biologist Gene Gilliland says the real-world impact of these grants can be witnessed at bass fisheries across America.
“Projects that our sport’s Hall of Fame has helped fund recently include aquatic plant introductions in Bloomington and Evergreen, Illinois, Leavenworth, Kansas, Clarks Hill, South Carolina and Philpott, Virginia. Along with building live release tournament trailers in Alabama, Iowa and Kansas; and installing artificial fish habitat in New Mexico, Texas and Tennessee,” says Gilliland.
Bass clubs, lake associations, reservoir groups, and youth fishing organizations have been recipients of BFHOF grants and are the "boots on the ground" volunteers that put these funds to work. All in an effort to help to preserve the sport of bass fishing.
Natalie Coash, who now works as a fisheries research specialist for the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife research Unit says the money she received from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame during her time as a student at Auburn were helpful not only to her academic growth, but “The money I received from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame was instrumental in my growth as a fisheries biologist, and also made everyday life a bit easier as my tuition, rent, utilities and health insurance totaled about $16,000 a year, and my graduate student salary was $20,000,” says an ever-grateful Coash.
Again, conservation groups and current fisheries students are encouraged to apply now at https://www.bassfishinghof.com/community-impact.
About the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF)
Celebrating its 25th year, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors, dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing. The Hall’s inductees and historical memorabilia are showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. For more information about the road to induction, the Hall’s impact on the community, or to get involved, visit www.BassFishingHOF.com.
or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at bbowman@bassfishinghof.com.
Chouteau’s Allen Posts First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Grand Lake
Afton’s Fielder Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
GROVE, Okla. (Feb. 10, 2025) – Boater Ronnie Allen of Chouteau, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Grand Lake . The tournament, hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, was the first event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Allen earned $11,575 for his victory, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus.
A good game plan goes a long way in a bass tournament, especially when fishing against the best local sticks on a fishery like Grand Lake. In this case, according to Allen, it took solid execution and a fair bit of something else.
“A lot of luck,” he said. “I just got lucky and pulled up on the right spot at the right time. I pulled up on my first spot, and I caught all my fish on that one school in about a hundred-yard stretch. I caught ’em all pretty early in the morning. I think I had 20 pounds at 8:30 or 9 o’clock, and then was able to upgrade twice from there. I was just throwing an A-rig in deep water.”
Allen found these fish more than a week ago and never made it back to check on them before the event started. He hoped they would still be there, and they were – that’s the lucky part.
He used forward-facing sonar to bird dog individual bass that were roaming open water near some deep ledges. Catching them early was a good thing, as changing conditions eventually hurt the bite.
“I think that cold front that blew in really shut them off,” Allen added. “I was happy to have my bag early because after about 10 or 11 o’clock the fish shut off.”
The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Ronnie Allen, Chouteau, Okla., five bass, 22-6, $11,575 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Billy Gordon, Catoosa, Okla., five bass, 20-13, $2,288
3rd: Justin Barbour, Tulsa, Okla., five bass, 19-11, $1,525
4th: Camden Kozikoski, Edmond, Okla., five bass, 19-5, $1,068
5th: Tate Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 19-4, $915
6th: Kyle Kitts, Joplin, Mo., five bass, 18-7, $839
7th: Shawn Clark, Afton, Okla., five bass, 17-0, $763
8th: Nathen Luce, Claremore, Okla., five bass, 16-13, $686
9th: Preston Cook, Miami, Okla., five bass, 15-15, $610
10th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 15-9, $507
10th: Cody Miller, Shell Knob, Mo., five bass, 15-9, $507
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Kacey Moreland of Porter, Oklahoma, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $665.
Fred Fielder of Afton, Oklahoma, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,288 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Fred Fielder, Afton, Okla., three bass, 11-12, $2,288
2nd: Dave Harvey, Centerton, Ark., three bass, 9-0, $1,144
3rd: Eian Odle, Willow Springs, Mo., three bass, 8-9, $762
4th: Thad Hewitt, Delaware, Okla., two bass, 7-8, $634
5th: James West, Spiro, Okla., three bass, 6-15, $458
6th: Bo Dunlap, Broken Arrow, Okla., two bass, 6-12, $419
7th: Zack Holt, Yukon, Okla., three bass, 6-2, $381
8th: Jared Geary, Joplin, Mo., two bass, 5-15, $343
9th: Mark Sloan, Harrison, Ark., three bass, 5-12, $286
9th: Tad Harp, Cave Springs, Ark., two bass, 5-12, $286
Robert Joslin of Fort Smith, Arkansas, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $332, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
In addition to earning the win, Ronnie Allen of Chouteau, Oklahoma, also has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Okie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Fred Fielder of Afton, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Okie Division anglers will be held March 22, at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and 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 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Bristol’s Neece Picks up Third Career Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League at Lake Chickamauga
Oliver Springs’ Paul Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
DAYTON, Tenn. (Feb. 10, 2025) – Boater Corey Neece of Bristol, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 32 pounds, 7 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Chickamauga . The tournament, hosted by Fish Dayton, was the first event of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Neece earned $11,037 for his victory, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus.
“I just caught ’em scoping an Alabama rig all day,” said Neece, who used 4-inch swimbaits on his A-rig. “I didn’t catch many though. I only caught eight or nine fish all day.”
According to Neece, fishing was slow in the morning. He didn’t start catching them until 10:30 or 11. He attributed the low number of overall bites to the fishing pressure. He said the fish are grouped up in the middle of creek channels with bait – areas where anglers are able to find and target them with live sonar.
“They’re moving into early stages of prespawn, probably,” Neece said about the fish. “They’re starting to move back into the creeks. I had two pretty small stretches of creek channel that they were in. I just bounced back and forth between the two throughout the day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 32-7, $11,037 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Josh Lee, Powell, Tenn., five bass, 29-14, $2,564
3rd: Jacob Foutz, Philadelphia, Tenn., five bass, 26-3, $1,345
4th: Tim Smiley, White Pine, Tenn., five bass, 25-1, $942
5th: Blake Smith, Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 22-13, $807
6th: Kevin Drake, Cleveland, Tenn., five bass, 22-11, $740
7th: Jeremy Gordon, Rutledge, Tenn., five bass, 22-5, $673
8th: Derrick Stafford, Kingston, Tenn., five bass, 22-4, $606
9th: Robert Wroblewski, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 21-11, $538
10th: Bryce McDonald, Paintsville, Ky., five bass, 20-14, $471
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Josh Lee of Powell, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 9 pounds, 14 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $545.
Joshua Paul of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,019 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 1 ounce.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Joshua Paul, Oliver Springs, Tenn., three bass, 12-1, $2,019
2nd: Christopher Davis, Huntsville, Ala., three bass, 11-7, $1,009
3rd: Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 10-8, $675
4th: Hunter Wilson, Greenback, Tenn., three bass, 10-2, $471
5th: Kasey Hunley, Sharps Chapel, Tenn., three bass, 9-14, $404
6th: Tony Thompson, Friendsville, Tenn., three bass, 9-10, $370
7th: Ransom Boone, Marshall, N.C., three bass, 9-5, $336
8th: Ricky Sexton, Oliver Springs, Tenn., three bass, 8-11, $303
9th: Randall Kramer, Signal Mountain, Tenn., three bass, 8-7, $269
10th: Don Carmack, Middlesboro, Ky., three bass, 8-2, $235
Tim Martin of Jonesborough, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $272, catching a bass that weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After one event, Corey Neece of Bristol, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Joshua Paul of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points.
The next event for BFL Volunteer Division anglers will be held March 8, at South Holston Reservoir out of Bristol, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive 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 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Local Angler Seabolt Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Gator Division Opener at Lake Okeechobee
Valachovic and Hunter Tie for Win in Strike King Co-Angler Division
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2025) – Fishing in his first career tournament in MLF competition, 19-year-old boater Tanner Seabolt of Okeechobee, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 31 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Okeechobee . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Gator Division. Seabolt earned $4,507 for his victory.
Seabolt, who works at Fast Break Bait & Tackle up on Okeechobee’s north end, is able to stay pretty dialed in on what’s happening at his home lake.
“I found a spot up there on the north end – cattails with some bedded fish around them,” he said. “I was just throwing a worm at them. It was pretty consistent all day. I had my bag by around 12:30ish and then just kept on throwing a bigger worm for a big one.
“I found these fish two weeks ago. I didn’t really catch anything great off it, but I caught some solid fish. I guess they pulled in there either last night or today.”
After 12:30, Seabolt made one nice cull, tossing back a 4-pounder for a 5 1/2. His biggest fish weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces.
What’s wild about the spot where Seabolt caught his fish is that, according to Seabolt, another local tournament was also won there on Saturday, and it took 30-plus to win that one, too.
Seabolt spent the tournament working down one key stretch, pitching a Gambler Ace in black and blue on a 7-foot, 2-inch Scenko Stix custom rod. Seabolt wasn’t sight-fishing, but he was fishing his Texas rig slowly, knowing that the fish were setting up on beds. Most of his bass came in little clusters.
For Seabolt, this is win No. 1 with Major League Fishing.
“I went into this tournament thinking that if they were there I could catch them really good,” he said. “So I just went into the tournament praying. Honestly, it (winning this event) means everything to me.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tanner Seabolt, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 31-9, $4,507
2nd: Dylan Quilatan, Windermere, Fla., five bass, 24-15, $2,253
3rd: Roger Gonzalez, Coco, Fla., five bass, 24-5, $1,502
4th: Finn Taylor, Lake Placid, Fla., five bass, 23-15, $1,052
5th: Casey Warren, Myrtle Beach, S.C., five bass, 23-11, $901
6th: Fred Chivington Jr., San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 21-2, $826
7th: Richard Newberry, Pinellas Park, Fla., five bass, 20-14, $1,251
8th: Brandon St. Pierre, Lehigh Acres, Fla., five bass, 19-10, $638
8th: Ben Harris, Haines City, Fla., five bass, 19-10, $1,293
10th: Eric Morgan, Royal Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 18-5, $526
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Ben Harris of Haines City, Florida, caught a bass that weighed 10 pounds, 4 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $655.
Anthony Valachovic of Coral Springs, Florida, and Evrett Hunter of Nokomis, Florida, tied for the win in the Strike King co-angler division Saturday, after each bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 2 ounces. Valachovic earned $2,017, including the $327 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award, which he received for catching the biggest fish of the day in the co-angler division – a 10-pound, 5-ounce bass. Hunter earned $1,690 for his share of the victory money.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Anthony Valachovic, Coral Springs, Fla., three bass, 16-2, $2,017
1st: Evrett Hunter, Nokomis, Fla., three bass, 16-2, $1,690
3rd: Chuck Crow, Windermere, Fla., three bass, 14-5, $638
3rd: Shannon Pike, Sarasota, Fla., three bass, 14-5, $638
5th: David Lane, Orlando, Fla., three bass, 13-14, $451
6th: Dean Bligh, Heddon Heights, N.J., three bass, 12-14, $413
7th: Michael Ryan, Mount Dora, Fla., three bass, 11-7, $376
8th: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., three bass, 10-10, $319
8th: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountan, N.C., three bass, 10-10, $319
10th: Scott Hopping, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., three bass, 10-8, $263
In addition to earning the win, Tanner Seabolt of Okeechobee, Florida, has the early lead in the Fishing Clash Gator Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Anthony Valachovic of Coral Springs, Florida, and Evrett Hunter of Nokomis, Florida, are tied for the lead in the Fishing Clash Gator Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 250 points apiece.
The next event for BFL Gator Division anglers will be held March 8, at Lake Toho out of Kissimmee, Florida. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-18 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.
The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and 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 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Evolving Patterns to be Crucial at Harris Chain
By Walker Smith - Dynamic Sponsorships / Photo: Michael Engelmeyer
Coming off a solid finish at Lake Conroe, Team Toyota pro Mark Daniel looks to recognize a developing pattern early at Suzuki Marine Stage 2 - Harris Chain of Lakes.
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Oh, Florida, how we have missed you.
After a particularly brutal past month or two full of winter weather and nearly unbearable cold fronts, all is right in the world again as the MLF Bass Pro Tour heads south to Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes. The days are getting longer, and the weather is set to be in the 80s which means one thing: You can expect to see some giant bass caught.
At first glance, the Harris Chain seems quite friendly to Team Toyota pro Mark Daniels, Jr., as it features prominent vegetation and plenty of enticing isolated cover. These features are trademarks of his home fishery of the California Delta. But will he be able to bring that California Love to The Sunshine State?
“I’m coming off a solid 15th-place finish at Lake Conroe and although it might look great in the standings, I actually got a little spun out on the last day of competition,” Daniels said. “Other guys in my area were crushing the bass and I was having a hard time even getting bit. I can’t be bringing that energy into this tournament; I left it on the highway on my way home. I’ve only fished one event on the Harris Chain in my career but my gosh, it sure looks like prime habitat for some big ones.”
The current warming trend in Florida has made this tournament even more interesting, with big spawners expected to be shallow throughout the event. The sudden warm-up, however, has unfortunately caused a fish kill in certain areas known for their above-average quality of bass. The prevailing mentality going into this tournament could best be described as “cautious optimism”.
“I honestly think they’ll be comfortably spawning by the time this tournament kicks off,” Daniels said. “Heck, some of the fish in Alabama are trying to get on beds right now so if it’s happening here, the Harris Chain could be on fire. But that can burn you this time of year if you’re not careful. All the fish in the lake don’t flood the shallows at the same time. I have to keep a very open mind. There are going to be some big pre- and post-spawners caught which means you can’t mentally lock in to thinking you’ll be sight fishing all week. Recognizing new patterns as they evolve is everything in multi-day tournaments, but especially in Florida.”
Time management is another priority for the Team Toyota pro at this fishery. Because of its expansive layout, Daniels has a plan to be as efficient as possible throughout practice.
“I’ve thought about this a lot because I know how easy it is to waste a bunch of time on the Harris Chain,” Daniels said. “What I’ll probably do is limit myself to one or two lakes and get a feel for which one is fishing the best. I want to use my second and final day of practice to get dialed in on one particular lake. I’m looking for potential more than anything else.”
Daniels believes the tournament will be won on a variety of techniques. Versatility will be important for everyone in this derby, so expect to see some Florida favorites such as bladed swim jigs, frogs and swimming worms mixed with some other big-fish techniques.
“There will be some guys who will smoke ‘em on those offshore shell beds, if I had to guess,” Daniels said. “This might be one of those tournaments that will allow you to fish your favorite styles but again, an open mind and the ability to quickly pivot will be key.”
Patience, adaptability and positivity are a few things you can count on while watching Daniels this week. As the camera cuts to him, one thing above all is guaranteed: He’ll be wearing a big California smile while he soaks up the Florida sun.
Tennessee’s Nutt Completes Record Week at Central Division Opener on Pickwick Lake with First Toyota Series Win
FLORENCE, Ala. (Feb. 8, 2025) – It’s almost impossible to look at the results of this week’s Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division tournament on Pickwick Lake and not jump right into sports analogies. Was it a heavyweight fight? A battle royale? A slugfest? A marathon?
It was all of the above, actually.
With 30 five-fish bags over 25 pounds and an average of 21 ½ pounds required to squeeze into the Top 25, the 2025 Central Division kickoff produced one of the most impressive three-day weight totals in Toyota Series history. And with a 30-pound bag on the final day and a three-day total of 84-4 – which broke the weight record for a three-day Series tournament on Pickwick – University of North Alabama standout and college national champion Dylan Nutt is the new heavyweight champion of Pickwick Lake.
Nutt, who has collected four Top 10s and two wins in MLF competition on the Tennessee River in less than a year, surged past six-time Tennessee River winner Jake Lawrence (79-14), 2024 Toyota Series Championship winner Hayden Marbut (76-4) and 2024 Toyota Series winner Banks Shaw (76-0) to earn a $39,000 paycheck in his first Toyota Series event.
“It seemed like I couldn’t do anything wrong this week,” Nutt admitted shortly after hoisting the trophy in front of a crowd of family, friends and UNA Lions. “They say ‘when it’s your time, it’s your time’. That sure feels true right now, it’s humbling.”
Entering tournament week, the buzz around Pickwick was that the three-day Central Division event would probably be a rowdy one. Pickwick’s angler lineup looked like an all-star roster that included multiple local hammers and a handful of pros from the Bass Pro Tour and Elite Series, most of them gunning for bags in the 25-plus-pound range.
Turns out that Mother Nature felt like playing along.
A winter cold snap had dropped the water temperature into the low 40s at the start of practice and sent fish into deep-winter patterns. But according to Nutt, warmer days and rising water temperatures at the start of the tournament primed Pickwick for a banner three days.
“It’s been really cold in Florence, but as the week went on and we had some warmer days, that water rose to about 50 degrees,” Nutt said. “I found some areas where fish were in transition between winter patterns and prespawn, and settled down in those areas where I knew I could find some big ones. But I thought it might take 80 pounds to win.”
Nutt started strong and improved throughout the week.
Throwing a Picasso Lures Bait Ball Extreme with 1/8- and ¼-ounce VMC Boxer Jig Heads and Keitech swimbaits, and a 3/8-ounce Scottsboro Tackle Tungsten jighead with a True Bass FF Minnow, his 26-13 on Day 1 was good enough for fourth, just over 4 pounds shy of leader Ken Thompson, who dropped the biggest bag of the tournament that day with 31-3. Nutt chipped away at Thompson’s lead on Day 2, weighing in 27-7 to climb within 2-10.
At the end of that day, Nutt worked his way to some water he hadn’t even looked at in practice and connected with two of his bigger fish. He went right back there on the final day and pounded away with ActiveTarget and the minnow.
“I had a couple of areas I knew there were some big ones, I went back there and grinded it out,” Nutt said. “I had a couple of groups of fish that would leave, and then I had one school show back up (on the final day), I ended up catching a bunch of my fish out of that school. The bites I got there were big ones.”
Nutt, who grew up in Nashville and fished Chickamauga and Guntersville multiple times before moving to Florence for college, used his familiarity with Tennessee River currents to his advantage, especially for the bigger bites he coaxed off of deeper bars, where fish were pegged tight to the bottom.
"(Tennessee Valley Authority) bumped up the current a lot, it's been pumping pretty steady for awhile now," he said. "That made fish start sitting down near the bottom. They were harder to see sitting tight on the bottom, you had to throw your bait in first before you could see them."
Nutt’s 84-4 is the heaviest ever weighed in a three-day Series tournament on Pickwick, eclipsing Randy Haynes’ 79-11 in 2013. It’s also the fourth-highest total in three-day Series history, trailing only two Falcon Lake tournaments in 2009 and 2010, and a 2013 event on Lake Guntersville.
The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Pickwick Lake finished:
1st: Dylan Nutt of Nashville, Tenn., 15 bass, 84-4, $39,659
2nd: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 15 bass, 79-14, $15,368
3rd: Hayden Marbut, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 76-5, $12,898 (includes $1,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
4th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 76-0, $9,915
5th: Presley Lannom, Lebanon, Tenn., 15 bass, 74-12, $8,923
6th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 15 bass, 74-6, $7,932
7th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 73-5, $6,940
8th: Logan Parks, Auburn, Ala., 15 bass, 72-7, $5,949
9th: Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C., 15 bass, 72-7, $5,207
10th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 72-4, $3,966
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Ken Thompson of Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania, earned Wednesday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award with a bass weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Two pros split the Berkley Big Bass Award on Thursday – both Gavin Clevenger of Knoxville, Tennessee, and pro Caz Anderson of Haysville, North Carolina, brought a bass weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces to the scale, to split the $500 award.
Michael Luckey of Lynchburg, Virginia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Friday with a three-day total of 7 bass weighing 31 pounds, 7 ounces. Luckey earned the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Pickwick Lake finished:
1st: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., seven bass, 31-7, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp outboard motor
2nd: Johnny Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., seven bass, 27-10, $4,966
3rd; Rodney Keel, Bedford, Ind., six bass, 27-2, $4,123
4th: John Morales, Plainfield, Ill., eight bass, 25-12, $3,476
5th: Andrew Wright, Crossville, Tenn., seven bass, 25-5, $2,980
6th: Corey Smith, Hazard, Ky., seven bass, 24-1, $2,483
7th: Brian Lopp, Springfield, Ill., seven bass, 24-0, $1,987
8th: Daniel Vasquez, Boynton Beach, Fla., seven bass, 23-10, $1,738
9th: Ricky Sexton, Oliver Springs, Tenn., seven bass, 22-7, $1,490
10th: Keith Iddins, Knoxville, Tenn., seven bass, 22-1, $1,242
Strike King Co-angler Alan Bernicky of Dardanelle, Arkansas, earned Wednesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass, while Thursday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Rodney Keel of Bedford, Indiana, who weighed in a 9-pound, 13-ounce bass.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Pickwick Lake was hosted by the Visit the Shoals. It was the first of three regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Central Division. The next event for the Toyota Series Central Division will be March 18-20 on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, 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 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Joe Uribe Jr. goes Wire-to-Wire, wins 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open
Chris Martin Holds Steady in Second Place for three Consecutive Days
Redding, Calif. – February 7, 2025 –– Joe Uribe Jr. of Surprise, Ariz. is no stranger to winning major tournaments. He has accomplished that feat several times over the last decade, however, competing in events at Lake Shasta has always left him feeling less than confident. Finishing third at the 2024 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open gave him a confidence boost, and in winning the 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open in wire-to-wire fashion, he and Lake Shasta are now familiar.
Uribe rode an A-Rig and Swimbait pattern during the first two days of the event when it was either windy, raining or snowing, however, when the conditions slicked off on day three, Uribe showed his versatility and picked up a Neko Rig and closed out the win.
His final day, 16.22-pound limit pushed his total weight to 55.37 pounds, earning him the title of Lake Shasta Champion and the keys to the 2025 Ranger Boats Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS outboard prize boat presented by Bass Pro Shops with Power-Pole Charge and Volta Power Lithium Power Batteries, a package valued at $55,000 and an additional $12,000 cash.
Uribe was thrilled with the event. “I really had a bad practice and just decided to go fishing,” he said. “I went to the Pit River arm and fished a few pockets in there and around Jones Bay. It’s the area I felt most comfortable in to start.”
On days one and two, he used a one-two punch of an 88 Baits A-Rig with 1/4-ounce VMC Boxer Heads rigged with 4.3 Keitech Swimbaits in Electric Shad and a Uribe Magic Swimmer swimbaits designed by his father. He targeted main lake points and transition areas making long casts and watching the lure on his Livescope unit, when he saw fish rise on the lure, he varied his retrieve to trigger strikes. Those two lures were thrown on a 7’11” medium-heavy Daiwa Zillion Reaction Bait rod and Tatula SV reel spooled with 40-pound-test Sunline SX-1 Braid and a 16-pound-test FC Sniper Fluorocarbon leader.
On the final day, after a few smaller strikes on reaction baits, Uribe figured out that the fish had made a move into the cuts, and he turned to a 7’1” Daiwa Tatula Elite Takahiro Omori All Around spinning rod and Tatula 2500 size reel spooled with 20-pound-test Sunline Siglon PE8 yellow braid and 8-pound-test FC Sniper Fluorocarbon leader and a Neko Rig with a Green Pumpkin Daiwa Neko Fat worm, a 5/64-ounce Voss Tungsten nail weight and a size 4 Gamakatsu B10S hook.
Uribe said that being able to adjust to the conditions was key. “We had to hunt a little, but when we found that they had moved into the cuts and gotten shallower, the Neko Rig really helped us,” he said. “I fished clean all week; I never lost any fish, and I’m just really humbled to have won this event against these anglers and to have qualified for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship for the second year.”
Chris Martin, of Rocklin, Calif. was able to maintain his second-place position from the first two days of the event as well, finishing with 52.06 pounds. The Bass Pro Shops Marine Department Manager in Rocklin said that he fished close to the same areas as Uribe and used one technique the whole event. He threw a trio of 3/4-ounce Bass Union Football Jigs, purple, brown and purple and green pumpkin with green pumpkin purple copper Yamamoto Bait Cowboys as a trailer.
“I caught them in 15 to 30-feet on day one, and they went shallower, in 5 to 20 feet today,” he said. “I really would have liked to pull out the win, but I fished as clean as I could and just got beaten. Congratulations to Joe, he fished a great event. I’m excited to have qualified for the 2026 B.A.S.S. Nation
Each of the pros and AAA anglers who finished in the top five will earn a Golden Ticket berth into the 2025 Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Championship for a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, and I really need to thank Jeff Ahrens at Cultivated Landscape for his help in being here this year.”
Alex Niapas of Altaville, Calif caught his second consecutive limit eclipsing 21 pounds on day three and finished third for the event with 51.28 pounds, fourth place went to Jerry Ballesteros of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. finished fourth with a total weight of 46.96 pounds and Ryan Cool of Redding, Calif, rounded out the top five in the pro division with a three-ay total of 45.87 pounds.
Jacob Crawford of San Pedro, Calif. claimed the title of AAA Division Champion, posting a three-day total of 55.00 pounds to walk away with the trophy and a $5,000 payday. Troy Diatte of Salina, Calif. finished in second place with 48.20 pounds. Third place went to Dennis Saiki of Torrance, Calif. with 43.64 pounds.Derek Anderson f Meadow Vista, Calif. finished fourth with 42.74 pounds and Redding, California’s Eddie Bouslaugh Jones finished out the AAA Division top five with 42.67 pounds.
Follow future WON Bass Pro Am events with a daily livestream of the weigh-ins at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.
The Top 10 in each division are below, for complete standings go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/won-bass-shasta-open-pairings-results.
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Final Pro Standings
| RANK | Angler | Hometown | Fish | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Total |
| 1 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Surprise AZ | 15-15 | 20.32 | 18.83 | 16.22 | 55.37 |
| 2 | Chris Martin | Rocklin CA | 15-15 | 18.75 | 16.46 | 16.85 | 52.06 |
| 3 | Alex Niapas | Altaville CA | 15-15 | 7.96 | 21.89 | 21.43 | 51.28 |
| 4 | Jerry Ballesteros | Rancho Cucamonga CA | 15-15 | 13.72 | 16.72 | 16.52 | 46.96 |
| 5 | Ryan Cool | Redding CA | 15-15 | 13.47 | 15.03 | 17.37 | 45.87 |
| 6 | Greg Gutierrez | Red Bluff CA | 15-15 | 16.31 | 12.27 | 16.82 | 45.40 |
| 7 | Kyle Grover | Rancho Santa Margarita CA | 15-15 | 11.66 | 13.53 | 19.88 | 45.07 |
| 8 | Logan Huntze | Discovery Bay CA | 15-15 | 17.91 | 12.93 | 14.13 | 44.97 |
| 9 | Cody Meyer | Eagle ID | 15-15 | 15.25 | 13.96 | 13.82 | 43.03 |
| 10 | Joe Mariani | Winters CA | 15-15 | 16.88 | 13.21 | 12.01 | 42.10 |
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Final AAA Standings
| Rank | Angler | Hometown | Fish | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Total |
| 1 | Jacob Crawford | San Pedro CA | 15-15 | 13.23 | 21.89 | 19.88 | 55.00 |
| 2 | Troy Diatte | Salinas CA | 15-15 | 9.09 | 17.68 | 21.43 | 48.20 |
| 3 | Dennis Saiki | Torrance CA | 15-15 | 15.00 | 14.47 | 14.17 | 43.64 |
| 4 | Derek Andersen | Meadow Vista CA | 15-15 | 15.60 | 11.25 | 15.89 | 42.74 |
| 5 | Eddie Bouslaugh Jones | Redding CA | 15-15 | 16.88 | 8.97 | 16.82 | 42.67 |
| 6 | Kody Sindorf | Anderson CA | 15-15 | 16.06 | 13.96 | 12.14 | 42.16 |
| 7 | Jeff Baird | Washington UT | 15-15 | 14.40 | 15.03 | 12.22 | 41.65 |
| 8 | Eric Giordano | Redding CA | 15-15 | 13.94 | 13.51 | 13.74 | 41.19 |
| 9 | James Scott | Lancaster CA | 15-15 | 9.96 | 11.58 | 19.32 | 40.86 |
| 10 | Jake Etcheverry | Hughson CA | 15-15 | 16.87 | 13.95 | 9.96 | 40.78 |
The 2025 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events Consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada, will culminate with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October. The five event dates are as follows:
Feb. 5 to 7, 2025 - Lake Shasta – Joe Uribe Jr. – 55.37 pounds
April 9 to 11, 2025 - Clear Lake
May 7 to 9, 2025 - Lake Havasu
Sept. 10 to 12, 2025 - Lake Mead
Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 - U.S. Open at Lake Mohave
For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.
The 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open was brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Volta Power Lithium, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick Rods, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, Signature Gates, DD26 Fishing, Bad Ass Bearings, Cipher Fishing Megaware Keelguard.
Local presenting sponsors are Visit Redding, Phil’s Propellers Huff’s Restaurant.
Joe Uribe Jr. Holds Serve. Leads Day Two of 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open with 39.15 pounds
Chris Martin Retains Second Place Position with 35.21 pounds for two Days
Redding, Calif. – February 6, 2025 –– As if bass fishing tournaments aren’t a difficult enough proposition, competing in one of the major West Coast events like the 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open at Bridge Bay Marina can get even tougher with variable weather.
Typically
However, one thing that has proven out historically is that Lake Shasta performs well in the kind of conditions that make people want to stay home and sit by a fire. Such was the case on the second day of The WON Bass Lake Shasta Open, when the anglers were greeted with cold temperatures and rain in the morning, then that precipitation turned to snowflakes as the day wore on, and the bite improved for many in the field.
Day one pro leader Joe Uribe Jr. from Surprise, Ariz. and day two AAA David Undwerwood fished new water in the same area he had fished on day one and found the Lake Shasta spotted bass to be cooperative. Uribe managed to bring an 18.83-pound limit to push Uribe’s total weight to 39.15 pounds and retain the lead in the event.
Uribe said that he ran the same area, but completely different stretches of water with the same program from day one. “I still threw my swimbait and watched the fish rise on it on my Livescope unit,” said Uribe. “I’m getting one to eat it every once in a while, but watching bunches of them come take a look can be frustrating; I have to trigger them into striking.”
The pair boated nearly two dozen keepers on day two using Uribe’s swimbait pattern and Underwood finesse fished behind him to contribute to their day’s creel. “David really did a great job fishing behind me today; he caught two of the fish we weighed, including our biggest fish, a five pounder,” said Uribe. “I locked that big rod in my hand and went after it because I feel like that is my best chance to win and I’m gonna do the same thing tomorrow and hopefully it works out.”
Day two second place pro Chris Martin from Rocklin, Calif., who also manages the Rocklin Bass Pro Shops Marine Department, and his AAA partner Rick Mikla managed to bring 16.46 pounds of spotted bass to Bridge Bay Marina to bring his two-day total weight to 35.21 pounds, enough to hold on to second place comfortably on day two.
Martin said he fished the same areas he did on day one but reported getting fewer bites than he did on the first day. “We caught about half as many fish today, but when the first bite is a five-pound spot it kind of settles you down real quick,” he said. “My fish moved shallower with the weather initially, but then pulled back as the sow started, and I leaned on the areas pretty hard, so I’m kind of concerned about tomorrow. I have some pretty good backup areas, I’ll give it a go and see how this turns out.”
Discovery Bay, California’s Logan Huntze maintained his third-place position on the second day by producing a 12.93-pound limit to bring his total weight to 30.84 pounds. He was followed by veteran Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. pro Jerry Ballesteros who posted 16.72 pounds on day two to move into fourth place with 30.44 pounds and Winters, Calif. pro Joe Mariani rounded out the top five with a 13.21-pound limit to bring his total weight to 30.09 pounds
Outside of the day two leaders, the big story of the day was the 9.14-pound spotted bass brought to the scales by Altaville, Calif. pro Alex Niapas. The monster spotted bass anchored a 21.89-pound limit that brought his total weight to 29.85 pounds and rocketed him all the way into sixth place after a disappointing start in 115th place on day one.
In the AAA Division, Jacob Crawford of San Pedro, Calif. leads with a two-day total of 32.12 pounds. Second Place went to Phillip Lopez with 33.21 pounds, he was followed in third place by Jake Etcheverry with 30.82 pounds. Damon Motley stood in fourth place after day two with 30.22 pounds and Kody Sindorf rounded out the top five with 30.02 pounds.
The anglers are vying for the chance to earn the keys to the 2025 Ranger Boats Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS outboard prize boat presented by Bass Pro Shops with Power-Pole Charge and Volta Power Lithium Power Batteries, a package valued at $55,000.
Each of the pros and AAA anglers who finished in the top five will earn a Golden Ticket berth into the 2025 Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Championship for a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic
The daily livestream of the weigh-ins airs on at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments. Daily weigh-ins from Bridge Bay Marina in Redding, Calif. begin after the first flight checks in at 3:00 PM Pacific Time.
The Top 10 in each division are below, for complete standings go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/won-bass-shasta-open-pairings-results.
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Day One Pro Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Fish | Big Bass | Day 1 | Day 2 | Total |
| 1 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Surprise AZ | 10-10 | 7.36 | 20.32 | 18.83 | 39.15 |
| 2 | Chris Martin | Rocklin CA | 10-10 | 5.00 | 18.75 | 16.46 | 35.21 |
| 3 | Logan Huntze | Discovery Bay CA | 10-10 | 5.99 | 17.91 | 12.93 | 30.84 |
| 4 | Jerry Ballesteros | Rancho Cucamonga CA | 10-10 | 4.89 | 13.72 | 16.72 | 30.44 |
| 5 | Joe Mariani | Winters CA | 10-10 | 16.88 | 13.21 | 30.09 | |
| 6 | Alex Niapas | Altaville CA | 10-10 | 9.14 | 7.96 | 21.89 | 29.85 |
| 7 | Cody Meyer | Eagle ID | 10-10 | 15.25 | 13.96 | 29.21 | |
| 8 | Ian Boehm | Desrt Hills AZ | 10-10 | 5.53 | 16.87 | 12.04 | 28.91 |
| 9 | Greg Gutierrez | Red Bluff CA | 10-10 | 4.27 | 16.31 | 12.27 | 28.58 |
| 10 | Ryan Cool | Redding CA | 10-10 | 13.47 | 15.03 | 28.50 |
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Day One AAA Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Fish | Weight | Big Bass | Day 1 | Day 2 | Total |
| 1 | Jacob Crawford | San Pedro CA | 10-10 | 35.12 | 13.23 | 21.89 | 35.12 | |
| 2 | Phillip Lopez | Shingle Springs CA | 10-10 | 33.21 | 5.37 | 18.75 | 14.46 | 33.21 |
| 3 | Jake Etcheverry | Hughson CA | 10-10 | 30.82 | 4.15 | 16.87 | 13.95 | 30.82 |
| 4 | Damon Motley | Orange CA | 10-10 | 30.22 | 4.51 | 20.32 | 9.90 | 30.22 |
| 5 | Kody Sindorf | Anderson CA | 10-10 | 30.02 | 3.93 | 16.06 | 13.96 | 30.02 |
| 6 | David Underwood | Waco TX | 10-10 | 29.57 | 5.30 | 10.74 | 18.83 | 29.57 |
| 7 | Dennis Saiki | Torrance CA | 10-10 | 29.47 | 4.37 | 15.00 | 14.47 | 29.47 |
| 8 | Jeff Baird | Washington UT | 10-10 | 29.43 | 4.21 | 14.40 | 15.03 | 29.43 |
| 9 | Steve Brackmann | Wilder ID | 10-10 | 29.40 | 17.91 | 11.49 | 29.40 | |
| 10 | Michael Grisham | Glendale AZ | 10-10 | 28.81 | 16.31 | 12.50 | 28.81 |
The 2025 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events Consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada, will culminate with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October. The five event dates are as follows:
Feb. 5 to 7, 2025 - Lake Shasta
April 9 to 11, 2025 - Clear Lake
May 7 to 9, 2025 - Lake Havasu
Sept. 10 to 12, 2025 - Lake Mead
Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 - U.S. Open at Lake Mohave
For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.
The 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Volta Power Lithium, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick Rods, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, Signature Gates, DD26 Fishing, Bad Ass Bearings, Cipher Fishing Megaware Keelguard.
Local presenting sponsors are Visit Redding, Phil’s Propellers Huff’s Restaurant.
Carson-Newman Extends Lead in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year
University of Montevallo remains in 2nd, Bethel University holds steady in 3rd
SAN ANTONIO, TX (February 6, 2025) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers releases the latest points update for the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. College fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system, this year’s race is just past the halfway point as teams compete in national, regional, and local events nationwide to earn valuable points before the conclusion of the season at the end of May. This points update is highlighted by event results for each of the first two Bassmaster College Series tournaments in 2025.
Carson-Newman University places two teams in the Top 10 at Lake Okeechobee to maintain its number one overall ranking. The University of Montevallo’s top two teams were in 13th at Lake Okeechobee, keeping them in 2nd place. Bethel University earns points at both major events, and holds onto to their 3rd place ranking.
Carson-Newman University entered the first events of 2025 in 1st place, with a lead of 1,165 points over 2nd ranked Montevallo. Following competition at Lake Okeechobee, Carson-Newman’s gap between 1st and 2nd place is now 1,285 points. By placing two teams in the Top 10 of the final tournament standings, Carson-Newman earned 2,380 points at their first Bassmaster College Series event in 2025. Easton Drennon & Chase McCarter placed 6th, and Zachary Helton & Blake Wheat took 8th. Those two top finishes earned Carson-Newman the most points of any school to compete at Lake Okeechobee.
Following the first major college fishing events of 2025, there was a lot of movement inside of the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Here are some of the teams that made key moves up inside of the Top 25:
8) LSU-Shreveport – Previously Ranked 9th
10) Kentucky Christian University – Previously Ranked 13th
14) Catawba Valley C.C. – Previously Ranked 18th
15) Lander University – Previously Ranked 19th
18) Emmanuel University – Previously Ranked 21
Click here to view the complete updated rankings.
Three schools moved up into the Top 25 that were previously not inside that coveted position. Georgia College moved from 31st to 23rd, Stephen F. Austin State went from 26th to 24th, and Florida Gateway College jumped three places to be ranked 25th.
To view a complete list of points eligible events, follow this link.
Water levels and temperature will set the storyline for Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn
Feb. 6, 2025
JASPER, Texas — It’s safe to say that a majority of the 200-plus anglers scheduled to compete in the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN have yet to win a B.A.S.S. event at any level.
They will all, however, be looking for a big win on one of the biggest bass fisheries of all when the tournament is held Feb. 13-15 in east Texas.
Rayburn is synonymous with big bass, making it a mainstay on the B.A.S.S. circuit for decades. There’s plenty of room (approximately 114,500 acres) for competitors to spread out, too, in search of the legendary toads that earned “Big Sam” the No. 7 spot in the Central Division of Bassmaster Magazine's 2024 100 Best Bass Lakes list.
Though he’s an Arkansas native and has been a Louisiana resident for a quarter-century, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney has a special affinity for Sam Rayburn Reservoir. When he was only 20, Hackney won a regional tournament on Rayburn, earning a boat and truck combo and qualifying for a spot in the Bassmaster All-American. Hackney also won his first Elite event on Rayburn back in 2006, the first year of the Elite Series.
“Rayburn has been very good to me through the years,” the 51-year-old pro said. “I love it there.”
Though he won’t be fishing in the Open at Rayburn, Hackney has a good understanding of what competitors can expect on the reservoir.
“It looks like it’s going to be warm just before the tournament and that should make for really good fishing,” he said. “If air temperatures sneak into the 80s, that will have a huge impact on fish migration. February is typically the month when fish will head to the bank (to spawn). You can look at previous Bassmaster events there and see (that) if it’s not cold, it’s gonna be won shallow.”
Water depth will likely be a factor, as well, Hackney said.
“When it’s lower, they hold in more mid-depth water,” he said. “If the water is low, the grass will play a huge role. If so, I’d look for a big crankbait bite out deep. If the water is high, the bushes will come into play. Another thing is the hard spots on the bottom in higher water. The fish tend to hang out there before heading farther in.”
As of early February, a Toyota ShareLunker bass (8 pounds or more) from Rayburn had yet to be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. However, Hackney said he heard a 12-pound, 15-ounce beast had been boated at Rayburn recently. If so, that’s a sure sign that more big bites will follow as largemouth move into full spawn. A total of 26 ShareLunker bass were caught in Rayburn in 2024, making it one of the five most-productive big-bass fisheries in a state loaded with them.
“Everything is setting up for this one to be an absolute slugfest,” Hackney said of the upcoming Open at Rayburn. “The conditions could be perfect. You’ll have warm water, and the fish will start moving up. There should be some big weights caught.”
The St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN will begin Feb. 13 with a 7 a.m. CT takeoff from Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland, Texas, followed by weigh-in back at the pavilion beginning at 3 p.m. The full field will fish again on Feb. 14, with the top anglers advancing to fish for the tournament title on Feb. 15.
Follow the tournament online at Bassmaster.com.
The event is being sponsored by the Jasper County (Texas) Development District No. 1.
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, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship: Deadline to Register of February 17th
The Association of Collegiate Anglers, in working with the Ely family and Bass Pro Shops/White River Marine Group, established the Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship.
The Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship has been created to carry on Travis’ memory and will honor an active college angler for his/her impact both on the water and in the community.
The Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship is an honor that will be awarded at the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, with applications starting in 2024 and continuing into the future. This scholarship will be awarded to a student angler who exemplifies great success, character, sportsmanship, and work ethic, just like Travis, both on the water and around the community. To find out more information about eligibility criteria, click here.
The deadline to register for the Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year is February 17, 2025. To apply for the Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship, follow this link to the bold.org website and fully complete the application form.
Thanks to contributions made from the Ely family and Bass Pro Shops/White River Marine Group, the Travis Ely Memorial Scholarship will be a $1,500 scholarship awarded annually to one well-deserving angler.
The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) is a division of CarecoTV that was created twenty years ago to facilitate growth, development, and structure within competitive collegiate bass fishing, with emphasis on competitive fishing events nationwide. The ACA created the original BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship which has now evolved into the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, which is now recognized as the longest-running consecutive collegiate bass fishing series in existence. The ACA has also created various other programs such as the Collegiate School of the Year Rankings system, College Bass Fishing Open, Collegiate Big Bass Bash and the College Bass Fishing Springtime Slam.
The ACA lineup of major college fishing events includes a variety of nationwide tournaments that are multi-day tournaments, all of which are televised and streamed on several networks, as well as streamed on a variety of connected platforms. These major events have no entry fees and no membership costs associated with them. The ACA also provides support to numerous schools operating regional events nationwide which is an effort to provide more opportunities to grow the exposure and awareness of college fishing.
The ACA owns the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, Bass Pro Shops School of Year presented by Abu Garcia program, and associated assets which is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and prestigious collegiate bass fishing title today.
Thanks in part to the large diversity of media exposure the ACA provides, the series boasts the largest amount of televised and streaming coverage of any collegiate fishing series. This includes a dedicated television series on numerous television networks and streaming platforms, as well as additional coverage of select events inside other programs.
This combination includes coverage from national and regional television networks as well as being streamed online on various apps and connected devices. You can also find coverage via video on demand online at any time of past events thanks to coverage on OutdoorActionTV.com and PursuitUp.com
For more information on the ACA or the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, visit www.
For more information on CarecoTV, visit www.CarecoTV.com
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Mark Zona returns to Bassmaster with new podcast, TnZ, launching on the Bassmaster Channel
Feb. 6, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass fishing fans, get ready! Mark Zona is making his highly anticipated return to Bassmaster, bringing his unmistakable energy and insight back to the sport with the launch of the TnZ Podcast alongside his longtime colleague Tommy Sanders. Debuting Monday, Feb. 10, on Bassmaster.com, the TnZ Podcast will be the anchor show of the all-new Bassmaster Channel, which is set to revolutionize the way fans engage with the sport.
After serving as a host of Bassmaster LIVE for a decade, Zona retired from the show after the close of the 2024 season. Now Zona, affectionately known as "Z," steps back into the Bassmaster fold, reuniting with the legendary Tommy Sanders — one of the most respected voices in bass fishing. Together, the dynamic duo will offer a fresh, unfiltered take on the sport, delivering top-tier analysis with their signature mix of expertise, humor and bold opinions.
Phillip Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of B.A.S.S., expressed his excitement for the launch of the new Bassmaster Channel and its flagship program. “We are so excited to have Zona and Tommy bringing their tremendous knowledge and personalities to our new Bassmaster Channel with the TnZ Podcast. I know our fans will love watching these guys tackle some crazy topics as the Elite Series kicks off. We developed the Bassmaster Channel to enhance the fan experience, and the TnZ Podcast will no doubt be the crown jewel of our programming.”
The TnZ Podcast will lead an exciting lineup of programs available on the Bassmaster Channel, which includes other premier shows such as:
- Inside Bassmaster Podcast – A deep dive into the latest in tournament action and fishing industry news.
- O-Fish-Ally, Unofficial Podcast with Dave Mercer – A unique, entertaining take on the sport from Bassmaster’s inimitable emcee.
- And much more!
The Bassmaster Channel is designed to inform and entertain, providing fans with unprecedented access to expert analysis, angler interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the sport’s biggest personalities.
On the TnZ Podcast, Sanders and Zona will tackle the biggest topics in bass fishing, from angler rankings and tournament breakdowns to equipment trends and even unexpected pop culture crossovers. This will be a pull-no-punches fishing show where no topic is off-limits.
Mike McKinnis, VP of media/content for JM Associates, emphasized the podcast’s unique approach. “This will be unlike any other fishing podcast out there. Zona and Sanders will be no-holds-barred, prognosticating angler tiers from best to worst and making rookie predictions on who makes it and who falls off. Most importantly, these guys are going to offer real information, not misinformation that fishing fans often get from other sources.”
“Ya ... it’s a podcast, but sort of a Bassmaster fishing sport show where we can dive into the good, bad and ugly,” said Zona. “We will also hold ourselves accountable when we are totally wrong, which will probably be often. Going off my last 20 years with Tommy, I don’t think our sport will run out of crazy stuff to talk about. It’s definitely something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
The TnZ Podcast launches Monday, Feb. 10, on Bassmaster.com. The podcast will have 26 episodes in 2025, and fans can expect a new installment every other week.
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.
Joe Uribe Jr. Takes Day One Lead of 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open with 20.32 pounds
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Chris Martin in Second Place with 18.75 pounds
Redding, Calif. – February 5, 2025 –– Lake Shasta, in extreme Northern California can prove to be one of the more unique fisheries in the Western Unite States. Known for its spotted bass population, Lake Shasta can produce very average limits one week and then become a big weight event the next.
Such was the case on day one at the 2025 WON bass Lake Shasta Open as 126 WON Bass Pros and their AAA partners ventured out onto the Lake from Bridge Bay Marina to try and start the quest at earning the 2025 Ranger Boats Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS outboard presented by Bass Pro Shops with Power-Pole Charge and Volta Power Lithium Power Batteries, a package valued at $55,000.
With practice conditions that brought cold temperatures and driving rains, many anglers in the field reported tough results, and outlook for a big weigh event was not bright. However, as day one of the event dawned, the rains stopped, the temperatures warmed slightly with the sun and breezes broke up the surface of the water and the fish began to bite.
One angler who reported a slow practice was Surprise, Ariz. pro Joe Uribe Jr. who ran to one of his favorite areas on the lake hoping to catch a limit – he did better. Uribe power fished his way to 12 bites - one of which was a 7.36-pound largemouth that was big fish of the day – to bring 20.32-pounds to the scales with his day one AAA Damon Motley to take the lead.
Rocklin, Calif. pro Chris Martin, who manages the Marine Department at Bass Pro Shops in his hometown, and his AAA partner Phillip Lopez reported catching as many as 50 spotted bass between them to weigh 18.75 pounds to open the event in second place.
Third place went to pro Logan Huntze of Discovery Bay, Calif. and his AAA Steven Brackman with 17.91 pounds. They were followed by Redding, Calif. pro Randy Doyle and AAA partner Daniel Nehrer placed fourth with 17 pounds even, and Millville, Calif. pro Stev Frick and his AAA Scott Holman bagged 16.95 pounds to round out the top five.
Uribe said that he decided to try to make the best of the situation. “I went to an area that has produced for me, put my trolling motor down and fished a swimbait, “he said. “I had never caught a 20-pound bag on Shasta before, and while I didn’t expect it today, I’m certainly glad my name is on that list; it was a blessed day.”
Uribe reported making long casts with a swimbait, then watching the lure as he retrieved it on his Livescope Forward Facing Sonar, and he would see the spotted bass rise off the bottom to take a look. “I had to trigger most of them into biting by playing with the retrieve once I saw them,” he said. “But, we were able to capitalize on enough good bites to have a great day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Martin made a medium run to the northeast and threw 3/4-ounce Bass Patrol Jigs and reaction baits in three cuts until they had what proved to be their final weigh at around 11:00AM, then he went looking for a big bite. “We caught the majority of our fish in 30 to 50 feet of water,” he said. “Once I had the 18 pounds, I decided to run around and try for a big swimbait bite, which didn’t happen, but I feel good about tomorrow, a solid limit will keep me in contention.”
The daily livestream of the weigh-ins airs on at Facebook.com/
The Top 20 in each division are below, for complete standings go to: https://wonbassevents.com/
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Day One Pro Standings
|
Place |
PRO Angler |
Hometown |
Fish |
Weight |
Big Bass |
|
1 |
Joe Uribe, Jr. | Surprise AZ |
5-5 |
20.32 |
7.36 |
|
2 |
Chris Martin | Rocklin CA |
5-5 |
18.75 |
4.24 |
|
3 |
Logan Huntze | Discovery Bay CA |
5-5 |
17.91 |
5.99 |
|
4 |
Randy Doyle | Redding CA |
5-5 |
17.00 |
|
|
5 |
Steve Frick | Milville CA |
5-5 |
16.95 |
|
|
6 |
Joe Mariani | Winters CA |
5-5 |
16.88 |
|
|
7 |
Ian Boehm | Desrt Hills AZ |
5-5 |
16.87 |
5.53 |
|
8 |
Alex Klein | Oroville CA |
5-5 |
16.84 |
5.02 |
|
9 |
Ed Arledge | Valley Center CA |
5-5 |
16.39 |
3.63 |
|
10 |
Greg Gutierrez | Red Bluff CA |
5-5 |
16.31 |
4.27 |
|
11 |
Aaron Britt | Yuba City CA |
5-5 |
16.16 |
|
|
12 |
Robert Nakatomi | Sacramento CA |
5-5 |
16.06 |
|
|
13 |
Mark Crutcher | Lakeport CA |
5-5 |
15.66 |
|
|
14 |
Phil Dutra | Arab AL |
5-5 |
15.60 |
|
|
15 |
Cody Meyer | Eagle ID |
5-5 |
15.25 |
|
|
16 |
Roy Hawk | Lake Havasu City AZ |
5-5 |
15.00 |
|
|
17 |
Bill Townsend | Redding CA |
5-5 |
14.57 |
|
|
18 |
Brian Conder | Smartsvile CA |
5-5 |
14.48 |
|
|
19 |
Chris Raza | Orangvalle CA |
5-5 |
14.47 |
|
|
20 |
Todd Kline | San Clemente CA |
5-5 |
14.42 |
2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open Day One AAA Standings
|
Place |
AAA Angler |
Hometown |
Fish |
Big Bass |
Weight |
|
1 |
Damon Motley | Orange CA |
5-5 |
20.32 |
|
|
2 |
Phillip Lopez | Shingle Springs CA |
5-5 |
5.37 |
18.75 |
|
3 |
Steve Brackmann | Wilder ID |
5-5 |
17.91 |
|
|
4 |
Daniel Nehrer | Borrego Springs CA |
5-5 |
5.06 |
17.00 |
|
5 |
Scott Holman | Orange CA |
5-5 |
16.95 |
|
|
6 |
Eddie Bouslaugh Jones | Redding CA |
5-5 |
16.88 |
|
|
7 |
Jake Etcheverry | Hughson CA |
5-5 |
16.87 |
|
|
8 |
Steven Cook | Willow AK |
5-5 |
4.08 |
16.84 |
|
9 |
Dante Ray | Fernley NV |
5-5 |
4.42 |
16.39 |
|
10 |
Michael Grisham | Glendale AZ |
5-5 |
16.31 |
|
|
11 |
Glen Wyatt | Stockton CA |
5-5 |
16.16 |
|
|
12 |
Kody Sindorf | Anderson CA |
5-5 |
3.93 |
16.06 |
|
13 |
Scott Stanfield | Anderson CA |
5-5 |
5.13 |
15.66 |
|
14 |
Derek Andersen | Meadow Vista CA |
5-5 |
15.60 |
|
|
15 |
Paul Howard | Sacramento CA |
5-5 |
3.65 |
15.25 |
|
16 |
Dennis Saiki | Torrance CA |
5-5 |
4.37 |
15.00 |
|
17 |
John Garrett | Elk Grove CA |
5-5 |
14.57 |
|
|
18 |
Steve W. Clark | Fresno CA |
5-5 |
14.48 |
|
|
19 |
Thaddeus Vinson | Medford OR |
5-5 |
14.47 |
|
|
20 |
Chad LeBlanc | Weatland CA |
5-5 |
4.57 |
14.42 |
The 2025 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events Consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada, will culminate with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October. The five event dates are as follows:
Feb. 5 to 7, 2025 - Lake Shasta
April 9 to 11, 2025 - Clear Lake
May 7 to 9, 2025 - Lake Havasu
Sept. 10 to 12, 2025 - Lake Mead
Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 - U.S. Open at Lake Mohave
For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/
The 2025 WON Bass Lake Shasta Open is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Volta Power Lithium, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick Rods, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, Signature Gates, DD26 Fishing, Bad Ass Bearings, Cipher Fishing Megaware Keelguard.
Local presenting sponsors are Visit Redding, Phil’s Propellers Huff’s Restaurant.
Postmortem Exam of a Tournament Experience: Practice Makes Perfect?
By Vance McCullough, AC Insider
Photo Credits: Mark Cisneros/Bassmaster.com
Tread lightly when scouting before a tournament but be thorough enough to fully understand what your area has to offer. If you perfect this process, please tell me how.
As one who writes about the sport of tournament bass fishing, I have a unique opportunity to understand the strategies and thought processes that shape on-water success for many of the brightest stars in our sport. Some of the secrets they share don’t make it into print or on screen for various, lamentable, reasons.
I try to incorporate these lessons into stand alone bits of advice, most notably the Fish Tip Friday segments I post to AnglersChannel.com. After all, I do what I do because I love to fish and love (almost equally) to help others think about ways they can catch more fish too.
Occasionally, the writer gets to jump into tournament action. The lessons learned are experienced on a much deeper level than can ever be taught with words, but I try to pass along what I can.
I fished the Bassmaster Kayak Series event on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes this past weekend.
The 2-day tourney attracted anglers from dozens of states and Canada as well as a contingent from Puerto Rico, 224 of us in all. Thanks to Bassmaster’s BassmastHER initiative, the ladies showed up – and showed out! Becky Robinson of Maryland led the first day with 100.75 inches on her 5 longest fish.
Robinson reported that she caught a small limit in the pencil reeds before culling them with 20-inchers plucked from among lily pads.
I fished an area on Lake Toho that had plentiful pads and just a few pencil reeds but that was covered in fields of hydrilla, some of which was matted, most of which grew to within inches of the surface. A few isolated acres had clumps of grass with open lanes that invited bladed jigs and spinnerbaits and held fat, healthy bass – some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.
Among the chief reasons to fish hydrilla, if you can, is that many others cannot, or will not, make the arduous effort to constantly clean their fouled propellers. I burnt up a motor during my bass boating days. I know the pain involved. When fishing tournaments in Florida, the old saw holds that if you’re not around other fishermen, you’re not around fish. But any time I’ve scored well I’ve had a chunk of water to myself, so I prefer to go off and do my own thing, especially in an area that’s hard to access.
So it went in this event. I saw no more than one bass boat per day and none stayed for nearly an hour. As kayakers have added pedal drives and trolling motors, I figured the thick hydrilla would keep many of them out of the area too. I was right. I never saw more than one other kayak any given day and I practiced 3 days, competed for 2.
I had the place to myself. I covered miles of it – with a paddle, sometimes saying words I shouldn’t have. As immense as the fishing grounds were, I still tread lightly, never attempting to catch more than a couple fish in any single spot. I also didn’t quite dial-in the big bite, figuring I would sort though the numbers to find them during tournament hours.
I found two spawning flats within a mile, either direction, of the launch. I concentrated on the nearshore, inside hydrilla edge in these areas. In practice the fish in this zone were running 18-to-19 inches while those up on the flats were just smaller bucks. I could visually scan the clear shallows without hooking fish which is a big deal to me because I never want to be the guy who ‘won practice’ but beat his area up before it counted. I flipped shallow cover to see if big females might be hiding near the fresh beds. No luck. Even the bucks were spooky and not at all territorial yet. Patchy hydrilla offshore, but close to it, was the target for me. It did produce back-to-back limits. I would eventually finish in 55th place.
I firmly believe too many anglers have no clear objective for practice other than riding around and sore mouthing fish and then spending the tournament rounds in those areas where they caught the most fish which, logically, is now the last place you should expect to win a tournament.
The art of tournament practice is tricky. Less is often more. Having the confidence to merely scratch the tip of the proverbial iceberg and bet on what lies beneath can lead you to the winner’s circle. Adjustments made during competition are the ones that lead to victory anyway, so don’t pound the waters too hard beforehand.
To protect the feelings of the foolish, I’ll not name names or locations, but I spoke with a top competitor who picked a good piece of water, went easy on it during practice, and got off to a decent start only to find the bite getting tougher as the tourney wore on even though he hit fresh spots each day. “I talked with several people who also launched there they all said they caught them good in practice and then wondered what happened to the fish during the tournament,” shared the angler, a tone of disbelief in his voice.
I followed the same basic approach as eventual champion Sherman Bishop did, throwing bladed jigs along inside grass lines, though he did so on a smaller lake nearby that doesn’t get the pressure of our larger, more famous tournament lakes. Smart move on his part.
Oh, and he stated to Andrew Canulette at Bassmaster, “. . . I saw what I needed to see,” during a single practice visit to the lake. And then he got out of there. Having the confidence to know what he had found and, more importantly, to leave it alone until it mattered was a decision that led him to a dominating win of over 5 inches against a huge field of anglers who caught thousands of bass over the two days.
For his exploits, Bishop won a blue trophy and over $11,000 in prize money.
And we all got another reminder of how important it is to accurately assess the value of an area without wearing it out during practice.
Look Sharp While Fishing TATULA
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Buy Any TATULA Rod or Reel and Get a FREE DAIWA / AFTCO Hooded Performance Shirt |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (February 4, 2025) – For over a decade, anglers have required no added incentive to fish DAIWA’s TATULA branded rods and reels. The fantastic performance at a fair price is motivation enough. So why the 2025 TATULA promotion? It’s really a reward for loyalty as anglers add to their collection. Beginning February 1, 2025, anglers purchasing any TATULA rod, reel, or combo can register to receive a FREE TATULA branded AFTCO hooded performance shirt. AFTCO's lightweight, technical hooded performance shirt feels smooth and stretches with each cast, while wicking moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable in hot weather. The hood is constructed to comfortably protect your ears, neck, and back of your head from the sun. Qualify with the purchase of any DAIWA TATULA reel, rod or combo between February 1, 2025, and May 31, 2025 (NO EXCEPTIONS). US and Canadian residents only. Visit DAIWA website for details and redemption instructions |
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This refreshed version of the TATULA SV 100 is laden with upgrades, most notably the groundbreaking SV BOOST System. It employs a proprietary spool and paired technology that lets a novice angler cast like a pro. First, backlash is virtually eliminated as the spool self-manages resistance throughout the duration of a cast. Spool speed is controlled at the start of a cast – where backlash typically happens – and relinquishes resistance progressively as the bait flies. SV BOOST also amplifies casting distance and provides optimal cast control. Other significant features include DAIWA’s HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM, T-Wing System and Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD). MSRP $219.99 |
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The new TATULA SV TW 150 is geared for the power-fishing crowd, introducing them to SV spool technology and HYPERDRIVE DESIGN in a mid-priced baitcaster. The upsized reel casts and controls bigger baits like swimbaits, deep crankbaits, bladebaits, and smaller A-rigs. Energized by SV (Stress-Free, Versatile), the TATULA SV TW 150 yields the ultimate castability with a heavier line. Bassers who spool 50- and 60-pound braid will notice the improved casting distance compared to their current reels. The spool is sized to accommodate more and heavier line, too. Beyond providing a jolt to casting distance, SV technology virtually eliminates backlash. The TATULA SV TW 150’s feature-set includes HYPERDRIVE DESIGN, consisting of the HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING, HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPERDRICE DOUBLE SUPPORT, and HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH. In summary, DAIWA’s new TATULA SV TW 150 is a powerhouse baitcasting reel that minimizes backlash, casts for distance with control, and will be welcomed by new and experienced anglers alike. MSRP $219.99 |
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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. |
Softbait Superpower
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MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division Set to Open Season on Lake Okeechobee
CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) –The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is headed back to Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 13-15, for the first event of the 2025 Southern division – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Okeechobee.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Hendry County Tourism Development Council, 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.
Lake Okeechobee has faced an unusual winter – a brutally cold start followed by an abrupt warming trend. According to Bass Pro Tour angler Keith Carson of DeBary, Florida, the lake got too warm, too fast, which could lead to some interesting dynamics on the water. Carson said the fish are in spawn mode, and the conditions will create opportunities for big bags. But the lake’s murkier water and slightly higher levels could make finding those fish more challenging.
“The water is kind of dirty. I think it’s a little bit higher,” Carson said. “I think we’ll likely see a lot of guys blind pitching at the reeds. They’re still really going to catch them, though. There was a local tournament last Saturday and first place was 29 pounds, so I think we’re going to see some giants.”
Carson said he expects that forward-facing sonar will play a significant role in the tournament, continuing a trend seen in recent years.
“I used to think that it wasn’t that big of a deal for Florida because our lakes are so different from the lakes up north,” he said. “But, man, after last year, where just about everyone in the top 10 was using it – it’s going to be a big deal.”
When asked what he would have tied on for this event, Carson had a few go-to picks that he suggested.
“I’d definitely be throwing the Berkley Spin Rocket,” he said. “I’d have a black-and-blue Berkley swimjig tied on, with a MaxScent Meaty Chunk trailer – that would also be really good. And I think an old-school spinnerbait could be a player in this one, especially if a guy can get on a shad spawn.”
Anglers will begin each day at 7 a.m. ET, launching from Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort, located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave. in Clewiston. Weigh-ins will take place at the marina, starting at 3 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 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
The Bassmaster Classic returns to Knoxville for 2026
February 5, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing is making its way back to one of the most electrifying destinations in the sport. B.A.S.S. officials announced today that the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will return to Knoxville, Tenn., for the third time on March 13-15, 2026.
With competition set on the Tennessee River’s Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes, daily weigh-ins will take place at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in downtown Knoxville. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall, offering over 250,000 square feet of event space. Visit Knoxville will once again serve as the event’s host.
“We are thrilled to return to the site of two of our most successful Classics in history,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “East Tennessee fully embraces the Classic for what it truly is — a celebration of the sport of bass fishing. The fan experience in Knoxville is second to none, with all event venues within walking distance. With our ever-growing global fanbase, we expect the 2026 Classic to be even bigger and more exciting.”
The 2026 Bassmaster Classic will feature 58 of the world’s top bass anglers, who will earn their spots through the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s and the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship. These elite competitors will battle for a $300,000 first-place prize and a total purse of over $850,000.
Knoxville has become a premier destination for the Bassmaster Classic, drawing record-breaking crowds and delivering significant economic benefits.
“This will be the third Bassmaster Classic we bring to Knoxville, which speaks to the perfect combination of our strong partnership and the exceptional experience our city provides,” said Chad Culver, senior director of the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission and Convention Sales.
The 2023 Bassmaster Classic set a new attendance record with 163,914 fans, generating an economic impact of $35.5 million for Knoxville and east Tennessee. Additionally, the event generated $2.85 million in state and local tax revenue, with attendees booking 31,525 hotel room nights across Knox County. The Classic also supported 12,698 jobs throughout the event. The Classic celebration continued when B.A.S.S. was honored as the Best Professional Event at the 2023 SportsTravel Awards.
“Knoxville shines during major events like the Bassmaster Classic,” said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “Both the anglers and fans enjoy an unmatched experience, from the Tennessee River to the world-class venues hosting events throughout Classic weekend. We are excited to welcome everyone back in 2026.”
Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes, covering approximately 30,000 acres, will once again provide anglers with a dynamic and competitive fishery. Competitors will also have access to waters upstream from Fort Loudoun Dam, extending to the Interstate 40 bridge on the Holston River and the Highway 168 bridge on the French Broad River.
Elite Series angler Jeff Gustafson knows the potential of these waters well. In 2023, he secured victory at the Bassmaster Classic by landing 42 pounds, 7 ounces of bass, becoming the first Canadian angler to win the championship and taking home the coveted Ray Scott Trophy and the $300,000 prize.
Daily takeoffs will take place at Volunteer Landing, where more than 15,000 fans gathered in 2023 to watch the world’s best bass anglers embark on their quest for Classic glory.
“B.A.S.S. is extremely excited to return to Knoxville for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour,” said Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. vice president of tournaments. “This event should be just as competitive as past Classics on Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes.
“We expect to see all three black bass species cross the weigh-in scales, and with such a versatile fishery, competitors will be able to play to their strengths,” Bowes added. “One thing that won’t change is the breathtaking backdrop of Knoxville and the convenience of its world-class venues for both anglers and fans.”
About Visit Knoxville
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Tourism is the second-highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $1 billion in travel spending. For more information, visit visitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Visit Knoxville Sports Commission
The Visit Knoxville Sports Commission (VKSC), established under Visit Knoxville in 2016, is responsible for bringing tournaments and sporting events to Knoxville and Knox County. The VKSC has hosted top-tier events including the Bassmaster Classic, the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships and the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Diving. The VKSC was recognized as Sports ETA’s 2019 Sport Tourism Organization of the Year and was awarded SportsTravel’s Best Professional Event and HospitalityTN’s Purple Iris Award Special Event of the Year for the 2023 Bassmaster Classic. For more information, visit sports.visitknoxville.
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.
Harris Chain of Lakes Set for MLF Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Stage 2 Presented by YETI
66 Anglers to Compete Next Week for $150,000 Top Prize in Leesburg, Follow the Action Live All Four Days at MajorLeagueFishing.com
LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2025) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour continues its action-packed 2025 season next week, Feb. 13-16, with Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI, in Leesburg, Florida. Hosted by Discover Lake County Florida, the four-day tournament will feature 66 of the world’s top professional anglers competing for a $150,000 top prize, crucial points in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) race and coveted qualification spots for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026.
The star-studded field will feature top pros and local favorites, including reigning Fishing Clash AOY Jacob Wheeler, REDCREST 2024 Champion Dustin Connell and defending Harris Chain champion Ott DeFoe, as well as Florida favorites Keith Carson , Bobby Lane and Terry Scroggins , looking to leverage their local knowledge.
The tournament will feature the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on Discovery.
"We are thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing’s 2025 Bass Pro Tour to Lake County, Florida,” said Ryan Ritchie, Director of Discover Lake County, Florida. “This event showcases our world-class fisheries and reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for competitive fishing. A huge thank you to our partners at the City of Leesburg and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission for their collaboration in making this event possible."
"Hosting the Major League Fishing 2025 Bass Pro Tour is an exciting opportunity for Lake County to shine on the national stage,” said Kirby Smith, Lake County Commissioner. “Our lakes, our community and our hospitality make this the perfect setting for anglers and fans alike. We greatly appreciate the support of the City of Leesburg and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission in bringing this prestigious event to our area."
The last time the Bass Pro Tour visited the Harris Chain of Lakes was in 2021, where Tennessee’s DeFoe claimed victory, capitalizing on the shad spawn early in the day before transitioning to offshore cranking. This year, it seems anglers will face very different conditions, as Florida’s warm weather has accelerated the spawn, creating a dynamic playing field.
Lane, a Lakeland, Florida native, finished second to DeFoe in 2021, and said he is eager for another shot at the title.
“The last time the Bass Pro Tour was here was in May, and the fish were everywhere,” said Lane. “This time, it’ll be different. It’s earlier in the year, but we’re transitioning big time. Florida has gone from a brutal winter – culminated by two weeks in a row of miserably cold weather – to three weeks of brutal heat. It’s basically summertime now, so we’ll see fish in all three stages of the spawn throughout the event and there’s plenty of vegetation in almost every lake now.”
Lane predicts winning weights will range between 30 to 45 pounds on the final day, with anglers needing around 60 to 70 pounds over the first two days to advance to the Knockout Round. He also said he expects a variety of techniques to come into play.
“I think we’ll see guys throwing ChatterBaits, swim worms, flipping sticks, crankbaits, frogs, drop-shot rigs, shaky heads and topwater baits,” said Lane. “I think it's all going to work. I don't think one guy is going to be able to light it on fire in one spot. I think he's going to have to cover a lot of water.”
Lane said a key strategic challenge will be the Harris Chain locking system. Anglers choosing to lock into Apopka or Griffin could lose valuable fishing time, making decisions on location critical.
“There’s a risk in locking,” Lane explained. “If Harris, Eustis or Dora are fishing good in the morning, there’s no way a guy locking in is going to catch up. It’s kind of a puzzle, and we’ve got to figure out how to put the puzzle together.”
Unlike the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 at Lake Conroe event, where forward-facing sonar played a dominant role in the first period, Lane believes its impact on the Harris Chain will be more limited.
“There will definitely be fish caught on forward-facing sonar, but I don’t see it being as big of a factor as it was in Texas,” Lane noted. “This event is going to have a lot more diversity in techniques.”
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET each day from the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive in Leesburg. Each day’s takeout will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In conjunction with the tournament, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, Bass Pro Tour pros competing in the event will be at Bass Pro Shops Orlando, located at 5156 International Drive in Orlando, from noon to 2 p.m., meeting with fans and signing autographs.
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Venetian Gardens for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.
The Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will feature anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.
The full field of anglers will compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com , the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
Television coverage of the Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 20. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki and Toyota.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.