Industry News – Anglers Channel

Join the ASA Million Pound Challenge

AnglersChannel — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:50:22 +0000

Clean water is the foundation of everything we do—and now, there’s a way for the entire industry to come together and make a measurable impact.

The American Sportfishing Association is launching the Million Pound Challenge, a member-led effort to remove 1,000,000 pounds of trash from our nation’s waterways.

Timed around National Fishing & Boating Week and continuing throughout the summer, this initiative is built to unite our industry behind a simple message: we protect what we love.

Here’s how to get involved:

Organize a local cleanup—shorelines, boat ramps, rivers, lakes, and more

Rally your staff, customers, and community partners

Track and report the trash you remove to contribute to the million-pound goal

ASA will support your efforts with promotional resources, social media visibility, and a dedicated campaign hub to track progress and highlight member participation.

This is more than a cleanup—it’s a chance to demonstrate leadership, strengthen our local connections, and be part of a national story that reflects the best of our industry.

Commit to participating today and help us reach one million pounds.

First stand-alone Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship set for Lake Murray

AnglersChannel — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:46:16 +0000

COLUMBIA, S.C. — B.A.S.S. announced today the inaugural stand-alone Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft will be held Oct. 14-16, 2026, on Lake Murray, marking a significant milestone for one of the organization’s fastest-growing competitive platforms.

Previously held in conjunction with the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, the 2026 event will be the first Kayak Series Championship to stand on its own, providing a dedicated stage for the sport’s top anglers to compete for a national title.

“This is a major step forward for the Bassmaster Kayak Series and the anglers who compete in it,” said GL Compton, B.A.S.S. Tournament Manager, Nation and Kayak. “Creating a stand-alone championship allows us to showcase this discipline at the highest level while giving these competitors the spotlight they’ve earned. Lake Murray is the perfect venue to host this historic event, and we expect a highly competitive and exciting championship.”

“Lake Murray has been one of the best fisheries in the country for quite some time,” said Steve Owens, Bassmaster Kayak Tournament Director. “Being able to bring a championship to the Capital City/Lake Murray Country — where we set our Bassmaster Kayak Series attendance record of 256 anglers in 2024 — is special. It’s exciting to see what our men and women can do in October. That time of year, there should be options to be competitive in all facets and stages of fishing. Being able to showcase the anglers in our first-ever stand-alone three-day championship, fully equipped with the Bassmaster stage and media team behind it, is surreal. B.A.S.S. continues to develop and grow opportunities for anglers to be showcased across the fishing world, and we look forward to doing so with the input and support of our anglers.”

Located in the heart of South Carolina, Lake Murray is a nationally recognized fishery known for its healthy populations of largemouth and spotted bass. The 50,000-acre reservoir features a diverse mix of structure, including offshore ledges, docks, timber and shallow cover, offering anglers a wide range of strategic options. Its consistent productivity and accessibility have made it a frequent host of major Bassmaster events.

“This event brings national exposure to our region and welcomes 150 anglers to Lake Murray Country for more than three nights, creating a meaningful economic impact for our hotels, restaurants and small businesses,” said Vickie Davis, Executive Director of Capital City/Lake Murray Country. “Capital City/Lake Murray Country is proud to help reinforce why our region continues to be recognized as one of the top bass fishing destinations in the country.”

The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, established to provide competitive opportunities for kayak anglers across the country, continues to see rapid growth. The series features national-level tournaments where anglers compete using electric motor-powered vessels, emphasizing skill, strategy and adaptability in a format that brings competitors closer to the water.

Anglers will qualify for the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship through multiple pathways:

The Top 5 anglers from each Bassmaster Kayak Series national event, along with the winner of each College Kayak Series event (three total), will earn automatic berths.
The Top 50 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings will qualify, with B.A.S.S. working down the list in cases of double qualification. Anglers must compete in a minimum of two events to be eligible.
AOY standings will be calculated using each angler’s best three finishes plus the Championship event. During the Championship, only anglers who qualified through the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series and Pro-Guide Batteries AOY standings will earn AOY points.
B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series State Championships may send the Top 10% of their field to the Championship, provided at least 10 anglers compete. If an angler has already qualified through other criteria, those spots may roll down within the Nation field until accepted.

Capital City/Lake Murray Country is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Newport

2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Presenting Sponsor: Native Watercraft
2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Pro-Guide Batteries

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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 Toyota Series Central Division Set for Finale at Alabama’s Famed Lake Eufaula

AnglersChannel — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:41:50 +0000

EUFAULA, Ala. (May 5, 2026) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats will continue the 2026 season next week with the Central Division’s third and final tournament, May 13-15, at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Eufaula.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers competing for a top 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.

Boater Justin Barnes of Ellaville, Georgia, is local to Eufaula, and when a big tournament rolls into town, he’s always a threat. In this event, he thinks the fishing should be getting good, as there should be lots of fish headed offshore to brush and summertime ledges.

“The lake is in a super funk right now. I don’t know why, but I kind of think it’s from pressure,” he said. “There was a big tournament this past weekend, and it took 21 pounds to win it. But 10th place was like 12 pounds.

“The way it was fishing, if you don’t catch them the first couple hours on the shad spawn, it gets bad. But the water temperature is hovering around 80 to 81 degrees – they’re going to make that move any day now. Brush piles will play in this one for sure, but I think we’ll see some schools, too.”

Though Barnes predicts a good offshore bite, you can never really count out the shallow bite at Eufaula. And finding a productive shad spawn could be extremely important.

“There should be a shad spawn going on, if somebody lands on the right shad spawn, they could catch a bigger bag,” he said. “I know there have been some anglers up in the river hammering them, but I don’t know how much longer it is going to last. There should be a good frog bite too, if the water level is normal.”

Offshore at Eufaula, the whole gamut of baits will work – from more precise offerings for forward-facing sonar, to crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Spinnerbaits also get a lot of play on Eufaula, and if the fishing is stingy, Barnes thinks a drop-shot rig will do well. He’s also planning on bringing some other old-school accessories.

“It’s going to be a little tricky with the rules. If you pick the wrong hour to use your forward-facing, you really could ruin your whole day,” he said. “It’s definitely going to add a layer of strategy to it. I definitely will dust off the marker buoys.”

In 2023, at almost the same time as this event, pro Justin Lucas won the Toyota Series event on Eufaula with 51 pounds, 13 ounces, mostly catching his fish on a shad spawn. In the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals event on Eufaula, Jake Lawrence won with 59-10, and Barnes thinks that is about the mark to shoot for.

“I think 20 to 21 (pounds) a day will be real strong,” Barnes went on to say.

Anglers will take off each day at 6 a.m. CT, launching from Lakepoint Resort State Park, located at 104 Lakepoint Drive in Eufaula. Weigh-ins will also take place at the state park, starting at 2 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 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. 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. 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 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and 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 qualification to REDCREST 2027. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2026 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 5-7 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by Explore Pickwick Lake & Hardin County Tourism.

Proud sponsors of the 2026 MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats include: 7 Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Grizzly, Mercury, MillerTech, OFF! Deep Woods, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, YETI and Yuengling.

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 on 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, Outdoor Channel, VICE, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV, Game & Fish TV and Rumble, 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.

Christian Ostrander Claims Third BAM Pro-Am Title with Delta Victory

AnglersChannel — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:42:26 +0000

Madden Goes Wire-To-Wire For Cos

OAKLEY, Calif. – A mid-event charge from 23^rdplace on Day One to 2^nd on Day Two positioned Christian Ostrander of Turlock, Calif. for victory on Championship Sunday. At close of scales, he had executed a tournament total of 63.24, coming the 2026 BAM Vexus Boats Caifornia Delta Pro-Am champion.

The Delta W extends Ostrander’s BAM Pro-Am champ titles to three, in as many years, including 2025 at Don Pedro and 2024 at Clear Lake and awards him a $43,000 Vexus Boat at the second stop of the Western Division presented by Tackle Warehouse, the City of Oakley, and conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse

Although he was not pleased with the first of his three days of Delta competition, two days of breakin’ 20-pounds made up for his Day One limit of 17.77.

“I was super down in the dumps – I didn’t think I could win and I’m only here to win,” he said of his start. “So all I could think about was winning.”

His “no quit” attitude paid off on Day Two and Ostrander added 23.75 to climb the leaderboard. Chasin’ tides, a couple main rods, and his consistency on the final day with a five-fish limit of 21.79 sealed the deal.

“I Trick Wormed some really nice fish and the punch was it,’ he said. “I been out here quite a bit the last couple months and I know where they’re at. I know where they live in every corner of this place, this year.”

Keys to Ostrander’s punch rig was a Daiwa 10.0:1 reel and the Magnum-sized Trick Worm.

“It’s a big deal to punch with a high-gear ratio reel and those reels are unreal,” he shared. “That (worm) has been such a key bait for me this year. I’ve caught hundreds of fish over five-pounds on that Magnum Trick Worm.”

Ostrander also mentioned heavy line, covering water, and much time on the fishery as critical factors.

“This year it seems like they’ve really been staying around those spawning areas – like they’re still up in it – even if they spawn, because all the bluegill roll in,” he explained. “I’m running those areas all through the North Delta, Central Delta, and a little bit of the South. I’ve covered every corner.”

Ostrander thanked Mark Jang and was very appreciative of BAM and the opportunity to tournament fish out West.

“I would have to be golfing or riding a unicycle if BAM weren’t here,” he said.

Joudrey Lands a Double-Digit

A consistent average of twenty-pounds per day gave Beau Joudrey of Oakley, Calif. the runner-up position with an event-total of 61.94. His weight included the tournament’s second double-digit, a 10.20.

Although he had marked her in practice and tried for his 10-pounder earlier in the competition, it took him to Day Three to get her to go.

“The first day of the tournament I ran there and when the tide dropped out a little it, I could see the big one kind of cruising around, but she hadn’t quite locked up yet,” he said. “Third day it was a whole different scenario.”

He flipped in and got bit by the male. He flipped in again, set the hook and snapped off. After re-tying, he flipped in with no response.

“Then POW I get bit,” he said. “I barely leaned into to it and it was off to the races.”

The 10 fell to a wacky-rigged green pumpkin blue Zoom Trick Worm on a size two hook and a Dobyns 1/8^th ounce nail-weight. It was tied to 10-pound braid with a 12-pound Seaguar leader and thrown on a Dobyns DX 743 SF rod with a Shimano Stradic FM 3000 reel. Joudrey banked $4,500 for his finish.

Sweitzer Rounds Out Top-Three

A limit of 15.12 today put Chad Sweitzer of Kelseyville, Calif. in the top-three with 57.69. Sweitzer credited his Day Three catches to a reaction bait, specifically a green pumpkin ChatterBait with a Missile Baits Baby D-Bomb trailer in Rotten Tomato, thrown on 15-pound fluoro.

“I caught the rest of my fish basically just worming on straight 40-pound braid,” he said. “So, it was pretty fun just crackin’ them on braid.”

He described his wormin’ plastic as a red creature bait.

Sweitzer sacked up $3,556 for the weekend.

Big Bass Honors went to Steve Wey with 10.44 lb bass

Madden Makes It a Wire-to-Wire Win

Starting out strong with a nine-pound lead on Day One gave JD Madden of Brentwood, Calif., the cushion he needed when he was only able to weigh three fish on Day Two. Holding steadfast to his seat and reeling in a three-day total of 36.85.

He credited two predominate bass-catching presentations for his success, noting the weather as well as his pro’s choice of fishing locations forced him to adjust his early presentation of a Yamamoto Senko.

“Four out of my five, if not all five, in my bag (today) were on a crankbait; so that was a big change,” he said.

The Senko he used was a six-inch in black with blue flake, rigged both wacky and Texas and thrown on a 7’6” medium-heavy Tyler’s Western Angler rod with 20-pound P-Line Tactical. For his crankbait of choice, he went old school.

“One of the best lures out here for the longest time was a Lure Jensen Speed Trap and I just had a bunch of them at the house,” he said. “It was a really special day.”

The two-prong approach is all that Madden needed. He bested the nearest co-angler on his respective by just over a pound to win the co-angler trophy. He puts $7,000 in his pocket for the challenge.

Evan Birck of Danville, CA wins the California Delta Scholastic Series with a two-day total of 22.10 pounds [10.51, 11.59]

Pro Angler Top Ten

CO Angler Top 10

Scholastic Top Three

Evensville’s Wheat Nets Elusive Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Watts Bar Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:19:54 +0000

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Billy Joe Wheat of Evensville, Tennessee, caught a total of five bass on Sunday weighing 21 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Watts Bar Lake . The tournament, hosted by Rhea County Department of Tourism – Fish Spring City, was the third of five events of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division, and the second in a back-to-back BFL weekend on Watts Bar Lake. Wheat earned $2,220 for Sunday’s victory.

Wheat said he knew exactly how he wanted the tournament to unfold for him, and he wasted no time at takeoff and stuck close to the Piney area of Watts Bar.

“I went straight to the shallow stuff,” Wheat said. “The wind wasn’t blowing, so I went up to some shallow grass and caught a big one. I went through some areas I knew had big ones in it.”

Wheat said a Copper Red Baits frog was a key bait for him during the tournament. He explained the frog bite was consistent and produced quality fish. Wheat said once the wind picked up, he caught fish on a Z-Man ChatterBait Elite EVO as well.

“They were eating (the frog) pretty good,” Wheat said. “I just got the better bites today. We just happened to find the right area at the right time, I guess.”

Wheat said his day started slowly, but he fished more shallow as the day progressed and he had most of his weight by noon. Weigh-in proved to be a very special time for Wheat.

“I’ll be 56 years old in August,” said Wheat, who fished his first BFL event in 1998. “I’ve been fishing in and out of the BFL tournaments my whole life. This is just amazing. When everything comes together, it just comes together, you know? It’s no (Garmin) LiveScope. It’s just an old guy out there just trying to have fun and catching them the way you want to catch them.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Billy Joe Wheat, Evensville, Tenn., five bass, 21-14, $2,220
2nd:      Tim Smiley, White Pine, Tenn., five bass, 20-8, $1,360
3rd:       Canyon Padgett, Clinton, Tenn., five bass, 19-15, $1,230 (includes $500 Phoenix bonus)
4th:        Derrick Blake, Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 19-11, $530
5th:        Chase Henley, Kingston, Tenn., five bass, 19-6, $470
6th:        Chris Dodson, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 18-9, $420
7th:        Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 18-5, $410
8th:        Dale Pelfrey, Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 17-11, $385
8th:        Jeremy Gordon, Rutledge, Tenn., five bass, 17-11, $385
10th:     Kevin Powers, Unicoi, Tenn., five bass, 17-8, $520

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Tim Smiley of White Pine, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing an 8-pound, 12-ounce bass worth $200.

Clinton Harrison of Georgetown, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,110 Sunday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Clinton Harrison, Georgetown, Tenn., three bass, 13-4, $1,110
2nd:      Brad Barton, Middlesboro, Ky., three bass, 10-6, $630
3rd:       Lynn Spears, Athens, Tenn., three bass, 10-4, $415
4th:        Cody Stokes, Ooltewah, Tenn., three bass, 9-13, $265
5th:        Michael League, Sparta, Tenn., three bass, 9-1, $235
6th:        Jermaine Shephard, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 8-15, $210
7th:        Corey Williams, Lenoir City, Tenn., three bass, 8-14, $210
8th:        Larry Griffith, Harriman, Tenn., three bass, 8-6, $195
9th:        Josh Hester, Dalton, Ga, three bass, 8-5, $190
10th:     Steve Ouellette, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 8-4, $185

Lynn Spears of Athens, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass worth $100.

After three events, Justin McGaha of Knoxville, Tennessee, now leads the 7 Brew Volunteer Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 730 points, while Clinton Harrison of Georgetown, Tennessee, leads the Volunteer Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 735 points.

The top 45 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. 15-17 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

The 2026 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top seven, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2026 BFL All-American will take place May 28-30, at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, and is hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism.

Proud sponsors of the 2026 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7 Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Grizzly, Mercury, MillerTech, Mystik Lubricants, OFF! Deep Woods, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, YETI and Yuengling.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular BFL updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Labadie’s Silber Holds Off Field to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake of the Ozarks

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:04:45 +0000

Missouri’s Falter Earns Victory in Co-Angler Division

WARSAW, Mo. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Tom Silber of Labadie, Missouri, caught a total of five bass weighing 18 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake of the Ozarks. The tournament was the third of five events of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Silber earned $2,710 for his victory.

“I’ve fished the river my whole life, so I know it pretty well, and I know most of the creeks are spring fed,” Silber said. “While most of the place was dirty water, those spring-fed creeks tend to clear up. So, I went into the creeks where the water was the right color for me.”

Silber said he had found fish on docks in three feet of water, but after an hour of fishing without a bite, he was stumped as to what had changed.

“I threw my spinnerbait up on the bank, and something hit it as soon as it hit the water,” Silber said. “I missed him, so I threw my jig up there and caught him. He was like in six inches of water.”

Silber said he changed his approach to targeting spawning fish he couldn’t see in less than a foot of water.

“I missed one fish with two or three hours left to go and went back to try to catch it again, because it was a 3- or 3½-pounder,” Silber said. “And I caught it, but it turned out to be 5-7. And that was my last pitch of the day with 25 minutes left.”

Silber said he caught all of his fish on a black and blue jig between the 65- and 75-mile markers.

“Toward the end I had around 16½ pounds and knew if I could get one more 4- to 5-pounder I could have a pretty good chance at winning,” Silber said. “And this win has been a long time coming. I’m a river guy. Put me in dirty, shallow water. That’s my thing.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Tom Silber, Labadie, Mo., five bass, 18-13, $2,710
2nd:      Dennis Berhorst, Holts Summit, Mo., five bass, 17-13, $1,750 (includes $500 Phoenix bonus)
3rd:       Trevor Barlett, Grain Valley, Mo., five bass, 17-8, $670
4th:        Corbin Bailey, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 17-6, $550
5th:        Kolton Dauber, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 17-5, $490
6th:        Danny Burns, Nixa, Mo., five bass, 16-13, $430
7th:        Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., five bass, 16-2, $420
8th:        Chase Fitzpatrick, Saint Louis, Mo., five bass, 14-14, $410
9th:        Roger Hughes, Nowata, Okla., five bass, 14-7, $385
9th:        Ryan Stagner, Robertsville, Mo., five bass, 14-7, $385

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Silber also earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing a 5-pound, 7-ounce bass worth $200.

Josh Falter of Dixon, Missouri, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,205 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Josh Falter, Dixon, Mo., three bass, 9-15, $1,205
2nd:      Grant Denbow, Springfield, Mo., three bass, 9-6, $725
3rd:       Peyton Keathley, Kansas City, Mo., three bass, 8-1, $335
4th:        Jacob Sloan, Paola, Kan., three bass, 7-11, $260
4th:        Troy Stumfoll, Fort Scott, Kan., three bass, 7-11, $260
6th:        Dylan Mickle, Claremore, Okla., three bass, 7-6, $215
7th:        Vincent Jones, Robertsville, Mo., three bass, 7-2, $207
7th:        Benjamin Wells, Nixa, Mo., three bass, 7-2, $207
9th:        Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo, three bass, 7-0, $300
10th:     Donnie Agnew, Farmington, Mo., three bass, 6-12, $190

Grant Denbow of Springfield, Missouri, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass worth $100.

After three events, Cody Miller of Shell Knob, Missouri, now leads the 7 Brew Ozark Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 736 points, while Thad Hewitt of Delaware, Oklahoma, leads the Ozark Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 731 points.

The top 45 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. 22-24 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Pennsylvania’s Thompson Edges Field for Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Chesapeake Bay

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:00:54 +0000

Maryland’s Rye Wins Co-Angler Division

NORTH EAST, Md. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Joseph Thompson of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, caught a total of five bass weighing 18 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Chesapeake Bay . The tournament was the first of five events of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Thompson earned $11,770, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF contingency bonus, for his victory.

Thompson said his brief practice period was the key to his third career BFL win.

“I really didn’t have a lot of time to practice, but a week or so before the tournament I found a little ditch,” Thompson said. “In three casts I caught a 4-pounder. I marked it and got out of there as quick as I could because I didn’t want anyone to see me. I didn’t want it to get a lot of pressure.”

The ditch Thompson keyed in on was located in an area known as The Flats, and was 100 yards long and 50 yards wide and only one foot deeper than the surrounding water. Thompson said bass were using it as a staging area, and he used a Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer to methodically cover the area.

“I just kept that bait on the bottom,” Thompson said. “There really wasn’t much grass at all.

“In the morning I had four fish that bit, and I missed every one of them,” Thompson went on to say. “I was using a black and blue ChatterBait with a black and blue trailer. So, I changed the color of the trailer, and I never missed another fish the rest of the day. They just ate it better.”

Even though Thompson said he caught more than 30 keepers during the tournament, he didn’t think he had a chance at securing the win.

“This is definitely an unbelievable fishery, and it generally takes more than 20 pounds to win, but it was a very tough day, and 18½ pounds was enough to do it,” said Thompson, who won Northeast Division Angler of the Year titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024. “To start the year off with a win is really nice.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Joseph Thompson, Lincoln University, Pa., five bass, 18-6, $11,770 (includes $7,000 Phoenix bonus)
2nd:      Douglas Reed, Bridgeton, N.J., five bass, 17-12, $1,720
2nd:      Mark Hogan, Greenwood, Del., five bass, 17-12, $1,720
4th:        Keith Cowan, Mt. Ephraim, N.J., five bass, 17-11, $890
5th:        Ernie Freeman, Broad Run, Va., five bass, 17-10, $770
6th:        Michael Sentore, Gloucester City, N.J., five bass, 17-1, $660
7th:        Ethan Stant, Lincoln, Del., five bass, 17-0, $630
8th:        Rick McFaul, Phoenix, Md., five bass, 16-11, $600
9th:        Terry Roberson, North East, Md., five bass, 16-5, $555
9th:        Duke Nave, Oxford, Pa., five bass, 16-5, $755

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Duke Nave of Oxford, Pennsylvania, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing a 5-pound, 14-ounce bass worth $200.

Robert Rye of Ellicott City, Maryland, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $2,435 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Robert Rye, Ellicott City, Md., three bass, 12-2, $2,435
2nd:      Jesse Ketchum, Columbia, Md., three bass, 12-0, $1,155
3rd:       John Nichols, Milford, Del., three bass, 11-11, $565
4th:        Christopher Trovinger, Sabillasville, Md., three bass, 11-6, $445
5th:        Doug Jenkins, Saint Leonard, Md., three bass, 11-2, $407
5th:        Kirk Mann, Hampstead, Md., three bass, 11-2, $357
7th:        Zach Ulbig, Essex, Md., three bass, 11-0, $320
8th:        Ronald Tracy, Marlton, N.J., three bass, 10-15, $300
9th:        Matthew Howard, Monkton, Md, three bass, 10-14, $290
10th:     Chris Hurley, Carlisle, Pa., three bass, 10-9, $270

Rye also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 6-pound, 13-ounce bass worth $100.

The top 45 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. 8-10 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Section’s Atkins Paces Field for Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Guntersville

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:56:53 +0000

Alabama’s Forrester Wins Co-Angler Division

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Jason Atkins of Section, Alabama, caught a total of five bass weighing 26 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Guntersville . The tournament was the fourth of five events of the season for the BFL Choo Choo Division. Atkins earned $7,730, including a $2,500 Phoenix bonus, for his victory.

“At takeoff I made a quick decision I hadn’t planned on and went to an area where I knew there were bluegill beds,” Atkins said. “I got there and it paid off. So, after that I targeted spots on the lake where I knew there had been bluegill beds in the past. And that’s what I did all day.”

Atkins said he fished mid-lake, from North Sauty to Goose Pond to South Sauty, and his bait arsenal included a swim jig, a football-head jig and a bladed swim jig. He said he targeted bass that were lurking near the bluegill waiting for an easy meal.

Atkins said he caught 20 keeper bass during the tournament but thought he needed one more big fish to give him a chance at a title.

“I kept at it all day bouncing from spot to spot because I thought I needed one more,” Atkins said. “I weighed my fish and went into the store and ordered a hamburger and sat in the store until weigh-in was almost over. And when I saw the last few bags coming to weigh-in I thought, ‘This is really happening.’ This feels amazing.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Jason Atkins, Section, Ala., five bass, 26-13, $7,730 (includes $2,500 Phoenix bonus)
2nd:      Westin Moss, Jasper, Tenn., five bass, 25-0, $2,770
3rd:       Sadler Harrison, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 24-14, $1,240
4th:        Taylor Parker, Lake View, Ala., five bass, 22-8, $970
5th:        Zeke Gossett, Pell City, Ala., five bass, 22-4, $840
6th:        Clint Knight, Russellville, Ky., five bass, 20-13, $710
7th:        Michael McKenzie, Nashville, Tenn., five bass, 20-8, $670
8th:        Shane McCosh, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 20-4, $640
9th:        Timothy Trockenbrot, Meridianville, Ala., five bass, 20-3, $610
10th:     Benjamin Travis, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 19-15, $670

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Westin Moss of Jasper, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing a 7-pound, 2-ounce bass worth $200.

Eric Forrester of Geraldine, Alabama, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $2,715 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 14 pounds, 10 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Eric Forrester, Geraldine, Ala., three bass, 14-10, $2,715
2nd:      Landon Dorman, White Bluff, Tenn., three bass, 13-3, $1,285
3rd:       Leland Smith, Warrior, Ala., three bass, 13-0, $620
4th:        Gerald Bennett, Dallas, Ga., three bass, 12-6, $502
4th:        Alex Singleton, Rome, Ga., three bass, 12-6, $452
6th:        John Gale, Arab, Ala., three bass, 12-2, $355
7th:        Jonathan Barnette, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 11-13, $340
8th:        Gary Meredith II, Decatur, Ala., three bass, 11-12, $320
9th:        Benton Peoples, Bardstown, Ky, three bass, 11-11, $310
10th:     Scott Marshall, Lebanon, Tenn., three bass, 11-10, $217
10th:     Stephen Mickle, Pell City, Ala., three bass, 11-10, $217

Eric Forrester of Geraldine, Alabama, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 6-pound, 13-ounce bass worth $100.

After four events, boater Cal Lane of Grant, Alabama, now leads the 7 Brew Choo Choo Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 947 points, while Shane Browder of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, leads the Choo Choo Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 902 points.

The top 45 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. 8-10 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Bean Station’s Owens Earns First BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Watts Bar Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:51:15 +0000

Harriman’s Farck Claims Victory in Co-Angler Division

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Kenneth Owens of Bean Station, Tennessee, caught a total of five bass weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Watts Bar Lake . The tournament, hosted by Rhea County Department of Tourism – Fish Spring City, was the second of five events of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Owens earned $2,140 for his victory.

Owens said he focused on the lower end of the lake, and after practicing for two days had a good plan for the tournament.

“I caught a limit on the first stop,” Owens said. “It was topwater, swimbaits and jigs – I probably caught them on five different baits. I had about 15 pounds then and just culled up after that.”

Owens caught 12 keepers during the tournament, seven of which came early in the morning. Owens said he thought it would take more than 20 pounds to win the event, so he kept grinding to cull fish all day.

“It’s hard to predict because weights are so tight in tournaments,” Owens said. “There have been times I thought I had enough to win and it turned out I wasn’t even close.

“I hadn’t fished any of the Major League Fishing tournament for a while,” Owens went on to say. “I used to, then I spent some time away and focused on buddy team trails. But I decided to get back into MLF tournaments, and to get the win is a pretty great feeling.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Kenneth Owens, Bean Station, Tenn., five bass, 18-1, $2,140
2nd:      Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 17-4, $1,580 (includes $500 Phoenix bonus)
3rd:       Bradley Stringfield, Oliver Springs, Tenn., five bass, 16-11, $950
4th:        Matthew Rock, Bristol, Va., five bass, 15-13, $500
5th:        Glenn Carter, Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 15-10, $450
6th:        Blake Wheat, Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 15-0, $400
7th:        Kevin Powers, Unicoi, Tenn., five bass, 14-12, $390
8th:        Travis Bowen, Duffield, Va., five bass, 14-10, $380
9th:        Michael Brown II, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 14-7, $370
10th:     Gavin Daniels, Kingston, Tenn., five bass, 14-6, $180
10th:     Bo Cross, Philadelphia, Tenn., five bass, 14-6, $180

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Bradley Stringfield of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing a 5-pound, 4-ounce bass worth $200.

Billy Farck of Harriman, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,020 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 10 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Billy Farck, Harriman, Tenn., three bass, 10-8, $1,020
2nd:      Larry Griffith, Harriman, Tenn., three bass, 10-5, $640
3rd:       Jerry Wright, Bland, Va., three bass, 10-0, $300
4th:        David Marr, Cleveland, Tenn., three bass, 9-13, $250
5th:        Konnor Sweet, Abingdon, Va., three bass, 9-11, $225
6th:        Bryan Morton, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 9-3, $250
7th:        Josh Hester, Dalton, Ga., three bass, 8-15, $200
8th:        Clinton Harrison, Georgetown, Tenn., three bass, 8-12, $190
9th:        Keith Gunsauls, Dandridge, Tenn., three bass, 8-11, $190
10th:     Daryl Wagner, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 8-8, $180

Larry Griffith of Harriman, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass worth $100.

After two events, Blake Wheat of Rockwood, Tennessee, now leads the 7 Brew Volunteer Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 487 points, while Keith Gunsauls of Dandridge, Tennessee, leads the Volunteer Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 490 points.

South Carolina’s Murphy Notches Fourth BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kerr Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:47:28 +0000

Virginia’s Ragland Tops Co-Angler Division

HENDERSON, N.C. (May 4, 2026) – Boater Lucas Murphy of West Columbia, South Carolina, caught five bass weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake . The tournament, hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, was the third of five events of the season for the BFL North Carolina Division. Murphy earned $9,690, including the $7,000 Phoenix MLF contingency bonus, for his victory.

“I didn’t practice at all. I didn’t even rig anything up,” Lucas said. “I just showed up at the ramp, put the boat in the water and just went fishing.”

The temperature at takeoff hovered near 50 degrees, and wind and rain greeted anglers early.

“Normally this time of year there will be a shad spawn, and you can catch them on a spinnerbait,” Murphy said. “But that shallow spinnerbait bite didn’t seem to be happening.”

Murphy said he changed his approach and backed off of the shad spawn hotspots, thinking bass may be lurking nearby. He soon caught a few decent bass on a jerkbait. He saved his forward-facing sonar period for later in the day, hoping it would warm enough to motivate bass to bite.

“I turned it on and went to work and caught some on a drop-shot rig as well as a jighead minnow,” Murphy said. “After I caught a 4-pound spot on the jerkbait I was encouraged because I had confidence in my afternoon plan.

“Then on the second spot I rolled up to a spot near Buggs Island using my (Garmin) Livescope and I caught a 3½-pounder, which is a big one on Buggs Island,” Murphy went on to say. “A fish over 3 pounds is not getting culled out there.”

Murphy said he had 14½ pounds in the afternoon and knew he had an outside shot at a win. He fired his bait at a brushpile and two bass began fighting over it. The winner Murphy landed weighed 4¼ pounds – Murphy’s personal best bass on Buggs Island – and gave him enough weight for the win.

“This feels awesome,” said Murphy, who now has four BFL wins under his belt. “I’m not taking it for granted, and this will never get old. This fish trophy is one of the most coveted trophies out there. It looks nice on a mantle, and I’m very glad to have another.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 16-14, $9,690 (includes $7,000 Phoenix bonus)
2nd:      Logan Anderson, Sherrills Ford, N.C., five bass, 16-1, $1,530
3rd:       Rodney Bell, Salisbury, N.C., five bass, 15-11, $635
3rd:       Jason Barnes, Concord, N.C., five bass, 15-11, $785
5th:        Ben Dalton, Bracey, Va., five bass, 15-9, $480
5th:        Evan White, Roanoke Rapids, N.C., five bass, 15-9, $480
7th:        Tom Wilkinson, Oxford, N.C., five bass, 14-13, $430
8th:        Aaron Falwell, Rustburg, Va., five bass, 14-12, $420
9th:        Ryan Pardue, Elkin, N.C., five bass, 14-1, $400
10th:     Gray Williams, Oxford, N.C., five bass, 14-0, $390

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Logan Anderson of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award after landing a 5-pound, 2-ounce bass worth $200.

Phillip Ragland Jr. of Rustburg, Virginia, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,695 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 12 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Phillip Ragland Jr., Rustburg, Va., three bass, 8-12, $1,695
2nd:      Justin Bach, Kannapolis, N.C., three bass, 8-9, $665
3rd:       Dustan Hudson, Grover, N.C., three bass, 8-1, $350
4th:        Larry Freeman Jr., La Crosse, Va., three bass, 7-14, $285
5th:        Mark Hughes, Salisbury, N.C., three bass, 7-12, $255
6th:        Nathan Ewing, Denver, N.C., three bass, 7-9, $225
7th:        Thomas Pennell III, Boiling Springs, S.C., three bass, 7-5, $220
8th:        Todd Huntley, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-3, $210
9th:        Dale Surrett, Midland, N.C., three bass, 7-2, $200
10th:     Marvin Godard, Charlotte, N.C., three bass, 6-10, $195

Ragland also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 3-pound, 13-ounce bass worth $100.

After three events, Daniel Sparks of Kingstown, North Carolina, now leads the 7 Brew North Carolina Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 726 points, while Todd Huntley of Inman, South Carolina, leads the North Carolina Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 734 points.

Registration Closing May 6th for 2026 ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship at Pickwick Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:18:21 +0000

FLORENCE, AL — The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) is reminding college fishing teams that registration for the 2026 ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops closes on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The championship will be held on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama, on May 21–22.

Teams are encouraged to register now before the Wednesday, May 6th deadline to secure their spot.

Confirmation emails will be sent to registered teams by May 8, 2026.

Event Schedule

Date	Event
May 17–20	Official Practice Days
May 19	Garmin Spy Pole Demos at McFarland Park
May 20	Garmin Demos, Meet & Greet with Sponsors, Dinner & Mandatory Meeting
May 21–22	Championship Tournament Days

Key Resources

About the Association of Collegiate Anglers

The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) is a division of CarecoTV dedicated to growing competitive fishing at the college level. The ACA owns the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year program, which together represent the largest collegiate fishing series in the country. The series receives media coverage across Discovery Channel, CBS Sports, Bally Sports, and Pursuit Channel, among others.

For more information, visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com or email college@carecotv.com.

Arey Steps Away from 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series to Battle Lymphoma

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:32:19 +0000

SHELBY, North Carolina – Bassmaster Elite Series pro Matt Arey is taking a medical hardship and will forgo the remainder of the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season after being diagnosed with Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer in the lymphatic system.

The North Carolina native received this diagnosis last week upon returning home from the Arkansas River Elite Series event after undergoing a myriad of tests, doctor visits, and a surgical biopsy. Matt, his wife Emily, and two daughters await full pathology results, but have opted to step away from competition to focus on his health.

“Trust me, I’d like nothing more than to keep fishing and build on what’s been a good season thus far but being here to watch my girls grow up means more to me than anything,” Arey said. “I thought about my family and did not hesitate to put fishing in the back seat and pour all my energy and effort into fighting this disease.

“Lymphoma is treatable and curable. We’re hopeful and ready to get treatments underway. I have incredible support from my faith, my family, my sponsors and fans, and I have a great team of doctors in my corner. I’m focused on getting healthy right now, but I’m already looking forward to getting back to the sport I love and competing on the Elite Series in 2027.”

Signs of concern began when Arey started experiencing night sweats just six weeks ago. Right before he left for Muskogee, OK, Arey noticed he had lost close to ten pounds since the last time he stepped on a scale. This prompted Arey to make a doctor’s appointment for his return from the Arkansas River.

While he jokes that he’s, “not an Instagram model”, the 45-year-old father of two has always been in shape and a healthy person. Arey lives an active lifestyle and has maintained his physical fitness through regular exercise and watching what he eats.

He’s also been consistent with regular visits to his primary care physician, every six months. Arey deals with high blood pressure and just had a CBC (Complete Blood Count) blood test last November, which came back perfectly normal. Arey provided these details for educational purposes, so people are aware of just how fast things can happen.

“If you are reading this, please, pay attention to your body,” Arey advised. “Like my case suggests, things can happen fast. I have buddies who almost brag about having not been to the doctors in five years. I know as men sometimes there is the urge to be ‘tough’ and stubborn, but I’m telling y’all… it’s not worth it. Prioritize your health and get regular checkups with your doctor.”

Approximately 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with far more being affected by the disease in some capacity.

Arey using his circumstance as a warning to help others comes as no surprise to those who know him. Matt Arey is as good of a human being as you will find. He’s built a reputation amongst his peers, sponsors, and fans for not only his angling abilities, but his integrity and character both on and off the water.

Arey’s good nature, humor, and positive outlook make a lasting impression on every person he meets. While Arey faces a challenging road ahead, he won’t face it alone. He’s surrounded by an incredibly supportive family and backed by his partners. Arey has earned the respect and admiration of the entire fishing community throughout his career.

The Arey family welcomes prayers and positivity. Arey will provide updates on his journey as appropriate, with appreciation for privacy as he and his family navigate the road ahead.

MLF Pros Bring Conservation and Competition to Lowell Elementary During Stage 5 at Beaver Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:05:40 +0000

ROGERS, Ark. (May 3, 2026) – Second- and third-grade students at Lowell Elementary School got a high-energy introduction to professional bass fishing this week, thanks to a visit from Major League Fishing (MLF) pros Nick LeBrun of Benton, Louisiana, and Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They were joined by MLF Competition Officials Butch Lansford and Brian Poppe during their off day prior to the start of the MLF Bass Pro Tour’s Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI at Beaver Lake.

The interactive program, led by MLF Sr. Manager of PR & Communications Charity Muehlenweg, brought the fast-paced world of the Bass Pro Tour into the classroom while emphasizing the core principles of conservation, water safety and responsible fish care through MLF’s Fisheries Management Division (FMD).

Photos/videos from the Lowell Elementary School visit can be found here.

Students got a hands-on look at the league’s signature catch, weigh and immediate-release format, with a live demonstration showing how every fish is carefully handled, weighed on a certified scale and returned to the water within seconds. With an MLF Competition Official acting as the on-the-water referee, the segment reinforced how proper fish handling and minimizing time out of the water helps ensure healthy fisheries for the future.

The conservation message extended beyond the pros, encouraging students to take ownership of their local lakes and waterways. Through simple examples, like picking up trash, recycling fishing line and respecting wildlife habitats, students learned how small actions can make a big impact.

LeBrun told the students that protecting the resource is a responsibility shared by everyone who enjoys the outdoors.

“Every fish we catch is important, and the way we handle them matters just as much as catching them,” said LeBrun. “That’s why we weigh them quickly and put them right back in the water. The same goes for all of you – whether you’re fishing, swimming or just spending time at the lake, taking care of it means it’ll be there for you and the next generation to enjoy.”

Water safety was a key focus throughout the program, with LeBrun emphasizing the importance of life jackets as the most essential piece of gear on any boat. Students also participated in an interactive exercise simulating how long a fish can safely remain out of water, reinforcing the importance of quick handling and awareness.

Beyond conservation, the visit highlighted the wide range of career opportunities connected to the fishing industry. From professional anglers and tournament officials to roles in media, marketing, event operations and fisheries science, students were introduced to the many ways a passion for the outdoors can translate into a future career.

The gym quickly turned into a lively competition arena during a casting challenge, where LeBrun and Shuffield squared off to land pitches into fish targets while students cheered on their favorite pro. The energy carried into a rapid-fire trivia session, where students answered questions about conservation, fishing and water safety to win prizes, including rods and reels, MLF attire and bait packs.

The visit wrapped up with a Q&A session, giving students the chance to connect directly with the pros before sending them off with a simple message about respecting the outdoors and staying engaged with the natural world.

The Lowell Elementary stop served as a community-focused highlight during Stage 5 at Beaver Lake and reinforced how the sport can be a platform for both competition and education while inspiring the next generation of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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, Rumble and YouTube .

Colvin and Murphy stay close to win Bassmaster High School Series at Kerr Reservoir

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:02:53 +0000

SALLISAW, Okla. — This is the only their second year competing in organized bass tournaments, but apparently Hunter Colvin and Murph Murphy are fast learners. The two 16 year-old high school sophomores from SEK Fishing in Kansas caught 18 pounds, 3 ounces of Oklahoma bass to win the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Kerr Reservoir.

They topped 42 teams, including some with a great deal of local knowledge and prior tournament success. With the victory, Colvin and Murphy advance to the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship at Kentucky Lake.

It’s not like they haven’t previously telegraphed their rapid ascent. At a Kansas Bass Nation Youth event at La Cygne Lake just over a month ago, they put together a massive 24.88 pound winning five-fish limit that included an 8.88 pound lunker.

The fishing was slightly tougher this time around — although you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the top weights — so after a mixed practice the pair of high school sophomores chose to stay in Sallisaw Creek, close to the ramp, where their efforts had produced a 4-pounder. That single quality fish maximized their confidence and staying close maximized their fishing time. It also allowed them to dial in the proper lure choice and presentation.

“This shows that we have what it takes and can change our ways,” Murphy said. “We started off throwing spinnerbaits and ChatterBaits, but that was dying off. I saw a swim jig on the deck, changed to that, and that’s when we started catching fish.

The particular color and trailer also made a difference: “We fish a white swim jig a lot at home,” Colvin explained. “But the water was really dirty so we switched to a black and blue Googan Squad swim jig with a matching Strike King Rage Menace Grub.”

Because they did not make a long run at any point during competition, Colvin and Murphy were able to stick to their guns and fish later in the day than many other teams. Even though the morning bite tapered off and got tougher in the afternoon, they made a key cull after noon. They suspect that was the fish that provided most or all of their margin of victory over the second place team — a mere 11 ounces.

Their captain, Hunter’s father Travis, has seen the winning team’s progress and watched them strategize and adjust in real time.

“The started fishing last fall with Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation and just continue to get better and more serious,” he said. “Both of them are home-schooled, so they fish four or five times a week, in the rain, no matter what the weather is. This week they figured out what type of grass the bass were using and made it work. It wasn’t the matted grass, but it was the larger clods and the fish were sitting halfway into it. Whenever they had to make a move, they made it. Their changes from the morning to the afternoon are what allowed them to win.”

They’ll still have two more years of high school competition and then both hope to fish at a higher level.

“I hope we can both find a good college to go to,” Murphy said.

Hunter Dickinson and Case Payton of Central Fishing Team earned second with 17-8 while Hudson Mynatt and Wilson Shepherd of Karns High School finished third with 16-8.

The Top 6 teams all had limits, as did four others.

The fourth place team of Jack Sharpe and Patrick Givens of Tennessee’s Sumner County Bass Team caught the Big Bass of the Tournament, a 5-7 largemouth.

This event was hosted by Cherokee Nation.

2026 Bassmaster High School Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2026 Bassmaster High School Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster High School Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster High School Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

2026 Bassmaster High School Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Kerr Lake 5/3-5/3
Kerr Lake, Sallisaw OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Hunter Colvin – Murph Murphy Sek Fishing 0
Day 1: 5 18-03 Total: 5 18-03
2. Hunter Dickinson – Case Payton Central Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 17-08 Total: 5 17-08
3. Hudson Mynatt – Wilson Shepherd Karns High School 0
Day 1: 5 16-08 Total: 5 16-08
4. Jack Sharpe – Patrick Givens Sumner County Bass Team – TN 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
5. Dean Austin – Caleb Moore Off The Hook Jr. Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
6. Caleb Toubia – Isaac Toubia Kickback High School – KS 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
7. Brooklyn Bossom – Corinne Mouch Denham Springs High School 0
Day 1: 4 11-03 Total: 4 11-03
8. Porter Morrison – Harrison Kirkpatrick Catholic High School Fishing Bat 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
9. Brack Robertson – Tucker Robertson Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 4 10-08 Total: 4 10-08
10. Sawyer Goss – Lincoln Cowell 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
11. Carter Pjesky – Southern IllinoisFuture Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 08-15 Total: 4 08-15
12. Hank Riley – Charles Bender Liberty Christian High School Fi 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
13. Connor Gartman – Blake Starr Arkansas Youth Anglers 0
Day 1: 3 08-13 Total: 3 08-13
14. Brody Ensminger – Central High School 0
Day 1: 3 08-06 Total: 3 08-06
15. Hudson Tritch – Braydon Cullum Nea Youth Fishing 0
Day 1: 4 08-03 Total: 4 08-03
16. Annabella Youngblood – Bray Youngblood Sulphur Fishing Team – Sulphur H 0
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
17. Carter Elliott – Joey Newman Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 4 07-14 Total: 4 07-14
18. Carter Rydgig – Hank Hartley Edwardsville High School 0
Day 1: 3 07-14 Total: 3 07-14
19. Ava Haymond – Griffin Harvey Aybn Northern High School 0
Day 1: 4 07-11 Total: 4 07-11
20. Hunter Brakefield – Luke Childs Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 3 06-14 Total: 3 06-14
21. Billy Allison – Christopher Priest Aybn Southern High School 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Total: 3 06-11
22. Aiden Roberson-Barber – Daniel Lowhorn Monterey Anglers 0
Day 1: 2 06-06 Total: 2 06-06
23. Paxton Wormsley – Grayson Dykes Campbell County High School 0
Day 1: 3 06-04 Total: 3 06-04
24. Cale Compton – Adam Reed Northeastern Oklahoma Hs Bass Cl 0
Day 1: 2 06-03 Total: 2 06-03
25. Jack Varnado – Dylan Johnson Denham Springs High School 0
Day 1: 2 05-11 Total: 2 05-11
26. Michael Harris – Danil Williams Mt Juliet Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 2 05-01 Total: 2 05-01
27. Ethan Hill – Keelan Carpenter Aybn Southern High School 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
28. Cason Curry – Jaxon Curry Rocky Mtn Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
29. Taylor Bogard – Wilkes County Bandits 0
Day 1: 2 03-10 Total: 2 03-10
30. Nash Taylor – Kolby Michael Aybn Southern High School 0
Day 1: 1 02-15 Total: 1 02-15
31. Ryan Anderson – Vinny Santiago Spring Lake Park High School 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Total: 1 02-06
32. Brayden Elliott – Kalen Chandler White Oak High School Bass Fishi 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Total: 1 02-02
33. Brodee Daigle – Emrye Daigle Sulphur Fishing Team – Sulphur H 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Total: 1 01-08
34. Jason Babcock – Brandon Babcock Liberty Christian High School Fi 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Quinn Barbee – Andrew Miller Southeastern Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Alex Coyner – Aybn Northern High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Tristin Hathorn – Arkansas Youth Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Whitt Hickey – Nathan Hickey Trhs Devildog Anglers – Traveler 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Caleb Mccord – Kenneth Justice Arkansas Youth Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Crews Mcferrin – Colin Bourne Karns Jr High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Kutter Smith – Gradee Adair Northeastern Oklahoma HS 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Brady Spalding – Jack Deaton Lakeside Rams Bass Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
34. Shane Williams – South Greene High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Jack Sharpe Hendersonville, TN 05-07 $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 10 110 274-05
———————————-
10 110 274-05

Sullivan and Pack rely on late catch to take home Junior title at Kerr Reservoir

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:59:37 +0000

SALLISAW, Okla. — Twelve year-olds Henry Sullivan and Laken Pack refused to give up and a final big bass caught in the last 15 minutes of the day put them over the top at the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series at Kerr Reservoir. The duo caught a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces to claim the victory and thereby punched their ticket to the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior National Championship at Kentucky Lake in the process.

The two members of the Junior Keystone Anglers, both hailing from the nearby town of Vian, have complementary fishing styles and that’s what allowed them to win.

“He usually catches a lot of fish and I get a few big bites,” Pack said. Indeed, that’s precisely how it worked out today, as Sullivan employed a black and blue jig and matching bladed jig to catch the majority of their five-bass limit on a day when only two other teams managed to bring five bass to the scales. Meanwhile Pack used a Strike King spinnerbait but more importantly an unnamed chartreuse squarebill crankbait which produced that last fish, the one that provided the winning margin of 1 pound, 1 ounce.

Boat captain Casey Sullivan was astounded by the youngsters’ ability to stay focused on a tough day on Kerr: “They’ve got that ‘don’t quit attitude,’” he said. “Everything they do, they do it well. They’re in the same grade and they play on the same baseball team, the same football team and the same basketball team. They put the same effort into all of it. It was really fun today. I coached them last night to pay attention to what was in front of them and that’s exactly what they did.”

His son Henry noted that their primary pattern was “rocks and logs up the river.” He’d tried white and chartreuse vibrating jigs earlier, but through the process of elimination and substantial history on this pool he found that the black and blue coloration helped more bass to locate and connect with his offerings.

Hunter Beach and Austin Jefferson of the Fighting Fishsticks Jr. Bass Club made a short run and used black and blue Texas-rigged soft plastic craws to finish second with a quality limit that weighed 12-1. They were already qualified for the National Championship. Brent Bullard of Trader Bill’s in Arkansas, fishing solo, finished third with 11-4. Those were the only three limits weighed among eight teams on a tricky section of the Arkansas River, one that tested many of the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros’ mettle and fishing skills just a few weeks ago.

Dixon Heflin of Tennessee’s Bedford County Youth Bass Club, fishing alone, weighed in one bass, but he made that lone capture count. The 3 pound, 7 ounce fish earned him big bass honors for the day.

This event was hosted by the Cherokee Nation.

2026 Bassmaster Junior Series Title Sponsor: Tackle Warehouse

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series at Kerr Lake 5/3-5/3
Kerr Lake, Sallisaw OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Henry Sullivan – Laken Pack Junior Keystone Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
2. Hunter Beach – Austin Jefferson Fighting Fishsticks Jr. Bass Clu 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
3. Bennett Bullard – Trader Bills 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
4. Rocky Ford – Creede Prier Junior Keystone Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 3 05-10 Total: 3 05-10
5. Joseph Childers – Aly Herman Swla Jr Anglers 0
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
6. Dixon Heflin – Bedford County Youth Bass Club – 0
Day 1: 1 03-07 Total: 1 03-07
7. Coop Caldwell – Konnor Macoubrie Team Fishing 4 Life 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Total: 1 01-11
8. Conner Sowers – Ryan Mcglaughlin Batesville Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Total: 1 01-08
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Dixon Heflin Shelbyville, TN 03-07 $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 23 52-13
———————————-
3 23 52-13

Cole Floyd Earns First Bass Pro Tour Win at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI

AnglersChannel — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:53:07 +0000

Ohio pro catches 24 bass weighing 56 pounds even in final-day Championship Round on Beaver to earn top prize of $125,000

ROGERS, Ark. (May 3, 2026) – With 25 minutes left in Sunday’s Championship Round at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI , Cole Floyd got the news he’d been dreading.

Floyd had sat atop SCORETRACKER® for virtually all of Saturday’s Knockout Round and most of the final day on Beaver Lake. Leading Wesley Strader by more than 6 pounds with 30 minutes until lines out, he could taste his first Bass Pro Tour (BPT) win. But Strader – who had closed strong each of the past two days just to make it to the Championship Round – caught a late 5-pounder for the third day in a row, then followed it up with a 1-12 to take over the lead.

Here we go again, thought Floyd, who had 14 prior Top 10 finishes in tour-level events (including nine on the BPT) without a victory.

“What was going through my mind at that point was I was probably going to finish second,” he said. “It was just a gut-wrencher. With roughly 15 minutes left, I was like, man, it’s going to have to be a miracle for me to catch one.”

But even after admittedly “throwing a little fit there for a minute,” Floyd kept casting. With 12 minutes left, he hooked a 1-11 that came unpinned as he swung it over the gunwale, mercifully landing in the bottom of his Ranger.

While far from the heaviest of Floyd’s 24 scorable bass on the day, it’ll go down as the biggest of his career so far. That fish pushed Floyd’s total to 56 pounds even, edging Strader by 14 ounces and earning Floyd $125,000 and his long-awaited first pro win.

His late catch on Championship Sunday didn’t represent Floyd’s only afternoon heroics on the week. With one period left in the Qualifying Round on Friday, he sat in 43rd place, almost 15 pounds back of the Lucas Oil Cut Line. That’s when he ran to the shallowest reaches of the War Eagle River, a tributary on the upper end of Beaver Lake where he would spend the rest of the event and blasted 31-1 on 13 scorable bass to secure a spot in the Knockout Round.

Floyd had found a decent bite in the War Eagle River during practice, but a storm prior to Day 1 had muddied the area too much. As the water cleared and continued to rise during the event, flooding terrestrial grass and other cover, prespawn bass pushed shallow in droves.

The biggest lesson Floyd had learned from all his near misses on the Bass Pro Tour is the importance of finding an emerging pattern, as even the best bite on Day 1 rarely holds up over four days of competition. This represented the perfect scenario. Plus, it aligned with Floyd’s wheelhouse, allowing him to power fish for shallow largemouth.

“That area was all chocolate milk the first day of the tournament, and as it cleaned up, it just kind of developed,” he explained. “It was setting up right in my lap, just the way the water conditions were and what the fish were doing. Those fish were a little bit later (to spawn) up there, and that was key. The water’s a little cooler, and those fish were just getting on bed up there, and a lot of them were big prespawn females.”

Floyd carried his momentum into Saturday, stacking up 33-12 in the opening frame. That allowed him to use the latter two-thirds of the day to scout new water and conserve fish for the Championship Round, which proved pivotal.

Floyd’s best stretch from the previous two days wasn’t nearly as productive when he started Sunday morning there. He only caught one scorable bass, a 1-9, in the first half hour. But he continued to cycle through areas and generated enough bites to figure out how the bass were setting up and the best baits to catch them. While he mixed in a few other presentations, Floyd’s top performers were a Strike King Thunder Cricket and a Strike King swim jig paired with a Strike King Rage Scounbug, the latter of which did most of the heavy lifting in the Championship Round.

Floyd closed the first period by boating a 4-3, then a 3-1, then another 4-3. Emblematic of the quality he caught all week, those fish gave Floyd a lead he wouldn’t relinquish until the final minutes.

“I was definitely worried after I went down my best stretch and only caught a couple fish down through there, and they weren’t even big,” he said. “I knew I was in for a day, and it was going to be a little tougher. In the back of my mind, I had other spots. I had a lot of confidence in them, and they ended up pulling through.”

While he steadily added to his total throughout the day, Floyd could never get enough cushion over his pursuers to ease his nerves. Three anglers – Strader, Zack Birge and Spencer Shuffield – lurked within 10 pounds of his total entering the final period.

“That was by far the most stressful tournament I’ve ever fished, and the longest day of fishing, for sure,” he said.

It looked for a brief moment like Floyd might have shut the door. In the first few minutes of Period 3, he landed a 3-6 and a 2-3 back-to-back to push his advantage over 15 pounds.

Then, Strader started his daily charge. Fishing his 21st career MLF event on Beaver Lake (the most of any angler in the field), Strader had pulled off furious rallies each of the previous two afternoons. Friday, he caught eight scorable bass for 21-5 in the final period (including five for 14-6 in the last 20 minutes) to make it to the Knockout Round. There, he racked up 27-15 on 10 scorable bass in Period 3.

Right on cue, Strader added more than 15 pounds in about 20 minutes with a six-fish flurry, slashing Floyd’s lead to 2-5. Floyd answered with a pair of scorables, and the two traded blows from there.

When Strader landed his 5-8 – not only the Berkley Big Bass of the day but the biggest of the event – then took the lead shortly thereafter, Floyd felt sick.

“I definitely kind of lost it there for a minute,” he said. “I was wanting to strangle Wesley. I was cussing him out in my head. I was like, ‘You gotta be kidding me, man.’ To have the lead like that and for him to catch that size of fish right at the end – that’s a unicorn on this lake.”

Floyd kept his composure enough to run to “a little cut” in the back of a shallow flat that held sparse grass. He’d gotten bit there earlier in the day but felt like he’d left some bass. That intuition proved correct when the decisive 1-11 bit his swim jig.

“I swung it in the boat, and as soon as I went to grab the line, it came off,” Floyd said with a laugh. “So, it was meant to be, I guess.”

After so many close calls hadn’t gone his way, Floyd admitted he’d begun to wonder whether he’d ever win a top-level tournament. Never had that doubt weighed heavier than when Strader took the lead from him. Rallying to take it back not only made for a triumphant end to a thrilling day on Beaver Lake; it gave Floyd belief that he’s good enough to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world and come out on top.

“I always wanted to just get one win under my belt, just to get a taste of it so I have the confidence to know I can do it,” Floyd said. “I really felt like I was never going to win one. It just gives me that confidence that it can happen. It’s a great feeling.”

The top 10 pros at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI finished:

1st: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 24 bass, 56-0, $125,000
2nd:        Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 23 bass, 55-2, $45,000
3rd: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 20 bass, 38-13, $35,000
4th:         Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 34-12, $30,000
5th:         Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 13 bass, 28-6, $25,000
6th:         Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 22-14, $23,000
7th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 11 bass, 21-7, $22,000
8th:         Jacob Wheeler, Birchwood, Tenn., 10 bass, 20-14, $21,000
9th:         Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 10 bass, 20-4, $20,500
10th: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, six bass, 13-0, $20,000

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

Overall, there were 142 bass caught weighing 311 pounds, 8 ounces, caught by the 10 Bass Pro Tour anglers on Sunday.

Sunday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was earned by Wesley Strader – his third big bass win of the event – who caught a 5-pound, 8-ounce largemouth in the third period on a spinnerbait. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

Hosted by Destination Rogers, t he four-day tournament featured 51 of the world’s top professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and their share of a $600,000 purse, along with valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for REDCREST 2027 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – and the Kubota Heavy Hitters all-star event.

The next event for Bass Pro Tour anglers will be the Kubota Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops all-star event, at Orange Lake in Ocala, Florida, May 16-21.

The 2026 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 51 of the best 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 Kubota Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2027 championship.

Television coverage of the Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 19 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Force, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, NITRO Boats, OFF! Deep Woods, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine, Toyota, Yuengling and Zenni.

Cole Floyd Paces Knockout Round at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI

AnglersChannel — Sun, 03 May 2026 13:19:39 +0000

Ohio pro races to 17 bass for 44-7 to win Knockout Round and advance, final 10 now set for Championship Day shootout for $125,000

ROGERS, Ark. (May 2, 2026) – A few times on Saturday, Cole Floyd said he felt “the hair on the back of my neck standing up.” That’s because Floyd felt like everything might finally be falling into place for him to claim his first Bass Pro Tour win at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI on Beaver Lake.

Floyd, who had to rally just to make the Knockout Round, started the day right where he’d left off. He boated 14 scorable bass for 35-15 in Period 1 alone, quickly shooting to the top of SCORETRACKER® and never yielding the top spot. He added a couple more fish early in Period 2 before switching to practice mode in preparation for Sunday’s Championship Round. His total weight of 44-7 on 17 scorable bass topped Spencer Shuffield by 6-4.

Floyd and the rest of the top nine finishers from Saturday will join Qualifying Round winner Marshall Hughes on Sunday, where the angler who catches the most weight will earn the Stage 5 trophy and $125,000 top prize.

Almost exactly a year ago, Floyd ignited a hot streak that put him in exclusive company on the Bass Pro Tour. Starting with Stage 4 on Lakes Chickamauga and Nickajack, the Ohio pro rattled off five consecutive Top-10 finishes to close the season en route to a fourth-place finish in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings.

Floyd attributed that heater to his shallow-water, power-fishing skillset. So, it should be no surprise that he looked for a similar bite during practice on Beaver. He found a productive area in the upper reaches of the White River, but runoff from the storms that rolled through the area prior to Day 1 muddied the waters too much for Floyd to fish there.

When he returned on Friday afternoon and saw that the water had started to clear and continued to rise, he knew it could be special.

“I told my official, ‘Man, we’re about to smash them. I just don’t know if I have enough time,’” Floyd said. “And it was on, man.”

With one period left in the Qualifying Round, Floyd sat in 43rd place, nearly 15 pounds back of the Lucas Oil Cut Line. During Period 3, he blasted 31-1 on 13 fish to advance to Saturday.

Catching all largemouth, Floyd thinks the bass in the area are prespawners. That’s key for two reasons. One, he’s catching big fish. The first four bass Floyd put on SCORETRACKER® Saturday all topped 3 pounds (more than decent for the Arkansas fishery), and he caught two over 4 on the day. He’s also optimistic that they will stay in the area, while new ones could move up overnight.

“A lot of the fish I’m catching are prespawn females – big ones, too – so, that makes me feel better about the situation,” he said. “I feel like there’s some fish coming to me, and the fish are just going to hang around and set up to spawn.”

Quickly putting so much distance between himself and the Lucas Oil Cut Line allowed Floyd to spend the latter two-thirds of the day exploring new water. In fact, the only scorable bass he added in the final five hours of competition was caught by accident – Floyd tried to shake it off but hooked it anyway.

He doesn’t think he found anything better than the stretches that produced his Period 1 run, but Floyd added a few more spots into his arsenal for Sunday.

“Not very often are you able to do that,” he said. “To end the first period and know I could go and mill around for 5 more hours, roughly, I knew that was going to be very helpful, especially going into tomorrow and me beating on my main couple stretches.”

Floyd has learned from experience that success in the early rounds of events doesn’t always translate to the final day, so he’s keeping his expectations in check. While he thinks he could have surpassed 60 or even 70 pounds on Saturday, his goal for the Championship Round is 50.

But he didn’t shy away from acknowledging how much a win – which would be his first not only at the Bass Pro Tour level but any national-level event – would mean to him.

“It’d be life-changing, it really would, just to be able to hold up that trophy,” he said. “I just want to win one.”

Angler of the Year leader Jacob Wheeler found himself in an unusual position entering Period 3. Fresh off a win at REDCREST, Wheeler sat in 19th place, nearly 10 pounds back of the cut line, through two periods.

In typical Wheeler fashion, it took him less than 2 hours in Period 3 to stack up 10 scorable bass for 22-10, propelling him to seventh place. That marks Wheeler’s 43rd Top-10 finish in 65 career Bass Pro Tour events, and it keeps alive his bid to become the first angler ever to win three straight Bass Pro Tour events.

It’s still not a given that he’ll emerge from Stage 5 as the AOY leader, though. Zack Birge, who entered this event just three points back of Wheeler, also made the Championship Round. Third-place angler Drew Gill, who is 14 points behind Birge, cemented another Top 10 as well.

For the second day in a row, Wesley Strader made a furious charge up SCORETRACKER® to cross the cut line late in the day – and caught the Berkley Big Bass in the process. Strader, who is competing in his 21st career FLW/MLF event on Beaver (the most of anyone in the field), caught just five scorable bass for 9-1 across the first two periods. He boated 10 for nearly 28 pounds in Period 3, including a 5-5 largemouth he caught in the final seconds before lines out. That pushed Strader all the way to fourth place, giving him a shot at claiming his first Bass Pro Tour victory on Sunday.

Speaking of anglers who are looking for their first BPT win, Shuffield cruised into the Championship Round with ease, holding the second-place position for much of Saturday. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native has now knocked out seven Top 10s in his past nine Bass Pro Tour events dating back to last season.

The top nine pros that now advance to Championship Sunday on Beaver Lake at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI are:

1st: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 17 bass, 44-7
2nd:        Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 17 bass, 38-3
3rd: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 18 bass, 37-12
4th:         Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 15 bass, 37-0
5th:         Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 18 bass, 36-11
6th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 16 bass, 35-13
7th:         Jacob Wheeler, Birchwood, Tenn., 16 bass, 34-9
8th:         Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 15 bass, 33-9
9th:         Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 30-9
*QR Winner: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas

Eliminated from competition are:
11th: Dustin Smith, Trussville, Ala., 12 bass, 28-9, $15,900
12th: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 16 bass, 28-5, $15,800
13th: Dustin Connell, Deatsville, Ala., 14 bass, 27-2, $15,700
14th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 12 bass, 26-9, $15,600
15th: Jesse Wiggins, Logan, Ala., 13 bass, 25-11, $15,500
16th: Adrian Avena, Marmora, N.J., 12 bass, 25-4, $15,400
17th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 12 bass, 24-4, $15,300
18th: Mark Daniels Jr., Shorter, Ala., 12 bass, 22-10, $15,200
19th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 11 bass, 21-5, $15,100
20th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 19-8, $15,000
21st: Nick LeBrun, Benton, La., nine bass, 19-5, $15,000
22nd: Colby Miller, Elmer, La., seven bass, 15-8, $15,000
23rd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., four bass, 9-2, $15,000
24th: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 8-13, $15,000
25th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, five bass, 8-10, $15,000

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

Overall, there were 301 bass caught weighing 639 pounds, 2 ounces, caught by the 24 Bass Pro Tour anglers on Saturday.

Saturday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was earned by Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tennessee, who caught a 5-pound, 5-ounce largemouth in the final minute of the third period throwing a bladed swim jig. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

Hosted by Destination Rogers, t he four-day tournament features 51 of the world’s top professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and their share of a $600,000 purse, along with valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for REDCREST 2027 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – and the Kubota Heavy Hitters all-star event.

The full field of anglers competed in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round was complete, the pro with the heaviest two-day total – Marshall Hughes – advanced directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers who finished 2nd through 25th competed in Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights were zeroed, and the remaining anglers competed to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are again zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $125,000.

The final 10 anglers will arrive Sunday morning at 6:15 a.m. CT to Prairie Creek Recreation Area, located at 9314 N. Park Road in Rogers, Arkansas. Anglers will return to Prairie Creek Recreation Area 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 watch the event live online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® livestream and follow along with 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. CT. MLFNOW!® will be livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com , the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

On Sunday, May 3, from 3–6 p.m., MLF invites fans of all ages to Bass Pro Shops located at 2300 S. Promenade Boulevard in Rogers, for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the Bass Pro Tour pros live on the MLFNOW!® big screen, enjoy free food for the first 100 fans, enter hourly giveaways, browse MLF merchandise and the bargain bait bin, participate in a casting contest and cheer on their favorite anglers. Live music begins at 4 p.m., followed by Top 10 angler interviews and the trophy presentation at 5 p.m., including autographs and photos with Bass Pro Tour finalists. The first 50 kids ages 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel.

The Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI 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.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Force, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, NITRO Boats, OFF! Deep Woods, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine, Toyota, Yuengling and Zenni.

Big Final Day Earns Ridge Faircloth Victory at MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Event at Lake Seminole

AnglersChannel — Sun, 03 May 2026 01:10:17 +0000

Campbell Clinches Toyota Series 7 Brew Southern Division Angler of the Year Title

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (May 2, 2026) – Heading into the final day of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event on Lake Seminole, Matt Baty had a pretty solid lead and a strong game plan. One of the best locals on the lake, Baty has won there before and certainly looked like the man to beat. Of course, the tournament is three days, not just two, and 13 pounds on Day 3 dropped Baty out of the conversation.

Hammering out an even 22 pounds, Ridge Faircloth surged from fourth to the win, edging perennial bridesmaid Wyatt Frankens by 3 ounces with 59-15. Fishing for Troy University and growing up on Lake Seminole, Faircloth perfectly adapted to the changing weather to bring in his biggest bag of the event when it counted most. For the win, Faircloth pockets $34,446, and also qualified for the Toyota Series Championship this fall.

You might expect a college student who wins a Toyota Series event to clean up with forward-facing sonar (and that is often the case). This time, though, Faircloth bucked the trend, as many of his key bites and probably his best decision of the week had little to do with LiveScope.

Fishing a Hideup Coike Fullcast for the most part, Faircloth did his damage on a couple of schools of fish and in the grass. Until the final day.

“When I was in the Chattahoochee, I saw the water was moving – we had rain all morning,” he said. “The wind was going too; it was perfect conditions. I always catch them on a ChatterBait here when it’s nasty. I was like, ‘Let’s go have some fun.’ I didn’t have much else that wasn’t burnt, so I went to some old stuff that I had found during my senior year of high school. I went to it this morning, culled out what I had in the livewell, and caught a big one and then a 4 (pounder).”

Then, moving on from his current area, Faircloth got revenge on a fish that eluded him on Day 2.

“I lost one yesterday and I marked exactly where he was – in my LiveScope period, that’s where I headed,” he said. “I went straight to him and he was still there – as soon as it hit the water he came up there and hit it.”

For his ChatterBait, Faircloth used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait JackHammer in bluegill, with a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader in green shad for a trailer. He used a scuppernong-colored Fullcast, with a 2/0 BKK treble and a 1/4-ounce worm weight inserted in the wire hole. Fishing the Fullcast a variety of ways was a big part of his success.

“The first day, all my fish came out deep,” he said. “I had 10 pounds, went to a school, I didn’t think there was nothin’ to it, and in five casts I culled out everything I had in the box. I threw a minnow, I threw everything, and I just grabbed a Coike and threw it over there and caught them five casts in a row.”

He also caught big ones on it without ‘Scope.

“The second day, I knew I had to do something,” he said. “I started blind-casting the Coike, just random, and caught a 5½ pounder. I was throwing the Coike around like a jerkbait, just fishing it blind. You don’t have to have LiveScope to catch ‘em on that thing. They eat it so good, it’s stupid how good they eat it here. They won’t react to anything else, and then all of a sudden, you throw a Coike over top of them and it fires them right up.”

Heading out on Day 3, Faircloth didn’t expect to win. But, he and his college teammate Max Hondorp were both in the cut, and he was fishing home water.

“This is my home lake; I’ve fished here my entire life, and it finally went good,” he said. “I was thinking I’d have to have like 25, I thought I had to have a sack of ‘em to win it. I thought it was going to take a lot more than what I had.”

It turned out, he had just enough, and he got to experience the rush of a lifetime.

“I’ve never had this feeling before; this is the biggest tournament I’ve ever won by a longshot,” said Faircloth. “This is my home lake, I put a lot of time in out here, I’ve been fishing this whole week, daylight to dark. I’m stoked, there ain’t no word that can describe it. It’s a great feeling.”

The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole finished:

1st:        Ridge Faircloth, Bristol, Fla., 15 bass, 59-15, $34,446
2nd:      Wyatt Frankens, Corrigan, Texas, 15 bass, 59-12, $13,348
3rd:       Max Hondorp, Pace, Fla., 15 bass, 56-15, $10,334
4th:       Mason Boylan, Grant Valkaria, Fla., 15 bass, 56-14, $9,612 (includes $1,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
5th:       Dylan Quilatan, Windermere, Fla., 15 bass, 55-10, $7,750
6th:       Levi Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La., 15 bass, 55-5, $6,889
7th:       Matt Baty, Bainbridge, Ga., 15 bass, 54-1, $6,028
8th:       Eric Panzironi, Longwood, Fla., 15 bass, 53-15, $5,167
9th:       Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 53-11, $4,306
10th:     Caz Anderson, Haysville, N.C., 15 bass, 51-14, $3,445

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Kyle Glasgow of Guin, Alabama, earned Thursday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award with a bass weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, while Michael Catt of Jacksonville, Florida, won Friday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass, with a bass weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces to earn the $500 award.

Dylan Casazza of Tampa, Florida, won the co-angler division Saturday at Lake Seminole with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 36 pounds, 10 ounces. Casazza earned the top co-angler prize package worth $33,650, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers at the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole finished:

1st:        Dylan Casazza, Tampa, Fla., 15 bass, 36-10, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd:      Kenny Garand, Holiday, Fla., 15 bass, 36-2, $4,383
3rd:       Larry Mullikin, Jacksonville, Fla., 15 bass, 33-10, $3,506
4th:       Jonathan Forrest, Sanford, Fla., 13 bass, 33-7, $3,068
5th:       Keith Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, 14 bass, 31-11, $2,630
6th:       Early Whitaker, Iron City, Ga., 15 bass, 31-8, $2,192
7th:       Hunter Prough, Chipley, Fla., 15 bass, 30-8, $1,753
8th:       Wendell Grantham, Eatonton, Ga., 11 bass, 30-6, $1,534
9th:       Zak Kuhn, Summerfield, Fla., 13 bass, 29-10, $1,465
10th:     Ryder Krueger, Myakka City, Fla., 15 bass, 29-1, $1,096

Co-angler Zak Kuhn of Summerfield, Florida, earned the first Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of the week on Thursday with a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass to earn the $150 prize, while Friday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Travis Bragg of Moss Point, Mississippi, who weighed in a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass.

With all three Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division wrapped up, pro Brody Campbell of Oxford, Ohio, won the 7 Brew Southern Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 759 points, while Stephen Draghi of Sparrowbush, New York, won the Southern Division Co-Angler of the Year race, also with 759 points.

The three-day Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole was hosted by Visit Bainbridge. It was the third and final regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Southern Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be a Central Division event, the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Eufaula, May 13-15 in Eufaula, Alabama. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and 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 2027. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2026 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 5-7 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by Explore Pickwick Lake & Hardin County Tourism.

Key decision rewards Huskins with Bassmaster Open win at Lake Norman

AnglersChannel — Sun, 03 May 2026 01:03:49 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stubbornness and a willingness to change might sound contradictory, but combining the two traits lead Cole Huskins to a razor-thin victory in the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender.

Tallying a three-day total of 47 pounds, 14 ounces, the pro from Gastonia, N.C., edged Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series phenom Kyoya Fujita by 2 ounces.

“That’s water,” Huskins said of his close margin of victory. “Today was a special day and I just made the right decisions.

“I made a late-day decision to change up the lure I was using and switched to a Neko-rigged worm and hit a place that I had already hit three times today and I caught a 4 1/2-pounder. It was just meant for me to catch that fish.”

Hoskins caught his day-maker on the deep end of a main lake dock pier near the State Highway 150 Bridge in Norman’s upper end. That spot, he said, offers a convenient postspawn resting spot close to deep water.

“That was special — catching that big fish,” Hoskins said. “I had 14 pounds with a 1 1/2-pounder and I caught that big fish with a bait that I hadn’t made a cast with all day.

“I was almost done fishing the pier and I said, ‘I’m gonna fire up there one more time.’ As soon as it bit, I thought it was just a keeper, but then I saw it flash and I was like, ‘It’s a giant one.’ That was the fish that won it for me.”

After a warm, stable first day, the next two brought a mix of sun and clouds, with more wind and cooler temperatures. More impactful than those meteorological changes was Lake Norman’s water level, which stood about 3 feet low.

“It was really challenging, because we usually don’t have the water level like it is this time of the year,” Huskins said. “A lot of the guys were going to the backs of the pockets and I concentrated closer to the main lake.”

While Huskins caught most of his fish on the dock piers, he found his Day 2 fish cruising between the structures.

“On sunny days, these big fish love to cruise on sunny days and they’ll get so shallow that nobody fishes for them,” Huskins said. “I was catching them on the Hideup Coike Fullcast.

“Those are the hardest fish in the lake to catch, but the deal was getting it in front of them.”

When the third day brought cooler, overcast conditions, switching to the deeper dock sections proved advantageous.

Turning in a Day 1 limit of 14-10 left Huskins tied for 16th place, but he’d rise to seventh with a second-round bag that went 15-7. Saving the best for last, Huskins weighed a Championship Saturday limit that went 17-13.

For his efforts, Huskins won $41,402. Because he is not fishing a complete division, this event’s Classic berth goes to the Bassmaster Elite Series field.

“God was looking after me today, He made me make the right decisions,” Huskins said. “He provides the opportunities for me. I give Him all the glory.”

Hailing from Yamanishi, Japan, Fujita placed second with 47-12. Keeping himself in the hunt from Day 1, Fujita started with a first-round limit of 16-5, which put him in fifth place. Adding 17-9 on Day 2 moved him up to second and his final limit of 13-14 kept him in that position.

Getting away from the main lake crowds, Fujita ran up the Catawba River and targeted a nearly mile-long stretch with clean water. Bouncing back and forth between a handful of specific spots was his strategy.

“I caught all my fish on swimbaits,” Fujita said. “I used the Jackall Dead Stroller and the Jackall Vividus. I designed both of them.”

Carson Orellana of Mooresville, N.C., finished third with 45-1. His daily weights were 14-15, 15-5 and 14-13.

“If you had told me I was gonna make the Top 10 a few days ago, I’d tell you you’re a liar, but it just worked out this week,” Orellana said of his better-than-expected performance.

Orellana said he used the Hideup Coike Fullcast like many of his competitors, but he did most of his work with a 1/2-ounce True South Custom Lures jig and a Zoom Twin Tail trailer and a 1/2-ounce War Eagle jigging spoon.

“It’s all about location here; you have to pick the right 7- or 8-mile stretch if you really want to do well,” Orellana said. “I fished up the lake this week because they were so far passed the spawn (down lake), I figured there would be a little more going on up there.”

Ryan Broughman of Corapeake, N.C., won the $500 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 5-12.

Cody Stahl of Barnsville, Ga., leads the Division 1 standings with 557 points. Bryson Osteen of Live Oak, Fla., is second with 552, followed by Kaden Buchmann of Troutman, N.C., with 544, Connor Jacob of Guntersville, Ala., with 538 and David Williams of Maiden, N.C., with 533.

Dillon Falardeau of Hixson, Tenn., leads the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops standings with 885 points. Brock Bila of Republic, Mo., is in second with 884, followed by Darold Gleason of Leesville, La., with 835, Wyatt Burkhalter of Coker, Ala., with 788 and Chase Clark or Virginia Beach, Va., with 781.

Visit Lake Norman hosted this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mountain Dew, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender 4/30-5/2
Lake Norman, Charlotte NC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 15 47-14 0 $41,402.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 17-13
2. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 15 47-12 0 $16,561.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 13-14
3. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 15 45-01 0 $12,421.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 14-13
4. Cody Abbott Woodruff, SC 15 45-00 200 $11,593.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 13-13
5. Cody Hoyle Mooresboro, NC 15 44-15 0 $10,764.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 10-11
6. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 44-10 0 $9,936.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 15-02
7. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 15 43-00 199 $9,108.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 13-02
8. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 15 42-10 198 $8,280.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 11-07
9. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 15 42-09 197 $8,280.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 11-13
10. Kaden Buchmann Troutman, NC 15 41-07 196 $8,280.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 11-12
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 05-12 $500.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 159 894 1954-13
2 141 826 1789-14
3 10 50 134-04
———————————-
310 1770 3878-15

Hoyle’s dock savvy puts him atop Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman

AnglersChannel — Sat, 02 May 2026 16:24:34 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You can’t overstate the value of local knowledge and Cody Hoyle proved this point en route to leading Day 2 of the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender by a narrow margin.

Five years after winning the Bassmaster Open on this Catawba River impoundment, the Mooresboro, N.C., angler tallied a two-day total of 34 pounds, 4 ounces. After finding himself part of a three-way Day 1 tie for 11th place with 14-14, Hoyle added 19-6 — the event’s heaviest bag — and heads into Championship Saturday with a 6-ounce lead over Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyoya Fujita.

“I have three generations of knowledge on this lake,” said Hoyle, who’s on pace to easily surpass his three-day 2021 total of 40-4.

That insight came into play, both in terms of overall game plan and the willingness to give unlikely scenarios a chance to shine.

“The key is running as many docks as you can,” Hoyle said. “I lost count of how many I ran. It was over 50.

“My biggest one today was 4 1/2. It was better this morning when the wind blew. It’s so clear, the surface disturbance just gives them cover up shallow.”

The strategic part was evident in how Hoyle did not let current lake conditions dissuade him. With Lake Norman’s water level sitting several feet below normal spring pool, many docks stand in meager depths, but according to Hoyle, the fish are still holding to their traditional preferences.

“The low water doesn’t matter; they’re still up there,” he said. “Those fish will get under a dock with 4 inches of water under it. Nobody’s messing with them because they think it’s too shallow. There’s no such thing.”

Hoyle said he observed an algae bloom in parts of the lake. Experience has shown him that this tends to drive fish away from such waters, so he looked for areas with better clarity and hard bottom.

“I focused on docks with round poles,” Hoyle said. “I don’t know what it is, but they just like it better than a square pole. I think because of the full moon, they’re pulling up and some of them are trying to bed.

“Isolated docks and larger docks with shade are good. Also, if it has some brush or (sunken) Christmas trees on it, that’s good.”

Hoyle kept his bait details under wraps, but he noted that he kept multiple options handy.

“It was a junk fishing mix,” he said. “I might throw a shaky head for a little bit or I might pick up a glidebait for a little bit.”

After Thursday’s calm, warm complexion, Day 2 brought cooler air temperatures and breezier conditions. While that change diminished the morning shad spawn that he fished on Day 1, Hoyle said the second-round weather helped his cause.

“The difference today was the wind blew,” he said. “If it’ll blow tomorrow, I can probably replicate. I beat up my areas for two days, so I don’t know if they’ll produce, but I’m gonna try it.”

Fujita, who hails from Yamanishi, Japan is in second place with 33-14. Fujita placed fifth on Day 1 with 16-5 and gained three spots with a second-round bag that went 17-9.

Fujita said he ran up the Catawba River where he looked for the cleanest water he could find. He caught all of his fish on swimbaits; specifically, the Jackall Dead Stroller and the Jackall Vividus.

“I fished one area that was about less than one mile long,” Fujita said. “I had five different spots within this area and I moved back and forth between these spots. I was using a medium retrieve.

“I caught fish all day and caught about 15 fish.”

Day 1 leader Darold Gleason of Leesville, La., dipped to third with a two-day total of 31-3. After setting the pace with an opening limit of 18-12, Gleason added 12-7.

The first angler to weigh on Day 1, Gleason took off at the opposite end of the field today.

“Being a later boat number this morning cost me my early bite, so I didn’t get a lot of action early,” Gleason said. “It just took a while to find a rhythm. I caught a few in an area and I thought it would settle me down, but it really didn’t.

“It was just slow. I depleted most of my good ones yesterday.”

Gleason caught a mid-morning break when he found a sizable bed fish. Pitching a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug tempted that fish, while skipping a Neko-rigged Strike King Ocho stickworm produced the rest of his weight.

“After catching that bed fish, I ran new water,” Gleason said. “Every time I would fish water I had already fished, I would not catch a bass. I was very proud to grind out what I did.

“It was hard, but there are enough big fish here that anything can happen.”

Ryan Broughman of Corapeake, N.C., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 5-12.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Blythe Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3 p.m.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Visit Lake Norman is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender 4/30-5/2
Lake Norman, Charlotte NC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Cody Hoyle Mooresboro, NC 10 34-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 19-06
2. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 33-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-09
3. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 10 31-03 200
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-07
4. Cody Abbott Woodruff, SC 10 31-03 199
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 17-06
5. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 10 30-12 198
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 17-09
6. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 10 30-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-05
7. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 10 30-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 15-07
8. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 10 29-14 197
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-00
9. Kaden Buchmann Troutman, NC 10 29-11 196
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-14
10. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 29-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 17-00
11. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 10 29-05 195 $7,452.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 17-11
12. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 10 29-02 194 $5,796.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 11-05
13. Tyler Nelson Catawba, NC 10 28-11 0 $4,968.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 12-15
14. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 10 28-08 193 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 14-00
15. Michael Webster Gastonia, NC 10 28-04 192 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-05
16. Nathan Quince Imperial, PA 10 27-13 191 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-03
17. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 10 27-13 190 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-09
18. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 10 27-11 189 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-14
19. Colton Trotter Dothan, AL 10 27-10 188 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 17-10
20. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 27-09 187 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 11-10
21. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 10 27-00 186 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 12-09
22. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 10 26-12 185 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 09-10
23. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 10 26-12 184 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 15-10
24. Aaron Digh Maiden, NC 10 26-10 0 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 14-03
25. David Williams Maiden, NC 10 26-09 183 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 11-11
26. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 26-09 0 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-11
27. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 10 26-07 182 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 08-05
28. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 10 26-05 181 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
29. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 10 26-03 180 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 14-06
30. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 10 26-02 179 $4,140.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 12-08
31. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 10 26-01 178 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 12-06
32. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 10 26-00 177 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-09
33. Clayton Batts Warner Robins, GA 10 25-12 176 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 15-14
34. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 10 25-12 175 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-05
35. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 10 25-08 174 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 14-13
36. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 10 25-08 173 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-12
37. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 10 25-04 172 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 10-00
38. Damian Szlachta Dawsonville, GA 10 25-04 171 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 11-06
39. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 10 25-04 170 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 12-06
40. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 10 25-02 169 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-09
41. Garrett Smith Mount Holly, NC 10 25-01 168 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 11-10
42. Rob Digh Denver, NC 10 24-10 0 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-10
43. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 10 24-08 167 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-10
44. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 10 24-05 166 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 10-03
45. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 24-00 165 $3,312.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 10-14
46. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 10 23-14 164
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 13-14
47. Ricky Robinson Greenback, TN 10 23-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 12-00
48. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 10 23-03 163
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-13
49. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 10 23-02 162
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 10-06
50. Matthew Dettling El Macero, CA 10 23-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-12
51. Drake Sturgill Lincolnton, NC 10 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 14-03
52. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 10 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 11-00
53. Jason Wilson Lincolnton, NC 10 22-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 13-03
54. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 10 22-11 161
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 13-06
55. Chase Carey Hoschton, GA 10 22-09 160
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 11-12
56. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 10 22-08 159
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 12-00
57. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 10 22-08 158
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-03
58. Travis Donaldson Cleveland, NC 10 22-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-05
59. Jack Daniel Williams Kingsport, TN 10 22-06 157
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 09-10
60. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 22-06 156
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 12-02
61. Pete Pisello Phillipsburg, NJ 10 22-02 155
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 11-03
62. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 21-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 10-00
63. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 10 21-15 154
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-11
64. Tim Chandler Denver, NC 10 21-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 12-05
65. Stu Martel Northbrook, IL 10 21-11 153
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 12-01
66. Brock Bila Republic, MO 10 21-11 152
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 11-11
67. John Branch Magnolia, KY 10 21-11 151
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-03
68. Brian Hatfield Spring City, TN 10 21-10 150
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 10-12
69. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 10 21-08 149
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 12-01
70. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 21-07 148
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 13-06
71. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 10 21-07 147
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 12-11
72. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 10 21-06 146
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 11-07
73. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 10 21-03 145
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-14
74. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 10 20-15 144
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 12-10
75. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 10 20-14 143
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 10-03
76. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 10 20-14 142
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-07
77. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 10 20-13 141
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 08-02
78. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 10 20-13 140
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 08-12
79. Logan Johnson Nauvoo, AL 10 20-13 139
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 09-11
80. Brian Mathis Loveland, CO 10 20-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 09-15
81. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 10 20-13 138
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 10-09
82. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 10 20-12 137
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 10-08
83. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 10 20-12 136
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-05
84. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 10 20-11 135
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 07-10
85. Derek Rodriguez Jr. Okemos, MI 10 20-11 134
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 08-02
86. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 10 20-11 133
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 09-14
87. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 10 20-10 132
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 11-00
88. Tripp Berlinsky Florence, AL 10 20-09 131
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-09
89. Casey Smith Victor, NY 10 20-09 130
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 09-15
90. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 20-08 129
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 08-12
91. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 10 20-08 128
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 10-15
92. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 20-06 127
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 10-00
93. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 10 20-05 126
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 10-11
94. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 10 20-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 09-12
95. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 10 20-04 124
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 10-03
96. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 20-01 123
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
97. Zac Ridenhour Salisbury, NC 10 19-13 122
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 11-04
98. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 10 19-12 121
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 10-10
99. Tyler Lubbat Naples, FL 9 19-12 120
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 09-05
100. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 10 19-11 119
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 07-07
101. Kevin Jones Valley, AL 10 19-11 118
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 10-00
102. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 10 19-10 117
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 09-04
103. Jake Maddux Alpharetta, GA 10 19-08 116
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 08-05
104. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 10 19-07 115
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 07-05
105. Bobby Rakes Max Meadows, VA 10 19-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-02
106. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 10 19-06 114
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 09-13
107. Clemente Gutierrez Dumfries, VA 10 19-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 11-11
108. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 10 19-03 113
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 08-00
109. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 10 19-02 112
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 11-13
110. Ty Austin Rush, NY 10 19-01 111
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-08
111. Matt Mosby Dryden, MI 10 19-01 110
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 09-13
112. Willie Mcmullen Covington, GA 10 18-13 109
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 09-04
113. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 18-10 108
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 09-10
114. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 9 18-09 107
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 4 08-09
115. Mark Davis Bear Creek, NC 9 18-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 07-07
116. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 9 18-07 106
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 5 10-00
117. Timmy Sheridan Troy, VA 10 18-06 105
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-15
118. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 10 18-05 104
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 08-03
119. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 10 18-05 103
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 08-11
120. Blake Milligan Nashville, TN 10 18-05 102
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 09-07
121. Steve Dimatteo Lancaster, PA 10 18-04 101
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 08-02
122. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 7 18-03 100
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 2 04-02
123. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 10 18-03 99
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 07-01
124. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 10 18-03 98
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 08-09
125. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 9 18-01 97
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 4 05-14
126. Lee Endicott Salisbury, NC 9 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 07-10
127. Mike Blevins Burnsville, NC 9 17-14 96
Day 1: 4 08-05 Day 2: 5 09-09
128. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 9 17-10 95
Day 1: 4 07-00 Day 2: 5 10-10
129. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 10 17-10 94
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 09-09
130. George Hirapetian Lancaster, SC 9 17-09 93
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 5 10-00
131. Troy Coney Owego, NY 9 17-07 92
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 07-06
132. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 10 17-07 91
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 08-01
133. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 10 17-07 90
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 08-07
134. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 17-03 89
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 07-14
135. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 7 17-01 88
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 2 03-14
136. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 8 17-01 87
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 5 11-11
137. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 9 17-00 86
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 06-07
138. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 9 16-14 85
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 4 06-04
139. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 10 16-13 84
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 09-04
140. Alvin Shaw Camden, SC 9 16-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 4 07-14
141. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 10 16-12 83
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 08-00
142. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 8 16-11 82
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 3 07-11
143. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 10 16-09 81
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 08-02
144. Jamie Fountain East Dublin, GA 7 15-15 80
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 2 04-05
145. Paul Tabisz Livonia, MI 9 15-15 79
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 4 07-03
146. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 8 15-04 78
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 5 10-13
147. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 10 15-02 77
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 07-05
148. Bubba Baker Ridgeway, SC 9 14-15 0
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 5 09-00
149. Leighton Davis Sanford, NC 9 14-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 4 06-09
150. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 8 14-12 76
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 3 04-12
151. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 8 14-11 75
Day 1: 4 07-02 Day 2: 4 07-09
152. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 7 14-05 74
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 2 04-06
153. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 8 14-05 73
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 3 05-13
154. Percy Settle Youngsville, NC 8 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 3 04-07
155. Ronald Jones Plymouth, NC 7 14-03 0
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 3 04-08
156. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 8 14-00 72
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 5 09-04
157. Donald Tripoli Webster, NY 8 13-12 71
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 5 07-11
158. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 8 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 3 04-11
159. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 8 13-07 70
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 3 04-02
160. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 8 13-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 5 08-05
161. Robin Shiver Mayo, FL 8 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 3 06-11
162. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 8 12-14 69
Day 1: 4 07-12 Day 2: 4 05-02
163. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 8 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 3 04-12
164. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 8 12-11 68
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 5 08-07
165. Johnny Thompson Pataskala, OH 8 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 3 03-09
166. Lance Owen Greer, SC 7 12-07 67
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 4 06-04
167. John Mackison Dover, PA 6 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 05-07
168. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 7 12-02 66
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 5 09-01
169. Ken Chadwick Harvard, MA 7 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 2 02-11
170. Brandon Parson Erwin, NC 7 11-00 65
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 2 03-06
171. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 10-15 64
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 3 06-00
172. Cory Mcglamery Madisonville, TN 5 10-09 63
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 3 06-04
173. Lee Harper Abbeville, AL 6 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 1 02-05
174. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 10-05 62
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
175. Blake Thompson Conway, SC 6 10-04 61
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 3 05-15
176. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 6 10-01 60
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 3 04-12
177. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 5 09-09 59
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 3 05-10
178. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
179. Bryden Mugleston Lebanon, TN 5 09-05 58
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
180. Trey Thompson Sanford, NC 6 09-05 57
Day 1: 4 06-04 Day 2: 2 03-01
181. Michael Johns Waynesville, GA 6 09-00 56
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 5 06-14
182. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 08-14 55
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
183. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 4 08-14 54
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 08-14
184. Russell Hoyle Newton, NC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
185. Ron Farrow Rock Hill, SC 4 08-08 53
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Larson Morgan Denver, NC 3 06-10 0
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
188. Guy Eaker Sr Cherryville, NC 4 06-07 52
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 02-11
189. Michael King Bunnlevel, NC 3 05-13 51
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
190. Robert Davenport Brooksville, FL 2 03-06 50
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. La’tonya Blanding Manning, SC 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
192. Dwayne Young Jr Sedley, VA 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
193. Matthew Mcbee Concord, NC 3 00-00 49
Day 1: 3 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
194. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 159 894 1954-13
2 141 826 1789-12
———————————-
300 1720 3744-09

Marshall Hughes Locks in Championship Berth with Qualifying Round Win at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake

AnglersChannel — Sat, 02 May 2026 16:18:58 +0000

Texas pro advances directly to Championship Round with two-day total of 45 bass weighing 85-11, 2nd through 25th advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round

ROGERS, Ark. (May 1, 2026) – At the outset of Day 2 of competition on Beaver Lake, Marshall Hughes had no aspirations of winning the Qualifying Round and claiming the automatic trip to the Championship Round at Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI. Sitting in 17th place after Day 1, he was more worried about staying above the Lucas Oil Cut Line.

But it only took Hughes about 35 minutes to climb all the way to the top of SCORETRACKER®. The second-year Bass Pro Tour angler started Friday with a furious flurry that produced 31 pounds, 12 ounces on 17 scorable bass in the first 1 hour and 20 minutes. Hughes then survived a long lull to outduel Matt Becker for the Qualifying Round win.

Hughes’ up-and-down day embodied the first two days of action for the whole field in Beaver Lake’s return to the national scene. The top two anglers after Day 1, Jeff Sprague and Adrian Avena, both slipped down SCORETRACKER® Friday, while four anglers who started the day outside the Top 10 topped 40 pounds on Day 2. Ultimately, Hughes’ second-day weight of 53-10 on 28 scorable bass – the best day for any angler so far in the event – pushed his total to 85-11 and topped Becker by 2-6, cementing his first Top 10 on the Bass Pro Tour.

Hughes knew there would be bass around his starting spot; he just wasn’t sure they would be scorable. Targeting a morning shad spawn, he’d fished in the same area on Day 1 and said he had to catch about 10 bass to land one over the 1-8 minimum weight.

On Day 2, they showed up in both numbers and size. In fact, he said SCORETRACKER® didn’t do his opening hour justice.

“For the first hour, almost every single cast – I’m not even exaggerating – I caught a fish, whether it was scorable or not,” he said. “It was unreal.”

Hughes caught all those fish from the same cove on the upper end of the lake. He said the cove is “nothing special” other than the fact that it was brimming with spawning shad.

“It’s just a random shad spawn area,” he said. “It’s just a cove that’s full of shad and hard bottom. It’s really nothing special, to be honest.”

Then, as quickly as he’d been reeling them in, his bite vanished. Hughes went nearly 4 hours without catching another scorable bass. But when he started getting bit again, he once again did so in style.

After his shad spawn bite died, Hughes set off in search of new water. Trailing both Becker and Sprague for much of the second period, he still didn’t think he had a great chance at winning the Qualifying Round. But both experienced a similar midday slog, so when Hughes found a fresh school, he didn’t hold back. In fact, at one point, he caught an astounding four bass in two casts. That’s right – two casts with a bass on each treble hook of his crankbait.

While only one of the four was scorable (a 2-7), Hughes said that was a first for him. It kicked off a final period in which he weighed 13-8, which was just enough to edge out Becker.

“I’ve caught two at a time before, but not (on back-to-back casts) like that,” he said. “That was crazy.”

The fact that he found another spot to add to his rotation has Hughes optimistic for his first ever Championship Round. He’s confident those areas will reload by Sunday. His only concerns are whether enough of the bass are scorable and if a competitor puts more pressure on them during the Knockout Round.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I feel like the area where I’m catching them in the morning is full of fish. I don’t know if there will be a chance for me to potentially win, but I ought to catch a couple bass. And to be honest, I like the stuff that I found this afternoon, too. That stuff was really cool.”

As impressive as Hughes’ start was Friday, he didn’t account for the best period of the day. That honor went to Becker, who stacked up 20 scorable bass for 40-12 in Period 1 alone.

Becker, who has opted to use his period with forward-facing sonar at the outset of each of the first two days, felt like he had the potential for a better Period 1 than Thursday, when he had 22-15 with his full suite of electronics at his disposal. However, like Hughes, he wasn’t really thinking about winning the Qualifying Round until about an hour into the day, when he suddenly found himself near the top of the standings.

“The first two places that I went to, I knew there was a lot of fish,” Becker said. “Then, I got in a weird position where I was like, ‘Okay, it’s probably time to back off. Let me just look for some new stuff.’ Then I started running some new stuff, and I found a couple more places that were just like it, that had just as many. Caught a few, and then the next thing you know, I’m right there almost in the lead. So, I was like, ‘Well, maybe we should go for it.’ I went back to some good places and caught a few more and got a little lead there before the end of the period.”

Becker led Hughes by 6 pounds at the end of Period 1. After locking up his forward-facing transducers, he started Period 2 strong, quickly catching a 3-3 smallmouth to extend his lead.

Then, he went more than 3 hours without boating a scorable bass, and he only caught two more on the day.

“It’s pretty difficult when you’re not working your bait just right,” Becker said. “So, when you can’t see them and know what you’re doing with your bait, it has really made it tricky. The only time I can really catch them is when they come up schooling and kind of get angry, and that didn’t happen a whole lot for me today. I’m kind of stumped on the non-‘Scope bite.”

Through two days, 32 of Becker’s 41 scorable bass have come during his forward-facing sonar periods. Sticking in the clear waters of the lower lake, he attributed that to the bluebird weather conditions.

“I think it’s just the clean water,” he said. “If we had optimal conditions, I think they would bite a little better non-‘Scope, but today was mostly sunny and slick. It’s really not ideal conditions to be fishing without ‘Scope.”

Becker is hopeful he can get off to another strong start in the Knockout Round, although he’s concerned about how long the schools he’s been leaning on can continue to produce. After he turns off his forward-facing sonar, he plans to “just keep trying new things and see if we can figure something out.”

“They’re definitely getting smart,” he said. “So, that worries me. That’s kind of why I was trying to lay off and not fish a few places today and try to save some stuff, but once I got so close, I had to go for it. The fish are there, for sure, but they’re definitely getting more pressured and trickier to catch. So, I don’t know if a period like that is possible again, but the fish are there to do it. It’s just a matter of if they’ll bite for us or not.”

Wesley Strader, who entered this event having fished more MLF tournaments on Beaver Lake than anyone else in the field, put his knowledge on the fishery to use with a furious finish to Day 2. After spending much of the day hovering around the cut line, Strader caught five scorable bass for 14-6 in the final 20 minutes to jump all the way to eighth place.

The top 25 pros after Day 2 on Beaver Lake are:

1st: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, 45 bass, 85-11
2nd: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 41 bass, 83-5
3rd: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 39 bass, 74-10
4th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 36 bass, 73-3
5th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 32 bass, 72-14
6th: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 35 bass, 69-4
7th: Colby Miller, Elmer. La., 31 bass, 67-1
8th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 27 bass, 65-5
9th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 32 bass, 64-10
10th:      Dustin Connell, Deatsville, Ala., 34 bass, 63-15
11th:      Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 30 bass, 62-4
12th:      Nick LeBrun, Benton, La., 31 bass, 61-10
13th:      Jesse Wiggins, Logan, Ala., 32 bass, 61-0
14th:      Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 28 bass, 60-7
15th:      Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 27 bass, 58-15
16th:      Jacob Wheeler, Birchwood, Tenn., 27 bass, 58-7
17th:      Adrian Avena, Marmora, N.J., 28 bass, 58-0
18th:      Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 29 bass, 56-11
19th:      Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 28 bass, 56-9
20th:      Dustin Smith, Trussville, Ala., 27 bass, 55-0
21st:      Mark Daniels Jr., Shorter, Ala., 26 bass, 53-7
22nd:     Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 28 bass, 53-4
23rd: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 23 bass, 52-11
24th:      Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 24 bass, 51-7
25th:      Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 25 bass, 51-7

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

Overall, there were 596 bass caught weighing 1,218 pounds, 12 ounces, caught by the 51 Bass Pro Tour anglers on Friday.

Friday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was earned by Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tennessee, who caught a 5-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in the third period throwing a bladed swim jig. 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, the pro with the heaviest two-day total – Marshall Hughes – will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers who finished 2nd through 25th now 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 $125,000.

Anglers will arrive each morning at 6:15 a.m. CT to Prairie Creek Recreation Area, located at 9314 N. Park Road in Rogers, Arkansas. Anglers will return to Prairie Creek Recreation Area each 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 watch the event live online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® livestream and follow along with SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® will be livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com , the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, from 3–6 p.m., MLF invites fans of all ages to Bass Pro Shops located at 2300 S. Promenade Boulevard in Rogers, for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the Bass Pro Tour pros live on the MLFNOW!® big screen, enjoy free food for the first 100 fans each day, enter hourly giveaways, browse MLF merchandise and the bargain bait bin, participate in a casting contest and cheer on their favorite anglers. Live music begins at 4 p.m., followed by Top 10 angler interviews and the trophy presentation at 5 p.m., including autographs and photos with Bass Pro Tour finalists. The first 50 kids ages 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day.

Student anglers from 6th grade through college are invited to join MLF pros at the free Columbia PFG Student Angler Clinic on Saturday, May 2 from 2–6 p.m. The clinic will also be held at Bass Pro Shops, located at 2300 S. Promenade Boulevard in Rogers, and offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from Bass Pro Tour pros, gain hands-on fishing instruction and compete in the national MLF Casting Competition. For more information or to register to the Columbia PFG Student Angler Clinic, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake 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.

MLF Fisheries Management Division, Berkley Labs and Kubota USA Enhance Lake Brownwood Habitat

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:14:23 +0000

Collaborative project expands prior restoration efforts, installs tournament recovery zones and engages next-generation fisheries professionals

BROWNWOOD, Texas (April 29, 2026) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Fisheries Management Division (FMD) completed a collaborative habitat restoration project at Lake Brownwood last week, further advancing conservation efforts that began in 2024 during the 2024 MLF Team Series Patriot Cup . Supported by Berkley Labs and Kubota USA, the initiative focused on enhancing fish habitat and long-term fishery health in one of Central Texas’ most popular lakes.

Photos from the MLF Habitat Restoration Project at Lake Brownwood Supported by Berkley Labs

The project brought together a wide-ranging coalition of conservation partners, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Abilene Office, the Brownwood Lake Patrol, the Brown County Water Improvement District, the City of Early and Texas Pro Lake Management (TPLM). Student volunteers from Tarleton State University’s subunit of the American Fisheries Society also played a key role, contributing valuable hands-on support while gaining real-world fisheries management experience.

“Our mission is to help ensure that the world-class fisheries we visit remain healthy and productive for years to come,” said Steven Bardin, MLF Fisheries Biologist. “By returning to Lake Brownwood with partners like Berkley Labs and Kubota, we’re able to expand on our previous work and install scientifically designed habitat that directly improves fish survival and angler success.”

A central feature of the project was the installation of MossBack Fish Habitat “Tournament Recovery Zones.” These specialized artificial structures are strategically placed to provide immediate sanctuary and high-quality cover for bass and crappie following release after a tournament. Designed to offer vertical complexity and protection, the zones help support fish during the critical recovery period after being caught, reducing stress and improving survival rates.

MLF co-founder and Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Gary Klein was also on-site assisting with the deployment.

“Lake Brownwood has a great history, and seeing the community come together like this – from city officials to college students – shows what makes this sport so special,” Klein said. “We’re not just placing habitat – we’re investing in the future of this fishery and the people who will enjoy it for years to come.”

All newly installed habitat locations have been GPS-mapped to assist local anglers and will be incorporated into ongoing fishery data efforts, encouraging community engagement and supporting youth fishing opportunities.

One Month Remains as Montevallo’s Lead Continues to Grow for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:12:15 +0000

SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 30, 2026) –

Approximately one month remains in the race for 2025-26 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. This season continues to be one of the most tightly contested races in recent years. The University of Montevallo holds a lead of more than 3,500 points over 2^nd ranked Carson-Newman University, and the University of North Alabama jumps two places to be ranked 3^rd.

This latest points update is highlighted by event results from both the MLF and Bassmaster College Series. Each of these major events provided college bass fishing teams with a chance to move up in the standings as one month remains in this season. 4^th – 10^th are now separated by less than 3,000 points, and 11^th – 16^th are also approximately 3,000 points apart. Each event down the stretch will be extremely crucial as schools look to accumulate as many points as possible to count towards college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system.

Prior to this points update, top ranked Montevallo led Carson-Newman by 3,275 points. That lead has now grown to 3,555 points following numerous points eligible events being contested. Montevallo earned the most points of any school to compete at the Bassmaster College Series event at Santee Cooper. Brody Robison & Peyton Sorrow finished in 2^ndand Tucker McCoy & Connor Bell placed 3^rd. Those two Top 3 finishes earned Montevallo a total of 2,470 points.

The University of Montevallo has been on a tear this spring. Since the first major tournament in 2026, they’ve placed two teams in the Top 10 at 7 out of those 8. In the one event where they did not achieve two Top 10 teams, their two highest finishers were in 2^ndand 13^th. In that stretch, they’ve accumulated two victories, and twice their two top teams finished 2^nd & 3^rd.

Carson-Newman and Montevallo are the two teams out at the front of the pack currently. In that same stretch highlighted above, Carson-Newman competed in seven events. For three out of the seven tournaments, they placed their two highest-finishing teams inside of the Top 10. While both Carson-Newman and Montevallo competed at the MLF College Series tournament at Table Rock, that event did not count for either program as they’d both already competed in the maximum of three MLF events eligible for points.

After falling to 5^th in the previous update, UNA surged back up to 3^rd. The team from Florence, AL earned 1,600 points at the MLF tournament on Table Rock while Lander and Emmanuel both did not earn points in this update. UNA is currently 8,150 points behind Montevallo, and 4,595 points behind Carson-Newman.

Take a look at teams that made significant moves inside of the Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

6) Adrian College – Previously Ranked 7^th

12) Drury University – Previously Ranked 15^th

20) Catawba Valley C.C. – Previously Ranked 22^nd

23) Erskine College – Previously Ranked 25^th

Click here to view the complete updated rankings.

Murray primed for impressive Bassmaster Elite Series action

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:09:45 +0000

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fast-paced action, lots of fish catches and big weights, that’s the fan-friendly show that JT Thompkins expects for the Tedy’s Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray. The Elites’ last visit to this Saluda River reservoir in 2024 produced a highly entertaining contest and the South Carolina pro believes this year’s event will meet or exceed that benchmark.

Competition days will be May 7-10, with daily takeoffs from Dreher Island State Park

at 6:30 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at the park at 3 p.m.

“The fishery is really, really good; it’s on a big upturn and every year, the weights keep getting higher and higher,” said Thompkins, who finished third at that 2024 event. “We’re hitting it at a pretty good time, in terms of being entertaining. There’s gonna be a lot of topwater and a lot of schooling activity.”

Essential to that premise is the lake’s top-tier forage — the blueback herring. An anadromous species by nature, blueback herring typically spend most of their lives in the ocean and enter coastal rivers to spawn. Present in Murray for about 30 years, the herring likely reached tournament waters through “bait bucket” introduction, as striped bass anglers dumped their excess bait.

Prolific breeders, bluebacks quickly expanded their numbers and, over the decades, they’ve had a profound impact on Murray. Specifically, the resident largemouth bass have become so fixated on this fast-moving forage species that they have become much more pelagic than fisheries dominated by native shad and bluegill.

“The herring fishing is such a different thing,” Thompkins said. “When you go to a lake that has herring, it’s like you’re not even fishing for bass anymore. It’s like you’re fishing for tuna. But that’s what makes it fun.”

Seasonality, Thompkins said, will amplify the blueback herring focus. May typically finds these hefty baitfish spawning during the early morning hours and bass find this baitfish buffet simply irresistible.

“The majority of the herring will either be spawning or starting to move back offshore, so you’re going to have a really good mix of morning bite and then a consistent afternoon bite over cane piles, brush or suspending over points,” Thompkins said. “I don’t think you’re going to have the big mix of sight fishing this time like we’ve had the last few times.

“You’ll have some people catching some off stumps, fry guarders (male bass protecting recent hatchlings) and stuff like that, but I think it’s going to be really good this time because, usually when we go to Lake Murray, it’s 60% offshore and 40% up shallower. This time, it’s going to more like 80% offshore and 20% shallow, so there will be more fish to spread out the field.”

Minimal rain fall means Lake Murray’s water clarity should remain favorable. Looking at another meteorological variable, Thompkins points out how recent temperature fluctuation will likely work to the tournament’s benefit.

“We’ve had a little bit cooler conditions this week, which is going to postpone that herring spawn a little bit, so it should be firing up right when we get there,” Thompkins said, a week prior to the Elite event. “It should be full-swing herring spawn.

“These fish probably haven’t been feeding as good with the herring spawn lingering off with the colder weather, so we should be hitting it at a really good time where we have some big bags. I think it’s going to be a really good event.”

Thompkins described two main scenarios for when the bite is on. First is vertical structure such as rock, brush and cane piles, which bass use as ambush spots. The other is a long, tapering point where bass push the baitfish up shallow for easier feeding. Ultimately, Thompkins believes the ideal game plan will be multi-faceted.

“You’re gonna see a big mix,” he said. “I think the guy that wins is not gonna win it off of one spot. It’s too hard to win by sitting on a single place all day. You’re gonna see someone make the top-10 by sitting on the right point that has 5-pounders on it and waiting for them to school; but a lot of the people that are gonna be hard to beat will be running 30-40 spots a day, making one or two casts at each spot and rolling.

“You have to let the timing and the odds fall into your favor. If you run 30 to 40 spots, you get your timing right, and you get in a good rotation, you can have a giant bag. You can have 28 to 30 pounds easily, if it lands right.”

On this herring-heavy lake, topwaters and fluke-style baits will see a lot action, but Thompkins believes an angler that looks beyond these standards and develops a niche pattern with an atypical bait could separate himself from the pack. Ultimately, diversity and mobility will be the difference makers.

“From the rocks of the Saluda Dam, all the way past Dreher Island, every single pocket, cove, point, and ditch is gonna hold big’uns,” Thompkins said. “Especially with the grass coming into to play, you’re gonna see some people spread out and throw ChatterBaits or lipless baits through the grass, or a (Heddon) Spook over grass.”

Patrick Walters, of Eutawville, S.C., won the 2024 event with a four-day total of 93 pounds, 15 ounces. All but one of his daily limits broke 20 pounds (Day 2 was just 3 ounces short) and his two heaviest bags went 25-8 and 26-12.

Thompkins said he believes this year’s event will match or exceed Walters’ winning effort. He believes 17-18 pounds a day will earn a Top 10 spot, with 90 to 95 a very doable winning total.

“The key will be finding as many places with groups of fish,” Thompkins said. “If you can find areas with bigger groups of fish, the more competitive they are, the easier they are to catch.

“When you’re running 30 to 40 spots a day, you want to have a lot of high-percentage areas that have a ton of fish. You just play the numbers game until you run into size. If you keep putting 3-pounders in the boat, you’re gonna run into that 5-pounder.”

Bassmaster LIVE will be available all four days of the event, starting on Bassmaster.com and Roku Sports Channel May 7 and 8. FS1 will host the morning session on May 9 and 10 from 8-11:30 a.m. ET before heading to Bassmaster.com for afternoon coverage. All weigh-ins will be available live on Bassmaster.com starting at 3 p.m. ET.

This event is being hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Title Sponsor: Progressive

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Mountain Dew, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

Shockley and Watts stay in their comfort zone to win at Kerr Reservoir

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:50:20 +0000

SALLISAW, Okla. — Josiah Shockley and Landon Watts may not have been familiar with Kerr Reservoir before this week’s Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, but they felt right at home all the same.

The Northwestern State University freshman claimed the victory with a two-day total weighing 35 pounds, 12 ounces, outlasting Day 1 leader Clayton Easter to earn the trophy and a berth in the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Leech Lake.

“This is absolutely one of the best feelings ever,” Watts said. “This is something we have worked for and put in so much time on the water for. To be able to do it today in such a special way and with a style that is so normal for us, it was awesome.”

Hailing from southeast Louisiana, Shockley and Watts have been fishing partners since high school, competing for the Livingston Parrish Bassmasters. They had come close to winning big tournaments before but had never sealed the deal until Thursday.

“We’ve gotten so close a couple times,” Shockley said. “Holding up that trophy in front of everyone was awesome. To do it flipping jigs in a place we aren’t used to is awesome.”

Shockley and Watts stayed in Kerr Reservoir the entire tournament, focusing on two stretches of rock bank in less than 4 feet of water. While other competitors were throwing reaction style baits around the same rocks, they threw a 3/8-ounce black and blue Strike King jig paired with a Zoom Speed Craw.

“We had to drag it super super slow,” Watts said. “We would go behind other people and catch fish. They were on rock banks with points and ledges, and dragging the jig off the rock and over the ledge … the bass were liking it.”

It took a little while for Shockley and Watts to build momentum. After a tough practice, the Louisiana natives did not catch a keeper before noon on Day 1. That’s when they moved to their best stretch off rock, an area they only got one bite around in practice.

“I caught a 5 on a jig during practice, so we went and started flipping some rocks,” Shockley said. “Within 30 minutes, we had three. And within an hour, we had a limit and culled a couple times after that.”

They finished Day 1 in sixth place with 18-0, but picked up right where they left off by catching a 4-pounder first thing on Day 2. From there, they filled out a limit by 10:30, but only made one cull on their way to 17-12.

“The fifth bass today was icing on the cake, but our first fish, we weren’t expecting to catch anything where we were,” Watts said. “The rock bite hadn’t started yet and we were just piddling around. We caught that 4-pounder in some brush, and I thought then that this might pan out.”

Easter, meanwhile, added 15-2 to his 19-9 Day 1 total to finish with 34-11. The Tarleton State senior caught all of his bass in the same backwater area that Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jacob Foutz utilized to win the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite just two weeks prior.

He was joined by around 10 other teams, and by Day 2 Easter felt the pressure had finally taken its toll on the area.

“I really wanted to win, but I think it just dried up. Foutz caught 80 pounds out of there and then the first day of this tournament 80 or 90 pounds was caught out of there between us,” Easter said.

The bass in that area were in all three stages of the spawn, and Easter used a wacky rig and a Neko rig to catch those largemouth. Flooded bank grass, wood and a little hydrilla all held quality bass.

Just before 10 a.m., Easter landed a 5.70-pounder and decided to stay in the backwater the rest of the day.

Emmanuel University’s Scooter Ligon Jr. and Logan Fisher caught the biggest bag of Day 2, landing 22-2 to jump from 91st all the way into third place, a critical move in terms of the Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race.

“We went out there mad at them. We wanted revenge,” Fisher said. “It went down today.”

After catching just 11-4 on Day 1, the duo changed their approach, slowing down their swim jigs around the bank grass while also trying to make as many casts as possible. They filled out a limit within the first hour of fishing before rounding out their bag around midmorning.

“We changed retrieves and we had to stay in it mentally,” Ligon said. “There was a lot of other people around, so we tried to be as different as we could. We knew that whoever won would have to land their bait in front of more bass, literally by landing it on their heads. The water was so muddy that you basically had to throw it on their head for them to see it.”

Rhett Miller and Emmarie Bires of Wabash Valley College caught the Big Bass of the Tournament, a 6-10 they landed on Day 1.

For the second year in a row, Stephen F. Austin’s Grant Pursifull and Ben Burns claimed Legends Trail Team of the Year honors with 736 points, earning a spot in the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. Ligon and Fisher narrowly finished second with 735 points while the Drury University duo of Seth Prather and Jacob Longlois finished third with 726 points.

This event was hosted by C herokee Nation.

2026 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2026 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2026 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

2026 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar

About B.A.S.S.

Gleason’s banner day leads Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:21:24 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Darold Gleason’s not a greedy guy, but he wasn’t satisfied with only one big bite, so he added a second kicker toward the end of his day. Good thing he padded his weight, as his five-bass limit of 18-12 leads Day 1 of the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender by a narrow margin.

In a tight race where only 15 ounces separate the Top 3, Gleason holds a 10-ounce margin over second-place Colt Blanton.

“It was an amazing day,” Gleason said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, so when you get special days like this you just gotta enjoy it — and I enjoyed it! I can’t wait to go back.”

The first angler to weigh on Day 1, the seasoned pro from Leesville, La., anchored his bag with a 5-3 that bit around 10:30. By noon, Gleason had amassed a limit of approximately 16 pounds on BassTrakk’s unofficial standings.

Just for good measure, he caught a 4-pounder and made a 2-pound cull with less than an hour of fishing time left.

“That was a really key upgrade,” Gleason said. “I got very blessed and got several key bites that freed me up to run around and check some areas that I wasn’t sure if I’d get to today or not. That also allowed me to not have to go to some other areas.”

Gleason described a multi-layered day that kept him on the move.

“I started with one little deal and then after about 9 or 10 o’clock I started swapping up,” he said. “The main commonality between my patterns is just going; looking at new water and trolling so fast.

“This is my first time here, so I’m trying to learn the rhythm to it. I don’t know if it’s the blueback herring that has (the bass) acting so wild, or if they just want to run me ragged.”

Stating that he caught fish on three different baits, Gleason said he used a mix of moving and slower presentations.

“I ran all over and had fish in different places,” he said. “I was able to hop around and check a few things today. A few things were not so good and a few were.

“I felt like I was in dead water 2/3 of the day, but things can happen fast when you get around them. That’s very hard, so I’m trying to cover enough water to give myself a chance to make it happen.”

Gleason said he was able to locate several productive areas, but each required a good run. His bites, he said, came from various regions of the lake.

“Most everything was dock-oriented, with a little bit of baitfish in the morning,” Gleason said. “The key was faster presentations early and then making incredibly accurate casts the rest of the day.”

Expressing his eagerness to see what Day 2 offers, Gleason said he intentionally avoided some of his options.

“I wanted to leave a few areas where I’ve gotten bit, so I have confidence going in there tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t know what’s in there and that’s a beautiful thing.”

Hailing from Piketon, Ohio, Blanton is in second place with 18-2. Despite having to make major adjustments due to fishing pressure, Blanton kick started his day with a 5-7 that buoyed his effort.

“That big one was first thing this morning, around 7:30,” Blanton. “I had to adapt as the day went on. What I expected going into this was throwing big swimbaits toward docks and catching a lot of big fish coming out from underneath them. Some were prespawn and some were spawning.

“That pattern seemed to die on me. I had one good bed fish, so I caught that 5-7 and went on fishing brush throughout the day, I transitioned a little deeper and caught the bag I had.”

Noting that his bed fish ate a Crush City Cleanup Craw, Blanton described the key to his success as slowing down, fishing methodically and breaking down each piece of cover.

Timothy Reams of Morgantown, W.Va., is in third place with 17-13. He, too, had to make a wholesale change from how he expected to catch fish, but once the day started to click, it didn’t take long to fill a competitive limit.

“I had a pretty good practice but I had to change everything up,” Reams said. “About 10:30, it all started happening for me and I laid off of them around 1.”

Reams said he’s fishing a dicey scenario with several obstructions. This challenging habitat robbed him of a big fish that came unbuttoned, but Reams remained confident that the ends would justify the means.

“It’s a risk-reward scenario, but I was blessed today; the good Lord was looking out for me,” he said. “Some of those fish, when they get you wrapped up there’s nothing you can do.

Blanton holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 5-7.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Blythe Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3 p.m.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Visit Lake Norman is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender 4/30-5/2
Lake Norman, Charlotte NC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 18-12 200
Day 1: 5 18-12
2. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 18-02 199
Day 1: 5 18-02
3. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 5 17-13 198
Day 1: 5 17-13
4. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 17-02 197
Day 1: 5 17-02
5. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 16-05 0
Day 1: 5 16-05
6. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-15 196
Day 1: 5 15-15
6. Michael Webster Gastonia, NC 5 15-15 196
Day 1: 5 15-15
8. Tyler Nelson Catawba, NC 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
9. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 15-04 194
Day 1: 5 15-04
10. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
11. Cody Hoyle Mooresboro, NC 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
11. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 5 14-14 193
Day 1: 5 14-14
11. David Williams Maiden, NC 5 14-14 193
Day 1: 5 14-14
14. Kaden Buchmann Troutman, NC 5 14-13 191
Day 1: 5 14-13
14. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 5 14-13 191
Day 1: 5 14-13
16. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
16. Nathan Quince Imperial, PA 5 14-10 189
Day 1: 5 14-10
18. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 5 14-08 188
Day 1: 5 14-08
19. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
22. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 14-05 184
Day 1: 5 14-05
23. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 14-02 183
Day 1: 5 14-02
24. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 14-01 182
Day 1: 5 14-01
25. Damian Szlachta Dawsonville, GA 5 13-14 181
Day 1: 5 13-14
26. Cody Abbott Woodruff, SC 5 13-13 180
Day 1: 5 13-13
27. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 5 13-11 179
Day 1: 5 13-11
28. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 13-10 178
Day 1: 5 13-10
29. Garrett Smith Mount Holly, NC 5 13-07 177
Day 1: 5 13-07
30. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 13-04 176
Day 1: 5 13-04
31. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 5 13-03 175
Day 1: 5 13-03
31. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 13-03 175
Day 1: 5 13-03
33. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 13-02 173
Day 1: 5 13-02
34. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 13-01 172
Day 1: 5 13-01
35. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 12-14 171
Day 1: 5 12-14
35. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
37. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 12-12 170
Day 1: 5 12-12
37. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 12-12 170
Day 1: 5 12-12
39. Jack Daniel Williams Kingsport, TN 5 12-12 168
Day 1: 5 12-12
40. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 5 12-11 167
Day 1: 5 12-11
41. Derek Rodriguez Jr. Okemos, MI 5 12-09 166
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 12-08 165
Day 1: 5 12-08
43. Aaron Digh Maiden, NC 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
44. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 12-06 164
Day 1: 5 12-06
44. Matthew Dettling El Macero, CA 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
46. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 12-04 163
Day 1: 5 12-04
47. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 12-03 162
Day 1: 5 12-03
48. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 12-02 161
Day 1: 5 12-02
49. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 12-01 160
Day 1: 5 12-01
50. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
50. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
52. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
53. Ricky Robinson Greenback, TN 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
54. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 11-13 159
Day 1: 5 11-13
55. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 11-12 158
Day 1: 5 11-12
56. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 11-10 157
Day 1: 5 11-10
56. Jamie Fountain East Dublin, GA 5 11-10 157
Day 1: 5 11-10
58. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 11-09 155
Day 1: 5 11-09
59. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 11-05 154
Day 1: 5 11-05
60. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 11-04 153
Day 1: 5 11-04
61. Jake Maddux Alpharetta, GA 5 11-03 152
Day 1: 5 11-03
61. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 11-03 152
Day 1: 5 11-03
63. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
63. Logan Johnson Nauvoo, AL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
63. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
66. Mark Davis Bear Creek, NC 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
67. Tripp Berlinsky Florence, AL 5 11-00 147
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Pete Pisello Phillipsburg, NJ 5 10-15 146
Day 1: 5 10-15
69. Brian Hatfield Spring City, TN 5 10-14 145
Day 1: 5 10-14
69. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 10-14 145
Day 1: 5 10-14
69. Brian Mathis Loveland, CO 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
72. Chase Carey Hoschton, GA 5 10-13 143
Day 1: 5 10-13
72. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 10-13 143
Day 1: 5 10-13
74. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 10-11 141
Day 1: 5 10-11
74. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 10-11 141
Day 1: 5 10-11
76. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 10-10 139
Day 1: 5 10-10
76. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 10-10 139
Day 1: 5 10-10
78. Ty Austin Rush, NY 5 10-09 137
Day 1: 5 10-09
78. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 10-09 137
Day 1: 5 10-09
80. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. John Branch Magnolia, KY 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
83. Tyler Lubbat Naples, FL 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
83. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
83. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
86. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 10-06 129
Day 1: 5 10-06
86. Lee Endicott Salisbury, NC 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06
86. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 10-06 129
Day 1: 5 10-06
89. Bobby Rakes Max Meadows, VA 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
89. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 10-05 127
Day 1: 5 10-05
91. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 5 10-05 126
Day 1: 5 10-05
92. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
92. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
92. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
95. Steve Dimatteo Lancaster, PA 5 10-02 122
Day 1: 5 10-02
95. Travis Donaldson Cleveland, NC 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
95. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 10-02 122
Day 1: 5 10-02
98. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 10-01 120
Day 1: 5 10-01
99. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 10-01 119
Day 1: 4 10-01
100. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
104. Colton Trotter Dothan, AL 5 10-00 114
Day 1: 5 10-00
105. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 5 09-15 113
Day 1: 5 09-15
105. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 09-15 113
Day 1: 5 09-15
107. Clayton Batts Warner Robins, GA 5 09-14 111
Day 1: 5 09-14
108. Percy Settle Youngsville, NC 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
109. Kevin Jones Valley, AL 5 09-11 110
Day 1: 5 09-11
110. Ronald Jones Plymouth, NC 4 09-11 0
Day 1: 4 09-11
111. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Stu Martel Northbrook, IL 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Jason Wilson Lincolnton, NC 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
117. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
117. Willie Mcmullen Covington, GA 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
117. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
120. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08
121. Timmy Sheridan Troy, VA 5 09-07 101
Day 1: 5 09-07
122. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 09-07 100
Day 1: 5 09-07
123. Tim Chandler Denver, NC 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
124. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 5 09-06 99
Day 1: 5 09-06
125. Ken Chadwick Harvard, MA 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Bryden Mugleston Lebanon, TN 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
130. Matt Mosby Dryden, MI 5 09-04 94
Day 1: 5 09-04
131. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 09-03 93
Day 1: 5 09-03
132. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 09-02 92
Day 1: 5 09-02
133. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
133. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
133. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
136. Johnny Thompson Pataskala, OH 5 08-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-15
137. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 08-14 88
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Blake Milligan Nashville, TN 5 08-14 88
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Alvin Shaw Camden, SC 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
141. Russell Hoyle Newton, NC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
141. Drake Sturgill Lincolnton, NC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
143. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
143. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
143. Paul Tabisz Livonia, MI 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
146. Zac Ridenhour Salisbury, NC 5 08-09 83
Day 1: 5 08-09
147. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 5 08-08 82
Day 1: 5 08-08
148. Ron Farrow Rock Hill, SC 4 08-08 81
Day 1: 4 08-08
149. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 5 08-07 80
Day 1: 5 08-07
150. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 4 08-07 79
Day 1: 4 08-07
151. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 08-05 78
Day 1: 5 08-05
151. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
153. Mike Blevins Burnsville, NC 4 08-05 77
Day 1: 4 08-05
154. Leighton Davis Sanford, NC 5 08-04 0
Day 1: 5 08-04
155. Lee Harper Abbeville, AL 5 08-02 0
Day 1: 5 08-02
156. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
156. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 5 08-01 76
Day 1: 5 08-01
156. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 08-01 76
Day 1: 5 08-01
159. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 5 07-13 74
Day 1: 5 07-13
160. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 07-12 73
Day 1: 4 07-12
161. Clemente Gutierrez Dumfries, VA 5 07-10 0
Day 1: 5 07-10
161. Brandon Parson Erwin, NC 5 07-10 72
Day 1: 5 07-10
163. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 07-09 71
Day 1: 5 07-09
164. George Hirapetian Lancaster, SC 4 07-09 70
Day 1: 4 07-09
165. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 07-05 69
Day 1: 5 07-05
166. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 4 07-02 68
Day 1: 4 07-02
167. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 4 07-00 67
Day 1: 4 07-00
168. John Mackison Dover, PA 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-15
169. Larson Morgan Denver, NC 3 06-10 0
Day 1: 3 06-10
170. Logger Shiver Mayo, FL 5 06-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-08
171. Trey Thompson Sanford, NC 4 06-04 66
Day 1: 4 06-04
172. Lance Owen Greer, SC 3 06-03 65
Day 1: 3 06-03
173. Donald Tripoli Webster, NY 3 06-01 64
Day 1: 3 06-01
174. Bubba Baker Ridgeway, SC 4 05-15 0
Day 1: 4 05-15
175. Michael King Bunnlevel, NC 3 05-13 63
Day 1: 3 05-13
176. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 3 05-06 62
Day 1: 3 05-06
177. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 3 05-05 61
Day 1: 3 05-05
178. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 3 05-02 0
Day 1: 3 05-02
179. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 2 04-15 60
Day 1: 2 04-15
180. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 3 04-12 59
Day 1: 3 04-12
181. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 3 04-07 58
Day 1: 3 04-07
182. Blake Thompson Conway, SC 3 04-05 57
Day 1: 3 04-05
183. Cory Mcglamery Madisonville, TN 2 04-05 56
Day 1: 2 04-05
184. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 3 04-04 55
Day 1: 3 04-04
185. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 2 03-15 54
Day 1: 2 03-15
186. Guy Eaker Sr Cherryville, NC 2 03-12 53
Day 1: 2 03-12
187. Robert Davenport Brooksville, FL 2 03-06 52
Day 1: 2 03-06
188. La’tonya Blanding Manning, SC 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03
189. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 2 03-01 51
Day 1: 2 03-01
190. Michael Johns Waynesville, GA 1 02-02 50
Day 1: 1 02-02
191. Dwayne Young Jr Sedley, VA 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
192. Matthew Mcbee Concord, NC 3 00-00 49
Day 1: 3 00-00
193. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
193. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 159 894 1954-13
———————————-
159 894 1954-13

Sprague Tops 50 Pounds After Day 1 at MLF Bass Pro Tour Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 at Beaver Lake Presented by YETI

AnglersChannel — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:15:24 +0000

Texas pro catches 27 bass weighing 51-15 to grab early lead, full field to compete in Friday’s Qualifying Round

ROGERS, Ark. (April 30, 2026) – The clear waters of Beaver Lake make Jeff Sprague nervous.

The Texas pro admitted that the first time he traveled to the Arkansas fishery – as a co-angler at an FLW Tour event in 2011 – being able to see the bottom in 20-plus feet of water freaked him out. He caught one bass in that event and finished 83rd. No surprise, then, that when the longtime FLW mainstay reappeared on the 2026 Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour (BPT) schedule as the host of Yuengling Light Lager Stage 5 Presented by YETI, it was one of the events that worried Sprague.

Yet Sprague didn’t try to run from the clear water during Thursday’s first day of Qualifying Rounds on Beaver Lake. He spent the entire day in the lower end of the lake with a spinning rod in hand and was rewarded with a total weight of 51 pounds, 15 ounces on 27 scorable bass. That has him 9-6 ahead of Adrian Avena in second place and more than 25 pounds clear of the Lucas Oil Cut Line.

Behind Sprague, the weights are tight. Just 3-10 separates the anglers in second through sixth place.

Sprague is one of the best on the Bass Pro Tour at successfully fishing his strengths. It’s rare to see him do anything other than winding down the bank with a baitcasting setup in hand. But thanks in large part to the seven FLW Tour events he fished on Beaver, he quickly realized he’d need to get outside his comfort zone at this event.

“Obviously, I started (practice) in the river and checked that stuff, and I got a good read on the river pretty quick,” he said. “It was not happening as fast as I know it can happen here. I also know that there’s a significant number of bass that live in this place, from the river to the dam. So, I chose in practice to embrace that a little bit and get around some of those areas that I felt like maybe more bass lived and gave me more opportunity to capitalize.”

Wielding a spinning rod all day and catching mostly smallmouth, Sprague boated 12 scorable bass for 23-7 in the first period, which had him in second place. He opted to utilize his Lowrance ActiveTarget in the second period and actually had his slowest frame of the day with 11-13, but stuck in second. With 16-7 in the third period, he not only took the lead but put some distance between himself and the rest of the field.

Whereas a lot of anglers posted strong numbers during their allotted period with forward-facing sonar, no one was able to match Sprague’s consistent pace without the technology. He said avoiding lulls will be especially key on Beaver, where it’s difficult to make up ground with big bites.

“That’s the biggest thing is avoiding those periods with only a few fish catches,” Sprague said. “Trying to catch as many as you can catch and just putting yourself in those high-percentage areas.”

While area was important for Sprague – and he noted that he thinks he can expand his pattern now that he has a better understanding of what his fish are relating to – he shared his water with a few other competitors. He thinks he was able to outproduce them due to his efficiency. Even though he’s using spinning tackle, Sprague hasn’t abandoned his usual power-fishing mindset.

“I’m trying to power-fish my way through clear water, if that makes sense,” he said. “I feel like I’m getting to make a few more casts than some other guys.”

Sprague, who notched his first tour-level Top 10 as a boater on Beaver in 2016, said his primary goal for Day 2 will be locking up another Top 10 by winning the Qualifying Round and earning the automatic Championship Round berth. Ideally, he’ll also be able to explore some new water in the process as he stalks his long-awaited first Bass Pro Tour victory.

“I’m confident that there’s enough fish in these areas,” he said. “We’ll see tomorrow what happens. If tomorrow materializes, then I’ll be able to expand a little bit more.”

Shortly after he woke up Thursday morning, Drew Gill didn’t think he’d be able to take to the water – so much so that he didn’t even bother donning his competition jersey. By the end of the second period, he found himself atop SCORETRACKER®.

Gill said on MLFNOW! that he went to the emergency room with what he thought might be appendicitis.

Fortunately, doctors gave him the all-clear, and he was able to race to Beaver Lake and make it onto the water about 45 minutes after lines in. Gill still managed to catch three scorable bass for 8-0 during what was left of Period 1, then the forward-facing sonar whiz used the technology to stack up 29-7 on 12 bass in Period 2. He finished the day with 39 pounds, which has him in fifth place.

Aside from the race to win the Stage 5 trophy and $125,000 top prize that comes with it, the other big storyline to watch is the battle at the top of the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings. Each of the top three anglers in the standings entering this event – Jacob Wheeler, Zack Birge and Gill – are all inside the cut after Day 1. But whereas Birge and Gill are both in the Top 5, Wheeler needs a solid second day to make the cut and protect his lead. He currently sits 18th, a little more than 5 pounds clear of the elimination line.

The top 25 pros after Day 1 on Beaver Lake are:

1st:          Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 27 bass, 51-15
2nd:        Adrian Avena, Marmora, N.J., 20 bass, 42-9
3rd: Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 21 bass, 40-11
4th:         Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 21 bass, 39-13
5th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 16 bass, 39-0
6th:         Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 18 bass, 38-15
7th:         Dustin Connell, Deatsville, Ala., 21 bass, 38-1
8th:         Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 17 bass, 37-5
9th:         Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 18 bass, 37-1
10th: Jesse Wiggins, Logan, Ala., 19 bass, 36-15
11th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 18 bass, 35-9
12th: Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 18 bass, 35-1
13th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 18 bass, 34-3
14th: Nick Hatfield, Afton, Tenn., 17 bass, 33-15
15th: Brent Chapman, Lenexa, Kan., 13 bass, 32-4
16th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 15 bass, 32-2
17th: Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, 17 bass, 32-1
18th: Jacob Wheeler, Birchwood, Tenn., 14 bass, 32-0
19th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 13 bass, 30-10
20th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 14 bass, 29-6
21st: Mark Daniels Jr., Shorter, Ala., 14 bass, 29-4
22nd: Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 14 bass, 28-13
23rd: Dustin Smith, Trussville, Ala., 14 bass, 28-9
24th: Nick LeBrun, Benton, La., 15 bass, 28-3
25th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 12 bass, 28-1

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

Overall, there were 663 bass caught weighing 1,348 pounds, 3 ounces, caught by the 51 Bass Pro Tour anglers on Thursday.

Thursday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was earned by Brent Chapman of Lenexa, Kansas, who caught a 5-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in the third period throwing a crankbait. 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 heaviest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers who finish 2nd through 25th 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 $125,000.

Jefferson County Readies to Showcase Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 4 on Douglas Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats

AnglersChannel — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:38:09 +0000

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (April 28, 2026) – Stop No. 4 of the 2026 Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech is set to take place next week, May 8-10, in Jefferson County, Tennessee – the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 4 on Douglas Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats.

The three-day Pro Circuit event, hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN, will feature up to 150 professional bass anglers competing for a top prize of up to $135,000. Anglers will take to Douglas Lake to catch their five biggest bass each day, and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total.

“Jefferson County is thrilled to welcome the Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit to Douglas Lake for the first time,” said Lauren Hurdle, Director of Tourism for Visit Jefferson County, TN. “This is one of the most exciting times of year to fish Douglas, with big bass, changing patterns, and nonstop action that will make for an incredible competition. We’re proud to host some of the best anglers in the world and look forward to showcasing the energy, beauty and hospitality that make our lake and community a premier destination, while also generating a meaningful economic impact for our local businesses.”

Douglas Lake has not been a frequent stop for bigger MLF events, but the lake is far from a stranger to the tournament community. It’s a regular hit for many regional anglers, and the Volunteer Division of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League heads there often. In May 2022, Travis Lilly won a BFL there with 16 pounds, 5 ounces, fishing a shad spawn with a jig, and mixing in a spoon and a crankbait for some deeper fish. In May 2024, Jonathan Dagley won there with 12-9, throwing a ChatterBait on flooded bushes.

The All-American was held on Douglas Lake in June of 2021, and Brant Grimm got it done with 46-9 over three days. In that event, he fished offshore the entire time, while many others in the top 10 fished shallow.

A mountain lake, Douglas Lake fluctuates significantly, as do many similar fisheries in East Tennessee. Loaded with fish, this event is not likely to produce heavy weights, but it should give anglers plenty of chances to fish how they want to, with bass expected to be deep and shallow given typical May water levels.

“It’s going to be up if it’s historically how it goes, and there is a mean shad spawn bite on Douglas, probably the best I’ve ever seen,” said Haysville, North Carolina pro Caz Anderson, who fished in college at nearby Carson-Newman University. “Fish getting up on the bank, blowing up on boat docks, bridges, anything hard, there’s shad spawning on it when it’s going down on Douglas.”

Besides the shad spawn, which usually tapers off as the day goes on, Anderson expects fish to be caught deep and shallow.

“If the water is high, there’s always a good flipping bite – the fish follow the water really well on that lake,” he said. “Then, there’s the offshore bite, the deep crankbaits, the traditional ledge stuff. Those fish tend to get out pretty deep on Douglas. They get 30- to 40-foot deep; it’s a different approach because there’s no current. It’s finding those small sweet spots where the fish group up.”

Recently, we have seen plenty of tournaments defined by shad spawns – Banks Shaw exploited an offshore shad spawn to win at Pickwick last season, and famously, David Williams lapped the field at Smith Lake in 2018, fishing a shad spawn on docks. It’s a killer pattern that can dominate a tournament, but it happens fast – often, pros need a backup pattern at least one day. At Douglas, that backup could be right on the bank, or 40 feet deep.

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. ET each day from the Dandridge Boat Dock & Ramp, located at 157 Public Drive in Dandridge, Tennessee. Weigh-ins will also be held at the Dandridge Boat Dock & Ramp and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech features a field of up to 150 professional anglers competing across six tournaments around the country for a total purse of $3.8 million and valuable 7 Brew Angler of the Year (AOY) points to qualify for the Pro Circuit Championship, set for Sept. 18-20 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Kissimmee, Florida, and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the sport’s premier circuit.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of pros compete in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advance to the final round on Championship Sunday. The winner is determined by heaviest cumulative weight from all three days and they will be awarded the grand prize of up to $135,000. Forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to only 3 hours of competition each day.

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 livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech Stop 4 on Douglas Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 27 on Vice TV.

Proud sponsors of the 2026 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech include: 7 Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Buffalo, BUBBA, Cigars International, Epic Baits, Grizzly, Mercury, MillerTech, OFF! Deep Woods, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, YETI and Yuengling.

For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

BAM News: Mah, Ostrander and Monroe Talk Cal Delta Tactics

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:23:59 +0000

BAM Is Back At The Legendary California Delta For A Pro-Am Showdown

The 2^nd stop of the BAM Trail western division Pro-Am is set to launch the first weekend of May out of Big Break Marina to bring together top anglers from across the West. High expectations surround the BAM Vexus Boats Pro-Am presented by Tackle Warehouse, the City of Oakley, and conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.

In late April, the California Delta often rewards predictability with warming trends, defined tides, and bass settling into seasonal patterns. However, recent unstable conditions could make the 1,000 miles of waterways difficult to predict.

Three experienced Delta locals – Ish Monroe of Oakdale, Ken Mah of Elk Grove, and Christian Ostrander of Turlock don’t necessarily agree on if the tidal water venue will play nice. Their perspectives form a clear picture of a fishery that is both thriving and unpredictable.

What The Fishery Has Revealed

Monroe sees the inconsistency as the defining factor.

“There’s fish showing up in north, south, east and even rumors of… the west getting good again,” he stated. “Usually at the end of April, we have pretty consistent weather, and we have not had that. We’re getting every single possible weather condition and that screws the fish up.”

Mah acknowledges the same instability but points to recent tournament results that suggest the Delta is still producing at a high level.

“It’s been pretty consistent all spring, that it’s taking anywhere between 23- to 26-pounds to win almost every team tournament,” he said.

Christian takes a longer view, focusing less on the daily swings and more on the overall health of the system.

“The Delta looks like it used to look,” he said. “There is grass everywhere, bluegill everywhere, fry everywhere – bass everywhere.”

The Tide Still Dictates Everything

When weather loses its predictability, the tide becomes the last reliable structure. For Monroe, timing that movement is critical.

“Right now, they’re pre-spawn, post-spawn and spawning fish, so I’d be hoping for a high outgoing,” he said. “You want the high tide in the morning. It’ll make the bass more active to eating.”

Mah builds on that idea, emphasizing that success won’t come from a single window.

“The biggest factor is the tide,” he said. “You got high tide early and then it’s falling pretty much all day long. The person that is going to do well is going to have to find a way to catch them at low tide. That will be the difference.”

Adjusting Without Overreacting

In unstable conditions, many anglers try to cover more water. Monroe argues for restraint instead.

“You get in an area that has fish in it, and you stick in that area and fish through the tides,” he suggested.

Mah’s adjustment is more about technique than location.

“You’re not going to be able to just catch fish for the first hours of the high tide and then not be productive the rest of the day,” he warned.

Versatility is a major factor in Mah’s advice.

“It could be sight fishing, it could be topwater or it could be anything in between, “he speculated.

Tools and Execution

Monroe’s approach leans on confidence baits that allow him to fish efficiently through changing conditions.

“Missile Baits in Paradise Potion would be my go-to,” he shared. “Punching it, flipping it and then obviously a JackHammer with the Paradise Potion on it..”

Mah outlines a broader system, especially for co-anglers who need to capitalize on limited opportunities.

“For the co-angler, it’s going to be the standard. Maybe power shotting a purple margarita Robo Worm,” he said. “I would definitely have a Yamamoto Senko tied on, a ChatterBait, and maybe even a walking bait or a squarebill crankbait.”

Christian simplified the outcome rather than the method.

“Everyone’s gonna catch fish,” he said. “A lot of people are gonna catch nice fish, three- to four-pounders, but only some guys are going to catch the right fish.”

What It Will Take to Win

Despite the unpredictable setup, all three anglers anticipate a similar expectation for winning weights.

“Twenty pounds a day being about the average right now,” Monroe said.

“I actually think 19- to 20-pounds a day is going to be really strong and give you an opportunity at winning,” Mah added.

Christian distills it even further.

“A few guys are gonna find over 20 pounds a day,” he remarked.

The outlook on big fish follows the same restrained tone.

“I think there’ll be multiple eights caught, but I don’t think there’s going to be a 10-plus,” Monroe said.

“Probably seven- to eight-pounds,” Mah said in response to the what the big would be.

Christian was unequivocal when asked if there was any chance of a double-digit.

“Zero,” he said flatly.

A Healthy System That Won’t Be Easy

If there’s one point of agreement, it’s that the Delta is in a better place biologically, even if it’s harder to break down competitively.

“I think the Delta’s fishing healthier this year than it has the last two years,” Mah said.

That health shows up in numbers, in size, and in distribution. But it also creates a paradox: more fish doesn’t always mean easier fishing.

In a Delta system adjusting, the edge won’t necessarily come from finding fish. It may come from understanding when, and why, they decide to bite.

Tune in to the BAM social and follow the drama as it unfolds.

Big Bass, Big Stakes on the Iconic California Delta

California Delta – Big Break Marina, Oakley, CA — The West’s top bass anglers will compete May 1– May 3, 2026, on one of America’s most legendary bass fisheries — the California Delta. The BAM Vexus Boats Pro-Am, presented by Tackle Warehouse and the City of Oakley, promises an action-packed weekend with trophy-class bass, big payouts, and live tournament coverage streamed on

BAMTrail.com, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Event Overview

Competition Days: May 1 – May 3
Location: Big Break Marina, California Delta, Oakley, CA
Weigh-ins: Daily at 3:00 PM – Open to the public and streamed live on BAM TRAIL, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Pro-Am Title Sponsor: Vexus Boats
Presented By: Tackle Warehouse and the City of Oakley

This premier three-day event features professional and co-angler divisions competing on the ever-challenging California Delta. Spectators are welcome on-site at Big Break Marina or can tune in live online to follow the leaderboard drama as it unfolds.

Anders Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Keowee

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:09:04 +0000

Georgia’s Grizzle Wins Co-Angler Division

SENECA, S.C. (April 27, 2026) – Boater Joe Anders of Easley, South Carolina, boated five bass weighing 15 pounds even Sunday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Keowee . The tournament, hosted by Visit Oconee SC, was the fourth of five events of the season for the BFL Savannah River Division, and the second of a back-to-back BFL tournament weekend on Lake Keowee. Anders earned $9,240, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix contingency bonus, for his victory.

Anders capitalized on his local knowledge of Lake Keowee, focusing on mid-lake areas where slightly warmer water had fish feeding. With the bass beginning to key in on bream, he targeted those zones to generate quality bites throughout the day.

“I caught them mid-lake where the water was a little warmer,” Anders said. “The fish were starting to feed on bream up there.”

He built his limit with a strong topwater approach early, relying on a buzzbait and a Zoom Horny Toad skipped under docks to draw aggressive strikes. As conditions shifted, Anders mixed in a finesse presentation to round out his bag.

“I caught them on a buzzbait in the morning, and skipping a Horny Toad up under the docks,” he said. “I did catch a couple on a shaky-head rig there that helped later in the day.”

Anders credited his familiarity with the fishery as the ultimate difference-maker against a tough field of competitors.

“Man, extensive knowledge of the lake,” he said. “These guys are good, but there’s probably only a couple of guys in there that have fished it more than I have over the years.”

He also noted that tournament conditions played in his favor, allowing him to maximize his strengths.

“I caught two big ones not using forward-facing sonar, so that helped,” Anders went on to say. “If guys could’ve scoped all day, they may have caught more weight than that.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st: Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., five bass, 15-0, $9,240 (includes $7,000 Phoenix Bonus)
2nd: William Bates, Alpharetta, Ga., five bass, 13-15, $1,080
3rd: Logan Buttolph, Doswell, Va., five bass, 12-14, $600
4th:         Jeremy York, Conyers, Ga., five bass, 12-13, $750
5th:         Tim Watson, Martin, Ga., five bass, 12-11, $450
6th:         Austin Davis, Pelzer, S.C., five bass, 12-5, $400
7th:         Rusty Smith, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 11-11, $390
8th:         Kyle Herrman, Topeka, Kan., five bass, 11-6, $380
9th:         Jesse Dodson, Greenville, S.C., five bass, 11-2, $370
10th: Cliff Humphreys, Candler, N.C., five bass, 11-1, $360

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Anders also earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award honors with a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass worth $200.

Harold Grizzle of Gainesville, Georgia, won the co-angler division Sunday and the top prize of $1,020 after catching three bass totaling 7 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 7-4, $1,020
2nd: Trevor Huneycutt, Whitmire, S.C., three bass, 6-15, $540
3rd: Kevin Underwood, Gillsville, Ga., three bass, 6-12, $350
4th:         Adam Johnson, Duluth, Ga., three bass, 6-7, $250
5th:         Bill Odell, Hodges, S.C., three bass, 6-6, $225
6th:         John Kinard, Moore, S.C., three bass, 6-4, $200
7th:         Colby Matthews, Newborn, Ga., three bass, 6-2, $295
7th:         James Ezell, Mountain Rest, S.C., three bass, 6-2, $195
9th:         Ray Pettit, Pacolet, S.C., three bass, 6-0, $190
10th: Corey Veal, Royston, Ga., three bass, 5-15, $180

Ashton Mabery of Lyman, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 3-pound, 14-ounce bass worth $100.

After four events, Tim Watson of Martin, Georgia, now leads the 7 Brew Savannah River Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 987 points, while Mark Garrett of Lyman, South Carolina, leads the Savannah River Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 972 points.

The top 45 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. 22-24 BFL Regional tournament on Watts Bar Lake in Spring City, 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Goodwin and Dixon Tie for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Greers Ferry Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:54:40 +0000

Alexander’s Knight Earns Co-Angler Division Victory

GREERS FERRY, Ark. (April 27, 2026) – Boaters Shonn Goodwin of Moore, Oklahoma, and Wayne Dixon of Morrilton, Arkansas , both brought five-bass limits to the scale totaling 14 pounds, 14 ounces, to tie for the win Saturday at the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Greers Ferry Lake. The tournament was the third of five events of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. The duo split the top payout, with Dixon taking home $2,510 and Goodwin taking home $2,610 after contingency bonuses.

Goodwin and Dixon employed two very different approaches to arrive at the same winning weight, each adjusting to conditions on Greers Ferry Lake to capitalize on postspawn fish.

Fishing the clearer, southern portion of the lake, Goodwin started the morning with a topwater bite in mind but quickly recognized it wasn’t developing.

“I thought I could just throw topwater all day, but it was not on,” Goodwin said. “I changed up pretty quickly and went to a Ned rig and fished main-lake points, targeting postspawn fish.”

That adjustment proved critical, especially late in the morning when he turned elected to use his 3-hour forward-facing sonar period and quickly dialed in bigger bites.

“My first cast with it was a 4-pounder, and I caught two other good ones after that,” Goodwin added. “The main thing was getting off the topwater quickly and not trying to force it.”

Dixon, meanwhile, committed to a slower, more methodical presentation, dragging a Texas-rigged worm in mid-lake areas throughout the day. Targeting fish holding in a specific depth range, he focused on maintaining contact with the bottom and staying in productive water.

“I caught all my fish dragging a JP custom worm on a Texas rig,” Dixon said. “They were in about 12 to 14 feet all day long.”

Dixon’s consistency paid off, as he boated an estimated 30 to 40 fish over the course of the day. He said the key was recognizing exactly where the fish were positioned and sticking with it.

“Just paying attention to what zone the fish were in,” he said. “I could go shallow and not get bit, go deeper and not get bit – they were just locked in that 12 to 14 range.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:         Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., five bass, 14-14, $2,610
1st:         Wayne Dixon, Morrilton, Ark., five bass, 14-14, $2,510
3rd: Blake Wilson, Benton, Ark., five bass, 12-9, $850
4th:         Matt Baker, Glenwood, Ark., five bass, 12-0, $930
5th:         Cody Burke, Greenbrier, Ark., five bass, 11-3, $800
6th:         Fisher Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., five bass, 11-2, $520
7th:         Justin Howard, Austin, Ark., five bass, 11-1, $500
8th:         Larry Nixon, Quitman, Ark., five bass, 11-0, $480
9th:         Shawn Gordon, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 10-15, $445
9th:         Randy Pickrell, Carlisle, Ark., five bass, 10-15, $445

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Burke earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award honors with a 3-pound, 15-ouncer, worth $200.

Alexander, Arkansas, native Christian Knight won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,770 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that weighed in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st: Christian Knight, Alexander, Ark., three bass, 9-4, $1,770
2nd: Larry Ivens, Hot Springs, Ark., three bass, 7-12, $632
2nd: Tony Thompson, Marshall, Texas, three bass, 7-12, $632
4th:         Don Billiot, Hot Springs Village, Ark., three bass, 7-11, $340
5th:         Keagan Harrison, Sulphur Rock, Ark., three bass, 7-8, $300
6th:         Daryl Powell, Leesville, La., three bass, 7-6, $260
7th:         Steve Lee, Benton, Ark., three bass, 7-4, $300
8th:         Edward Hendricks, Conway, Ark., three bass, 7-2, $240
9th:         Joey Villines, Compton, Ark., three bass, 7-0, $230
10th: Marc Maroney, Rison, Ark., three bass, 6-14, $215

Knight also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass worth $100.

After three events, Matt Baker of Glenwood, Arkansas, now leads the 7 Brew Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 744 points, while Christian Knight of Alexander, Arkansas, leads the Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 740 points.

Martinkovic Earns Win No. 7 at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Event at Lake Monroe

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:45:59 +0000

Scottsburg’s Cornett Wins Co-Angler Division

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 27, 2026) – Boater Chris Martinkovic of Hamilton, Ohio, brought a five-bass limit to the stage Saturday weighing in at 18 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Monroe . The tournament was the first of five events of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Martinkovic earned $4,700 for the victory – the seventh of his career.

Martinkovic said he relied on a run-and-gun approach to secure his victory, targeting fish along the main-lake stretch from the causeway to the dam. Keying in on an early-morning shad spawn, he covered water with moving baits to locate active fish and build his limit.

“I mainly just threw a spinnerbait and targeted the shad spawn,” Martinkovic said. “The key was just covering a lot of water.”

A white and shad-colored spinnerbait did the majority of the work, but Martinkovic also mixed in a Heddon Zara Spook to capitalize on feeding fish. He looked for less-pressured areas to separate himself from the field.

“It wasn’t easy, but I was doing my best to try to stay away from the other boats,” he said. “The way the lake was fishing on Saturday made it a little hard to do, but anytime I could I tried to go the other way.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st: Chris Martinkovic, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 18-14, $4,700
2nd: Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., five bass, 18-5, $2,240
3rd: Blake Knies, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 16-12, $1,010
4th: Nick Uebelhor, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 15-2, $1,300 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
5th:         Joshua Tyner, Spencer, Ind., four bass, 11-13, $700
6th:         Frank McClain, Scottsburg, Ind., four bass, 11-7, $600
7th:         Brady Bickers, Carrollton, Ky., four bass, 10-2, $575
8th:         Rob Campbell, Trafalgar, Ind., three bass, 9-11, $550
9th:         Jeffery Johnson, Austin, Ind., three bass, 7-15, $525
10th: Brian Funkhouser, Bloomington, Ind., three bass, 7-12, $400

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Wilkinson earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award honors with a 5-pound, 15-ouncer worth $200.

Derrik Cornett of Scottsburg, Indiana, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $2,050 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 12 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st: Derrik Cornett, Scottsburg, Ind., three bass, 9-12, $2,050
2nd: Dyllan Grace, Scottsburg, Ind., three bass, 8-9, $1,020
3rd: Kalani Borges, Turners Station, Ky., one bass, 6-1, $605
3rd: Roger Neff, Martinsville, Ind., two bass, 5-10, $400
5th:         Gary Higgins, Bloomfield, Ind., two bass, 5-0, $350
6th:         Josh Weber, West Harrison, Ind., two bass, 4-10, $300
6th:         Steve Hanson, Shelbyville, Ind., two bass, 4-6, $290
8th:         Larry Payne, Owensville, Ind., two bass, 4-1, $275
9th:         Jericho Laney, Greenwood, Ind., one bass, 4-0, $260
10th: Monty Radcliff, Austin, Ind., two bass, 3-14, $250

Kalani Borges of Turners Station, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 6-pound, 1-ounce bass, worth $100.

The top 45 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. 15-17 BFL Regional tournament on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes in Calvert City, Kentucky. 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Mississippi’s Howell Picks Up First Career Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Center Hill Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:23:49 +0000

Sparta’s League Wins Co-Angler Division

SPARTA, Tenn. (April 27, 2026) – Boater Skip Howell of Okolona, Mississippi, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 18 pounds, 6 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Center Hill Lake. The tournament was the third of five events of the season for the BFL Music City Division. Howell earned $2,890 for his victory.

Howell relied on a shallow-water pattern anchored by a vibrating jig to secure the win. Targeting fish in various stages of the spawn, he was able to generate consistent bites in the shallows and put together a strong five-bass limit.

“No doubt, the key bait for me today was a (Z-Man Evergreen Jack Hammer) ChatterBait,” Howell said. “I filled my limit just throwing that.”

While the ChatterBait did most of the heavy lifting, Howell mixed in a few key adjustments to maximize his weight. He caught a fish off a bed early in the day, then later upgraded with one of his biggest bites using forward-facing sonar late in the afternoon.

“I found one on the bed, and then I culled with a 4-10 that I ‘scoped there at the end,” he said. “I saved my three hours at the end to use my forward-facing sonar.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Skip Howell, Okolona, Miss., five bass, 18-6, $2,890
2nd:      Cody Mackie, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 17-3, $1,015
2nd:      Braxton Campbell, McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 17-3, $1,015
4th:        Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 17-0, $570
5th:        Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 16-11, $510
6th:        Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., five bass, 16-6, $450
7th:        Corey Steakley, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 16-4, $430
8th:        Timothy Reagan, Livingston, Tenn., five bass, 16-1, $410
8th:        Shawn Panick, Nolensville, Tenn., five bass, 16-1, $410
10th:     Zach Sparks, Dowelltown, Tenn., five bass, 16-0, $390

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Howell also earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award honors with a 4-pound, 10-ounce bass worth $200.

Michael League of Sparta, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,295 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 10 pounds, 13 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Michael League, Sparta, Tenn., three bass, 10-13, $1,295
2nd:      Grant Frazier, Manchester, Tenn., three bass, 10-5, $715
3rd:       Shane Jewell, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., three bass, 10-2, $450
4th:        John Carman, Berea, Ky., three bass, 9-9, $285
5th:        Cole Panick, Nolensville, Tenn., three bass, 9-8, $255
6th:        Richard Payne, Portland, Tenn., three bass, 9-7, $225
7th:        Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., three bass, 9-6, $220
8th:        Kyle Miller, Fulda, Ind., three bass, 9-5, $210
9th:        David Wiley, Greenbrier, Tenn., three bass, 8-15, $200
10th:     Remington Tatrow, Smithville, Tenn., three bass, 8-7, $195

Shane Jewell of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a bass weighing 5 pounds even, worth $100.

After three events, Daniel Johnson of Lebanon, Tennessee, now leads the 7 Brew Music City Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 721 points, while Dylan Beard of Dickson, Tennessee, leads the Music City Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 725 points.

The top 45 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. 15-17 BFL Regional tournament on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes in Calvert City, Kentucky. 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Dublin’s Decker Earns First Career Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kerr Lake

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:20:59 +0000

Prospect Hill’s Haigh Wins Co-Angler Division

HENDERSON, N.C. (April 27, 2026) – Boater Christopher Decker of Dublin, Virginia, brought five bass to the scale weighing 15 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake . The tournament, hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, was the second of five events of the season for the BFL Piedmont Division. Decker earned $3,150 for his victory.

Decker leaned on a power-fishing approach to earn his first career BFL victory, committing to a spinnerbait pattern that produced from start to finish. Covering a wide range of depths, he targeted fish from extremely shallow areas out to deeper zones, adjusting to changing conditions throughout the day.

“I fished everything – anywhere from six inches to 10 foot,” Decker said of the depths he focused on.

Rather than mixing techniques, Decker stayed locked in with the spinnerbait and trusted it to generate enough quality bites to get the job done.

“Sticking to a spinnerbait, not putting it down,” he said when asked about his key to victory. “All day.”

Decker also made subtle adjustments to match the conditions.

“The spinnerbait was chartreuse and white,” he said. “I just switched it up depending on how the conditions looked.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Christopher Decker, Dublin, Va., five bass, 15-10, $3,150
2nd:      Chris Baldwin, Lexington, N.C., five bass, 15-4, $1,840
3rd:       Jason Dew, Hallsboro, N.C., five bass, 15-0, $810
4th:        Michael Belter, Reidsville, N.C., five bass, 14-15, $650
5th:        Kaden Buchmann, Troutman, N.C., five bass, 14-13, $580
6th:        Conrad Manuel, Pilot Mountain, N.C., five bass, 14-10, $500
7th:        Louis Monetti, Huntersville, N.C., five bass, 14-7, $680
8th:        Colin McGough, Glen Allen, Va., five bass, 14-3, $460
9th:        Ron Rousseau, Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 14-0, $440
10th:     Chris Brummett, Lynch Station, Va., five bass, 13-15, $420

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Monetti earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater $200 award with a 4-pound, 10-ouncer.

Allen Haigh of Prospect Hill, North Carolina, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,625 Saturday after bringing three bass to the scale that weighed 9 pounds, 13 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Allen Haigh, Prospect Hill, N.C., three bass, 9-13, $1,625
2nd:      Phillip Ragland Jr., Rustburg, Va., three bass, 9-0, $995
3rd:       Donald Lee, Emporia, Va., three bass, 8-2, $405
4th:        Greg Ravitsky, Fork Union, Va., three bass, 7-15, $325
5th:        Robert Wedding, Welcome, Md., three bass, 7-11, $260
5th:        David Lewis, Abingdon, Md., three bass, 7-11, $260
5th:        Scott Williford, Zebulon, N.C., three bass, 7-11, $260
8th:        Travis Ruff, Connelly Springs, N.C., three bass, 7-5, $230
9th:        David Williams, Fredericksburg, Va., three bass, 7-4, $215
9th:        Eric Nelson, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 7-4, $215

Ragland Jr. earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award worth $100 after landing a bass weighing in at 4 pounds, 2 ounces.

After two events, Louis Monetti of Huntersville, North Carolina, now leads the 7 Brew Piedmont Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 493 points, while Allen Haigh of Prospect Hill, North Carolina, leads the Piedmont Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 488 points.

Millsaps Picks Up Fifth Career BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Keowee

AnglersChannel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:18:06 +0000

Pickens’ Burgess Wins Co-Angler Division

SENECA, S.C. (April 27, 2026) – Boater David Millsaps of Ranger, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 14 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Keowee . The tournament, hosted by Visit Oconee SC, was the third of five events of the season for the BFL Savannah River Division and the first of two events held over the weekend on Lake Keowee in a Savannah River Division double-header. Millsaps earned $2,140 for his victory.

Millsaps relied on a simple but methodical approach to secure the win at Lake Keowee, covering water with a jig and targeting a variety of structure throughout the day. Rather than locking into one specific pattern, he kept his approach versatile, fishing whatever looked productive in front of him.

“I took a jig and just fished everything in front of me,” Millsaps said. “Trees, docks, stumps – whatever I thought looked right.”

Focusing primarily on points that featured stumps, Millsaps was able to generate consistent bites by keying on those high-percentage areas. He said his strategy to fish thoroughly and not rush through spots allowed him to capitalize on opportunities that others may have overlooked. Millsaps leaned into a slow, patient style that matched the conditions and the mood of the fish.

“The key for me in this one was patience,” he said. “A lot of patience. I’m a slow fisherman – real slow. And I fished even slower in this one.”

Millsaps also credited a personal connection for playing a role in his success, noting that the jig he used came from his brother.

“My brother gave me the winning jig,” he said. “As a matter of fact, it’s the second one I’ve won on the jig he gave me.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        David Millsaps, Ranger, Ga., five bass, 14-9, $2,140
2nd:      Anthony Marks, Spartanburg, S.C., five bass, 14-7, $1,080
3rd:       Randy Childers, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 13-15, $600
4th:        Logan Mills, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 13-11, $500
5th:        Andrew Allen, Waterloo, S.C., five bass, 13-5, $450
6th:        Tim Watson, Martin, Ga., five bass, 13-1, $400
7th:        Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., five bass, 12-5, $890 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
8th:        William Bates, Alpharetta, Ga., five bass, 12-0, $380
9th:        Logan Buttolph, Doswell, Va., five bass, 11-12, $370
10th:     Cliff Humphreys, Candler, N.C., five bass, 11-6, $360

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Boater Brian Tidwell of Seneca, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award honors with a 4-pound, 9-ouncer worth $200.

Andy Burgess of Pickens, South Carolina, won the co-angler division and the top prize of $1,020 Saturday after bringing a three-bass limit to the scale that weighed in at 8 pounds even.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:        Andy Burgess, Pickens, S.C., three bass, 8-0, $1,020
2nd:      James Johnson, Seneca, S.C., three bass, 7-3, $540
3rd:       Todd Huntley, Inman, S.C., three bass, 7-2, $350
4th:        Mark Garrett, Lyman, S.C., three bass, 6-12, $250
5th:        Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., three bass, 6-9, $212
5th:        Randall McJunkin, Pickens, S.C., three bass, 6-9, $312
7th:        Tyler Smith, Florence, S.C., three bass, 6-6, $200
8th:        Jerry Lancaster, Fort Mill, S.C., three bass, 6-4, $190
9th:        Noah Gurkin, Pelzer, S.C., three bass, 6-2, $185
9th:        James Ezell, Mountain Rest, S.C., three bass, 6-2, $185

Randall McJunkin of Pickens, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award after landing a 3-pound, 6-ounce bass worth $100.

The top 45 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. 22-24 BFL Regional tournament on Watts Bar Lake in Spring City, 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 prize of a new Phoenix 518 pro with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, worth $33,500.

Morris Wins Stop Two NPFL at Millwood

AnglersChannel — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:24:50 +0000

Rickey Morris finishes strong on final day to claim victory at the Strike King NPFL Stop Two on Millwood Lake

After two steady days to start the event, Rickey Morris saved his best for last, capitalizing on a key early window to claim the win at the Strike King NPFL Stop Two on Millwood Lake. His three-day total of 48-pounds was enough to best second place by a pound and earn his first NPFL shield.

Morris opened the event with 13-14 on a slower Day One and followed it up with 14-4 on Day Two, steadily learning more about his areas. On Championship Saturday, everything came together. He got going early and never looked back, making the jump from around 16th place after Day Two to seal the victory.

After a slow Day One for big fish, NPFL anglers saw what lives in Millwood on Day Two. Big Bass honors went to Jared Lintner with a 9-0 kicker. Behind him, Hank Cherry weighed in an 8-2 giant as well.

Morris Makes His Move

Despite only coming to Millwood once before this event, Rickey Morris knew he had to learn the lake before he could really start fishing. So that’s what he did, running boat lanes, checking creeks, and figuring out how to navigate for the week. Then came fishing.

“When I finally dropped the motor on Day One of practice, the first thing I wanted to find was a shad spawn, and I looked for it all over,” said Morris. “I had found a few places on the main lake, but heard there had been some activity up the river, so I explored there too.”

With the shad spawn dialed, he knew he needed more. Despite not getting a bite flipping all week, he locked a punch rod in his hand and went to work on Tuesday, the final day of practice.

“I found an area and flipped in a few times and my line swam off,” he said. “But I never set the hook. Later that day, I figured I might want to know what the quality was, so I went back. Five flips later, I caught a 9.92. That was it — I got off the water and called it practice.”

After two consistent days, Morris again knew he needed more. By 9 a.m. this morning, his shad spawn bite had died, but not before he caught a 17.5-pound limit, a solid way to kick off Showdown Saturday. Still not satisfied, he knew a few key bites would make the difference.

“I was flipping this afternoon and I knew something was up,” he added. “The NPFL asked for my location, and then a camera boat showed up. I knew then I might have a shot to win. I was fishing pencil reeds and came to a rounded clump. I culled up with one fish slightly, but it clued me in.”

By the end of the day, Morris had fished every rounded clump he could find and worked his way to an almost 20-pound limit. He flipped junebug in practice but switched to white on Day Three, which made all the difference.

“I can’t even describe it, really,” he said. “I made good decisions and things worked out this week. Even better, my family, my girls; they all got to be here with me. Everyone behind the scenes, it was truly an amazing week.”

Lintner Punches His Way to Second

While Day One was not what Lintner was hoping for, his event actually started even worse. Coming into practice on Sunday, an illness kept him sidelined, giving him only about a day and a half to explore Millwood. While not ideal to have limited time on a new body of water, he made the most of it.

“I had done some research like everyone else using Google and such, and I also used the Deep Dive App,” he said. “I basically prepped for a shallow spring event, but I didn’t prepare for being sick. I finally got on the lake late Monday morning and basically just rode the whole lake and learned how to navigate.”

When he did start fishing, a few key bites on a buzzbait clued him into a pattern. Seeing both shallow and deeper vegetation, he expanded to a punching bite, eventually using both to earn a second-place finish.

“I think overall I caught four fish on the buzzbait and 11 on the punch rig,” he said. “That’s exactly how I like to fish. After a slower Day One, where I was still figuring things out, I decided to mix it up. I started on a big fish spot, caught a good one, and eventually landed the 9-0 on a buzzbait.”

That fish earned him Big Bass honors for the week and anchored his comeback. Once he got into a groove, he was able to generate bites consistently.

“Today, I couldn’t get them to bite the buzzbait at all, so I went straight to punching and got going early,” he added. “I noticed where they were set up and remembered similar-looking areas from practice — the first quarter mile leading into the sloughs. I narrowed it down, and if it had the right depth and grass, I could get bites.”

While his slow start in practice and on Day One hurt his chances at the win, Lintner is taking the positives, leaving Texarkana with solid points, a strong finish and a second-place paycheck.

“You always want more practice, but sometimes too much can make you overlook what’s right in front of you,” he said. “Being sick made it tough, and I probably would have figured things out sooner, but it is what it is. It was a grind, but it worked out.”

Top Ten:

Rickey Morris 48-0
Jared Lintner 47-0
Brock Mosley 46-12
Shane Lineberger 45-2
Matt Herren 44-15
Barron Adams 43-12
Ryan Satterfield 43-5
Ray Hanselman 43-1
Keith Bardolf 42-11
Greg Hackney 41-7

Burkhalter takes narrow lead and extends it into a blowout at Grand Lake

AnglersChannel — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:20:40 +0000

GROVE, Okla. — Wyatt Burkhalter of Alabama took a terrible practice and a lure he’d never thrown before and pieced together a masterful performance at the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender. After landing in 4th place on Day 1, and rising into a narrow 7-ounce lead on Day 2, he sealed the deal on Saturday with his third consecutive limit over 20 pounds and won by a whopping 11 pounds 10 ounces over Wesley Baxley of Texas

Missouri’s Brock Bila, the current leader in the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops standings, rose from 10th to 3rd today with a three-day total of 54-12. Former Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Casey Scanlon finished 4th with 53-10.

Day 3 started off with a fog delay of approximately an hour, but once Burkhalter arrived at his starting area — a series of main lake rocky points experiencing a shad spawn — the bite started immediately. There were only two problems: the fish that connected with his spinnerbait were small and the ones that missed it were large.

“I had so many 20-pound bags hitting my bait today,” he said. “But I never spun out because I only had one thing to do and that was all I was going to do.”

This is one of the two tournaments in this Opens division in which forward-facing sonar will not be allowed. That didn’t deter or discourage Burkhalter one bit. Instead he leaned into the old school narrative, catching all of his fish using an original Shimano Curado baitcasting reel — “Old Greenie” — and a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait with a gold single Colorado blade, a chartreuse and white skirt and a trailer consisting of a Zoom grub dyed red.

“I figured that everyone throws a red kicker blade here in Oklahoma,” he said. “I’d show them something just a little bit different. But that Oklahoma blade is something new. I’ve never caught a bass on one until here.”

As the day progressed, Burkhalter figured out the pattern within the pattern. The bass stayed in the same areas where the shad spawn took place during low-light conditions, but they moved to specific spots that offered a bit of shade. Once he figured that out, he still didn’t get as many bites as he had earlier in the morning, but their average size increased. Eventually he culled up to 23-14, just 2 ounces less than he’d weighed in yesterday. Those were the 4th and 2nd largest limits of the tournament, respectively, and he was the only angler to weigh in over 20 pounds each day. Baxley was the only other angler to hit the mark even twice.

He found the fish dirt shallow and watched them eat the spinnerbait “like a frog.” That required battering his boat up and into rocky areas at times, but the first prize check of over $40,000 will allow for more than a few cosmetic repairs.

Because he will fish the entire Opens division, this victory qualifies Burkhalter for the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour on Lake Hartwell near Greenville, South Carolina. He hopes to be joined by his tournament fishing mentor, Elite Series pro Justin Hamner, who won the 2024 Bassmaster Classic here in Oklahoma.

“I think I channeled that Grand Lake Bassmaster Classic energy,” Burkhalter concluded.

This was only Baxley’s second Bassmaster Open, but you wouldn’t know it from how he adjusted throughout the competition or from his near-win.

“The first day I thought I knew what was going on,” he said. “Yesterday I found out what was really going on.” After catching 20-7 on Day 1 and 23-15 on Day 2, he struggled to catch 12-11 today, which still gave him a comfortable margin of more than 2 pounds over 3rd. He focused on pre-spawn staging areas where fish were entering major creeks, using a Z-Boss square bill, a JackHammer vibrating jig and a Zaldaingerous swimbait to amass his catch.

“I ran every point between Patricia Island and Horse Creek,” he said. “It was all I knew to do. The difference was that I was fishing deeper than most of the other people around me. My fish were coming from where other people had their boats sitting most of the time.”

Third-place finisher Bila had the only 20-pound bag other than Burkhalter’s today. After catching 15-0 and 19-12 the first two days, and sliding into the overall points lead, he said he had nothing to lose. He expanded upon what had worked well yesterday and managed to locate multiple additional schools of fish. He rotated among them throughout the day.

“I was swinging,” he said. “Hoping for the best.”

That involved locking a bone-colored Clutch Swimbaits Baby Boss glide bait in his hands and fishing it deeper than other competitors using similar lures.

“I had to find a particular combination of current, wind and water color,” he said. “It couldn’t be clean but it couldn’t be dirty. Then I’d count the lure down to 10 or 12 and chop it all the way back. I was fishing it deeper than anyone else. No one was fishing it offshore. Without scope, that’s hard to do.”

Day 1 leader Austin Cranford of Oklahoma slid into 4th place yesterday, and dropped three more spots today to 7th. He weighed in over 15 pounds both of the latter days, unable to capture the 20-plus magic he’d channeled on Thursday. This marked his fifth top 10 finish in an Open or EQ, but perhaps more importantly it allowed him to regroup after a tough start to his inaugural season on the Elite Series.

“I love fishing the Opens,” he said. “No worries, not a care in the world, just go fishing. This will get me back to what I know how to do. I’m ready to roll on to South Carolina. I caught them on a shad spawn here and I’m going to catch them on a herring spawn there.”

Ethan Fields of Illinois caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass, a 7-2 largemouth. The tournament’s largest bass succumbed to a 1/2 ounce white hair jig, the only fish he caught on that lure this week.

Oklahoma’s Kollin Crawford leads the Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender Division 2 points standings with 386 points. Illinois’ Ethan Fields is in second with 385 points, followed by Missouri’s Brock Bila (384 points), Alabama’s Wyatt Burkhalter (380 points) and Japan’s Yui Aoki (377 points).

The next Bassmaster Open will take place at North Carolina’s Lake Norman later this week. No live sonar will be allowed in that tournament. The next tournament in Division 2 will occur May 20-22 at Kentucky Lake out of Paris, Tennessee. Live sonar will be allowed in that event.

Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau hosted this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake presented by Battery Tender 4/23-4/25
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 15 68-11 200 $41,847.00
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 24-00 Day 3: 5 23-14
2. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 15 57-01 199 $16,739.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 23-15 Day 3: 5 12-11
3. Brock Bila Republic, MO 15 54-12 198 $12,554.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 20-00
4. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 15 53-10 197 $11,717.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 17-12
5. Michael Harlin Osage Beach, MO 15 53-05 196 $10,880.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 5 18-00
6. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 15 53-00 195 $10,043.00
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 16-08
7. Austin Cranford Oklahoma City, OK 15 52-07 0 $9,206.00
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 15-06
8. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 15 51-00 194 $8,869.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 22-02 Day 3: 5 15-12
9. Justin Layton Kirbyville, MO 15 50-00 0 $8,369.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 24-13 Day 3: 5 10-00
10. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 14 48-15 193 $8,369.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 4 13-03
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 07-02 $500.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 152 880 2337-08
2 154 862 2344-01
3 9 49 163-02
———————————-
315 1791 4844-11

Burkhalter weighs in giant bag of Grand Lake bass to claim narrow Day 2 lead

AnglersChannel — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:17:33 +0000

GROVE, Okla. — Wyatt Burkhalter of Alabama didn’t get the weather he wanted on Day 2 of the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender, but he nevertheless got the desired results. With a 24-pound catch added to his Day 1 weight of 20-13, he’s tallied 44-13 over two days. That’s an average of almost 4 1/2 pounds per fish, which is somehow only good enough for a slim lead of 7 ounces over Wesley Baxley of Texas.

Burkhalter was in 4th place after Day 1 and Baxley was in 5th.

“I have not stopped shaking since blast-off,” Burkhalter said. “It was fish after fish after fish, cull after cull after cull. Every decision was the right decision. I could pull up behind people and catch bass they’d missed. I culled almost all day and had three 5-pounders in my bag.”

He said that he “locked a spinnerbait in my hand,” but so did most of the rest of the field, without producing quite the same level of results. He wouldn’t disclose anything about his presentation or the particular spinnerbait he’s employing but suggested that he’s doing something slightly different that is producing more and bigger bites.

During a lackluster practice, Burkhalter didn’t land a bass over 3 pounds but said that he got a glimpse of a potential pattern on the final day on the water. He has steadily built upon that clue during the competition days.

After a brutally windy Day 1, it appeared that the Chamber of Commerce dialed up different conditions today. There were strong overnight storms but the wind laid down and by 9 o’clock there was bright sun overhead. Those are normally not the best spinnerbait conditions and Burkhalter — who has one prior top 10 in 21 Bassmaster Opens — said that it wasn’t the weather that produced a better bag today, but rather the fact that he covered more water, including new areas.

Baxley is the only other angler who has topped 20 pounds each day. With 20-7 and 23-15, he’s been 6 ounces and 1 ounce behind Burkhalter on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Not surprisingly, he wants the same conditions that the leader prefers.

“I want wind,” he said. “I don’t care which direction it blows as long as it blows.”

While he said that his Day 2 weight in particular looks good on paper it was a day filled with frustration.

“I just keep on losing big fish,” he explained. “The only thing that’s going right is that I’m catching a lot of them. I think that the changing conditions resulted in less fish but more big ones. The calm weather turned off the smaller fish.”

Justin Layton of Missouri accumulated a limit weighing 15-2 on Day 1 to land temporarily in 31st place. Fishing only his first Bassmaster Open, the 43-year-old put together what is so far the best bag of the tournament today. It weighed 24-13 and rocketed him up 28 places into 3rd heading into Saturday.

Day 1 leader Austin Cranford of Oklahoma stumbled a bit, adding 15-14 to his Day 1 catch of 21-3. That dropped the rookie Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro into 4th place, 7-12 out of the lead. He was dismayed that the areas he’d had to himself on Thursday were covered up with other competitors’ boats on Friday. Finding only frustration there, he called an audible, switched both baits and locations, and held onto a position in Saturday’s reduced field.

He plans to switch up patterns again and sight fish all day on Saturday in the hopes of piecing together a 25- or even 30-pound bag.

“It’s Grand Lake,” he said. “It definitely possible.”

Tomorrow’s weather is expected to once again be warm, with light and variable winds and occasional clouds.

Yesterday there were six catches over 20 pounds, with none of them managing to hit the 22-pound mark. Today the field of 195 anglers compiled eight limits over 20 pounds, with five of them exceeding 22.

It took 34-12 — an average of 17-6 per day — to squeeze into the top 10. Kristine Fischer, who occupied 6th place after the first day of competition, fell to 11th, missing her first Opens Top 10 by a mere 3 ounces. Three other anglers missed the cut by less than a pound.

This tournament paid down 45 places, and it took 28-12 to meet that mark. Ten anglers missed the money by a pound or less.

The top 72 finishers all had limits both days as did over 65 percent of the total field.

Sam Ausbrooks of Indiana caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day, a 6-9 largemouth.

The top 10 remaining anglers will launch from Wolf Creek Park on Championship Saturday beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in starting at 2:30 p.m. The winner will earn a spot in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour if he competes in a full division of the Opens.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

-30-

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake presented by Battery Tender 4/23-4/25
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 10 44-13 200
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 24-00
2. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 10 44-06 199
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 23-15
3. Justin Layton Kirbyville, MO 10 40-00 0
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 24-13
4. Austin Cranford Oklahoma City, OK 10 37-01 0
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 15-14
5. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 10 36-08 198
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-11
6. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 10 35-14 197
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 15-00
7. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 10 35-12 196
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-12
8. Michael Harlin Osage Beach, MO 10 35-05 195
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-06
9. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 10 35-04 194
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 22-02
10. Brock Bila Republic, MO 10 34-12 193
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 19-12
11. Kristine Fischer Spring City, NE 10 34-09 192 $7,532.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 14-05
12. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 10 34-09 191 $5,859.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-00
13. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 10 34-05 190 $5,022.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 20-01
14. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 10 34-02 189 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 17-15
15. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 10 33-07 188 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 18-03
16. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 10 33-06 187 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 18-09
17. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 33-06 186 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 15-13
18. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 10 33-05 185 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-12
19. Zane Parker Kingwood, TX 10 32-10 184 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 16-09
20. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 10 32-07 183 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 20-05
21. Rick Harris Jr Carlsbad, NM 10 32-05 182 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 11-03
22. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 10 32-05 181 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 14-11
23. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 10 31-11 180 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 19-02
24. Brennan Flick West Monroe, LA 10 31-06 179 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 20-01
25. Hunter Crossland San Angelo, TX 10 31-06 178 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 16-14
26. Connor Cunningham Springfield , MO 10 31-06 177 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 16-11
27. Sam Ausbrooks Loogootee, IN 10 31-02 176 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-09
28. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 31-00 175 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-13
29. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 10 30-11 174 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 17-15
30. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 10 30-08 173 $4,185.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 19-02
31. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 10 30-07 172 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-11
32. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 10 30-06 0 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 11-10
33. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 10 29-15 171 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-12
34. Lonnie Cochran Section, AL 10 29-15 170 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 14-02
35. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 10 29-09 169 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-09
36. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 10 29-09 168 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 14-06
37. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 10 29-07 167 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 12-11
38. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 10 29-06 166 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 15-10
39. Riley Harris Orange, TX 10 29-05 165 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
40. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 29-04 164 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 16-10
41. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 10 29-03 163 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 13-07
42. Kyle Schutta Forest Lake, MN 10 29-02 0 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-14
43. Justin Latham Reelsville, IN 10 29-01 162 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 15-02
44. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 10 28-14 161 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 12-00
45. James Biggs Comanche, TX 10 28-12 160 $3,348.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 13-14
46. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 10 28-09 159
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-09
47. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 28-05 158
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 15-09
48. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 10 28-04 157
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 16-09
49. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 10 28-04 156
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 16-05
50. Garrett McWilliams Florence, MS 10 28-03 155
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 13-04
51. Bailey Gay Union, KY 10 28-02 154
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 11-15
52. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 10 28-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 15-02
53. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 10 27-14 153
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-04
54. Andrew Jones Trussville, AL 10 27-12 152
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-11
55. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 10 27-10 151
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 14-12
56. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 10 27-07 150
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-14
57. TJ Edwards Jr Tremont, MS 10 27-02 149
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 11-12
58. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 10 27-02 148
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 13-11
59. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 10 27-01 147
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 15-07
60. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 10 27-00 146
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-11
61. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 10 26-15 145
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-07
62. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 10 26-14 144
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 12-10
63. Nathan Reynolds Nashville, TN 10 26-14 143
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-01
64. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 10 26-12 142
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-01
65. Jacob Welch Roach, MO 10 26-10 141
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 11-09
66. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 10 26-08 140
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-08
67. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 10 26-08 139
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-15
68. Nick Lawler Ava, MO 10 26-07 138
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 11-10
69. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 10 26-06 137
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 10-08
70. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 10 26-06 136
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 14-13
71. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 10 26-06 135
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-03
72. Bj Miller Adams, NE 10 26-06 134
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-13
73. Jim Moynagh Outing, MN 8 26-05 133
Day 1: 3 10-03 Day 2: 5 16-02
74. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 10 26-05 132
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-02
75. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 26-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 17-02
76. Joseph Hardy China Spring, TX 10 26-04 131
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
77. Brent Shores Savannah, TN 9 26-02 130
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 18-03
78. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 10 26-02 129
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 09-09
79. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 10 26-02 128
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-14
80. Brian Post Janesville, WI 10 26-02 127
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 12-08
81. Byron Hill Clermont, FL 10 26-00 126
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
82. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 10 25-15 125
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 15-03
83. Rylan Hamlin Jackson, MI 10 25-15 124
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 10-13
84. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 10 25-15 123
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 13-12
85. Hayden Marbut Birmingham, AL 8 25-12 122
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 5 19-10
86. James Campise Brookeland, TX 10 25-12 121
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 14-05
87. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 10 25-10 120
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-01
88. Josh Pladies Lees Summit, MO 10 25-09 119
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 11-06
89. Jeremiah Kindy Benton, AR 10 25-09 118
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 11-12
90. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 8 25-06 117
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 3 06-15
91. Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, MO 10 25-05 116
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-10
92. Jason Horton Eucha, OK 9 25-04 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 15-06
93. Dalton Head Moody, AL 10 25-04 115
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 15-03
94. Chris Lewis Hallsville, TX 10 25-02 114
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-02
95. Jason Adams Guthrie, OK 10 25-01 113
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-15
96. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 25-01 112
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-06
97. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 10 25-00 111
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-06
98. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 10 25-00 110
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 11-07
99. Tommy Parker Delano, MN 10 25-00 109
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-10
100. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 10 24-15 108
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 15-05
101. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 10 24-15 107
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 13-05
102. Ian Waterer East Selkirk CANADA 10 24-13 106
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 10-10
103. Chris Whitson Louisville, TN 10 24-12 105
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 11-01
104. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 10 24-09 104
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 10-00
105. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 10 24-05 103
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 10-02
106. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 10 24-04 102
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 13-01
107. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 10 24-04 101
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 12-15
108. Zachary Ward Cabot, AR 10 24-01 100
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 10-07
109. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 10 23-14 99
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 08-07
110. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 9 23-14 98
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 5 14-02
111. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 10 23-13 97
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 10-00
112. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 10 23-12 96
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-02
113. Blake Schroeder Bullard, TX 10 23-10 95
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-04
114. Peyton Harris Birmingham, AL 9 23-08 94
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 15-09
115. Isaac Peavyhouse Monroe, TN 10 23-02 93
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 11-08
116. Kyle Palmer Elora, TN 10 23-01 92
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 10-10
117. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 9 22-15 91
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 5 14-05
118. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 22-15 90
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 11-13
119. Joey Punko Broomfield, CO 8 22-13 89
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 3 08-15
120. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 10 22-13 88
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 11-02
121. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 9 22-10 87
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 4 10-14
122. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 10 22-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-02
123. John Engler III Vinton, IA 8 22-07 86
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 5 14-01
124. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 10 22-03 85
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 11-09
125. Tyler Wolf Creston, IA 10 22-03 84
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-03
126. Colby Bryant Houston, TX 10 21-15 83
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 12-00
127. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 10 21-12 82
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 12-00
128. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 7 21-11 81
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 2 06-03
129. Brennan Berglund Guntersville, AL 10 21-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-07
130. Ryan Thompson Seymour, MO 10 21-09 80
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-01
131. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 8 21-05 79
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 5 15-04
132. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 10 21-03 78
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 11-03
133. Sho Egawa Osaka JAPAN 10 21-03 77
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 10-02
134. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 10 21-02 76
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 12-05
135. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 8 21-02 75
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 4 11-01
136. Eddie Carper Valliant, OK 9 21-00 74
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 4 07-11
137. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 9 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 4 08-00
138. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 10 21-00 73
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-03
139. John Branch Magnolia, KY 10 21-00 72
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 09-09
140. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 10 21-00 71
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 11-05
141. John Mark Berry Mount Olive, MS 10 21-00 70
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-13
142. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 10 21-00 69
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-04
143. Jeremy Johnson Leavenworth, KS 8 20-11 0
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 5 11-10
144. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 10 20-05 68
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 10-13
145. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 8 20-05 67
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 4 10-07
146. Jason Bonds Lufkin, TX 7 20-04 66
Day 1: 4 13-12 Day 2: 3 06-08
147. Tim Sprouse Clarksville, TN 10 20-04 65
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 10-12
148. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 10 20-03 64
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 09-10
149. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 8 20-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 5 12-08
150. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 9 20-00 63
Day 1: 4 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-11
151. Trace Freeman Northport, AL 10 19-13 62
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 10-09
152. Clay Henderson Purdy, MO 9 19-08 61
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 5 11-02
153. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 8 19-06 60
Day 1: 4 09-15 Day 2: 4 09-07
154. Brad Ragsdale Fairland, OK 9 19-03 59
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 4 07-12
155. Kole Poindexter Norman, OK 10 19-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 09-09
156. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 9 19-01 58
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 4 07-04
157. Josh Giroldi Beachville Ontario CANA 9 19-00 57
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 4 08-00
158. Marshall Halverson Johnston, IA 8 18-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 5 11-14
159. Lane Stephens Owasso, OK 9 18-13 56
Day 1: 4 07-05 Day 2: 5 11-08
160. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 8 18-13 55
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 5 11-05
161. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 8 18-13 54
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 4 10-07
162. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 6 18-11 53
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 5 16-01
163. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 9 18-07 52
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 07-06
164. Nick Marsh White Lake, MI 9 18-05 51
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 07-12
165. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 8 18-03 50
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 5 10-12
166. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 6 17-09 49
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 1 02-10
167. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 5 17-03 48
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 17-03
168. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 7 16-05 47
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 2 05-00
169. Jack York Emory, TX 7 15-15 46
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 5 12-03
170. Scott Nielsen Murray, UT 7 15-14 45
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 5 11-04
171. Cory Williams Greenville, KY 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 4 12-09
172. Frank Scalish Mount Gilead, OH 5 15-06 44
Day 1: 4 13-07 Day 2: 1 01-15
173. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 6 15-02 43
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 5 12-15
174. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 8 14-05 42
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 3 05-02
175. Luke Kerstetter Seymour, TN 6 14-00 41
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 3 05-15
176. Wade Denney Nampa, ID 6 14-00 40
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 3 06-10
177. Brien Vaughn Lampe, MO 5 12-12 39
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
178. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 6 12-04 38
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 4 08-06
179. Tracy Mitchell Springfield, MO 5 12-01 37
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-01
180. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 11-13 36
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
181. Johnny Grice Arp, TX 5 11-10 35
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 4 09-08
182. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 5 11-09 34
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
183. David Brand Dittmer, MO 5 11-05 33
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
184. Justin Blackert Olathe, KS 4 10-12 32
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 1 02-10
185. Dylan Minch Stevens Point, WI 5 10-09 31
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 10-03 30
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 3 10-00 29
Day 1: 3 10-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
188. David Boelkins Waukesha, WI 3 09-14 28
Day 1: 3 09-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
189. Jeffrey Barrickman Forsyth, MO 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
190. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 4 09-07 27
Day 1: 4 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
191. Frank Mixon Abilene, TX 4 09-07 26
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 2 04-13
192. Kyle Zacharuk Keswick Ontario CANADA 4 08-07 25
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 3 06-07
193. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 3 08-01 24
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 1 04-09
194. Steven Doolittle Chelsea, OK 3 07-01 23
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
195. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 1 01-12 22
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-12
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 152 880 2337-08
2 154 862 2344-01
———————————-
306 1742 4681-09

Andrew Rickman dominates at Toledo Bend, shatters B.A.S.S. Nation record

AnglersChannel — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:13:01 +0000

MANY, La. — Andrew Rickman is a big guy, standing a full 6 feet, 6 inches tall.

And this week at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance, the 24-year-old from Canton, Texas was up to big things — historic ones, at that.

Rickman caught a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 95 pounds, 15 ounces which absolutely crushed the previous record for a three-day weight in a Nation event. The former mark of 72-9 was set by Canada’s Doug Brownridge in 2014 on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York.

Rickman’s performance will long be remembered in B.A.S.S. Nation lore. Not only did he top the previous Nation record by more than 23 pounds, he finished a whopping 13-8 ahead of his nearest competitor at Toledo Bend, that being Georgia’s Daylon Milam, who placed second with 82-7. Trace Antunes III, the Day 1 leader, finished third overall in the boater division with 79-5.

Those three anglers were among a group of six whose total at Toledo Bend topped the previous best for a B.A.S.S. Nation winning weight. Texas anglers Kaden Mueck (fourth, 77-14) and Wyatt Frankens (fifth, 77-9) also eclipsed the old record, as did South Carolina’s Peyton Sorrow (sixth, 76-0).

All were impressive, but none came close to outshining Rickman, who fished Toledo Bend for the first time this week.

He made his mark early on this 185,0000-acre impoundment of the Sabine River, too, catching a 32-3 limit of signature Toledo Bend largemouth on Day 1. That left him trailing only Antunes, whose 36-3 limit on Wednesday was the big bag of the derby.

Antunes came back to the pack on the final two days of the tournament, however, while Rickman charged ahead with authority. He weighed another limit on Day 2, this one tipping the scales for 34-2 (a personal best in competition fishing,) then he added another 29-10 to seal the victory.

Rickman said he established a winning pattern late on the final day of practice.

“I really wasn’t having a great practice at all,” he admitted. “But then I caught a 7-pounder on a stump at the edge of a flat that dropped off into deep water. That gave me a clue. Then I caught a second one the exact same way. That’s when I realized I wasn’t going to fish anything other than that kind of set-up in the tournament. It might take me fishing 40 spots a day to find it, but I knew it would work.”

He was right.

Rickman caught all of his bass around stumps at the edge of Toledo Bend flats in anywhere from 5 to 10 feet of water. The key, he said, was a simultaneous shad spawn where the flats dropped to 30 feet or more.

Fourteen of the keepers he weighed came on a Hideup Coike Sea Urchin (green pumpkin/blue flake). It’s a confidence bait, he said, one that’s been a “go-to” for a year now. He exclusively used Shimano rods and reels, his favorite a 7-4’ spinning rod with a solid tip that aided accurate baitcasting. He fished with 10-pound Seaguar braided line and 17-pound Seaguar leader.

“Once you set the hook with that set up, nothing is breaking off,” he said. “That was huge because my fish were hungry. All of them were post-spawn and they were heading out deep. I had some people fishing around me, but they were too far up on the flats or too far offshore, I think. The key was getting the fish in that in-between phase. It was like their last stop before heading out.”

For all his success at Toledo Bendl, Rickman’s week wasn’t without drama. He carried a 2-5 lead over Antunes into Friday, but he had nothing but 2-pounders in his livewell at 11 a.m. on Day 3.

There was no reason to panic, he said.

“I knew that from the start of the tournament I had to keep running new water,” he said. “Only when I found the spot where they were biting today is when I got nervous. That’s when there was some pressure to get them into the boat.”

Rickman joked after the tournament that his goal was to “finish strong” and go over 100 pounds at Toledo Bend. Falling just shy of that feat, he said he was OK “settling” for 95-15. He pocketed $11,130 with the tournament victory and was one of 40 anglers (20 boaters, 20 nonboaters) to qualify for the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance when it’s held Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C.

“My only goal here was to qualify for the Nation Championship,” he said. “Hopefully I do well there. I’d ultimately like to make it to the Opens or the Elites.”

Oklahoma’s Matt Edwards won the nonboater title with a three-day weight of nine bass totaling 21-1 — a 7-4 largemouth on Day 2 being crucial to his success. Edwards caught most of his keeper bass on a 3/4-ounce Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug (green pumpkin with blue tint). He also fished a Neko rig with a 5.3-inch Hayabusa Sixth Sense worm.

The 43-year-old Coast Guard veteran, currently employed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, pocketed $3,853 for the nonboater win at Toledo Bend.

“My son Lane fished in the boater division,” Edwards said. “I told him I’m not coming down there just to tag along. So, I decided to enter on the nonboater side. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win. I’m in shock.”

Missouri’s Zack Busch finished second among nonboaters with 20-11. Texas’ Mike Casanova placed third with 17-15.

A total of 267 competitors began the tournament, with the Top 20 in each of the two divisions making the cut to Championship Friday. They already were assured part of a $77,000-plus cash purse.

Tyler Gautreaux, a 34-year-old from Houma, La., caught a 10-2 largemouth on Day 1 and claimed $500 for having the tournament’s heaviest bass.

This event was hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mountain Dew, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Andrew Rickman Canton, TX 15 95-15 0 $11,130.00
Day 1: 5 32-03 Day 2: 5 34-02 Day 3: 5 29-10
2. Daylon Milam Newnan, GA 15 82-07 0 $5,406.00
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 33-07 Day 3: 5 23-11
3. Trace Antunes III Henderson, TX 15 79-05 0 $3,816.00
Day 1: 5 36-03 Day 2: 5 27-13 Day 3: 5 15-05
4. Kaden Mueck Livingston, TX 15 77-14 0 $2,780.00
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 29-08 Day 3: 5 24-15
5. Wyatt Frankens Corrigan , TX 15 77-06 0 $2,767.00
Day 1: 5 28-08 Day 2: 5 26-00 Day 3: 5 22-14
6. Peyton Sorrow Abbeville, SC 15 76-00 0 $2,544.00
Day 1: 5 29-12 Day 2: 5 27-02 Day 3: 5 19-02
7. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 15 65-06 0 $2,385.00
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 19-12
8. Blake Bullock Seminary, MS 15 63-04 0 $2,226.00
Day 1: 5 30-04 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 16-00
9. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 15 62-04 0 $1,530.00
Day 1: 5 26-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 23-00
10. Chandler Howell Guntown, MS 15 59-11 0 $1,431.00
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 13-13
11. Braden Lankford Wagoner, OK 15 59-09 0 $1,272.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 17-05
12. Bailey Walker Many, LA 13 58-07 0 $1,113.00
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 3 11-00 Day 3: 5 22-10
13. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 15 56-01 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 14-03
14. Carsen Adcock Haughton, LA 15 53-07 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 16-15
15. JJ Coco Baton Rouge, LA 15 53-03 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 15-01
16. Tayson Hathorn Elm Springs, AR 15 53-01 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 26-01 Day 3: 5 15-15
17. Joshua Adams Southlake, TX 15 51-11 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 22-12 Day 3: 5 13-13
18. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 15 51-06 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 14-10
19. Dakota Morris Flowermound, TX 15 50-13 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 14-11
20. John Kyle Pearce Frierson, LA 15 50-06 0 $874.00
Day 1: 5 26-03 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 13-05
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Tyler Gautreaux Houma, LA 10-01 $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 89 615 1789-05
2 69 487 1421-06
3 20 100 366-10
———————————-
178 1202 3577-05

Wildlife Forever and Major League Fishing Launch New Partnership to Expand Getting Families Fishing and Boating Initiative™

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:52:06 +0000

White Bear Lake, MN — Wildlife Forever today announced a new partnership with Major League Fishing (MLF) to significantly expand the reach and impact of the Getting Families Fishing and Boating Initiative, a national effort focused on connecting youth and families to fishing, boating and conservation.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the partnership was signed at Bass Pro Shops Headquarters during the REDCREST 2026 championship event in Springfield, Missouri, marking a major step forward in uniting conservation education with professional angling and industry leadership.

Through this collaboration, MLF anglers will be eligible to receive product grants that include free fishing equipment and conservation education materials. These resources will be distributed through volunteer-led youth fishing clinics and family-oriented outdoor community events nationwide, helping remove barriers to participation while reinforcing stewardship of natural resources.

“This partnership represents a powerful alignment to increase angling participation while coordinating distribution of equipment and conservation education,” said Pat Conzemius, President and CEO of Wildlife Forever. “By working with Major League Fishing and its network of professional anglers, we will expand our ability to inspire the next generation of anglers while instilling the core values of conservation and responsible outdoor recreation.”

Getting Families Fishing and Boating Initiative has reached thousands of youths and families and builds upon the established network of the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA). NPAA members have long been dedicated to mentoring new anglers, teaching angling basics, and best practices of invasive species prevention. With the added support and coordination of MLF, the program will reach more communities and provide greater access to hands-on outdoor experiences.

MLF anglers and industry sponsors, known for their influence both on and off the water, will play a critical role in delivering these programs, serving not only as ambassadors of the sport but also in a commitment to grow the Getting Families Fishing & Boating brand and nationwide program.
“This partnership allows our anglers and industry partners to give back and truly grow the sport in meaningful ways,” said Dave Washburn, Vice President of Operations for Major League Fishing. “By giving youth and families the equipment and skills to be successful anglers and good stewards of our waters, the collective effort will have compounding benefits for generations.”
Organizations interested in supporting Getting Families Fishing and Boating should contact info@WildlifeForever.org.
For more information: wildlifeforever.org

Contact:
Veronica Mangio
Education/Marketing Mgr.
Wildlife Forever
info@WildlifeForever.org

About Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Forever is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conserving America’s outdoor heritage through conservation education, habitat restoration, and scientific management of fish and wildlife. Learn more about Wildlife Forever programs at www.WildlifeForever.org.

Phoenix Boats signs on as Supporting Sponsor of B.A.S.S.

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:47:27 +0000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. today announced that Phoenix Boats has signed on as a supporting sponsor of B.A.S.S. through 2028, reinforcing a shared commitment to performance, innovation and the continued growth of competitive bass fishing.

The partnership brings together two brands with deep roots in the sport. B.A.S.S., the global authority in bass fishing, continues to set the standard for competitive angling through its Bassmaster tournament circuits, media platforms and conservation initiatives. Phoenix Boats, known for building high-performance bass boats with a focus on high quality, fishability, and reliability, has become a trusted name among anglers at every level of competition.

“We’re proud and excited to be a supporting sponsor of Bassmaster,” said Gary Clouse, Co-Founder & CEO/President of Phoenix Boats. “Bassmaster has been a big part of my life dating back to 1974 when I bought my first Bassmaster Magazine and got hooked on bass fishing.” Clouse has fished 139 Bassmaster tournaments including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series from 2019 to 2023, and still fishes the Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender.

Phoenix Boats has earned a reputation for producing tournament-ready boats designed by anglers, for anglers. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and continuous innovation, the brand has steadily grown its presence in competitive fishing, with many anglers choosing Phoenix for its performance and on-the-water reliability.

“Bassmaster has played a foundational role in building the sport, and we’re proud to support an organization that has helped shape the sport into what it is today” said Teresa Johnson, Co-Founder & COO of Phoenix Boats. “At Phoenix, we’re committed to the long-term growth of bass fishing, and partnerships like this are an important part of that.”

As a supporting sponsor, Phoenix Boats will have a presence across Bassmaster events, including Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments, the Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender and other key competitions. The partnership will also extend to digital platforms and fan engagement initiatives, helping connect Phoenix with the passionate Bassmaster audience both on-site and online.

The alignment between Phoenix Boats and B.A.S.S. is rooted in a shared focus on advancing the sport while supporting anglers at every stage of their journey. From weekend competitors to Elite Series pros, dependable equipment and strong industry partnerships play a critical role in delivering a successful tournament experience.

“Phoenix Boats represents the kind of innovation and performance our anglers rely on every day,” said Phillip Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of B.A.S.S. “Just as important, they are deeply committed to the communities where they live and work, investing in the people and places that help drive this sport forward. Through their support of anglers at every level and their strong partnership with B.A.S.S., Phoenix continues to play a meaningful role in strengthening the fishing industry as a whole. We’re excited to welcome them back as a supporting sponsor and look forward to continuing to work together to elevate the sport.”

B.A.S.S. continues to grow its reach through premier events like the Bassmaster Elite Series and the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, as well as its expanding youth programs and conservation efforts. Partnerships with brands like Phoenix Boats help ensure that anglers and fans alike experience the highest level of competition, innovation and engagement.

Through this relationship, Phoenix Boats will continue to support the competitive ecosystem that has helped shape modern bass fishing, while reinforcing its position as a brand dedicated to performance on the water and the future of the sport.

About Phoenix Boats

Phoenix Boats is a Tennessee-based manufacturer of high-performance fiberglass bass boats, headquartered in Winchester, Tennessee. Operating from a state-of-the-art facility with more than 200,000 square feet on 52 acres, Phoenix Boats is dedicated to delivering exceptional quality, performance, and innovation. For more information, visit phoenixbassboats.com.

About B.A.S.S.

MLF Bass Pro Tour Pros Bring Hands-On Learning to WOLF School During REDCREST Week

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:53:50 +0000

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 23, 2026) – As part of REDCREST week festivities, three Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour (BPT) anglers traded their rods and reels for a classroom setting last Thursday, visiting fifth-grade students at the WOLF School for an interactive, hands-on learning experience centered on conservation, careers and competitive fishing.

BPT pros and REDCREST 2026 competitors Edwin Evers , Jake Lawrence and Wesley Strader joined MLF Competition Officials Butch Lansford and Brian Poppe along with MLF Senior Manager of PR and Communications Charity Muehlenweg to engage students in a unique program designed to go beyond a traditional classroom visit.

Rather than simply speaking to the students, the anglers challenged them to think like professionals. Working alongside the pros, students were tasked with building the “perfect bass lake,” considering key elements such as habitat, water quality and fish care. From there, the classroom transformed into a mock tournament setting, with students assigned real-world roles, including tournament director, fisheries biologist and television talent.

Each group was then presented with real scenarios that can occur during a Bass Pro Tour tournament and asked to problem-solve as a team, offering a firsthand look at the many moving parts that go into running a professional fishing tournament.

Photos from the WOLF School visit can be found here.

Students also learned about MLF Fisheries Management Division’s conservation initiatives, water safety and proper fish-handling techniques while exploring a wide range of career opportunities within the fishing and outdoors industry. The interactive format encouraged participation, creativity and critical thinking, highlighted by the “You Be the Biologist” activity, where students applied their knowledge to design and manage a thriving fishery.

The visit concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by autographs and photos with the anglers.

“We wanted the kids to feel like they were part of the program, not just listening to it,” said Strader. “Getting them involved in building a fishery and running a tournament shows them how much goes on behind the scenes. It’s not just about catching fish – it’s about taking care of the resource, solving problems and working as a team. If even a few of them walk away thinking about a future in the outdoors, that’s a win for all of us.”

Community outreach during REDCREST week is one of the ways Major League Fishing connects competition with conservation and education, using the platform of professional fishing to inspire and engage the next generation.

The WOLF School – short for Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility – features state-of-the-art classrooms and resources designed to provide fifth-grade students with immersive, high-quality educational experiences.

Major League Fishing extends its thanks to the WOLF School for hosting the pros during REDCREST week and helping create a meaningful experience for students.

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, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, RFD-TV, Game & Fish TV, Rumble 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.

Oklahoma Elite Cranford takes Day 1 lead in wind-blown Grand Lake Open

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:36:10 +0000

GROVE, Okla. — Oklahoma pro Austin Cranford hasn’t been pleased with his results on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tour four events into his rookie season, so he jumped into the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender hoping to get back on track. Through Day 1, it seems to have worked, as the 30 year-old weighed in 21 pounds 3 ounces of bass to lead New Mexico’s Rick Harris Jr. by an ounce.

“It’s no secret that I’ve had a rough year this year,” Cranford said. “I’ve been looking for that one day to get my mojo back. I was in a funk and needed something to finally go right and that starts with just one bite.”

Thursday’s first day of competition proved to be a battle with Mother Nature. Prior to the event, Cranford stated that he expected the water to be in Grand’s bushes, leading to an old-school bush flipping tournament. Instead, the bottom fell out and once-flooded cover sat high and dry. On top of that, the wind blew consistently from the south at 20 miles per hour today, with gusts at time of at least twice that much.

“We’re just getting ready for Buffalo if you’re in Division 1,” Tournament Director Hank Weldon joked.

While Cranford had hoped for rising water that would send big bass rushing to the shallows, once he realized that wasn’t going to happen, he changed course and practiced with the intention of finding where those fish would go. His bag included a 5-8 bass, and he said that it’s hard to amass 20 pounds without at least one of those big bites. He tried to save as much as he could today, and “bailed out” once he had that big bag, partially because he didn’t want other competitors to see where he was fishing. He hopes that the wind will kick up again on Friday, although it’s not supposed to do so.

“I hope that it blows 100 miles per hour,” he said. “The bigger the waves the better. It makes them bite, but I’m afraid that it won’t actually blow tomorrow.”

Harris agreed that the wind “helped a lot” and noted that the falling water moved bass from the willow bushes he’d been fishing onto rock cover.

“I had one big 6-pound bite in practice that keyed me in,” he said. “Those types of fish aren’t random.”

He culled multiple times throughout the day, including one close to check-in time that helped him substantially and said that his prime areas still have lots of quality fish. While he now resides in New Mexico, he cut his teeth fishing and guiding in Texas, most notably on Lake Amistad, and is therefore no stranger to big fish. Earlier in his career he won another AAA tournament on Lake Texoma.

“I’d say Oklahoma has been very good to me,” he said.

Former Elite Series pro Casey Scanlon is in 3^rd place with 20-14.

“The fish are biting,” he said. “But in practice I intentionally avoided a bunch of stuff and felt like I was going to catch a 12-pound limit. I started over in the changing conditions and fished new water all day. It’s always good any time we’re in Missouri, Arkansas or Oklahoma. I feel right at home.”

Scanlon competed in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand and finished 44^th but didn’t get a shot at Classic redemption until last month in Knoxville. He qualified for his second bite at the apple by winning last year’s Bassmaster Open on Norfork Lake in Arkansas. It was his second career Open win, both in the Ozarks region. If he can make it three, he’ll get a chance to compete in Greenville next March.

Alabama’s Wyatt Burkhalter is an ounce behind Scanlon. He said that after a tough practice he “would have taken 13 pounds and been happy with it.” After today’s washing machine ride, he was glad he didn’t make that deal. It’s his first time at Grand, but he’s hoping that his pattern holds up for two more days.

“I’m good buddies with Justin Hamner, who won the 2024 Classic here,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get some of that Classic juju.”

Kristine Fischer, a noted kayak angler and BassmastHER Ambassador who has added the Opens to her schedule in recent years, sits in 6^th, with 20-4. She admitted that she’d struggled in making the switch to a larger boat and was concerned that she’d bitten off more than she could chew, but today’s catch had her ebullient on the stage.

“This is what I really needed,” she said.

If she can rise a few spots in the standings over the next two days, Fischer has a chance to become the highest-finishing female angler in Bassmaster Opens history. That high water mark was set in 2013 by Christie Bradley of Virginia, who finished 4^th in an Open at Tennessee’s Douglas Lake. Bradley has been one of Fischer’s mentors.

“Women’s fishing can be tough,” Fischer said. “There’s a lot of gatekeeping. But Christie is one of the ones who has helped me a lot. I’m so blessed to have her in my life. She’s an absolute inspiration.”

While the anglers were understandably tight-lipped about locations and patterns, it appears that in this event where forward-facing sonar is prohibited, most are power fishing. Many went true Oklahoma old school today with big spinnerbaits to take advantage of the windy conditions.

Overall, despite or perhaps because of the conditions, Grand Lake showed why Bassmaster returns again and again. It’s simply loaded with quality bass. Seventy-eight competitors weighed in 13 pounds or more, and a remarkable 146 out of 195 brought 10 or more pounds to the scales. That means it’s a wide-open tournament in terms of who will push through to Championship Saturday.

Jonathan Pimentel of Missouri caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day, a 5-14 largemouth.

The full field of anglers will launch from Wolf Creek Park beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in starting at 2:30 p.m. The Top 10 anglers after Day 2 will compete on Championship Friday and the winner will earn a spot in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake presented by Battery Tender 4/23-4/25
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Austin Cranford Oklahoma City, OK 5 21-03 0
Day 1: 5 21-03
2. Rick Harris Jr Carlsbad, NM 5 21-02 200
Day 1: 5 21-02
3. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 20-14 199
Day 1: 5 20-14
4. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 5 20-13 198
Day 1: 5 20-13
5. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 5 20-07 197
Day 1: 5 20-07
6. Kristine Fischer Spring City, NE 5 20-04 196
Day 1: 5 20-04
7. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 5 19-13 195
Day 1: 5 19-13
8. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 5 19-00 194
Day 1: 5 19-00
9. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 5 18-12 0
Day 1: 5 18-12
10. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 5 18-09 193
Day 1: 5 18-09
11. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 18-07 192
Day 1: 5 18-07
12. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 17-10 191
Day 1: 5 17-10
13. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 17-09 190
Day 1: 5 17-09
14. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 5 16-14 189
Day 1: 5 16-14
15. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 16-12 188
Day 1: 5 16-12
16. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 5 16-09 187
Day 1: 5 16-09
17. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 16-03 186
Day 1: 5 16-03
17. Bailey Gay Union, KY 5 16-03 186
Day 1: 5 16-03
17. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 5 16-03 186
Day 1: 5 16-03
20. Zane Parker Kingwood, TX 5 16-01 183
Day 1: 5 16-01
21. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 5 16-00 182
Day 1: 5 16-00
22. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 15-14 181
Day 1: 5 15-14
23. Lonnie Cochran Section, AL 5 15-13 180
Day 1: 5 15-13
24. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 5 15-12 179
Day 1: 5 15-12
24. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 5 15-12 179
Day 1: 5 15-12
26. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 5 15-09 177
Day 1: 5 15-09
27. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 15-08 176
Day 1: 5 15-08
28. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 5 15-07 175
Day 1: 5 15-07
29. TJ Edwards Jr Tremont, MS 5 15-06 174
Day 1: 5 15-06
30. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 5 15-04 173
Day 1: 5 15-04
31. Justin Layton Kirbyville, MO 5 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-03
31. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 5 15-03 172
Day 1: 5 15-03
33. Rylan Hamlin Jackson, MI 5 15-02 171
Day 1: 5 15-02
34. Jacob Welch Roach, MO 5 15-01 170
Day 1: 5 15-01
35. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 15-00 169
Day 1: 5 15-00
36. Garrett McWilliams Florence, MS 5 14-15 168
Day 1: 5 14-15
36. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 14-15 168
Day 1: 5 14-15
38. James Biggs Comanche, TX 5 14-14 166
Day 1: 5 14-14
39. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 14-13 165
Day 1: 5 14-13
39. Nick Lawler Ava, MO 5 14-13 165
Day 1: 5 14-13
41. Connor Cunningham Springfield , MO 5 14-11 163
Day 1: 5 14-11
42. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 14-10 162
Day 1: 5 14-10
43. Sam Ausbrooks Loogootee, IN 5 14-09 161
Day 1: 5 14-09
43. Joseph Hardy China Spring, TX 5 14-09 161
Day 1: 5 14-09
43. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 5 14-09 161
Day 1: 5 14-09
46. Hunter Crossland San Angelo, TX 5 14-08 158
Day 1: 5 14-08
47. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 5 14-05 157
Day 1: 5 14-05
48. Riley Harris Orange, TX 5 14-05 156
Day 1: 5 14-05
49. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 14-04 155
Day 1: 5 14-04
49. Kyle Schutta Forest Lake, MN 5 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-04
51. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 5 14-04 154
Day 1: 5 14-04
52. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 14-03 153
Day 1: 5 14-03
52. Josh Pladies Lees Summit, MO 5 14-03 153
Day 1: 5 14-03
52. Ian Waterer East Selkirk CANADA 5 14-03 153
Day 1: 5 14-03
52. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 5 14-03 153
Day 1: 5 14-03
52. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 14-03 153
Day 1: 5 14-03
57. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 5 14-00 148
Day 1: 5 14-00
58. Byron Hill Clermont, FL 5 13-15 147
Day 1: 5 13-15
58. Justin Latham Reelsville, IN 5 13-15 147
Day 1: 5 13-15
60. Joey Punko Broomfield, CO 5 13-14 145
Day 1: 5 13-14
61. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 13-13 144
Day 1: 5 13-13
61. Jeremiah Kindy Benton, AR 5 13-13 144
Day 1: 5 13-13
63. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 5 13-12 142
Day 1: 5 13-12
64. Jason Bonds Lufkin, TX 4 13-12 141
Day 1: 4 13-12
65. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 5 13-11 140
Day 1: 5 13-11
65. Chris Whitson Louisville, TN 5 13-11 140
Day 1: 5 13-11
67. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 5 13-10 138
Day 1: 5 13-10
67. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 13-10 138
Day 1: 5 13-10
67. Zachary Ward Cabot, AR 5 13-10 138
Day 1: 5 13-10
70. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 5 13-09 135
Day 1: 5 13-09
71. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 5 13-07 134
Day 1: 5 13-07
72. Frank Scalish Mount Gilead, OH 4 13-07 133
Day 1: 4 13-07
73. Blake Schroeder Bullard, TX 5 13-06 132
Day 1: 5 13-06
74. Eddie Carper Valliant, OK 5 13-05 131
Day 1: 5 13-05
75. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 13-03 130
Day 1: 5 13-03
76. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 5 13-02 129
Day 1: 5 13-02
77. Andrew Jones Trussville, AL 5 13-01 128
Day 1: 5 13-01
78. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
78. Chris Lewis Hallsville, TX 5 13-00 127
Day 1: 5 13-00
78. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
81. Michael Harlin Osage Beach, MO 5 12-15 126
Day 1: 5 12-15
82. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 5 12-14 125
Day 1: 5 12-14
83. Nathan Reynolds Nashville, TN 5 12-13 124
Day 1: 5 12-13
84. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-12 123
Day 1: 5 12-12
84. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 12-12 123
Day 1: 5 12-12
84. Brien Vaughn Lampe, MO 5 12-12 123
Day 1: 5 12-12
87. Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, MO 5 12-11 120
Day 1: 5 12-11
87. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 12-11 120
Day 1: 5 12-11
89. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 5 12-10 118
Day 1: 5 12-10
89. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 12-10 118
Day 1: 5 12-10
91. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 5 12-09 116
Day 1: 5 12-09
91. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 12-09 116
Day 1: 5 12-09
91. Bj Miller Adams, NE 5 12-09 116
Day 1: 5 12-09
91. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 12-09 116
Day 1: 5 12-09
91. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 12-09 116
Day 1: 5 12-09
96. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 5 12-08 111
Day 1: 5 12-08
97. Kyle Palmer Elora, TN 5 12-07 110
Day 1: 5 12-07
98. Tommy Parker Delano, MN 5 12-06 109
Day 1: 5 12-06
99. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 12-04 108
Day 1: 5 12-04
100. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 5 12-03 107
Day 1: 5 12-03
101. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 5 12-02 106
Day 1: 5 12-02
102. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 12-00 105
Day 1: 5 12-00
103. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 11-15 104
Day 1: 5 11-15
104. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 11-13 103
Day 1: 5 11-13
104. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 11-13 103
Day 1: 5 11-13
104. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 5 11-13 103
Day 1: 5 11-13
107. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 11-12 100
Day 1: 5 11-12
108. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 5 11-11 99
Day 1: 5 11-11
109. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 11-11 98
Day 1: 5 11-11
110. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 11-10 97
Day 1: 5 11-10
110. Isaac Peavyhouse Monroe, TN 5 11-10 97
Day 1: 5 11-10
110. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 5 11-10 97
Day 1: 5 11-10
113. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 5 11-09 94
Day 1: 5 11-09
113. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 5 11-09 94
Day 1: 5 11-09
115. Ryan Thompson Seymour, MO 5 11-08 92
Day 1: 5 11-08
116. John Branch Magnolia, KY 5 11-07 91
Day 1: 5 11-07
116. James Campise Brookeland, TX 5 11-07 91
Day 1: 5 11-07
116. Brad Ragsdale Fairland, OK 5 11-07 91
Day 1: 5 11-07
119. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
119. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 11-06 88
Day 1: 5 11-06
121. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 11-05 87
Day 1: 5 11-05
121. David Brand Dittmer, MO 5 11-05 87
Day 1: 5 11-05
121. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 5 11-05 87
Day 1: 5 11-05
121. Brennan Flick West Monroe, LA 5 11-05 87
Day 1: 5 11-05
125. Brennan Berglund Guntersville, AL 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
126. John Mark Berry Mount Olive, MS 5 11-03 83
Day 1: 5 11-03
126. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 11-03 83
Day 1: 5 11-03
128. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 11-02 81
Day 1: 5 11-02
129. Sho Egawa Osaka JAPAN 5 11-01 80
Day 1: 5 11-01
129. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 11-01 80
Day 1: 5 11-01
131. Josh Giroldi Beachville Ontario CANA 5 11-00 78
Day 1: 5 11-00
131. Tyler Wolf Creston, IA 5 11-00 78
Day 1: 5 11-00
133. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 5 10-12 76
Day 1: 5 10-12
133. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 5 10-12 76
Day 1: 5 10-12
135. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 10-10 74
Day 1: 5 10-10
136. Nick Marsh White Lake, MI 5 10-09 73
Day 1: 5 10-09
136. Dylan Minch Stevens Point, WI 5 10-09 73
Day 1: 5 10-09
136. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 5 10-09 73
Day 1: 5 10-09
139. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 4 10-05 70
Day 1: 4 10-05
140. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 10-03 69
Day 1: 5 10-03
141. Jim Moynagh Outing, MN 3 10-03 68
Day 1: 3 10-03
142. Jason Adams Guthrie, OK 5 10-02 67
Day 1: 5 10-02
143. Dalton Head Moody, AL 5 10-01 66
Day 1: 5 10-01
144. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 4 10-01 65
Day 1: 4 10-01
145. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 5 10-00 64
Day 1: 5 10-00
146. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 3 10-00 63
Day 1: 3 10-00
147. Colby Bryant Houston, TX 5 09-15 62
Day 1: 5 09-15
148. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 4 09-15 61
Day 1: 4 09-15
149. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 4 09-14 60
Day 1: 4 09-14
149. Jason Horton Eucha, OK 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
151. David Boelkins Waukesha, WI 3 09-14 59
Day 1: 3 09-14
152. Jeffrey Barrickman Forsyth, MO 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
152. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 5 09-12 58
Day 1: 5 09-12
154. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 4 09-12 57
Day 1: 4 09-12
155. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 5 09-11 56
Day 1: 5 09-11
156. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 5 09-10 55
Day 1: 5 09-10
156. Kole Poindexter Norman, OK 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
158. Tim Sprouse Clarksville, TN 5 09-08 54
Day 1: 5 09-08
158. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 5 09-08 54
Day 1: 5 09-08
160. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 4 09-07 52
Day 1: 4 09-07
161. Trace Freeman Northport, AL 5 09-04 51
Day 1: 5 09-04
162. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 5 09-03 50
Day 1: 5 09-03
163. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
164. Jeremy Johnson Leavenworth, KS 3 09-01 0
Day 1: 3 09-01
165. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 08-13 49
Day 1: 5 08-13
166. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 4 08-10 48
Day 1: 4 08-10
167. Clay Henderson Purdy, MO 4 08-06 47
Day 1: 4 08-06
167. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 4 08-06 47
Day 1: 4 08-06
169. John Engler III Vinton, IA 3 08-06 45
Day 1: 3 08-06
170. Justin Blackert Olathe, KS 3 08-02 44
Day 1: 3 08-02
171. Luke Kerstetter Seymour, TN 3 08-01 43
Day 1: 3 08-01
172. Peyton Harris Birmingham, AL 4 07-15 42
Day 1: 4 07-15
172. Brent Shores Savannah, TN 4 07-15 42
Day 1: 4 07-15
174. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 3 07-10 0
Day 1: 3 07-10
175. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 3 07-08 40
Day 1: 3 07-08
176. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 07-07 39
Day 1: 3 07-07
177. Wade Denney Nampa, ID 3 07-06 38
Day 1: 3 07-06
178. Lane Stephens Owasso, OK 4 07-05 37
Day 1: 4 07-05
179. Steven Doolittle Chelsea, OK 3 07-01 36
Day 1: 3 07-01
179. Marshall Halverson Johnston, IA 3 07-01 0
Day 1: 3 07-01
181. Hayden Marbut Birmingham, AL 3 06-02 35
Day 1: 3 06-02
182. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 3 06-01 34
Day 1: 3 06-01
183. Frank Mixon Abilene, TX 2 04-10 33
Day 1: 2 04-10
183. Scott Nielsen Murray, UT 2 04-10 33
Day 1: 2 04-10
185. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 2 03-14 31
Day 1: 2 03-14
186. Jack York Emory, TX 2 03-12 30
Day 1: 2 03-12
187. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 2 03-08 29
Day 1: 2 03-08
188. Cory Williams Greenville, KY 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03
189. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 1 02-10 28
Day 1: 1 02-10
190. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 1 02-03 27
Day 1: 1 02-03
191. Johnny Grice Arp, TX 1 02-02 26
Day 1: 1 02-02
192. Kyle Zacharuk Keswick Ontario CANADA 1 02-00 25
Day 1: 1 02-00
193. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
193. Tracy Mitchell Springfield, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
193. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 152 880 2337-08
———————————-
152 880 2337-08

Texas’ Andrew Rickman vaults into lead at Toledo Bend B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:15:31 +0000

MANY, La. — Riding the strength of back-to-back 30-pound bags, Andrew Rickman has put himself in prime position to win the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance.

Rickman, a 24-year-old angler from Canton, Texas, caught a limit of five largemouth bass weighing 34 pounds, 2 ounces and pulled into the lead Thursday on Day 2 of this three-day derby. That tremendous haul, Rickman’s personal best in tournament competition, gave him a two-day weight of 66-5.

Rickman was in second place after Day 1 with a 32-3 limit (a monster bag by any standard), and then he went bigger. It was a heck of a show from a newcomer to the massive 185,000-acre reservoir that forms a portion of the Louisiana-Texas border.

“Monday’s practice was the first time I’ve ever been to Toledo Bend,” Rickman said, chuckling. “I didn’t know much of anything about it, but it’s worked out well so far.”

Rickman said he’s using a particular technique to excel on a fishery that was unknown to him four days ago. Understandably, he wasn’t quite ready to talk specifics of his lure or presentation just yet, but he noted that everything must be “perfect” to get the biggest Toledo Bend bass in the boat.

“I’ve got the right bait in my hand in front of the big ones,” he said. “They’re not dumb. They’re very smart, really, and you have to make sure everything is 100-percent perfect. The bait’s gotta’ be perfect, the line’s gotta’ be perfect. If you’re using a leader, that’s gotta’ be perfect.

“It’s not like I’m seeing a lot of huge bass,” he added. “But I’ve been blessed to catch the big ones that I have seen.”

Some of those bites have been opportunistic, Rickman said. Others have come in the early morning when Toledo Bend’s legendary largemouth are gorging on forage throughout the fishery.

“There seems to be a couple bite windows in the day, and the main one is first thing in the morning,” he said. “As soon as you can start casting, you’re catching fish. The bluegill are wanting to spawn. The shad are spawning and the bass are following all of it. I caught one on Wednesday that spit up a bluegill that weighed 1/3 of a pound. It’s crazy out there right now.”

Rickman credited some of this week’s success to experience he’s gained the past two years guiding on Lake Fork. He considers Fork home water and it, like Toledo Bend, is renowned for lunker largemouth like the 9-2 he caught Thursday, the heaviest weighed on Day 2.

“I caught that one about 12 o’clock,” Rickman said, “and when I did, she just lost it. She jumped three or four times. She dove underneath the boat and went almost all the way to the other side. After a good amount of scares and near heart attacks, we got her in the boat.”

Rickman said catching 30-pound limits is not for the faint of heart, but he welcomes the nerves that come with a big tournament title within his grasp.

“Thirty pounds, that’s a mega-stringer,” he said. “I don’t know if I have another bag like that out there, but I’m gonna’ do my best to make it happen. I’ll probably be fishing all new water again on Friday. It’s hard not to do that, because everything here is new to me.”

Day 1 leader Trace Antunes III dropped to second overall with a two-day total of 64 pounds. After weighing a tournament-best 36-3 limit on Wednesday, he caught 27-13 on Thursday.

“I pulled up to my starting spot, and the fish had moved out,” said Antunes, 20, of Henderson, Texas. “I left there with about five pounds and I’d already missed three fish. I ran to some other spots I thought would be good and I caught two 6-pounders. That was encouraging, but then one about the same size jumped off. And then right next to it, I worked a bedding fish, a 6- or 7-pounder, for about 30 minutes before she broke off. I tried her about 20 more minutes, but got nothing.

“I had a lot of low 4-pounders today, some 2s and 3s. Then my lower unit went out, and I came in about 30 minutes early … It was just an off day. I don’t think there will be two off days in a row here, but we’ll see. We’ll have less pressure out there, so that can’t hurt.”

Antunes was referring to the cut that took place after Thursday’s weigh-in. The field of 267 anglers (170 boaters, 97 nonboaters) was narrowed to the Top 20 in both divisions, and they’ve already clinched part of the $78,000-plus cash purse. The top boater will win $11,130 and the top nonboater claims $3,853.

Rounding out the Top 5 on the boater side are, third, Georgia’s Daylon Milam, 58-12; fourth, South Carolina’s Peyton Sorrow, 56-14; and fifth, Texas’ Wyatt Frankens, 54-8.

Tyler Gautreaux, a 34-year-old from Houma, La., caught a 10-2 largemouth on Day 1 and remains in the lead for the tournament’s Big Bass Award.

Oklahoma’s Matt Edwards leads the nonboater field with a pair of three-bass limits totaling 19-2. Texas’ Arron Slaten is second with 15-14, and Oklahoma’s Matt Manners is third with 14 pounds.

The Top 18 in each division at Toledo Bend will advance to the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance when it’s held Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C.

Follow along with all of the action from the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance on Bassmaster.com.

This event is being hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.

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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Andrew Rickman Canton, TX 10 66-05 0
Day 1: 5 32-03 Day 2: 5 34-02
2. Trace Antunes III Henderson, TX 10 64-00 0
Day 1: 5 36-03 Day 2: 5 27-13
3. Daylon Milam Newnan, GA 10 58-12 0
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 33-07
4. Peyton Sorrow Abbeville, SC 10 56-14 0
Day 1: 5 29-12 Day 2: 5 27-02
5. Wyatt Frankens Corrigan , TX 10 54-08 0
Day 1: 5 28-08 Day 2: 5 26-00
6. Kaden Mueck Livingston, TX 10 52-15 0
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 29-08
7. Blake Bullock Seminary, MS 10 47-04 0
Day 1: 5 30-04 Day 2: 5 17-00
8. Chandler Howell Guntown, MS 10 45-14 0
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 22-10
9. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 10 45-10 0
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 22-10
10. Braden Lankford Wagoner, OK 10 42-04 0
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 21-03
11. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 10 41-14 0
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 20-01
12. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 10 39-04 0
Day 1: 5 26-11 Day 2: 5 12-09
13. John James Coco Baton Rouge, LA 10 38-02 0
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 18-05
14. Joshua Adams Southlake, TX 10 37-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 22-12
15. Tayson Hathorn Elm Springs, AR 10 37-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 26-01
16. John Kyle Pearce Frierson, LA 10 37-01 0
Day 1: 5 26-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
17. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 10 36-12 0
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-01
18. Carsen Adcock Haughton, LA 10 36-08 0
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 16-03
19. Dakota Morris Flowermound, TX 10 36-02 0
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 16-01
20. Bailey Walker Many, LA 8 35-13 0
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 3 11-00
21. Parker Batts Dandridge, TN 10 35-10 0 $795.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 16-01
22. Sam Taylor Nacogdoches, TX 10 35-07 0 $795.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 16-05
23. River Lee Diboll, TX 10 35-01 0 $795.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 15-09
24. Lane Edwards Paden, OK 10 34-12 0 $795.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 19-08
25. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 10 33-11 0 $795.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 14-00
26. Ben Burns Lucas, TX 10 32-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 13-15
27. Ben Cully Conroe, TX 10 32-08 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 17-02
28. Chance Shelby Denham Springs, LA 10 32-04 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 16-11
29. Tre’ Gautreau Prairieville, LA 10 31-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 19-05
30. Andrew Waters Melissa, TX 10 31-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 14-09
31. Happy Johnson Santa Fe, NM 10 30-07 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 12-15
32. Kenji Yamada Chattanooga, TN 10 29-11 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 17-05
33. Brent Hill Yukon, OK 10 29-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 13-03
34. Chuck Black Logan, NM 10 29-03 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 12-04
35. Aaron Brewer Clovis, NM 7 28-08 0 $731.00
Day 1: 2 05-10 Day 2: 5 22-14
36. David Ottman Terry, MS 10 27-15 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-05
37. Tye Grissom Austin, TX 10 27-14 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 12-11
38. Peyton Matherne Walker, LA 10 27-10 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 11-11
39. Chris Gaudin El Dorado, AR 10 27-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 18-06
40. Mike Bueche Pierre Part, LA 10 27-09 0 $731.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 12-07
41. Skyler Koury Phoenix, AZ 10 27-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 14-00
42. James Howard Mesa, AZ 10 27-04 0
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 08-13
43. Cameron Naquin Gray, LA 10 25-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 09-13
44. Charles Coger Robert Lee, TX 10 25-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 10-11
45. Tyler Casteel Dequincy, LA 10 25-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 14-03
46. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 10 24-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-13
47. Ryan Latch Lafayette, LA 10 24-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 12-00
48. Casey Tissue Vilonia, AR 8 24-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 3 10-01
49. Matt Martin Brookhaven, MS 7 24-11 0
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 2 03-15
50. Boyd Gautreau Saint Amant, LA 10 24-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-02
51. Michael Furgerson Claremore, OK 10 24-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-06
52. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 9 24-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 4 08-14
53. Doug McClung Prairieville, LA 10 24-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 11-05
54. Dean Roberts Lake Charles, LA 10 24-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 13-01
55. Norman Uptain Jr. Globe, AZ 10 24-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-02
56. Kade Palmer Walker, LA 10 23-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-01
57. Mathew Higby Lamar, AR 9 23-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 11-03
58. Cameron Tull Norman, OK 7 23-10 0
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 4 14-09
59. John Fuqua Payson, AZ 7 22-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 2 08-01
60. Nick Ladart Sterlington, LA 8 22-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 3 07-05
61. Tyler Gautreaux Houma, LA 7 22-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 2 03-08
62. Cory Ramsey De Kalb, TX 7 21-15 0
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 3 10-11
63. Eric Leger Mamou, LA 9 21-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 4 08-09
64. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 9 21-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 12-01
65. Branden Rannekleiv Reeves, LA 10 21-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 09-15
66. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 9 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 4 09-06
67. Shannon Green Lebanon, MO 8 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 3 09-11
68. Dave Cavell Prairieville, LA 10 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-09
69. Lane Haeger Flint, TX 8 20-14 0
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 4 09-04
70. Marcus Warren Jefferson City, TN 9 20-07 0
Day 1: 4 09-09 Day 2: 5 10-14
71. Ben Burk Norman, OK 9 20-07 0
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 5 10-01
72. Brian Hickey Pueblo, CO 9 20-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 4 07-02
73. Skip Rayborn Jr Hammond, LA 8 20-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 3 07-05
74. Cayden Reily Baton Rouge, LA 9 20-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 4 09-06
75. Richard Ballard II Sulphur, LA 10 20-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-12
76. Austin Melville San Tan Valley, AZ 8 20-00 0
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
77. Ricky Vines El Dorado, AR 9 19-15 0
Day 1: 4 08-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
78. Austin Casteel Sulphur, LA 9 19-09 0
Day 1: 4 05-13 Day 2: 5 13-12
79. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 9 19-09 0
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 5 12-00
80. Jered Grooms Ada, OK 8 19-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 3 08-13
81. Allen Musser Ada, OK 10 19-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 08-07
82. John Pecoraro Youngsville, LA 10 19-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 09-09
83. Joseph Hart Brookhaven, MS 8 18-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 3 05-09
84. Teddy Granier Thibodaux, LA 8 18-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 3 06-04
85. Jason Pittman Covington, MS 8 18-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 3 07-10
86. Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 8 17-04 0
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 4 09-01
87. Austin Legendre Donaldsonville, LA 8 17-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 4 10-00
88. Brannon Long Longview, TX 7 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 2 04-00
89. Brady Schran Zumbrota, MN 7 17-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 3 07-09
90. Jeffery Lawson Ellisville, MS 8 16-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 3 06-01
91. Stephen Mitchell Ferriday, LA 8 16-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 5 10-09
92. Phil Clopton Macks Creek, MO 7 16-06 0
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 3 05-02
93. Austin Monroe Albuquerque, NM 7 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 2 04-12
94. Corey Wheat Gonzales, LA 5 16-03 0
Day 1: 2 07-04 Day 2: 3 08-15
95. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 6 16-02 0
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 2 05-04
96. Charley Williams Mannford, OK 6 15-05 0
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 4 12-04
97. Sam Jenkins Abita Springs, LA 7 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 2 05-04
98. Randy Campbell Tijeras, NM 7 15-03 0
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 5 09-12
99. Steve Lund Cave Creek, AZ 8 15-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 4 07-08
100. Jacob Sepeda Paradise, TX 6 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 1 02-07
101. Chadwick Washington Yukon, OK 6 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 06-13
102. Nathan Pratt Albuquerque, NM 7 13-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 5 10-02
103. Jeff Blackford Hopkins, MO 6 13-02 0
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 3 06-05
104. Alexander Blanchard Belle Rose, LA 6 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 1 01-02
105. Mike Hill Carlsbad, NM 7 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 4 07-04
106. Donald Adcock Richland, MS 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX 3 11-09 0
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
108. Scott Dooley Ashland, MO 6 11-09 0
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 3 04-12
109. Craig Mckenzie Aurora, CO 6 11-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 3 05-00
110. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 3 11-07 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 1 08-11
111. Blake Atchison Ava, MO 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Richard Vizcarra Peoria, AZ 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-01
113. Gary Bowien Benton, AR 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 3 06-11
114. Brandon Mcdonald Willis, TX 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Christopher Acuff Lebanon, MO 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Kelly Burns Avondale, AZ 3 10-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 08-08
117. Jim Martin Harrison, AR 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Micah Phillips Wagoner , OK 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Duane Pittman Gonzales, LA 3 10-05 0
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
120. Marshall Brown Smithville, MO 5 10-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
121. John Jackson Billings, MO 5 09-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-14
122. David Bishop Gilbert, AZ 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Keith Hendrix Monroe City, MO 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 1 03-03
124. Cole Lamb Guion, AR 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Neal Normand Gonzales, LA 4 09-03 0
Day 1: 4 09-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
126. Mario Carreon Las Cruces, NM 4 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 1 02-09
127. Michael Louviere New Iberia, LA 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Parker Frew Greenville, MS 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Joseph Bruener Douglass, TX 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
130. Richard Everest Hobbs, NM 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 2 03-03
131. Bryan Trahan Orange, TX 4 07-05 0
Day 1: 4 07-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
132. David Flemming Woodland Park, CO 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 1 03-11
133. JJ Craig Walnut Grove, MS 4 06-15 0
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
133. Mark Jones Meadville, MS 4 06-15 0
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Terry Service College Station, TX 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
136. Chase Washburn Shawnee, OK 2 06-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 1 04-15
137. Timothy Merkh Bennington, KS 2 06-08 0
Day 1: 2 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
138. Ryan Dardano Berthoud, CO 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
139. Gary Little Soso, MS 4 06-03 0
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
141. Michael Hargraves Seguin, TX 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 2 03-15
142. John Frala Leonard, MO 2 05-13 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-13
143. Brian Stangel Albuquerque, NM 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 2 04-06
144. Glenn Connors Springfield, MO 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
145. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 2 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
146. Derek Cochems Moody, TX 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
147. Jason Westrip Crane, MO 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. DaShon Peck The Colony, TX 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 1 01-06
149. Emile Gennaro Wesson, MS 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
150. Cavin Courville Lake Charles, LA 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. David Chase Las Cruces, NM 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
152. Michael Hamilton Midwest City, OK 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
153. Travis Merritt Iowa, LA 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
154. Randy Grimes College Station, TX 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-06
155. Joseph Gamboa Elephant Butte, NM 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Josh Bradford Jonesville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Jayden Corr Sunset, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Tyler Duggins West Plains, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Levi Evans Squires, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Kris Lee Coweta, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Matthew Lipari Patterson, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Kalib Lund Yuma, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Ira Lynn Spring Branch, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Cody Monlezun Nacogdoches, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Kenneth Moore Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Connor Santos Fountain, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Richard Wilson Lubbock, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
156. Andrew Wren Wylie, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 89 615 1789-05
2 69 487 1421-06
———————————-
158 1102 3210-11
2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Matt Edwards Paden, OK 6 19-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 12-01
2. Arron Slaten Shepherd, TX 6 15-14 0
Day 1: 3 09-12 Day 2: 3 06-02
3. Matt Manners Durant, OK 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 3 09-08
4. Mark Shelton Fayetteville, AR 6 13-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 3 07-15
5. Zack Busch Bloomsdale, MO 6 13-13 0
Day 1: 3 08-10 Day 2: 3 05-03
6. Jake Beach Opelousas, LA 6 13-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 3 08-00
7. Scott Vice Patterson, LA 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 3 07-04
8. Justin Jensen Laurel, MS 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 2 04-10
9. Mike Casanova Frisco, TX 6 12-09 0
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 05-11
10. David Wheat Philadelphia, MS 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 3 07-05
11. Hieu Nguyen Stillwater, OK 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 2 03-04
12. Degan Dougherty Peoria, AZ 4 11-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 08-15
13. Coy Brown Magnolia, AR 4 11-03 0
Day 1: 3 09-08 Day 2: 1 01-11
14. Tanner Ortega Albuquerque, NM 4 11-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 1 03-03
15. Robert Duggar El Dorado, AR 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 3 06-05
16. Jonathan Small Pleasant Hill, MO 6 10-15 0
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 06-15
17. Jordan Schwartzkopf El Mirage, AZ 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 1 05-09 Day 2: 3 05-03
18. John Case Clarksville, AR 3 10-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 1 06-11
19. Clinton Everett Surprise, AZ 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-00
20. Jeremy Barbour Lucedale, MS 4 10-05 0
Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 1 02-12
21. Steve Weaver Oklahoma City, OK 4 10-02 0 $275.00
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 2 03-13
22. Cliff Martinez Seguin, TX 4 10-01 0 $275.00
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 1 03-10
23. Brett Martinez Donaldsonville, LA 6 10-01 0 $275.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 05-02
24. Casey Cline Peoria, AZ 5 10-00 0 $275.00
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 2 04-06
25. Anthony Gordon Kirksville, MO 5 09-08 0 $275.00
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 3 06-04
26. Johnnie Rucker New Canton, MO 3 09-03 0 $275.00
Day 1: 2 07-07 Day 2: 1 01-12
27. Arturo Baquera Noble, OK 4 09-01 0 $275.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 1 02-03
28. Travis Culbreth Brandon, MS 3 08-13 0 $275.00
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
29. Jon Mohon Sr Hahnville, LA 2 08-11 0 $275.00
Day 1: 2 08-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
30. Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 4 08-09 0 $275.00
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 3 06-12
31. Eli Sepeda Roby, TX 4 08-07 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 2 05-01
32. Kevin Joines Choctaw, OK 3 08-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 2 06-10
33. Roger Arthur Truth Or Consequences, 4 08-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 2 03-06
34. Paul Martinez Jemez Springs, NM 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
35. Matheuw Forbes Fort Collins, CO 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 3 05-07
36. Kendall Loper Olathe, KS 3 07-12 0
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
37. Christopher Sanchez Albuquerque, NM 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 1 01-11
38. Shaun Lepper Grand Junction, CO 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 3 05-06
39. Brett Becker Tucson, AZ 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 04-01
40. Rick Sanger Grand Junction, CO 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 2 03-11
41. R.J. Leblanc Franklin, LA 3 07-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-04 Day 2: 1 02-01
42. Kim Mills Rio Rancho, NM 4 07-02 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 3 05-07
43. Gary Mills Rio Rancho, NM 4 07-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 3 05-06
44. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 4 07-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 1 01-14
45. Bryse Dodson Ava, MO 4 07-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 1 01-10
46. James Barber Greenville, TX 3 07-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 1 02-05
47. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 4 06-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 2 03-12
48. Stephen Branon Centerton, AR 4 06-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 3 04-14
49. Tom Worsham Clifton, CO 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. John Santos Colorado Springs, CO 2 06-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-01
51. Kylan Easley Kirksville, MO 3 05-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-15
52. Ron Price Canon City, CO 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-15
53. Rickey Monroe Edgewood, NM 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 1 02-01
54. Alec Carroll Phoenix, AZ 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-05
54. Nicholas Estes Saint Joseph, MO 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-05
56. Aaron Loper Olathe, KS 3 05-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Jake Morrison Phoenix, AZ 3 05-03 0
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Aaron Landry Napoleonville, LA 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 1 03-11
59. Chris Demiglio Denton, TX 2 04-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-14
60. Kendall Amos Greenville, MS 3 04-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 2 03-04
61. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 1 01-08
62. Ernie Villa Midland, TX 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 2 02-14
63. Chris Nettles Hickory Creek, TX 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Cody Ralph Brighton, CO 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Joshua Simmons De Soto, MO 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-08
66. Shayne Dupree Haslet, TX 3 04-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 0 -01-00
67. Eric Baker Oklahoma City, OK 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
68. John Gilbert Mesa, AZ 1 03-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-15
69. Rachel Chase Las Cruces, NM 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-13
70. Scott Hausman Owasso, OK 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 1 01-12
71. Blake Burdette Anderson, SC 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
71. David Walton Willis, TX 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
73. Jordan Fudge Melissa , TX 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 02-04
74. Buddy French Ruth, MS 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 1 01-15
75. Jay Quintero-Salazar Phoenix, AZ 2 02-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-15
76. Jason English San Antonio, TX 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
76. Jim Hays Loveland, CO 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
78. Rick Lewis Madison, MS 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
79. Seth Hausman Owasso, OK 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
80. Marion Daniels Kansas City, KS 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Jerry Miller Mckinney, TX 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
82. Jesse Haworth Kenner, AL 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
83. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Robin Hessling Quincy, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Charlie Hewitt Prairieville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Tod Higby Lamar, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. David Porter Rockwall, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Kelvin Preis Mountain Home, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. William Ross Newalla, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Benjamin Saunders Gardner, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Skipper Smith Pearl, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Karl Voss Sulphur, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Brad Weiss Bennington, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Phillip White Basehor, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
84. Christopher Wilson Tucson, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 26 149 327-07
2 25 130 288-01
———————————-
51 279 615-08

Capitalizing on a shad spawn will be key at Lake Norman Open

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:09:54 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Targeting bass feeding around a shad spawn should lead anglers to the top of the leaderboard in a postspawn duel at the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender according to Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Matt Arey.

“Typically in late April and early May, there will be a full blown shad spawn,” the Shelby, N.C. pro said. “That should be the primary deal for this Open. I think guys can get really well really fast if they find the right stretch first thing in the morning.”

Tournament days for the third stop of the Division I slate are April 30-May 2. Daily takeoffs are scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET out of Blythe Landing and anglers will begin checking in at 2:30 p.m. The winner will punch their ticket to the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, given they’ve fished all four Division I events. The Top 50 finishers in Division I points will advance to the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops.

The largest reservoir in North Carolina at 32,500 acres, Lake Norman has plenty of space for anglers to spread out. The last time the Opens visited Lake Norman in the fall of 2021, local pro Cody Hoyle claimed the trophy with three-day total of 40 pounds, 4 ounces.

Spotted bass rule the fishery these days, and Arey points out that some of them are big, but having a kicker largemouth or two goes a long way in a tournament setting.

“I can go out and catch 50 bass and I’d be lucky if four or five of them are largemouth,” Arey added. “Whoever wins will have to have some largemouth in their bag. If it was late summer or early fall, you could win with all spotted bass. But this time of year, you have to have some largemouth in your bag.

“I think 14 to 16 pounds a day is going to be really strong,” he added.

Western North Carolina is in the middle of extreme drought conditions, and Lake Norman is several inches below full pool as it currently stands. While the far northern reaches of Lake Norman below the Lookout Shoals Dam won’t have the same current flow, Arey doesn’t see the lower levels having a huge effect during this tournament.

“As long as the water level is fairly consistent, it won’t affect things too much,” the six-time Classic qualifier explained. “It could have a negative effect on some late spawners, but as far as the shad spawn is concerned I don’t think that will have an impact.”

Each section of the lake sets up a little differently. Two warm water discharges pump into the lake, one in Ramsey Creek on the south end and another close to the Highway 150 bridge. The bass in that section of the lake spawn much earlier than the rest of the population.

“This place fishes like several bodies of water,” Arey said. “One thing about Norman, it fishes really big. Tournaments can be won on potentially any section, it just depends on which section is producing the biggest bites that week. You have to figure out the lake in sections. You can get bit everywhere, and that spreads people out and gives people false hope in areas that don’t have the potential.”

Overall, Arey believes the field will be fishing for mostly postspawners, with plenty of those feeding on a threadfin shad spawn around marinas, docks, deep riprap banks, bridge pilling and seawalls. Once the shad spawn dissipates, he expects anglers to target fry guarders and lone postspawn females around floating docks and any other available cover.

“You’ll have some big postspawners doing their recovery under the floating docks and you can target those with a big swimbait. Those shad spawn bass will hang out in the area. They might slide to a community dock or a secondary point,” he said. “It is too early for bream beds and a little early for the brush bite to be good.”

Although diminished, there is a population of Blueback herring that live in Lake Norman as well, a bite that could greatly benefit an angler who is lucky enough to stumble across them.

Georgia’s Cody Stahl leads the Division I points race with 378 points followed by fellow Georgian Buddy Benson in second, also with 378 points. Florida’s Bryson O’Steen is third with 368 points, Texas’s Niko Romero is fourth with 361 points and Tennessee’s Dillon Falardeau is fifth with 359 points. Connor Jacob (358 points), Bo Thomas (354), Chase Clarke (351), David Williams (350) and Jonathan Kelley (348) round out the Top 10.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Visit Lake Norman is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

About B.A.S.S.

MLF Fisheries Management Division, Zoeller Pumps Donate $11,000 to James River Basin Partnership

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:06:56 +0000

Funding supports septic pump-out rebate program improving water quality in the James River and Table Rock Lake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 23, 2026) – During the REDCREST 2026 Post Game Show on Friday, April 17, the Major League Fishing (MLF) Fisheries Management Division (FMD) , alongside program partner Zoeller Pumps, announced a significant investment in Ozarks water quality efforts with an $11,000 donation to the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP).

Presented by MLF Co-Founder and FMD Co-Director Gary Klein on behalf of Zoeller Pumps, the contribution marks the first of three conservation projects under the newly launched MLF FMD Zoeller Pumps “We Work For Water” program . The funding will directly support JRBP’s long-running “Fresh Flush” Septic Pump-Out Rebate Program, an initiative designed to improve water quality in the James River – the largest tributary feeding into Table Rock Lake.

“Programs like this are exactly what fisheries management should look like – practical, measurable and rooted in community impact,” said Klein. “This investment helps address water quality at its source, ensuring that fisheries like Table Rock Lake remain healthy and productive for generations to come.”

Established in 2003, the Fresh Flush program was one of the first major cost-share initiatives launched by JRBP after the James River was designated as impaired due to severe algae blooms in the late 1990s. Originally funded through Clean Water Act Section 319 grants, the program has since been sustained through a combination of municipal partnerships and private contributions.

To date, more than 6,800 septic systems have been serviced through the rebate program, which typically processes 160 to 200 rebates annually. Homeowners within the basin are eligible to receive up to $150 per property each year to offset the cost of professional septic tank pump-outs.

The program plays a critical role in reducing nutrient loading – specifically nitrogen and phosphorus – from failing or poorly maintained septic systems. These nutrients can contribute to harmful algal blooms that negatively impact fish populations and water quality. Long-term monitoring shows a 25% reduction in phosphorus concentrations in the James River since the program’s inception.

Beyond ecological benefits, the initiative has delivered measurable improvements in public health. By addressing septic system failures in the Ozarks’ porous karst terrain, the program has significantly reduced E. coli contamination levels. From 2015 to 2024, the river achieved an average 84% passing rate for recreational safety standards—an important milestone compared to historically volatile and often unsafe conditions.

The James River arm serves as a critical spawning ground for both largemouth and spotted bass, making water quality improvements essential to sustaining one of the region’s most valuable fisheries.

“This is a great example of how local action can create lasting impact,” Klein added. “When you improve water quality upstream, you’re protecting everything downstream – from fish populations to the communities that depend on these resources.”

The MLF Fisheries Management Division continues to expand its conservation footprint through strategic partnerships like the Zoeller Pumps “We Work For Water” program, supporting initiatives that deliver real-world results for fisheries, habitats and local communities.

For more information about the Fresh Flush program or to apply for a rebate, visit JamesRiverBasin.com.

MLF Toyota Series Southern Division to Wrap Season Next Week at Lake Seminole

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:03:53 +0000

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (April 23, 2026) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats will continue the 2026 season next week with the third and final event of the Southern Division, April 30-May 2, at Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia – the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Seminole.

The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Bainbridge, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers competing for a top 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.

Experienced on the lake, boater Landon Tucker of Adel, Georgia, has high hopes for this event. Last year’s Toyota Series event was held about a week earlier, and it took huge weights – the top five all averaged more than 22 pounds per day.

“It’ll be full postspawn, I think,” said Tucker. “They spawned pretty hard a couple of weeks ago. They’ll be out in the trees; there might be a couple on ledges. It’s going to take some weight. A guy I know had about 28 there Saturday in about 3 hours.”

When it comes to Lake Seminole, Tucker loves it because of the challenges the reservoir offers.

“I love the grass, I love the trees,” he said. “I don’t care about bouncing my boat off the trees. It’s intimidating for people who don’t know it, but I’ve been there my whole life. There are so many different things you can do.”

Expect the fishing throughout the week to be pretty good, and for power and finesse techniques to play. Obviously, a minnow and a Coike will be key players for offshore fish at some points in time. But offshore bass there can also fall for a crankbait or a Carolina rig, and you don’t absolutely need LiveScope to fish in the timber in Spring Creek.

“Before ‘Scope, we used to do it all the time with an a-rig or old-school big worms,” said Tucker. “You can still catch ‘em in the trees without it.”

Last year, multiple pros caught 27 pounds or better at least one day of the event, and the weights were astronomical. But that was with full days of forward-facing sonar, not just three hours as is the case this year.

“It’ll be a smashfest, I think,” said Tucker. “That three hours we get will be very key. But if you get a school of them in the trees, you can do it pretty quick.”

This year, Tucker thinks that 22 pounds a day, which works out to 66 pounds total, ought to put you where you need to be to win.

Anglers will take off each day at 7 a.m. CT, launching from the Earle May Boat Basin, located at 100 Boat Basin Circle in Bainbridge. Weigh-ins will also take place at the Earle May Boat Basin, 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.

B.A.S.S. partners with Tedy’s Team to promote Stroke Awareness Month; Lake Murray Elite event to highlight initiative

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:48 +0000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. today announced a new partnership with Tedy’s Team Foundation to promote Stroke Awareness Month in May, using the platform of professional bass fishing to educate anglers and fans about stroke prevention and the importance of recognizing warning signs. As part of the partnership, Tedy’s Team will serve as the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray, May 7-10. In conjunction with the tournament, a 5K race and raffle will be held, with all proceeds benefiting Tedy’s Team and its mission to raise awareness and support stroke prevention efforts.

Tedy’s Team, founded by former NFL linebacker, three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and stroke survivor Tedy Bruschi and his wife Heidi, is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting stroke survivors and advocating for education around stroke prevention and recovery. The organization has worked nationwide to empower individuals with knowledge of stroke warning signs and the importance of immediate medical response.

The event will be a focal point for awareness efforts, with anglers, fans and attendees encouraged to wear red during one day of the tournament to show support for stroke awareness and those affected by stroke.

A central component of the awareness campaign is educating fans on the BE FAST warning signs of stroke — Balance difficulties, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911. Recognizing these symptoms quickly and taking immediate action can save lives and significantly improve outcomes, making education a critical part of the partnership’s mission.

“We’re proud to partner with Bassmaster for the upcoming Lake Murray Elite event,” said Tedy Bruschi, Co-Founder of Tedy’s Team Foundation. “This collaboration allows us to engage with a passionate community while raising critical awareness about stroke prevention and the warning signs everyone should know.”

The partnership carries special meaning within the B.A.S.S. organization. B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson, a stroke survivor, has been a strong advocate for raising awareness and hopes to use the Bassmaster platform to make a difference beyond the water.

“Partnering with Tedy’s Team is incredibly special for me,” said Chase Anderson, B.A.S.S. CEO. “As a stroke survivor, I’ve experienced how quickly a stroke can occur and how important it is to recognize the warning signs and act fast. A message I would like to share with the bass fishing community is that Stroke is Preventable, Treatable and Reversible. Tedy Bruschi and the Tedy’s Team Foundation do an outstanding job promoting stroke awareness and the importance of immediate action. I was fortunate that the severity of my symptoms led to quick medical attention, but that’s not the case for many, as strokes often begin with subtle warning signs. I’ve stayed close with the medical team who helped save my life, and that experience continues to drive my passion for raising awareness. I met Tedy at the Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am and was inspired by his commitment to promote stroke awareness. I’m proud to work together and engage our anglers and fans throughout May to make a meaningful impact far beyond the water.”

Through the Lake Murray Elite event and additional activations throughout May, B.A.S.S. and Tedy’s Team will work together to share educational messaging around stroke symptoms, prevention and the importance of quick response. The initiative will leverage Bassmaster’s reach across events, digital platforms and social media to connect with millions of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

“This partnership represents an opportunity to use the power of our sport to deliver an important message,” said Phillip Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of B.A.S.S. “Our anglers and fans are a tight-knit community, and when we come together around a cause like this, we can make a meaningful impact. Working with Tedy’s Team allows us to raise awareness in a way that’s authentic, personal and far-reaching.”

The Tedy’s Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray will showcase the world’s best anglers competing on one of South Carolina’s premier fisheries while also serving as a platform to promote a life-saving message.

For more information on Stroke Awareness Month and Tedy’s Team, visit Bassmaster.com and Tedysteam.org.

About Tedy’s Team

Tedy’s Team was created in 2005, after Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke at the age of 31. Our mission is raising awareness of stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors on their journey, giving them the means for a comeback. 20 years in and over $15million raised, we are proud to be a catalyst for change, in regard to stroke and heart disease. Stroke is the nation’s No. 5 killer and a leading cause of disability. Tedy and Heidi, are dedicated to helping survivors through our new Comeback Assistance Program, the Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery at Mass General Hospital’s Institute of Health Professions, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, funding lifesaving research and bringing awareness of the warning signs of stroke and heart disease. For more information, visit www.tedysteam.org.

About B.A.S.S.

Gill’s Apex Pro-X 2.0 Rain Suit: Built for Speed, Engineered for the Worst Conditions

AnglersChannel — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:54:39 +0000

Jacksonville, FL — April 23, 2026 — The Apex Pro-X 2.0 Rain Suit stands as the highest-performing system in Gill’s lineup, engineered for anglers and boaters operating in extreme, high-speed conditions. Built with XPLORE+® 3-layer waterproof, breathable fabric and a SHIELD® PFAS-free water-repellent finish, it delivers uncompromising protection from wind, rain, and spray while keeping you dry, comfortable, and focused.

Designed for performance on the water, the suit features marine-grade YKK® zippers with storm protection, fully taped seams, and Vortex hood technology for stability at high speeds. Adjustable double cuffs with PU seals and secure storage enhance functionality, while the integrated bib system adds abrasion-resistant panels, a stretch back for mobility, and full-length side zips for easy layering and quick changes.

Built for speed, durability, and total confidence, the Apex Pro-X 2.0 delivers maximum protection with zero compromises.

The Apex Pro-X 2.0 Rain Suit is available now through authorized retailers and online at gillmarine.com/collections/fishing.

About Gill:
Founded in 1975, Gill is a global leader in technical marine apparel engineered for life on the water. Established by lifelong sailor Nick Gill, the brand was built on a no-compromise approach—premium fabrics, purpose-driven features, and uncompromising quality. Today, Gill is trusted by anglers, sailors, and adventurers worldwide, with every product designed, engineered, and tested beyond standards in the Gill Lab and on the water.

More than a clothing company, Gill is an engineering company, creating wearable technology that delivers maximum protection from the elements. For over 50 years, the focus has remained the same: Engineered for the Elements—providing anglers with performance-driven gear that works when conditions turn and it matters most.

Antunes is in tune at Toledo Bend B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier

AnglersChannel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:16:39 +0000

MANY, La. — The consensus opinion among competitors and pundits was that conditions were set up for something special to happen during the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance.

Boy, were they right.

Trace Antunes III, a 20-year-old from Henderson, Texas, went wild Wednesday on Day 1 of this tournament, catching five largemouth bass for a whopping total of 36 pounds, 3 ounces.

A confluence of near-perfect conditions greeted anglers at Toledo Bend this week, with temperatures in the 70s, partly cloudy skies and a gizzard shad spawn that sent the fabled largemouth bass that swim here into a feeding frenzy. Throw in a number of bedding bass, as well as solo largemouth cruising the 185,000-acre impoundment gorging on shad, and one of America’s finest fisheries was ready for action.

So were the anglers, with eight in the boater division catching limits in excess of 25 pounds on Day 1, including three that went over 30 pounds.

None were as successful on Wednesday as Antunes, who now fishes the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops for the University of Montevallo (Ala.). He grew up about two hours from Toledo Bend, but with so many productive lakes in northeast Texas closer to home, only rarely fished the sprawling reservoir that straddles the Louisiana-Texas border.

He looked like a Toledo Bend veteran on Day 1 of this derby, though. He fished the gizzard shad spawn early on Wednesday and started strongly with a 6-pounder. He followed with a pair of bedding bass (weighing 7 and 8 1/2 pounds, respectively), and he had a 9-pounder at boatside before she broke off.

Antunes shook off any disappointment, hooking bass of 6 and 5 pounds soon thereafter.

“I had 30-plus pounds by 8, 8:30 this morning,” he said. “Once I had that, I started running new water and I upgraded with a 6 and a 7 1/2. I didn’t have to go to all my spots. I was really happy about that.”

It’s been that sort of week for Antunes, who said he caught a limit of about 40 pounds on his best practice day. That’s all he needed to see, as he spent the rest of practice boating around the massive reservoir looking for additional waypoints to consider.

“There are some really incredible fish swimming around,” he said. “I’m ready to get out there tomorrow. I’ve got four or five other spots that are just as good as the ones I went to today. Hopefully they produce as well as the ones I fished today.”

As big of a bag as Antunes boated, several in the field gave close chase. Andrew Rickman, a 24-year-old from Canton, Texas, stayed close to the leader with a 32-3 limit. Eli Bullock, 23 and of Seminary, Miss., is in third place with 30-4 caught on Day 1.

Knowing a competitor can overtake him with one monster Toledo Bend bite, Antunes was tight-lipped about the techniques he used Wednesday.

“There are a lot of people fishing around me, but they’re fishing the wrong stuff,” he said. “So, I can’t really talk about that. I have to keep pushing.”

And lucky for him, he thinks he has the bass to catch another 30-pound bag — maybe two more.

“I don’t want to sound cocky, but I do (think I can top 30 pounds again),” he said. “I don’t know if I have 36 pounds in me like today. But 30? Yeah. This place is that good.”

A total of 267 anglers are competing across boater and nonboater divisions on Toledo Bend this week. They hail from 18 different states and they’re fishing for a total cash purse worth more than $77,000. The winning boater will win $11,130.

Tyler Gautreaux, a 34-year-old from Houma in south Louisiana, caught a 10-2 largemouth that was the Big Bass of the Day. He ended Day 1 in 25th place with an 18-9 limit.

Arron Slaten, of Shepherd, Texas, leads the nonboater field with a three-bass limit of 9-12. Coy Brown, of Magnolia, Ark., is second with 9-3; and Travis Culbreath, of Alexander City, Ala., is tied with Stillwater, Oklahoma’s Hieu Ngyuen for third among nonboaters (8-13).

The entire field will return to the water Thursday when they take off from Cypress Bend Park beginning at 6:30 a.m. The Day 2 weigh-in is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. When that’s complete, the field will be winnowed to the Top 20 competitors in both the boater and nonboater divisions and they’ll fish Friday in the third and final day of the tournament.

The Top 18 will advance to the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance when it’s held Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C.

Follow along with all of the action from the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance on Bassmaster.com.

This event is being hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.

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

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, mpascal@bassmaster.com

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Trace Antunes III Henderson, TX 5 36-03 0
Day 1: 5 36-03
2. Andrew Rickman Canton, TX 5 32-03 0
Day 1: 5 32-03
3. Eli Bullock Seminary, MS 5 30-04 0
Day 1: 5 30-04
4. Peyton Sorrow Abbeville, SC 5 29-12 0
Day 1: 5 29-12
5. Wyatt Frankens Corrigan , TX 5 28-08 0
Day 1: 5 28-08
6. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 5 26-11 0
Day 1: 5 26-11
7. John Kyle Pearce Frierson, LA 5 26-03 0
Day 1: 5 26-03
8. Daylon Milam Newnan, GA 5 25-05 0
Day 1: 5 25-05
9. Bailey Walker Many, LA 5 24-13 0
Day 1: 5 24-13
10. Kaden Mueck Livingston, TX 5 23-07 0
Day 1: 5 23-07
11. Chandler Howell Guntown, MS 5 23-04 0
Day 1: 5 23-04
12. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 5 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 23-00
13. Lane Clark Anderson, SC 5 21-13 0
Day 1: 5 21-13
14. Braden Lankford Wagoner, OK 5 21-01 0
Day 1: 5 21-01
15. Matt Martin Brookhaven, MS 5 20-12 0
Day 1: 5 20-12
16. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 5 20-11 0
Day 1: 5 20-11
17. Carsen Adcock Haughton, LA 5 20-05 0
Day 1: 5 20-05
18. Dakota Morris Flowermound, TX 5 20-01 0
Day 1: 5 20-01
19. John James Coco Baton Rouge, LA 5 19-13 0
Day 1: 5 19-13
20. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 5 19-11 0
Day 1: 5 19-11
21. Parker Batts Dandridge, TN 5 19-09 0
Day 1: 5 19-09
22. River Lee Diboll, TX 5 19-08 0
Day 1: 5 19-08
23. Sam Taylor Nacogdoches, TX 5 19-02 0
Day 1: 5 19-02
24. Ben Burns Lucas, TX 5 18-10 0
Day 1: 5 18-10
25. Tyler Gautreaux Houma, LA 5 18-09 0
Day 1: 5 18-09
26. James Howard Mesa, AZ 5 18-07 0
Day 1: 5 18-07
27. Happy Johnson Santa Fe, NM 5 17-08 0
Day 1: 5 17-08
28. Andrew Waters Melissa, TX 5 17-00 0
Day 1: 5 17-00
29. Chuck Black Logan, NM 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-15
30. Brent Hill Yukon, OK 5 16-06 0
Day 1: 5 16-06
31. Peyton Matherne Walker, LA 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
32. Cameron Naquin Gray, LA 5 15-13 0
Day 1: 5 15-13
33. Dustin Perry Paradise, TX 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
34. David Ottman Terry, MS 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
35. Chance Shelby Denham Springs, LA 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
36. Ben Cully Conroe, TX 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
37. Lane Edwards Paden, OK 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
38. Tye Grissom Austin, TX 5 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-03
39. Joshua Adams Southlake, TX 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
39. Mike Bueche Pierre Part, LA 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
41. Nick Ladart Sterlington, LA 5 15-00 0
Day 1: 5 15-00
42. Charles Coger Robert Lee, TX 5 14-13 0
Day 1: 5 14-13
43. John Fuqua Payson, AZ 5 14-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-11
43. Casey Tissue Vilonia, AR 5 14-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-11
45. Skyler Koury Phoenix, AZ 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
46. Doug McClung Prairieville, LA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
47. Brian Hickey Pueblo, CO 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
48. Brannon Long Longview, TX 5 13-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01
49. Eric Leger Mamou, LA 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
49. Skip Rayborn Jr Hammond, LA 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
51. Kade Palmer Walker, LA 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
52. Ryan Latch Lafayette, LA 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
53. Joseph Hart Brookhaven, MS 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
53. Mathew Higby Lamar, AR 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
55. Boyd Gautreau Saint Amant, LA 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
56. Kenji Yamada Chattanooga, TN 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
57. Michael Furgerson Claremore, OK 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
58. Tre’ Gautreau Prairieville, LA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
59. Norman Uptain Jr. Globe, AZ 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
60. Jacob Sepeda Paradise, TX 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
61. Teddy Granier Thibodaux, LA 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-01
61. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-01
63. Alexander Blanchard Belle Rose, LA 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
64. Donald Adcock Richland, MS 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
64. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
66. Lane Haeger Flint, TX 4 11-10 0
Day 1: 4 11-10
67. Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX 3 11-09 0
Day 1: 3 11-09
68. Dean Roberts Lake Charles, LA 5 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-08
69. Austin Monroe Albuquerque, NM 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
70. Blake Atchison Ava, MO 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
70. Shannon Green Lebanon, MO 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
72. Phil Clopton Macks Creek, MO 4 11-04 0
Day 1: 4 11-04
72. Cory Ramsey De Kalb, TX 4 11-04 0
Day 1: 4 11-04
74. Branden Rannekleiv Reeves, LA 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
75. Tayson Hathorn Elm Springs, AR 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
75. Allen Musser Ada, OK 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
77. Tyler Casteel Dequincy, LA 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
78. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 4 10-14 0
Day 1: 4 10-14
79. Jered Grooms Ada, OK 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
80. Cayden Reily Baton Rouge, LA 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
81. Brandon Mcdonald Willis, TX 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
81. Jason Pittman Covington, MS 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
83. Christopher Acuff Lebanon, MO 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
84. Dave Cavell Prairieville, LA 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07
84. Jeffery Lawson Ellisville, MS 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07
84. Jim Martin Harrison, AR 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 10-07
87. Ben Burk Norman, OK 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 4 10-06
87. Micah Phillips Wagoner , OK 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 4 10-06
89. Richard Ballard II Sulphur, LA 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
90. Duane Pittman Gonzales, LA 3 10-05 0
Day 1: 3 10-05
91. Marshall Brown Smithville, MO 5 10-03 0
Day 1: 5 10-03
92. Sam Jenkins Abita Springs, LA 5 09-15 0
Day 1: 5 09-15
93. David Bishop Gilbert, AZ 4 09-14 0
Day 1: 4 09-14
94. Cole Lamb Guion, AR 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
95. John Pecoraro Youngsville, LA 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
96. Marcus Warren Jefferson City, TN 4 09-09 0
Day 1: 4 09-09
97. Brady Schran Zumbrota, MN 4 09-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-08
98. Chris Gaudin El Dorado, AR 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
99. Neal Normand Gonzales, LA 4 09-03 0
Day 1: 4 09-03
100. Cameron Tull Norman, OK 3 09-01 0
Day 1: 3 09-01
101. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 4 09-00 0
Day 1: 4 09-00
102. Michael Louviere New Iberia, LA 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
103. Ricky Vines El Dorado, AR 4 08-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-12
104. Parker Frew Greenville, MS 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
105. Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 4 08-03 0
Day 1: 4 08-03
106. Austin Melville San Tan Valley, AZ 3 07-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-15
107. Steve Lund Cave Creek, AZ 4 07-11 0
Day 1: 4 07-11
108. Joseph Bruener Douglass, TX 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11
109. Chadwick Washington Yukon, OK 3 07-10 0
Day 1: 3 07-10
110. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 4 07-09 0
Day 1: 4 07-09
111. Bryan Trahan Orange, TX 4 07-05 0
Day 1: 4 07-05
112. Corey Wheat Gonzales, LA 2 07-04 0
Day 1: 2 07-04
113. Austin Legendre Donaldsonville, LA 4 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-03
114. JJ Craig Walnut Grove, MS 4 06-15 0
Day 1: 4 06-15
114. Mark Jones Meadville, MS 4 06-15 0
Day 1: 4 06-15
116. Jeff Blackford Hopkins, MO 3 06-13 0
Day 1: 3 06-13
116. Scott Dooley Ashland, MO 3 06-13 0
Day 1: 3 06-13
118. Terry Service College Station, TX 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12
119. Keith Hendrix Monroe City, MO 3 06-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-11
120. Craig Mckenzie Aurora, CO 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08
121. Timothy Merkh Bennington, KS 2 06-08 0
Day 1: 2 06-08
122. Ryan Dardano Berthoud, CO 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07
123. Mario Carreon Las Cruces, NM 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
124. Gary Little Soso, MS 4 06-03 0
Day 1: 4 06-03
125. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01
126. Stephen Mitchell Ferriday, LA 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
127. Austin Casteel Sulphur, LA 4 05-13 0
Day 1: 4 05-13
128. Aaron Brewer Clovis, NM 2 05-10 0
Day 1: 2 05-10
129. Randy Campbell Tijeras, NM 2 05-07 0
Day 1: 2 05-07
130. Glenn Connors Springfield, MO 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
131. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 2 05-04
132. Mike Hill Carlsbad, NM 3 05-02 0
Day 1: 3 05-02
133. Richard Everest Hobbs, NM 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
134. Gary Bowien Benton, AR 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
135. David Flemming Woodland Park, CO 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-09
136. Nathan Pratt Albuquerque, NM 2 03-07 0
Day 1: 2 03-07
137. Derek Cochems Moody, TX 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04
138. Jason Westrip Crane, MO 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02
139. Charley Williams Mannford, OK 2 03-01 0
Day 1: 2 03-01
140. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 2 02-12 0
Day 1: 2 02-12
141. Emile Gennaro Wesson, MS 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
142. Cavin Courville Lake Charles, LA 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
143. Michael Hargraves Seguin, TX 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
144. Kelly Burns Avondale, AZ 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
144. David Chase Las Cruces, NM 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
146. Michael Hamilton Midwest City, OK 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
147. DaShon Peck The Colony, TX 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
147. Chase Washburn Shawnee, OK 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
149. Travis Merritt Iowa, LA 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
150. Brian Stangel Albuquerque, NM 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
151. Joseph Gamboa Elephant Butte, NM 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
152. Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Josh Bradford Jonesville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Jayden Corr Sunset, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Tyler Duggins West Plains, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Levi Evans Squires, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. John Frala Leonard, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Randy Grimes College Station, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. John Jackson Billings, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Kris Lee Coweta, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Matthew Lipari Patterson, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Kalib Lund Yuma, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Ira Lynn Spring Branch, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Cody Monlezun Nacogdoches, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Kenneth Moore Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Connor Santos Fountain, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Richard Vizcarra Peoria, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Richard Wilson Lubbock, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
152. Andrew Wren Wylie, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 89 615 1789-05
———————————-
89 615 1789-05

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Arron Slaten Shepherd, TX 3 09-12 0
Day 1: 3 09-12
2. Coy Brown Magnolia, AR 3 09-08 0
Day 1: 3 09-08
3. Travis Culbreth Brandon, MS 3 08-13 0
Day 1: 3 08-13
3. Hieu Nguyen Stillwater, OK 3 08-13 0
Day 1: 3 08-13
5. Jon Mohon Sr Hahnville, LA 2 08-11 0
Day 1: 2 08-11
6. Zack Busch Bloomsdale, MO 3 08-10 0
Day 1: 3 08-10
7. Paul Martinez Jemez Springs, NM 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
8. Justin Jensen Laurel, MS 3 07-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-15
8. Tanner Ortega Albuquerque, NM 3 07-15 0
Day 1: 3 07-15
10. Kendall Loper Olathe, KS 3 07-12 0
Day 1: 3 07-12
11. Jeremy Barbour Lucedale, MS 3 07-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09
12. Johnnie Rucker New Canton, MO 2 07-07 0
Day 1: 2 07-07
13. Matt Edwards Paden, OK 3 07-01 0
Day 1: 3 07-01
14. Arturo Baquera Noble, OK 3 06-14 0
Day 1: 3 06-14
14. Mike Casanova Frisco, TX 3 06-14 0
Day 1: 3 06-14
16. Cliff Martinez Seguin, TX 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07
17. Tom Worsham Clifton, CO 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
18. Steve Weaver Oklahoma City, OK 2 06-05 0
Day 1: 2 06-05
19. Mark Shelton Fayetteville, AR 3 06-00 0
Day 1: 3 06-00
20. Christopher Sanchez Albuquerque, NM 3 05-11 0
Day 1: 3 05-11
21. Casey Cline Peoria, AZ 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10
22. Jordan Schwartzkopf El Mirage, AZ 1 05-09 0
Day 1: 1 05-09
23. Scott Vice Patterson, LA 2 05-07 0
Day 1: 2 05-07
24. Bryse Dodson Ava, MO 3 05-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-06
25. Shayne Dupree Haslet, TX 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
26. Aaron Loper Olathe, KS 3 05-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-04
27. R.J. Leblanc Franklin, LA 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 2 05-04
28. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 3 05-03 0
Day 1: 3 05-03
28. Jake Morrison Phoenix, AZ 3 05-03 0
Day 1: 3 05-03
30. Jake Beach Opelousas, LA 3 05-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00
31. Brett Martinez Donaldsonville, LA 3 04-15 0
Day 1: 3 04-15
32. Roger Arthur Truth Or Consequences, 2 04-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-13
32. David Wheat Philadelphia, MS 2 04-13 0
Day 1: 2 04-13
34. Robert Duggar El Dorado, AR 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
35. James Barber Greenville, TX 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
36. Matt Manners Durant, OK 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
36. Chris Nettles Hickory Creek, TX 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
36. Cody Ralph Brighton, CO 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
39. Clinton Everett Surprise, AZ 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07
40. Jonathan Small Pleasant Hill, MO 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 3 04-00
41. Eric Baker Oklahoma City, OK 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
42. John Case Clarksville, AR 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
43. Blake Burdette Anderson, SC 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
43. Rick Sanger Grand Junction, CO 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
43. David Walton Willis, TX 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
46. Rickey Monroe Edgewood, NM 1 03-10 0
Day 1: 1 03-10
47. Eli Sepeda Roby, TX 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
48. Brett Becker Tucson, AZ 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 2 03-05
49. Anthony Gordon Kirksville, MO 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
50. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03
51. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02
52. Matheuw Forbes Fort Collins, CO 2 02-08 0
Day 1: 2 02-08
53. Degan Dougherty Peoria, AZ 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
54. Scott Hausman Owasso, OK 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
55. Jason English San Antonio, TX 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
55. Jim Hays Loveland, CO 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
55. Shaun Lepper Grand Junction, CO 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
58. Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
58. Ernie Villa Midland, TX 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
60. Stephen Branon Centerton, AR 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
61. Rick Lewis Madison, MS 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
61. Gary Mills Rio Rancho, NM 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
61. Kim Mills Rio Rancho, NM 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
64. Kevin Joines Choctaw, OK 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
65. Kendall Amos Greenville, MS 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
66. Buddy French Ruth, MS 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
66. Seth Hausman Owasso, OK 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
68. Marion Daniels Kansas City, KS 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
69. Jerry Miller Mckinney, TX 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
70. Jordan Fudge Melissa , TX 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
70. Jesse Haworth Kenner, AL 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
72. Aaron Landry Napoleonville, LA 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
73. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
74. Alec Carroll Phoenix, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Rachel Chase Las Cruces, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Chris Demiglio Denton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Kylan Easley Kirksville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Nicholas Estes Saint Joseph, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. John Gilbert Mesa, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Robin Hessling Quincy, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Charlie Hewitt Prairieville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Tod Higby Lamar, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. David Porter Rockwall, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Kelvin Preis Mountain Home, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Ron Price Canon City, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Jay Quintero-Salazar Phoenix, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. William Ross Newalla, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. John Santos Colorado Springs, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Benjamin Saunders Gardner, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Joshua Simmons De Soto, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Skipper Smith Pearl, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Karl Voss Sulphur, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Brad Weiss Bennington, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Phillip White Basehor, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
74. Christopher Wilson Tucson, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 26 149 327-07
———————————-
26 149 327-07

Shallow-water anglers should thrive at Kerr Reservoir

AnglersChannel — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:10:06 +0000

SALLISAW, Okla. — For the first time, the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will visit Kerr Reservoir in Oklahoma, and Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series sophomore Blake Capps believes shallow-water anglers will have a chance to dominate.

“The river system as a whole has been fishing better than it has in years,” said Capps, who lives in Muskogee, Okla., near the shores of Kerr. “It is booming. It has taken some serious weight to win local tournaments. It is a shallow fisherman’s dream.”

Tournament days for this College Series Legends Trail event are scheduled for April 29-30 at the Cherokee Nation Park located in Sallisaw, Okla. Teams will launch beginning at 6:30 a.m. and return for weigh-in starting at 2:30 p.m. The Top 10% of the field will advance to the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops later this year.

The 2026 Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series will follow after the College Series event, with competition taking place at Kerr Reservoir for both trails on May 3.

Kerr Reservoir has been featured many times when the Bassmaster Tournament Trail has visited the Arkansas River in Muskogee, but this will be one of the first times the reservoir has the entire spotlight. Teams will be allowed to lock down through Lock & Dam 15 but will not be allowed to lock up to Pool 16, where much of the recent tournament history resides.

Still, there will be plenty of territory for teams to cover, and according to Capps this section of the Arkansas River is fishing better than it ever has. Both the Illinois River below the Tenkiller Dam and the Canadian River below the Eufaula Dam flow into Kerr Reservoir, the latter providing plenty of fishable water.

“You can go a long way in the Canadian, and it will be a big player, but Eufaula Lake pushes out so much red clay and dirt that you get massive sandbars,” Capps said. “But the Canadian is a winning area.”

In recent years, Kerr has seen a resurgence in aquatic vegetation, including hydrilla, lily pads and reeds. Capps said he expects frogging and flipping to be key strategies in this tournament, particularly for those anglers targeting postspawn largemouth.

“A few years back, we had some extreme flooding, and the bass didn’t get a good spawn in,” Capps said. “The water stayed up so long that it killed all the vegetation. Well, in the last two years, all of that grass has come back and come back healthier than it ever has been. There is more grass there than there has been in the last 10 years.”

Two main creeks draw a lot of attention on Kerr: Sallisaw Creek and San Bois Creek. If anglers can avoid hitting stumps, Sallisaw Creek has plenty of potential, while San Bois Creek provides tons of options.

“San Bois is like its own lake,” Capps said. “It has its own water color. It has old railroad tracks, water willow and strip pits.”

Along with frogs and flipping, top baits will likely include ChatterBaits, swim jigs, squarebills and some topwaters. For the late spawners, creature baits and Yamamoto Senkos will play a role.

“You can catch prespawners, spawners and postspawners in the same place,” Capps added.

For more information on the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Kerr Reservoir presented by Bass Pro Shops, the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Kerr Reservoir and the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series at Kerr Reservoir visit Bassmaster.com.

These events are being hosted by C herokee Nation.

2026 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2026 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2026 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar

About B.A.S.S.