Suratt Claims Fourth BFL Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Pickwick Lake

Stephenson Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division FLORENCE, Ala. (May 8, 2023) – Boater Trent Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 8 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Pickwick Lake. The tournament, hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Choo Choo…

Donaldson Grinds Out Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kerr Lake

Hughes Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division HENDERSON, N.C. (May 8, 2023) – Boater Travis Donaldson of Cleveland, North Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds even 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 third event of the season for the BFL…

2023 Bassmaster High School All-American Team names 12 new members

The Top 12 high school anglers in the country have been named to the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. May 5, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Twelve of the top high school anglers in the country have been selected as new members of the notable Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. “For…

2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship returns to Lake Hartwell

Legendary Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C., will host the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Oct. 18-20. Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S. May 4, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Grass-roots anglers from around the country will take to the waters of legendary Lake Hartwell to compete for one of three berths into the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by…

Throwback Thursday – FLIPPIN’: A CONCEPT. NOT JUST A TECHNIQUE – PART ONE

By Terry Battisti - Bass Fishing Archives Thomas accepting the trophy for a win at Havasu in 1977 Although the first responses to Flippin’ weren’t too positive, it didn’t take long for anglers to realize its effectiveness. The technique was winning nearly all of the early tournaments in the West and even though anglers hated this form of “tule dippin’,” what they didn’t realize…

Phoenix Boats Renews and Expands Major League Fishing Sponsorship

Leading Boat Manufacturer to Remain Exclusive Bass Boat Sponsor of MLF5 BENTON, Ky. (May 3, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, and Phoenix Boats, a leading boat manufacturer known for innovation and performance, announced today a renewed and expanded multi-year partnership. Per terms of the agreement, Phoenix Boats will remain the…

X2Power Batteries Introduces Seven Kayak Anglers to the 2023 Pro Team

X2Power Batteries adds seven members to their new kayak team for the 2023 season. With an established lineup of marine lithium batteries, X2Power is providing a trustworthy solution for all kayak anglers. HARTLAND, Wisc. (May 3, 2023) – New for 2023, X2Power Batteries has implemented a kayak pro team to their fleet of established anglers. Introducing seven new…

Why buzzbaits make Swindle smile

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships Bass fishing’s funniest man, Gerald Swindle, doesn’t draw smiley faces on all his tackle boxes, but he inked one on his buzzbait box for several good reasons. Along with skipping a jig around docks, no lure brings Swindle more joy than a buzzbait. He’s cashed a ton of tournament paychecks using the classic topwater, and perhaps as much as…

Orecchio Wins Northeast Division Opener at Phoenix Bass Fishing League at Chesapeake Bay

Sweeney Takes Strike King Co-Angler Division NORTHEAST, Md. (May 2, 2023) – Boater Jason Orecchio of Andover, New Jersey, weighed in five bass totaling 20 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Chesapeake Bay. The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Orecchio earned $4,119 for his…

Pike County High School Wins MLF High School Fishing Open Tournament on Lake Guntersville

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (May 2, 2023) – The Pike County High School team of Joe Haren of Molena, Georgia, and Cohen Smith of Williamson, Georgia, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 3 ounces, to win the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama. A field of 70 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which…

University of Missouri Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Lake Guntersville

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (May 2, 2023) – The University of Missouri duo of Cale McCandless of Wentzville, Missouri, and Mitchell Post of Columbia, Missouri, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Guntersville Presented by Crock-O-Gator on Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 15 ounces. The victory earned the Tiger’s bass club $2,000 and a qualification into…

Burroughs Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League at Lake Hartwell

Jeter Earns Strike King Co-Angler Win ANDERSON, S.C. (May 1, 2023) – Boater Jason Burroughs of Hodges, South Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell . The tournament, hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL…

Sullivan Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Eufaula

Dominguez Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division Title EUFAULA, Okla. (May 2, 2023) – Boater Bradley Sullivan of Shawnee, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Eufaula. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Sullivan earned $5,014 for his…

Barber Bests Field at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Ross Barnett Reservoir

Rasberry Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division Title EUFAULA, Okla. (May 2, 2023) – Boater Joel Barber of Brandon, Mississippi, caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Ross Barnett Reservoir. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Mississippi Division. Barber earned $3,426…

Brown Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Center Hill Lake

Catalin Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division Title SPARTA, Tenn. (May 2, 2023) – Boater Rodney Brown of Gainesboro, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Center Hill Lake. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Music City Division. Brown earned $3,794 for his…

Iaconelli Reinvigorated

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships After enduring one of the worst seasons of his professional fishing career in 2022, Team Toyota pro Mike Iaconelli came into this year with a different mindset for the Bassmaster Elite Series. After reflecting on last year’s challenges with his wife Becky, Iaconelli set a simple but difficult goal of making every top 50 cut of the 2023 Elite…

High water levels could mean good things for Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island

Buggs Island Reservoir in Clarksville, Va., will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series May 3-5.  Photo courtesy of Virginia DWR April 28, 2023 CLARKSVILLE, Va. — Angling opportunity often is dictated by thresholds or marks at which bass may be inclined to change their positioning and/or behavior. That could be the case for anglers competing in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs…

B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional heads to Arkansas River

Muskogee, Okla., will host the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional May 3-5. Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S. April 27, 2023     MUSKOGEE, Okla. — With two phases of the spawn likely in play, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens pro Harvey Horne believes there will be plenty of quality bass caught shallow during the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central…

Arey Aiming for Big Bass?

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships For the first fourteen years of his professional fishing career, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Matt Arey had never won big bass honors in an official tournament. The easy-going North Carolina native missed big bass by ounces a few times and caught some giant fish during practice throughout the years, but any awards for catching the biggest bass of a…

Two Bassmaster championships head to historic Lake Hartwell

The best anglers from around the country will be part of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Bassmaster Junior National Championship on the storied waters of Lake Hartwell. Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S. April 26, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2023 national championships for the hugely popular Bassmaster High School and…

Osage Beach Readies for MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Phoenix Stop 4 on Lake of the Ozarks

Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Qualification into REDCREST 2024 OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (April 26, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Osage Beach, Missouri, next week, May 4-6, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Phoenix Stop 4 at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Mystik…

Rather Outdoors partners with Fishing Chaos Digital Platform, Online Tournament Series in 2023

Columbia, SC - April 20, 2023 - Rather Outdoors and Fishing Chaos are pleased to announce their partnership for 2023, opening the door for a new series of online tournaments and improved communications platforms for anglers throughout the United States. This new digital series, the Mach Nation Summer Smash Series, will include four events in 2023, each of which will take place over the course of…

Former College Angler Bryce Boatright Earns Win in First Solo Event at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Hamilton

Jones Earns Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Bryce Boatright of Sheridan, Arkansas, brought five bass to the scale totaling 15 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hamilton. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. A former MLF College…

Hillebrandt Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake of the Pines

Matzke Claims Strike King Co-Angler Win JEFFERSON, Texas (April 24, 2023) – Boater Ernie Hillebrandt of Lafayette, Louisiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake of the Pines. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Cowboy Division. Hillebrandt earned $4,082 for…

Cochran Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Demopolis Lake

Macks Claims Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory DEMOPOLIS, Ala. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Adam Cochran of Gallion, Alabama, caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Demopolis Lake Presented by Southern Petroleum Services . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Bama…

Jeremy Johnson Chucks A-Rig to Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Hoosier Division Opener at Lake Monroe

Taylor Takes Strike King Co-Angler Division BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 24, 2023) – Boater Jeremy Johnson of Austin, Indiana, weighed in four bass totaling 12 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Monroe . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Johnson earned $4,498 for his victory. “I…

Antioch Teens Win MLF High School Fishing Open on the California Delta

OAKLEY, Calif. (April 24, 2023) – The Liberty/Heritage High School Team of Noah Nguyen and Tyler Petersen, both of Antioch, California, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the second, and final, MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open on the California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse event of the year in Oakley, California. A…

Simpson University Earns Victory at MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta

OAKLEY, Calif. (April 24, 2023) – The Simpson University team of Ryan Beaty of Martinez, California, and Nathan Phillips of Kelseyville, California, brought a five-bass limit across the stage Friday weighing 14 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse . The victory earned the Red Hawk’s bass club a…

Spring diversity on tap for Bassmaster Elite Series event at Santee Cooper Lakes

2022 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes champion Drew Cook earned a century belt last year and will be among the field when the Elites return to Clarendon County for the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes April 27-30.  Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S. April 21, 2023 CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Whenever a tournament returns to a fishery in consecutive years, comparison is…

Bassmaster Classic generates more than $35 million for Knoxville

The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota drew record crowds to venues across Knoxville, Tenn., helping to generate an economic impact of more than $35 million.  Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S. April 20, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota has not only been credited with shattering attendance…

B.A.S.S. names top student athletes to 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team

April 18, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fifty-two of the most outstanding high school anglers from across the country have been named to the 2023 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. The students were selected for the honor based on their success in bass tournament competition, academic achievement and leadership in conservation and community…

One Bass for $100K?! Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters Event Set to Hit Caney Creek and Bussey Brake Next Week

MLF’s Bass Pro Tour All-Star Event to Showcase 30 Top Pro Anglers Targeting Monster Bass Over Six Days for Huge Payouts and Daily Big Bass Bonuses of Up to $100K MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 18, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is set to return to northwest Louisiana next week, April 24-29, for the fourth-annual General Tire Heavy…

Williams Edges Field for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake

Brown Claims Strike King Co-Angler Division VictoryKIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Clint Williams of Fayetteville, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Table Rock Lake . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Ozark Division. Williams, a veteran MLF…

Kirkpatrick Proves “Junk” is Enough for Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes

Chumbler Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Ryan Kirkpatrick of Benton, Kentucky, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes . The tournament, hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, was the third event of…

Bowen Gets Long-Awaited Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Norris Lake

Bays Notches Strike King Co-Angler Division Victory ANDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Travis Bowen of Duffield, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Norris Lake. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Bowen earned $5,434 for…

Huskins Claims Victory With Slow, Methodical Approach at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Smith Mountain Lake

Gray Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division HUDDLESTON, Va. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Cole Huskins of Gastonia, North Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Smith Mountain Lake. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Shenandoah Division. Huskins earned $4,915 for…

Early Lunkers Lead Haines City’s Harris to Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Harris Chain of Lakes

Ebey Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division LEESBURG, Fla. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Ben Harris of Haines City, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Harris Chain of Lakes . The tournament, hosted by Visit Lake County, Florida, was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Gator…

Parker Gets Home Water Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Oconee

Gresens and Collins Tie for Strike King Co-Angler Division Title BUCKHEAD, Ga. (April 17, 2023) – Boater Weston Parker of Mansfield, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Oconee Presented by Brown Oil Company . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Bulldog…

Lake Murray primed to shine as Bassmaster Elite Series visits for first time in 12 years

Bassmaster Elite Series champion Patrick Walters of nearby Summerville, S.C., will be among the field when the Bassmaster Elite Series heads to Columbia for the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray April 20-23.  Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S. April 14, 2023 Lake Murray primed to shine as Bassmaster Elite Series visits for first time in 12 years   COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Top…

MDJ – Don’t Shy Away from the Struggle

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships Photo: Michael Engelemyer (Great Outdoor Studios) At the highest level of competitive bass fishing, you hear a lot about momentum. Usually, this buzzword accompanies someone who is fishing well; an angler who gets on a roll for multiple days or even multiple tournaments in a row. Positive momentum is a very real thing in tournament fishing and…

Introducing Half Past First Cast!

About the Half Past First Cast Team By Pete and Hanna Robbins Pete & Hanna Robbins of Half Past First Cast Before we get into describing ourselves, let’s answer your first question: “What the heck does ‘Half Past First Cast’ even mean?” There’s a pretty simple answer. By the time both of us turned 50, we’d had a lot of great fishing and travel experiences. We’d gone to Tahiti on…

New Website Going Live!!!

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 12, 2023) – Outdoor TeamWorks continues to stay committed to being the premiere team tournament organization for anglers across the state of Texas. The 2023 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive season has started out with a big bang, with our first two tournaments on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Winning teams from those events were Marshall…

Next Gen Lithium Becomes Official Sponsor of Major League Fishing Toyota Series, Expands Tournament Rewards Contingency Program

Premier Lithium Battery and Charger Manufacturer Signs New Sponsorship Agreement for 2023 Season BENTON, Ky. (April 11, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, announced today that Next Gen Lithium, a Peoria, Arizona-based manufacturer of premium lithium batteries, has agreed to a sponsorship with the organization for the 2023 season. The brand…

Sprague Leads Knockout Round at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury

Texas Pro Catches Five Largemouth Weighing 23 Pounds, 8 Ounces to Lead Knockout Round, Final 10 Anglers Set for Championship Friday and Shootout for $100,000 COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 6, 2023) – Pro Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, caught 13 scorable bass Thursday, with his best five weighing 23 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the Knockout Round and advance to the final day of competition at the…

Post-spawn chaos could await Bassmaster Opens pros at famed Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La., will host the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series April 13-15.  Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S. April 6, 2023 MANY, La. — Shaine Campbell finished second at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Alabama’s Lake Eufaula back in March, which was enough to put him atop the Elite Qualifiers Division standings. Now, as if Campbell himself designed the schedule,…

Louisiana’s “Cajun Baby” Cliff Crochet Earns Qualifying Round Win for Group B at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury

Louisiana Pro Catches Two-Day Haul of 41-15 to Pace Group B and Advance, Field of 40 Set for Thursday’s Knockout Round COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 5, 2023) – An incoming full moon on Thursday night, bright and sunny bluebird skies, and a very light wind made for extremely favorable sight-fishing conditions Wednesday to wrap up the Group B Qualifying Round at the MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car…

Poche not fishing Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray

April 5, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Elite Series pro Keith Poche of Cecil, Ala., will not be fishing the upcoming Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray April 20-23. B.A.S.S. officials have ruled him ineligible for the third stop of the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series season because he violated the 28-day off-limits rule that all competitors must follow. Poche fished in a tournament on South…

Jonathon VanDam Wins Group A Qualifying Round at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury

Favorite Fishing Pro Catches Two-Day Total of 10 Bass Weighing 41-12 to Win Qualifying Round, 20 Anglers Advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 4, 2023) – Favorite Fishing pro Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, caught six scorable bass, with his best five weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces to earn the win Tuesday during the Group A Qualifying Round at the MLF Bass Pro Tour…

Registration for 2023 Bassmaster High School Combine opens April 18

Students will meet with coaches and showcase their fishing skills at the 2023 Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter Sept. 15-17 in Decatur, Ala.  Photos by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S. April 4, 2023 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bassmaster High School Combine presented by Skeeter returns to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., Sept. 15-17 for a weekend combining skills challenges and recruiting…

Bass Pro Tour Rookie Nick LeBrun Paces Group B at Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray Presented by Mercury

Bossier City, Louisiana Pro Boats 25-10 to Grab Early Group B Lead, Group A to Wrap Qualifying Round Tuesday COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 3, 2023) – Bass Pro Tour 2023 newcomer Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, caught 13 scorable largemouth bass Monday, with his best five weighing 25 pounds, 10 ounces to take the early lead for the 40 anglers competing in Group B at the Major League Fishing…