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Browning slows down to win B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

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April 12, 2025

Browning slows down to win B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

Texas’ Paul Browning wins the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance in Eufaula, Okla., with a weight of 42-5.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

April 11, 2025

Browning slows down to win B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

EUFAULA, Okla. — He had to slow down to figure out the deal, but once Paul Browning dialed in his pattern, he turned in a dominant performance to win the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 5 ounces.

After a slow Day 1 yielded only two keepers for 7-13, the boater from Monahans, Texas, found himself in 29th place. The second round saw him make considerable headway, and although he fell one fish short of his five-bass limit, Browning’s 15-10 propelled him into seventh place.

On Championship Friday, Browning stepped on the gas and sacked up 18-14 — the tournament’s second-heaviest catch — and raced across the finish line by a margin of 2-9 over Day 2 leader Ian Leybas. Browning won the top prize of $12,899 and earned a spot in the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance, Oct. 22-25.

“It started off slow today and I lost two fish pretty quick,” Browning said. “I lost a 3-pounder and a 2, but then I caught a 7-4 that clued me in on a new stretch.”

Fishing the mid-lake region near the Belle Star Marina, Browning targeted spawning fish in buckbrush in 6 inches to 4 feet of water. He was flipping a 4-inch Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog in the tilapia color, rigged on a 4/0 Owner Jungle flipping hook with a 1/2-ounce Kovert Tungsten weight.

“The water was really clean; it had a brownish tint, but it was mostly clear, so the light breeze helped,” Browning said. “My mapping showed a deeper area in the middle, so I knew that would give the fish a place to go during the cooler nights.”

Looking back, Browning realized he started his morning by fishing too fast. The manner in which he caught his big fish caused him to alter his pace, and that helped him complete his winning limit.

“That 7-4 slowed me down, and I think that’s what did it for me,” Browning said. “I was flipping into the brush and slowly dragging the bait out. Some of them would bite it in the brush, but most of them bit when I drug it out.”

Reflecting on his win, Browning said: “It feels good. The last two years have been a struggle fishing the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens. Maybe this will help me get the wheels back on the wagon.”

Leybas, the local pro from McAlester, Okla., placed 13th on Day 1 with two bass that weighed 10-10. In the second round, he added the event’s biggest limit — 19-13 — and moved into the lead. His Day 3 catch of four fish for 9-5 gave him a second-place tournament total of 39-12.

Leybass, who attributed his big Day 2 comeback to more favorable wind conditions, returned to his main area in the mid- to south-lake region, where he targeted prespawn fish. He caught his fish on a 3/8-ounce white/chartreuse spinnerbait with double Colorado blades.

“You gotta keep perspective when you’re fishing,” Leybass said. “It was a tough practice; the fish were not set up right. They were in and out; the water level (was fluctuating).

“I was blessed for the day I had yesterday. Today was a lot tougher, but it’s been a good event and it exceeded my expectations.”

Day 1 leader Kelley Hudson finished third with 39-2. His daily weights were 14-11, 13-10 and 10-13.

Hudson did most of his work in the backs of small creeks where he targeted shallow staging areas. He caught most of his fish on a Texas-rigged green pumpkin Zoom Brush Hog with the tail dipped in chartreuse. He caught his biggest final-round fish on a spinnerbait.

“I had a great week and I’m proud of the way I fished,” Hudson said. “I’ve never been here before, so to come to a 200,000-acre lake and have a chance to win is absolutely fantastic.”

Browning tied Lane Edwards of Paden, Okla., for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award. Both anglers caught bass weighing 7-4 and split the $500 prize.

Zach Oliver of Coal Hill, Ark., won the non-boater division with a three-day total of 29-13. Oliver turned in daily three-fish limits of 5-10, 11-7 and 12-12.

For his achievement, Oliver won $4,593.

Joe Conway of Colorado Springs, Colo., won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award among non-boaters with an 8-2.

The City of Eufaula hosted the tournament.

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance 4/9-4/11
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 11 42-05 0 $12,899.00
Day 1: 2 07-13 Day 2: 4 15-10 Day 3: 5 18-14
2. Ian Leybas Mcalester, OK 11 39-12 0 $6,144.00
Day 1: 2 10-10 Day 2: 5 19-13 Day 3: 4 09-05
3. Kelley Hudson Graham, TX 13 39-02 0 $4,337.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 4 13-10 Day 3: 4 10-13
4. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 11 32-09 0 $3,614.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 4 13-04 Day 3: 2 06-02
5. Mick Pageler Tonto Basin, AZ 12 32-08 0 $3,144.00
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 3 08-03
6. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 12 31-15 0 $2,891.00
Day 1: 4 08-15 Day 2: 4 10-13 Day 3: 4 12-03
7. Jaret Rushing Hampton, AR 11 30-11 0 $2,711.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 2 05-12 Day 3: 4 10-13
8. Lane Edwards Paden, OK 10 30-10 0 $2,780.00
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 4 13-09 Day 3: 3 10-15
9. Travis Merritt Jr Iowa, LA 10 30-05 0 $1,988.00
Day 1: 2 07-08 Day 2: 3 08-09 Day 3: 5 14-04
10. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 12 29-11 0 $1,626.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 5 11-14 Day 3: 4 09-07
11. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 10 27-06 0 $1,446.00
Day 1: 2 08-03 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 3 07-04
12. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 8 26-02 0 $994.00
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 1 02-07
13. Brian Jones Magnolia, TX 9 25-14 0 $994.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 4 12-13 Day 3: 0 00-00
14. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 7 25-07 0 $994.00
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 4 16-11 Day 3: 2 06-05
15. Chase Washburn Shawnee, OK 7 24-07 0 $994.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 2 07-05 Day 3: 2 06-10
16. Brandon Mosley Harrah, OK 8 24-02 0 $994.00
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 2 04-03
17. James Mcallister McAlester, OK 9 23-10 0 $994.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 1 01-14 Day 3: 3 07-12
18. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 8 23-05 0 $994.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 1 04-04 Day 3: 2 04-09
19. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 8 20-15 0 $994.00
Day 1: 4 10-15 Day 2: 2 06-04 Day 3: 2 03-12
20. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 6 18-06 0 $994.00
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 2 09-00 Day 3: 1 02-01
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Lane Edwards Paden, OK 07-04 $0.00
Paul Browning Monahans, TX 07-04 $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 266 696-11
2 7 207 588-03
3 2 56 155-14
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20 529 1440-12

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance 4/9-4/11
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Zach Oliver Coal Hill, AR 9 29-13 0 $4,593.00
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 11-07 Day 3: 3 12-12
2. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO 7 25-02 0 $2,875.00
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 3 14-09 Day 3: 3 08-05
3. Randy Benham Sherwood, AR 8 24-11 0 $1,312.00
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 2 07-05 Day 3: 3 11-07
4. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 6 20-14 0 $1,215.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 13-03 Day 3: 3 07-11
5. Zack Holt Yukon, OK 7 19-11 0 $899.00
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 2 03-01 Day 3: 2 07-05
6. Eric Englebretson Chickasha, OK 6 19-00 0 $755.00
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 3 10-11 Day 3: 2 05-12
7. Bryan Schuster Oklahoma City, OK 7 17-01 0 $675.00
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 1 03-03 Day 3: 3 07-10
8. Trey Clement Thibodaux, LA 7 16-08 0 $630.00
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 2 04-02 Day 3: 2 04-11
9. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 7 16-04 0 $591.00
Day 1: 2 05-05 Day 2: 3 05-11 Day 3: 2 05-04
10. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 7 15-04 0 $525.00
Day 1: 3 06-06 Day 2: 3 06-00 Day 3: 1 02-14
11. Jeff Nolte Shawnee, KS 6 15-03 0 $525.00
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 2 07-06 Day 3: 1 02-07
12. Larry Green Splendora, TX 5 14-06 0 $459.00
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 2 06-06 Day 3: 1 02-04
13. Ernie Villa Midland, TX 5 13-04 0 $394.00
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 1 03-00 Day 3: 1 02-14
14. Aaron Baldridge Moore, OK 5 12-11 0 $394.00
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 05-02 Day 3: 1 01-12
15. Timothy Soli Warr Acres, OK 4 12-10 0 $328.00
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 3 09-07 Day 3: 0 00-00
16. Todd Tigar Osage Beach, MO 5 12-05 0 $328.00
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 2 03-07 Day 3: 1 03-11
17. David Zak San Angelo, TX 4 12-04 0 $328.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 1 01-12 Day 3: 0 00-00
18. Greg Dennis Pilot Point, TX 5 12-04 0 $328.00
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 1 01-15 Day 3: 1 02-02
19. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 3 09-05 0 $328.00
Day 1: 1 03-12 Day 2: 2 05-09 Day 3: 0 00-00
20. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 3 09-00 0 $328.00
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 1 01-15 Day 3: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO08-02 $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 74 180-14
2 8 80 228-01
3 5 30 88-13
———————————-
24 184 497-12

John Pearl Claims 2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open with Three-Day Record 102.81 pounds

Brian Carter

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April 12, 2025

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John Pearl Claims 2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open with Three-Day Record 102.81 pounds

Nathan Phillips grabs Second Place with 101.33 pounds

LAKEPORT, Calif. – April 11, 2025 –– Records have fallen at Clear Lake.

Pro angler John Pearl from Upper Lake, Calif., one of the most well-known guides on Clear Lake and one of the most dangerous competitive anglers in the region has claimed victory in the 2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury, with a WON Bass Record 102.81 pounds for a three-day weight. Pearl took over the lead on day-two of the event with a total weight of 67.31 pounds and added 35.50 pounds on the final day.

In winning, Pearl claims the champion’s prize that includes $17,000 cash, and the keys to the 2025 Ranger Boats Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS outboard prize boat presented by Bass Pro Shops with Power-Pole Charge and Volta Power Lithium Power Batteries, a package valued at $55,000 – a total purse of more than $72,000.

From the stage in the moments after his victory, Pearl explained that he was full of emotion at having won the biggest event he could imagine on the lake. “I’m absolutely excited about this,” he said. “Today was a long, stressful day. I had 34 pounds in the livewell at about 3:00 and I told my AAA (Sherwin Williams) that we needed one more seven pounder; I caught a 6.85 moments later and culled up to this final weight – then I just took a slow ride to Library Park to protect my fish.”

Pearl reported catching his fish in the 25 to 30-foot depth range in the mid lake area around Konocti using his Forward Facing Sonar to locate the bait balls that the late winter / early prespawn fish were foraging on. To catch those fish He caught them using a Bass Union Jighead with two different Sakamata Shads, Golden Shiner and Reservoir Shad.

Most of his fish came deep, except for his two biggest on the final two days. “I caught my biggest one today blind casting the Sakamata Shad under a dock, and my biggest yesterday came on a GCJ Customs 13-inch glide bait” he said. “Those fish were crucial to my finish obviously, but I caught most of them on my deep stuff. I am thrilled to be standing here in front of my wife, family and friends with this trophy.”

Pearl’s main gear was a 6’10” Douglas Outdoors X Matrix 6103XF spinning rod matched with a 2500 size Shimano Sustain spinning reel filled with white 10-pound-test Power Pro Super Slick 8 braid and matching 8-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon as the leader.

No stranger to the podium, Cobb, Calif. pro Nathan Phillips – who won the 2023 WON Bass Clear Lake Open, finished the event in second place with 101.33 pounds. Phillips started the day in second place with 65.12 pounds, then added a 36.21-pound limit to close out his Century Club finish. He earned $13,400 for his efforts.

Phillips attacked long stretches of docks in the Rattlesnake arm casting to fish that were sunning in preparation for the spawn on day one. However, on the final two days, when the cloud cover and wind made that difficult, he used a similar approach to Pearl, targeting deeper fish on bait balls. “I was fishing the Highway 20 side around Kona Tayee for suspended fish in 8 to 15 feet of water,” he said. “I threw a variety of jigheads in different sizes with a 5-inch ZMan Jerk Shad in the Electric Shad color.”

He tossed his offerings on Dobyns Champion XB 703 and 732 spinning rods matched with Shimano Stradic 2500 XH reels spooled with 10-pound-test Flash Green Seaguar Smackdown braid bonded to 8-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu as the leader material.

Mason McAbee from Bakersfield, Calif. finished third for the event with a three-day total of 93.57 pounds, claiming $11,400. He was followed in fourth place by Micah Jones of Kingman, Ariz. – the day-one leader with a total weight of 93.08 pounds, taking home $10,000 and Luke Lipanovich of Napa, Calif. rounded out the top five with a final weight of 83.73 pounds worth a $9,000 payday.

Kevin Gross claimed victory in the AAA Division, the Redding, Calif. angler weighed 86.56 pounds for the event and took home the AAA Champion’s prize of $6,800. Second place AAA went to Zac Ortiz from Kaysville, Utah with 82.07 pounds, claiming $5,500. Tim Skellett of Apache Junction, Ariz. finished the event in third place in the AAA Division with 79.92 pounds, earning $4,500. Todd Tobiasson of Las Vegas, Nev. finished fourth in the AAA field with 79.06 pounds collecting $3,800 and Dennis Saiki from Torrance, Calif. rounded out the top five finishers with 78.75 pounds, worth $2,000.

The Top 10 in each division are below, for complete standings go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/clear-lake-2024-pairings-results.

The daily livestream of the weigh-ins aired on the WON Bass Facebook page, located at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments. Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins occurred at Library park in Lakeport, Calif.

2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open Final Pro Standings

	Name	Hometown	Fish	Penalty	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Total
1 John Pearl		Upper Lake CA	15-15		35.44	31.87	35.50	102.81
2 Nathan Phillips		Cobb CA	15-15		35.37	29.75	36.21	101.33
3 Mason McAbee		Bakersfield CA	15-15		33.06	28.85	31.66	93.57
4 Micah Jones		Kingman AZ	15-15		38.34	23.78	30.96	93.08
5 Luke Lipanovich		Napa CA	15-15		28.39	26.65	34.69	89.73
6 Ish Monroe		Oakdale CA	15-15		31.27	26.40	30.96	88.63
7 Joe Price		Discovery Bay CA	15-15		27.79	31.84	25.86	85.49
8 Alex Niapas		Altaville CA	15-14	0.50	36.42	22.73	26.07	85.22
9 Garrett Ellenson		Nine Mile Falls WA	15-15		25.10	31.45	28.06	84.61
10 J D Blackamore		Yorba Linda CA	15-15		25.98	28.30	29.15	83.43

2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open Final AAA Standings

	Name	Hometown	Fish	Penalty	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Total
1 Kevin Gross		Redding CA	15-15		29.05	24.97	32.54	86.56
2 Zac Ortiz		Kaysville UT	15-15		35.44	17.12	29.51	82.07
3 Tim Skellett		Apache Junction AZ	15-15		35.37	24.80	19.75	79.92
4 Todd Tobiasson		Las Vegas NV	15-14	0.50	27.09	25.90	26.07	79.06
5 Dennis Saiki		Torrance CA	15-15		15.77	26.77	36.21	78.75
6 Cheng Xiong		Oroville CA	15-15		36.42	17.89	23.73	78.04
7 Sherwin Williams		Henderson NV	12-12		10.32	31.84	35.50	77.66
8 Chris Arnold		Santa Clarita CA	15-15		23.70	27.75	25.75	77.20
9 Ray Serrano		Pacifica CA	15-15		28.01	31.45	17.67	77.13
10 Greg Sallee		Discovery Bay CA	15-15		38.34	19.97	18.28	76.59

The 2025 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events Consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada, will culminate with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October. The five event dates are as follows:

Feb. 5 to 7, 2025 – Lake Shasta – Champion Joe Uribe

April 9 to 11, 2025 – Clear Lake – Champion John Pearl

May 7 to 9, 2025 – Lake Havasu

Sept. 10 to 12, 2025 – Lake Mead

Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 – U.S. Open at Lake Mohave

For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.

The 2025 WON Bass California Open at Clear Lake is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Volta Power Lithium, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick Rods, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, Signature Gates, DD26 Fishing, Bad Ass Bearings, Cipher Fishing, Megaware Keelguard and GRatt.

Local presenting sponsors are the City of Lakeport and Clearlake Outdoors.

University of Montevallo Wins Abu Garcia College Fishing 2025 National Championship on Wheeler Lake

Brian Carter

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April 12, 2025

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University of Montevallo Wins Abu Garcia College Fishing 2025 National Championship on Wheeler Lake

DECATUR, Ala. (April 11, 2025) – It’s easy to throw around the word “powerhouse” in college sports, but in the case of the University of Montevallo Fishing Team, the superlative is starting to stick. On a blustery championship day on Wheeler Lake at the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship Presented by Columbia PFG, Montevallo teammates Brody Robison and Peyton Sorrow methodically worked their way to a five-fish limit of 19 pounds, 14 ounces to lay claim to Montevallo’s second national championship trophy in three years.

Fellow Montevallo angler Nicholas Dumke (fishing solo), brought 19-4 to the scale to skate into second place, giving the Falcons a 1-2 sweep of the top two spots. The Montevallo team of Brent Godwin and Hunter Odom finished seventh for good measure.
Robison and Sorrow finished the three-day event with 64-15, outdistancing Dumke (59-0), the McKendree University duo of Ethan Fields and Jaxson Freeman (56-10) and the Carson-Newman University team of Nicholas Dellaporta and Drew Pitts (55-14)

LINK TO HD VIDEO: Fish-Catch Highlights of Championship Friday on Wheeler Lake
LINK TO AFTERNOON PHOTO GALLERY: Anglers bring their A-game to the College National Championship finale

It was far from easy for the eventual winners, though. Shifting springtime conditions, fluctuating currents and an unproductive practice caused Robison and Sorrow to develop their patterns daily throughout the three-day event. The final day also brought a cold front and west wind that blew against the current, making for even more challenging conditions.

“I stayed pretty optimistic, even when we weren’t catching much,” Robison said. “This is my comfort zone, this TVA-style fishing. I’m familiar with the bite windows, and we’ve been doing a lot of fishing on the TVA lately. Going into the final day with a lead, it wasn’t what I expected right out of the gate, but I had optimism that it was going to happen.”

Sorrow and Robinson entered Championship Friday buoyed by a tournament-best 23-9 on Day 2. They left Ingalls Harbor with a 2-7 lead over John Berry and Blake Bullock of Blue Mountain Christian University, and a 5-5 cushion on Dumke, ready to pick up where they had left off the day before. But, as was the case on Day 2 when they caught their fish late in the day, the Montevallo pair took awhile to warm up.

They went fishless through much of the morning, catching one 12-incher before finally connecting with a keeper around 10:30 a.m.

“If you would’ve asked me at 10 a.m. if we were going to catch a bass all day, I probably would’ve answered ‘No, we’re probably not going to catch a single bass’,” Sorrow joked.

At around 11:30, they caught the fish that clued them in for the rest of the day: a 3-pounder that they plucked off of a stump in deeper water, a discovery that encouraged the Montevallo pair to shift their focus from shell beds in 3 to 5 feet of water to structure in 5 to 12 feet. They spent the rest of their time plinking a 5-inch gizzard shad-style minnow on a Queen Tackle jighead, gradually culling up to their final 19-pound bag while their fellow Falcons followed them around the lake, cheering them on.

“We’ve had some awful practices lately, but we keep pulling something off in the tournaments,” Sorrow said. “We have such a great support system with (their Montevallo teammates), and they challenge us to be better. Iron sharpens iron. We have all of these hammers on this team, and it was so cool today – we were out there in some pretty rough water, and we had five boats on us all day, cheering for us. They stuck it out all day in that rough water, that meant a lot to us.”

The top 10 teams at the Abu Garcia College Fishing 2025 National Championship Presented by Columbia PFG on Wheeler Lake finished:

1st: University of Montevallo – Brody Robison, Dawson, Ala., and Peyton Sorrow, Abbeville, S.C., 15 bass, 64-15, Phoenix 518 Pro boat with 115-hp outboard + $10,000
2nd: University of Montevallo – Nicholas Dumke, Grand Rapids, Minn., 15 bass, 59-0, Phoenix 519 Pro with 115-hp outboard
3rd: McKendree University – Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., and Jaxson Freeman, Loda, Ill., 15 bass, 56-10, $4,000
4th: Carson-Newman University – Szymon Piton, Orland Park, Ill., and Riley Faulkner, Jacksboro, Tenn., 15 bass, 55-14, $3,000
5th: University of North Alabama – Tripp Berlinsky, Florence, Ala., and Bryce DiMauro, Longwood, Fla., 15 bass, 55-6, $2,000
6th: University of Alabama – Cooper Gilroy, Middlebury, Ct., and Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 15 bass, 53-6, $1,000
7th: University of Montevallo – Brenton Godwin, Stapleton, Ala., and Hunter Odom, Chunchula, Ala., 15 bass, 53-5, $1,000
8th: Northwestern State University – Drake Wadsworth, Frierson, La., and Stone Smith, Shreveport, La., 15 bass, 53-1, $1,000
9th: Blue Mountain Christian University – John Berry, Mount Olive, Miss., and Blake Bullock, Seminary, Miss., 13 bass, 49-11, $1,000
10th: Carson-Newman University – Nicholas Dellaporta, Pequannock, N.J., and Drew Pitts, Lutz, Fla., 14 bass, 46-11, $1,000

Complete results for the entire event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 47 bass weighing 164 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the final 10 teams on Friday. The catch included eight five-bass limits.

In addition to the boat package, both members of the winning Montevallo team and runner-up Nicholas Dumke now advance to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship, where they’ll compete as pros for a top prize of up to $235,000. In addition, the highest finishing team member between Robison and Sorrow at the Toyota Series Championship will advance to REDCREST 2026 to compete against the world’s best pros for the sport’s top prize of $300,000.

Both members of the third-place McKendree University team now advance to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers for a shot at winning a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

Hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism, the 16^th annual College Fishing National Championship featured 135 teams of the nation’s best collegiate anglers competing for a $43,500 prize package, including a new Phoenix 518 pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, an additional $10,000 and the opportunity to advance to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship and REDCREST 2026 – MLF’s most prestigious championship – to fish for top prizes of $235,000 and $300,000, respectively.

The MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI 2024 season featured college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament qualified to compete in this event, the 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship

Welcher breaks away from the field with another ‘Dirty 30’ at the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

Brian Carter

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April 11, 2025

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Welcher breaks away from the field with another ‘Dirty 30’ at the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

Alabama’s Kyle Welcher leads Day 2 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound in Elizabeth City, N.C., with a weight of 60-14.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 11, 2025

Welcher breaks away from the field with another ‘Dirty 30’ at the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Kyle Welcher feels like the chosen one at the St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound. Not because he was expecting to do well after practice, but since the warm-up period ended everything has been almost perfect.

Welcher took a commanding lead over the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series field on Day 2 by adding 30 pounds, 3 ounces to his 30-11 limit from Day 1. His 60-14 two-day total is 22 pounds better than second place Trey McKinney.

“I don’t feel like I have any kind of a secret figured out or a special area figured out,” the Opelika, Ala., native said. “For whatever reason, I have caught big ones for the past two days. I feel like I’m getting lucky.”

Day 2 brought waves of rain and storms across the Albemarle Sound, but it was an overall calmer day for anglers making longer runs across the system. The bite seemingly improved as well, with 84 limits and 1,285 pounds of bass caught.

Growing up on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama, Welcher is a river fisherman at heart, and he has been able to show off his roots this week in eastern North Carolina.

“They set up the same places during the same time of year on every single river,” he said. “I love fishing rivers. I fish tons of rivers at home, and I feel really comfortable.”

Welcher returned to the same area he caught the bulk of his weight on Day 1, a mile-long stretch in a river close to takeoff. The 2023 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year winner has been targeting hard cover in 5 feet of water or less. On Day 1, Welcher felt he was catching prespawners, but on Friday he felt the big females he caught were guarding nests. The water also seemed cleaner without as much wind coming through.

A Texas-rigged Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug with a ¼-ounce weight is the only bait Welcher has thrown thus far.

Forward-facing sonar has been a player for Welcher as well.

“I’m using it to find the areas the bass are using. I’ll throw at the fish I see, but I’m really just using it to see if it is a good area,” he said. “Today all five of them were spawning.

“Yesterday I did a little too much running around early on,” he added.

Welcher started Day 2 off with a bang by landing a 7-pounder within the first hour of fishing. While adrenaline pumped through him, it was exactly the bite he needed to settle down in his area.

“I didn’t feel settled down when I was fishing for it or fighting it,” Welcher explained. “I knew how big it was and how important that bass was going to be. I was shaking and nervous. To catch it and get it in the boat, that was a big momentum swing.”

He proceeded to land three more keeper bass before 9:15 and capped off his initial limit with another 7-pound largemouth.

“I settled down in one of my better areas,” Welcher said. “I picked them off. It wasn’t a flurry or anything, but I was getting consistent bites. I didn’t want to run around a lot because I had one zone that was a little better than the rest. I hunkered down and sort of stair-stepped my way up.”

From there, he added two more quality bass before noon and spent the rest of the afternoon searching for different areas to try the rest of the tournament. He didn’t find much during his practice time, but he feels there are still plenty of bass to be caught in his primary area.

“I am going to keep doing the exact same thing. I gotta finish strong,” he said. “Half of this tournament is left, so we need to catch them just as good for the next half.”

Hailing from Carbondale, Ill., McKinney sits in second with a two-day total of 38-14. After a 23-7 Day 1, he suffered a much tougher Day 2, only landing 15-7. He salvaged his day with a last-minute catch that gave him a 2-pound upgrade.

“That was huge. I pulled in a place I have never fished. I cast my jig to a seawall and caught a bass that culled me up 2 pounds,” McKinney said. “We lost a few big ones today, though.”

The 2024 Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year returned to his primary area in the North River on Day 2, but did not see the same amount of activity as he did on Day 1.

“I really don’t know why it was different,” he said. “I felt like conditions were alright. Maybe the sun makes them bite better? Maybe we are running out of fish.”

The bass he did find were not willing to eat a jig, either, and he had to switch to a Neko-rigged worm. With winds shifting to the northwest, McKinney isn’t sure how he is going to tackle Day 3. In a perfect world, McKinney would run to the Chowan River, but he isn’t sure the weather will allow him to do so.

“Tomorrow, I don’t know what I am going to do. In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t have enough bites today and didn’t see enough fish. I didn’t have a warm fuzzy feeling. It wasn’t a good 15 pounds.”

Meanwhile, Tennessee pro Jacob Foutz climbed into third place with a total of 38-2. The two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier opened the tournament in fifth with 18-10 before landing 19-2 on the second day of the tournament.

Foutz is one of the anglers making the long run to the Roanoke River on the southwest side of the Albemarle Sound. After a slow first two hours, Foutz was able to find a rhythm as the morning wore on.

“I lost a big one, and then after that they started biting,” he said. “I caught 19 pounds in about two hours. I didn’t get a bunch of bites, but they were the right size. I don’t know how many more fish I have in my area.”

Foutz has been fishing a Megabass Magdraft swimbait around shallow cover as well as a ChatterBait.

“When I get a bite on the swimbait, it is a good one,” he said. “I will probably lock it in my hands tomorrow and ride the horse that got me here.”

Gonzales, La., pro Greg Hackney landed an 8-4 largemouth on Day 2, which was the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day and overtook Keith Combs’ 8-2 bass from Day 1 as the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament.

Welcher continues to hold the CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament with his Day 1 catch of 30-11.

North Carolina’s Jake Whitaker and Tennessee’s John Garrett lead the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 270 points each. Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat is third with 267 points followed by Alabama’s Will Davis Jr in fourth with 261 points and Texas pro Lee Livesay in fifth with 256 points.

Alabama’s Tucker Smith leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 199 points followed by Georgia’s Paul Marks in second with 180 points and Arkansas’ Beau Browning in third with 163 points

The Top 50 anglers will launch from Waterfront Park in Elizabeth City on Semifinal Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. ET and return for weigh at 3 p.m. The Top 10 anglers following the Day 3 weigh-in will compete on Championship Sunday for the top prize of $100,000.

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River 4/10-4/13
Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound , Elizabeth City NC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 10 60-14 104
Day 1: 5 30-11 Day 2: 5 30-03
2. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 10 38-14 103
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 15-07
3. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 10 38-02 102
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 19-08
4. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 37-09 101
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 19-11
5. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 36-05 100
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 18-14
6. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 36-04 99
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 19-09
7. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 9 34-09 98
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 4 10-12
8. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 33-12 97
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 15-07
9. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 33-03 96
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 17-02
10. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 32-13 95
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 20-04
11. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 10 32-09 94
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 17-03
12. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 32-04 93
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 19-08
13. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 31-11 92
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 18-04
14. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 9 31-05 91
Day 1: 4 07-00 Day 2: 5 24-05
15. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 31-02 90 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 15-06
16. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 10 30-13 89
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-04
17. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 30-11 88
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 15-08
18. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 30-09 87
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 11-13
19. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 30-07 86
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 17-01
20. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 30-01 85
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 18-11
21. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 29-09 84
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 12-11
22. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 29-04 83
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 12-01
23. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 29-04 82
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 12-14
24. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 8 28-14 81
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 5 23-14
25. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 28-14 80
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 13-14
26. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 28-12 79
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 17-08
27. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 28-11 78
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 16-05
28. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 10 28-08 77
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 12-12
29. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 27-14 76
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 11-15
30. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 9 27-06 75
Day 1: 4 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-09
31. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 10 27-04 74
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 13-14
31. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 27-04 74
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 13-06
33. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 26-14 72
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 11-01
34. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 26-09 71
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-01
35. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 26-06 70
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 10-03
36. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 26-02 69
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 10-14
37. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 26-02 68
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-09
38. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 25-15 67
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 09-10
39. John Garrett Union City, TN 9 25-11 66
Day 1: 4 09-07 Day 2: 5 16-04
40. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 25-09 65
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-03
41. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 25-02 64
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 15-05
42. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 9 24-11 63
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 4 08-03
43. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 24-10 62
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-07
44. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 24-09 61
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 10-00
45. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 9 24-07 60
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 5 17-06
46. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 24-06 59
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 10-07
47. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 10 24-02 58
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-00
48. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 8 23-12 57
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 5 17-15
49. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 10 23-11 56
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 14-09
50. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 10 23-11 55
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 13-02
51. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 23-10 54
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 11-10
52. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 23-02 53
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-03
53. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 6 23-00 52
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 1 06-03
54. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 22-12 51
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 10-03
55. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 22-08 50
Day 1: 4 08-00 Day 2: 5 14-08
56. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 7 22-04 49
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 5 18-14
57. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 9 22-04 48
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 5 09-01
58. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 7 22-03 47 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 5 16-10
59. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 8 22-02 46
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 5 15-01
60. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 10 22-02 45
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 12-11
61. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 7 22-01 44
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 5 19-05
62. John Cox Debary, FL 10 21-13 43
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 09-15
63. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 6 21-10 42
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 5 19-07
64. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 7 21-09 41
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 2 05-10
65. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 10 21-09 40
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 08-10
66. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 9 21-08 39
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 5 13-01
67. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 21-08 38
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
68. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 21-05 37
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 08-04
69. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 21-02 36
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 09-07
70. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 7 20-11 35
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 5 16-08
71. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 10 20-05 34
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 08-13
72. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 9 20-04 33
Day 1: 4 11-07 Day 2: 5 08-13
73. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 6 20-01 32
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 18-12
74. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10 20-01 31
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 10-02
75. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 19-12 30
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 12-01
76. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 19-12 29
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 09-13
77. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 19-09 28
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 08-14
78. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 7 18-14 27
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 2 08-04
79. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 18-14 26
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 08-15
80. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 6 18-11 25
Day 1: 2 06-06 Day 2: 4 12-05
81. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 18-07 24
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 09-12
82. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 9 17-10 23
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 4 06-15
83. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 8 17-10 22
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 5 10-07
84. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 17-08 21
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 08-10
85. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 9 17-07 20
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 4 06-07
86. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 17-00 19
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 4 07-07
87. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 9 16-07 18
Day 1: 4 08-00 Day 2: 5 08-07
88. Bryan New Leesville, SC 7 16-03 17
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 5 11-13
89. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 16-00 16
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 16-00
90. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 9 15-15 15
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 05-09
91. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 15-14 14
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 15-14
92. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 7 15-01 13
Day 1: 2 06-12 Day 2: 5 08-05
93. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 8 14-11 12
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 3 06-02
94. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 8 14-11 11
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 4 07-15
95. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 8 12-13 10
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 5 07-02
96. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 6 12-03 9
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 1 02-00
97. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 11-05 8
Day 1: 4 09-05 Day 2: 1 02-00
98. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 09-11 7
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-11
99. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 09-11 6
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 1 01-04
100. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 08-14 5
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
101. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 6 08-13 4
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 4 05-15
102. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 3 07-01 3
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 2 04-12
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 08-02 $1,000.00
2 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 08-04 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 71 437 1150-07
2 84 469 1285-00
———————————-
155 906 2435-07

Robin Lefler 7.88 leads Day 1 Big Bass Tour on Smith Mountain Lake

Brian Carter

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April 11, 2025

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Robin Lefler 7.88 leads Day 1 Big Bass Tour on Smith Mountain Lake

The 2025 Big Bass Tour event on Smith Mountain Lake kicked off with a 7.88-pound weigh-in by long-time participant Robin Lefler. But the day would not end there with newmerouse 7 lb bass being weighed in throughout the day, & the final house it took a 5.24 or better to cash a check. The lake is fishing well for some of the anglers & tough for a whole lot. I spoke to a few today that caught them on a mix of baits & tactics, but more were looking for bedding fish moving towards the banks. Tomorrow is another day & another chance to catch the winning bass.

If you grab a photo, please tag us 🙂

John Pearl Takes over Day Two Lead at WON Bass California Open at Clear Lake

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Brian Carter

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April 11, 2025

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John Pearl Takes over Day Two Lead at WON Bass California Open at Clear Lake

Nathan Phillips in Second Place Day One Leader Micah Jones Slips to Third

LAKEPORT, Calif. – April 10, 2025 –– John Pearl is known as one of the top anglers on Clear Lake. After nearly a dozen years guiding and competing on the famed Northern California bass factory and too many tournament victories to count, Pearl knows how to adjust and put himself in position.

Pearl started the event in the northern end of the lake and when he only had one small fish in the first hour, made a run to the south end and had 30 pounds in his livewell within 30 minutes under bluebird conditions. When those conditions turned to cloudy and breezy on day two, Pearl made adjustments once again.

The result was his second consecutive “Dirty 30” limit of 31.87 pounds to go with his 35.44 from day one to bring his two-day total to 67.31 pounds, leading second place pro Nathan Phillips by just over two pounds.

Phillips followed his 35.37-pound day one with 29.75 pounds to bring his total to 65.12 pounds heading into the final round. In third place was day one leader Micah Jones, who managed to bring 23.75 pounds on day two, when added to his 38.34-pound limit of day one, totaling 62.12 pounds.

Mason McAbee placed fourth after the second day of competition, after his 33.06-pound performance on the first day, added 28.85 pounds to bring his total to 61.91 pounds, and pro Joe Price posted 31.84 pounds today to go with his 27.79 pounds from day one to round out the top five with 59.63 pounds.

Pearl reported having to make adjustments both days of the 2025 WON Bass California Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury but being able to stay within his basic approach. “I am fishing for deeper, early prespawn fish but they are chasing the bait pretty heavily, so I’m having to move,” he said. “Once I am able to reconnect with the schools I’ve found, I am able to get them to eat fairly quickly – in fact I’ve had a 30-pound limit within 30 minutes of finding them both days.”

The veteran pro said he feels optimistic about his chances but knows the lake is changing. “It’s really a day-to-day thing right now, and it all depends on baitfish movement for me,” he said. “The overnight temperatures cause the bait to move, and it may take me a while to reconnect with the schools, but I feel confident that I will be able to do that tomorrow and have a shot at this thing.”

Phillips is fishing in the deeper sections of the lake but is fishing mid depth ranges looking for fish that have committed to the move to spawn. “I’m finesse fishing because these fish have seen some pressure, and it’s getting tougher,” he said. “I was able to get 8 to 10 quality bites yesterday and only five today, so I’m definitely having to grind for them.”

Jones said he fell to fishing pressure himself on day two. “I had my area all to myself on day one, but had quite a bit of company today,” he said. “There was a lot of interference on my screes from competing boats today, and I know it had an impact on the fish; I just hop I can make it all work tomorrow.”

One additional note of interest is that Pearl, Phillips and Jones all sit within reasonable striking distance of eclipsing the 100-pound mark for the event. Pearl needs to post a 32.60-pound limit, Phillips needs 34.88 pounds and Jones would need 37.88 pounds – all smaller than their heaviest days of the event thus far.

These anglers and the rest of the 176 man pro field are battling for the champion’s prize that includes cash, and the keys to the 2025 Ranger Boats Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS outboard prize boat presented by Bass Pro Shops with Power-Pole Charge and Volta Power Lithium Power Batteries, a package valued at $55,000.

In the AAA Division, Tim Skellett took the day two lead with 60.17 pounds while Ray Serrano landed in second place with 59.46 pounds. Third place went to Troy Diatte with 59.05 pounds while day one leader Greg Sallee slipped to fourth with 58.31 pounds and William Aden rounded out the top five with 56.47 pounds.

The Top 10 in each division are below, for complete standings go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/clear-lake-2024-pairings-results.

The daily livestream of the weigh-ins airs on at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments. Daily weigh-ins from Library park in Lakeport, Calif. begin after the first flight checks in at 3:00 PM Pacific Time.

2025 WON Bass California Open Day Two Pro Standings

	Name	Hometown	Fish	Big	Day 1	Day 2	2 Day Total
1	John Pearl	Upper Lake CA	10-10	8.91	35.44	31.87	67.31
2	Nathan Phillips	Cobb CA	10-10	9.48	35.37	29.75	65.12
3	Micah Jones	Kingman AZ	10-10	12.93	38.34	23.78	62.12
4	Mason McAbee	Bakersfield CA	10-10		33.06	28.85	61.91
5	Joe Price	Chapin EC	10-10	9.19	27.79	31.84	59.63
6	Alex Niapas	Altaville CA	10-10	9.26	36.42	22.73	59.15
7	Ish Monroe	Oakdale CA	10-10	8.55	31.27	26.40	57.67
8	Garrett Ellenson	Nine Mile Falls WA	10-10		25.10	31.45	56.55
9	Nick Welton	Galt CA	10-10	7.50	25.27	30.82	56.09
10	Luke Lipanovich	Napa CA	10-10		28.39	26.65	55.04

2025 WON Bass California Open Day One AAA Standings

	Name	Hometown	Fish	BIG	Day 1	Day 2	2 Day Total
1 Tim Skellett		Apache Junction AZ	10-10		35.37	24.80	60.17
2 Ray Serrano		Pacifica CA	10-10		28.01	31.45	59.46
3 Troy Diatte		Salinas CA	10-10	6.09	28.23	30.82	59.05
4 Greg Sallee		Discovery Bay CA	10-10		38.34	19.97	58.31
5 William Aden		Middletown CA	10-10	8.17	24.60	31.87	56.47
6 Charlie Crawford		Peoria AZ	10-10		27.40	27.48	54.88
7 Derek Andersen		Meadow Vista CA	10-10	5.05	26.47	28.30	54.77
8 Cheng Xiong		Oroville CA	10-10		36.42	17.89	54.31
9 Kevin Gross		Redding CA	10-10	7.96	29.05	24.97	54.02
10 Geoff Peterson		Huntington Beach CA	10-10		27.23	26.40	53.63

The 2025 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events Consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada, will culminate with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October. The five event dates are as follows:

Feb. 5 to 7, 2025 – Lake Shasta – Champion Joe Uribe

April 9 to 11, 2025 – Clear Lake

May 7 to 9, 2025 – Lake Havasu

Sept. 10 to 12, 2025 – Lake Mead

Oct. 6 to 8, 2025 – U.S. Open at Lake Mohave

Huge day lifts Leybas atop the field in B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

Brian Carter

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April 10, 2025

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Huge day lifts Leybas atop the field in B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

Oklahoma’s Ian Leybas leads Day 2 of the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance in Eufaula, Okla., with a weight of 30-7.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

April 10, 2025

Huge day lifts Leybas atop the field in B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula

EUFAULA, Okla. — Ian Leybas had the right plan, but forces beyond his control limited his access. Today, when more favorable conditions opened the window of opportunity, the McAlester, Okla., angler rocketed into the lead at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 7 ounces.

After placing 13th on Day 1 with two fish that went 10-10, Leybas knew he was around the right quality. A day later, he added a 5-bass limit of 19-13 and now holds a 2-2 advantage over Day 1 leader Kelley Hudson as they head into Championship Friday.

The difference? Wind.

“I think the weather change is what made the difference today,” Leybas said. “The lighter winds out of the north versus the strong winds out of the south just let me fish stuff better than I was able to fish it yesterday.

“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do with the way the wind was hitting it yesterday, but today I was able to get where I wanted to go.”

Given the warming spring conditions, Leybas knew those Eufaula bass would be approaching their spawning mode, however, he found that they weren’t quite there yet.

“I think the males are starting to get up there, but I don’t think the females are up yet,” Leybas said.

Spending his day in the mid- to south-lake area, Leybas devoted his time to prospecting what he called standard prespawn staging spots. Such habitat features located en route to the spawning grounds offered the big female bass pit stops with feeding opportunities.

“My boat was in 8 feet of water,” Leybas said. “I was fishing a little shallower than other people. I figured it’s April and they’re coming. They’re wanting to move shallow.

“I caught all my fish on one moving bait.”

Leybas said he developed his game plan after a tough practice compelled him to go with what his experience told him the fish should be doing. He saw the potential and decided his best option was to commit his tournament to the way he was catching fish prior to competition.

“Catching that quality of fish (on Day 1) just told me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing,’” Leybas said. “That’s what I did. I just kept doing that and changed up the rotation to get to some of the places I couldn’t get to yesterday.”

With a different wind complexion, Day 2 saw Leybas work counterclockwise from his first-round milk run. Where he started on Day 1 was his ending spot today.

Leybas said he had his limit by 10 a.m. and completed his weight by 10:30. He hit 15 to 20 different spots, but never returned to a previous location.

“I caught them early and then I tried to find something new for Day 3,” Leybas said. “I also tried to help my co-angler catch a few fish.”

Leybas’ biggest fish was a 5 1/2-pounder, after Day 1 yielded a 6. He’s optimistic about continuing his pattern for one more day.

“I have to go back and start on the same area,” he said. “I know what stuff I want to fish, and if I can get to it, I should be able to catch them again.”

Hailing from Graham, Texas, Hudson is in second place with 28-5. He caught a limit of 14-11 on Day 1 and added four fish for 13-10 on Day 2.

Dale Hightower of Mannford, Okla., is in third with 26-7. He caught a Day 1 limit of 13-3 and followed with four bass for 13-4.

Lane Edwards of Paden, Okla., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-4.

Zach Oliver of Coal Hill, Ark., leads the co-angler division with 17-1. His daily weights were 5-10 and 11-7.

Joe Conway of Colorado Springs, Colo., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with an 8-2.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Nichols Point Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3 p.m.

The City of Eufaula is hosting the tournament.

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance 4/9-4/11
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Ian Leybas Mcalester, OK 7 30-07 0
Day 1: 2 10-10 Day 2: 5 19-13
2. Kelley Hudson Graham, TX 9 28-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 4 13-10
3. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 9 26-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 4 13-04
4. Brian Jones Magnolia, TX 9 25-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 4 12-13
5. Mick Pageler Tonto Basin, AZ 9 24-05 0
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 14-04
6. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 7 23-11 0
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 5 16-10
7. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 6 23-07 0
Day 1: 2 07-13 Day 2: 4 15-10
8. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 8 20-04 0
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 5 11-14
9. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 7 20-02 0
Day 1: 2 08-03 Day 2: 5 11-15
10. Brandon Mosley Harrah, OK 6 19-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 5 17-03
11. Jaret Rushing Hampton, AR 7 19-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 2 05-12
12. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 8 19-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-15 Day 2: 4 10-13
13. Lane Edwards Paden, OK 7 19-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 4 13-09
14. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 19-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 4 16-11
15. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 6 18-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 1 04-04
16. Chase Washburn Shawnee, OK 5 17-13 0
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 2 07-05
17. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 6 17-03 0
Day 1: 4 10-15 Day 2: 2 06-04
18. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 5 16-05 0
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 2 09-00
19. Travis Merritt Jr Iowa, LA 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 2 07-08 Day 2: 3 08-09
20. James Mcallister McAlester, OK 6 15-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 1 01-14
21. Dustin Hartzer Mc Cook, NE 3 15-12 0 $903.00
Day 1: 1 06-06 Day 2: 2 09-06
22. Gary Bowien Benton, AR 6 15-10 0 $903.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 1 02-05
23. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 6 15-07 0 $903.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 1 02-01
24. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 6 14-08 0 $903.00
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 5 12-01
25. Jason Slagstad Cameron, WI 4 13-15 0 $903.00
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 3 11-05
26. Jason Citta Hershey, NE 6 13-15 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 4 10-07
27. Dillon Roberts Oologah, OK 4 13-11 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 08-04 Day 2: 2 05-07
28. Zane Ridpath Gretna, NE 6 13-06 0 $831.00
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 07-15
29. Robert Brieden Marion, TX 3 13-04 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 08-15 Day 2: 1 04-05
30. Keltyn Hendrix Washington, OK 5 13-03 0 $831.00
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 2 05-07
31. Albert Earl White Apple Springs, TX 4 13-01 0 $831.00
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 1 03-04
32. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 6 13-01 0 $831.00
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 2 04-00
33. Rich Risewick Norton, KS 3 12-14 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 08-03 Day 2: 1 04-11
34. Ben Burk Norman, OK 5 12-13 0 $831.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
34. Michael Stranz Edmond, OK 5 12-13 0 $831.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Jason Howland Albert Lea, MN 5 12-10 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 3 07-14
37. Logan Bullinger Bismarck, ND 7 12-09 0 $831.00
Day 1: 4 07-14 Day 2: 3 04-11
38. Dave Cavell Prairieville, LA 5 12-07 0 $831.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
39. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 5 12-06 0 $831.00
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 3 08-14
40. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 4 12-04 0 $831.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 1 03-14
41. Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX 3 11-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-06
42. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 3 11-02 0
Day 1: 2 06-11 Day 2: 1 04-07
43. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 4 09-03 Day 2: 1 01-12
44. Shawn Clark Afton, OK 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 2 06-11
45. Keagan Brady Bartlesville, OK 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 1 02-05
46. Drew Porto III Greenbrier, AR 4 10-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 2 05-08
47. Aaron Brewer Clovis, NM 3 10-06 0
Day 1: 3 10-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
48. Nathaniel Melgaard Elk Mound, WI 5 10-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 2 03-11
49. Matt Jurcin Pueblo, CO 4 10-03 0
Day 1: 2 06-01 Day 2: 2 04-02
50. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 4 10-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 3 07-13
51. Michael Louviere New Iberia, LA 3 09-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 1 03-15
52. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 3 09-09 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 2 06-04
53. Jacob Sepeda Paradise, TX 4 09-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 1 02-08
54. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 4 07-05
55. Matthew Lipari Patterson, LA 4 08-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 05-09
56. Nathan Pratt Albuquerque, NM 3 08-13 0
Day 1: 2 06-04 Day 2: 1 02-09
57. Salvador Garcia Gravette, AR 4 08-10 0
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 2 03-02
58. Ron Shaw Norman, OK 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-07
59. Trevor Scott Windsor, CO 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 2 05-06
60. Mark Watson Victoria, TX 3 08-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 1 04-06
61. Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 2 08-01 0
Day 1: 1 06-01 Day 2: 1 02-00
62. Skyler Koury Phoenix, AZ 2 07-15 0
Day 1: 1 05-13 Day 2: 1 02-02
63. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 4 07-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 1 01-13
64. Casey Welch Aurora, CO 2 07-11 0
Day 1: 1 06-01 Day 2: 1 01-10
65. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 4 07-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 2 03-12
66. Teddy Granier Thibodaux, LA 2 07-10 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 1 04-00
67. Joshua Teply Harrah, OK 4 07-07 0
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
68. Tye Grissom Austin, TX 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. Eric Ledger Council Bluffs, IA 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 1 02-12
70. Jesse Parks Goodyear, AZ 4 07-06 0
Day 1: 4 07-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
71. Charles Williams Mannford, OK 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
72. Neil Raedel Colorado Springs, CO 3 07-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 2 04-11
73. Trevis Unger Benton, KS 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-15
74. Jeff Clark Van Buren, AR 2 06-13 0
Day 1: 2 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
75. Chris Stephenson Broken Arrow, OK 3 06-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 2 04-06
76. Matt Dobson Edmond, OK 2 06-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 1 04-11
77. Eli Brumnett Wagoner, OK 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 1 02-09
78. Randy Campbell Tijeras, NM 2 06-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
79. Jeremy Tibben Stanton, IA 3 06-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-06
80. Austin ODell Cushing , OK 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Jared Melanson Lake Havasu City, AZ 2 06-05 0
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
82. Malcolm Smith Saint Amant, LA 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 1 02-13
83. Austin Monroe Albuquerque, NM 2 06-02 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-02
84. Heath Watkins Heavener, OK 1 06-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 06-00
85. Michael Furgerson Claremore, OK 3 05-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-15
86. Richard Everest Hobbs, NM 3 05-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 03-15
87. Dust’n Overton Moore, OK 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Larry Dugger Pottsville, AR 1 05-13 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 05-13
89. Andrew Wren Wylie, TX 2 05-12 0
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 1 02-11
90. Jake Capps Fort Gibson, OK 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-11
91. Chad Nolan Muldrow, OK 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-04
92. Shane Pickett Rose Hill, KS 4 04-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 2 00-00
93. Jerry Lovell Harrison, AR 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-15
94. Dean Roberts Lake Charles, LA 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 1 03-04
95. Ronnie Duncan Hampton, AR 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 1 02-10
96. Justin Hallmark Burnet, TX 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 1 02-10
98. Kellen Davis Stigler, OK 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Steve Lund Cave Creek, AZ 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-06
100. Marshall Brown Smithville, MO 1 04-05 0
Day 1: 1 04-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
101. Troy Stinson Falcon, CO 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 02-03
102. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 2 04-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Terry Cooper Hamburg, IA 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Ryan Rodgers Perry, OK 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 02-06
105. Zachery Fowler Konawa, OK 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Tyler Frahm Kirbyville, MO 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Paul Kremers Clarksville, AR 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-00
108. Scotty Easter Garfield, AR 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Jacob Altman Edgewood, TX 1 03-15 0
Day 1: 1 03-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Reed Fredrick Mount Horeb, WI 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Mark Sloan Harrison, AR 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Michael Wooten Goodlettsville, TN 1 03-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-14
113. Brian Stangel Albuquerque, NM 1 03-12 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-12
114. Darin Anderson Sand Springs, OK 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 1 03-09 0
Day 1: 1 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Josh Giroldi Beachville Ontario CANA 1 03-09 0
Day 1: 1 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Michael Henager Harrah, OK 1 03-09 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-09
118. Clifton Duvall Russellville, AR 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Pat Klausen Lincoln, NE 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-05
120. Mike Carter Shawnee, OK 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
120. Dewey Larson Fayetteville, AR 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Ricardo Guzman Farmington, MO 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Richard Wilson Lubbock, TX 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-02
124. Kelly Burns Avondale, AZ 1 03-00 0
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Charles Coger Robert Lee, TX 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-15
125. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Nobuyuki Terajima Hermitage, TN 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Mason Gillihan Manchester, IA 1 02-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. David Chase Las Cruces, NM 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-10
129. Alan Daniels Kansas City, KS 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Happy Johnson Santa Fe, NM 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-10
129. Ronnie Provence Canehill, AR 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
129. Dalton Ross Gravette, AR 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Bob Glasgow Omaha, NE 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-08
136. Scotty Villines Compton, AR 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
136. Jack Webb Trempealeau, WI 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
136. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
139. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Nathan Bourque Prairieville, LA 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Tai Hunt Denver, CO 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
142. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
142. Joel Porter Yates Center, KS 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
144. Jared Miller Norman, OK 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
145. Keith Allen Okemah, OK 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
146. Kris Lee Coweta, OK 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
147. Bobby Martin Castle Rock, CO 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
147. Brian Reeves Clarksville, AR 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Michael Hargraves Seguin, TX 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
149. Terry Reich Willis, TX 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Tony Baldridge Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Wes Beck Searcy, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Matt Brown II Broken Arrow, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Nic Conger Fort Smith, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Rodney Copeland Sallisaw, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Clayton Coppin Muskogee, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Hunter Crossland Midland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Caleb Eaton Branson, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Bates Enmeier Springdale, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Dave Garrett Trinidad, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Ronald Giebel Penrose, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Don Glick Zurich, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Darren Hahne Ottawa, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Michael Hamilton Midwest City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Ryan Heavener Tulsa, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Mike Hill Carlsbad, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Michael Humm Plattsmouth, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. River Lee Diboll, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Dave McCoy Plattsmouth, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Michael Messall Bismarck, ND 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Richard Minyard Mustang, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Sam Mitchell Kiowa, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Jin Nguyen Kansas City, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Chris Ogan Bixby, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Joshua Palma Surprise, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Brad Ragsdale Fairland, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Royce Scheetz Lubbock, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Chad Schmidt Clearwater, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Justin Shepard Lansing, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Michael Stephens Vian, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Kirk Stickler Eden, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Ron Strickland Pueblo West, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Daniel Vigil Trinidad, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Bruce Webb Yorkville, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Marty Whisnant Gainesville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
151. Justin Yenter Stevens Point, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 266 696-11
2 7 207 588-03
———————————-
18 473 1284-14

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance 4/9-4/11
Lake Eufaula, Eufaula OK.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Zach Oliver Coal Hill, AR 6 17-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 11-07
2. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO 4 16-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 3 14-09
3. Eric Englebretson Chickasha, OK 4 13-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 3 10-11
4. Randy Benham Sherwood, AR 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 2 07-05
5. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 3 13-03 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 13-03
6. Jeff Nolte Shawnee, KS 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 2 07-06
7. Timothy Soli Warr Acres, OK 4 12-10 0
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 3 09-07
8. Zack Holt Yukon, OK 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 2 03-01
9. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 6 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-06 Day 2: 3 06-00
10. David Zak San Angelo, TX 4 12-04 0
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 1 01-12
11. Larry Green Splendora, TX 4 12-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 2 06-06
12. Trey Clement Thibodaux, LA 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 2 04-02
13. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-05 Day 2: 3 05-11
14. Aaron Baldridge Moore, OK 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 05-02
15. Ernie Villa Midland, TX 4 10-06 0
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 1 03-00
16. Greg Dennis Pilot Point, TX 4 10-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 1 01-15
17. Bryan Schuster Oklahoma City, OK 4 09-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 1 03-03
18. Tom Parks Prescott Valley, AZ 3 09-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-12 Day 2: 2 05-09
19. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr Santa Fe, NM 3 09-00 0
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 1 01-15
20. Todd Tigar Osage Beach, MO 4 08-10 0
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 2 03-07
21. Mike Casanova Frisco, TX 3 08-09 0 $300.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-09
22. Paul Huse Omaha, NE 2 08-03 0 $300.00
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 1 05-05
23. Chris Nettles Hickory Creek, TX 2 06-13 0 $300.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-13
24. Ethan Oubre Saint Amant, LA 3 06-12 0 $300.00
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 2 04-02
25. Jason Campbell Berwick, LA 2 06-03 0 $300.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-03
26. Logan Farrimond Garden City, MO 2 06-00 0 $300.00
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 1 02-09
27. Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 2 05-13 0 $300.00
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 03-13
28. Keith Jensen Omaha, NE 2 05-09 0 $300.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-09
29. Wes Ledbetter Coweta, OK 2 05-07 0 $300.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
30. Jason Gillihan Manchester, IA 2 05-04 0 $300.00
Day 1: 2 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
31. Daniel Gentle Papillion, NE 1 05-04 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 05-04
32. Jacob Cooper El Dorado, KS 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 03-00
33. Scott Grissom Goodyear, AZ 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 1 02-07
34. Glen Shoemaker Cortland, NE 1 04-11 0
Day 1: 1 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
35. Eric Baker Oklahoma City, OK 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-07
36. Todd Tobnick Saint Louis, MO 1 04-06 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-06
37. Cody Ralph Brighton, CO 1 04-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-05
38. Wade Roberts Lake Charles, LA 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
39. Chris Jarvis Albuquerque, NM 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
40. Scott Hausman Owasso, OK 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-05
41. Richard Muhl Jr Iola, KS 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
42. Macky Bosley III Canyon, TX 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-02
42. Hieu Nguyen Stillwater, OK 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
44. John Kozel Leawood, KS 2 03-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-01
45. Robin Hessling Quincy, IL 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-01
46. Angela Messall Bismarck, ND 1 02-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-14
47. Mike Clark Spiro, OK 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
48. Grant Bourque Prairieville, LA 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
49. Brian Bottenfield Mound, MN 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
49. Harvey Miller Melvin, IA 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-01
51. Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-00
51. Rodney Meyer Atkins, AR 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-00
53. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
53. Adam Gipson Fort Smith, AR 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
53. Joseph Lurkins Jefferson City, MO 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
53. Benjamin Saunders Gardner, KS 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Danny Giacomo Mcalester, OK 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Charles Glorioso II Thibodaux, LA 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Rickey Monroe Edgewood, NM 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-14
57. Ron Price Canon City, CO 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
61. Johnny Bailey Jr Stephens, AR 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. James Edmonds III Hot Springs Village, AR 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-12
62. Mark Shields Rogersville, MO 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-12
65. Matheuw Forbes Fort Collins, CO 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-11
65. Tuan Le Kansas City, MO 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
67. Joseph Sciuto Leander, TX 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
68. Kevin Joines Choctaw, OK 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. David Peltz Albuquerque, NM 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Blaine Acosta Bethany, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Bo Ard Junction, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. James Barber Greenville, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Keith Barnes Fort Gibson, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Brayden Bernard Lake Havasu City, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Brandon Brooks Blue Springs, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Scott Bullinger Bismarck, ND 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Joseph Case Mannford, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Roger Coleman Lincoln, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Marion Daniels Kansas City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Koby Davis Fort Collins, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Shayne Dupree Haslet, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Jeff Dyess Perry, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Chris Escoe Sand Springs, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Tom Garner Lincoln, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Christopher Gilbert Ozark, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Jagar Halbleib Clovis, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Dennis Hamel Plainville, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Douglas Hatcher Clarksville, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Seth Hausman Owasso, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Mike Hill Apache Junction, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Zachary Hutchinson Prairie Grove, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Melissa Jarvis Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Shannon Keiffer-Rose Oakland, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Richard Kiblinger Kansas City, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Dennis Kotas Milligan, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Mark Lachenauer San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Toby Lankford Prairie Grove, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. James Mcdonald Killeen, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Maverick Mosiman Andover, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Joseph Palma Goodyear, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. J R Pickett Jr Rose Hill, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Paul Pierce Wylie, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Greg Poetz Winsted, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Dan Radebaugh Plattsmouth, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Fred Reese Colorado Springs, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Amanda Riley Galesville, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Zach Roberts Morris, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Andrew Rutherford Marlin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Donald Steckline Estes Park, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Gabe Trujillo Platteville, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Mike Turner Berryton, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
70. Steve Weaver Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 74 180-14
2 8 80 228-01
———————————-
19 154 408-15

University of Montevallo Takes Lead Heading into Final Day at Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship on Wheeler Lake

Brian Carter

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April 10, 2025

0

University of Montevallo Takes Lead Heading into Final Day at Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship on Wheeler Lake

DECATUR, Ala. (April 10, 2025) – The 135 best college teams in the country were greeted by a very different Wheeler Lake on Day 2 of the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship Presented by Columbia PFG. After Wednesday saw 18 bags of 19 pounds or more hit the scales, only seven teams reached that mark on Friday. As proof of how challenging the bite was, Day 1 leaders Carter and Dylan Nutt – two of the hottest anglers on the Tennessee River at any level – mustered just 9 pounds, 9 ounces after weighing 22-15 a day prior.

Yet Brody Robison and Peyton Sorrow not only replicated their strong Day 1 but exceeded it. The University of Montevallo tandem sacked up 23-9 on Thursday. The biggest bag of the event so far, it boosted their total to 45-1. That vaulted them from fifth place into the lead and gives them a cushion of 2-7 over John Berry and Blake Bullock of Blue Mountain Christian University entering the final day.

Only the Top 10 teams will take the water Friday. All the action will be streamed live on MLFNOW! starting shortly after takeoff at 7 a.m. CT, culminating with the crowning of a new national champion at 1 p.m.

LINK TO AFTERNOON PHOTO GALLERY: Wheeler Lake clamps down on Day 2 of College National Championship

While their weight might not show it, Robison and Sorrow said the fishing wasn’t easy for them, either, which they attributed to less current flowing through the Tennessee River impoundment on Thursday. They only got seven bites all day. Late in the day, though, they caught a 6-1 smallmouth, the biggest fish in their bag. That gave them a clue that they used to fill out their limit.

“We kind of started putting the pieces together, and we got a very big late-day bite, and it kind of put the train back on the wheels, and we just kind of went from there,” Sorrow said. “We were able to cull twice right at the end of the day.”

Conditions that forced the field to grind for bites suited Robison and Sorrow. Sorrow, a junior, said they had a “horrible practice,” during which they caught only three keepers. They were able to find one productive spot, where they caught a limit to start Day 1, and since then, they’ve continued to explore new water.

“Today and yesterday were Days 3 and 4 of practice for us,” Robison said. “We had a place that we scanned and said, ‘Those are probably bass.’ Went and started there, caught our first five there yesterday, and we spent 5 1/2 hours graphing after that during tournament hours just trying to find something to fish today. So, today, we caught everything on new water.”

Robison, a senior who grew up just south of Lake Guntersville, has a bit of experience on Wheeler. In fact, he won a high school state championship on the fishery before he even enrolled in high school, at age 12. That experience has been helpful – not so much in terms of knowing productive spots but because he’s adept at using his electronics to identify bass and baitfish on the Tennessee River.

While the duo didn’t divulge all the details of their pattern, they did note that the presence of gizzard shad has been key.

“We’re basing a lot of what we’re doing on fishing around gizzard shad, and knowing when you’re around gizzard shad – whether it’s using SideScan or DownScan or forward-facing or whatever – as opposed to threadfin helps you with your efficiency,” Robison explained. “You’re not wasting your time fishing bad areas.”

With thunderstorms rolling through the area Thursday evening and strong northwest winds forecast to blow on Championship Friday, Robison and Sorrow are expecting to face different conditions once again. They know they’ll need to find more new water; but at this point, they’re optimistic they can do so.

“We’re going to kind of do what we did yesterday and today,” Sorrow said. “We had a horrible practice and kind of just went fishing on a whim and trusted our instincts and really put the pieces together as the day went along. So, I think that’s what we’re going to do tomorrow. We’re just going to go fish on a whim and trust God’s timing and process, and just kind of see how everything shakes out.”

If Robison and Sorrow can protect their lead, it would mark the second national championship in the past three years for Montevallo. The powerhouse program also has two other teams in the Top 10. A win would also earn each of them a berth in this fall’s Toyota Series Championship, where the higher finisher will win a trip to REDCREST 2026.

While neither Robison (who has competed in one previous national championship) nor Sorrow (a national championship first-timer) has lifted a trophy of this magnitude before, they have a pretty good idea what it would mean. Robison lives with Peyton Harris and Dalton Head, who won the Falcons’ 2023 national championship on the Kissimmee Chain.

“To bring back another to our house would be really cool,” Robison said, “and to bring back another to the program, it’s an awesome opportunity.”

The top 10 teams advancing to Championship Friday at the Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship Presented by Columbia PFG on Wheeler Lake are:

1st: University of Montevallo – Brody Robison, Dawson, Ala., and Peyton Sorrow, Abbeville, S.C., 10 bass, 45-1
2nd: Blue Mountain Christian University – John Berry, Mount Olive, Miss., and Blake Bullock, Seminary, Miss., 10 bass, 42-10
3rd: University of Montevallo – Nicholas Dumke, Grand Rapids, Minn., 10 bass, 39-12
4th: University of North Alabama – Tripp Berlinsky, Florence, Ala., and Bryce DiMauro, Longwood, Fla., 10 bass, 38-12
5th: McKendree University – Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., and Jaxson Freeman, Loda, Ill., 10 bass, 38-0
6th: Carson-Newman University – Szymon Piton, Orland Park, Ill., and Riley Faulkner, Jacksboro, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-13
7th: University of Alabama – Cooper Gilroy, Middlebury, Ct., and Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 10 bass, 36-3
8th: Northwestern State University – Drake Wadsworth, Frierson, La., and Stone Smith, Shreveport, La., 10 bass, 35-15
9th: University of Montevallo – Brenton Godwin, Stapleton, Ala., and Hunter Odom, Chunchula, Ala., 10 bass, 35-13
10th: Carson-Newman University – Nicholas Dellaporta, Pequannock, N.J., and Drew Pitts, Lutz, Fla., 10 bass, 34-9

For a full list of results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 567 bass weighing 1,588 pounds, 14 ounces caught by 125 teams on Thursday. The catch included 99 five-bass limits.

The top 10 teams will take off from Ingalls Harbor, located at 701 Market St. NW, in Decatur at 7 a.m. CT on Friday. Weigh-ins will be held at the Harbor starting at 3 p.m. and will be livestreamed daily. Fans are welcome to attend the event or tune in to the weigh-in and follow the online coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism, the 16^th annual College Fishing National Championship features 135 teams of the nation’s best collegiate anglers competing for a $43,500 prize package, including a new Phoenix 518 pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, an additional $10,000 and the chance to advance to the 2025 Toyota Series Championship and REDCREST 2026 – MLF’s most prestigious championship – to fish for top prizes of $235,000 and $300,000, respectively.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action on Championship Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® will be livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

The MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI 2024 season featured college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament qualified to compete in this event, the 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship

Welcher whacks them on Day 1 at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

Brian Carter

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April 10, 2025

0

Welcher whacks them on Day 1 at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

Alabama’s Kyle Welcher leads Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound in Elizabeth City, N.C., with a weight of 30-11.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 10, 2025

Welcher whacks them on Day 1 at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Bites were hard to come by for Kyle Welcher during practice for the St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound. He received only seven keeper bites on Day 1, but they resulted in the best bag of the day.

The 2023 Progressive Angler of the Year caught a limit of largemouth weighing 30 pounds, 11 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in eastern North Carolina. He anchored his impressive performance with three 7-pounders and a 6-pounder.

The Alabama native holds a nearly 7-pound lead over second-place Easton Fothergill.

“It was very fortunate,” he said. “My practice was terrible. I was really struggling with the confidence to catch a limit. The second one I caught was a 7-pounder, and that was the key to the puzzle for today. I’ve got a little clue now.”

After several cold nights to end practice, sunny and windy conditions persisted over the Albemarle Sound on Thursday. Navigating to the many rivers that flow into the Sound proved challenging for anglers, and the colder weather made the bite stingier than anticipated. Even with the tough bite, 71 limits were caught.

Welcher’s best day in practice produced five to six bites, none as big as what he received on Day 1, and on the final day of practice he caught just two keepers.

“I didn’t get a good feel for the place, but something was telling me to go to this one area. That is where I went today,” Welcher said. “I really don’t know what changed.”

When he arrived in that one area today, he found the big ones waiting. Welcher landed two of his bigger bites when he first arrived at his area before suffering a long lull. After trying to adjust with little success, he returned to the same spot he landed his first two bites and caught his third quality keeper.

“I started making adjustments and caught one small keeper,” Welcher said. “I abandoned those adjustments and went back to the area I caught the two big ones and caught another one. After I had those three big ones, I knew I had a good day going and I went looking for new water and caught another big one.”

All of his bites came doing the same thing; flipping a CrushCity Bronco Bug in shallow water. The deepest bass he landed came in around 5 feet of water. Welcher believes he landed mostly prespawn largemouth on Day 1.

“A big chunk of the ones I’m catching are prespawn,” he said. “Just by how they look. They are really fat and really pretty. I had to slow down a lot today.”

In order to win this tournament, Welcher imagines he will have to continue to find new areas to fish. With how few bites he is getting, however, maximizing his area will also be incredibly important.

“I don’t think where I caught them today will reload enough for multiple days, but it is so hard to get a bite here that you have to stay in (the areas you get bites),” Welcher said.

Fothergill, meanwhile, made a key adjustment to catch his 23-13 limit on Thursday. He anchored his bag with a 6 ½-pound largemouth.

Coming off his victory at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour at Lake Ray Roberts, Fothergill started his tournament in the Pasquotank River and caught one keeper before moving to one of the other rivers later in the day.

“It was an awesome day,” the Grand Rapids, Minn., native said. “I started shallow throwing a buzzbait, plopper and swim jig and completely switched it up. I went finesse on them. I knew they were still there, I just had to switch it up to get them to bite.”

When the power-fishing baits did not produce, he switched to a drop shot, which landed the majority of his keeper bites.

“I had to slow down to get the big ones to bite,” he said.

In practice, Fothergill found plenty of bass on the bed, but when he arrived at those areas today, he found them high and dry. The water temperature also dropped, which he feels moved some of those bass away from the bed.

“I have a mix of prespawn and postspawners. A lot of them I’m catching are beat up and have bloody tails. My 6 ½ was a prespawner. It is kind of all over the board,” Fothergill said. “The water dropped a bunch. I caught a 7 accidentally off of a bed in practice, and that bed is now dry.”

Forward-facing sonar played an important role in his success on Day 1, but when the water was higher, it played very little.

Reigning Dakota Lithium Elite Series Angler of the Year Trey McKinney is in third with 23-7. The Carbondale, Ill., pro started in an area where he received a lot of bites on the final day of practice. On Day 1, he landed 30 keepers and 11 pounds by 11 a.m., but didn’t get his bigger bites until the afternoon.

“Once I started picking it apart, I started getting quality bites,” McKinney said. “I switched the type of bank I was going down. I started fishing a slow, tapering bank in the afternoon instead of a steep drop. Once I did that, I went from 11 pounds to 23 pounds (quickly).”

A prototype jig produced the majority of his bites. His biggest bass of the day was a postspawner, while several others were either prespawners or spawning.

Huntington, Texas, pro Keith Combs landed the Big Bass of the Day, an 8-2 largemouth that anchored his 15-12 Day 1 limit.

Sylacauga, Ala., pro David Gaston leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings currently with 259 points. Brookville, Ind., veteran Bill Lowen and Plover, Wis., pro Jay Przekurat are tied for second with 256 points followed by California’s Bryant Smith in fourth with 250 points and Florida’s John Cox in fifth with 249 points.

The full field of 102 pros will launch from Waterfront Park beginning at 7 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The Top 50 anglers after the Day 2 weigh-in will advance to Semifinal Saturday before the Top 10 anglers compete on Championship Sunday for the top prize of $100,000.

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River 4/10-4/13
Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound , Elizabeth City NC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 30-11 104
Day 1: 5 30-11
2. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 23-13 103
Day 1: 5 23-13
3. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 23-07 102
Day 1: 5 23-07
4. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 18-12 101
Day 1: 5 18-12
5. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 18-10 100
Day 1: 5 18-10
6. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 18-05 99
Day 1: 5 18-05
7. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 17-14 98
Day 1: 5 17-14
8. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 17-07 97
Day 1: 5 17-07
9. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 17-03 96
Day 1: 5 17-03
10. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 16-14 95
Day 1: 5 16-14
11. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 16-13 94
Day 1: 5 16-13
12. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 16-11 93
Day 1: 5 16-11
13. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 16-08 92
Day 1: 5 16-08
14. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 16-06 91
Day 1: 5 16-06
15. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 16-05 90
Day 1: 5 16-05
16. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 16-03 89
Day 1: 5 16-03
17. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 16-01 88
Day 1: 5 16-01
18. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 15-15 87
Day 1: 5 15-15
18. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 15-15 87
Day 1: 5 15-15
20. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 15-13 85
Day 1: 5 15-13
21. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 15-12 84 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-12
21. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 15-12 84
Day 1: 5 15-12
23. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 15-06 82
Day 1: 5 15-06
24. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 15-04 81
Day 1: 5 15-04
25. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 15-03 80
Day 1: 5 15-03
26. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 15-00 79
Day 1: 5 15-00
27. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 14-09 78
Day 1: 5 14-09
27. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 14-09 78
Day 1: 5 14-09
29. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 13-15 76
Day 1: 5 13-15
30. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 13-14 75
Day 1: 5 13-14
31. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 13-09 74
Day 1: 5 13-09
32. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 13-07 73
Day 1: 5 13-07
33. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 13-06 72
Day 1: 5 13-06
33. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 13-06 72
Day 1: 5 13-06
35. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 4 13-03 70
Day 1: 4 13-03
36. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 13-01 69
Day 1: 5 13-01
37. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 12-15 68
Day 1: 5 12-15
38. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 4 12-13 67
Day 1: 4 12-13
39. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 12-12 66
Day 1: 5 12-12
40. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 12-09 65
Day 1: 5 12-09
40. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 12-09 65
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-08 63
Day 1: 5 12-08
43. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 12-06 62
Day 1: 5 12-06
44. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 12-03 61
Day 1: 5 12-03
45. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 12-00 60
Day 1: 5 12-00
46. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 11-15 59
Day 1: 5 11-15
47. John Cox Debary, FL 5 11-14 58
Day 1: 5 11-14
48. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 11-11 57
Day 1: 5 11-11
49. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 11-08 56
Day 1: 5 11-08
50. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 4 11-07 55
Day 1: 4 11-07
51. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 11-06 54
Day 1: 5 11-06
51. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 11-06 54
Day 1: 5 11-06
53. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 11-04 52
Day 1: 5 11-04
54. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 5 11-00 51
Day 1: 5 11-00
55. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 10-11 50
Day 1: 5 10-11
55. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 10-11 50
Day 1: 5 10-11
57. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 10-10 48
Day 1: 5 10-10
58. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 5 10-09 47
Day 1: 5 10-09
59. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 10-08 46
Day 1: 5 10-08
60. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 10-06 45
Day 1: 5 10-06
61. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 10-03 44
Day 1: 5 10-03
62. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 10-02 43
Day 1: 5 10-02
63. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 09-15 42
Day 1: 5 09-15
63. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 09-15 42
Day 1: 5 09-15
63. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 09-15 42
Day 1: 5 09-15
66. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 09-13 39
Day 1: 5 09-13
67. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 09-09 38
Day 1: 5 09-09
68. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 09-07 37
Day 1: 5 09-07
69. John Garrett Union City, TN 4 09-07 36
Day 1: 4 09-07
70. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 4 09-05 35
Day 1: 4 09-05
71. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 5 09-02 34
Day 1: 5 09-02
72. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 08-14 33
Day 1: 5 08-14
72. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 08-14 33
Day 1: 5 08-14
74. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 08-11 31
Day 1: 5 08-11
75. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 08-09 30
Day 1: 5 08-09
76. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 4 08-07 29
Day 1: 4 08-07
76. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 4 08-07 29
Day 1: 4 08-07
78. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 4 08-00 27
Day 1: 4 08-00
78. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 4 08-00 27
Day 1: 4 08-00
80. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 07-11 25
Day 1: 5 07-11
81. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 3 07-03 24
Day 1: 3 07-03
82. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 4 07-01 23
Day 1: 4 07-01
83. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 3 07-01 22
Day 1: 3 07-01
84. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 4 07-00 21
Day 1: 4 07-00
85. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 4 06-12 20
Day 1: 4 06-12
86. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 2 06-12 19
Day 1: 2 06-12
87. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 2 06-06 18
Day 1: 2 06-06
88. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 3 05-13 17
Day 1: 3 05-13
89. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 3 05-11 16
Day 1: 3 05-11
90. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 2 05-09 15
Day 1: 2 05-09
91. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 3 05-00 14
Day 1: 3 05-00
92. Bryan New Leesville, SC 2 04-06 13
Day 1: 2 04-06
93. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 2 04-03 12
Day 1: 2 04-03
94. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 2 03-06 11
Day 1: 2 03-06
95. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 2 02-14 10
Day 1: 2 02-14
96. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 2 02-12 9
Day 1: 2 02-12
97. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 1 02-05 8
Day 1: 1 02-05
98. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 1 02-03 7
Day 1: 1 02-03
99. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 1 01-05 6
Day 1: 1 01-05
100. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
100. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
100. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————– PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 08-02 $1,000.00 ———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 71 437 1150-07
———————————-
71 437 1150-07

Alabama’s Fisher Anaya Catches 24-8 on Final Day to Win MLF Toyota Series at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes

Brian Carter

-

April 10, 2025

0

Alabama’s Fisher Anaya Catches 24-8 on Final Day to Win MLF Toyota Series at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – Going into the final day of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Plains Division event on Kentucky Lake, Camden, Tennessee, pro Sam Lashlee held a pretty solid lead over Fisher Anaya of Eva, Alabama, and the rest of the field. And, running far south yet again, Lashlee didn’t give it way – he rustled up 20 pounds, 3 ounces, more than enough to protect his lead from most charges.

But Anaya’s surge wasn’t typical. Blasting 24 pounds, 8 ounces – the biggest bag of the tournament – the 19-year-old pro slid up one place to earn the trophy. With a 62-14 total, Anaya expertly rolled with a dynamic fishery to pocket $39,545 for his efforts.

After a few close calls, the win is Anaya’s first with MLF. Back-to-back Toyota Series events have now been won by teenagers, as Dylan Quilatan prevailed recently at the Harris Chain. Finishing second, Lashlee totaled an even 62 pounds. Between them, Anaya and Lashlee far outstripped the field, as Blake Schroeder finished third with 51-14.

If you’re going to have an unbelievable day of fishing, there’s hardly a better day for it than the last day of a major tournament. According to Anaya, a mid-afternoon discovery on Day 2 led to an incredible morning on Day 3.

“It was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Anaya. “I found them midway through the second day. I was fishing for spawning fish in the back (of a marina), and I just came out and got on a random sand flat out in the mouth. And I found a little sinkhole, and I saw a bunch of blobs sitting there. I was like, ‘There’s no way that’s all bass.’

“I made three casts on it yesterday and caught three 4 1/2-pounders and left them alone,” he detailed. “And then I went back today and sat the boat down. And for like an hour and a half, I caught 4 1/2-pounder after 4 1/2-pounder.

“I’ve never seen nothing like it in my life,” he said. “They looked like a school of largemouth on Guntersville stacked up there, but they were in 4 foot of water.”

After blasting them all morning, Anaya earned an emotional win, with tears and rain both falling on stage.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” said the young angler. “I’ve been a nervous wreck since 8 o’clock this morning, since I had them. I mean, I’ve been back and forth pacing on the boat. Eating a sandwich, drinking water. I was trying to do anything to keep my mind off what was going to happen.

“To finally have it go my way, it feels great,” he added. “I lost a 7-pounder the first day, and I really thought that was going to be the one that came back to haunt me. That was going to be the reason I didn’t win and finished second. I’m just lost for words.”

Recently, Anaya has fished quite a few tournaments on Kentucky Lake, so he went into this one theoretically well prepared for standard spring conditions. Fortunately for him, the high, dirty water boxed him in.

“I had some spawning fish found in [the Paris Landing Marina],” he said. “It’s the only clean water I found on the lake, really. So, I just told myself I was going to run there, and if I got five to bite, I’d have a decent bag. And I really thought the weights were going to be really bad.

“I pulled in that first day and caught a 5-pound smallmouth and some keepers, but I could never get nothing else rolling,” he said. “I decided to go crank the muddy water late that afternoon, and I ended up catching a 3 1/2-pounder, which got me to whatever I had the first day. And I jumped off a great big largemouth – it was a 6- or 7-pounder. Huge. And that’s been in the back of my mind since it jumped off.”

Though he whipped around a firetiger Rapala DT6, the trusty minnow got the bulk of the work done, both for spawning fish and on his winning hole. In that case, he went with a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader on a 1/8-ounce head with a 6-foot, 10-inch, medium-light 13 Fishing Myth spinning stick and 12-pound Suffix Revolve with a 12-pound Suffix Advance leader.

“The second day, I ran and did the same stuff, but I actually ended up catching 19 pounds of spawners in the back of Paris instead,” said Anaya. “I was actually trolling over there to crank the bridge, and I trolled over the top of them, and they all shot up off the bottom. And I was like, ‘Maybe that was bass.’ I spun around. It was meant to be, I guess.”

The final day, Anaya ran straight to the juice, and he had the tournament won in short order.

“I think it took me 47 minutes to get there,” he said. “And when I clicked my camera at 58 minutes, I had 22 pounds. I’ve never seen nothing like it.”

The top 10 pros at the Toyota Series at Kentucky Lake finished:

1st:        Fisher Anaya, Eva, Ala., 15 bass, 62-14, $39,545 (includes $1,000 Phoenix Bonus)
2nd:       Sam Lashlee, Camden, Tenn., 15 bass, 62-0, $14,936
3rd:       Blake Schroeder, Whitehouse, Texas, 15 bass, 51-14, $11,563
4th:        Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 51-14, $9,636
5th:        Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 15 bass, 51-10, $8,673
6th:        Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 13 bass, 51-3, $7,709
7th:        Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 50-4, $6,745
8th:        Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 15 bass, 49-13, $5,782
9th:        Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 15 bass, 48-13, $4,818
10th:     Brock Bila, Republic, Mo., 15 bass, 47-10, $3,854

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Joe Lucarelli of Benton, Kentucky, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Day 1 Tuesday with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, while pro Justin Berger of Murray, Kentucky, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass on Day 2 Wednesday with a 7-pound, 1-ounce fish to earn the $500 prize.

Dan Bowman of Osage Beach, Missouri, won the co-angler division Thursday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 42 pounds, 12 ounce. Bowman earned the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers at the Toyota Series at Kentucky Lake finished:

1st:        Dan Bowman, Osage Beach, Mo., 14 bass, 42-12, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd:       Noah Dickneite, Westphalia, Mo., 13 bass, 36-3, $4,836
3rd:       Jeremy Duke, Gautier, Miss., 12 bass, 36-2, $3,868
4th:        Alan Bernicky, Dardanelle, Ark., 12 bass, 32-5, $3,485
5th:        Chase Johnson, Quincy, Ill., 12 bass, 31-4, $2,901
6th:        Douglas Guidorzi, Genton, Mo., 11 bass, 30-8, $2,418
7th:        Jeff Moss, Oronogo, Mo., 11 bass, 28-0, $1,934
8th:        Dustin Selck, Hixson, Tenn., nine bass, 25-12, $1,692
9th:        Josiah Ennes, Billings, Mo., eight bass, 24-11, $1,451
10th:     Dennis Young, Olathe, Kan., nine bass, 24-11, $1,209

Co-angler Kristin Hamilton of Mount Washington, Kentucky, earned Tuesday’s Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass to win the $150 prize, while Wednesday’s Day 2 $150 co-angler award went to Clayton Hale of Grove, Oklahoma, who weighed in a 6-pound, 7-ounce largemouth.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Chickamauga was hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. It was the second of three regular-season tournament for the Toyota Series Plains Division. The third and final event for the Toyota Series Plains Division regular season will be Sept. 25-27 – The Toyota Series at Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.

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