MLF Completes Builders FirstSource Qualifier Presented by Berkley Television Shoot on Local Lakes with Nine Three-Man Teams Competing to Advance to Bass Pro Shops Team Series Championship
LONGVIEW, Texas (Oct. 30, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and 27 of the top pro anglers in the world officially wrapped production Friday at the third and final regular season event of the 2024 General Tire Team Series season – the Builders FirstSource Qualifier Presented by Berkley in Longview, Texas. The competition was filmed entirely for television broadcast and shot over six days last week, featuring nine teams of three anglers competing to finish in the top three and advance to the Bass Pro Shops Team Series Championship.
The event featured professional anglers visiting East Texas to compete in select areas of Lake O’ the Pines, Lake Bob Sandlin, Brady Branch Reservoir and Martin Creek Lake. The competition waters for each day of the event were not disclosed until the anglers arrived at the launch ramp each morning, creating a reality-based television episode that showcases how the top anglers in the world work with their teammates to break down new and unfamiliar waters.
The nine teams that competed in the General Tire Team Series Builders FirstSource Qualifier Presented by Berkley in Texas were:
Team B&W Trailer Hitches: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla. Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La. Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala.
Team Builders FirstSource: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala. Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas
Team Crockett Creek: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn. Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C. Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
Team Ferguson: Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark. Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C. Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
Team Knighten Industries: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn. Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Team Kubota: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La. Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz. Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla. Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.
Team Sqwincher: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala. Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala. Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La.
Team Star brite: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan. Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.
The MLF General Tire Team Series Builders FirstSource Qualifier Presented by Berkey will air on Outdoor Channel as six, two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 30, 2024, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. EDT. The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com/tv-schedule.
The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of three Qualifying Events, filmed for production in the fall of 2023, where teams compete for advancement to the Bass Pro Shops Teams Series Championship, set to film in early December 2023. Each of the three Team Series Qualifiers consist of nine teams, each comprising three anglers.
Nearly half a million dollars will be paid out over the three no-entry fee Qualifiers, and the total season-long purse for the General Tire Team Series is more than $720,000.
Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Bubba, Builders FirstSource, Costa, Crockett Creek Beef Jerky, Ferguson, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury Marine, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Optima Batteries, Power-Pole, Quad Lock, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, Sqwincher, St. Croix Rods, Star brite, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Salem, Va. – October 30, 2023 –Missile Baits is offering the opportunity to fish with John Crews on the St. John’s River in Florida in April 2024 through a sweepstakes running from October 30 to November 19, 2023. The winner will get a full day of fishing with their guest and John Crews after the BASS Elite in April, travel expenses for two people, accommodations for two people, and a product assortment worth over $200. The promotion is featuring a limited run merch drop of Missile Baits and Missile Jigs apparel only on www.missilebaits.com during the three week sweepstakes period.
Missile Baits owner and pro angler, John Crews, explains, “The St. John’s River is a special fishery to me because of my BASS Elite win in 2022, other high finishes, and it is where I caught my biggest bass ever. I can’t think of a better place to share an amazing day on the water with another angler and their guest. It’s going to be so much fun.”
To enter the sweepstakes, entrants will be able to enter online and through the mail. To enter online, entrants will get one entry per dollar spent on a limited run of new Missile apparel on www.missilebaits.com during the sweepstakes time period. To enter by mail and read all the rules, click on the following link: https://missilebaits.store/pages/sweepstakes-rules . The winner will be randomly selected through an independent service after the sweepstakes time period concludes.
ANDERSON, S.C. (Oct. 30, 2023) – Dawsonville, Georgia’s, Dawson County High School team of Carter Cunningham and Landon Glander, both of Dawsonville, Georgia, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces, to win the MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing Open at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.
A field of 85 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10 percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top eight teams that advanced to the 2024 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Dawson County High School, Dawsonville, Ga. – Carter Cunningham and Landon Glander, five bass, 15-15 2nd: Greenbrier High School, Evans, Ga. – Landon Brazier and Austin Fulghum, five bass, 14-3 3rd: Cherokee High School, Canton, Ga. – Noah Dzyuba and Lane Parker, five bass, 13-7 4th: South Forsyth High School, Cumming, Ga. – Maddox Ferrell and Grady Williamson, five bass, 13-0 5th: Pickens High School, Pickens. S.C. – Anders Fernstrom and Carter McCollum, five bass, 12-0 6th: Palmetto High School, Williamston, S.C. – Ethan Evatt and Bryson Gurley, five bass, 11-15 7th: Cherokee High School, Canton, Ga. – Hudson Howell and Logan Parker, five bass, 11-15 8th: Dawson County High School, Dawsonville, Ga. – Reed Rooke and Hayden Seabolt, five bass, 11-14
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
9th: York County High School, York, S.C. – Fielding Faulkenberry and Greyden Hovis, five bass, 11-12 10th: Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga. – Brady Garrison and Riley Haney, five bass, 11-10
MLF High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advanced to the 2024 High School Fishing National Championship held on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina, June 19, hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF High School Fishing Presented by Favorite Fishing include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
ANDERSON, S.C. (Oct. 30, 2023) – The Lander University duo of Kaleb Brown of Greenwood, South Carolina, and Cole Moulton of Enfield, New Hampshire, bested a full field of 250 boats – the fourth-largest collegiate field in MLF history – to win the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned the Bearcats’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2024 MLF College Fishing National Championship.
“We spent a lot of time out here the last couple of weeks because the lake is pretty close to school,” said Moulton, a sophomore. “We found a spot in practice on Thursday morning where we caught 16 pounds in 15 minutes.
“We drew a boat number in the middle of the pack and made a run, and nobody was sitting on our spot,” Moulton continued. “We started off the day with a spotted bass that was just shy of 4 pounds and a couple of 2-pounders off that spot in the first 35 minutes. So that got us some momentum going.”
Moulton said the team used a 7/16- and 5/8-ounce Beast Coast Tungsten Compound Baby Dozer Jig and rotated through a couple of spots, but didn’t catch fish. High temperatures and sunny conditions combined to make tough tournament conditions, so they relocated to a spot they hadn’t fished in three weeks hoping their luck would change.
“Kaleb threw out there with his jig and set his hook, and it was another 4-pound spotted bass,” Moulton said. “We filled our limit there and had 11 pounds, but we had three small ones.”
Moulton said they moved around trying to cull their three smaller fish and ran to a spot where they had found schooling fish previously. As soon as they stopped the boat the fish turned on, and Moulton caught a 3-pound largemouth.
“Largemouth were rare for us all week – we hadn’t caught any in practice – so that largemouth was a bonus fish,” Moulton said.
Brown added another 3¼-pound largemouth and one more spotted bass just shy of 3 pounds to the livewell to set the team’s final weight for the day.
“We didn’t feel confident for a win with a full moon and the way the tournament was setting up, especially with a lot of local hammers here,” Brown said. “We figured we might squeeze out a top-10 finish. As we were running up the lake it dawned on us that we might have a shot at this one.
“With me being a senior, and Cole’s accomplishments as a decorated High School Fishing angler … I’ve been chasing my win for so long; to finally get it is just incredible,” Brown added. “It’s everything I’ve wanted.”
The top 10 teams at the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell are:
1st: Lander University – Kaleb Brown, Greenwood, S.C., and Cole Moulton, Enfield, N.H., five bass, 17-1, $2,000 2nd: University of South Carolina-Union – Jacob Butts, Starr, S.C., and Mark Kershaw, Fort Mill, S.C., five bass, 15-13, $1,000 3rd: Emmanuel College – Brooks Anderson, Marietta, Ga., and Max Heaton, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 15-12, $700 4th: Emmanuel College – Dawson Carden, Canon, Ga., and Colby Elliott, Blairsville, Ga., five bass, 15-3, $600 5th: Georgia College – Trice Cannon, Milledgeville, Ga., and Josh Finnerty, Alpharetta, Ga., five bass, 14-12, $500 6th: Emmanuel College – Scooter Ligon, Dahlonega, Ga., and Levi Seagraves, Comer, Ga., five bass, 14-10 7th: University of North Alabama – Nathan Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn., and Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 14-5 8th: Bethel University – David Gummow, New Roads, La., and Coleman Self, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 14-4 9th: Emmanuel University – Tyler Campbell, Martin, Ga., and Parker Guy, Ocilla, Ga., five bass, 13-15 10th: Auburn University – Carson Maddux, Hoover, Ala., and Bennett Slinkard, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 13-14
Complete results for the entire field, including all 24 MLF College Fishing National Championship qualifiers, can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell was hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship. The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship will be held Jan. 9-11, 2024, at Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho) in Kissimmee, Florida, and is hosted by the Kissimmee Sports Commission.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Registration Now Open for NPAA Annual Conference In Fort Myers, FL.
Forestville, WI (October 30, 2023) – The dates and location have been announced and anticipation is already on the rise for the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) 2024 Annual Conference. The premier event for all sportfishing industry professionals ranging from tournament anglers and guides, to tackle shop staff, service crews and industry representatives will commence on Friday, January 5th, and run through Sunday, January 7th, at Southwest Florida’s newly renovated Crown Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast, an IHG Hotel.“This is an awesome venue, and we are really looking forward to this event,” says NPAA president, Patrick Neu. Located just five minutes from the SW Florida Regional Airport (RSW), which offers direct flights daily to/from most major cities across the country, the conference promises to be informative, fun and convenient to attend while focusing on its “Passion to Profession” theme.
“An NPAA Conference attendee can learn more about making a living in this industry in a weekend at this event than they can in 10 years on their own, just ask anyone who has attended a conference over its 15-year history,” states Neu. “The event will zero-in on what it really takes to make a successful transition from passionate angler to a sportfishing industry professional. Speaking from years of experience, I can tell you, it’s a journey that’s a lot easier and faster to undertake if you have a little inside knowledge – which is exactly what the NPAA’s high-power panel of successful industry pros plan to impart through professional workshops, partner and educational breakout sessions, meet and greet parties, networking lunches, banquets and more.”
According to Neu, the conference will focus on providing attendees with an understanding of the tools needed to be successful on a professional level in this industry. The early January timing, he adds, is perfect for attendees to sample the amazing fishing opportunities available in this part of the Sunshine State or extend their visit to find out why Southwest Florida is a destination for millions of visitors each year.NPAA’s robust line-up of featured speakers includes a mix of top-level professional anglers and industry leading executives covering subjects you really need to comprehend whether just starting out in the recreational fishing industry or looking to climb to the next level. Among others, you’ll hear from Elite Series bass angler and 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Justin Lucas, angling podcast host and sportfishing author Sid Dobrin, Tall Pines Tackle VP of Business Development, Eric Naig, will also step up to the podium, as will Mike Leonard, VP of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association, and Freshwater Fishing Hall of Famer, walleye expert and TV personality, Keith Kavajecz, along with many others whose combined knowledge of the sportfishing industry is both comprehensive and compelling.
Featured Educational Workshops and breakouts include titles such as Crafting Impactful 1-Minute Videos, Women Anglers Taking Their Passion to a Profession, Taxes Done Right, Passion Drives Professionalism as a Guide, How to Gain and Retain Sponsorships, Boat Financing in Today’s Market, Maximizing Customer Acquisition & Retention, Batteries: Wet, AGM, Lithium and Why, Safe Boating Practices Save Lives, and more.In addition to superior networking opportunities, sportfishing advocacy and promoting entry into the sport, NPAA offers a monthly member newsletter, a weekly industry NewsBLAST, and access to significant discounts on gear and services provided by many of its nearly 80 supporting partners.
The NPAA 2024 Annual Conference is expected to sell out quickly as registration is limited to the first 200 registrants. Registration is now open to any angler looking to take the step from “Passion to Profession”. The registration fee of $300 for Non-Members and $250 for Members includes all activities, meals, and one ticket for the Future Anglers Foundation (FAF Banquet). More information on registration can be found on the NPAA Conference Page.(Note: Non-Members who pre-register for the Conference and opt to join the association prior to the end of the Conference will receive a $50 rebate on their Conference Registration Fee.)For more information on joining the NPAA, attending the Annual Conference, and exploring the many benefits membership provides, visit www.npaa.net.
The B.A.S.S. Nation of Virginia Kayak State Championship saw 17 skilled anglers battle it out on Smith Mountain Lake for the top honors. Casey Reed, with an impressive haul of 82.25 inches, clinched the title and confirmed his status as one of the leading kayak anglers in the state.
Jody Queen, who secured a remarkable 76.50 inches and took the second spot, now finds himself in an enviable position. With Reed already qualified for the Bassmaster Kayak Championship, the torch of opportunity has passed to Queen, who is now set to represent Virginia on the national stage.
Rounding out the top three was Bruce Deel, who landed in the third position with a total of 74.00 inches. The performance of all of the anglers showcased the depth of talent present in Virginia’s kayak angling community.
The first-ever B.A.S.S. Nation of Virginia Kayak State Championship not only celebrated the passion and skill of these anglers but also highlighted the growth of kayak fishing as a competitive sport in the region. The event provided a platform for experienced anglers to test their mettle and network with fellow fishing enthusiasts from around the state.
As Casey Reed revels in his victory and prepares for the Bassmaster Kayak Championship, the kayak fishing community eagerly anticipates what the future holds for Virginia’s representation on the national stage. Jody Queen, seizing the opportunity that Reed’s success has presented, will undoubtedly be a name to watch in the upcoming competition, as these dedicated anglers continue to make waves in the world of kayak fishing.
The tackle business, which refers to the industry of selling fishing equipment and supplies, is facing some serious challenges in the current market. The Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, changing consumer preferences, and environmental issues are some of the factors that are putting pressure on the tackle business and threatening its survival.
Zebco is just one example of the changing landscape, but will we be seeing more consolidation in business in the near future & will the smaller companies just fade away. Is this a pivotal moment for the business as whole? Who will survive?
While these challenges present serious risks to the survival and growth of the tackle business, they also offer opportunities for innovation and differentiation. By adopting efficient and flexible supply chain management strategies, developing eco-friendly and customer-oriented products and services, embracing new technologies and platforms to engage with customers, collaborating with stakeholders to promote sustainable fishing practices, and diversifying product portfolios and market segments, tackle businesses can transform these challenges into competitive advantages and thrive in the evolving market.
In conclusion, the tackle business must navigate the complexities brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, changing consumer preferences, and environmental concerns. By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing innovative strategies, the tackle business can position itself for long-term success and sustainability in the face of a changing market.
I am writing to express my growing concern about the changing landscape of professional BASS fishing, particularly concerning the escalating costs associated with the sport. As an avid angler and a dedicated follower of competitive bass fishing, I find it increasingly disheartening to witness the soaring prices of boats, tackle, and tournament entry fees. These rising expenses pose a significant threat to the accessibility and integrity of the sport we all hold dear.
In recent years, the cost of participating in professional bass fishing tournaments has reached unprecedented levels. Tournament entry fees, which were once reasonable, have skyrocketed, placing an enormous financial burden on both aspiring and seasoned anglers alike. This steep increase not only limits the opportunity for talented yet financially constrained anglers to compete but also creates an environment where only those with substantial financial backing can afford to enter the arena. This growing divide undermines the sport’s level playing field, challenging its fundamental principle of fair competition.
Moreover, the exorbitant prices of boats and high-tech fishing tackle have become prohibitive for many aspiring anglers, myself included. Modern fishing equipment, while undoubtedly advanced and effective, has transformed from a means to gain a competitive edge into a prerequisite for participation. Anglers like me often find ourselves pressured to invest in the latest gadgets, lures, and fishing vessels, stretching our financial resources thin. This trend not only erodes the sport’s essence, rooted in skill and strategy, but also fosters an environment where success is determined more by the depth of one’s pockets than the depth of one’s angling expertise.
The impact of these rising costs is profound, not only on individual anglers but also on the sport’s overall diversity and inclusivity. Fishing has always been celebrated for its accessibility – a sport where passion and dedication triumph over financial means. However, the escalating costs threaten to transform bass fishing into an exclusive pursuit, accessible only to the elite few, thereby alienating a significant portion of the angling community, myself included.
Furthermore, the commercialization of professional bass fishing, while essential for the sport’s growth, has inadvertently contributed to the inflation of costs. Corporate interests, vital as they are, have also fueled a culture where profit margins sometimes overshadow the sport’s intrinsic values. This shift raises critical questions about the sport’s soul – is it a genuine competition of skill and passion, or is it becoming a platform for corporations to showcase their products at the expense of the sport’s integrity?
In addressing these concerns, I urge the governing bodies, organizers, and sponsors of professional BASS fishing to pause and reflect on the trajectory of the sport. Implementing measures to cap tournament entry fees, promoting affordable angling equipment, and fostering a culture of inclusivity are essential steps. Additionally, there is a need for a collective effort to ensure that the sport’s essence – the thrill of the chase, the camaraderie among anglers, and the celebration of nature – remains at the forefront of professional BASS fishing.
As enthusiasts, organizers, and custodians of this beloved sport, we must strive to strike a balance between commercial interests and the sport’s grassroots origins. It is only through such collaborative efforts that we can preserve the integrity of professional BASS fishing, ensuring that it remains accessible, inclusive, and true to its core values for generations to come.
Walters earns third NPFL victory while NPFL Pro Todd Goade wraps up a stellar season with a third-place finish and the 2023 AOY.
Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Patrick Walters wraps up his third NPFL victory with the winning three-day total weight of 57 pounds, 5 ounces in the season finale on Lake Lanier.
“I just want to thank the NPFL, this is truly a family-oriented league and I can’t thank you all enough,” said Walters. “To my mom, dad, and beautiful wife, I can’t thank you all enough for the support, and thanks for coming up for the weigh-in.”
Walters, who led after Day 2, complemented his first two limits of 19 pounds, 13 ounces, and 20 pounds, 1 ounce with a Day 3 bag that weighed 17 pounds, 7 ounces to seal the victory over Will Harkins.
Like most of the field, Walters was keying in on the vast amount of brush that Lake Lanier has to offer. The big difference in getting bigger fish to bite each day, and surviving the local pressure, was targeting piles with a larger group of fish than normal.
“You had to find brush with a lot of fish, and they had to be set up right within,” he said. “Usually, they didn’t get set up until later in the morning and it was really hard to trick five or ten bass. If you found a pile with twenty, you could get them to compete for it and bite.”
Walters estimated fishing around fifty brush piles on Showdown Saturday and was physically tired from lifting and deploying the trolling motor all day. While he located some key piles in practice, he credits new water for his final two days’ weight leading to his third win.
“I was literally making 2 or 3 casts per spot this afternoon, and it was exhausting. I ran the Falcon/Mercury all over the lake this week. The majority of my bites came in the new brush; I just went fishing and rotated between the Zoom Super Fluke and Zoom Magnum Shakey Head worm each day,” he added.
Walters wanted to credit one of his good friends and travel partner Trent Palmer, and Sonar Pros for getting the Falcon dialed for the season. With all of the tournaments in 2023, it was relaxing to fish with Trent and Mike at the NPFL and stay fresh all season long all over the country.
“Trent, Mike, and I share everything to break down water,” he said before receiving his NPFL trophy. “I don’t know where we all finished in this event, but we had a phenomenal season and it was a pleasure traveling with those guys. We just need Mike to get a trophy next season.”
Will Harkins
After leading on Day 1 with 20 pounds, 6 ounces, Harkins added 18 pounds, 9 ounces on Day 2 — the second biggest bag of the day — and a Showdown Saturday bag that weighed 13 pounds, 9 ounces. With a three-day total of 52 pounds, 8 ounces, Harkins wraps up a phenomenal season with back-to-back second-place finishes, runner-up in the Progressive Angler of the Year, and an NPFL championship qualification.
Leading after day one, Harkins is familiar with Lake Lanier and spent the majority of his time on certain brush piles on high-percentage schooling points and rotating through nearly fifty per day. His two-bait approach this week included pulling out an old reliable bait from the tackle.
“I was not fishing anything special by Lanier standards, but it was off the path enough for most of the field,” he said. “Each day I would typically hit fifty spots and then rotate my best five of those spots later in the day. I was fishing a really old Bomber Wake Bait, and I don’t even know what it’s called.”
When the brush fishing got slow, Harkins hit the bank and targeted small groups of spotted bass chasing baitfish along the bank. His bait of choice, similar to Walters, was a Zoom Super Fluke.
“I would troll down the bank and throw that Fluke at them feeding towards the surface and get them to bite. Today four of the five I weighed in came on the Fluke; on days one and two, it was the wake bait that yielded the best luck,” he added.
With added pressure from over 200 boats on the lake, coupled with high skies and no wind, his bite was tough to execute and it just didn’t work out.
“You really need to have some cloud or wind to mask the bait a little otherwise they get too good a look at it,” he said.” Today with the pressure, I could only fish four of the main places, but it was still a great week.
“Overall, the season was a lot better than I could have expected. I had no expectations, but in the first two events I was too stressed, and then I decided to have fun and fish and ended with a run of 3rd, 7th, 2nd, and 2nd, which put me right behind Todd in the Angler of the Year and qualified me for the Championship. No complaints, it’s been an awesome year and I have an amazing support group.
Todd Goade
With the mentality of simply doing his job every day, Todd Goade closed out a storybook fishing season with a third-place finish in the season finale on Lake Lanier, and wrapped up the 2023 Progressive Angler of the Year award on a body of water he knows so well.
With a three-day total of 48 pounds, 10 ounces, Goade did what he does best and saved his 17 pounds, 15 pounds biggest bag of the week for the final day. He began the week with 17 pounds, 10 ounces on day one, and survived day two with 13 pounds, 1 ounce which set him up for a final day comeback.
“It really was a storybook ending for the season,” said an emotional Goade with his wife on stage. “I said I had to do my job all year, and I am not going to lie, when I caught that last 3.5 pounder this morning I hollered, and I knew I had done it. “It’s what you dream about and work for. I love Lake Lanier and Spotted Bass; it was an incredible way to end the season.”
Although he doesn’t reside in Georgia any longer, Goade’s experience and history with Lanier runs deep, and today he was able to enjoy a lot of the time he spent with good friends in the past.
“I have so many memories on this lake it was amazing to have caught them by 9 AM this morning. I was able to just go fishing and enjoy the day. I went down memory lane fishing some places from the past, and some new places,” he said.
As far as how he caught his bass this week, Goade relied on a bait he feels is one of the best spotted bass baits ever made – Zoom Magnum Shakey head Worm in Green Pumpkin Green color.
“The deep fish didn’t bite for me on day two, but I was able to survive,” he said. “I saw them all, and today it was stupid – I culled a limit of 15 pounds. I still don’t know why yesterday was tough but today was incredible and the Mag Shakey Head Worm fished alongside brush piles was key. I caught fish from 10 to 35 feet.”
Goade was revisiting brush piles from the past as well as lots of new ones in Lanier. After a year of good decisions and making the right moves, first thing this morning Goade had another right call to get his Showdown Saturday off to a great start.
“This morning, I was headed to a spot they have been schooling and I noticed another good spot was open,” he added. “I peeled off and caught them quickly, two of my bigger fish. It’s those kinds of decisions that lead to good finishes and winning the AOY.
“I want to thank my wife for being my rock and biggest fan and supporter. She puts up with all of this and I am glad she could be here today. Also, I have to thank all of my sponsors, family, and friends. I just looked and I have 176 texts on my phone,” he laughed.
Billy Hackworth
With his biggest bag of the day on the final day, Billy Hackworth finished at Lake Lanier with a three-day total of 46 pounds, 8 ounces. Increasing his weights each day, Hackworth started with 14 pounds, 7 ounces on day one, added 15 pounds, 15 ounces on day two, and 16 pounds, 2 ounces on the final day.
Ryan Satterfield 46-7
Increasing his weight each day, Ryan Satterfield added a final day limit weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces to his day one weight of 13 pounds, 6 ounces and day two weight of 16 pounds, 4 ounces to finish at Lake Lanier in fifth place with a total weight of 46 pounds, 7 ounces.
Like the other, Satterfield rotated through different brush piles using Livescope to locate fish around the edges. He started on day one catching fish with a drop shot but had to change as the lake pressure increased.
“I swapped to a shakey head yesterday and today,” he said. “The bait had to sit on the bottom and shake, but not move. Eventually one would grab it.”
As the pressure increased from local traffic, Satterfield eventually ended up not making a cast until he saw a fish he felt might bite, to allow him to move quicker and cover more water.
“I kept running as many as I could find to find feeding fish. I could tell what fish might be in the mood but they were so finicky it had to be still. The other thing, some of these piles had twenty big ones, but you could only catch one out of each. After 2 PM this afternoon, I culled almost everything which allowed me to slide up to fifth.”
Rest of the Best: Keith Carson 43-11 Reagan Nelson 42-11 Mike Corbishley 42-6 Hunter Baughman 40-4 Quentin Cappo 40-1
Vying for his third NPFL Victory, Patrick Walters leads Will Harkins by 15 ounces going into Showdown Saturday.
Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
With his biggest bag of the event on day two, Patrick Walters takes over the lead on Lake Lanier with a two-day total of 39 pounds, 14 ounces. He began the day in second place with a bag of 19 pounds, 13 ounces on day one, and his 20-pound, 1-ounce weight today gives him a 15-ounce lead going into the final day.
“It was a good day,” said Walters. “I found some new stuff this afternoon and ran a lot of new water today; I like what I saw, it was good.”
Dealing with changing conditions and finicky fish, he knows that being in the right rotation is key, and with added lake pressure today, and four events on the lake tomorrow, covering water and being efficient will make or break the day.
“I had to throw the kitchen sink today, and will be doing more of it tomorrow,” he said. “You have to keep moving and figure out if you can get some bites. If you’re in a bad rotation, it doesn’t take long to figure that out. You can tell when a spot looks really good and assume you may get a bite, but even when it doesn’t look good, they may still bite.
Will Harkins
Adding 18 pounds, 9 ounces on day two to his day one leading weight of 20 pounds, 6 ounces, Georgia pro Will Harkins goes into Showdown Saturday in second place with a two-day total of 38 pounds, 15 ounces. Despite great bags at the scales, the fishing on day two got tougher for Harkins.
“I only did the ‘Harky’ once today, it was slow overall,” laughed Harkins. “We still have one more day and a lot can happen, we will see. With several close calls in 2023, it would be amazing to get it done here on Lanier. This season, I circled this event; it was one of the reasons I signed up for this year,” he added.
Harkins was seen on live roaming around looking at live sonar, but his pattern is a bit more dialed than that. His bait of choice, which he chose not to go into detail on yet, is something he has confidence in to get some bigger more aggressive fish to commit.
“It’s just a small bait, nothing special, and it seems to be something that will trigger a bite,” he said. “I am around brush, but not necessarily fishing in it much. I am looking for groups of fish that are feeding up and willing to bite.”
With over 2000 waypoints on Lanier from the past, Harkins has no shortage of water to run, but with a big local derby scheduled for Showdown, getting into the right rotation could make or break his final day.
“If you have the right rotation, you are golden. If not, you can be in trouble,” he added. Tomorrow we will have more pressure and we have to see what the pressure does to the fish; anything can happen on the final day.”
Mike Corbishley
In the third-place spot going into the final day, Mike Corbishley added 14 pounds, 4 ounces on day two to his day one bag 17 pounds, 15 ounces. His two-day weight of 32 pounds, 3 ounces once again keeps him at the top of the leaderboard with an outside shot at victory.
“This one feels like Saginaw,” laughed Corbishley. “I am in third and 7-pounds back. It’s crazy, I can shoot for a second again. But in reality, I am in third and will not complain. I feel fortunate to have caught my weight today and the bite has been changing.”
As things change, and the weekend pressure starts to take effect, Corbishley knows he has to adjust on the final day to keep his position.
“It’s changing, and tomorrow I need to adapt. I will keep running as much as I can trying for a good bag. I am staring at my Lowrance and just running the Phoenix/Mercury to as many spots as I can.”
Trent Palmer
Sonar Pros pro Trent Palmer goes into Showdown Saturday in the fourth-place spot with a two-day total of 31 pounds, 10 ounces. Palmer started with 17 pounds, 10 ounces on day one, and added 14 pounds on a much tougher day two.
“This lake is all about timing and making good decisions, and I got into a bad rotation,” he said. “I have fished here for ten years and this is my least favorite time to fish the lake, but they are biting and my goal has now shifted, I want to get a good finish this week. I made the championship with my win (at Saginaw), now we’re just going for a good check.”
It’s no secret that ‘the house’ works together to break down water but when timing becomes so key, it’s easy to miss the window.
“I ran into those guys a few times today and could feel like I was behind on the spots,” he added. “Tomorrow I am going to swap a few things up and try to find some fresh fish. Today, my afternoon bite didn’t really pan out, but I still had some opportunities at fish that missed my plug. Hopefully tomorrow I can combine the limit fish with executing in the afternoon and see what happens.”
John Cox
Beginning the day in eighth with 15 pounds, 15 ounces on day one, Florida pro John Cox slides into the fifth-place spot with 15 pounds, 4 ounces on day two, and a total weight of 31 pounds, 3 ounces. Cox, the only angler at the top not relying on electronics, caught some late schooling fish today to salvage his day.
“I have been throwing the new Berkley Nessie, and the one bait they have been eating I skipped up to a dock this morning and broke it up,” laughed Cox. “I almost cried. I can get them to follow the Berkley CullShad, but they won’t commit.”
Cox was running back near the take-off this afternoon with an hour left to go and saw a school start busting bait. Within ten minutes he filled his limit and caught his day’s weight.
“I shut the engine off and fired up there while the boat was still moving and got bit,” he said. “They actually schooled there yesterday and I caught one, but today it saved me, and I am going to spend the day there tomorrow waiting for them to come up.”
Rest of the Best: Todd Goade 30-11 Billy Hackworth 30-6 Ryan Satterfield 29-10 Reagan Nelson 28-9 Quentin Cappo 28-0
