Introduction: Rivers have always fascinated people as they flow through the earth, but have you ever wondered if they go through changes similar to lakes in the spring and fall? In this simple read, we will explore the dynamics of river changes and understand how they transform throughout the year.
Understanding River Dynamics: To understand river changes, we need to know the basics of how rivers work. Unlike lakes, which are still bodies of water, rivers are always moving, pushed by gravity and the shape of the land they flow through. Many things can affect rivers, like rainfall, temperature, and the shape of the riverbed.
Spring and Fall Transitions: In the spring and fall, rivers do experience interesting changes, but not exactly like lakes. In the spring, when snow melts and it rains more, rivers can get higher and flow faster. This brings fresh nutrients and mud into the rivers, which helps plants and animals living there.
In the fall, rivers change again as the trees around them prepare for winter. The leaves fall off the trees and get carried by the wind and rain into the rivers. This can change the way the river looks and provide food for the animals that live there. It is like the river is wearing colorful autumn clothes.
River Turnover: A Different Perspective: While rivers don’t have the same turnover as lakes, they do have a process called river turnover during the colder months. River turnover means that the water mixes up in the river, which is important for the animals and plants living there.
During winter, the top layer of the river gets colder because of the low temperatures. This cold water sinks down to the bottom, pushing the warmer water up. The bottom layer, which has lots of nutrients, rises to the top, while the cold water stays at the bottom. This process helps bring oxygen to all the parts of the river, which is necessary for the plants and animals to survive.
Influence of Climate and Geography: The changes in rivers can be affected by different things like the weather and the shape of the land. In colder places, where rivers can freeze, the mixing of water layers is stronger. The freezing and thawing of the water help mix everything up and make sure the animals have enough oxygen even under the ice.
Also, the shape of the riverbed can change how the water moves. If the river is steep or has rocks, it can make the water mix more. But if the river is slow and has sand, the mixing may not be as strong.
Conclusion: Rivers may not change in the same way as lakes in the spring and fall, but they do go through their own transformations throughout the year. The spring brings more water and nutrients, while the fall adds colorful leaves to the river. In the colder months, river turnover ensures that oxygen and nutrients reach all the animals and plants living in the river.
By learning about these changes in rivers, we can better understand and appreciate their important role in supporting different life forms. Rivers are amazing natural wonders that connect communities and enrich our world.
With only Lake Lanier left on the 2023 schedule, Todd Goade takes a 12-point lead into the final event in Georgia on October 26-28. The final stop of the year will decide who takes home the golden crown and wins the 2023 Progressive Angler of the Year title.
On the line for the top 25 is a berth to the first NPFL Championship, where anglers will compete for a top prize of $100,000 and a piece of the $200,000 total purse payout to all 25 qualifiers. The winner of the AOY will receive $20,000 with paid entry fees for the 2024 season.
Todd Goade With plenty of history fishing Lake Lanier, Todd Goade knows the intricacies of catching the bigger than average bass. And with his previous knowledge combined with three-days of practice, the event cannot come soon enough for the AOY leader.
Leading the pack, Todd Goade has fished flawless in 2023 with his worst finish being a pair of 10th place showings at the first event of the season, Lake Pickwick, and the last event on Eufaula. Sandwiched between, Goade secured a 5th place at Wright Patman, a near victory 2nd place at Santee Cooper, and a 6th place at Saginaw Bay. Goade holds a 12-point lead over Jesse Wise, whose only slip up was a 16th place finish at Saginaw Bay. Goade and Wise have fished near perfect this season with a 2023 NPFL schedule that spans from March through October. Anglers faced different conditions in different months in different regions of the country. The winner will have earned the $20,000 and golden trophy.
Wise spend some time before the off limits and did a lot of looking around. He believes the NPFL field will catch some fish and thinks the overall bite should be good. As good of a season as he has had, each day comes with decisions and like Goade, he has been able to put five fish in the boat every day at every event – besides one.
“At Eufaula, on day two, I lost a 2.5-pound bass and was one fish shy of a limit. I lost a four pounder on day one but still had a limit,” he added. “Those two fish would make this final event even closer than it is, and seven places in Oklahoma would have made it more interesting. Hats off to Todd for executing and getting another top ten.”
Wise knows he is in a great position, but needs to both do his job and hope others struggle. For a chance at winning, he is setting his sights on a top three to give a fighting chance. “I won’t wish bad upon anyone, but I need to sneak in and win this event to have a shot. Todd also needs to struggle, which for him, he will still get paid and have a good finish. So, I have nothing to lose and I am going for the win.”
In pre practice, Wise located both spotted and largemouth bass, and although spots would be the consistent pattern, the fall presents an opportunity to catch a big largemouth and move up in the standings.
“Solid 3-pound fish will do well, but adding in a kicker largemouth will put you up. I don’t know yet how I will fish, but I have nothing to lose; I made the championship and I need to win. I’ll be fishing different at this event. I don’t need to get paid; I need to win.” Catching them at lakes all across the country is not easy, but Wise credits his travel partners for making the season not only successful on the water, but making the time away from home a good time.
“I travel with some great guys, and breaking down water with a few other folks goes a long way. Our group success this season has shown, and I root for those guys, and they root for me. I like for those guys to succeed, and they mean everything to me; it’s been awesome,” he added. Progressive Angler of the Year Standings.
Todd Goade 1222, $54,250 Pickwick 10th Wright Patman 5th Santee Cooper 2nd Saginaw Bay 6th Eufaula 10th Jesse Wise 1210, $46,550 Pickwick 7th Wright Patman 7th Santee Cooper 7th Saginaw Bay 16th Eufaula 8th Will Harkins 1193, $39,000 Pickwick 28th Wright Patman 22nd Santee Cooper 3rd Saginaw Bay 7th Eufaula 2nd
Laughlin, Nev. – October 17, 2023 – There is one constant that can be counted on in the world of professional bass fishing, and that is… change. When the field for the 2023 WON Bass U.S. Open left Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina, they were greeted with warm, slick-calm environment that contrasted the breezy day one conditions. How that would affect the fishing on the bathwater clear Lake Mohave fishery was at question.
While the 28,000 surface acres of Lake Mohave should provide plenty of real estate to target, the body of water tends to fish small, couple that with high skies, and flat winds, and the result was a high probability of change atop the leaderboard. As the day two weigh-n began, it appeared that the day’s conditions may have an effect on the anglers, as several saw opposite results of their opening round performance.
For opening round leader Kyle Grover from Anaheim, Calif., that was not the case as he backed up his 20.70-pounds limit that gave him the day one lead with a 19.56-pound limit to bring his total weight to 40.26 pounds, enabling him to maintain his lead on day two. Grover holds a slim .51-pound lead over Hot Springs, Ark. pro Spencer Shuffield who brought 19.58-pound limit of smallmouth to bring his total weight to 39.75 pounds. Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif. matched his day one 18-pound limit with 18.98 pounds to end the day in third place with 37.38 pounds, while Garrett Howard, from Riverside, Calif. added 17.57 to finish day two in fourth place with 36.83 pounds, and rounding out the top five is Patrick Touey, from Santa Maria, Calif. who brought 18.84 pounds to the scales for a total of 36.58 pounds.
Grover reported having the majority of his day’s weight at 11:00AM but made one key cull in the waning moments of the day that made the difference. He had met the four and a half pounder the day before. “I stopped on this point a couple of miles from takeoff yesterday and made a cast at her, she bit, and I broke her off on the hookset,” he said. “I made the same stop today and she was sitting in the same spot, made the same cast, he bit, and this time I landed her; she culled a three pounder.”
He said he knows there are plenty of fish in his areas but is unsure how they will respond. “I threw at around a hundred fish today and got eight or ten to bite,” he said. “I know I need to back it up with a big bag, I’m just not sure that I’ll be able to; tomorrow is going to be interesting. Winning the U.S. Open would mean so much to me, I’m going to go out and do everything I can to close it out tomorrow.”
Shuffield said he threw at more fish than the leader and managed to catch a few more but is also concerned about what the conditions will do to his ability to present to the fish. “I’m fishing fairly deep, and my main areas are expected to be in heavy winds tomorrow,” he said. “I know the fish are there and I hope I can make them eat, but we’ll have to see how tomorrow goes; I’d love to get this done tomorrow.”
In the AAA Division, Steven Cook of Willow, Alaska weighed 16.03 pounds to take the day one lead with 34.86 pounds. Second place on the AAA side is held by Donald Lugert from Needles, Calif. added 15.39 to bring his total to 34.33 pounds. Bullhead City, Arizona’s Brian Reaves moved into third place in the AAA Division with 18.84 pounds to bring his total to 33.74 pounds. Anthony Hunt of Clovis, Calif. ended the day in fourth place with 30.89 pounds after adding 13.26 pounds on day two. Travis Hargis of Chula Vista, Calif. added 10.46 pounds to bring his total to 30.69 pounds to round out the top five.
Complete Standings of both divisions can be found below:
Day three of the 2023 Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin will commence tomorrow with a champion being crowned Wednesday at the conclusion of the final weigh-in. Takeoff with 183 pro and AAA anglers will commence at safe light and weigh-ins will occur at 3:00PM daily. Takeoff and weigh-ins will be held at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina located at 2690 Katherine Spur, Bullhead City, AZ 86429.
WON Bass has reserved Thursday October 19 and Friday October 20 in case any day of the event is postponed due to unsafe conditions by the National Parks Service.
The 41st Anniversary 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open is presented by the following sponsors; Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Costa, Abu Garcia, Bridgford Foods, Daiwa, Gamakatsu, Phenix, Power-Pole Total Boat Control, Eagle Claw TroKar, Lithium Pros, Lowrance, Anderson Toyota, Loco’s Bar and Cocina, DD26, Top This, Johnon’s Bait and Tackle, LTC Laughlin Tourism Commission, Last Chance Performance Marine, Yamamoto Baits, Huntington Beach Honda, Peregrine 250, Livingston Lures, Roboworm, Trika Premium Fishing Gear, Liqui Moly Marine, Anglers Marine, Stealth Stix, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches, KUIU, Signature Gate Systems and Welding, Sure Life, Visit Laughlinand Western Outdoor News.
MLF Returns to Its Roots, Reinstates “Every Fish Counts” Format on the Bass Pro Tour, Announces Exclusive Field of 50 Anglers in 2025 to Showcase Top Performers
BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, today announced long-term plans for the Bass Pro Tour, including an investment in increased livestreaming of MLF competition, a return to the “every fish counts” scoring format, and an exclusive roster of 50 anglers for the Bass Pro Tour in 2025 to increase visibility and showcase top performers.
2025 Bass Pro Tour: The 2025 Bass Pro Tour field will feature an all-star roster of 50 anglers comprised of the top 35 pros from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour lifetime Angler of the Year (AOY) standings, the top 10 anglers from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour single-year standings that did not qualify via the top 35 lifetime AOY standings, and the top five (5) anglers from the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.
Each regular-season 2025 Bass Pro Tour event will be four days with every angler competing the first two days. The top 20 anglers based on two-day cumulative weight will advance to the Knockout Round (Day 3). Weights will reset in the Knockout Round, and the top 10 anglers will advance to the Championship Round (Day 4). Winners will be determined by heaviest cumulative weight from the Knockout and Championship rounds.
“The future of our sport is livestreaming, catch-weigh-immediate release and every fish counts,” said MLF President and CEO Boyd Duckett. “By focusing on 50 anglers in a more compact event that’s easy for both die-hard and casual fans alike to follow, we’ll do what other successful leagues have done to grow – focus on a small group of the highest performers and make them the most visible personalities in the sport. It also allows us to enhance what are already the sport’s best payouts.”
Each Stage on the 2025 Bass Pro Tour will pay $130,000 to the winner and $2,000 through 50th place. REDCREST will feature the sport’s top award of $300,000 with $10,000 through 20th place and $5,000 through last place. Heavy Hitters will feature $100,000 for a win with big bass awards in each round of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
Not only does the Bass Pro Tour feature the sport’s best payouts and biggest media platform, its anglers graduate through the sport’s most lucrative qualifying circuits – the nationally-televised and livestreamed Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine, and Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI.
Reinstating “Every Fish Counts” Scoring: Scoring on the Bass Pro Tour will return to the “every fish counts” format in 2024. After scoring each anglers’ five biggest bass per day in 2023, the change will recapture the excitement and pressure of the Tour’s original format.
“We responded in 2023 to fans and anglers that wanted to see how five-fish scoring would work with our SCORETRACKER® live leaderboard,” said MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “Unfortunately, viewership growth was stagnant. The Bass Pro Tour thrives on intense competition, and the scoring change affected the Tour’s competitiveness in an unexpected way. By reinstating the every fish counts scoring structure and having fewer anglers in the Knockout Round, pros will no longer be able to let their guard down without the risk of being overtaken by someone climbing SCORETRACKER®.”
2024 Bass Pro Tour Tournament Format: In addition to the scoring change, the format of each Bass Pro Tour event in 2024 will also be adjusted. Forty anglers in Group A will compete on Days 1 & 3 and 40 anglers in Group B will compete on Days 2 & 4. Only the top 10 anglers from each group – based on the two-day, heaviest cumulative weight – will advance to the Knockout Round (Day 5). Weights will be zeroed for the Knockout Round, and the top 10 anglers will advance to the Championship Round (Day 6). Weights from the Knockout Round will carry over into the Championship Round, and the winner of each event will be decided by the heaviest Knockout and Championship round two-day cumulative weight.
The complete 2024 Bass Pro Tour schedule is available at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
MLFNOW! Livestream Expansion: MLF is adding nearly 20% to its livestream offerings in 2024 with the addition of the General Tire Team Series to its MLFNOW! lineup. All six days of competition from each of three General Tire Team Series qualifiers and all seven days from the General Tire Team Series Championship, filmed in the fall of 2024 for television broadcast in 2025, will be livestreamed on MLFNOW!
Each 2024 Bass Pro Tour Stage will feature four days of MLFNOW! livestreamed coverage – the final two days of the Qualifying Round, the Knockout Round and the Championship Round. REDCREST 2024 will stream all four days of competition, and the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event will stream all six days of competition. MLF will also livestream all three days at each Tackle Warehouse Invitational stop as well as the final day of competition from the Toyota Series Championship, Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American and Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship. All told, fishing fans will have a total of 84 full days of Major League Fishing livestreamed content to consume in 2024.
“The General Tire Team Series is one of our most exciting products,” Duckett said. “Condensing the Bass Pro Tour livestream to four days allows us to expand our Team Series coverage, which is a win-win for fans. We’ll have an easier to follow Bass Pro Tour format and an extended season with 25 days of Team Series livestream coverage to watch in the fall.”
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Introduction: When it comes to bass fishing, anglers often find themselves overwhelmed by the vast array of lure colors available on the market. Questions arise: Does color really matter? How much of an impact does it have on bass behavior? In this blog post, we will delve into the world of color in bass fishing, exploring its importance, potential influence, and why it should not be overlooked.
Understanding Bass Vision: To understand the significance of color in bass fishing, it is essential to grasp how bass perceive their surroundings. Bass have excellent vision, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to their specialized retina cells. They possess a higher concentration of rod cells, which are responsible for detecting movement and contrast, rather than color.
While bass may not perceive colors as vividly as humans do, they can still differentiate between various shades and hues. Therefore, color can play a role in attracting or triggering a bass’s predatory instincts, even if its perception of the specific color is not as detailed as ours.
The Impact of Color Choices: When it comes to lure selection, color choices can make a difference in bass fishing. However, it is important to note that color is just one aspect of a successful presentation. Factors such as lure size, shape, action, and retrieval technique also play significant roles in attracting bass. Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for maximizing success on the water.
Water Clarity and Light Conditions: One of the primary considerations when selecting lure color is water clarity. In clear water, bass have a better ability to discern detail and color, making natural and realistic colors a safe bet. Shades such as green pumpkin, watermelon, and shad imitations often excel in clear water conditions. Conversely, in stained or murky water, where visibility is reduced, brighter colors such as chartreuse, firetiger, or black and blue may be more effective in attracting bass by providing greater contrast.
Light conditions also play a role in color selection. On bright, sunny days, bass tend to be more cautious and may prefer more natural and subtle colors. In contrast, on cloudy or overcast days, bass may be more aggressive and receptive to brighter or more vibrant colors that stand out in the dimmer light.
Seasonal Considerations: Another important factor to consider when selecting lure colors is the time of year. Bass behavior and their preferred forage change with the seasons, and taking these changes into account can significantly improve your chances of success.
During the spring, when bass are actively feeding and preparing for the spawning season, natural colors that imitate their primary forage, such as crawfish or baitfish, are often effective. As summer progresses, bass may become more selective, and experimenting with brighter or more contrasting colors could yield better results.
In the fall, when bass are bulking up for the winter, imitating the dying or injured baitfish becomes crucial. Utilizing lures with colors that mimic these patterns, such as chrome, silver, or blue, can entice aggressive strikes. Finally, in the winter, when bass activity slows down, using more subtle and natural colors becomes essential to trigger lethargic fish.
The Role of Confidence: While scientific studies and empirical evidence can provide guidance on color selection, it is important to remember that confidence in your chosen lure color plays a significant role in angling success. Confidence in a particular color can enhance your presentation and increase your focus, leading to more effective fishing.
Conclusion: While color may not be the sole determining factor in bass fishing success, it certainly plays a crucial role. Understanding how bass perceive colors in relation to the water clarity, light conditions, and seasonal changes can help you make more informed decisions when selecting lure colors. Ultimately, having confidence in your color choice and the overall presentation of your lure will greatly contribute to your success on the water. So, the next time you head out for a bass fishing adventure, remember to consider color as an important element in your pursuit of landing that trophy bass.
ATTENTION – We have moved to Molly Creek for the rest of the Fall on Lake Wateree! Clearwater will be closed but the ramps will be open at Clearwater. If you put in there you can ride across to Molly Creek!
When you’re hot you’re hot! Jeff & Jacob Norris make 3 in a row at Lake Wateree with a limit weighing 13.98 lbs along with the Academy BF at 4.17 lbs! They earned $513.00!
Nine new anglers have earned invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series after competing in all nine St. Croix Bassmaster Opens tournaments as part of the new Elite Qualifiers Division.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The goal for JT Thompkins entering the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens season was simply to qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. But as the season unfolded and an Elite Series berth became more and more likely, Thompkins shifted his focus solely to winning the Opens Elite Qualifiers Division Angler of the Year title.
“Honestly, about two tournaments ago, I completely forgot about the Elite race. It was no longer a thought in my mind,” he explained. “It switched to the AOY race. That is why I have been shooting for the win in the last couple of events.”
Capping off an incredible season with his seventh Top 25 finish of the season, Thompkins clinched the Angler of the Year title in the inaugural season of the Elite Qualifiers Division format by accumulating 1,659 points. Along with the $10,000 cash prize, the Myrtle Beach, S.C., native will be heading to the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“This has been one of the most stacked Opens fields of all time,” Thompkins said. “I have always thought about when I did make it to the Elites, I wanted to win Rookie of the Year. Just knowing I have done it once, I’ve beaten all the incoming rookies this year, it gives me confidence I can do it again next year.”
Eight of the nine anglers moving on to the Elite Series are under the age of 30, with Thompkins (21), Williams (21) and McKinney (18) being the three youngest of the group. While the 2022 Elite Series rookie class was heralded as one of the best ever, Thompkins believes this incoming group has a chance to be even better.
“When all us were standing there with our medallions, and me and John Garrett were in the front, that was when a lot of it set in,” he said. “When you talk to all the guys who qualified, none of them are scared. Everyone is saying, ‘We are going to go over there and dominate.’ They are all talking about winning.”
With a 19-point lead over Garrett going into the final tournament, Thompkins was as stressed as he has been this season knowing he needed to keep the momentum going for one more event.
“This week, I’ve been more stressed out than any other week of the year. I had cold sores, I couldn’t sleep, but when I saw that trophy at registration on Wednesday, everything came into focus,” Thompkins said during the cancellation day Thursday. “I have been pretty stressed about it, but usually the more stress I put on myself, the better I do. The more (stressed I am, the more) confident I feel about going out and catching them.”
With a strong performance on Day 1, Thompkins felt another limit on Day 2 would seal the deal. On the final day, Thompkins hooked up with a 4-pounder on a jerkbait, but his first couple turns of the reel collected his microphone cable and, for a moment, Thompkins was worried that bass would come off.
“I leaned into it, and the way I fish, my reel will hit my pocket, and when it did, the mic got wrapped up in it and I couldn’t reel,” he said. “Then all of sudden, the fish jumped in the air with complete slack in the line, and after losing two or three big ones already, I thought I was going to lose that one too. But the way he was hooked, I’m not sure he ever would have gotten off. It worked out. That fish was super-important.”
Once that bass entered the livewell, Thompkins felt he had put it out of reach, but another cull late in the day provided the biggest sigh of relief.
“I threw back a 1-pounder for a 2-pounder,” Thompkins said. “That put me up another pound and I knew for 100% that it was over. John would have needed a 30-pound bag to come back.”
The Angler of the Year title caps off an incredible year for Thompkins. Last September, he notched his first career victory at the Upper Chesapeake Bay, which led to a 24th-place finish at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.
Leaving Knoxville with a competitive finish gave Thompkins a ton of confidence heading into the bulk of the Opens season.
“A lot of fishing is confidence,” said Thompkins. “When you get back in the boat each morning with the confidence that you are doing it a lot better than a lot of people, it gives you confidence to stick with it knowing that, if you do, you’ll come out on top. That is what has helped me a lot this year … being able to stick to a deal more and longer than everyone else around me because I have the confidence I’ll be able to catch them. It has worked out this year perfectly.”
Thompkins spends close to 300 days on the water a year. Other than travel and boat maintenance days, Thompkins said he will be on the water from daylight to dark, scanning and searching for winning spots and techniques. Practice makes perfect, and that’s the philosophy Thompkins has adopted throughout his journey to the Elite Series.
Now, Thompkins will look ahead to the Elite Series schedule. He is most looking forward to the Northern swing at the end of the season, but a return trip to the Harris Chain of Lakes has him intrigued as well. Remarkably, the event in his home state, Lake Murray, is a lake he has only visited a handful of times.
“I’m excited for a lot of tournaments,” he said. “Harris Chain is a big one I’m looking forward to if the grass is right and the water clarity is right. I’m also looking forward to Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River. I’ve probably spent more time on Champlain than (the) St. Lawrence River. I’m pretty excited for Wheeler Lake and Smith Lake too.”
The Elite Series season kicks off Feb. 22-25 on Toledo Bend in Many,
Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers Division Final Standings
Laughlin, Nev. – October 16, 2023 – As the 183 pro and AAA partners headed out onto the waters of Lake Mohave for the 2023 Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin, they were greeted with light winds and sunny skies. What wasn’t known was the kind of welcome they would receive from the bass that inhabit the lake.
The answer to that question was that while the top end of the leaderboard showed strong weights, most of the anglers reported having to grind for every bite as the boat traffic and fishing pressure started having an effect on the fishery. However tough the bite became, the quality of the anglers in a field like this were bound to figure out how to boat the quality fish, and Anaheim, Calif. pro Kyle Grover and his AAA partner Quincy Lewis brought 20.70 pounds to the scales at Katherine Landing to take the day one lead.
A veteran of many U.S. Opens, Grover has proven himself to be a more than worthy competitor in Western tournament trails with many titles to his name, he used his desert fishing experience to catch his mixed bag of four smallmouth and one quality largemouth. “I fished the mid-lake area and found an area that had a good population of fish, but even though I could see them on my Active Target, I was only able to make a few of those fish bite,” he said. “I know there are enough fish there to bring in another limit, but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to duplicate what I did today; we’ll see how tomorrow goes.”
Evan Barnes, a Bassmaster Opens pro from Dardanelle, Ark., fishing his first U.S. Open, caught a full limit of smallmouth with his day one AAA partner Coy Mott that weighed 20.58 pounds to open the event in second place. “Barnes revealed that his experience with northern smallmouth fishing translated to Lake Mohave. “I’ve spent a lot of time fishing the smallmouth up there and it helped me feel comfortable here,” he said. “I had a good day today, but had opportunities to have a better day, I’m hopeful about what I’ve found and there’s not a lot of traffic in the area, so should be able to put something together tomorrow.”
El Dorado Hills, Calif. pro Jim Vretzos and his AAA partner Travis Hargis weighed 20.23 pounds to finish the day in third place. They were followed by last year’s runner up Spencer Shuffield from Hot Springs, Ark. and AAA Brian Pappalardo brought 20.17 pounds to the scales to finish the day in fourth place, and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. pro Jerry Ballesteros and his AAA Sean Slonski brought 19.58 pounds to the scales to round out the top five.
Complete Standings can be found below:
Day two of the three-day long Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin competition itself will begin Tuesday, October 17, with a champion being crowned on October 18 at the conclusion of the final weigh-in. Takeoff with 183 pro and AAA anglers will commence at safe light and weigh-ins will occur at 3:00PM daily. Takeoff and weigh-ins will be held at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina located at 2690 Katherine Spur, Bullhead City, AZ 86429.
WON Bass has reserved Thursday October 19 and Friday October 20 in case any day of the event is postponed due to unsafe conditions by the National Parks Service.
The 41st Anniversary 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open is presented by the following sponsors; Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Costa, Abu Garcia, Bridgford Foods, Daiwa, Gamakatsu, Phenix, Power-Pole Total Boat Control, Eagle Claw TroKar, Lithium Pros, Lowrance, Anderson Toyota, Loco’s Bar and Cocina, DD26, Top This, Johnon’s Bait and Tackle, LTC Laughlin Tourism Commission, Last Chance Performance Marine, Yamamoto Baits, Huntington Beach Honda, Peregrine 250, Livingston Lures, Roboworm, Trika Premium Fishing Gear, Liqui Moly Marine, Anglers Marine, Stealth Stix, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches, KUIU, Signature Gate Systems and Welding, Sure Life, Visit Laughlinand Western Outdoor News.
Boater Paul Marks of Cumming, Georgia, and Strike-King co-angler Tommy Cowart of Danielsville, Georgia.
Strike King Co-angler Victory Goes to Georgia’s Cowart
EUFAULA, Ala. (Oct. 16, 2023) – Boater Paul Marks of Cumming, Georgia, brought a three-day total of 15 bass to the scale weighing 54 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional Event on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama . For his victory, Marks earned $67,992, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF contingency bonus. Marks also received automatic entry into the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship, May 29-31, at Cherokee Lake in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Marks said he roamed from Lakepoint State Park to the dam searching for bass during the event, and his first two days produced solid weights. However, he lost a 5-pounder at the end of Day 1 on Thursday and a 6-pounder late on Friday which would have boosted his weight dramatically.
“Then Saturday was tough for me,” said Marks, who noted he had fished Lake Eufaula only once prior to the regional event. “I had to really beat on them to catch what I caught.”
Marks said he spent most of his time dragging a Picasso Fantasy Football Jig with a Zoom Z Craw trailer, as well as a Texas-rigged worm for his bass. He said he targeted points, ledges, and brush in 8 to 25 feet of water that were holding fish.
“At the end of the day on Friday I thought I had a pretty good chance for a win,” Marks said. “I really wrecked them, and I thought I might catch 20 pounds on Saturday.
“I just don’t have words to describe this experience,” Marks added about his win. “It’s very surreal.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
The top four boaters from each division that earned a $1,000 bonus for placing highest in the event were:
Choo Choo: Bobby Padgett, LaGrange, Ga., 8th Place, $1,000 Gator: Aaron Yavorsky, Palm Harbor, Fla. 2nd Place, $1,000 Music City: Cody Mackie, McMinnville, Tenn., 4th Place, $1,000 Savannah River: Jason Burroughs, Hodges, S.C., 5th Place $1,000
Marks took home an extra $7,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Tommy Cowart of Danielsville, Georgia, weighed in 10 bass over three days totaling 34 pounds, 5 ounces to win the top Strike King co-angler prize package of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The top six Strike King co-anglers that qualified for the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
The top four Strike King Co-anglers from each division that earned a $500 bonus for placing highest in the event were:
Choo Choo: Brian Carroll, Glencoe, Ala., 3rd Place, $500 Gator: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., 4th Place, $500 Music City: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., 2nd Place, $500 Savannah River: Timothy Jones, Honea Path, S.C., 8th Place $500
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional Tournament on Lake Eufaula was hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce. It featured the top pros and Strike King co-anglers from the Choo Choo, Gator, Music City and Savannah River divisions.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine 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 Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Boater Evan Eldred of Gaines, Michigan, and Strike-King co-angler Luke Shrader of Monticello, Kentucky.
Strike King Co-angler Victory Goes to Kentucky’s Shrader
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (Oct. 16, 2023) – Boater Evan Eldred of Gaines, Michigan, brought a three-day total of 15 bass to the scale weighing 59 pounds, 10 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional Event on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee . For his victory, Eldred earned $64,330, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000. Eldred also received automatic entry into the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship, May 29-31, at Cherokee Lake in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
“Practice was super tough for me,” Eldred said. “I was running all over and trying different things. I’d never been here before. I was trying shallow and deep. I was Damiki rigging a lot because I had heard it worked well on Dale Hollow.
“Finally, out of frustration, I told myself I was going to drive to the farthest point of the lake that I could,” Eldred continued. “I got to the dam and found a creek and saw some shad blowing up. I graphed over them, saw the bait balls, and the fish below them. I figured they were smallmouth.”
Eldred cast to the bait balls in 30 feet of water and caught two largemouth – a 4-pounder and a 4½-pounder – on back-to-back casts.
“The 1/8-ounce head was the key, and within an hour I had a 20-pound bag,” Eldred said.
Eldred said he landed around 30 keeper largemouth during the tournament, but said he had to work really hard for his bites.
“They would bite in bite windows, I noticed,” Eldred said. “There was only an hour or two every day they would bite.
“After the first day, I thought to myself, ‘Man, I’m leading this thing. I’d better not blow it,’” Eldred went on to say. “I had a target on my back.”
Eldred said a slow Day 2 on Friday almost dashed his hopes of victory, as he didn’t have a fish in the livewell at 11 a.m.
“None of the fish on my spots would bite,” Eldred said. “I had to relocate, and as soon as I did, I got three in the boat. Then it took me until 2 o’clock to catch my fifth fish.”
Eldred said he went into the final day of competition not knowing what to expect.
“I wanted to catch 25 pounds, but it wouldn’t have surprised me if I’d zeroed,” Eldred said. “Those fish were that tough to get to bite.”
Eldred caught his limit Saturday by 10 a.m., then upgraded his final day’s weight seven times during the day to secure the win.
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
Eldred took home an extra $2,500 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Luke Shrader of Monticello, Kentucky, weighed in eight bass over three days totaling 17 pounds, 15 ounces to win the top Strike King co-angler prize package of $50,150, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The top six Strike King co-anglers that qualified for the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Luke Shrader, Monticello, Ky., eight bass, 17-15, $50,150 2nd: Stephen Vick, Dandridge, Tenn., four bass, 12-8, $6,000 3rd: Gary Huber II, St. Charles, Mo., six bass, 11-4, $3,000 4th: Cody Stokes, Ooltewah, Tenn., five bass, 11-2, $1,500 5th: Ryan Legg, Parma, Ohio, three bass, 10-2, $1,500 6th: Darren Kelly, Wartburg, Tenn., four bass, 8-8, $1,300
Rounding out the top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:
7th: Jeffery McCoy, Montgomery, Ala., three bass, 8-6, $1,300 8th: Stuart Vitollo, Alabaster, Ala., three bass, 6-11, $700 9th: Rob Miller, Albion, Mich., three bass, 6-11, $600 10th: Corey Smith, Hazard, Ky., three bass, 6-10, $550
The top four Strike King Co-anglers from each division that earned a $500 bonus for placing highest in the event were:
Bama: Jeffery McCoy, Montgomery, Ala., 7th Place, $500 Illini: Gary Huber, II, St. Charles, Mo., 3rd Place, $500 Michigan: Ryan Legg, Parma, Ohio, 5th Place, $500 Volunteer: Stephen Vick, Dandridge, Tenn., 2nd Place $500
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional Tournament on Dale Hollow Lake was hosted by the Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce. It featured the top pros and Strike King co-anglers from the Bama, Illini, Michigan and Volunteer divisions.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine 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 Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
