Todd Olds Wins CATT BassKings Santee Cooper, SC Feb 15, 2025

Brian Carter

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February 22, 2025

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Todd Olds Wins CATT BassKings Santee Cooper, SC Feb 15, 2025

The next BassKings qualifier is this Saturday at Lake Murray! Lake Murray is on fire! Come on out and win some BIG MONEY!

Lake Murray, Lake Wateree and Santee Cooper are combined!
The Final will be May 3, 2025, at Lake Murray!
$5,000 1st Place GUARANTEED at the Final!! FOR THIS SERIES ONLY – Must enter 3 BassKings Qualifiers to be eligible for the Lake Murray Final!
FOR THIS SERIES ONLY – You may pay for 1 event and not be present and it will count toward Final Qualification!

Todd Olds weighed in a FAT SACK at Santee Cooper Saturday to take the win! 5 bass weighing up at 26.53 lbs!

Robert Clarke claimed 2nd Place with 5 bass weighing 24.11 lbs! Robert also weighed in the BF at 7.26 lbs!

BassKings	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Todd Olds	0.00	26.53	$1,000.00	110
Robert Clarke	7.26	24.11	$830.00	109
Michael Craven	5.53	23.42		108
Sean Anderson	7.12	22.68		107
Larry Wood	2.66	4.89		106
Lonnie Jones	0.00	0.00		96
Mario Colangelo	0.00	0.00		96
JW Smith	0.00	0.00		96
Jeffrey Bourne	0.00	0.00		96

Championship			$530.00
Points			$530.00

Magical day lifts Lowen to St. Johns lead

Brian Carter

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February 21, 2025

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Magical day lifts Lowen to St. Johns lead

Indiana’s Bill Lowen leads the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., with 10 bass weighing 45 pounds, 9 ounces.

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

Feb. 21, 2025

Magical day lifts Lowen to St. Johns lead

PALATKA, Fla. — When the necessary became the nemesis, Bill Lowen’s patient persistence delivered a clutch catch that typified his amazing day.

Bolstering a Day 1 limit of 21 pounds, 5 ounces with a second-round bag that went 24-4, the seasoned pro from Brookville, Ind., leads the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River with a two-day total of 45-9. Lowen heads into Semifinal Saturday with a 7-14 margin over Day 1 leader Jay Przekurat.

“It was an amazing day; you just can’t explain it when it happens,” Lowen said. “You look for those days all the time, and I had one of those days today.”

Lowen has been targeting shallow wood with a flipping jig and swim jig. When he hooked a solid bass around noon, the fish became entangled in a pile of limbs. After a couple of minutes of Lowen tugging and carefully poking his rod tip toward the snare, the fish suddenly found its way free.

“I saw the fish run a bream up against the bank, so I threw my jig over there, and as soon as the jig hit the water, she ate it,” Lowen said. “I was going to the back of the boat to land her and she just got stuck in a (submerged tree). I could feel her pulling, so I knew she was still there, but I couldn’t gain on her.

“After what felt like an eternity, I just put a lot of pressure on her. I was thinking the line was gonna break, but actually, the branch broke, and she just floated to the top. Usually, when that happens, it doesn’t end well. I got really lucky.”

Not long after that miracle catch, Lowen culled his smallest fish — a 1 1/2-pounder — with a 5 1/2. Another late-day cull gave him the confidence to pack up and head to weigh-in.

Lowen has been fishing a creek north of Palatka where deep, protected water has suffered less impact from the cold front that arrived on Day 1. While high, bright skies and significantly lower air and water temperatures challenged other competitors, Lowen found his fish generally cooperative.

“It’s all about the tide on the St. Johns, and when it finally got right around 11, I went to my main area and my first bite was a 6-pounder,” Lowen said. “From there on out, every decision I made was the right decision.

“I’m very comfortable doing what I’m doing. Obviously, I was worried about the cold front, but I don’t think it’s bothering them at all.”

Lowen knows he still has a lot of ground to cover, but the potential for adding a blue trophy to the one he claimed at Pickwick Lake in 2021 is well within his sights.

“Typically, on the St. Johns, I catch them good the first day and then I stub my toe,” Lowen said. “I didn’t want to do that this time. Obviously, I didn’t, but I was blessed.

“Everything just went right, and I’m looking forward to getting the XPress boat and Yamaha back out there, throwing my little cricket around and making a run at this thing. After last year, coming off my worst season ever, it feels good to start out like this. I definitely needed this to get my confidence back up.”

Hailing from Plover, Wis., Przekurat set the Day 1 high mark with 24-15, the event’s heaviest bag. Day 2’s shivering, windy weather halved his productivity with a limit of 12-12 and dropped him to second with 37-11.

“It was a tough day for me; I kinda knew that going into the day,” Przekurat said. “I had to scramble around a little bit and caught what I caught. Hopefully, tomorrow, I can step it up a little bit and stay in the Top 10.”

Calling his day a junk-fishing exhibition, Przekurat said the day’s weather complexion made consistency nonexistent.

“I caught a couple off the bed on a dropshot, I caught a couple just (blind casting) a wacky-rigged Strike King Ocho, and I caught one on a jerkbait on a little channel-swing place,” Przekurat said. “I didn’t catch many fish at all.”

Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., is in third place with 37-7. Turning in a consistent performance, he backed up his Day 1 score of 18-15 with 18-8 and gained seven spots from 10th.

“It was the same bait as yesterday; I caught every one on a Texas-rigged black/blue Z-Man Bang StickZ with a 3/16-ounce weight,” Feider said. “I fished some different areas today and moved around a little more. It seems like I can’t keep beating on the same areas over and over again.

“I’m trying to pick one or two areas each day and try to catch everything I can out of it and then move on down the road. I caught some of my fish on docks and seawalls, but mostly on pads.”

Despite the conventional wisdom of expecting sunny afternoons to excel in post-frontal conditions, Feider said the morning hours produced his best bites — including an estimated 6-pounder.

John Cox of Debary, Fla., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 8-13.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Palatka City Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held at the Palatka Riverfront Park at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on FS1 on Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon and Sunday from 8-11 a.m. Stay up-to-date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch/.

Florida’s Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite Series St. Johns River 2/20-2/23
St. Johns River, Palakta FL.
Standings Day 2

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

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

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 John Cox Debary, FL 08-13 $1,000.00
2 Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA08-12 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 93 494 1317-03
2 81 456 1205-06
———————————-
174 950 2522-09

Illinois Pro Ryan Armstrong takes Day 1 Lead at Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain

Brian Carter

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February 21, 2025

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Illinois Pro Ryan Armstrong takes Day 1 Lead at Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain

Third year Invitationals pro battles through wind and sets the bar high with 29-12

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2025) – Though Day 1 of Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 1 Presented by VOSKER on the Kissimmee Chain was far from balmy, which can often make for a tough bite in Florida, the fishing proved solid. A strong north wind made large swaths of Kissimmee barely fishable, and the going was slow in the morning. But by weigh-in, the quality of the field shone through.

Leading the way, pro Ryan Armstrong of Robinson, Illinois, blasted 29 pounds, 12 ounces to claim a solid lead of nearly 4 pounds. In second, pro Drew Gill of Mount Carmel, Illinois, snatched up 25-13, and Berrien Springs, Michigan’s Ron Nelson caught 23-1 for third place. Three more anglers brought in 20-pound bags, and a bunch of pros got into the mid-teens, putting themselves within striking distance if they can land a couple of the big bass Florida is known for.

Competitors will conclude the two-day opening round on Saturday, with only the top 30 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advancing to Championship Sunday. The three-day tournament, hosted by Experience Kissimmee, features pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and valuable points to qualify for the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship in September.

Link to Photo Gallery of Day 1 on-the-water Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights of Day 1 from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

“I practiced hard, like everybody else, from sunrise to sunset and kept the trolling motor down and fished a lot of water,” Armstrong said. “A couple times, I got around a lot of bites. I think I have two or three areas that I have a whole lot of faith in. I shook the fish off for the most part in practice, and so I just went to where I thought I had the best bites. I started there this morning, and I never left.”

Fishing away from most of the field, Armstrong caught fish early and often.

“I had a limit pretty quick, and I left around noon,” he said. “I just took my time getting back in and making sure I was in safe.”

While leading an Invitationals event isn’t a familiar position for Armstrong, he’s feeling good.

“I feel very, very comfortable fishing grass,” he explained. “I feel very, very comfortable in the area that I’m in. I know what’s going on. And what I’ve seen today, I learned a lot about my area that I wasn’t able to learn in practice, because I didn’t want to expose the fish anymore.

“So, today was a really good learning day for me about my area, which really is probably more important than what my weight was. Because I think I’m going to be more efficient, and I have a better idea of how many fish are around me to manage it.”

Armstrong hasn’t declared victory yet, and he’d be a little premature to call game, especially with last week’s Bass Pro Tour winner on the Harris Chain, Bobby Lane, lurking in the Top 10 along with a bevy of high-level talent within striking distance. But he couldn’t ask for a better way to open the season.

“It feels great, man,” said Armstrong. “But it’s far from over. I’m nowhere near what we want. This is a long road, and it was a good Day 1. But we want to win, and we’re going to try to do everything in order to make it happen.”

Despite the new rules limiting forward-facing sonar this year, second-place angler Drew Gill was likely a fixture in most Phoenix Fantasy Fishing rosters, and he rewarded his faithful on Day 1. Knocking their lights out as he is known to do, the young Illinois pro is in striking position again.

“I went out there and executed the game plan,” said Gill. “It was a pretty high-risk approach, fishing isolated targets for isolated big ones. I caught eight or nine bass today and caught them all on the spinning rod – a pretty unique deal for here.”

With his echolocation machines turned off on Day 2, Gill is planning on making some pretty big changes.

“I’m going to fish mostly new water,” he said. “A little bit of the same stuff less precisely, but most of my stretches just don’t have enough of a population to catch them blind. I mean, you would throw for four hours before ever hitting a single bass.

“We’re going to try and hold serve for the last day and see if we can’t pull off something crazy,” he said. “I know 30 is doable doing what I’m doing, and I want to get another shot at it on Day 3. So, we’ve got to make it through tomorrow.”

The top 20 pros after Day 1 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes are:

1st:        Ryan Armstrong, Robinson, Ill., five bass, 29-12
2nd:       Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., five bass, 25-13
3rd:       Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., five bass, 23-1
4th:        Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, five bass, 21-14
5th:        Troy Stokes, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 21-12
6th:        Kennie Steverson, Umatilla, Fla., five bass, 20-3
7th:        Jon Canada, Helena, Ala., five bass, 19-4
8th:        Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 18-14
9th:        Mitchell Robinson, Landrum, S.C., five bass, 18-14
10th:     Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala., five bass, 18-13
11th:     Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., five bass, 18-10
12th:     Bryson O’Steen, Live Oak, Fla., five bass, 18-8
13th:     Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., five bass, 17-7
14th:     Bobby Bakewell, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 17-7
15th:     John Brown, Wedowee, Ala., five bass, 17-0
16th:     Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas, five bass, 16-12
17th:     Andrew Nordbye, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 16-10
18th:     Hayden Marbut, Birmingham, Ala., five bass, 16-10
19th:     Ethan Greene, Eufaula, Ala., five bass, 16-6
20th:     Thomas Wooten, Huddleston, Va., five bass, 16-4

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

Pro Matt Reed earned the first $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award of the year, Friday, with a largemouth bass that weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces.

In Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field compete in the two-day opening round on Days 1 and 2 in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000. The winner of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by VOSKER will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight.

Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. ET each morning from the Big Toho Marina, located at 69 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee, Florida. Weigh-ins will be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live each day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. ET. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 1 at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by VOSKER will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 4 on CBS Sports Network.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Bubba, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.

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

Can Elite Anglers Overcome Mother Nature’s Fury at St. Johns River?

Brian Carter

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February 21, 2025

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Can Elite Anglers Overcome Mother Nature’s Fury at St. Johns River?

Photo Courtesy of Bassmaster

The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series kicked off this week at Florida’s St. Johns River, but Mother Nature had other plans for the season’s inaugural event. Instead of the Sunshine State’s typically balmy weather, anglers faced near-freezing temperatures and relentless winds that transformed the normally productive fishery into a serious test of skill and determination.

As competitors wrap up today’s session, many are rethinking their strategies for tomorrow’s crucial round. The harsh cold front has forced these professional anglers to abandon their pre-tournament game plans and adapt to conditions more reminiscent of a northern winter than a Florida spring.

Veteran anglers know the St. Johns River as “the land of the giants” – a reference to the trophy-sized largemouth bass that have made this waterway famous. Historical tournament data shows that winning bags often exceed 20 pounds per day, with some memorable events producing multiple bass over 10 pounds each. However, this year’s challenging conditions have made those impressive weights seem like a distant dream.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, competitors are preparing for long runs to protected areas where they hope the big female bass are staging for their annual spawning ritual. Despite the adverse weather, the river’s reputation for producing heavyweight catches keeps hope alive among the field. Past tournaments have shown that the St. Johns can turn around quickly when conditions improve, sometimes producing dramatic final-day comebacks.

The question on everyone’s mind is whether the weather will moderate enough to allow these elite anglers to showcase the river’s true potential. To make it to Championship Sunday, competitors will need to combine their experience with careful observation of changing conditions. Those who can identify areas where the water temperatures remain most stable may find the key to unlocking the river’s big-bass potential.

Success this weekend will likely come down to versatility. While sight fishing is typically a dominant pattern on the St. Johns this time of year, the cold front has pushed many bass off their beds. Anglers who can effectively mix offshore structure fishing with targeted approaches in protected spawning areas may have the best chance at making the final-day cut.

As these professional anglers prepare for another day on the water, they know that the St. Johns River, despite its current mood, remains capable of producing the tournament of a lifetime. Tomorrow could be the day when the giants decide to feed, turning this challenging event into another legendary chapter in Bassmaster Elite Series history.

Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Crud Craw & Stank-Bug

Bass News

Brian Carter

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February 21, 2025

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Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Crud Craw & Stank-Bug

By FTR Industry Wire

February 21, 2025

The Berkley PowerBait MaxScent lineup expands with two new scent-exuding soft plastic shapes.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Berkley, the leader in fishing innovation, expands its tournament-proven PowerBait MaxScent lineup with the all-new Stank-Bug and Crud Craw. Berkley’s exclusive MaxScent formula adds the technology of scent release to soft plastic baits, expanding the strike zone and attracting more fish. Based on decades of scientific research, Berkley PowerBait MaxScent has been designed, tested in the lab, and proven on the water to deliver bites other baits won’t.

The Stank-Bug offers a compact profile with moderate action perfect for flipping and punching applications, while the Crud Craw presents a large profile with high action claws suitable for when anglers want a more aggressive presence amidst a variety of applications. Designed to become a staple in all anglers’ arsenal who demand performance and an edge against the competition.

Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Stank-Bug
The PowerBait MaxScent Stank-Bug makes a powerful entry into the soft plastic market with its versatile mid-sized craw profile, ideal for punching or flipping in heavy cover and a variety of other techniques. Featuring a moderate action and a streamlined body profile, it delivers reliable performance year-round. Powered by MaxScent’s proven taste and scent technology, it maximizes fish response. The innovative Stank-Bug design offers anglers a go-to bait, whether used as a jig trailer or on a Texas or Carolina rig.

CLICK LINK TO FINISH READING

Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Pickwick Lake relocates to Wheeler Lake

Brian Carter

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February 21, 2025

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Feb. 21, 2025

Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Pickwick Lake relocates to Wheeler Lake

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —After confirming a tournament scheduling conflict with the Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Pickwick Lake Oct. 2-4, B.A.S.S. tournament officials have announced the event will relocate to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala. Tournament dates will remain the same.

The Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Wheeler Lake will be hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism.

“Moving a tournament is never easy,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “Ultimately, we needed to keep our anglers in mind as well as anglers who are planning on fishing the other events. We are thankful for our friends in Tennessee and Pickwick Landing State Park for understanding as well as Decatur Morgan County Tourism committing to host the second stop of the EQs. Wheeler fishes great in October. It will be exciting to see the EQs start to take shape at this second stop.”

The first EQ event is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The series will then head to Wheeler Lake Oct. 2-4 before heading to the third and final EQ stop of the season Nov. 13-15 at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla.

In addition to the 100 anglers qualifying from both divisions of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, all current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will be eligible to compete in the Elite Qualifiers, as well as the second- and third-place finishers from the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

B.A.S.S. remains committed to the “win and you’re in” concept for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. Anglers who fish every event in a division of the Opens will receive a berth to the Classic if they win an event. The same applies to the three-event EQ series, taking the total to 11 berths to the Classic, which is an increase of two berths from years past.

Also new for 2025, the number of anglers who will qualify for the Elite Series has been increased to 10 (nine qualified in each of the past two years). Additionally, the EQ series rules will mirror those of the Elite Series, meaning the “no-info rule” is currently in effect and soliciting information for these bodies of waters is now prohibited.

EQ entry fees will be $3,500 per event. For full details please visit Bassmaster.com.

2025 Elite Qualifiers

Sept. 18-20, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Oct 2-4, Wheeler Lake, Decatur, Ala.

Nov. 13-15, Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.

Przekurat warms up to Florida’s cold for St. Johns lead

Brian Carter

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February 20, 2025

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Przekurat warms up to Florida’s cold for St. Johns lead

Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat leads the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., with five bass weighing 24 pounds, 15 ounces.

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

Feb. 20, 2025

Przekurat warms up to Florida’s cold for St. Johns lead

PALATKA, Fla. — Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., was just happy to finally hit the water, but his winter-weary enthusiasm lead him to a five-bass limit of 24 pounds, 15 ounces that leads Day 1 of the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

Przekurat, who won the 2022 Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title, leads Texan Lee Livesay by 2-2.

Not the least bit intimidated by takeoff temperatures in the upper 40s, or Friday’s forecast for 34 degrees at sunrise, Przekurat ignored the traditionally gloomy outlook associated with cold fronts and notoriously weather-sensitive Florida bass. The result was a nearly flawless day far surpassing his expectations.

“What a day; I couldn’t do any wrong today,” Przekurat said. “All I have to say is ‘I’m so happy to be fishing in Florida.’ At home yesterday they cancelled school because it was so cold. Whatever tomorrow is, I know everybody at home will be watching me fishing in Florida, wishing they were fishing in Florida.

“I’m just happy to be fishing. Prior to this tournament, I hadn’t wet a line since before October, so I was really anxious to get out.”

Growing up around weedy Wisconsin fisheries, Przekurat’s solid on the skill sets that equally fit Sunshine State waters.

“I’m fishing shallow; that’s what I like to do in Florida,” he said. “I’m not much for fishing past about 8 feet in Florida. I like a flipping stick, and I like to use a spinning rod with a wacky worm.

“It’s a lot like back home in Wisconsin. The only difference is this place has 8- to 10-pounders and we have 4-pounders.”

Indeed, Przekurat anchored his bag with an 8-4 — his first catch, which ate a Strike King Baby Z-Too. He caught several other fish on that bait and also fished a wacky-rigged Strike King Ocho.

“I was looking for flats and places where the fish are going to pull up to spawn,” Przekurat said. “We had a really warm week (before the cold front) and I think a lot of fish had pulled up to where they were spawning, and now they’re kinda getting that push back. But they’re still lingering in those areas; they’re not going to swim a mile away.”

Notably, the past several years have seen the lush eelgrass meadows that once carpeted much of the St. Johns sadly absent. Hurricanes and the sunlight-choking high water that followed rendered much of the historically productive patterns and places irrelevant.

Starting his fourth Elite Series season, Przekurat said he’s unhindered by changes that preceded his pro career.

“I wasn’t able to fish here when they had eelgrass, so I’m not even familiar with how good the fishing used to be, which maybe is an advantage for me,” he said. “I think (the lack of eelgrass) makes areas a lot smaller, and it makes you concentrate on areas where you know there’s fish instead of running around.”

Despite his clearly productive efforts, Przekurat admitted to a pleasantly casual day where all the pieces simply fell into place. Spending most of his time in the Lake George area, he went into the day without a defined target list.

“There wasn’t a specific spot that I thought was going to be the deal,” Przekurat said. “I’m kinda playing this tournament day by day. I thought I had an area that I could catch fish in today, but I don’t know if I can catch fish there tomorrow.

“Today looked great, but tomorrow might be a completely different area and a completely different style of fishing. I didn’t expect to catch 24-15 today, not in my wildest dreams. I was hoping for 15 pounds. Tomorrow I’ll be really happy with 15 pounds.”

Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, is in second place with 22-13. Making a big run paid off, in terms of jump-starting his day, but returning to waters closer to the tournament site proved most productive.

“I ran an hour south to Lake Astor, fished some shellbeds and caught a limit really quick,” Livesay said. “It was maybe 7-8 pounds, but it got me comfortable. Then I went and fished some new water and caught a 6-pounder on a Chatterbait in some pads.

“I caught a nearly 3-pounder on a 6th Sense Provoke 97X jerkbait, then I came back (downriver) toward Palatka and caught a 7, a 4 and a couple of 3s just flipping a black/blue-tip 6th Sense Clout (stick worm). I made the right decisions today.”

Contemplating Day 2, Livesay said he’s planning to repeat the shallow power-fishing game plan.

“It kinda feels like I can’t do it again, but at the same time, I had them fairly early and it felt pretty good,” Livesay said. “I kinda laid off some areas where I think maybe I could duplicate today.”

Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., is in third place with 21-5. Enjoying a fast start to his day, Lowen drew on his vast experience fishing the Ohio River’s shallow, muddy water and relied on tactics with which he’s deeply familiar.

“I ran to my primary area where I had kinda figured out a little deal with a swimming technique, but they were just nipping at the bait,” Lowen said. “I figured out a flipping bait to get bit on, and my first bites this morning were a 5 and a 4. That’s a good way to start the morning.

“I’m just fishing shallow wood, and I don’t have any company in my area, so hopefully, what I have going on will hold out. I have two other areas that I didn’t even look at today, because I have my weight pretty quickly.”

John Cox of Debary, Fla., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 8-13.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Palatka City Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held at the Palatka Riverfront Park at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on FS1 on Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon and Sunday from 8-11 a.m. Stay up-to-date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch/.

Florida’s Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite Series St. Johns River 2/20-2/23
St. Johns River, Palakta FL.
Standings Day 1

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

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

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 John Cox Debary, FL 08-13 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 93 494 1317-03
———————————-
93 494 1317-03

Anglers will share small areas during Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee

Brian Carter

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February 20, 2025

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Anglers will share small areas during Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee

Anglers will focus on vegetation to find big bass at the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee Feb. 27-March 2.

Photo by Craig Lamb/B.A.S.S.

Feb. 20, 2025

Anglers will share small areas during Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — As Florida’s largest lake and the 10th-largest lake nationally, Lake Okeechobee boasts 730 square miles of surface area. However, when the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee visits the storied fishery Feb. 27-March 2, anglers will focus on relatively small sections defined by the right habitat.

As with most Florida lakes, “the right habitat” refers to plant life, both submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) like hydrilla and emergent species such as lily pads, Kissimmee grass and various reeds. In recent years, Okeechobee has lost vast areas of its vegetation, largely due to high water, which reduces sunlight penetration necessary for photosynthesis and limits plant growth.

Two weeks prior to the tournament’s commencement, Lake Okeechobee’s water level was 14.11 feet. That’s well within the historic average for mid-February, and barring any major influx, that number will be declining.

Florida Elite Series pro Scott Martin, who grew up fishing and guiding on “The Big O,” claimed a wire-to-wire victory at the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Okeechobee presented by SEVIIN. Making his home in Clewiston, at the lake’s south end, Martin said Okeechobee will present the upcoming Elite event with a challenging but optimistic scenario.

“The lake is fishing small like usual, but the fishing’s been really good,” Martin said. “I believe that we’ve had a good spawn around the lake due to light winds and warm temperatures for the last three weeks.

“The water is falling .03 feet per day and is targeted to hit 12 feet by May. This will help greatly in increasing our submerged vegetation.”

Typically, productive areas exist at the lake’s upper end where the tournament is based, as well as the southern portion, where the famous Roland Martin Marina resides. Notably, late January saw the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops won in Pelican Bay at the lake’s southeast side.

“The tournament could be won in the north or south end, but this time of year, if the south end turns on, it’s hard to beat,” said shallow-water stick Drew Cook. “If they’re eating in South Bay, it’s going to be the deal.

“It’s always been that way. South Bay is a long (boat) drive from anywhere, so maybe it’s a little less pressured.”

Balancing the outlook, Martin references his lifetime of experience to note that the lake’s annual cycle ensures a dynamic and challenging scenario. Essentially, summer rains can raise the lake level by several feet until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases the excess through dams on the lake’s west and east sides.

“The lake resets every year,” Martin said. “The water comes up during hurricane season then it comes down, so it’s all a matter of what habitat remains. This year, it’s very different and a lot of habitat has changed. There’s not one single waypoint where I caught them last year that I think I can catch them at this year.”

Adding to this truth, Tyler Rivet, who won the 2023 Elite held on Okeechobee, unveiled the previously underutilized potential found in the Kissimmee River. As the backstory goes, the Louisiana native fished the river prior to the event primarily to catch sac-a-lait (black crappie) for dinner but also located a previously unknown gold mine of unpressured bass.

Rivet got off to a quick start, and, during the first day’s weigh-in, he boldly stated that he was on the winning pattern. Three more days of Kissimmee River productivity earned the win and added a new facet to the Lake Okeechobee mystique — one that will, no doubt, receive serious attention at this year’s event.

While Cook expects a mostly spawn-centered tournament, he’s also aware the southern Florida bass work on a more relaxed schedule than the rest of the country. That could bring a mix, including prespawn and postspawn action that places a premium on prudent positioning.

“Any time in Florida, you’re going to have to have fish coming to you,” Cook said. “Whenever you find that area where they’re coming to you, you’re going to succeed.

“That area used to be a hard reedline, then you’d move back into the ponds to look for spawners. Now there’s not much of that left. If there are any offshore grasslines, they should be absolutely stacked with staging fish.”

Less habitat shared by a full field of 104 competitors means competition for prime areas. Predicting several groups of anglers fishing within sight of one another, Cook said success will require a measured pace and a disciplined focus.

“You’ll have to slow down; and if you think you’re going slow, go slower,” Cook said. “You can’t pay attention to what other people are doing, and you can’t worry about fishing behind other people.

“Someone in front of you might catch the males in a spawning area, and then you might come behind them and find the larger females will eat your bait.”

In 2023, Rivet won with a four-day total of 86 pounds, 15 ounces. Cook finished 10th with 66-11 and is expecting similar numbers for this year’s event.

“It’s not going to be a home-run-type spawn, but it will still be good; I think it will take 85 pounds to win,” Cook said. “I think you’ll need about 17 a day to make the Top 10.”

Daily takeoffs for the event will be at C. Scott Driver Park at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day will be held back at the park at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel Thursday and Friday as well as on FS1 from 8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 a.m. Stay up to date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch/.

Visit Florida is hosting the event.

B.A.S.S. inks deal with Champion Power Equipment as Elite Series event title sponsor

Brian Carter

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February 20, 2025

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Feb. 20, 2025

B.A.S.S. inks deal with Champion Power Equipment as Elite Series event title sponsor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —B.A.S.S. announced today that Champion Power Equipment has signed on as the title sponsor of the upcoming Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee to be held in Okeechobee, Fla., Feb. 27-March 2.

Champion Power Equipment is a market leader in power generation equipment, and the Nevada-based company’s product lineup now includes portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, lithium-ion power stations, winches, log splitters and other outdoor power equipment.

“At Champion Power Equipment, we’re excited to partner with the Bassmaster Elite Series and celebrate the spirit of adventure that fishing embodies,” said the Director of Marketing at Champion Power Equipment Scott Henning. “While this sponsorship showcases the playful side of our tagline, ‘For home, work, and play,’ it’s also a reminder that our versatile equipment does so much more. From providing backup power during emergencies at home to reliable energy at remote job sites, we make the power that makes people’s lives easier — whether at work, at play, or somewhere in between.”

The Elite Series last visited Lake Okeechobee in 2023, and fans were treated to a victory by Louisiana’s Tyler Rivet when he posted a four-day weight of 86-15 and won by almost 4 pounds over Texas’ Clark Wendlandt, who brought 83 pounds to the scales.

“Champion Power Equipment specializes in outdoor power equipment — something that is used extensively by the fishing demographic, and this partnership is a natural fit,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “We are looking forward to a very successful and exciting event at Lake Okeechobee and a mutually beneficial partnership in 2025.”

Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel Thursday and Friday as well as on FS1 from 8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 a.m. Stay up to date on all tournament coverage at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch/.

About Champion Power Equipment

Champion Power Equipment is a market leader in power generation equipment. Champion has decades of experience providing dependable and durable power products designed and engineered in the US for the North American and world markets. For home, work or play, Champion products are the standard of performance excellence. We make the power that makes your life easier.

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Champion’s North American footprint also includes facilities in Southern California, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.

Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 4.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field.

Major League Fishing BFL Arkie Division Opener on Lake Ouachita Set for Saturday Postponed

Brian Carter

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February 19, 2025

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Major League Fishing BFL Arkie Division Opener on Lake Ouachita Set for Saturday Postponed

WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Arkie division season-opening tournament on Lake Ouachita, scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 22, has been postponed due to inclement weather.

MLF officials are working to reschedule the tournament at a later date. The rescheduled tournament date and location will be announced very soon, once confirmed.

NOTES:
The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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.

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