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CJ Johnston & Michael Swaringen Win CATT Yadkin Tuckertown Lake, NC Sept 22, 2024

Brian Carter
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CJ Johnston & Michael Swaringen Win CATT Yadkin Tuckertown Lake, NC Sept 22, 2024

Next Yadkin Fall CATT is Oct 13 at High Rock launching from Southmont!

CJ Johnston & Michael Swaringen win Tuckertown with 5 bass weighing 22.67 lbs and they weighed in the BF at 6.33 lbs!

Brian Robbins & Cody Thompson 2nd with 17.96 lbs!

Shane & Austin Floyd 3rd Place 16.72 lbs!

Matt Stanley & Mike Kiser 4th 16.65 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Michael Swaringen – CJ Johnston6.3322.67$1,070.00110
Cody Thompson – Brian Robbins0.0017.96$450.00109
Shane Floyd – Austin Floyd5.1516.72$200.00108
Mike Kiser – Matt Stanley5.6116.65$100.00107
Michael Kinard -Aaron Harwood4.4216.38106
Rodney Thomas – Jason Thomas4.1216.24105
Zach Scelsi – Kris Scelsi0.0014.75104
Austin Garland0.0012.39103
Wayne Hughes – Mike Lankford0.009.83102
George Lambeth – Henry Young5.069.15101
Bart Hill – Wyatt Hill0.008.90100
Chris Brown0.008.0999
Noah Beck – Brett Landon5.475.4798
Kevin Stowell – Richard McDuffie0.002.2697
Robert Brunson0.002.0996
Derek Crumbley – Calvin McAskill0.000.0086
Dillon Simpson – Stephanie Chrinopros0.000.0086
Mike Ray – Orlando Giles0.000.0086
Wesley Dixon – Nick Dixon0.000.0086
Zac Ridenhour0.000.0086
Tod Haynes – Jeremy Talbert0.000.0086
Josh Presley – Gabe Kluttz0.000.0086
Total Entrys$1,820.00
BONUS $$500.00
Total Paid At Ramp$1,870.00
CATT$50.00
2024 Yadkin Fall Final Fund$350.00
2025 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2024 Yadkin Fall Final Fund Total$350.00



Akins overcomes early miscue to lead the way on Day 2 at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

Brian Carter
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Akins overcomes early miscue to lead the way on Day 2 at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

From left, Dylan Akins, Aaron Jagdfeld, Caleb Hudson and Andrew Blanton advance to the Semifinal Sunday round at the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. 

Photo by Christopher Decker/B.A.S.S.

Sept. 28, 2024

Akins overcomes early miscue to lead the way on Day 2 at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

StrikeKing_CollegeSeries_BPS__LEWS_Bracket_Raster.png

Winchester, Tenn. — Knowing a full day of fishing was ahead, Emmanuel University’s Dylan Akins knew he would have to take advantage of every quality bite he received on Day 2 of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s to advance. 

By landing the tournament’s biggest bag so far, Akins did just that.

With a two-day total of 30 pounds, 4 ounces, Akins finished at the top of the leaderboard on Day 2 and earned the No. 1 seed heading into the bracket portion of the event. Adrian College angler Aaron Jagdfeld earned the No. 2 seed with 29-2 while Caleb Hudson from the University of South Carolina-Union will be the third seed with 27-1. Lander University’s Andrew Blanton claimed the fourth and final seed with 20-14.

Weights will reset, and Akins will go head-to-head against Blanton on Semifinal Sunday while Jagdfeld will face off against Hudson. The winner of the head-to-head matchups will advance to Championship Monday and the overall victor will claim a spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented By Jockey Outdoors at Lake Ray Roberts along with paid entry into the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens.

“I’m feeling kind of confident, but I don’t have the backing like I did yesterday,” Akins said. “I think you are going to have to burn it to the ground every day. It is going to be interesting to see what the weights are when we are pushing our stuff.” 

The remnants of Hurricane Helene shortened the first day of the tournament, and while rain and wind persisted on Saturday, the eight competitors were able to launch on time and enjoyed a full day of fishing.

Akins landed 14-4 on Day 1 before catching a tournament best 16-0 on the second day of competition. Along with a morning bite, he feels conditions have stabilized enough to improve the bite across the lake today.

“Today they seemed a little more active and I think you saw that in people’s bags today,” Akins explained. “Tomorrow is supposed to be about the same, so it will be interesting to see if they keep biting like this, shut down or if it gets even better.”

Tims Ford reminds the recent college graduate and Bassmaster Team of the Year champion of the upper end of his home lake of Lake Lanier, which has helped him break down the lake this week. The river sections of Lanier are full of threadfin, which is the prominent baitfish in Tims Ford as well. 

Several different patterns have played out for Akins so far this week. No one thing has been better than another, but he has narrowed his rotation down to four key baits. 

“I’ll go through a stretch and fish a pattern,” he said. “I’ve been mixing in a little of everything. I’m mixing it up shallow and deep. Everything I’m fishing is kind of similar, but I haven’t seen a correlation between them.”

With how deep Tims Ford generally is, Akins added it hasn’t been super difficult to switch between his deep and shallow patterns. While he has caught a largemouth or two each day, Akins has landed mostly smallmouth.

“You can see the bank, and then you can pan over with (forward-facing sonar) and there it’s as deep as 80 feet of water,” he said. “You can fish shallow points and then deep stuff; you never really know where they will be.”

After landing everything he flipped in the boat on Day 1, Akins started Day 2 by misjudging a boat flip and losing a key bass. He recovered nicely, though, landing four keeper bass before hitting a lull later in the morning. 

“Today off the rip, I tried to flip one and it hit off the gunnel,” he said. “That hurt, but I pushed through it, and I knew I had to catch a limit to make it to the next day.”

The four remaining anglers will launch from Tims Ford Marina beginning at 6:20 a.m. CT on Sunday and return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. Live coverage will begin on FS1 at 8 a.m. ET and continue through 11 a.m. before moving over to Bassmaster.com at noon. 

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and local businesses are hosting the tournament.

2024 Strike King College Bracket Presented by Bass Pro Shops and Lew’s 9/27-9/30
Tim Ford’s Lake, Winchester  TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

    Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Dylan Akins –                                Emmanuel University                   0
  Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   16-00   Total:  10  30-04
2.  Aaron Jagdfeld –                             Adrian College                        0
  Day 1: 5   14-13     Day 2: 5   14-05   Total:  10  29-02
3.  Caleb Hudson –                               University of South Carolina – U      0
  Day 1: 4   12-12     Day 2: 5   14-05   Total:   9  27-01
4.  Andrew Blanton –                             Lander University                     0
  Day 1: 2   06-03     Day 2: 5   14-11   Total:   7  20-14
5.  Garrett Smith –                              Lander University                     0
  Day 1: 2   05-09     Day 2: 5   14-14   Total:   7  20-07
6.  Chase Carey –                                Emmanuel University                   0
  Day 1: 3   08-04     Day 2: 4   11-03   Total:   7  19-07
7.  Tanner Hadden –                              University of South Carolina – U      0
  Day 1: 3   08-09     Day 2: 2   07-10   Total:   5  16-03
8.  Elliot Wielgopolski –                        Adrian College                        0
  Day 1: 2   06-06     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   2  06-06
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         2        26        76-12
 2         5        31        93-00
———————————-
           7        57       169-12



Jagdfeld paces the field at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

Brian Carter
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Jagdfeld paces the field at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

Adrian College’s Aaron Jagdfeld leads Day 1 of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s with a weight of 14 pounds, 13 ounces. 

Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.

Sept. 27, 2024

Jagdfeld paces the field at Bassmaster College Classic Bracket on Tims Ford Lake

StrikeKing_CollegeSeries_BPS__LEWS_Bracket_Raster.png

Winchester, Tenn. — Aaron Jagdfeld fell just short of qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic earlier this year, but this week he is trying to make the most of a second chance.

The Adrian College graduate caught the heaviest bag of Day 1 at the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, a five-bass limit measuring 14 pounds, 13 ounces, putting him in prime position to advance to the bracket portion of the event.

Jagdfeld, who finished second to Bassmaster Elite Series angler Jay Przekurat at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake St. Clair presented by SEVIIN, holds a 9-ounce advantage over Emmanuel University’s Dylan Akins, but more importantly has a more than 6-pound advantage over Emmanuel’s Chase Carey, who is currently the first man out of the cut.  

“I really don’t have a (weight goal) I’m focusing on for tomorrow,” he said. “I’m just going to try and catch five and then run all new water to try and find some new stuff for Days 3 and 4. But I’m going to worry about catching five bass, and that should give me a good shot at getting in.”

Anglers were dealt an unusual set of circumstances on Day 1 as the strong remnants of Hurricane Helene pushed their way through southern Tennessee. The start of the tournament was delayed by an hour and a half, but anglers launched in the wind and rain around 8 a.m. CT and were able to fish until the regularly scheduled weigh-in time. 

With the dramatic change in weather conditions, Jagdfeld wasn’t sure if the pattern he discovered in practice would continue to be productive, but once anglers were allowed to leave the boat ramp, he quickly discovered the bass were still there.

“I got to my first area and right away I caught a keeper smallmouth, and a few minutes later I caught a 3-pound largemouth,” he said. “I realized pretty quickly it was going to be happening. I went to a different area, put my head down and caught my limit. I fished new water the rest of the day and ended up running into a couple more good ones. I’m pretty excited.”

Tims Ford is vastly different from the lakes Jagdfeld fishes back home in Michigan, but some of the same concepts have come into play. Much like the bass use grass edges to move in northern fisheries, Jagdfeld has noticed the bass use the rock edges and points in the southern Tennessee impoundment in much the same way. 

“In Michigan, the bass cruise down the grasslines, and I feel like that is exactly what they are doing on these rock points and edges,” he explained. “They are cruising down them in wolf packs of three to five.”

After catching mostly smallmouth in practice, Jagdfeld brought three largemouth and two brown fish to the scales on Friday. He caught most of his bass on two specific baits and forward-facing sonar has helped Jagdfeld catch his limit. 

“Whether I’m shallow or deep, I’m using forward-facing sonar,” he explained. “I caught some in 5 to 6 feet of water and some out to 30 and 40 feet of water. I’m putting the trolling motor down and going. The only pattern to it is, the longer rocky points will have bass on them and then within the first 100 yards to the left or right, I’m getting bit. The bass are constantly swimming.”

While the rain is forecast to subside on Day 2, water levels are expected to rise and the water temperatures on the lake have already fallen several degrees since Jagdfeld began practice. The bass he is catching are also feeding heavily on shad, so he imagines the bass will follow the bait wherever they go.

“It really depends on what this weather is going to do to these bass — if it pushes them shallow or if the bite I found is going to stay,” he said. 

Akins is second with 14-4 followed by Caleb Hudson from the University of South Carolina-Union in third with 12-12 and South Carolina-Union’s Tanner Hadden in fourth with 8-9. Carey is fifth with 8-4, Adrian College’s Elliot Wielgopolski is sixth with 6-6, Lander University’s Andrew Blanton is seventh with 6-3 and Garrett Smith from Lander is eighth with 5-9. 

All eight competitors will return to the water starting at 6:30 a.m. CT at Tims Ford Marina. Weigh-in will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. The Top 4 anglers at the conclusion of Day 2 will advance to Semifinal Sunday, which will be a bracket -style tournament. The No. 1 seeded angler will go head-to-head against the No. 4 seeded angler, while No. 2 will compete against No. 3.

The winners of those head-to-head matches will face off in the finals and the winner will advance to the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors and will earn entry into the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens with the use of a fully rigged Nitro Boat and Toyota Tundra. 

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and local businesses will host the tournament.

2024 Strike King College Bracket Presented by Bass Pro Shops and Lew’s 9/27-9/30
Tim Ford’s Lake, Winchester  TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1  

  Angler                                       Club/School                      
Pts 1.  Aaron Jagdfeld –                             Adrian College                        0
  Day 1: 5   14-13   Total:   5  14-13
2.  Dylan Akins –                                Emmanuel University                   0
  Day 1: 5   14-04   Total:   5  14-04
3.  Caleb Hudson –                               University of South Carolina – U      0
  Day 1: 4   12-12   Total:   4  12-12
4.  Tanner Hadden –                              University of South Carolina – U      0
  Day 1: 3   08-09   Total:   3  08-09
5.  Chase Carey –                                Emmanuel University                   0
  Day 1: 3   08-04   Total:   3  08-04
6.  Elliot Wielgopolski –                        Adrian College                        0
  Day 1: 2   06-06   Total:   2  06-06
7.  Andrew Blanton –                             Lander University                     0
  Day 1: 2   06-03   Total:   2  06-03
8.  Garrett Smith –                              Lander University                     0
  Day 1: 2   05-09   Total:   2  05-09
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         2        26        76-12
———————————-
           2        26        76-12



Connect-Ease® Champions Distributors Driving Growth

Brian Carter
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Connect-Ease® Champions Distributors Driving Growth
Connect-Ease® Champions Distributors Driving Growth
Demand is growing for the company’s unique plug & play power rigging solutions designed specifically for today’s sophisticated fishing/marine electronics, trolling motors, and lithium batteries
PRIOR LAKE, MN (September 27, 2024) – Connect-Ease® founder, Cal Munkvold, says the company’s mission hasn’t changed over the past decade.“We started with the goal of creating boat rigging products that would remove frustration from the equation, while providing the very best in materials, parts, and components—and excellent customer service. That is still our mission,” says Munkvold.Munkvold admits it was a long journey to the point the company is at today, convincing boaters and anglers of a better way to rig their boats—one that would allow “more time fishing, less time rigging.” 
Thus, he nods his cap to longtime distributor partner, Northern Wholesale Supply, for standing by Connect-Ease, and introducing their vast dealer customer-base to Connect-Ease products. “Northern Wholesale is our favorite regional vendor for the northland. They’ve been an invaluable partner for the past eight years, placing our products next to the big, recognizable marine electronics names as problem-solving marine accessories that dealers need to know about. This has been critical to our growth. We just had a great experience at the Northern Wholesale Show in Red Wing, MN, on September 18th. There’s been great acceptance and customers like our products and what we’re doing.” Munkvold also points to other distributors who have helped him grow, including SeaWide Distribution—the largest distribution network in the marine aftermarket—and CWR Wholesale Distribution—a large entity known for its global marine product drop-shipping. 
“Both are wonderful distributors, easy to work with, helpful, and do a lot of product promotion. I highly recommend both,” adds Munkvold. Along the way, Munkvold says he’s learned a lot from all of these distributors and has, in turn, invested more time, effort, and money into everything from the brand’s R&D to marketing to help his partners provide customers unique, recognizable, problem-solving products. “We’ve become known for our quality. In fact, we’ve only had one warranty issue in the past ten years,” notes Munkvold. “Everywhere in the chain—from distributor to dealer to customer—we’re trying really hard to provide the best support we possibly can.”The marine electronics, fishing, and greater RV markets are paying close attention to Connect-Ease, evident in the company’s recent “Best of Category” win in Non-Motorized Boating Accessories at the ICAST 2024 show in Orlando, Florida, for their YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro design, conceived to make rigging fishing kayaks easy, quick, and reliable. The company also attended the 2024 BASSMASTER Classic, continues visibility at other key tournaments as support, and tradeshows in RV/shooting sports/off grid vertical markets. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg for Connect-Ease outdoor power rigging systems. To learn more about the company’s products, visit www.connect-ease.com.
DEALER INQUIRIES: Cal Munkvold at [email protected](612) 770-9680



Wesley Farmer & Noah Adkins Win CATT James River, VA Sept 14, 2024

Brian Carter
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Wesley Farmer & Noah Adkins Win CATT James River, VA Sept 14, 2024

Congrats to the Teams that finished in the Top 5 of the James River Points!

1st Trey Goodman & Tim Chaffin – FREE Entry to all 2025 Spring James River CATT Qualifiers! 

2nd Clay Lewis & Greg Cooper – $500

3rd Kelly Robinette & Dave Barlow – $250

4th Ryan Drewery–Wayne Drewery – $200

5th Tripp & Morgan Mistr – $100

Wesley Farmer & Noah Adkins win the last 2025 James River CATT Qualifier with 5 bass weighing 19.95 lbs plus they weighed in the BF at 5.84 lbs securing $3,154.00 in winnings!

eamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Wesley Farmer – Noah Adkins5.8419.95$3,154.00110
Jamie Nealy – Greg Ball4.5717.60$1,545.00109
Jared Williams – Guy Fairweather5.0617.43$890.00108
Brian Brooks – Avery Powelson0.0015.52$510.00107
Ryan Drewery – Wayne Drewery4.5014.96$375.00106
Tripp Mistr – Morgan Mistr3.4314.69$275.00105
Wes Zabdyr – Paul Kirby5.4814.05$200.00104
Scott Rogers – Chris Atwell0.0014.11$175.00103
Frank Poirier – Brian Durham0.0014.05$150.00102
Jake Kidd – Jesse kidd0.0013.50$130.00101
Trey Goodman – Tim Chaffin0.0013.30100
Howard Austin – Mark Austin0.0013.2399
Kelly Robinette – David Barlow0.0013.1598
Billy Allen – Craig Cheek0.0013.1597
Francis Martin – William Clements4.5513.0196
Ryan Grattan – Danny Grattan0.0012.8495
Audie Murphy – Monte Alman0.0012.3994
Kyle McCann – Aaron Kurz0.0012.1393
Craig Miller – Anthony Withers0.0011.8792
Donnie Meade – Travis Daniels0.0011.6391
Nicholas Bodsford – Zachery Bodsford0.0011.5190
Bubba Whitehurst – Jay Griffin0.0011.1089
Curtis Combs – CJ Combs0.0010.9488
Michael McCrickard – Jason Woodland0.0010.8387
Greg Cooper0.0012.1286
Avery Neely0.0010.0485
Greg Fernandez – B.K. Kelley0.009.8284
Jeffrey Valentin – Daryl Moody0.008.8983
Don Warren – Chuck Comer0.008.7382
Joey Cooke – Justin Hall0.008.0981
Sam Pollock3.827.9780
Stacy Vasser – Kevin Davis0.007.8979
Barry Brandt Jr. – Robert Brandt0.007.5378
Dave Carney – John Dunn0.007.4377
Ed & Ed Jordan0.007.2276
Ben Knapp – Jeff Reed0.005.3975
Cory Dunnavant – Kennon Ball0.000.0065
Richard Mistr – Tom Owens0.000.0065
Jake Lewis – Roger Rhodes0.000.0065
Mike Hicks – Keith Lupo0.000.0065
Ron Studer – Jimmy Seay0.000.0065
Blake Condrey – Merle Condrey0.000.0065
Mike Hall – Donnie Hughes0.000.0065
Tommy Little – Burley Langford0.000.0065
Maurice Curley – Brett Stewart0.000.0065
Ricky Meyers – Dale Cook0.000.0065
Ron Woodfin – Chis Gammon0.000.0065
Walter Woodel – Frank Woodel0.000.0065
James Condrey – Jimmy Condrey0.000.0065
Jacob Reid – Garland Reid0.000.0065
John Koren – Joe Westfall0.000.0065
Scottie Melton – Shawn Smith0.000.0065
James Byrd0.000.0065
Total Entrys$6,240.00
BONUS $$1,700.00
Total Paid At Ramp$7,405.00
CATT$50.00
2024 James River Spring Final Fund$435.00
2025 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2024 James River Spring Final Fund Total$3,435.00



Jeff & Jacob Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Sept 21, 2024

Brian Carter
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Jeff & Jacob Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Sept 21, 2024

Enter 1 Wateree Fall Qualifier and you’re eligible to enter the Wateree Fall Final!
Safe Daylight – 3 pm
$35 per Person Fall Membership
$80 CATT Entry – $90 at Ramp
$120 Final Entry – $130 at Ramp
Optional $25 side pot at each event!
Optional $50 side pot at each event!

Jeff & Jacob Norris brought in a nice sack of Wateree bass weighing 15.84 lbs taking 1st Place!

Colden & William Bakes 2nd with 5 bass weighing 14.09 lbs!

Scott Faile with the BF at 4.03 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Jeff Norris & Jacob Norris3.7515.84$550.00110
Bubba Baker & Colden Baker3.3114.09$325.00109
Chad Sinclair & Terry Caldwell4.0111.74108
Greg Sigmon0.009.41107
Daniel Barrick3.198.48106
Butch Williams & Sonny Beam3.647.17105
Jason Ries & Roger McKee0.005.50104
Scott Faile4.034.03$110.00103
Allan Fletcher & Tanner Fletcher0.000.0093
Ray Dowey & Chanon Dowey0.000.0093
Brian Whitworth0.000.0093
Total Entrys$880.00
BONUS $$375.00
Total Paid At Ramp$985.00
2024 Wateree Fall Final Fund$170.00
CATT$50.00
2025 CATT Championship$0.00
2024 Wateree Fall Fund Total$170.00



DONALD POTEAT & LARRY YANCEY Win CATT Lake Norman, NC Sept 14, 2024

Brian Carter
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DONALD POTEAT & LARRY YANCEY Win CATT Lake Norman, NC Sept 14, 2024

Next Lake Norman CATT is Sept 21st! To view full info go to the CATT Home Page and tap on Tournaments then Lake Norman

To view the Norman points, go to the Norman Division and scroll all the way down!

Donald Poteat & Larry Yancey win Norman with 5 bass weighing 14.31 lbs!

Jeremi & Sam Beatty 2nd with 12.82 lbs!

BF winners Jeff Nichols & Timothy Penninger!

TEAMBFWEIGHTWINNINGSPOINTS
DONALD POTEAT & LARRY YANCEY3.5514.31$1,200.00110
JEREMI BEATTY
& SAM BEATTY		3.4112.82$155.00109
JEFF NICHOLS
& TIMOTHY PENNINGER		3.6310.52$65.00108
CHRIS GOODWIN
& ALEX VAN DYKE		3.2010.17107
CARSON ECKARD
& ROBERT THOMPSON		0.0010.11106
ROBERT BAGWELL
& CHAD BAGWELL		0.009.79105
JOSH RHYNE
& KEVIN CANIPE		0.009.24104
BRETT BLACKWOOD
& CALEB BLACKWOOD		0.008.88103
SHANE SHARPE
& WENDELL IRELAND		0.008.35102
TIM WADDELL
& MARK BESHEARS		0.000.0092
ART HARRIS
& ERIC RAINES		0.000.0092
WILL HAMMOND0.000.0092
T. J. RUMPF0.000.0092
Total Entrys$780.00
BONUS $$700.00
Total Paid At Ramp$1,420.00
Norman FALL 2024 Final Fund$65.00
2025 CATT Championship Fund$0.00
2024 Norman Fall Final Fund Total$65.00
2024 CATT Championship Fund Total$0.00



B.A.S.S. announces College, High School and Junior schedules for 2025

Brian Carter
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B.A.S.S. announces College, High School and Junior schedules for 2025

B.A.S.S. has announced the 2025 schedules for the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Strike King Bassmaster High School and Junior Series. 

Photo by Tyler Bridges/B.A.S.S.

Sept. 27, 2024

B.A.S.S. announces College, High School and Junior schedules for 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials today announced the 2025 schedule for the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Junior Series tournament circuits, and the slate features some of the best competition bass lakes in the country for young anglers to showcase their talent.

“Tournament fishing at the student level is continuing to boom in popularity,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. tournament manager for the College, High School and Junior Series. “From the college level to the junior level, B.A.S.S. continues to provide even more opportunities for young anglers to compete on some of the best bodies of water in the country.

“Today’s anglers are honing their skills at an early age,” Cale went on to say. “This schedule will be a fun one for the up-and-coming anglers and their families. We will visit some of the most popular fisheries in the United States. Some of these anglers will revisit them many times during their tournament career.”

The Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops features a two-division format with three tour stops each — the Legends Trail and the Lunkers Trail.

The Legends Trail kicks off the season Jan. 22-23 at Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., travels to Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala., Feb. 26-27 and makes a final stop at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Okla., April 2-3.

The Lunkers Trail begins competition at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla., Jan. 29-30, then Buggs Island in Mecklenburg County, N.C., April 30-May 1, before ending the regular season at Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn., May 30-31.

College anglers will be competing for points in the Bassmaster College Team of the Year standings to qualify for both the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s which will result in a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic berth for one lucky angler.

Second grade through 12th grade anglers will compete in four regular-season events held in conjunction with several of the college events. Those young anglers will gain valuable tournament-fishing experience on some of the country’s best bass waters. The one-day High School and Junior tournaments will kick off Jan. 26 at Harris Chain of Lakes, followed by stops at Smith Lake on March 2, Lake Tenkiller on March 30 and Buggs Island on May 4.

The College Series and High School Series events will be capped at 250 boats. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 boats for competitors ranging from second to eighth grade as part of the Bassmaster Junior Series.
 

Online registration for the College Series’ Legends Trail will open Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. CT, followed by the Lunkers Trail registration which will open Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. Single-event entry will open Nov. 5 at 3 p.m.

Registration for the High School Series will open online Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. and Junior Series registration will open Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.

For more information visit Bassmaster.com.

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Schedule

Legends Trail

January 22-23, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.

February 26-27, Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala.

April 2-3, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.

Lunkers Trail

January 29-30, Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.

April 30- May 1, Buggs Island, Mecklenburg County, N.C.

May 30-31, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.

2025 Strike King Bassmaster High School and Junior Series Schedule

January 26, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.

March 2, Smith Lake, Cullman Ala. 

March 30, Lake Tenkiller, Cookson, Okla.

May 4, Buggs Island, Mecklenburg County, N.C.

2024 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King

2024 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2024 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket Presenting Sponsor: Lew’s

2024 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowarance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

2024 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

2024 Bassmaster High School Combine Title Sponsor: Skeeter
2024 Bassmaster High School Combine Gear Partners: Lew’s, Strike King
2024 Bassmaster Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano





Cracking the Code: How Rattling Shakey Heads Dominate the Summer-to-Fall Transition

Brian Carter
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Cracking the Code: How Rattling Shakey Heads Dominate the Summer-to-Fall Transition

Cracking the Code: How Rattling Shakey Heads Dominate
the Summer-to-Fall Transition


As summer fades into fall, the fishing game changes. It’s a time of transition—one that can
throw even the most seasoned anglers for a loop. Bass are moving from their summer hideouts into new patterns, and for many anglers, this in-between phase presents one of the year’s toughest fishing challenges. But here’s the silver lining: while bass may seem unpredictable, they’re also hungry. And during this seasonal shift, there’s one food source that bass can’t resist—crawfish. For savvy anglers, that’s where the magic of the rattling shakey head comes into play.


The Transition: Why It’s Tough
As the water cools, bass leave their deep summer homes and begin roaming the shallows,
preparing for their fall feeding frenzy. This sounds straightforward, but the reality is more
complicated. Bass often scatter across different depths and structures, making them harder to locate and even harder to catch. They aren’t yet chasing baitfish aggressively, which means traditional moving baits might not yield the results you’re hoping for. But there’s a solution: bass are starting to key in on crawfish—a slow-moving, high-protein meal that’s just begging to be devoured.


Crawfish: A Fall Staple for Bass
Why crawfish, you ask? Simple. As fall approaches, crawfish become more active, crawling
around rocky points, docks, and other hard structures where bass love to ambush them. For bass transitioning between summer and fall, these crustaceans offer a protein-packed meal that requires minimal effort to catch. And what better way to mimic this slow, easy target than with a shakey head rig?


The Secret Weapon: Shakey Heads with a Twist
Traditional shakey heads already excel at creating subtle presentations in tough conditions, but when paired with a rattle, they become even deadlier. Enter the Rattle Head by Drop Zone Tackle—a shakey head designed to mimic the sound and movement of a crawfish in its natural habitat. With a built-in rattle, this jig head draws attention from even the most reluctant bass, combining both noise and vibration to make your presentation irresistible.


Keys to Rattling Shakey Head Success

  1. Match the Hatch
    The trick to success in the summer-to-fall transition is imitating what the bass are eating. Use soft plastics that resemble crawfish in color and action. Go for greens, browns, or darker colors with hints of red—anything that screams “crawfish.” A finesse worm or small creature bait will perfectly mimic that slow, deliberate movement crawfish make across the bottom.
  2. The Right Weight for the Job
    Choosing the right shakey head weight is crucial. In shallow, rocky areas, opt for a lighter head, usually a 3/16-ounce will do the trick. This allows your bait to slowly fall and maintain contact with the bottom, mimicking a crawfish’s natural movement. In deeper water, step up to a 1/4-ounce head to stay in the strike zone.
  3. Make Some Noise
    The rattling feature is what sets the Rattle Head apart. Crawfish create subtle clicking and clattering sounds as they move along the rocks, and bass are attuned to this noise. The Rattle Head mimics these sounds, drawing bass from further away and enticing them to investigate. Especially in stained or murky water, that extra noise can provoke reaction strikes that a silent bait won’t.
  4. Add Some Flair
    For an added twist, try bending the worm slightly before threading it onto the hook. This gives the bait a spiraling action as it sinks. The erratic fall, combined with the sound of the rattle, can rigger even the most lethargic bass to strike.
  5. Patience Pays Off
    This time of year, slower is better. After the bait hits the bottom, let it sit for a moment, then give it a few gentle shakes. This subtle action mimics a crawfish’s defensive posture, and often, bass will strike during these pauses. Watch your line closely—sometimes the bites are so light that you’ll only notice a slight twitch.
  6. Focus on Structure
    Rocky points, riprap, and hard-bottomed areas near deeper water are prime feeding grounds for bass targeting crawfish. By working your rattling shakey head through these hotspots, you increase your chances of running into aggressive feeders.
  7. Fine-Tune Your Gear
    A medium-light to medium spinning rod with a fast tip, paired with 8-10 lb fluorocarbon line, is your best bet. This setup offers the sensitivity to detect subtle bites and the strength to fight fish out of cover.
    The Rattle Head Advantage: More Than Just Noise
    The Rattle Head isn’t just another shakey head. It’s designed with precision to add sound and vibration to your presentation, setting it apart from standard rigs. During the summer-to-fall transition, when bass are hunting crawfish, this extra element of realism can be the difference between a tough day and a successful one. Offer for The Bass Cast Readers:
  8. To help you get the most out of this tricky transition period, we’re offering a 20% discount on our Rattle Heads. Just head over to our website (RattleShot.com) here, add your Rattle Heads to the cart, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. This fall, give yourself the edge by using a tool specifically designed to turn tough conditions into big bites. The rattling shakey head may be your ticket to unlocking the potential of those hard-to-catch transition bass. Get out there, make some noise, and get ready to shake up the fishing world!





Tackle Tips for Fishing Dirty Water: Unlocking the Secrets of Muddy Bass

Brian Carter
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Tackle Tips for Fishing Dirty Water: Unlocking the Secrets of Muddy Bass

Tackle Tips for Fishing Dirty Water: Unlocking the Secrets of Muddy Bass

When it comes to fishing, dirty water can be one of the biggest challenges anglers face. Pulling up to a lake that looks like someone stirred up a giant cup of coffee can be intimidating. But fear not! With the right tackle tips for fishing dirty water, it’s possible to turn a tough day into a successful outing. Here are some hard-earned strategies that can help you hook up even in the murkiest conditions.

The Dirty Water Dilemma

Fishing in dirty water presents unique challenges. With low visibility, bass rely more on their lateral line to detect prey, which means adjustments need to be made in lure selection and presentation. It’s not just about making noise; it’s about being smart with your choices.

The Epiphany

There was a time during a tournament when muddy conditions had most anglers struggling. While others were ready to throw in the towel, one angler decided to try something different. A big, gaudy spinnerbait with double Colorado blades was tied on—a choice typically considered overkill. But this decision led to success, proving that adapting to conditions is key.

Lure Selection: The Heartbeat of Dirty Water Success

When it comes to tackle tips for fishing dirty water, choosing the right lures is crucial. Here’s what tends to work best:

  1. Spinnerbaits: These are often the go-to choice in dirty water due to their flash and thump.
    • Pro Tip: Opt for Colorado blades over willow leaf blades for more vibration.
  2. Chatterbaits: The blade creates an irresistible commotion that attracts bass.
    • Pro Tip: Add a bulky trailer for increased action and a larger profile.
  3. Jigs: A classic option that should never be overlooked. A bulky jig with a big trailer can grab attention in murky waters.
    • Pro Tip: Consider adding a rattle to your jig for extra sound.
  4. Crankbaits: Square bills are particularly effective as they deflect off cover and create erratic action.
    • Pro Tip: Look for models with internal rattles for added attraction.

Color Selection: Painting a Picture in Muddy Waters

Color choice can make or break your success in dirty water. Here’s a color playbook that works well:

  • Black and Blue: This combination creates a strong silhouette that bass can easily spot.
  • Chartreuse: Bright and bold, chartreuse stands out in muddy conditions.
  • Red: This color mimics a wounded baitfish and can trigger reaction strikes.

Size Matters: Supersizing Your Presentations

One of the best tackle tips for fishing dirty water is to go big or go home. Larger baits create more vibration and are easier for bass to locate. Consider upsizing:

  • Soft plastics (think 10″ worms instead of 7″)
  • Jig trailers (bulky craws or chunks)
  • Crankbait profiles (deep divers create more displacement)

The Sound of Success: Adding Noise to Your Arsenal

In murky conditions, making noise can be the difference between getting bites and going home empty-handed. Here are some ways to add audio appeal:

  • Add rattles to soft plastics.
  • Choose crankbaits with loud, clacking bills.
  • Use bladed jigs with extra loud blades.

Line Choice: The Often Overlooked Factor

Your line choice can significantly impact your success in dirty water:

  • Use heavier fluorocarbon (20-25lb) for better feel and abrasion resistance.
  • Braid is excellent for thick cover due to its no-stretch properties and strength.

Putting It All Together: A Day on Muddy Waters

Here’s how a typical day fishing dirty water might unfold:Start off with a chartreuse and white double Colorado blade spinnerbait, working it slowly around visible cover. If that doesn’t produce bites, switch to a black and blue jig with a bulky trailer, focusing on wood or grass structures.As the day warms up, consider switching to a deep-diving crankbait in a red craw pattern, targeting points and channel swings where bass might be staging. The key is to keep changing tactics until you find what they want on any given day.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mud

Fishing dirty water doesn’t have to be daunting. With these tackle tips in your arsenal, you can transform those muddy days into memorable experiences on the water. Remember, it’s all about making your bait easy for bass to find—whether through vibration, color, or size.So next time you encounter muddy conditions, don’t despair! Tie on a big, noisy bait, cast it out confidently, and prepare for action. Those dirty water bass won’t know what hit them!Tight lines ahead! May your next muddy adventure be filled with big bass and even bigger stories!



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