Posts | The Bass Cast | Your News Source for Bass Fishing

Buck/Villa and Jordon/Poche Advance From Final Match of Elimination Round at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

-

September 18, 2024

Buck/Villa and Jordon/Poche Advance From Final Match of Elimination Round at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

Team Star Tron (Buck/Villa) catches 11 bass weighing 21-11 to advance on a very tough day of fishing, Knockout Round to start Wednesday

NEENAH, Wis. (Sept. 17, 2024) – Green Lane, Pennsylvania, pro Grae Buck, competing for Team Star Tron, caught the first two scorable bass of the day to jump out to the early lead Tuesday, and the Star Tron duo never relinquished the lead for the rest of the day. Buck and teammate Martin Villa, of Charlottesville, Pennsylvania , boated 11 scorable bass weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces to win Match 3 of the Elimination Round and advance to the Knockout Round of competition at the General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley

Link to HD Video Clip of Elimination Round Match 3 Highlights
Link to Photo Gallery of Elimination Round Match 3 On-The-Water Highlights

Also advancing to the Knockout Round in second place was the Team Knighten Industries pairing of Kelly Jordon and Keith Poche , who caught 10 bass weighing 15-4, despite starting the day with a one-hour no-fishing penalty. The duo was assessed the penalty because Poche viewed SCORETRACKER® on Monday during Match 2. Viewing SCORETRACKER® on a day off from competition is allowed while competing on the Bass Pro Tour, but is not allowed during the General Tire Team Series. While competition began at 8:30 a.m. for the other three teams on the water, Team Knighten Industries was forced to wait until 9:30 a.m. to start its day.

It was the toughest fishing day of the event so far for anglers. For the third consecutive Elimination Round match, anglers competed on Lakes Poygan and Winneconne on the Fox River Chain. Despite teams catching 56 bass Sunday during Match 1 and 81 bass Monday during Match 2, the four teams caught just 33 bass total on Wednesday.

“It was tough, but it was an awesome day of fishing out here with Martin today,” said Buck, who caught six bass totaling 11-5. “I threw a (Z-Man) ChatterBait (Jack Hammer) today, all day. I paired it with a (Z-Man) RaZor ShadZ as a trailer – I put it on and only went through one trailer the rest the day. The ChatterBait is my confidence bait, so getting to chuck this around all day long and let Martin clean up behind me was a great 1-2 punch.”

While Buck spent the day throwing the ChatterBait, Villa added five scorable bass of his own throwing a stick worm, including a 2-pound, 3-ounce smallmouth as time expired.

“We didn’t really need that one, but that was a great way to end the day,” Villa said. “We knew there was a group of fish there – we could see them on the (Lowrance) ActiveTarget. I was throwing a jerkbait at them, but they wouldn’t commit. Then I fired the worm in there and she bit. It kind of sealed the deal on a good day.”

“I enjoyed fishing with Martin, and I think we’re a strong team,” Buck went on to say. “We’re excited to see how it all plays out in the Knockout Round.”

The Team Knighten Industries duo of Poche and Jordon struggled for most of the day, but went on a furious rally in the final 45 minutes, catching seven scorable bass and adding 9-9 pounds to overtake Team Ferguson with just 10 minutes remaining and secure their spot in the Knockout Round.

“What a day,” said Poche in his postgame interview. “To start out with a freaking hour penalty, which was my fault, and overcome that adversity… man.”

“It was just one more obstacle that we had to overcome,” Jordon said. “That’s all that penalty was for us. But we fished hard and made the right decisions today.”

The area where Knighten Industries went on their rally to finish the day was found by Poche, who casted his line over a man-made rock wall into a little area that was kind of blocked off – not restricted, but also not easily accessible. He caught one, and that clued them in to go inside that area – a little backwater marsh behind a rock wall to prevent erosion.

“I was frustrated until the end,” Poche said. “It’s a challenge fishing with somebody that you don’t normally fish with – not knowing what they’re thinking, or what side they want to throw on, or where. But despite that, we pulled it out and now we get to move on to the Knockout Round.”

Most of Team Knighten Industries’ catch came on a frog, although they did add a few bass with an unnamed stick worm and a swimjig.

The top two teams from Elimination Round Match 3 at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley that now advance to the Knockout Round are:

1st:        Team Star Tron, 11 bass, 21-11
                Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., six bass, 11-5
                Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 10-6
2nd:       Team Knighten Industries, 10 bass, 15-4
                Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, three bass, 5-1
                Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., seven bass, 10-3

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:       Team Ferguson, seven bass, 14-7
                Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., three bass, 4-3
                Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., four bass, 10-4
4th:        Team Coign, five bass, 8-10
                Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, four bass, 7-10
                Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., one bass, 1-0

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 33 bass weighing 60 pounds even caught by the four teams during Elimination Round Match 3 on Lakes Poygan and Winneconne on the Fox River Chain. Team Ferguson pro Marty Robinson caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 3 pounds, 13 ounces.

The Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley is hosted by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau and takes place over six days in the Fox Cities in Wisconsin. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning.

Anglers depart the host hotel in Neenah each morning as early as 5:30 a.m. CT. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Heritage Cup features 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in February 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

How to Hook Bigger Bass: A Weekend Warrior’s Tale

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

How to Hook Bigger Bass: A Weekend Warrior’s Tale

Every weekend, I’m out there throwing everything but the kitchen sink at these bass. I’ve tried every lure, technique, and supposed “secret spot” I can think of. But no matter what I do, I just keep reeling in those pesky little bronzebacks that barely measure up to the legal limit. It’s a never-ending cycle of hope and disappointment, but this past weekend, something changed.

Hitting the Real Struggles of Bass Fishing

If you’ve ever dipped your line in the water, you know that frustration. Countless hours under the sun, slinging lures across the lake, only to reel in fish that couldn’t make the cover of a magazine. Since joining my local tournament bass fishing community, this feeling has become all too familiar. But that’s why we’re here—to share the *real* ups and downs and help each other become better anglers.

Re-evaluating the Basics: Keep It Fresh

One thing I’ve learned in my journey is that sometimes you have to go back to the basics. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest lures or secret techniques that promise a hefty haul. But sometimes, what you really need is a fresh approach to the fundamentals.

First, let’s talk **gear**. Are you using the right rod, reel, and line for the types of bass you’re targeting? For me, switching to a medium-heavy rod with a fast-action tip and spooled with braided line made all the difference. The strength and sensitivity allowed me to feel even the slightest nibble, transforming missed opportunities into potential catches.

The Importance of Location: Not All Spots Are Equal

It wasn’t until I spent a full day with a seasoned angler from my tournament bass fishing club that I realized how crucial location is. He took me to a secluded cove that looked unassuming at first glance. But once we anchored and cast our lines, it was like flipping a switch.

Look for **underwater structures** like fallen trees, rock piles, or grassy beds—these are the ideal hiding spots for trophy bass. Use topographical maps or fishing apps to identify these hotspots before you even hit the water.

Lure Selection: Match the Hatch

Another game-changer was learning to *match the hatch*. Bass are opportunistic feeders and will go after what’s prevalent in their environment. Observing the local baitfish, insects, and crustaceans can provide insights into which lures to use.

On that pivotal weekend, success came when I switched to a **natural-colored soft plastic** that mimicked the look and movement of the shad in our lake. It transformed my fishing experience, leading to several catches that easily surpassed the legal limit.

Technique Matters: Master the Presentation

It’s not just about what you throw; it’s also about how you present it. Mastering techniques like **jigging, drop-shotting, and Texas-rigging** can vastly improve your odds. One of the tricks that set my weekend apart was slowing down my retrieve. I used a **Texas-rigged worm** and exaggerated the pauses, mimicking a dying baitfish. This subtle change enticed the bass to strike more aggressively.

Weather and Timing: Nature’s Playbook

Don’t underestimate the impact of weather and timing. The wind, water temperature, and barometric pressure can all influence bass behavior. Overcast days with a slight breeze are often ideal conditions, but early mornings and late evenings yield ample opportunities regardless of weather.

Using weather apps to track fronts and pressure changes can help you plan your trip more effectively. This nuanced understanding came from countless discussions with fellow anglers at our tournament bass fishing meetups, reinforcing that knowledge and shared experience are powerful tools.

Psychology of Bass: Understand Their Behavior

One often overlooked aspect is understanding the **psychology of bass**. Bass are territorial, curious yet cautious. Knowing when to be aggressive and when to finesse your approach can be the key difference between a good day and a great day.

For instance, during spawn season, bass tend to guard their nests fiercely. Presenting a lure that irritates them can provoke strikes even if they’re not particularly hungry. On a recent outing, I used a **brightly-colored jig** to aggravate a nesting bass, resulting in a thrilling hook-up that I might’ve otherwise missed.

Shared Wisdom: Learning from Others

Community is invaluable. We frequently discuss our experiences and strategies during our tournament bass fishing club gatherings. One nugget of wisdom I gathered was the concept of **compartmentalizing your day**. Don’t spend too long in one spot. Break up your fishing day into chunks, dedicating a specific amount of time to each area and technique.

Sharing stories over coffee—or in our case, over beers at the local bar after a day on the lake—adds to this collective knowledge. These informal sessions have often provided the most actionable tips and tricks, like adjusting your casting angle to match the sun’s position or identifying subtle changes in water color that could signify a productive spot.

Persistence Pays Off: Keep Throwing That Kitchen Sink

Finally, perseverance is everything. Even when the bites are few and far between, keep experimenting. Adjust your lures, locations, and techniques until you find what works. The only way to catch those trophy bass is to keep trying, weekend after weekend.

On that transformative weekend, after hours of trial and error, I finally felt that elusive tug on my line—a brute of a largemouth that put up a fight worthy of a tournament winner. The thrill of finally landing a fish I’d been chasing for months was indescribable.

This journey isn’t just about catching fish; it’s about becoming a better angler. Understanding the factors influencing bass behavior, refining your techniques, and continually learning from your community will make every moment on the water more rewarding. So, the next time you’re out there, still throwing everything but the kitchen sink, remember these tips. You’re closer to landing that trophy than you think.

Every weekend may not result in a record-breaking haul, but each outing brings you one step closer to mastering the craft of bass fishing. Keep it real, keep it fresh, and most importantly, keep it engaging. Cheers to your next catch!

Alex Cummings & Garrett Smith Win CATT Lake Greenwood, SC Sept 14, 2024

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

Alex Cummings & Garrett Smith Win CATT Lake Greenwood, SC Sept 14, 2024

Next Lake Greenwood Fall CATT Qualifier is Oct 19 at the Lake Greenwood State Park!

To view the Greenwood, Fall Points go to the Lake Greenwood Division page and scroll, all the way down!

Alex Cummings & Garrett Smith win Lake Greenwood with 5 bass weighing 14.05 lbs!

Anthony Kiker & Truett Hill 2nd with 13.27 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Alex Cummings – Garrett Smith	5.44	14.05	$820.00	110
Anthony Kiker – Truett Hill	0.00	13.27	$200.00	109
Sam Metts – Jason Moyer	3.36	12.61		108
Davi Arnold – James Lavender	0.00	12.55		107
Jason Snyder – John Sherman	4.12	11.82		106
Brian Hohn – Curtis Baird	2.83	10.58		105
Gregg Williams – Mark Williams	0.00	9.67		104
Tim Parker – Darrell Deaton	2.90	9.47		103
Ryan Franklin – Graham Price	2.79	9.17		102
Steve Gillespie – Kareem White	0.00	8.92		101
Jermaine Roach – Christina Roach	0.00	5.76		100
Mike Underwood	0.00	0.00		90
Christopher Burnett – Anthony Burnett	0.00	0.00		90
Total Entrys			$1,170.00
BONUS $			$300.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$1,020.00
CATT			$50.00
2024 Greenwood Fall Final Fund			$220.00
2025 CATT Championship Fund			$50.00
2024 Greenwood Fall Final Total			$220.00

Alabama’s Choquette claims Overall title at 2024 Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

Alabama’s Choquette claims Overall title at 2024 Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine

Nearly 100 student anglers and 26 of the top collegiate fishing programs in the country gathered in Decatur, Ala., Sept. 13-15 for the fourth annual Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine.

Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.

Sept. 17, 2024

Alabama’s Choquette claims Overall title at 2024 Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine

DECATUR, Ala. — Opportunities are endless when you gather 97 talented high school anglers from across the country along with 26 of the top collegiate fishing programs in the U.S. That’s exactly what happened at the fourth annual Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine. Over the course of three days, Combine participants had the opportunity to meet one on one with college fishing coaches and anglers in addition to competing in three skills competitions and three bonus points challenges.

After racking up 370 total points across three events — Long Distance Casting, Technical and Casting Accuracy — Barrett Choquette of Headland, Ala., took home the Overall Skill Challenge title. The senior at Headland High School was rock solid across all three events and collected 11 of the 15 available bonus points to narrowly edge out Brock Lovering of Lakeland, Fla., for the grand prize.

Choquette has been familiar with the High School Combine for a few years now as his brother, Hudson, who currently fishes for the University of Montevallo, attended the very first Combine in 2021.

“My brother really got me into tournament bass fishing and encouraged me to enter into the Combine this year,” said Choquette. “I knew for sure as soon as he participated in the first Combine I wanted to be a part of this event. It’s all about getting to meet the coaches and the competitors.

“A lot of the anglers here are anglers that I will be fishing against in college for years to come, so I really wanted to meet everyone and make sure to meet with as many coaches as I could.”

As a competitor, Choquette wanted to make sure to beat his brother’s ninth-place finish at the 2021 Combine, and getting a good start was crucial to his success. His first competition was the Long Distance Casting Challenge where he made the fifth-longest cast of 57.4 yards.

“I knew that the wind was going to pick up throughout the day, so I wanted to knock out the long cast first,” he said. “After I got done with that challenge, I had to go back inside for a coaching visit, so having positive momentum was nice.”

After a great start, Choquette moved on to the Technical Challenge where he had to navigate a 20-foot Skeeter bass boat around an obstacle and make an accurate cast into a floating target. Choquette, as well as four other Combine anglers, completed the challenge in 39 seconds to tie for the third-fastest time. This event proved to be critical to making a move up the overall leaderboard.

“The Technical Challenge is really the one that saved me,” he said. “I really didn’t think that my time was that great at the time, but it turned out to be pretty good. I knew I had to put the trolling motor on 10 and get going.

“I got around the buoy, and the wind was blowing pretty strong. I made a long cast but didn’t get it in the target, but I was able to get a little closer and make a short flip on my second attempt.”

In addition to taking out the competition at the Combine, Choquette was able to meet with a number of coaches and narrow down a few schools that he is interested in attending next year.

“I’m not exactly sure where I am going to go to school, but after this event I feel like I have a lot of options,” said Choquette. “I’m really liking a few schools right now, so I guess we’ll just have to see what happens next.”

Technical Challenge

Drake Fleming of Martin, Ga., was the champion of the Technical Challenge with a blazing-fast time of just 33 seconds, which was five seconds faster than second place. The 12th grader used his fishing strengths and his familiarity with the Skeeter Boat/Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST combo to his advantage to take home the trophy.

“We actually fish out of a Skeeter ZXR20 with an Ultrex, so I’m super-familiar with the boat we were using,” said Fleming. “I fish on Lake Hartwell a lot so I’m used to keeping the trolling motor on 10 and chasing around herring fish.”

The senior from Stephens County High School paid close attention to the anglers that competed in the challenge before him to learn from their mistakes.

“I tried to hug the buoy as tight as I could and was able to hit inside the target on my second flip,” he said. “I knew that I could separate myself if I made casts from farther out rather than spending more time getting close to the target.”

Long Distance Casting Challenge

With a cast measuring 62.8 yards, Carter Lanclos of Sulphur, La., took home first place in the Long Distance Casting Challenge. Competitors were fully equipped with a Lew’s baitcasting combo, 12-pound monofilament line and a Strike King Sexy Dawg topwater. Each competitor was allowed two casts, and the farthest cast was their final score.

Lanclos, a 12th grader at Sulphur High School, tried to relate the competition to the bass fishing that he does on a few of his home lakes, which proved to be a great move.

“When I fish Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn, I seem to be fishing for schooling fish a good bit, so I’m used to making extremely long casts,” said Lanclos. “I knew the wind was going to be a big factor, so I tried to knock out the Long Distance (Casting) challenge as quick as I could.”

Also, ensuring his Lew’s combo was set to the appropriate settings was a key to maximizing casting distance.

“It took me a long time the night before to make sure my settings were going to be just right,” he said. “I knew that we were going to be throwing a bigger topwater, so everything needed to be just right to compete.”

Casting Accuracy Challenge

The Casting Accuracy Challenge proved to be the most challenging of all the competitions. Each competitor had two minutes to pitch or cast a 1/2-ounce jig with their Lew’s combo into five buckets of water while standing on the casting platform. Each pitch or cast was progressively farther away from the platform.

While this challenge stumped quite a few competitors, Tanner Mason of Grant, Ala., knocked it out of the park with a dominating score of just 32 seconds. This score was 39 seconds faster than the second-place score.

Having a background in shallow-water flipping and pitching came in clutch for the 12th grader from Dar High School.

“I consider Lake Guntersville my home lake, and I love to flip mats up the river,” said Mason. “I had a buddy that competed in the Combine a few years ago, so I knew that my best chance to win would be in this competition.”

The 2024 Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine was hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism.

For more information, visit Bassmaster.com/high-school.

NPFL Looking for a Few Quality Anglers

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

NPFL Looking for a Few Quality Anglers

WILKESVILLE, Ohio, September 17, 2024—The National Professional Fishing League will be accepting applications for the 2025 season beginning October 1, 2024. Anglers who wish to be part of the 130-angler field should visit www.thenationalprofessionalfishingleague.com and fill out the application form beginning on that date. Anglers currently on the NPFL roster do not need to reapply, but they must notify the NPFL in writing of their intention to participate in 2025. The application and notification periods end on October 31, 2024.

“The NPFL offers a platform for all anglers to prove their skill and dedication at the highest level, regardless of their background,” vows league president Brad Fuller. “We’re committed to providing a fair and competitive environment, and we look forward to assembling a diverse and talented field of 130 anglers.”

The 2025 season will feature six regular season tournaments plus the 2025 NPFL Championship, spread across half a dozen states and covering spring, summer and fall. Each event will challenge and showcase the skills of every angler. The NPFL’s dedication to maintaining a level playing field ensures that all participants — from seasoned pros to emerging talents — have an equal opportunity to succeed.

The full 2025 schedule will be announced before the application period closes.

The NPFL made news earlier this month when it became the first major tour to restrict the use of real-time imaging units (commonly referred to as “forward-facing sonar”). Beginning with the 2025 season, such technology is prohibited in NPFL competition. This prohibition does not apply to the 2025 NPFL Championship, for which anglers are currently qualifying under previously established rules.

“We want to work with the anglers who are ready to test themselves under the very highest standards of tournament competition, tradition, and integrity,” Fuller adds. “We’re looking forward to the return of many anglers who have fished with us and become like family, and we’re excited to add new anglers that will help us grow even better and stronger. Our sport is at a crossroads, and we’re going to show the angling community that the NPFL is on the right path.”

Competition for a berth in the 130-angler field for 2025 will be fierce. Applicants must commit to a locked field and agree to participate in all six regular-season events. This ensures a committed group of anglers for the entire season. Choosing the right anglers for the field is critical to the NPFL’s mission.

“We take our selection process very seriously,” Fuller says. “We interview each angler before they’re selected. No one is automatically accepted into the league simply because they won a big tournament or have a lot of sponsors. We’re not just looking for excellent anglers. We also want excellent people who are passionate about the sport — people who share our commitment and vision.

“You can sign up tournament anglers at any boat ramp on any Saturday morning. We’re looking for partners who are ready to grow with us and improve the sport we all love.”

About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.

For more information, visit our website.

MLF Set to Wrap Toyota Series Plains Division at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Suzuki Marine

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

MLF Set to Wrap Toyota Series Plains Division at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Suzuki Marine

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Sept. 17, 2024) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Osage Beach, Missouri, next week, Sept. 26-28, for the last regular-season event of the 2024 season – the Toyota Series at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Suzuki Marine.

The three-day tournament is the third and final event of the year for Plains Division anglers and is hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association. The event will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.

Local Tackle Warehouse Invitational pro Michael Harlin of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, has extensive history on the fishery and said he is looking forward to a great event.

“There are a lot of things in play in September on Lake of the Ozarks,” said Harlin. “It really opens up the tacklebox and lets guys fish to their strengths. I expect to see some guys out fishing deep and others up super shallow. They’ll be catching them on reaction baits and bottom baits the same – basically just fall fishing 101.”

Harlin said the entire lake will be in play next week during the tournament, but there’s no specific technique or pattern that’s currently dominating the fishery.

“Most likely there will be some big bags caught at least one or two days of the tournament, and I anticipate those big bags will be caught up shallow, whether it’s throwing topwater or flipping boat docks,” Harlin said. “I think it’s going to take anywhere between 45 to 47 pounds to win the event.

“That isn’t huge weight, but that’s typical here for this time of year,” Harlin continued. “I figure the winning guy will have to catch at least one 17- to 20-pound bag, or a couple 17-pound bags to take home the win.”

While it’s a bit too early to dial in the exact weather conditions anglers will be facing throughout the three-day tournament, Harlin said he expects that to make a big difference in angler’s game plans.

“With everything in play, the weather is probably going to be the deciding factor on how it all goes down,” said Harlin. “Depending on whether it’s sunny and hot, or we get a cold front with overcast, windy conditions – that’s going to really determine the winning pattern.”

Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. CT each day from Public Beach #2 located at 711 Public Beach Road in Osage Beach. Weigh-ins will also be held at that location and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.

The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission, and the Huntsville Sports Commission.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, REDCON1, Simms, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.

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

Strickland & Cooke Win Caswell Glass Mayo Trail

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

Strickland & Cooke Win Caswell Glass Mayo Trail

5th and Final tournament of the Caswell Glass Mayo Trail but it’s been a busy 2 weeks.

We had our final tournament of the Caswell Glass Mayo Trail on Saturday 9/7/2024.

We also crowned the 2024 Caswell Glass Mayo Trail Points Champions.

We had 33 teams show up Saturday for the last chance at getting a Win in the Mayo Trail. Fishing was decent and weather was good. When it was all over but the crying it was the team of James Strickland & Cooke that brought home the WIN

They had a 3 fish limit weighing 12.05 pounds. That earned them a total of $1200.00 Congratulations to them on their WIN. Looks like Mr. Strickland knows how to catch the good ones everywhere he goes!

They were followed by the team of C. Moser & Poole.

They had a 3 fish limit weighing 11.02 pounds earning them $700.00 for their efforts. Good job guys!

Big Fish was Won by the team of Campbell & Strickland. They had a 6.11 pound Bass that earned the $330.00

Big Congratulations to all the teams that placed in the money!

There was a Points Championship that had to be determined as well!

The top 4 teams had a chance at the title seperated by only 12 points. Every Points Championship we have had this year in the 4 trails completed for the year has come down to the wire to see who comes out on top. That’s exactly what we want to see!!

The team of Mullins & Mullins went into the day with the Points lead by only 5 points over the team of Jones & Jones. When everything was totaled up at the end of the day we had a TIE for the Points Championship. The team of Austin Woody & Adam White come from 12 Points back in 4th place of the Points race to tie the team of Mullins & Mullins with 714 points each. The tie breaker for this situation goes to the total weight for the year of each team. After all the smoke cleared it was the team of Mullins & Mullins that held on to the top spot with a total weight of 53.4 pounds. Edging out Woody & White with a weight of 51.22 pounds. That’s what I call a tight Points race!!!!

That being said let’s Welcome our 2024 – 5 Alive/ Caswell Glass Mayo Trail Points Champions. Christopher Mullins & Joe Mullins

They got a extra $1000.00 and Points Championship Plaques.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to them and we are proud to have them represent our Trail for the 2024 season!

Got to give a big Shout out to tournament director Rodney Bowen for great job he did on running the Trail!

Want to THANK Caswell Glass & Shane Brantley for being our tiltle sponsor of the Mayo Trail. Not only a sponsor of the 5 Alive Team Trail but family members as well! Maybe not blood but family they are! Thank you!

Looking forward to seeing yall next year for the Mayo Trail!

Results.

1st. Strickland & Cooke- 12.05 pounds- $1200.00 TWT

2nd. C.Moser & Poole- 11.02 pounds- $700.00 TWT

3rd. Wolfe & Wolfe- 11 01 pounds- $500.00 TWT

4th. Myers & Smith- 9.11 pounds- $300.00

5th. Sheppard & Sheppard- 9.09 pounds- $200.00

6th. Whitfield & Long- 9.06 pounds- $110.00

7th. Woody & White- 9.00 pounds

7th. Bowen & Bowen- 9.00 pounds

9th. Allred & Rouse – 8.13 pounds

9th. Moore & Moore- 8.13 pounds

Big Fish.

Campbell & Strickland- 6.11 pounds- $330.00

Points Champions.

Mullins & Mullins- $1000.00

DeFoe/Montgomery and Ashley/Scroggins Advance After Elimination Round Match 2 at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

Brian Carter

-

September 17, 2024

0

DeFoe/Montgomery and Ashley/Scroggins Advance After Elimination Round Match 2 at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

Team REDCON1 (DeFoe/Montgomery) catches 30 scorable bass totaling 53 pounds, 13 ounces to win Elimination Round Match 2, top two teams move on to Knockout Rounds

NEENAH, Wis. (Sept. 16, 2024) – It was a fight to the finish as four new teams hit the water Monday with no practice, no information and no real game plan during the second event of the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Two-man teams were driven to the boat ramp by Major League Fishing officials Monday morning, where they were given maps of Lakes Poygan and Winneconne before setting out to break down the fishery. But it didn’t take long for teams to get on the juice and start lighting up SCORETRACKER®. While boat docks were the preeminent player during Match 1 on Sunday, teams spent the majority of the day Monday flipping grass during Match 2 of the Elimination Round at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley .

Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches – made up of Casey Ashley of Donalds, South Carolina, and Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Florida – rose to the top of the leaderboard early in the day, holding the top spot all of Period 1 before falling back in Period 2 after going an hour and half with zero scorable bass. They regained and held the top spot for most of Period 3 but couldn’t hold off a hard charge by TEAM REDCON1 – Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, and Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, South Carolina – who took over the top spot with 45 minutes left in the third period. Both teams now move on to the Knockout Rounds, with Ashley/Scroggins competing on Wednesday and DeFoe/Montgomery competing on Thursday.

Link to HD Video Clip of Elimination Round Match 2 Highlights
Link to Photo Gallery of Elimination Round Match 2 On-The-Water Highlights

It was a slow start to the morning for Team REDCON1 who started their day bouncing around the north side of the lake without making much headway. At the end of Period 1, they were in third place with four bass weighing a mere 4-1 on SCORETRACKER®.

The tandem made a move to the southeast corner of the lake late in the morning, transitioning to pitching along cane grass lines, a move that proved fortuitous for the duo. They got all the way up into first place at the end of Period 2 before falling to second behind Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches.

That’s when Montgomery picked up a vibrating jig and the team went to work targeting boat docks, going on an afternoon flurry to rally in the final period, stacking up 13 scorable bass for 21-9 in the final 45 minutes of competition.

“What a day,” said Montgomery. “We had a whole lot of nothing for most of the day, but it ended up being a big day. We had that one stretch around the islands where Ott was just cremating them early on, but we struggled the majority of the day. Once we got on those docks though, everything changed.”

The duo worked seamlessly together, with Montgomery hooking up with most of their third period bass and DeFoe picking up the stragglers behind him.

“The key bait for me today was a Bass Pro Shops Wacky Stick-O Worm, black and blue laminate, on a VMC Redline Series Weedless Wacky Neko Hook,” said DeFoe. “I threw that on a J ohnny Morris Platinum Signature Spinning Rod with a Platinum Signature Spinning Reel and 10-lb Bass Pro Shops XPS Braid and a 12-pound XPS fluorocarbon leader.

“That was a really good back-up bait to Andy’s bladed jig skipping around these docks here at the end of the day,” DeFoe continued. “He went on a heck of a run, and we were able to catch a lot of fish and get the win.”

Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches may have finished in second place, but they had the most consistent day from start to finish. The duo got into the cane grass early in the morning and stayed with it all day, catching them off the outside edges early, then moving into really thick grass as the day progressed.

“What a roller coaster of a day,” said Scroggins. “We went from being on top, to totally sucking in the second period, to turning out pretty good.

“We left an area that we shouldn’t have left looking for greener pastures and trying to find something new,” Scroggins continued. “We went back through a grass line that had produced earlier in the day, and it just wasn’t producing again, so we figured we needed to run new stuff.”

That move opened up the door for Team REDCON1.

“We were just about two minutes late getting into that area, but that allowed Ott and Andy to get the jump on us,” said Scroggins. “But we still caught them good and are looking forward to teaming up again for the Knockout Round.”

The top two teams from Elimination Round Match 2 at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley that now advance to the Knockout Round are:

1st: Team REDCON1, 30 bass, 53-13
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 19 bass, 35-4
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 11 bass, 18-9
2nd: Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 22 bass, 50-14
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C. nine bass, 21-10
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla. 13 bass, 29-4

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd: Team 7 Brew Coffee, 22 bass, 37-9
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 14 bass, 23-3
Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., eight bass, 14-6
4th: Team U.S. Air Force, seven bass, 17-12
Matt Lee, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 11-14
Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., two bass, 5-14

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 81 bass weighing 160 pounds even caught by the four teams during Elimination Round Match 2 on Lakes Poygan and Winneconne on the Fox River Chain. Teams U.S. Air Force and Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches tied for the Berkley Big Bass of the day with both Casey Ashley and Jesse Wiggins catching bass weighing 3 pounds, 12 ounces.

The Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley is hosted by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau and takes place over six days in the Fox Cities in Wisconsin. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning.

Anglers depart the host hotel in Neenah each morning at 5:30 a.m. CT. They are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Heritage Cup features 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Berkley will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in February 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Bill Mays & Thane Rowland Win Bigmouth Bassmasters Benefit Tournament on James River

Brian Carter

-

September 16, 2024

0

Bill Mays & Thane Rowland Win Bigmouth Bassmasters Benefit Tournament on James River

? Annual Benefit Tournament Recap! ?

We had an amazing day on the water yesterday at Monacan Park for our annual benefit tournament, raising over $1,200 for the wonderful non-profit Neighbors Helping Neighbors Amherst!

With the slot limit regulations (keeping fish 14” and under and one fish over 22”), it can be a challenge for anglers, but everyone still enjoyed the fantastic weather and great company. ?

We had 13 boats participate, and we’re excited to announce the winners:

? 1st Place: Billy Mays & Thane Rowland with 3 fish weighing 4.86 lbs
? 2nd Place: Matt Cline & Heather Cline with 3 fish weighing 3.86 lbs

? Littlest Fish: Terry Hedrick & Jonathan East with 0.03 lbs

A huge thank you to our sponsors who helped make this event possible and contributed to the funds raised: 434.visuals, CSE, Snap Fitness Lynchburg, R Ashby Templeton Paving, Moser Properties, and Cascio & Sons Construction. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a great cause. Your participation and generosity truly make a difference! ?

Tennessee’s Nash Posts Second Win of the Season at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Lake Cumberland

Brian Carter

-

September 16, 2024

0

Tennessee’s Nash Posts Second Win of the Season at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Lake Cumberland

Boater winner Christian Nash of Allons, Tennessee, and Strike-King co-angler winner Joey von Hoene of Erlanger, Kentucky.

basscastPRO

basscastPRO

The Bass CastYour Tourney News Headquarters

The Bass CastPRO

Buck/Villa and Jordon/Poche Advance From Final Match of Elimination Round at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

How to Hook Bigger Bass: A Weekend Warrior’s Tale

Alabama’s Choquette claims Overall title at 2024 Skeeter Bassmaster High School Combine

NPFL Looking for a Few Quality Anglers

MLF Set to Wrap Toyota Series Plains Division at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Suzuki Marine

DeFoe/Montgomery and Ashley/Scroggins Advance After Elimination Round Match 2 at General Tire Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

Tennessee’s Nash Posts Second Win of the Season at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Super Tournament at Lake Cumberland

The Bass CastPRO

Follow Us

The latest

Mark Cannon & David Wright Win CATT Yadkin on High Rock Lake! 27.86 lbs with a BF at 6.50 lbs!

Britt Myers Win the CATT Lake Wylie Fall Final! 17.85 lbs & BF at 4.65 lbs!

Mike Stephens Wins CATT Lake Wylie! 5 Bass weighing gup at 16.05 lbs!