We would like to thank all anglers that participated in the Lynn Hoeffer Benefit Tournament on the Chickahominy River this past Saturday, July 27th. The funds raised will support Lynn’s on-going care and recovery efforts from the hemorrhagic stroke he suffered this past December. Lynn has been a long-time member of the NASA-Langley Bassmasters and the Virginia Bass Chapter Federation. He is well known as an accomplished angler who has competed in many local tournament trails. The event drew anglers from throughout Virginia and was a great example of the Bass Fishing Community coming together to support a fellow angler. 75 Boats competed in the tournament which was followed by some fellowship with food, a 50/50 drawing, a raffle table and tournament awards. 5-Rivers Bassmasters provided a hot dog cookout and Chick-fil-A provided sandwiches for the hungry crowd. In addition to the many volunteers, several businesses also supported the event through their donations of funds or products: Fishing Pro Tech of Toano; JLJ Handyman of Standardsville, VA; Chick-fil-A Mooretown, Williamsburg, VA; Bass Pro Shops of Hampton; Teriyaki Madness of Virginia Beach, Hampton, & Lightfoot; the Virginia Bass Chapter Federation; and Bill Haire Custom Handcrafted Lures. Tournament Results: Turner Hart won the tournament with a limit of bass weighing 19.39 lbs. Turner also had the Big Bass for the tournament a 6.83 lb. largemouth. Chris Craft and Scott Taylor finished in 2nd Place with a 5 fish limit weighing 17.43 lbs. Ryan and Wayne Drewery weighed 17.26 lbs for 3rd Place. In 4th Place was the team of Jason Swindle and Alex Swindle with 16.63 lbs. Alex was also the Top Finishing Youth for the tournament taking to $100 Youth Award. In 5th Place was the team of Guy Fairweather and Chris Brill with a limit of bass weighing in at 16.63 lbs. Tournament results are posted on the Region 8 web site: vabassregion8.com. Select “Current Standings” on the home page to view.
A good bass fishing pond should have clear water, ample aquatic vegetation, and plenty of brush piles. These features provide necessary cover and suitable habitat for bass, allowing them to thrive. Ponds should have more shallow water than deep water to support bass activities during the summer. In warm weather, bass tend to stay in water that is no deeper than 5 or 6 feet. Ensuring these characteristics will create an environment conducive to both the growth and health of bass populations. Clear water allows sunlight to penetrate, promoting the growth of aquatic plants that provide food and shelter for various organisms. Aquatic vegetation, such as water willows and lily pads, offers bass hiding spots to ambush prey and escape predators. Brush piles add structure to the pond, creating additional habitats for smaller fish and insects that serve as food for bass. Shallow areas warm up more quickly, making them ideal feeding grounds during cooler mornings and evenings. Properly designed ponds with these elements can support a diverse and abundant fish community, enhancing the overall fishing experience with a more productive environment.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round!
Fishing in ponds offers several advantages over large reservoirs. Ponds typically have less water to cover, making it easier to locate bass. Fishing from the bank can be just as successful as fishing from a boat, offering convenience and accessibility. Private ponds often experience less fishing pressure, meaning bass are less wary of lures. This can result in more frequent and successful catches. Pond fishing can provide a more relaxed and productive experience for anglers. Another benefit of pond fishing is the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions, as the smaller environment allows for easier observation of bass behavior. The smaller size of ponds also means less time spent traveling to different fishing spots, maximizing actual fishing time. Ponds often have more predictable fishing patterns, making it easier for anglers to develop effective strategies. The intimate setting of pond fishing fosters a deeper connection with nature and a more personal fishing experience that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Ponds provide an ideal learning environment due to their manageable size and populations.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater.
Effective summertime lures for pond bass fishing include soft plastic baits such as worms, lizards, insect larvae, and other creature-styled baits. Downsizing these baits can help manage the bass population by catching smaller fish. Soft plastic worms and lizards are particularly effective for mimicking natural prey and navigating through vegetation without getting snagged. These baits can entice strikes from both small and large bass, making them versatile choices for pond fishing. Utilizing these techniques can lead to more successful and enjoyable fishing outings. When fishing with soft plastics, it’s important to match the color and size of the bait to the local forage to increase effectiveness. Rigging techniques such as Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and wacky rigs can be employed to present these baits in different ways, each suitable for various conditions and cover types. Slow, steady retrieves or subtle twitches can often provoke strikes from hesitant bass. Adding scent attractants to the soft plastics can enhance their appeal, especially in murky waters. Experimenting with different styles and presentations of soft plastic baits will help anglers determine your approach.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes!
Selecting the right fishing gear is essential for maximizing success in pond fishing. A baitcast reel with a 15-pound test line provides the strength needed to handle bass. A 7 1/2–foot flipping stick is ideal for using plastic lizards, offering the necessary reach and leverage. Medium-heavy casting rods are suitable for other types of lures, ensuring versatility in different fishing situations. Using the appropriate gear can enhance the overall fishing experience and increase the chances of landing bass. The sensitivity of the rod is crucial for detecting subtle bites, especially when using soft plastic baits. High-quality lines, such as fluorocarbon or braided lines, offer low visibility and increased durability, which are beneficial in clear water and heavy cover. A reliable drag system on the reel helps manage hard-fighting bass, preventing line breakage. Ergonomically designed rods and reels can reduce fatigue during long fishing sessions, allowing anglers to fish more comfortably and effectively. Proper maintenance of fishing gear, including regular cleaning and lubrication, ensures optimal performance. Investing in high-quality gear helps avoid the need for frequent replacements.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. Act quickly, these new colors won’t stay in stock for long. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Additionally, its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to the HellaMite’s superior performance and versatility.
When fishing in private ponds, it’s important to respect the property and the owner’s guidelines. Avoid making ruts in fields when driving to the pond and always clean up any trash. Following the owner’s requests, such as removing certain bass, helps maintain the pond’s ecological balance. Showing respect and consideration can lead to more opportunities to fish on private properties. Responsible behavior ensures that anglers are welcomed back and can continue to enjoy the fishing experience. Building a good rapport with the pond owner can open doors to additional fishing spots and recommendations. Always ask for permission before fishing and inquire about any specific rules or regulations. Practicing catch and release when appropriate can help sustain fish populations and keep the ecosystem healthy. Sharing your catch results with the owner can provide valuable feedback for pond management. Respecting property boundaries and being mindful of other wildlife in the area further demonstrates responsible angling practices. Ultimately, fostering a positive relationship with the pond owner benefits both the angler and the health of the pond.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round!
Proper pond management is crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem that supports both bass and bluegill populations. By ensuring there are enough bluegill, which serve as prey for bass, the food chain remains healthy. It’s also important to periodically remove smaller bass to prevent overcrowding and stunting. This practice helps support the growth of larger bass by reducing competition for food. A well-managed pond can sustain a thriving population of both predator and prey species. Regular monitoring of fish populations and water quality is essential for effective pond management. Stocking the pond with the appropriate ratio of predator to prey fish helps maintain ecological balance. Implementing a feeding program for bluegill can enhance their growth and reproductive success, providing a steady food source for bass. Controlling aquatic vegetation prevents overgrowth that can deplete oxygen levels and harm fish. Utilizing these management techniques ensures a healthy, productive pond that offers excellent fishing opportunities and supports long-term ecological sustainability. Educating pond owners and anglers can further enhance the success.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater.
Fertilizing a pond can significantly increase its fertility, enhancing the entire food chain from the bottom up. This practice starts with boosting the growth of algae, which serves as the foundation of the aquatic food web. Feeding bluegill can further improve their health and reproductive success, providing better forage for bass. Healthier bluegill populations mean more food and larger prey items for bass, supporting their growth. Regular feeding and fertilization create a more productive and balanced pond ecosystem. Applying fertilizers at the correct times and in appropriate amounts ensures optimal nutrient levels for algae growth. Over-fertilization, however, can lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen and harm fish. It is important to monitor water quality to prevent such issues. Supplemental feeding of bluegill with high-protein fish food can accelerate their growth and increase their spawning rates. This targeted approach to feeding and fertilization helps maintain a stable and productive pond environment, benefiting all species within the ecosystem. Consistent evaluation and adjustment of these practices are essential to adapting to the changes.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose. For creature baits, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action.
Connect-Ease® YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro Takes “Best of Category” in Non-Motorized Boating Accessories
Setting a new precedent, the portable, plug & play power system for kayak anglers proves a big hit with the voting masses at ICAST 2024 in Orlando, Florida
PRIOR LAKE, MN (July 30, 2024) – Rigging a fishing kayak with today’s sophisticated fishing electronics, lighting, and various accessories can take days, what with having to source and run wire and fuses, match leads for graphs and FF sonar, position batteries, etc.Wish there was a better way? Connect-Ease® has been providing the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power boat rigging possible for years. Now—with the recent introduction of YAK-EASE®—the company has extended their expertise into the realms of kayak angling with numerous new, problem-solving rigging and power distribution products.
Put an end to confusing and time-intensive power, electronics, & accessories rigging with the turnkey, plug & play YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro
Like the YAK-EASE™ Power Pak Pro, a self-contained, portable, plug & play power system that provides the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power kayak rigging possible—while saving hours and hours of sketchy rigging in the process. Whether you’re setting up a basic fishing kayak to a deluxe, tournament-ready fishing kayak—YAK-EASE Power Pak Pro is the best solution available today. Regarding the company’s “Best of Category” win in Non-Motorized Boating Accessories at ICAST 2024 as part of the New Products Showcase, Connect-Ease founder, Cal Munkvold, offers:“While we have vast background in providing plug & play bass and walleye boat, RV, and other clean power backbone rigging systems, we noticed a void in the kayak fishing market for something similar. So, our staff took to the drawing board to provide the ultimate in fast, reliable, and clean power rigging for the multiple graphs, forward-facing sonar, trolling motors, lighting, and accessories today’s sophisticated kayak anglers are using. The result quickly became the YAK-EASE Power Pak Pro.”Munkvold continues: “But we couldn’t have done this without the input from serious kayak anglers who’ve contacted us looking for solutions, as well as kayak experts within other fishing industry brands who’ve worked with us on providing products for testing—companies like Old Town Canoe & Kayak, YOLOtek, Sniper Marine, Norsk Lithium, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Garmin, and Minn Kota.”Aidan Hren, Connect-Ease, Service & Operations Manager, concludes: “This felt like a great hookset, now we have to land the fish.”
Wish there was a better way? YAK-EASE™ Plug & Play color-coded connections for ease of installing correctly.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS *Includes (4) Independent, Positive/Negative Lighting Leads; and YAK-EASE™ GRAPH POWER for multiple graphs/FF Sonar transducers/black boxes Premium Pelican® Waterproof Case (16.5” x 13” x 7”) – MADE IN THE U.S.A. IP65 Water-Resistant Panel Lock Point 12V Cigarette-style Female Plug Receptacle Illuminated Voltage Meter/Battery Runtime Indicator 2-Port USB receptacle for GoPro/POV cameras/cell phones/powered speakers Lighted Power Switch (blue illumination) Includes (4) B Mini Connector pigtail for YAK-EASE™ LIGHTNIN’ Harness – (2) each (+/-) leads for four independent lighting kayak lighting systems: (1) Navigation Lighting (port and bow); (1) Anchor Lighting; (2) Interior/Exterior Lighting Female Quick-Connect SB50-R Receptacle for included YAK-EASE™ GRAPH POWER® Accommodates any 12V Lithium Battery (50-60Ah, typically), with maximum battery dimensions of (8” x 7.5” x 5.5”); includes foam inserts and battery strap
Plug & play, clean power system for your fishing kayak’s advanced electronics and accessories.
YAK-EASE™ POWER PAK PRO INCLUDES YAK-EASE™ GRAPH POWER®YAK EASE GRAPH POWER® is a permanent power solution for up to four powered kayak fishing accessories, all with a convenient and easy pack-in/pack-out battery connection.From the get-go, GRAPH POWER was designed to solve the connections and power issues associated with running today’s sophisticated fishing electronics common on modern kayaks, providing clear, clean power and direct connections. Now that extends into the realms of kayak angling with numerous new, problem-solving rigging and power distribution products.GRAPH POWER is designed to work with all manufacturers of fresh- and saltwater marine electronics. GRAPH POWER features marine-grade sheathed wire with multiple fused connections for your electronics. Works with Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin, all forward-facing, side-, and down-imaging systems. Power multiple electronics, GoPRO cameras, cell phones, powered speakers, and other accessories with four fused connections.ABOUT: THE YAK-EASE™ LIGHTNIN’ HARNESS (DIY) Only Plug & Play Self-Contained, Complete Kayak Lighting System On The Market Complete Navigation, Interior, Exterior, Accessories Rigging Designed for All Fishing/Recreational Kayaks up to 13.5” 14 Gauge Sheathed Marine-Grade Wire Heat-Shrinked Connections
Take-HomeIf you’re rigging a fishing kayak with today’s sophisticated fishing electronics, lighting, GoPro cameras, and various accessories, skip having to source and run your own wire and fuses, scratching your head over leads, where to position batteries, etc. That can take days – and we’d all rather be on the water catching fish, right!YAK-EASE™ Power Pack Pro (by Connect-Ease®), eliminates all of the above with its unique portable, turnkey plug & play power system design that provides the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power kayak rigging possible—while saving you hours and hours in the garage, getting you onto fish faster!
“I ended up fishing the slow side (part of the lake restricted to idle speed only) today and ended up catching them on a jig,” Uebelhor said. “The key to my win was definitely my big fish. I had one that was 5 pounds, 6 ounces, I think. And that really put me over the top.”
Uebelhor got his start competing with MLF at the Abu Garcia College Fishing level in 2012. Since 2016, he’s been a consistent angler at the BFL level, logging seven top-20 AOY finishes in various divisions, competing in nine BFL regionals and making the All-American twice. But this is his first BFL win since 2018, when he took home the trophy on Patoka Lake.
“It feels pretty good,” Uebelhor said. “It’s been six years since I’ve won one of these, and I’m glad to end up winning another one.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Nick Uebelhor, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 15-12, $6,294 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: John Melton, Trafalgar, Ind., five bass, 11-15, $1,897 3rd: Jamil Abdullah, Indianapolis, Ind., five bass, 11-9, $1,265 4th: Mike Quinlin, Mooresville, Ind., four bass, 11-4, $1,185 5th: Chris Abrell, Terre Haute, Ind., five bass, 11-00, $759 6th: John Webb, Martinsville, Ind., four bass, 10-11, $696 7th: Blake Knies, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 10-6, $632 8th: Jordan Nauert, Fillmore, Ind., three bass, 9-6, $569 9th: Dick Shaffer, Rockford, Ohio, two bass, 8-15, $1,001 10th: Levi Mullins, Nineveh, Ind., four bass, 8-14, $443
Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $495.
Mason Bohland of Noblesville, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,878 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 6 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Mason Bohland, Noblesville, Ind., three bass, 8-6, $1,878 2nd: Trey Gault, Trafalgar, Ind., three bass, 7-9, $939 3rd: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., two bass, 7-1, $1,022 4th: Zion Dunaway, Campbellsburg, Ind., three bass, 6-15, $438 5th: Ryan Cannon, Indianapolis, Ind., three bass, 6-14, $376 6th: Allen Dozier, Aurora, Ill., two bass, 6-6, $344 7th: Conner McClellan, Coatsville, Ind., three bass, 5-15, $313 8th: Jarrod Pickel, Indianapolis, Ind., two bass, 5-10, $266 8th: Austin Beckman, Terre Haute, Ind., three bass, 5-10, $266 10th: Carl Bowser, Indianapolis, Ind., three bass, 5-4, $219
Tommy Pritchard of Bargersville, Indiana, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $245, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After four events, John Melton of Corydon, Indiana, leads the Fishing Clash Hoosier Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 926 points, while Ryan Cannon of Indianapolis, Indiana, leads the Fishing Clash Hoosier Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 955 points.
The next event for BFL Hoosier Division anglers will be held Sept. 28-29, on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Pools 13-17 of the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, 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.
With a two-day total of 187.75 inches, the Virginia angler secured his first Kayak Series victory and earned the top prize of $11,694. Just a quarter of an inch separated Minor from second-place Kristine Fischer, who landed a two-day total of 187.50 inches.
“I think this is the largest kayak tournament I’ve ever fished, so that is really cool. The blue trophy is one that I didn’t have, and I just wanted to have one of the top three. So, this will be a really nice addition to the collection.”
While this is Minor’s first victory in a Bassmaster event, it adds to a long list of accomplishments he’s accrued in the kayak fishing world. Prior to this event, the Carson-Newman University angler had won several Hobie Bass Open Series events and nearly won Angler of the Year in 2021. He will also compete in the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell next month.
Minor believes the Susquehanna River is the best river in the country, and there’s certainly a strong case to be made after this weekend. In total, 2,463 bass were caught in the two-day event and 52 bags over 90 inches were submitted to TourneyX.
Since his first trip to the Susquehanna in 2021, which resulted in a second-place finish at a Hobie BOS event, Minor has made a point to fish the river every year. When he arrived for practice, conditions of the river matched up almost perfectly with what he experienced the previous summer.
“That week was very close to the water clarity and water level it is right now,” he said. “I feel like that trip last summer really helped me out.”
With the water rising from recent rains, Minor struggled to find consistency in practice and was not dialed in until about the first hour of Day 1.
“The water was rising, and I was a step behind the bass the whole time. I never really caught up to them until Day 1. They pushed up a lot further than I expected. But on Day 1, I just kept pushing up into shallower water, and I eventually found them in inches of water. But it was kind of tough to figure out what stage they were in each day.”
Minor decided to fish the section of the river he was most familiar with, which features a diverse selection of grass, wood, rock, shade and different speeds of current. Slower-to-moderate current proved to be the most productive, but not one type of cover was more productive than another.
While the first hour of fishing was a struggle on Day 1, he moved into shallower water as the morning progressed and began catching quality smallies on a ¼-ounce buzzbait with a Strike King Rage Menace trailer. An unnamed wake bait was also a key presentation.
“I had a buzzbait tied on that I bought at the tackle store the night before. I hadn’t thrown it in practice, and I started throwing it inside of the grass islands and started catching a bunch. I lost a bunch of fish yesterday, too. But once I started getting on that I kept running it. Once the sun came out, they stopped biting on the islands, and I stuck to the shade lines.”
Entering the final day in 14th place with 93.5 inches, Minor found the buzzbait bite was not as productive to open Day 2. With an increase in fishing pressure around the islands, he decided to motor up the river in search of fresh real estate. On his way, he landed a 19.5-inch smallmouth — his biggest bass of the tournament — on a Berkley Choppo 120.
“I was just fan casting. It was completely random. I wasn’t targeting anything,” he said.
Once he reached an area without any other competitors, Minor targeted rock, wood, shade and grass to fill out the rest of his bag, which included another 19-incher as well as three smallmouth over 18 inches.
“I didn’t have much of a pattern today. I was just fishing what looked good and cleaning up the leftovers,” he said.
Fischer opened the tournament in fifth place with 94.75 inches before moving into the runner-up position on the final day with a 92.75-inch limit of smallmouth.
“This river has always clicked for me. It has always made sense. I think I’ve fished six tournaments here now and cut checks in all of them,” Fischer said. “I practiced for two days and had great days.”
Knowing some of her better areas would likely receive a lot of fishing pressure, the BassmastHER ambassador fished the southern section of eligible water. While she planned to fish around 15 different spots, trolling motor issues both days of the tournament limited her range.
Fischer made the most of it, however, landing a smallmouth 20 inches or better each day of the event. She landed the majority of her bass using an unnamed glide bait as well as a 6-inch Berkley Cull Shad.
“What I figured out was, the majority of the competitors wouldn’t make a cast at the water I was fishing,” she said. “Shade is big. The fish really utilize the shade, a lot of times shallower than people realize. I was working everything pretty fast. I was fishing the Cull Shad in slower flats deeper than 3 feet. Anything shallower than that, I was fishing the wake bait.”
With bags of 93.5 inches and 93.75 inches, Mickey Pfortsch finished third with a two-day total of 187.25 inches.
“I did not expect to get third place,” Pfortsch said. “Day 2 was definitely a lot tougher. I looked at some of the scores from the past and saw that you are never out of it if you did well on Day 1 because Day 2 is always a struggle no matter what the conditions are.”
Pfortsch’s best day of practice was Wednesday, but when the water rose, he had to make several adjustments to his gameplan. Throughout the tournament, the Pennsylvania angler threw a Boogerman buzzbait and a black Berkley Choppo around shade lines and whitewater areas.
“I must have fished 75 (whitewater areas) and caught two fish. But those two fish are 20.75 inches and 20 inches. Each day was really tough. Day 1 I think I had 91 inches by 7 a.m. and didn’t upgrade again until 1:25 p.m. Day 2 was pretty much the same way. All 10 of my fish were caught on topwater.”
Brandon Palmer of Loveland, Ohio, claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors with the 21-inch smallmouth he landed on Day 1.
A full list of results from the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Susquehanna River scored by TourneyX can be found here.
2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Yamaha Rightwaters 2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Partner: MotorGuide, YakGear 2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium
DeBary, Florida pro catches final-day limit of 22 pounds, 8 ounces to win by 10-ounce margin and take home the top prize of $80,000
DETROIT (July 28, 2024) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 6 Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches at the Detroit River was a wild one from start to finish, with big weights, lots of movement in the points standings, and a tightly contested chase for the win. In the end, pro Keith Carson of DeBary, Florida, put it all together for three days to earn his first MLF win as a pro with a three-day total of 67 pounds, 6 ounces. For the win, Carson earned $80,000 and a ticket to REDCREST 2025. Finishing runner-up, rookie pro Alec Morrison of Peru, New York, weighed 66-12, and though he could not clinch the win, he did earn both the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year and Polaris Rookie of the Year titles.
A childhood friend of fellow pro John Cox, who is noted for eschewing forward-facing sonar and remining quite successful, you wouldn’t exactly peg Carson as a player on St. Clair. At home cruising the shallows, hood up and shades on, Carson prefers to look at the bass with his eyes, not a transducer. But this week, he bucked the theory that only young kids are good with a screen and proved that he could use his dedication and fishing skills to win at all angles of the game.
“I started Scopin’ in ’21, and I was fair with it, but my rule was I would always use it for smallmouth, and largemouth I wouldn’t use it at all,” Carson said. “I started learning that you kind of have to use it all the time.”
This winter at Toledo Bend, Carson finished 67th in the BPT season-opener, which was an inauspicious start to a lackluster rookie campaign on MLF’s top tour. Fast forward six months or so, and that event may have been responsible for this win.
“I found the same fish [Jacob] Wheeler did,” Carson recalled. “So, we both start there Day 1. Before lines-in, I see Wheeler racing around in his boat, and I know he’s looking for one. So, I start racing around, I figured that was what you do. I didn’t even own a jighead minnow at Toledo Bend, so, I was throwing a drop-shot to suspended fish. I was racing a drop-shot to them and they wouldn’t eat it. Wheeler caught like 96 pounds, and I caught 15 pounds. I took that day as a lesson. I watched him most of the day, because I knew it would help in the future. I’ve been practicing it, learning it. It’s a hell of a tool, to be honest.”
“The best thing was actually to cast past them and bring it up to them in a natural presentation, but it got really hard because they wouldn’t stay in the frame – like they’d be swimming to the side,” Carson explained. “So, the best thing turned out to be to hit them on the head, and the splash of the water would call them up – it was so shallow, like 10 or 12 feet.
“A lot of times, it would splash the water, and they would eat it off the top, only a foot or two deep, when they were really feeding. If they didn’t eat it, I’d start swimming it, and I’d keep it four to five feet above their head and they’d come up and eat it. I noticed if I let it get too close to their head, they didn’t want to bite it, I had to keep it way above them, and they’d come, and I’d start going a little bit faster and they’d eat it.”
From the sounds of it, Carson may have won just about any tournament on the system this week. His practice was so good that his roommate, fellow pro Alex Davis said “hands down, you’re going to win,” after the report.
“Everywhere I went, every day of practice, I caught like 25 pounds,” Carson said. “I went to Erie, I caught like 26, I went to Anchor Bay the next day, I caught 25, and my next five after 25 weighed almost 24 – everything was huge, anywhere I went. It wasn’t one spot, I’d try over here, catch a 5, try over there, catch a 5. Every now and then, you just can’t make a wrong decision.”
In the tournament, he even got some bites that he shouldn’t have, with fish following his minnow boatside and then miraculously eating.
“The 4-12 I caught today, I made a perfect cast, and it followed my minnow all the way to the trolling motor and it swam down – I dropped it on its head, and it swam up and ate it under the trolling motor,” Carson said. “All week, they’d follow it to the trolling motor and I couldn’t get them to bite. I had another, it followed it to the boat, and I flipped it to him and let it sit on the bottom, and it ate it off the bottom like a worm.”
Fishing in Anchor Bay, which was crowded in general, Carson stayed out of the crowds, and sometimes went 20 minutes or so without seeing a fish – he was chasing fewer, but better-quality bass. When the two sand areas he had focused his efforts at on Day 1 and Day 2 failed to produce on Day 3, he relocated his fish with relative ease.
“I had two general areas that were really good, and neither of them were producing,” he explained. “So, I just trolled around them, maybe they’re swimming around them, you know? And I ran into a stretch – I caught a 5, a 4, one almost 5 and then a 4-7 in a 50-yard stretch – they had moved there and I found it.”
Running to Anchor Bay every day and taking his time getting back, Carson fished a nearly perfect event, even down to the decision he didn’t make on the final morning.
“I almost went to Erie today, but something told me not to, so I went back,” he said. “I almost went to Erie to try to catch 25 or 26 pounds, but something told me not to, to go back to where I was and stay steady. So, I did, and it turned out.”
With a baby on the way in October, and having bought a new house last week, the win really couldn’t have come at a better time for Carson.
The top 30 pros at the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 6 on the Detroit River Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches finished:
Overall, there were 148 bass weighing 585 pounds, 7 ounces caught by the final 30 pros Sunday. Of the 30 final day competitors, 28 brought a five-bass limit to the scale.
While rookie pro Alec Morrison came up 10 ounces short of winning Stop 6 Presented by B&W Hitches on the Detroit River, he’ll return to New York with an impressive hardware haul. After besting Jake Lawrence by 17 points in the season-long AOY competition, Morrison received the $50,000 AOY prize from Fishing Clash as well as a berth to REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville. For winning Polaris Rookie of the Year, Morrison will also receive a new Polaris UTV plus an invitation to join the Bass Pro Tour — Major League Fishing’s top circuit — in 2025.
With all six Tackle Warehouse Invitational tournaments now complete, the top five pros based on AOY rank now will receive invitations to compete in the 2025 Bass Pro Tour. The five pros that qualify are:
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission, featured a field of professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2025. The full field of anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 30 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, advanced to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they competed for the grand prize of up to $115,000.
The winner of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 6 at the Detroit River Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches was determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and now receives an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama.
Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 6 at the Detroit River Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will air as a two-hour episode, premiering at 9 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 9 on CBS Sports Network.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Tackle Warehouse Invitational updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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On the latest episode of Bass Cast Radio, I have the incredible opportunity to sit down with MLF Pro angler Derik Hudson for an engaging conversation. We’ll take a quick look back at the highlights of ICAST 2024 before diving deep into his exciting career transition. Derik shares his decision to step back and compete in the Toyota Series of events, offering a candid look at his journey through the Tackle Warehouse Series—the triumphs, the trials, and the lessons learned on his path to the Pro Series.If you’re an aspiring angler dreaming of going full-time pro, this is one episode you absolutely cannot afford to miss. Tune in for invaluable insights, heartfelt stories, and inspiring advice from one of the best in the business!
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