REDCREST 2024 to kick off sixth season of MLF Bass Pro Tour on Discovery Channel, new episodes premiere at 7 a.m. ET every Saturday through mid-November
BENTON, Ky. (July 2, 2024) – The sixth season of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour is set to premiere this Saturday, July 6, at 7 a.m. ET with a two-hour episode on the Discovery Channel.
The 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship, April 2-6, 2025, on Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama.
The first two-hour episode of Major League Fishing premiering Saturday will feature the Knockout Round from REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium at Alabama’s Lay Lake, the Bass Pro Tour Championship. Each week a new episode will premiere on Discovery Channel, through mid-November.
The complete air schedule for the 2024 Bass Pro Tour on Discovery Channel is:
– July 6 Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 at Lay Lake Powered by OPTIMA Lithium Knockout Round – July 13 NO EPISODE – DISCOVERY CHANNEL SHARK WEEK – July 20 Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024at Lay Lake Powered by OPTIMA Lithium Championship Round – July 27 B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One at Toledo Bend Presented by Power-Pole Knockout Round – Aug. 3 B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One at Toledo Bend Presented by Power-Pole Championship Round – Aug. 10 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Qualifying Round Group A – Day 1 – Aug. 17 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Qualifying Round Group B – Day 1 – Aug. 24 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Qualifying Round Group A – Day 2 – Aug. 31 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Qualifying Round Group B – Day 2 – Sept. 7 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Knockout Round – Sept. 14 General Tire Heavy Hitters at Kissimmee Chain Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Championship Round – Sept. 21 Suzuki Stage Two at Santee Cooper Lakes Presented by Fenwick Knockout Round – Sept. 28 Suzuki Stage Two at Santee Cooper Lakes Presented by Fenwick Championship Round – Oct. 5 PowerStop Brakes Stage Three at Dale Hollow Lake Presented by Mercury Knockout Round – Oct. 6 PowerStop Brakes Stage Three at Dale Hollow Lake Presented by Mercury Championship Round – Oct. 12 MillerTech Stage Four at Lake Eufaula Presented by REDCON1 Knockout Round – Oct. 19 MillerTech Stage Four at Lake Eufaula Presented by REDCON1 Championship Round – Oct. 26 U.S. Air Force Stage Five at Chowan River Presented by WIX Filters Knockout Round – Nov. 2 U.S. Air Force Stage Five at Chowan River Presented by WIX Filters Championship Round – Nov. 9 General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts Championship Round – Nov. 16 Minn Kota Stage Seven at St. Lawrence River Presented by Humminbird Championship Round
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, U.S. Air Force and WIX Filters.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
What’s the Best Way to Practice for a Bass Fishing Competition?
Hey there, fellow bass enthusiasts! Ever wondered how to up your game for that next big bass fishing competition? Well, you’re in the right place. As someone who’s been through the wringer of tournament bass fishing, I’ve got some tried-and-true tips to share on the best ways to practice for a bass fishing competition.
Simulate Real Bass Fishing Competition Conditions
Let’s kick things off with a story. I remember my first major bass fishing competition like it was yesterday. I thought I was ready, but boy, was I in for a surprise! The pressure, the time constraints, the unfamiliar water – it was a whole different ballgame. That’s when I learned the importance of simulating real competition conditions during practice.Here’s how you can do it:
Set a time limit for your practice sessions
Use only the gear you’ll have in the competition
Practice catch-and-release quickly and efficiently
Master Various Bass Fishing Techniques for Competitions
In a bass fishing competition, versatility is key. You never know what conditions you’ll face, so it’s crucial to have a range of techniques up your sleeve. Here’s what I focus on:
Flipping and pitching: Great for targeting bass in cover
Topwater fishing: Perfect for those early morning bites
Deep water tactics: Essential for when the bass are holding deep
Finesse techniques: For those tough days when the bite is slow
Study the Water for Bass Fishing Competition Success
One of the best ways to practice for a bass fishing competition is to really get to know the water you’ll be fishing. I can’t tell you how many times this has given me an edge. Here’s what to look for:
Structure and cover: Where are the likely bass hideouts?
Depth changes: Look for those sweet spots where depth changes quickly
Water clarity: This can affect your lure choice and presentation
Fine-tune Your Bass Fishing Competition Gear
Nothing throws off your game like equipment issues during a bass fishing competition. That’s why a big part of my practice routine involves gear maintenance and familiarization. Here’s my checklist:
Rods and reels: Clean, lubricate, and test
Lines: Check for wear and replace if needed
Lures: Ensure hooks are sharp and split rings are solid
Electronics: Practice using your fish finder efficiently
Mental Preparation for Bass Fishing Competitions
Now, here’s something many anglers overlook when practicing for a bass fishing competition – mental prep. I learned this the hard way after choking in a few tournaments. Here’s how I train my mind now:
Visualize success in the competition
Practice staying focused for long periods
Develop a positive self-talk routine
Time Management in Bass Fishing Competition Practice
In a bass fishing competition, time is your most precious resource. That’s why I always include time management in my practice sessions. Try this:
Set an alarm for when you should move to a new spot
Practice quickly setting up and breaking down your gear
Learn to make decisions quickly about when to stay or move
Learn from Every Bass Fishing Competition Practice Session
After each practice session, I take some time to reflect. What worked? What didn’t? This analysis is crucial for improving your performance in actual bass fishing competitions. Keep a journal if it helps!Remember, the best way to practice for a bass fishing competition is to make your practice as realistic as possible. Simulate the pressure, hone your skills, and always keep learning. With these strategies, you’ll be well-prepared for your next bass fishing competition. Now, get out there and show those bass who’s boss!
Boater winner Adam Brookman of Bonnie, Illinois, and Strike-King co-angler winners David Adams of Bloomington, Illinois and Chase Johnson of Quicy, Illinois.
Adams and Johnson Tie for Win in Strike King Co-Angler Division
The Rend Lake tournament was a classic “grind” for Brookman. To compete against the best local sticks on a small lake, he kept it simple, kept his head down and toughed it out, getting just five keeper bites all day long.
“I targeted main-lake rock points and riprap stretches with a jig, a Jig Shack shaky head and a crankbait. Pretty basic,” he said. “I practiced a few evenings this week and just stumbled upon some fish and just kind of grinded it out.”
Brookman said four of his keepers came on rocks and one came from a laydown.
“I was running six or eight spots,” he added. “I usually do a lot of running around, but I actually did less than what I typically do. I was just kind of rotating through some proven areas that usually pan out.”
Brookman thanked his partners at Rend Lake Sporting Goods for their support. This is his first BFL win on the boater side, to go with a previous co-angler win. To earn the win on Rend Lake was extra special for Brookman.
“It’s kind of cool because my dad used to take me to weigh-ins when I was 8 or 10 years old whenever the BFL would come to Rend Lake or some of the local lakes,” he said. “I always thought it would be kind of a cool deal to get to walk across the stage. I just kind of got lucky and pulled it off. It was kind of neat to see it come full circle.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Adam Brookman, Bonnie, Ill., five bass, 14-8, $6,726 (includes $3,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: Mark O’Brien, Marion, Ill., five bass, 14-3, $1,713 3rd: Riley Walk, Neoga, Ill., five bass, 13-13, $1,141 4th: Greg Mullins, Mount Vernon, Ill., four bass, 11-4, $799 5th: Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., five bass, 11-2, $685 6th: Curt Erpenbach, Anderson, Ind., four bass, 11-1, $628 7th: Toby Corn, Paducah, Ky., four bass, 10-11, $571 8th: Gary Schild, Mundelein, Ill., three bass, 10-10, $639 9th: William Walker, Mulkeytown, Ill., five bass, 9-6, $457 10th: Terry Holsapple, Greenup, Ill., three bass, 8-11, $400
Jeffrey Lee of Olney, Illinois, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $430.
David Adams of Bloomington, Illinois, and Chase Johnson of Quincy, Illinois, tied for the win in the Strike King co-angler division Saturday with 10 pounds, 4 ounces. Adams brought four bass to the scale, while Johnson weighed a five-bass limit. They each took home $1,284.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: David Adams, Bloomington, Ill., four bass, 10-4, $1,284 1st: Chase Johnson, Quincy, Ill., five bass, 10-4, $1,284 3rd: Troy Boley, Mahomet, Ill., three bass, 9-3, $571 4th: Caleb Peck, Charleston, Ill., three bass, 8-0, $400 5th: Elmo Rogers, Albion, Ill., four bass, 7-10, $343 6th: Kim Sapetti, Chatham, Ill., two bass, 6-12, $314 7th: Zach Brookman, Opdyke, Ill., two bass, 5-14, $285 8th: Peyton Keathley, Ashland, Mo., two bass, 5-2, $257 9th: Ryan Murphy, Paris, Ill., two bass, 4-15, $228 10th: Jay Fields, Breese, Ill., one bass, 4-12, $415
Jay Fields of Breese, Illinois, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $215, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 12 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Riley Walk of Neoga, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Illini Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 495 points, while Chase Johnson of Quincy, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Illini Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 494 points.
The next event for BFL Illini Division anglers will be held July 13, at the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. 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 the Mississippi River Pools 13-17 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.
We had a great Spring on the Neuse River! The Fall schedule will be posted this coming week so check back by! If you’ve fished with us, you will receive an email with the schedule!
**The money recap is listed at the bottom of all CATT results! We hold back a portion of each Neuse River Qualifier that goes into the Neuse River Final Fund! ALL of this is listed! At the Neuse River Final the Final Fund is added to the Neuse River Final entry fees and 100% is paid back at the Final!
By entering any 2 – 2024 Fall CATT events or 2 – 2025 Spring CATT events you will qualify to enter the 2025 CATT Championship on Kerr May 17-18! $10,000 1st Place!
Eric & Rusty Brown with the 2024 Neuse River Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 20.36 lbs!
Mandel spent his tournament fishing the Canadian waters of Lake St. Clair.
“The fish are really spread out still,” he said. “It got warm early this year, and there’s still fish shallow with the mayfly hatch. Covering a lot of water was really the key. I caught them on a drop-shot with a (Berkley PowerBait) MaxScent Flat Worm.”
On St. Clair, covering water doesn’t necessarily mean running and gunning. Mandel kept his trolling motor in the water most of the day, only pulling it up five or six times to move. Instead of running, he eased around on the trolling motor, throwing at isolated patches of grass. He says he was focusing on “getting away from the people and finding the little sneaky places off of the famous areas.”
The area that Mandel fished is one where he felt he could consistently catch 4-pound-class fish, but he tried to focus on keeping an open mind and not getting too “locked into” any waypoints.
“I kind of knew spots to let it unfold in the tournament,” he said. “I basically practiced in the tournament. I’ve been shooting myself in the foot getting locked into areas. I really just wanted to let it drift and expect the big bites to come. There were times I’d go 45 minutes without catching a fish and then catch 10 within 10 minutes. It was kind of like that all day.”
In addition to the drop-shot, Mandel caught a few fish on a Ned rig. He also caught one of his final five keepers on a swimbait.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Nolan Mandel, Harrison Township, Mich., five bass, 24-11, $10,964 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: Heath Wagner, Angola, Ind., five bass, 24-5, $1,757 3rd: Brayden Federer, Adrian, Mich., five bass, 22-2, $1,172 4th: Dan Mittlestat, Woodhaven, Mich., five bass, 21-3, $1,120 5th: Charlie Land, Coatesville, Ind., five bass, 20-5, $703 6th: Cody Kelley, Plainwell, Mich., five bass, 19-4, $615 6th: Drake van Dike, Livonia, Mich., five bass, 19-4, $615 8th: Noah Stauffer, Gowen, Mich., five bass, 18-14, $527 9th: Jonathon Dewey, Fort Gratiot, Mich., five bass, 18-13, $469 10th: Rob Kelley, Rockwood, Mich., five bass, 17-14, $410
Mandel caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $450.
Kade Oliver of Muncie, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,757 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 21 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Kade Oliver, Muncie, Ind., five bass, 21-3, $1,757 2nd: Gabriel Fishlock, Cincinnati, Ohio, five bass, 19-13, $1,104 3rd: Craig Fanning, Elwood, Ill., five bass, 17-5, $585 4th: Terry Bucciarelli, Ypsilanti, Mich., five bass, 17-3, $660 5th: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., five bass, 16-12, $351 6th: Grant Hatfield, Wadsworth, Ohio, five bass, 16-9, $322 7th: Scott Davis, Morenci, Mich., five bass, 16-6, $278 7th: Nicholas Yeung, Simcoe, Ontario, five bass, 16-6, $278 9th: Sage Uhes, Farmington Hills, Mich., five bass, 16-4, $234 10th: Doug Bradley, Syracuse, Ind., five bass, 16-1, $205
Gabriel Fishlock of Cincinnati, Ohio, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $225, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 12 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
The next event for BFL Michigan Division anglers will be held July 13, at Detroit River in Trenton, Michigan. 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 the Mississippi River Pools 13-17 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.
The Ohio River is a great place to break out classic shallow-water bass fishing tactics, and Cunnagin is a local stick who knows all the tricks.
“I basically threw a spinnerbait and a (Yamamoto) Senko most of the time,” he said. “I fished 2 feet or less most of the day. I fish down there a lot, and I kind of do the same thing usually.”
Cunnagin has some favorite creeks that he runs when he fishes out of Tanners Creek, and that’s exactly where he went for most of the tournament.
“It was just one of those days that what I was doing and where I was fishing they bit,” he said. “I just happened to stumble across a couple big fish. I actually came back in an hour early. I thought I had around 11 pounds at the time, and I had one small fish that I needed to get rid of – like a 1.16. I just went back in Tanners and milled around with 40 other boats in there the last hour. There’s a tree in there that I waited on a couple of guys to pull off of, and I actually flipped a (Zoom) Brush Hog in that tree and caught one like 2 pounds. I culled that fish (the 1.16) out, and that put me over 12 pounds.”
The majority of Cunnagin’s fish came on a 3/8-ounce spinnerbait. He was primarily targeting wood, but also caught fish on rock banks and in between pieces of cover during the cloudy hours of early morning.
“I rolled,” he added. “I was moving. I covered a lot of water in a short period of time. I had a limit in probably 35, 40 minutes.
“I just ran creeks that I like, that I feel comfortable fishing.”
The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jamie Cunnagin, New Lebanon, Ohio, five bass, 12-2, $5,082 2nd: Nick Ryan, Cleves, Ohio, five bass, 10-11, $2,019 3rd: Hunter Colwell, Sidney, Ohio, five bass, 10-3, $1,845 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 4th: Michael Nesbitt, St. Paris, Ohio, five bass, 8-15, $942 5th: Chris Martinkovic, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 8-3, $1,107 6th: Brian Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 8-2, $740 7th: James Rebholz, Morrow, Ohio, five bass, 7-13, $673 8th: Ryan Hipsher, Hillsboro, Ohio, five bass, 7-6, $606 9th: Matthew Strickland, Portsmouth, Ohio, five bass, 7-5, $538 10th: Seth Fricke, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 7-4, $447 10th: Brandon Smith, Mason, Ohio, five bass, 7-4, $447
Cunnagin caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $545.
Austin Thome of Oxford, Ohio, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,019 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 9 pounds, 9 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Austin Thome, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 9-9, $2,019 2nd: Jeff Moorman, Liberty Township, Ohio, three bass, 8-5, $1,114 2nd: Jeffrey Smith, West Chester, Ohio, five bass, 8-5, $842 4th: Adam Radovic, Brecksville, Ohio, four bass, 6-6, $471 5th: Steve Sorrell, Beavercreek, Ohio, three bass, 5-7, $387 5th: Dan Goforth, Monroe, Ohio, two bass, 5-7, $387 7th: Bill Meyers, Urbana, Ohio, two bass, 5-1, $336 8th: Dylan Grace, Scottsburg, Ind., four bass, 4-15, $386 8th: Jacob Alltop, Lewistown, Ohio, four bass, 4-15, $286 10th: Scott Standafer, Felicity, Ohio, three bass, 4-12, $235
Jeff Moorman of Liberty Township, Ohio, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $272, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Sean Wieda of Alexandria, Kentucky, leads the Fishing Clash Buckeye Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 735 points, while Adam Radovic of Brecksville, Ohio, leads the Fishing Clash Buckeye Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 707 points.
The next event for BFL Buckeye Division anglers will be held Aug. 3, at Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. 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. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Kerr Lake in Henderson, South Carolina. 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.
We wrapped up the Summer CATT Trail this past weekend! Overall, the fishing hasn’t been too bad with the heat but now that the eater is back up, we should see some good bags coming in!
The next CATT event on Lake Wateree is July 13th at Clearwater Cove and is a $60 Open! We won’t have anything else until Sept 21st! Tap on this link to view the CATT Lake Wateree Fall Trail!
Mastering Summertime Bass Fishing: Techniques to Catch Giant Bass
When the summer sun peaks and temperatures soar, both humans and fish tend to enter a slower pace. Just as we find ourselves craving shade and cold beverages, bass alter their behavior to cope with the heat. While it might be tempting to think that bass completely stop biting during these scorching months, the reality is a bit more nuanced. With some extra effort and the right techniques, you can still reel in some giant bass. Let’s dive into some tips and techniques to make the most out of your summertime bass fishing adventures.
Understanding Summertime Bass Behavior
Before we delve into specific techniques, it’s crucial to understand how bass behave in the summer:
1. Seeking Cooler Waters: As water temperatures rise, bass actively look for cooler, more oxygen-rich environments. These include deeper waters, shaded areas, and places with abundant vegetation or current.
2. Prime Feeding Times: Bass are most active during the cooler parts of the day, particularly early morning and late evening. These windows are ideal for fishing.
3. Adjusted Diet: In warmer temperatures, bass metabolism slows down slightly. They might prefer slower-moving prey or lures that closely mimic their natural diet.
Essential Gear and Setup
To maximize your chances of success, having the right gear is paramount:
1. Rod and Reel: Opt for a medium-heavy rod paired with a high-speed reel. This setup offers the versatility needed for various techniques you’ll employ.
2. Line: A combination of braided line and fluorocarbon leader provides the strength and invisibility you need.
3. Terminal Tackle: Stock up on a variety of hooks, sinkers, and swivels to tailor your setup to different lures and conditions.
Key Techniques for Summertime Bass Fishing
1. Drop Shot Rig
The drop shot rig is a finesse technique perfect for targeting bass in deep waters or around structure. It consists of a small hook tied above a weight, allowing your bait to hover just above the bottom.
– Bait Choice: Use straight-tail worms or small minnows. These mimic natural prey and are effective in enticing sluggish bass.
– Technique: Drop your rig to the bottom, then gently twitch it to make the bait appear as if it’s alive. Maintain slight tension on the line to detect subtle bites.
2. Topwater Frog
Topwater fishing with hollow-body frogs can be incredibly exhilarating. This method is especially effective in the early morning and late evening when bass are feeding near the surface.
– Bait Choice: Use distinct styles like pointed-nose frogs for thick cover and popping frogs for open water.
– Technique: Cast near weed beds, lily pads, or other vegetation. Work your frog with a walk-the-dog action, pausing occasionally to mimic a live frog. Remember to hesitate slightly before setting the hook when a bass strikes.
3. Wobble Head Jig
The wobble head jig, paired with a creature bait, is an excellent alternative to crankbaits and spinnerbaits. This lure’s free-moving head gives it a natural, erratic action that bass find irresistible.
– Bait Choice: Use creature baits that mimic bluegill or crawfish. The Missile Baits D Bomb is a popular choice due to its lifelike action.
– Technique: Cast out and let it sink to the bottom. Employ a slow, steady retrieve, ensuring the jig bumps into rocks, logs, and other underwater structures. Pause occasionally to let the lure settle, tempting bass to strike.
4. Deep-Diving Crankbaits
When bass retreat to deeper waters, deep-diving crankbaits become essential. These lures can cover a lot of water quickly, making them great for locating schools of bass.
– Bait Choice: Use crankbaits like the Strike King 3XD or 5XD that dive to 10-15 feet. Choose natural colors that mimic shad or other local forage.
– Technique: Cast as far as possible and retrieve at a moderate pace, ensuring the crankbait touches the bottom. The goal is to create a commotion that attracts bass lurking in deeper waters.
5. Flutter Spoon
Fishing a flutter spoon is an excellent technique for targeting bass on offshore structure like humps, points, and ledges. This method can produce explosive strikes from large bass.
– Bait Choice: Choose flutter spoons ranging from 3 to 6 inches. Sixth Sense’s Magnum Spoon is a reliable option.
– Technique: Cast the spoon and let it sink to the bottom. Use a popping action to lift the spoon off the bottom and let it flutter back down. This mimics the erratic movements of a dying baitfish, triggering aggressive strikes.
Advanced Tips for Summertime Success
– Follow the Wind: Wind can play a significant role in locating bass. Wind-blown points and pockets often concentrate baitfish, attracting bass. Pay attention to wind direction and fish accordingly.
– Utilize Electronics: If kayaking or boating, use fish finders and depth finders to locate structure and schools of fish. This information can guide your lure choices and fishing locations.
– Stay Hydrated and Safe: Summertime fishing can expose you to harsh sun and heat for prolonged periods. Wear sunscreen, hats, and polarized sunglasses. Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
In Conclusion
Fishing for bass in the summertime can be challenging, but with the right techniques and a bit of persistence, you can still have a very successful outing. Understanding bass behavior, employing a variety of presentations, and making adjustments based on conditions will significantly increase your chances of catching those giant bass. As always, practice catch and release to ensure that these incredible fish are around for future generations to enjoy.
So, gear up, get out there in the early mornings or late evenings, and use these strategies to your advantage. Summertime bass fishing might take a little more effort, but the reward of catching a giant bass makes it all worthwhile. Tight lines and happy fishing!
BOARDMAN, Ore. – Chris Parks of Eugene, Ore. put a final limit on the scales during Championship Sunday with his third consecutive bag to break the 20-pound mark for a three-day tournament-total of 67.12, locking up a wire-to-wire win at the Columbia River, the 4th stop of the BAM Tournament Trail Pro / Am presented by the Boardman Chamber of Commerce. For the victory, Parks pocketed $8,172, including a $250 contingency from Bass Boat Technologies, and a $400 Big Fish payout.
“I fish the Columbia quite a bit; but only the lower pools; so, this is actually the first event that I have weighed a fish in from Boardman and done an event out here,” Parks said. “To be able to put it all together is awesome!”
After a good practice credited to reaction baits in the wind, Parks launched on Day One to find it flat calm.
“There wasn’t even a ripple,” he said. “And so, I had to think about it. How do I read the water? What do I do? Where is my adjustment?”
Through some trial and error, Parks ended up with a Ned rig.
“My buddy Joe makes a Bass Union weedless shakey head in a 3/16 ounce, so I tied it on a spinning rod,” he shared. “I probably caught 15 keepers that first day and that was my Day One.”
The full setup that Parks used to throw the shakey head that put him in the lead was a St.Croix 7’ medium-heavy rod with a 2500 Shimano Stradic spooled with10-pound braid tied to a 10-pound fluoro leader. His plastic was a Z-Man TRD in the color The Deal.
Over the course of the three days of competition, the majority of all of Parks’ weigh fish fell to that TRD rig, with one notable exception.
“Today, I pulled into a shallow pocket late and threw a frog on a mat – it looked like a good place for a largemouth,” he said. “I got a really good bite, set the hook and it was a 4.1-pound smallmouth in two-feet of water. That was just icing on the cake. It was 2:15 p.m. and I culled out a 3.1 for that four – pulled out a full pound.”
The triumph will push Parks up the leaderboard in the BAM Tournament Trail Angler of the Year (AOY) points standings.
Of the three events that he has fished, with a possible 250 points in each, Parks will add this 250 to the 248 he logged at Shasta and the 246 from the Delta.
“It is my 3rd top-10 in a row,” he said. “I’m excited to see what happens at Clear Lake, which is next. It is going to be a big deal for me, and it can’t come soon enough.”
The BAM Tournament Trail will continue with its next stop at Clear Lake in California. Registration is underway. More insight on the Columbia River event can be found at the BAM TT site.
Harris Hangs on For Co Win at Columbia
Will Harris from Columbia City, Ore. also went wire-to-wire for the co-angler win, putting together a final weight of 50.01, earning the top co-angler prize of $2,478.
“I’ve always been told you can never lead it for three days, but I was really hoping that wasn’t true,” Harris said.
Paired with his Day One pro, Ron Wiseman from Pendelton, Ore., Harris sacked up 17.42, taking the co lead.
“I started with a Hula Grub,” he said. “They were in 8- to 10-feet of water, not super-deep. Later in the day, when there was a little bit of chop on the water,I caught a few on topwater.”
Harris added 15.91 and 16.68 while he was paired with Parks on Days Two and Three.
“It was an incredible place with Chris,” he said. “The water was clear, and they were shallow. We locked up through the dam. The bite was slow, but when you did get one, it was a good one.
“Today, itwas tougher than yesterday. It took me a little time to catch my five; but Iwas lucky enough to get the bites and they didn’t come unpegged.”
Over thethree days of fishing, Harris’ most productive presentation was the 4-inchYamamoto Hula Grub in cinnamon purple / black flake. He fished it on a 7’3medium-heavy Alpha Angler rod with 17-pound Seaguar AbrazX.
“I also threw a 3.3” Keitech swimbait on 8-pound line and a light head,” he added.
“I’ve fished eight or nine tournaments already; but this is my first top-10, and my first win” he said. “I’m just appreciative of all the people that support me and all the people that run this event. I’m just lucky to be here.”
Championship Sunday’s Top-10 Field
Pro Angler
PLACE PRO BIG FISH DAY 1 BIG FISH DAY 2 DAY 1 WEIGHT DAY 2 WEIGHT DAY 3 WEIGHT TOTAL WEIGHT PLACE WINNINGS BIG FISH $ TACKLE WAREHOUSE TOTAL PAYOUT
1 Chris Parks 5.42 22.04 23.73 21.35 67.12 $7,522.00 $400.00 $250.00 $8,172.00 2 Jacob Anderson 19.84 21.73 20.59 62.16 $2,364.00 $2,364.00 3 Ben Hanes 6.7 20.80 18.00 18.29 57.09 $2,149.00 $400.00 $2,549.00 4 Dave Kromm 18.22 19.99 18.24 56.45 $1,934.00 $1,934.00 5 Jake Boomer 18.95 16.96 20.49 56.40 $1,719.00 $1,719.00 6 Gary Posten 17.15 21.92 17.14 56.21 $1,504.00 $1,504.00 7 Donny Biagi 17.04 18.40 17.84 53.28 $1,289.00 $1,289.00 8 Sean Minderman 17.74 18.27 16.64 52.65 $1,075.00 $1,075.00 9 Ron Wiseman 16.43 18.62 15.22 50.27 $1,075.00 $1,075.00 10 Darryl Burkhardt 18.07 16.72 13.20 47.99 $860.00 $860.00
CoAngler PLACE CO BIG FISH DAY 1 BIG FISH DAY 2 DAY 1 WEIGHT DAY 2 WEIGHT DAY 3 WEIGHT TOTAL WEIGHT PLACE WINNINGS BIG FISH $ TACKLE WAREHOUSE TOTAL PAYOUT 1 Will Harris 17.42 15.91 16.68 50.01 $2,478.00 $2,478.00 2 Joe Cote 14.88 15.24 17.30 47.42 $779.00 $779.00 3 Rodney Brown 13.24 13.76 16.02 43.02 $708.00 $708.00 4 Ugene Downing 13.45 13.41 16.08 42.94 $637.00 $637.00 5 Tommy Rice 16.24 13.13 13.27 42.64 $566.00 $566.00 6 Sean Omalley 08.42 18.74 14.45 41.61 $496.00 $496.00 7 Mike Swearngin 12.12 16.16 11.00 39.28 $425.00 $425.00 8 Will Wyman 15.44 11.30 10.27 37.01 $354.00 $354.00 9 Scott Wightman 16.04 10.93 09.65 36.62 $354.00 $354.00 10 Troy Mays 11.75 15.59 00.00 27.34 $283.00 $283.00
General Tire pro catches 23 bass totaling 54-3 on final day to earn top award of $100,000
RICHMOND, Va. (June 30, 2024) – On his 55th birthday, Skeet Reese of Auburn, California, received one of the best presents of his life. The newly-announced Bass Fishing Hall of Famer added his first Bass Pro Tour trophy to his long list of accolades at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Stage Six Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts on the James River, plus the $100,000 top prize that came with it.
Reese totaled 54 pounds, 3 ounces on 23 scorable bass during Sunday’s Championship Round. He would need just about all of it, as pro Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, put together a furious late-day rally but ultimately fell 3-11 shy of Reese’s total.
The California pro said the 12th victory of his legendary career will go down as one of his most memorable, as each passing season has made him increasingly hungry to join the list of Bass Pro Tour champions.
“This I what I’ve been fishing for the last five years out here, trying to be able to be in a position to hoist one of these Bass Pro Tour trophies,” Reese said. “To beat the group of guys that we compete against – I mean, literally, this is the best group of anglers assembled ever in the history of the sport. So, to beat these guys, that means a lot to me.”
Between his highlighter yellow color scheme and effervescent personality, Reese has never been one to blend in. This week, standing out paid off.
Like just about everyone else in the field, Reese started each day of the Qualifying Round in the Chickahominy River, noting that the tides were perfect for the healthy bass population in the James tributary to feed each morning. Later in the day, he would run back up the James, chasing the low tide. A late flurry on the second day of qualifying near the mouth of the Appomattox River not only assured him a spot in the Knockout Round but showed him the potential of the area.
Assessing the changing tides and the cumulative fishing pressure on the Chickahominy, Reese decided to start both the Knockout and Championship Rounds around the mouth of the Appomattox. Fishing farther upriver than most of his peers gave him a lower tide during the morning – the one time of day bass seemed to feed regardless of tide.
“The tides weren’t getting right, plus the fish were getting pressured,” Reese explained. “So, I was trying to fish for fish that were not getting hammered as much as what was going on down in the Chick.”
On Championship Sunday, Reese’s decision paid off to the tune of six scorable bass in the first 20 minutes. He wound up totaling nearly 30 pounds during Period 1, taking a lead he would never relinquish.
While just about everyone found the bite best around low tide, the fact that Reese was able to generate bites amid higher water proved key. Sprague caught just one bass during the first three hours of competition. Despite stacking up 31-7 in the final period, he couldn’t quite dig out of that hole.
“I wasn’t expecting to catch as many as I did this morning, and I put the hammer on ‘em and caught almost 30 pounds that first period,” Reese said. “I was like, ‘So, you’re saying I have a chance?’”
Reese’s bait selection also differed from the rest of the field. Fishing “the way I like to fish” – that is, power fishing around shallow cover – Reese targeted docks and bridge pilings, primarily using a Lucky Craft BDS1 crankbait. He put on a close-quarters casting clinic with the Dive model from his newly released Reese Fishing line of rods, which he paired with a KastKing MG12 reel and 15-pound-test Berkley Trilene fluorocarbon.
“I fished a bladed jig a lot the first day, and I caught a decent amount of fish on it, but it just seemed like the Lucky Craft wound up getting bigger bites for me consistently,” Reese said. “Even if I was fishing water that other guys had fished, it’s something that they weren’t throwing. It was a different look and feel, and once I got dialed into it, I was like, alright, they’re eating this thing.”
After his morning flurry, Reese steadily added to his total throughout the day. He never went an hour of competition time without catching at least one scorable bass. A 2-2 and 1-10 caught within a few casts of one another with little more than an hour left proved to be the winning fish, although Reese had to sweat out the final few minutes as Sprague caught six bass for 12-5 in a 22-minute span, pulling within one big bite of the lead.
“I went from being, ‘I got this no problem’ to, ‘oh crap, what’s going to happen?” the ever-colorful Reese said. “Thank goodness I built up a big lead early … It was meant to be. I’m going to hold that trophy, and that means a lot.”
As the time ticked away and Reese got closer and closer to the win, it became evident how bad he wanted it. He punctuated most of his fish catches with a shout or a growl. When his boat official confirmed that he’d finished the day atop SCORETRACKER®, he unleashed his loudest yell yet.
The triumph added another highlight to an unforgettable year. In March, Reese learned that he’d been selected as one of five new members of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. He’ll be formally inducted in September.
“Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, they kind of tell you you’re old, and so to be able to get inducted into the Hall of Fame and win again the same year, that’s as good as it gets,” Reese said. “So, there’s a little exclamation point on it.”
The victory will also go a long way toward extending Reese’s Hall of Fame career beyond this year. With the Bass Pro Tour set to trim its roster to 65 anglers in 2025, Reese entered the season on the wrong side of the cut line. Two tough tournaments to start the year put him in a dire situation, 78th out of 80 anglers in points.
However, Reese turned it around with a Top 10 at Lake Eufaula, then added a 21st-place finish at the Chowan River and capped the charge with this week’s victory. He now sits 25th in the season-long standings – virtually guaranteed to keep his spot on the Bass Pro Tour roster and well positioned to qualify for REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville, where he’s won twice.
Perhaps most important, he proved to himself that, as his career continues, he still has what it takes to hang with the top anglers on tour.
“I wanted to make sure, for myself, personally, that I was able to compete against the best group of anglers in the world and still win,” Reese said. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve got lots of trophies, but I’ve been seeing how many guys have been winning the Bass Pro Tour trophies, and I said, I want one of those.”
The top 10 pros from the General Tire Stage 6 at the James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts finished:
1st: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 23 bass, 54-3, $100,000 2nd: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 25 bass, 50-8, $45,000 3rd: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 16 bass, 37-3, $38,000 4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 16 bass, 35-9, $32,000 5th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 16 bass, 34-10, $30,000 6th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 14 bass, 32-11, $26,000 7th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 14 bass, 30-4, $23,000 8th: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 12 bass, 24-9, $21,000 9th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 18-2, $19,000 10th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., seven bass, 14-6, $16,000
Overall, there were 153 scorable bass weighing 332 pounds, 1 ounce, caught by 10 pros Sunday, which included one 5-pounder, three 4-pounders and 10 3-pounders.
Thrift earned Sunday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass that he caught on a speed worm during Period 3, while the $3,000 prize for heaviest bass of the tournament went to Pike Road, Alabama’s Keith Poche, who caught a largemouth weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces on Day 1 of Group A competition.
Sunday’s action didn’t have much bearing on the battle for the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year crown, with the top four anglers in the points all missing out on the Championship Round. Thus, the situation remains the same: Jacob Wheeler will head to the season finale at the St. Lawrence River with a 19-point lead over Alton Jones Jr. Because Wheeler has won twice this year, even if Jones wins Stage Seven, Wheeler would prevail in a tiebreaker, which means if he makes the Knockout Round, he will claim his third AOY title in the past four years.
While a slip-up seems unlikely, should Wheeler falter, Jones, Dustin Connell and even rookie Drew Gill could be in the mix to win. Connell sits 16 points behind Jones, with Gill 8 points back of him.
Fishing Clash, an interactive 3D fishing simulation game that’s played by more than 80 million people worldwide, is the official AOY sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series and Phoenix Bass Fishing League. You can download Fishing Clash for free in the App Store and on Google Play or log on to www.fishingclash.game for more information.
The General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts featured the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers caught as much weight as they could each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament featured anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The six-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, showcased 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $659,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
Television coverage of the General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts Championship Round will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2025 championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, U.S. Air Force and WIX Filters.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
