Search
Subscribe
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Home Blog Page 186

Muskogee’s Capps Secures the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Arkansas River

Brian Carter
-
0
Muskogee’s Capps Secures the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Arkansas River
Boater winner Blake Capps of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Strike-King co-angler winner Jeff Corriveau, Owasso, Oklahoma.
Owasso’s Corriveau Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Blake Capps of Muskogee, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Arkansas River Presented by Suzuki Marine . The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Capps earned $10,877, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Capps employed simple, shallow-water river fishing tactics to get the win. He also decided not to lock to maximize his fishing time.

“There’s a lot of current on the main Arkansas River,” he said. “I was mainly focusing on the main-river eddies and stuff like that – places for them to kind of slide out of the current – whether that be a rock or bend in the river or laydown.”

Capps kicked off the morning throwing a Heddon Super Spook topwater bait in current seams, primarily around rock jetties. He also caught some on a Gene Larew Biffle Bug in those same areas. The topwater bait produced the biggest fish of the day.

“Later in the day, I went farther downriver, and I made some of my best culls on a Booyah (XCS1 Series) square bill,” he added. “The laydowns were the main thing I was focusing on with the square bill. There was a ton of current right on the logs.”

According to Capps, a depth of 2 feet of water was “deep” for this pattern. And it was clearly a quality bite, as his co-angler, Jeff Corriveau, also came out victorious.

“We caught ’em all day,” Capps said. “It was a lot of fun. It really surprised me there weren’t more people out there doing it with me. I never really had any company wherever I went.

“It was a pretty simple pattern,” he added. “Not a whole lot of rods out on the deck. My front graphs were turned off. I just went fishing. It was all visual stuff, too. It’s nice going to the bank and turning the locaters off and just going fishing.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Blake Capps, Muskogee, Okla., five bass, 20-9, $10,877 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Joel Baker, Talala, Okla., five bass, 16-5, $1,408
2nd:       Nic Conger, Fort Smith, Ark., five bass, 16-5, $1,823
4th:        Dale Andrews, Jay, Okla., five bass, 15-15, $788
5th:        Zachery Fowler, Konawa, Okla., five bass, 13-3, $675
6th:        Shane Pickett, Rose Hill, Kan., five bass, 13-1, $919
7th:        Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., five bass, 12-12, $563
8th:        Brett Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 12-1, $507
9th:        Mike Hesson, Hackett, Ark., five bass, 11-15, $450
10th:     Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., five bass, 11-7, $394

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Nic Conger of Fort Smith, Arkansas, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $415.



Jeff Corriveau of Owasso, Oklahoma, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,689 Saturday, after bringing four bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jeff Corriveau, Owasso, Okla., four bass, 12-2, $1,689
2nd:       Thad Hewitt, Delaware, Okla., five bass, 11-14, $944
3rd:       Russell Malone, Grove, Okla., four bass, 10-0, $564
4th:        David Blankinship, Cushing, Okla., three bass, 9-12, $394
5th:        Randy Peoples, Prairie Grove, Ark., three bass, 9-1, $338
6th:        Nathan McCartney, Inola, Okla., four bass, 8-0, $310
7th:        Charles Covington, Claremore, Okla., three bass, 7-10, $281
8th:        Marco Flores, Topeka, Kan., four bass, 7-6, $253
9th:        Daniel Payne, Warr Acres, Okla., three bass, 7-5, $225
10th:     Lane McCartney, Braggs, Okla., three bass, 6-13, $197

Stephen Vogel of Muenster, Texas, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $207, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Chris M. Jones of Bokoshe, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 965 points, while Alan Hill of Ada, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 936 points.

The next event for BFL Okie Division anglers will be held Sept. 14-15, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. 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. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. 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 Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

Brian Carter
-
0
The Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

The Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

In the ever-evolving world of fishing, one constant remains: anglers are always looking for that extra edge to nab the big one. Enter the jig head, a time-honored component of the fisherman’s arsenal. These handy little devices have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and today, there’s a mind-boggling array to choose from. But the latest buzz shaking up the fishing community is all about jig heads designed specifically for forward-facing sonar (FFS) technology. Leading the charge is Missile Baits, who recently released their innovative “Hover Missile Jig” at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic. The burning question now is: do you understand the difference between old-school jig heads and these new-age FFS jig heads? More importantly, how can the latter help you catch more bass this spring and throughout the year? Let’s dive in and clear up the waters.

Old-School Jig Heads: The Tried and True

Traditionally, jig heads have been a versatile and simple tool in the angler’s tackle box. Made in various shapes and sizes, these jig heads cater to a range of fishing conditions and techniques, from dragging along rocky bottoms to navigating through dense, underwater forests. The universal appeal of these jig heads lies in their simplicity and efficacy; you could tie one on, cast it out, and with the right technique, expect some action.

The New Wave: Forward-Facing Sonar Jig Heads

The game changes when we introduce FFS technology into the mix. Forward-facing sonar offers anglers real-time views of the underwater action, allowing for more precise bait placement and, theoretically, more successful catches. However, traditional jig heads often fall short in this new environment, either by being hard to track on the sonar or not presenting the bait effectively in the middle of the water column where FFS shines. This gap led to the development of jig heads specifically optimized for FFS usage, like the Hover Missile Jig by Missile Baits.

How FFS Jig Heads Differ

  1. Visibility on Sonar: FFS jig heads, like the Hover Missile, are designed to show up clearly on sonar screens, even at greater distances. This clarity is achieved through the choice of materials that reflect the sonar signal back to the transducer effectively.
  2. Design for Mid-Water Suspension: These jig heads often feature designs that enable the bait to hover or move erratically in the middle of the water column, mimicking injured prey. The Hover Missile achieves this with its missile-shaped weight that ensures an gliding horizontal fall.
  3. Ease of Use with Sonar: With FFS, anglers constantly watch their screens for cues on where to cast and how the fish are reacting. FFS-optimized jig heads make it simpler to see your lure’s actions and how fish respond to different movements or presentations. Additionally, features like the toothpick and hole system in the Hover Missile ensure the bait stays in place without twisting, maintaining a consistent presentation that’s easy to replicate and adjust based on real-time sonar feedback.

Catching More Bass with FFS Jig Heads

So, how does all this tech translate to more bass this spring and beyond? Precision and adaptation are key. With traditional jig heads, even the most skilled anglers sometimes have to guess where their lure is in relation to fish. FFS technology, paired with optimized jig heads like the Hover Missile, removes much of that guesswork. Anglers can now see their lure and the fish’s reaction to it, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments to lure action, retrieval speed, and even switching out lures based on what the fish seem interested in.

Moreover, the design of these FFS-optimized jig heads tends to work exceptionally well for suspended bass, a common scenario in spring when bass are active but not always holding to the bottom. The ability to technologically target mid-water column bass gives anglers a significant advantage during this peak season and even into summer when bass patterns can change.

Embracing the Future While Respecting the Past

While the advantages of new FFS-optimized jig heads are clear, it doesn’t mean old-school jig heads are obsolete. Many anglers will find success by blending both worlds—using traditional jigs around dense cover or the bottom and switching to FFS jigs when targeting suspended fish or when the underwater terrain is less familiar.

Missile Baits’ Hover Missile Jig is just one example of how the fishing industry is adapting to new technology. By understanding these changes and knowing when and how to use each tool in the tackle box, anglers can look forward to more successful outings, catching more bass regardless of the season.

In the end, the choice between traditional and FFS-optimized jig heads isn’t an “either/or” dilemma but a “when and how” strategy. Combining the reliability of old-school methods with the precision and adaptability of modern technology represents the future of fishing. And with companies like Missile Baits leading innovation, that future looks both



Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman Win 5 Alive/ ALTEC Trail- Qualifier #5 – 6/22/2024 Kerr lake

Brian Carter
-
0
Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman Win 5 Alive/ ALTEC Trail- Qualifier #5 – 6/22/2024 Kerr lake

Our 5th and final Qualifier tournament of the ALTEC Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail was last Saturday at Kerr Lake.
Our boat count was down some but I’ve got to admit that it takes a dedicated individual to go out in that heat and compete. I spoke on dedication during our morning prayer and I hope the message took hold to all that was listening.
34 teams showed up for the final Qualifier. With lots on the line there was quite a bit of anticipation by the Anglers as they waited to be blasted off. There was 2 different Championships to be decided and a extra $4000.00 and hardware to be awarded at the end of the day.
I give the teams 8 hours to get it done and brought them back to the scales at 1:30pm to try to help with the heat.
Once the weigh in was over it was the team if Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman that took the WIN

?

. They had a 5 fish limit weighing 16.22 pounds. That earned them a total of $1600.00 for the day. That was an impressive catch on a tough day at Kerr Lake by some good guys and Great fisherman. Congrats Guys!
They were followed by the winners of our last Qualifier. The team of Jeff Ross & Clay Ross  had a 5 fish limit weighing 15.91 pounds. That earned them a total of $1000.00 for the day. Them guys are

?

each and every tournament. 
Big Fish was won by the team of Johnson & Bowman. They had a fish weighing 4.66 pounds earning them $340.00
Congratulations to all the teams that placed in the money.

Let’s talk about this  POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP !!!

As they were blasted off Saturday their was only a 10 point difference between 1st and 2nd in the Points Championship standings. 3rd place in the Points standings was a very tight race as well and 3rd place got paid as well.
The team of Moore & Moore carried the 10 point lead into the final tournament followed by the team of Hall & Carter. When everything was totaled up it was the team of Craig Hall & Bobby Carter that took home the 2024 – 5 Alive/ALTEC Trail Points Championship

?

There was 1 point that decided the outcome.
ONE POINT

?

. 
Hall & Carter are the first 2 time Points Champions in the 5 Alive Team Trail. They Won $1500.00, paid entry fees to all of the Qualifiers of the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail, plaques, Points Champions coats and the #1 starting spot in all of the 2025 Qualifiers for the Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail.
Hall & Carter have always been one of the most consistent teams each and every year and consistency  PAYS OFF!  Big Congratulations to them on a great year!!!
Joey Moore & Jacob Moore ( The reigning 2024 Hyco Trail Points Champions) finished 2nd in Points. They Won $1000.00 , plaques and the #2 starting spot in all of the Qualifiers of the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail. These two are also the model of consistency and are strong at each event. They have nothing to hang their heads at with a year that they have had. Great job guys!
Taking home 3rd in the points our final paying spot was the team of Corey Herndon & Blain Brogden. This spot was also determined by a 1 point difference.

?

They Won $500.00 , plaques and the #3 starting spot in all the Qualifiers in the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail. Yet another very consistent team each year. Congrats Guys!

There was also one more Championship to decide on Saturday.  The Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Championship.
The top 3 teams going into Saturday were seperated by just over a 1/2 of a pound with one fish still left to be weighed in by each team in the Fat 5.
After the weigh in was done it was the team of Hall & Carter that swept the Championships and took home the WIN in the Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Championship as well. They had a 5 fish limit for the year weighing 19.78 pounds. That earned them $1000.00 and the Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Points Championship Belts. Another Great job by a great team. CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!

We want to say THANK YOU to all of our 2025 Sponsors. I have the best Sponsors I could ever ask for and not only are they Sponsors they are great friends as well. Without them this Trail would not be possible.  Thank you again!

I also want to say THANK YOU to my staff!
(My wife )

?

Krystal Kirby Sheppard
, Jessica Turner Byrd and Chris Byrd Thank yall for all of the support and help.

The ALTEC Guaranteed $7000.00 two day Championship will be held on September 14th & 15th at Kerr Lake – Occoneechee Ramp.  It’s going to be a good one with a heap of money given away. Look forward to seeing yall there.

As we end one Trail we fire up another one.
This weekend – 5/29/2024 the Caswell Glass Mayo Trail kicks off at Mayo Lake. These are full Qualifier as well to get you into the 2 day Guaranteed $7000.00 Championship Tournament.
For any information on this Trail you can contact me Kevin Sheppard at 336-264-8416. 
Thanks again!

Results.
1st. Gilbert & Crisman- 16.22 pounds-$1600.00 TWT
2nd. Ross & Ross – 15.91 pounds-$1000.00 TWT
3rd. Woolard & Woolard- 12.51 pounds-$400.00
4th. Woody & White- 12.11 pounds-$490.00 TWT
5th. Joseph Sharpe- 12.07 pounds-$190.00
6th. Green & Wiles- 11.68 pounds-$120.00

Big Fish
Johnson & Bowman- 4.66 pounds-$340.00

5 Alive/ALTEC Trail Points Championship
1st. Hall & Carter- 691points -$1500.00
2nd Moore & Moore – 690 points -$1000.00
3rd. Herndon & Brogden- 679 Points-$500.00

Dave’s Tournament Tackle FAT CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Hall & Carter- 19.78 pounds-$1000.00



Weaver Withdraws from Final Two Bass Pro Tour Events of 2024, Trailering Policy Enacted for Week

Brian Carter
-
0
Weaver Withdraws from Final Two Bass Pro Tour Events of 2024, Trailering Policy Enacted for Week

WHAT:
Bass Pro Tour angler Joshua Weaver of Macon, Georgia, has withdrawn from the final two Bass Pro Tour events of 2024, including this week’s General Tire Stage Six at the James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, due to undisclosed personal reasons.

Pro Kelly Jordon has been moved from Group B to Group A to even the fields at 39 anglers each for the event this week.

Bass Pro Tour Tournament Director Daniel Fennel has also enacted the MLF’s trailering policy this week on the James River at Stage Six – in effect for each day of competition.

Anglers can launch at any public boat launch within the tournament boundaries on the James River and can also put their boat back on the trailer and drive to a different boat ramp during competition hours, if they so choose.

WHEN:
Tuesday-Sunday, June 25-30
Departure from Osborne Landing for anglers launching from other landings: 6:45 a.m. ET
Takeoff from desired launch ramp: 7:30 a.m. ET
General Tire Takeout: 4 p.m. ET

WHERE:
*Osborne Landing, 9530 Osborne Turnpike, Richmond, Va.
*Trailering policy enacted – anglers can launch from any public ramp

NOTES:
Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour are visiting Richmond, Virginia, and the James River this week, June 25-30, for the sixth regular-season event of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – General Tire Stage Six at the James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The six-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, will feature a field of 78 professional anglers competing for a purse of $659,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Fishing Clash 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.

The 39 anglers in Group A will compete in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 39 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers that finish first through 10th from both groups advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 20 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

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.



Uncover Why Bass Behaviors Shift with Size!

Brian Carter
-
0
Uncover Why Bass Behaviors Shift with Size!
Bass populations face a complex dynamic where juvenile mortality significantly outpaces that of older bass. While mature bass can spawn multiple times a year, producing thousands of eggs per nest, the survival rate of these offspring to adulthood is alarmingly low at less than 0.02%. This high mortality rate is not primarily influenced by the number of eggs produced but by environmental factors such as habitat quality, food availability, water temperature, and predator presence. Anglers play a key role in this ecological balance by practicing selective fishing and catch-and-release, especially during spawning seasons. Understanding these reproductive and mortality rates helps in developing strategies that can increase juvenile survival rates, such as creating or preserving natural habitats that provide shelter and abundant food. These type of insights enable fisheries managers to set appropriate catch limits and size restrictions to ensure the sustainability of bass populations. For anglers, understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing fish populations sustainably and supporting conservation efforts that enhance spawning success and juvenile survival.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!
In their earliest stages, bass are highly vulnerable to predators due to their small size and limited mobility. Initially feeding on tiny insects and plankton, fry are mostly stationary, making them easy targets. As they grow into fingerlings, their diet expands to include larger plankton and small insects, increasing their chances of survival by slightly reducing their vulnerability to predation. This vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of habitat complexity, which provides necessary cover for young bass to evade predators. Conservation efforts that focus on maintaining and enhancing aquatic vegetation can significantly improve survival rates. Anglers can contribute to these efforts by supporting habitat restoration projects and avoiding overfishing in nursery areas. For anglers, recognizing the critical nature of these early stages can guide decisions on fishing practices, especially in areas known for high densities of young bass. Educating fellow anglers about the crucial growth phases of bass and promoting catch-and-release practices during these vulnerable periods can further aid in the preservation of bass.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.
The feeding behavior and growth patterns of bass change significantly as they mature. Young bass are opportunistic feeders within their limited range, but as they grow, their increased mobility allows them to consume a broader variety of prey, including other small fish. This dietary shift necessitates movement away from spawning areas to regions with richer food resources, effectively spreading the population across different habitats. As bass grow larger, their ability to target and consume larger and more mobile prey also increases, which can significantly alter local ecosystem dynamics. Anglers can use this knowledge to adapt their strategies, perhaps employing larger lures and targeting deeper waters where mature bass might roam. Understanding the growth phases of bass can help in planning seasonal fishing activities, as bass tend to frequent different areas depending on their size and the time of year. Seasonal changes in water temperature and vegetation also play a crucial role in where and how bass feed, affecting their accessibility to anglers. Anglers should also consider these patterns when choosing fishing locations and techniques.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!
Schooling is a survival mechanism for bass, particularly at the fry stage, providing safety in numbers from predators. However, this behavior changes as they grow; smaller, less cohesive groups allow for more effective feeding as each fish has better access to resources. This behavior also influences how young bass are distributed in a body of water, affecting where they can be successfully targeted by anglers. As bass transition from fry to juvenile stages, their tendency to school becomes less pronounced, making them more susceptible to anglers who can identify these patterns. The shift from tight schooling to more dispersed groupings often coincides with changes in the aquatic environment, such as increased plant growth or variations in water flow. Anglers can use these environmental cues to predict bass movements and improve their fishing success. Fishing techniques may need to be adjusted based on the bass’s developmental stage and schooling behavior; for instance, using baits that mimic the smaller prey of juveniles can be more effective. Recognizing the decline in schooling with age can also lead anglers to focus on larger, solitary bass that are often more challenging.Our Fresh HellaMite is 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, and 10w30 Synthetic HellaMite colors. We also just released new colors designs including the Slimer Green and Barbie Pink HellaMite. Act fast, these colors won’t stay in stock for long. If you’re fast enough you can also grab our seasonal limited-release Pumpkin Spice HellaMite along with the Money HellaMite. 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. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. 
As bass transition from fingerlings to adults, their predation tactics evolve significantly. They develop strategies like flushing, where they chase down prey in coordinated groups, making them more effective hunters. However, as they grow, their coordination diminishes, though they remain effective at startling prey into open areas where they can be easily caught. This progression in hunting techniques reflects an increase in the bass’s individual strength and confidence, allowing them to tackle larger and more challenging prey alone. Anglers observing this shift can adjust their approach, using techniques and lures that simulate the more complex movements of fleeing prey to trigger strikes from mature bass. As bass grow older and their hunting becomes less dependent on group strategies, they may favor different habitats, such as deeper waters or structured environments where they can ambush prey. Understanding these habitat preferences is crucial for anglers aiming to target larger, more experienced bass. Anglers can use this knowledge to their advantage by mimicking natural bass prey with lures and by fishing in areas where strikes are likely to occur.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!
Larger, mature bass undergo significant changes in body shape and behavior, particularly as they gain weight. These changes can affect their stamina and speed, forcing them to adapt their feeding habits and habitats. For instance, older bass may move to deeper waters where they rely more on ambush tactics. As these bass grow, their dietary preferences may shift towards larger prey, which requires less energy to capture relative to the energy it provides. This behavioral shift towards more strategic hunting methods in complex habitats necessitates different angling tactics, such as using bigger and slower-moving lures that mimic the larger prey. The increased bulk of mature bass often leads them to prefer areas with ample cover, such as submerged logs or rock formations, where they can hide and ambush prey effectively. Anglers should also consider the times of day when these bass are most active, typically during lower light conditions like dawn and dusk, to increase their chances of a successful catch. Understanding these changes in behavior and habitat can help anglers target these trophy fish more effectively. Anglers seeking larger bass should focus on deeper waters.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.
Managing fisheries to support a population of trophy bass involves careful consideration of the high mortality rates among young and the specific needs of larger bass. Trophy bass are rare and require specific conditions to thrive, including ample cover and prey availability. Anglers pursuing these fish need to practice responsible fishing methods that support conservation efforts, such as catch and release, especially in habitats conducive to the survival of large bass. In addition to catch and release, anglers can also participate in habitat restoration projects, which play a crucial role in enhancing the environments that support the growth of trophy bass. Utilizing selective harvesting practices that avoid removing the largest specimens from the water can further help maintain a healthy breeding stock and ensure the continuance of a trophy class within the fishery. Educational outreach to the angling community about the importance of these practices can aid in fostering a culture of conservation and respect for the ecosystem. By employing advanced fishing techniques, anglers can more accurately target trophy bass without causing undue harm to the population. We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from. For Scorpions, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates 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 for soft plastics.



O’Connell Posts Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Clarks Hill

Brian Carter
-
0
O’Connell Posts Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Clarks Hill
Boater winner Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, and Strike-King co-angler winner Braxton Spurlin of Ellenboro, North Carolina.
North Carolina’s Spurlin Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

APPLING, Ga. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Clarks Hill . Hosted by Visit Columbia County, Georgia, the tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Division. O’Connell earned $6,805, including the lucrative $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

O’Connell fished a Savannah River Division tournament on Clarks Hill a week prior and found some fish on brush piles. This time around, he realized the schools had set up a little bit shallower. He kicked the day off throwing a topwater.

“I used a CAST The OG to get a key fish early – a 4-pounder,” he said. “Last week, my biggest fish was like 3 1/2. Then I just kind of mixed in various other blueback baits; other topwaters, flukes, stuff like that. Basically, I caught most of my weight before 8 o’clock in the morning and then continued catching a bunch of other fish throughout the day, but they were mostly 1- to 2-pounders.”

A big boating event on the lake presented some challenges for O’Connell’s offshore bite in the middle of the day because he had to work around a lot of extra traffic. Thankfully, his first spot produced that 4-pounder, and his second put out a 4½  and 3¾ .

“My initial spot was a shallow hump,” he said. “There was a ton of bluebacks moving through. The fish would school around you off and on. The second spot wasn’t a hump. It was just a long point.”

After he left those areas, O’Connell targeted brush piles. The shining spot in the afternoon was a key cull that came with 45 minutes remaining. He was able to gain about a half-pound, giving him a solid cushion over second place.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., five bass, 18-0, $6,805 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Continency Bonus)
2nd:       Aspen Martin, White, Ga., five bass, 16-15, $1,753
3rd:       Jason Burroughs, Hodges, S.C., five bass, 15-10, $1,169
4th:        Norm Attaway, Clearwater, S.C., five bass, 15-1, $1,258
5th:        Hunter Eubanks, Landrum, S.C., five bass, 15-0, $672
5th:        Logan Mills, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 15-0, $672
7th:        Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., five bass, 14-15, $584
8th:        Jeffrey Borne, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 14-9, $526
9th:        Tyler Campbell, Martin, Ga., five bass, 14-6, $438
9th:        Jeff Coble, Manson, N.C., five bass, 14-6, $438

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Norm Attaway of Clearwater, South Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $440.



Braxton Spurlin of Ellenboro, North Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,753 Saturday, after bringing four bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 14 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Braxton Spurlin, Ellenboro, N.C., four bass, 11-14, $1,753
2nd:       Wayne Smelser, Wytheville, Va., five bass, 9-14, $876
3rd:       Ross Doolittle, Greenwood, S.C., five bass, 9-13, $585
4th:        Riley Smallwood, Shallotte, N.C., five bass, 9-7, $509
5th:        Trent Killian, Bostic, N.C., five bass, 8-11, $351
6th:        Carter Jefferies, Mount Pleasant, S.C., five bass, 8-4, $321
7th:        Jacob Yaden, Evans, Ga., five bass, 8-1, $442
8th:        Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., five bass, 7-12, $263
9th:        Kevin Henderson, Honea Path, S.C., five bass, 7-8, $219
9th:        Dale Ball, Asheville, N.C., four bass, 7-8, $219

Travis Ruff of Connelly Springs, North Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $220, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Joe Anders of Easley, South Carolina, leads the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 955 points, while Trent Killian of Bostic, North Carolina, leads the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 952 points.

The next event for BFL South Carolina Division anglers will be held Sept.7-8, at Lake Murray in Prosperity, South Carolina. 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, North 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.



Brownsville’s Logsdon Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Barren River

Brian Carter
-
0
Brownsville’s Logsdon Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Barren River
Boater winner Cole Logsdon of Brownsville, Kentucky, and Strike-King co-angler winner Johnny Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Suratt Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Cole Logsdon of Brownsville, Kentucky, caught a three-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Barren River. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Mountain Division. Logsdon earned $3,418 for his victory.

In the Barren River Lake event, anglers were limited to weighing three fish. Add in a field of more than 80 boaters on a small reservoir, and it was almost a guarantee that weights would be tight in this tournament. Logsdon overcame those challenges by relying on a ton of experience on the lake.

“I live 20 minutes down the road,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time out on Barren River over the years. Especially, I’ve had a lot of help over the years from some people who mentored me. That kind of came into play with the late boat draw I had. Some of the history stuff I had was the deal. I got lucky because I was the second-to-last boat out and I couldn’t get on a lot of my stuff.”

Logsdon spent most of his practice scanning the lake for offshore schools. He didn’t even take rods with him for practice. In the tournament, he started the morning by running to one of his better areas only to find another boat there. When he shifted to his second spot – a shallow drop – Logsdon found the type of school he’d been hunting for all through practice.

“I eased up the lake, set the trolling motor down and there they were,” he said. “I knew it was about to go down right then. I got right in a hurry.

“It’s a place that we’ve fished for a long time, and when they get there, they get there. It’s a place I knew, but it’s a place I wasn’t expecting the fish to be there. I sat there for probably 45 minutes.”

After he left that area, Logsdon started running and gunning. He figures he deployed the trolling motor 40 to 50 times throughout the day and wound up making some key culls that bumped up his three-fish limit to more than a pound better than second place.

“I knew with 80 boats it was going to be a packed house, and these guys are so good I knew they were going to find a lot,” Logsdon said. “I just got lucky and got on a spot I knew and they were there, and it worked out in my favor.”

Logsdon’s key lures were a homemade football-head jig, a Strike King 6XD crankbait and a Stealth Lures umbrella rig with 6th Sense 3.2-inch Divine Swimbaits.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Cole Logsdon, Brownsville, Ky., three bass, 12-4, $3,418
2nd:       Dathan Jones, Harrodsburg, Ky., three bass, 11-0, $1,709
3rd:       Michael Morrison, Stamping Ground, Ky., three bass, 10-15, $1,263
4th:        Trent Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., three bass, 10-14, $798
5th:        Josh Boone, Richmond, Ky., three bass, 10-13, $655
5th:        Christopher O’Bryan, Harned, Ky., three bass, 10-13, $1,075
7th:        Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., three bass, 10-7, $570
8th:        Isaac Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., three bass, 10-4, $513
9th:        Grant Adams, Campbellsville, Ky., three bass, 9-12, $456
10th:     Clint Brodsky, Burlington, Ky., three bass, 9-7, $1,199 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Christopher O’Bryan of Harned, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $420.



Johnny Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,709 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 14 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Johnny Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., three bass, 8-14, $1,709
2nd:       Robert Pepiot III, Lexington, Ky., three bass, 8-12, $712
2nd:       Devin Brown, Richmond, Ky., three bass, 8-12, $712
4th:        Chevy King, Russell Springs, Ky., three bass, 8-10, $609
5th:        Josh Smith, Williamsburg, Ky., three bass, 7-6, $342
6th:        Jerry Wittmer, Shepherdsville, Ky., three bass, 7-3, $313
7th:        Dan Basham, Taylorsville, Ky., three bass, 6-15, $285
8th:        Jeff Johnston, Nashville, Tenn., three bass, 6-11, $256
9th:        Ben Carter, Lancaster, Ky., three bass, 6-5, $228
10th:     Pete Balishin, Sharps Chapel, Tenn., three bass, 6-1, $349

Chevy King of Russell Springs, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $210, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Michael Morrison of Stamping Ground, Kentucky, leads the Fishing Clash Mountain Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 969 points, while Johnny Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Mountain Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 949 points.

The next event for BFL Mountain Division anglers will be held Sept. 14-15, at Lake Cumberland in Monticello, 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. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee. 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.



North Carolina Angler Hodges Mines One Spot for the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Potomac River

Brian Carter
-
0
North Carolina Angler Hodges Mines One Spot for the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Potomac River
Boater winner Richard Hodges, Jr., of Camden, North Carolina, and Strike-King co-angler winner Josh Steinberg of Midland, Virginia.
Virginia’s Steinberg Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

MARBURY, Md. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Richard Hodges, Jr., of Camden, North Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Potomac River . Hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners, the tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Shenandoah Division. Hodges earned $6,139 for his victory.

Hodges’ winning experience proves that even though things sometimes don’t start the way you expect, they can still turn around real quickly.

“It was a struggle for about the first hour,” he said. “I went to what I thought was my best spot, and I left there with one 13-inch fish. But the day before, I found a school of what I thought was 2-pounders. I went running to them – they were back in a deep hole – and they ended up being bigger than what I saw the first day (practice). I caught them on a swimbait and a ChatterBait Jack Hammer. My co-angler and I, out of a 50-yard stretch, we caught 40 or 50 bass.”

When Hodges found the spot in practice, the tide was at its lowest, and the water was clear enough that he could see the fish swimming around. In the tournament, the water had dirtied, so he couldn’t see them. So he sat on the edge of the hole and blind-cast into it.

The perimeter of the spot was about 2 feet deep, with the middle dropping to about 4 feet. He’d found it while trolling across a shallow flat. 

“I’ve been fishing that area for years and never saw it before,” he added. “We sat there for probably four or five hours until we quit getting bites. I caught the first big one (a 5-pound, 12-ounce fish) on a ChatterBait almost instantly when we got there. We fished it and fished it until we quit getting bites, and then we left for an hour and went to fish some grass. When we came back, on my first cast with the ChatterBait I ended up catching a 5-4.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Richard Hodges, Jr., Camden, N.C., five bass, 20-10, $6,139
2nd:       Jessie Moore, Severn, Md., five bass, 17-14, $2,952
3rd:       Brian Laclair, Denton, Md., five bass, 17-13, $1,768
4th:        Jonathan Hamilton, Newburg, Md., five bass, 17-7, $1,238
5th:        John Duarte, Middle River, Md., five bass, 16-15, $1,686 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th:        Ed Milton, Chester, Va., five bass, 16-13, $972
7th:        Chris Brummett, Lynch Station, Va., five bass, 16-7, $884
8th:        Michael Duarte, Baltimore, Md., five bass, 16-5, $796
9th:        Jarvis Raynor, Spotsylvania, Va., five bass, 16-3, $707
10th:     Joshua Greenberg, Bumpass, Va., five bass, 16-2, $619

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Hodges caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $835.



Josh Steinberg of Midland, Virginia, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,631 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 14 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Josh Steinberg, Midland, Va., five bass, 16-14, $2,631
2nd:       Glenn Eskin, Henderson, N.C., five bass, 16-1, $1,725
3rd:       Lenny Baird, Stafford, Va., five bass, 15-2, $1,127
4th:        Lew Jenkins, Waldorf, Md., five bass, 15-0, $614
5th:        Matthew Ross, Barton, Md., five bass, 14-12, $526
6th:        Jeff McBeth, New Philadelphia, Ohio, five bass, 14-6, $482
7th:        Eric Nelson, Gainesville, Va., five bass, 14-3, $438
8th:        Keyshawn Bratcher, Altamonte Springs, Fla., five bass, 14-2, $395
9th:        Jeff Turner, Morris, Ill., five bass, 14-1, $351
10th:     Stephen Barr, Wilmington, N.C., five bass, 14-0, $307

Glenn Eskin of Henderson, North Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $410, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, Chris Brummett of Lynch Station, Virginia, leads the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 733 points, while David Williams of Fredericksburg, Virginia, leads the Fishing Clash Shenandoah Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 720 points.

The next event for BFL Shenandoah Division anglers will be held July 27, at James River in Henrico, Virginia. 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, North 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.



Pennsylvania’s Carey and Kauffman Conquer Lake Hartwell to Win 2024 High School Fishing National Championship

Brian Carter
-
0
Pennsylvania’s Carey and Kauffman Conquer Lake Hartwell to Win 2024 High School Fishing National Championship

High School Anglers Josh Kauffman and Trent Carey and Claim Title with Three-Day Total of Nine Bass Weighing 29-15

ANDERSON, S.C. (June 24, 2024) – On one hand, Trent Carey of York Springs, Pennsylvania, and Josh Kauffman of Marysville, Pennsylvania, knew how difficult it would be to top a field containing 249 of the country’s best teams at the  Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship. As Carey said on stage Friday, “that just doesn’t happen; you don’t get these opportunities.”
 
But as the Fishaholics team made the drive from their home in Pennsylvania to Lake Hartwell earlier in the week, they had a feeling they could contend for the title. In fact, Kauffman set his sights on winning not only the National Championship but the accompanying World Finals, a concurrent event held by the Student Angler Federation. 

“To our knowledge, I don’t think anybody has ever won nationals and worlds,” Kauffman said. “And coming down here, I thought to myself, you know what, that’s our goal. I want to win both.” 

The two recently graduated seniors punctuated a strong three days on Hartwell with a three-bass limit Friday weighing 9 pounds, 3 ounces. That brought their three-day total to 29-15, 1-4 clear of Lanier High School’s Angel Cornejo and Bryson Dover.  

For the win, Carey and Kauffman earned $5,000 apiece in college scholarship money plus entry into the Toyota Series Championship on Wheeler Lake in November, where they will compete as co-anglers. 

“I wish I could put it into words, but I can’t comprehend that we just did this,” Carey said. “It feels amazing that all the hard work paid off.” 

Carey and Kauffman’s optimism about contending on Lake Hartwell sprang from the last time the famed fishery hosted the National Championship and World Finals, in 2021. Freshmen at the time, they finished 13th in the World Finals and fell in love with the lake. They’ve returned to fish it every summer since. 

The knowledge gained during those trips proved invaluable this week. They arrived at Hartwell with a sizable stash of offshore waypoints, then added more during practice. With 437 boats on the water between the two tournaments, having so many spots at their disposal came in handy. 

“With a 400-plus boat field out here, there are people on a lot of spots 24/7,” Kauffman said. “So, running down the lake, you’re like, ‘Oh, they’re there, they’re there. Oh, this spot is open.’ So, just having a large amount of spots to fish really helped. Just running waypoint after waypoint after waypoint all day long; eventually ran into the right ones at the right time when they’re schooling, actively feeding.” 

Carey and Kauffman spent all their time offshore targeting brush and humps. While they weighed four largemouth compared to two spotted bass across the first two days of competition, Friday’s bag was all spots. They used “traditional herring baits” to catch them, rotating between a chrome Sebile Magic Swimmer, a flutter spoon and a rising bait. They only caught one fish they weighed on a fluke, but the Hartwell staple produced their biggest bass of the week, a 4-11 spot on Day 1. 

That fish anchored a 12-2 opening-day bag, which had Carey and Kauffman in second place (although they thought they were leading at the conclusion of weigh-in due to a clerical error that excluded a 12-8 limit from the National Championship results). Despite losing a “giant” when a treble hook pulled off a split ring, they added 8-10 on Day 2 and climbed into the lead. 

Friday, while most of the field reported a slower bite, Carey and Kauffman arrived at their starting spot to find fish actively feeding. While Carey said their bite wasn’t fast and furious, it didn’t take too long to put a similar limit to the previous day in the livewell. Then, around noon, Carey caught a 2 3/4-pounder, which culled a 2-pounder. At that point, the teammates let themselves believe they might actually be national champs. 

“Whenever we caught that one, we both just kind of looked at each other, and we were like, ‘dude, I got a feeling,’” Carey said. “I’m always the most nervous person, the most down person, ‘we’re never going to win.’ And we kind of just looked at each other, and we’re like, this feels right. This feels like it might happen.” 

Carey and Kauffman both plan to continue their fishing careers. Carey will join the accomplished team at Lander University in the fall, while Kauffman plans to keep competing in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League. Topping such a massive field should send both off with a shot of confidence. 

“It’s a huge jumpstart to any career winning a tournament of this caliber, winning a tournament with this number of boats,” Carey said. 

The 2024 Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship featured 249 teams, and the top 10 teams on Lake Hartwell finished:

1st:        Rock Proof – Trent Carey, York Springs, Pa., and Josh Kauffman, Marysville, Pa., nine bass, 29-15
2nd:      Georgia High School Fishing  – Angel Cornejo, Sugar Hill, Ga., and Bryson Dover, Buford, Ga., nine bass, 28-11
3rd:       South Forsyth High School, Cumming, Ga. – Reece Mutter and Charles Roberts, nine bass, 26-11
4th:        Dawson County High School, Dawsonville, Ga. – Carter Cunningham and Landon Glander, nine bass, 26-10
5th:        Cherokee High School, Canton, Ga. – Noah Dzyuba and Lane Parker, nine bass, 25-11
6th:        Alcoa Fishing Team, Alcoa, Tenn. – Walker Larue and Joe Vaulton, nine bass, 25-7
7th:        Arizona High School Bassmasters – Dash Dawson, Chandler, Ariz., and James Murphy, Jr., Gilbert, Ariz., nine bass, 24-15
8th:        Shelby County High School, Columbiana, Ala. – Brody Holliman and Aiden King, nine bass, 24-7
9th:        Highland Park High School, University Park, Texas – Cullum Brown and Dylan Sorrells, nine bass, 24-6
10th:     West Virginia Student Angler Federation – Micah Osborne, Clay, W.Va., and Luke Stewart, Procious, W.Va., nine bass, 24-4

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

The 2024 Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship on Lake Hartwell was hosted by Visit Anderson. MLF High School Fishing tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advanced to the 2024 High School Fishing National Championship.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, 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 HighSchoolFishing.org. For regular High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow High School Fishing on Facebook and on MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



John Hutchins & Rahim Rahimi Win Lake Anna Sunday Morning Bass Series 

Brian Carter
-
0
John Hutchins & Rahim Rahimi Win Lake Anna Sunday Morning Bass Series 

Results 6-23-2024
21 Boats
7 Places Paid

1st- 5 fish
19.78 pounds
John Hutchins/Rahim Rahimi

2nd- 5 fish
18.52 pounds

Bill Deeds
3rd- 5 fish
15.64 pounds

Steven Campbell/Bobby Campbell
4th- 5 fish
13.82 pounds

Jeff Buttolph/Logan Buttolph
5th- 5 fish
12.42 pounds

Tyler Gentry/Cody Spencer
6th- 5 fish
11.60 pounds

Wayne Holder/Joe Semones
7th- 5 fish
11.48 pounds

James Baker/Austin Baker
Big Fish
6.15 pounds
Big Bass Billy Deeds



1...185186187...1,532Page 186 of 1,532

Follow Us

The latest

Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech Locks in Full Field of 150 pros for 2026

Breaking News 0
With every spot claimed, Pro Circuit momentum reaches a...

B.A.S.S. announces 2026 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers schedule

Bassmasters 0
Dec. 12, 2025 B.A.S.S. announces 2026 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers schedule BIRMINGHAM,...

101 anglers set to compete on 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series

Bassmasters 0
Dec. 12, 2025 101 anglers set to compete on 2026...

© 2023 The Bass Cast. All Rights Reserved.