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Wednesday, December 17, 2025
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Kentucky’s Wilson and Illinois’ Feldermann Tied at the Top after Day 1 of Phoenix All-American Presented by T-H Marine at Cherokee Lake

Brian Carter
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Kentucky’s Wilson and Illinois’ Feldermann Tied at the Top after Day 1 of Phoenix All-American Presented by T-H Marine at Cherokee Lake

Great Lakes and Mountain Division anglers catch 12-pound, 15-ounce limit to tie for first and take early lead in the race for up to $120,000

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (May 29, 2024) – The early going of the 41st annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Championship Presented by T-H Marine on Cherokee Lake has not been easy for the anglers. Rising water has the fish in a tricky mood, and most of the 49 boaters and Strike King co-anglers have struggled to figure them out.

On the boater side, more than half the field failed to weigh a limit on Day 1, and nobody cracked 13 pounds. Still, the cream always rises, and Brian Wilson of Nancy, Kentucky, and Mike Feldermann of Galena, Illinois , both boated 12 pounds, 15 ounces to tie for the lead. They are narrowly ahead of Tyler Ivie of West Haven, Utah, Paul Marks Jr of Cumming, Georgia, and Lucas Murphy of West Columbia, South Carolina, each of whom caught bags in the 12-pound range.


The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Jefferson County TN, showcases the nation’s best weekend grassroots anglers, and awards the winning boater a top prize of up to $120,000 – and an automatic qualification into REDCREST 2025, MLF’s most prestigious event – and the winning Strike King co-angler a top prize of $50,000.
If there’s a common thread among the early leaders, it’s that experience is paying off. Though Feldermann had never been to Cherokee Lake before pre-practice, the Mississippi River legend has pretty much seen it all during 171 tournaments and 12 wins (the most recent coming in April) across FLW and MLF competition. So, as usual, Feldermann went out, fished hard and came back with five.

“It seems like every tournament is a little different,” he said. “Some tournaments, when you do really good in practice, you seem to get a little more nervous throughout the day. But, when you know it’s a grind, you just settle in and let the chips fall. The other thing is, I’ve been fishing tournaments since 1989 — you could call it seasoned.”

Today, the seasoned angler got away from the tech wizards pestering the smallies mid-lake.

“I went up the river, and I had one rod on the deck, and I just flipped the whole day,” he said. “I fished about a 10-mile section. I was catching them off isolated bushes in practice, and I waypointed them and ran them today and threw at a few new spots.”

Flipping for fish that have nearly infinite cover options, Feldermann didn’t get many bites, but he covered enough water and made enough presentations to fill out his limit.

“I snapped the big one off today and just caught five keepers,” he said. “Pretty basic — just running and gunning, hitting pockets and points and different bushes.”

Competing in his 199th tournament with MLF, Wilson’s old Kentucky home is less than 100 miles from Cherokee. Though he doesn’t fish the lake a lot, he’s got plenty of experience on similar highland impoundments and knows his way around the conditions the field is facing this week.

“I keep expecting some of the fish to show up in the bushes, and I did catch almost a 4-pounder flipping, but for some reason, they’re not jumping up there,” he said. “It may take ‘em a little while to get there. But, usually when the water comes up really fast, I try to concentrate on steeper banks.”

Steep banks and being in the right zone put Wilson in the mix early.

“I didn’t have a very good practice, but I got a couple bites in an area of the lake,” Wilson said. “Normally, when I have a practice like that, I just hunker down and work it real good. It worked for me today and enabled me to go chasing the smallmouth.”

Running a combo pattern, Wilson started the day looking for a limit before striking out in search of the smallmouth Cherokee is best known for.

“The largemouth, I’m concentrating on steeper banks, and I’ve got a little deal to try to get them to trigger, because they’re not wanting to bite very much,” he explained. “I went smallmouthin’ late in the day after the wind got up, throwing a swimbait.”

Despite his experience with similar conditions, Wilson did not expect the fishing to be as tough as it was.

“It surprised me; I thought 15 to 17 pounds would be leading,” he added. “I don’t think someone can catch that all three days, but I really expected to see a bag like that, especially late in the day when I saw the bigger smallmouth were biting. It’s surprising to be tied for the lead, but I’ll take it.”

While Feldermann is no stranger to the winner’s circle, Wilson has earned over $97,000 in his career with MLF at just about every non-pro level imaginable but never actually hoisted a trophy. This would be a good week for the first one.

“This is my third All-American, and I’ve never won an FLW or MLF tournament,” he said. “I’ve had some seconds, and some top fives, but I’ve never got the W. It would be nice for my first one to be this, but we’ll see.”

The Top 20 boaters after Day 1 of the All-American on Cherokee Lake are:

1st:         Brian Wilson, Nancy, Ky., five bass, 12-15
1st:         Mike Feldermann, Galena, Ill., five bass, 12-15
3rd:        Tyler Ivie, West Haven, Utah, five bass, 12-13
4th:        Paul Marks Jr., Cumming, Ga., five bass, 12-11
5th:        Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 12-9
6th:        Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 11-5
7th:        Jordan Hartman, Benton, Ky., five bass, 10-14
8th:        Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y., five bass, 10-13
9th:        Jason Barnes, Concord, N.C., four bass, 10-10
10th:      Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., five bass, 10-5
11th:      Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 10-0
12th:      Eldon Newcomb, Mt. Vernon, Ky., five bass, 9-14
13th:      Bradley Enfinger, Donalsonville, Ga., five bass, 9-13
14th:      Christopher Wilder, Macon, Ga., five bass, 9-12
15th:      Jacob Woods, Loudon, Tenn., four bass, 9-10
16th:      Jackie Flack, Cullman, Ala., four bass, 9-9
17th:      Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., five bass, 9-7
18th:      Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 9-6
19th:      Jake Lee, Powell, Tenn., four bass, 9-3
19th:      Donavan Carson, Bluff City, Tenn., five bass, 9-3

A full list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 164 bass weighing 355 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 45 boaters Wednesday. The catch included 16 five-bass limits.

Pop Catalin of Cookeville, Tennessee, leads the Strike King Co-angler Division at Cherokee Lake after Day 1 with a five-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce — a massive bag considering the grueling circumstances. Catalin will begin Day 2 of competition on Thursday with a 1-pound, 4-ounce advantage over second-place co-angler Caleb Welch of Boliver, Missouri, who weighed in five bass totaling 10 pounds, 13 ounces on the opening day.

The Top 20 Strike King co-anglers after Day 1 of the All-American on Cherokee Lake are:

1st:         Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 12-1
2nd:       Caleb Welch, Bolivar, Mo., five bass, 10-13
3rd:        Terry Laverack, Martin, S.D., five bass, 9-12
4th:        Matthew Strickland, Portsmouth, Ohio, five bass, 9-8
5th:        Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., four bass, 7-13
6th:        Jody Jones, Harvey, Ark., three bass, 7-8
7th:        Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 7-7
8th:        Justin Parchman, Oologah, Okla., three bass, 7-4
8th:        Stephen Vick, Dandridge, Tenn., four bass, 7-4
10th:      Brian Carroll, Glencoe, Ala., four bass, 7-2
11th:      Dennis Blakely, Norwalk, Ohio, three bass, 6-10
12th:      Zion Dunaway, Campbellsburg, Ind., two bass, 6-5
13th:      Marcus Mann, Benton, Ky., three bass, 6-2
14th:      Colby Elliott, Blairsville, Ga., three bass, 6-1
15th:      Jerry Vitiello, Wayne, N.J., two bass, 5-13
16th:      Larry Elliott, Enoree, S.C., three bass, 5-12
17th:      Philip James, Benton, Ark., two bass, 4-13
18th:      Cody Stokes, Ooltewah, Tenn., two bass, 4-4
19th:      Ashley Klaus, Thomson, Ga., two bass, 4-1
20th:      Kris McCarter, Pheba, Miss., one bass, 4-0

Overall, there were 80 bass weighing 172 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 34 Strike King co-anglers on Wednesday. The catch included 4 five-bass limits.

Anglers will launch Thursday and Friday at 6:30 a.m. ET from the TVA Cherokee Dam Boat Launch, located at 2805 N. Highway 92 in Jefferson City. Weigh-in will be held each day at the boat launch and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and weigh-in events and encouraged to follow the event’s online coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Friday from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

The full field of 49 boaters and 49 Strike King co-anglers compete on Days 1 (Wednesday) and 2 (Thursday) of the event. After two days of competition, the field is cut to just the top 10 boaters and co-anglers, based on two-day total cumulative weight, and the final 10 anglers compete on Championship Friday. The boater and co-angler that catch the heaviest three-day total weight will be crowned the 41st Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Champions.

The 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine was a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advanced to one of six Regional Championships where they competed to finish in the top six, which then advanced them to compete in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

Television coverage of the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will premiere November 16 on CBS Sports. The full television air schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

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, 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.



Summer Bass Fishing: Unlocking the Secrets to Monster Catches

Brian Carter
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Summer Bass Fishing: Unlocking the Secrets to Monster Catches

Summer Bass Fishing: Unlocking the Secrets to Monster Catches

As summer’s warmth blankets the lakes and rivers, the opportunity to tangle with heavyweight bass reaches its annual peak. The fish are actively foraging, their metabolisms operating in overdrive as they pack on the pounds. This presents a prime window for anglers to capitalize on their heightened aggression and possibly land the catch of a lifetime. To truly elevate your summer bass game and consistently fool these hard-fighting leviathans, an intimate knowledge of three specific bait presentations is essential.

The Topwater Tantrum: Enraging Bass with Frogs

There’s perhaps no more electrifying experience than witnessing an enraged bass demolish a topwater frog, often dwarfing the lure’s size. These surface-disturbing baits mimic the splashings and distress signals of amphibians, driving bass into a territorial fury difficult to resist.

For maximum effectiveness, anglers should target areas rife with emergent vegetation like lily pads, cattails, or flooded brush – sanctuaries where bass lie in ambush mode. The presentation is key: twitch the frog erratically, creating a wake and commotion on the surface suggestive of an injured frog struggling to escape. Experiment with cadences ranging from subtle gargles to splashy thrashes, always keeping a watchful eye for that explosive eruption signaling a strike.

Once hooked, brace yourself – big summer bass often green with the power and thrashing energy required to throw the treble hooks. Ensuring a stout rod, braided line, and a durable frog setup is vital for withstanding these blistering battlesand subduing your hard-earned trophy.

The Flipping Fury: Punching Through the Salad

As aquatic vegetation flourishes with summer’s heat, dense mats and layered cover become prime real estate for behemoth bass seeking cool refuge andLow ambush points. To extract these heavyweights, the vertical flipping presentation with compact,Streamlined jigs is essential.

Pitching directly into seemingly impenetrable slop, grass clumps, and laydowns requires finesse and pinpoint accuracy. A compact, weedless jig allows you to pierce the thickest cover and place your offering in the tight quarters where leviathans lurk. The key lies in allowing the jigComplete, horizontal descent before initiating yourswimming retrieve – mirroring the natural flutter of a fleeing baitfish.

Ensure your jig is ballasted properly based on depth and cover density. Too light and it will hang up; tooHeavy and it will plow through without properly presenting. Sensitivity is also critical – a braided mainline paired with a fluorocarbon leader transmits the faintest strike indication when that ambush occurs.

Be prepared for detonation-level strikes and battles similar to the topwater realm. Heavy cover, while concealing your targets, also prevents them from reaching top speeds or employing their usual evasive maneuvers. Steady pressure, perseverance, and diligent rod work will ultimately slide that kicking, writhing prize through the final shooting lane.

The Nighttime Siege: Crankbait Commotion After Dark

For those seeking to avoid the heat (and crowds) of daylight hours, the cooler temperatures and low-light conditions of summer nights offer a unique big bass opportunity with crankbaits. These lures’ vibrations, rattles, and undulating actions allow anglers to effectively prospect larger areas and cover water quickly.

As daylight wanes, predatory bass will cruise and actively hunt, making noisy crankbaits excellent search baits for triggering reactionary strikes. Focus your casts on offshore structure like points, humps, ledges, drop-offs and weedlines – anywhere bass might be staging or patrolling in shallow to mid-depth ranges.

Vary retrieves from steady cranks to ripping burnouts to elicit different vibration/action. Pay special attention when crossing transitions like bottom composition, depth, or cover changes – bass will be keying on these areas for ambushing prey. Also, strike detection becomes paramount in limited visibility; set the hook firmly at any subtle pause, weight transfer, or change in feel.

The low-light environment may inhibit your sight, but it amplifies the bass’s predatory instincts. While catching may require more patience and watercraft management, the rewards of persevering through muggy summer nights could yield your personal best.

Mastering these three summer bass tactics – the commotion of topwater frogs, the intrusion of punching heavy cover with jigs, and the vibrations of nighttime crankbaits – provides a comprehensive arsenal for success. Have confidence and stay persistent in your presentations – the giants are indeed out there, awaiting the perfectly orchestrated offering. Elevate your warm weather bass game, and this summer could etch your name into glory.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Chowan River Set to Host MLF Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Five Presented by WIX Filters

Brian Carter
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Chowan River Set to Host MLF Bass Pro Tour U.S. Air Force Stage Five Presented by WIX Filters

EDENTON, N.C. (May 28, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour, showcasing the top anglers in the sport of professional bass fishing, are set to visit Edenton, North Carolina, and the Chowan River next week, June 4-9, for the fifth regular-season event of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – the U.S. Air Force Stage Five at the Chowan River Presented by WIX Filters.

The six-day tournament, hosted by the Town of Edenton, the Chowan County Tourism Development Authority and Harbor Towns Cruises, will feature a field of 79 professional anglers, including Ott DeFoe, back-to-back Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler , reigning two-time REDCREST Champion Dustin Connell and the 2023 REDCREST Champion. North Carolina’s own  Bryan Thrift. They’ll be 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.

“Visit Edenton is proud to collaborate with Major League Fishing to bring the Bass Pro Tour to our charming historic town,” said Visit Edenton Tourism Director Erienne Mizell. “This partnership underscores our commitment to outdoor recreation and showcases Edenton’s coastal beauty. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable event that highlights our community’s appeal and stimulates local economic growth.”
 
The tournament will feature the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on Discovery.

Pro David Dudley of Lynchburg, Virginia, has had a home near the Chowan River for the past 20 years and said he’s looking forward to a great event.

“The Chowan River is a healthy fishery and has everything in it,” explained Dudley. “It’s a cover-heavy river system, so guys can flip grass, throw around matted duckweed and flip and pitch around cypress trees. There’s a lot of hard cover and a lot of grass.”

While storms and rainy conditions are currently being forecast during the competition, Dudley said that anglers should really pay attention to the wind direction each day and how that will affect the fishery.

“The river fluctuates with the wind, much like a tidal system, and wind direction will play a big role in how high or low the water level gets in the river,” said Dudley. “A hard southwest wind will blow the water out of the sound and lower the water level significantly.”

Dudley said he expects to see topwater baits, frogs, ChatterBaits and flipping to be key throughout the event.

“I think we’ll see fish in every stage of the spawn and there will be a lot of power fishing in this event – not much forward-facing sonar in play,” said Dudley. “I think most of the fish will be caught in 3 foot of water or less. Fishing in a foot of water will be considered deep.”

While the minimum weight requirement is only 1 pound, 8 ounces, Dudley said he expects to see some big fish caught during the event.

“The Chowan River is a great fishery, with some big bass in it,” said Dudley. “I think we’ll see a 7-pounder win the Berkley Big Bass each day and it will probably take 12 scorable bass per day to advance to the next round.”

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Pembroke Creek Park, located at 716 W. Queen Street in Edenton. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at  MajorLeagueFishing.com.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Colonial Waterfront Park, located at 510 S. Broad St. in Edenton, for the MLF Watch Party and Kids Fishing Derby. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel from Pure Fishing each day. Additional fishing gear will be provided onsite for the fishing derby or kids can bring their own. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration on Championship Sunday to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 79 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.

The 40 Anglers in Group A 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.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on the final four days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Five at Lake Eufaula Presented by WIX Filters Knockout Round will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 26 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Nov. 2. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

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, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, 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.



Moving Forward: Building Trust and Integrity in Tournament Bass Fishing

Brian Carter
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Moving Forward: Building Trust and Integrity in Tournament Bass Fishing

Competitive bass fishing has long been a revered tradition, a chance for skilled anglers to test their mettle against nature’s challenges while upholding the highest codes of honor and sportsmanship. However, the very integrity of this pursuit has been deeply shaken by the stunning revelations of widespread cheating at recent tournaments. The egregious actions of competitors like David Moore and Aaron Moreau have sent shockwaves through the tight-knit bass fishing community.

Moore’s deceit involved clandestinely stashing pre-caught fish on hidden stringers, while Moreau resorted to stuffing his catches with lead weights to fraudulently increase their total mass. Such flagrant acts of cheating represent a slap in the face to the thousands who have dedicated their lives to mastering this sport through fair means. More than just bringing individuals’ ethics into question, these scandals risk eroding public faith in tournament fishing as a whole.

The consequences extend far beyond reputational damage. Disillusioned sponsors may pull funding, depriving the sport of vital resources. Meanwhile, many ethical anglers now question whether they can truly compete on a level playing field. Worse still, unscrupulous actions denigrate what bass fishing stands for at its core – respect for nature, sportsmanship, and self-mastery.  

If left unchecked, the cancer of cheating could metastasize to the very heart of the sport, threatening its long-term viability. However, just as a skilled angler knows how to expertly extract a deeply-hooked lure, so too can solutions be found to remove this existential threat. Through concerted action and an unflinching commitment to integrity, bass fishing can emerge from these troubling times as a shining example of fairness and honor in sports.

The path forward requires implementing robust countermeasures while fostering a culture deeply intolerant of cheating in any form. Prior to every weigh-in, comprehensive inspections and screening methods like metal detectors must be employed to identify any attempt at artificially augmenting catches. GPS monitoring systems and discreet cameras can provide an additional layer of oversight, catching dishonest acts in real-time.

Furthermore, those found guilty of violating rules must face severe penalties extending far beyond simple disqualification – heavy fines, permanent bans, and even criminal prosecution can serve as powerful deterrents against future transgressions. Just as importantly, absolute transparency must reign in doling out punishments, clearly demonstrating that dishonor and deceit have severe consequences.  

While technological measures are critical, cultivating an environment actively hostile to cheating is equally vital. All participants – anglers, officials, tournament organizers and fans alike – must remain vigilant to identify and report any violations the moment they occur. Those upholding the highest ethical standards should be celebrated as exemplars, their integrity lauded as the driving force behind bass fishing’s renaissance.

This cultural renaissance must begin at the grassroots level, with comprehensive education initiatives teaching the values of fair play, respect for rules, and admiration of nature’s bounties. By inculcating these ideals in youth and ensuring all understand bass fishing’s higher purpose, a new generation will emerge committed to defending the sport’s sanctity.

The challenges are undoubtedly daunting, but the rewards of restoring integrity extend far beyond mere tournaments and prize purses. By firmly rejecting cheating and reviving a culture of honor, bass fishing can stand as a shining beacon of sporting excellence – where nature’s majesty is matched only by human determination, perseverance, and an inviolable commitment to rules. Each hard-fought catch will carry greater significance, every leaderboard reflecting true, well-earned mastery.

The path forward will demand steadfast vigilance and difficult choices in the short term. However, by remaining united in this common cause, the bass fishing community can overcome this existential threat and enter a new, cheating-free era where integrity and respect reign supreme. When that bright future arrives, the very soul of this beloved sport will be safeguarded for generations to come.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Dusty Hardy & Gunner Bowen Win CATT Santee Cooper, SC Spring Final May 18, 2024

Brian Carter
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Dusty Hardy & Gunner Bowen Win CATT Santee Cooper, SC Spring Final May 18, 2024

We wrapped the Spring Trail and looking forward to the Fall. We will have a Fall schedule soon!

Dusty Hardy & Gunner Bowen win the Santee Cooper Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 29.05 lbs! Add in the BF at 7.19 lbs and they took home $3,150.00!

Chuck Howard & Gary Pope took 2nd with 22.13 lbs!

Billy Willis & Glen Porter 3rd with 21.38 lbs!

Santee Cooper Spring Point Winners Mack Altman & Randall Miller!

eamBFWeightWinnings
Dusty Hardy – Gunner Bowen7.1929.05$3,150.00
Gary Pope – Chuck Howard6.1922.13$1,300.00
Billy Willis – Glen Porter5.7821.38$600.00
Randall Drew – Ryan Drew5.7619.07
Bryan Cook – Steve Harmon4.7919.00
Robert Clarke0.0017.82
Brent Riley – Nathan Burgess4.6716.92
David Malin – Robby Sacora5.1016.70
Kenny Drew – Butch Drew6.5416.12
James Gibbons – Jonathan Sutton0.0015.17
Freddie Gibbs – Clark Gibbs0.0014.01
Mark Hutson – Michael Hutson0.0013.85
Jared Thompson3.9713.59
Will Timmons0.0012.61
Max Terry – Jamie Glascock0.0011.66
Steve Borton6.1610.10
Mack Altman – Randall Miller0.007.53
Don Pendarvis – Bobby Gibbs0.000.00



Marshall Sasser & George Gore Win CATT Waccamaw River, SC May 18, 2024

Brian Carter
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Marshall Sasser & George Gore Win CATT Waccamaw River, SC May 18, 2024

Next Waccamaw River CATT Summer Qualifier is June 15th at Bucksport!

Waccamaw River Phantom Outdoors Open is July 27th at Bucksport!

Tap on the link to view!

2024 Phantom Outdoors Open Series – Carolina Anglers Team Trail (cattteamtrail.com)

Marshall Sasser & George Gore win the Waccamaw River with 5 bass weighing 16.06 lbs!

John Proctor & Jacob Barfield 2nd with 12.39 lbs!

Chris Jones & Ed Owens  3rd 11.48 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Marshall Sasser & George Gore6.8316.06$1,260.00110
John Proctor & Jacob Barfield5.7112.39$785.00109
Chris Jones & Ed Owens3.7711.48$280.00108
Brian Howard & Chase Marshall2.919.60$120.00107
Jonathan Hammond & Hagan Garrison2.539.45106
Marion Humphrey2.018.49105
Jason Smith & Timmy Williamson2.308.35104
Keith & Rex Coker2.518.22103
Jess White & Scott Lewis2.077.72102
Trey Cribb & Dylan McConnell1.807.43101
Jamie Godbolt & Garrett Tyler0.007.41100
Timmy & River Squiers0.007.2799
Noah Jones & John Parker0.006.8498
Robbie Bynum & Eric Cox0.006.8397
John & Gene Miller0.006.7496
Chuck & Walker Roger0.006.4895
Steve & Jacob Martin0.005.8594
Donnie Register0.005.2193
Jamon Carroll & David Wilder0.000.0083
Danny Martin & Colby Calhoun0.000.0083
Terry Cartett0.000.0083
James & William Odom0.000.0083
Total Entrys$2,640.00
BONUS $$250.00
Total Paid At Ramp$2,445.00
CATT$50.00
2024 Waccamaw Summer Final Fund$345.00
2024 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2024 Waccamaw Summer Fund Total$385.00



The Bass Fishing Scandal: Aaron Moreau’s Catch of Lies

Brian Carter
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The Bass Fishing Scandal: Aaron Moreau’s Catch of Lies

The Bass Fishing Scandal: Aaron Moreau’s Catch of Lies

Photos Courtesy of Louisianians Game & Fish

Recently, the world of bass fishing was rocked by a scandal that highlighted the lengths some people will go to in order to win. On May 17, during the Big Bass Splash tournament at Toledo Bend, Aaron Moreau, a 38-year-old fisherman from Pollock, Louisiana, attempted to cheat by adding 2.59 pounds of lead weights to his fish. This shocking incident has prompted many to question why people cheat and what can be done to prevent this deception in future tournaments.

The Incident: Cheating with Lead Weights

The tournament directors first noticed something suspicious when Moreau turned in his catch for weigh-in. Upon closer examination, it was found that his fish contained lead weights, significantly increasing its weight. A quick call to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) confirmed the use of the weights. When officials arrived, Moreau fled the scene, but he couldn’t evade justice for long. On May 23, he turned himself in and was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center. If convicted of fishing contest fraud, Moreau could face up to a $3,000 fine and one year in jail.

The Motivations Behind Cheating

Why do people cheat in the first place? In competitive sports, prizes, money, and fame can drive people to unethical behavior. In fishing tournaments, the rewards can include substantial cash prizes and sponsorships, making the stakes high. Some may feel immense pressure to win and believe that cheating is the only way to achieve success. Unfortunately, this drive can lead to unethical decisions like Moreau’s.

The Future of Tournament Integrity

So, how can tournament directors prevent cheating in the future? Here are some ideas to protect the integrity of these competitions:

  1. Rigorous Inspections: Before the weigh-in, fish should be thoroughly inspected for any signs of tampering. This could include the use of metal detectors to find hidden weights.
  2. Transparency and Technology: Utilizing cameras and other recording devices during the tournament can help ensure fair play. Equipping boats with GPS can also provide real-time monitoring of anglers’ activities.
  3. Stricter Consequences: Increasing the penalties for cheating can serve as a deterrent. If the potential punishment outweighs the benefits of cheating, individuals may think twice before attempting to deceive.
  4. Education and Awareness: Educating participants about the rules and the importance of fair play can foster a culture of honesty. Competitors who understand the value of integrity are less likely to try cheating.

Conclusion

The case of Aaron Moreau and his weighted fish serves as a reminder of the dark side of competitive sports. While the temptation to cheat may always exist, tournament officials must stay vigilant and employ strategies to minimize these occurrences. By promoting fairness and integrity, we can ensure that the spirit of competition remains untainted for future generations of anglers. The desire to win should never overshadow the importance of playing fair. Let’s work together to keep the sport of bass fishing honest and enjoyable for everyone.



Caught in the Act: How One Fisherman’s Cheating Scandal is Rocking the Bass Fishing World!

Brian Carter
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Caught in the Act: How One Fisherman’s Cheating Scandal is Rocking the Bass Fishing World!

Fishing has always been seen as a peaceful and honest sport. It’s a great way to connect with nature, spend time with family and friends, and maybe even catch some dinner. But recently, the sport of bass fishing has been facing a big problem: cheating. The latest incident of cheating in a bass fishing tournament has many wondering how much more the sport can take.

Earlier this month, David Moore from St. John’s, Indiana, was caught cheating in a bass fishing tournament in Chicago. Moore used some sneaky tactics to try to win the tournament. He hid fish on a stringer in the Calumet River, a place where fishing was not allowed before the tournament. On the morning of the competition, he retrieved these fish and put them in his boat’s live well. He even imported fish from another state without the necessary permit, which could spread harmful fish diseases. If Moore hadn’t been caught, he would have unfairly won the top prize of $1,300.

This isn’t the first time cheating has rocked the fishing world. Over the years, there have been many incidents where people have tried to bend or break the rules to win. Some have stuffed fish with weights to make them heavier. Others have caught fish outside the designated tournament waters, which is strictly against the rules.

Cheating not only tarnishes the reputation of the sport, but it also takes away from the honest and hardworking anglers who play by the rules. These fishermen spend hours practicing, scouting locations, and perfecting their techniques. When someone cheats, it undermines all their hard work.

So, why do people cheat in fishing tournaments? Some do it for the money. Prizes in big tournaments can be very tempting. Others do it for the fame and recognition that come with winning. In some cases, cheaters simply think they can get away with it because they believe there are not enough checks and balances in place.

But the consequences of cheating can be severe. In Moore’s case, he faces multiple criminal charges, including theft and wasting natural resources. These are serious offenses that could lead to hefty fines and even jail time.

The fishing community needs to come together to combat this problem. Tournament organizers should increase surveillance and adopt stricter rules to make it harder for cheaters to get away with their schemes. Anglers should also be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, say something. It’s up to all of us to protect the integrity of the sport we love.

We should also remember the importance of ethical behavior in life, both on and off the water. Fishing should be about the joy of the sport, not just winning a prize. Let’s teach younger generations the value of honesty, fair play, and respect for nature.

In the end, cheating hurts everyone involved and damages the sport we all cherish. Let’s work together to make sure the waters we fish in remain fair and honorable. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, we all have a part to play in keeping the spirit of fishing alive and well.

If you ever witness any illegal activity in the fishing world, don’t hesitate to report it. You can complete the Target Illinois Poachers (TIP) incident reporting form or call 877-2DNRLAW.

Fishing is more than just catching fish; it’s about respect – respect for the rules, respect for the fish, and respect for each other. Let’s hold on to that respect and ensure that the sport of bass fishing remains free from cheating.



Lee Leads Wire-to-Wire to Win MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters 2024 Presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Brian Carter
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Lee Leads Wire-to-Wire to Win MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters 2024 Presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Alabama pro earns third MLF Bass Pro Tour win on fishery and earns $100,000 top prize, Kevin VanDam catches 7-12 largemouth to win $100,000 Big Bass award

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 23, 2024) – The first time Abu Garcia pro Jordan Lee of Cullman, Alabama, ever tasted tournament victory, competing on Lake Guntersville at age 17, he earned the win throwing a topwater frog. Ever since, he’s continued to hone his skills with his favorite technique, waiting for a chance to show them off on the national stage.

When he finally got the chance at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lee made sure to take advantage.

Lee caught each of his seven scorable bass during Thursday’s Championship Round and nearly all his weight throughout the event walking a Berkley Swamp Lord over matted hydrilla on Lake Toho. His 27-pound, 14-ounce final-day total proved just enough to clinch a second Heavy Hitters championship belt.

Link to Photo Gallery of Championship Round Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights from Championship Round of Heavy Hitters on the Kissimmee Chain

Lee entered this week as the clear favorite thanks to his two prior wins on the Kissimmee Chain in Bass Pro Tour competition, including the inaugural Heavy Hitters event in June 2020. And for much of the event, he made it look easy. He led Group B through both days of qualifying, stacking more than 60 pounds on SCORETRACKER® during a Day 1 he called “insane,” then won the Knockout Round.

Come Championship Thursday, though, his fish proved far less cooperative. Whether due to five days of fishing pressure, the variable minimum weight increasing to 3 pounds or the calm, blue-sky conditions that greeted the Top 10, the entire field had to grind for bites, Lee included. It took him two hours to book his first scorable bass.

But, leaning on the hundreds of hours he’s spent frogging mats on Guntersville through the years, the Alabama native eventually figured out which tricks to try to generate just enough bites. He crawled his frog painfully slowly, especially when he knew he was around active fish. He also doctored one frog, removing the silicone strand legs and replacing them with super-glued jig rattles, saying the added noise helps attract bass through the thicker slop.

Most important was knowing where to look amid a sea of hydrilla. Lee learned during practice that he could get more bites through bigger mats than small, matted clumps. From there, he covered water to identify which areas were better than others, using the extra practice time he earned during the Qualifying Round to expand his list of waypoints. That proved vital, as Lee said certain mats stopped producing during the course of the event due to fishing pressure and boat traffic.

“They had to be hollow underneath, … and where you had that kind of cheese,” Lee explained. “They weren’t way out on the outside where there was isolated clumps. I was looking for the bigger mats in areas where they just looked fresh almost, and I was looking for blowholes, where fish come up, blowing through the mat.

“It’s Guntersville 101. I do this every fall since I was 16, the exact fishing that I did this week. It was no different. The grass was the same, and it was just awesome because of how identical it fishes to there.” 

Lee used beefed-up tackle to throw his Swamp Lords, which he believes was key. He primarily wielded a Jordan Lee signature series 7-6 heavy rod from Abu Garcia — designed to be a flipping stick — instead of his usual, 7-3 frog rod. He also turned to a 7-9 punching rod in the thickest mats, spooling both with 50-pound Berkley X5 braid. The heavier rods gave him more power to winch bass out of the thick grass.

“I didn’t want to mess up the mats,” Lee said. “That’s kind of what I’ve learned about going in and getting them, you ruin a place, and then you’ve got to drag them out. You can catch a fish right there in the same hole that you’ve caught one before, and that happened a ton this week where you’d find them just packed in out of the same spot.”

Lee bounced from spot to spot Thursday morning before landing on a mat that produced a three-fish flurry in the final half four of Period 1, giving him the lead. He extended his advantage with two more scorable bass around noon.

Then, his bite went dormant. Lee went more than two hours without adding to his total. During that time, several anglers crept within one scorable bass of his lead, and Poche eventually passed him with a little more than 90 minutes left in the competition day.

Lee didn’t panic, though. He returned to one of the mats he’d fished early in the morning. While he didn’t get any bites there initially, he’d noticed that it didn’t show signs of fishing pressure. The decision proved to be worth $100,000.

“I thought there was some fish around there,” Lee said. “I had some bites throughout the week right there. But I just decided that was really my only other place I thought wasn’t getting a lot of fishing pressure.”

While Lee lifting a trophy (or, in this case, a belt) has become a common sight at the highest level of tournament fishing, he’ll remember this win for how he pulled it off.

“I’m really just blown away how good it was to me this week, catching them one of my favorite ways, fishing this heavy hydrilla,” Lee said. “I grew up fishing like this. I was really comfortable when I found this bite. And it was just a special bite. It got tougher as the week went on, but I stayed patient, and man, it was just awesome.”

The top 10 pros at the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2024 Presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Kissimmee Chain finished:

1st:        Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., seven bass, 27-14, $110,000
2nd:       Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., five bass, 23-10, $25,000
3rd:       Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., five bass, 19-4, $20,000
4th:        Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., four bass, 18-14, $118,000
5th:        Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 12-5, $20,000
6th:        Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., two bass, 8-7, $44,500
7th:        Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, two bass, 8-1, $13,500
8th:        Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., one bass, 7-0, $17,500
9th:        Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, two bass, 6-12, $11,000
10th:     Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, zero bass, 0-0, $8,000

Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 31 scorable bass weighing 132 pounds, 3 ounces caught by the final 10 pros in Thursday’s Championship Round. A bass had to weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable in the Championship Round.

The six-day General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes was hosted by Experience Kissimmee and showcased the top 30 pros that qualified via the Bass Pro Tour competing in a no-entry fee tournament for massive daily Big Bass Bonuses and a payout of $100,000 to the winner.

The 15 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day qualifying round on Saturday and Monday – the 15 anglers in Group B on Sunday and Tuesday. After each two-day qualifying round was complete, the top eight anglers from both groups advanced to Wednesday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round weights were zeroed, and the remaining 16 anglers competed to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Thursday’s final-day Championship Round, weights were zeroed, and the highest one-day total won the top prize of $100,000.


Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2024 Presented by Bass Pro Shops will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Aug. 10 and running each Saturday through Sept. 14 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of General Tire Heavy Hitters 2024 Presented by Bass Pro Shops at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, REDCON1, Star brite, Toyota, U.S. Air Force and YETI.

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.



Living in the Gray: Is It Something New? by Bruce Callis Jr

Bruce Callis
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Living in the Gray: Is It Something New? by Bruce Callis Jr

Living in the Gray:
Is It Something New?
by Bruce Callis Jr

There has always been that thin line between the black and white of the rules in bass fishing. To win, anglers will sometimes step into that area. And with it comes changes to the rules. And there are plenty of rules known by the angler that produced the change. Bill Lowen has one. It cost him dearly before this rule change too.


In the heat of the moment, we can do something we didn’t mean to do. Accidentally having 6 fish in the livewell is one. The rules say you can’t make a cast with 6 in the livewell. It was supposed to be you had to call the tournament director before removing the 6th bass, the largest. Bill Lowen had 6, made a cast, culled out a bass, but the moment he did, he remembered he missed a step. He made the call immediately afterwards and unfortunately that cost him the whole days’ catch. Now, after the rule was changed, it is a 2 pound penalty and you keep going.


But how far into the gray are some anglers willing to go. One rule that has changed this year is about off limits on information on the fisheries that the Elite Anglers will fish once the schedule is released. Prior to the change that was just made, the EQ Anglers fishing the Opens could legally get information up until they officially made the Elites. This meant that if you were leading and had it wrapped up for the invite, but had not officially won it yet, you could get information on anywhere the Elite Anglers are scheduled to fish the following year. Now the rule states that EQ Anglers must live by the same rules.


But how thin a line are some anglers willing to live, how hard are they willing to push it. Some anglers probably won’t get close to the gray, while some others will skirt the edge of the gray, and then you will have that one who lives to push it to the limit every time on the water. The drive to be the best, the drive to stay on the Elite series, the drive to win will always be the reason some will do it.


The Elite Angler has a big rule book they are supposed to read and know. Every tournament there are specific rules for that body of water. And the angler is supposed to know them. These are rules that are gone over in their meeting for that tournament. One of the most important rules in the book is that if you see someone breaking a rule, you must report it. If you don’t, you could be disqualified yourself. Do they like the rule, I would venture to say not at all. Why? Who enjoys calling out a friend, a family member, on something they did? But it is the rule and they must do it. We might call them a snitch, but in reality, most times they will go to the angler and let them know that they need to report it themselves. At that point, they put it in their hands to do the right thing. They will still need to check to see if they did and if not, report it themselves.

To me, when a competitor angler goes to the angler who they saw break a rule, they are saying to them, please go report it so I don’t have to be the bad guy. They are telling them that they care about the sport and while they don’t like the rule, they have to live by them. And if they don’t go, they will have to do it. They are giving them the opportunity to right the wrong!


I listened to Bill Lowen on Zaldangerous Podcast about the rules and the gray area. I also heard him speak about the hot topic of FFS, Forward Facing Sonar and his take on it. We have rules on sight fishing, and that when you catch a bass it has to be hooked inside the mouth. I had not thought about it, but he said that when you are using FFS and catching bass you are seeing, shouldn’t it fall under the same rule of being hooked only inside the mouth? If it isn’t, then you must release it immediately?


I also listen to Ike Live with Mike Iaconelli and his guest Kevin VanDam talk about FFS. Kevin said that like any other sport, there are always going to be changes made. And like NASCAR, there will be changes that are made to keep the sport more competitive. You can not regulate ability or knowledge, but you can regulate things like horsepower, electronics, etc.


I have also hear from John Crews on FFS. He came up with an idea of limiting it’s use. Of course, this would be getting the companies to come up with the programming to have a tournament mode that would have a clock that shuts it off when the prescribed time limit hits. Some interesting thoughts from everyone on the idea of FFS and it’s use. I see advantages of it, but as a fan, I hate seeing someone ride around looking down at the screen and not making a cast until they see a fish. We need to find a happy medium that will work to help the sport we love still grow. It isn’t about the young versus the old, but it is about keeping the sport even and competitive while keeping the fan base growing.


We will have to see where the leagues will go this off season, or before. Changes will come, some will be happy, some won’t, but hopefully it keeps it real for the fans. Hopefully the gray area between black and white, the right and wrong of the rules will be ironed out so the line, the gray area, is even smaller. Stay tuned for the breaking news!



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