The dude is a hammer that is all we have to say.
Wheeler finishes 10th in Qualifying Round to clinch third Angler of the Year title in four years, Thrift throws jig to pace top 10 anglers advancing to Saturday’s Knockout Round
MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2024) – Even the remnants of Hurricane Debby drenching the St. Lawrence River couldn’t extinguish the red-hot fishing Friday at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Minn Kota Stage Seven Presented by Humminbird.
The 39 anglers finishing out Group B’s Qualifying Round on Friday consistently caught fish throughout the day, led by Shelby, North Carolina angler Bryan Thrift, who totaled 31 bass for 91 pounds, 6 ounces for a total of 160-3 over two days. Thrift ended the round just 4 ounces ahead of a hard charging Josh Bertrand, who wound up with 159-15.
The big winner of the day was the 10th place finisher, Harrison, Tennessee, pro Jacob Wheeler, who clinched the 2024 Fishing Clash Angler of the Year honors and the $100,000 payout – Wheeler’s third AOY title in the last four years.
In addition to the battle for the top of the group and the Angler of the Year title, there was plenty of movement on SCORETRACKER® throughout the day. Still, only two anglers below 10th place at the start of the day will advance to the Knockout Round – and both made big jumps as Covington, Georgia, pro Jared Lintner (14th to fourth) and pro Mark Daniels, Jr., of Tuskegee, Alabama, (17th to eighth) replaced Skeet Reese and Fletcher Shryock.
Link to HD Video – Fish-Catch Highlights of Group B Qualifying Round Day 2 on the St. Lawrence River
Link to Photo Gallery of Group B’s Day 2 Qualifying Round Highlights
Thrift was firmly ahead of Group B for much of the day until Bertrand made a run and briefly passed him in the final 10 minutes. Thrift immediately added a 3-3 to take the lead for good. The North Carolina pro caught fish early and remained in control of the lead most of the day by fishing his strengths – using baitcast gear and a jig that he designed.
While other baits caught a few late fish for Thrift, a 1/2—and 3/4-ounce green pumpkin yellow Fitzgerald Fishing Bryan Thrift tungsten micro jig was his primary weapon, helping him land nearly 60 pounds in the first period alone.
“The day started really good, catching 50-something pounds,” Thrift said. “That allowed me to start looking for new areas, and I spent most of the day just fishing around. I looked for new stuff and went shallow to places I hadn’t fished all week.”
While he caught a handful of fish on new areas in the late afternoon, Thrift is all in on a particular stretch of the massive river.
“That’s where I’ve caught most of my fish on both days,” he said of his location. “I have no idea if that’ll be good enough and don’t know what the changing weather will do to them. I don’t expect them to bite as well as they did today.”
Ever the one to downplay his success, Thrift believes it will take big weights to make the Championship Round and thinks he’ll need everything to line up for him to advance.
“I have to think it will take 60, 70 pounds to move on,” he said. “I have that one main area, but don’t have a lot of other stuff that’s real good.”
The top 10 pros in Group B that now advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round on the St. Lawrence River are:
1st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 56 bass, 160-3
2nd: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., 51 bass, 159-15
3rd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 45 bass, 147-5
4th: Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 50 bass, 143-9
5th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 48 bass, 137-11
6th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 41 bass, 137-8
7th: Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 42 bass, 136-6
8th: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 45 bass, 132-8
9th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., 45 bass, 128-6
10th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 45 bass, 123-3
Eliminated from competition are:
11th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 37 bass, 111-8
12th: Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn., 34 bass, 109-13
13th: Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala., 40 bass, 108-15
14th: Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 35 bass, 105-1
15th: Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., 32 bass, 104-8
16th: John Murray, Spring City, Tenn., 34 bass, 102-13
17th: Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 37 bass, 101-13
18th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 33 bass, 95-12
19th: Shinichi Fukae, Osaka, Japan, 31 bass, 95-6
20th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 32 bass, 95-0
21st: Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., 30 bass, 94-9
22nd: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., 33 bass, 91-9
23rd: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 28 bass, 86-3
24th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 31 bass, 85-2
25th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 28 bass, 82-11
26th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 27 bass, 82-1
27th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 26 bass, 80-6
28th: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 25 bass, 78-10
29th: Matt Lee, Guntersville, Ala., 25 bass, 74-1
30th: Alton Jones, Sr., Lorena, Texas, 24 bass, 73-7
31st: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 24 bass, 71-11
32nd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 23 bass, 69-10
33rd: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., 23 bass, 64-9
34th: Jacopo Gallelli, Florence, Italy, 19 bass, 62-0
35th: David Walker, Huntingdon, Tenn., 22 bass, 60-11
36th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., 17 bass, 50-8
37th: Gerald Spoher, Gonzales, La., 16 bass, 49-8
38th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 13 bass, 37-15
39th: Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 11 bass, 35-8
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 666 scorable bass weighing 2,004 pounds, 4 ounces caught by the 39 pros on Friday.
The Day 4 $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award went to pro John Murray of Spring City, Tennessee, who caught a 5-pound, 15-ounce largemouth bass with just nine minutes remaining in Period 3 to earn the award. It was the second largemouth bass to win the daily award this week. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
The six-day tournament, hosted by the Town of Massena, showcases 78 of the best professional anglers in the world competing for a purse of more than $805,000, with a top prize of $100,000 going to the winner.
The 39 Anglers in Group A competed in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 39 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. Now that each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers that finished first through 10th from both groups now 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.
Anglers will depart at 6:45 a.m. ET each day from the Massena Intake Boat Launch, located at 1415 State Highway 131 in Massena. Anglers are allowed to trailer to any ramp of their choosing within the fishing boundaries, and competition will begin on the water at 7:30 a.m. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at Massena Intake Boat Launch, 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 .
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live starting Thursday morning from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.
On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit the Massena Intake Boat Launch for the MLF Watch Party. 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. Live music will begin each day at 4 p.m. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel from Pure Fishing each day. 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 Minn Kota Stage Seven at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Humminbird features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2024 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship, set for April 3-6, 2025, on Lake Guntersville in Huntsville, Alabama.
Fishing Clash, an interactive 3D fishing simulation game that’s played by more than 80 million people worldwide, is the official AOY sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series and Phoenix Bass Fishing League. You can download Fishing Clash for free in the App Store and on Google Play or log on to www.fishingclash.game for more information.
Television coverage of the Minn Kota Stage Seven at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Humminbird will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 16 on Discovery. 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, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, WIX Filters and U.S. Air Force.
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.
If you would like to be a part of our giveaways please email me today at Media@thebasscast.com
Thank You
Brian Carter
Tired of dealing with grass and weeds in your private lake? You’re not alone! Many lakefront property owners struggle with maintaining a clean, enjoyable waterfront. Here are some practical tips for removing grass from your private lake, ensuring a beautiful and usable space.
The first step in removing grass from your private lake is to identify the type of vegetation you’re dealing with. Different plants require different removal methods. Take some close-up photos and consult with local experts or online forums to determine the best approach for your specific situation.
Manual removal is a straightforward but labor-intensive method. Here are some tools and techniques to help you:
. Lake Rakes: After cutting the weeds, use a lake rake to gather and remove the debris from the water. This prevents the cut weeds from settling and regrowing.
Herbicides can be an effective way to control lake weeds and grass, especially for larger infestations. However, they come with drawbacks such as potential toxicity and environmental impact. Always choose EPA-registered herbicides and follow the application instructions carefully.
Lake weed control mats are a great option for small areas like private beaches and around docks. These mats block sunlight, preventing weeds from growing. They are eco-friendly and do not harm fish or other aquatic life. However, they need to be cleaned annually to remain effective.
Hydro-raking is a mechanical method that involves using a floating barge equipped with a backhoe to remove weeds and their root systems from the lake bottom. This method is particularly effective for submersed weeds and helps restore the depth and volume of the waterbody.
Grass carp are a biological control method. These fish feed on certain types of aquatic vegetation, helping to keep the weed population in check. However, they can be invasive and may not be suitable for all lakes.
Sediment agitation involves using a weed roller or similar device to disturb the lake bottom, preventing weeds from taking root. This method can be effective but may create plant fragments that can lead to new growth.
To keep your lake grass-free in the long term, consider these preventive measures:
Removing grass from your private lake can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and techniques, you can maintain a beautiful and enjoyable waterfront. Whether you choose manual removal, herbicides, or mechanical methods, the key is to stay consistent with your efforts. Happy fishing and enjoy your pristine lake! Got any more tips or stories about dealing with lake grass? Share them with us!
Hope everyone is doing great this summer. It’s time for my July fishing recap. To reiterate the purpose of this series, it is for newer anglers regardless of age. Applying the information in this article will help ensure your next trip on the water will be a success.
Between tournaments and guide trips, fishing has either been one extreme or the other. Very good or very bad. Most of my fishing in the northeast has been on lakes with the exception of one event on the St. Lawrence River. With SLR being its own animal I’ll focus more on the lake fishing in this recap.
With July being post spawn for the majority of the country, I found myself targeting fish that recently spawned. This does two things, provides target access to bigger females who may have been feeding up as well as males guarding fry which can produce a quick limit. Now you are not going to necessarily be beating the bank here, focus on staying in depths of 12ft or less. In most lakes at 12ft you’re within casting distance of docks but also close to deep water. Mileage may vary depending on the lake but these break points in depths are typically where I’ve found the bigger bites. If there are main lake points outside of spawning areas even better. This year has definitely been weird for grass. Some lakes the grass was higher than it usually is for July and some very little. Look for quality grass like milfoil and hydrilla especially with rocks mixed in. Also keep an eye out for bluegill beds. If you’re targeting largemouth post spawn and see bluegill beds around you’re in the right place.
I focused my attention on 4 techniques in these areas but 1 shined the most.
Bladed Jig
I typically start with 3/8oz and go up if necessary to 1/2oz. My go to color this time of year is bluegill for obvious reasons. For a trailer I keep it simple and use a matching color swimbait. Depending on the depths of the weeds I like to cast parallel to the bank and slowly retrieve so I’m clipping the tops of the grass and breaking it free. Depending on how steep the drop off is you could also cast 45° covering from shallow to deep. Typically bites come when you erratically rip the bait free from the grass. I’ll start on the outter most edge of the grass and work my way in until the bass give away their location. This is a great way to cover a lot of water fast for both smallmouth and largemouth.
Recommended equipment: 7’-7’3” H fast action rod, 7:1 speed reel, 20lb fluorocarbon.
Spinnerbait
If the wind is blowing I will opt for the spinnerbait over the bladed jig. Wind will typically stir up the bait fish which typically makes the bass more active. I will 99% of the time start with a 1/2oz mainly because the blades give the bait some lift in the water column during retrieve. For color I keep it simple again with a white and chartreuse skirt and a double willow leaf blade combination which is a staple across the country, for good reason. Apply the same location and method as you would a bladed jig. Keep in mind the shallower you go and the more wind your area is getting don’t be afraid to retrieve this bait FAST! You’ll be surprised how fast these bass really are.
Recommended equipment: 6’10”-7’3” MH fast action rod, 6:1 speed reel, 15-20lb fluorocarbon.
Drop Shot
I would like to believe that more tournaments have been won on the drop shot over the years than any other bait. It simply produces! Focusing on deeper weed edges I start with a 3/16oz weight. For bait any small worm or baitfish imitation in green pumpkin will work great for this presentation. Sparser grass you will want to nose hook the bait with your favorite drop shot hook. Texas rigging it with a larger #2 hook with a keeper works great when the grass is thicker or even fishing around docks. For distance between weight and hook I usually keep it in the 12-18” range. Drop shot is considered a finesse technique but you don’t have to fish it like one. When fishing grass, dock pilings, docks, rock piles, etc. you can really cover a lot of water quickly if you treat it like flipping. You really don’t have to let it sit in one position very long. They are either going to eat it or not. You’ll know pretty quick once you start catching em shortly after you hit bottom.
Recommended equipment: 7’ ML fast action rod, 6:1 speed reel, 8lb braid to 6-8lb fluorocarbonz
Jig
For whatever reason this year I’ve been having the most success on a traditional jig, black and blue in 3/8oz. I do use my own which you could check out if you’d like at www.davemillerfishing.com/shop/. For a trailer I’ve been using a matching black and blue craw imitation, one that has little to no action. Using a trailer that doesn’t have a lot of action and appendages allows two things, faster fall rate with a standard profile as well as that it comes through grass better. The majority of bites I’ve had have been on the initial fall. If I did not get bit on the fall the first couple movements would produce a strike. When fishing the jig I would focus more on the rockier parts of my post spawn areas. If you’ve found fish in a specific area on the moving baits and you go back a few days later to fish again but they won’t hit the moving baits the jig is a great way to slow down and really pick apart the area.
Recommended equipment: 7’7’3” H fast action rod, 7:1 speed reel, 20lb fluorocarbon.
I know to a lot of new anglers the jig is intimidating. If you want to get good at fishing a jig, leave all of your rods home for a few trips and only bring the jig rod. Force yourself to use it! I cannot emphasize this enough. Some of the biggest bass I’ve ever caught were bites you don’t feel. Where the bass just picks it up and sits there and you lose that feel of the bottom. Mmm mmm mmm. Once you experience those type of bites and lay into em with a solid hook set your love for fishing will change forever.
Thanks for stopping by. See you guys next month for my August recap. If you would like to follow me on the tournament trail or inquire on guide trips be sure to check out my website www.davemillerfishing.com. As always shout to The Bass Cast for having me!
Tight Lines!
Day 2 of the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain has been postponed due to high winds and the possibility of severe weather.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
Aug. 9, 2024
B.A.S.S. postpones Day 2 of Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — After consulting with the National Weather Service, B.A.S.S. officials are postponing Day 2 of competition at the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain due to high winds and the possibility of severe weather.
The National Weather Service predicts 15 to 25 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 30 mph early in the day increasing to gusts of up to 50 mph as the day progresses.
The full field of anglers will now compete on Saturday, with the Top 50 competing Sunday and the Top 10 advancing to Championship Monday. Lake Champlain is off limits today.
The full field will launch from the Plattsburgh City Dock beginning at 7 a.m. ET Saturday and return for weigh-in at 3 p.m.
The Adirondack Coast and City of Plattsburgh are hosting the tournament.
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC