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Saturday, December 13, 2025
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Fortified Equity Acquires AVID

Brian Carter
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Fortified Equity Acquires AVID

Fortified Equity has announced its acquisition of AVID, the Florida-based performance lifestyle brand rooted in fishing, hunting, and outdoor adventure.

Alongside the acquisition, Pete Angle has been named Chief Executive Officer, bringing a fresh vision to expand the brand’s presence in the outdoor and fashion markets. Angle has been consulting as Interim President of AVID for the past two years, guiding the brand through a pivotal period of transition, growth, and positioning it for its next stage of expansion.

“AVID was built on a passion for life from coast to camp, and that authenticity is what makes the brand so special,” said Angle. “Our vision is to elevate AVID as both a performance leader and a lifestyle statement, delivering innovative gear that excels in the outdoors while connecting with a broader audience that shares our love for adventure. With the support of Fortified Equity, we’re ready to take AVID into its next great chapter.”

Angle, a seasoned executive in the apparel and sporting goods industries, has led growth and brand strategy for leading outdoor and lifestyle companies. At AVID, he will focus on advancing the brand’s design innovation and deepening its connection with a growing community of enthusiasts who demand gear that performs.

Founded with a passion for life from coast to camp, AVID has earned a reputation for designing premium apparel that blends performance, comfort, and an authentic outdoor style. With the support of Fortified Equity, the brand is poised to broaden its reach through new product launches, expanded retail partnerships, and a robust marketing presence.

“AVID sits at the unique intersection of performance and lifestyle, bringing authenticity from the outdoors into a brand that resonates far beyond the water or woods. We believe AVID has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential, and with Pete’s leadership, the brand is positioned to grow into a household name for those who live and love the outdoor lifestyle,” says Ashley Martin, a founding Fortified partner.

“What drew us to AVID is the strength of its community and the authenticity behind the brand. This is more than apparel; it’s a way of life for people who value time outdoors with friends and family. We see tremendous opportunity to honor that foundation while helping AVID scale its reach and impact globally.”  Allen Mescher.

About Fortified Equity

Fortified Equity is a family office investment firm targeting small to mid-sized investment opportunities, providing founders and owners with tailored exit capital solutions. The firm, founded by Allen Mescher and Ashley Martin, partners with exceptional management teams and injects hands-on operational expertise to ensure sustained growth and value creation.

About AVID

AVID creates premium sportswear for life on the water and in the field. With an unwavering passion for the outdoors, the brand blends innovation, authenticity, and performance to craft gear that meets the needs of sportsmen and women wherever their passion takes them.





Hank Cherry Joins SEVIIN Reels Team

Brian Carter
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Hank Cherry Joins SEVIIN Reels Team

Widely known and rightly revered for his back-to-back Bassmaster Classic wins in 2020 and 2021, there’s a lot more to this quiet force than most bass fans know.

To most, he reads like a slicked-off lake on a late-summer evening, even as complexities churn and play out within the strata below.

Some are aware that Hank Cherry is a former high-level baseball player who almost went pro. Others may have read that he fished his first bass tournament out of a pontoon boat or remember that he was Bassmaster Rookie of the Year in 2013 and came very close to winning the Classic that year, too.

But the depth of the 51-year-old Bassmaster Elite and National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) angler from Lincolnton, North Carolina is far greater than the sum of his headlines and accomplishments.

Off the water, Hank Cherry is an ardent advocate for our US military veterans and our nation’s first responders. He’s also a family man with a loving and supportive wife, Jaclyn, and two athletic, teenage kids, Bella Grace and Christian. On the water, he’s a fierce competitor who always digs deep. Though he rarely talks about it, Cherry has been battling serious elbow and wrist injuries for the past couple of seasons.

Despite the pain and physical challenges, Cherry is currently 14th in the 2025 NPFL Progressive Angler of the Year points race after five stops – an enviable position given the caliber of competition he faces in the upstart NPFL.

Six Questions with Hank Cherry

https://e6197e1c281c7eb4840190a5112e59e8.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html

Q1 – What are your favorite things to do when you aren’t fishing on tour?

Cherry – You know for me it’s about spending time with my family because I’m away so much when I’m fishing. I like traveling with my son, Christian, and watching him compete in national baseball tournaments. I enjoy going to football games and watching my daughter, Bella Grace, cheer. I also love spending time in the woods. Jaclyn and I both love to hunt. That’s where my serenity and recharge take place – in the deer stand. Not always harvesting or killing, but just sitting, watching, spending time, and experiencing nature with my wife.

Q2 –  What would you say is your greatest strength as an angler?

Cherry – I think my biggest strength is that I kind of fish different than everybody else. I like covering the water that doesn’t seem quite as fishy. I’ll always do what I need to but feel I’m at my best throwing a jig or a jerkbait. This whole game has become more open-water oriented with the advent of forward-facing sonar, but I prefer to achieve my goals by sticking close to structure, especially because so many people seem to leave the banks alone these days.

Q3 – What’s one thing you’d like the bass-fishing community to understand about you?

Cherry – Oh, you know there is one thing that gets brought up sometimes. People have opinions about me because I carry around this persona… I guess the way I walk or look, or because I’m quiet most of the time. Really, I’m just a watcher… always watching and just taking everything in. It’s helped me in all aspects of my life, not just fishing. I never judge anyone and never even form an opinion about anything until I’ve had firsthand experience. There’s a lot of hype and unnecessary drama in life and certainly in bass fishing these days. I just don’t get into it. Just because something may be the norm doesn’t mean it’s best or right, so I tend to quietly point myself  in a different direction. The two things I like least are drama and rough water.

Q4 – Is that why you fish both the Bassmaster Elites and the NPFL?

Cherry – Yeah, I think so. Each series is a big stage and both have the best bass anglers in the world, so that’s where I want to challenge myself and showcase my abilities. I do like that the rules and formats are different. There’s no doubt that the NPFL’s unique stance on forward-facing sonar has attracted a lot of talented anglers, and it’s a good fit for me and the way I approach my fishing. And going back to what I said about things not being right just because they may be the norm… I think with this week’s rule-change announcement from BASS you’re seeing that organization trying to move away from what has been a norm in favor of getting things right for their anglers and fans. We’ll have to see how limiting forward-facing sonar to fewer Elite events actually plays out, but I applaud BASS for having the courage to make changes.

Q5 – Does your “show me” outlook apply to your fishing gear, too?

Cherry – Yes, whether it’s a new lure, line, or a new reel… show me it works. I may try something new because of something I’ve heard or seen, but I’ve got to get it tied on or in my hands before I’ll believe anything or even start to form an opinion. I’ve been hearing and seeing more good things about SEVIIN Reels – from people like John Crews and others – so I’ve started fishing them and like what I’ve experienced so far. It’s hard to get a first impression of a reel. Yeah, you need to look at it and check the quality of the fit and finish and make sure it feels right in your hands. You lock it down and check the drag, spin ‘em real fast, but then you’ve got to spend time fishing them on the water. I’ve been fishing with the GS casting reels and everything mechanically is really good. I deliberately caught a 40-pound catfish with one and it never missed a beat. But these reels are made for bass and that’s where they shine at a high level. They’re consistently smooth and quiet and I get tons of adjustability so I can get really long casts bombing a crankbait or have maximum control when skipping a jig at long distances. So far, I’m really liking what I’ve experienced with these SEVIIN reels. It’s a company that’s doing things right, and I appreciate that.

Q6 – Your 2025 Bassmaster Elite season is over, but you still have more work to do in the NPFL this year. Talk to me about what’s ahead of you.

Cherry – 2025 has been another painful year for me coming off of elbow surgery last year and dealing with some ongoing wrist problems. I knew I wasn’t going to be at full strength, but I also knew I’d rather fish through the pain than sit the season out. Thankfully, I’ve had a few things go my way with some good finishes and we’re 14th in AOY points, so my first goal is just to finish this NPFL season strong. I’ll fish Stop Six at Logan Martin at the end of this month and then the League Championship at Lake Hartwell the first week in October. I’ve got a lot of confidence in terms of how those lakes set up for me and am feeling optimistic. Then it’ll be time to take care of myself. I’m getting two more surgeries in October, so by Christmas I plan to be in the gym getting stronger and then back out on the water. I’ll have everything fixed and ready to roll for what I’m planning to be a clean and pain-free fishing season in 2026. With what I’ve seen of the schedules for next year, my travel will be minimal and I’ve got a lot of experience in the places we’re going, so there’s a lot to be excited about. I always expect to compete at the top, so the past couple years have been hard on me and that’s not a role I’m comfortable in. I’m really looking forward to getting healthy again and getting back on top.

Challenges? Everyone’s got them. But it’s the way we run through them that defines greatness. Fifteen years into his professional bass-fishing career, Hank Cherry understands that highs often come with lows, but that doesn’t mean he accepts it as truth. The man has a plan to stay at the top. By regaining his health and physical strength, using the knowledge he’s gained by consistently going his own way on the water, and fishing with the best and most reliable gear available, Cherry looks forward to continuing to compete and win against the top bass anglers in the world – under whatever rules and formats are imposed.

Come drama or rough water.

About SEVIIN Reels

Wherever and however you fish, the reel in your hand should help create better experiences. Born from St. Croix Rod’s seven decades of design and manufacturing expertise, industry-leading customer service, and unbroken private ownership by the Schluter family dating back to 1977, SEVIIN reels are meticulously engineered and purpose-built to help anglers conquer every species on every piece of water on the planet. SEVIIN focuses on reels and reels only, designing and marketing products that improve the angling experience, regardless of the rods anglers choose. Seven seas, seven continents, seven days a week, SEVIIN reels are fueled by a collective love of fishing surpassed only by our passionate desire to deliver the most reliable reels on the water. The St. Croix Family of Brands includes St. Croix Rod, SEVIIN Reels, St. Croix Fly, and RodGeeks.





Wheeler/Daniels and Gill/Robinson Final Two Teams to Advance to Championship Round at Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

Brian Carter
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Wheeler/Daniels and Gill/Robinson Final Two Teams to Advance to Championship Round at Knighten Industries Heritage Cup

eam O’Reilly Auto Parts flips jigs to pace final Knockout Round match with 55 bass totaling 88 pounds, 11 ounces, final four teams set for Friday’s Championship Round

MINOCQUA, Wis. (Sept. 18, 2025) – In commanding fashion, Team O’Reilly Auto Parts – Jacob Wheeler and Mark Daniels Jr. – locked up their spot in the Championship Round of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies with a wire-to-wire victory on Big Arbor Vitae Lake. The duo stacked up 55 scorable bass for 88 pounds, 11 ounces, cruising past the competition by more than 34 pounds in Knockout Round Match 2 at the second event of the 2025 Major League Fishing (MLF) Fishing Clash Team Series.

Team Star Tron, made up of Drew Gill and Marshall Robinson , kept pace early with a productive topwater bite, mixing in both largemouth and smallmouth before transitioning to wood and docks in the afternoon. Their 54-9 total wasn’t enough to challenge Team O’Reilly Auto Parts for the win, but it was more than enough to secure the second qualifying spot.

For Team Ferguson (Nick LeBrun and Marty Robinson ), the day was a struggle from start to finish. After an opening bite near a culvert pipe, they never established a steady rhythm and finished with just 16-6 on the day. A late rally around boat docks produced a few fish, but it was too little, too late, and Team Ferguson was eliminated from the competiton.

Link to HD Video Clip of Heritage Cup Knockout Round Match 2 Highlights
Link to Morning Photo Gallery: Knockout Round resumes with new teams on Big Arbor Vitae
Afternoon Photo Gallery: Two teams set the pace during Heritage Cup Knockout Match 2

Wheeler led all anglers with 46 pounds, 3 ounces on SCORETRACKER®, and both anglers credited a back-to-basics approach for the dominant showing.

“Today was another solid day for us,” Wheeler said. “We just went old school. Flipping a jig around docks and shallow cover was the number one thing and where we got the majority of our bites today. Mark would throw the wacky worm when the fish got a little more pressured, but the jig carried us. Hopefully we can keep that momentum rolling into the Championship Round.”

Daniels agreed, noting that their quick adjustment set the tone.

“The jig was a big player on Day 1 on Minocqua Lake, so we knew we’d probably get bites. Big Arbor Vitae didn’t have near the number of docks on it, so we were a little worried about that at first,” Daniels said. “But we were the first boats to get on them, and we started catching them right off the bat. We just rolled with that, even circled back to the same docks later with different baits and got a few more bites. I’ll tell you what – 20-pound fluorocarbon line, a flipping stick and a jig – it doesn’t get any better than that.”

“We got some work to do tomorrow,” Wheeler added. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there on the water and seeing where they put us for the Championship Round.”

“If it’s half as good as this place was, we’ll be alright,” Daniels agreed. “I feel like this whole area up here is great, though. Tons of fish. When we get up north, there are so many lakes, especially in Wisconsin and Minnesota, that don’t get the pressure we see down south. These suckers fight.”

The pair admitted they worked hard to unlock the offshore bite but found more consistency up shallow.

“We tried hard to find a group in that offshore grass this morning, and we picked off a few,” Daniels said. “The quality is better out there, to be honest. But in this game, every fish counts, and we just couldn’t find a group of them.”

Wheeler echoed the sentiment, noting their late adjustments.

“They definitely weren’t wadded up out there like we needed them to be to make something happen, and we never really found that one mystical group of bass,” he said. “Toward the end of the third period we ran some more grass lines quickly, just trying to check the temperature of some hard cover and laydowns, too.”

With their win, Wheeler and Daniels know what’s ahead – strong competition and a lake that may fish very differently. Despite the margin of victory, Wheeler and Daniels know they can’t let off the gas with the championship on the line.

“I know Ott and Andy – if there’s an opportunity to be fishing docks tomorrow, they’re going to be fishing docks,” Wheeler said. “We’ll be doing that too, and I’m sure Drew and Marshall are going to try to stay out there wide. So, we’re just keeping our minds open and our options available as we go into the Championship Round.”

The top two teams from Knockout Round Match 2 at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies that now advance to Friday’s Championship Round are:

1st:         Team O’Reilly Auto Parts, 55 bass, 88-11
               Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 30 bass, 46-3
               Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 25 bass, 42-8
2nd:       Team Star Tron, 29 bass, 54-9
               Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 16 bass, 32-7
               Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 13 bass, 22-2

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:        Team Ferguson, 11 bass, 16-6
               Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., eight bass, 13-1
               Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., three bass, 3-5

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 95 bass weighing 159 pounds, 10 ounces caught by the three teams in Knockout Round Match 2 Thursday on Big Arbor Vitae Lake. Team Star Tron pro Drew Gill caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a smallmouth weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces. 

The final four teams that will compete in Friday’s final-day Championship Round at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies are:

Team BUBBA:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.

Team Fishing Clash:
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.

Team O’Reilly Auto Parts:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.,

Team Star Tron:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.

The Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies is hosted by the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau and takes place over six days in Minocqua, Wisconsin . The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning. Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on Championship Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV and Rumble. The final period of every day of competition of the 2025 Fishing Clash Team Series is broadcast live on RFD-TV, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT.

The Heritage Cup featured 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams competed each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match now moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2025 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies.

The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops will feature four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of $560,000 in prize money. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2025.

The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting Feb. 14, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Messer chases smallmouth to Elite Qualifier lead at Lake Champlain

Brian Carter
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Messer chases smallmouth to Elite Qualifier lead at Lake Champlain

Kentucky’s Matt Messer has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops with a total of 23 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

Sept. 18, 2025

Messer chases smallmouth to Elite Qualifier lead at Lake Champlain

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Matt Messer wasn’t necessarily joking when he said he can’t catch smallmouth bass.

But Thursday, on Day 1 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops, Messer pounded the lake’s legendary smallmouth population, eventually weighing a five-bass limit for 23 pounds, 9 ounces on a blustery day here in the far northeast corner of the Empire State.

Messer, a 23-year-old native of Warfield, Ky., is a self-confessed sucker for largemouth bass, so his success with Champlain’s smallies surprised him.

 “I had over 20 pounds (of smallmouth bass) at about 10 o’clock this morning and then caught two bigger ones late,” Messer said. “It was a pretty consistent bite all day. I culled out like eight 4-pounders today … I saw some stuff in practice but didn’t have a set spot to go to, so I was kind of bouncing around this morning. But I landed on ’em big time this morning and I didn’t leave ’em there … I got every bite I could. It was a fun day.”

So fun, in fact, that Messer never had to look for the largemouth he figured he’d need to get a solid start to the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series. Instead, he focused on an area measuring about 1 1/2 miles long and hammered the smallies from the start on Thursday. He said his best bites came from pairs and trios of smallmouth bass suspended throughout Champlain’s water column.

The weather is expected to change some overnight, with temperatures dropping from the lower 70s on Thursday to the 50s for much of the fishing time on Friday. Sustained winds of 10-15 mph are expected to blow from the north, as well, which could scatter bass and the bait they’re chasing on Champlain.

No matter, Messer said. He’ll stick with what put him in the pole position on Day 1.

“I tried to catch largemouth all during practice (and got nothing,)” he said. “I don’t know how these boys are doing it. I love largemouth fishing, but I can’t catch ’em here. So, I’m sticking with the smallmouth.”

Grae Buck, a 35-year-old pro from Green Lake, Pa., finished Day 1 with a 23-8 limit, only an ounce behind Messer’s total.

“It was the best day I’ve ever had on Champlain,” Buck said. “Everything went right.”

Like Messer, Buck started on the smallmouth bite and had a limit within an hour after take-off. That allowed him to spend much of the day “headhunting” for largemouth bass, and unlike the guy he’s trailing, Buck built his bag on largemouth. His 5-11 was the Phoenix Boats Big Bass on Thursday but he also bagged another 5-pound largemouth and added a 5-pound smallmouth to his mix.

“I found two good largemouth that put me over the top today,” he said. “I don’t know if I can do it again tomorrow, but we’re gonna’ try. It was the perfect start to the EQs. I know Champlain better than the other places we’re going, so I wanted to make it count this week.”

Until Thursday, though, Buck said he’s not had great success at this 278,000-acre mammoth lake straddling the New York/Vermont border.

“I’ve fished here a lot … cashed checks here,” he said. “But I’ve never had a Top 10 here. I spent a lot of time here before the off-limit (period) and tried to get really dialed in. One of the areas (I found in pre-fishing) really paid off today.”

Rounding out the Top 5 on Day 1 of the tournament are Tennessee’s Christian Nash with 22-13; local favorite Alec Morrison, of Peru, N.Y., with 22-10; and Alabama veteran Russ Lane right behind with 22-9.

A total of 105 pros are competing on Champlain, with 97 of them in the EQ field. The 10 atop the points standings following the season’s three EQ tournaments will earn an invitation into the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. The other two EQ tournaments in 2025 are scheduled for Alabama’s Wheeler Lake Oct. 2-4 and Florida’s Lake Okeechobee Nov. 13-15.

In addition to first-place checks of some $58,000, the three winners will earn spots in the 2026 Bass Pros Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville on the Tennessee River in March.

The 10 pros at Champlain who aren’t in the EQ group are fishing for a Classic berth and part of $294,000 to be split among the Top 40 anglers in the field.

The Top 50 anglers in the points in both Division 1 and 2 of this year’s Opens qualified for the EQs. The circuit also was open to any 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro as well as the Top 3 anglers in the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

Day 2 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops takes off at 7 a.m. ET Friday from the Plattsburgh Boat Basin. Weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. ET from the same location. The field will be cut to the Top 10 on Saturday for the final day of fishing.

Coverage of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops can be found on Bassmaster.com each day. Live coverage of Championship Saturday will be streamed on Bassmaster.com as well as the Roku Sports Channel from 7-10 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

2025 Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops 9/18-9/20
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh  NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             5  23-09   95
  Day 1: 5   23-09   
2.  Grae Buck              Green Lane, PA           5  23-08   94
  Day 1: 5   23-08   
3.  Christian Nash         Allons, TN               5  22-13   93
  Day 1: 5   22-13   
4.  Alec Morrison          Peru, NY                 5  22-10   92
  Day 1: 5   22-10   
5.  Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  22-09   91
  Day 1: 5   22-09   
6.  Sam Hanggi             Knoxville, TN            5  22-08   90
  Day 1: 5   22-08   
7.  Ethan Fields           Carlyle, IL              5  22-07   89
  Day 1: 5   22-07   
8.  Emil Wagner            Marietta, GA             5  22-02    0
  Day 1: 5   22-02   
9.  Cody Stahl             Barnsville, GA           5  22-00   88
  Day 1: 5   22-00   
10. Matt Adams             Guntersville, AL         5  21-13   87
  Day 1: 5   21-13   
10. Austin Cranford        Moore, OK                5  21-13   86
  Day 1: 5   21-13   
10. Jace Lindsay           Beckville, TX            5  21-13   85
  Day 1: 5   21-13   
13. Fisher Anaya           Eva, AL                  5  21-11   84
  Day 1: 5   21-11   
14. Dylan Akins            Flowery Branch, GA       5  21-05   83
  Day 1: 5   21-05   
15. Bobby Bakewell         Orlando, FL              5  21-04   82
  Day 1: 5   21-04   
15. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  21-04   81
  Day 1: 5   21-04   
17. Cameron Mattison       Benton, LA               5  21-03   80
  Day 1: 5   21-03   
18. Timothy Dube           Nashua , NH              5  21-02   79
  Day 1: 5   21-02   
18. Trey Schroeder         Theodosia, MO            5  21-02   78
  Day 1: 5   21-02   
20. Aaron Jagdfeld         Rochester Hills, MI      5  21-00   77
  Day 1: 5   21-00   
20. Jack York              Emory, TX                5  21-00   76
  Day 1: 5   21-00   
22. Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI          5  20-15   75
  Day 1: 5   20-15   
23. Tai Au                 Glendale, AZ             5  20-14   74
  Day 1: 5   20-14   
24. Connor Jacob           Peoria, IL               5  20-13   73
  Day 1: 5   20-13   
24. Riley Nielsen          Salt Lake City, UT       5  20-13   72
  Day 1: 5   20-13   
24. Jaden Parrish          Liberty, TX              5  20-13   71
  Day 1: 5   20-13   
24. Jimmy Washam           Stantonville, TN         5  20-13   70
  Day 1: 5   20-13   
28. Brock Reinkemeyer      Warsaw, MO               5  20-11   69
  Day 1: 5   20-11   
29. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  20-10   68
  Day 1: 5   20-10   
29. Lane Olson             Forest Grove, OR         5  20-10   67
  Day 1: 5   20-10   
31. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN             5  20-09   66
  Day 1: 5   20-09   
32. Ryan Lachniet          Gum Spring, VA           5  20-08   65
  Day 1: 5   20-08   
33. Paul Marks             Cumming, GA              5  20-07    0
  Day 1: 5   20-07   
33. Aaron Yavorsky         Palm Harbor, FL          5  20-07   64
  Day 1: 5   20-07   
35. Brad Jelinek           Lincoln, MO              5  20-05   63
  Day 1: 5   20-05   
36. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA            5  20-04   62
  Day 1: 5   20-04   
36. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         5  20-04   61
  Day 1: 5   20-04   
38. Michael Corbishley     Raleigh, NC              5  20-03   60
  Day 1: 5   20-03   
38. Colby Dark             West Monroe, LA          5  20-03   59
  Day 1: 5   20-03   
40. Hayden Gaddis          Dandridge, TN            5  20-02   58
  Day 1: 5   20-02   
40. Bailey Gay             Union, KY                5  20-02   57
  Day 1: 5   20-02   
40. Michael Neal           Dayton, TN               5  20-02   56
  Day 1: 5   20-02   
43. Seth Feider            Elko New Market, MN      5  20-01    0
  Day 1: 5   20-01   
44. Dillon Harrell         New Caney, TX            5  20-00   55
  Day 1: 5   20-00   
44. Ryan Salzman           Huntsville, AL           5  20-00   54
  Day 1: 5   20-00   
44. Pake South             Winnsboro, TX            5  20-00   53
  Day 1: 5   20-00   
47. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  19-14   52
  Day 1: 5   19-14   
47. Parker Guy             Ocilla, GA               5  19-14   51
  Day 1: 5   19-14   
47. Tucker Smith           Birmingham, AL           5  19-14    0
  Day 1: 5   19-14   
50. Wyatt Marler           Oldfield, MO             5  19-10   50
  Day 1: 5   19-10   
51. Joey Nania             Cropwell, AL             5  19-08   49
  Day 1: 5   19-08   
51. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  19-08   48
  Day 1: 5   19-08   
53. Tyler Campbell         Martin, GA               5  19-07   47
  Day 1: 5   19-07   
54. Buddy Benson           Dahlonega, GA            5  19-04   46
  Day 1: 5   19-04   
54. Beau Browning          Hot Springs National Pa  5  19-04    0
  Day 1: 5   19-04   
54. Andrew Loberg          Guntersville, AL         5  19-04    0
  Day 1: 5   19-04   
57. Bailey Bleser          Burlington, WI           5  19-03   45
  Day 1: 5   19-03   
58. Erik Brztowski         Lemont, IL               5  19-02   44
  Day 1: 5   19-02   
58. Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA           5  19-02   43
  Day 1: 5   19-02   
60. Kyle Austin            Ridgeville, SC           5  19-01   42
  Day 1: 5   19-01   
60. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  19-01   41
  Day 1: 5   19-01   
62. Matt Baker             Glenwood, AR             5  19-00   40
  Day 1: 5   19-00   
62. Tanner Hadden          Appling, GA              5  19-00   39
  Day 1: 5   19-00   
62. Brady Vernon           Sterrett, AL             5  19-00   38
  Day 1: 5   19-00   
65. Yui Aoki               Minamitsurugun JAPAN     5  18-15   37
  Day 1: 5   18-15   
65. Chris Beaudrie         Princeton, KY            5  18-15   36
  Day 1: 5   18-15   
65. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO       5  18-15   35
  Day 1: 5   18-15   
65. Ian Waterer            East Selkirk CANADA      5  18-15   34
  Day 1: 5   18-15   
69. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD  5  18-15    0
  Day 1: 5   18-15   
70. Cole Drummond          Effingham, SC            5  18-14   33
  Day 1: 5   18-14   
70. River Lee              Diboll, TX               5  18-14   32
  Day 1: 5   18-14   
70. Tommy Wood             Peregian Springs AUSTRA  5  18-14   31
  Day 1: 5   18-14   
73. Casey Scanlon          Eldon, MO                5  18-14   30
  Day 1: 5   18-14   
74. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            5  18-12    0
  Day 1: 5   18-12   
75. Lucas Murphy           West Columbia, MI        5  18-09   29
  Day 1: 5   18-09   
76. Andrew Behnke          Fond Du Lac, WI          5  18-08   28
  Day 1: 5   18-08   
76. Zach Goutremout        Chaumont, NY             5  18-08   27
  Day 1: 5   18-08   
78. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  18-07    0
  Day 1: 5   18-07   
79. Christian Ostrander    Turlock, CA              5  18-06   26
  Day 1: 5   18-06   
80. Blaine Bunney          Claremore, OK            5  18-02   25
  Day 1: 5   18-02   
81. Dillon Falardeau       Hixson, TN               5  18-01   24
  Day 1: 5   18-01   
82. Blake Smith            Lakeland, FL             5  18-00   23
  Day 1: 5   18-00   
83. Lucas Lindsay          Auburn , AL              5  17-12   22
  Day 1: 5   17-12   
84. Bryan Partak           Marseilles, IL           5  17-10   21
  Day 1: 5   17-10   
84. Nic Rand               Paw Paw, MI              5  17-10   20
  Day 1: 5   17-10   
86. Evan Cox-VanVliet      Loveland, CO             5  17-08   19
  Day 1: 5   17-08   
87. Trey Swindle           Cleveland, AL            5  17-03   18
  Day 1: 5   17-03   
88. Casey Smith            Victor, NY               5  17-02   17
  Day 1: 5   17-02   
89. Clint Knight           Russellville, KY         5  17-00   16
  Day 1: 5   17-00   
90. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA       5  16-15   15
  Day 1: 5   16-15   
91. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  16-11   14
  Day 1: 5   16-11   
92. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  16-09   13
  Day 1: 5   16-09   
93. James Chandler         Liberty, TX              5  16-04   12
  Day 1: 5   16-04   
94. Billy Gilbert          Hamburg, NY              5  15-15    0
  Day 1: 5   15-15   
95. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  15-07   11
  Day 1: 5   15-07   
96. Chris Hellebuyck       White Lake, MI           5  15-01   10
  Day 1: 5   15-01   
97. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI         5  14-13    9
  Day 1: 5   14-13   
98. Brandon McMillan       Clewiston, FL            5  14-10    8
  Day 1: 5   14-10   
99. Chris Blanchette       Chapin, SC               5  14-00    7
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
100. Bryson Osteen          Live Oak, FL             5  13-10    6
  Day 1: 5   13-10   
101. John Duvall            Madison, GA              5  13-00    5
  Day 1: 5   13-00   
102. Joe Wieberg            Freeburg, MO             5  12-12    4
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
103. Brian Post             Janesville, WI           5  11-03    3
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
104. Laker Howell           Guntersville, AL         3  10-04    2
  Day 1: 3   10-04   
105. Ryan Broughman         Corapeake, NC            2  02-09    1
  Day 1: 2   02-09   
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       103       520      1996-01
———————————-
         103       520      1996-01





MLF’s Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at Harris Chain of Lakes to Premiere Saturday on Discovery

Brian Carter
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0
MLF’s Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at Harris Chain of Lakes to Premiere Saturday on Discovery

WHAT:
The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at the Harris Chain of Lakes, filmed earlier this year in Leesburg, Florida, will premiere Saturday on Discovery. The four-day event, hosted by Discover Lake County Florida , showcased 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $650,000, including a top payout of $150,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026, the Bass Pro Tour championship. 

WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 20, 7-9 a.m. ET
 
WHERE:
Discovery Channel – New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel
 
NOTES:
Television coverage of the Suzuki Marine Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI will premiere as a two-hour episode on Saturday, Sept. 20, with the final-day Championship Round premiering the following Saturday on Sept. 27.

The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Days 1 and 2. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the heaviest two-day total will advance directly to the Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to the Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to the Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.

The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 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 Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, NITRO Boats, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine, Toyota and Zenni.

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.





Bass Fishing — Early Fall Transition

Brian Carter
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0
Bass Fishing — Early Fall Transition
As summer fades into early fall, the length of daylight becomes one of the first cues that bass respond to. Even when the water remains warm, the shorter days encourage fish to abandon deep summertime resting spots and roam in search of food. Anglers who wait for dramatic temperature drops may miss the beginning of this productive season. Paying close attention to sunrise and sunset can help you predict when bass will shift toward fall patterns. Once daylight noticeably decreases, start scouting transitional areas and preparing to change your approach. Adjusting early ensures you’re on fish before they scatter widely in cooler weather. Shortening days also trigger small biological changes in bass, increasing their feeding instincts as they prepare for the cooler months ahead. This makes early fall an ideal time to experiment with different soft plastics to find what they’re most willing to attack. Watching how shade lines shift during the day can also help you identify likely ambush points. Fish may position along weed edges or drop-offs where they can strike prey moving through new light patterns. Understanding how daylight shapes bass behavior allows anglers to stay one step ahead during the transition.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility.
During the transition into early fall, bass tend to favor two main zones, including open-lake structures and the backs of feeder creeks. In the main lake, the bass often suspend near bait schools along long points, humps, and contour breaks. These areas give bass both feeding opportunities and quick access to deep or shallow water as the conditions change. Meanwhile, shallow water in creeks can become hot spots when baitfish bunch up in one to four feet of stained water. Exploring these creek arms helps you intercept bass feeding aggressively on smaller prey. Switching between these two environments keeps you close to where fish naturally stage and feed. Pay attention to the timing of bass movement between these zones, as fish often shift locations based on wind direction or cloud cover. A light breeze funneling into a creek arm can draw baitfish shallow, pulling predators with them. On calm, bright days, bass may favor deeper breaks where they can hover just below the bait. Carry a mix of soft plastics from lizards, beetles, and worms, so you can adapt to whether bass are holding deep or cruising in the shallows. Reading these clues and rotating between lake structures and creek pockets will help you stay in step with active fish.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, and the 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 that triggers strikes!
How deep bass position themselves is closely tied to water clarity during early fall. Clear water lets sunlight penetrate farther, which draws baitfish and predators into deeper zones. In murkier water, bait often stays shallower, creating easier targets near the surface. Successful anglers assess clarity before deciding how deep to search for fish. Start by noting how far below the surface you can see your lure or line. Then target suspended bass at depths that match visibility, keeping presentations in the same layer where prey is holding. A good rule of thumb is to begin your search at the depth where you lose sight of your bait and work slightly above and below that level. Soft plastics such as craw-styled baits, worms, beetles, lizards, or even insect larvae can be rigged to reach different depths while maintaining a natural look. When the water clarity changes after rain or high winds, it’s important to adjust your strategy to follow where baitfish relocate quickly. The bass may slide up or down the water column within hours, so staying alert to new conditions is crucial. Learning how light penetration shapes feeding zones gives you a clear edge when targeting bass during the early fall transition.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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.
Bass activity in early fall revolves almost entirely around finding and following forage. Without shad, minnows, or other small prey nearby, most ambush predators simply won’t linger. That means your first task is always to confirm the presence of bait before you start casting. Look for flickering schools near the surface, small dimples in calm water, or birds hovering above. Electronics can also help reveal groups of fish hugging structure or drifting through open water. By prioritizing areas rich in bait, you naturally put yourself where bass are most willing to bite. Spend extra time scanning likely feeding lanes before making your first presentation to avoid wasting casts in empty water. Wind can push forage into pockets, coves, or along rocky banks, concentrating the food source and drawing bass close. When you find these zones, experiment with a variety of different soft plastics to match the size and action of the prey bass are feeding on. Anglers should keep moving if signs of life disappear, as baitfish are constantly shifting to find the best conditions. Staying alert to the small clues that reveal forage movement is often the difference between a slow day and steady action.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!
Because forage moves constantly this time of year, bass rarely stay in one location for long. Anglers should plan to cover large stretches of water instead of waiting on a single spot to produce. Casting along points, crossing humps, and working shallow creek flats are all good strategies for locating roaming schools. Keep your eyes open for surface activity or bait flickers that reveal where the action is happening. When you find a cluster of feeding fish, stay mobile and follow them rather than anchoring down. This willingness to move keeps you aligned with the shifting habits of bass in early fall. A trolling motor or slow drift can help you stay on top of these roaming schools without spooking them. Vary your casts with soft plastics such as lizards or worms to quickly gauge which profile gets the fastest response. Pay attention to how wind direction or cloud cover might influence where baitfish collect, as these factors can change feeding lanes within minutes. Mark productive spots on a GPS or mental map so you can circle back if fish return later in the day. Treating the lake as a series of constantly shifting zones helps you maximize opportunities as bass chase forage across wide areas.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 MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. 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, Electric 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 Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — 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.
Lures that can mimic darting prey excel in the fall transition, and soft plastics offer versatile choices. Lizards, insect larvae, craw-styled baits, beetles, and worms rigged for quick retrieves can trigger reaction bites. Their small movements and lifelike profiles resemble the prey that the bass are chasing during this season. Experiment with speeds, starting with an energetic retrieve, then vary cadence until you learn how fish want the bait presented. Early fall bass are often aggressive, but they can also become selective when conditions shift. Keeping presentations lively and natural helps you connect with more fish as they pursue forage. Pay attention to water temperature and clarity, as these factors influence how quickly bass respond to a moving bait. In clearer water, a faster retrieve can imitate fleeing prey, while slightly slower speeds may be more effective in stained conditions. Try casting past visible schools of bait and pulling your lure through the edge of the activity zone to trigger strikes from nearby predators. Switching colors or profiles can also help you match the size and look of whatever forage bass are targeting. The more you fine-tune movement, speed, and appearance, the better your odds of drawing consistent strikes during the early fall transition.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo 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 trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Flexibility is essential once bass begin transitioning toward fall patterns. Their feeding behavior can change daily depending on wind, cloud cover, and where baitfish roam. A tactic that works well in the morning may fade by midday, requiring a fresh approach. Keep several soft plastic setups handy so you can switch between lizards, worms, or beetle profiles without losing time. Watch how fish respond, and don’t hesitate to adjust depth, retrieve, or even the size of your offering. The anglers who adapt most readily tend to capitalize on the unpredictable nature of early fall bass. Pay close attention to small environmental cues, such as shifting shadows, falling barometric pressure, or an uptick in breeze, as these often trigger changes in feeding mood. If the bass suddenly stops biting, try repositioning to nearby cover or exploring slightly different depths where bait may have moved. Rotating through a variety of soft plastics such as cray-styled baits or insect larvae, can reveal which profile best matches the day’s forage. Staying patient yet responsive helps you recognize new opportunities instead of waiting for fish to return to an old pattern. Success hinges on observing, experimenting, and making adjustments as conditions evolve.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. 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 precious 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 that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure.





MLF Announces Schedules for 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishingand High School Fishing Circuits

Brian Carter
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MLF Announces Schedules for 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishingand High School Fishing Circuits
BENTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the schedules for the 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI and the Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse seasons. Both circuits will continue to offer prizes, scholarships and advancement opportunities to the 2026 Toyota Series Championship for qualified teams, and for college anglers, an opportunity to compete against the world’s best pros at REDCREST for a top prize of $300,000.

“Our goal is always to provide the very best competitive opportunities for student anglers, and our 2026 schedules definitely achieve that,” said Kevin Hunt, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations for College and High School Fishing. “From Lake Seminole and Lake Eufaula in the spring to Guntersville and Cherokee Lake in the fall, these lineups give student-anglers a true tour of some iconic fisheries and will allow them to develop the skills needed to compete at the next level.”

The 2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing season kicks off Feb. 12-14 with the National Championship at Lake Murray, hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board and showcasing the top teams from the 2025 season. The regular season then kicks off, consisting of six qualifying tournaments around the country.  The top 15% of teams from each regular-season event will qualify for the 2027 College Fishing National Championship.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship to Lake Murray,” said Amy Hoffman, Interim President of the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board. “Events like this not only showcase our beautiful waters but also bring a tremendous economic boost to our four-county region. From hotels and restaurants to our local shops and attractions, a fishing tournament of this scale supports jobs, drives tourism and highlights Lake Murray as a premier destination for both anglers and visitors alike.”

2026 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI Schedule:
Feb. 12-14          NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Lake Murray                Columbia, S.C.
Feb. 20                 Lake Seminole                                                                  Bainbridge, Ga.
March 13            Lake Eufaula                                                                      Eufaula, Ala.
April 10               Table Rock Lake                                                                Branson, Mo.
June 28 (Sun.)    Potomac River                                                                  Marbury, Md.
Sept. 25               Lake Guntersville                                                              Guntersville, Ala.
Oct. 23                  Cherokee Lake                                                                 Jefferson City, Tenn.
 
The 2026 Abu Garcia High School Fishing circuit will feature teams competing in five events, held in conjunction with Abu Garcia College Fishing events to allow students and parents to network with prospective college coaches and anglers during the event. Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens are two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12, and open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF)-affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10% of teams in each tournament will qualify to compete at the High School Fishing National Championship.

2026 Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens Presented by Tackle Warehouse Schedule:
Feb. 21                Lake Seminole                                                                                 Bainbridge, Ga.
March 14            Lake Eufaula                                                                                     Eufaula, Ala.
April 11               Table Rock Lake                                                                               Branson, Mo.
June 24-26         NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Lake Cumberland                       Jamestown, Ky.
Sept. 26              Lake Guntersville                                                                             Guntersville, Ala.
Oct.  24              Cherokee Lake                                                                                   Jefferson City, Tenn.

There are no changes to the rules governing forward facing and 360-degree sonar. It will not be restricted in Abu Garcia College Fishing events. It will continue to be prohibited in the Abu Garcia High School Fishing Opens. Its use is, however, allowed in the National Championship that runs concurrently with The Bass Federation’s World Finals. College Fishing and High School Fishing entries will be accepted for Phoenix boat owners beginning Nov. 7, 2025. Entries from the general public will be accepted beginning Nov. 10, 2025. Enter at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing and High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.





Team BUBBA Tops Thrilling Knockout Round on Big Arbor Vitae Lake at Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented

Brian Carter
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Team BUBBA Tops Thrilling Knockout Round on Big Arbor Vitae Lake at Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented

All three teams catch more than 109 pounds, Knockout Round Match 2 set for Thursday

MINOCQUA, Wis. (Sept. 17, 2025) – In what many would argue was the most dramatic day in MLF Fishing Clash Team Series history, Team BUBBA’s Ott DeFoe and Andy Montgomery stormed from third place in the final minutes to win the Knockout Round on Big Arbor Vitae Lake at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies.

With just 17 minutes remaining, the top three teams were separated by only 5 pounds, setting up a nail-biting finish that had fans and anglers alike on edge. Team Fishing Clash (Keith Carson and Luke Clausen) sat in the lead at 109 pounds, 1 ounce, with Team 7Brew (Keith Poche and Zack Birge) close behind at 105-11 and Team BUBBA at 104-4. In the closing stretch, Team BUBBA landed six of the final seven scorable bass to surge into first, ultimately holding off Fishing Clash for the top spot by fewer than 3 pounds.

The top two teams – Team BUBBA and Team Fishing Clash – now advance to Friday’s Championship Round, while Team 7Brew Coffee was eliminated after all three teams topped the 100-pound mark.

Link to HD Video Clip of Heritage Cup Knockout Round Match 1 Highlights
Link to Morning Photo Gallery: Heritage Cup Knockout Round kicks off on Big Arbor Vitae Lake

DeFoe anchored the day with 48 scorable bass, including a 3-pound, 11-ounce kicker that proved pivotal. Both DeFoe and Montgomery leaned on a compact, 3/8-ounce jig paired with soft-plastic trailers, adjusting their approach when their usual wacky worm and Thunder Cricket patterns failed to produce.

“I don’t know the last time that I’ve caught more bass than that,” DeFoe said. “It was an incredible day of bass fishing. But interesting too – you couldn’t just catch them on everything. It was definitely a flipping deal, and we are lucky that we figured it out pretty quickly.”

Montgomery said that adjustment was the key difference.

“Normally Ott is behind me with a wacky worm while I go with the jig, but today those fish weren’t feeding high at all,” Montgomery said. “They wouldn’t take the wacky worm, and they’d hardly touch the (Strike King) Thunder Cricket. They wanted that jig down on the bottom. Once we figured that out, we just kept catching them. By far, that’s the hardest day we’ve ever had, but also one of the most fun.”

The emotional roller coaster of the day was evident in the final moments, as Montgomery and DeFoe realized they had completed the comeback.

“Oh my gosh, I feel like we just won everything,” an exhausted Montgomery said moments after lines out. “That was 6 hours of all-out fishing. If you couldn’t tell, catching 100 pounds of bass is a lot of work – and everybody was doing it.”

“That was so much fun and so stressful,” DeFoe added with a laugh. “If you want to come fun-fish somewhere, this is definitely the place to do it – just don’t bring a SCORETRACKER®.”

Team Fishing Clash also kept the pressure on all day, ultimately securing the second advancing slot by just over 2 pounds. Carson and Clausen leaned on a one-two punch of a compact jig and a weightless wacky rig, targeting boat docks early before shifting to wood cover as the day progressed.

Clausen’s steady production was critical, and his 2-pound, 4-ounce bass with 12 minutes remaining provided the final margin that sent Fishing Clash through to the Championship Round. Together, the duo boated 65 scorable bass for 111 pounds, 5 ounces, fending off a late charge from Team 7Brew Coffee to punch their ticket to Friday.

The top two teams from Knockout Round Match 1 at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies that now advance to Friday’s Championship Round are:

1st:        Team BUBBA, 73 bass, 114-4
                Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 48 bass, 74-7
                Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 25 bass, 39-13
2nd:       Team Fishing Clash, 65 bass, 111-5
                Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., 23 bass, 36-8
                Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 42 bass, 74-13

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:       Team 7Brew Coffee, 64 bass, 109-4
                Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 22 bass, 33-8
                Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 42 bass, 75-12

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall there were 202 bass weighing 334 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the three teams in Knockout Round Match 1 Wednesday on Big Arbor Vitae Lake. Team Fishing Clash pro Luke Clausen caught a largemouth weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces that was the Berkley Big Bass of the day. 

The three teams that will compete in Knockout Round Match 2 Thursday at the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies are:

Team Ferguson:
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.

Team O’Reilly Auto Parts
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.

Team Star Tron:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.

The Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies is hosted by the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau and takes place over six days in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning. Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV and Rumble. The final period of every day of competition of the 2025 Fishing Clash Team Series is broadcast live on RFD-TV, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT.

The Heritage Cup featured 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Friday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2025 Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies.

The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops features four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot, and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of  $560,000 in prize money. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2025.

The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting Feb. 14, 2026. The complete television schedule for the Fishing Clash Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.





Jason & Danny Houchins take 1st Place at CATT Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 18.92

Brian Carter
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Jason & Danny Houchins take 1st Place at CATT Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 18.92

Guys in 2026 we will have 2 Championship tournaments! Kerr Lake, NC May 15-16, 2026 and Chowan River Aug 28-29, 2026 both $10,000 1st Place! You can enter 1 or both by entering 2 CATT events Fall 2025 or Spring 2026!

Jason & Danny Houchins tale 1st Place at Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 18.92 lbs PLUS they brought in the BF at 5.45 lbs! Add in 1st Place Side Pot and they took home $2,350.00!

Evan & Scotty White claimed 2nd with 16.33 lbs worth $1,180.00!

Ricky & Tyler Trent 3rd with 16.12 lbs!

4th Danny Garber & Nathaniel Moss 14.46 lbs!

Aaron Falwell took 5th with 14.41 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Jason Houchins – Danny Houchins5.4518.92$2,350.00110
Evan White – Scotty White0.0016.33$1,180.00109
Tyler Trent – Ricky Trent0.0016.12$600.00108
Danny Garber – Nathaniel Moss0.0014.46$275.00107
Aaron Falwell0.0014.41$200.00106
Eddie Fore – Randy Waterman0.0013.81$145.00105
Mike Garner – Billy Shelton0.0013.70104
Tyler Hughes – Cullen Ports0.0013.32103
Alex Sayer – Todd McCormick0.0013.30102
Chuck Morton – Mike Riggs0.0012.63101
Josh Fletcher – Bryson Peed0.0011.96100
Troy Searcy – Bryan Welch0.0011.9699
Matt Atkins – Matt Foster0.0011.9198
Joseph Sharpe – Glenn Eskin0.0011.5497
Chase Brown – Ayden Rigsby0.0011.3196
Lyn Fox – Marty Warren0.0011.0395
Eddie Glascock – Billy Dunn0.0011.0094
Jay Fogleman – Doug Stallings0.0010.8793
Byan Calloway – Tony Tombs0.0010.5492
Heath Johnson – Steve Wooten0.0010.5091
Derrick Wynkoop – Brandon Gardner0.0010.5090
David Bullock – Jimmy Henderson0.0010.3489
Derrick Currin – Andrew Kerns0.0010.2188
Jeff Taylor – Michael Connelly0.008.3487
Eric Christian – Ken Minor0.008.2186
Michael Dikun – Jenny Li0.007.1285
Roger Dolan – Roger Dolan Jr0.005.9384
Tom Wilkinson – Brandon Curtis0.000.0074
Jason Tinsley – Kris Goin0.000.0074
Kevin Brown – Dustin Cobb0.000.0074
Ray Griffin – Donnie Yarborough0.000.0074
Darrell Wyatt0.000.0074
Dave Farrington – Kim Farrington0.000.0074
Total Entrys$3,960.00
BONUS $$1,300.00
Total Paid At Ramp$4,750.00
2025 Kerr Fall Final Fund$410.00
CATT$50.00
2026 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2025 Kerr Fall Final Fund Total$410.00





B.A.S.S. announces field for 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series

Brian Carter
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0
B.A.S.S. announces field for 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series

Sept. 17, 2025

B.A.S.S. announces field for 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials have announced the talented field of anglers set to compete in the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, the proving ground where competitors battle for a coveted berth on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.

The lineup features a mix of rising stars, seasoned veterans and international competitors, representing a wide range of regions and fishing backgrounds. Anglers will compete across the three-event EQ schedule for a chance to advance to bass fishing’s highest level.

“The inaugural EQ field is incredibly talented and diverse,” said Hank Weldon, executive director of tournaments. “From young up-and-comers to Elite Series veterans looking to requalify, the competition will be fierce. Every stop will test their versatility and consistency, and fans are going to see incredible storylines unfold as these anglers chase their Elite dreams.”

The winner of each Elite Qualifier event will receive a berth to the coveted 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. The Top 10 anglers in EQ Angler of the Year points after the final tournament will receive an invitation to the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.

The Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops kicks off Sept. 18-20 at 7 a.m. ET with weigh-ins to follow at 3 p.m. ET each day.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Field

Matt Adams — Guntersville, Ala.
Dylan Akins — Flowery Branch, Ga.
Fisher Anaya — Eva, Ala.
Yui Aoki — Minamitsuru-gun, Japan
Tai Au — Glendale, Ariz.
Kyle Austin — Ridgeville, S.C.
Matt Baker — Glenwood, Ark.
Bobby Bakewell — Orlando, Fla.
Chris Beaudrie — Princeton, Ky.
Andrew Behnke — Fond du Lac, Wis.
Buddy Benson — Dahlonega, Ga.
Chris Blanchette — Edisto Island, S.C.
Bailey Bleser — Burlington, Wis.
Ryan Broughman — Corapeake, N.C.
Beau Browning — Hot Springs, Ark.
Stephen Browning — Hot Springs, Ark.
Erik Brztowski — Lemont, Ill.
Grae Buck — Green Lane, Pa.
Blaine Bunney — Claremore, Okla.
Tyler Campbell — Martin, Ga.
James Chandler — Liberty, Texas
Chase Clarke — Virginia Beach, Va.
Michael Corbishley — Raleigh, N.C.
Brandon Coulter — Knoxville, Tenn.
Evan Cox-VanVliet — Loveland, Colo.
Austin Cranford — Moore, Okla.
Colby Dark — West Monroe, La.
Jack Dice — Lynchburg, Va.
Cole Drummond — Effingham, S.C.
Tim Dube — Nashua, N.H.
John Duvall — Madison, Ga.
Ty Faber — Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Dillon Falardeau — Hixson, Tenn.
Ethan Fields — Carlyle, Ill.
Hayden Gaddis — Dandridge, Tenn.
Bailey Gay — Union, Ky.
Robert Gee — Knoxville, Tenn.
Zachary Goutremout — Chaumont, N.Y.
Parker Guy — Appling, Ga.
Tanner Hadden — Appling, Ga.
Sam Hanggi — Knoxville, Tenn.
Dillon Harrell — New Caney, Texas
Chris Hellebuyck — White Lake, Mich.
Laker Howell — Guntersville, Ala.
Caleb Hudson — Lincolnton, Ga.
Connor Jacob — Guntersville, Ala.
Aaron Jagdfeld — Rochester Hills, Mich.
Brad Jelinek — Lincoln, Mo.
Clint Knight — Russellville, Ky.
Ryan Lachniet — Gum Spring, Va.
Russ Lane — Prattville, Ala.
River Lee — Diboll, Texas
Jace Lindsay — Beckville, Texas
Lucas Lindsay — Auburn, Ala.
Ed Loughran III — Richmond, Va.
Wyatt Marler — Oldfield, Mo.
Cameron Mattison — Benton, La.
Tristan McCormick — Bon Aqua, Tenn.
Danny McGarry — Newcastle, Ontario, Canada
Brandon McMillan — Clewiston, Fla.
Mark Menendez — Paducah, Ky.
Matt Messer — Warfield, Ky.
Alec Morrison — Peru, N.Y.
Paul Mueller — Naugatuck, Conn.
Lucas Murphy — West Columbia, S.C.
Joey Nania — Cropwell, Ala.
Christian Nash — Allons, Tenn.
Michael Neal — Dayton, Tenn.
Riley Nielsen — Salt Lake City, Utah
Lane Olson — Forest Grove, Ore.
Bryson Osteen — Live Oak, Fla.
Christian Ostrander — Turlock, Calif.
Garrett Paquette — Canton, Mich.
Jaden Parrish — Liberty, Texas
Bryan Partak — Marseilles, Ill.
Chad Pipkens — DeWitt, Mich.
Brian Post — Janesville, Wis.
Nic Rand — Paw Paw, Mich.
Adam Rasmussen — Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Brock Reinkemeyer — Warsaw, Mo.
Ryan Salzman — Huntsville, Ala.
Casey Scanlon — Eldon, Mo.
Trey Schroeder — Theodosia, Mo.
Blake Smith — Lakeland, Fla.
Casey Smith — Victor, N.Y.
Pake South — Winnsboro, Texas
Cody Stahl — Barnsville, Ga.
Trey Swindle — Cleveland, Ala.
Bo Thomas — Edwardsburg, Mich.
Brady Vernon — Sterrett, Ala.
Jimmy Washam — Stantonville, Tenn.
Ian Waterer — East Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
Alex Wetherell — Middletown, Conn.
Joe Wieberg — Freeburg, Mo.
Tommy Wood — Peregian Springs, Australia
Aaron Yavorsky — Palm Harbor, Fla.
Jack York — Emory, Texas

The EQs will test anglers across diverse fisheries, with competition streamed live on Bassmaster.com and Roku and covered across B.A.S.S. social, digital and print platforms.





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