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MLF Announces Entry Dates for 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League, Abu Garcia College Fishing and High School Fishing Programs

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October 19, 2023

MLF Announces Entry Dates for 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League, Abu Garcia College Fishing and High School Fishing Programs

BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today the complete rules and entry dates for the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine, Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI and High School Fishing seasons.

Tackle Warehouse Invitationals:
With national television coverage on CBS Sports, daily MLFNOW! on-the-water livestreams, a top award of $115,000 (including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus), and advancement to REDCREST 2025 on the line at every stop, the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals are a lucrative proving ground for anglers looking to qualify for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour where they will fish as part of an exclusive field of 50 pros competing for the sport’s most lucrative payouts. Invitations will be distributed this week to qualified anglers from the 2023 Toyota Series, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and Bass Pro Tour.

The complete 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitational schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats:
Offering the biggest payouts for the lowest entry fees of any national tournament trail, the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats gives anglers the opportunity to fish close to home for incredible awards and advancement to the nationally televised Toyota Series Championship where pros compete for up to $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and co-anglers compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115hp outboard.

The winning pro at the Toyota Series Championship qualifies for REDCREST 2025 for the chance to win $300,000, and the highest-finishing pro from each division, including the Wild Card, at the Toyota Series Championship receives a $10,000 bonus.

The 2024 Toyota Series Championship, hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission and the Huntsville Sports Commission, is scheduled for Nov. 7-9, at Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama. The championship field will feature the top 25 pros and co-anglers from each of the six U.S. Toyota Series divisions and the Wild Card division plus tournament winners; the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each of the six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regionals and the TBF from the All-American; the top three teams from the Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship; the High School Fishing National Champions; the TBF National Champions; and up to two pros from each MLF International country.

Every Toyota Series tournament features live weigh-in coverage and the Toyota Series Championship will be nationally televised on CBS Sports. New for 2024, the Toyota Series Championship will also include MLFNOW! on-the-water livestream during the final day of competition.

The top five pros from each U.S. division in Angler of the Year standings qualify for the MLF Invitationals. If a top-five pro declines his or her bid or earns qualification through the Invitationals or Bass Pro Tour, the next eligible pro qualifies. This process continues through the top 10 pros in each division.

The Anglers of the Year and Strike King Co-anglers of the Year will also be awarded $5,000 and $2,000, respectively, in each of the six U.S. divisions.

Entry fees are unchanged for 2024 at $1,700 per tournament for pros and $550 per tournament for co-anglers. Anglers can register for the 2024 Toyota Series season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:

Entries from the top 25 pros and co-anglers and tournament winners from each division of the 2023 Toyota Series and the top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division of the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League – plus the winner of each 2023 Bass Fishing League tournament (who paid an entry fee for all five tournaments in a division and fished at least two tournaments in the same division) and the top 10 anglers from the 2023 College Fishing National Championship – will be accepted beginning November 6. These anglers have until November 27 to secure their priority entry position.
Phoenix boat owners (Phoenix owners with current registrations or confirmation of a boat order who will use their Phoenix boat in Toyota Series competition) may enter beginning November 28.
Anglers who fished a full division of the 2023 Toyota Series or a full division of the 2023 Bass Fishing League may enter beginning November 29.
TBF members may enter beginning November 30.
All other entries will be accepted beginning December 1.

The complete 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine:
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine is the premier grassroots tournament circuit for weekend anglers, maintaining the best payouts and advancement opportunities for the lowest entry fees available in the sport. The BFL is the only circuit offering weekend anglers the opportunity to advance to the prestigious All-American, Toyota Series Championship and REDCREST 2025 for a shot at winning top boater awards of $120,000, $235,000 and $300,000, respectively, including lucrative Phoenix MLF Bonuses.

The 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN on May 29-31 at Cherokee Lake in Jefferson County, Tennessee. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each of six Regional tournaments and the Wild Card will qualify. The highest-finishing boater and co-angler from each Regional and the Wild Card at the All-American advance to the Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 (including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus). Beat just five anglers from your regional and advance to a second no-entry-fee championship for a shot at one of the sport’s biggest paydays. The All-American boater champion will also advance to REDCREST 2025 for a shot at winning $300,000.

With every tournament featuring livestreamed weigh-in coverage, the Phoenix Bass Fishing League allows anglers to fish close to home – creating a clear path to the Toyota Series, the MLF Invitationals and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour – while placing anglers in front of the sport’s largest fan base. This also provides grassroots anglers the opportunity to showcase their talents to more than 5 million visitors on MajorLeagueFishing.com and 2.3 million followers on MLF’s social media outlets, as well as coverage in Bass Fishing magazine and in dedicated public relations outreach that generates a potential reach of up to 5.5 billion impressions annually across all MLF circuits.

The Phoenix MLF Bonus contingency award will continue for the 2024 season, enhancing payouts from $500 to $7,000 for registered Phoenix boat owners in every qualifier, super-tournament and regional tournament, an additional $20,000 in the All-American, and $35,000 in the Toyota Series Championship.

Each qualifying tournament will continue to offer a top boater award of up to $13,000, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top Strike King co-angler award of $3,000. Top awards jump up to $16,000 for boaters, including a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and $4,500 for Strike King co-anglers in super tournaments.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers, plus the five tournament winners in each division, advance to a Regional. Boaters in each Regional compete for a $67,000 top award, including a Phoenix 819 Pro with 200hp outboard and $10,000 plus a $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. Co-anglers in each Regional compete for a $50,000 Phoenix 819 Pro with 200hp outboard. Additionally, the highest finishing boater from each division in each Regional receives a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division receives a $500 bonus – you only have to beat 49 anglers from your division to win big. Each Regional also features a $1,000 boater and $500 co-angler Berkley Big Bass award.

Entry fees will remain the same in 2024 – $220 per boater and $110 per co-angler for one-day qualifying tournaments, and $330 per boater and $165 per co-angler in two-day Super Tournaments and Regional events.
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The Wild Card will maintain its $13,000 top boater award, including Phoenix MLF Bonus, and a top co-angler award of $3,000. Enter all five events in a division, fish at least two and automatically advance to the Wild Card if you are not qualified for a Regional. The top six boaters and co-anglers from each Regional and the Wild Card advance to the All-American.

The 2024 All-American will be nationally televised on CBS Sports, offering Bass Fishing League anglers unmatched media exposure. New for 2024, the All-American will also include MLFNOW! on-the-water livestream during the final day of competition.

Anglers can register for the 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League season at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000, beginning at 8 a.m. CT on the dates listed below:

Dec. 4, 2023 – Bama, Choo Choo, Cowboy, Gator and Savannah River.
Dec. 5, 2023 – Arkie, Bulldog, North Carolina, South Carolina and Volunteer.
Dec. 6, 2023 – LBL, Mississippi, Okie, Ozark and Piedmont.
Dec. 7, 2023 – Great Lakes, Hoosier, Mountain, Music City and Shenandoah.
Dec. 8, 2023 – Buckeye, Illini, Michigan and Northeast.

Phoenix boat owners (Phoenix owners with current registrations or confirmation of a boat on order who will use their Phoenix boat in Bass Fishing League competition) and TBF members may enter all divisions by phone starting Dec. 1, 2023.

The complete 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI:
The winning team at the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship will receive $43,500, including a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115hp outboard and $10,000. The winning team also advances to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros for a shot at winning as much as $235,000. The highest finishing team member at the Toyota Series Championship advances to REDCREST 2025. The runner-up at the 2024 College Fishing National Championship will receive a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115hp outboard. The team will also advance to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to compete as pros. Third place at the 2024 National Championship will receive $4,000 and advance to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers for the chance to win a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115hp outboard. Fourth and fifth place will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively, with sixth through 10th receiving $1,000 each.

Each angler finishing in the top 10 at the 2024 College Fishing National Championship will receive priority entry into the 2025 Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Invitationals and the Bass Pro Tour. Every tournament will feature live weigh-in coverage and the National Championship will receive national television coverage on CBS Sports. New for 2024, the College Fishing National Championship will also include MLFNOW! on-the-water livestream during the final day of competition.

MLF will recognize the top performing school with the Tackle Warehouse School of the Year Presented by QuikTrip title, which includes a $10,000 award. Each school receives the total points earned by its top two teams in each tournament. School of the Year is awarded to the school with the highest point total from its three best tournaments.

Abu Garcia College Fishing teams can compete in up to nine qualifying tournaments around the country. The top 12 percent of teams from each event will advance to the following year’s College Fishing National Championship.

Registration for the 2024 season opens at 8 a.m. CT on Dec. 11, 2023. Fields are capped at 250 boats per tournament, so teams are encouraged to enter at their earliest opportunity. Teams can register at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. The entry fee is unchanged at $100 per team.

The complete 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF High School Fishing:
The 2024 MLF High School Fishing circuit will feature teams competing in seven open events held in conjunction with Abu Garcia College Fishing events so students and parents can network with prospective college teams and coaches during college weigh-ins. MLF 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 percent of teams in each tournament advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. Tournaments held on or before May 6, 2024, advance teams to the 2024 National Championship. Tournaments held after May 6, 2024, advance teams to the 2025 National Championship.

Both members of the winning team at the 2024 High School Fishing National Championship, held simultaneously with the TBF High School Fishing World Finals, are guaranteed $5,000 scholarships to the school of their choice, plus the opportunity to compete for a share of more than $3 million in scholarships and prizes. The 2024 High School Fishing National Champions will also advance to the 2024 Toyota Series Championship as co-anglers to compete on national television for a Phoenix 518 Pro powered by a 115hp outboard.

Registration for the 2024 MLF High School Fishing Opens will begin at 8 a.m. CT on Dec. 13, 2023. Teams can register at MajorLeagueFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000. There is no entry fee for high school anglers to compete in any MLF or TBF High School Fishing tournament. Both anglers must, however, be a member of the Student Angler Federation (SAF). There is no limit to the number of teams accepted into a tournament from each school or club, but the maximum field size is 250 boats. Teams are encouraged to enter at their earliest opportunity.

The complete 2024 High School Fishing schedule, rules and payouts are available online at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF High School Fishing Camp:
The extremely popular MLF High School Fishing Camp for students and parents will be held July 10-12 at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. The three-day camp experience immerses passionate young anglers and coaches into the world of bass fishing. Students and coaches learn techniques from top MLF pros in small groups, and receive a glimpse into the inner workings of the fishing industry through interaction with MLF staff and special guests. Registration for the 2024 MLF High School Fishing Camp will begin at 8 a.m. CT on Nov. 30, 2023. Visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/camp for details.

For complete details and updated tournament information on all MLF circuits, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Major League Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.

Kyle Grover Wins 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open in Wire-to-Wire Fashion Patrick Touey Rallies to Second Place, Anthony Hunt Wins AAA Division

Brian Carter

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October 19, 2023

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Kyle Grover Wins 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open in Wire-to-Wire Fashion Patrick Touey Rallies to Second Place, Anthony Hunt Wins AAA Division

Laughlin, Nev. – October 18, 2023 – Once again, the final day theme of the 2023 Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin turned out to be change. While the weather remained warm as it had been the first two days of competition, the field was treated to stiff breezes that spun the speed gauges up to 25 miles per hour.

Wind can be an angler’s friend, or in the case of precision casting with Forward Facing Sonar and finesse tactics, it can be a massive frustration. With many of the leaders using those type of tactics, the anxiety level of said anglers was elevated with concern of being able to present light lures to their prey.

As day three commenced, the anglers atop the leaderboard were separated by less than five pounds and day two leader Kyle Grover of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif, and second place pro Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Ark. had a scant .51 pounds as their margin as the day began. With such a tight grouping atop the leaderboard, it really was possible for anyone in the top five to take the victory.

It almost happened.

When fifth place pro Patrick Touey of Santa Maria, Calif. weighed 19.93 pounds to take the lead with four anglers remaining, the story got really interesting. Garrett Howard of Riverside, Calif. fell short with 13.18 pounds. Roseville, Calif. pro Bryant Smith just missed the mark with 17.98 pounds and Shuffield had an atypical off day with 11.98 pounds leaving only Grover to erase Touey’s Cinderella story.

Feeling he had fallen short himself, Grover needed 16.25 pounds to tie Touey, but when the scales bottomed out to 16.49 pounds, Grover erupted in celebration and Touey emotionally left the stage after the pair embraced.

Grover won the 2023 WON Bass U.S. Open in wire-to-wire fashion with a three-day total weight of 56.75 pounds, with a .24-pound winning margin over runner up Touey. Smith retained his third-place position with a total weight of 55.36 pounds. Shuffield finished fourth with 51.73 pounds and Howard rounded out the top five with 50.01 pounds.

As he took the microphone from WON Bass tournament director Bill Egan, Grover exclaimed that he saw a fish move late in the day his AAA partner caught that made the difference. “I saw a good smallmouth bolt under the bow of my Ranger Boat and head towards the back,” he said. “I told him to drop behind the boat, he did and caught it. It was a two pounder that culled us up a half of a pound, and that was the difference.”

Grover said that he spent his competition in the Upper Basin between Cottonwood and the power lines and had three areas that produced. “I had a deep spot that had a school of smallmouth on it, and I caught a couple off of it each day,” he said. “My other spots were guts and pockets that the fish were roaming in chasing shad, which was key, there had to be shad in those pockets.”

Grover used a pair of dropshot baits thrown on 7’3” medium-light St. Croix Legend Elite pinning rods matched with Daiwa Certate reels. He spooled them with 10-pound-test Sunline braid and 6-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon leader. He alternated between a 4.5-inch Straight Tailed Roboworm in Morning Dawn color or a Berkley Flatnose Minnow in Brownback Color. He rigged them both on size 1 Gamakatsu Split Shot / Dropshot Hooks and alternated between 1/4 to 3/8-ounce teardrop tungsten dropshot weights depending on depth. Lowrance Active Target 2 was also instrumental in his victory, reporting that he used the Forward Facing technology to catch the majority of his weight.

He said he could not believe he was a U.S. Open Champion. “I remember fishing my first U.S. Open on Lake Mead thinking I was hot stuff, and blanking,” he said. “I realized how tough this tournament was then and watched as guys like Aaron Martens – who has always been my favorite angler – won this trophy, and now I have one of my own; I am so happy, but stunned, it’s a dream come true.”

For his efforts, Grover earned the keys to a 2024 Bass Cat Cougar FTD, Mercury 250 ProXS combo from Bass Cat Boats’ president Rick Pierce, that when rigged with Lithium Pro batteries and charger, a Power-Pole Total Boat Control 8’ Blade, trolling motor and electronics will be valued at $82,000. He also earned a cash prize of $74,000, bringing the Champion’s purse to $156,000.

Touey said that the tale of his tournament would come down to lost fish. He reported having a good practice period but had to adjust with the pressure. “I fished above Cottonwood in the Upper Basin and caught them on a crankbait, a tube and a dropshot,” he said. “I lost 10 pounds of culls that would have closed this out easily, and you just can’t do that in tournaments and expect to win.”

He fished a Bill Norman Little N in Chartreuse Shad color early in the week. that he threw on an iRod Crank Jr Rd, with 10-pound-test Fluorocarbon, but had to turn to finesse tactics more as the event progressed. He chose iRod 722 Air spinning rods with 10-pound-test braid and 6-pound-test leader and a pair of finesse baits, a green pumpkin tube on a tube jig and Berkley Maxscent Flatworm in Green Pumpkin rigged on a dropshot rig with a 3/8-ounce weight.

Anthony Hunt, of Clovis, Calif. earned the title of AAA Champion by moving from fourth place with a 10.39-pound limit to bring his three-day total weight to 41.29 on the final day to take the victory in the AAA Division. The AAA Champions said that he was stunned. “I have fished my whole life, but had to stop for quite a while, and I’ve just gotten back into recently with my father-in-law,” he said. “I love to fish and knew that this was the biggest tournament out here, I can’t believe I’ve won it.”

Hunt reported using a variety of baits to catch fish. “I caught some on finesse baits and some on reaction baits this week, and had a great week with my pros, I’m absolutely in shock.” Hunt earned $8,500 cash and an ATV worth an additional $8,000.

He was followed by Markos Avalos of Las Vegas, Nev. in second place with 40.05 pounds. Third place AAA went to Quincy Lewis, of San Diego, Calif. with 39.98 pounds, fourth place went to Travis Hargis of Chula Vista, Calif. with 38.98 pounds and Bo McNeely of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. rounded out the top five in the AAA Division with 39.19 pounds.

That concludes the 2023 Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin. Takeoffs and weigh-ins of 183 pro and AAA anglers occurred daily at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina located at 2690 Katherine Spur, Bullhead City, AZ 86429.

Complete Standings of both divisions can be found below:

For event news and results look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com along with WON BASS and Western Outdoor News social media platforms on https://www.facebook.com/WONBassTournaments and https://www.instagram.com/wonbass/ for event details, livestreams and updates of future events.

The 41st Anniversary 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open is presented by the following sponsors; Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Costa, Abu Garcia, Bridgford Foods, Daiwa, Gamakatsu, Phenix, Power-Pole Total Boat Control, Eagle Claw TroKar, Lithium Pros, Lowrance, Anderson Toyota, Loco’s Bar and Cocina, DD26, Top This, Johnon’s Bait and Tackle, LTC Laughlin Tourism Commission, Last Chance Performance Marine, Yamamoto Baits, Huntington Beach Honda, Peregrine 250, Livingston Lures, Roboworm, Trika Premium Fishing Gear, Liqui Moly Marine, Anglers Marine, Stealth Stix, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches, KUIU, Signature Gate Systems and Welding, Sure Life, Visit Laughlinand Western Outdoor News.

2023 Won Bass U.S. Open
Pro Final Results
	Angler	Hometown	Fish	Wght	Pnlty	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Total
1	Kyle Grover	RCHO STA MARG CA	15-15	56.75		20.70	19.56	16.49	56.75
2	Patrick Touey	Santa Maria CA	15-15	56.51		17.74	18.84	19.93	56.51
3	Bryant Smith	Roseville CA	15-15	55.36		18.40	18.98	17.98	55.36
4	Spencer Shuffield	Hot Springs AR	15-15	51.73		20.17	19.58	11.98	51.73
5	Garrett Howard	Riverside CA	15-15	50.01		19.26	17.57	13.18	50.01
6	Chris Zaldain	Fort Worth TX	14-14	48.65		18.83	15.39	14.43	48.65
7	Roy Hawk	Lake Havasu City AZ	15-15	45.23		9.60	18.97	16.66	45.23
8	Zach VerBrugge	Lake Havasu AZ	13-13	43.71		18.94	16.03	8.74	43.71
9	Evan Barnes	Dardanelle AR	11-11	43.41		20.58	14.54	8.29	43.41
10	Jim Vretzos	El Dorodo Hills CA	12-12	41.52		20.23	11.77	9.52	41.52
11	Luke Johns	Folsom CA	14-14	40.54		12.56	9.66	18.32	40.54
12	Max Hernandez	Queen Creek AZ	13-13	40.30		18.30	6.31	15.69	40.30
13	Josh Bertrand	San Tan Valley AZ	14-14	39.73		10.74	14.71	14.28	39.73
14	Joe Uribe, Jr.	Surprise AZ	13-13	39.62		12.98	12.12	14.52	39.62
15	Scott Hellesen	Paso Robles CA	13-12	39.82	0.50	15.87	10.38	13.07	39.32
16	Ray Arbesu	Henderson NV	15-15	38.01		13.31	16.55	8.15	38.01
17	Jon Bell	Campo CA	13-13	37.96		4.33	15.09	18.54	37.96
18	Jonathan Schuyler	Las Vegas NV	11-11	37.66		6.45	14.00	17.21	37.66
19	Randy McAbee, Jr.	Bakersfield CA	11-11	37.07		15.68	17.33	4.06	37.07
20	Robert Nakatomi	Sacramento CA	15-15	36.63		10.83	13.80	12.00	36.63
21	Gary Clouse	Winchester TN	13-13	35.55		11.79	14.60	9.16	35.55
22	Kevin Short	Fairfield Bay AR	13-12	35.78	0.50	14.25	9.21	11.82	35.28
23	Matthew Becker	Finleyville PA	12-12	35.00	<td width=”47″ nowrap=”” valign=”bottom” style=”width: 35pt; background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat;

Big limit of spotted bass lifts Dube to lead at B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell

Brian Carter

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October 18, 2023

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Big limit of spotted bass lifts Dube to lead at B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell

Tim Dube of Nashua, N. H., is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Lake Hartwell with 16 pounds, 3 ounces.

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

October 18, 2023

Big limit of spotted bass lifts Dube to lead at B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell

ANDERSON, S.C. — Tim Dube had never fished a competitive round on Lake Hartwell prior to Wednesday’s start of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

But he went out and treated the place like home water.

Dube, a 29-year-old New Hampshire resident, caught a limit of five spotted bass for a total of 16 pounds, 3 ounces. That was enough to give him a 2-ounce lead over defending B.A.S.S. Nation Champion and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Will Davis Jr., who finished Day 1 with 16-1.

“It was tough to even get fish to bite in practice,” Dube said. “But I got a tip from my co-angler from New Hampshire, and I ran some stuff I found in pre-practices. I just got the right ones to bite today. And I had room to grow, too. I had a 5-pounder break off at the boat.”

Dube was tightlipped when it came to the lures he used to hook Day 1’s big bag, but he indicated he’s covering a lot of water and power fishing.

“I’m doing something different, and I don’t have any boats around me,” he said. “(The key) has been finding the right brushpiles and the canepiles. The fish need to be set up on them right and to be unpressured, if there is such a thing here.”

Dube said he’ll continue with the tactics that helped him climb into the pole position on Day 1.

“I could get 8 pounds and I could get 18 pounds,” he said. “The good thing is the fish seem to reload every day. There are so many fish in this lake. It’s just a matter of getting them to bite.”

Davis, 31, already knows what it takes to win a B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, having won the 2022 title on Pickwick Lake. That got the Sylacauga, Ala., resident into the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville (he finished 40th of 55 anglers). It also earned him a spot on the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series, and he impressed there, winning a derby on Lay Lake back in May and finishing fifth in the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings.

Davis said those experiences have given him plenty of confidence.

“It got my mind right to compete at another level,” he said. “Fishing is all about confidence. If you don’t have it, you might as well not even put a boat in the water.

“And Hartwell fits my style pretty well. I know the way the spotted bass behave some days. But they’ll change up on you. I must’ve fished 50 spots today and I only caught fish on four of them.”

Davis said three of his keepers came on a Davis Bait Company Wood Jig, and one each on a Davis 1/2-ounce spinnerbait (peacock color) and a Davis Shaky Head.

“That Wood Jig is a bad dude,” he said. “It’s a phenomenal bait when you power fish and want to cover a lot of water.”

Maryland’s Andrew Sams is third in the boater division with 14-8. South Africa’s Andrew Nienaber is fourth with 14-7 and Michigan’s Nic Rand is fifth with 14-5. Georgia’s Chris Moody, who’s in sixth place with 14-3, caught the heaviest bass in the boater field (4-4).

Cole Buser, who’s representing New Mexico, leads the nonboater field with a limit that weighed 13 pounds. Virginia’s Larry Witt is second with 11-11 and Kansas’ Kyle Klein is third with 10-15. Klein’s 4-8 spot was the heavy on Wednesday.

A total of 113 B.A.S.S. Nation anglers from 48 states and eight foreign countries are competing at Hartwell — the storied 56,000-acre reservoir straddling the South Carolina-Georgia border. Fifty-eight competitors are in the boater field and another 55 are nonboaters. Each finished atop their state standings at one of five B.A.S.S. Nation regionals this year to qualify for the championship.

Davis is fishing alone, as is customary for the defending champion. So are Jurgen Geiger of Namibia and Texas’ Jack Barber, who is representing the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Besides the U.S. and Namibia, other countries represented this week include Canada, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Japan, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The field will be cut after the Day 2 weigh-in, with the Top 10 boaters advancing to the third and final day of competition. Anglers from each of the five B.A.S.S Nation regions that don’t have a Top 10 weight after Day 2 also will advance to the final round, as will any nonboater whose weight is equal to or greater than any boater in the Top 10.

The Top 10 in each field will split a cash purse of $96,500, including Big Bass awards ($1,000 to the boater and $500 to the nonboater), as well as a $500 award to the angler using Garmin Electronics who finishes highest in the boater field.

The top three boaters will earn a spot in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees near Tulsa, Okla., scheduled for March 22-24. The winner will qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series.

Day 2 of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will begin with a 7:30 a.m. ET takeoff from Green Pond Landing. Weigh-in is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Follow all the action on Bassmaster.com.

Visit Anderson is hosting the event.

2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 10/18-10/20
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.

(BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Timothy Dube Nashua, NH 5 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 16-03
2. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-01
3. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 5 14-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-08
4. Andrew Nienaber Cape Town Western Cape 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
5. Nic Rand Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
6. Chris Moody Brooks, GA 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
7. Zach Taylor Kimberly, ID 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-00
8. Tyler Darling Rapid City, SD 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
9. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
10. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
11. Jonathan Carter Portland, ME 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
12. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
13. Blake Wilson Benton, AR 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
14. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
15. Riley Nielsen Murray, UT 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
16. Tyler Ramsey Sand Springs, OK 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
17. Aaron Green Everett, PA 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
18. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
19. BJ Baxter Willshire, OH 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
19. Jordan Card Knoxville, TN 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
19. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
22. Kevin Walton Norfolk, VA 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
23. Jess Pottenger Harrison, ID 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
24. Austin Bonjour Templeton, CA 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
25. Brian La Clair Denton, MD 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
26. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
27. Dave Frost Mount Dora, FL 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
28. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 5 09-14 0
Day 1: 5 09-14
29. Gary Pope Georgetown, SC 5 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07
30. Andrej Chowaniec Beeton Ontario CANADA 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
31. Matthew Abeyta Albuquerque, NM 5 09-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-04
32. Adam Hamann Prairie Du Chien, IA 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
33. Michael Mello Jr Manville, RI 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
34. Byron Albrecht Waco, TX 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
34. Manuel Cruz Clifton, NJ 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
36. Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN 5 08-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-10
37. Jurgen Geiger Luxury Hill Windoek NA 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
37. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
39. Frankie Mueller Kingman, AZ 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
39. Matthew Nobile Sorrento, LA 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
41. Marc Leech Kings Mountian , NC 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-15
42. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 5 07-00 0
Day 1: 5 07-00
43. Dustin Hollen Buckhannon, WV 5 06-13 0
Day 1: 5 06-13
44. Luis Tavares Mendes Cernache Do Bonjardim P 5 06-11 0
Day 1: 5 06-11
45. Andre Kondonis Harare ZIMBABWE 4 06-10 0
Day 1: 4 06-10
46. Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT 5 05-11 0
Day 1: 5 05-11
47. Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR 5 05-10 0
Day 1: 5 05-10
48. Sean Andrachick Marion, MT 4 05-10 0
Day 1: 4 05-10
49. Lukas Matt Syracuse, NY 5 05-02 0
Day 1: 5 05-02
50. Andy Gill Wellsville, KS 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 3 04-00
51. Richard Young Jr Melbourne, KY 4 03-15 0
Day 1: 4 03-15
52. Mickey Soler Newington, CT 3 03-11 0
Day 1: 3 03-11
53. Chad Warnol Moss Point, MS 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
54. Oscar Gonzalez Barcelona SPAIN 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
54. Jorge Trapero Barraza Culiac n Rosales TX MEX 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
56. Jackie Barber West , TX 2 02-09 0
Day 1: 2 02-09
57. Thomas Waltz St. Albans, VT 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
58. Yoshi Komada Nishinomiya JAPAN 1 01-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-01
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 47 263 532-02
———————————-
47 263 532-02
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 10/18-10/20
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Cole Buser Moscow, ID 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
2. Larry Witt Evington, VA 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
3. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
4. Grant Aumiller Danville, KY 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
5. Richard White Alexander City, AL 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
6. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 5 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07
7. Zachary Queeney Atco, NJ 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
8. Dave Roberts Sisters, OR 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
9. Marshal Allen Greeley, CO 4 07-15 0
Day 1: 4 07-15
9. Ron Stierstorfer Middle River, MD 4 07-15 0
Day 1: 4 07-15
11. James D’Ambra Hanover, MA 5 07-11 0
Day 1: 5 07-11
12. Cooper Haase Duncannon, PA 5 07-00 0
Day 1: 5 07-00
13. Keisuke Sakamoto Shiga JAPAN 4 07-00 0
Day 1: 4 07-00
14. Tristan Garriga Lucedale, MS 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 5 06-15
15. Hunter Frederickson Redford, MI 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 5 06-10
15. Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 5 06-10
15. Joe Whelan Ozark, MO 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 5 06-10
18. Bryan Schumacher Sparta, WI 4 06-10 0
Day 1: 4 06-10
19. Matt Luken Independence, KY 4 06-09 0
Day 1: 4 06-09
20. Tristen Boyd Monteagle, TN 4 06-08 0
Day 1: 4 06-08
21. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 5 06-07 0
Day 1: 5 06-07
22. Gary Belanger Plainville, CT 5 06-02 0
Day 1: 5 06-02
23. Edward Owens Hemingway, SC 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10
24. Kin Pui Wong Bakersfield, CA 4 05-07 0
Day 1: 4 05-07
25. Jesus Morales Apodaca Nuevo Leon MEX 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-11
26. Agustin Pintado Salas El Burgo Del Ebro, Zara 3 04-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-07
27. James Seymour Oglesby, TX 3 04-05 0
Day 1: 3 04-05
28. Matt Summers Gassaway, WV 3 03-13 0
Day 1: 3 03-13
29. Jason Campbell Berwick, LA 3 03-08 0
Day 1: 3 03-08
30. Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 2 03-00 0
Day 1: 2 03-00
31. Eric Moulton Enfield, NH 2 02-10 0
Day 1: 2 02-10
32. Alex Ellerbrock Sugar Grove, IL 2 02-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-06
33. Will Presley Jr Grove City, OH 2 02-02 0
Day 1: 2 02-02
34. Neels Beneke Amanzimtoti SOUTH AFRIC 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
35. Dez Ruffin Tukwila, WA 2 01-13 0
Day 1: 2 01-13
35. Robert Rull Jr Coventry, RI 2 01-13 0
Day 1: 2 01-13
37. Roger Foraker Magnolia, DE 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
38. Jeremiah Proulx Cherokee Village, AR 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
39. Brad Gandee Mcdonough, GA 2 01-10 0
Day 1: 2 01-10
39. Miles Lausch Lakeville, MN 2 01-10 0
Day 1: 2 01-10
41. Garrett Sicely Albany, VT 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
42. Carl Bowser Indianapolis, IN 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
43. David Pfeiffer Milton Mills, NH 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
44. Grant Harris Maiden, NC 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
45. Fernando Henriques Henriques Cernache Do Bonjardim P 1 00-15 0
Day 1: 1 00-15
46. Gavin Fraser Bulawayo ZIMBABWE 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
47. Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Mike Bell Ogdensburg, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Tyler Guthmiller Yankton, SD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Christian Hanson Rathdrum, ID 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Andrew Krauss Seabright CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Claude Loftin Jacksonville, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Blake Macumber Elkhorn, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
47. Greg Pink Montrose, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 16 151 240-10
———————————-
16 151 240-10

Do Rivers Go Through Water Turnover Like Lakes do in Spring and Fall?

Brian Carter

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October 18, 2023

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Do Rivers Go Through Water Turnover Like Lakes do in Spring and Fall?

Introduction:
Rivers have always fascinated people as they flow through the earth, but have you ever wondered if they go through changes similar to lakes in the spring and fall? In this simple read, we will explore the dynamics of river changes and understand how they transform throughout the year.

Understanding River Dynamics:
To understand river changes, we need to know the basics of how rivers work. Unlike lakes, which are still bodies of water, rivers are always moving, pushed by gravity and the shape of the land they flow through. Many things can affect rivers, like rainfall, temperature, and the shape of the riverbed.

Spring and Fall Transitions:
In the spring and fall, rivers do experience interesting changes, but not exactly like lakes. In the spring, when snow melts and it rains more, rivers can get higher and flow faster. This brings fresh nutrients and mud into the rivers, which helps plants and animals living there.

In the fall, rivers change again as the trees around them prepare for winter. The leaves fall off the trees and get carried by the wind and rain into the rivers. This can change the way the river looks and provide food for the animals that live there. It is like the river is wearing colorful autumn clothes.

River Turnover: A Different Perspective:
While rivers don’t have the same turnover as lakes, they do have a process called river turnover during the colder months. River turnover means that the water mixes up in the river, which is important for the animals and plants living there.

During winter, the top layer of the river gets colder because of the low temperatures. This cold water sinks down to the bottom, pushing the warmer water up. The bottom layer, which has lots of nutrients, rises to the top, while the cold water stays at the bottom. This process helps bring oxygen to all the parts of the river, which is necessary for the plants and animals to survive.

Influence of Climate and Geography:
The changes in rivers can be affected by different things like the weather and the shape of the land. In colder places, where rivers can freeze, the mixing of water layers is stronger. The freezing and thawing of the water help mix everything up and make sure the animals have enough oxygen even under the ice.

Also, the shape of the riverbed can change how the water moves. If the river is steep or has rocks, it can make the water mix more. But if the river is slow and has sand, the mixing may not be as strong.

Conclusion:
Rivers may not change in the same way as lakes in the spring and fall, but they do go through their own transformations throughout the year. The spring brings more water and nutrients, while the fall adds colorful leaves to the river. In the colder months, river turnover ensures that oxygen and nutrients reach all the animals and plants living in the river.

By learning about these changes in rivers, we can better understand and appreciate their important role in supporting different life forms. Rivers are amazing natural wonders that connect communities and enrich our world.

NPFL Progressive Angler of the Year, Goade Leads with One Event Remaining

Brian Carter

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October 18, 2023

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NPFL Progressive Angler of the Year, Goade Leads with One Event Remaining

With only Lake Lanier left on the 2023 schedule, Todd Goade takes a 12-point lead into the final event in Georgia on October 26-28. The final stop of the year will decide who takes home the golden crown and wins the 2023 Progressive Angler of the Year title.

On the line for the top 25 is a berth to the first NPFL Championship, where anglers will compete for a top prize of $100,000 and a piece of the $200,000 total purse payout to all 25 qualifiers. The winner of the AOY will receive $20,000 with paid entry fees for the 2024 season.

Todd Goade
With plenty of history fishing Lake Lanier, Todd Goade knows the intricacies of catching the bigger than average bass. And with his previous knowledge combined with three-days of practice, the event cannot come soon enough for the AOY leader.

Leading the pack, Todd Goade has fished flawless in 2023 with his worst finish being a pair of 10th place showings at the first event of the season, Lake Pickwick, and the last event on Eufaula. Sandwiched between, Goade secured a 5th place at Wright Patman, a near victory 2nd place at Santee Cooper, and a 6th place at Saginaw Bay. Goade holds a 12-point lead over Jesse Wise, whose only slip up was a 16th place finish at Saginaw Bay. Goade and Wise have fished near perfect this season with a 2023 NPFL schedule that spans from March through October. Anglers faced different conditions in different months in different regions of the country. The winner will have earned the $20,000 and golden trophy.

Wise spend some time before the off limits and did a lot of looking around. He believes the NPFL field will catch some fish and thinks the overall bite should be good. As good of a season as he has had, each day comes with decisions and like Goade, he has been able to put five fish in the boat every day at every event – besides one.

“At Eufaula, on day two, I lost a 2.5-pound bass and was one fish shy of a limit. I lost a four pounder on day one but still had a limit,” he added. “Those two fish would make this final event even closer than it is, and seven places in Oklahoma would have made it more interesting. Hats off to Todd for executing and getting another top ten.”

Wise knows he is in a great position, but needs to both do his job and hope others struggle. For a chance at winning, he is setting his sights on a top three to give a fighting chance.
“I won’t wish bad upon anyone, but I need to sneak in and win this event to have a shot. Todd also needs to struggle, which for him, he will still get paid and have a good finish. So, I have nothing to lose and I am going for the win.”

In pre practice, Wise located both spotted and largemouth bass, and although spots would be the consistent pattern, the fall presents an opportunity to catch a big largemouth and move up in the standings.

“Solid 3-pound fish will do well, but adding in a kicker largemouth will put you up. I don’t know yet how I will fish, but I have nothing to lose; I made the championship and I need to win. I’ll be fishing different at this event. I don’t need to get paid; I need to win.”
Catching them at lakes all across the country is not easy, but Wise credits his travel partners for making the season not only successful on the water, but making the time away from home a good time.

“I travel with some great guys, and breaking down water with a few other folks goes a long way. Our group success this season has shown, and I root for those guys, and they root for me. I like for those guys to succeed, and they mean everything to me; it’s been awesome,” he added.
Progressive Angler of the Year Standings.

Todd Goade 1222, $54,250
Pickwick 10th
Wright Patman 5th
Santee Cooper 2nd
Saginaw Bay 6th
Eufaula 10th
Jesse Wise 1210, $46,550
Pickwick 7th
Wright Patman 7th
Santee Cooper 7th
Saginaw Bay 16th
Eufaula 8th
Will Harkins 1193, $39,000
Pickwick 28th
Wright Patman 22nd
Santee Cooper 3rd
Saginaw Bay 7th
Eufaula 2nd

Kyle Grover Holds onto Lead on Day Two of 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open.Spencer Shuffield Moves into Second Place, Steven Cook Leads AAA Division

Brian Carter

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October 18, 2023

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Kyle Grover Holds onto Lead on Day Two of 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open.Spencer Shuffield Moves into Second Place, Steven Cook Leads AAA Division

Laughlin, Nev. – October 17, 2023 – There is one constant that can be counted on in the world of professional bass fishing, and that is… change. When the field for the 2023 WON Bass U.S. Open left Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina, they were greeted with warm, slick-calm environment that contrasted the breezy day one conditions. How that would affect the fishing on the bathwater clear Lake Mohave fishery was at question.

While the 28,000 surface acres of Lake Mohave should provide plenty of real estate to target, the body of water tends to fish small, couple that with high skies, and flat winds, and the result was a high probability of change atop the leaderboard. As the day two weigh-n began, it appeared that the day’s conditions may have an effect on the anglers, as several saw opposite results of their opening round performance.

For opening round leader Kyle Grover from Anaheim, Calif., that was not the case as he backed up his 20.70-pounds limit that gave him the day one lead with a 19.56-pound limit to bring his total weight to 40.26 pounds, enabling him to maintain his lead on day two. Grover holds a slim .51-pound lead over Hot Springs, Ark. pro Spencer Shuffield who brought 19.58-pound limit of smallmouth to bring his total weight to 39.75 pounds. Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif. matched his day one 18-pound limit with 18.98 pounds to end the day in third place with 37.38 pounds, while Garrett Howard, from Riverside, Calif. added 17.57 to finish day two in fourth place with 36.83 pounds, and rounding out the top five is Patrick Touey, from Santa Maria, Calif. who brought 18.84 pounds to the scales for a total of 36.58 pounds.

Grover reported having the majority of his day’s weight at 11:00AM but made one key cull in the waning moments of the day that made the difference. He had met the four and a half pounder the day before. “I stopped on this point a couple of miles from takeoff yesterday and made a cast at her, she bit, and I broke her off on the hookset,” he said. “I made the same stop today and she was sitting in the same spot, made the same cast, he bit, and this time I landed her; she culled a three pounder.”

He said he knows there are plenty of fish in his areas but is unsure how they will respond. “I threw at around a hundred fish today and got eight or ten to bite,” he said. “I know I need to back it up with a big bag, I’m just not sure that I’ll be able to; tomorrow is going to be interesting. Winning the U.S. Open would mean so much to me, I’m going to go out and do everything I can to close it out tomorrow.”

Shuffield said he threw at more fish than the leader and managed to catch a few more but is also concerned about what the conditions will do to his ability to present to the fish. “I’m fishing fairly deep, and my main areas are expected to be in heavy winds tomorrow,” he said. “I know the fish are there and I hope I can make them eat, but we’ll have to see how tomorrow goes; I’d love to get this done tomorrow.”

In the AAA Division, Steven Cook of Willow, Alaska weighed 16.03 pounds to take the day one lead with 34.86 pounds. Second place on the AAA side is held by Donald Lugert from Needles, Calif. added 15.39 to bring his total to 34.33 pounds. Bullhead City, Arizona’s Brian Reaves moved into third place in the AAA Division with 18.84 pounds to bring his total to 33.74 pounds. Anthony Hunt of Clovis, Calif. ended the day in fourth place with 30.89 pounds after adding 13.26 pounds on day two. Travis Hargis of Chula Vista, Calif. added 10.46 pounds to bring his total to 30.69 pounds to round out the top five.

Complete Standings of both divisions can be found below:

Day three of the 2023 Bass Cat / Mercury WON BASS U.S. Open presented by Laughlin Tourism Commission and Visit Laughlin will commence tomorrow with a champion being crowned Wednesday at the conclusion of the final weigh-in. Takeoff with 183 pro and AAA anglers will commence at safe light and weigh-ins will occur at 3:00PM daily. Takeoff and weigh-ins will be held at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina located at 2690 Katherine Spur, Bullhead City, AZ 86429.

WON Bass has reserved Thursday October 19 and Friday October 20 in case any day of the event is postponed due to unsafe conditions by the National Parks Service.

Join us for an historic event and look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com along with WON BASS and Western Outdoor News social media platforms on https://www.facebook.com/WONBassTournaments and https://www.instagram.com/wonbass/ for event details, livestreams and updates.

The 41st Anniversary 2023 WON BASS U.S. Open is presented by the following sponsors; Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Costa, Abu Garcia, Bridgford Foods, Daiwa, Gamakatsu, Phenix, Power-Pole Total Boat Control, Eagle Claw TroKar, Lithium Pros, Lowrance, Anderson Toyota, Loco’s Bar and Cocina, DD26, Top This, Johnon’s Bait and Tackle, LTC Laughlin Tourism Commission, Last Chance Performance Marine, Yamamoto Baits, Huntington Beach Honda, Peregrine 250, Livingston Lures, Roboworm, Trika Premium Fishing Gear, Liqui Moly Marine, Anglers Marine, Stealth Stix, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff and Pouches, KUIU, Signature Gate Systems and Welding, Sure Life, Visit Laughlinand Western Outdoor News.

2023 WON Bass U.S. Open
Day 2 Pro Standings
	Pro Angler	Hometown	Fish	Wght	Pnlty	B/B	Day 1	Day 2	Total

1	Kyle Grover	RCHO STA MARG CA	10-10	40.26		4.74	20.70	19.56	40.26
2	Spencer Shuffield	Hot Springs AR	10-10	39.75		4.88	20.17	19.58	39.75
3	Bryant Smith	Roseville CA	10-10	37.38			18.40	18.98	37.38
4	Garrett Howard	Riverside CA	10-10	36.83		6.49	19.26	17.57	36.83
5	Patrick Touey	Santa Maria CA	10-10	36.58		4.82	17.74	18.84	36.58
6	Evan Barnes	Dardanelle AR	9-9	35.12		4.58	20.58	14.54	35.12
7	Zach VerBrugge	Lake Havasu AZ	10-10	34.97		4.74	18.94	16.03	34.97
8	Chris Zaldain	Fort Worth TX	10-10	34.22		4.88	18.83	15.39	34.22
9	Randy McAbee, Jr.	Bakersfield CA	10-10	33.01			15.68	17.33	33.01
10	Jim Vretzos	El Dorodo Hills CA	9-9	32.00			20.23	11.77	32.00
11	Ray Arbesu	Henderson NV	10-10	29.86		4.23	13.31	16.55	29.86
12	Tai Au	Glendale AZ	9-9	28.97			16.59	12.38	28.97
13	Roy Hawk	Lake Havasu City AZ	10-10	28.57		4.14	9.60	18.97	28.57
14	Luke Clausen	Otis Orchards WA	9-8	29.00	0.50	4.57	16.95	11.55	28.50
15	Gary Clouse	Winchester TN	10-10	26.39			11.79	14.60	26.39
16	Matt Shura	Gilbert AZ	10-10	26.30		4.52	12.25	14.05	26.30
17	Scott Hellesen	Paso Robles CA	8-8	26.25			15.87	10.38	26.25
18	Andrew Napoleon	Mesa AZ	10-10	26.07		5.70	15.25	10.82	26.07
19	Shane Edgar	Glendale AZ	8-8	25.92		4.59	18.66	7.26	25.92
20	Josh Bertrand	San Tan Valley AZ	9-9	25.45		&

MLF Announces Strategic Plan for 2024 Bass Pro Tour and Beyond

Brian Carter

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October 18, 2023

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MLF Announces Strategic Plan for 2024 Bass Pro Tour and Beyond

MLF Returns to Its Roots, Reinstates “Every Fish Counts” Format on the Bass Pro Tour, Announces Exclusive Field of 50 Anglers in 2025 to Showcase Top Performers

BENTON, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, today announced long-term plans for the Bass Pro Tour, including an investment in increased livestreaming of MLF competition, a return to the “every fish counts” scoring format, and an exclusive roster of 50 anglers for the Bass Pro Tour in 2025 to increase visibility and showcase top performers.

2025 Bass Pro Tour:
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour field will feature an all-star roster of 50 anglers comprised of the top 35 pros from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour lifetime Angler of the Year (AOY) standings, the top 10 anglers from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour single-year standings that did not qualify via the top 35 lifetime AOY standings, and the top five (5) anglers from the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

Each regular-season 2025 Bass Pro Tour event will be four days with every angler competing the first two days. The top 20 anglers based on two-day cumulative weight will advance to the Knockout Round (Day 3). Weights will reset in the Knockout Round, and the top 10 anglers will advance to the Championship Round (Day 4). Winners will be determined by heaviest cumulative weight from the Knockout and Championship rounds.

“The future of our sport is livestreaming, catch-weigh-immediate release and every fish counts,” said MLF President and CEO Boyd Duckett. “By focusing on 50 anglers in a more compact event that’s easy for both die-hard and casual fans alike to follow, we’ll do what other successful leagues have done to grow – focus on a small group of the highest performers and make them the most visible personalities in the sport. It also allows us to enhance what are already the sport’s best payouts.”

Each Stage on the 2025 Bass Pro Tour will pay $130,000 to the winner and $2,000 through 50th place. REDCREST will feature the sport’s top award of $300,000 with $10,000 through 20^th place and $5,000 through last place. Heavy Hitters will feature $100,000 for a win with big bass awards in each round of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.

Not only does the Bass Pro Tour feature the sport’s best payouts and biggest media platform, its anglers graduate through the sport’s most lucrative qualifying circuits – the nationally-televised and livestreamed Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine, and Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI.

Reinstating “Every Fish Counts” Scoring:
Scoring on the Bass Pro Tour will return to the “every fish counts” format in 2024. After scoring each anglers’ five biggest bass per day in 2023, the change will recapture the excitement and pressure of the Tour’s original format.

“We responded in 2023 to fans and anglers that wanted to see how five-fish scoring would work with our SCORETRACKER^® live leaderboard,” said MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “Unfortunately, viewership growth was stagnant. The Bass Pro Tour thrives on intense competition, and the scoring change affected the Tour’s competitiveness in an unexpected way. By reinstating the every fish counts scoring structure and having fewer anglers in the Knockout Round, pros will no longer be able to let their guard down without the risk of being overtaken by someone climbing SCORETRACKER^®.”

2024 Bass Pro Tour Tournament Format:
In addition to the scoring change, the format of each Bass Pro Tour event in 2024 will also be adjusted. Forty anglers in Group A will compete on Days 1 & 3 and 40 anglers in Group B will compete on Days 2 & 4. Only the top 10 anglers from each group – based on the two-day, heaviest cumulative weight – will advance to the Knockout Round (Day 5). Weights will be zeroed for the Knockout Round, and the top 10 anglers will advance to the Championship Round (Day 6). Weights from the Knockout Round will carry over into the Championship Round, and the winner of each event will be decided by the heaviest Knockout and Championship round two-day cumulative weight.

The complete 2024 Bass Pro Tour schedule is available at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLFNOW! Livestream Expansion:
MLF is adding nearly 20% to its livestream offerings in 2024 with the addition of the General Tire Team Series to its MLFNOW! lineup. All six days of competition from each of three General Tire Team Series qualifiers and all seven days from the General Tire Team Series Championship, filmed in the fall of 2024 for television broadcast in 2025, will be livestreamed on MLFNOW!

Each 2024 Bass Pro Tour Stage will feature four days of MLFNOW! livestreamed coverage – the final two days of the Qualifying Round, the Knockout Round and the Championship Round. REDCREST 2024 will stream all four days of competition, and the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event will stream all six days of competition. MLF will also livestream all three days at each Tackle Warehouse Invitational stop as well as the final day of competition from the Toyota Series Championship, Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American and Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship. All told, fishing fans will have a total of 84 full days of Major League Fishing livestreamed content to consume in 2024.

“The General Tire Team Series is one of our most exciting products,” Duckett said. “Condensing the Bass Pro Tour livestream to four days allows us to expand our Team Series coverage, which is a win-win for fans. We’ll have an easier to follow Bass Pro Tour format and an extended season with 25 days of Team Series livestream coverage to watch in the fall.”

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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Does Color Really Matter in Bass Fishing? Exploring the Importance and Impact of Color Choices

Brian Carter

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October 17, 2023

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Does Color Really Matter in Bass Fishing? Exploring the Importance and Impact of Color Choices

Introduction:
When it comes to bass fishing, anglers often find themselves overwhelmed by the vast array of lure colors available on the market. Questions arise: Does color really matter? How much of an impact does it have on bass behavior? In this blog post, we will delve into the world of color in bass fishing, exploring its importance, potential influence, and why it should not be overlooked.

Understanding Bass Vision:
To understand the significance of color in bass fishing, it is essential to grasp how bass perceive their surroundings. Bass have excellent vision, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to their specialized retina cells. They possess a higher concentration of rod cells, which are responsible for detecting movement and contrast, rather than color.

While bass may not perceive colors as vividly as humans do, they can still differentiate between various shades and hues. Therefore, color can play a role in attracting or triggering a bass’s predatory instincts, even if its perception of the specific color is not as detailed as ours.

The Impact of Color Choices:
When it comes to lure selection, color choices can make a difference in bass fishing. However, it is important to note that color is just one aspect of a successful presentation. Factors such as lure size, shape, action, and retrieval technique also play significant roles in attracting bass. Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for maximizing success on the water.

Water Clarity and Light Conditions:
One of the primary considerations when selecting lure color is water clarity. In clear water, bass have a better ability to discern detail and color, making natural and realistic colors a safe bet. Shades such as green pumpkin, watermelon, and shad imitations often excel in clear water conditions. Conversely, in stained or murky water, where visibility is reduced, brighter colors such as chartreuse, firetiger, or black and blue may be more effective in attracting bass by providing greater contrast.

Light conditions also play a role in color selection. On bright, sunny days, bass tend to be more cautious and may prefer more natural and subtle colors. In contrast, on cloudy or overcast days, bass may be more aggressive and receptive to brighter or more vibrant colors that stand out in the dimmer light.

Seasonal Considerations:
Another important factor to consider when selecting lure colors is the time of year. Bass behavior and their preferred forage change with the seasons, and taking these changes into account can significantly improve your chances of success.

During the spring, when bass are actively feeding and preparing for the spawning season, natural colors that imitate their primary forage, such as crawfish or baitfish, are often effective. As summer progresses, bass may become more selective, and experimenting with brighter or more contrasting colors could yield better results.

In the fall, when bass are bulking up for the winter, imitating the dying or injured baitfish becomes crucial. Utilizing lures with colors that mimic these patterns, such as chrome, silver, or blue, can entice aggressive strikes. Finally, in the winter, when bass activity slows down, using more subtle and natural colors becomes essential to trigger lethargic fish.

The Role of Confidence:
While scientific studies and empirical evidence can provide guidance on color selection, it is important to remember that confidence in your chosen lure color plays a significant role in angling success. Confidence in a particular color can enhance your presentation and increase your focus, leading to more effective fishing.

Conclusion:
While color may not be the sole determining factor in bass fishing success, it certainly plays a crucial role. Understanding how bass perceive colors in relation to the water clarity, light conditions, and seasonal changes can help you make more informed decisions when selecting lure colors. Ultimately, having confidence in your color choice and the overall presentation of your lure will greatly contribute to your success on the water. So, the next time you head out for a bass fishing adventure, remember to consider color as an important element in your pursuit of landing that trophy bass.

Jeff & Jacob Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Oct 14, 2023

Brian Carter

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October 17, 2023

0

Jeff & Jacob Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Oct 14, 2023

Next Lake Wateree Fall CATT will be Oct. 28!

ATTENTION – We have moved to Molly Creek for the rest of the Fall on Lake Wateree! Clearwater will be closed but the ramps will be open at Clearwater. If you put in there you can ride across to Molly Creek!

When you’re hot you’re hot! Jeff & Jacob Norris make 3 in a row at Lake Wateree with a limit weighing 13.98 lbs along with the Academy BF at 4.17 lbs! They earned $513.00!

Craig Haven & Robbie English 2nd with 12.65 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Jeff Norris & Jacob Norris	4.17	13.98	$513.00	110
Robbie English & Craig Haven	4.10	12.65	$167.00	109
Butch Williams & Sonny Beam	3.48	12.35		108
Alan Fletcher & Tanner Fletcher	3.75	11.22		107
Chase Wallace & Toni Morton	2.65	4.48		106
Robert Jackson	0.00	0.00		96
Buba Baker & Colden Baker	0.00	0.00		96
Cal Jordan	0.00	0.00		96
Daniel Jordan & James Thomas	0.00	0.00		96
Total Entrys			$720.00
BONUS $			$150.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$680.00
2023 Wateree Fall Final Fund			$140.00
CATT			$50.00
2023 CATT Championship			$0.00
2023 Wateree Fall Fund Total			$230.00

Thompkins takes Bassmaster Opens EQ points title, eight others punch Elite Series ticket

Brian Carter

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October 17, 2023

0

Thompkins takes Bassmaster Opens EQ points title, eight others punch Elite Series ticket

Nine new anglers have earned invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series after competing in all nine St. Croix Bassmaster Opens tournaments as part of the new Elite Qualifiers Division.

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

October 17, 2023

Thompkins takes Bassmaster Opens EQ points title, eight others punch Elite Series ticket

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The goal for JT Thompkins entering the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens season was simply to qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. But as the season unfolded and an Elite Series berth became more and more likely, Thompkins shifted his focus solely to winning the Opens Elite Qualifiers Division Angler of the Year title.

“Honestly, about two tournaments ago, I completely forgot about the Elite race. It was no longer a thought in my mind,” he explained. “It switched to the AOY race. That is why I have been shooting for the win in the last couple of events.”

Capping off an incredible season with his seventh Top 25 finish of the season, Thompkins clinched the Angler of the Year title in the inaugural season of the Elite Qualifiers Division format by accumulating 1,659 points. Along with the $10,000 cash prize, the Myrtle Beach, S.C., native will be heading to the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Union City, Tenn., pro John Garrett finished second, followed by Illinois’ Trey McKinney in third. Robert Gee, Tyler Williams, Wesley Gore, Logan Parks, Ben Milliken and Kyle Patrick all earned Elite Series berths as well. Elite Series pro Kenta Kimura finished fifth in the EQ standings. Since Kimura double-qualified for the 2024 Elite Series, that allowed one additional angler to earn an Elite invitation.

“This has been one of the most stacked Opens fields of all time,” Thompkins said. “I have always thought about when I did make it to the Elites, I wanted to win Rookie of the Year. Just knowing I have done it once, I’ve beaten all the incoming rookies this year, it gives me confidence I can do it again next year.”

Eight of the nine anglers moving on to the Elite Series are under the age of 30, with Thompkins (21), Williams (21) and McKinney (18) being the three youngest of the group. While the 2022 Elite Series rookie class was heralded as one of the best ever, Thompkins believes this incoming group has a chance to be even better.

“When all us were standing there with our medallions, and me and John Garrett were in the front, that was when a lot of it set in,” he said. “When you talk to all the guys who qualified, none of them are scared. Everyone is saying, ‘We are going to go over there and dominate.’ They are all talking about winning.”

With a 19-point lead over Garrett going into the final tournament, Thompkins was as stressed as he has been this season knowing he needed to keep the momentum going for one more event.

“This week, I’ve been more stressed out than any other week of the year. I had cold sores, I couldn’t sleep, but when I saw that trophy at registration on Wednesday, everything came into focus,” Thompkins said during the cancellation day Thursday. “I have been pretty stressed about it, but usually the more stress I put on myself, the better I do. The more (stressed I am, the more) confident I feel about going out and catching them.”

With a strong performance on Day 1, Thompkins felt another limit on Day 2 would seal the deal. On the final day, Thompkins hooked up with a 4-pounder on a jerkbait, but his first couple turns of the reel collected his microphone cable and, for a moment, Thompkins was worried that bass would come off.

“I leaned into it, and the way I fish, my reel will hit my pocket, and when it did, the mic got wrapped up in it and I couldn’t reel,” he said. “Then all of sudden, the fish jumped in the air with complete slack in the line, and after losing two or three big ones already, I thought I was going to lose that one too. But the way he was hooked, I’m not sure he ever would have gotten off. It worked out. That fish was super-important.”

Once that bass entered the livewell, Thompkins felt he had put it out of reach, but another cull late in the day provided the biggest sigh of relief.

“I threw back a 1-pounder for a 2-pounder,” Thompkins said. “That put me up another pound and I knew for 100% that it was over. John would have needed a 30-pound bag to come back.”

The Angler of the Year title caps off an incredible year for Thompkins. Last September, he notched his first career victory at the Upper Chesapeake Bay, which led to a 24th-place finish at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

Leaving Knoxville with a competitive finish gave Thompkins a ton of confidence heading into the bulk of the Opens season.

“A lot of fishing is confidence,” said Thompkins. “When you get back in the boat each morning with the confidence that you are doing it a lot better than a lot of people, it gives you confidence to stick with it knowing that, if you do, you’ll come out on top. That is what has helped me a lot this year … being able to stick to a deal more and longer than everyone else around me because I have the confidence I’ll be able to catch them. It has worked out this year perfectly.”

Thompkins spends close to 300 days on the water a year. Other than travel and boat maintenance days, Thompkins said he will be on the water from daylight to dark, scanning and searching for winning spots and techniques. Practice makes perfect, and that’s the philosophy Thompkins has adopted throughout his journey to the Elite Series.

Now, Thompkins will look ahead to the Elite Series schedule. He is most looking forward to the Northern swing at the end of the season, but a return trip to the Harris Chain of Lakes has him intrigued as well. Remarkably, the event in his home state, Lake Murray, is a lake he has only visited a handful of times.

“I’m excited for a lot of tournaments,” he said. “Harris Chain is a big one I’m looking forward to if the grass is right and the water clarity is right. I’m also looking forward to Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River. I’ve probably spent more time on Champlain than (the) St. Lawrence River. I’m pretty excited for Wheeler Lake and Smith Lake too.”

The Elite Series season kicks off Feb. 22-25 on Toledo Bend in Many,

Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers Division
Final Standings

Finish	Name	Hometown	Total Points
1	JT Thompkins	Myrtle Beach, SC	1,659
2	John Garrett	Union City, TN	1,644
3	Trey McKinney	Carbondale, IL	1,594
4	Robert Gee	Knoxville, TN	1,526
5	Kenta Kimura	Hirakata, Japan	1,502
6	Tyler Williams	Belgrade, ME	1,463
7	Wesley Gore	Clanton, AL	1,455
8	Logan Parks	Auburn, AL	1,435
9	Ben Milliken	New Caney, TX	1,430
10	Kyle Patrick	Cooperstown, NY	1,426
11	Bobby Lane	Lakeland, FL	1,403
12	Kyle Austin	Ridgeville, SC	1,400
13	Brett Cannon	Kiln, MS	1,396
14	Keith Tuma	Brainerd, MN	1,396
15	Jamie Bruce	Kenora, Canada	1,367
16	Sam George	Athens, AL	1,364
17	Cody Stahl	Barnsville, GA	1,343
18	Joey Nania	Cropwell, AL	1,342
19	Shaine Campbell	Brookeland, TX	1,341
20	Trevor McKinney	Benton, IL	1,334
21	Jacob Bigelow	Cecil, WI	1,334
22	Logan Johnson	Jasper, AL	1,330
23	Dale Hightower	Mannford, OK	1,328
24	Kurt Mitchell	Milford, DE	1,326
25	Adam Rasmussen	Sturgeon Bay, WI	1,294
26	Blake Smith	Lakeland, FL	1,274
27	Matt Henry	Milledgeville, GA	1,270
28	Jack Dice	Lynchburg, VA	1,254
29	Casey Scanlon	Eldon, MO	1,250
30	Blake Sylvester	Plaquemine, LA	1,242
31	Greg Bohannan	Bentonville, AR	1,225
32	Jack York	Emory, TX	1,221
33	Chris Blanchette	Edisto Island, SC	1,212
34	Chad Warren	Sand Springs, OK	1,198
35	Derek Lehtonen	Woodruff, SC	1,190
36	Clark Reehm	Elm Grove, LA	1,182
37	Andrew Upshaw	Hemphill, TX	1,171
38	Austin Cranford	Norman, OK	1,166
39	Josh Bragg	Fayetteville, GA	1,163
40	Jimmy Washam	Stantonville, TN	1,131

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Jeff & Jacob Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Oct 14, 2023

Next Lake Wateree Fall CATT will be Oct. 28!

ATTENTION – We have moved to Molly Creek for the rest of the Fall on Lake Wateree! Clearwater will be closed but the ramps will be open at Clearwater. If you put in there you can ride across to Molly Creek!

When you’re hot you’re hot! Jeff & Jacob Norris make 3 in a row at Lake Wateree with a limit weighing 13.98 lbs along with the Academy BF at 4.17 lbs! They earned $513.00!

Craig Haven & Robbie English 2nd with 12.65 lbs!

Thompkins takes Bassmaster Opens EQ points title, eight others punch Elite Series ticket

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