New extreme low diameter X-BRAID FINESSE developed through exclusive manufacturing processes.
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 16, 2024) – It’s often said, “the devil is in the details”. It means the down-in-the-weeds-details are complicated, and if not managed with precision, are likely to produce a poor result. The axiom surely applies to manufacturing fishing products, too. Think about that realistically shaped and attractively painted off-brand crankbait that comes out of the box running like a bottle rocket off the stick. Sadly, it happens.The good news is that DAIWA pays painstaking attention to detail, and it shows in their high performance rods, reels, lures, accessories, and fishing line. Japan’s premier X-BRAID fishing line brand vexes over the details as well. And it’s why DAIWA partnered with X-BRAID to bring the world’s best fishing lines to the North American market, to include the new X-BRAID FINESSE.
Quite literally, those details start at a molecular level. For years, braided lines woven with Dyneema® were at the top of the food chain, but that’s all changed as IZANAS® takes the lead. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material has the highest strength and modulus of a manmade fiber. How strong? Try nearly 8 times stronger than piano wire of the same weight.We turn to DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, to further the discussion. “Beyond IZANAS being an unrivaled base material, it’s how individual weights of the entire X-BRAID family are manufactured that makes it far superior to the competition. Other companies take a single base material and stretch it to achieve the desired diameter and weight. This creates inconsistencies, which can lead to weak spots.”Uniquely, each diameter and weight of X-BRAID is produced from a dedicated spool. So, for example, if 10-pound X-BRAID FINESSE is the desired final weight, the base material fiber is 10-pound. No stretching. No inconsistencies.Martin goes on to underscore the weaving process employed for all X-BRAID lines. “The actual weaving machines are proprietary and built in house to create the ‘WX Weave’. In traditional weaving used by other brands the line comes off multiple bobbins. That means an in an 8 strand weave there are 8 bobbins spitting out line. That results in line twist and inconsistencies.”In X-BRAID’s “top secret” WX Weave, the strands come together uniformly to yield exceptional consistency. Moreover, the X-BRAID process produces a denser weave – 1.5 X the competition – with more material in the finished product. That tighter weave results in a smoother, more abrasion resistant fishing line. The meticulous process also takes twice as long as the competition, and anglers are the beneficiaries of the patient production.The WX Weave also generates a rounder and slightly stiffer line. This modest amount of stiffness makes it much easier to handle and tie, closer to how monofilament feels. This manageability translates into fewer bird’s nests on the cast, too. But if you happen to snarl, the micro stiffness makes it much easier to untangle the knot. The awesomeness of X-BRAID FINESSE doesn’t end there. “The line making process concludes with the addition of a specialized coating that allows for extremely low friction, as well as heat, abrasion, and chemical resistance…not to mention longer casts,” said Martin.Lastly, X-BRAID FINESSE comes in high visibility white to make the line easier to manage and visible in low-light conditions.
WHY X-BRAID FINESSE?The 8-carrier X-BRAID FINESSE was originally conceived in Japan to fish through current and in deeper water for tai (sea bream). The revered fish is used in celebrations to bring in good luck, which is associated with the tai’s vivid red color and beautiful shape.Stateside, the benefits of such an extremely low diameter line are manifold. “Bass anglers will love it for throwing superlight jigs, as well as fishing deep with spoons and bladebaits,” said Martin. He notes that the line’s supreme sensitivity makes it possible to feel the bait in those situations. He added, “There’s an incredible transfer of energy from the line to the rod tip. To that, its narrow diameter greatly reduces the formation of wind knots because X-BRAID FINESSE cuts wind on the cast.”Its abilities to slash wind and provide unmatched sensitivity will make X-BRAID FINESSE popular with panfish and trout anglers as well. “Think about casting 1/32nd and 1/16th ounce jigs. You need a line of this caliber to do that. And trout anglers will be able to gun inline spinners and spoons, not to mention feel the blade rotating and body wobbling.”In freshwater rivers, X-BRAID FINESSE will better slice the current – reduce bowing – so you can maintain contact with your bait. Walleye and smallmouth bass anglers will surely appreciate this feature.Martin concluded by touting the line’s breaking strength. “Don’t be fooled by X-BRAID FINESSE’s super low diameter. The breaking strength is unbelievable.”X-BRAID FINESSE FEATURES: Constructed of revolutionary IZANAS® polyethylene fibers 8-carrier braid Proprietary WX Weave process Multi-color green, tan, and black for camouflaging Perfectly round Extreme low diameter High breaking strength Abrasion resistant Specially coated to lower friction and repel oil, chemicals, etc. 165-yard spoon Available in 4-lb to 20-lb weights MSRP $25.99NOW SHIPPING!
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@Daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us
Today’s Powerful, New 36-Volt Direct-Drive & Lithium-Powered Trolling motors require special, high-performance connections… which 6 Gauge Wire configured Connect-Ease® 36V PRO provides.
PRIOR LAKE, MN (July 16, 2024) – Today’s powerful, new 36-volt direct-drive and lithium-powered trolling motors require special, high-performance connections…Enter the Connect-Ease® 36V PRO Kit, which features 6 gauge wire, onboard charging leads, 60 amp circuit breaker, negative connection block, and direct connection leads with heat-shrinkable butt splices for a quick onboard charger connection—offering anglers hassle-free installation with everything preconfigured for proven, reliable performance. The 36V PRO features tinned marine-grade wire and materials that will provide corrosion-proof reliability for the life of your boat. Provides up to 110 Amps power and is lithium battery compatible. The Connect-Ease 36V Pro kit brings a quick, easy installation and powerful, proven performance to any 36V trolling motor installation. Ultimately, this easy-to-use multiple 36V series quick connect/disconnect lithium compatible system keeps serious anglers on the water longer; guys like top-winning professional walleye angler, Brett King, and numerous others.The perfect 36V in-series connection with multi-12V batteries and onboard charging leads provides the perfect connection for optimal performance from high-output trolling motors. Keep spare batteries on board with our additional 12V easy battery connections for quick battery replacement in seconds for extra-long days, weekends or tournaments out on the water. This is the solution for those who want a trouble-free way to maintain and replace trolling motor batteries with onboard charging systems.
Everything stays perfectly connected! Protect your expensive equipment. Easily replace batteries in tight compartments without the hassle of dropping nuts, connections or tools in the bottom of the boat. This easy to use product allows batteries to be removed in seconds and 36V in series systems to be hooked up in a snap, easily and correctly every time.Once Connect-Ease products are installed, no tools are needed for the removal, replacement or storage of expensive marine batteries. Using the Connect-Ease series of products allows connecting any 12V marine battery with any 36V trolling motor at any time, any place, easily and quickly, by simply snapping the connectors together.FEATURES/SPECS: Plug & Play Connections; Lithium Compatible 60 Amp Circuit Breaker and ground block included 6 Gauge Marine Grade Wire with Heat Shrinkable Butt Splices Integrate Your Onboard Charger through Pre-Wired Connections Makes Rigging and Battery Removal Foolproof UL1426 Tinned Marine Grade Wire Saltwater Approved One-Year Warranty Made In the USA MSRP $164.99
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 16, 2024) – The CPF Lures team, represented by Chuck Pippin and Jason George, brought a three-bass limit totaling 15 pounds, 7 ounces to the stage Tuesday to win the 2024 ICAST Cup at Lake Toho Presented by Major League Fishing (MLF). The four-hour bass-fishing tournament, hosted by the Kissimmee Sports Commission, was the kick-off event to ICAST 2024 and raised a total of $8,200 to benefit the industry’s angler advocacy program, Keep America Fishing™.
The field totaled 41 boats, including a handful of MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and Toyota Series anglers, as well as outdoor media and industry representatives from popular tackle brands and non-profits. In its ten-year history, the charity tournament has raised more than $89,200 for Keep America Fishing™.
George and Pippin are partners in CPF Lures and said they leaned exclusively on one of their own baits for the winning bag.
“We caught every single one of our bass on a 10-inch ribbon tail worm from CPF Lures,” said Pippin. “We’re really known for our 8-inch trick worm, but sometimes this time of year when the weather’s hot and the water’s dirty, they want a little more action, so we slipped over to the ribbon-tail. You can never go wrong with a june-bug-colored bait on this lake.”
Pippin said they caught their limit early, in an area about the size of a bass boat.
“We caught them all by 8 a.m. this morning and just got really fortunate,” said Pippin. “A lot of guys were here from all across the country, and I think they were speeding up because we only have four hours, but we just drug that worm real slow and it paid off.”
George echoed Pippin’s sentiments.
“It was a good day,” said George. “Chuck put us on some really good fish, and we just ran the ribbon tail worm – just old-school-style fishing all morning. The bites were pretty consistent, so when they would stop, we would just go to the next spot and get a few bites and continued that pattern all morning.”
Pippin said the bite slowed later in the morning and the duo felt incredibly fortunate to have gotten the winning bass in the boat within the first few hours of the competition.
“Even though we only fished four hours, we probably would have weighed-in about the same if we’d fished eight hours, because they just kind of shut down on us,” Pippin said. “But this win feels pretty good! I’ve fished the ICAST Cup a couple times, but I didn’t watch the weigh-in because I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. However, now that we’ve won it, we’re already making plans to win it again next year!”
The top 10 teams finished the tournament in:
1st: CPF Lures – Jason George and Chuck Pippin, three bass, 15-7 2nd: American Baitworks – Robert Greenberg, JT Kenney and Justin Harant, three bass, 12-8 3rd: 10 CAN INC – Robert Isom, Michael Wilson and Stevie Brave, three bass, 12-6 4th: Gary Ford Well and Pump – Thad Ford and Nick Hawkins, three bass, 11-12 5th: Bull Bay Tackle – Jake Stines and Danny Hamm, three bass, 11-4 5th: T.A. Mahoney Co. – Mike Hardy and Tom Mahoney, three bass, 11-4 7th: Glacier Outdoor – Christine Hayton, Daniel Valois and Horaciso Clare, three bass, 10-11 8th: USA Bass – Nicole Abrams and Julie Leavitt, three bass, 10-8 9th: Bob’s Machine – Steven Pelini, Bryan Honnerlaw and Betty Bauman, three bass, 10-8 10th: Amera Trail, Steve “Boogie” Brown, Terry Segraves and Cindy Joint, three bass, 10-4
Complete results and photos from the tournament will be posted at ICASTCup.com.
USA Bass partnered with MLF and Keep America Fishing™ to award the top-finishing women’s pair at the ICAST Cup a spot on the 2025 USA Pan American Bass fishing team. The highest-finishing team of female anglers was Nicole Abrams and Julie Leavitt, who brought three bass to the stage totaling 10 pounds, 8 ounces to earn their spot on Team USA Bass at the 2025 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship, alongside other top pros.
Keep America Fishing™ is leading the fight to preserve our right to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways. As the voice of the American angler, Keep America Fishing works to keep our public resources – our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams – open, clean and abundant with fish. For more information, please visit KeepAmericaFishing.org.
For more ICAST 2024 coverage, details and tournament information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Ultra-Versatile Dual Voltage Marine Batteries for Today’s Trolling Motors & Sonar
The new line of Norsk Lithium® 36+28V 60Ah batteries boast two sets of terminals, offering dual voltage functionality within a single package – providing enhanced trolling with clean, consistent power to maximize the performance of your forward-facing sonar modules to achieve the crisp and interference-free images modern anglers demand.
New Hope, Minn. (July 15, 2024) – Outside the box thinking led engineers at Norsk Lithium on a mission to create the most reliable, compact and feature-rich Group 31 deep cycle battery ever imagined, with the ground breaking ability to not only power your trolling motor at 36V, but to also provide power to sonar modules. The reasoning behind the drive to create this innovative power solution is truly the basis of good product design – they listened to input from forward facing sonar savants from all over the country that have been employing creative, and often complicated, methods to pull power from their 36V trolling motor batteries using a mish-mash of wiring, an external regulator, and a cut-off switch or two to achieve their goal of feeding higher voltage power to their sonar modules. Norsk Lithium engineers took one look at the task at hand, how to kill two birds with one stone, and committed themselves to making the complicated elegantly simple.
The wait is over…With Norsk Lithium’s new line of 36+28V 60Ah batteries, which conveniently features two sets of independent terminals, offering dual voltage functionality within a single battery. From one set the angler finds 36V power for their trolling motor. From the other set the option to provide 28V of clean, interference-free, and consistent power to their sonar module to optimize the performance of their trolling motor AND their forward facing sonar. Best of all, this “two bird, one stone” feat of engineering is achieved without the need for complicated wiring, regulators, or shut-off switches. Part of a completely reimagined product lineup, these batteries will be on display at ICAST 2024 in Orlando, July 16 – 19, at Booth 637.“This is the first battery of its kind in the entire marine battery market,” says Norsk VP of Strategy & Development, James Holst. “The reason we designed this battery stems from the importance of providing higher voltage to forward facing sonar systems for longer runtime and cooler, more efficient operation. The same goes for sonar modules where the voltage range can be up to about 32.5V depending on the module manufacturer. Savvy anglers started figuring out that they could feed a higher voltage to their forward-facing sonar to achieve cooler operation, longer runtime, and so many of these anglers on the cutting edge of forward facing sonar use tell us the overall image quality achieved when providing higher-voltage to their systems is significantly improved.”Holst continues: “If you consider the role of the forward-facing sonar module, it is the brain that processes all the forward-facing sonar transducer information. If the sonar module isn’t provided clean, consistent power it won’t operate at peak efficiency and that’s going to have a negative impact on the overall performance of the sonar units connected to it. The new 36V + 28V Dual Voltage battery makes it so incredibly easy to accomplish both tasks with a single battery that, in addition to the dual voltage capabilities, also offers other exclusive features like Norsk Guardian App integration and Deep Sleep™.
There’s truly no other solution like this and it’s backed by Norsk’s industry-leading 10 + 2 year non-prorated warranty and, in many instances, is priced hundreds of dollars less than other 36V batteries that can’t match our features or warranty”.And Norsk has built in a comprehensive 2-step approach to power management to ensure that when the battery isn’t in use, power isn’t being drained by the 28V terminals. Offers Holst: “We use the BMS to track the last time power was drawn from the 28V terminals by a connected sonar module. If there’s no power draw in 60 minutes, the 28V terminals shut off. And those terminals automatically “wake up” if a sonar module turns on and draws current so the user doesn’t have to do anything to ensure battery power isn’t being wasted while totally eliminating the need for a manual shut-off switch to control the 28V power.” The second step in our approach to power management is found in all Norsk Lithium marine batteries being released at ICAST 2024 and that’s the ground-breaking addition of Deep Sleep™, a new feature that allows an angler to shut down current to all terminals on all Norsk Lithium batteries installed in a boat with the touch of a button in the Norsk Guardian App. Deep Sleep is intended to provide that next level of power management in long or short-term storage by essentially eliminating passive power loss due to faulty wiring that leads to phantom draws that can be hard to track down and even harder to eliminate. When a battery is placed into Deep Sleep™ all power is cut from the terminals and power isn’t available again until the user deactivates Deep Sleep™. From the standpoint of intelligently managing battery power, we have the bases covered like no other battery manufacturer in the business right now!
And let’s not forget to mention the addition of the Battery Management button and integrated battery meter built into the top case of all Norsk Lithium marine batteries set for fall 2024 release. The integrated State of Charge (SOC) battery meter built into the top of the battery provides a quick visual check of the battery’s status without the need for the App on your phone. That battery management button also provides the users with the ability to wake up a battery from Deep Sleep™, activate Emergency Start Reserve (starting batteries only), and reset the BMS in the event the user wants to return the BMS to factory settings.The 36-volt trolling motor side of the battery provides 60 Amp hours of power that will provide all-day runtime for the vast majority of anglers. Now, should you use your bow mount electric to troll crankbaits, spinners, or spoons for species like walleye, trout, salmon in lieu of a small gas powered “kicker” outboard hanging off the transom, 2-4 Norsk Lithium 36V + 28V batteries can be wired in parallel for the ultimate “electric-only” trolling experience!
NEW FOR ICAST 2024!Norsk Lithium 36+28V 60Ah Batteries
60AH 36V+28V Heated Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) Nominal Voltage: 38.4V Max Continuous Current: 120A BCI Compliant Case: Group 31 Weight: 46.3 lbs. Size: 13 X 6.81 X 9.25 inches Lifespan: 4,000+ Cycles, Est. 15-20 years Warranty: 10 Year + 2 with Norsk Guardian™ Norsk Guardian™ + Bluetooth® and Deep Sleep™ MAP $1,399.00AVAILABLE FALL 2024
60AH 36V+28V Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) Nominal Voltage: 38.4V Max Continuous Current: 120A BCI Compliant Case: Group 31 Weight: 39.5 lbs. Size: 13 X 6.81 X 9.25 inches Lifespan: 4,000+ Cycles, Est. 15-20 years Warranty: 10 Year + 2 with Norsk Guardian™ Norsk Guardian™ + Bluetooth® and Deep Sleep™ MAP $1,299.00AVAILABLE FALL 2024
Patrick Walters has rapidly carved out a name for himself in the world of professional bass fishing. His rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Here are some key highlights of his impressive journey so far:
1. Early Career Success
Patrick Walters has made a huge impact in professional bass fishing in a very short time. He has already won three tournaments organized by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). In this competitive sport, winning even one tournament is a big deal, so winning three early in his career shows just how talented he is. Additionally, Walters has earned two “Century Belts.” This is a special award given to anglers who catch more than 100 pounds of bass in a single tournament. Achievements like this prove that Walters is a force to be reckoned with.
2. Record-Breaking Performances
One of Patrick Walters’ most remarkable feats happened in 2020 at Lake Fork, where he set a new record. He won the tournament with a margin of 29 pounds and 10 ounces more than the second-place finisher. Such a dominating victory is rare and shows his extraordinary skills. Recently, he broke another Bassmaster record. This time, it was for the heaviest total weight of 20 smallmouth bass. He achieved this during a tournament on the St. Lawrence River. Setting records in both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing shows that Walters is continuously growing and adapting his techniques.
3. Versatility
Walters initially gained fame for his skills in catching largemouth bass. But he didn’t stop there. He worked hard to improve his smallmouth bass fishing techniques as well. His willingness to learn and adapt has allowed him to excel in various water conditions and catch different types of bass. This versatility sets him apart from many other anglers and showcases his all-around excellence.
4. Consistent Performance
In 2023, Patrick Walters finished third in the Angler of the Year race. This prestigious award is given to the angler who performs the best over an entire season. Such a high finish in this race indicates that Walters can maintain his top-level performance consistently throughout the year, which is a hallmark of a great angler.
5. Technological Proficiency
One of the modern tools that Walters uses effectively is forward-facing sonar. This technology allows him to see fish in real-time and make precise casts. Being skilled in using such advanced technology gives him an edge over his competitors.
6. Mental Game
Despite being relatively young, Patrick Walters shows remarkable composure under pressure. The mental aspect of fishing is crucial, and Walters has proven that he has the mental toughness required to succeed in high-stress situations. This trait bodes well for his long-term success in the sport.
Kevin VanDam: The Established Legend
Kevin VanDam is nothing short of a legend in the world of professional bass fishing. His career spans several decades, and he has set the gold standard for excellence in the sport. Let’s take a closer look at his incredible achievements:
1. Unparalleled Tournament Success
Kevin VanDam has claimed four Bassmaster Classic titles. The Bassmaster Classic is often referred to as the Super Bowl of bass fishing and winning it even once is a dream for many anglers. VanDam has also won the B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year award seven times. This award is given to the angler who performs the best over a season, and winning it multiple times showcases his consistent excellence. With over 25 B.A.S.S. victories under his belt, VanDam’s record is a testament to his longevity and dominance across different eras of the sport.
2. Financial Success
Success in fishing isn’t just measured by titles and trophies. Kevin VanDam’s career earnings have set records in the sport. His financial success reflects not only his prowess in tournaments but also his marketability. VanDam’s popularity and influence have made him a favorite among sponsors and fans alike.
3. Versatility and Adaptability
Kevin VanDam has won tournaments all across the United States, which means he has mastered different water types and fishing conditions. He has also successfully adapted to changes in fishing technology and techniques over his long career. His ability to adjust and thrive in various environments sets him apart as a true master of the sport.
4. Influence on the Sport
Kevin VanDam is often credited with popularizing power fishing techniques, which involve using heavier tackle and covering large areas of water quickly. This aggressive style has influenced a whole generation of anglers. His success has also elevated the profile of bass fishing as a professional sport, bringing it more into the mainstream.
5. Mental Toughness
Known for his intense focus and competitive drive, Kevin VanDam’s mental game is often cited as a key factor in his success. Staying mentally sharp and focused during long, grueling tournaments is no small feat, and VanDam has proven time and again that he can maintain his composure under pressure.
6. Consistency
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Kevin VanDam’s career is his ability to remain at the top of the sport for over two decades. Achieving this level of sustained excellence requires not just skill but also adaptability to changing conditions and competition. His consistent performance over such a long period is unmatched in the sport.
Comparative Analysis
While Patrick Walters has shown immense potential and early career success, Kevin VanDam’s legacy is built on sustained excellence spanning several decades. Walters’ use of modern technology and his quick adaptation to smallmouth fishing show great promise for a bright future. However, VanDam’s influence on the sport, his ability to win consistently across different eras, and his mental toughness set a very high bar for any angler to match.
The evolution of the sport, including changes in technology and fishing techniques, makes direct comparisons challenging. Walters is competing in a different era with its own unique challenges and opportunities. His early success is remarkable, but matching VanDam’s legacy would require maintaining this level of performance for many years to come.
Patrick Walters has often expressed his admiration for Kevin VanDam, which could drive him to strive for similar levels of greatness. As the sport continues to evolve, Walters has the opportunity to leave his own unique mark on bass fishing history.
Conclusion
While it’s premature to declare Patrick Walters the “new VanDam,” his career trajectory is undeniably impressive. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether Walters can translate his early success into a legacy that rivals the legends of the sport. For now, fishing fans have the best of both worlds: a rising star in Walters and a living legend in VanDam, both pushing the sport of bass fishing to new heights.
From the launch in Paducah, anglers could stay on the Ohio River, or they had the option to run up the Cumberland River to the Lake Barkley tailrace, or up the Tennessee River to fish below Kentucky Dam. These large tailraces are popular fisheries all year, with good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, in addition to a variety of other species.
Godwin, a local, chose to run up the Cumberland.
“I ran all the way to the (Barkley) dam, and then I fished a few spots I’ve got on the way back down,” he said.
“The fish bit the first hour. After that, it was just scattered here and there. They’re not everywhere. You’ve got to find specific spots that they’re sitting on.”
Godwin says the Cumberland is all a timing deal, usually depending on the current flowing through the dam. But lately, just getting on the right spot first thing in the morning has led to some quality limits.
He targeted his tailrace fish in 4 to 6 feet of water on natural rock.
“It’s a current-break spot,” he said. “And they just happened to be on it, and I got lucky. I’ve got three spots that are like that, and they were on one and not the other two. After that it was stragglers here and there. But that first spot I pulled up and in 20 casts had five fish.”
Rotating back and forth between baits was another key. His rotation included a Rapala DT6 crankbait and a 3/8-ounce Greenfish Tackle Bryan New Bad Little Dude Jig. He occasionally mixed in a tube, but the crankbait and jig were his go-tos.
“If you’d catch one or two off of one, you could turn around and throw the other,” added Godwin, whose limit included four smallmouth bass and one largemouth.
Due to the water spilling through Barkley Dam, the tailrace currents are constantly swirling and changing, flowing upstream and downstream and forming eddies. Godwin carefully monitored the flows to present his lures naturally.
“I used the current to wash my bait,” he said. “That’s the key within the key, the spot within the spot. You let the current do the work for your bait so it’s more natural and not you doing it.”
Once he left the tailrace, Godwin targeted humps and other structure in the mouths of creeks. He used the crankbait and jig in these areas as well.
The top 11 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Bryan Godwin, Marion, Ky., five bass, 13-9, $2,977 2nd: Peyton Coleman, Paducah, Ky., five bass, 12-14, $1,989 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 3rd: Andrew Harper, Shelbyville, Ill., five bass, 11-10, $1,292 4th: Joe Johnson, Clarksville, Tenn., five bass, 11-8, $695 5th: Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., five bass, 10-10, $595 6th: Justin Berger, Murray, Ky., five bass, 10-6, $546 7th: Jason Jacobs, Charleston, Ill., five bass, 9-10, $496 8th: Kyle Dowdy, Sunrise Beach, Mo., five bass, 8-13, $447 9th: Mario Rossi, Granite City, Ill., four bass, 8-10, $397 10th: Travis Boley, Weldon, Ill., four bass, 8-3, $330 10th: Coty Fowler, Brookport, Ill., five bass, 8-3, $330
Jeffrey Lee of Olney, Illinois, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $340.
Caleb Welch of Bolivar, Missouri, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,489 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Caleb Welch, Bolivar, Mo., five bass, 8-7, $1,489 2nd: Aaron Wehmeyer, Normal, Ill., five bass, 7-8, $744 3rd: Ryan Murphy, Paris, Ill., five bass, 6-14, $497 4th: Kim Sapetti, Chatham, Ill., three bass, 6-8, $517 5th: Jason Halverson, Belvidere, Ill., three bass, 6-3, $298 6th: Dale Renth, Mascoutah, Ill., four bass, 5-11, $273 7th: Eugene Kim, Lindenhurst, Ill., four bass, 5-9, $248 8th: William Stokes, Paducah, Ky., five bass, 5-4, $210 8th: Gary Huber II, Saint Charles, Mo., four bass, 5-4, $210 10th: Michael Ratts, Iuka, Ill., two bass, 5-3, $174
Kim Sapetti of Chatham, Illinois, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $170, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 12 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Jeffrey Lee of Olney, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Illini Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 726 points, while Ryan Murphy of Paris, Illinois, leads the Fishing Clash Illini Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 736 points.
The next event for BFL Illini Division anglers will be held Aug. 3, at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville, Illinois. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Pools 13-17 of the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
From the Detroit River, anglers had three options: stay in the river, run to St. Clair or head out to Lake Erie. Sitko chose the latter, making a long run out to Erie.
“I was just fishing isolated things – rocks, rises, irregular features on the bottom – which there’s a ton of them out there, and they’re not all created equal,” he said. “So you just have to run a gamut of spots and try to get a game plan.”
Sitko said he struggled to piece together a really strong pattern. He made up for it by running a couple dozen spots.
“It was patience,” he said. “It was literally, I couldn’t freak out if I pulled up to a spot that I knew I’d caught fish off of (in the past) and not catch them (during the tournament).
“If you hit enough of them, maybe you hit enough of the right fish, and that’s kind of what happened today (Saturday).”
Sitko fished spots as tiny as a single boulder and areas as big as 20-by-20. Most of his fish came out of about 18 feet of water.
“All my fish came on drop-shots and tubes,” said Sitko. “Literally, when I’m fishing Erie, I fish with four rods: two drop-shot rods and two tube rods. For me, I’ve got four rods on the deck, and it’s the same thing for St. Clair for me except I use different weights.”
For Sitko, this makes MLF win No. 6 on the Detroit River and its connected waters, which is quite the accomplishment among a stacked field of anglers. When asked to sum up how he got it done, Sitko was honest and humble.
“Luck,” he said. “I really didn’t think I was going to catch what I caught today. It had nothing to do with my practice. It was just my time. It was my day. You need a bunch of that (luck), especially with this division and with these guys, ’cause they are just insane.
“I remember the very first FLW event I won was a Costa Series. And that was pretty special. And then the first BFL I ever won was pretty amazing. And, I’m not going to lie, this was equally as amazing as all of them, and it’s my sixth one. I really cherish the fact I have done this well and won these because it’s so hard. It’s just an amazing feeling..”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Michael Sitko, Pinckney, Mich., five bass, 24-13, $10,917 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: Noah Stauffer, Gowen, Mich., five bass, 24-1, $1,958 3rd: Nolan Mandel, Harrison Township, Mich., five bass, 22-12, $1,307 4th: Matthew Davis, Morenci, Mich., five bass, 22-11, $914 5th: Jonathon Dewey, Fort Gratiot, Mich., five bass, 22-3, $783 6th: Gary Greenwood, Taylors, S.C., five bass, 21-7, $718 7th: Dan Mittlestat, Woodhaven, Mich., five bass, 20-11, $953 8th: Eric Sanders, Lexington, Ky., five bass, 20-1, $555 8th: Tony Hansen, Vermontville, Mich., five bass, 20-1, $555 10th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., five bass, 19-15, $457
Scott Delpha of Noblesville, Indiana, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $520.
Mason Bohland of Noblesville, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,958 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 21 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Mason Bohland, Noblesville, Ind., five bass, 21-4, $1,958 2nd: Kendra Mueller, Fowlerville, Mich., five bass, 21-0, $979 3rd: Brian Townley, Wyoming, Mich., five bass, 20-9, $653 4th: Scott Davis, Morenci, Mich., five bass, 20-1, $457 5th: Trent Wilt, Manitou Beach, Mich., five bass, 19-4, $392 6th: Spencer Phelps, Bangor, Mich., five bass, 19-3, $359 7th: Ben Schenck, Huber Heights, Ohio, five bass, 19-1, $326 8th: Rich Richardson, Lufkin, Texas, five bass, 18-7, $294 9th: Brady Metzger, Zionsville, Ind., five bass, 17-12, $244 9th: Ashley Shirto, Novi, Mich., five bass, 17-12, $504
Ashley Shirto of Novi, Michigan, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $260, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 12 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Nolan Mandel of Harrison Township, Michigan, leads the Fishing Clash Michigan Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 498 points, while Scott Davis of Morenci, Michigan, leads the Fishing Clash Michigan Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 491 points.
The next event for BFL Michigan Division anglers will be held Aug. 10, at Detroit River in Trenton, Michigan. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Pools 13-17 of the Mississippi River in Quad Cities, Illinois. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Competing in another tournament during the week prevented Logan from practicing for the BFL. But it didn’t stop him from getting the job done. Logan rolled in on a few hours of sleep and put his experience on the Coosa River chain to work.
“I just kind of went fishing,” he said. “I ran a couple different things, different patterns – wood, grass, docks.
“Basically, I just junk-fished all day, and when I happened to get a bite it was a good one.”
According to Logan, the grass bite never really panned out. Wood and docks became his primary targets, all in less than 5 feet of water.
His strategy relied on timing and covering a ton of water, hitting 50 to 60 places throughout the day.
“Neely’s not that big of a lake,” he said. “But I probably burned 25 to 30 gallons of gas just running back and forth. I try to treat the place like a tidal fishery. Obviously, there’s not a tide. But it’s a big timing deal on that place. So I’ll fish a certain stretch two or three times in a day. I might run 15, 20 minutes to fish a place 5 minutes and then I’ll run the other way.”
Logan opened the morning with a nice keeper then put a couple other smaller fish in the livewell. After that, it slowed down, and he was able to add a fish here and there to assemble a decent limit. It all came together at the end of the day. That’s when Logan was able to capitalize after Weiss Dam, located upstream, started generating electricity, which created current. “Turning on” the power also turned on the fish.
“From 2 to 3, I think I culled three times,” Logan added. “Being in that last flight really helped, to be honest.”
Dillon Falardeau of Hixson, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $520.
Todd McBride of Huntsville, Alabama, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,958 Saturday, after bringing four bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 1 ounce.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Todd McBride, Huntsville, Ala., four bass, 12-1, $1,958 2nd: Timothy Sutherland, Elizabeth, Ind., five bass, 10-4, $979 3rd: Kyle Kimbrell, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 10-3, $653 4th: Frank Mackin, State Line, Miss., five bass, 10-1, $457 5th: Michael Corbett, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 9-11, $392 6th: Rodney Stewart, Town Creek, Ala., three bass, 8-13, $359 7th: Michael Jones, Rome, Ga., four bass, 8-12, $326 8th: Colton Jennings, Moody, Ala., five bass, 8-10, $294 9th: Dennis Sandoval, Decatur, Ala., five bass, 8-4, $511 10th: Randy Wiggins, Birmingham, Ala., four bass, 8-2, $228
Duane Parker of Calhoun, Georgia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $260, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After four events, Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 933 points, while Todd Mowery of Madison, Alabama, leads the Fishing Clash Choo Choo Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 953 points.
The next event for BFL Choo Choo Division anglers will be held Sept. 28-29, at Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Alabama. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
