Covington’s Mumford Overcomes Adversity to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League at Indian Lake Presented by Rabid Baits
| Boater Zac Mumford of Covington, Ohio and Strike-King co-angler Jesse Foster of Franklin, Ohio. |
| Franklin’s Foster Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division LAKEVIEW, Ohio (July 17, 2023) – Boater Zac Mumford of Covington, Ohio, caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Indian Lake Presented by Rabid Baits . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Buckeye Presented by Rabid Baits Division. Mumford earned $12,535, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory. Mumford, who focused his efforts on the main lake area of Indian Lake, said at 9 a.m. he lost the use of his trolling motor after hitting a log with it. Mumford said fellow angler Kyle Weisenburger, who tied for 10th place in Saturday’s event, stopped to help him, and after an hour, the trolling motor came back to life. “He tried to help me the best he could and got tools out, and he was a major help to me,” Mumford said. “I don’t know what happened, but we got it working again, and it was like the light switch turned on and the fishing got great for me after that.” Mumford said he had a limit in the livewell before his trolling motor woes, but after he resumed fishing, he started to cull his smaller fish with quality bass. “The areas I was fishing were very heavily pressured, so I had to do something different to get them to bite,” Mumford said. “So, the retrieve style was very important for me. It was a fast retrieve.” Mumford said he focused on shallow transitions between rocks and weeds with crankbaits and a vibrating jig to load his livewell. “I caught between 30 and 40 fish during the tournament and culled a lot,” Mumford said. “I just caught good, quality fish. “To be honest with you, I never thought I had a chance to win until the fish hit the scale and I saw how heavy they were,” Mumford added. “I’m super excited. My grandpa is going through some health problems right now, and he was the one who introduced me to fishing at Indian Lake, so I’m really excited to share this with him.” The top 10 boaters finished the tournament: 1st: Zac Mumford, Covington, Ohio, five bass, 15-2, $12,535 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: Chris Martinovic, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 13-10, $2,907 3rd: Tony Collins, Dayton, Ohio, five bass, 13-7, $1,439 4th: Ray McGraw, Chillicothe, Ohio, five bass, 13-0, $1,007 5th: Josh Smith, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 12-13, $863 6th: Dick Shaffer, Rockford, Ohio, five bass, 12-10, $791 7th: Mike Reeves, Brecksville, Ohio, five bass, 12-5, $719 8th: Chuck Willis, Dayton, Ohio, five bass, 12-2, $1,257 9th: Aaron Lewis, Russells Point, Ohio, five bass, 11-15, $575 10th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 11-13, $478 10th: Kyle Weisenburger, Columbus Grove, Ohio, five bass, 11-13, $478Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Chuck Willis of Dayton, Ohio, caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 15 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $610.  Jesse Foster of Franklin, Ohio, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,157 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 13 pounds, 1 ounce. The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished: 1st: Jesse Foster, Franklin, Ohio, five bass, 13-1, $2,157 2nd: Ryan Sykes, Fairfield, Ohio, five bass, 11-2, $1,479 3rd: Rece Kimmel, Lewistown, Ohio, five bass, 9-15, $717 4th: Alex Richardson, Cincinnati, Ohio, five bass, 9-14, $503 5th: Todd Taylor, Bargersville, Ind., five bass, 9-4, $431 6th: Ron Weisenburger, Continental, Ohio, five bass, 9-2, $396 7th: James Wilcox, Barboursville, W.V., five bass, 9-1, $474 7th: Richard Rike, Lewisburg, Ohio, five bass, 9-1, $324 7th: Jeremy Middleton, Marengo, Ohio, five bass, 9-1, $324 10th: Andrew Simon, Risingsun, Ohio, five bass, 8-15, $252Greg Marshall of Paris, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $305, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day. After three events, Chris Martinovic of Hamilton, Ohio, leads the BFL Buckeye Presented by Rabid Baits Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 738 points, while Steve Sorrell of Beavercreek, Ohio, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 712 points. 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. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury 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 outboard. The 2023 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 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X 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. |
La Crosse Set to Host Final MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational of Season Next Week – Mercury Stop 6 on the Mississippi River
Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete in Final Event of Season for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Qualification into REDCREST 2024
LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 17, 2023) – Just a few short weeks after hosting the 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the Mississippi River are gearing up for another major bass fishing event.
Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to La Crosse, next week, July 25-27, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse. The three-day Invitational tournament will feature a roster of 150 professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000, and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – for the chance to win up to $300,000.
Hosted by Explore La Crosse, the tournament marks the sixth and final MLF Invitational event of 2023, offering competitors a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. In addition to the tournament’s top payout of $115,000, the field is also competing for valuable points to win the coveted Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The top eight pros in the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY standings after this event will receive an invitation to compete at the sport’s top level on the Bass Pro Tour in 2024.
“The Explore La Crosse team and the entire La Crosse region are thrilled to be hosting the Tackle Warehouse Invitational on pools 7, 8, and 9 of the Mississippi River,” said A.J. Frels, Executive Director of Explore La Crosse. “With its wing dams, backwaters, and heavy vegetation, the scenic Upper Mississippi offers some of the best habitat in the country for largemouth and smallmouth bass. It is the ideal setting for incredible fishing and non-stop action. I cannot think of a more outstanding stage for the last stop of the season.”
The Mississippi River is a very familiar destination for MLF as the fishery has played host to countless major bass-fishing tournaments over the years, including six prior MLF professional-level events. The last MLF professional-level event on the river was the Tackle Warehouse TITLE championship in 2021, when pro Jimmy Washam targeted bass set up in shallow water on a rock ridge on the final day with a topwater bait and a Neko rig to earn the victory.
Junction City, Wisconsin pro Matt Stefan will be among the 150 competitors in the event next week. Stefan is an expert at mining the flowages of the upper Midwest and is always a favorite in La Crosse.
“We had extremely low water last year, the whole second half of the year,” Stefan said. “That’s allowed a lot of the grass and rice to grow in new areas. So, I think you’re going to see some differences in vegetation growth. Areas have definitely grown thicker, which could prevent some of us from getting to fish in some areas. And it could help some anglers find things that are overlooked.”
Still, outside of new vegetation, Stefan predicts things won’t be far from the norm.
“This time of year you’re going to have a frog bite,” he said. “You’re gonna have a main-channel wing dam and sand drop bite, cut banks, a topwater bite. Some guys fishing in the Black River more offshore, it’s going to be typical Mississippi River, you’re going to need to find that better pod of fish.”
Stefan said the fish will have moved to their summer haunts pretty solidly and won’t be thinking about a fall migration.
“They’re set up pretty good in their summer patterns,” the Wisconsin pro said. “It’s going to be primarily current-related stuff, the backwaters will not have many fish. The largemouth will move out to the big grass flats and sand flats in the lower ends of the pools, and they’ll start setting up on eddies and wing dams in front of the spawning areas.”
With Stefan figuring on largemouth or a mixed bag to win, he expects some of the locals to have more than a puncher’s chance.
“Mike Brueggen will have 50 pounds,” Stefan said. “Or Tom Monsoor, the last couple years he’s really been on them on the river. I think right around 50 pounds will win for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s 45.”
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, will advance to the final round on Championship Thursday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.
The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. In addition, the season-long Invitational AOY will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2024.
Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, Tuesday through Thursday, from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton St. in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, November 14.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Sorento’s Kircher Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Shelbyville
| Boater Matthias Kircher of Sorento, Illinois and Strike-King co-angler Jimmy Null of Bethalto, Illinois. |
| Bethalto’s Null Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (July 17, 2023) – Boater Matthias Kircher of Sorento, Illinois, caught four bass weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Shelbyville . The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Illini Division. Kircher earned $6,641, including a $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory. Kircher said he had fished Lake Shelbyville only 10 times before the BFL event, and this tournament was his second effort as a boater in competition. “I had all my fish by 9:15,” said Kircher, who focused his efforts on the 9th Street area of Lake Shelbyville. “I only had five bites all day. The other fish was a 13-incher.” Kircher said he caught his first fish in the treetop of a laydown in about 20 feet of water on a shaky-head rig. His other three keepers came on a watermelon candy red-colored Zoom Ol’ Monster Worm. Kircher said he caught all four of his fish on two laydowns 100 yards apart from each other. “I pre-fished last Wednesday and caught a 15-inch fish in that treetop,” said Kircher. “I had another bite, and I left it alone. So, during the tournament, I went with my gut instinct and went where I caught that keeper because I wasn’t on anything during practice this week. “The Lord blessed me with four good bites,” Kircher added. “I told my co-angler I needed one more fish. I thought I needed that fifth fish. But my co-angler said, ‘I think you’ve got this.’ And he was right. This feels great.” The top 10 boaters finished the tournament: 1st: Matthias Kircher, Sorento, Ill., four bass, 16-9, $6,641 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) 2nd: Levi Kohl, Edinburg, Ill., three bass, 16-3, $1,835 3rd: Garrett McDowell, Windsor, Ill., five bass, 15-4, $1,444 4th: Joshua Tyner, Spencer, Ind., five bass, 14-1, $856 5th: Joe Bardill, Highland, Ill., five bass, 13-8, $734 6th: Jeffrey Lee, Olney, Ill., five bass, 13-2, $673 7th: Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., five bass, 12-15, $612 8th: Jeremy Dhom, Teutopolis, Ill., five bass, 12-6, $551 9th: Jeremy Mull, Pawnee, Ill., five bass, 11-4, $489 10th: Mike McGill, Findlay, Ill., five bass, 10-15, $428Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Kircher also caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $470.  Jimmy Null of Bethalto, Illinois, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $1,835 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 13 ounces. The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished: 1st: Jimmy Null, Bethalto, Ill., five bass, 11-13, $1,835 2nd: Mike Swetland, Tamaroa, Ill., five bass, 8-7, $1,268 3rd: Aaron Arning, Walnut Hill, Ill., five bass, 8-0, $612 4th: Nathan Riley, La Place, Ill., four bass, 7-10, $428 5th: William Hadraba, Willow Springs, Ill., four bass, 7-4, $367 6th: Dale Renth, Mascoutah, Ill., four bass, 6-15, $336 7th: Jim Budde, Waterloo, Ill., four bass, 6-13, $306 8th: Andrew Boring, El Paso, Ill., three bass, 6-6, $275 9th: Amanda Black, Toledo, Ill., three bass, 6-3, $245 10th: Rowdy King, Shelbyville, Ill., two bass, 5-15, $214Jason Korando of Chester, Illinois, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $235, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest co-angler catch of the day. After three events, Garrett McDowell of Windsor, Illinois, leads the BFL Illini Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 737 points, while Aaron Arning of Walnut Hill, Illinois, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 729 points. 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. 12-14 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury 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 outboard. The 2023 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 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X 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. |
Discover Our Top 20 Twitter Tournament Bass Fishing Anglers: Who to Follow and What to Expect!
The Bass Cast has gone above and beyond to compile a comprehensive list of 20 talented anglers that we believe you should definitely follow. We have carefully selected these individuals based on their expertise, skills, and overall contribution to the world of fishing. However, we encourage you to explore each angler’s profile and decide for yourself whether they align with your interests and preferences.
As you browse through the list, we expect you to find a diverse range of anglers, each with their own unique style and approach to fishing. Some may be seasoned professionals who have conquered numerous tournaments and championships, while others may be up-and-coming stars who show great potential. Regardless of their experience level, each angler on our list has something valuable to offer to the fishing community.
It is important to note that following these anglers is not merely about keeping up with their latest catches and victories. It’s about gaining insights, knowledge, and inspiration from their journeys and experiences. Their dedication, techniques, and strategies can serve as valuable lessons for aspiring anglers who are looking to improve their own skills on the water.
Before you embark on this exciting journey through the list of anglers, we kindly remind you to also follow The Bass Cast. Our platform strives to provide you with the latest updates, tips, and news from the world of fishing. By following us, you will have a reliable source of information to enhance your fishing experience and stay connected with the fishing community.
So, get ready to immerse yourself in the world of these incredible anglers. Follow their adventures, learn from their successes and failures, and let their passion for fishing ignite your own. As you travel down the list, remember to keep an open mind and choose the anglers who resonate with your fishing goals and aspirations. Happy fishing!
1. @Kevin_VanDam: Kevin VanDam is considered one of the greatest bass anglers of all time. He has won the Bassmaster Classic, the most prestigious tournament in the sport, four times and has a strong following on Twitter.
2. @BrandonPalaniuk: Brandon Palaniuk is a professional angler and former Bassmaster Classic champion. He shares his experiences on the tournament circuit, offers fishing tips & his love for family. One of the Top YouTubers in the bass fishing world.
3. TheRandyHowell: Randy Howell is known for his consistent performance in tournament fishing as well as his 2014 Bassmaster Classic Champion5x Champion & holds the MLF Big Bass Record 12-14. . He updates his followers on his fishing adventures, Family life, & his passion for the sport & his dedication to the King’s Home.
4. @SkeetReese1: Skeet Reese is a veteran angler and former 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion & 2007 BASS angler of the year. He shares fishing tips, promotes his sponsors.
5. Justinlucasbass: Justin Lucas is a top young anglers in the world of MLF series. Just is a MLF Bass pro tour Champion, MLF Pro Circuit Champion, 2018 AOY & 2x Elite Series Champion. Justin shares bass fishing tips & life on the road with his followers.
6. @MarkRose: Mark Rose professional MLF Pro Tour & Pro Circuit Angler. Mark shares he love for family, Fishing & his faith.
7. @ChrisZaldain: Chris Zaldain is a skilled angler who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He shares his fishing experiences, provides tips and insights, and engages with his followers through his podcast show.
8. @CAshelyFishing: Casey Ashley is a professional angler and former Bassmaster Classic champion. He provides updates on his fishing trips, shares his love for music & family.
9. @WheelerFishing: Jacob Wheeler is a young and talented angler who has achieved significant success in the MLF Bass Pro Series. He shares his fishing techniques, tournament updates & family life.
10. @AndyMorganFish: Andy Morgan is a prominent angler in the MLF Tour and is known for his success in bass fishing. He shares his tournament experiences, fishing tips & his love for the outdoors as an avid hunter.
11. @JasonChristie2: Jason Christie is a professional angler who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He shares updates from his fishing trips, offers tips and techniques, and interacts with his fans on Twitter.
12. @RandallTharp: Randall Tharp is a professional angler known for his success in both Bassmaster and MLF tournaments. He provides updates on his fishing trips, shares fishing tips, & shares family life.
13. @fish4ish: Ish Monroe is a veteran angler and former Bassmaster Elite Series champion. He shares his fishing experiences, offers tips and techniques, & his expertise with all things DAIWA & Missile Baits.
14. @GeraldSwindle: Gerald Swindle is a charismatic angler who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He has to be one of the funnies & professional anglers on tour. He speaks about Positive Mental Attitude & shoots from the hip straight up telling it like it is.
15. @brentehrler: Brent Ehrler is a professional angler who has achieved success in both bass fishing and freshwater fishing tournaments. He shares his fishing techniques, tournament updates & life on the road.
16. @Mike_Iaconelli: Mike Iaconelli is a well-known angler and former Bassmaster Classic champion. He shares his fishing experiences& tips. Mike is the host of Going Ike & Ike Live as well as the founder of Bass University.
17. John Crews: John Crews is a skilled angler who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He shares his fishing adventures, offers insights into his fishing techniques through his tackle company Missile Baits.
18. @Altonjonesjr: Alton Jones Jr is an up-and-coming MLF angler who competes in various bass fishing tournaments. He shares his fishing journey, provides tips as well as a look into the life of a seasoned young angler on the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
19. MattAreyFishing: Mat Arey is one of the most consistent anglers on the Bassmaster Elite tour he is a 4x Bassmaster Classic Qualifier 2x FLW Tour Champion & family man. Matt shares his love for the sport & his family.
20. JleeFishing: Jordan is one of the hottest anglers on MLF BPT tour. Jordan is a 2x Bassmaster Classic Champion, 202 MLF AOY, & 2x BPT Champion. Jordan shares his thoughts & techniques from the world of Bass Fishing.
The Science of Tiger Bass: Unraveling Aquatic Marvels ???
Tiger Bass is a type of hybrid bass fish that has been selectively bred to exhibit specific characteristics. The science behind Tiger Bass involves a process known as crossbreeding, which involves mating two different species or subspecies to create offspring with desired traits.
In the case of Tiger Bass, the two parent species are the northern largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and the Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus). The northern largemouth bass is known for its adaptability and ability to thrive in various environments, while the Florida bass is renowned for its fast growth and larger size.
By crossbreeding these two species, fisheries scientists aim to combine the best attributes of both parent species in the resulting offspring. The goal is to create a hybrid bass with enhanced growth rates, improved survival rates, and increased resistance to diseases and environmental stressors.
The process starts with careful selection of the parent fish, ensuring that they possess the desired traits. These selected individuals are then artificially spawned, and their eggs and sperm are collected. The eggs are fertilized with the sperm, and the resulting embryos are incubated in controlled environments, such as hatcheries.
Once the hybrid bass fry hatch, they are reared in specialized rearing ponds or tanks, where they are carefully monitored and provided with optimal conditions for growth. This includes maintaining appropriate water quality, temperature, and nutrition.
Over several generations of selective breeding, the offspring that exhibit the desired traits, such as fast growth and disease resistance, are selected as the next generation’s parents. This process of selective breeding is repeated until a stable hybrid population with consistent and desirable traits, in this case, the Tiger Bass, is established.
The science behind Tiger Bass is a combination of genetics, fish physiology, and selective breeding techniques. It involves careful selection, controlled breeding, and monitoring of the offspring to produce a hybrid bass with specific characteristics. By harnessing the principles of genetics and selective breeding, fisheries scientists aim to create fish species that are better suited for specific environments, provide better angling opportunities, and contribute to the overall sustainability of fisheries.
Tiger Bass, is a hybrid fish that is a cross between a female Florida largemouth bass and a male northern strain of the same species or a smallmouth bass. This hybrid fish is popular among anglers for its fast growth and aggressive feeding behavior.
Biologists have studied the genetic makeup and behavior of Tiger Bass. They have found that the hybrid fish inherits some of the desirable traits of both parent species, such as the fast growth rate and the ability to thrive in different water conditions. However, the hybridization can also lead to some negative effects, such as reduced fertility and genetic diversity.
Some biologists have expressed concerns about the potential ecological impact of Tiger Bass. If these hybrid fish are released into natural water bodies, they could compete with native fish species for resources and alter the natural balance of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important to regulate the distribution and breeding of Tiger Bass to prevent any negative impact on the environment.
Say Goodbye to the Bucket Brigade
| Say Goodbye to the Bucket Brigade |
| SRD20 Waterless Wash and Wax makes boat detailing a snap – no hose or bucket needed. |
| Lafayette, LA (July 14, 2023) – In their never-ending quest to make boat cleaning, waxing, and detail as easy as possible, SRD20 has done it again. Their Waterless Wash and Wax solution covers both tasks with a single application – no hoses, buckets, water or scrubbing required. A powerful, cutting-edge ceramic formula specifically designed for boats and personal watercraft (PWC), it cleans and protects gelcoat, windows, plastic, paint, and metal surfaces in the blink of an eye, removing dirt and grime while leaving behind a durable protective ceramic layer sure to turn heads with its bright, clean shine.“SRD20 Waterless Wash and Wax is so easy-to-use you’ll instantly realize it’s something special as you give it a try,” says Stewart Delcambre, founder of SRD20 boat washes and protectants featuring a new line of boat care products that’s exceeding all expectations. “It’s powerful, effective and environmentally safe. Just spray it on, wipe it off and buff dry using a microfiber cloth. That’s it, done! No mess, no bother, no run-off – and none of that chalky residue many other wash and wax products leave behind. It even has a pleasant, tropical scent.” |
| With its industrial strength sprayer and unencumbered mobility, SRD20 Waterless Wash and Wax is perfect for when you don’t have easy water access or the desire to use a hose or bucket. Doing the work of two products at once, it especially excels at cleaning and waxing tough-to-reach places including in and around doors, hatches, compartments and dash panels. It also impresses as a stand-alone detailer for added shine and protection on virtually any boat or PWC surface. “Cleaning and waxing a boat shouldn’t be hard work,” continues Delcambre, “Unfortunately, many boat care products on the market lack modern technology. Our goal was to create a line of boat cleaning and protectant products infused with cutting-edge nanotechnology that works at a micro level to provide superior results – a line to rival the automobile industry in terms of ease of use, overall performance and long-lasting protection.” |
| Which, after several years of testing and development, is exactly what the company has done to the tune of great reviews. SRD20’s Waterless Wash and Wax echoes the theme of the rest of its product offerings, all designed to take the stress and hard work out of boat care, cleaning and detail. Additional stars in the line-up include its increasingly popular flagship product, SRD20 Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating and Protectant, SRD20 Pink Soap for Boats and SRD20 Vinyl Protectant.“Whether used individually as needed or in combination for total cleaning, detailing and protection, you’ll be amazed at how easy these products are to apply and work with – and how long they can keep your vessel looking its sharpest,” concludes Delcambre.You’ll also be happy to learn all SRD20 products are proudly made in the U.S.A and are available in select stores, as well as from Amazon.com and SRD20.com. |
9 Myths That May Be Stopping You from Catching Big Bass Fish
We’ve all heard about secret tips, strategies and ideas to catch trophy bass fish. Some of them can be true, but some of them are clearly not. Many anglers miss out on catching trophy bass because of such myths. Let’s take a closer look and separate the truth from falsehood.
Myth #1: Big bass stay in deep water during summer
Bass commonly visit areas of lakes or rivers with deep water because of the abundant food. These areas provide less competition for nutrient-rich food.
However, some areas, like tidal basins, have the most food available in shallow areas, especially fry from other species like shad or bluegill. Some bass decide to live in these shallow areas for life.
Myth #2: Big fish never bite at midday
Different factors affect the bite windows, including the tidal stage and solar-lunar influence. In reservoirs associated with power generation, a flowing current stimulates biting.
Early morning and evening are some of the best times to catch fish. However, late morning and early afternoon can also be prime catch times.
Myth #3: Big bass require bigger bait
One of the most essential things about bass is that it never turns down an easy meal. Some of the biggest bass caught have been caught accidentally using 1/8 or 1/16 jigs during crappie fishing trips.
Myth #4: Bass spawn during full moons
Spawning times are some of the best times to catch a big bass. Most of these fish will be in the shallows and have reached maximum adult size.
A common misconception is that certain temperatures and a full moon attract the biggest bass to spawn. However, the most important factors are the light penetration amount and the amount of daylight for the time of year.
Myth #5: Trophy bass don’t eat during cold fronts
Since most trophy bass are accustomed to warm water in their native Florida, many anglers assume the fish stop eating from the shock. However, these fish must continue to eat to survive and will feed despite traveling shorter distances.
There are usually few giants caught during cold periods. Heat-holding areas, such as dead hyacinth mats, are more likely to attract the biggest fish.
Myth #6: Scent never matters
Despite the belief that fish lack the olfactory senses required to distinguish between scents, smell makes a difference in overall catch rates.
Scents added to bait can cover up human scent that might otherwise be a deterrent, encouraging the bass to bite.
Myth #7: Big bass movement is random
Bass make more deliberate movement in lakes than many people appreciate. John Hope from Texas started tracking bass movements during the 1980s.
One of Hope’s most important discoveries was that trophy bass used a single passage to reach food-rich breeding areas, like trophy deer. According to Hope’s research, the most critical priorities for these fish were opportunistic feedings and quick safety retreats.
Myth #8: Moon cycles play no role
Doug Hannon, the late fishing expert, believed in the importance of solunar tables. Besides keeping careful records of his catches, he developed a system to explain how moon cycles affected major and minor feeding periods that anglers today still use.
Part of Hannon’s system includes fishing when the moon is directly above or below your location. Because Hannon caught several hundred large bass during his career, the fishing community gives his words a lot of weight.
Myth #9: These rules always apply
Bass are individuals, and two fish in the same body of water may have different habits. Some bass feed on different fish, and others prefer different depths.
Summary
Many of us have missed out on winning big because of believing in certain limitations, unwritten rules, or prevalent myths. One example from Hollywood is the hero of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (playing on Fubo) who declines the promise of everlasting life because of the myth that the Holy Grail came at the cost of remaining in its temple forever.
Although far less is at stake here than in the movie, catching trophy bass may be within reach if you know which myths to ignore. The sooner you reject wrong information, the sooner you can catch the big one!
Major League Fishing and Ten Square Games Enter Partnership to Bring Fishing Clash Mobile Gaming Competition to Real Life
Marketing Partnership will Bring Real-Life MLF Tournament to Fishing Clash, which is Played by 80 Million People in 171 Countries
BENTON, Ky. & WARSAW, Poland (July 13, 2023) – In a strategic move to merge the tremendous audience of mobile gaming competitions with the passionate tournament-fishing fanbase, Ten Square Games, the leading mobile producer of mobile games in the free-to-play model, announced today a marketing partnership with Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization and premier outdoor entertainment brand. For the first time in the Fishing Clash game history, on August 1-6, players will be able to compete in daily MLF-branded events on Saginaw Bay at the same time that the MLF pros are on those same waters in real life competing at Stage Seven in Bay City, Michigan.
“At Ten Square Games, we focus on delivering engaging experiences to our players by creating products that they love. Partnering with Major League Fishing for our flagship game – Fishing Clash – is super exciting as we can close the gap between fishing simulations and the love for fishing,” commented Manuel Somonte, Head of Producers at Ten Square Games.
“Partnering with MLF allows us to share our values for delighting our audiences and our passion for fishing,” added Greg Kruk, Head of Business Development at Ten Square Games.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Ten Square Games to showcase our brand to a worldwide audience while also offering a new way to interact and engage with our loyal MLF fanbase,” said Michael Mulone, MLF Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Growing the sport of bass fishing and providing fun new ways to introduce new fans of all ages to participate is an essential priority.”
Fishing Clash is free to download and the Saginaw Bay event is free to play. Graphics for the event were designed based on photographs from Saginaw Bay and the variety of fish which can be caught is based on the actual fish population.
Fishing Clash is one of the leading mobile games worldwide, ranked in the top 50 in the Google Play store and played by more than 80 million people in 171 countries. The interactive 3D fishing simulator offers players the opportunity to grab their fishing tackle and go on extreme fishing adventures. The game offers an abundance of fish species and superb fishing experiences at numerous locations worldwide, including MLF Bass Pro Tour fisheries like Saginaw Bay and Lake Guntersville.
For more information about Fishing Clash, visit FishingClash.game or download the Fishing Clash game for iOS or Android. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Multiple variables at play for Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River
Waddington, N.Y., will host the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River July 20-22.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
July 13, 2023
Multiple variables at play for Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — On one hand, Chris Johnston expects the usual routine during the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River. However, forces at play could shuffle the deck and alter outcomes.
Competition days will be July 20-22 with daily takeoffs from Whitaker Park at 6 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day back at the park at 2 p.m.
“It’s the same old St. Lawrence River,” Johnston said. “It’s going to be heavy current, clear water. The only thing that usually varies is the water temperature. We haven’t had a ton of hot weather, so it might not get all the fish out deep like they should be by the end of July.
“That’s going to scatter the fish, but it could change in the next two weeks. If we get a bunch of hot weather, it will group the fish up a little better. But if the water temperature stays cool, you’re going to have a bunch of scattered fish in anywhere from 3 to 40 feet of water.”
Noting that early summer has seen atypically cooler weather overtaking early spring heat, Johnston said he expects clarity — above and below the surface — to play a role in this event.
“Part of the (water temperature scenario) has been sunlight penetration,” he said. “We’ve had smoke (from wildfires in Quebec and northern Ontario) for the last month up here. I feel like the sun isn’t penetrating the water like it normally does and that might be slowing the progress of the (spawning season) and the water temperature a little bit.
“The water’s still crystal clear, but you can’t see that well because of the haze. You’re not getting that visibility you’d normally get. It’s kind of like fishing an overcast day.”
Tournament boundaries include the St. Lawrence and all publicly accessible tributaries from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam at Massena, N.Y., westward to Cape Vincent on the U.S. side and Kingston, Ontario, on the Canadian side. Lake Ontario is off-limits, but Johnston said anglers will have no trouble finding quality and quantity in the river.
Anglers running upriver from Waddington (the St. Lawrence flows northeast from the mouth of Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence/Atlantic Ocean) will encounter a speed zone with a 35 mph limit in the Alexandria Bay area. Johnston does not expect this to greatly impede anyone’s day. However, long runs to the west must be carefully calculated, with options prudently weighed.
“If you gamble and make a run toward the lake, you’re losing about 2 1/2 hours of fishing a day, and that can be tough,” Johnston said. “You’re going to have to be on ’em pretty good to (justify that run) and catch them for three days in a row.
“To be honest, the last couple (of) years, the Wolfe Island-Clayton, N.Y., end has played a lot more, but a lot of fish have been taken and released out of Massena, Waddington and that end. I think you could see someone win it out of that end of the river. I’ve talked to some local friends, and they said they’ve never seen so much boat pressure. Not that there’s going to be less fish (in the Clayton area), but they’re going to be more pressured and a lot harder to catch.”
Taking all of this into consideration, Johnston believes anglers who remain closer to takeoff could fare well. Wherever competitors fish, the large, oceangoing cargo ships traversing the St. Lawrence Seaway commonly factor into a day’s dynamics.
On the navigational side, recreational boats must yield to these commercial vessels, as their turning ability is far less. From a fishing perspective, Johnston said the large ship wakes will often stir up the bottom and stimulate a bite.
“The big thing (on the St. Lawrence) is the wind direction,” Johnston said. “If you get an east wind, it blows against the current and it backs it up. That can make for some of the worst fishing because you can’t drift right and the current gets all messed up. The fish don’t relate to bottom, they’ll get up and suspend, and they don’t bite good.
“If you get a west wind, which is the predominant wind, it makes a little more current, and that makes them bite better. But that east wind can really hurt the fishing — and make it hard to run. It stacks the waves up (and) makes it choppy and hard to navigate.”
Overall, Johnston’s looking for a postspawn tournament. In shallow areas, the fish favor anything different, like a sand flat with isolated rock or a grass patch. In deeper areas of 15-plus feet, humps with rock, sandy areas with pea gravel and chunky boulders attract the big smallmouth.
“I think you’re going to need multiple spots,” Johnston said. “It might be a mix of shallow and deep. I think the fish are too spread out this time of year for you to find the mother lode to win.
“I think you’ll need 10 to 15 spots where you can pull up and catch 4- to 6-pound bass. You’re going to need a rotation. I don’t think you’re going to just run to one spot and load the boat for three days.”
Predicting a three-day winning total of about 69 pounds, Johnston stressed the need for a diverse tactical array. It’s hard to beat a drop shot on the St. Lawrence River, and Johnston has found great success with the Spro CJ Smasher he helped design. Tubes and hair jigs work well in the shallows, while a Carolina-rigged craw bait will deliver deep-water results.
Anglers fishing all nine Opens this season are part of the Elite Qualifiers Division and are eligible to earn one of nine invitations to the Bassmaster Elite Series when the Opens season is done. After five tournaments, the top nine anglers in the EQ standings are Tennessee pro John Garrett (926), Illinois pro Trey McKinney (921), Kenta Kimura of Japan (910), South Carolina’s JT Thompkins (893), Minnesota pro Keith Tuma (878), Georgia’s Matt Henry (869), Tennessee’s Robert Gee (860), Texas pro Ben Milliken (851) and Alabama pro Joey Nania (847).
At the conclusion of the season, the top nine anglers from the EQ field will receive invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. Full standings for the EQ division can be found at Bassmaster.com.
You can follow all the action from the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River on Bassmaster.com. Live music, farmers markets, craft shows and paddling races are happening in communities across St. Lawrence County throughout the weekend, so check out VisitSTLC.com to plan a weekend of fishing and fun.
The 2023 event is being hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Waddington. It is part of a series of tournaments and is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.