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Safu Rana Wins CATT Potomac River, VA May 28, 2023

Brian Carter

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May 31, 2023

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Safu Rana Wins CATT Potomac River, VA May 28, 2023

Next up is the Potomac River Spring Final June 17th at Hope Spring Marina! We have 56 teams eligible to enter! To view the Potomac River Spring Points, go to the Potomac River Division page and scroll all the way down!

2023 Spring Potomac CATT Season Points CHAMPIONS

Congratulations David Hooker & Kenny Henderson !!! 406 Total Season Points

David & Kenny will fish our Championship tournament for free on Saturday, June 17th and will be positioned as Boat #1

David & Kenny will also receive a $100 LEW’S gift card!

We have $1,715.00 in the Potomac River Final Fund! At the Final we will add the Final Fund and 100% of the entry’s together to make the Final purse! Final entry is $160 or $170 at the ramp! If we have 50 of the eligible teams enter the purse will be over $8,000 not including the side pot! Thanks for fishing with us!

Safu Rana fished solo and took the largest prize this past weekend which was 1st Place of $1,400.00 with 18.30 lbs. Great job!

Chris Jackson & Chase Blaise took 2nd place $660 with 18.20 lbs.

Mike Ramey & Mike Nelms took 3rd place with a total weight of 18.10 lbs.
$370 3rd Place Finish + $96 2nd Biggest Bass 5.89 lbs. + $575 Side Pot = Total of $1,041

4th Place – Clifton Cooper & Donald Heflin 17.22 lbs. $250

5th Place – Chris McManus 17.03 lbs. $190

6th Place – Karl Sampson & Donnie Caldwell 16.79 lbs. $130

7th Place – Steve Schantz & Billy Boyd 16.72 lbs.

8th Place – Dan Weber & Bob Weber 16.69 lbs.

9th Place – William Gordon & Taylor Gordon
$600 30+ lb. Bag Bonus Winners
Cumulative 6 fish limit (5 EA Bass + 1 EA Snake) weighing 30 pounds or greater.
5 Bass 16.53 lbs. + 1 Snake 14.98 lbs. = 31.51 lbs. Total
31.51 lbs. is the New Potomac CATT Record

Snakehead Side Pot Winners $420 William Gordon & Taylor Gordon 14.98 lbs.

Here’s Big Bass winner Mike Hepburn with his gorgeous 6.21 lb. post spawn beauty. Mike Hepburn and Shawn Phipps $224 big bass winners at tournament #4

	Snake
Team	Head	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Safu Rana	0.00	0.00	18.30	$1,400.00	110
Chris Jackson – Chase Blaise	0.00	0.00	18.20	$660.00	109
Mike Ramey/Mike Nelms	0.00	5.89	18.10	$1,041.00	108
Cliff Cooper/Donald Heflin	0.00	4.90	17.22	$250.00	107
Chris McManus	0.00	0.00	17.03	$190.00	106
Karl Sampson/Donnie Caldwell	0.00	4.16	16.79	$130.00	105
Steve Schantz – Billy Boyd	0.00	5.31	16.72		104
Dan Weber/Bob Weber	0.00	0.00	16.69		103
Willie Gordon/Taylor Gordon	14.98	0.00	16.53	$1,020.00	102
Ben Moon – Mike Thomas	0.00	0.00	16.40		101
Luke Beard/Brian Kline	0.00	5.27	15.78		100
David Hooker/Kenny Henderson	0.00	0.00	15.57		99
Sam Musselman/Ryan Musselman	0.00	0.00	15.32		98
PJ Mosley – Rahim Rahimi	0.00	0.00	15.23		97
Scottie Melton/Shawn Smith	6.51	0.00	15.13		96
John Ward – David Mathews	0.00	4.58	14.87		95
Donnie Ward – Donnie Ward Jr	0.00	4.70	14.44		94
Buck Covington – Jesepth Hughes	0.00	0.00	13.92		93
Nick Sapio	0.00	0.00	13.79		92
Joe Zaombek – Mike Bahnweg	0.00	0.00	13.37		91
Ray Hogge /Donnie Daniel	0.00	0.00	13.24		90
Jeff Poston – John Stevens	0.00	0.00	13.20		89
Scott Shafer – JR Mills	0.00	0.00	12.50		88
Scott Mattern – Derek Edwards	0.00	0.00	12.09		87
Cody Dent	0.00	0.00	11.24		86
Neville Green/Steve Lanier	0.00	0.00	10.80		85
Mike Hepburn/Shawn Phipps	0.00	6.21	9.67	$224.00	84
Josh Payne/Steve Starkey	0.00	0.00	9.09		83
Danny Cole – Brian Baity	0.00	0.00	9.06		82
Nick Lober – Logan Andrade	0.00	0.00	0.00		72
Clayton Payne – Thomas Palmer	0.00	0.00	0.00		72
Desmond Allen – Sion Sake	0.00	0.00	0.00		72
Total Entrys				$3,840.00
BONUS $				$575.00
Snakehead Side Pot				$420.00
Total Paid At Ramp				$4,915.00
Potomac River 2023 Spring Final Fund				$445.00
2023 CATT Championship Fund				$75.00
2023 Potomac River Spring Final Fund				$1,715.00

Jarrett & Chad Freeze Win CATT Yadkin Lake Tillery, NC May 27, 2023

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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Jarrett & Chad Freeze Win CATT Yadkin Lake Tillery, NC May 27, 2023

Jarrett Freeze – Chad Freeze 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 14.77 and the Academy BF at 6.06 lbs!

John Kistler – Rusty Melton 2nd Place with 14.15 lbs!

Chris Brown & Sam Cole 3rd with 13.83 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Jarrett Freeze – Chad Freeze	6.06	14.77	$944.00	110
John Kistler – Rusty Melton	4.14	14.15	$386.00	109
Sam Cole – Chris Brown	3.47	13.83	$100.00	108
Mike Allen – Thomas Furr	3.87	12.65		107
Michael Kinard – Aaron Harwood	0.00	11.82		106
RM Parker – Brandon Gibson	3.71	11.53		105
Kevin Stowell Sr.	3.00	10.97		104
Jeremy Talbert – Matt Talbert	0.00	10.88		103
Todd Butler – Marty Williams	0.00	10.22		102
Mark Mohler – Graeme Bosch	3.32	9.83		101
Bud Ratliff – Corey Rickets	2.98	9.23		100
Zack Gooch – Greg Gooch	0.00	8.35		99
Manny Lenau	0.00	7.49		98
Hunter Harwood – Scott Harwood	0.00	7.45		97
Mike Smith – Erik Myers	0.00	7.03		96
Kris Scelsi – Zach Scelsi	0.00	6.97		95
Dusty Taylor – Kolton Hawks	0.00	1.51		94
Michael Swearingen – Alan Shinn	0.00	0.00		84
Total Entrys			$1,440.00
BONUS $			$425.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$1,430.00
CATT			$50.00
2023 Yadkin Spring Final Fund			$335.00
2023 CATT Championship Fund			$50.00
2023 Yadkin Spring Final Fund Total			$2,070.00

Jamie Benton & Scott Eggleton Win CATT Yadkin High Rock, NC May 28, 2023

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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Jamie Benton & Scott Eggleton Win CATT Yadkin High Rock, NC May 28, 2023

Dusty Taylor and Kolton Hawks win the 2023 Spring Yadkin Points and will receive $500.00! Michael Kinard & Aaron Harwood finish 2nd and will receive free entry at the Final! To view the Spring Yadkin Points, go to the Yadkin Division page and scroll down to the bottom!

Jamie Benton & Scott Eggleton win High Rock with 5 bass weighing 20.92 lbs and weighed in the Academy BF at 5.52 lbs! They earned $1,130.00!

Landon & Ladd Wicker 2nd with 20.02 lbs!

Phillip Hedrick & Jack Vanderford 3rd with 18.65 lbs!

Bradley Culler – Cody Stegall 4th with 18.35 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Jamie Benton – Scott Eggleton	5.52	20.92	$1,130.00	110
Ladd & Landon Wicker	4.59	20.02	$438.00	109
Phillip Hedrick – Jack Vanderford	0.00	18.65	$200.00	108
Bradley Culler – Cody Stegall	5.17	18.35	$120.00	107
Austin Garland	0.00	17.68		106
John Kistler – Rusty Melton	5.09	16.26		105
Sam Cole – Chris Brown	0.00	15.40		104
Hunter Harwood – Scott Harwood	5.07	15.26		103
Jeremy Talbert – Chad Coley	0.00	15.18		102
Steve Sink – Jason Riggs	5.28	14.61		101
Jarrett Freeze – Chayd Freeze	5.29	14.24	$72.00	100
Rodney Thomas – Jason Thomas	0.00	13.91		99
Parrish Payne – Hayden Payne	0.00	13.57		98
Kris Scelsi – Zach Scelsi	0.00	12.00		97
Gary Freeze – T-Man	0.00	11.80		96
Michael Kinard – Aaron Harwood	0.00	11.49		95
Stan Turner – Gage Taylor	0.00	7.92		94
Mark Mohler – Graeme Bosch	0.00	6.58		93
Nick Taylor – Levi Green	0.00	5.26		92
Duty Taylor – Kolton Hawks	0.00	1.54		91
Robert Mixon – Robert Lambert	0.00	0.00		81
Gary Ingram	0.00	0.00		81
Thomas Ludwick – Tom File	0.00	0.00		81
Tony Stafford – Josh Stafford	0.00	0.00		81
Total Entrys			$1,920.00
BONUS $			$550.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$1,960.00
CATT			$50.00
2023 Yadkin Spring Final Fund			$410.00
2023 CATT Championship Fund			$50.00
2023 Yadkin Spring Final Fund Total			$2,480.00

Josh Friend and Nathan Lawrence Win Stop #5 for the Region 4 TBF Open Team Trail is in the books at Claytor Lake

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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Stop #5 for the Region 4 TBF Open Team Trail is in the books at Claytor Lake

20 teams fished in unusual cold windy weather for the end of May.

But that didn’t slow down the bit for everyone.

1st Josh Friend and Nathan Lawrence 17.68 and big fish 5.04 lbs

2nd Zach Peaslee and Bobby Peaslee 11.50lbs

3rd Daniel Eubank and Douglas Eubank 11.22lbs

Thanks to everyone who came out.

Stop #6 is SML Night June 17th

And remember it must be 2 members teams NO solos for TBF Night tournaments!

See y’all there

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CASTING SKILLS! by Fresh Baitz

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CASTING SKILLS! by Fresh Baitz

Improving casting skills is crucial for any angler, especially when it comes to bass fishing with soft plastic baits like such as Scorpions, Lizards, HellaMites, and Worms. Consistent practice is key to improving casting skills. Set aside dedicated time to practice your casting technique, both on and off the water. Practicing in an open area like a park or backyard can help you focus solely on your casting form without the distractions of fishing. Use targets like hula hoops or buckets to aim for and work on your accuracy. Bass fishing often requires long-distance casts to reach the desired spots. To improve your casting distance, focus on your technique. Utilize the power from your rod and reel to generate momentum. Ensure that you have a smooth and controlled casting motion, utilizing the proper loading and unloading of the rod. Practice the timing of your release, optimizing it for maximum distance. Accurate casting is crucial for effectively presenting your soft plastic baits to bass. Work on your accuracy by setting up targets at different distances and angles. Concentrate on your aim and practice adjusting your cast to hit specific targets. By regularly challenging yourself to hit smaller targets, you’ll enhance your accuracy and increase your chances of enticing a strike.Scorpions are a versatile type of lure that can be used to target a variety of fish species, including bass. We like to use bait that bass simply can’t resist. We use our FreshBaitz Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our Fresh Scorpion paired with a Stand-up jig is deadly… This bait will actually sit upright in a defensive stance! The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Made from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action that triggers MORE strikes! Scented for complete and total attraction! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, the Fresh Scorpion is a must-have bait in your tackle box. Use it to target bass all year round and watch as it outperforms other baits.

Skipping is a useful skill when fishing around docks, overhanging trees, or other structures. It allows you to present your soft plastic bait in hard-to-reach areas where bass often hide. To improve your skipping technique, choose a baitcasting reel with a high gear ratio, as it provides more control and accuracy. Practice skipping under low-hanging objects like a picnic table or a rope, gradually increasing the difficulty level as you progress. Selecting the appropriate gear can greatly enhance your casting experience. Opt for a baitcasting rod and reel combo, as it offers better control, accuracy, and casting distance. Look for a rod with a medium to medium-heavy power rating and a fast action, as it provides a good balance of sensitivity and power. Pair it with a reel that has a smooth drag system and a high line capacity to handle bass effectively. Bass can be selective, so it’s essential to experiment with a variety of soft plastic baits to find what works best in different conditions. Scorpions, Lizards, HellaMites, and Worms are all popular choices. Vary your bait sizes, colors, and presentations to determine which ones trigger the most strikes. Keep a selection of different soft plastic baits in your tackle box to adapt to changing fishing conditions and increase your chances of success. The new Fresh Baitz Lizard delivers a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait in any condition. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches! Perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. The Fresh Baitz Lizard is made from durable high-grade Non-Salted plastic for maximum attention-grabbing action.

Wind can greatly affect your casting accuracy and distance. When casting into the wind, adjust your technique by keeping your rod tip lower and reducing the amount of line you release. This will help you maintain control and prevent your bait from getting caught in the wind. Conversely, when casting with the wind, elevate your rod tip slightly and release more line to take advantage of the added momentum. Expand your casting repertoire by practicing different techniques such as sidearm casting, roll casting, and flipping. Sidearm casting is useful when you need to cast under overhanging cover, while roll casting is ideal for short-range accuracy. Flipping allows you to make precise presentations close to targets. By mastering these techniques, you’ll have a wider range of casting options to adapt to various fishing situations. Pay attention to your grip and body mechanics during casting. Hold the rod with a relaxed grip and use your wrist, forearm, and shoulder to generate power. Avoid excessive tension in your muscles, as it can limit your casting distance and accuracy. Maintain a stable stance, distribute your weight evenly, and engage your core for better balance and control during the casting motion.Each Fresh HellaMite is scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Our newest Invisible HellaMite is an effective bait for various reasons, starting with its transparency, which makes it look like a natural prey item in the water. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait more clearly, and a clear HellaMite is more likely to look like real food, increasing the likelihood of a strike. There’s a limited supply of our clear HellaMites so you better act fast! If you’re fast enough then you’ll be able to grab some Perch HellaMites before they end up selling out again! The supply won’t last long so don’t wait for another second. You’re also now able to save money by getting the classic HellaMite colors and Ned Head Jigs in one convenient kit! The new HellaMite Fun Pack includes 6 crucial colors for 18 total HellaMite baits and a 3-count pack of Owner Block Head Jigs size 1/16oz. In addition to all of that, you also get a FREE FreshBaitz sticker. The kit includes 3 of Watermelon Red, Purple Smoke, Alabama, Black & Blue, Goby Wan, and Green Pumpkin HellaMite giving you all the crucial colors you need. All of these colors are magnets and work really well for Smallmouth, Largemouth, Panfish, Trout, Walleye, and more.

The type and weight of your fishing line can influence your casting performance. Experiment with different lines, such as monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided lines, to find the one that suits your casting style and fishing conditions. Lighter lines generally allow for longer casts, while heavier lines offer more control and durability. Find the balance that works best for you. After each cast, take a moment to evaluate your performance. Assess the distance, accuracy, and presentation of your cast. Pay attention to any casting errors or flaws in your technique. By actively analyzing your casts and identifying areas for improvement, you can focus on specific aspects of your casting skills and make necessary adjustments to enhance your overall performance. Understanding and utilizing your rod’s action can greatly improve your casting distance and accuracy. Fast-action rods provide greater sensitivity and excel in long-distance casts, while moderate-action rods offer more forgiveness and control for accurate presentations. Experiment with different rod actions to find the one that suits your casting style and the specific soft plastic bait you’re using.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a wide variety of 5-inch Fresh Worms to choose from, but we’ve recently released new 6-inch Worms that catch some trophies. Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another under different lighting conditions. Each Worm is scented for complete and total attraction and made in the USA by anglers just like you!

To become a well-rounded angler, practice casting in a variety of fishing scenarios. This includes casting from a boat, shore, or even from different angles like casting downstream or upstream. By simulating real-life fishing situations during practice sessions, you’ll develop the ability to adapt your casting technique to different environments and increase your chances of success on the water. Visualization is a powerful tool that can improve your casting accuracy and presentation. Before making a cast, take a moment to visualize your target and the path you want your bait to take. Visualize the arc of your cast, the landing spot, and the movement of your bait through the water. By mentally rehearsing your cast, you’ll increase focus and improve your ability to hit your target accurately. Soft plastic baits come in various weights, and being able to cast them all effectively is important. Practice casting with different bait weights to become familiar with how they affect your casting distance and accuracy. Adjust your casting technique and timing to accommodate the weight of the bait, ensuring that you can accurately deliver them to your desired fishing spots.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from. For Scorpions we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! When using a lizard we like using an All Purpose Hook which is built with an extra-wide gap and is made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. This hook has a z-lock shoulder bend feature that holds baits firmly in place working through and covering. Also has a super needle point technology that ensures its sharp penetrating power performs. Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and are designed to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics such as lizards and worms. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations.

Major League Fishing Combines Technology and Conservation to Host Bass Pro Tour on Cayuga Lake Prior to Fishing Season Start

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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Major League Fishing Combines Technology and Conservation to Host Bass Pro Tour on Cayuga Lake Prior to Fishing Season Start

Unique MLF Catch-Weigh-Immediate Release Format Brings the Favorite Fishing Stage Five Presented by ATG + Wrangler to Union Springs, N.Y., June 6-11

UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. (May 30, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour, featuring the top professional anglers in bass fishing, is set to return to Union Springs, New York, and Cayuga Lake next week, June 6-11, for the fifth event of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season – the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG + Wrangler.

Cayuga Lake has hosted hundreds of bass tournaments over the years, including the Bass Pro Tour in 2022. However, the June timeline for this event is extremely unique. The traditional bass season officially start until June 15, yet the catch and immediate-release season runs from Dec. 1-June 14 on inland waters in New York. MLF received confirmation from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that the Bass Pro Tour format of catch, weigh, immediate release is compliant under state guidelines.

The six-day tournament will feature a field of 80 professional anglers, including bass-fishing superstars like Kevin VanDam, REDCREST 2023 Champion Bryan Thrift, reigning back-to-back Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, and last year’s Cayuga Lake Champion, Alabama’s Dustin Connell. They’ll be competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

“The Village of Union Springs is excited and looking forward to once again hosting our friends from Major League Fishing,” said Robert Thurston, Jr, Mayor of the Village of Union Springs. “Village residents and our neighboring communities appreciate MLF for bringing some of the most talented and friendliest athletes to our community. We are looking forward to the tournament and wish all MLF anglers a safe and successful tournament.”

In June of 2022, angler Thomas Russell Jr. caught an 8-pound, 6-ounce smallmouth on Cayuga Lake to set the New York state record. Pro Dustin Connell, who won the 2022 Bass Pro Tour stop on the lake, believes Russell’s record could be in danger during the event.

“There are so many 5- to 7-pound smallmouth in there and some that are much bigger,” Connell said. “Sight fishing should be a big factor, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone catches a new record. It will be fun – the lake is full of big bass, and most of them will be up shallow.”

Traditionally, largemouth have been the way to win, but Connell changed that mindset with his victory with smallmouth in 2022. This time, he expects a split and says both can produce a winning total.

“It’ll be a battle between the species and nobody knows how it’s going to turn out,” Connell said. “Fishing for big smallmouth may be a good option, but you can also go down a stretch and catch a bunch of largemouth. The grass should just be starting to grow, and the fishing should be incredible no matter which species you decide on.”

Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. CT each day from Frontenac Park, located at 15 Creamery Road in Union Springs. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW! live stream and SCORETRACKER coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Fans are encouraged to attend Meet The Pros Night on Saturday, June 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bass Pro Tour anglers will be onsite at the Bass Pro Shops, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in Auburn, New York, to meet fans, sign autographs and take photos.

Also, as part of the event, on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 the MLF Fan Experience will be taking place at the Bass Pro Shops in Auburn from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to celebrate fishing and the outdoors. Fans can hang out and watch the pros live on the MLF NOW! big screen during the MLF Watch Party. On Sunday at 5 p.m., the final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand for the trophy celebration and to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.

The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG + Wrangler will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Sunday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG + Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.

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.

Bassmaster Kayak Series returns to Possum Kingdom

Brian Carter

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May 30, 2023

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Bassmaster Kayak Series returns to Possum Kingdom

Mark Pendergraf, who won the 2021 Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship, will be among the field at the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX at Possum Kingdom Lake June 3-4.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

May 30, 2023

Bassmaster Kayak Series returns to Possum Kingdom

Graford, Texas — For just the second time in its young history, the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX will head to Possum Kingdom Lake June 3-4 — and while Texas angler Mark Pendergraf thinks the bass might be in a postspawn funk when they arrive, anglers will still have the opportunity to catch big bass.

Located east of Fort Worth, Possum Kingdom flies under the radar compared to some of the other powerhouse lakes in Texas. But, as kayak anglers proved during the 2021 National Championship that Pendergraf won, Possum Kingdom has impressive numbers of lunker bass.

This will be the third of five regular-season Kayak Series events in 2023, and anglers will be competing for Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year points as well as a spot in the 2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series National Championship.

Those who fished the 2021 Championship will likely have to come up with a different strategy for this event, as that tournament was fished under high-water conditions.

Overall, Possum Kingdom is a rocky reservoir and it features all three major species of black bass. Largemouth, however, are the only species likely to help anglers win tournaments.

Compared to other reservoirs in Texas, the Brazos River impoundment is much deeper. That means the bass tend to spawn later in the year, and when kayak anglers arrive for tournament competition, they will find the lake in transition from spawn to summer patterns.

“It will be about the secondary points and docks. We are looking at the transition into the postspawn,” Pendergraf said. “There are tons of creek channels with secondary points they will stack up on and they will stack up on the boathouses on the main channel. They will be everywhere.”

With only a little bit of vegetation, the bass will mostly be set up on hard cover like docks, standing timber, bluffs and rock. As more of a postspawn event — and with different water conditions — Pendergraf anticipates the bass to be more spread out than during the 2021 event.

“The bass will still stage in the usual spots, but there won’t be the piles of fish like I and a couple of other people ran into,” Pendergraf said. “There (likely) won’t be flooding and they won’t have to tuck up under things.”

Many of the bass will be targeting gizzard shad. Those shad could be spawning depending on how the weather is trending.

Big, ribbon-tailed worms are a popular choice that time of year for anglers, as well as crankbaits and stickworms. Topwater baits like poppers will catch fish in the morning hours.

With 484 points after two regular-season events, Rus Snyders is leading the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year standings by just one point over Nick Dyer. 2022 Bassmaster Kayak Series national champion Eric Siddiqi and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg DiPalma are both sitting in third place with 481 points.

The event will follow a catch-measure-release format. The live leaderboard can be found on Bassmaster.com throughout the tournament with the awards streaming live on the Bassmaster YouTube channel June 4 at 4 p.m. CT.

The tournament is being hosted by the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce.

2023 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Yamaha Rightwaters

Kenneth Moore and Joseph Eure Win CATT Tidewater Chowan River, NC May 27, 2023

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Brian Carter

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May 29, 2023

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Kenneth Moore and Joseph Eure Win CATT Tidewater Chowan River, NC May 27, 2023

I’m sure for the teams that made long runs today the lower part of the Chowan got a little sporty this past Saturday but overall we had pretty good weather for our last divisional qualifier of the year. The rain held off throughout the tournament day but the overcast conditions made for good fishing with most teams bring in 5 fish limits and many teams reporting catching 30-40 fish.

Brian Meadows & Michael Evans win the Tidewater Spring Points and will fish the Tidewater Final Free!

The team of Kenneth Moore and Joseph Eure separated themselves from the rest in a BIG way and brought a whopping 27.06 lb bag to the scales that was anchored by the big fish of the day weighing 7.78 lbs!!! All total that 27 lbs earned them a $2600 payday.

The team of Justin Brittenham and Michael Lassiter weighed a beautiful bag of river chunks weighing 22.09 to take home a second place finish and $875.

Tommy Houlroyd and Don Porter brought 20.38 lbs to the scales to secure a third place finish. The following teams rounding out the money winners.

4th Bobby Dunlow/Dawson Dunlow 19.14 lbs

5th Jordan Sanderlin/ Lloyd Sanderlin 18.36 lbs

6th Kirk Nixon/ Trent Nixon 18.08 lbs

7th Eugene Foushee/ Brandon Johnson 18.00 lbs

8th Mike Chlomoudis/ David Tatem 17.84 lbs and second big fish of the day weighing 7.48 lbs.

This tournament concludes our regular season. If you have fished with us this year you are eligible to fish our division championship out of Pembroke creek on June 11th.

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Joseph Eure/ Kenneth Moore	7.78	27.06	$2,600.00	110
Justin Brittenham/ Michael Lassiter	6.32	22.09	$875.00	109
Tommy Houlroyd/ Don Porter	6.74	20.38	$525.00	108
Bobby Dunlow/ Dawson Dunlow	4.94	19.14	$370.00	107
Jordan Sanderlin/ Llyod Sanderlin	6.94	18.36	$290.00	106
Kirk Nixon/ Trent Nixon	5.34	18.08	$210.00	105
Eugene Fouschee/ Brandon Johnson	0.00	18.00	$175.00	104
David Tatem/ Mike Chlomoudis	7.48	17.84	$265.00	103
Brad Webb/ Matt Holt	5.81	15.28		102
Mike Wenthe/ William Chappel	0.00	13.77		101
Michael Evans/ Brian Meadows	0.00	13.35		100
Chris Pike/ Rick Plemons	4.53	13.27		99
Chris Banks/ Zachary Meads	5.27	13.25		98
Brian Cooper/ Heath Parker	0.00	13.14		97
Bubba Banks/Tommy Banks	4.93	12.89		96
Nick Meek/ Kyle Verkullen	0.00	12.39		95
Russell Gammon	4.43	12.38		94
David Buchanan/ Brian Richardson	0.00	12.35		93
Josh Powell/ Eric Rountree	0.00	12.28		92
Brian Jackson/ Billy Saunders	0.00	12.24		91
Ryan Broughman/Randy Broughman	4.14	12.21		90
Justin Chamblee/ Don Lassiter	0.00	12.19		89
Jonathan Yost/ Billy Yost	5.00	12.06		88
Kevin Jones/ Tyler Jones	0.00	11.76		87
Joe Glazebrook/ Nick Koening	0.00	11.59		86
Mike Knapp/ Ben Knapp	3.21	11.08		85
Hunter Holloman/Bryan Hendricks	0.00	10.93		84
Quintin Chappell/ Chris Turner	0.00	9.56		83
Matt Anderson	0.00	9.43		82
Austin Hughes/ Holden Northcott	0.00	9.39		81
Jeff Archer/ Allen Archer	3.74	9.11		80
Wayne Hayes/ Andy Morath	0.00	9.09		79
Jim Dick/ Greg Dick	0.00	8.41		78
Al Biagioni/ John LaRock	3.11	8.11		77
Mike Scott/ JP Scott	0.00	7.66		76
David Shaffer/ Scott Shaffer	0.00	7.46		75
Darren Saunders/ Dave Parker	0.00	4.68		74
Larry Barefoot	0.00	4.01		73
Ronnie Ketchum	0.00	0.00		63
Aaron Johnson/ Grayson Barefoot	0.00	0.00		63
Ricky Mize/ Travis Badgett	0.00	0.00		63
Eric Polk	0.00	0.00		63
Mark Moretz	0.00	0.00		63
Total Entrys			$5,160.00
BONUS $			$650.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$5,310.00
CATT			$50.00
2023 Tidewater Final Fund			$450.00
2023 CATT Championship Fund			$50.00
2023 Tidewater Final Fund Total			$2,100.00

Jonathan Dailey & Dylan Locklear Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Open May 20, 2023

Brian Carter

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May 29, 2023

0

Jonathan Dailey & Dylan Locklear Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Open May 20, 2023

Next Lake Wateree Open is June 10th at Clearwater Cove Marina!

Must enter 3 Opens to be eligible to enter the Open Final
Fishing an Open solo will count for your teams Final Qualification
Must fish Wateree Open Final with your partner or a sub your team used
NO NEW SUBS AT FINAL & NO PAIRING UP AT FINAL WITH ANOTHER MEMBER
Safe Daylight – Weigh in Determined at Ramp
$100 Entry Optional $25 side pot at each event!

Jonathan Dailey & Dylan Locklear win Wateree with 5 bass weighing 16.75 lbs!

Todd Butler & Mack Kitchens 2nd with 16.50 lbs!

3rd Jeff & Jacob Norris with 16.41 lbs!

Robert Jackson & Darrell Fenton 4th with 14.41 lbs! They also weighed in the BF at 5.10 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Jonathan Dailey – Dylan Locklear	4.53	16.75	$765.00	110
Todd Butler – Mack Kitchens	3.80	16.50	$225.00	109
Jeff Norris – Jacob Norris	4.00	16.41		108
Darrell Fenton – Robert Jackson	5.10	14.59	$91.00	107
Donald Hinson – Tyler Hinson	2.93	14.41		106
Jess Williams – Mark Healon	4.35	14.35		105
Butch Williams – Sonny Beam	3.37	14.06		104
Greg Nettles – Matt Nettles	4.67	13.81	$39.00	103
Steve Phillips – Chad Sims	3.33	13.52		102
Craig Haven – Paul Wells	4.45	13.19		101
Bob Weaver – Scott Floyd	2.95	13.00		100
David Weatherford – Brian Kicker	3.24	11.83		99
Jason Ries – Roger McKee	2.69	11.36		98
Scott Williams – Robbie English	0.00	0.00		88

2023 Wateree Open Points			$955.00
2023 Wateree Open Final			$715.00

Walters Wins It All on Santee Cooper

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Brian Carter

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May 28, 2023

0

South Carolina angler Patrick Walters wins stop number three of the NPFL on Santee Cooper Lakes.

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

The most consistent angler all week, Patrick Walters wins the National Professional Fishing League stop number three on Santee Cooper Lakes with a total weight of 67 pounds, 12 ounces. Walters caught 22 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, 24 pounds even on day two, and a final round weight of 21 pounds, 4 ounces to seal his second NPFL victory in two years.

Go fishing and have fun. That was the mentality of Patrick Walters on his home body of water where being stubborn has cost him some good finishes in the past.

“It worked out,” said Walters. I knew the weather was going to affect us out here and I played it smart and didn’t run around like I could have. Typically, you do things on your home pond and I was not going to let that happen this week.”

Walters mixed up his approach on day one to get off to a good start but key adjustments on days two and three put him in a position to redeem himself after a tough Elite Series event earlier this spring.

“I fished mainly offshore and caught mostly post-spawn bass. Some came off brim beds but the last two days were all about the brush,” added Walters. “When the little things go right, that makes all the difference. I fished clean this week and landed some fish that had one treble hook; that is the difference in winning these bigger events.”

With a short turnaround before his next professional event, being successful on a lake he knows so much about will help his confidence going into the second half of the NPFL season.

“It feels pretty darn good; I am not going to lie,” he concluded. “Coming off the lowest of lows and a really bad event, having that good finish gets me back into it. I made the right calls, lost no fish and that was the difference.”

Walters takes home $100,000 and the National Professional Fishing League shield for his efforts this week on Santee Cooper.

Todd Goade
Making a run for his first NPFL victory, Todd Goade finished the event on Santee Cooper Lakes in the second-place spot with a three-day total of 62 pounds, 2 ounces. Goade caught 18 pounds, 14 ounces on day one, 22 pounds on day two, and a final day weight of 21 pounds, 4 ounces for his highest finish with the NPFL.

Goade had located several productive areas in practice and continued to dial in his approach each day. With lots of excellent-looking cypress trees all over, he learned that the best trees had 3 or more feet of water on them.

“I found so many really good-looking trees but they were in 2 feet. I never got bit on any of those, and they were all on the 3-foot trees,” said Goade. “I also learned that the big fish were on the right side of the trees, and every fish I caught was sitting on that side and my line would swim out away from it.”

Goade did his work this week without forward-facing sonar and mainly relied on 2D sonar and mapping to keep in the right areas and depth and avoid extra sonar pinging to spook fish.

“I love forward-facing sonar, but I didn’t need it here and anything you can do to avoid spooking the bass is helpful,” he said. “Rather than potentially spook any fish, I just left it off all week.”

Goade is having a great season with the NPFL logging 10th place, 5th place, and now a 2nd place finish. Except for Reams, he is one to watch for as the Progressive Angler of the Year and championship becomes more in the picture.

“I am having a great year,” he added. “Looking bigger picture, the AOY and the championship, you want to keep the momentum going and keep making good decisions. Fishing is all highs and lows, and when you’re riding high, you have to ride the wave, or ‘keep rolling the hot dice’ as I like to say.”

Will Harkins
Starting the day in second place, Will Harkins caught 11 pounds, 14 ounces on day three to finish the event with a total weight of 55 pounds, 1 ounce. Harkins caught 20 pounds, 4 ounces on day one and 22 pounds, 15 ounces on day two, and with one bass shy of a limit on the final day, his brush pile pattern was enough to remain in the top five in the third-place spot.

“All my offshore timber and brush fizzled on me today but I was able to run some midrange brush piles and catch them today,” said Harkins. “I was also fishing some eel grass clumps and caught a few. 95% of this event I was staring at my Garmin Livescope; it was really fun.”

This week was the first time he had fished Santee Cooper and his highest NPFL finish is a great outcome.

“I was questioning this one coming in as I had never seen this lake, but I will take it,” he added. “I kind of wish today went better for me but I am happy with my finish and look forward to getting up North to Saginaw Bay.”

Timmy Reams
With a three-day total weight of 53 pounds, 14 ounces, Timmy Reams, the Progressive Angler of the Year leader, did what he has done all season and found a way to stay consistent for three days. He added 16 pounds on the final day to his day one weight of 16 pounds, 6 ounces, and day two weight of 21 pounds, 8 ounces, and finishes the event in fourth place.

Coming into day one after a tough practice, Reams was not sure what to expect. After day one and seeing other guys in the top ten fishing around him, he knew the quality bass were in his area and settled down.

“On day two, I knew there were good ones and I focused on getting five bites and upgraded as much as I could,” said Reams. “Today, I told myself to go out and catch five fishing the grass and then try to catch a few key fish to upgrade.”

One of eight anglers who weighed in a five fish limit each day, Reams did what he had to do to stay atop the points race and collected yet another top ten check. This week, his focus was on grass with a spinnerbait and chatterbait and then moving to the trees to upgrade.

“I was flipping and pitching a wacky rig on the timber but it got tough with the wind,” he added. “I had to find new trees each day and it all worked out for me this week.”

On the AOY race, Reams is going to take one event at a time and take advantage when the opportunity knocks.

“You try not to think about the points, but you definitely have to plan around it. You have to pick your battles and catch fish to stay in the hunt, but also, I am fishing to win each event,” he concluded.

Kevin Martin
After catching just 13-pounds, 9 ounces on day one, Kevin Martin added 20 pounds, 13 ounces on day two and 18-pounds, 11 ounces on day three to finish in the fifth-place spot with a three-day total weight of 53-pounds, 1 ounce.

Rest of the best:
Darrel Robertson 51-0
Jesse Wise 50-15
Matt Massey 47-10
John Cox (FL) 47-1
Brad Staley 46-8

FINAL LEADERBOARD

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Next up is the Potomac River Spring Final June 17th at Hope Spring Marina! We have 56 teams eligible to enter! To view the Potomac River Spring Points, go to the Potomac River Division page and scroll all the way down!

2023 Spring Potomac CATT Season Points CHAMPIONS

Congratulations David Hooker & Kenny Henderson !!! 406 Total Season Points

David & Kenny will fish our Championship tournament for free on Saturday, June 17th and will be positioned as Boat #1

David & Kenny will also receive a $100 LEW’S gift card!

Safu Rana fished solo and took the largest prize this past weekend which was 1st Place of $1,400.00 with 18.30 lbs. Great job!

Chris Jackson & Chase Blaise took 2nd place $660 with 18.20 lbs.

Mike Ramey & Mike Nelms took 3rd place with a total weight of 18.10 lbs.$370 3rd Place Finish + $96 2nd Biggest Bass 5.89 lbs. + $575 Side Pot = Total of $1,041

4th Place – Clifton Cooper & Donald Heflin 17.22 lbs. $250

5th Place – Chris McManus 17.03 lbs. $190

6th Place – Karl Sampson & Donnie Caldwell 16.79 lbs. $130

7th Place – Steve Schantz & Billy Boyd 16.72 lbs.

8th Place – Dan Weber & Bob Weber 16.69 lbs.

9th Place – William Gordon & Taylor Gordon$600 30+ lb. Bag Bonus WinnersCumulative 6 fish limit (5 EA Bass + 1 EA Snake) weighing 30 pounds or greater.5 Bass 16.53 lbs. + 1 Snake 14.98 lbs. = 31.51 lbs. Total31.51 lbs. is the New Potomac CATT Record

Snakehead Side Pot Winners $420 William Gordon & Taylor Gordon 14.98 lbs.

Here’s Big Bass winner Mike Hepburn with his gorgeous 6.21 lb. post spawn beauty. Mike Hepburn and Shawn Phipps $224 big bass winners at tournament #4

Jarrett Freeze – Chad Freeze 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 14.77 and the Academy BF at 6.06 lbs!

John Kistler – Rusty Melton 2nd Place with 14.15 lbs!

Chris Brown & Sam Cole 3rd with 13.83 lbs!

Dusty Taylor and Kolton Hawks win the 2023 Spring Yadkin Points and will receive $500.00! Michael Kinard & Aaron Harwood finish 2nd and will receive free entry at the Final! To view the Spring Yadkin Points, go to the Yadkin Division page and scroll down to the bottom!

Jamie Benton & Scott Eggleton win High Rock with 5 bass weighing 20.92 lbs and weighed in the Academy BF at 5.52 lbs! They earned $1,130.00!

Landon & Ladd Wicker 2nd with 20.02 lbs!

Phillip Hedrick & Jack Vanderford 3rd with 18.65 lbs!

Bradley Culler – Cody Stegall 4th with 18.35 lbs!

Brian Meadows & Michael Evans win the Tidewater Spring Points and will fish the Tidewater Final Free!

The team of Kenneth Moore and Joseph Eure separated themselves from the rest in a BIG way and brought a whopping 27.06 lb bag to the scales that was anchored by the big fish of the day weighing 7.78 lbs!!! All total that 27 lbs earned them a $2600 payday.

The team of Justin Brittenham and Michael Lassiter weighed a beautiful bag of river chunks weighing 22.09 to take home a second place finish and $875.

Tommy Houlroyd and Don Porter brought 20.38 lbs to the scales to secure a third place finish. The following teams rounding out the money winners.

4th Bobby Dunlow/Dawson Dunlow 19.14 lbs

5th Jordan Sanderlin/ Lloyd Sanderlin 18.36 lbs

6th Kirk Nixon/ Trent Nixon 18.08 lbs

7th Eugene Foushee/ Brandon Johnson 18.00 lbs

8th Mike Chlomoudis/ David Tatem 17.84 lbs and second big fish of the day weighing 7.48 lbs.

This tournament concludes our regular season. If you have fished with us this year you are eligible to fish our division championship out of Pembroke creek on June 11th.

Next Lake Wateree Open is June 10th at Clearwater Cove Marina!

Jonathan Dailey & Dylan Locklear win Wateree with 5 bass weighing 16.75 lbs!

Todd Butler & Mack Kitchens 2nd with 16.50 lbs!

3rd Jeff & Jacob Norris with 16.41 lbs!

Robert Jackson & Darrell Fenton 4th with 14.41 lbs! They also weighed in the BF at 5.10 lbs!

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Mike Ramey & Mike Nelms took 3rd place with a total weight of 18.10 lbs.
$370 3rd Place Finish + $96 2nd Biggest Bass 5.89 lbs. + $575 Side Pot = Total of $1,041

9th Place – William Gordon & Taylor Gordon
$600 30+ lb. Bag Bonus Winners
Cumulative 6 fish limit (5 EA Bass + 1 EA Snake) weighing 30 pounds or greater.
5 Bass 16.53 lbs. + 1 Snake 14.98 lbs. = 31.51 lbs. Total
31.51 lbs. is the New Potomac CATT Record