Two Years After Father Wins Event, Jr. Catches 19 Bass Weighing 81 Pounds, 15 Ounces to Dominate Championship Round and Win $100,000 Top Prize, Thrift Lands 9-6 Largemouth to Earn $100,000 Big Bass Bonus
MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 29, 2023) – It’s safe to say that the Jones’ love the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops all-star event. Two years ago, at Heavy Hitters 2021, Alton Jones, Sr., of Lorena, Texas , put on a sight-fishing clinic at North Carolina’s Shearon Harris Reservoir to earn the Heavy Hitters title belt and the top payout of $100,000. At Heavy Hitters 2022, his son Alton Jones, Jr., didn’t win the title belt, but he was the big winner at the event, as the Waco, Texas pro weighed the biggest bass in both the Knockout and Championship Rounds to earn the $50,000 and $100,000 Big Bass Bonuses and walk away from the event with $165,000 in winnings.
On Saturday, Alton Jr. got his title belt.
Jones weighed in 19 scorable bass Saturday weighing 81 pounds, 15 ounces – a whopping 59 pounds higher than his closest competitor – to run away with the 2023 title and win the General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Link to Hi-Res Photo of Bryan Thrift’s Championship Round $100,000 Big Bass – 9 Pounds, 6 Ounces
Link to Photo Gallery of Championship Round Afternoon Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights from Championship Round on Bussey Brake
The victory was the second major MLF win of the younger Jones’ career.
“Man, what a day,” Jones said in his post-game interview. “Everything went right. I felt really good about my chances when I got to Bussey, flipping the willows with a white Geecrack Bellows Shad. I had one little stretch of cypress trees that I really wanted to fish. After spending the first period in another area I decided to roll over there and fish it.
“I was going to fish that one stretch for just a little bit, but then I caught one,” Jones continued. “Then I caught a short, and then lost one. I kept making these marks for myself as I’m moving down the bank – I’m going to fish 10 more trees and if I don’t get a bite, I’m out – and then I’d catch one. Then another one. After the fifth or sixth bite I figured okay, maybe I’m not going to be leaving this today. And we didn’t.”
Jones boated 19 scorable bass – for comparison, the other nine competitors only caught 21 bass combined. The key techniques for Jones was flipping the Geecrack Bellows Shad and also throwing a spinnerbait with the Bellow Shad as a trailer.
“I did several things today, but the main staple – every bass I caught today came in some way, shape, or form on the Geecrack Bellows Shad,” Jones said. “I was flipping it in the willows, and when I got around those cypress trees I was throwing it on the back of a spinnerbait as a trailer. I caught them on my signature series Kistler Chungus rod – it’s just appropriate, catching chungus’ on the Chungus. I used 20-pound Gamma (fluorocarbon line).
“What a week,” Jones went on to say. “It was such a grind, so difficult just to make it to Bussey Brake. To trick those bass on Caney to get here, then catching them the way I like to catch them. On my own bait, on my own rod. This week has just been a magical, magical experience.”
Also adding to his trophy case this week, and his bank account, is reigning MLF REDCREST Champion Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina. Although Thrift boated just one scorable bass Saturday, it was the right one. Thrift caught a 9-pound, 6-once giant in Period 2 flipping a jig to win the Heavy Hitters $100,000 Championship Round Berkley Big Bass.
“I had one bite all day long, and it was for 100 grand,” Thrift said in his post-game interview. “Wow, that is just unreal. I caught it flipping, and I’m not a very good flipper. I don’t like flipping at all. So I have to give credit to my equipment. I was flipping a 7-foot, 6-inch (Original) Hydrilla (Grass Flippin’) rod from Fitzgerald Fishing with a Fitzgerald Fishing VLD10 reel. I was throwing 25-pound P-Line (Tactical) 100% fluorocarbon line, flipping a ¾ ounce weight with a punch skirt to get that one big bite. And it worked out. We didn’t get many bites, but we got the right one.”
The top 10 pros from the General Tire Heavy Hitters Championship Round on Bussey Brake finished:
1st: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 19 bass, 81-15, $100,000
2nd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 22-15, $50,000
3rd: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., four bass, 15-0, $20,000
4th: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., three bass, 13-9, $68,000
5th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., two bass, 11-2, $15,000
6th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., two bass, 10-11, $14,500
7th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., one bass, 9-6, $113,500
8th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., two bass, 7-3, $12,500
9th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., one bass, 3-10, $36,000
10th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., one bass, 3-2, $8,000
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 40 scorable bass weighing 178 pounds, 9 ounces caught by the final 10 pros in Saturday’s Championship Round. A bass had to weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable in the Championship Round.
The six-day General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops all-star event was hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Office of Tourism and showcased the top 30 pros that qualified via the Bass Pro Tour competing in a no-entry fee tournament for a purse of more than $500,000, including numerous massive Big Bass Bonuses and a payout of $100,000 to the winner.
Different from Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, General Tire Heavy Hitters featured anglers competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format in which anglers catch as many scorable bass and as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. A bass must have met the 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, and at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable in the Championship Round.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2023 Presented by Bass Pro Shops will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Aug. 5 and running each Saturday through Sept. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Shore Lunch, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
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.
Alton Jones Jr. Wins Major League Fishing’s 2023 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops to Earn $100K, Thrift Catches $100K Big Bass
Palmer powers into lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes
Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., is leading after Day 3 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 70 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 29, 2023
Palmer powers into lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Building on the momentum he established through a Friday adjustment, Luke Palmer stepped on the gas to sack up a Semifinal Saturday limit of 26 pounds, 3 ounces. He took over the lead at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 70-15.
A fifth-year Elite from Coalgate, Okla., Palmer holds a lead of 3-8 over South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb (67-7) heading into Championship Sunday with a $100,000 first-place prize on the line.
“It has been a week; things have finally gone right,” said Palmer, who finished fourth at last year’s Elite at Santee Cooper. “I’ve never led one. It dang sure feels good, I’m not gonna lie about that.”
Palmer placed 10th during Thursday’s opening round with 21-3 and then moved into third with a Friday limit of 23-9.
Friday’s round saw Palmer abandon a bladed jig in favor of flipping a Texas-rigged YUM Wooly Bug with a 3/16- to 5/16-ounce weight. On Saturday, he did most of his work with that bait, along with a YUM Bad Mamma on the same rig.
“Even when you’re struggling, it’s one flip away here,” Palmer said. “I’ve gotten to put those Falcon Rods to work. I’ve gotten to do it my way and I’ve gotten to enjoy it.”
Fishing the southwest side of Lake Marion, Palmer was mainly looking for spawning bass around cypress trees skirted with eelgrass. Gaps between a tree and grass were the most consistent, but Day 2 showed him the need for specificity.
“You gotta find the sweet spot,” he said. “When you find that sweet spot, it’s over. My biggest one this morning, I spent 25 minutes on her. I finally figured out the spot and the angle and once I did, it took me five minutes to catch her.”
Palmer said Sunday’s game plan could find him running new water, with the idea that the fish he caught Saturday were spawners.
“The trees I’m fishing are kind of sporadic,” he said. “I caught one of my fish today off a tree I’ve never fished in my life, and I’ve fished here for four years. I think I need to move around more tomorrow and come across new pairs (of spawning fish). I didn’t move around enough today.”
After two days of mostly dimmer skies and breezy conditions, Day 3 brought a sunny, calm complexion that seemed to favor Palmer’s plan. Despite the ideal setup, Palmer said a slow period prompted him to throw a jerkbait and a drop shot with a YUM Finesse Worm.
“I caught three or four fish (on those baits), so that was crucial for me — one of them was a big one,” Palmer said. “I had a big one come up on the jerkbait and if I could have caught her, it would have been (a big help). Hopefully, that fish is there tomorrow.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s forecast for thunderstorms and strong winds, Palmer believes his positioning could protect him. Nevertheless, he’s prepared to make a key adjustment to overcome any weather interference.
“We’ll see how it’s going to pan out tomorrow with the wind that’s forecast,” Palmer said. “I might just throw a heavier weight so I can crack ‘em harder.”
Cobb remained in second place after adding 21-8 to his previous two bags that went 21-0 and 24-15.
Having earned Top 10 finishes in the previous three Elite Series events — including a third place at the season opener on Lake Okeechobee — and placing 20th at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, Cobb is riding an unparalleled wave of momentum.
“This is my 10th year of professional fishing and I’ve never had a start like this,” he said. “Everything is going right and when you get on a streak, you have to keep riding it. I’m enjoying every minute.”
Cobb is committed to throwing a wacky-rigged green pumpkin Zoom Fluke Stick around cypress trees. Same as Day 2, he said he only got eight bites, but he’s obviously around the right quality.
“Every day, I think I’m out of fish and then I end up getting two or three big bites,” Cobb said. “I get to go again tomorrow, so hopefully there are at least five big bites to catch because it’s going to take a big bag to win.”
Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., who won last year’s event, is third with 62-13. He’s had daily weights of 21-13, 17-12 and 23-4. Anchoring his Day 3 bag with a 7-pounder, Cook has spent most of his time sight fishing — the same way he won in 2022.
When Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer asked Cook if he believed the general consensus that the Santee Cooper sight-fishing game was virtually done, Cook’s response was emphatic.
“It ain’t over until I say it’s over!” Cook quipped. “There are five left out there — I know, but they’re few and far between.
“I did a whole lot of trolling today and don’t have a whole lot to go to tomorrow. I was fortunate enough to find a 5- and a 7-pounder today. I love this place.”
Cook, the 2019 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, caught his bass by flipping a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog and the Big Bite Baits Quarantine Craw that he designed.
Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Conn., earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 7-10. David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., leads the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — an honor that pays $2,000 — with the 8-5 he caught on Day 1.
Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., had his toughest day of the week with only two bass that weighed 4-6, falling from first place to ninth. But he still leads the race for VMC Monster Bag of the Week with his 28-1 limit from Thursday’s opening round.
Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 389 points. Cook is in second with 369 points, followed by Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 349, Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 335 and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., with 333.
Gaston leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 299 points.
The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET Sunday from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held at the facility at 3 p.m. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders from 8-11 a.m. Live coverage will transition to Bassmaster.com afterward.
2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 70-15 104
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 5 26-03
2. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 67-07 103 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 24-15 Day 3: 5 21-08
3. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 62-13 102
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 23-04
4. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 14 59-02 101
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 4 09-07 Day 3: 5 27-13
5. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 14 57-14 100
Day 1: 4 21-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 21-11
6. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 14 57-01 99 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-10 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 4 15-08
7. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 55-10 98
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 16-14
8. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 12 54-09 97
Day 1: 5 26-15 Day 2: 3 09-10 Day 3: 4 18-00
9. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 12 54-04 96
Day 1: 5 28-01 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 2 04-06
10. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 13 52-02 95
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 22-03 Day 3: 3 12-01
11. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 52-00 94 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 19-02
12. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 14 51-11 93 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 4 15-02
13. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 14 51-01 92 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-06 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 5 19-06
14. Darold Gleason Many, LA 15 49-15 91 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 15-02
15. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 14 49-08 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 20-05 Day 3: 4 15-02
16. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 13 48-13 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 3 15-10 Day 3: 5 14-06
17. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 15 48-12 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 09-05
18. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 47-07 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 16-00
19. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 15 47-06 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 17-04
20. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN 15 45-14 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 11-02
21. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 13 45-06 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 3 14-08
22. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 14 45-05 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 4 14-07 Day 3: 5 13-03
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 14 45-02 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 4 09-13
24. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 14 45-02 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 4 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-07
25. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 15 45-01 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 09-12 Day 3: 5 17-03
26. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 45-01 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 10-05
27. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 12 45-00 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 2 05-08
28. John Cox DeBary, FL 15 45-00 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 5 14-09
29. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 13 44-15 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 3 10-15
30. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 14 44-15 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 4 11-12
31. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 15 44-10 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 10-12
32. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 44-09 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 15-03
33. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 44-03 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 15-15
34. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 15 43-14 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 15-03
35. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 43-08 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 13-03
36. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 13 43-07 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 3 13-02
37. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 43-02 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 15-03
38. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 13 42-09 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 3 06-04
39. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 15 42-07 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 12-04
40. Seth Feider New Market, MN 14 42-07 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 4 14-06 Day 3: 5 13-10
41. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 13 42-03 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 4 12-09 Day 3: 4 06-10
42. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 14 41-11 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 4 10-13
43. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 12 40-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 14-11 Day 3: 3 07-11
44. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 12 39-08 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-04 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 3 07-09
45. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 12 38-06 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 2 03-08
46. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 13 36-07 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 3 04-09
47. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 13 35-07 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 11-03 Day 3: 3 06-07
48. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 8 35-00 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 2 07-07 Day 3: 1 02-12
49. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 12 33-08 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 2 04-13
50. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 9 32-12 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 18-01 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 08-05 $1,000.00
2 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 07-11 $1,000.00
3 Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 07-10 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 72 450 1465-12
2 54 413 1295-04
3 27 203 646-13
———————————-
153 1066 3407-13
UNDERSTANDING WATER TEMPERATURES! By Fresh Baitz
Understanding water temperatures is crucial when it comes to bass fishing, especially during the spring season. The temperature of the water can greatly impact the behavior of the fish, and knowing this can help you catch more fish. During the spring season, water temperatures will usually be in the range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when the bass start to become more active. Bluegills are one of the biggest threats to their eggs and this makes the smaller males become much more aggressive when protecting the bed. Jumping your bait into their beds almost guarantees a catch. In clear water, you’re actually able to see the beds built up along banks and other structures. In the spring, the bass will start to move towards the shallows as the water temperature starts to rise. This is because the shallows will warm up quicker than the deeper waters, and this will attract baitfish and other food sources that the bass feed on. By understanding the water temperature, your able target these areas and use soft plastic baits such as cray-styled, lizards, hellamite, and even worms to catch more fish. These baits mimic the natural prey of the bass and can be fished in a variety of ways. Some anglers prefer to rig their soft plastic baits Texas-style, while others prefer to use a Carolina rig or a drop-shot rig. Try out different rigs and baits can help you find what works best for you in different water temperatures. 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 Fresh 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!  Scorpions are a popular bait for bass fishing during the spring season, and there are several reasons why they work so well. Firstly, scorpions have a natural swimming action that can attract the attention of bass. This is because scorpions have a long, slender body that can mimic the movements of a baitfish or other prey item. They’re often rigged weedless, which means they can be fished in areas with a lot of vegetation without getting snagged. This can be especially helpful when fishing in shallow waters where the bass may be hiding in the weeds. scorpions can be fished at different depths depending on how they are rigged. Some anglers may choose to rig their scorpions on a Carolina rig or a drop-shot rig, while others may prefer to use a Texas-style rig. This flexibility allows anglers to target different depths and increase their chances of catching a bass. scorpions are durable and can withstand multiple bites from bass. This means that anglers can use them for multiple fishing trips without having to replace them.  During the summer months, the water temperature will start to increase, and this can cause the bass to become less active. When the water temperature gets above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the bass will start to move to deeper waters where the temperature is cooler. During this time, you may need to use different baits, such as crankbaits or topwater lures, to catch more fish. Crankbaits and topwater lures are popular choices when fishing for bass during the summer months. These baits can be fished at different depths and speeds to trigger a strike from a bass. When fishing in deeper waters, a slow-rolling retrieve with a deep-diving crankbait can be effective. When fishing in shallow waters, a topwater lure can be worked across the surface to create a commotion and entice a bass to strike. During the summer, bass may move to deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures, making deep-water fishing a reliable tactic for catching bass. Popular baits for deep-water fishing include jigs, crankbaits, and drop-shot rigs. it’s important for anglers to pay attention to the conditions of the water during the summer. Factors like water temperature, wind, and cloud cover can all impact the effectiveness of different tactics, and it’s important to adjust the tactics you use every day accordingly. By deep-water fishing, anglers can increase their chances of catching bass!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 which entices feeding bass! 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.  Lizards have a natural appearance that can mimic the look of prey items that bass feed on during the summer. This can make them an attractive target for hungry bass. Our Fresh lizards are available in a variety of colors, which can be helpful in different water conditions. Some anglers prefer to use brighter colors in murky water, while others may opt for more natural colors in clear water. The versatility of lizards in terms of color can make them a reliable choice in different situations. Lizards can be rigged weedless, which means they can be fished in areas with a lot of vegetation without getting snagged. This can be especially helpful when fishing in shallow waters where the bass may be hiding in the weeds. They’re real easy to use and can be fished by anglers of all skill levels. This makes them a good option for beginners who may be just starting out with bass fishing. Lizards can be used to catch different species of bass, including largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. This makes them a reliable bait for anglers targeting different types of bass in any condition year-round.  Another great bait to use is a HellaMite which closely resembles the natural food sources of bass during the summer months. Insects such as dragonfly larvae and hellgrammites are commonly found in freshwater environments during the summer, making them a prime food source for bass. The realistic appearance of Hellamites can make them highly attractive bait to bass. Hellamites can be fished at various depths and in different water areas. This versatility makes them a reliable choice for anglers who may be fishing in different types of water conditions or at varying depths. Hellamites can be fished using a variety of techniques, including drop-shot rigs, Carolina rigs, and jigging techniques. This versatility allows anglers to experiment with different techniques and find the most effective way to catch bass in a particular fishing environment. Hellamites are an effective bait for summer bass fishing because they can trigger a reaction bite from bass. The realistic appearance and movement of Hellamites can trigger a bass’s natural predatory instinct and cause them to strike.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 good for Smallmouth, Largemouth, Panfish, Trout, Walleye, and more.  In the fall, the water temperature will start to drop, and the bass will start to move back towards the shallows. This is because the cooler water temperatures will make the shallow waters more comfortable for the bass, and they will also start to feed more aggressively in preparation for the winter months. Using soft plastic worms, lizards, hellamite, and other cray-styled baits can be very effective during this time. When fishing for bass in the fall, it’s important to pay attention to the water temperature and the location of the fish. The bass may be feeding on baitfish or crayfish, so using baits that mimic these prey items can be effective. Additionally, fishing near structure such as fallen trees or rocks can also be productive, as these areas can provide cover for the bass. fishing around structure can be an effective tactic for fall bass fishing. As the water temperatures begin to cool down, the bass start to move towards deeper water and begin to congregate around structure, such as rocks, logs, and drop-offs. Anglers can use a variety of baits, including jigs, worms, and creature baits, to fish around structure and target the bass that are hiding there. This tactic requires patience and skill, as anglers need to carefully maneuver their bait around the structure without getting snagged.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 like you!  During the winter months, the water temperature will be very cold, and the bass will become less active. During this time, you may need to use different techniques, such as slow trolling or vertical jigging, to catch more fish. Soft plastic worms and lizards can still be effective during the winter months, but you may need to use them at a slower pace. When fishing for bass in the winter, it’s important to fish slowly and methodically. The bass may not be as active, so presenting your bait in a way that looks natural and enticing can be key. Vertical jigging with a soft plastic worm or lizard can be effective in deep water, while slow trolling with a crankbait can be effective in shallow water. In summary, understanding water temperatures is crucial when it comes to bass fishing. By understanding the behavior of bass. winter bass fishing can be a challenging but rewarding experience for anglers who use these two tactics. By slow-rolling a jig to mimic a dying baitfish and using live bait to entice a bite from a lethargic bass, anglers can increase their chances of catching bass during the cold winter months.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from. For Scorpions and CrayCraws 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 Pros, Experts and Local Celebrities Rally for Fish Habitat Restoration at Lake Claiborne
MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 29, 2023) –Bass Pro Tour anglers Dakota Ebare, Gary Klein and Kevin VanDam spent their off day from the General Tires Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops Tuesday building MossBack Fish Habitat artificial structure on Louisiana’s Lake Claiborne as part of the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project supported by Humminbird.
The anglers joined District 1 and 2 officers from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fish (LDWF) for the project, along with the Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission (CPWDC), Duck Dynasty star John Godwin and Steven Bardin, director of the MLF Fisheries Management Division in partnership with Berkley Labs.
Photos from the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project on Lake Claiborne
“Being a part of this project and seeing everyone’s commitment to improving Louisiana fisheries is exciting, especially for me growing up in the state,” Ebare said.
Lake Claiborne is one of the deeper reservoirs in Louisiana. It covers 6,400 acres and is limited in habitat to sparse vegetation and older timber. Over the past several years, the CPWDC and LDWF have been collaborating on improving the habitat, largemouth bass genetics and forage in the reservoir.
Since 2018, the CPWDC has funded the stocking of 80,000 Florida-strain largemouth bass fingerlings annually. They’ve also stocked 20,000 bluegill sunfish for forage. In 2022, they hosted a “Reef Rodeo,” providing 200 unused Christmas trees to local anglers to create brush piles. In 2023, CPWDC began collecting fin samples to assess genetics of their bass population and implemented a Lunker Bass Free Replica program for any angler who catches a fish over 10 pounds, certifies it and releases it.
The Minn Kota Habitat Restoration project supported by Humminbird provided the LDWF and CPWDC an opportunity to improve habitat on a larger scale with products that will not decay. The group built over 80 structures provided by MossBack, including 14 40-inch Conservation Cubes, 23 20-inch Root Wads, 25 60-inch Trophy Tree XL units, 18 Safe Haven XL units, and 15 John Godwin Crappie Towers. The structures were deployed in groups of three to five units in water depths from 6 to 12 feet.
The exact GPS locations will be available on the CPWDC and LDWF websites in the coming weeks.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF Fisheries Management Division, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/fisheries-management. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Howell Catches $50K Big Bass and Wins Knockout Round at Major League Fishing’s General Tire Heavy Hitters
Guntersville, Alabama Pro Catches 6-Pound, 4-Ounce Largemouth to Win $50K Knockout Round Big Bass Award, Final 10 Anglers Set for Saturday’s Championship Round
MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. (April 28, 2023) – Pro Randy Howell of Guntersville, Alabama, caught a 6-pound, 4-ounce largemouth Friday afternoon on Caney Creek Reservoir – the largest bass weighed on the day – to win the $50,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops . Howell finished the day in first place with a total of eight bass weighing 29-4 and along with the top eight finishers now earns his way into Saturday’s final-day Championship Round on Bussey Brake and a shot at the $100,000 top prize, along with the $100,000 Big Bass Bonus.
The six-day all-star event, hosted by Discover Monroe-West Monroe and the Louisiana Office of Tourism, showcases the top 30 pros that qualified via the Bass Pro Tour competing in a no-entry fee tournament for a purse of more than $500,000, including numerous massive Big Bass Bonuses and a payout of $100,000 to the winner.
Link to Photo Gallery of Knockout Round Afternoon Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights from Knockout Round on Caney Creek Reservoir
“Man, that was fun,” Howell said in his post-game interview. “I’ve had so many days lately that aren’t fun. Days that just don’t go right. This year at the Bass Pro Tour at Douglas Lake I was in first place after the first day, and I fell all the way to 21st place and was the first one out of the cut. All I had to do was catch one little scorable bass, and for two hours I couldn’t catch one. So, days like that are the days that frustrate you, but days like today are what make it all worth it.
“It’s been a lot of fun today – it was a sight-fishing day for us,” Howell continued. “We got one this morning, just roaming, on shad, and then the rest of the day was spent sight fishing. I think we caught everything today on the (Yamamoto) Flappin’ Hog and one on a lizard. But the Flappin’ Hog has been the deal.”
When Howell caught his 6-pound, 4-ounce Big Bass in Period 2, he had no idea that it would hold up to be the Knockout Round $50,000 Big Bass Winner.
“I was just roaming around, finding a new fish here and there,” Howell said. “I caught that 6-4 and I really didn’t have any idea that would win $50k today. Dakota (Ebare) had caught two 9s (pounders), and there had been 8s caught every day. So, to win with a 6-4 just shows you how tough the fishing was, with the conditions today. I’ve never won that much money for a big fish, before. That is incredible.
“To get the opportunity to go to Bussey Brake tomorrow is just so awesome. I probably worked harder, mentally, on this event than I ever have before, just trying to make sure I got there. And every day, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. I told my wife last night – I really don’t know what I’m going to do today, but I’m going to pray and trust the Lord, and hopefully just get the right feeling and go to the right place at the right time. And man, it was just a perfect day. I’m so thankful.”
With the Knockout Round now complete, the anglers that finished in 1st through 8th place advance to Saturday’s Championship Round. The Championship Round will feature Group A Qualifying Round winner Bryan Thrift, Group B Qualifying Round Winner Brent Ehrler, and the top eight anglers from the Knockout Round competing in a final-day shootout for the top prize of $100,000 along with the $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus.
The top eight pros from the Knockout Round that advance to Saturday’s Championship Round on Bussey Brake are:
1st: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., eight bass, 29-4
2nd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 28-10
3rd: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., seven bass, 23-0
4th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., five bass, 17-9
5th: Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz., four bass, 13-13
6th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, four bass, 12-5
7th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., four bass, 10-15
8th: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., three bass, 10-7
They’ll be joined by Qualifying Round Winners:
Group A: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
Group B: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Eliminated from competition after the Knockout Round on Caney Creek Reservoir are:
9th: Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C., three bass, 8-11
10th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., two bass, 6-12
11th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., two bass, 4-4
12th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., one bass, 2-12
13th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., one bass, 2-2
14th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., zero bass, 0-0
Full results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 54 bass weighing 170 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 13 pros on Friday, which included two six 6-pounders and three 5-pounders caught from Caney Creek Reservoir.
Berkley Big Bass Bonus Award Winners:
Qualifying Round Group A: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas (9-5), $25,000
Qualifying Round Group B: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala. (8-5), $25,000
Knockout Round: Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala. (6-4), $50,000
Championship Round: TBD, $100,000
The final 10 anglers will launch at Bussey Brake on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. CT from Bonner Ferry Road, located five miles northwest of Bastrop off of Highway 593. Fans are welcome to attend the 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.
On Championship Saturday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit the Bussey Brake boat ramp located at 5373 Boat Dock Road in Bastrop, to celebrate the top 10 and crown the 2023 General Tire Heavy Hitters Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Heavy Hitters Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
Different from Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, General Tire Heavy Hitters features anglers competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format in which anglers catch as many scorable bass and as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. A bass must meet the 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable in the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, but for the final day Championship Round a bass must weigh at least 3 pounds to be deemed scorable.
To qualify for General Tire Heavy Hitters, the weight of an angler’s single-largest bass from each event of the seven 2022 Bass Pro Tour events was recorded. The 30 anglers with the heaviest total from those seven bass qualified to compete in this event.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on each day of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the General Tire Heavy Hitters 2023 Presented by Bass Pro Shops will be showcased across six two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Aug. 5 and running each Saturday through Sept. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF General Tire Heavy Hitters Event include: Abu Garcia, B&W Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Builders First Source, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Plano, Power-Pole, Shore Lunch, StarBrite, Sqwincher, T-H Marine, Toyota, United States Airforce, Yellowstone Bourbon, and YETI.
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.
Robertson extends lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes
Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a two-day total of 49 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 28, 2023
Robertson extends lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Matt Robertson was crystal clear about his goals. He’s fishing for big bites and he’s in it to win it.
Sticking to his guns, the third-year Elite from Kuttawa, Ky., powered through a dry spell Friday and retained his lead at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a five-bass limit that weighed 21 pounds, 13 ounces. His leading two-day total is 49-14.
Robertson set the opening mark Thursday with the current VMC Monster Bag of the Week — a 28-1 limit.
“I feel pretty good about it,” said Robertson, who holds nearly a 4-pound lead over South Carolina pro Brandon Cobb (45-15). “I’m just going out there and fishing how I like to fish.
“I had a bad four hours on the boat today, but I don’t think I said a cuss word all day.”
Prior to his midday dry spell, Robertson kicked off his day by mirroring the game plan that anchored his opening-round effort — hitting the shad spawn in Lake Marion with a giant swimbait.
“You have options for a shad spawn, but we’re on a lake with big fish so we’re fishing for big fish this week. We’re going to try and win this thing,” Robertson said. “Yesterday, I spent about an hour and a half on the shad spawn. Today, I only spent about an hour on it.
“If I had more places to run, I’d like to spend more time on (the shad spawn), but I just don’t have that many places where the fish are shallow. There are a lot of shad spawning, but there’s not a lot of fish around them.”
After the morning pattern tapered off, Robertson ran to Lake Moultrie where he targeted a large eelgrass flat with a topwater bait. Using a fast retrieve to trigger bites, Robertson tried to pinpoint the more productive areas.
“The wind direction was a little different today, so I don’t know if (the wind) caused the dry spell,” Robertson said. “I’m learning more about the area. Some of it is the density of cover. But where I’ve been catching my big ones the last couple of days, the grass is not that dense — it’s more isolated.
“I think I’m going to have to concentrate on that more dense grass tomorrow.”
After placing 11th on Day 1 with 21 pounds, Cobb put himself within striking distance with a second-round limit of 24-15. Anchoring his Day 2 bag with a 7-11 Santee Cooper tank, Cobb said he enjoyed a special day where everything seemed to go right.
“Here’s an example of how good things have been going the last two days: That big one bit a bait that was hung on a tree,” he said. “I was popping my line to try and free my bait and the fish sucked it off the tree and I caught it.
“I’m not catching very many fish. I caught seven today and seven yesterday. It does not look tough with 21 and (nearly 25) pounds, but it’s hard to catch a limit. They’re just really, really big ones.”
Keeping with what produced on Day 1, Cobb caught his bass on a wacky-rigged Zoom Fluke Stick. Two late-day culls helped greatly.
Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., who is in third with 44-12, bolstered his Day 1 limit of 21-3 with another limit that went 23-9.
Palmer attributed his success to a mental shift.
“I quit being dumb,” he grinned. “I finally went and did what I like to do. I picked up the big rod with 20-pound line and started swinging. I caught them exactly how I caught them last year. I’m using Falcon Rods and Sunline fluorocarbon, and I’m cracking them as hard as I can.
“I thought the eelgrass was going to work with the ChatterBait. I caught some big ones doing that in practice, but I haven’t been able to get it going in the tournament. When the sun comes out, those fish go to the trees.”
Finishing fourth in the 2022 Elite at Santee Cooper, Palmer caught his bass by flipping a Texas-rigged YUM Wooly Bug with a 3/16- to 5/16-ounce weight near cypress trees. He’s looking for specific scenarios that welcome the late spawners that are still pulling up.
“It has to have grass and they have to have that void between (tree and grass) just like it was last year,” Palmer said. “If there’s a void, it’s game over.
“They’re all spawners. There’s two to four fish on each tree.”
Cobb’s 7-11 largemouth earned him a $1,000 bonus as the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day. But David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., still holds the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 8-5 he caught on Day 1.
Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 389 points. Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., is in second with 366 points, followed by Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 364, Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., with 360 and Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 337.
Gaston leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 300 points.
The Top 50 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. Saturday from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3 p.m., with only the Top 10 anglers advancing to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday from 8-11 a.m. Live coverage will transition to Bassmaster.com afterward.
The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.
| 2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30 Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County SC. (PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 49-14 104 Day 1: 5 28-01 Day 2: 5 21-13 2. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 45-15 103 $1,000.00 Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 24-15 3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 44-12 102 Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 23-09 4. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 41-09 101 Day 1: 5 25-10 Day 2: 5 15-15 5. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 40-01 100 Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 22-03 6. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 39-09 99 Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 17-12 7. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 39-08 98 Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 23-05 8. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 39-07 97 Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 19-00 9. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 38-12 96 Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-12 10. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 8 36-09 95 Day 1: 5 26-15 Day 2: 3 09-10 11. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 36-09 94 $1,000.00 Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 15-10 12. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 36-05 93 Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-10 13. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 9 36-03 92 Day 1: 4 21-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 14. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 9 35-09 91 Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 4 12-09 15. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 35-05 90 Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 16. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 34-14 89 Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-04 17. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 34-13 88 Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-05 18. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN 10 34-12 87 Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 15-06 19. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 34-12 86 Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 17-00 20. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 8 34-07 85 Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 3 15-10 21. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 34-06 84 Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 20-05 22. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 34-00 83 Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 22-07 23. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 33-14 82 Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 20-14 24. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 33-03 81 Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-10 25. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 32-14 80 Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 26. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 9 32-12 79 Day 1: 4 18-01 Day 2: 5 14-11 27. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 9 32-11 78 Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 14-11 28. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 7 32-04 77 Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 2 07-07 29. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 9 32-02 76 Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 4 14-07 30. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 31-15 75 Day 1: 4 12-04 Day 2: 5 19-11 31. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 31-14 74 Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-03 32. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 9 31-11 73 Day 1: 4 09-06 Day 2: 5 22-05 33. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 31-07 72 Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 13-11 34. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 9 31-05 71 Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 4 09-07 35. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 30-14 70 Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 12-04 36. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 10 30-14 69 Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-15 37. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 9 30-11 68 Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 4 15-03 38. John Cox DeBary, FL 10 30-07 67 Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 10-15 39. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 30-05 66 Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 14-00 40. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 30-05 65 Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 41. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 10 30-03 64 Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 11-02 42. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 30-02 63 Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 20-09 43. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 29-06 62 Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-01 44. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 10 29-00 61 Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 11-03 45. Seth Feider New Market, MN 9 28-13 60 Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 4 14-06 46. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 28-11 59 Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 16-09 47. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 10 28-11 58 Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 13-03 48. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 28-04 57 Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 16-09 49. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 27-15 56 Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-07 50. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 27-14 55 Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 09-12 51. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 9 27-13 54 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 14-11 52. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, AR 7 27-09 53 $2,500.00 Day 1: 2 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-12 53. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 7 27-03 52 $2,500.00 Day 1: 2 06-04 Day 2: 5 20-15 54. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 9 26-01 51 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 4 08-05 55. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 26-01 50 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 15-06 56. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 9 25-10 49 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 12-12 57. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 9 25-03 48 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 4 08-00 58. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 25-03 47 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-14 59. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 9 25-00 46 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 4 09-14 60. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 8 25-00 45 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 12-00 Day 2: 4 13-00 61. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 8 24-14 44 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 3 09-09 62. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 10 24-11 43 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-06 63. Wes Logan Springville, AL 7 24-07 42 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 2 05-10 64. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 8 24-00 41 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 3 07-08 65. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 9 23-12 40 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 4 11-09 66. David Williams Newton, NC 10 23-07 39 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 11-12 67. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 8 22-15 38 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 5 15-14 68. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 22-07 37 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 2 08-06 69. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 7 21-15 36 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 2 06-05 70. Skylar Hamilton Jefferson, TN 7 21-12 35 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 2 06-11 71. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 6 21-07 34 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 3 15-05 72. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 8 21-07 33 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 3 07-14 73. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 4 21-06 32 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 14-07 Day 2: 1 06-15 74. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 8 21-05 31 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 4 12-07 75. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 9 20-14 30 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 5 12-07 76. Bryan New Saluda, SC 6 20-11 29 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 1 03-01 77. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 6 20-09 28 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 1 03-09 78. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 6 20-07 27 Day 1: 2 06-01 Day 2: 4 14-06 79. Chad Pipkens DeWitt, MI 6 20-04 26 Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 1 03-01 80. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 9 20-04 25 Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 5 12-00 81. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 9 20-02 24 Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 4 06-05 82. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 19-14 23 Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 09-13 83. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 19-12 22 Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 4 06-07 84. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 8 19-10 21 Day 1: 4 11-09 Day 2: 4 08-01 85. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 9 19-08 20 Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 4 08-13 86. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 8 18-03 19 Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 5 10-10 87. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 17-14 18 Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 3 10-11 88. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 8 17-13 17 Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 5 12-05 89. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 7 17-04 16 Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 2 04-02 90. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 6 17-03 15 Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 3 09-01 91. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 7 16-14 14 Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 3 06-05 92. KJ Queen Conover, NC 5 15-15 13 Day 1: 2 08-02 Day 2: 3 07-13 93. Mike Huff London, KY 7 15-11 12 Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 3 05-15 94. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 6 14-10 11 Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 1 03-09 95. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 6 14-03 10 Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 5 11-02 96. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 5 14-02 9 Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 2 06-05 97. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 4 13-00 8 Day 1: 3 09-02 Day 2: 1 03-14 98. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 12-15 7 Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 3 05-15 99. Cody Huff Ava, MO 3 12-08 6 Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 1 06-08 100. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 3 11-10 5 Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 101. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 10-10 4 Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 3 05-11 102. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 3 08-14 3 Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 2 06-02 103. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 4 06-14 2 Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 3 05-12 104. David Fritts Lexington, NC 2 04-00 1 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-00 ———————————————————————– PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS Day 1 David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 08-05 $1,000.00 2 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 07-11 $1,000.00 ———————————————————————– Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 72 450 1465-12 2 54 413 1295-04 ———————————- 126 863 2761-00 |
The Bass Spawn – Part 2 by Justin Largen
In Part I, we covered some general information about spawners, where to look for them, basic behavior, and some tools that you’ll need. Now we’ll jump into the art of catching them. Frankly, some spawning fish – usually the males – are dumb. You can throw just about any bait onto their nest, and they’ll eat it, sometimes on the first or second cast. But many other bass are wary. The big females didn’t get that way by being dumb. Even the males can get tight-lipped once they’ve been on guard duty for a while. A big part of the sight fishing game is reading the fish to determine whether they’re catchable.
Some fish just can’t be caught. The quicker you realize it, the less time you waste. How do you tell if a fish is unwatchable? If the female is in the middle of dropping her eggs – you’ll see her rolling on her side – she typically won’t eat. You’re better off coming back a little later. Another tell for a non-catchable fish is that it spooks before you even get close. It’s also not good if the fish takes a long time to return after swimming off the nest. If it takes five minutes for a buck bass to come back to the bed, and then it disappears for another five minutes as soon as you make a cast, it likely can’t be caught. I’ll often leave a bait on the nest while I’m waiting for a fish to return. After it sets up on the bed again, I’ll give the lure a twitch. If the fish bolts immediately and takes a long time to return, it’s time to look for another fish. Conversely, if you drift directly over a shallow nest and the fish doesn’t leave, you’ve found a winner. A fish that hunkers tight to the bottom and flutters its pectoral fins is aggressively defensive. It will usually bite quickly. Similarly, if a fish swims away but stays within sight of the bed and returns quickly, it’s usually catchable. If a fish doesn’t return quickly, sometimes it’s just a matter of you being too close. Try backing further away to where you can barely see the nest. Occasionally that skittish fish will return and let its guard down once you’ve given it some space. Also, don’t think that this means you have to move toward deeper water. There are times when I’ll set up right against the bank and try to present my bait from a different angle than most anglers. Big boats often can’t go shallower than a bed, but your kayak can.
So you’ve found a fish that slowly swims off its bed, circles, and quickly returns. How do you catch it? There’s no magic formula. Every fish is different. The key is experimentation and observation. Make a quiet cast to the bed and watch the fish. How does it react to your lure? A fish that noses down on the bait is interested. Watch its pectoral fins and tail. When the fins start flailing, it’s getting irritated, so be ready for a strike. Let’s say a fish noses on your bait but doesn’t bite. Then it moves away slowly. Try twitching or hopping the lure and see how the fish reacts. If it turns back quickly, stay ready. Fast movements are a good indication that it’s getting angry. If you get a good reaction out of a fish, but it still doesn’t eat, repeat whatever you did to trigger the positive response. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time. Duplicating that cast or retrieve over and over can steadily aggravate the fish until it finally snaps.
Truthfully, every fish is different. Some fish will react to a bait that’s sitting still. Others are triggered by a lure shaking in place. Some can’t handle a bait being slowly dragged across the nest. Hopping a lure aggressively off the bottom will provoke others. Experiment with your sinker size too. A heavier weight – let’s say 1/2 oz and up – will allow you to maintain bottom contact and shake a lure in place. And sometimes a faster fall will trigger bites. Conversely, a 1/16 oz weight will let a bait glide past the fish slowly. A weightless wacky rig is even slower. Some fish that ignore a lure on the bottom will react to this slow fall. This has worked particularly well for me when working beds in eelgrass. Bait size is another important factor. Some fish react better to small lures. Others will ignore a small bait but respond to a big lure. If I’ve got a catchable fish that won’t fire on more subtle lures, switching to a full-sized Missile D Stroyer – a bulky creature bait with lots of appendages – sometimes does the trick. The fish won’t always eat the bigger bait, but they will start to get aggravated. Once I start to see those signs of aggression, I’ll switch back to a smaller offering and often get bit on that next cast. The thing to remember is that every fish is different. You have to try different baits, weights, retrieves and casting angles until you find a combination that works. Sometimes that formula will be repeatable on other fish in the area. You can keep one rod in your hand and move from bed to bed. But don’t be surprised if you have to change things up for each fish. Remember, each one is different, so read their movements and make adjustments until you crack the code.
Well, what do you do if your lake is too dirty to sight fish? Can you still catch bedding fish? Absolutely, you don’t have to see them to catch them. My favorite way to blind fish for spawners is with a Missile D Domb. The profile is a perfect match for a pesky bluegill that wants to eat bass eggs. Using a 3/16 to 5/16 oz weight, I’ll pitch to stumps, standing trees, laydowns and anything else that a fish might bed next to. Then comes the hard part, I do nothing. I don’t shake it, hop it, or drag it. The most I’ll do is give the bait a quick twitch as soon as it hits bottom. I leave it motionless for 15 to 20 seconds and then move to the next target. It can be difficult to fish this slow, but it’s key. Fortunately, it gets easier after you catch a fish or two. A stickworm like the Quiver 6.5 is another good choice for dead-sticking. It’s my go-to anywhere in Florida. I also like it around pressured fish. It’s a more subtle bait that sometimes works when fish shy away from the D Bomb. A final tip on blind bed fishing, always make another cast after catching a fish. Try to put your bait in the exact spot where you got the strike. Many times, you caught the male, and the female will bite on the next cast.
Before talking tournaments, I want to make a recommendation on hooksets. Don’t set too fast on bedding fish. Some fishermen swing immediately whenever they see a fish’s mouth open, its gills flare, or the lure to disappear. I think that’s a mistake. There are certainly times where finicky fish won’t hold onto a lure. They will bump it, grab it by tip of the tail, or inhale and immediately blow it out of the nest. I’ve found it extremely difficult to hook these fish by sight. By the time you react and start your swing, the fish has already spit the lure. Even if you do hook the fish, it’s likely to shake loose during the fight. I think this is caused by too much slack in the line. When you don’t reel down before setting, the hookset is weaker and you leave slack in the line. You have to reel like a madman to catch up to the fish, giving it a window to escape. Setting after an initial tap is not good either. Sometimes the tap is actually a fish bumping into the line inadvertently, and if you set right away, you can hook them in the side. Don’t be that guy. I always want to feel the weight of the fish before setting. I’ll watch the line and lure, but I won’t swing until I feel the fish. When I do, I reel down and set like on a typical worm bite. If a fish is just nipping the bait, I’ll keep working it, experimenting with different lures and retrieves until it bites and holds. If I can’t get it to fully commit after several minutes, then I’ll leave and look for a more cooperative fish. Sometimes it’s better to let that fish win and move on. It’s easy to get sucked into a long chess game that eats up half the day. I’ve done it many times. Trust me, sometimes you need to concede a battle to win the war.
So, what about tournament fishing? Is bed fishing a viable strategy for a kayak tournament? Yes! It’s one of my favorite things to look for in spring, but it’s always a gamble. On multiple occasions, I’ve located big females during practice, only to have them disappear by the start of the tournament. Though this can be frustrating, to me it’s worth the risk. Standard kayak tournaments only count your best 5 fish each day. If I can find 30 beds with quality fish during practice, I like my chances of catching 5 in the event. When preparing for a tournament, I mark every bed that has a fish on it and put notes in the waypoint name. If no one is around, I’ll even make a few casts to get a better idea of how catchable the fish is. I’ll note whether there’s a single fish or a pair, the size of the fish, and their aggressiveness. This information will help me put together a milk run for tournament day. Big males are key in my sight-fishing strategy. A long, skinny male counts the same as an egg-laden female, and a male is more likely to stay put. Locating big females is great too. They’re typically the fish that win tournaments, but there’s also a higher chance that they’ll ghost you on gameday. Ideally, I’m looking for a mix of big females and big males. Small males aren’t a particularly exciting find, but I still mark them during practice. You never know when a big female will show up, so it’s not a bad idea to check those beds after you’ve hit the ones that had better fish. Something else that I consider is how easy a bed is to spot. One that’s difficult to see is more valuable than an obvious one. Whether it’s in a hard-to-access area or it’s just in deeper water, a bed that hasn’t been found and targeted by other anglers is more likely to have cooperative fish. Bottom line, I’ve had some great tournament finishes bed-fishing, but I’ve also had bombs. It’s a high-risk, high reward game, so play at your own risk.
Sight fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch bass, and it’s only available for a short window. Hopefully, you’ve picked up a trick or two and you’re juiced to get after those springtime giants. Now is the time. Get out there and catch that fish of a lifetime.
Karson Grubbs & Tanner Shultz Win CATT Lake Murray, SC April 23, 2023
Next up is the Final May 6th at Dreher Island! A team must enter 2 Murray Spring Qualifiers and you’re eligible to enter the Murray Spring Final!
Karson Grubbs & Tanner Shultz win Murray with 5 bass weighing 19.00 lbs! They took home $1,279.00!
Kevin Fulmer & Tim Sox 2nd with 18.55 lbs!
Tim Huffstetler & Neal Huffstetler 3rd with 18.51 lbs!
Red River hosts final regular-season tournament of Bassmaster College Series season
April 28, 2023
Red River hosts final regular-season tournament of Bassmaster College Series season
Natchitoches, La. — Talented teams from across the country will head to Louisiana for the final stop of the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. Teams will be competing May 4-5 on the mighty Red River, a fishery where shallow-water anglers can thrive, according to Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Logan Latuso.
Over the years the Red River has played host to some of the most iconic moments in B.A.S.S. history, with Chris Lane and Skeet Reese both notching their only victories in the Bassmaster Classic there.
More recently, the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens have made a couple of visits, with Patrick Walters and Keith Poche winning in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
The College Series will launch from Natchitoches in Pool 3, and Pools 2, 3, 4 and 5 will serve as eligible waters for the competition days. Latuso said there are a couple of differences as you move down the river to the different pools.
“Pool 5 in Shreveport is pretty much all backwaters,” he explained. “Pool 4 has less backwaters and a lot more river until you get to the bottom end. Then Pool 3 has fewer backwaters and they are far between. There aren’t as many shallow-stump backwaters (in Pool 3) as there are in Pool 5.”
At the beginning of May, bass historically will be finishing up their spawning routine and those that aren’t still on bed will be moving out of the backwater areas to the main-river flow. The river should be stable unless there is a big rain event in Oklahoma.
“You’ll have some late spawners,” Latuso said. “I feel like the biggest fish in the Red River always live in the backwaters for some reason. It doesn’t matter if it is August and 120 degrees. The first week of May, I think it could be a really good river bite.”
One of the most important aspects of this tournament will likely be a shad spawn, and Latuso believes anglers will be able to capitalize on that early in the morning.
“We had a fairly warm winter, so the shad spawn bite should be starting in the river,” he said. “You find a good shad spawn bite along the riprap, but the deal with that is they are there one day and gone the next. The shad roam in the river.”
For the main-river bite, isolated wood and logjams will hold bass as well as wing dams and sandbars. Topwater presentations — along with spinnerbaits and squarebills — are productive baits that time of the year.
“Ever since the river started flooding, there are a lot of sandbars now, and the shad will get on the sandbars and the bass will push the shad on top,” Latuso said. “They started to become a big player in the last couple of years.”
In the backwater areas, wood cover plays a big role, as well as hyacinth mats and lily pads. Latuso added that there will be a bluegill spawn happening as well.
“You have pad fields where you can throw frogs and anything you can flip and punch; a Missile Baits D Bomb or some kind of creature bait is really good,” Latuso said. “I keep it pretty simple. It is river fishing.”
The full field of 275 boats will launch from the Grand ECORE Recreational Area in Natchitoches at 6:10 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in at 2:10 p.m. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
The Emmanuel College team of Max Heaton and his partner Brooks Anderson, a member of the 2020 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, will look to lock-up College Team of the Year honors on the Red River. They currently have a 12-point lead over the second-place team of Hunter Fillmore and another 2020 All-American, Dylan Fogarty, from Bethel University. The two Team of the Year anglers earn an automatic berth into the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket, a head-to-head, elimination-style tournament, where they’ll fish for a spot in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Following the College Series event, the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Junior Series will take the stage on May 7.
The tournaments are being hosted by the Red River Waterway Commission.
Ohio’s Brody Campbell Earns Win at MLF Toyota Series Central Division Finale at Lake Chickamauga
DAYTON, Tenn. (April 28, 2023) – Pro Brody Campbell of Oxford, Ohio, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 17 pounds even Friday to win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Chickamauga and earn the top payout of $52,300. Campbell’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 62-3 earned him the victory by an 11-pound, 11-ounce margin over local favorite Seth Davis of Dayton, Tennessee , who finished second with 15 bass totaling 50-8 to earn $21,000.
With more dreary conditions, the majority of the field struggled on the final day. Considering the 26-year-old Campbell already had a 9-pound, 7-ounce lead going into today, the tough bite suited him just fine. Yet, he showed he wasn’t about to leave any doubt.
Campbell brought in 17 pounds – the third-largest bag of the day – to not just protect his lead but expand it to nearly 12 pounds with 62-3 total, earning his fourth win with MLF. Though, this is by far his biggest to the tune of $52,300.
Having limited knowledge of Chickamauga coming into this event, Campbell admits he went down to the Chester Frost area and looked around on some of the biggest community holes. What he found were some key, isolated pieces of cover. Specifically, a couple of stumps on two humps in Chester Frost and an isolated grass patch on the end of an offshore bar near the mouth.
So, after starting each day fishing near takeoff for some keepers to “get his confidence up,” he’d then make the run down south to those community holes to try and upgrade. The first day’s 30 mile-per-hour winds made it hard to fish them effectively, he said, but Day 2 was a different story.
“It got calm and I did some damage,” Campbell said. “I caught both 7-pounders off those stumps using my forward-facing sonar, and that 9-pounder came off that grass patch.
“Other people were fishing those three spots because they’re so obvious, but you had to know those isolated sweet spots with small pods of fish on them. I’d just roll up there, and using forward-facing sonar, I was able to just make the right cast, especially once it got calm the last two days.”
In terms of offerings, Campbell wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. A Carolina rig with a Strike King Rage Bug caught plenty of keepers, as did a Neko rig, but his biggest player was a drop-shot with a morning dawn-colored Roboworm Straight Tail Worm.
Considering the level of talent always present at Lake Chickamauga events, it’s hard to imagine such an obvious, straightforward game plan would win the event. Yet, with how tough the conditions were this week – high winds the first day, rain the second and third, with transitioning fish and no current – keeping it simple was exactly what Campbell needed to do. That, and weigh in a megabag on Day 2.
“These guys are some of the best anglers in the country, with so many local hammers who know this lake better than anybody,” Campbell said. “So, to come out here and beat them guys is unbelievable. It truly feels amazing.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Chickamauga finished:
1st: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 62-3, $52,300
2nd: Seth Davis, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 50-8, $21,000
3rd: Ethan Shaw, Carmel, Ind., 15 bass, 45-11, $14,250
4th: Donny Beck, Killen, Ala., 15 bass, 45-8, $12,250
5th: Taylor Parker, Lake View, Ala., 15 bass, 43-8, $11,450
6th: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., 15 bass, 43-8, $9,125
7th: Casey Martin, Brownsboro, Ala., 15 bass, 42-9, $8,400
8th: Jade Keeton, Florence, Ala., 15 bass, 42-2, $6,900
9th: Jordan Wiggins, Cullman, Ala., 15 bass, 40-13, $5,900
10th: Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala., 14 bass, 40-7, $4,500
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Casey Martin of Brownsboro, Alabama, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Tuesday with a bass weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces. On Wednesday, tournament winner Brody Campbell earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize with a largemouth weighing in at 9 pounds, 9 ounces.
Cooper Jett of North Shores, Michigan, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Thursday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 36 pounds, 3 ounces. Jett took home the top co-angler prize of $34,6750, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor and $1,250 in cash.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Chickamauga finished:
1st: Cooper Jett, North Shores, Mich., 14 bass, 36-3, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Steve Higgins, Cleveland, Tenn., 13 bass, 31-14, $6,275
3rd: Jonathan Dagley, Wartburg, Tenn., 12 bass, 31-4, $4,900
4th: Greg Surratt, Canal Winchester, Ohio, 11 bass, 29-0, $3,950
5th: Gary Greenwood, Taylors, S.C., 10 bass, 27-9, $3,450
6th: Chris Hughes, Centerville, Tenn., nine bass, 25-15, $2,950
7th: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., 12 bass, 25-5, $2,450
8th: Dwaine Williams, Greenup, Ky., 11 bass, 24-3, $1,975
9th: Tom Spangler, Knoxville, Tenn., nine bass, 24-1, $1,590
10th: Steven Jacques, Addison, Ala., 11 bass, 23-10, $1,350
Rickey Robertson, Jr., earned Tuesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass award after weighing in a 7-pound, 13-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to co-angler winner Steve Higgins, who brought a 7-pound, 3-ounce bass to the scale.
With the three regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division now complete, pro Jordan Wiggins of Cullman, Alabama, was crowned the 2023 Central Division Pro Angler of the Year (AOY) and earned the $5,000 AOY bonus with a total of 722 points. Alan Hults of Gautier, Mississippi, won the 2023 Central Division Strike King Co-angler AOY race and the $2,000 AOY bonus with 752 points.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Chickamauga was hosted by Fish Dayton and the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council. It was the third and final regular-season event for the Toyota Series Central Division. The next event for the top 25 anglers in the Toyota Series Central Division AOY standings will be the Toyota Series Championship at Table Rock Lake, Nov. 2-4, in Branson, Missouri. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2024. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Next Gen Lithium, Onyx, Phoenix, 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 Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.