If you missed tonight’s captains meeting or you forgot something that Danielle said then click the link to go back & watch again or for the 1st time.
The Pass Code is – Z*x6rK0X
Alabama’s Blake Hall Leads Day 1 at Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula
Phoenix Boats Pro Catches 22-pound, 2-ounce Limit to Bring 8-ounce Lead into Second Day of Competition Saturday
EUFAULA, Okla. (April 14, 2023) – Pro Blake Hall of Rogersville, Alabama, brought a five-bass limit to the stage weighing 22 pounds, 2 ounces, Friday to take the lead after Day 1 of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches. Hall will bring an 8-ounce lead into Day 2 of the competition, Saturday. Hollister, Missouri’s Cody Spetz caught five bass weighing 21-10 to end the day in second place, while Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs, Michigan, rounds out the top three with five bass weighing 20-4.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce, features a roster of 150 anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. The full field of 150 anglers will conclude the two-day opening round on Saturday, with only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advancing to Championship Sunday.
Link to Photo Gallery of Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Day 1 Afternoon Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights of Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Day 1
Hall started his morning with a 7-pound, 2-ounce, kicker bass and then ground out his limit on a trio of baits to put together his 22-pound, 2-ounce limit.
“I thought I could catch 15 to 18 pounds today if everything went good, but then I caught that big one on my tenth cast, and that obviously helped a lot,” Hall said. “I had caught some fish in my areas during practice – a couple of 3- and 3½-pounders – but I really didn’t know what I had. Of the five that I weighed in, they came off of four different spots.
“It’s little stretches – little rocky points,” Hall continued. “Everything was on rock. And they were shallow – four of them came in less than 2 feet, and one was about 5 feet (deep).”
Hall said that he caught his fish on three different baits – a Bill Lewis MR-6 crankbait, a Bill Lewis SB-57 squarebill crankbait, and a Buckeye Lures jig.
“I’ve still got a few other areas that I never went to – I’m not sure if they’re getting fished or not,” Hall said. “Ron (Nelson) was on one place I wanted to fish, but other than that I got to fish pretty much what I wanted to, today.
“I’ve never been here before, so I really don’t know what to expect for tomorrow. I could have 8 pounds, or I could have 18. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there.”
The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Lake Eufaula are:
1st: Blake Hall, Rogersville, Ala., five bass, 22-2
2nd: Cody Spetz, Hollister, Mo., five bass, 21-10
3rd: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., five bass, 20-4
4th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., five bass, 19-12
5th: Michael Harlin, Sunrise Beach, Mo., five bass, 19-7
6th: Blake Felix, Warsaw, Mo., five bass, 19-5
7th: Brock Reinkemeyer, Warsaw, Mo., five bass, 19-3
8th: Jeff Reynolds, Calera, Okla., five bass, 19-1
9th: Braxton Setzer, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 18-14
10th: Cody Pike, Powhatan, Va., five bass, 18-13
11th: Joe Grafeman, Camdenton, Mo., five bass, 18-11
11th: John-Dalton Miller, Albertville, Ala., five bass, 18-7
11th: Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., five bass, 18-5
14th: John Voyles, Petersburg, Ind., five bass, 18-4
15th: Connor Cunningham, Springfield, Mo., five bass, 18-3
16th: Danny Shanz, Summerton, S.C., five bass, 18-3
17th: Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., five bass, 17-11
18th: Scotty Villines, Ponca, Ark., five bass, 17-7
19th: Kyle Palmer, Winchester, Tenn., five bass, 17-2
20th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 17-0
Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Andrew Nordbye of Guntersville, Alabama, earned Friday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces.
Overall, there were 651 bass weighing 1,821 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 145 pros Friday. The catch included 102 five-bass limits.
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday in a traditional five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to the final round on Championship Sunday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers. The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT, Friday through Sunday, from the Peter’s Point South Point Dock Boat Ramp, located on Dabbs Road in Eufaula. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat ramp daily beginning at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all three days of competition from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Epic Baits Stop 3 at Lake Eufaula Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will feature a two-hour action-packed television broadcast that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, Oct. 14th.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Lake Murray primed to shine as Bassmaster Elite Series visits for first time in 12 years
Bassmaster Elite Series champion Patrick Walters of nearby Summerville, S.C., will be among the field when the Bassmaster Elite Series heads to Columbia for the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray April 20-23.
Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
April 14, 2023
Lake Murray primed to shine as Bassmaster Elite Series visits for first time in 12 years
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Top 10 lake in the country.
That is how Patrick Walters views Lake Murray in his home state of South Carolina.
With spring in full swing, Walters believes the Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray will showcase just how good the central South Carolina fishery can be.
Competition days are scheduled for April 20-23, with takeoffs from Dreher Island State Park each day at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins back at the park each day at 3 p.m. A full field of 104 anglers will compete the first two days, with the Top 50 anglers advancing to Semifinal Saturday. The Top 10 remaining pros will compete for the blue trophy and a $100,000 first-place prize on Championship Sunday. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
It’s been nearly 12 years since the Bassmaster Elite Series visited Columbia, S.C. In that event, Casey Ashley caught 61 pounds, 3 ounces to take home the victory. Since then, Murray has grown into an incredibly healthy bass fishery, yet it has flown largely under the radar in terms of national acclaim.
That will likely change by the end of this month.
“It has been fishing good for two or three years now,” Walters said. “In the BFL there this year, 20 pounds barely got you paid. It has been fishing really well. You aren’t going to bust 35 pounds, but there is an abundant amount of 25- to 29-pound bags. It won’t be quite like that when we are there, but it has a lot of 3- to 5-pounders in it.”
Walters said he expects the bass to be in multiple stages. They have been spawning for the past couple of weeks, but the Summerville, S.C., native hopes a brief cold snap last weekend will have pushed some of the remaining spawners back a little.
“I think it will set up really well with the little bit of cold weather,” Walters said. “A lot of fish were starting to spawn and the cold front will hopefully elongate it more. There will still be some fish spawning, but there are a good bit of fish already done. The postspawn bite is going to be good. It is going to be a good tournament.”
With the bass being in the spawn and postspawn phase, the weights may not be as heavy as they would be in a full-blown prespawn event. But 6-, 7- and even 8-pounders won’t be an uncommon sight. With the water level near full pool, it should remain stable throughout the event.
The competitors will be able to spread out and catch bass in a variety of ways. Walters believes the entire lake will play, from the east side all the way west to the Saluda and Little Saluda rivers.
“It’s not like one creek turns on,” Walters said. “The whole lake will play. Someone is going to catch them upriver. One or two people will [make the] Top 10 up there. Downlake will play. Midlake will play. It will eat a 100-boat field. The cool thing about this lake is not everyone has to be doing the same thing to make the Top 10.”
The entire fishery features plenty of docks as well as rocky banks and wood. It also has a little bit of vegetation that includes gator and willow grass, among others. Up the rivers and on the west side of the lake, shad are the prominent baitfish.
“There are big creeks and pockets up there,” Walters said. “You’ll be fishing the shad spawn and shad eaters in general. It is typically dirtier water. There are a lot of tournaments won up that way.”
As you move downlake, blueback herring start to show up and, depending on how the weather trends between now and tournament time, those herring may start their spawning rituals — and that could be the X factor of the event.
“Midlake and down is where the herring deal starts going down. It is more open, deeper water and deeper pockets. It has more of a Hartwell feel to it,” Walters said. “I think they will be starting to kick off their spawn. I think there were some up there already.”
While many of the herring lakes on the Bassmaster tournament trails feature spotted bass, largemouth dominate Murray, and Walters says they go after herring exactly like spotted bass do. If the herring spawn starts, topwater baits may come heavily into play.
“It has 97% largemouth in it,” Walters said. “They act the same way (as spotted bass), you just catch bigger fish. If they start spawning, they will spawn on shallow points and in the dirt. It’s like a normal shad spawn except they won’t spawn on grass like the shad do.”
Walters anticipated big bags will be caught, but consistency will be the key to taking home a win. If an angler can average 18 to 19 pounds a day, he believes that will put them in contention.
Louisiana pro Tyler Rivet leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after two events with 206 points. Australia’s Carl Jocumsen is second with 193 points, followed by Arkansas pro Joey Cifuentes III with 190, South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb with 187 and North Carolina’s Brandon Card with 184.
Cifuentes leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 190 points, followed by Alabama pro Will Davis Jr. with 170 and Canada’s Cooper Gallant with 148.
New for 2023, fans can enjoy predictions, conditions and live hits from the lake as part of the LIVE Preview show streaming on Bassmaster.com Wednesday, April 19 at 9 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE kicks off tournament coverage Thursday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms while FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday.
The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board is hosting the tournament.
Arm yourself with a mix of new models and patterns from the Ever Green war chest.
| Spring Bass Slam |
| Arm yourself with a mix of new models and patterns from the Ever Green war chest. |
| Cypress, CA (April 14, 2023) – Southern anglers are already plying the backs of creek channels and shallow flooded timber for bait-chasing bass. Soon, northern bassers will likewise be chucking shallow cranks for prespawn bass. To that, Ever Green has your spring cranking covered – from prespawn into the early summer transition.Here’s a foursome of Ever Green baits that should find a place in your tackle tray. |
| EVER GREEN CH-1A floating crankbait, the diminutive 2 ¼-inch, 7/16-ounce Ever Green CH-1 dives just below the water surface to bring aggressive reaction bites from bass feeding near or on the water’s surface. It features a rattle room at the end of its body filled with both tungsten and stainless-steel balls, allowing remarkable casting distance to cover wide, watery expanses, especially flats and open water.The secret behind the bait is its quick response upon retrieving and a powerful action whether fished fast or slow. Due to the circuit board design and fixed weight at a low center of gravity, the CH-1 responds quickly upon contact with the water. The action and the rattle attract fish from an extensive area. Even at low speed, the CH-1 takes firm hold of the water with action and during high-speed retrieval it does not break the water. |
| A mixture of tungsten and stainless-steel, the weight transfer system offers a complex, low-pitched sound that is appealing to big bass on waters around the globe. It also produces a unique and powerful high-pitched wobble that has proven irresistible.The CH-1’s wide grip and wide action helps avoid cover. Even after contact with wood or vegetation it recovers quickly and keys in on the strike zone. FEATURES: Floating crankbait Weight: 7/16 ounce (12.5 grams) Length: 2 ¼ inches (58mm) Diving curve: 0-1 feet Hook size: Front #5; Rear: #6 MSRP $16.99 |
| EVER GREEN SH-3Development of the Ever Green SH-3 was initiated by bass pros Brett Hite and Justin Kerr, professional staff for Ever Green US. The SH-3 has undergone rigorous testing in various conditions and waters in both Japan and the U.S. The result is a highly refined shallow-diving crankbait that produces powerful water movement.Its highly buoyant, fat body and square lip produce an action response on par with wood crankbaits, while its characteristic super-wide wobble action makes a strong appeal to big bass. Ever Green’s SH-3 is free from the problems typical of shallow-diving crankbaits, such as lack of distance or difficulty casting. The tungsten weight transfer system promises incredible distance; its body density commands presence and yet offers superior accuracy with less effort when casting. The SH-3 represents a dramatic increase in cover cranking precision and efficiency.The SH-3 is versatile and performs in variety of situations—from expansive, shallow flats to bluff banks and reeds, to cut grass and other vegetation, as well as slowly maneuvered through wood and rock. It simply excels at drawing reaction bites. |
| FEATURES: Nine additional colors added to the SH Series Floating crankbait Diving Depth: 2- to 3-feet Length: 2 ¾-inches (69mm) Weight: 11/16-ounces (19.0 grams) Hook size: Front #3; Rear: #3 MSRP $16.99 |
| EVER GREEN WH-8Bass fans who enjoy raking the bottom with crankbaits in that magic six- to eight-foot depth are often found transitioning around the change of seasons have long appreciated the ability of Ever Green’s WH series crankbaits to get the job done. The big bad brother of the famous WH-5, these lures float at rest but dive fast to ensure your baits are both seen and heard as they scrape the bottom and deflect off boulders, rocks, logs, and other structure with nary a snag.Now, Ever Green is reintroducing 8 updated crawfish patterns to the line. Featuring natural dark brown hues on top that fade to a yellowish midsection and off-white belly, this pattern enjoyed success in its original introduction and has been brought back at request of both the angling public and Daiwa pro staffers.The new WH-8 crankbaits now come in eight different patterns, including Bleeding Green Craw, Cajun Craw, Natural Green Craw, Brown Chartreuse Craw, Molting Blue Craw, Fire Tiger Craw, and Natural Brown Craw. All colors are highly saturated to provide a combination of crawfish or shad shades and shape against the bottom as the lure ticks off structure, bursts through weeds and kicks up puffs of sand and mud. |
| The WH-8 is a powerhouse selection bass sharpies need to carry. It measures 2-1/3 inches long, weighs 9/16-ounces, dives six- to eight-feet deep and quickly explores waters that are hard to reach with active, natural-looking lures. Pick up a few and try them on your next crankbait excursion.FEATURES: Available in eight color patterns to mimic both crayfish and shad Floats at rest and quickly dives 6 to 8 feet deep Long, sharp-angled lip discourages snagging Tight-wiggling action triggers instant response Super sharp size 5 (front) and size 4 (rear) hooks penetrate deep and hold fast MSRP $18.99 |
| EVER GREEN CRThese badass crankbaits always come to play, are infinitely dependable, and make for the ideal core lineup in any bass fishing battalion. And now, the veteran baits come sporting three new uniforms. The five-size series – each geared for a specific depth range – act like a lipless crankbait to quickly suss-out an extensive area for active fish. Known for their superior casting range, CR-Series baits remain surprisingly light for comfortable reeling all day. The CR’s also possess a well-defined swimming action with unrivaled balance. Anatomically, you’ll appreciate their dead-ringer shad profile, accurate eyeballs, scale and gill patterns, dastardly sharp hooks, and durable diving bills. New colors include Champion Shad, Chart Shad, and Ghost Wakasagi complement the existing palette of Diamond Shad, Ayu, Blue Back Chart, Fire Craw, Olive Crawdad, Queen Shad, Pre-Spawn Dynamite, Hologram Wakasagi, Pumpkinseed, Cold Shad, Oki Gold, Oki Chart, Skeleton Wakasagi, and Half Mirror Shad. Let’s take a deeper dive into the individual models. |
| CR-6Skillful at dodging of obstacles, especially treacherous grass, preventing bite reduction often caused by grass entanglement. Even under tough conditions when water quality declines in the spring and fall (due to turnover, etc.), the CR-6 performs consistently with a forcefulness that induces reaction bites. With its super-long casting and superb obstruction-avoiding capabilities, the CR-6 is an ingenious force that moves effortlessly in shallow expanses and complex shallow covers. FLOATING DIVES: 4- to 6-feet LENGTH: 2 1/4-inch (58mm) WEIGHT: 7/16-ounce (13.2g) HOOKS: #6 MSRP $15.99 |
| CR-8Reliable and easy to use, the CR-8 is a no-nonsense crankbait that promises steady results. Using the tungsten weight transfer system as its main weight, the CR-8 casts tremendous distances, even against headwinds, with low-orbit thanks to a body and lip designed for maximum reduction of air resistance. At the same time, the CR-8 offers supreme accuracy for near- to medium-distance casting. A low-gravity fixed sub-weight system solves the recovery problem commonly experienced in conventional models employing a weight transfer system. The hexagonal cross-section of the CR-8 creates color variations and heightens its flashing effect, too. FLOATING DIVES: 5- to 8-feet LENGTH: 2 ¼-inch (58mm) WEIGHT: ½-ounce (13.7g) HOOKS: #6 MSRP $15.99 |
| CR-10The CR-10, like all members of the CR-Series, boasts remarkable casting distances. The crankbait’s ability to go against the wind puts it at a decisive advantage, especially on big lakes, making long-distance traces easier. Also, despite its compact design, the CR-10 easily reaches depths of 10 feet, attracts schools of fish, and stimulates bites with its natural, high-pitch rolling and vivid wobbling action. The CR-10 is resistant to grass hang-ups and allows anglers to cast and reel all day long comfortably. FLOATING DEPTH: 8- to 10-feet LENGTH: 2 ½-inch (64mm) WEIGHT: 9/16-ounce (16.5g) HOOKS: #6 MSRP $16.99 |
| CR-13The CR-13 boasts the greatest castability in the series, delivering powerful distance — an absolute must for deep crankbaits — and maintains its balance through crosswinds and headwinds. Designed toperform as a 13-foot diver, the CR-13 summons strikes, bringing the unseeable world deep beneath the surface right back to the angler’s hands. With surprisingly light drag and resistance, the CR-13 adaptsto any rod and allows for comfortable fishing all day long. In addition to tremendous distance, the CR-13 also achieves steady and consistent action with a light tugging sensation. FLOATING DEPTH: 10-to 13-feet LENGTH: 2 ¾-inches (68mm) WEIGHT: ¾-ounce (21.0g) HOOKS: #4 MSRP $16.99 |
| CR-16The CR-16 casts superbly while its light retrieval resistance is hard to come by in a deep crankbait. It can search deeper than 13-feet on the cast (maximum depth: 16-feet), and even deeper than 25-feet when long lining. The CR-16’s irregular, secondary action draws strikes while knocking the bottom, as well as at mid-level depths. The CR-16 raises the level of deep cranking — whether in big lakes, reservoirs, or rivers. FLOATING DEPTH: 14- to 16-feet LENGTH: 3-inches (75mm) WEIGHT: 15/16-ounce (26.0g) HOOKS: #6 MSRP $17.99 |
| For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |
Milliken lives up to his big-fish reputation and takes lead at Bassmaster Open on Toledo Bend
Ben Milliken of New Caney, Texas, is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend with 29 pounds, 8 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
April 13, 2023
Milliken lives up to his big-fish reputation and takes lead at Bassmaster Open on Toledo Bend
MANY, La. — Ben Milliken is an angler who’s known for catching big bass.
He did nothing to diminish that Thursday on Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend.
The 33-year-old New Caney, Texas, resident pounded the 185,000-acre reservoir that forms the border between Louisiana and his home state, finishing with a five-bass limit of 29 pounds, 8 ounces that gave him the early lead in this three-day tournament. A total of 223 anglers, 168 of them in the inaugural Elite Qualifiers Division, are competing this week.
Milliken, who was part of a duo that caught five bass weighing 60-pounds on O.H. Ivie Lake in Texas in early 2021, said people think of him as a “big-bait, forward-facing sonar guy,” but he said versatility helped him to the top of the Toledo Bend leaderboard. It also was key to his fifth-place finish in the season’s first Open last month on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula, he said.
“I (dragged) offshore and cranked offshore at Eufaula,” Milliken said. “I’m not going to talk a lot yet about what I did here today, but it was both LiveScoping and not looking at them.”
Whatever the method, Milliken put himself in prime position to make a run for a tournament win. It was his first time competing on the famed fishery, but he knew its reputation as a big-bass factory. He found the big ones on Thursday, with his heaviest checking in at more than 7 pounds.
“I missed four fish today bigger than the biggest one I had in my bag,” he said. “It could have been a crazy-good day.”
The 29-8 total certainly was encouraging, Milliken said, considering he scrapped his game plan after practice and tried something much different. He ran down the reservoir about 20 miles on Thursday — and while he said other anglers were there, he believes they’re using different techniques than what vaulted him into the pole position.
“I’m doing some pretty specific stuff,” he said. “It’s the area, but also the presentation.”
Keith Tuma, a 50-year-old resident of Brainerd, Minn., who won an Open in 2021 on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, weighed a personal-best limit of five bass for 27-14 to spark his own spectacular start. His bag was anchored by another personal record — a 9-8 giant that tied for the heaviest bass caught on Day 1.
“I’m a bit worked up right now. I’m not gonna’ lie,” Tuma said, as he hoisted a pair of Toledo Bend heavies into the air for the crowd, the 9-8 in his right hand and a 7-pounder in his left.
Tuma struggled early to find his way on the massive fishery, also his first time competing on the legendary reservoir.
“I just wanted to survive,” Tuma said. “I wanted 14 or 15 pounds … but at 10:30 this morning, I had one 14-inch fish in the boat.”
As he started working his way back up the reservoir, his fortunes changed. Tuma said he caught what he believes are spawning bass off hard-bottom spots in about 12 to 14 feet of water. Other than divulging that info, he too was tight-lipped, saying he’ll reveal more details if he makes it inside the Phoenix Boats Cutline to be one of 10 anglers to compete in Saturday’s final round.
Tuma’s 2021 victory on Harris Chain earned him a spot in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, but he finished last among 55 competitors.
No doubt he hopes Toledo Bend is a launching pad for redemption.
“I got 100% lucky today, but I’ll take it,” he said.
Adam Rasmussen, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., also is making his debut on Toledo Bend and is in third place with a limit of 26-0.
“I’m fishing shallower flats and I’m using my Humminbird MEGA Live,” Rasmussen said. “So, I can see them and I can pitch to them. But there are (long gaps) between bites.”
Rasmussen primarily fished an area about 15 minutes down the reservoir, looking for underwater structure.
Seventeen pros in the boater division caught more than 20 pounds, with all but two of the 223 catching at least one bass.
Kerry Terrebonne, of Ponchatoula, La., almost caught 20 pounds himself, despite being confined to a three-bass limit in the nonboater division. Terrebonne’s 19-4 total leads the 139 co-anglers. A.J. Jones, of Lutz, Fla., is second with 16-4 and Steven Doolittle of Chelsea, Okla., is third with 16-0.
Each of the nine Opens champions in 2023 will earn a berth in the 2024 Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla., on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees. Competitors in the Elite Qualifiers Division are required to fish in each of the nine Opens scheduled in 2023. The top nine in the EQs standings when the season is complete will earn invites to compete on the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Milliken’s Day 1 performance combined with his fifth-place finish at Eufaula have placed him atop the Elite Qualifiers Division standings with 396 points. He is followed by Texas pro Brett Cannon with 391 points, Tennessee’s John Garrett (388), Georgia’s Josh Bragg (379), Tuma (376), Trey McKinney of Illinois (376), Japan’s Kenta Kimura (376), Georgia’s Matt Henry (371) and Wisconsin’s Jacob Bigelow (371).
Day 2 will begin Friday at 6:45 a.m. CT and weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m., both from Cypress Bend Park. The Top 10 anglers will advance to Championship Saturday. A total of $340,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 40 competitors in each division.
The St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend is being hosted by the Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission and the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
| 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend 4/13-4/15 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA. (BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 5 29-08 200 Day 1: 5 29-08 2. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 5 27-14 199 Day 1: 5 27-14 3. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 26-00 198 Day 1: 5 26-00 4. Troy O’Rourke Bentonville, AR 5 22-04 197 Day 1: 5 22-04 5. B.J. Usie Bourg, LA 5 21-15 196 Day 1: 5 21-15 6. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 5 21-14 195 Day 1: 5 21-14 7. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 21-12 194 Day 1: 5 21-12 8. Brett Cannon Willis, TX 5 21-01 193 Day 1: 5 21-01 9. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 20-15 192 Day 1: 5 20-15 10. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 5 20-13 191 Day 1: 5 20-13 10. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 20-13 191 Day 1: 5 20-13 10. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 20-13 191 Day 1: 5 20-13 13. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 5 20-07 188 Day 1: 5 20-07 13. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 20-07 188 Day 1: 5 20-07 15. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 20-07 186 Day 1: 5 20-07 16. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 20-06 185 Day 1: 5 20-06 17. Matt Henry Milledgeville, GA 5 20-00 184 Day 1: 5 20-00 18. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 18-15 183 Day 1: 5 18-15 19. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 5 18-14 182 Day 1: 5 18-14 20. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 18-08 181 Day 1: 5 18-08 21. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 5 18-07 180 Day 1: 5 18-07 21. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 18-07 180 Day 1: 5 18-07 23. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 18-06 178 Day 1: 5 18-06 24. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 18-05 177 Day 1: 5 18-05 24. Justin Phillips Checotah, OK 5 18-05 177 Day 1: 5 18-05 24. Chandler Stewart Canyon Lake, TX 5 18-05 177 Day 1: 5 18-05 27. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 18-04 174 Day 1: 5 18-04 28. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 5 18-01 173 Day 1: 5 18-01 29. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 5 18-00 172 Day 1: 5 18-00 30. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 17-14 171 Day 1: 5 17-14 31. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 17-11 170 Day 1: 5 17-11 31. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 17-11 170 Day 1: 5 17-11 33. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 17-07 168 Day 1: 5 17-07 33. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 17-07 168 Day 1: 5 17-07 35. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 17-05 166 Day 1: 5 17-05 36. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 5 17-04 165 Day 1: 5 17-04 37. Miles Burghoff Dayton, TN 5 17-02 164 Day 1: 5 17-02 37. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 5 17-02 164 Day 1: 5 17-02 39. Bailey Boutries Springfield, MO 5 17-00 162 Day 1: 5 17-00 39. Blake Sylvester Plaquemine, LA 5 17-00 162 Day 1: 5 17-00 41. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 16-14 160 Day 1: 5 16-14 42. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 16-09 159 Day 1: 5 16-09 42. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 16-09 159 Day 1: 5 16-09 44. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 16-07 157 Day 1: 5 16-07 45. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 5 16-06 156 Day 1: 5 16-06 46. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 16-02 155 Day 1: 5 16-02 46. Kurt Mitchell Milford, DE 5 16-02 155 Day 1: 5 16-02 48. Trevor McKinney Benton, IL 5 15-15 153 Day 1: 5 15-15 49. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 5 15-13 152 Day 1: 5 15-13 50. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 5 15-12 151 Day 1: 5 15-12 50. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 15-12 151 Day 1: 5 15-12 50. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 15-12 151 Day 1: 5 15-12 53. Alex Murray Lake Charles, LA 5 15-11 148 Day 1: 5 15-11 53. Jaxon Sullivan Reagan, TN 5 15-11 148 Day 1: 5 15-11 55. Jake Maddux Birmingham, AL 5 15-11 146 Day 1: 5 15-11 56. Mike Mayo Athens, TX 5 15-08 145 Day 1: 5 15-08 57. Lance Owen Greer, SC 4 15-08 144 Day 1: 4 15-08 58. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 5 15-07 143 Day 1: 5 15-07 58. Michael Scalise Port Allen, LA 5 15-07 143 Day 1: 5 15-07 60. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 15-06 141 Day 1: 5 15-06 61. Sterling Bougher Mannford, OK 5 15-05 140 Day 1: 5 15-05 61. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 5 15-05 140 Day 1: 5 15-05 63. Craig Danna West Monroe, LA 5 15-04 138 Day 1: 5 15-04 64. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 15-00 137 Day 1: 5 15-00 64. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 15-00 137 Day 1: 5 15-00 66. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 5 14-15 135 Day 1: 5 14-15 66. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 5 14-15 135 Day 1: 5 14-15 68. Jason Abram Piney Flats, TN 5 14-14 133 Day 1: 5 14-14 69. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 14-10 132 Day 1: 5 14-10 70. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 5 14-05 131 Day 1: 5 14-05 71. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 14-04 130 Day 1: 5 14-04 72. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 14-03 129 Day 1: 5 14-03 73. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 5 14-00 128 Day 1: 5 14-00 74. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 5 13-15 127 Day 1: 5 13-15 75. Shaine Campbell Brookeland, TX 5 13-13 126 Day 1: 5 13-13 75. Tom Frink Southside, AL 5 13-13 126 Day 1: 5 13-13 77. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 13-12 124 Day 1: 5 13-12 78. Logan Shaddix Cummings, GA 5 13-11 123 Day 1: 5 13-11 79. Paul Browning Pecos, TX 5 13-10 122 Day 1: 5 13-10 79. Bobby Lanham Eddyville, KY 5 13-10 122 Day 1: 5 13-10 79. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 13-10 122 Day 1: 5 13-10 82. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 5 13-09 119 Day 1: 5 13-09 82. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 13-09 119 Day 1: 5 13-09 84. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 13-08 117 Day 1: 5 13-08 85. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 5 13-07 116 Day 1: 5 13-07 85. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 13-07 116 Day 1: 5 13-07 87. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 4 13-07 114 Day 1: 4 13-07 88. Mark Watson Victoria, TX 5 13-06 113 Day 1: 5 13-06 89. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 13-02 112 Day 1: 5 13-02 89. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 5 13-02 112 Day 1: 5 13-02 89. Marshall Halverson Altoona, IA 5 13-02 112 Day 1: 5 13-02 89. Brock Harrison Missouri City, TX 5 13-02 112 Day 1: 5 13-02 89. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 5 13-02 112 Day 1: 5 13-02 94. Evan Barnes Dardanelle, AR 5 13-01 107 Day 1: 5 13-01 95. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 5 13-00 106 Day 1: 5 13-00 95. Aaron Johnson Shreveport, LA 5 13-00 106 Day 1: 5 13-00 97. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 5 12-14 104 Day 1: 5 12-14 98. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 5 12-13 103 Day 1: 5 12-13 99. Ryan Clark Whitby Ontario CANADA 5 12-11 102 Day 1: 5 12-11 99. Caiden Sinclair Logan, AL 5 12-11 102 Day 1: 5 12-11 99. Jack York Emory, TX 5 12-11 102 Day 1: 5 12-11 102. Daisuke Kita Ostu Shiga JAPAN 5 12-10 99 Day 1: 5 12-10 103. Kenji Yamada Hixson, TN 5 12-10 98 Day 1: 5 12-10 104. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 3 12-10 97 Day 1: 3 12-10 105. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 12-09 96 Day 1: 5 12-09 106. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 5 12-09 95 Day 1: 5 12-09 107. Josh Hubbard Dunnellon, FL 5 12-08 94 Day 1: 5 12-08 107. Brad Knight Lancing, TN 5 12-08 94 Day 1: 5 12-08 107. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 5 12-08 94 Day 1: 5 12-08 110. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 12-07 91 Day 1: 5 12-07 111. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 4 12-07 90 Day 1: 4 12-07 112. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 5 12-06 89 Day 1: 5 12-06 112. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 5 12-06 89 Day 1: 5 12-06 112. Christian Shoda Homosassa, FL 5 12-06 89 Day 1: 5 12-06 115. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 12-04 86 Day 1: 5 12-04 116. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 12-02 85 Day 1: 5 12-02 116. Jason Lambert Savannah, TN 5 12-02 85 Day 1: 5 12-02 118. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 5 12-00 83 Day 1: 5 12-00 119. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 5 11-15 82 Day 1: 5 11-15 120. Keith Brumfield Vicksburg, MS 5 11-14 81 Day 1: 5 11-14 120. Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 11-14 81 Day 1: 5 11-14 122. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 5 11-13 79 Day 1: 5 11-13 122. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 11-13 79 Day 1: 5 11-13 124. Sam George Athens, AL 5 11-11 77 Day 1: 5 11-11 124. Chris Keeble Lenoir City, TN 5 11-11 77 Day 1: 5 11-11 124. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 5 11-11 77 Day 1: 5 11-11 124. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 11-11 77 Day 1: 5 11-11 128. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 11-09 73 Day 1: 5 11-09 128. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 11-09 73 Day 1: 5 11-09 128. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 11-09 73 Day 1: 5 11-09 131. Wyatt Ryan Ada, OK 5 11-07 70 Day 1: 5 11-07 132. Marc Schilling Carrollton, TX 5 11-06 69 Day 1: 5 11-06 133. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 5 11-04 68 Day 1: 5 11-04 134. Curtis King Plaquemine, LA 5 11-02 67 Day 1: 5 11-02 135. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 5 11-01 66 Day 1: 5 11-01 136. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 5 11-00 65 Day 1: 5 11-00 136. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 5 11-00 65 Day 1: 5 11-00 138. Danger Kelly Somerset, KY 5 10-15 63 Day 1: 5 10-15 138. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 5 10-15 63 Day 1: 5 10-15 140. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 10-14 61 Day 1: 5 10-14 141. Mike Surman Boca Raton, FL 5 10-11 60 Day 1: 5 10-11 142. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 10-09 59 Day 1: 5 10-09 143. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 5 10-07 58 Day 1: 5 10-07 144. Joe Labarbera Montrose, PA 5 10-06 57 Day 1: 5 10-06 145. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 4 10-06 56 Day 1: 4 10-06 146. Steve Morella Townshend, VT 5 10-05 55 Day 1: 5 10-05 146. Taylor Watkins Clinton, TN 5 10-05 55 Day 1: 5 10-05 148. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 10-04 53 Day 1: 5 10-04 148. Griffin Phillips Mount Olive, AL 5 10-04 53 Day 1: 5 10-04 150. Logan Anderson Catawba, NC 5 10-03 51 Day 1: 5 10-03 150. Matt Mollohan Batesburg, SC 5 10-03 51 Day 1: 5 10-03 150. Jacob Pyles Nolensville, TN 5 10-03 51 Day 1: 5 10-03 153. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 4 10-03 48 Day 1: 4 10-03 154. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 10-02 47 Day 1: 5 10-02 155. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 5 10-00 46 Day 1: 5 10-00 156. Seiji Kato Outsu Shiga JAPAN 5 09-15 45 Day 1: 5 09-15 156. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 5 09-15 45 Day 1: 5 09-15 156. Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 09-15 45 Day 1: 5 09-15 159. Darrell Davis Dover, FL 4 09-15 42 Day 1: 4 09-15 160. Destin DeMarion Harborcreek, PA 5 09-13 41 Day 1: 5 09-13 161. Doug Guins Lake Charles, LA 4 09-11 40 Day 1: 4 09-11 162. Frank Williams Mountain Home, AR 5 09-09 39 Day 1: 5 09-09 163. Corey Stewart III Lees Summit, MO 3 09-09 38 Day 1: 3 09-09 164. Jon Canada Helena, AL 5 09-08 37 Day 1: 5 09-08 164. Scout Echols Monticello, AR 5 09-08 37 Day 1: 5 09-08 166. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 5 09-05 35 Day 1: 5 09-05 167. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 09-04 34 Day 1: 5 09-04 168. Lafe Messer Warfield, KY 5 09-02 33 Day 1: 5 09-02 168. Bart Stanisz Austin, TX 5 09-02 33 Day 1: 5 09-02 170. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 4 09-00 31 Day 1: 4 09-00 171. Wil Dieffenbauch III Hundred, WV 5 08-15 30 Day 1: 5 08-15 172. Jason Tibbetts Centreville, VA 4 08-12 29 Day 1: 4 08-12 173. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 08-11 28 Day 1: 5 08-11 174. Mamoru Kagiya Amagun Aichi JAPAN 3 08-09 27 Day 1: 3 08-09 175. Eric Brigman Bryan, TX 5 08-08 26 Day 1: 5 08-08 176. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 4 08-08 25 Day 1: 4 08-08 177. Jimmy Steed Zapata, TX 5 08-06 24 Day 1: 5 08-06 178. Jason Meninger Yulee, FL 2 08-06 23 Day 1: 2 08-06 179. Larry Jones Calhoun, LA 5 08-01 22 Day 1: 5 08-01 179. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 5 08-01 22 Day 1: 5 08-01 181. JT Russell Mc Calla, AL 5 07-13 20 Day 1: 5 07-13 182. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 3 07-13 19 Day 1: 3 07-13 182. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 3 07-13 19 Day 1: 3 07-13 184. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 4 07-11 17 Day 1: 4 07-11 184. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 4 07-11 17 Day 1: 4 07-11 186. Dane Thibodeaux Lake Charles, LA 3 07-11 15 Day 1: 3 07-11 187. Larry Dean Humble, TX 3 07-10 14 Day 1: 3 07-10 188. Keltyn Hendrix Maysville, OK 4 07-09 13 Day 1: 4 07-09 188. Rick Mitchell Naples, FL 4 07-09 13 Day 1: 4 07-09 190. Lucas Ragusa Gonzales, LA 3 07-07 11 Day 1: 3 07-07 191. Johnny Winfree Mansfield, LA 2 07-04 10 Day 1: 2 07-04 192. Daniel Valois Gomez Caracas FL VENEZUELA 4 07-01 9 Day 1: 4 07-01 193. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 4 06-15 8 Day 1: 4 06-15 194. Takayuki Koike Otsu-City JAPAN 4 06-13 7 Day 1: 4 06-13 195. Tripp Noojin Bryant, AL 3 06-13 6 Day 1: 3 06-13 196. Reece Tremaglio Dunkirk, MD 4 06-12 5 Day 1: 4 06-12 197. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 3 06-04 4 Day 1: 3 06-04 197. David Wootton Collierville, TN 3 06-04 4 Day 1: 3 06-04 199. Steve Sennikoff Edgewood, TX 3 05-13 2 Day 1: 3 05-13 200. Keith Brashers Rogers, AR 3 05-09 1 Day 1: 3 05-09 201. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 3 05-08 0 Day 1: 3 05-08 202. Jerry Riddle Jr Summit, MS 2 05-07 0 Day 1: 2 05-07 203. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 3 05-06 0 Day 1: 3 05-06 204. Bronk Mcdaniel Alexandria, LA 2 05-05 0 Day 1: 2 05-05 205. Buck Mallory Lawton, MI 3 05-04 0 Day 1: 3 05-04 206. Billy Smith Montgomery, TX 3 05-03 0 Day 1: 3 05-03 207. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 3 05-00 0 Day 1: 3 05-00 208. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 3 04-15 0 Day 1: 3 04-15 209. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 2 04-14 0 Day 1: 2 04-14 210. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 3 04-13 0 Day 1: 3 04-13 211. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 2 04-12 0 Day 1: 2 04-12 212. Brad Hillebrandt Florien, LA 2 04-10 0 Day 1: 2 04-10 213. Jeremy Bogard Wilkesboro, NC 2 04-03 0 Day 1: 2 04-03 214. Chris Bailey Bruceville, TX 3 04-02 0 Day 1: 3 04-02 215. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 2 04-02 0 Day 1: 2 04-02 216. Cory Weaver Ankeny, IA 2 03-15 0 Day 1: 2 03-15 217. Phil Killian Solomon, AZ 2 03-10 0 Day 1: 2 03-10 218. Willy Dennison Willoughby Hills, OH 2 03-09 0 Day 1: 2 03-09 219. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 1 02-15 0 Day 1: 1 02-15 220. Andy Williamson Lake Andes, SD 1 02-06 0 Day 1: 1 02-06 221. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 1 02-04 0 Day 1: 1 02-04 222. Paul Tabisz Whitmore Lake, MI 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 222. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ———————————————————————– Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 167 997 2751-10 ———————————- 167 997 2751-10 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend 4/13-4/15 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA. (NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Kerry Terrebonne Ponchatoula, LA 3 19-04 200 Day 1: 3 19-04 2. AJ Jones Lutz, FL 3 16-04 199 Day 1: 3 16-04 3. Steven Doolittle Chelsea, OK 3 16-00 198 Day 1: 3 16-00 4. Daryl Pool Manvel, TX 3 13-09 197 Day 1: 3 13-09 5. Parker Knudsen Minnetonka, MN 3 13-03 196 Day 1: 3 13-03 6. Yu Sato Okazaki Aichi JAPAN 3 11-11 195 Day 1: 3 11-11 7. Mark Sloan Harrison, AR 2 11-09 194 Day 1: 2 11-09 8. Avery Williams Murrells Inlt, SC 3 10-10 193 Day 1: 3 10-10 8. Stephen Wolownik Bloomingdale, MI 3 10-10 193 Day 1: 3 10-10 10. Grant Moer Windthorst, TX 3 10-07 191 Day 1: 3 10-07 11. Steve Byrd Coalgate, OK 3 10-02 190 Day 1: 3 10-02 12. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 3 09-12 189 Day 1: 3 09-12 13. Eddie Kidd Fort Benning, GA 3 09-07 188 Day 1: 3 09-07 14. Jimmy Stephens Carthage, TX 3 09-01 187 Day 1: 3 09-01 15. Cody Williams Carthage, TX 3 09-00 186 Day 1: 3 09-00 16. Ronnie Ray Mckinney, TX 3 08-15 185 Day 1: 3 08-15 16. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 3 08-15 185 Day 1: 3 08-15 18. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 3 08-11 183 Day 1: 3 08-11 18. Brenton Godwin Montevallo, AL 3 08-11 183 Day 1: 3 08-11 18. Gene Mitchell Stuart, OK 3 08-11 183 Day 1: 3 08-11 21. Skip Rayborn Hammond, LA 3 08-06 180 Day 1: 3 08-06 22. Tim Neumann Crosby, TX 2 08-03 179 Day 1: 2 08-03 23. Johnnie Garrett Union City, TN 3 08-01 178 Day 1: 3 08-01 24. Darren Gates Macon, IL 3 07-14 177 Day 1: 3 07-14 24. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 3 07-14 177 Day 1: 3 07-14 26. Tommy Wood Sippy Downs AUSTRALIA 3 07-11 175 Day 1: 3 07-11 27. Rick Cheatham Carterville, IL 3 07-09 174 Day 1: 3 07-09 28. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 3 07-08 173 Day 1: 3 07-08 29. Justin Westergreen Dahinda, IL 3 07-07 172 Day 1: 3 07-07 30. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 07-05 171 Day 1: 3 07-05 30. Joe Stokes Kentwood, LA 3 07-05 171 Day 1: 3 07-05 32. Mason Mccormick Shreveport, LA 3 06-15 169 Day 1: 3 06-15 33. Joe Tucker Osceola, MO 3 06-14 168 Day 1: 3 06-14 33. David Zabolio Lafayette, LA 3 06-14 168 Day 1: 3 06-14 35. Adam Boyd Humble, TX 3 06-12 166 Day 1: 3 06-12 35. Logan Slaughter Coppell, TX 3 06-12 166 Day 1: 3 06-12 35. Bill Wheelis Eros, LA 3 06-12 166 Day 1: 3 06-12 38. Travis Turcotte Pembroke CANADA 3 06-11 163 Day 1: 3 06-11 39. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 3 06-10 162 Day 1: 3 06-10 40. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 2 06-08 161 Day 1: 2 06-08 41. Larry Davis Gladewater, TX 3 06-04 160 Day 1: 3 06-04 42. Ralph Gibson Locust Grove, OK 3 05-15 159 Day 1: 3 05-15 42. Trey Gulley Alton, TX 3 05-15 159 Day 1: 3 05-15 44. Dylan Drephal Black Creek, WI 2 05-13 157 Day 1: 2 05-13 45. Jayden Adrians Green Bay, WI 3 05-12 156 Day 1: 3 05-12 46. Masaya Yamaguchi New York, NY 3 05-12 155 Day 1: 3 05-12 47. Jon Mohon Sr Port Arthur, TX 3 05-10 154 Day 1: 3 05-10 47. Nick Richey Aledo, TX 3 05-10 154 Day 1: 3 05-10 49. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 3 05-08 152 Day 1: 3 05-08 50. Zachary Mcdaniel Pitkin, LA 2 05-08 151 Day 1: 2 05-08 51. Todd Eppinette Downsville, LA 3 05-07 150 Day 1: 3 05-07 52. Kevin Mallow Kansas, OK 2 05-03 149 Day 1: 2 05-03 53. Pic Dieffenbauch Jr Hundred, WV 3 05-02 148 Day 1: 3 05-02 54. Michael Leach Shenandoah, TX 2 05-01 147 Day 1: 2 05-01 55. Terry Morris Bernice, LA 3 05-00 146 Day 1: 3 05-00 56. Takaaki Kojima Temecula CA JAPAN 2 04-13 145 Day 1: 2 04-13 57. Jeff Eppinette Fort Worth, TX 2 04-12 144 Day 1: 2 04-12 58. John Gaumnitz Oak Ridge, LA 1 04-12 143 Day 1: 1 04-12 59. David Booth Erin, TN 3 04-09 142 Day 1: 3 04-09 59. Tyler Jaskiewicz Houston, TX 3 04-09 142 Day 1: 3 04-09 61. Duane Colvin Nederland, TX 2 04-07 140 Day 1: 2 04-07 61. Chris Gaudin East Camden, AR 2 04-07 140 Day 1: 2 04-07 63. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 2 04-04 138 Day 1: 2 04-04 63. Randy Tallhamer Parkersburg, FL 2 04-04 138 Day 1: 2 04-04 63. Billy Wells Houston, TX 2 04-04 138 Day 1: 2 04-04 66. Jimmy Fellegy Mustang, OK 2 04-02 135 Day 1: 2 04-02 67. Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 2 04-01 134 Day 1: 2 04-01 67. Dylan Delcambre Thibodaux, LA 2 04-01 134 Day 1: 2 04-01 69. John Stewart Lone Jack, MO 1 03-15 132 Day 1: 1 03-15 70. Hunter Hamilton Baton Rouge, LA 2 03-13 131 Day 1: 2 03-13 71. Tiffany Leal Austin, TX 1 03-13 130 Day 1: 1 03-13 72. Ross Bryant Alexandria, LA 2 03-12 129 Day 1: 2 03-12 72. Jesse Simpkins Minocqua, WI 2 03-12 129 Day 1: 2 03-12 72. Joshua Spencer La Vernia, TX 2 03-12 129 Day 1: 2 03-12 75. Ben Jezek Gainesville, TX 1 03-12 126 Day 1: 1 03-12 76. John Higginbotham Slaughter, LA 2 03-10 125 Day 1: 2 03-10 77. Will Major Port Allen, LA 2 03-09 124 Day 1: 2 03-09 78. Ty Frederick Glenmora, LA 1 03-09 123 Day 1: 1 03-09 79. Ken Sanders Point Blank, TX 2 03-08 122 Day 1: 2 03-08 80. Chris Higgins Dallas, TX 1 03-08 121 Day 1: 1 03-08 81. Jim O’Connell Jr Castle Rock, CO 2 03-07 120 Day 1: 2 03-07 81. Dee Sheperd Mountain View, OK 2 03-07 120 Day 1: 2 03-07 83. Perry See Rochester, MN 2 03-06 118 Day 1: 2 03-06 84. Kenneth Ott Manahawkin, NJ 1 03-04 117 Day 1: 1 03-04 85. Dwain Vogelpohl Cambridge, MN 2 03-00 116 Day 1: 2 03-00 86. Randy Lawrence Pensacola, FL 1 03-00 115 Day 1: 1 03-00 87. Shigekazu Tateno Dallas, TX 1 02-14 114 Day 1: 1 02-14 88. Benjamin Demo Plymouth, MN 1 02-13 113 Day 1: 1 02-13 89. Johnathan Fontenot Iowa, LA 1 02-11 112 Day 1: 1 02-11 90. Clayton Lockhart Walker, LA 1 02-09 111 Day 1: 1 02-09 91. Noel Rendon Mansfield, TX 1 02-07 110 Day 1: 1 02-07 92. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 1 02-06 109 Day 1: 1 02-06 93. Marian Hall Hattiesburg, MS 1 02-05 108 Day 1: 1 02-05 93. Rondell Joseph Manvel, TX 1 02-05 108 Day 1: 1 02-05 93. David Riggs Highland, IL 1 02-05 108 Day 1: 1 02-05 96. Jeremy Stockton Summit, MS 1 02-04 105 Day 1: 1 02-04 97. Yua Kishimoto Osaka JORDAN 1 02-02 104 Day 1: 1 02-02 97. Matt Rydberg Sioux Narrows Ontario C 1 02-02 104 Day 1: 1 02-02 97. Jason Thompson Mandeville, LA 1 02-02 104 Day 1: 1 02-02 100. Tyler Pursley Mattawan, MI 1 02-01 101 Day 1: 1 02-01 101. Chris Dickey Waco, TX 1 02-00 100 Day 1: 1 02-00 101. Mark Shores Irving, TX 1 02-00 100 Day 1: 1 02-00 103. Brandon Hudman Carthage, TX 1 01-15 98 Day 1: 1 01-15 103. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 1 01-15 98 Day 1: 1 01-15 105. Logan Beebe Marriottsville, MD 1 01-14 96 Day 1: 1 01-14 105. Joe Byrd Spring, TX 1 01-14 96 Day 1: 1 01-14 107. Cody Richardson Gautier, MS 1 01-13 94 Day 1: 1 01-13 108. Kevin Booty Many, LA 1 01-12 93 Day 1: 1 01-12 108. Paul Keys III Nevada, MO 1 01-12 93 Day 1: 1 01-12 110. Ryan Daspin Austin, TX 1 01-11 91 Day 1: 1 01-11 110. Kurt Ramsey Kountze, TX 1 01-11 91 Day 1: 1 01-11 110. Justin Suchy Shreveport, LA 1 01-11 91 Day 1: 1 01-11 113. Brian Forcier Akron, IA 1 01-10 88 Day 1: 1 01-10 113. Erik Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 1 01-10 88 Day 1: 1 01-10 115. Matthew Link Neosho, MO 1 01-09 86 Day 1: 1 01-09 116. Morgan Rhorer Lake Charles, LA 1 01-08 85 Day 1: 1 01-08 116. Todd Robertson Youngsville, LA 1 01-08 85 Day 1: 1 01-08 118. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 1 00-00 83 Day 1: 1 00-00 119. Gary Bates Athens, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Casey Briggs Highmore, SD 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Jacob Collins Hillsboro, IL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Marco Flores Topeka, KS 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Dale Guillot New Caney, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Devon Gurniak St-Lazare Manitoba CANA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Mark Halverson Lawler, IA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Allen Heston Pittsburg, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Albert Hudson Austin, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Dustin Keys Nevada, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Jordan Lane Conroe, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Billy Limerick Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Warren Parker Belle Chasse, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Harry Ramage Pasadena, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Samuel Sharp Hillsboro, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Nikalos Tarkington Gladewater, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Jim Upshaw Sapulpa, OK 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Karl Voss Sulphur, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Herbie Way Jr. Alexandria, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Mike Webb Hull, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 119. Mark Wolownik Paw Paw, MI 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ———————————————————————– Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 50 246 638-04 ———————————- 50 246 638-04 |
Kentucky and Barkley Lakes Set to Host MLF Toyota Series
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (April 13, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to return to Kentucky and Barkley lakes, next week, April 20-22, for the second event of the season in the Toyota Series Prairie Division – the Toyota Series at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes Presented by Jenko Fishing . The three-day tournament, hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor in the co-angler division.
“I haven’t been there in a while, but I’ve been hearing some really good things and the lake is in really good shape right now,” said Bass Pro Tour angler John Hunter of Shelbyville, Kentucky. “It’s warming up – some of the fish have already spawned, but the majority of bass seem to be just starting to move up to spawn, and this is going to be a really fun tournament.”
Hunter said that water levels lower than normal may throw a curve ball to competitors.
“Historically, this time of year, the south ends of Kentucky and Barkley are where you want to be,” Hunter said. “But, that’s when the water is at normal summer pool. And this year, it’s not yet. All the reports lately have been that the north end has dominated.
“There has also been quite the boom in the smallmouth,” Hunter continued. “I think 100% the smallmouth will play a role in this event. The water being down and not at summer pool is really going to shine a light on some other patterns and techniques than guys are used to seeing at Kentucky Lake.”
Hunter said that he expects shallow-water power-fishing to be the pattern most likely to produce success.
“I’ll be flipping any shallow wood I can find with a Googan Bandito Bug,” Hunter went on to say. “A bladed jig will play, a spinnerbait and a swimbait will all be strong. I think the winner is going to need to catch 58 to 62 pounds over three days to have a chance to win this one.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Kentucky Dam Marina, located at 466 Marina Drive, Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
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 will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and 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.
MLF Toyota Series Western Division Season Finale Set for California Delta
BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. (April 13, 2023) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to return to Russo’s Marina and Bethel Island, California, next week, April 19-21, for the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna . Hosted by the City of Oakley, the three-day tournament is the third and final regular-season event in the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse.
“The (California) Delta is getting better – it’s warmed up a bit and there are a few fish spawning, but it’s still really dirty water,” said local Toyota Series pro Mark Lassagne of Dixon, California, who has three career top-10 finishes on the California Delta in MLF competition. “I still think about 70% of the Delta isn’t fishable yet – but 90% was unfishable a few weeks ago – so it’s getting a lot better. There definitely won’t be as many zeros in this tournament, and the weights will be better.
“Last month it took 11 pounds a day to make the top 25 cut and fish the final day,” Lassagne continued. “I think it’ll take at least 13 or 14 pounds a day to make the cut in this one. It’s still the California Delta – someone is going to catch 25 pounds and then back it up a couple of 20-pound limits. I predict the winning weight is going to be around 68 pounds.”
Lassagne said that the standard Delta baits will be in play.
“I’ll have a Yamamoto Senko tied on – that bait will definitely account for some big fish, especially the spawners,” Lassagne continued. “ChatterBaits will come into play – I’ll be throwing one with a (Yamamoto) Zako trailer. And then punching baits – I like the (Yamamoto) Flapping Hogs and the (Missile Baits) D-Bombs. I think smaller weights are more effective when the fish are finicky – it slows the fall, and you can get a few more bites.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. PT from Russo’s Marina, located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF Toyota Series offers the biggest payouts for the lowest entry fees of any national tournament trail. The Toyota Series is the only Western trail that offers advancement to the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship, where pros fish for $235,000, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and co-anglers compete for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
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 V. 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 will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and 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, 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.
Whataburger serves up title sponsorship for Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake
April 13, 2023
Whataburger serves up title sponsorship for Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the third consecutive year, Whataburger, the Texas-based chain known for big flavors and fresh ingredients served up just like you like it, has signed on as a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament title sponsor. The 2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake will be held May 11-14 in Shelby County, Ala.
“Whataburger loves supporting local events in our communities, and we’re happy to be partnering with the Bassmaster Elite for another year,” said Jeff Altman, Whataburger’s Director of Sponsorships, Marketing & Innovation. “Lay Lake will make for an exciting competitive event with conveniently located Whataburger restaurants in Birmingham and the surrounding region.”
Two previous Whataburger-sponsored events saw hometown pros take their first Elite Series victories. At the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake, Alabama pro Wes Logan charged from eighth place to claim the Day 3 lead at the event and held on to his Day 4 lead to win by just 1 pound, 6 ounces. While in 2022, Tennessee’s Brandon Lester slammed the door on the competition at the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, Tenn., besting the rest of the field by more than five pounds.
Best known for its spotted and largemouth bass, the historic Lay Lake is a top choice for anglers year-round, and competitors will have the opportunity to tackle this 12,000-acre Coosa River impoundment multiple times with B.A.S.S in 2023. In addition to May’s Whataburger Bassmaster Elite event, the same storied fishery that has hosted four Bassmaster Classics will welcome the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops June 9-10 and hosted the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors earlier in the year.
Live coverage of all four days of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake starts Thursday, May 11 on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
Fishing fans can also discover their favorite anglers’ go-to orders and savor a taste of the Whataburger lore throughout the 2023 Elite Series season with “Whataburger Wednesdays” on the Bassmaster social media channels.
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About Whataburger
Whataburger is the hometown hamburger place that hasn’t compromised. We serve bold flavors and original recipes made to order, just like you like it, and pride ourselves on extraordinary hospitality and meaningful connections in our communities. That’s what’s led fans to Whataburger since Harmon Dobson served our first customer in 1950. Headquartered in San Antonio, we’ve stayed close to our roots while building sales of more than $3 billion annually across our 14-state footprint and over 900 locations. Even with our exceptional menu, we know that people make the difference at Whataburger. That’s why we’re a 2022 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award winner. Want to become part of our orange spirit? Apply to become a Family Member (what we call our employees) at whataburger.com/careers. Just hungry for a great meal? Download our app on iOS or Android to order ahead. Shop Whataburger branded merchandise and selected sauces including our famous Fancy and Spicy Ketchup at WhataStore.com and find Whataburger original-recipe products in grocery stores. See our press kit for a list of locations, fun facts, milestones and other company information.
USE THE ULTIMATE BED BUG DURING SPAWN! by Fresh Baitz
| Believe it or not, some anglers are actually against spawn fishing. These people argue that disrupting the breeding process will leave fewer fish to catch in the future. However, this argument is not necessarily true. Bass, for example, produce thousands of spawns each and every year, meaning that removing a few from the population will not have a significant impact on the overall numbers. In fact, research has shown that if you catch a big female fish and release it in good shape, it is likely to still spawn. This is because female fish typically have multiple partners during the breeding season, meaning that the eggs will be fertilized even if one or two males are removed from the population. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that removing some of the larger fish from the population can actually lead to an increase in the overall size and health of the remaining fish. This is because larger fish are often more aggressive and competitive, and removing them can create more space and resources for the remaining fish to grow and thrive. Ultimately, the debate over spawn fishing is a complex one, and there are valid arguments on both sides. However, it is important for anglers to consider the latest research and evidence when making decisions about their fishing practices.Catching a bedding bass, especially a big female, is not an easy feat. While the smaller males can be more aggressive and act as guardians, the trophy fish are much harder to catch. To catch these elusive fish, anglers often use two different methods depending on the clarity of the water. The first method is sight fishing, which involves watching for the fish on the bed and casting a lure or bait in its vicinity. This method requires patience and skill, as the fish can be easily spooked and will often ignore lures that are not presented perfectly. The second method is blind casting, which involves covering a large area with lures or baits in the hopes of attracting a fish that is not visible. This method is more effective in murky water, where sight fishing is not possible. However, blind casting requires a good understanding of the fish’s behavior and habitat, as well as the ability to choose the right lures and present them effectively. In addition to these methods, there are several other techniques and tricks that anglers use to increase their chances of catching a bedding bass, such as using a lighter line to avoid spooking the fish, or casting into nearby cover to trigger a reaction strike. Ultimately, catching a bedding bass requires a combination of patience, skill, and just a little bit of luck. But with the right approach and a willingness to experiment with baits and tactics, even the most elusive fish can be caught.The Fresh Scorpion is a game-changing soft plastic bait that features a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design. This design is engineered to mimic the natural movement of live prey, creating a lifelike action that triggers strikes. The Scorpion is made from high-grade, non-salted plastic, which provides superior durability and a realistic feel that fish can’t resist. One of the key reasons why the Scorpion is so effective is its profile, which resembles that of a crayfish, a known food source for bass. When a bass sees the Scorpion, it is instinctively drawn to it, making it an ideal bait. The Scorpion is available in a variety of colors, making it easy to match the color of the bait to the conditions of the water. Our Scorpion Spawn Kit supplies you with everything you need for spawn fishing. This kit includes our top four sight fishing colors for 28 total Scorpions, a 5-count pack of Stand-Up hooks, and more! Whether you are fishing in clear or murky water, the Scorpion is designed to work in all types of conditions. Furthermore, the Scorpion can be rigged in a variety of ways, including Texas, Carolina, or Wacky Rig, depending on the fishing technique you prefer. This versatility makes it a go-to bait for anglers of all skill levels. With its innovative design and lifelike action, the Fresh Scorpion is a must-have in any angler’s tackle box. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, the Scorpion is sure to help you catch more trophies! |
 It’s crucial to be well-prepared and stocked up on the right baits in advance. Luckily, we have put together a convenient kit that showcases all of the tried and true colors that are proven to work This kit includes a range of Scorpion soft plastic baits in various colors and designs to suit different fishing conditions. When fishing in clear waters, it is best to use the Death Stalker or the Electric Chicken Scorpion. These baits are designed to imitate natural prey and trigger strikes from bass. They have a realistic action and a profile that closely resembles the food source of bass during the spawn. In darker water, however, it is best to lean towards the darker-colored Scorpions such as the Red Bug or even the Alabama. These baits are designed to create a silhouette that is visible to the fish, making them more likely to strike. Additionally, the kit comes with 5 Stand-Up type hooks, a FREE sticker, and a digital video rigging guide to help you rig your bait and optimize your chances of catching fish. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, this kit is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their chances of catching fish during the spawn. With the right tools and techniques, you can turn any fishing trip into a successful one. So, stock up and get ready to catch some big ones!To catch bass in clear water, it is important to pay attention to the bottom of the lake. Look out for hard-bottomed coves or areas with pea gravel and chunk rock. Once you have found the perfect spot, focus on the areas with round nests that have been cleared by the bass fanning their tails. When fishing for bedding bass, it is essential to cast just beyond the nest and hop the bait into the nest, searching for the sweet spot. This technique will provoke the fish to strike. However, in murky water, you won’t be able to see the beds, so it is crucial to use a different approach. For instance, you could rig up a darker Scorpion and Carolina Rig and fish in the shallows. The Carolina Rig will help keep the bait moving slowly along the bottom, while the Scorpion provides the right color and action to attract the bass. Another useful technique in murky water is to use a spinnerbait with a large Colorado blade that creates a lot of vibration and noise to attract the fish. You can also try using a jig with a rattle that produces sound when it hits the bottom. Ultimately, the key to success when fishing for bass is to pay attention to the environment, the behavior of the fish, and the techniques that work best in different conditions. With practice and patience, anyone can become a successful bass angler.The Fresh Scorpion paired with a Stand-Up Jig is a deadly combination that can help anglers catch more fish. The jig is designed to stand the scorpion bait up in a defensive stance, which triggers more strikes from big bass. Anglers have long known that the claws-up or defensive posture of a crawdad is the natural position when big bass swim by, and the Stand-Up Jig is one of the simplest ways to achieve this action. The Scorpion will stand up whether you’re dragging it through rocks, mud, or sticks, and the Stand-Up Jig can be rigged with an open hook or weedless, adding different looks of realism when fishing. This versatility makes it an ideal tool for any angler looking to catch more fish during the spawn. By using the Stand-Up Jig in combination with the Fresh Scorpion, anglers can create a lifelike presentation that mimics the natural behavior of crawdads, which can help them catch more fish. With the right tools and techniques, any angler can improve their chances of catching big fish during the spawn. So, if you want to take your fishing game to the next level, try pairing the Fresh Scorpion with a Stand-Up Jig and see for yourself how successful this combination is during the spawn. |
Next Gen Lithium Becomes Official Sponsor of Major League Fishing Toyota Series, Expands Tournament Rewards Contingency
Premier Lithium Battery and Charger Manufacturer Signs New Sponsorship Agreement for 2023 Season
BENTON, Ky. (April 11, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, announced today that Next Gen Lithium, a Peoria, Arizona-based manufacturer of premium lithium batteries, has agreed to a sponsorship with the organization for the 2023 season. The brand now becomes the first lithium battery to ever become an official sponsor of the MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats.
Next Gen Lithium has also expanded their lucrative Next Gen Lithium Tournament Rewards contingency program to include the MLF Toyota Series events. The contingency program offers bonus cash to the highest finishing Next Gen Lithium Tournament Rewards members in every MLF Toyota Series tournament, including increased payouts in the Toyota Series Championship.
“We are very excited to bring our batteries to the MLF anglers and be a part of the Toyota Series,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO of Next Gen Lithium. “As a former FLW Tour angler I know what anglers need in a battery. The Toyota Series anglers are our customers, and being able to partner with the nation’s largest and best tournament organization is a no brainer. We love giving back to our anglers, and our industry-only battery contingency program is a perfect fit for MLF and reaches all levels of MLF competition. It pays to run Next Gen Lithium – we’re giving away up to $500 in each Toyota Series event and $1500 at the Toyota Series Championship, just for running Next Gen Lithium batteries.”
Per terms of the sponsorship agreement, Next Gen Lithium will receive exposure through multiple MLF platforms, including prominent logo placement on all Toyota Series trailers and weigh-in stages, the MLF website and social media outlets, inclusion in tournament media and promotion, and MLF Bass Fishing Magazine.
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about Next Gen Lithium and their premium line of batteries and chargers, visit NextGenLithium.com.