COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 27, 2023) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour, featuring the top anglers in professional bass fishing, is set to visit Columbia, South Carolina, and Lake Murray next week, April 2-7, for the third regular-season event of the 2023 season – the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury.
The six-day tournament, hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country, will showcase 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, including bass-fishing superstars like Kevin VanDam, REDCREST 2023 Champion Bryan Thrift, Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee , and local favorite Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina. They’ll be competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.
“Lake Murray Country is excited to welcome Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour to Lake Murray,” stated Miriam Atria, President and CEO of Capital City/Lake Murray Country. “This event and tournament trail is so popular with bass fishing audiences, and our regional tourism office always loves the community support and television exposure this event provides for our region. Lake Murray is an amazing fishery that offers the professional anglers a competitive experience along with great catches.”
The Jewel of South Carolina has hosted prior MLF Cup events and numerous events with FLW and MLF over the years, but the Bass Pro Tour’s arrival for Stage Three marks the tour’s first trip to the famed lake.
Lake Murray’s most recent professional event was a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit tournament in 2021. That event, also in April, was won by Bass Pro Tour rookie Matt Becker. Second place in that event was Anthony Gagliardi, who also won the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup on his home waters.
Gagliardi says that historically, the first week of April is dead center in the bass spawn.
“There will be fish spawning, but still plenty of fish that are in the prespawn mode and feeding heavily,” Gagliardi said. “It should be a fun event and there will be various ways to catch fish. The lake is in good shape and full of 3- to 5-pound fish.”
While the lake is known for the blueback herring and the nomadic bass that chase them in open water, Gagliardi believes the event’s timing will make them less of a factor.
“It’s awful early for them to be on the bluebacks,” Gagliardi said. “Anything could happen if we get a milder winter and warmer spring, but I believe most of the bass will be on the bank. You should be able to target the prespawn fish or also try to catch spawners.”
Anglers will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the launch locations, beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
On Championship Friday, April 7, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF will welcome fans of all ages to visit Dreher Island State Park and celebrate the top 10 and crown the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Champion at the Watch Party and Trophy Presentation. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and take selfies.
The Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will feature pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.
The 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, held March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Sunday and Tuesday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Monday and Wednesday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the top 20 anglers from each group advance to Thursday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 40 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to the Championship Round. In Friday’s final day Championship Round, weight carries over from the Knockout Round and the angler with the heaviest two-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Lake Murray Country Ready to Host MLF Bass Pro Tour Fox Rent A Car Stage Three
Gustafson struggles on the final day but holds on for historic Bassmaster Classic victory on the Tennessee River
Gustafson struggles on the final day but holds on for historic Bassmaster Classic victory on the Tennessee River" title="Gustafson struggles on the final day but holds on for historic Bassmaster Classic victory on the Tennessee River" />
Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Canada, has won the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 7 ounces, becoming the first Canadian to be crowned the Classic champion.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
March 26, 2023
Gustafson struggles on the final day but holds on for historic Bassmaster Classic victory on the Tennessee River
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Canadian pro Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson’s bass refused to play fair on the final day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota on the Tennessee River.
But fortunately for him, the bulk of his work was already done.
Despite catching only two smallmouth bass that weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces on Championship Sunday and falling three fish short of the 15 he’d been counting down toward all week, Gustafson held on to win the most treasured title in professional fishing with a three-day total of 42-7.
As the first Canadian Classic champion ever, he takes home the Ray Scott Trophy and a $300,000 first-place check.
“I had an hour ride back to check-in, and it was horrible,” said Gustafson, who now holds two-straight wire-to-wire victories on this fishery. “I thought I’d blown it for sure. I thought there was no way I’d even be in the mix.
“When I got back and looked at BassTrakk, I still wasn’t sure. I knew I didn’t have much more than what mine said and the guys behind me both had limits that might have been heavier than what they had entered.”
As it turned out, Gustafson received hard charges from both Maryland pro Bryan Schmitt and Alabama pro Scott Canterbury, but neither could quite pull it off. Schmitt caught a five-bass limit that weighed 11-1 and finished less than 2 pounds shy of a win at 40-14, while Canterbury caught one of the biggest limits of the day at 12-1 and finished just over 2 pounds back at 40-1.
Gustafson spent the day in Tellico Lake doing the same thing that had worked for him six days in a row on the fishery — four during his 2021 regular-season Elite Series win and two to start this Classic — but something was different. Though plenty of smallmouth were still visible on his Humminbird MEGA Live electronics, they simply weren’t as cooperative as they had been previously.
“I think it was a combination of they’ve been getting fished hard and there’s some heat coming and they’re ready to move up and spawn,” Gustafson said. “I’ve been working them pretty hard, and you could tell they were lazy.
“The last couple of days, they would just skyrocket up to the bait when they saw it. But today it wasn’t like that at all.”
After catching 18-8 on Friday and 17-3 on Saturday, Gustafson didn’t catch his first keeper until around 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Then it was another three hours before he caught his second and final keeper — and by then, he had unofficially lost the lead on BassTrakk.
But in the end, his “moping” tactic won out.
A technique that dates heavily back to his Canadian roots, Gustafson used a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ in the smelt color on a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jighead with a 1/0 hook, fishing straight down for bass he could see on his Humminbird MEGA Live forward-facing sonar. He fished the rig on a G. Loomis NRX+ 872 rod — a 7-foot, 3-inch medium action rig — with a Shimano Stella 3000 spooled with 10-pound PowerPro and a 10-pound Shimano Mastiff fluorocarbon leader.
He said the angle of the bait was key to many of his bites.
“I use a knot called a San Diego Jam or a three tag-in knot,” he said. “You can really tie whatever knot you want, but you want that bait to sit horizontal and natural in the water.
“I’ve been using that Z-Man Jerk ShadZ for years — long before they sponsored me — just because I feel really comfortable with them and they work.”
As for the action he was imparting to the bait, he said every fish was different.
“There’s no real jigging,” he said. “It’s more of a quiver. If they’re kind of eyeballing it, coming slower toward it, I just give the bait a little bit of a quiver.”
Sometimes Gustafson said he “plays games” with finicky fish.
“When they’re coming slow, I pull it up away from them a little bit sometimes,” he said. “You get a lot of bumps, too, where they hit it with their mouths closed. When they do that, I drop it back down and start the quiver like it’s an injured baitfish.”
Gustafson said he relied heavily on his Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor to stay on top of the fish, especially on Day 2 when the winds topped 20 mph.
“Spot-Lock is one of the greatest things ever invented,” he said. “Every time I’d catch a fish before I’d even put it in the livewell, I’d hit Spot-Lock because, a lot of times, there were other fish following it. So, Spot-Lock kept me on them.”
Still, he said MEGA Live was the key to his event.
“I know everyone doesn’t love the forward-facing sonar, but it’s mandatory equipment if you want to compete with these guys. Everyone has it, and if you don’t, you’re not even gonna come close to competing.”
The magnitude of being the first Canadian to win a Classic trophy was still dawning on Gustafson 30 minutes after the trophy was placed in his hands.
“It’s insane,” he said. “I’m kind of speechless. I wish I could have spoken a little better up there on stage. There are a lot of good anglers up there, a lot of people who love bass fishing in Canada.
“So, this is for everybody up there.”
The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota set a new record, welcoming a crowd of 163,914 fans to Classic Week activities.
Gustafson claimed the $7,000 Rapala Monster Bag of the Week with the 18-8 limit he caught on Day 1.
As a member of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Canterbury is bringing home an additional $20,000. He also earned the $1,000 BassTrakk contingency for the closest estimate of his weight throughout the first two days of the event.
Florida’s Drew Benton took home an additional $7,500 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, while John Cox earned $2,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
Kentucky pro Matt Robertson won $1,000 for the Mercury Big Bass of the Day with a 5-6. Oklahoma pro Luke Palmer claimed the $2,500 prize for Mercury Big Bass of the Week with a 5-13 he caught on Day 2.
The Bassmaster Classic is being hosted by Visit Knoxville.
2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota 3/24-3/26
Tennessee River, Knoxville TN.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 12 42-07 0 $307,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 2 06-12
2. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 40-14 0 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 11-01
3. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 40-01 0 $41,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 12-01
4. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 14 38-03 0 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 4 09-13
5. John Cox DeBary, FL 14 36-13 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 4 06-14
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 14 35-10 0 $22,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 4 08-01
7. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 34-09 0 $21,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 11-06 Day 3: 5 09-03
8. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 34-00 0 $21,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 09-08 Day 3: 5 12-07
9. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 31-12 0 $20,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 08-06 Day 3: 5 10-13
10. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 12 30-14 0 $20,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-07 Day 2: 4 10-04 Day 3: 4 08-03
11. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 12 30-08 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 2 03-15
12. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 13 30-00 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 09-06
13. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 13 29-15 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 3 07-12 Day 3: 5 12-02
14. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 13 29-10 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 3 06-07
15. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 13 28-15 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 3 06-03
16. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 11 28-15 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 4 11-03 Day 3: 2 05-13
17. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 12 28-12 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-00 Day 2: 3 09-13 Day 3: 5 08-15
18. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 7 26-12 0 $14,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 2 08-01 Day 3: 2 07-12
19. Bryan New Saluda, SC 11 25-15 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 06-08 Day 3: 3 09-15
20. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 13 24-10 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 09-02 Day 3: 3 04-06
21. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 12 24-04 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 4 09-05 Day 3: 4 06-08
22. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 9 23-10 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 4 07-14 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 0 00-00
23. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 13 22-13 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 09-07 Day 3: 3 05-09
24. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 12 21-05 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 5 08-11 Day 3: 3 04-06
25. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 12 20-15 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-00 Day 3: 2 03-08
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA04-15 $1,000.00
2 Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 05-13 $1,000.00
3 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 05-06 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
MERCURY BIG BASS
Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 05-13 $2,500.00
RAPALA MONSTER BAG
Jeff Gustafson Keewatin, 18-08 $7,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 24 200 465-12
2 24 196 442-09
3 8 88 190-01
———————————-
56 484 1098-06
Florida anglers conquer Watts Bar in Bassmaster High School Classic
Florida anglers conquer Watts Bar in Bassmaster High School Classic" title="Florida anglers conquer Watts Bar in Bassmaster High School Classic" />
Bryce Balentine and Dalton Loos of Florida’s Seminole Junior Anglers have won the Strike King Bassmaster High School Classic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors with 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.
March 25, 2023
Florida anglers conquer Watts Bar in Bassmaster High School Classic
KINGSTON, Tenn. — Where Bryce Balentine and Dalton Loos are accustomed to fishing, rock is hardly ever a prominent piece of cover to target for a winning bag of bass.
So, when the team from the Seminole Junior Anglers arrived at Watts Bar for the Strike King Bassmaster High School Classic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, they felt like they were on a different planet.
It didn’t take them long to figure it out, however, as the central Florida duo caught four bass weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces to win the event. They were awarded the trophy on the stage of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota inside Thompson-Boling Arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
“This means a lot to me,” an emotional Balentine said.
“This is what you go to bed and dream about. I’m just glad we were able to come across the stage and bring home (a trophy),” Loos added. “We picked what we liked fishing around the most and went to work. We tried not to worry about what other people were doing.”
BJ Collins and Banks Shaw from Tennessee’s Sale Creek High School finished second with 5-14 followed by Clay County High School’s Parker Stalvey and Jacob Deel in third place with 4-15.
Calling the Harris Chain of Lakes home — and being new to the Tennessee River system — Loos and Balentine didn’t catch a single keeper bass during a tough practice. They did, however, catch two nonkeepers on a specific stretch of bank in the back of a creek that keyed them in to their tournament game plan.
The back of this creek featured riprap and other rock elements and also had dirty water moving through it. They caught their largemouth with a red Strike King Chick Magnet.
“We found some dirty water that had a little flow in it, and that current held those bass there,” Loos said. “We were in that one creek all day long.”
It wasn’t an easy day for any of the eight teams competing. Winds were blowing hard out of the southwest all day after heavy thunderstorms moved through the area overnight. No team reached their five-bass limit, and the Florida anglers considered themselves fortunate to get the bites they had.
“We grinded out all day,” Balentine said. “They were in about 5 feet of water. We went all the way to the back and found a certain stretch. We found it in practice. We decided that was (basically) all we had and we were going to come back in the tournament and see what happens. Well, we saw what happened.”
Loos has graduated since qualifying for this event, but Balentine will continue to work this season to reach the Classic stage again next year.
The city of Kingston hosted the event.
2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Classic presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors 3/25-3/25
Watts Bar Reservoir, Knoxville TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Bryce Balentine – Dalton Loos Seminole Junior Anglers – FL 0
Day 1: 4 08-02 Total: 4 08-02
2. BJ Collins – Banks Shaw Sale Creek Anglers – TN 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Total: 3 05-14
3. Parker Stalvey – Jacob Deel Clay County High School – FL 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Total: 2 04-15
3. Benjamin Travis – Andrew Kunz Auburn University (7892) 0
Day 1: 2 04-15 Total: 2 04-15
5. Mark Cerja Jr – Gus Richardson Lone Star Jr Bassmasters TX 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Total: 2 03-11
6. Brady Pinwar – Alec Albrecht Midland High School 0
Day 1: 1 03-00 Total: 1 03-00
7. Hunter Holland – Walker High School – LA 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
8. Huntlee York – Colton Smith Y and S Fishing (10013) 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 15 32-00
———————————-
0 15 32-00
Cut Day at the Classic: Who Will Come Out Victorious by Bruce Callis
Cut Day at the Classic:
Who Will Come Out Victorious
by Bruce Callis Jr
And suddenly, day 2 of fishing at the Bassmaster Classic is in the books. A beautiful, warm day with windy conditions. Some anglers sought out areas that were protected from the wind, some braved the conditions. It made for a very interesting day indeed. In the end, it was cut day and only the top 25 anglers would move on to Championship Sunday with an opportunity to be crowned the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion.
Jeff Gustafson, your day one leader, brought in another great bag of 5 bass weighing 17 pounds 3 ounces, for a two day total of 35 pounds 11 ounces and retain the lead by 5 pounds 12 ounces over 2nd place John Cox who brought in 15-11 for a total of 29 pounds 15 ounces. Bryan Schmitt came in 3rd with 29 pounds 13 ounces and Drew Benton came in 4th with 28 pounds and 6 ounces. Bryan New rounded out the top 25 with a total of 16 pounds. Keith Poche just missed the opportunity to attempt to win two tournaments in one week, coming in at 26th with 15 pounds 15 ounces.
Championship Sunday should be a very interesting day. Will someone make a charge with a huge bag? Or will Jeff become the first Canadian to win the Classic Championship? Only tomorrow will tell. How will the pressure effect him?
One thing is for sure, so many pictures are taken during the entire event. The Pros that aren’t out fishing, but are working the Expo, they get to see all the fans. They have a schedule to keep of what sponsor booths they need to be in and when. It is difficult for them at times as they want to please their fans as well. And this year, the fans were so lucky to once again have some of the MLF Pros in attendance. An added bonus for the fans of fishing itself. And then there are the pictures that the media take. From being on the water and taking shots from a distance, to when they are waiting in line to enter into the arena to lift their bag out of the livewell. And once they enter, pictures are taken by everyone from fans to media. All trying to get that perfect shot that that no one else has. Finally, it’s on to the media room and more pictures. Thankfully, we are using digital now. Instantly they hit the social media pages!
And what does it take to get the story behind the story? We get to watch the weigh-in live, there is a little how it happened and what baits on the stage, and then off stage they go. But it is our job as media, to get with them in the media room and ask the questions that tell the whole story. Some will do a podcast, while others will do video, and some write about it. Everyone has a way of telling the story and each has questions that fit into what they want to know and tell about. What baits, what pattern, what water conditions, it’s all about finding out something others don’t know about, which is difficult. Everyone wants to talk to certain anglers, the leaders, and the colorful, like GMan or Hackney. And honestly, it is a first come when they enter into the room. It’s a bass eat bass world!
Hopefully you will get a chance to listen to the BassCast Radio podcast and learn a little something new. Maybe it will give you a heads up on something you never thought about, or a new technique with an old bait. And hopefully a laugh along the way as well. And an opportunity to listen to your favorite angler! After all, everything we do is to inform you, to entertain you, and to hopefully teach you all something about fishing.
Gustafson continues march toward possible Bassmaster Classic title with big Day 2 on Tennessee River
Gustafson continues march toward possible Bassmaster Classic title with big Day 2 on Tennessee River" title="Gustafson continues march toward possible Bassmaster Classic title with big Day 2 on Tennessee River" />
Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Canada, is leading after Day 2 of the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
March 25, 2023
Gustafson continues march toward possible Bassmaster Classic title with big Day 2 on Tennessee River
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Since the opening moments of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson has been counting down.
Not to a five-bass daily limit, but to the three-day limit of 15 he needs to be crowned a Classic champion.
After Saturday, he can say, “Ten down, five to go.”
Using the same moping technique he used to win a regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series event here on the Tennessee River in 2021 — and to take the lead in this Classic on Friday with 18 pounds, 8 ounces — Gustafson added five more smallmouth Saturday that weighed 17-3 and now holds a commanding lead with a two-day total of 35-11.
His closest competition going into Championship Sunday will be Florida largemouth specialist John Cox, who sits almost 6 pounds back in second with 29-15.
“I’ve just got to go out and get it done tomorrow,” said Gustafson, who has now led all six days of the two tournaments he’s fished here on Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes. “I don’t have any good backup plans. I just need to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
In 2021, Gustafson did most of his damage in the canal that connects the two lakes, but his two best spots this week have been in Tellico. He started Saturday morning on the spot where he caught all of his Friday weight but found the bass were finicky after he’d pressured them.
With only two bass in his livewell, he moved to his second spot and quickly found the fish more cooperative.
“I didn’t really have to burn that second spot yesterday, but I went there today and took three fish off it,” he said. “They were three good ones. There were quite a few there when I pulled up, but I just kept missing them and scuffing them.
“Tomorrow, I’ve gotta fish perfectly. I don’t think I was really doing anything wrong. Maybe that’s just a little bit of the luck factor.”
As the water temperature continues to rise, Gustafson said he saw fewer bass in the deep holes he’s been targeting — something he said was predictable as more bass move toward the shallow areas for their annual spring spawn.
He has been identifying smallmouth on Humminbird MEGA Live forward-facing sonar and dropping his bait — a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ on a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jighead — straight down, with an emphasis on keeping it just above their heads. That was more challenging Saturday with the winds topping 20 mph, and he relied heavily on his trolling motor to stay on the fish.
“It was tougher than it probably looked on TV, and it could get even tougher,” he said. “But I really believe I’ll have my chances. I just have to stay committed and do what has to be done.”
While Gustafson was out deep, Cox was using a technique that was basically the polar opposite. The noted shallow-water specialist employed a Berkley Frittside crankbait in water so shallow he had to hold his rod tip high to keep the bait from digging into the bottom.
With the winds blowing so hard, Cox went back to a protected area where he fished during the 2021 regular-season event where he placed third.
“I stayed in there, bounced around and grinded all day,” Cox said. “I picked up some other stuff — a bladed jig and a couple of other baits — but nothing felt right. So, I just stayed with that Frittside.”
Using the Kentucky blue and ghost morning dawn colors, Cox targeted shallow cover where largemouth are anxious to spawn. He said a predicted cold snap with an expected nighttime low of 49 degrees could actually work in his favor.
“With the water temperature where it is, the bass are ready to spawn,” he said. “I would rather them stay in this prespawn mode where they want to eat. That cooler weather could help out with that.”
Knowing he’s facing a 6-pound deficit and chasing a red-hot angler, Cox said he believes he might need 20 pounds or more to have a chance to win. But he believes that bag is possible.
“When I was fishing that spot back in 2021, there were three of us sharing it,” he said. “Between us, our biggest ones would have weighed 20. So, it can happen.”
Maryland pro Bryan Schmitt started the day in third place and held steady despite a slow start. Schmitt is targeting prespawn largemouth around shallow offshore cover, and he believes he found a spot late in the day Saturday that could play big during the final round.
“I found one little deal this afternoon that, if it fires for me in the morning, we could be good,” he said. “It’s the same scenario I’ve been fishing all week, just new water.”
Even though the bite on that spot took place in the afternoon Saturday, Schmitt believes it could be good early Sunday morning.
“For whatever reason, there’s some current there,” he said. “I’m thinking maybe they don’t have any choice but to be there.
“They’re the same kind of staging fish I’ve been catching all week. One leaves and another one moves in there — and that’s good.”
Gustafson leads the race for Rapala Monster Bag of the Week, which carries a $7,000 bonus, with the 18-8 he caught on Day 1.
Oklahoma pro Luke Palmer claimed the $1,000 prize for Mercury Big Bass of the Day with a 5-13 largemouth and took the lead for Mercury Big Bass of the Week, an honor that pays an additional $2,500.
Competition will continue Sunday with the remaining Top 25 anglers taking off at 7:30 a.m. ET from Volunteer Landing. The weigh-in will start at 3:30 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena, with one angler claiming the coveted Ray Scott Trophy and the $300,000 first-place check.
FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. ET before afternoon action from Championship Sunday picks up on FOX at 12 p.m. with additional coverage on Bassmaster.com. A full viewing schedule can be found at Bassmaster.com/how-to-watch.
The annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army will take place across the Knoxville Convention Center and adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall with exhibitors on-site selling a variety of merchandise for fishing, hunting, camping and more. Hours for the Expo will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
The Bassmaster Classic is being hosted by Visit Knoxville.
2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota 3/24-3/26
Tennessee River, Knoxville TN.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 10 35-11 0
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 17-03
2. John Cox DeBary, FL 10 29-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 15-11
3. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 29-13 0
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 13-12
4. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 28-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-01
5. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 28-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-03
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 27-09 0
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 10-02
7. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 26-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 12-07
8. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 25-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 11-06
9. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 9 23-10 0
Day 1: 4 07-14 Day 2: 5 15-12
10. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 23-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-13
11. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 9 23-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 4 11-03
12. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 22-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 12-09
13. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 8 22-11 0
Day 1: 4 12-07 Day 2: 4 10-04
14. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 21-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 09-08
15. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 20-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 08-06
16. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 8 20-10 0
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 5 14-01
17. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 20-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 09-02
18. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 7 19-13 0
Day 1: 4 10-00 Day 2: 3 09-13
19. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 19-00 0
Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 2 08-01
20. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 8 17-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 3 07-12
21. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 8 17-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 4 09-05
22. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-00
23. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 10 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 09-07
24. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 9 16-15 0
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 5 08-11
25. Bryan New Saluda, SC 8 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 06-08
26. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 8 15-15 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 04-13
27. KJ Queen Conover, NC 7 15-14 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 5 10-12
28. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 9 15-11 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 5 08-08
29. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 8 15-08 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 3 05-01
30. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 15-08 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 06-13
31. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 6 15-05 0 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 1 01-09
32. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 7 15-02 0 $11,000.00
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 3 10-00
33. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 7 14-08 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 4 07-01
34. Seth Feider New Market, MN 7 14-06 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 4 07-10
35. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 6 13-01 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 08-02
36. Cody Huff Ava, MO 6 12-10 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 11-05
37. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 4 12-10 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 05-05 Day 2: 2 07-05
38. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 12-05 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 2 04-11
39. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 6 11-06 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 3 05-10
40. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 6 11-03 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 5 09-06
41. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 7 11-03 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 5 08-03
42. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 6 11-03 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 08-02 Day 2: 2 03-01
43. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 11-01 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 2 03-12
44. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 6 11-01 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 3 06-05
45. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 6 10-09 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 1 01-05
46. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 09-14 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 09-12 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 3 05-06
48. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 4 09-11 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 06-03 Day 2: 2 03-08
49. Chad Pipkens DeWitt, MI 4 08-11 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 07-01
50. Wil Dieffenbauch Hundred, WV 5 08-05 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 2 03-02
51. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 3 07-03 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 2 03-08
52. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 4 06-13 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 2 03-00
53. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 3 05-12 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-12
54. Collin Smith Anderson, SC 2 04-02 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
55. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA04-15 $1,000.00
2 Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 05-13 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 24 200 465-12
2 24 196 442-09
———————————-
48 396 908-05
Chad Hicks & Heath Johnson Win CATT Kerr Lake, VA Mar 19, 2023
We should have a new date for the canceled March 12th Kerr Qualifier this week!
Use PHANTOMCATT15 at check out and earn 15% off when you place your order on www.phantomoutdoors.com. Tap on the Phanton Logo to start shopping!
Chad Hicks & Heath Johnson win Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 19.58 lbs worth $1,695.0.00!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Chad Hicks – Heath Johnson | 5.33 | 19.58 | $1,695.00 | 110 |
| Chris McDaniel – Nelson Mayton | 4.82 | 14.72 | $1,325.00 | 109 |
| Eric Galasso – Scooter Lilly | 0.00 | 13.10 | $780.00 | 108 |
| Lynn Fox – Jeff Hodges | 0.00 | 12.75 | $450.00 | 107 |
| Kenny Wilson – Dave Mathews | 3.85 | 12.42 | $220.00 | 106 |
| Greg Lahr – Jacon Lahr | 4.04 | 12.39 | $150.00 | 105 |
| Randy Waterman – Donnie Avant | 0.00 | 12.37 | $120.00 | 104 |
| Jerry Bono – Shane Lineberger | 0.00 | 12.00 | 103 | |
| Aaron Falwell – Steven Coleman | 0.00 | 11.42 | 102 | |
| Johnny Wilder – Mike Harris | 0.00 | 11.32 | 101 | |
| Gary Colwell – Brandon Grey | 0.00 | 11.25 | 100 | |
| Bryson Peed – Josh Fletcher | 0.00 | 11.24 | 99 | |
| Gray Williams – Derrick Currin | 0.00 | 10.97 | 98 | |
| Terry Freeman – Teddy Freeman | 0.00 | 10.21 | 97 | |
| Doug Stallings – Seth Ellis | 0.00 | 10.01 | 96 | |
| Michael Garner – Billy Shelton | 0.00 | 9.90 | 95 | |
| Mike Mull | 0.00 | 8.86 | 94 | |
| Jerry Wyatt – Darrell Wyatt | 4.22 | 8.85 | 93 | |
| Stacy Lucy – Todd Dorlan | 0.00 | 8.69 | 92 | |
| Michael Stewart – Buck Clark | 0.00 | 6.45 | 91 | |
| Eric Christian – Matt Harrison | 0.00 | 5.79 | 90 | |
| Wesley Harris – Travis Garrett | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Matt Childress – Brandon Stewart | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Dan Jackson – Charlie Gunter | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Kevin Kane – Kelli Kane | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Joseph Sharpe | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Kris Goin – Jason Tinsley | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Hal Blackwelder – Cliff Swann | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Jonathan Rhew – Mike Rhew | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Roger Clary – Justin Rhew | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Brandon Curtis | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Calvin Youngue – Robb Wells | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Alex Sayer – Todd McCormick | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Jay Fogleman – John Pilcher | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Josh Barnes – Jay Rigney | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80 | |
| Total Entrys | $4,200.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $1,100.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $4,835.00 | |||
| Kerr 2023 Spring Final Fund | $360.00 | |||
| CATT | $50.00 | |||
| 2023 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2023 Kerr Spring Final Fund Total | $1,220.00 |
Wiggins Wins MLF Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake
Wiggins Wins MLF Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake" title="Wiggins Wins MLF Toyota Series at Lewis Smith Lake" />
CULLMAN, Ala. (March 24, 2023) – Pro Jordan Wiggins of Cullman, Alabama, crossed the stage with a five-bass limit Thursday weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces to win the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lewis Smith Lake and earn the top payout of $90,500, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Wiggins’ three-day total of 15 bass weighing 44-14 earned him the victory by a 4-pound, 3-ounce margin over second-place finisher Emil Wagner of Marietta, Georgia, who weighed in 15 bass totaling 40-11 to earn $22,300.
“Man, I am speechless,” Wiggins said. “I’ve been close so many times. I blew it on an Open down here where all I had to do was catch 12 pounds, and I couldn’t do it. That was not going to happen today. I was going to do whatever I had to do to catch 13 to 15. I went as fast as I could go to places where I have caught them this time of year and it just worked out.”
Wiggins got started early on the final day, limiting and culling quickly to work his way into the low teens.
“The start this morning was just unbelievable,” he said. “I mean I won it in the first hour, to be honest with you. I had 13-something then, and in the end, it all worked out. I thought if I could catch 15 pounds, I was for sure going to win it because 17 pounds down here is hard to do. But you can pull into a spawning pocket on a herring bite and catch 17 pounds, and that was what made me nervous.”
After chasing fish that were staging in ditches and drains to open the event, Wiggins switched gears midway through the morning of Day 2. He went to work on shelf rock and structure with immediate deep-water access that spotted bass were using to spawn. He said he focused on darker-colored banks that featured large chunk rocks and docks, a mix he felt was key to attracting spawners.
“I feel like I kind of got lucky because they were moving up as the tournament went along,” Wiggins said. “I had a ditch bite going the first day. I caught two big ones, like a 4 and about a 3¼ and that’s what got me [almost] 16 the first day. I tried to make the ditch bite work [on Day 2], I caught a limit but there just weren’t any big ones. So, I abandoned it and went to a stretch where they typically spawn every year and they were all the right ones.”
Wiggins attempted to take advantage of the herring spawn as bluebird skies and moderate winds took hold on Lewis Smith, but it didn’t turn out to be productive. Ultimately, the same spawning pattern he’d been on since Day 2 showed him the path to victory, as he used a 3/16-ounce homemade shaky head and a green pumpkin 6.5-inch Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm to seal the deal.
“I tried to make the wake bait bite work and it just wasn’t happening,” he said. “I’d gone into two places towards the end of the day and caught two 3-pounders on the shaky head that kind of bumped me up to what I had.”
Jordan’s brother, Bass Pro Tour angler Jesse Wiggins, made an appearance on Day 3 also, showing up with his own kids in tow to support his brother and lifelong fishing buddy.
“That’s awesome,” he said. “He drove all the way back from the Bass Pro Tour event just to watch me fish. That is special, man. If he fishes in a bigger tournament down here, then I follow him around. It’s just solid support, you can’t ask for anything better. [The family] has my back through thick and thin, it’s awesome. We are just a fishing family.”
Jesse wasn’t the only Wiggins member deserving of a shoutout in Jordan’s eyes, as the whole Wiggins family came out to weigh in to show support throughout the week.
“I got to give a shoutout to my wife Whitney,” said Wiggins. “She puts up with me fishing week in and week out, I’m always gone it seems like, but she’s stuck with me so far. My kids keep me going also, they support me big time.”
The top 10 pros on Lewis Smith Lake finished:
1st: Jordan Wiggins, Cullman, Ala., 15 bass, 44-14, $90,500 (includes $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
2nd: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., 15 bass, 40-11, $22,300
3rd: Wesley Sams, Vinemont, Ala., 15 bass, 40-0, $15,250
4th: Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., 15 bass, 39-6, $13,250
5th: Austin Swindle, Grant, Ala., 15 bass, 39-1, $12,250
6th: Johnny Patterson, Grant, Ala., 15 bass, 38-6, $9,625
7th: Grant Galloway, Houlka, Miss., 15 bass, 38-1, $8,300
8th: Jeremy Gordon, Rutledge, Tenn., 15 bass, 37-15, $7,300
9th: Paul Marks, Cumming, Ga., 15 bass, 37-5, $6,300
10th: Jimmy Neece, Jr., Bristol, Tenn., 15 bass, 36-12, $4,700
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Pat Eichmann of Nancy, Kentucky, won the $500 Day 1 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Tuesday with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces. On Wednesday, Steele, Alabama’s Josh Johnson earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass prize with a 6-pound, 19-ounce bass.
Chris Graham of Epworth, Georgia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Thursday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 37 pounds, 9 ounces. Graham took home the top co-angler prize of $35,250, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lewis Smith Lake finished:
1st: Chris Graham, Epworth, Ga., 15 bass, 37-9, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard + $1,750
2nd: Drexal Hubbard, Connersville, Ind., 15 bass, 36-5, $6,625
3rd: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., 15 bass, 34-13, $5,300
4th: Doug Vaughn, Houston, Ala., 15 bass, 34-3, $4,150
5th: Sakae Ushio, Tonawanda, N.Y., 14 bass, 28-9, $3,650
6th: Hoyt Tidwell, West Point, Tenn., 15 bass, 28-5, $3,150
7th: Jose Salgado, Artemus, Ky., 14 bass, 27-11, $2,650
8th: Larry James, Helena, Ala., 13 bass, 27-7, $2,075
9th: Justin Stephenson, Jasper, Ala., 12 bass, 26-12, $1,630
10th: Andrew Harper, Shelbyville, Ill., 12 bass, 25-10, $1,390
Andy Vance of Danville, Indiana, earned Tuesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass award after weighing in a 5-pound, 14-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 award went to Dominic Bogolo of Hamilton, Ohio, with a 4-pound, 14-ounce fish.
With two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division now complete, Trent Suratt of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, leads the Central Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 481 points, while Alan Hults of Gautier, Mississippi, leads the Strike King Co-angler Division AOY race with 508 points.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lewis Smith Lake was hosted by the Cullman County Tourism Bureau. It was the second of three regular-season events for the Toyota Series Central Division. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at Lake Okeechobee, March 30-April 1, in Clewiston, Florida. 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 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.
DAIWA Adds Premium STEEZ Baitcasting Reel Family
DAIWA Adds Premium STEEZ Baitcasting Reel Family" title="DAIWA Adds Premium STEEZ Baitcasting Reel Family" />
| DAIWA Adds Premium STEEZ Baitcasting Reel Family |
| New STEEZ A 100 offers anglers an ultra-high-end, professional-grade baitcasting reel that merges cutting-edge design, performance, and longevity for mission-critical fishing applications |
| Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – DAIWA is proud to share news of a brand-new premium baitcasting reel product launch in the form of its latest addition to the high-end, tournament-proven DAIWA STEEZ baitcaster product family. Behold the new DAIWA STEEZ A 100, new for March 2023.Launching today at the Bassmaster Classic, the new DAIWA STEEZ A 100 is loaded with features including HYPER DRIVE DESIGN, MAGFORCE-Z Boost, G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool, and much more. |
| HYPER DRIVE DESIGN The DAIWA STEEZ A 100 features HYPER DRIVE DESIGN for an ultra-smooth retrieve and powerful winding performance. Our HYPER DRIVE DESIGN is comprised of four key technologies: HYPER DRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT, HYPER ARMED HOUSING and HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH. HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR – A brand-new gear design makes the teeth of the gears more efficient at transferring power, therefore making the gear set feel smoother, more powerful and also reducing gear noise. HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT – A two-bearing support system for the reel’s pinion gear means no flex and an ultra-smooth retrieve/ gear rotation. HYPER ARMED HOUSING – The reel features an aluminum frame and side plate for maximum rigidity and precision performance of the internal components. HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH – A redesigned and reinforced clutch mechanism increases durability and performance. |
| MAGFORCE-Z BOOST MAGFORCE-Z Boost is a setting that emphasizes flight distance that maximizes the long cast performance of MAGFORCE-Z reels. MAGFORCE-Z is ideal for long casts of medium and heavy lures, and the flight distance increases as much as your input/cast effort. After avoiding the backlash zone, by instantly returning one step, the maximum flight distance is achieved with a relaxed trajectory from the middle of the cast to just before landing. The STEEZ A 100’s profile ensures easy handling, and its G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool design allows you to cast with virtually no backlashing. An extremely rigid flex-resistant aluminum alloy, G1 Duralumin cuts weight without sacrificing durability. This also creates less start-up inertia, allowing the angler a longer and more manageable cast. |
| T-WING SYSTEM, REDUCED WEIGHT, RIGIDITY & MOREThe TWS (T-Wing System) reduces friction on a cast and extreme line angles by allowing line to flow freely through the wide, top section of the T-wing system.When the handle is engaged on the retrieve, the line then drops into the lower channel of the T-Wing for even distribution across the spool width. The result is longer, more precise casting, even spool speed, and virtually zero backlashes. The aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) keep the STEEZ A 100 lightweight yet rigid, and the ATD drag is designed to the ultimate in consistent and reliable performance when fighting fish. The STEEZ A 100 features DAIWA’s the controlled casting of the G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool. Additionally, the TWS (T-Wing System) reduces friction on a cast and extreme line angles by allowing line to flow freely through the wide, top section of the T-wing system. |
| On the retrieve when the handle is engaged, the line then drops into the lower channel of the T-Wing for even distribution across the spool width. The result is longer, more precise casting, even spool speed, and virtually zero backlashes. The aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) keep the STEEZ A 100 lightweight and DAIWA’s ATD drag system provides consistency and reliability throughout the entire drag range. DAIWA’S Automatic Tournament Drag uses an improved drag grease that exhibits a low viscosity at rest, yet becomes more viscous immediately after drag start-up. This reduces initial drag start-up inertia and combined with the structural changes of the ATD Drag System, results in a smoother drag from the initial hook up. Delivering casting performance you have to experience to believe, the STEEZ A 100 continues to push the limits of what is possible in a baitcasting reel. |
| STEEZ A 100 FEATURES Proven DAIWA HYPERDRIVE DESIGN G1 Duralumin MAG-Z BOOST Spool T-Wing System (TWS) Zero Adjuster Aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) ATD Drag CRBB corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings 90mm Heavy Swept Handle* Audible Clicking Drag Available Gear Ratios: (7.1:1) (8.5:1) STEEZ A 100 Executive 5 Year Service / Warranty Executive STEEZ 5-Year Service Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects FREE 5-Year Clean and Service 1 Business Day clean and service upon arrival to the DAIWA Service Department Expedited Service Pending Parts Availability FREE Expedited Return Shipping (2nd Day Air or Priority Mail) If you’re considering a professional-grade baitcasting reel, look no further than DAIWA’s new STEEZ A 100… a reel intended to bring a whole new level of cutting-edge design, high-end performance, longevity, and stunning good looks to discerning anglers.MSRP $649.99 |
| 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. |
Snyders takes home Bassmaster Kayak Series title at Chickamauga; honored on Classic stage
Snyders takes home Bassmaster Kayak Series title at Chickamauga; honored on Classic stage" title="Snyders takes home Bassmaster Kayak Series title at Chickamauga; honored on Classic stage" />
Rus Snyders of Pegram, Tenn., has won the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX on Chickamauga Lake with a two-day total of 180 inches.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
March 24, 2023
Snyders takes home Bassmaster Kayak Series title at Chickamauga; honored on Classic stage
DAYTON, Tenn. — Rus Snyders has spent 10 years in the state of Tennessee, and in that time he has become one of the most dominant anglers in the state.
On Friday, Snyders continued his success in the Volunteer state by winning the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship at Chickamauga Lake powered by TourneyX with a two-day total of 180 inches.
Snyders landed in third after Day 1 with 93.75 inches before adding 86.25 inches on Day 2 to outlast Damian Thao, Luke Graham and the rest of the 132-boat field.
“It means a lot to win in this state. I love Tennessee,” Snyders said. “I don’t think I’m leaving. This is an awesome place with some great fisheries. Chickamauga is a lake I am pretty familiar with, but (I’ve) never fished it with the conditions we had and the water being so low. It was like being on a whole new lake.”
Normally even-keeled and steady, Snyders’ emotional side shined when he was announced the winner onstage at Thompson-Boling Arena during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
“Bassmaster has been something I have followed my whole life. I always watch the Classic,” Snyders said. “To be on this stage and to hoist that trophy was really special. This is the highest level in kayak fishing right now.”
Snyders focused his efforts on the upper end of Chickamauga. With the water so low, much of the water had been sucked out of the backwater areas, so he targeted stumps on the main river where he believed the bass had moved.
“I had a little bit of current. I didn’t get a lot of bites but I got the right bites,” he said. “I didn’t lose a single fish the entire tournament and that was very fortunate.”
A 7-inch Bass Mafia Daingerous Swimbait rigged on a iRod Genesis III rod with 20-pound Sunline fluorocarbon and a 10/0 Owner Beast Hook was the primary setup for Snyders.
It produced all of his bites but one, including his biggest bass, a 22.5 that he landed first thing on Day 1. The lunker bit several inches from the boat, and when it bit, Snyders said it ran straight under his kayak, running his line to the other side and resulting in a chaotic fight.
He landed his fish and proceeded to quickly fill his limit.
On the final day, he caught three fish in the first half hour and then a fourth shortly after that. It took Snyders six hours to catch his final bass, a 16-incher that bit a red crankbait.
“I went hours without getting a bite. With a couple of hours left, I abandoned everything and went to some new water. I went into a little backwater area and caught a 16-incher that was barely hooked in the corner of the lip. I didn’t know it was going to win it for me, but I knew it was a significant bass.”
Thao, meanwhile, had never fished outside of California before heading to east Tennessee. He made the most of his first time on a Tennessee River reservoir, catching a two-day total of 176 inches.
“Chickamauga has a lot of stuff I like,” he said. “The lake is so huge and there are so many options. You can really fish your strengths. We had a lot of cold conditions and I didn’t think these fish were getting ready to move up. They were still out on the ledges. That is what I do a lot back home.”
Practice did not indicate Thao would have a productive event, as he did not catch a fish the first day of the practice period. But he applied some of the concepts he has learned in his home state to Chickamauga, focusing on a specific ledge that featured standing timber.
He dragged a lighter Carolina rig with a watermelon red-colored Zoom Brush Hog down the ledge, starting in 8 feet of water and ending his retrieve in 25 feet. His bite was consistent, catching 88 inches both days with his biggest measuring 20 inches, which he landed on Day 2.
“They didn’t turn on until the afternoon. It wasn’t until 12 o’clock,” he explained. “As soon as it hit 12, though, the water temperatures started to get a little warmer and I started capitalizing on the bigger bites.”
Graham finished third with 173.25 inches. The Knoxville native anchored his bag with a 21-inch smallmouth. After catching 94 inches on Day 1, Graham struggled much of Day 2 and only had two bass in his total at 2:30 p.m.
But in the last half hour, he landed three bass to achieve 79.25 inches and salvaged a third-place finish.
Ohio angler Aaron Stallbaum landed the big bass of the tournament, a 23.25-inch largemouth.
The event was hosted by Rhea Economic & Tourism Council and Fish Dayton.
Day One of Fishing at the Bassmaster Classic: The good, the bad, and getting Scared by Bruce Callis Jr
The first day of fishing at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota is officially over. All the anglers have come on stage to their entrance music and they have gone back to the impound lot to start working on getting everything ready for day two. The fans have filed out of Thompson-Boling Arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee. And they are all set for Saturday morning, and cut day at the Classic.
For some of the anglers, it was a day of struggles. Two anglers brought no fish to the scales, Four anglers only brought in 1 fish, and only 24 anglers brought in a five fish limit. For most, the day just didn’t set up the way they had thought, or the bass just decided to throw them a curve ball, either way, it made for a tough day.
Brandon Lester took the early lead, bringing in a bag limit weighing in at 15 pounds 7 ounces. Bryan Schmitt came close to beating him for the lead, with a limit weighing in at 16 pounds 1 ounce. The day ended with Jeff Gustafson with finally being the last boat and putting 5 beautiful bass up on the scales that weighed a sweet 18 pounds 8 ounces to take the day one lead. Keith Poche came in with 11 pounds 2 ounces to land in 15th place, a day after winning the Stage Two event for MLF. It also took took a total of 12 pounds 9 ounces to land in the Top 10 for the day.
What a great day, and Saturday should be even better! Of course, one of the great places to watch the event is at the Expo on the big screen. It should be an exciting day, but very crowded. I’ll be back trying to see everything I missed today! Today just wasn’t my day! I had a great start to the day, but it didn’t take long for the wheels to come off.
We went to the Expo for the official start and to get in early to visit certain booths to hopefully see everything new this year. We hit up the first floor and checked out a few booths, especially the SPRO booth. We then headed up to the third floor so we could hit the Missile Baits booth and get some of the Mini Magic Worms. We timed it right, as Bill Dance was about to hit the Mossy Oak Fishing booth and we were the first in line to see him. After getting an autograph and a picture with Bill, we headed over to check out Drop Zone Lures and then Fish Monkey Gloves. Going great so far. We decided to head back down to the first floor again and find something to eat. And the bottom fell out!
As we took the stairs down to the 1st floor, I started to feel funny. I got overheated I believe and by the time we hit the 2nd floor, I knew I was in trouble. I had to sit down, as I started to sweat. I wanted to get up and get some fresh air, but just couldn’t do it. I sat there for a few, then had to lay down. Snookie Risch went to get a drink she said, but actually went to get the EMS to come check me out while Jacob Stephens stayed with me. By the time they got there, I was starting to come around and they checked me out. They made sure I was okay and finally got me outside to some fresh air, which helped clear my head and make me feel better. I came back in with the EMS and got up with Snookie and Jacob, who were there waiting for me.
We got something to drink and went back outside to let me get some more air. Of course, we made it over to weigh-in just in time to watch everything and talk to the anglers. Thank the good Lord for great friends that stayed with me and helped make sure I was okay. And then back to the hotel so I could get to writing and tell you.
Tomorrow is cut day for the Elite Anglers. Only the top 25, out of the 55 competing will move on to Sunday and have a shot of winning it all. Who will you be rooting for? Will anyone figure them out and bring a huge bag to the scales? Only time will tell!
