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Gustafson revisits history, takes Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Classic with five smallmouth

Brian Carter
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<strong src=Gustafson revisits history, takes Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Classic with five smallmouth" title="Gustafson revisits history, takes Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Classic with five smallmouth" />

Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Canada, is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota with 18 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.

March 24, 2023

Gustafson revisits history, takes Day 1 lead at Bassmaster Classic with five smallmouth

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Gustafson’s motto during the opening round of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota seemed to be, “Why make it complicated?”

The fifth-year Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, took the lead Friday in the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing on the Tennessee River — and instead of starting over or trying to reinvent something, he caught his bass the same way he did when he won a regular-season Elite Series event on this same venue back in 2021.

Fishing the same canal that connects Fort Loudoun Reservoir and Tellico Lake where he parked himself during that 2021 event, the 40-year-old pro caught a five-bass limit of smallmouth that weighed 18 pounds, 8 ounces and positioned himself for a run at a spot in pro fishing history.

“There’s just something about this place,” he said. “I’m jiving with it, and it’s worked so far. The technique I’m doing is one of my favorites. It’s a technique that I feel like I’m probably pretty good at compared to the rest of the field.

“You don’t get that opportunity at most of the venues we go to, but here it works.”

During his 2021 victory, Gustafson used a tactic referred to as “moping” that involves identifying smallmouth on forward-facing sonar — he uses Humminbird MEGA Live technology — and dangling a bait just within their strike zone. He did the same thing on Friday and expanded the areas where it will work.

“There’s a lot of fish in those same spots as 2021, but they’ve just been fished so hard that they’re really hard to catch,” he said. “The bites are real nippy and they look at it and they’re lazy.

“In the couple of places that I’ve found where I don’t think they’ve really been fished, they’re a lot easier to catch.”

Since he’s targeting deeper fish, Gustafson didn’t seem quite as concerned as some about an approaching weather system that is expected to bring 20 to 30 mph winds to the region for Saturday’s second round.

“It’s gonna make it a little more challenging, but it’s not like we’re going out on Lake Ontario,” he said. “It’s just going to make it a little more challenging on the motor. You make a bit more noise. But hopefully, it’s not going to bother the fish.”

Gustafson’s total was 1-1 better than that of Brandon Lester, an Elite Series pro from Fayetteville, Tenn., whose five-bass limit of 17-7 gave the impression that he had a much more productive day than he really did.

Lester said he caught only nine keepers — all largemouth — and none of the bass he weighed in were in his livewell until around 11:30 a.m. But a quick flurry saw him put three good keepers in the boat in a little over 30 minutes, and then he finished strong with a 4-10 just before 2 p.m. and a 2-8 just before quitting time at 3.

“I was honestly getting a little tight around 11, but I just kept telling myself it was gonna happen,” said Lester, who claimed his first career Elite Series victory last year on another Tennessee River fishery, Pickwick Lake. “When it started happening, it was just ‘bam, bam, bam.’”

Lester said it was a typical prespawn largemouth scenario, with the bass roaming around during the morning hours with the cooler water temperatures and then locking down on shallow cover as the water temps rose.

“On up in the day, they’ll slide up next to something — something you can pitch a bait next to — and you’ll catch them,” he said. “I did most of my damage in 57.9-degree water today, and that’s what I want to see.

“It was 52 degrees during practice. That’s cold. There’s a big difference between 52- and 57-degree water.”

Lester expects a similarly slow morning Saturday.

“I’m going go into it with the mindset that anything I catch before 10 o’clock is a bonus,” he said. “We’ve got a weather system coming in tomorrow with some wind that’s supposed to blow pretty hard.”

The weather concerns third-place angler Bryan Schmitt of Maryland as well since he’s basically following the same strategy as Lester of fishing shallow cover for largemouth with his best bites coming later in the day.

Schmitt, who has two Elite Series wins on his resume, started slowly just like Lester but then moved from his planned depth of 8 to 12 feet to a shallower range of 4 to 8 feet. That’s where he found all of the bass he weighed in for a solid limit of 16-1.

“What I noticed is that the water has come up a little bit and the water temperature came up a little bit,” Schmitt said. “I kind of moved up with the fish and found them. The patterns and lures were the same, just a little bit further up the hill.”

Schmitt said the bass could move even shallower, but the approaching weather could make his strategy difficult.

“I feel like I’m fishing places where more will just keep coming to me,” he said. “They’re just staging, staging, staging.

“If the water temperature keeps rising, they could go from 4 to 8 feet up into zero to 4 feet. But the wind is supposed to blow 20 to 30, and if there are 3-foot rollers crashing onto the fish, that could mess everything up.”

Canadian pro Chris Johnston claimed $1,000 for Mercury Big Bass of the Day with a 4-15 largemouth.

Competition will continue Saturday with the full field of 55 anglers taking off at 7:30 a.m. ET from Volunteer Landing. The weigh-in will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena, with only the top 25 anglers advancing to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the Ray Scott Trophy — the most coveted prize in professional angling — and the $300,000 first-place check.


FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. ET 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.-6 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 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, Ontario CANADA   5  18-08    0
  Day 1: 5   18-08   
2.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  17-07    0
  Day 1: 5   17-07   
3.  Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  16-01    0
  Day 1: 5   16-01   
4.  John Cox               DeBary, FL               5  14-04    0
  Day 1: 5   14-04   
5.  Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  14-02    0
  Day 1: 5   14-02   
6.  Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI        5  14-00    0
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
7.  Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  5  13-12    0   $1,000.00
  Day 1: 5   13-12   
8.  Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  13-05    0
  Day 1: 5   13-05   
9.  Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  12-13    0
  Day 1: 5   12-13   
10. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  12-09    0
  Day 1: 5   12-09   
11. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             4  12-07    0
  Day 1: 4   12-07   
12. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK            5  12-06    0
  Day 1: 5   12-06   
13. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  12-01    0
  Day 1: 5   12-01   
14. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  11-15    0
  Day 1: 5   11-15   
15. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  11-02    0
  Day 1: 5   11-02   
15. Keith Poche            Cecil, AL                5  11-02    0
  Day 1: 5   11-02     
17. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              3  10-15    0
  Day 1: 3   10-15   
18. Taku Ito               Chiba, JAPAN             5  10-07    0
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
19. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  10-03    0
  Day 1: 5   10-03   
20. Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA                5  10-01    0
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
21. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        4  10-00    0
  Day 1: 4   10-00   
22. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          5  09-14    0
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
23. Bryan New              Saluda, SC               5  09-08    0
  Day 1: 5   09-08   
24. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  09-07    0
  Day 1: 5   09-07   
25. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  09-04    0
  Day 1: 5   09-04   
26. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  08-11    0
  Day 1: 5   08-11   
27. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             4  08-07    0
  Day 1: 4   08-07   
28. JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC         4  08-04    0
  Day 1: 4   08-04   
29. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                4  08-02    0
  Day 1: 4   08-02   
30. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         4  07-14    0
  Day 1: 4   07-14   
31. Louis Monetti          Brielle, NJ              5  07-13    0
  Day 1: 5   07-13   
32. Casey Smith            Victor, NY               3  07-10    0
  Day 1: 3   07-10   
33. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            3  07-07    0
  Day 1: 3   07-07   
34. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              3  07-05    0
  Day 1: 3   07-05   
35. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC           4  07-03    0
  Day 1: 4   07-03   
36. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           3  06-12    0
  Day 1: 3   06-12   
37. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            3  06-09    0
  Day 1: 3   06-09   
38. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             2  06-03    0
  Day 1: 2   06-03   
39. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA     3  05-12    0
  Day 1: 3   05-12   
40. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           2  05-05    0
  Day 1: 2   05-05   
41. Wil Dieffenbauch       Hundred, WV              3  05-03    0
  Day 1: 3   05-03   
42. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             4  05-02    0
  Day 1: 4   05-02   
43. KJ Queen               Conover, NC              2  05-02    0
  Day 1: 2   05-02   
44. Tristan McCormick      Burns, TN                3  04-15    0
  Day 1: 3   04-15   
45. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         3  04-12    0
  Day 1: 3   04-12   
46. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               2  04-06    0
  Day 1: 2   04-06   
47. Collin Smith           Anderson, SC             2  04-02    0
  Day 1: 2   04-02   
48. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN  2  03-13    0
  Day 1: 2   03-13   
49. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               1  03-11    0
  Day 1: 1   03-11   
50. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           2  03-00    0
  Day 1: 2   03-00   
51. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
52. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               1  01-10    0
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
53. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  1  01-05    0
  Day 1: 1   01-05   
54. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
54. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–

BIG BASS 
Day
 1   Chris Johnston           Otonabee Ontario CANADA04-15      $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        24       200       465-12
———————————-
          24       200       465-12
 

Brandon Lester sits in 2nd on Day 1 at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic

Brian Carter
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Brandon Lester sits in 2nd on Day 1 at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic

Take a listen as a few of the top ten anglers from day 1 on the Tenn River at the 2023 Bassmaster Classic give us a look at there day & how some went from not a clue to a great bag.

Alabama’s Keith Poche Earns First Bass Pro Tour Victory at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole

Brian Carter
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<strong src=Alabama’s Keith Poche Earns First Bass Pro Tour Victory at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole" title="Alabama’s Keith Poche Earns First Bass Pro Tour Victory at MLF U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole" />

Alabama Pro Catches Five-Bass-Limit Weighing 19-2 to Earn First Bass Pro Tour Win and Top Award of $100,000

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (March 23, 2023) – After spending two grueling days running over an hour up the river, off the beaten path, pro Keith Poche of Pike Road, Alabama , weighed a five-bass limit Thursday totaling 19 pounds, 2 ounces to earn his first Bass Pro Tour win and the top award of $100,000 at the Major League Fishing (MLF) U.S. Air Force Stage Two Presented by Power-Pole on Cherokee Lake. Poche’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 35-6 earned him the win by a 1-pound, 1-ounce margin over second-place finisher Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, who was hot on his heels throughout most of the day.

Poche started the Championship Round on Thursday in third place but despite catching several scorable bass, had dropped to seventh by 11 a.m. However, his luck – and his catch count –drastically changed.

The Alabama pro caught 20 scorable bass throughout the day, most of them smallmouth, but it was a hefty 4-pound, 5-ounce largemouth mid-way through Period 2 that moved Poche into the top spot, a position he then maintained throughout the remainder of the Championship Round.

Link to HD Video – Fish-Catch Highlights of Championship Round on Cherokee Lake
Link to Photo Gallery of Keith Poche Trophy Presentation
Link to Photo Gallery of Championship Round On-The-Water Highlights

“Words can’t explain how I feel right now and to get this win after working so hard all these years to get here is just incredible,” said Poche. “To fish against such great anglers, and to come out on top doing it my way – how I like to fish, off the grid in my little Gator Trax – is just amazing.”

Poche said he had a decent first day on Cherokee Lake during the Knockout Round but lost a couple key fish that he felt would have helped him.

“Losing those fish was unfortunate, but I just kept reminding myself that there was a lot of fish there,” said Poche. “I was on this lake last year around the same time and I sacked almost 18 pounds, so I knew it could happen. But I wasn’t 100% sure, because I didn’t practice on this lake prior to this event.

“I focused all my practice time on Douglas Lake, because I knew if I got to Cherokee Lake, I had a chance,” continued Poche. “I’ve been up the river here on Cherokee, and I know what lives up there. I also knew I had those off-the-grid opportunities that no one else in the field would have. So, I just went fishing the past two days.”

With more than an hour run to his area up by the dam both days, in a boat that tops out at 46 miles per hour, Poche said he knew he would win it or lose it in that spot.

“It took me a little over an hour to get up to the dam today and the first period was just okay,” said Poche. “I caught three scorable fish, but they really turned on and started feeding in that second period. When you’re fishing current, the fish typically group up, move in and feed, and then move out, so you just have to stay with them and keep casting. Eventually you’ll hit a stretch and boom – you’ll catch them one after the other.”

Poche said he caught most of his fish on a 4-inch sexy-shad colored Berkley Powerbait Hollow Belly Swimbait.

“I’m just going fishing and having fun and for so many years I fought that, but I’ve finally come into myself to just do it how I like to do it and I’m having such a great time,” said Poche. “I was lucky enough to get the right bites at the right time. I caught that 4-pounder on a jig, and without that bass, I don’t know if I would have won or not.

“That was my last big fish before they turned off, and I said out loud, ‘Baby, I don’t know where you came from, but I love you,’” Poche said, laughing. “I also caught a chunky smallmouth that weighed 4-10. I didn’t even know there were smallmouth that big up there, but I got her today.”

Poche said at the end of the day, it’s really all about putting in the work and knowing that eventually, it will pay off.

“The Gator Trax boat floats really shallow, so you have to maneuver through the rocks and try not to tear anything up, but that’s just what it takes,” said Poche. “You have to get in there and get where they live. A lot of people don’t want to go the extra mile and put in the extra work to find these places off the beaten path – and they can’t always get to them in their bigger boats – but that’s my style and that’s what I look forward to.

“It was a journey, each day, but I’m so happy we got it done,” Poche continued. “To have a day like this and to beat these other fantastic anglers – it was just my week and I’m so thankful. My family is here to support me and that’s what it’s all about.”

The top 10 pros from the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole finished:

1st:           Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 10 bass, 35-6, $100,000
2nd:          Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 34-5, $45,000
3rd:          Michael Neal, Dayton, Tennessee, 10 bass, 32-0, $38,000
4th:           Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 31-14, $32,000
5th:           Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 31-0, $30,000
6th:           Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-10, $26,000
7th:           Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-6, $23,000
8th:           Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-1, $21,000
9th:           Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10 bass, 26-13, $19,000
10th:        Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 25-13, $16,000

Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Thursday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award went to Poche with the 4-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth that he caught on a swimbait in Period 1. Hot Springs, Arkansas pro Dylan Hays earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event with his 6-pound, 13-ounce largemouth that was weighed on Day 3 of competition.

The U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 6-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable on Douglas Lake and a 1-pound, 12-ounce minimum weight for scorable bass on Cherokee Lake. 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 six-day event, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism Sports Commission, showcases 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, 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.

Television coverage of the U.S. Air Force Stage Two on Cherokee and Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, September 16 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

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.  

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.

The 2023 Bassmaster Classic:
Media Day Blitz
by Bruce Callis Jr

Brian Carter
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by Bruce Callis Jr" title="The 2023 Bassmaster Classic:
Media Day Blitz
by Bruce Callis Jr" />

The big day, the Media Day at the Bassmaster Classic is in the books. And what an AWESOME day it turned out to be. The weather turned out to be perfect, not too hot, and the rain had left.
For those that don’t know, Media Day is where all the media are welcomed to the Classic by B.A.S.S. and afterwards we get to talk to all the anglers who will be competing. We, the media, gather together and then the anglers come into the building and we all get fed a great lunch. Afterwards, Mr. Tommy Sanders welcomes everyone and a few presentations are made, then the anglers go outside to their boats, and the madhouse begins. While you can set up a request for interviews with anglers, most don’t, which creates a mess with those who have a time to interview an angler.


The first angler I had on my schedule for the day was the man himself , Gerald GMan Swindle. Of course, if the angler is late getting to his boat, you have to wait. I, for some reason, had him scheduled for my first 2 interviews. So actually, it worked out great. From there, what was scheduled went haywire. My 2nd angler interview never happened and I had to wait for the next interview. That’s how it goes, you end up getting interviews with whoever is available and the schedule goes out the window.


When you interview an angler, you try not to ask the same old questions, but you need basic information. How do you think the changing weather is going to effect your fishing? What do you think will be the top 3 baits for you tomorrow? Do you plan to stay close, make a short run, or a long run? What do you think you will need to either lead or be in the top 10 on day one? What do you think you will need to win? And then, depending on the angler, the interview can turn more personal. And it varies from angler to angler.
How will the weather effect your fishing? GMan is going fishing. “We tend to complicate things too much” he said. By going fishing, we tend to let the fish tell us what they want. Some said that they had found places where they expected the bass to move into after the weather today. And others, it just depends on if the wind blows, how much the sun shines, and if. In other words, we are going fishing.


What 3 baits? What a variety of choices. A lipless crankbait and a jerkbait was a good choice for some. While others were talking crankbaits, from a flat sided to a DT6, something that could hit the bottom was the objective. And we know that a jig can catch big bass and will be on the deck, even if they didn’t say so. A wacky rigged worm and a spinnerbait was another option for a couple.


And when it comes to what you will need to be in the top ten on day one, it ranged from 11-12 pounds to 15 pounds to be in the top, but there was a good possibility that some would find them and bring in 20 pounds. But no one believed that someone would be able to put 20 pounds together each of the 3 days. And what will it take to win, somewhere between 42 and 52 pounds.


Media Day is the kickoff to the BIG event. We work to bring you all the information we can about what is happening and what to look for when the live comes on. But it can be a real madhouse. And we love doing it for you. Stay tuned for more.

DAIWA Launches TATULA MQ LT Spinning Reel

Brian Carter
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<strong src=DAIWA Launches TATULA MQ LT Spinning Reel" title="DAIWA Launches TATULA MQ LT Spinning Reel" />
DAIWA Launches TATULA MQ LT Spinning Reel
More power and torque, performance, and longer life characterize the new Tatula MQ LT 
Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – Behold the new standard in spinning reels, DAIWA’s brilliantly-designed Tatula MQ LT.The new Tatula MQ LT embodies a rich features set, which starts with its one-piece MONOCOQUE ZAION Vbody. This design framework yields more space for larger gears, thus promoting increased torque and power from the get-go… and at the same gear ratios (5.8:1 and 6.2:1) of competitive spinning reels. 
“What makes this reel special is the new Tatula MQ LT family features a MONOCOQUE frame and body. And there’s been no price increase over the standard, ever-popular DAIWA Tatula LT. From the 1000 through 4000 sizes, the all new Tatula MQ LT has an MSRP of $199.99. There’s simply no better spinning reel on the market at this price,” says DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills.“The ZAION V MONOCOQUE body carbon fiber body and frame are lightweight and corrosion resistant, yet still very rigid. The technology has allowed us to put a much larger main gear and pinion gear in the reel and still create the same amount of gear ratio. You’re still getting the usual gear ratio; but with more power, more torque, and better leverage—plus, it’ll give you longer gear life,” adds Mills.
In terms of construction, the inventive ZAION V MONOCOQUE body also offers 360 degrees of stability and improved waterproofing over standard spinning reels with conventional, screw-in side plates. 360 degrees of stability means the gearing is held firmly and in precise alignment; the less gears shift side to side, the less binding and wear take place, and longer your new reel will feel fresh out-of-the-box. Engineering-wise, when you introduce screw holes to a reel body, the holes must be built up with metal or plastic. That adds weight and decreases the amount of space inside the reel body for large gearing.In short, with MONOCOQUE, DAIWA can increase interior space to facilitate larger gearing and reduce overall weight, simultaneously. Lighter and more corrosion resistant than aluminum, ZAION V is an exceptionally light but rigid material, which minimizes flex in the handle stem and gear box.
MONOCOQUE Body
The Tatula MQ LT also boasts an AIRDRIVE ROTOR engineered to be incredibly rigid and with minimal flex, especially at high drag pressures. Critically designed cut-outs reduce the weight of the rotor, itself. The lighter the rotor, the less force it takes to spin around the reel, making it easier to turn the handle. As mentioned, the screw-less rotor is super light in weight (15% lighter than the Tatula LT rotor) and with a drag inertia point that’s been reduced by 15%. The rotor weight reduction at the front of the reel also improves balance when paired with your favorite spinning rod. The Tatula MQ LT also features a solid AIRDRIVE BAIL, which further reduces weight and offers more rigidity than standard wire, minimizing concerns over flex, bending, or breaking. The thicker material feels better to the fingers when flipping the bail as well. Other benefits include excellent line entanglement prevention performance and a 31% weight reduction from the standard Tatula LT’s wire bail. 
Anglers fishing Tatula MQ LT reels will appreciate DAIWA’s brilliant ball bearing-supported ADVANCED TOURNAMENT DRAG (ATD™) when setting the hook and fighting fish. The smart system applies an increased, instantaneous, and calculated resistance during the hookset. After the hook drives home and the fish starts pulling, ATD™ automatically returns to the selected drag setting.Where reel meets angler, the new Tatula MQ LT features a machined screw-in handle that connects directly to the main drive gear. 
TATULA MQ LT Features: One-piece MONOCOQUE ZAION V body AIRDRIVE ROTOR SOLID AIRDRIVE BAIL TOUGH DIGIGEAR® Ball Bearing-Supported Advanced Tournament Drag (ATD™) Machined aluminum screw-in handle 8BB + 1 Gear ratios between 5.8:1 and 6.2:1 for effectively playing fish Line-Per-Turn: 28.8-inches (1000 size) to 39.1-inches (4000 size) For anglers seeking their next premium, precision spinning reel, look no further than the Tatula MQ LT, a reel engineered with advanced technology and constructed of the finest and most durable materials available and at a realistic, real-world price.MSRP $199.99 
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.
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Matt Arey breaks down the 2023 Classic for us at Media Day

Brian Carter
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Matt Arey breaks down the 2023 Classic for us at Media Day

Take a listen as some of the best Elite anglers gives is a look at what its going to take to take home the coveted trophy.

Greg Hackney talks 2023 Classic at Media Day

Brian Carter
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Greg Hackney talks 2023 Classic at Media Day

Take a listen as some of the best anglers in the world fishing the 2023 Bassmaster classic & there thoughts on whats its going to take to hold up that coveted trophy.

DAIWA A Decade of Tatula

Brian Carter
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DAIWA A Decade of Tatula
DAIWA’s famous spider has been crawling into rod lockers for a decade. 
Tatula 10-Year Anniversary
DAIWA’s famous spider has been crawling into rod lockers for a decade. 
Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – It’s no surprise that Tatula means “spider” in Japanese. It’s in the logo. It’s in the name that looks suspiciously like “tarantula”. It’s also in the way DAIWA’s Tatula brand crept into the industry and spun a web around bass fishing.  2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of Tatula, and a little history is in order…
The late great Guido Hibdon celebrates a Bassmaster win with his family.
DAIWA stormed bass fishing the 1980’s, the brand carried on the shoulders of trusted tournament pros like Rick Clunn, Guido Hibdon, Denny Brauer, Larry Nixon, Jay Yelas, George Cochran, Ken Cook and Davey Hite. That reads like who’s-who list of Bassmaster champions from the advent of bass fishing’s modern era.For the next decade, DAIWA continued innovating and building quality rods and reels in every price range, the angler always knowing DAIWA gave them the most for their money. But it was in the early 2000’s DAIWA realized they needed a rejuvenation, something to springboard the brand like it did bqack in the 80’s, the golden age of bass fishing. “DAIWA wanted the excitement back,” said Marketing Director Marc Mills. “So, DAIWA set out to recruit new bass fishing pros. Fresh and relevant faces with strong marketing minds.”
Early Tatula Baitcasting Reel
DAIWA’s now retired Marketing Manager Curt Arakawa went on to harness the influential powers of Ish Monroe, Randy Howell, California’s Mike Folkestad, and Japanese sensation Takahiro Omori. As part of this new insurgence, DAIWA launched “Project T”. Anchored by YouTube, the wildly successful video series documented the building of a brand and products that fell under the new moniker…Tatula. “Randy Howell’s 2014 Bassmaster Classic win is what really put Tatula on the map,” said Mills. “The bass fishing universe paid attention and it was quickly reflected in consumer demand for Tatula products.”Capitalizing on Tatula’s momentum, DAIWA added rising tournament stars the ilk of Brent Ehrler, Cody Meier, and “The Llama,” Seth Feider. And continuing to fuel Tatula’s upward trajectory, DAIWA next enlisted young-guns Cory and Chris Johnston, as well as Patrick Walters. 
Team Tatula’s Ish Monroe
What makes a Tatula…a Tatula?Domestic DAIWA’s challenge to Japan was taking their renowned technology and infusing it into products for the American market. That meant harder gear materials, different gear ratios, more durability, and of course…affordability. “The overarching goal,” said Mills, “was developing a lineup of products with professional bass angler input that was priced for the everyday angler. Everyone on Team Tatula fishes Tatula products in the nation’s biggest tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic. These guys are proof positive of what can be achieved with reasonably priced gear.”
DAIWA’s popular Tatula SV70 was released in 2022.
Intensive input is paramount to the product development process. “DAIWA consults with our Tatula Team over and over again,” said Mills. “We develop products with the technology and features they demand, and in an affordable package. That’s a tough balance. But all Tatula models achieve those goals.”For example, when DAIWA was developing the first Tatula Elite Rods, the design team spent countless hours with the Tatula Team. Taken into consideration were specific actions, powers, techniques, and guide trains, all built into durable finished products for the American market. With such an all-encompassing lineup of products, DAIWA’s North American President Carey Graves hung the tagline “We Have Your Bass Covered” on Tatula. And evidenced by past achievements, and new Tatula models launching this week at the Bassmaster Classic, that coverage is a promise kept.
VISIT DAIWA AT THE BASSMASTER CLASSIC
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.

Chase Davis & Houston Cash Win CATT Roanoke River, NC Mar 18, 2023

Brian Carter
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Chase Davis & Houston Cash Win CATT Roanoke River, NC Mar 18, 2023

Next East Roanoke River Spring Qualifier is Mar 18, 2023!

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!

We had 35 teams enter this past weekend! Thanks and spread the word to help us grow!

Chase Davis & Houston Cash claimed 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 22.66 lbs And took home $1.162.00!

JA Williford & Jonathan Yost took 2nd with 22.18 lbs and weighed the 2nd BF at 7.12 lbs!

Bobby Clark & Tommy Hughes 3rd with 16.69 lbs!

4th Place Kevin & Tyler Jones with 15.41 lbs!

Brad Stain & Paul King took 5th with 15.09 lbs and weighed the 1st BF at 7.17 lbs!

6th Place Brian Stalls & Walt Goff 14.86 lbs!

Last Money Spot Danny Flyn & Brad Elks 14.07 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Houston Cash – Chase Davis6.4622.66$1,162.00110
JA Williford – Jonathan Yost7.1222.18$697.00109
Bobby Clark – Tommy Hughes4.9716.69$300.00108
Kevin Jones – Tyler Jones4.0315.41$200.00107
Brad Stain – Paul King7.1715.09$365.00106
Brian Stalls – Walt Goff0.0014.86$110.00105
Danny Flynn – Brad Elks5.4714.07$100.00104
Larry Thomas – Will James5.9313.98103
Shane Zelazo4.6713.46102
Scott Griffin – Jay Allen4.7013.07101
Keith Johnson – Corey Herndon5.6812.94100
Luke Moore – Rob Moore0.0012.7999
Clayton Boyette5.1310.8898
Donald Luther – Mike Kannan2.699.3997
Jeremy Snow – Woody Inman4.879.0796
Richard Melvin – JB Davis0.007.7595
Steve Vann – Skippy Lewis3.277.6794
Wayne Stallings – Zeb West0.005.9893
Ryan Harris0.005.4892
Bruce Dail – Bruce Dail lll0.003.4791
John Clark – Marcus Smith0.003.3790
Mike White – Braxton Pittman0.002.2889
Jason Pittman – Travis Mewborn0.000.0079
Wayne Harris – Kenny Simpson0.000.0079
Tracey King0.000.0079
Jeremy Person – Hunter Burt0.000.0079
Jody Sykes – Shawn Hicken0.000.0079
Nathaniel Lucus – Daniel Wood0.000.0079
Joe Daniels – Seth Barnes0.000.0079
Brian Haddock – James Ormond0.000.0079
David Swaim – Brad Houser0.000.0079
Jason Hughes0.000.0079
Cameron Johnson – Jordan Norris0.000.0079
Ron Jones – Bradley Turner0.000.0079
Brian Sessons – Kenny Lassiter0.000.0079
Total Entrys$2,800.00
BONUS $$650.00
Total Paid At Ramp$2,935.00
CATT$50.00
East 2023 Spring Final Fund$405.00
2023 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2023 East Spring Final Fund Total$565.00

Chico State Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse

Brian Carter
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0
<strong src=Chico State Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse" title="Chico State Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on California Delta Presented by Tackle Warehouse" />

OAKLEY, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – The California State University-Chico duo of Jared Defremery of Brentwood, California, and Miles Kaneko of Berkeley, California, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse Friday with three bass weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces. The victory earned the Wildcats’ bass club a qualification into the 2024 MLF College Fishing National Championship.

“The Delta has been fishing really tough, so we ran to our first spot and really just decided to stay there and pick it apart thoroughly,” Kaneko said. “We managed a big one for our first fish on a drop-shot rig with a 5-inch black-and-blue Yamamoto Senko. It was just so tough because of the recent rains and the water clarity is so dirty on the Delta right now.”

Keneko said the team targeted bass roaming shallow by keeping the boat in six feet of water and casting to the bank in two to four feet of water. Keneko said they would let the Senko sit for five to 10 seconds after the cast before moving it.

“Any riprap banks that had healthy grass seemed to hold more fish than other spots did,” Kaneko said. “We only had five bites all day, and we only landed three of those.

“The storms that have come through bringing cold weather have got the fish kind of adjusting right now, and they haven’t really moved up and they’re hard to catch,” Kaneko added. “Jared and I were really happy with our performance, and it’s a great feeling to win this tournament.”

The top 10 teams on the California Delta were:

1st: Chico State – Jared Defremery, Brentwood, Calif., and Miles Kaneko, Berkeley, Calif., three bass, 13-13
2nd: Simpson University – James Hawkinson, Granite Bay, Calif., and Ty Manterola, Pasco, Wash., five bass, 7-2
3rd: Simpson University – Jacob Greene, American Canyon, Calif., and Austin Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., five bass, 6-11
4th: Simpson University – Michael Bray, Merced, Calif., and Brennan Osborn, Beaverton, Ore., three bass, 6-5
5th: Sacramento State – Quinn Alexander and Nathan Nelson, both of Sacramento, Calif., three bass, 5-12
6th: University of Alabama – Rein Golub, Pittsford, N.Y., and Taylor Wake, Rocklin, Calif., two bass, 5-9
7th: Sonoma State University – Ari Forman, Westlake Village, Calif., and Cody Wyatt, Rohnert Park, Calif., two bass, 4-12
8th: Fresno State – Kelby Keeling, Visalia, Calif., and Bryce Powell, Acampo, Calif., three bass, 4-0
9th: University of Idaho – Ethan Leininger, Vina, Calif., and Connor Patterson, Moscow, Idaho, one bass, 2-12
10th: Oklahoma State University – John Lucostic, Stillwater, Okla., and Walker Niver, Sperry, Okla., one bass, 1-13

Complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The next event for College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on the California Delta presented by Tackle Warehouse, April 21 in Oakley, California.

The 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundens, Lawless Lures, 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 tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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