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Sunday, October 6, 2024
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Shryock jumps out to Day 1 lead in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Smith Lake

Brian Carter
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Shryock jumps out to Day 1 lead in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Smith Lake

Tennessee’s Hunter Shryock leads Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite at Smith Lake with a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces .

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

June 27, 2024

Shryock jumps out to Day 1 lead in Bassmaster Elite Series event at Smith Lake

Elite_eventLogo_2024_SmithLake_Raster.png

CULLMAN, Ala. — As predicted, catching a big bag on Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite at Smith Lake wasn’t the easiest proposition.

But a handful of competitors gutted out a tough day on the 21,000-acre fishery and gave themselves a slim edge on opening day of this derby in north-central Alabama.

Hunter Shryock, a 35-year-old resident of Ooltewah, Tenn., caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces to take the Day 1 lead. He’s just ahead of Canada’s Cory Johnston, who’s second with 14-12, and Ohio’s Alex Redwine, in third with 14-8.

In all, 76 of the 98 competitors are within 6 pounds of Shryock’s lead – underscoring not only how tough the fishing was on Smith, but also the unlikelihood anyone will run away with the lead.

Shryock did all he could, however, to put some distance between himself and the field on Day 1. Like most, he weighed spotted bass, but he added a trio of heftier largemouth to his catch, which isn’t exactly common on Smith Lake in June. One of them was a 4-7, earning Shryock $1,000 for having the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day.

With the leaderboard as close as it is, Shryock wasn’t sharing much after he weighed in the day’s best bag.

“There’s not a lot of bites, obviously, and I’m kinda playing with fire,” he said. “But I learned some stuff today. I only had two fish at 11 a.m. and then I went on a little run. Sunshine helps me, so I think the cloud cover earlier today messed me up a lot. But honestly, I’m not sure. I’m still trying to figure it all out.”

Despite having only two bass by the lunch hour, Shryock said he probably couldn’t have asked for a much better start on Smith.

“I qualified for the Elites here (in a 2017 Southern Open), so I’ve fished here quite a bit,” he said. “One thing I learned then is that however you catch them one day, you can pretty much forget about it the next day. Just start over. Every time I’ve fished here it’s been like that. You take the days one by one and don’t fight it.”

Johnston shared that sentiment on Day 1, when he pulled five spotted bass from different locations and on different lures.

“This place is extremely hard to find the better-than-average size fish right now,” Johnston said.

“I’m covering a lot of water, using the LiveScope, looking for a lot of individual fish,” he continued. “I caught a few on a jig, a few on a minnow, a few on drop shots. They’re biting pretty short, but when you see them on the LiveScope, you get a pretty good idea if they’re big or not. You just have to cover water and hope the bigger ones bite.”

Johnston said he just missed some bigger bass Thursday, and that gives him some confidence heading into Day 2 and, perhaps, the weekend.

“It was a good day,” he said, “and I think I figured a few things out. But you never know with this place. You could catch 8 pounds tomorrow or it could be 16 pounds. I’m just trying to get in the right area and cast in front of the right ones.”

Redwine, 24 and from Blue Ash, Ohio, said Day 1 was a study in patience.

“It was a decent one here, a decent one there,” he said. “I felt like I was catching slightly above-average fish all day.”

But it wasn’t much more than that, he said.

“There are qualify fish out here, bigger than the ones it seems like everyone’s catching,” Redwine noted. “You can see them on the electronics. I think they’re a little bit smarter, a little bit older. It might take a little more time and better execution to catch them, but those are the ones you need to win.”

Bryan New, of Leesville, S.C., is in fourth place with a 14-3 total. Steve Kennedy, of Auburn, Ala., is fifth with 14-2. All but six of the 98 Elites caught a limit on Thursday.

The Alabama summer wasn’t nearly as unrelenting as it could have been on Day 1, with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s and intermittent rain showers throughout the morning. Friday’s forecast calls for highs near 90 with mostly sunny skies and a slim chance for scattered showers.

How those conditions help, or hurt, competitors is anyone’s guess – fitting for this summer showdown on Smith.

Carbondale, Ill., rookie Trey McKinney continues to lead the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 634 points. Alabama’s Justin Hamner, winner of the 2024 Classic, is second with 599 points, followed by Missouri’s Cody Huff in third with 571, Tennessee’s John Garrett in fourth with 552 and Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat in fifth with 543.

McKinney also leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 634 points, followed by Garrett in second with 552 points and Alabama’s Wesley Gore in third with 537.

Day 2 of the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite at Smith Lake will begin with a 6 a.m. CT take-off from Smith Lake Park. Weigh-in is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The Top 50 anglers after Friday’s weigh-in will advance to fish on Day 3 while the Top 10 will make the cut to compete on Championship Sunday.

The winning angler will take home a top prize of $100,000 and valuable points in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage begins Friday at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com. Saturday’s coverage begins at 8 a.m. on FS1 and runs through 11 a.m. Saturday’s LIVE coverage will continue on Bassmaster.com at 11 a.m. Sunday’s coverage begins at 8 a.m. on FS1 and runs through 1 p.m. Sunday’s LIVE coverage will continue on Bassmaster.com at 1 p.m. All coverage times are ET.

The tournament is being hosted by Visit Cullman.

2024 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite at Smith Lake 6/27-6/30
Smith Lake, Cullman  AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  15-15  103   $1,000.00
  Day 1: 5   15-15   
2.  Cory Johnston          Otonabee CANADA          5  14-12  102
  Day 1: 5   14-12   
3.  Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             5  14-08  101
  Day 1: 5   14-08   
4.  Bryan New              Leesville, SC            5  14-03  100
  Day 1: 5   14-03   
5.  Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  14-02   99
  Day 1: 5   14-02   
6.  Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            5  14-01   98
  Day 1: 5   14-01   
7.  Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  5  13-13   97
  Day 1: 5   13-13   
8.  Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  13-12   96
  Day 1: 5   13-12   
9.  Jay Przekurat          Plover, WI               5  13-11   95
  Day 1: 5   13-11   
10. Taku Ito               Dalton GA JAPAN          5  13-10   94
  Day 1: 5   13-10   
11. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY          5  13-08   93
  Day 1: 5   13-08   
12. John Garrett           Union City, TN           5  13-08   92
  Day 1: 5   13-08   
13. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            5  13-07   91
  Day 1: 5   13-07   
14. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            5  13-06   90
  Day 1: 5   13-06   
15. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               5  13-05   89
  Day 1: 5   13-05   
16. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  13-04   88
  Day 1: 5   13-04   
17. Ben Milliken           New Caney, TX            5  12-15   87
  Day 1: 5   12-15   
18. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  12-14   86
  Day 1: 5   12-14   
18. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME             5  12-14   86
  Day 1: 5   12-14   
20. Kyoya Fujita           Yamanashi CA JAPAN       5  12-13   84
  Day 1: 5   12-13   
21. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  12-12   83
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
22. Kenta Kimura           Osaka OK JAPAN           5  12-11   82
  Day 1: 5   12-11   
23. JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC         5  12-10   81
  Day 1: 5   12-10   
24. Cole Sands             Calhoun , TN             5  12-10   80
  Day 1: 5   12-10   
25. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        5  12-07   79
  Day 1: 5   12-07   
25. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  12-07   79
  Day 1: 5   12-07   
27. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL              5  12-07   77
  Day 1: 5   12-07   
28. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA            5  12-06   76
  Day 1: 5   12-06   
29. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  12-04   75
  Day 1: 5   12-04   
30. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  12-02   74
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
30. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             5  12-02   74
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
30. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL           5  12-02   74
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
33. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  5  12-01   71
  Day 1: 5   12-01   
34. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  12-00   70
  Day 1: 5   12-00   
34. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC                5  12-00   70
  Day 1: 5   12-00   
36. Timothy Dube           Nashua , NH              5  11-14   68
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
36. Kyle Welcher           Valley, AL               5  11-14   68
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
38. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  11-14   66
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
39. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN  5  11-13   65
  Day 1: 5   11-13   
39. Logan Parks            Auburn, AL               5  11-13   65
  Day 1: 5   11-13   
39. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL             5  11-13   65
  Day 1: 5   11-13   
42. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            5  11-12   62
  Day 1: 5   11-12   
43. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  11-11   61
  Day 1: 5   11-11   
43. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             5  11-11   61
  Day 1: 5   11-11   
45. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          5  11-08   59
  Day 1: 5   11-08   
46. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN           5  11-07   58
  Day 1: 5   11-07   
47. Jordan Lee             Cullman, AL              5  11-06   57
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
47. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  11-06   57
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
47. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  11-06   57
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
50. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  11-06   54
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
51. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC           5  11-05   53
  Day 1: 5   11-05   
51. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           5  11-05   53
  Day 1: 5   11-05   
53. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, ON Ontario CANA  5  11-05   51
  Day 1: 5   11-05   
54. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            5  11-03   50
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
55. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         5  11-00   49
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
55. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TN AUSTRALIA  5  11-00   49
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
55. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              5  11-00   49
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
58. KJ Queen               Catawba, NC              5  10-15   46
  Day 1: 5   10-15   
59. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI        5  10-11   45
  Day 1: 5   10-11   
59. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK              5  10-11   45
  Day 1: 5   10-11   
61. John Cox               Debary, FL               5  10-10   43
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
62. Todd Auten             Clover, SC               5  10-10   42
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
63. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  10-09   41
  Day 1: 5   10-09   
63. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  10-09   41
  Day 1: 5   10-09   
65. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC       5  10-08   39
  Day 1: 5   10-08   
66. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  10-07   38
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
66. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               5  10-07   38
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
68. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  10-05   36
  Day 1: 5   10-05   
69. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  10-04   35
  Day 1: 5   10-04   
69. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  10-04   35
  Day 1: 5   10-04   
69. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  10-04   35
  Day 1: 5   10-04   
72. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  10-04   32
  Day 1: 5   10-04   
73. Mike Huff              London, KY               5  10-04   31
  Day 1: 5   10-04   
74. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  10-03   30
  Day 1: 5   10-03   
75. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            5  10-02   29
  Day 1: 5   10-02   
76. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              5  10-02   28
  Day 1: 5   10-02   
77. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  09-15   27
  Day 1: 5   09-15   
78. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            5  09-14   26
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
78. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  09-14   26
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
80. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA             5  09-13   24
  Day 1: 5   09-13   
81. Frank Talley           Belton, TX               5  09-12   23
  Day 1: 5   09-12   
82. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  09-10   22
  Day 1: 5   09-10   
82. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  09-10   22
  Day 1: 5   09-10   
84. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  09-07   20
  Day 1: 5   09-07   
85. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           5  09-05   19
  Day 1: 5   09-05   
86. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK            5  09-00   18
  Day 1: 5   09-00   
87. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  08-15   17
  Day 1: 5   08-15   
87. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  08-15   17
  Day 1: 5   08-15   
89. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  08-14   15
  Day 1: 5   08-14   
90. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  08-12   14
  Day 1: 5   08-12   
91. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  3  08-09   13
  Day 1: 3   08-09   
92. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  08-05   12
  Day 1: 5   08-05   
93. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          4  08-04   11
  Day 1: 4   08-04   
94. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  07-15   10
  Day 1: 5   07-15   
95. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            3  07-03    9
  Day 1: 3   07-03   
96. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          4  06-13    8
  Day 1: 4   06-13   
96. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              4  06-13    8
  Day 1: 4   06-13   
98. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          2  03-02    6
  Day 1: 2   03-02   
99. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS 
Day
 1   Hunter Shryock           Ooltewah, TN        04-07      $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        92       480      1098-15
———————————-
          92       480      1098-15



Nick LeBrun Grabs Early Group B Lead at MLF Bass Pro Tour General Tire Stage Six at James River

Brian Carter
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Nick LeBrun Grabs Early Group B Lead at MLF Bass Pro Tour General Tire Stage Six at James River

Louisiana pro leads Group B by 20 pounds, 8 ounces after Day 1, Group A to wrap up two-day Qualifying Round Thursday

RICHMOND, Va. (June 26, 2024) – The last time Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana , visited the James River prior to Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Stage Six Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, he left with a trophy, winning a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on the Virginia fishery in 2022, en route to qualifying for the Bass Pro Tour.

While that win remains a highlight of LeBrun’s fishing career, to say he picked up where he left off doesn’t do justice to how he started Wednesday.

LeBrun wasted no time claiming the top spot on SCORETRACKER® and racing away from the rest of the field during Group B’s first day of the Qualifying Round. In the first hour and 45 minutes after Lines In, the Louisiana native boated 22 scorable bass totaling 51 pounds, 4 ounces. From there, he cruised to a 73-10 total, which has him more than 20 pounds clear of Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Florida, at the top of the leaderboard.

“I don’t know what else to say besides just praise the Lord,” LeBrun said. “It was just an incredible day. I’ll never forget it the rest of my life.”

While LeBrun’s first period alone (54-2) would have eclipsed everyone else’s total for the day, he was far from the only angler to find the bite just as hot as the weather during another blazing day on the James. For the second day in a row, it took more than 40 pounds to claim a spot in the Top 10, and 29 of the 39 anglers on the water topped 20 pounds on the day.


The six-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism , showcases 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $659,000, 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 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

The Louisiana pro knew he’d found some areas on the tidal river system during practice that would produce on a falling tide, which was the case for the entire first period Wednesday. However, he had no idea just how good they would be.

In fact, at one point he joked with his boat official that the two of them should jump into the water to cool off if he amassed 70 pounds on the day, not thinking he’d actually hit that mark. Once he got there early in the third period, though, he made good on his word.

“When the tide is right, I had a few places in practice where I just got a few bites and went on, and I didn’t really know what was there,” LeBrun said. “I knew that there were some fish there, but today, I got to see what was really there, and man, it was incredible.”

LeBrun didn’t want to share too many details about his approach but said he caught almost all his weight power fishing — chunking and winding with his Temple Fork Outfitters baitcasting rods. Once low tide passed and the tide changed, that pattern waned, and LeBrun used the rest of the day to explore new water.

“When the tide gets low and it starts coming back in, my spots aren’t as productive,” he said. “So, I really used the last period to try to just go and figure out something new and caught a few fish here and there.”

The good news for LeBrun is that the field will fish an outgoing tide longer and longer as the event progresses. The concern, though, is that as low tide gets later each day, the heat might make the bass less active. After temperatures reached triple digits Wednesday, the weather is forecast to cool off a bit in the days to come, but not much, with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s.

“I think I could ride it a little bit longer,” LeBrun said of his starting pattern. “It’s definitely an outgoing tide type of a thing, and so with these tidal days, the tide shifts about 30 minutes to an hour every day, and so if I whacked them in the first period, my bite might shift more toward the second period on Day 2. So, we’ll see.

“The heat is definitely not helping. In practice, when we had outgoing tide closer to daylight, it was really easy to get bites. But now that it’s so hot and the outgoing is getting pushed further in the morning and kind of midday, it’s making it more challenging.”

With a cushion of nearly 35 pounds over 11th place, LeBrun’s spot in the Knockout Round should be nearly secure. As a result, he plans to use the second day of qualifying as “a day of learning,” focusing especially on identifying a productive pattern around high tide.

While he knows he’ll need to make the right adjustments to have a shot at going back-to-back on the James, he made sure to soak in his special start. LeBrun called the day his most fun on the water in nearly two years on the Bass Pro Tour.

“This is a fun place,” LeBrun said. “I feel at home fishing here. It’s a special place to me and my wife. And it would be real special to do well here again. I’m just really humbled, because the guys in my group and the guys on the Bass Pro Tour in general are such top-notch competitors, and man, to be leading the round is just really special to me, especially against this group of names. It’s really special to be competing against these guys and to be doing well, because they’re the best out there.”

The 39 anglers in Group B will now have an off day from competition Thursday, while the 39 anglers competing in Group A will wrap up their two-day Qualifying Round. Group B will finish their Qualifying Round on Friday.

The top 20 pros in Group B after Day 1 on the James River are:

1st:         Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 32 bass, 73-10
2nd:       Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla., 26 bass, 53-2
3rd:        Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 22 bass, 52-12
4th:        Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 26 bass, 50-15
5th:        Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 19 bass, 50-8
6th:        Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 23 bass, 44-4
7th:        Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., 19 bass, 43-1
8th:        Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 20 bass, 42-13
9th:        Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 19 bass, 41-0
10th:      Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 17 bass, 40-15
11th:      Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., 17 bass, 39-0
12th:      Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 17 bass, 37-6
13th:      Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 14 bass, 34-4
14th:      David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 16 bass, 34-0
15th:      Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 16 bass, 33-3
16th:      Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., 17 bass, 32-12
17th:      Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 14 bass, 29-5
18th:      Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 12 bass, 28-13
19th:      Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark., 14 bass, 28-9
20th:      John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 12 bass, 27-15

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 543 scorable bass weighing 1,191 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 39 pros Wednesday, which included one 7-pounder, one 6-pounders, four 5-pounders and 11 4-pounders.

Luke Clausen of Spokane, Washington, earned the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award after a 7-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bit his creature bait in Period 3. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.

Fishing Clash Angler of the Year leader Jacob Wheeler threw down the gauntlet on Day 1, jumping out to a big lead in Group A with 78-8 and all but assuring himself a spot in the Knockout Round. Wednesday, his two closest pursuers showed they’re not going to let Wheeler run away with his third AOY award.

Alton Jones, Jr., who entered Stage Six 14 points back of Wheeler in the season-long competition, currently sits eighth in Group B with 42-13, while Dustin Connell is fourth with 50-15. Connell arrived at the James in third place, 24.5 points off Wheeler’s total. As of now, all three anglers are positioned to meet in the Knockout Round, although Connell and Jones still have some work to do to assure their spots in Saturday’s field.

The 39 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 39 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers that finish first through 10th from both groups advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 20 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Osborne Landing, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike in Richmond. Due to long boat runs, tides and high temperatures, MLF has enacted the Trailering Policy for the entirety of the event, meaning pros can trailer their boats and drive them to any ramp on the fishery closer to where they plan to start fishing. Pros taking advantage of the trailering policy will leave Osborne Landing at 6:45 a.m. ET daily and will begin fishing at 8 a.m. ET (Lines In) with the full field.

Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the landing, 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 MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .

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

On Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Osborne Landing for the MLF Watch Party and Kids Fishing Derby. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel from Pure Fishing each day. Additional fishing gear will be provided onsite for the fishing derby or kids can bring their own. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration on Championship Sunday to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts features the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2025 championship.

Fishing Clash, an interactive 3D fishing simulation game that’s played by more than 80 million people worldwide, is the official AOY sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series and Phoenix Bass Fishing League. You can download Fishing Clash for free in the App Store and on Google Play or log on to www.fishingclash.game for more information.

Television coverage of the General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts Championship Round will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, U.S. Air Force and WIX Filters.

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, X,  Instagram and YouTube.



Revised Schedule for NPFL Event on Pickwick Lake

Brian Carter
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Revised Schedule for NPFL Event on Pickwick Lake

The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) has announced changes to the tournament schedule and times for stop three on Pickwick Lake in Counce, TN. To maximize angler opportunities and alleviate fishing pressure on weekends, the NPFL has adjusted the schedule.

Anglers will now compete from Wednesday through Friday. Takeoff is scheduled for 10:30 AM, with the first flight checking in at 5:45 PM. Live coverage of the event will run from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. These changes aim to optimize fishing conditions during typical afternoon flows and enhance overall fishing quality for the field.

“Water flow on any TVA system undeniably impacts fishing quality,” said Brad Fuller, President of the NPFL. “Our goal is to maximize daily weights and overall catch numbers. After extensive discussions, we concluded that the 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM offers optimal conditions for our competitors.”

Local angler Brandon Perkins, who won the last two events on Pickwick Lake in July 2021 and March 2023, commended the league for recognizing this opportunity.

“I appreciate the flexibility the league has shown with this event,” said Perkins. “By avoiding a large event scheduled for Saturday and adjusting launch times, the league has opened up another feeding window for all competitors.”

Perkins anticipates a challenging competition given the widespread understanding of ledge fishing among participants.

“Despite the post-spawn conditions and scattered fish, the later launch and check-in times should benefit the entire field,” Perkins explained. “This change will not only improve overall fish care but also enhance the competitive dynamics of the event.”

Jesse Wise, another competitor, echoed Perkins’ sentiments, noting the potential impact of weather and TVA flow regulations on fishing conditions.

“The afternoon window will undoubtedly help us catch more fish,” said Wise. “While we may miss the morning bite window, the extended fishing hours should level the playing field and contribute to a more exciting tournament.”

As the event approaches, anglers are optimistic about the opportunities presented by these schedule adjustments, mindful of the dynamic conditions that could influence their strategies.

Pickwick Event Schedule:
Saturday, July 6: Community Outreach
Sunday, July 7: Official Practice
Monday, July 8: Official Practice
Tuesday, July 9: Official Practice
Wednesday, July 10: Day One
Thursday, July 11: Day Two
Friday, July 12: Day Three

Pickwick Tournament Hours (CST):
10:30 AM: Launch from the Pickwick Landing State Park Ramp
5:45 PM: First Flight Checks at Pickwick Landing State Park Ramp
6:00 PM: Weigh-in begins at Pickwick Landing State Park
7:30 PM: Last Flight Check-In

Live Coverage: Noon to 5:00 PM

To learn more about the NPFL, visit https://thenationalprofessionalfishingleague.com/.



Post-Spawn Through Summer Smallmouth

Brian Carter
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Post-Spawn Through Summer Smallmouth
Post-Spawn Through Summer Smallmouth
Whitewater Fishing Pro, Jay Przekurat, shares brown bass wisdom that’ll work right now
MUSKEGON, Mich. (June 26, 2024) – In the northern and middle America states, smallmouth bass are either in post-spawn or post-post-spawn, meaning transition away from shallower spawning areas to deeper waters.With regards to the former, the smallmouth bass post-spawn period, as B.A.S.S. Elite Pro, Jay Przekurat defines it, is “basically any water temps 60 degrees or higher. Summer patterns come into play from the high 60s through 70s, although depending on the location – like northern waters into Canada, smallmouth can spawn into August”Przekurat’s quick to point out that the “post-spawn” period means more than just surface water temperature. “We’re talking if it’s a windy day and the water is turned up and it’s 60 or greater bottom to top. And, for the most part, with water temps in the 60s, I’m basically fishing the same presentations I use during the spawn.”For the young ace that mean’s dropshots, Ned Rigs, jerkbaits, and other baits you “can get around beds and over rock and sand flats … things that stay up off the bottom.”“Then, as water temps climb into the upper 60s to 70s, you start getting algae growing on rocks and stuff like that, making it a little harder to drag baits. A small black, purple, or black/purple marabou jig is great during the spawn and keeps catching fish a long time after, too. A lot of guys give up marabou jigs after the spawn, but smallies will eat them pretty much all the time.”
Photo courtesy of Bassmaster
As smallmouth vacate shallower haunts with escalating water temps into summer patterns, Przekurat starts “beefing up spawn and post-spawn” baits. For example, he’ll fish spinnerbaits, bladed jigs ala Strike King Thunder Crickets, and A-Rigs when the fish are positioned deeper, roaming, and really putting on the feed bag.“During summer, smallies can be just about anywhere. It really depends a lot on wind direction and being in the right area with food, the right water temp, the right bottom, etc. Smallies will swim and swim and swim to get on food. They roam a lot farther than most anglers might think.”That’s where Przekurat’s electronics enter in – especially during the post-post-spawn period of summer.“I use my LiveScope probably 50% of the time. But a lot of times, honestly, it’s hard to consistently use LiveScope because the water is so clear and I can cast nearly 100 feet. On a lot of waters, casting to fish 50 feet out doesn’t get you much. The bass have already seen and heard your boat. So I look out as far as possible with my LiveScope, get an idea where the fish are, and make super-long casts. Then I keep my fingers crossed that they bite before they’re aware of me.”When asked if he thinks the pinging from FF sonar turns off smallmouths—or conditions them in some way—he’s ambivalent.“You can spook them in clear waters, definitely, but smallmouth are inquisitive fish. They react to a lot of sounds and the presence of baits more positively than you might think. Drop an underwater camera and you’ll have them come right up and bump it with their mouths. They’re curious.”Przekurat also likes fishing swimbaits in summer, casting them as far as possible, letting them hit bottom, followed by a slow retrieve back to the boat, never letting them touch bottom again. “That’s a great way to cover water, an easy way for any level angler to fish, and just a great way to get bites,” says Przekurat. 
Summer JerksWhen it comes to jerkbaits, Przekurat deviates from the cast, twitch, and pause crowd, once again making Olympian casts and working the bait quickly back to the boat. “I don’t let it sit there and pause it forever like a lot of guys. If you’ve got a good wind going, throw it out—like with the wind if you’re working down a break—and rip it pretty good. At maximum, I’ll pause it only occasionally for two seconds. I’m looking for the aggressive bass.”In terms of jerkbait gear, he likes 12-pound fluoro and Strike King KVD Elite jerkbaits that he says have improved action and needle-point sharp, triple grip hooks that don’t require swapping out.Talking color, Przekurat says there’s really only one color you need on most smallmouth waters and that’s Pro Blue. “I might throw the Ayu pattern occasionally, but for the most part, it’s all Pro Blue. Just gets the job done everywhere. Matches a ton of bait.”
Photo courtesy of Bassmaster
Dropshotting & The Damiki RigAnother technique Przekurat puts into play from spawn through late summer is dropshotting. ““As smallmouth transition out deeper, I start active LiveScoping. Obviously, you don’t have to worry about spooking them like when they’re in five feet of water. A dropshot works great for tough fishing conditions. I always have one on deck in case I see fish close to the bottom,” says Przekurat.“The Damiki Rig starts to play a lot, too, during post-spawn through summer. I don’t care what anyone says about post-spawn. Those fish will start to feed on alewives and pelagic baitfish right away besides gobies on the bottom. Post-spawn and summer fish aren’t always on the bottom, and they aren’t always suspended.” Orange Ain’t Just For HalloweenLooking ahead toward crawfish molting periods in mid- to later summer, Przekurat has a few tricks up his sleeve, including transitioning from his confidence green pumpkin patterns to more vibrant bait hues.“Come summertime, I’m always dipping my plastic tails and the like into orange stuff, making it as vibrant as I can. Earlier in the year I prefer more dull colors, but in summer, I’ll go to the more vibrant oranges and reds to mimic craws.”
Photo courtesy of Bassmaster
Favorite Summer Smallie WatersHaving fished north to south, east to west, Przekurat has had the opportunity to fish every bucket-list smallmouth bass river, lake, and reservoir in the country.His favorite—in terms of quality and size bronzebacks? “Number one is definitely Sturgeon Bay,” says the Stevens Point, Wisconsin, native. “And number two would be the St. Lawrence River connected to Lake Ontario.”It should be noted that Przekurat caught a four-day total of 102-9 to win the 2022 Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River—at the time, the record for smallmouth-only bags caught in a Bassmaster event. The feat earned him entrance into the Bassmaster Century Club and $100,000.Take HomeGive Jay’s advice a shot on your local smallmouth waters. His tournament track record proves his methods work. Period. 
 



Jacob Wheeler Leads After Hot Start at MLF Bass Pro Tour General Tire Stage Six at James River

Brian Carter
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Jacob Wheeler Leads After Hot Start at MLF Bass Pro Tour General Tire Stage Six at James River

Tennessee pro weighs in 78 pounds, 8 ounces to lead after Day 1 for Group A – Group B begins competition Wednesday

RICHMOND, Va. (June 25, 2024) – The heat wave that greeted the Bass Pro Tour field upon its arrival to the James River for practice prior to the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Stage Six Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts relented during the opening day of competition, but only barely, with temperatures still climbing into the low 90s. The fishing, meanwhile, was just as hot.

Of the 39 pros who took to the water for the first day of qualifying in Group A, 27 stacked at least 20 pounds on SCORETRACKER® and 11 hit the 40-pound mark. It took 40 pounds, 6 ounces to claim a spot inside the cut line – the third-heaviest 10th-place total for an opening day of qualifying all season, narrowly trailing only the first two days of Stage Three at Dale Hollow.

And yet, despite that torrid pace, two-time Fishing Clash Angler of the Year Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee , still managed to put plenty of distance between himself and the rest of the field. Wheeler stacked up 78-8 on 33 scorable bass, 30-15 ahead of General Tire pro Skeet Reese of Auburn, California, in second. Behind Wheeler, the weights are tightly bunched, with just 2-9 separating Reese from seventh place.

The six-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism , showcases 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of $659,000, 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 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship.


The 39 anglers in Group A will now have an off day from competition Wednesday, while the 39 anglers competing in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A will resume competition on Thursday.

Seeing Wheeler’s name atop SCORETRACKER® might not come as a surprise to anyone. A two-time winner this season, he’s made the Knockout Round in six of seven events and the Championship Round in five of them. But based on his practice, Wheeler said he didn’t anticipate such a strong start.

“I did not expect that at all,” he said. “You’d get a bite here, a bite there in practice, and then when you really lean on things, you start to realize what you have. Some places I thought were going to be really good, they were horrible, and I didn’t catch anything. And then other places that I thought were like ‘ehh’ were really good.”

Wheeler made it a point to cover water Tuesday. He caught fish in multiple areas using “five completely different techniques.” While that might sound random, it’s not; he’s matching the technique to the area to the tide.

The mouth of the Chickahominy River, a popular James tributary, experienced low tide (typically regarded as the best bite) around the end of the first period on Day 1. Wheeler’s most productive stretch came shortly thereafter. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., he racked up more than 60 pounds on 24 scorable bass.

“There are bite windows on this body of water, and the tide dictates that,” Wheeler explained. “There are bite windows at high tide, there are bite windows at incoming, outgoing. So, it’s just slowly dialing that in, and today, everything collided and worked out well.”

As impressive as Wheeler’s opening day was, he knows he’ll need to adapt as the tournament progresses. Even though he didn’t have much trouble accessing the spots he wanted to hit Tuesday, fishing pressure could impact the bite, with much of the field crowded in and around the Chickahominy. More important will be adjusting to the changing tide, with low tide getting later each day.

That’s where Wheeler’s sizable advantage over the cut line could help him. As usual, he caught as much weight as possible on Day 1 with the hope that he can use the second day of qualifying to continue to learn the fishery. More than 38 pounds clear of 11th place, he should only have to catch a few scorable bass to ensure himself a spot in the Knockout Round.

“I think I have some stuff that will continue, but it’s definitely temperamental,” Wheeler said. “Looking at paper, you’re like, ‘holy crap, Wheeler is going to win.’ But it’s not like that. We’re running an incoming tide on the Championship Day. I think we’re going to have a very little bit of an incoming tide on the Knockout Round. I mean, it’s just completely different conditions, and I’m going to have to make the right adjustments to have a really good finish in this tournament.”

Wheeler’s biggest takeaway from his first day of competition on the James was the fruitfulness of the fishery. He estimates he caught at least 80 bass on the day including those under the 1-8 minimum weight.

“This place is really healthy,” Wheeler said. “It’s got an insane number of bass in it. My thumbs are definitely sore.”

The top 20 pros in Group A after Day 1 on James River are:

1st:         Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 33 bass, 78-8
2nd:        Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 21 bass, 47-9
3rd:        Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 21 bass, 47-5
4th:        Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 21 bass, 47-0
5th:        Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 21 bass, 46-6
6th:        Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 22 bass, 45-3
7th:        Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 20 bass, 45-0
8th:        Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 20 bass, 43-10
9th:        Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 21 bass, 41-9
10th:      Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 15 bass, 40-6
11th:      Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 20 bass, 40-4
12th:      Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 39-6
13th:      Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 18 bass, 37-0
14th:      Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 17 bass, 34-10
15th:      Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 14 bass, 33-5
16th:      Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 14 bass, 33-1
17th:      Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 15 bass, 31-1
18th:      Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La., 13 bass, 30-9
19th:      Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 13 bass, 29-7
20th:      Grae Buck, Green Lane, Penn., 13 bass, 28-8

A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 543 scorable bass weighing 1,194 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 39 pros Tuesday, which included one 7-pounder, one 6-pounder and two 5-pounders.

Keith Poche of Pike Road, Alabama, earned Tuesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award after a 7-pound, 10-ounce largemouth bit his shaky head rig in Period 2. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and another $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.

Wheeler arrived at the James leading the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing. The two-time AOY winner started the event 14 points clear of Alton Jones Jr., with Dustin Connell another 10.5 back of Jones. Jones and Connell will take the water with Group B on Wednesday.

The 39 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers that finish first through 10th from both groups advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 20 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

Anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each day from Osborne Landing, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike in Richmond. Due to long boat runs, tides and high temperatures, MLF has enacted the Trailering Policy for the entirety of the event, meaning pros can trailer their boats and drive them to any ramp on the fishery closer to where they plan to start fishing. Pros taking advantage of the trailering policy will leave Osborne Landing at 6:45 a.m. ET daily and will begin fishing at 8 a.m. ET (Lines In) with the full field.

Each day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the landing, 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 MLFNOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .

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

On Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Osborne Landing for the MLF Watch Party and Kids Fishing Derby. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW! big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel from Pure Fishing each day. Additional fishing gear will be provided onsite for the fishing derby or kids can bring their own. The final 10 Championship Round Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand at the trophy celebration on Championship Sunday to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts features the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament features anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 78 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2025 championship.

Fishing Clash, an interactive 3D fishing simulation game that’s played by more than 80 million people worldwide, is the official AOY sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series and Phoenix Bass Fishing League. You can download Fishing Clash for free in the App Store and on Google Play or log on to www.fishingclash.game for more information.

Television coverage of the General Tire Stage Six at James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts Championship Round will air as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 9 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.


Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, U.S. Air Force and WIX Filters.

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, X,  Instagram and YouTube.



Muskogee’s Capps Secures the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Arkansas River

Brian Carter
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Muskogee’s Capps Secures the Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Arkansas River
Boater winner Blake Capps of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Strike-King co-angler winner Jeff Corriveau, Owasso, Oklahoma.
Owasso’s Corriveau Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Blake Capps of Muskogee, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Arkansas River Presented by Suzuki Marine . The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Capps earned $10,877, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Capps employed simple, shallow-water river fishing tactics to get the win. He also decided not to lock to maximize his fishing time.

“There’s a lot of current on the main Arkansas River,” he said. “I was mainly focusing on the main-river eddies and stuff like that – places for them to kind of slide out of the current – whether that be a rock or bend in the river or laydown.”

Capps kicked off the morning throwing a Heddon Super Spook topwater bait in current seams, primarily around rock jetties. He also caught some on a Gene Larew Biffle Bug in those same areas. The topwater bait produced the biggest fish of the day.

“Later in the day, I went farther downriver, and I made some of my best culls on a Booyah (XCS1 Series) square bill,” he added. “The laydowns were the main thing I was focusing on with the square bill. There was a ton of current right on the logs.”

According to Capps, a depth of 2 feet of water was “deep” for this pattern. And it was clearly a quality bite, as his co-angler, Jeff Corriveau, also came out victorious.

“We caught ’em all day,” Capps said. “It was a lot of fun. It really surprised me there weren’t more people out there doing it with me. I never really had any company wherever I went.

“It was a pretty simple pattern,” he added. “Not a whole lot of rods out on the deck. My front graphs were turned off. I just went fishing. It was all visual stuff, too. It’s nice going to the bank and turning the locaters off and just going fishing.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Blake Capps, Muskogee, Okla., five bass, 20-9, $10,877 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Joel Baker, Talala, Okla., five bass, 16-5, $1,408
2nd:       Nic Conger, Fort Smith, Ark., five bass, 16-5, $1,823
4th:        Dale Andrews, Jay, Okla., five bass, 15-15, $788
5th:        Zachery Fowler, Konawa, Okla., five bass, 13-3, $675
6th:        Shane Pickett, Rose Hill, Kan., five bass, 13-1, $919
7th:        Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., five bass, 12-12, $563
8th:        Brett Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 12-1, $507
9th:        Mike Hesson, Hackett, Ark., five bass, 11-15, $450
10th:     Shonn Goodwin, Moore, Okla., five bass, 11-7, $394

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Nic Conger of Fort Smith, Arkansas, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $415.



Jeff Corriveau of Owasso, Oklahoma, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,689 Saturday, after bringing four bass to the scale that totaled 12 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jeff Corriveau, Owasso, Okla., four bass, 12-2, $1,689
2nd:       Thad Hewitt, Delaware, Okla., five bass, 11-14, $944
3rd:       Russell Malone, Grove, Okla., four bass, 10-0, $564
4th:        David Blankinship, Cushing, Okla., three bass, 9-12, $394
5th:        Randy Peoples, Prairie Grove, Ark., three bass, 9-1, $338
6th:        Nathan McCartney, Inola, Okla., four bass, 8-0, $310
7th:        Charles Covington, Claremore, Okla., three bass, 7-10, $281
8th:        Marco Flores, Topeka, Kan., four bass, 7-6, $253
9th:        Daniel Payne, Warr Acres, Okla., three bass, 7-5, $225
10th:     Lane McCartney, Braggs, Okla., three bass, 6-13, $197

Stephen Vogel of Muenster, Texas, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $207, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Chris M. Jones of Bokoshe, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 965 points, while Alan Hill of Ada, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 936 points.

The next event for BFL Okie Division anglers will be held Sept. 14-15, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



The Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

Brian Carter
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The Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

The Future of Jig Heads: Navigating the Waters of Traditional Vs. Forward-Facing Sonar Designs

In the ever-evolving world of fishing, one constant remains: anglers are always looking for that extra edge to nab the big one. Enter the jig head, a time-honored component of the fisherman’s arsenal. These handy little devices have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and today, there’s a mind-boggling array to choose from. But the latest buzz shaking up the fishing community is all about jig heads designed specifically for forward-facing sonar (FFS) technology. Leading the charge is Missile Baits, who recently released their innovative “Hover Missile Jig” at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic. The burning question now is: do you understand the difference between old-school jig heads and these new-age FFS jig heads? More importantly, how can the latter help you catch more bass this spring and throughout the year? Let’s dive in and clear up the waters.

Old-School Jig Heads: The Tried and True

Traditionally, jig heads have been a versatile and simple tool in the angler’s tackle box. Made in various shapes and sizes, these jig heads cater to a range of fishing conditions and techniques, from dragging along rocky bottoms to navigating through dense, underwater forests. The universal appeal of these jig heads lies in their simplicity and efficacy; you could tie one on, cast it out, and with the right technique, expect some action.

The New Wave: Forward-Facing Sonar Jig Heads

The game changes when we introduce FFS technology into the mix. Forward-facing sonar offers anglers real-time views of the underwater action, allowing for more precise bait placement and, theoretically, more successful catches. However, traditional jig heads often fall short in this new environment, either by being hard to track on the sonar or not presenting the bait effectively in the middle of the water column where FFS shines. This gap led to the development of jig heads specifically optimized for FFS usage, like the Hover Missile Jig by Missile Baits.

How FFS Jig Heads Differ

  1. Visibility on Sonar: FFS jig heads, like the Hover Missile, are designed to show up clearly on sonar screens, even at greater distances. This clarity is achieved through the choice of materials that reflect the sonar signal back to the transducer effectively.
  2. Design for Mid-Water Suspension: These jig heads often feature designs that enable the bait to hover or move erratically in the middle of the water column, mimicking injured prey. The Hover Missile achieves this with its missile-shaped weight that ensures an gliding horizontal fall.
  3. Ease of Use with Sonar: With FFS, anglers constantly watch their screens for cues on where to cast and how the fish are reacting. FFS-optimized jig heads make it simpler to see your lure’s actions and how fish respond to different movements or presentations. Additionally, features like the toothpick and hole system in the Hover Missile ensure the bait stays in place without twisting, maintaining a consistent presentation that’s easy to replicate and adjust based on real-time sonar feedback.

Catching More Bass with FFS Jig Heads

So, how does all this tech translate to more bass this spring and beyond? Precision and adaptation are key. With traditional jig heads, even the most skilled anglers sometimes have to guess where their lure is in relation to fish. FFS technology, paired with optimized jig heads like the Hover Missile, removes much of that guesswork. Anglers can now see their lure and the fish’s reaction to it, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments to lure action, retrieval speed, and even switching out lures based on what the fish seem interested in.

Moreover, the design of these FFS-optimized jig heads tends to work exceptionally well for suspended bass, a common scenario in spring when bass are active but not always holding to the bottom. The ability to technologically target mid-water column bass gives anglers a significant advantage during this peak season and even into summer when bass patterns can change.

Embracing the Future While Respecting the Past

While the advantages of new FFS-optimized jig heads are clear, it doesn’t mean old-school jig heads are obsolete. Many anglers will find success by blending both worlds—using traditional jigs around dense cover or the bottom and switching to FFS jigs when targeting suspended fish or when the underwater terrain is less familiar.

Missile Baits’ Hover Missile Jig is just one example of how the fishing industry is adapting to new technology. By understanding these changes and knowing when and how to use each tool in the tackle box, anglers can look forward to more successful outings, catching more bass regardless of the season.

In the end, the choice between traditional and FFS-optimized jig heads isn’t an “either/or” dilemma but a “when and how” strategy. Combining the reliability of old-school methods with the precision and adaptability of modern technology represents the future of fishing. And with companies like Missile Baits leading innovation, that future looks both



Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman Win 5 Alive/ ALTEC Trail- Qualifier #5 – 6/22/2024 Kerr lake

Brian Carter
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Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman Win 5 Alive/ ALTEC Trail- Qualifier #5 – 6/22/2024 Kerr lake

Our 5th and final Qualifier tournament of the ALTEC Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail was last Saturday at Kerr Lake.
Our boat count was down some but I’ve got to admit that it takes a dedicated individual to go out in that heat and compete. I spoke on dedication during our morning prayer and I hope the message took hold to all that was listening.
34 teams showed up for the final Qualifier. With lots on the line there was quite a bit of anticipation by the Anglers as they waited to be blasted off. There was 2 different Championships to be decided and a extra $4000.00 and hardware to be awarded at the end of the day.
I give the teams 8 hours to get it done and brought them back to the scales at 1:30pm to try to help with the heat.
Once the weigh in was over it was the team if Dennie Gilbert & Bobby Crisman that took the WIN

🏆

. They had a 5 fish limit weighing 16.22 pounds. That earned them a total of $1600.00 for the day. That was an impressive catch on a tough day at Kerr Lake by some good guys and Great fisherman. Congrats Guys!
They were followed by the winners of our last Qualifier. The team of Jeff Ross & Clay Ross  had a 5 fish limit weighing 15.91 pounds. That earned them a total of $1000.00 for the day. Them guys are

💪

each and every tournament. 
Big Fish was won by the team of Johnson & Bowman. They had a fish weighing 4.66 pounds earning them $340.00
Congratulations to all the teams that placed in the money.

Let’s talk about this  POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP !!!

As they were blasted off Saturday their was only a 10 point difference between 1st and 2nd in the Points Championship standings. 3rd place in the Points standings was a very tight race as well and 3rd place got paid as well.
The team of Moore & Moore carried the 10 point lead into the final tournament followed by the team of Hall & Carter. When everything was totaled up it was the team of Craig Hall & Bobby Carter that took home the 2024 – 5 Alive/ALTEC Trail Points Championship

🏆

There was 1 point that decided the outcome.
ONE POINT

👀

. 
Hall & Carter are the first 2 time Points Champions in the 5 Alive Team Trail. They Won $1500.00, paid entry fees to all of the Qualifiers of the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail, plaques, Points Champions coats and the #1 starting spot in all of the 2025 Qualifiers for the Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail.
Hall & Carter have always been one of the most consistent teams each and every year and consistency  PAYS OFF!  Big Congratulations to them on a great year!!!
Joey Moore & Jacob Moore ( The reigning 2024 Hyco Trail Points Champions) finished 2nd in Points. They Won $1000.00 , plaques and the #2 starting spot in all of the Qualifiers of the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail. These two are also the model of consistency and are strong at each event. They have nothing to hang their heads at with a year that they have had. Great job guys!
Taking home 3rd in the points our final paying spot was the team of Corey Herndon & Blain Brogden. This spot was also determined by a 1 point difference.

👀

They Won $500.00 , plaques and the #3 starting spot in all the Qualifiers in the 2025 Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail. Yet another very consistent team each year. Congrats Guys!

There was also one more Championship to decide on Saturday.  The Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Championship.
The top 3 teams going into Saturday were seperated by just over a 1/2 of a pound with one fish still left to be weighed in by each team in the Fat 5.
After the weigh in was done it was the team of Hall & Carter that swept the Championships and took home the WIN in the Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Championship as well. They had a 5 fish limit for the year weighing 19.78 pounds. That earned them $1000.00 and the Daves Tournament Tackle FAT 5 Points Championship Belts. Another Great job by a great team. CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!

We want to say THANK YOU to all of our 2025 Sponsors. I have the best Sponsors I could ever ask for and not only are they Sponsors they are great friends as well. Without them this Trail would not be possible.  Thank you again!

I also want to say THANK YOU to my staff!
(My wife )

👉

Krystal Kirby Sheppard
, Jessica Turner Byrd and Chris Byrd Thank yall for all of the support and help.

The ALTEC Guaranteed $7000.00 two day Championship will be held on September 14th & 15th at Kerr Lake – Occoneechee Ramp.  It’s going to be a good one with a heap of money given away. Look forward to seeing yall there.

As we end one Trail we fire up another one.
This weekend – 5/29/2024 the Caswell Glass Mayo Trail kicks off at Mayo Lake. These are full Qualifier as well to get you into the 2 day Guaranteed $7000.00 Championship Tournament.
For any information on this Trail you can contact me Kevin Sheppard at 336-264-8416. 
Thanks again!

Results.
1st. Gilbert & Crisman- 16.22 pounds-$1600.00 TWT
2nd. Ross & Ross – 15.91 pounds-$1000.00 TWT
3rd. Woolard & Woolard- 12.51 pounds-$400.00
4th. Woody & White- 12.11 pounds-$490.00 TWT
5th. Joseph Sharpe- 12.07 pounds-$190.00
6th. Green & Wiles- 11.68 pounds-$120.00

Big Fish
Johnson & Bowman- 4.66 pounds-$340.00

5 Alive/ALTEC Trail Points Championship
1st. Hall & Carter- 691points -$1500.00
2nd Moore & Moore – 690 points -$1000.00
3rd. Herndon & Brogden- 679 Points-$500.00

Dave’s Tournament Tackle FAT CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Hall & Carter- 19.78 pounds-$1000.00



Weaver Withdraws from Final Two Bass Pro Tour Events of 2024, Trailering Policy Enacted for Week

Brian Carter
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Weaver Withdraws from Final Two Bass Pro Tour Events of 2024, Trailering Policy Enacted for Week

WHAT:
Bass Pro Tour angler Joshua Weaver of Macon, Georgia, has withdrawn from the final two Bass Pro Tour events of 2024, including this week’s General Tire Stage Six at the James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, due to undisclosed personal reasons.

Pro Kelly Jordon has been moved from Group B to Group A to even the fields at 39 anglers each for the event this week.

Bass Pro Tour Tournament Director Daniel Fennel has also enacted the MLF’s trailering policy this week on the James River at Stage Six – in effect for each day of competition.

Anglers can launch at any public boat launch within the tournament boundaries on the James River and can also put their boat back on the trailer and drive to a different boat ramp during competition hours, if they so choose.

WHEN:
Tuesday-Sunday, June 25-30
Departure from Osborne Landing for anglers launching from other landings: 6:45 a.m. ET
Takeoff from desired launch ramp: 7:30 a.m. ET
General Tire Takeout: 4 p.m. ET

WHERE:
*Osborne Landing, 9530 Osborne Turnpike, Richmond, Va.
*Trailering policy enacted – anglers can launch from any public ramp

NOTES:
Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bass Pro Tour are visiting Richmond, Virginia, and the James River this week, June 25-30, for the sixth regular-season event of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – General Tire Stage Six at the James River Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The six-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, will feature a field of 78 professional anglers competing for a purse of $659,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2025, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

The 39 anglers in Group A will compete in their two-day Qualifying Round on Tuesday and Thursday – the 39 anglers in Group B on Wednesday and Friday. After each two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the anglers that finish first through 10th from both groups advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining 20 anglers compete to finish in the top 10 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

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, X, Instagram and YouTube.



Uncover Why Bass Behaviors Shift with Size!

Brian Carter
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0
Uncover Why Bass Behaviors Shift with Size!
Bass populations face a complex dynamic where juvenile mortality significantly outpaces that of older bass. While mature bass can spawn multiple times a year, producing thousands of eggs per nest, the survival rate of these offspring to adulthood is alarmingly low at less than 0.02%. This high mortality rate is not primarily influenced by the number of eggs produced but by environmental factors such as habitat quality, food availability, water temperature, and predator presence. Anglers play a key role in this ecological balance by practicing selective fishing and catch-and-release, especially during spawning seasons. Understanding these reproductive and mortality rates helps in developing strategies that can increase juvenile survival rates, such as creating or preserving natural habitats that provide shelter and abundant food. These type of insights enable fisheries managers to set appropriate catch limits and size restrictions to ensure the sustainability of bass populations. For anglers, understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing fish populations sustainably and supporting conservation efforts that enhance spawning success and juvenile survival.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round!
In their earliest stages, bass are highly vulnerable to predators due to their small size and limited mobility. Initially feeding on tiny insects and plankton, fry are mostly stationary, making them easy targets. As they grow into fingerlings, their diet expands to include larger plankton and small insects, increasing their chances of survival by slightly reducing their vulnerability to predation. This vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of habitat complexity, which provides necessary cover for young bass to evade predators. Conservation efforts that focus on maintaining and enhancing aquatic vegetation can significantly improve survival rates. Anglers can contribute to these efforts by supporting habitat restoration projects and avoiding overfishing in nursery areas. For anglers, recognizing the critical nature of these early stages can guide decisions on fishing practices, especially in areas known for high densities of young bass. Educating fellow anglers about the crucial growth phases of bass and promoting catch-and-release practices during these vulnerable periods can further aid in the preservation of bass.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater.
The feeding behavior and growth patterns of bass change significantly as they mature. Young bass are opportunistic feeders within their limited range, but as they grow, their increased mobility allows them to consume a broader variety of prey, including other small fish. This dietary shift necessitates movement away from spawning areas to regions with richer food resources, effectively spreading the population across different habitats. As bass grow larger, their ability to target and consume larger and more mobile prey also increases, which can significantly alter local ecosystem dynamics. Anglers can use this knowledge to adapt their strategies, perhaps employing larger lures and targeting deeper waters where mature bass might roam. Understanding the growth phases of bass can help in planning seasonal fishing activities, as bass tend to frequent different areas depending on their size and the time of year. Seasonal changes in water temperature and vegetation also play a crucial role in where and how bass feed, affecting their accessibility to anglers. Anglers should also consider these patterns when choosing fishing locations and techniques.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic , Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes!
Schooling is a survival mechanism for bass, particularly at the fry stage, providing safety in numbers from predators. However, this behavior changes as they grow; smaller, less cohesive groups allow for more effective feeding as each fish has better access to resources. This behavior also influences how young bass are distributed in a body of water, affecting where they can be successfully targeted by anglers. As bass transition from fry to juvenile stages, their tendency to school becomes less pronounced, making them more susceptible to anglers who can identify these patterns. The shift from tight schooling to more dispersed groupings often coincides with changes in the aquatic environment, such as increased plant growth or variations in water flow. Anglers can use these environmental cues to predict bass movements and improve their fishing success. Fishing techniques may need to be adjusted based on the bass’s developmental stage and schooling behavior; for instance, using baits that mimic the smaller prey of juveniles can be more effective. Recognizing the decline in schooling with age can also lead anglers to focus on larger, solitary bass that are often more challenging.Our Fresh HellaMite is scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, and 10w30 Synthetic HellaMite colors. We also just released new colors designs including the Slimer Green and Barbie Pink HellaMite. Act fast, these colors won’t stay in stock for long. If you’re fast enough you can also grab our seasonal limited-release Pumpkin Spice HellaMite along with the Money HellaMite. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Additionally, its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. 
As bass transition from fingerlings to adults, their predation tactics evolve significantly. They develop strategies like flushing, where they chase down prey in coordinated groups, making them more effective hunters. However, as they grow, their coordination diminishes, though they remain effective at startling prey into open areas where they can be easily caught. This progression in hunting techniques reflects an increase in the bass’s individual strength and confidence, allowing them to tackle larger and more challenging prey alone. Anglers observing this shift can adjust their approach, using techniques and lures that simulate the more complex movements of fleeing prey to trigger strikes from mature bass. As bass grow older and their hunting becomes less dependent on group strategies, they may favor different habitats, such as deeper waters or structured environments where they can ambush prey. Understanding these habitat preferences is crucial for anglers aiming to target larger, more experienced bass. Anglers can use this knowledge to their advantage by mimicking natural bass prey with lures and by fishing in areas where strikes are likely to occur.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round!
Larger, mature bass undergo significant changes in body shape and behavior, particularly as they gain weight. These changes can affect their stamina and speed, forcing them to adapt their feeding habits and habitats. For instance, older bass may move to deeper waters where they rely more on ambush tactics. As these bass grow, their dietary preferences may shift towards larger prey, which requires less energy to capture relative to the energy it provides. This behavioral shift towards more strategic hunting methods in complex habitats necessitates different angling tactics, such as using bigger and slower-moving lures that mimic the larger prey. The increased bulk of mature bass often leads them to prefer areas with ample cover, such as submerged logs or rock formations, where they can hide and ambush prey effectively. Anglers should also consider the times of day when these bass are most active, typically during lower light conditions like dawn and dusk, to increase their chances of a successful catch. Understanding these changes in behavior and habitat can help anglers target these trophy fish more effectively. Anglers seeking larger bass should focus on deeper waters.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater.
Managing fisheries to support a population of trophy bass involves careful consideration of the high mortality rates among young and the specific needs of larger bass. Trophy bass are rare and require specific conditions to thrive, including ample cover and prey availability. Anglers pursuing these fish need to practice responsible fishing methods that support conservation efforts, such as catch and release, especially in habitats conducive to the survival of large bass. In addition to catch and release, anglers can also participate in habitat restoration projects, which play a crucial role in enhancing the environments that support the growth of trophy bass. Utilizing selective harvesting practices that avoid removing the largest specimens from the water can further help maintain a healthy breeding stock and ensure the continuance of a trophy class within the fishery. Educational outreach to the angling community about the importance of these practices can aid in fostering a culture of conservation and respect for the ecosystem. By employing advanced fishing techniques, anglers can more accurately target trophy bass without causing undue harm to the population. We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from. For Scorpions, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action for soft plastics.



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