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Monday, December 15, 2025
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2026 NPFL Championship Coming to Smith Lake

Brian Carter
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2026 NPFL Championship Coming to Smith Lake

2026 NPFL Championship Coming to Smith Lake

CULLMAN, Alabama—The National Professional Fishing League and Visit Cullman are excited to announce that the 2026 NPFL Championship will be held on historic Lewis Smith Lake and hosted by Visit Cullman. The three-day event will run February 26-28 and feature 42 qualifying anglers from the 2025 season.

“Our first visit to Smith Lake will be an important one since it kicks off our 2026 season,” says NPFL president Brad Fuller. “It’s our third annual Championship event and will be the starting point for what’s going to be our biggest year ever. Alabama has hosted four previous league events, and we’ve enjoyed a strong relationship with the state and its bass fishing supporters who have made Alabama a major hub in the tournament world.”

Visit Cullman is one of the sport’s staunchest supporters.

“We are honored to host the 2026 NPFL Championship and welcome these elite anglers to Cullman County,” says Harmony Heard, Executive Director of Visit Cullman. “Smith Lake is one of the most unique and beautiful fisheries in the country, and we are thrilled to showcase our natural resources, hospitality, and the outstanding community that makes Cullman such a special place. Major fishing events like the NPFL Championship play an important role in strengthening Cullman’s local economy. Over this three-day tournament, visiting anglers and spectators will contribute to increased hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail purchases, supporting small businesses throughout the community. We are grateful for our partnership with NPFL and look forward to welcoming them to our destination.”

Renowned as the most celebrated spotted bass lake in the world, Smith Lake produced several world records in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Since that time, the genetics of those giants have been transplanted across much of the country and still produce the biggest examples of the species. The lake also boasts a thriving population of largemouth bass.

About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League exists to elevate competitive bass fishing by creating a platform defined by integrity, competition, and tradition. We believe that bass fishing is more than a sport—it is a lifestyle, a culture, and a path to family, friends, and fulfillment. Our mission is to provide anglers and fans with an authentic and accessible experience that honors the spirit of the sport while building a community united by shared passion and purpose.

For more information, visit our website.





Winter Bass Fishing Patterns!

Brian Carter
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Winter Bass Fishing Patterns!
The holiday season offers some of the best fishing of the year because most anglers are off the water, giving bass a chance to settle into natural feeding patterns. As temperatures cool, baitfish movements become more important, and bass often shift locations daily in response to changing conditions. Wind direction, cloud cover, and sudden weather fronts can quickly reposition fish, making adaptability your greatest advantage. Bass use this period to feed heavily before true winter arrives, making them more willing to chase a well-presented lure. Focusing on areas where bait gathers, such as points, shallow flats, creek channels, or steep banks, gives you a direct path to active fish. Staying flexible and adjusting your approach each outing is the key to capitalizing on these dynamic late-fall and early-winter conditions. This is also the time when bass mix between fall feeding patterns and early winter transitions, so you may find fish at multiple depths on the same day. Keeping soft plastics handy, like lizards, insect larvae, craw-styled baits, beetles, or worms, lets you easily mimic natural forage regardless of where the bass move. Water clarity often stabilizes in late fall, making the smaller presentations even more effective when conditions turn calm. Cold fronts can slow the bite temporarily, but bass rarely stop feeding altogether if you match their mood and adjust your speed. When you combine low pressure, changing conditions, and a willingness to adapt, the holiday season becomes a prime window for both numbers and quality bass.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. 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 year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility.
During late fall, bass often push shallow to trap baitfish against banks, flats, or isolated cover, creating excellent opportunities for topwater and shallow presentations. Rather than relying on traditional topwater hardware, you can use lightly weighted artificials such as lizards or insect-larva baits worked just under the surface to imitate easy prey. Cloudy days, wind blowing into the bank, and shaded areas during sunny afternoons give bass the added confidence to rise and strike. Targeting big rock, riprap, grass edges, shallow bars, and the backs of creeks helps you stay near these feeding routes. Look for visual signs like bait dimpling the surface or occasional busts that reveal where fish are hunting. When you locate actively feeding bass, surface disturbance from a can trigger explosive shallow-water bites. This pattern is often strongest when water temperatures haven’t fully transitioned into winter levels, allowing bass to remain active in very skinny water. Soft plastics with natural gliding or darting action often outperform louder lures when bass are pressured or feeding selectively. Experimenting with retrieve speed from quick twitches to slow drifts helps determine how aggressive the fish are. Even on calm, sunny days, bass may slide up under overhanging cover or tight to rocks where a quiet presentation can still fool them. Since shallow fish are usually there to feed, capitalizing on these windows can produce some of the most exciting strikes of the season.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, and the 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 that triggers strikes!
As water temperatures drop, bass often settle tighter to the bottom and relate strongly to deeper cover, making bottom-contact presentations especially effective. A jig paired with a soft craw-styled bait or beetle imitates natural forage and offers enough bulk to get attention even in cold water. When conditions turn frigid, downsizing your trailer or switching to a slimmer profile helps tempt finicky fish. Working a jig slowly through brush piles, rock transitions, and along deeper breaks keeps your lure in the strike zone longer. Varying depth is important because bass may shift daily between shallower cover and deeper wintering areas. Thoroughly combing each piece of cover with patience is often rewarded with some of the biggest quality bites of the season. Cold-water jig fishing is all about subtlety, so reducing the amount of movement in your presentation often leads to more consistent success. Bass in winter rely heavily on energy conservation, meaning they prefer easy meals they don’t have to chase. A soft craw or beetle-style bait dragged or lightly hopped along the bottom mirrors this slow-moving forage perfectly. Pay close attention to transitions between rock, clay, and gravel often create small sweet spots where bass congregate. Because the bite can be extremely light, keeping tension on the line and watching for slack or slight ticks helps you detect strikes you might otherwise miss.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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.
Wind can dramatically improve bass feeding activity by pushing baitfish into predictable areas and reducing water clarity just enough to give predators an advantage. Although traditional spinnerbaits are effective, you can replicate a similar profile using swimbait-rigged soft plastics like worms or insect larvae for a small, natural flash. Fishing these along windy banks, wood cover, docks, or steep bluff walls helps you intercept bass that are more willing to chase in rougher conditions. Adjusting your weight allows you to run the bait high in the water column or slow it down deeper, depending on how fish are positioned. Windy days tend to produce fewer bites but often draw out bigger, more aggressive bass. Staying mobile and focusing on any shoreline that the wind hits directly increases your chances of meeting quality fish. Wind also breaks up the surface enough to mask your presence, allowing you to move in closer to cover without spooking bass. Soft plastics with tail movement can look even more natural when the water is slightly disturbed. Covering water quickly is important, since wind-blown banks often hold roaming fish that are actively hunting. Don’t overlook secondary points or cut-through areas where wind funnels baitfish into narrow corridors. When you time wind direction with bait movement, these style presentations can deliver some of the strongest power-fishing bites of the season.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!
When bass stage along main points, secondary points, and channel banks, using moving baits that mimic shad or crawfish becomes a highly productive approach. While hard crankbaits are traditional tools, soft-plastic alternatives like craw-styled baits or worms rigged on weighted hooks can be worked at similar depths with a more natural profile. Covering water along rock transitions, ledges, and breaks helps you locate feeding fish that move frequently throughout fall and early winter. Slightly stained water and a touch of wind create ideal conditions for this approach, but it can still work on bright, calm days. The key is maintaining steady contact with the bottom or structure to imitate fleeing or foraging bait. This pattern remains reliable until water temperatures reach the low 40s and bass move to more stable winter positions. Soft plastics offer the advantage of a quieter entry and a more lifelike movement when the bite is subtle. Varying the speed of your retrieve by speeding up to trigger reaction bites or slowing down to imitate cold forage can make a major difference in results. Paying attention to the bottom composition helps you identify high-percentage areas where bass pause to feed. Small changes in depth or angle often reveal hidden sweet spots that hold multiple fish. By staying diligent and working through productive structural zones, you can consistently intercept bass that are transitioning between seasonal feeding areas.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 MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. 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, Electric 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 Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — 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.
Suspended bass are notoriously difficult to target, but a carefully presented finesse bait can trigger strikes when nothing else will. Instead of relying on hard jerkbaits, use small soft plastics like 5-inch worms or insect-larva baits rigged on light hooks to achieve a slow presentation. These can be paused in place around secondary points, standing timber, brush piles, or grass edges where bass commonly suspend. The trick is adjusting your cadence, using quicker twitches in warmer water and slow, extended pauses as temperatures drop. Forward-facing sonar, along with careful observation, helps you keep your lure at the same depth as the fish. This subtle, suspended approach is one of the most consistent ways to draw strikes from inactive or roaming bass in cold conditions. Because suspended bass often sit between depth zones, presenting your bait slightly above them can encourage upward strikes from fish, conserving energy. Soft plastics allow for almost weightless movements, creating a lifelike flutter that can tempt even the most reluctant bass. Watching how long fish follow your bait before committing helps you fine-tune your pause duration. On days when fish are especially sluggish, barely moving the lure at all can be the key to success. Over time, mastering these types of small adjustments gives you a powerful technique for catching bass that many anglers tend to overlook completely.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo 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 trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass.
The most important skill this time of year is the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions and to what baitfish are doing. Bass follow food relentlessly, which means they may be shallow one day and suspended or bottom-oriented the next. Observing wind direction, water clarity, and shifts in temperature helps you choose the right presentation at the right depth. Using soft plastics, whether worms, craws, insect larvae, beetles, or lizards, allows you to adapt naturally to nearly every scenario. Using a mix of moving baits, bottom presentations, and suspending techniques ensures you can match bass behavior no matter where they position. Staying flexible and trusting what the environment tells you will consistently lead to more bites during this unpredictable but rewarding season. Late-fall conditions can change by the hour, so checking multiple depth zones throughout the day keeps you in touch with shifting fish patterns. Little clues like bait flickering on the surface or a sudden temperature break often reveal where bass have moved. Rotating through different profiles helps you match the forage bass are actively pursuing. Being willing to abandon one pattern and test another separates successful anglers from those who struggle. The anglers who stay observant, curious, and adaptable find the most consistent success going into winter.
We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. 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 precious 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 that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure.





Chad & Elliot Pilson Win Bass Cast Tournament on Smith Mountain Lake with 22.84 lbs

Brian Carter
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Chad & Elliot Pilson Win Bass Cast Tournament on Smith Mountain Lake with 22.84 lbs

CLICK TO SEE RESULTS

CLICK TO SEE FINAL POINTS

We would like to thank the fifteen teams that braved the 22-degree temperature to fish the final regular season event. We would like to thank everyone who came out and fished with us this year—we had another great year, and it’s all because of you. At the end of the day, two anglers proved that this time of year is their time, with Chad and Ellion Pilson taking the win. In second place, Dennis Sump and Steve Crist finished with 19.38 lbs, and finishing in third, Dakota Nuckols and Dylan Gauldin with 17.73 lbs. Thank you again to all who came out, and we will see those who qualified at the championship.





The Year the Truth Became the Real Weigh-In

Brian Carter
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The Year the Truth Became the Real Weigh-In

In 2025, what began as another Elite Series season turned into a major flashpoint: multiple top pros failed credibility assessments, triggering disqualifications, fines, and even retirements. These weren’t fringe stories — the fallout came from some of the most respected names in the bass circuit, and it forced the sport to face a hard truth: information is no longer just a tactical tool — it’s a test of character.

The Anglers Who Fell

  1. Logan Latuso
    At the Bassmaster Elite event on Lake Tenkiller, Logan Latuso was disqualified after failing a polygraph-based credibility assessment. According to Bassmaster, he violated Rule C3.3(ii)(a) and (j), which prohibits receiving non-public information from non-competitors. Bassmaster
    • This was not a one-time mistake: Latuso requested a retest, but he failed again. Bassmaster
    • Because of Latuso’s disqualification, his 9th-place finish was vacated, and everyone below him moved up a rank. Bassmaster
    • The penalty is steep: B.A.S.S. rules allow up to a $10,000 fine for first-time intentional violations under this rule. Bassmaster+1
    Latuso’s case quickly became a cautionary tale — even if you don’t think you’re doing anything wrong, a single polygraph exam can change everything.
  2. KJ Queen
    KJ Queen was disqualified from the Elite event on the Mississippi River. Bassmaster reported that he “failed a screening credibility assessment … randomly selected based on finishing place.” Bassmaster
    • Like Latuso, Queen was examined a second time by an independent examiner — and failed again. Bassmaster
    • Her 8th-place finish was vacated, and the anglers below her moved up. Bassmaster
    • Under the same rule (C3.3(ii)), this was treated as a first offense, triggering disqualification and possible fine. Bassmaster
    Queen’s disqualification made waves because of how routine such assessments are — they aren’t rare, and even solid finishes don’t shield you from scrutiny.
  3. Matt Herren
    Possibly the most dramatic case: veteran Elite pro Matt Herren was disqualified after a credibility test. Bassmaster officials said he violated the same C3.3 rule, receiving nonpublic information from a non-competitor. Bassmaster+2SI+2
    • The statements came out during the polygraph assessment, leading to a formal rule violation. Bassmaster
    • His 40th place finish at the St. Johns River Elite was erased. Bassmaster
    • The fallout was personal: Herren announced he would exit the Elite Series entirely. SI
    • His son, Josh Herren, later posted about their side of the story: he said a casual comment about fishing spots was misconstrued as “soliciting” for competitive advantage. SI
    This case highlighted how easily an offhand remark — even one not acted upon — can trigger a polygraph failure. For Herren, the damage was too high; he stepped away.
  4. Scott Martin
    Scott Martin’s case is particularly complicated — and deeply personal. According to Bass Fishing Insider, he self-reported that he had an unauthorized conversation with a non-competitor about fishing conditions on Lake Okeechobee, violating the no-information rule. Bass Fishing Insider
    • He said it happened while rigging his boat, talking with a local angler. Bass Fishing Insider
    • Martin expressed regret, saying he “simply did not shut it down quickly enough,” but insisted he didn’t use the information to improve his tournament plan. Bass Fishing Insider
    • According to Sports Illustrated / On SI, he later withdrew voluntarily from the rest of the 2025 Elite season even before a formal polygraph exam was completed. SI+1
    • On Wired2Fish, it’s reported that Martin refused the B.A.S.S.-administered polygraph exam, citing concerns over the tester. However, he later took an independent polygraph (by a former law enforcement officer) and passed that one. Wired2Fish+1
    Martin’s situation illustrates the murky line between “unintentional violation” and “credibility failure.” His self-reporting speaks to his integrity — but even that didn’t spare him from controversy and career upheaval.

Why These Cases Matter

These high-profile DQs changed the tone of the 2025 season. Not only did they make anglers nervous about casual conversations, but they also exposed a harsh reality: the no-information rule isn’t just theoretical anymore. It’s being enforced with teeth.

  • Credibility assessments (polygraphs) are real threats. Even veteran anglers who have been around for decades aren’t immune.
  • Casual conversations can be weaponized. What seems innocent — talking to a local angler, chatting at a marina, exchanging fishing observations — can trigger a full-blown investigation.
  • The line between intentional and unintentional is razor thin. Some anglers insist they never meant to gain an advantage, but under the rulebook and the polygraph, their intent doesn’t always matter.
  • Reputation is on the line. For Herren, this was the end of his Elite career. For Latuso and Queen, their top finishes disappeared. For Martin, the stress and uncertainty cost him the rest of his season.

If nothing else, the 2025 incident tells us that in bass fishing — as in many modern sports — information is power, but so is accountability. B.A.S.S. made a strong statement: it’s not enough to fish hard and know your way around a lake anymore. You also have to be able to defend everything you say and remember.

Sources

  • Bassmaster: Matt Herren disqualified at St. Johns River Bassmaster
  • Bassmaster: Logan Latuso disqualified at Tenkiller Bassmaster
  • Bassmaster: KJ Queen disqualified at Mississippi River event Bassmaster
  • Bass Fishing Insider: Scott Martin DQ’d at Lake Okeechobee Bass Fishing Insider
  • Sports Illustrated / On SI: Scott Martin withdraws after protest SI
  • Wired2Fish: Scott Martin’s withdrawal, polygraph dispute Wired2Fish
  • Wired2Fish: Opinion on no-information rule & recent DQs Wired2Fish
  • Bassmaster Official 2025 Elite / Classic Rules (C3.3 rule details) Bassmaster





Tyler Campbell should feel right at home in 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Brian Carter
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Tyler Campbell should feel right at home in 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

Nov. 26, 2025

Tyler Campbell should feel right at home in 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship

ANDERSON, S.C. — It was redemption, of sorts, when Tyler Campbell snapped a run of second-place finishes and won last year’s Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake.

Not surprisingly, Campbell is expected to be a contender at the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship scheduled for Dec. 3-6 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C. Not only is he the defending champ in the Classic Fish-Off, but he lives in Martin, Ga., just across the state line from Green Pond Landing, the site of take-offs and weigh-ins during this year’s championship.

Like he was a year ago, Campbell, 24, is looking once again to shake off some disappointment heading into the last tournament on the annual B.A.S.S. schedule. Despite finishing fourth in the points race in this year’s Division I of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN (and 46th in Division 2), Campbell didn’t finish well in the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers. His best showing in the three-tournament showdown was 39th at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake, sandwiched by 67th place at Florida’s Lake Okeechobee and 74th at New York’s Lake Champlain.

As a result, he finished well outside of the Top 10 in the EQ standings and wasn’t invited to compete in the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.    

Now he’s returning to Hartwell, the place where he learned to fish and where he now guides eager anglers dozens of times per year.

“On paper, this has been one of the best years I could ask for,” Campbell said “I got a check in eight of the 10 B.A.S.S. tournaments I fished. I was in the (Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster) Classic (presented by Under Armour). I had two hiccups at the end of the year, and it cost me my dream, which is to fish in the Bassmaster Elite Series.”

Many of the 450 or so anglers set to compete in the Team Championship on Dec. 3-4 share the same lofty goals. Qualifying duos from team trails around the U.S. (and three other countries) will vie for $120,000 in total prize money, including $50,000 for the winning tandem.

Last year at Kentucky Lake, Clint Knight and Noah Morgan (Russellville, Ky., natives fishing with the National Team Bass Association,) won team honors. Campbell, along with 5 Alive Sunday Series partner Blake Campbell (no relation), finished second in the team standings. The father-son duo of Ryan and Fisher Anaya placed third.

This year, the Top 5 teams (10 anglers in all) advance to the Classic Fish-Off portion of the event on Dec. 5-6 (up from the Top 3 teams in previous years.) Their weights will be zeroed and they’ll fish individually for two days with the top angler claiming the final berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held March 13-15 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tyler Campbell spent most of 2025 preparing for Opens events around the U.S., so he didn’t have the time he’s accustomed to on Hartwell. In the days leading up to Hartwell being off-limits to competitors, he said conditions were “typical for Hartwell in the fall.”

“The weights were all over the place,” he said. “One day it’s 20 (pounds), then it’s 16 or could be 13. We’ve had some wild weather here recently, including snow when I was fishing the EQ at Okeechobee (Nov. 13-15). I was on Lake Murray (in central South Carolina) a few days later, and the water temperature was 60 degrees. Hartwell’s two hours north of that, so it was likely 55, 56 up there. That’ll shake things up a bit.”

Campbell said the water level has been down in Hartwell, which often causes largemouth bass to congregate, he added. Still, he expects a mix of spotted bass and largemouths to compose the best bags of the Team Championship.

“Most tournaments on Hartwell historically have been won with a mixed bag,” he said. “And with Forward Facing Sonar, we’ve figured out how to catch the really big spots in mid-range to deep water. Fish still will school in the backs of drains, too. That’s the typical winter approach.

“But honestly, I think I’m gonna’ try to do something totally different, hoping to blow it out,” Campbell said. “I’m gonna’ take some tactics that work in different parts of the lake and try them in some other places. It’ll be against the grain. That’s one of the benefits of knowing the place the way I do. In December, the whole lake can play.”

Just how well remains to be seen.

“Weight-wise, I think it’ll be pretty similar to the last Team Championship,” he said. “That means 16 to 18 pounds a day should give you a good shot at winning. Then you’ll probably need 15 to 16 pounds a day in the fish-off.”

Campbell expects the biggest bags of the week to be caught on the first day of competitinon, with anglers who survive the cut having to work harder for their final couple bags. No doubt they’ll give it their all with the final 2026 Classic berth on the line.

“A lot of guys who know this lake will be fishing,” he said. “The young guns from college programs, even a high schooler, could win it. I think it’ll be a shoot-out; a real close one.”

Green Pond Landing, 470 Green Pond Road, in Anderson, S.C., is ground zero for the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship. Anglers take-off from there in flights beginning at 7:20 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins begin at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can follow live coverage of the 2025 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship on Bassmaster.com and across B.A.S.S. social media platforms, including live weigh-ins, photo galleries and on-the-water updates.

Visit Anderson and Green Pond Landing are hosting the week’s events.





Winter Jig Fishing for Big Bass!

Brian Carter
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Winter Jig Fishing for Big Bass!
Winter bass become noticeably less aggressive as water temperatures drop, and their slower metabolism demands a more patient approach. A jig works exceptionally well in these conditions because it can be fished slowly while still imitating natural forage on the bottom. Anglers who adjust their mindset to slower movements often see the biggest improvement in bites. Winter is also a time when bass conserve energy, so presenting something easy to catch is essential. Keeping your bait near the bottom and moving it methodically helps match the pace of cold-water bass behavior. This simple shift toward slower jig fishing can dramatically increase your success during the coldest months of the year. Soft-plastic trailers like craw-styled baits or insect larvae help add subtle movement without overpowering the presentation. Bass often feed in tighter windows during winter, so maintaining bottom contact increases your odds of intersecting those feeding periods. Even small changes in depth or structure can concentrate winter bass, making a slow, bottom-focused approach even more reliable. Because winter strikes can be subtle, staying fully connected to your jig helps you detect light pressure or unusual bottom resistance. With enough patience and deliberate pacing, winter jig fishing becomes one of the most dependable methods to catch quality bass in cold water.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. 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 year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility.
Deep, clear, rocky lakes become prime winter holding areas because bass use the structure for warmth, cover, and ambush points. A football-style jig is particularly effective in these environments because it stays upright and crawls naturally across a hard bottom. This makes it ideal for imitating craw-styled baits and beetle-like forage that bass target in winter. Fishing these areas thoroughly helps you locate groups of bass that gather on long points, channel edges, and steep drop-offs. In winter, these locations often hold multiple fish at once, especially in deeper water. By staying patient and working through rocky zones, you can uncover schools that many anglers overlook. The wide head design keeps your presentation from snagging easily, allowing you to maintain contact with the bottom where winter bass spend most of their time. Even small transitions, such as a shift from pea gravel to chunk rock, can concentrate bass, making slow, systematic coverage extremely important. Using soft-plastic trailers shaped like craws or insect larvae adds subtle movement that blends perfectly with rocky terrain. Many winter bites happen when the jig simply rolls over a rock or pauses between cracks, so maintaining bottom pressure is key. Once you locate bass in these deep, rocky zones, they often remain there for extended periods, allowing you to return and catch more fish throughout the season.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, and the 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 that triggers strikes!
Winter bass often bite very lightly, making soft, almost unnoticeable pressure the norm instead of hard strikes. A full weed guard can sometimes block the hook from penetrating during these softer bites. Thinning the guard or removing it in open water can help you connect with more fish without dramatically increasing snags. When thinning, cutting strands from the bottom rather than the top keeps the guard’s structure intact while reducing stiffness. This adjustment allows the hook to move more freely while still offering some protection. A small detail like this can make a major difference when fish barely commit to the bait. Because winter bites feel more like added weight than a clear tap, having fewer fibers between the hook and the fish improves landing percentages noticeably. A thinner guard also helps the jig compress more naturally when a bass mouths it, which is extremely important during cold conditions. Pairing the jig with soft plastics such as craw-styled baits or insect larvae adds realism without interfering with the streamlined hookup. In rocky or sparse cover, removing the guard entirely allows for maximum sensitivity and a more direct connection to the fish. Fine-tuning the weed guard to match the cover you’re fishing gives you the ideal balance between protection and hooking efficiency, especially in winter.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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.
Winter jig fishing succeeds or fails based on cadence, meaning how you move the bait along the bottom. Some days bass only respond to a slow drag that never leaves bottom contact, while other days require short hops to trigger a reaction. There are also times when a slow swimming retrieve followed by letting the jig fall naturally produces the most strikes. Because winter bass vary in mood from day to day, testing different cadences early in your trip helps you identify what works. Once you find the rhythm they prefer, you can repeat it consistently to catch multiple fish from the same area. Understanding cadence is one of the most important skills an angler can develop for cold-water jig fishing. Even small changes like pausing longer between movements or reducing hop height can completely shift your success rate. Soft-plastic trailers such as craw-styled baits, beetles, or insect larvae help enhance these cadence adjustments without overwhelming. Winter bass often feed in short bursts, so dialing in cadence can quickly transform a slow day into a productive one. Repeating the same motion the exact same way after finding what works helps bass commit more reliably, especially when they’re lethargic. Treating cadence like a puzzle rather than a fixed routine keeps your approach flexible and aligned with that day.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!
Fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water requires line that sinks well and allows your bait to reach bottom quickly. Lighter fluorocarbon helps achieve this by reducing drag and offering a more natural fall. It also provides enough stretch so winter bass have time to fully take the bait before you set the hook. Without this slight give, you may pull the bait away from fish that bite softly. Downsizing line also enhances sensitivity in deep water, helping you detect subtle bottom changes that often concentrate winter bass. This small adjustment helps you maintain better contact at depth and improves your overall hookup rate. Thin line cuts through the water more efficiently, making it easier to keep soft-plastic trailers like craw-styled baits or insect larvae moving naturally across deep structure. It also helps maintain bottom contact on steep drops where heavier line might lift the bait too much. Deep-water strikes are often nothing more than added weight, and lighter line lets you feel these moments instead of missing them. Using a controlled, sweeping hookset works well with downsized line because it takes advantage of the built-in stretch while still driving the hook home. For winter anglers, adjusting line size becomes a simple but powerful way to reach fish others overlook in deeper zones.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 MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. 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, Electric 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 Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — 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.
In winter, bass often avoid noise and pressure from boats positioned directly overhead. By staying farther back and making long, controlled casts, you present your bait more naturally and reduce the chance of spooking fish. This approach is especially effective in clear water where sound and shadows travel farther. Many anglers rely on vertical presentations like hovering or dropping baits directly onto fish, but winter bass can be less willing to chase in these situations. Fishing from a distance keeps your presence subtle and allows your jig or soft-plastic trailer such as craw-styled baits or insect larvae profiles, to move naturally across the bottom. This often results in more bites from fish that have grown cautious through cold conditions. Long casts also give your bait a longer travel path across key structure, increasing the odds of crossing a bass’s limited winter strike zone. Staying back helps you maintain bottom contact more effectively, since the bait approaches the fish at a natural angle rather than dropping straight down. It also allows fish to inspect the bait without sensing pressure or sudden movement from the boat. Using soft plastics such as worms or beetle-style baits becomes even more effective from a distance because their small movement blends into the bottom environment. Keeping your distance ultimately helps you and lets you fish slower, quieter, and more naturally.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo 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 trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Cold weather brings ice-covered rod guides, numb hands, and difficulty working fast-moving lures for long periods. A jig offers a slower, simplified approach that keeps your hands drier and reduces constant reeling. Because you’re working the bottom at a steady pace, you spend more time fishing and less time fighting frozen equipment. Winter bass respond well to these subtle bottom-contact techniques, especially when your jig is paired with soft plastics like worms, beetles, or craw-styled baits. This efficiency lets you cover prime areas thoroughly without tiring yourself out. For many anglers, winter becomes the season where jig fishing delivers their most rewarding days on the water. The slower pace also helps you detect small depth changes, transitions, and isolated cover that often go unnoticed with faster techniques. Winter jig fishing minimizes wasted movement, allowing you to keep your line tight and stay fully aware of bottom texture and subtle strikes. Because your bait stays down longer, you naturally fish each spot more thoroughly, increasing your chances of finding wintering fish. It’s also easier to maintain control of your presentation during cold fronts when bass become even more finicky. As a whole, this method provides consistency and comfort while still giving you access to quality bass that many anglers miss in winter.
We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. 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 precious 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 that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure.





Tommy Marrow & Dennis Reedy win CATT Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 20.32 lbs!

Brian Carter
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Tommy Marrow & Dennis Reedy win CATT Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 20.32 lbs!

Next Saturday is the Kerr Lake Phantom! 

Tommy Marrow & Dennis Reedy win Kerr Lake with 5 bass weighing 20.32 lbs!

Randy Waterman & Eddie Fore 2nd with 17.39 lbs and they win the Kerr Fall Points!

Doug Stallings & Jay Fogleman 3rd with 16.92 lbs and the BF at 4.80 lbs!

Jacob Novak & Jarred Williams 4th with 16.71 lbs!

Tyler & Ricky Trent 5th Place! 16.32 lbs!

Jared Williams with 2 Kerr Lake Bass!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Dennis Reedy – Tommy Marrow4.3120.32$1,780.00110
Randy Waterman – Eddie Fore4.7517.39$965.00109
Jay Fogleman – Doug Stallings4.8016.92$770.00108
Jacob Novak – Jared Williams0.0016.71$225.00107
Tyler Trent – Ricky Trent0.0016.32$160.00106
Ben Dalton – Dean Dalton0.0015.29105
Robbie Ross – Kennon Ross0.0014.75104
Brandon Curtis – Tom Wilkinson0.0014.74103
Marty Stone – JT Stone0.0014.50102
Tony Fox – Dominic Berrata0.0013.92101
Robert Perkins0.0013.63100
Joseph Sharpe – Glenn Eskins0.0013.3299
Bryan Calloway – Tony Tombs0.0013.2298
Bryson Peed – Josh Fletcher0.0013.2097
Gary Colwell – Gary Colwell0.0012.3096
Derrick Currin – Andrew Kerns0.0012.2495
Kevin Brown – Dustin Cobb0.0011.0494
Jeff Taylor0.0010.8893
Jason Houchins – Danny Houchins0.009.3792
Eric Christian – Ken Minor4.739.1491
Greg Soukup – Darrell Hobson0.008.6890
Michael Dikun – Jenny Li0.005.5389
Durwood Daniels – Tim Wiltfong0.002.7088
Larry Witt – Danny Williams0.000.0078
Brian Cotrell – Ellis Jones0.000.0078
Chuck Morton – Mike Riggs0.000.0078
Mike Heitzman – Wes House4.640.0078
Donald Coleman0.000.0078
Seth Ellis – Trey Tombson0.000.0078
Total Entrys$3,480.00
BONUS $$950.00
Total Paid At Ramp$3,900.00
Kerr 2025 Fall Final Fund$430.00
CATT$50.00
2026 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2025 Kerr Fall Final Fund Total$1,895.00





Steve Addington and Scott Beattie win CATT Lake Norman With 14.20 Lbs

Brian Carter
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Steve Addington and Scott Beattie win CATT Lake Norman With 14.20 Lbs

Next up is the 2025 Lake Norman Fall Final Dec 13 at Pinnacle! We will be there with the Hooksetter Club and will coordinate with them that morning!

Mark your calendar! Last year the BassKings Final at Lake Murray paid back $6,000 to the winner! Come join us and win BIG!

More info on the Lake Norman BassKings events tap on this link!

BassKings – Lake Norman – Carolina Anglers Team Trail

We had 29 teams enter this past Saturday at Lake Norman and all total we have 67 team eligible to enter the Fall Final Dec 13th! We can have a HUGE payback with only 40 of the 67 teams entering Dec 13th! 

Steve Addington and Scott Beattie win again on Lake Norman! This win ups their total to 3 wins out of the 5 Norman Qualifiers! Steve and Scott brought in 5 bass weighing 14.20 lbs plus they weighed the BF at 4.31 lbs and took home $1,430.00! They will also receive $300 and free entry at the Fall Final by finishing 1st in the Fall Points on Lake Norman!!

Kenny Seagle & Drew Montgomery finished 2nd in the Fall points and will receive $100!

Baydin & Robbie Anderson claimed 2nd Place with 5 bass weighing 11.50 lbs!

Tim Waddell & Mark Beshears 3rd with 11.39 lbs!

Anthony & James Burton 4th with 11.36 lbs!

Eric Raines & Arthur Harris took 5th with 11.22 lbs!

TEAMBFWEIGHTWINNINGSPOINTS
STEVE ADDINGTON & SCOTT BEATTIE4.3114.20$1,430.00110
ROBBY ANDERSON & BAYDIN ANDERSON0.0011.50$715.00109
TIM WADDELL & MARK BESHEARS0.0011.39$280.00108
ANTHONY BURTON & JAMES BURTON0.0011.36$115.00107
ARTHUR HARRIS & ERIC RAINES3.5311.22$85.00106
ETHAN HOSPEDALES & ELLIOTT CLAY0.0010.66105
KENNY SEAGLE & DREW MONTGOMERY0.0010.38104
MARK LONG2.7910.31103
THOMAS JONES0.009.96102
JERRY RAMSEY & PATRICK MARSHALL4.089.30101
DUANE RINKUS & DAN OKONIEWSKI0.008.59100
JOHN DULUC & JOHN CHEEK0.006.0499
KELLY HENDRICK & CASEY HENDRICK0.004.5398
NICK MILLER & BRANDON BRICKWEG0.000.0088
JOSH PRESSLEY & GABE KLUTTZ0.000.0088
SHANE WHITESELL0.000.0088
TONY COLACURCIO0.000.0088
JONATHAN HOBBS0.000.0088
DANIEL NOEL0.000.0088
JERRY MORRIS & SHANE LINEBERGER0.000.0088
HARLEY RUDISILL & JOURDAN OSINSKIE0.000.0088
CHRIS PASSMORE0.000.0088
DALE PHILLIPS0.000.0088
MIKE GITTINGS & MICHAEL GITTINGS0.000.0088
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON0.000.0088
CHRIS GOODWIN & ANTHONY LUTZ0.000.0088
MATT ROBERTSON0.000.0088
CHUCK DOUTHITT & CHASE DOUTHITT0.000.0088
JACK CLANCY0.000.0088
Lake Norman Fall Final Fund$625.00
Lake Norman Fall Point Winners$400.00





Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 20.30 lbs

Brian Carter
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Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 20.30 lbs

Next up is the 2025 Fall Yadkin Final on High Rock Lake Dec 13! You can view the points at the bottom of the Yadkin Divisions page!

Scott Eggleton & Bryant Gobbel win the Yadkin Fall Points and will receive $500.00!

Austin Garland fished 2nd and will receive free entry at the Final!

Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 20.30 lbs along with the BF at 6.35 lbs!

Mike Kiser & Matt Stanley earned 2nd place with a limit weighing 19.65 lbs!

3rd went to Austin Garland with 19.60 lbs!

Curt Lare & Devin Kenedy finished in 4th with 18.63 lbs!

Steve Cannon & Tracy Adams 5th Place 17.32 lbs!

Thomas Ludwick & Tom File 6th 16.78 lbs!

Last money spot went to Tom & Tate Coleman with 16.47 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Chris Brown – Wayne Ingram6.3520.30$1,625.00110
Mike Kiser – Matt Stanley5.3619.65$640.00109
Austin Garland4.8919.60$300.00108
Curt Lare – Devin Kennedy4.2418.63$200.00107
Steve Cannon – Tracy Adams6.1917.32$120.00106
Thomas Ludwick – Tom File4.9716.78$110.00105
Tom Coleman – Tate Coleman4.5616.47$100.00104
Donald Livengood – Susan Manhollan4.3116.28103
Maurice Freeze – Rick Poplin0.0015.98102
Mike Ray – Orlando Giles0.0014.37101
Scott Eggleton – Bryant Gobbel0.0014.33100
David Wright – Scott Faulkner0.0014.2999
Dwayne Hughes – Mike Lanford0.0014.2798
Travis Dotson – Todd Harris0.0013.9897
Brad Staley – Josh Stafford5.1513.7796
Barry Buford – Cameron Lineback0.0013.7595
Zach Ridenhour0.0013.6994
Travis Williams – Jeff Faircloth0.0013.6593
Steve Sink – Jason Riggs0.0012.1292
Sam Cole – Joel Ketcham0.0011.9091
Bart Hill – Wyatt Hill0.0011.2790
Ladd Whicker – Landon Whicker0.0010.5589
Billy Marshall – Keith Davis0.009.6188
Kevin Stowell SR – Chris Leonard0.008.7987
Chris Elrod – Dakota Dennis0.006.4586
Parrish Payne – Bobby Matthews0.004.8785
Jeff White – Tommy Coleman0.000.0075
Austin Wike0.000.0075
Shane Kennedy0.000.0075
Grant Rutter0.000.0075
Robin Collins- Ronnie White0.000.0075
Chris Chambers – Lee Endicott0.000.0075
Cliff Williams – Nick Williams0.000.0075
Bryson Perry – Ethan Fesperman0.000.0075
Mack Lowe – Jonathan Lowe0.000.0075
Total Entrys$2,800.00
BONUS $$800.00
Total Paid At Ramp$3,095.00
CATT$50.00
2025 Yadkin Fall Final Fund$405.00
2026 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2025 Yadkin Fall Final Fund Total$2,015.00





Small Upgrades, Big Difference: Get More from Your Boat This Season By Carson Maddux

Brian Carter
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Small Upgrades, Big Difference: Get More from Your Boat This Season By Carson Maddux

Small Upgrades, Big Difference: Get More from Your Boat This Season

As we are nearing the end of the year, it is a good time to talk about our boats and the maintenance that comes with them. Every boat owner knows the old saying, “ You know what B.O.A.T. stands for? Break Out Another Thousand!”. This hurtful saying is unfortunately true for many of us, but routine maintenance and investing in major improvements can cut out a lot of headaches. When I am not fishing tournaments, I work as the Sales Manager of Stateline Marine in East Alabama. I am fortunate enough to be on the front lines of technology trends and am able to see firsthand what works and what is a waste of time/money. I would love to get every angler in a new Phoenix each year, but I understand that most of us need to make the most of the boats we have. Today I want to talk about a few things to work on over the offseason.

Start with the heart of every modern bass boat: the electrical system. Weak power delivery is one of the most common (and overlooked) issues in aging rigs. If your trolling motor feels underpowered or your electronics occasionally flicker, your wiring and connectors may be the culprits. Before investing in expensive lithium batteries, try refreshing your wiring harness with heavier-gauge cable, replacing corroded terminals, and installing a quality onboard charger. Many older boats were built well at the time, but modern electronics are bigger, heavier, and more voltage finicky than the boats were designed for. If you are running multiple 12-16” screens with live sonar, you will age your batteries a lot quicker than you would think. Upgrading to a good-quality AGM battery or, preferably, a lithium battery will allow your electronics to function at their highest capacity.

Your engine deserves the same level of attention. Regular maintenance can extend its life dramatically and save you from costly breakdowns on tournament day. Changing lower unit oil, inspecting spark plugs, replacing fuel filters, and keeping a clean prop hub are simple but crucial steps. Even an annual impeller replacement can prevent overheating and catastrophic damage. Keeping your outboard clean and serviced doesn’t just protect your investment; it ensures you get every ounce of performance when it counts.

Lastly, tackle organization is an often-overlooked upgrade that can pay huge dividends. A cluttered deck wastes time and costs fish. Installing tackle drawer systems or crate dividers, labeling waterproof boxes, and adding magnetic tool holders near the console can streamline your workflow and make every trip feel more intentional. When everything has its place, you spend more time fishing and less time searching. This is the best time of year to unload your boat, go through the piles of baits in your garage, and take inventory. We carry a lot of unnecessary things in our boats and often so much so that we forget some of the necessities. We can get carried away during peak season and let disorganization hold us back.

Although maintenance and organization may be painfully boring, it ultimately helps maximize our time on the water when it counts. Next time you get some downtime, go to your boat and see what needs attention. Tighten loose screws, grease your fittings, and get your boat back in tip-top shape!





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