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Bryan Thrift Leads Early at MLF Bass Pro Tour Toyota Stage 7 at Saginaw Bay

August 7, 2025

Bryan Thrift Leads Early at MLF Bass Pro Tour Toyota Stage 7 at Saginaw Bay

North Carolina pro catches 48 bass weighing 127 pounds, 11 ounces to grab early lead, six pros break 90-pound mark

BAY CITY, Mich. (Aug. 7, 2025) – The vast waters of Saginaw Bay yielded a little bit of everything on Day 1 at Toyota Stage 7 Presented by Ranger Boats. While much of the Bass Pro Tour field power fished for largemouth, some used finesse tactics to catch smallmouth and a few combined both approaches during Thursday’s opening day of qualifying.

All of the above tactics produced bunches of bass. Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, led the way, boating 48 scorable bass for 127 pounds, 11 ounces. One of four pros to top the 100-pound mark on the day, he leads Talala, Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers by 16-9. Thrift’s banner day saw him catch the most scorable bass, amass the most weight and tie for Berkley Big Bass honors with a 4-11 largemouth.

“I didn’t expect it to be that good,” Thrift said. “I thought I could catch some bass, but I never thought I could catch them that good.”

Meanwhile, it took nearly 55 pounds to claim a spot above the 20th-place elimination line. The field as a whole wrangled 1,278 scorable bass totaling more than 3,100 pounds – easily the highest totals for a competition day during the 2025 season.

Link to Day 1 On-the-Water Photo Gallery: Saginaw Bay shows out for Bass Pro Tour Stage 7’s first day
Link to HD Video of Highlights from Day 1 Competition

While Thrift lives more than 700 miles away from Saginaw Bay, he’s clearly taken a liking to this portion of Lake Huron. The North Carolina native made the Championship Round when the Bass Pro Tour first visited the fishery in 2023, finishing ninth. Even though that event was contested with a five-fish limit as opposed to the current every-fish-counts format, Thrift was able to pick up where he left off, catching largemouth around isolated offshore grass patches.

Thrift thinks the featureless nature of the inner bay aligns with his wheelhouse because it allows him to idle and scan for sneaky offshore spots, which he’s long been one of the best at maximizing.

“It’s pretty shallow and featureless, not a lot of contours, and I can spend time looking for stuff with that Humminbird Side Imaging and find some of that isolated structure,” he said. “Luckily, it’s holding a few largemouth.”

Thrift started Day 1 on a spot that produced for him in 2023, then ran a few other areas that set up the same way. Whereas he only got about 10 to 12 scorable bites per day two years ago, Thrift found the grass patches teeming with largemouth. He attributes that to the low water level, theorizing that it prompted some of the bass to move from the ample emergent vegetation that lines the bay to deeper habitat.

“I’ve got to imagine that’s what put as many fish out there this time versus last time we were here,” he said. “Last time we were here, I was only catching 10 or 12 per day, but it was a lot of 3-pounders, 3½-pounders. And today, it was just a lot of 2½ to 2-15s.”

As good as Thrift’s opening day was, he doesn’t believe he’s found the winning formula just yet. He caught all of his weight off four spots Thursday, and he doubts they can hold up across four days of competition. He’s also concerned that the wind, which is forecast to blow harder each day, could hurt his bite. As a result, he’s still not sure whether he’ll use the second day of qualifying to scout for new spots or push to win the Qualifying Round, thus earning an automatic trip to Championship Sunday. Ideally, he’d like to do both.

“I’m going to let the wind decide what I do,” Thrift said. “I would like to go practice. I’d also like to win the round, make that guaranteed Championship berth. But I know I don’t have enough fish for four days, for sure. There’s absolutely no way. I don’t see how I can keep catching that many bass off of it. So, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’m going to play it by ear.”

The top 20 pros in after Day 1 on Saginaw Bay are:

1st:        Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 48 bass, 127-11
2nd:      Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., 45 bass, 111-3
3rd:       Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., 44 bass, 109-13
4th:        Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 43 bass, 100-4
5th:        Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 35 bass, 94-0
6th:        Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas, 39 bass, 93-8
7th:        Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 34 bass, 87-2
8th:        Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 30 bass, 71-4
9th:        Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn., 30 bass, 70-13
10th:     Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 27 bass, 69-12
11th:     Shinichi Fukae, Osaka, Japan, 29 bass, 69-4
12th:     Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 28 bass, 68-13
13th:     Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 23 bass, 65-13
14th:     Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 23 bass, 64-10
15th:     Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga., 27 bass, 64-5
16th:     Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 24 bass, 59-15
17th:     Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 24 bass, 58-11
18th:     Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 22 bass, 58-8
19th:     Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 24 bass, 57-8
20th:     Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C., 22 bass, 54-15

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

Overall, there were 1,278 bass caught weighing 3,156 pounds, 10 ounces, by the 66 Bass Pro Tour anglers on Thursday. Both the number of bass caught and the total weight were new season-high totals for the circuit.

Thursday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award was a four-way tie – with two different fish species. Tournament leader Bryan Thrift and pro Marshall Robinson both weighed in largemouth bass totaling 4 pounds, 11 ounces, while pros Mark Daniels Jr. and Nick LeBrun both weighed in 4-pound, 11-ounce smallmouth bass to each earn a share of the award. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

Hosted by Go Great Lake Bay and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the four-day event features 66 of the top professional anglers in the world competing for a $150,000 top prize, a share of the $6.49 million season purse, and valuable AOY points in hopes of qualifying for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the heaviest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine 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 $150,000.

Anglers will arrive each morning at 5:15 a.m. ET to the Golson Boat Launch, located at 1598 N. Johnson St. in Bay City, Michigan. The Bass Pro Tour trailering policy has been enacted for this event, so anglers will depart the Golson Boat Launch each morning at 6:15 a.m. to one of nine optional launch ramps located around the fishery. Anglers will return to the Golson Boat Launch each evening, following the end of competition 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 all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and Rumble.

On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Wenonah Park at 103 Center Ave., in Bay City for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW!® big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall, a youth fishing derby and a casting contest.

The Toyota Stage 7 at Saginaw Bay Presented by Ranger Boats features anglers competing with a 2-pound 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 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 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 Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.

Television coverage of the Toyota Stage 7 at Saginaw Bay Presented by Ranger Boats will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Nov. 15 on Discovery. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing Co., Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, NITRO Boats, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine, Toyota and Zenni.

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.

McKinney unlocks the right cadence to lead Day 1 at St. Clair

Brian Carter

August 7, 2025

McKinney unlocks the right cadence to lead Day 1 at St. Clair

Illinois pro Trey McKinney has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a total of 24 pounds, 11 ounces.

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

Aug. 7, 2025

McKinney unlocks the right cadence to lead Day 1 at St. Clair

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. –— In his first three years as a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Trey McKinney has come to realize a northern smallmouth bass is smarter than a southern largemouth. On Day 1 of the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, McKinney found the right cadence to trick five big brown fish into biting.

The 20-year-old phenom from Carbondale, Ill., leads the 101 Elite Series field with 24 pounds, 11 ounces, anchoring his bag with a 5-10 smallmouth. McKinney’s lead over second-place Matt Robertson is just 11-ounce while Will Davis Jr. trails by 1-8.

“I’ve never been nervous for a tournament, but I was nervous for this one,” McKinney said. “I think the main thing will be staying consistent on finding new areas as the days go on.”

Despite reports of a tougher than usual bite, Lake St. Clair once again proved why it is one of the best smallmouth lakes in the country. Forty-four anglers landed limits of 20 pounds or better on Day 1 and 100 anglers landed a five-bass limit. Two pounds separates the leader from 16th-place Pat Schlapper.

To prepare for this tournament, the 2024 Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year spent several days on Lake Michigan. While Lake St. Clair and Lake Michigan are vastly different fisheries, McKinney has learned smallmouth have the same tendencies no matter which body of water they are in.

That realization has helped the young angler quickly get a grip on northern fisheries.

“Smallmouth are smallmouth. They have the same instincts,” he explained. “A lot of it is cadence. They are sight feeders. Everyone says largemouth are smarter, but I think smallmouth are smarter. When you present your bait, it has to look so natural for a big one to eat it. How you present the bait to them is the difference between them eating it and bumping it.”

McKinney’s morning started off with a bang, landing a 4-pounder right off the bat and then the 5-10 smallmouth. He followed that with a 4-12 before moving around and filling out his bag by noon. From there, he went to practice, landing several 4-8’s that didn’t help before calling it quits for the day.

“To compete in this tournament, you have to have all smallmouth over 4 pounds,” McKinney remarked.

Outside of his morning area, McKinney stayed on his trolling motor looking for a specific bottom composition. A mix of tall and short grasses, combined with sand, has been the best combination for him so far. Three baits produced his best bites.

“As long as the bottom looks right with the grass and the sand, I’ll keep going,” he said.

While the way he is fishing can be inconsistent, McKinney caught enough fish on Day 1 to feel confident about his chances moving forward. His goal is to catch as many bass over 4 1/2 pounds as he can the next three days.

“If I can catch 22 1/2 pounds from here on out, I still have a shot,” he said.

Robertson, meanwhile, anchored his 24-pound Day 1 limit with a 5-14 smallmouth, the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day. The Kuttawa, Ky., pro opened the morning by landing 17 pounds before moving to an area he felt had better quality bass and making several upgrades using two different baits.

“I took a chance and tried to get two or three big ones the rest of the day,” Robertson said. “It was good enough and I’m going to do it all day tomorrow.”

Two different baits produced his weight, but one bait has been key to getting his bigger bites in his best area.

“It is a day-by-day thing, one area is definitely keyed in on one bait,” he explained. “It is a little different from what most people are fishing. So, I mean, that deal I’ve got it dialed.”

Davis Jr., meanwhile, caught the majority of his 23-3 in an hour flurry around mid-morning. Around 9:30 a.m., he drifted through an area and landed two 4-pounders before boating a 5-8 and a 5-4 on back-to-back casts. He landed one more 4-pounder before the bite died.

“That was it,” he said.

A Big Bite Baits Thresher Worm on a drop shot and a Big Bite Jerk Minnow on a Davis Bait Company jighead were his best producers. Late in the day, the Sylacauga, Ala., native said he found a bait that better quality smallmouth would bite and lost two good ones before coming to weigh-in.

McKinney leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 690 points followed by Canadian pro Chris Johnston with 662 points. Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat is third with 651 points followed by Kyoya Fujita in fourth with 646 points and Davis Jr. in fifth with 646 points. Patrick Walters, Taku Ito, Bill Lowen, Shane LeHew and Paul Marks round out the Top 10.

The full field will launch from Brandenburg Park beginning at 7 a.m. and return for weigh-in at 3:10 p.m. The Top 50 anglers after the Day 2 weigh-in will advance to Semifinal Saturday before the Top 10 anglers compete on Championship Sunday.

Bassmaster LIVE will run from 8 a.m. ET until 3 p.m. on Bassmaster.com. Roku will carry coverage on Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Noon to 3 p.m. Coverage on Saturday and Sunday will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com from Noon to 3 p.m.

The Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair is being hosted by the D etroit Sports Commission.

2025 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/7-8/10
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 24-11 104
Day 1: 5 24-11
2. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 24-00 103 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-00
3. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 23-03 102
Day 1: 5 23-03
4. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 23-01 101
Day 1: 5 23-01
5. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 22-14 100
Day 1: 5 22-14
5. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 22-14 100
Day 1: 5 22-14
7. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 22-13 98
Day 1: 5 22-13
7. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 22-13 98
Day 1: 5 22-13
9. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 22-07 96
Day 1: 5 22-07
10. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 22-06 95
Day 1: 5 22-06
11. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 22-04 94
Day 1: 5 22-04
12. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 22-02 93
Day 1: 5 22-02
13. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 21-15 92
Day 1: 5 21-15
14. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 21-14 91
Day 1: 5 21-14
15. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 21-12 90
Day 1: 5 21-12
16. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 21-11 89
Day 1: 5 21-11
17. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 21-08 88
Day 1: 5 21-08
18. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 5 21-07 87
Day 1: 5 21-07
19. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 21-06 86
Day 1: 5 21-06
19. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 21-06 86
Day 1: 5 21-06
21. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 21-05 84
Day 1: 5 21-05
21. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 21-05 84
Day 1: 5 21-05
23. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 21-03 82
Day 1: 5 21-03
23. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 21-03 82
Day 1: 5 21-03
25. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 21-01 80
Day 1: 5 21-01
25. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 5 21-01 80
Day 1: 5 21-01
27. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 21-01 78
Day 1: 5 21-01
28. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 20-15 77
Day 1: 5 20-15
29. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 20-12 76
Day 1: 5 20-12
29. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 20-12 76
Day 1: 5 20-12
31. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 20-11 74
Day 1: 5 20-11
31. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 20-11 74
Day 1: 5 20-11
33. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 20-10 72
Day 1: 5 20-10
33. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 20-10 72
Day 1: 5 20-10
35. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 20-08 70
Day 1: 5 20-08
36. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 20-07 69
Day 1: 5 20-07
37. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 5 20-06 68
Day 1: 5 20-06
38. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 20-04 67
Day 1: 5 20-04
39. John Cox Debary, FL 5 20-02 66
Day 1: 5 20-02
39. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 20-02 66
Day 1: 5 20-02
39. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 20-02 66
Day 1: 5 20-02
42. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 20-01 63
Day 1: 5 20-01
42. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 20-01 63
Day 1: 5 20-01
44. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 20-00 61
Day 1: 5 20-00
45. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 19-15 60
Day 1: 5 19-15
45. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 19-15 60
Day 1: 5 19-15
47. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 19-14 58
Day 1: 5 19-14
48. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 19-13 57
Day 1: 5 19-13
48. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 19-13 57
Day 1: 5 19-13
50. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 19-12 55
Day 1: 5 19-12
51. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 19-10 54
Day 1: 5 19-10
51. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 19-10 54
Day 1: 5 19-10
53. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 19-07 52
Day 1: 5 19-07
53. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 19-07 52
Day 1: 5 19-07
53. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 19-07 52
Day 1: 5 19-07
56. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 19-06 49
Day 1: 5 19-06
56. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 19-06 49
Day 1: 5 19-06
58. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 19-05 47
Day 1: 5 19-05
59. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 19-02 46
Day 1: 5 19-02
59. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 19-02 46
Day 1: 5 19-02
61. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 19-01 0
Day 1: 5 19-01
61. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 19-01 44
Day 1: 5 19-01
63. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 18-14 42
Day 1: 5 18-14
63. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 5 18-14 42
Day 1: 5 18-14
65. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 18-13 40
Day 1: 5 18-13
66. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 18-12 39
Day 1: 5 18-12
67. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 18-09 38
Day 1: 5 18-09
67. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 18-09 38
Day 1: 5 18-09
69. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 18-06 36
Day 1: 5 18-06
69. Bryan New Leesville, SC 5 18-06 36
Day 1: 5 18-06
69. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 18-06 36
Day 1: 5 18-06
72. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 18-05 33
Day 1: 5 18-05
73. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 18-04 32
Day 1: 5 18-04
73. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 18-04 32
Day 1: 5 18-04
75. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 18-03 30
Day 1: 5 18-03
75. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 18-03 30
Day 1: 5 18-03
75. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 18-03 30
Day 1: 5 18-03
78. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 18-01 27
Day 1: 5 18-01
79. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 17-14 26
Day 1: 5 17-14
79. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 17-14 26
Day 1: 5 17-14
81. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 17-12 24
Day 1: 5 17-12
81. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-12 24
Day 1: 5 17-12
83. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 5 17-10 22
Day 1: 5 17-10
84. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 17-09 21
Day 1: 5 17-09
85. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 17-08 20
Day 1: 5 17-08
86. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 17-06 19
Day 1: 5 17-06
87. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 17-05 18
Day 1: 5 17-05
88. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 17-03 17
Day 1: 5 17-03
89. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 16-10 16
Day 1: 5 16-10
90. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 16-07 15
Day 1: 5 16-07
90. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 16-07 15
Day 1: 5 16-07
92. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 16-06 13
Day 1: 5 16-06
93. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 16-00 12
Day 1: 5 16-00
94. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 15-13 11
Day 1: 5 15-13
95. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 15-10 10
Day 1: 5 15-10
96. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-08 9
Day 1: 5 15-08
97. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 15-05 8
Day 1: 5 15-05
97. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 15-05 8
Day 1: 5 15-05
99. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 14-15 6
Day 1: 5 14-15
99. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 14-15 6
Day 1: 5 14-15
101. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 4 12-11 4
Day 1: 4 12-11
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 05-14 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 100 504 1967-11
———————————-
100 504 1967-11

Scott Matkosky & John Stevens win the Potomac River Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 16.98 lbs

Brian Carter

August 7, 2025

Scott Matkosky & John Stevens win the Potomac River Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 16.98 lbs

Thanks for fishing guys! We will be back next Spring!

Scott Matkosky – John Stevens win the Potomac River Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 16.98 lbs and they collect $3,225.00!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Scott Matkosky – John Stevens	0.00	16.98	$3,225.00
Mike Nelms – Brian Kline	3.79	15.10	$800.00
Steve Starkey – Josh Payne	3.51	13.95	$300.00
Jarvis Raynor – Perry Stevenson	4.74	13.60	$150.00
Nick Sapio	3.49	13.34
Bobby Sheltey – John Fair	0.00	12.20
Clayton Payne – Waylon Etherton	0.00	12.05
Sammy Musselman – Ryan Mussleman	0.00	12.03
Cody Dent – Greg Dent	0.00	11.92
Derrick Taylor – Scott Holtzhauer	0.00	11.85
Pat Skinner – Daniel Coles	0.00	11.03
Ray Hogge – Donnie Daniel	0.00	11.26
William Lewis – Londel Coles	0.00	10.03	$120.00
Karl Sampson – Sean Page	0.00	0.00
Adam Bolling – Dino Dehn	0.00	0.00
Ken Cooper – Richard Hare	0.00	0.00

Fishing Clash Named Title Sponsor of MLF Team Series

Brian Carter

August 7, 2025

Fishing Clash Named Title Sponsor of MLF Team Series

BENTON, Ky. (Aug. 7, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Fishing Clash, one of the world’s most popular mobile fishing games, has signed on as title sponsor of the MLF Team Series. Now officially named the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, the innovative two-man competition will kick off the 2025 season August 24-29, in Port Huron on Michigan’s Thumbcoast.

Fishing Clash has been a proud MLF partner since 2023 and now deepens its investment by aligning with one of the league’s most dynamic and exciting series.

“We’re proud to continue our collaboration with Major League Fishing – a partnership that not only deepens our engagement with the angling community but also strengthens Fishing Clash’s presence in the U.S.,” said Andrzej Ilczuk, CEO of Ten Square Games. “Our previous campaigns with MLF led to a significant increase in installs and player engagement, confirming that MLF’s passionate fan base aligns perfectly with our audience. Becoming Title Sponsor of the Team Series is a natural next step – one that allows us to authentically connect with millions of fishing enthusiasts and bring the sport to life across digital and real-world experiences.”

The MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops will feature four Cup events in 2025 – the Challenge, Heritage, Patriot, and Summit Cups – with 12 two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a share of $560,000 in prize money.

Each six-day event will be streamed live on MLFNOW!®, with every catch, cast and strategic decision unfolding in real-time as teams break down unfamiliar waters and adapt together on the fly. Televised coverage of each event will air as six original two-hour episodes on the Outdoor Channel beginning in Q1 of 2026.

The 2025 season will kick off with the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup, held August 24–29 in Port Huron, Michigan – a premier smallmouth destination nestled on the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River.

Fans can follow the action live on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and Rumble, with hosts Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney breaking down every minute of competition on MLFNOW!®.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Team Series include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Caffeinated Pouches, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.

For complete details and updated information on the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery, Discovery+, Discovery GO, Animal Planet, Outdoor Channel, VICE, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and Game & Fish TV, and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.

DAIWA’s new 2025 AIRD 80 baitcasting reel boasts impressive features, performance, and a sticker-price promise

Brian Carter

August 6, 2025

DAIWA’s new 2025 AIRD 80 baitcasting reel boasts impressive features, performance, and a sticker-price promise

$99.99…and the Price is Firm

DAIWA’s new 2025 AIRD 80 baitcasting reel boasts impressive features, performance, and a sticker-price promise

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (August 6, 2025) – Starting a new product release with the price isn’t exactly normal. But these aren’t exactly normal times. So, let’s get it out of the way… DAIWA’s new 2025 AIRD 80 baitcasting reel will hit the shelves at $99.99, and stay there – come hell, high water, or zombie apocalypse!At a time when manufacturers are fearful of publishing prices, DAIWA shouts “$99.99!” from the mountaintops. “It’s a great price and will stay that way – but let’s not forget about the reel behind the price,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “It might be a basic baitcaster, but the new AIRD 80 is a performer and looks great while doing it.”The sleek and palmable AIRD 80 is a prime gateway reel into fishing a baitcasting reel. “The frame is compact and comfortable in anyone’s hand, making it a great tool for anybody wanting to advance their bass fishing, including women and kids,” said Martin.One of its pinnacle technologies is DAIWA’s classic MAGFORCE magnetic spool braking system, which reduces overrun, aka backlash – the nemesis of anglers, especially those new to baitcasting reels. Martin added, “You can adjust the braking system, too, depending on factors like the weight of the lure and wind conditions. For example, set it around 4 for throwing small swimbaits or Texas rigs and crank it closer to 10 for bulkier lures like spinnerbaits or buzzbaits.”

The AIRD 80’s MAGFORCE braking system works in concert with DAIWA’s inventive LC (Long Casting) Concept. “We use a specially shaped spool and magnetic control to maximize casting distance,” explained Martin. “Focus is put on preventing overrun in the beginning and then extending the end of the cast, particularly with midsize lures like ChatterBaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, weighted plastics, and crankbaits.”The affordably priced AIRD 80 gobbles up the right amount of line for its multifaceted applications. Martin says it comfortably spools 120yds of 12lb monofilament or fluorocarbon; 110yds of 14lb monofilament or fluorocarbon; 125yds of 30lb braid; and 95yds of 40lb braid. For all-around use, he specifically recommends 30lb J-BRAID Grand x8. MSRP $99.99

THE PERFECT PAIRINGDAIWA’s AIRD X rods are extremely popular due to their performance and quality at such an affordable price. They are built from high-quality graphite, providing excellent sensitivity and strength. The rod blanks feature a proprietary carbon weave for reinforcement, reducing twist, and increasing durability while keeping the rod lightweight and responsive. Features lightweight aluminum oxide guides, split-grip EVA foam handles for comfort and balance, and a convenient hook keeper.

AIRD 80 FEATURES:LC (Long Cast) ConceptDAIWA’s LC Concept enhances casting distance through a specialized spool design, reduced friction, and optimized braking. The concept prioritizes lightweight construction, large spool diameters, and specific spool geometries to maximize casting efficiency, especially during the final stages of the cast, and is engineered for use with midsized to large lures. MAGFORCE Cast Control DAIWA’s masterpiece magnetic braking system reduces backlash and improves casting performance for midsize to large lures. Magnets in the reel’s side plates apply constant and controlled braking pressure to the spool, preventing overrun during casts. As you start a cast and the spool approaches maximum speed, the spool’s rotor is kicked out towards the magnets, creating a smooth braking pressure to prevent backlash.90mm SWEPT HANDLEDesigned to enhance cranking power, comfort, and aesthetics, DAIWA’s signature curved handle shape improves ergonomics, providing better leverage and a more comfortable grip compared to standard straight handles.

For DAIWA’s latest color catalog and/or information on DAIWA dealers in your area, call DAIWA’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for DAIWA’s web site is daiwa.us

Texas Rig for Bass this Summer!

Brian Carter

August 5, 2025

Many anglers assume all bass retreat to deep, cool water during the heat of summer, but that’s not always the case. A significant number of bass remain shallow, particularly in areas that offer heavy cover and abundant baitfish. These fish use shallow structure and vegetation as ambush points while avoiding the bright sun and higher temperatures. Targeting shallow zones such as weed lines, brush piles, downed trees, and docks can produce consistent bites throughout the day. By focusing on these areas, anglers can often find fish that are less pressured because many others overlook them. Shallow summer bass may require a slower, more deliberate presentation, but they can still produce trophy catches. During the low-light periods such as early morning and late evening are often prime times to find these shallow fish feeding aggressively. Wind can also play a role by pushing baitfish into shallow coves or pockets, making them ideal ambush areas. Even during the midday heat, bass will often tuck tightly into shady cover or thick vegetation rather than retreating far into deep water. This behavior allows anglers to target them throughout the day using the right techniques. Understanding these water patterns can give anglers an edge when others head straight for deeper spots.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 just like you. We’ve recently dropped a new HellaMite Pro Pack that is loaded with 60 total 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 recently restocked our popular 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.

In hot summer conditions, bass often relate strongly to shade and thick cover. Shade provides cooler water and a sense of security, making it a natural holding area for fish. Whether it’s the shady side of a dock, overhanging trees, or a dense weed mat, these spots concentrate both baitfish and predator fish. Anglers should approach these areas methodically, focusing casts on shaded zones rather than open sunlit water. It’s also helpful to fish during low-light periods or on windy days when shade lines shift and expand. Understanding how bass position themselves relative to shade can dramatically improve catch rates in midsummer. When targeting shade, accuracy is critical, casting directly into tight pockets or along shade edges often produces the best results. Heavier cover may require weedless presentations to reach fish hiding deep inside without constant snags. Pay close attention to subtle shade differences, as even a small shadow line can hold multiple bass. On particularly bright days, fish are more likely to push farther under the docks or into thick vegetation, so precise presentations become even more important. Recognizing how shade changes throughout the day can help anglers time their spots effectively and maximize success.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!

The Texas rig is a highly versatile setup, especially useful in summer when bass hold tight to cover. It allows anglers to present soft plastics in a weedless manner, reducing hang-ups in vegetation or brush. Adjusting weight size and rigging style lets you target everything from open shallow flats to dense submerged bushes. A pegged weight can punch through thick vegetation, while an unpegged weight allows a slower, more natural fall in sparse cover. Carrying multiple soft plastics in different shapes and sizes ensures you’re ready for whatever conditions you encounter. Adaptability is what makes the Texas rig effective year-round, but it shines particularly bright during the dog days of summer. It can be fished effectively at nearly any depth, making it perfect for transitioning between shallow and mid-depth targets without changing rigs. Anglers can also adjust hook sizes to match different soft plastic profiles, further improving presentation and hook-up efficiency. It’s forgiving for beginners yet advanced enough for experienced anglers to fine-tune for specific situations. Because the Texas rig excels in heavy cover, it allows you to target fish that are often overlooked by those using open-hook presentations. Mastering this rig can dramatically increase your confidence in summer vegetation.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.

Fishing heavy cover successfully requires gear designed to handle tough situations. A strong braided line provides the power needed to pull fish out of thick weeds, brush, or timber without risking a break-off. A high-speed reel helps quickly pick up slack and move fish away from cover before they can tangle the line. Pairing this with a medium-heavy to heavy power rod gives you the strength and sensitivity to detect subtle bites while still providing backbone for hard hooksets. Having a drag system that can withstand heavy pressure is also crucial, ensuring you don’t lose fish buried deep in cover. With the right setup, anglers can confidently target big fish in places where others might hesitate to cast. Choosing the right rod length can also make a difference, as longer rods help improve leverage and casting accuracy into tight spots. Non-slip grips are valuable when setting hooks with force or fighting fish out of dense vegetation. Many anglers prefer reels with strong braking systems to help control heavy lures and precise casts around cover. Keeping your gear well-maintained, especially your line and the drag components, reduces the risk of failure during critical moments. Investing in quality equipment built for heavy cover ensures you can land more of the big bass that summer spots often hold.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!

Bass in summer often become less aggressive, requiring slower, more calculated presentations. Instead of dragging or hopping a bait quickly, try crawling it along the bottom, letting it pause frequently in prime strike zones. When your lure bumps into cover, let it sit briefly and then gently shake or jig it to trigger a reaction. This method works especially well when bass are buried in thick weeds or holding tight to submerged brush piles. Patience is key and sometimes it takes repeated subtle movements right in front of the fish to get a strike. Slowing down and refining your approach often leads to much more bites when summer heat makes fish less active. In many cases, leaving the soft plastic bait still for several seconds can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a solid hookset. Using lighter rod tip movements instead of strong jerks keeps the presentation natural and less intimidating to wary bass. Keeping a good eye on your line for small ticks or sudden movement becomes critical since bites are often small. Repeated casts to the same target area can also pay off because th inactive fish sometimes need multiple looks before fully committing. Developing confidence in a slower approach can dramatically improve success during the toughest summer conditions.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 released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR — 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.

During summer, bass frequently feed on bluegill and other shallow forage species. Matching the size, shape, and color of your soft plastics to resemble these prey items can make your presentation more effective. Many anglers find success by using soft plastics with slight tail accents or color modifications to mimic the flash and movement of bluegill fins. When bass are focused on this type of forage, small changes in presentation, such as tail dipping or color enhancement, can trigger strikes from otherwise uninterested fish. Paying attention to what the bass are feeding on in your waters helps you choose the right lure profile. By matching the hatch, you increase your chances of catching fish that are keyed in on a specific meal. Observing the water for signs of active baitfish, such as surface flickers or movement near cover, can help confirm forage presence. Adjusting retrieve speed and action to mimic injured or fleeing baitfish can also provoke reaction strikes. Seasonal forage shifts should be monitored because bass may change feeding patterns as new food sources become more abundant. Using scent attractants or natural color blends can further convince pressured fish to commit to a bite. Understanding and duplicating what bass naturally hunt builds confidence and consistency in summer.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!

Summer fishing conditions are highly variable, with changing water temperatures, baitfish movements, and weather patterns all influencing fish behavior. Anglers need to remain flexible and experiment with different lure styles, sizes, and presentations. Sometimes a worm might be the best option, while at other times a cray-styled bait or lizard could produce better results. It’s also smart to switch weight sizes and rigging methods to see how fish respond. By constantly testing and adapting, anglers can identify what works best for that specific day and location. This willingness to experiment often separates consistent anglers from those who struggle in summer conditions. Keeping multiple rod and reel setups ready with different rigs can speed up the process of testing various approaches. Pay attention to how weather fronts, wind, or water clarity shifts influence fish behavior throughout the day. Recording successful patterns in a fishing log helps build knowledge for future trips under similar conditions. Don’t hesitate to try unconventional techniques or target overlooked spots when traditional tactics aren’t producing. Staying open-minded and willing to adjust can turn a tough day on the water into one filled with success.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 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.

Fresh off Tackle Warehouse Invitational, Massena Now Readies for MLF Toyota Series at St. Lawrence River

Brian Carter

August 5, 2025

Fresh off Tackle Warehouse Invitational, Massena Now Readies for MLF Toyota Series at St. Lawrence River

MASSENA, N.Y. (Aug. 5, 2025) –The Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats is set to visit Massena, New York, next week, Aug. 14-16, for the second event of the Northern division – the Toyota Series at the St. Lawrence River Presented by Suzuki Marine.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Town of Massena, will feature a roster of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers competing for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.

With the smallmouth bass moving into their post-spawn patterns, anglers competing in the upcoming tournament at the St. Lawrence River should expect a deep-water showdown, according to recent Top-10 finisher and Tackle Warehouse Invitational pro Shaw Grigsby.

Grigsby, who just wrapped up a strong performance on the St. Lawrence during the Tackle Warehouse Invitational last week, said the river is shifting into a classic post-spawn phase and anglers would be wise to follow the fish out deep.

“When we were there, the fish were just finishing up spawning and were in transition,” Grigsby explained. “There were still some shallow, but a lot had already moved deep. As the days went on, that shallow bite faded fast.”

Now, with another week of summertime progression, Grigsby predicts most of the action during the Toyota Series stop will come from offshore zones – specifically, current seams, points and eddies in the river’s expansive main channel.

“The main channel has these little points and seams where current hits and rolls around structure. It creates these back eddies, and the fish love to sit in those seams where bait drifts right to them,” said Grigsby. “I think that’s going to be the deal – drop-shot rigs, Ned rigs, that kind of finesse approach in deep water.”

While a few competitors may manage to catch fish up shallow, Grigsby believes top finishers will be those who can stay dialed into the deeper bite.

“You can always catch some up shallow, but I don’t think that’ll hold up for a top-10 finish,” he said. “The guys who stick with the deep stuff are going to be the ones bringing in big bags every day.”

As for what it will take to win, Grigsby isn’t sugarcoating it.

“You better have over 20 pounds a day just to get a check,” he said. “To really compete, you’re looking at 23 to 26 pounds a day. The fishery is just that good – full of giants.”

Anglers will begin each day at 6 a.m. ET, launching from the Massena Intake Boat Launch at 1415 State Hwy 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 2 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.

The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, PirahnO2, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

August Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report by Captain Chad Green

Brian Carter

August 4, 2025

SMITH MOUNTIAN LAKE FISHING REPORT
By: Captain Chad Green
www.lastcastguideservicesml.com

August is one of the best months of the summer. Get out on the water when you can and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Practice catch and release as much as possible to preserve our great fisheries out there. As always, just make one more Last Cast as it could be the next trophy fish.
Visit Indian Point Marina for any tackle that you may need and they will fix you up.
Visit https://missilebaits.store/ and check out all they have to offer.
Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the https://thebasscast.com/
Check out Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle Penhook for your boating needs https://www.smboats.com

PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE ON CITATION SIZE FISH

Largemouth Bass/Smallmouth Bass
The Bass have moved full swing in to the summer and the crawfish have become first priority as well. They will be located on primary point areas that have transition areas near them. The depth range will vary each day this month depending on rain, sunlight and temperatures. Target rocky areas, flat points shallow drop offs and deeper docks. Topwater in the mornings can be productive this month and will produce some quality fish. Primary baits in July are usually soft plastics producing the most bites. Shakey Heads, Plastic worms, Drop shots and Jigs in the 10-20 ft range. Night time fishing will start to slow down this month but can still be productive. Try large profile baits in the same depth ranges especially around dawn and dusk. This is a great opportunity to catch some trophy fish and multiples per night is very common. Smallmouth will still be found near humps, shoals and rocky areas using the same lures. Make sure you take care of your fish in the summer as they can have Barotrauma and may need air released to survive. Cool mornings can have some fish in shallow water also, so don’t overlook the opportunity.

Striped Bass
Striper fishing will be good this month and look for them in larger schools as they start to group up for summer. They will travel in smaller schools searching for feeding opportunities. This jigging in the 30-50ft range will produce fish throughout the day as well and larger fish will show up this month as well at times and may be in smaller schools. The lower end of the lake to mid lake is where most of the action will be this month. Some fish can be found on the surface feeding early mornings on the lower end of the lake and can be fast and furious action. Larger topwater plugs can be productive.

Crappie
Most of the Crappie have started their summer journey as well. Try deeper trees and larger docks with deep water in the 15-25 foot range.

Major League Fishing, RFD-TV Join Forces to Bring Bass Fishing to National TV

Brian Carter

August 4, 2025

Major League Fishing, RFD-TV Join Forces to Bring Bass Fishing to National TV

MLF’s Team Series to Air Live on RFD-TV Beginning Aug. 24

BENTON, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2025) – In a landmark move for outdoor sports and Rural Media Group, Major League Fishing (MLF) and RFD-TV announced today an exclusive broadcast partnership that will bring live tournament coverage from the MLF Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops to a national television audience for the first time.

Starting Sunday, August 24, RFD-TV will air the final period of all 24 Team Series matches live – delivering the most intense, high-stakes moments of MLF competition straight into living rooms across the country. Final-period broadcasts will air from 2:30 to 5 p.m. ET, and unlike any other televised bass tournaments, the winner of each match will be crowned live as teams strive to survive and advance to the championship round. In addition, RFD-TV will kick off its coverage with a special full-day broadcast of Day 1 of the opening Team Series event of the season, the B&W Trailer Hitches Challenge Cup from Port Huron on Michigan’s Thumbcoast , airing live from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 24.

This partnership is more than just a programming decision. It’s a bold step forward for both organizations. It marks MLF’s first live presence on a linear television network since Emmy-winning announcer Joe Buck, baseball analyst Bob Brenly and Forrest L. Wood called the action live on FOX during the 1999 Ranger M1 Millennium, the first time a bass fishing tournament appeared live on linear TV. The historic Nov. 7, 1999, broadcast reeled in more than 2 million viewers. The 2025 MLF Team Series heralds Rural Media Group’s return to live sports broadcasting, building on a legacy that once included over 600 live rodeo events annually.

“This partnership is a major milestone for Major League Fishing and for the sport of professional bass fishing,” said Jim Wilburn, President of Sales for MLF. “Our fans will now be able to watch live tournament action unfold on a national broadcast television network. RFD-TV’s reach and commitment to rural and outdoor programming make them the perfect partner to help us bring the excitement of the Team Series to more households than ever before.”

Raquel Gottsch Koehler, Chief Marketing & Creative Officer and Co-Owner of RFD-TV, sees the partnership as part of a broader mission.

“This is about more than live sports. It’s about honoring tradition while embracing what’s next,” Koehler said. “At RFD-TV, we’ve always been committed to amplifying voices and stories that too often go unheard, and the story of professional bass fishing is one of grit, strategy and relentless passion. We’re extremely proud that RFD-TV will bring that story live to a national broadcast audience.”

The 2025 MLF Team Series is made up of four Cups – the Challenge Cup (Aug. 24–29), Heritage Cup (Sept. 14–19), Patriot Cup (Oct. 22–27), and Summit Cup (Nov. 16–21) – each featuring six action-packed matches with Bass Pro Tour anglers paired in two-man teams. Designed for television, the format delivers nonstop action, dramatic swings, and SCORETRACKER® leaderboard shakeups that make for compelling live viewing.

Each live broadcast will be produced by MLF’s award-winning production partner, Winnercomm, in HD and delivered to RFD-TV, ensuring the same standard of excellence fans have come to expect from MLFNOW!® livestream coverage. RFD-TV will hold exclusive linear broadcast rights during the live airing window, while fans can also stream the final periods live on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, RFD-TV Now, Game & Fish TV, and Rumble. MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps, and Rumble will stream the entirety of each event. Post-produced episodes of the Team Series will continue to air on the Outdoor Channel, Discovery and Vice.

The agreement also includes a dynamic mix of promotional support from both partners, including tune-in spots across MLF digital and linear platforms, dedicated features on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report and Rural Evening News, and a one-hour “MLF 101” special airing from RFD-TV’s Nashville studios in August.

“This collaboration embodies what’s possible when tradition meets innovation,” Wilburn said. “We’re not just broadcasting bass fishing – we’re elevating the platform for anglers, sponsors and fans alike, and we’re doing it together.”

For complete details and updated information on the MLF Team Series, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Bassmaster announces Nitro Boats and Bass Pro Shops as lead sponsors for new Elite Qualifiers Series

Brian Carter

August 4, 2025

Aug. 4, 2025

Bassmaster announces Nitro Boats and Bass Pro Shops as lead sponsors for new Elite Qualifiers Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In a partnership that reaffirms a shared commitment to conservation and the future of competitive bass fishing, Bassmaster is proud to welcome Nitro Boats and Bass Pro Shops as the title and presenting sponsors, respectively, of the newest professional tournament trail from B.A.S.S.: the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops.

This high-stakes, three-event series is designed to spotlight the next generation of Elite-level talent and provide a fast track to the sport’s biggest stages.

Anglers competing in the Elite Qualifiers Series will battle for more than just bragging rights — the Top 10 eligible anglers in Angler of the Year standings at the conclusion of the series will earn coveted spots in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, while each event champion will punch their ticket to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

The 2025 Elite Qualifiers tournament trail will feature three challenging fisheries:

Sept. 18-20: Lake Champlain — Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Oct. 2-4: Wheeler Lake — Decatur, Ala.
Nov. 13-15: Lake Okeechobee — Clewiston, Fla.

The Elite Qualifiers Series promises not only fierce competition, but also top-tier fan engagement and storytelling across Bassmaster’s robust media platforms.

To learn more about the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit Bassmaster.com.

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