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Bagley Baits Lands Four in the Top 20 at Classic Bass Champions Mississippi River Event

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June 17, 2022

Bagley Baits Lands Four in the Top 20 at Classic Bass Champions Mississippi River Event

Better balsa helps keep Mehr, Hatten, Vocelka and Schultz in the hunt despite rapidly dropping water levels

BEMIDJI, Minn. (June 17, 2022) – The first stop on the 2022 Classic Bass Champions Tour is in the books with competitors battling it out on Pools 4 and 5 of the Mississippi River. Tommy Parker, 18, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, came away with the victory after finessing 51 pounds, 4 ounces of bass from rip-rap stretches in the single day, split-session event that witnessed Bagley Pro Staffers, along with second-place finisher Ron Mehr, snag four of the top 15 spots on the leader board.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance considering I’m a rookie on this particular tour,” said Mehr, 45, from Paynesville, Minnesota, after coming from behind to take the lead briefly with less than 30 minutes remaining before finishing 15 ounces shy of the top slot with a 50-pound 5-ounce total. “I fell a little short but finishing second in a field that featured some of the best anglers in the country, some might say the world, is something to hang your hat on.”

Bagley Balsa B1

According to Mehr, the section of river he chose to work had fish in all three stages of the spawn. “I love to target post-spawn smallmouths when they set up on rip-rap, so I was mostly fishing shallow with a Bagley Balsa B1 Squarebill Crankbait. That lure runs shallow, isn’t easy to hang, and draws ferocious strikes when you bang it off rocks. It ended up playing a big part in my success as the bite came alive from the bank out to four-foot depths during the afternoon hours. Anytime I get in a situation where that approach is going to come into play, I know my chances are really good because I’ll have a Bagley crankbait at the end of my line. The saying really is true: ‘balsa is better!’”

While Mehr had his fish right where he wanted them during the afternoon, Bagley pro staffer, Tony Hatten, 48, from Richmond, Minnesota, found the fish more skittish than during his practice sessions when he hit the water for game day. Adjusting on the fly to quickly dropping water levels, he managed to claw his way to tenth place with a very respectable 32 pounds, 15 ounces of Mississippi bronzebacks.

“I had a solid crankbait bite during practice, but with the wind picking up, the sun shining bright and the water level dropping about 18 inches during the event, the smallmouths in my spots were growing increasingly shy by the minute, requiring a switch to finesse techniques,” recalled Hatten. That limited the time his crankbaits saw in the water during contest hours, but Bagley’s Sunny B still played a significant role in his performance.

“I had to probe really slow with tiny swimming jigs, dropping the size as the water levels receded and the fish began nipping rather than striking,” continued Hatten. “Still, I put my Bagley crankbaits to good use locating the fish. In practice, they helped me select my spots and feel confident I knew where the schools were holding. Then, during the tourney, I used them to seek out aggressive feeders and confirm I was right on target before investing time with my jigging approach. All things considered, I’m pleased with my performance, especially since I earned significant Angler of the Year points.”

Bagley Knocker B

Finishing in 12^th place with a 31-pound 10-ounce haul, Dane Vocelka, 31, of Richmond, Minnesota, attributed at least some of his success to a selectin of Bagley Baits.

“This really was a learning event for me,” admitted the Bagley pro who is a rookie on the tour. “I’ve got to say, though, that my Sunny B and the Bagley Knocker B surface bait really did the job. I was cranking the Sunny B in current seams where most competitors might throw a tube lure. I could roll it from strong current into soft current and get bit in about four feet of water off rip-rap walls or subtle points along the mainland channel and that accounted for the majority of my fish.”

With his bone-colored Knocker B, Vocelka concentrated on shallow areas where he knew some bass were pulling off their beds. “That bait was clutch for me,” he said. “It put my biggest bass in the boat around 11 a.m., and then added two more smallmouths – a total of nearly eight pounds – with 20 minutes to go in the contest. It really helped me make up for a lack of bites in the afternoon sun.”

As for Bagley Pro Staffer Noah Schultz, who finished 14^th with 30.9 pounds of bass, a slow morning found him grinding it out with a drop-shot approach, but the afternoon provided a hot crankbait bite with a red crawdad color Sunny B the shining star.

“I was burning that crankbait with the current in seams and around wing dams during the afternoon and managed to make up a lot of ground with the smallies. When that lure is hot, it’s a tough one to beat,” said the 38-year-old from Waseca, Minnesota.

To check out the full line of Bagley’s premium balsa hardbaits, exciting new colors and hardbait kits, visit https://www.bagleybait.com. For details on the 2022 Bass Classic Champions Tour, visit www.classicbass.com.

The Summer Traveler’s Must-Have Kit By Jim Edlund

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June 17, 2022

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The Summer Traveler’s Must-Have Kit

The right gear to camp and fish every chance you get while on-the-road

By Jim Edlund

Minneapolis, MN (June 17, 2022) – Summer is time for travel. It all starts Memorial Day with remembrance of those who have served—and are still serving this country—and then into the end of the calendar school year and kids’ summer vacation. A few weeks with the kids home from daily trips to school and we’re talking the Fourth of July and later, the dog days of August and some great swimming and tubing weather.

The reality is summer isn’t necessarily full of planned fishing trips for most of us. But there is a lot of time on the road with family to visit loved ones and friends across the country. Again, with the kids out of school, summer is the time to pack up and go. One of the positives of that? Getting to see a lot of the country through the windshield…

But family responsibilities don’t mean you can’t make time to fish, even on road trips. I’ve always thought that part of the fun is stopping at rest areas and parks to break open a cooler and eat sandwiches and slurp ice-cold sodas. And with today’s powerful mapping apps it’s easy to find those stopping points close to water, affording the chance to break in a few casts on new streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Keeping it simple, we’d like to recommend some fishing and camping gear that should find a permanent place in your vehicle for opportunistic angling at a moment’s notice while on family road trips. This recommended stuff doesn’t take up a room and should live in your vehicle full-time so you’re ready to fish and camp whenever the mood and opportunity presents itself.

Car-Camping Essentials

Eureka Timberline 4-Person Tent

Part of the fun of being on the road with family and friends is camping for the night. What’s not fun is getting wet. That’s where a quality tent enters in. We finally made the upgrade and bought a quality tent after years of using junk. Our tent of choice? The six-person Eureka Timberline 6-person tent, which accommodates three kids, dad, and our furry friend. It literally sets up in minutes and is resilient to rain and wind; no wonder many Alaskan hunting guides recommend this particular tent. Eureka also has a contract to manufacture tents for the American military. Ask me, that speaks volumes.

Don’t need something that large? Check out the Eureka Timberline SQ Outfitter 4-Person Tent. Strong, weatherproof, and spacious, the Timberline SQ Outfitter 4 sleeps up to four people in its quick and easily assembled A-frame structure. Spacious enough for gear and cots and versatile enough to help you stay cool on warm nights and drier on damp mornings.

MSRP: $469.95.

Canvas Cutter Summit Bedroll

Traveling solo? If so, this is the perfect camping solution and beats the hell out of sleeping in a car or truck. A cross between a solo tent and a military sleeping bag cover, the Canvas Cutter Summit Bedroll allows the user to pack lighter and go farther. If you are looking for a lightweight bedroll that is perfect for road trips, this is it, although it’s proven popular with backpackers, backcountry elk hunters, and preppers.

Simply place your ground pad and sleeping bag inside, enter the Canvas Cutter bedroll, close the opening, and sleep. Whether you’re staying at a campground or simply flopping on public land next to your fishing spot, it couldn’t be easier to set up and eliminates the hassle of having to set up a tent. Designed and manufactured by hardcore hunters and anglers in Utah, USA, the Canvas Cutter Summit Bedroll features a solid foundation of 210D ripstop nylon, making small rocks and rough ground less threatening to the sleep system. The side walls and top of the Summit are made of 40D ripstop nylon—and all seams have been heat-taped to keep moisture out. The entire nylon shell is coated with a highly breathable TPU film, providing protection and dry sleeping conditions during stormy weather. The Summit also features a built-in mesh screen that allows you to enjoy the stars and warm summer nights or maximize ventilation and air flow when the nylon top is pulled over you without having mosquitoes, flies, and other bugs and reptiles ruining your sleeping experience. Paracord D-loops at the four corners and above the head and foot allow you to use the Summit without a pole system by tying it off to your trekking poles or nearby trees. MSRP: $334.97.

Canvas Cutter Burro

Looking for the perfect duffel bag-meets-backpack to hold all your clothing and other gear? Look no further than Canvas Cutter’s Burro, a duffel made of the same durable 12-ounce canvas as Canvas Cutter’s Dominator and Fortress 2.0 bedrolls. With taped seams and covered waterproof YKK zippers, the Burro is able to protect your gear while it takes on all that Mother Nature has to offer.

The Burro features hideaway backpack straps that turns the ample duffel into a backpack that actually fits and feels like a backpack, making travel comfortable, convenient, and hands free. The Burro also features a boot pocket that doubles as a dirty clothes pocket; a dirty clothes pocket that doubles as a laptop pocket; a standard duffel bag side pocket, and a quick access pocket on the front to hold your keys, wallet, passport, fishing license, and more while on-the-road. There’s also an external daisy chain to attach other bags and gear. Features a Lifetime Warranty for peace of mind. Volume is 61.5 liters and the dimensions are 26” x 12” x 12”. Weighs in at 3.5 pounds. MSRP: $239.97.

Whitewater Packable Rain Gear

Stows like an oversized burrito. The Whitewater Packable Rain Jacket and Pant are staple, technical apparel pieces that provide an optimal balance of 10K water resistance and 10K breathability, so muskie anglers can #bravethewaves, fish longer, make more casts and experience better results. Fully taped seams, waterproof zippers, and adjustable Velcro cuff closures at the wrists and ankles further defy the elements. Each piece stows in its own included stuff bag for easy storage and access anywhere in the vehicle. MSRP $79.99 and $69.99 per piece

Jetboil SUMO Cooking System

Like gas and lumber, food has gotten expensive—especially eating out at restaurants. To those ends, part of the fun of any road-trip is making food on the go. Sure, bologna and PBJ sandwiches will get us through, but nothing beats a meal of fried fish and an ice-cold beverage in the evening. The best way to cook while car camping? Consider an ultra-light and easy-to-pack Jetboil SUMO Cooking System combined with the Jetboil 10-inch non-stick Fry Pan.

The SUMO packs the same regulator control as other Jetboil-regulated cooking systems, but with a higher-capacity cup-to-fuel cooking ratio for family and friends. Jetboil’s large 1.8-liter FluxRing cooking cup with insulating cozy is the ideal cooking vessel for groups. Jetboil’s proprietary regulator technology offers incremental heat adjustments from light simmer to full boil, perfect for sautéing greens, simmering sauces, frying fish, and more. Add the optional Jetboil Java Press, pot support, skillet, and FluxRing cooking pot to expand your meal options on-the-road. Start heating instantly with the convenient, reliable pushbutton igniter—regulated for consistent performance down to 20 degree weather. Able to store 100-gram or 230-gram Jetpower fuel can with burner, fuel canister stabilizer, and accessory pot support; weights a mere 16 ounces. MSRP: $164.95.

Rods For the Road

The quality of today’s travel fishing rods isn’t what it used to be, second-rate two-, three-, and four-piece jobbies with horrible sensitivity and whippy actions. These days, four-piece travel rods fish like one-piece models and conveniently store under the backseat of the car or in the back of a truck or SUV.

Our favorites? Honestly, for the money it’s really hard to beat the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod, a four-piece-rod with included padded nylon soft case. Sensitive yet made to withstand the rigors of the road, the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod is manufactured of premium-quality SCII carbon. Features tough slim aluminum-oxide guides with black frame, premium-grade cork handle, two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish, and an unprecedented 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.

Our recommendation? Go with either the medium-light power, fast-action TSR66MLF2 at 6’6” or the similar version in medium power for areas with bass and pike. Personally, I travel with the medium-light because I find myself traveling through trout waters. I’ve even had the rod to Florida where we fished the Everglades for Oscars, Mayan Cichlids, and largemouth and peacock bass. The rod stood up to all the fish honorably and with the control of a one-piece. At $155 MSRP, this travel rod is well within most travelers’ budgets, even considering today’s $5.00/gallon gas…

Recommended Reel

Daiwa offers a host of exquisite Japanese-designed models that fit the bill for any style of fishing. For travel—and to stay on budget—we recommend the Daiwa Revros LT, a $49.99 reel that fishes like something much more expensive. Best to choose something with a larger spool like the REVLT3000-C, which features a 5.3:1 gear ratio and 22 pounds of maximum drag to match anything you might catch while fishing on-the-road, including dogfish, drum, catfish, pike, outsized trout, and big bass. The larger spool allows you to make longer casts from the bank or dock, and spooled with a silky braid and fluoro, is a great go-to set up for anything you might choose to tie on the business end.

Daiwa Samurai Braid

Speaking of line, don’t skimp. Rather than fight the invariable line curls and knots of stretchy, larger-diameter monofilament, it’s time to get hip to low-diameter, high-test superline fished with a fluoro leader section. Daiwa’s green Samuari braided line in 10- or 15-pound test is a great all-around choice.

Daiwa J-Fluoro Samurai Hidden Concept

For a fluoro leader, Daiwa’s J-Fluoro Samurai Hidden Concept line comes in a unique green-brown that blends in most waters and doesn’t suffer the reflectivity (especially in the sun and clear waters) of regular clear fluoro. Eight- to ten-pound is a good all-around choice to keep fish pinned.

Travel Tackle

Tackle shopping is just plain fun. To those ends, here are our suggestions for a minimal, take-anywhere travel bait box. While the tendency is to overdo it when it comes to tackle, just know you don’t need a giant soft- or hard-sided box. A larger stowaway box filled with proven baits and rigging materials is all you really need for fishing on the road.

Flambeau ZERUST Max Rigging Box

We like the ZERUST MAX Rigging Box that is fully-infused with an enhanced level of Zerust technology that provides rust prevention for metal tackle in extreme marine environments. Features a removable bulk storage tray for tools and soft plastic bags kept in original packaging. Two oversized bulk compartments and 20 customizable tackle compartments leave plenty of room for outfitting your on-the-road tackle survival kit. And at $29.99, the ZERUST MAX Rigging Box affordable.

Daiwa D-VEC Boat Bag

Okay, so you’re sold on another hard- or soft-sided tackle box. If that’s the case, consider the 15” x 11” x 10” Daiwa D-VEC Boat Bag, a small- to medium-sized tackle bag constructed of 100% waterproof marine grade vinyl. The marine quality, double-zippered top is further protected by a storm flap, enhancing the Boat Bag’s ability to repel water. It also features a non-slip, thick EVA padded bottom which provides cushioning and protection for more delicate items like a camera or smartphone, a must for grabbing social media shots of fish while traveling. MSRP is $49.99.

Northland Deep-Vee Jigheads

Jigs just flat-out catch everything that bites. Our recommendation? Put together a half dozen of each size—1/16-, 1/8-, ¼-, and 3/8-ounce sizes—for all species and depths. An assortment of colors including natural white, black, as well as brighter Parrot and Moonlight is a good idea to meet various water clarities. The hydrodynamic V-shaped keel doesn’t get snagged as often as others and these jigs also feature a fish-attracting large eye on the head, sticky sharp wire hook and bait keeper to keep live bait or plastics pinned on the hook shank where they’re supposed to be. Just add bait or a soft plastic. MSRP is $5.99 for three per card.

Northland Deep-Vee Bucktail Jig

In the world of tackle, they say everything that’s old is new again. Along those lines, more anglers are fishing hair than ever—and for a variety of species. Personally, I can remember one day on the Mississippi River when a buddy and I caught 13 different species of fish long-casting and rip-jigging ¼-ounce untipped Deep-Vee Bucktail Jigs in ¼-ounce to current seams and rip rap. Yes, a dead ringer for predominant river forage, a white hair jig is just hard to beat—and a time-proven way to catch lots of fish. Best to pick out an assortment of 1/16-, 1/8-, and ¼-ounce sizes for all depths and species. You can also tip with Northland’s Impulse Paddle Minnow to fish more like a swim jig. The jig also pairs perfectly with a medium-sized shiner or sucker minnow.

Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho

When it comes to bass fishing, it’s hard to beat the simple efficacy of a wacky-rigged stickbait worm. The do-nothing presentation just flat-out catches fish in waters shallow to deep. While there are countless wacky worms on bait shop pegs—including no-name bulk bags which are a great deal—one of my personal favorites—and time proven as a go-to fish catcher, is the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics 5-inch Ocho in Sweet Tater Pie. The worm features eight sides and its smooth beveled sides reflect light in different directions, creating a flash effect unlike any other softbait. Features a soft, salt impregnated plastic for a perfect sink rate and an exclusive coffee scent that mask human scents and oils to produce more and longer bites. Couple with a VMC WWK Wacky Weedless hook in 3/0 for areas of vegetation or an Eagle Claw Octopus Wide Gap Circle Hook in the same size for effortless fishing and no-hassle hooksets.

DAIWA Neko Crawler

Daiwa’s 5” NEKO CRAWLER is another surefire travel companion. The innovative bait hybridizes Daiwa’s NEKO FAT and NEKO STRAIGHT, stealing key elements of each to create the alpha of Neko baits. Its outwardly simple profile is infused with technology and intelligence. For starters, the NEKO CRAWLER is masterminded with legendary Yamamoto knowhow for more wiggle – that special trembling action that drives bass bonkers. Also, the NEKO CRAWLER features a wide diameter nose, providing added surface for inserting Neko weights – from drywall screws to specialty weights. Thirdly, Yamamoto’s inventiveness produced a buoyant soft plastic, allowing the bait to stand straight on the bottom for easy slurping. MSRP $8.99

Northland Rumble Bug

With a snack-sized profile that matches a juvenile panfish, the Northland Rumble Bug is a multi-species gem, catching just about anything that swims. At 1 ¾” long and 3/16^th ounces, it’s even a great way to cover water quick to put together a meal of sunfish, crappies, perch, and white bass. With a running depth of 4’ to 7’, it’s perfect for casting off shore and shines in areas of slight current and around spotty vegetation transition zones. Made of balsa—and designed by Jarmo Rapala—this bait is also great for shorecasting behind a canoe or kayak and slow-trolled as it keeps it’s seductive wobble even at low speeds. Recommended colors? Silver Shiner and Gold Perch for clear waters and Sneeze or Wonderbread for stained waters… MSRP is $9.99.

Northland Rumble Shiner

Another hardbait perfect for a road survival fishing kit is the Northland Fishing Tackle Rumble Shiner. Made of balsa—and also designed by Jarmo Rapala—the crank is a multi-species targeting winner, available in three different sizes, although we recommend the smallest, the 2 ¾”, 3/16-ounce model. Three must-have colors for waters across the country are Silver Shiner, Purple Pearl, and Bubblegum Tiger. Dives four to six feet and casts like a bullet from the bank or pier. MSRP is $9.99.

BFishNTackle B3 Blade Bait

Similar to the venerable Heddon Sonar but with a slightly different vibrating wobble, a ¼-ounce B3 blade bait makes a great bait for fishing from the shore or jetty with deeper water nearby. Renowned for their efficacy at catching spring and fall walleyes on river systems, simply add a high-quality snap swivel to your line and choose one of the three holes to attach and experience slightly different actions. Great for casting into the ocean, too – and will catch just about anything that bites! Recommended colors are Gold, Wonderbread, and Glow Pink. Can also be vertically jigged for fishing high-mountain lakes for deep trout from a canoe or kayak.

Blue Fox Classic Vibrax

Much like the history-proven Mepps in-line spinner, the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax is that go-to lure for trout on lakes, streams, and rivers. With a running depth of two to six feet, you can cover a lot of the water column and a long casting distance quickly to search out active fish. The patented two-part body emits low-frequency sound vibrations that attract fish and trigger strikes while virtually eliminating line twist. The colored bell is accented with metallic flakes and the blade is tipped in matching color while the blade back is finished with a transparent, fluorescent coordinating color. Flaw-free silver plating, fine tolerances and super-sharp hooks are long-standing features of this low frequency emitting patented two-part body spinner. Choose between seven blade sizes, several weights (we like ¼-ounce with a #3 blade) and 40 available colors, including many UV patterns. A proven performer on trout is bleeding gold and silver/hot pink. MSRP is $4.99 to $6.99.

Eagle Claw Ultimate Terminal Tackle Kit

On many waters live bait is still king. Along those lines, you may find yourself in a fishing situation on-the-road where a trip to the local baitshop is in order—whether it’s to buy minnows, ‘crawlers, or leeches. That being the case, a must-have in your survival road tackle kit is a good assortment of live bait hooks, sinkers, floats, and other terminal tackle. The 207-piece Eagle Claw Ultimate Terminal Tackle Kit is the quickest, easiest wat to stock a tackle box with essentials fo that an angler is ready to target and adjust based on conditions of any live bait bite. MSRP: $19.99.

Other Recommended Fishing Gear

Rapala Folding Fillet Board

Easily cleaned, folded up, and stored in the back of a vehicle, this folding fillet board makes a great substitute to getting your tailgate bloody. We like the 16” x 31” model, which allows easy work (and clean-up) of larger fish like trout, walleyes, and many inshore species. Features a USDA & FDA approved cutting surface for filleting, slicing and dicing while on-the-road. MSRP: $43.49.

Bubba Blade Electric Li-Ion Knife

Although it’s hard to beat the venerable razor-sharp and flexible 6” or 7.5” Rapala Fish ‘N Fillet Knife, we’ve finally gone the way of Lithium-Ion powered electric knives after watching Northern Minnesota guide Brian “Bro” Brosdahl whip through a three-person 18-fish limit of eater-sized walleyes in under 10 minutes. Seriously, we’re sold. Bro’s knife of choice? The Bubba Blade Electric Li-Ion Knife, which features four blades, two batteries, and a charger in the handy travel kit. Makes it easy to travel with and maximizes your time relaxing and not sweating over perfect fillets. MSRP: $189.99.

HOBIE El Matador

Pull over and scan the water for fish activity. The affordable Hobie El Matador is underscored by its integrated sliding side shields that provide maximum sun protection while eliminating glare from the sides. Hydro 360° polycarbonate lenses repel water, sweat and sunscreen. All 8 base polycarbonate lens options offer 100% UV A, B, C protection. Frames feature durable integrated hinges and co-molded megol rubber temples prevent slippage. All this for only $99.99

Engel 25 High Performance Cooler and Ice Box

Of course, when catching and then filleting fish, you’ve got to think about how to keep that Zip-Lock bag of goodness fresh for dinner. That brings us to recommended road coolers. If you’re like us, over the years you’ve spent countless dollars on cheap, subpar coolers that end up with broken latches, leaky water drains, and other issues—besides questionably cooling contents. It’s time to ditch the private label specials and invest in a cooler that will last a lifetime, like the Engel 25 High Performance Hard Cooler and Ice Box.

Engel was the original high-performance roto-molded cooler. With a full two inches of closed-cell foam insulation in the lid, on the sides, and the bottom, contents will stay cold, and ice keeps for up to eight days. And unlike the rubber gaskets used by many cooler manufacturers, Engle’s all silicone gaskets create a near airtight seal that is durable and will never lose its shape. Features a 10-year warranty and is also dry ice compatible. Available in six colors. MSRP: $219.99.

Luxuries To Save For

Hobie Camo Mirage Compass

The next step after fishing from the bank, piers, and jetties is to invest in a fishing kayak that can be carried on top of a vehicle (with the help of a Thule kayak carrier mount) for fishing anywhere, any time while on-the-road to your family destination. Our recommendation? Choose a shorter and lighter fishing kayak for easier transport. One of our favorites is the 12-foot Hobie Camo Mirage Compass, a boat which not only makes a great fishing platform—what with its unique hands- and paddle-free MirageDrive 180 pedal system—but is perfect for waterfowl hunting and trapping, too. Features an ample 34 inches of operating width and will hold 400 pounds, perfect for big guys like us. Fully rigged, the Hobie Compass weighs in at 87 pounds.

The Compass offers maximum stability and an oversized cockpit and flat deck for standing. A sharp turning radious makes this fishing kayak nimble in tight quarters, yet able to speed over open water in a stealthy fashion. Kayak fishing features include pre-installed rod holders, H-Track accessory mounts and a transducer cavity that’s fishfinder-ready. MSRP: $2749.

Parting Words

Looking forward to a great summer of travel, fishing, and camping, we hope you gleaned at least a few ideas from this piece on how to best prepare for spontaneous opportunities to wet a line. These are all items we’ve personally used and recommend and take great pride in sharing what some might call outdoors industry insider information. After all, picking out quality gear that works can be hard. We all rely on word-of-mouth and the recommendations of guides, pros, family, and friends to determine where our hard-earned money is best spent… These are just some of our recommendations for a better experience with family and friends outside this season. Take from it what you will—and have a great summer on-the-road. Make sure to stop along the way and fish; life is too short.

North Georgia’s Garbacz, Dunahoo Lead Bassmaster College Series Wild Card On Logan Martin

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June 17, 2022

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North Georgia’s Garbacz, Dunahoo Lead Bassmaster College Series Wild Card On Logan Martin

Jonathon Garbacz and Kevin Dunahoo of the University of North Georgia are leading after Day 1 of the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card on Logan Martin Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops with 15 pounds, 7 ounces.

Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.

June 17, 2022

North Georgia’s Garbacz, Dunahoo Lead Bassmaster College Series Wild Card On Logan Martin

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LINCOLN, Ala. — On a fishery known for its spotted bass population, University of North Georgia’s Jonathon Garbacz and Kevin Dunahoo focused on largemouth and caught a limit of 15 pounds, 7 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card on Logan Martin Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.

“We knew coming in that 10 big largemouth would win,” Garbacz said. “So that’s what we’re going for.”

One of 105 teams in the event, Garbacz and Dunahoo head into Saturday’s championship round with a lead of 1-4 over Baylor University’s Parker Greer and Andrew Shadle.

Dealing with extreme heat, the leaders pointed to mental toughness as a key element of their performance. Air temperatures pushed into the low to mid-90s and water temperatures weren’t far behind.

“In the morning, the water temperature was about 86, and later in the day, it got up to about 92,” Garbacz said. “You just have to keep your head in the game. The heat is going to throw you off, but you just have to keep your concentration and find the pattern.”

Noting that they believe they’ve found something unique, the leaders kept the details thin. However, Garbacz said he and Dunahoo are working a game plan based more on quality than quantity.

“We found a pretty good pattern that we can run pretty much up and down the lake, but we’re thinking it’s more of an area type thing,” Garbacz said. “It’s about maximizing your bites because we’re not getting a ton. You have to capitalize on every single bite because you never know when it’s going to be a big one.”

Dunahoo said their day involved a variety of different habitat features. Flexibility, he said, played a significant role in the outcome.

“We moved our way throughout the day and adapted,” Dunahoo said. “We did the same thing in practice; we have not (fished the same way all week) and I expect we probably won’t be able to do the same thing tomorrow.”

Dunahoo said he and Garbacz hit approximately 60 spots to get what they had. Locking up their weight by 11:30 a.m., they fished a combination of finesse and reaction baits.

The latter, Garbacz said, required pinpoint accuracy.

“These fish are going to eat, but you have to put it right in front of them,” Garbacz said.

Dunahoo said he and his partner will likely follow a similarly flexible script on Saturday.

“We don’t have any new water we know we’re going to fish, so we’re either going to be running the same (areas) or getting on the graph tonight and searching for new water.”

Turning in a limit of 14-3, Greer and Shadle anchored their bag with a 4-2. As Greer explained, their day saw them visiting a broad range of habitats.

“This has been a junk-fishing tournament; we’re fishing everything from docks to ledges,” Greer said. “We started this morning in some current throwing a glidebait where we caught some good ones in practice.

“We left that area with two fish and started swimming a jig. I actually flipped to a fish I could see — that 4-2 largemouth. It was in a little cut with thousands of gizzard shad. That fish actually spit up three large gizzard shad in the livewell.”

After catching a 3 1/2-pound spotted bass off a sunken boat in the middle of a cove, Greer said he and Shadle wrapped up their day fishing ledges — a pattern that yielded two final culls.

In addition to the glidebait, Greer and Shadle caught fish on a football jig, a drop shot and upsized shaky heads.

“We’re from Texas, we like to throw big stuff, so we upsized to a 1/2- and 3/4-ounce shaky head with a 6th Sense Magnum Trick Worm,” Greer said.

Tucker Smith and Logan Parks of Auburn University are in third place with 14-2. Spending most of their time offshore, the duo endured a plodding pace but their diligence was rewarded with an afternoon kicker.

“The day started off slow and we hit a few places but didn’t catch much,” Smith said. “We just started running and gunning a bunch of places that we like to hit up here.

“We landed on a good place and Logan caught one (that weighed 6-2) at the end of the day and that really helped out a lot.”

Parks said his big fish culled out a 1 1/4-pounder.

Working 40 to 50 different spots, the Auburn anglers caught fish on a variety of structure in 12 to 17 feet. Reaction baits and slower presentations produced fish, but the latter did most of the work.

“The fish are just moving out there, everybody’s pounding on them and they’re getting kind of finicky,” Smith said. “You have to fish slower.”

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. CT at Lincoln’s Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the Landing at 1:30 p.m.

The teams are vying for a spot in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops scheduled for Sept. 2-4 at South Carolina’s Winyah Bay.

The tournament is being hosted by the City of Lincoln.

2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series Wild Card at Logan Martin Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops 6/17-6/18
Logan Martin Lake, Lincoln AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Jonathon Garbacz – Kevin Dunahoo University of North Georgia 250
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
2. Parker Greer – Andrew Shadle Baylor University 249
Day 1: 5 14-03 Total: 5 14-03
3. Logan Parks – Tucker Smith Auburn University 248
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
4. Ryan Branch – Kopeland Rosser University of Montevallo 247
Day 1: 5 13-11 Total: 5 13-11
5. Tommy Sendek – Cal Culpepper University of Montevallo 246
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
6. Lucas Smith – Dalton Mize Jacksonville State University 245
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
7. Victor Alford – Logan East Bryan College 244
Day 1: 5 12-05 Total: 5 12-05
8. Caleb Bridges – Jacob Davidson Bryan College 243
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
9. Matthew Wilson – Southern union state community c 242
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
10. Clent Blackwood – Bryar Chambers Wallace State Community College 241
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
11. Caleb Barrow – Reese Kingston Brewton Parker College 240
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
12. Cy Casey – Tanner Hadden Emmanuel College 239
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
13. Grayson Morris – Cade Holcomb University of Montevallo 238
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
14. Colton White – Jack Alexander University Montevallo 237
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
15. Clayton Primrose – Fisher Davis ETBU 236
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
16. Lane Bailey – Justin Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 235
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
17. Cody Griffith – Drew Jennings Auburn University 234
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
18. Reese Melven – Hunter Waldrop University of South Carolina 233
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
19. Hunter Keller – Wesley Smith Catawba Valley Community College 232
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
19. James Romig – Colton Morris Florida Gateway College 232
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
21. Gus McLarry – Jared West Texas A and M Commerce 230
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
22. Brady Duncan – Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 229
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
23. Tyler Cain – Cole Dodson University of Montevallo 228
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
23. Andrew Vereen – Connor Cartmell Coastal Carolina University 228
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
25. Drew Traffanstedt – Dakendrick Patterson University of Montevallo 226
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
26. Kaden Proffitt – Cason Ragsdale East Texas Baptist University 225
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
27. James Willoughby – Jacob Pfundt University of Montevallo 224
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
28. Spencer Black – Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 223
Day 1: 4 09-14 Total: 4 09-14
29. Brenton Godwin – Hunter Odom University of Montevallo 222
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
30. Brody Robison – Carson Miller University of Montevallo 221
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
31. Carson Palmer – Chase Hastings Carson-Newman University 220
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
32. Vince Maffei – Andrew Ready Webber International University 219
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
33. Wes Kinard – Dillan Olvera Shelton State Community College 218
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
34. Cole Thompson – John Heacock University of North Alabama 217
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
35. Conner Johnson – Tyler Greenlee Georgetown College 216
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
36. Jacob Frazier – Austin Smith Carson-Newman University 215
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
37. Hagan Marlin – Tanner English University of Montevallo 214
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
38. Dawson Cowden – Nathan Coffman Louisiana State University- Shrev 213
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
39. Zane O’Domirok – Brandon Sales 212
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
40. Cole Zagrzebski – Logan Paul Western Michigan University 211
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
41. Henry Mcpherson – University Of Alabama 210
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
42. Branden Burrill – Jaret Bailey Western Michigan University 209
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
43. Hunter Jones – Dayton Scott Columbia State Community College 208
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
44. Cameron Tullis – Brett Jolley East Texas Baptist University 207
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
45. Evan Sutton – Maxwell Trotter McKendree University 206
Day 1: 4 08-04 Total: 4 08-04
46. Jordan Brewer – Conner Crosby Auburn University 205
Day 1: 5 07-14 Total: 5 07-14
47. Gabe Brown – Alex Cooke University of South Carolina 204
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
48. Jameson Jenkins – Cameron Loveless Texas A&M 203
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
49. Tommy Dunaway – Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 202
Day 1: 3 07-04 Total: 3 07-04
50. Dawson Andrews – Wyatt Ensminger Southeastern Louisiana Universit 201
Day 1: 3 07-01 Total: 3 07-01
51. Cole Rankin – Storm Cline Carson-Newman University 200
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
52. Allen Powe – Jonathan Combs Georgetown College 199
Day 1: 5 06-13 Total: 5 06-13
53. Carter Koza – Lee Koza Carson Newman University 198
Day 1: 4 06-12 Total: 4 06-12
54. Hunter Enlow – Lander University 197
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
55. Kaden Liles – Benson Dowler University of North Alabama 196
Day 1: 4 06-09 Total: 4 06-09
56. Cody Monlezun – Atlan Pfluger Texas A&M 195
Day 1: 4 06-07 Total: 4 06-07
57. Cole Holloway – Taylor Mcmullen Emmanuel College 194
Day 1: 2 06-04 Total: 2 06-04
58. Garrison Forrester – Preston Hatz Auburn University 193
Day 1: 4 06-01 Total: 4 06-01
59. Cole Taylor – Hunter Temples Lander University 192
Day 1: 4 05-15 Total: 4 05-15
60. Zach Williams – James Broderick Mississippi State University 191
Day 1: 5 05-14 Total: 5 05-14
61. Jase Smith – Reed Rambo Georgia College and State Univer 190
Day 1: 4 05-13 Total: 4 05-13
62. Garrett Huddleston – Riley Voltz Auburn University 189
Day 1: 4 05-11 Total: 4 05-11
63. Tyler Campbell – Brandon Martin Emmanuel College 188
Day 1: 4 05-10 Total: 4 05-10
64. Spencer Brister – Roeh Burton Lamar State College Orange 187
Day 1: 4 05-08 Total: 4 05-08
65. Tristen Dubbs – Colin Pflederer Grace College 186
Day 1: 3 05-07 Total: 3 05-07
66. Charlie Pennington – Carson Peevy The University of Alabama 185
Day 1: 4 05-03 Total: 4 05-03
67. Hayden Marbut – Garrett Warren Auburn University 184
Day 1: 4 05-02 Total: 4 05-02
68. Jack Dice – Jeramy Evans Liberty University 183
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
68. Brayden Nichols – Ty Gentry LSU Shreveport 183
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
70. Lucas Bowers – Luke Willis University of South Carolina 181
Day 1: 2 04-12 Total: 2 04-12
71. Jake Kimbrough – Chandler Pruett Blue Mountain College 180
Day 1: 1 04-06 Total: 1 04-06
72. Mary Goode – Nicholas Watson Brewton-Parker College 179
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
73. William Vega – Will Emmert Sam Houston State University 178
Day 1: 2 04-03 Total: 2 04-03
74. Ryan Bradway – Hunter Jordan Western Michigan University 177
Day 1: 2 04-00 Total: 2 04-00
75. Lane Collier – Cody Lunsford University of North Georgia 176
Day 1: 3 03-14 Total: 3 03-14
76. Hayden Fuhr – Lander University 175
Day 1: 3 03-11 Total: 3 03-11
77. Isaac Warta – Middle Tennessee State Universit 174
Day 1: 2 03-09 Total: 2 03-09
78. Cade Fortenberry – Nicholls State University 173
Day 1: 2 03-07 Total: 2 03-07
79. Nate Triplett – Cy Lambert University of North Alabama 172
Day 1: 1 03-02 Total: 1 03-02
80. Hunter Jenkins – Dallas Baptist University 171
Day 1: 1 03-01 Total: 1 03-01
81. Matthew German – Adam Hollingsworth University Of Alabama 170
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
82. Logan Hicks – Preston Parker Shelton State Community College 169
Day 1: 2 02-14 Total: 2 02-14
83. Mason Bohland – Brady Metzger Purdue University 168
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
84. Elijah Walker – Hunter Hillanbrand AUBURN 167
Day 1: 2 02-10 Total: 2 02-10
85. Micah Goosby – Joseph Taylor Mississippi State University 166
Day 1: 2 02-07 Total: 2 02-07
86. Jacob Butts – Mark Kershaw Erskine College 165
Day 1: 3 02-05 Total: 3 02-05
87. Corey Yaden – Hunter Richie Brewton Parker college 164
Day 1: 1 02-04 Total: 1 02-04
88. Jonathan Goforth – James Bonnell Auburn University 163
Day 1: 1 02-02 Total: 1 02-02
89. Davian Smith – Jordan Turner University of Montevallo 162
Day 1: 3 02-01 Total: 3 02-01
90. Carson Maddux – Auburn University 161
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
91. K.D. Sizemore – Bryce Quick Auburn University 160
Day 1: 1 01-08 Total: 1 01-08
92. Mason Phillpotts – Grand Valley State University 159
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
93. Matthew Roberts – Alice Lloyd College 158
Day 1: 1 01-06 Total: 1 01-06
94. Jim McPherson – Mississippi State University 157
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
95. Brendon Brones – Ethan Tant Lamar State College Orange 156
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
96. Garrett Walters – Reese Walters University of Alabama 155
Day 1: 1 00-11 Total: 1 00-11
97. Syon Barnes – Jacksonville State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Chase Davis – Camden Keeton CACC 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Drew Deloney – University of Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Trey Dickert – University of Montevallo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Dale Hansard – Seth Elkins Jacksonville State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Trevor Johnston – Josh Kerr Texas AM University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Ryan Michek – University of Wisconsin Plattevi 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. John Ortman – Emmanuel College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
97. Walker Sahagun – University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 49 363 702-05
———————————-
49 363 702-05

Grae Buck Plays the Tide for Early Lead at MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Toyota Stop 5 on the James River Presented by PowerStop Brakes

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June 16, 2022

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Pennsylvania Pro Weighs Five-Bass Limit Totaling 21-3 To Lead on Day 1 of Four-Day Tournament

RICHMOND, Va. (June 16, 2022) – The James River showed out on Thursday. After 154 of the top professional bass-fishing anglers in the world launched this morning at the Toyota Stop 5 on the James River Presented by PowerStop Brakes, 153 of those pros returned to the weigh-in scale this afternoon with a five-bass limit. And the lone pro that didn’t catch a limit still managed to bring four bass to the scale.

After the final fish had been tallied, Green Lane, Pennsylvania pro Grae Buck, who has two top-25 finishes already this season, jumped out to the early lead with a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 3 ounces. He’ll bring a slim 4-ounce lead into Day 2 over Brookeland, Texas’ Dakota Ebare, who weighed a limit totaling 20-15. Chris Groh of Spring Grove, Illinois , sits just 8 ounces behind Ebare in third place with five bass for 20-7. Weights are stacked – just over 5 pounds separates 1^st from 20^th – and with three days left in the competition it is still anyone’s event.

Link to Photo Gallery of Day 1 Highlights
Link to Video of Fish-Catch Highlights of Day 1 on the James River

“I found two different areas (in practice) that had fish in it, but I never caught quality like this by any means,” Buck said. “Once I finally settled in today I got to see what was actually there and I caught them pretty consistently.”

Buck said that he caught around 15 keepers on Thursday, with a nice 6-pound, 6-ouncer coming right around noon.

“The tide definitely played a role in where I was starting and where I was fishing at,” Buck said. “I’m hoping I can go out there again and catch a bunch of fish. I got that big one in the afternoon. I had to go looking for it – it wasn’t in the same spot where I caught a limit. Hopefully I can get another big one like that tomorrow. Those big bites really go far.”

Buck mentioned that there were numerous other competitors fishing in the same areas.

“There are a lot of people fishing there, but hopefully we can all work around the area together and catch them.”

Although second-place pro Dakota Ebare is much more used to fishing in southern states like Texas and Louisiana, he said that felt comfortable with how the James River was setting up for him.

“It felt a little like home in how it sets up,” Ebare said. “The tide swings are much bigger here than they are in Louisiana, but once I figured out where I needed to be and how the fish were setting up, I settled in and knew exactly what to look for. I was at the right place at the right time today and was able to start running the tide, which is the key to all tidal waters. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as much as where you’re doing it.

“It was an all-around good day, and I’m thankful because I know you don’t get a big one like that every day,” he went on to say. “I was happy I could catch some more solid fish to go with it, so I didn’t waste it. Historically on the James River, from what I’ve seen in past tournament results, consistency is the big thing, so I’m going into tomorrow as if I’m back to zero. On tidal fisheries, you can have 10 pounds as easily as you can have 20 because it’s all about timing.”

The tide also played a big role in how third-place pro Chris Groh of Spring Grove, Illinois, caught his fish.

“It started slow, I started where I had some really, really good bites in practice, but the tide wasn’t quite right,” Groh said. “I slid to where the tide was better and was able to get my first limit, but it only weighed 7 pounds. I knew when the tide went slack; they wouldn’t bite, so I left. When the tide came back in, I went over the same spots I was catching small fish and they were all good ones.

Groh revealed that he caught all of his fish Thursday on a white Berkley Powerbait Buzz’n Speed Toad paired with a Berkley Fusion19 weighted frog hook.

“I went and checked some other spots for tomorrow and caught some that I probably shouldn’t have,” Groh said. “I feel confident that I’ll catch fish tomorrow. It just might not be 20 pounds again.”

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

1^st:          Grae Buck, Green Lane, Pa., five bass, 21-3
2^nd:         Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 20-15
3^rd:         Chris Groh, Spring Grove, Ill., five bass, 20-7
4^th:         Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 19-3
5^th:         Tyler Woolcott, Port Orange, Fla., five bass, 19-2
6^th:         Jason Lieblong, Conway, Ark., five bass, 18-13
7^th:         Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 18-6
7^th:         Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 18-6
9^th:         Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 18-3
10^th:       Barron Adams, Mineral Bluff, Ga., five bass, 18-0
11^th:       Cole Harris, Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 17-15
12^th:       Stephen Albertson, Stuart, Fla., five bass, 17-14
13^th:       Phillip Dutra, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 17-12
13^th:       Miles Howe, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., five bass, 17-12
15^th:       Jason Reyes, Huffman, Texas, five bass, 17-6
16^th:       Tyler Stewart, Dubach, La., five bass, 17-3
17^th:       Josh Bragg, Fayetteville, Ga., five bass, 16-11
18^th:       Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 16-8
18^th:       Robby Lefere, Jackson, Mich., five bass, 16-8
20^th:       Jim Moynagh, Shakopee, Minn., five bass, 16-0

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

Ebare weighed in the heaviest fish, Thursday – a largemouth that totaled 7 pounds, 14 ounces – to win the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass bonus.

Overall, there were 769 bass weighing 1,935 pounds, 7 ounces caught by 154 pros Thursday. The catch included 153 five-bass limits.

The four-day tournament, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism in cooperation with the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, features a field of 154 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing for a top award of up to $135,000. The tournament marks the fifth of six regular-season Pro Circuit events in 2022 and offers competitors a total purse of more than $850,000.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 154 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros, based on cumulative weight from the first three days, will continue competition on Championship Sunday, where weights will be zeroed and anglers will compete in a one-day shootout for the grand prize of up to $135,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where they will compete for up to $235,000. The 2022 TITLE will be on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York on Aug. 16-21, and is hosted by the Town of Massena.

Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET each day from the Osborne Landing, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike in Richmond. Weigh-ins will also be held at the landing daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to attend the morning take offs and afternoon weigh-ins, and also follow the live on-the-water action all four days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

As part of the event, on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, from Noon to 4 p.m., fans are invited out to the Major League Fishing Festival at the Osborne Landing. Hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, the event will feature fans meeting and getting autographs from their favorite pro anglers that compete on the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit. Children are welcome to visit the Kids Zone to meet Skye & Marshall from PAW Patrol, fish for live fish in the Kids Fishing Pond, show off their artistic skills at the coloring stations, and more. Vendor booths from MLF sponsors, food, prizes and giveaways, including a FREE Abu Garcia rod and reel combo for the first 50 high school or middle school anglers, are available to festival goers. On Saturday and Sunday, one lucky attendee will play for a brand new 2022 Toyota Tundra in the Bully Dog Pick ‘Til You Win game, with runner up prizes of a new 70-inch 4K UHD Smart TV or a Bully Dog Performance Tuner. For more information on the Major League Fishing Festival, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/Attend.

The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all four days of competition from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. ET. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Toyota Stop 5 on the James River Presented by PowerStop Brakes will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network in early September.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Tripp Mills & Ronnie Mills Win CATT Sparkleberry Swamp Quest Lake Marion, SC June 11, 2022

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June 16, 2022

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Tripp Mills & Ronnie Mills Win CATT Sparkleberry Swamp Quest Lake Marion, SC June 11, 2022

Tripp Mills & Ronnie Mills win the Swamp with 5 bass weighing 25.26 lbs!

Zack Hayes & Dalton Hughes 2nd with 23.83 lbs!

Andrew McCLoud & Mason Miles 3rd with 23.01 lbs and the BF at 7.35 lbs!

Donnie Maire & Dean Benfield 4th with 22.02 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Ronnie Mills – Tripp Mills	6.19	25.26	$1,050.00
Zack Hayes – Dalton Hughes	5.65	23.83	$250.00
Andrew McCloud – Mason Miles	7.35	23.01	$285.00
Donnie Maire – Dean Benfield	5.97	22.02	$110.00
Pee Wee Geddings – Ricky Irick	6.31	20.29	$85.00
Trey Bryan – Chad Ardis	5.82	17.31
Cody Parks – Justin Johnson	5.99	16.07
Tyler Newman – Emmett McCauley	4.92	15.50
Trez Wienges – Traywick Birchmore	4.55	15.21
Scott Spittle – Ed Burnette	5.19	14.67
Weslkey Bilton – Macon Till	3.84	14.60
Chandler Harris – Justin Shaw	4.26	13.50
Buddy Holmes	0.00	13.10
Craig Shaw – Raymond Shaw	6.75	12.73
Artie McIntosh & Chad Morris	6.40	12.50
Tony Floyd – Marty Youmans	4.21	12.36
Ryan Chappell – Bo Chapell	5.92	12.06
Kyle Atkinson & Justin Jones	0.00	11.52
Horace Scott – Gordon Owens	0.00	10.87
Darrell Fenton	4.85	7.08
Keith Brown – Todd Brown	0.00	0.00
Hunter Vincent	0.00	0.00
Dave Murdock	0.00	0.00
Trent Griffin – Austin Griffin	0.00	0.00
Jeff Charlton	0.00	0.00
TJ Anderson	0.00	0.00
John Cipov & JJ Cipov	0.00	0.00

St. Lawrence River Set To Host B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional

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June 16, 2022

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June 16, 2022

St. Lawrence River Set To Host B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional

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Waddington, N.Y. — When anglers arrive in New York for the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional at St. Lawrence River June 22-24, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Mossy Oak Fishing champion Cooper Gallant anticipates the bass will be in all stages of the spawn.

“I think you are going to be able to do a lot of things,” the Canadian pro said. “You are going to be able to catch fish shallow that are roaming. You are going to be able to catch fish deep, and you are going to be able to catch some fish off the bed. I think it is going to be pretty wide open.”

Coined “smallmouth Disneyland” by Elite Series angler Taku Ito during his victory last season, the St. Lawrence River has been the backdrop for many Bassmaster events, including multiple Elites, Opens and the 2021 College Series National Championship won by Adrian College’s Griffin Fernandes and Hayden Scott.

Gallant pushed hard for an Opens win on the famed fishery last year but ultimately placed fourth as Elite Series pro Cory Johnston took the title.

With the tournament going out of Waddington, anglers will have access to the New York side of the river and will not be able to access Lake Ontario. Boaters will also only be able to bring four bass to the scales, while co-anglers will be allowed three.

Smallmouth will be the dominant species, and they will likely be in several different areas.

Boulders, rockpiles and sand flats around spawning flats will be key areas that attract prespawn smallmouth. Meanwhile, the smallmouth that have locked onto bed will be around big boulders and rocks in protected areas, flats with hard bottom and boulders away from the current and wind.

For anglers trying to catch spawners, a flogger will come in handy.

“It’s no different than a largemouth spawning on an isolated patch of lily pads,” Gallant said. “They will get on isolated boulders and have a bed next to the boulder and they will also spawn on chunk rock and things like that.”

As the smallmouth move off the bed, they make their way back to deeper water through the same areas they used in the prespawn period.

“Depending on how far along they are in the postspawn, they could be deeper or shallower,” he said. “But year-round, smallmouth love rock and you just have to find which areas of the river they are living in and if they are postspawn; you have to figure out where they are going next and how far along they are.”

Gallant expects drop shots, spybaits, jerkbaits, tubes and Marabou hair jigs to play a major role.

While there are plenty of largemouth in the fishery, Gallant said it is difficult to win a multiday event with only largemouth.

Anglers will launch from Whittaker Park starting at 6 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in starting at 2 p.m. Around 240 anglers representing 11 state teams from across the Northeast and the province of Ontario will compete on the St. Lawrence River. The top boater and co-angler from each state at the end of the tournament will punch their tickets to the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which will be held Nov. 9-11 on Pickwick Lake.

The event is being hosted by the Village of Waddington and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. This tournament is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism awarded as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks

2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Strike King, Triton Boats, VMC

Wesley Sandifer & Jennings Greene Win CATT Lake Murray, SC Spring Final June 11, 2022

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June 16, 2022

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Wesley Sandifer & Jennings Greene Win CATT Lake Murray, SC Spring Final June 11, 2022

We wrapped up the Murray Spring Trail this past Saturday and concluded another great Spring! We may host an open here and there so be on the look out! Also we have secured the ramps at Dreher Island for this Fall to run our normal Fall Trail! We started the Lake Murray Fall Trail back in 2001 so this will be our 21st year!

Here’s the Murray Fall Dates we have secured!

Nov 5

Nov 12

Nov 19

Black Friday Open Nov 25

Dec 3

Dec 10

Dec 17 Fall Final!

We also secured Dec 31st but we will decide soon if we will hold an Open that day!

Wesley Sandifer & Jennings Greene took 1st Place at Murray with 5 bass weighing 21.44 lbs! They collected $2,2150.00!

Scott Roton & Johnny Mayer finished 2nd with 20.50 lbs! They took home $1,460.00!

Dave & Gunnar Franklin took 3rd with 19.79 lbs!

Jeremiah Jensen & Gage Spagnola weighed in the Academy BF at 5.66 lbs and earned a $25 Academy Gift Card!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Wesley Sandifer – Jennings Greene	5.21	21.44	$2,250.00
Johhny Mayer – Scott Roton	5.39	20.50	$1,460.00
Dave Franklin – Gunnar Franklin	5.31	19.79	$750.00
Will Anderson – Kyle Anderson	5.38	19.31	$305.00
Jeremiah Jensen – Gage Spagnola	5.66	18.58	$140.00
Les Westberry	5.34	18.10
Hampton Anderson – Tyler Alvanos	4.53	17.42
Kevin Fulmer – Tim Sox	4.11	17.25
Mark Krengel	4.14	16.72
Brandon Jeffcoat – Ryan Raley	3.96	16.19
Winston Husband	0.00	15.14
Ben Lee	3.40	14.67
Michael Stribble – Blake Stribble	3.35	14.50
Jim Davis – Josh Rennebaum	3.75	13.52
Mark Richardson & Rhett Richardson	0.00	0.00
Chad Hastings – Chris Neal	0.00	0.00
David Farr	0.00	0.00
Tray Grantham – Jonathan Stokes	0.00	0.00
Steve Pizzino – Curtis Jones	0.00	0.00
Bobby Martin – Mike Tyner	0.00	0.00
Sean Anderson – George Berry	0.00	0.00
Total Entrys			$2,400.00
BONUS $			$400.00
Lake Murray Spring Final Fund			$2,115.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$5,015.00
Total Paid Spring 2022 Lake Murray			$24,530.00

Bassmaster Fishing 2022 Video Game Reveals Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass

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June 16, 2022

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Bassmaster Fishing 2022 Video Game Reveals Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass

A new Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass launches today for Bassmaster Fishing 2022, the video game.

June 16, 2022

Bassmaster Fishing 2022 Video Game Reveals Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass for Bassmaster Fishing 2022, the video game, launched today with the fun Synthwave Cosmetic Pack. Dovetail Games, a developer and publisher of sports simulation games, will also be dropping two additional cosmetic packs — Pixel Pro and Throwback B.A.S.S. — later this summer as part of the season pass.

With the Synthwave Cosmetic Pack, players can light up the lake like it’s the 1980s and take bass fishing to an electrifying new level. Anglers can trick out their boats with brand-new emissive light strips, which may not help attract bass but will be sure to attract the attention of other anglers. The pack also gives players a selection of new clothing to choose from, as well as unlockable in-game fluorescent glasses that players can earn by completing new Mastery Challenges.

Retro Cosmetic Pack Season Pass owners can look forward to the release of the Pixel Pro Pack in July, a new cosmetic pack perfect for retro game enthusiasts. The Pixel Pro Pack will bring players’ favorite in-game Bassmaster Elite Series anglers into the exciting world of pixels and will feature new pixel art-style clothing and a boat wrap.

To wrap up the Season Pass, Dovetail Games will release the Throwback B.A.S.S. Pack in August, which will bring an old-school B.A.S.S. look to the game. The pack introduces vintage Bassmaster designs and badge patches spanning the groovy ’70s, radical ’80s and extreme ’90s.

Bassmaster Fishing 2022, the video game, was released on Oct. 28, 2021 in North America and Europe on the PS5™, PS4™, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One/Xbox One X, Windows PC via Steam and Xbox Game Pass. For regular updates on additional content, please visit Bassmasterthegame.com.

About Dovetail Games
Dovetail Games was launched in 2013. Previously trading as RailSimulator.com Ltd, the business launched in 2009 initially producing and marketing the PC game Train Simulator. Today, Dovetail Games is responsible for developing train and fishing simulation games for PC and leading consoles. Dovetailgames.com.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

Patrick Findley & Joseph Garnto Win CATT Savannha River, SC Spring Final June 11, 2022

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June 16, 2022

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Patrick Findley & Joseph Garnto Win CATT Savannha River, SC Spring Final June 11, 2022

Savannah River Division CATT Spring season is in the books.

Congratulations to our top three finishers in the final.

1st place Patrick Findley and Joseph Garnto with 18.54Lbs and big fish of 5.77 Lbs worth $1,905.00!

2nd Place was Mel Long and Felix Stanley with 16.02Lbs and 2nd big fish of 4.93Lbs.

3rd place and fishing alone was Garrett Brown with 13.37 Lbs.

We also awarded our division points leaders who led the pack throughout the season Tim Roundtree and Al Pittman.

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Patrick Findley/Joseph Garnto	5.77	18.54	$1,905.00
Mel Long/Felix Stanley	4.93	16.02	$795.00
Garrett Brown	0.00	13.37	$200.00
Joe Toth	0.00	11.02
Gary Lee Jr.	0.00	10.66
Brian Eason/Billy Martini	0.00	9.37
Weston Wilkes/Curt Sutton	0.00	9.32
Daniel Grassi	0.00	9.01
Mac Sampey	0.00	8.09
Jonathan Crosby/Crystal Crosby	0.00	7.86
Danny Houck/Susan Houck	0.00	7.71
Tim Roundtree/Al Pittman	0.00	7.50
Tony Cook /Carl Rogers	0.00	7.11
Paul Johnson/Adam Wood	0.00	0.00
Richard Boatright	0.00	0.00

Shawn Knight & Ron Wolfarth Win CATT Yadkin Spring Final High Rock Lake, NC June 12, 2022

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June 16, 2022

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Shawn Knight & Ron Wolfarth Win CATT Yadkin Spring Final High Rock Lake, NC June 12, 2022

This coming Saturday at Southmont!

2022 CATT MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED! If you paid at the 2022 Yadkin Spring Trail you’re covered!
If you do pay a membership at the Phantom it can be applied to any CATT Trail afterwards this Fall!
NO OFF LIMITS!
Normal CATT Rules Apply!
Pre Pay on Line or at Ramp Morning of!

$5,000 1st Place based on 50 teams entering!
Entry Fee: $200 per team $210 at Ramp

Enter 1 or more side pots or none! Optional!
Platinum BONUS $100 (Paying 3 Places)
Gold BONUS $50 (Paying up to 3 Places)
Silver BONUS $25 (Paying up to 2 Places)
Blastoff # Determined by Order of Payment!
Safe light – 3 PM weigh in.
Paying 2 Big Fish Places and 1 Place for Every 7 Teams Entered!
Enter 1 2022 Phantom Invitationals & Qualify to fish the Phantom Outdoor Classics!
Lake Norman Dec 2-3, 2022

We had a huge Yadkin 2022 Spring Trail! The total payback was over $23,000.00 which was a 25% increase over 2021! Thanks for fishing guys and we will have the 2022 FALL Schedule out soon! Thanks to Michael Smith and his crew! They served the participants hot dogs after the Final which was much appreciated we’re sure!

Well, we wrapped up the spring trail today in somewhat of a summer fashion. It was a hot one on High Rock lake today at the final. 33 boats / 60 anglers graced us with their presence today all in hopes of taking home some extra cash and for some it paid off. We had another great and successful season and today was no different in my eyes. I hope everyone had a good time today and enjoyed the refreshments at the weigh in. Special thanks are in order to the kitchen crew, Kari Murphy and Carissa Smith braving the heat to fill some bellies. Huge thanks to Erik Myers helping out all season and there’s no doubt I couldn’t have done it without him. Joey Musgrave, the legend himself, came to spectate but as soon as he saw where he could help he jumped right in and I appreciate him for that. Again thanks to all the anglers from near and far for making the 2022 spring trail a success.

Shawn Knight & Ron Wolfarth took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 18.28 lbs and earned $3,480.00!

Harrison & Barry McCall 2nd with 17.73 lbs worth $1,500.00!

Hunter & Scott Harwood 3rd with 17.66 lbs! They took home $1,304.00!

Orlando Giles & Carl Myers 4th! 16.53 lbs!

Matt Stanley 5th 16.42 lbs!

Bud Ratliff & Dustin Horne 2022 Yadkin Point Champs! $500.00!

John Kistler holding his 2022 overall spring big fish trophy made by Nick Bashford at Untratech Tool and Machine. On March 20th John caught a 9.49lb bass!

Jeffrey Furr and Todd Buttler with their Lews/Strike King gift card for the big fish of the Final. They weighed in a 5.46lber!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Shawn Knight – Ron Wolfarth	0.00	18.28	$3,480.00
Harrison McCall – Barry McCall	4.80	17.73	$1,500.00
Hunter Harwood – Scott Harwood	5.14	17.66	$1,304.00
Orlando Giles – Carl Myers	4.73	16.53	$640.00
Matt Stanley	4.91	16.42	$300.00
Jacob Bridges – Brady Weisner	4.38	15.69	$150.00
Jason Riggs – Steve Sink	4.15	15.63
TJ Drew – Randal Drew	3.93	15.32
Jason Barnes – Chad Poteat	4.55	15.12
Todd Butler – Jeffrey Furr	5.46	15.01	$231.00
Mack Lowe – Robert Walser	0.00	14.28
George Lambeth – Herby Young	0.00	14.18
John Kistler – Rusty Melton	0.00	14.04
Austin Garland	0.00	13.65
Bud Ratcliff – Dustin Horn	4.04	12.78
Dillon Kiger – Shane Vaught	0.00	12.43
Scott Henley – Johnny Heaton	0.00	11.74
Thomas Furr – Mike Allen	4.55	10.96
Michael Swaringen – CJ Johnston	0.00	10.60
Ladd Whicker – Landon Whicker	0.00	10.07
Josh Griffin – Daniel Griffin	0.00	8.72
Marty Smith – Mitchell Fredrick	3.79	7.07
Zach Schelsi – Marshall Schelsi	2.43	3.93
Lance Isenhour	0.00	2.89
Zac Gooch – Greg Gooch	0.00	0.00
Mark Cannon – Frank Brinegar	0.00	0.00
Butch Drew – Ryan Drew	0.00	0.00
Robert Mixon – Robert Lambert	4.56	0.00
Tom File – Thomas Ludwick	0.00	0.00
Allen Griffin	0.00	0.00
Nick Bashford	0.00	0.00
Robert Branson	0.00	0.00
Duke Dension – Bobby Cline	0.00	0.00
Total Entrys			$3,840.00
BONUS $			$1,400.00
Yadkin Spring Final Fund			$2,195.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$7,605.00
Total Paid Spring 2022 Yadkin			$23,545.00

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Tripp Mills & Ronnie Mills win the Swamp with 5 bass weighing 25.26 lbs!

Zack Hayes & Dalton Hughes 2nd with 23.83 lbs!

Andrew McCLoud & Mason Miles 3rd with 23.01 lbs and the BF at 7.35 lbs!

Donnie Maire & Dean Benfield 4th with 22.02 lbs!

Here’s the Murray Fall Dates we have secured!

Nov 5

Nov 12

Nov 19

Black Friday Open Nov 25

Dec 3

Dec 10

Dec 17 Fall Final!

We also secured Dec 31st but we will decide soon if we will hold an Open that day!

Wesley Sandifer & Jennings Greene took 1st Place at Murray with 5 bass weighing 21.44 lbs! They collected $2,2150.00!

Scott Roton & Johnny Mayer finished 2nd with 20.50 lbs! They took home $1,460.00!

Dave & Gunnar Franklin took 3rd with 19.79 lbs!

Jeremiah Jensen & Gage Spagnola weighed in the Academy BF at 5.66 lbs and earned a $25 Academy Gift Card!

Savannah River Division CATT Spring season is in the books.

We also awarded our division points leaders who led the pack throughout the season Tim Roundtree and Al Pittman.

This coming Saturday at Southmont!

2022 CATT MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED! If you paid at the 2022 Yadkin Spring Trail you’re covered! If you do pay a membership at the Phantom it can be applied to any CATT Trail afterwards this Fall! NO OFF LIMITS! Normal CATT Rules Apply! Pre Pay on Line or at Ramp Morning of!

Shawn Knight & Ron Wolfarth took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 18.28 lbs and earned $3,480.00!

Harrison & Barry McCall 2nd with 17.73 lbs worth $1,500.00!

Hunter & Scott Harwood 3rd with 17.66 lbs! They took home $1,304.00!

Orlando Giles & Carl Myers 4th! 16.53 lbs!

Matt Stanley 5th 16.42 lbs!

Bud Ratliff & Dustin Horne 2022 Yadkin Point Champs! $500.00!

John Kistler holding his 2022 overall spring big fish trophy made by Nick Bashford at Untratech Tool and Machine. On March 20th John caught a 9.49lb bass!

Jeffrey Furr and Todd Buttler with their Lews/Strike King gift card for the big fish of the Final. They weighed in a 5.46lber!

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2022 CATT MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED! If you paid at the 2022 Yadkin Spring Trail you’re covered!
If you do pay a membership at the Phantom it can be applied to any CATT Trail afterwards this Fall!
NO OFF LIMITS!
Normal CATT Rules Apply!
Pre Pay on Line or at Ramp Morning of!