Kentucky’s Abbott Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Dale Hollow Lake

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March 21, 2022

Kentucky’s Abbott Earns Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Dale Hollow Lake

Boater Tristan Abbott of Somerset, Kentucky, and Strike-King co-angler Jason Henson of Rome, Georgia.

Georgia’s Henson Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (March 21, 2022) – Boater Tristan Abbott of Somerset, Kentucky, caught five bass Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 1 ounce, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake. The tournament, hosted by Star Point Marina and Resort, was the season-opener for the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division. Abbott earned $7,200 for his victory.

“We took off in the morning and made a run down the lake,” Abbott said. “I’d been on some fish and been catching them for the majority of the winter, and was very blessed they had stayed in the same area.

“I had one of the fish I weighed in the first hour or so,” Abbott added. “And it went from there. I was pleased with my day. I fished clean throughout the day and didn’t lose any fish.”

Abbott said he spent the majority of his day trying to boost his bag of 4-pounders by targeting staging fish, mid-lake around chunk rock and channel swings that were holding baitfish. Abbott said his baits of choice were an Alabama-rig and a Berkley Stunna Jerkbait.

“It was a good day of fishing all the way around,” Abbott said. “This win is long overdue. I’ve finished second a couple of times, and I won Angler of the Year last year in the Mountain Division, and I’d like to repeat that.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:        Tristan Abbott, Somerset, Ky., five bass, 20-1, $7,200
2nd:       Dalton Smith, Taylorsville, Ky., five bass, 19-13, $3,000
3rd:       Christian Nash, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 19-10, $2,500 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th:        Isaac Peavyhouse, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 18-14, $1,400
5th:        Brad Atkins, West Liberty, Ky., five bass, 18-2, $1,400
6th:        Ryan Davidson, Branchland, W.V., five bass, 17-12, $1,100
7th:        Cori White, Celina, Tenn., five bass, 17-9, $1,000
8th:        Clay Peters, Butler, Ky., five bass, 17-2, $900
9th:        Zach Crider, Tunnel Hill, Ga., five bass, 17-0, $800
10th:     David Steadman Jr., Tullahoma, Tenn., five bass, 16-15, $700

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Jonathan Green of East Bernstadt, Kentucky, had a 5-pound, 7-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $1,000.

Jason Henson of Rome, Georgia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $3,300 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 16 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:        Jason Henson, Rome, Ga., five bass, 16-8, $3,300
2nd:       Timothy Jolley, Monroe, Tenn., five bass, 16-5, $1,500
3rd:       Billy Gardner, Livingston, Tenn., five bass, 15-1, $1,000
4th:        Lee Sinclair, Albany, Ky., five bass, 15-0, $700
5th:        Robert Jones, Whitley City, Ky., five bass, 14-8, $600
6th:        Trent Suratt, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., five bass, 14-7, $550
7th:        Nicole Foor, Greenfork, Ind., five bass, 14-4, $500
8th:        Justin Brandenburg, Richmond, Ky., five bass, 14-3, $450
9th:        Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 14-1, $400
10th:     Lance Souders, Somerset, Ky., four bass, 13-10, $350

Christopher Logsdon of Brownsville, Kentucky, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 8 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $500.

After one event, Tristan Abbott of Somerset, Kentucky leads the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Jason Henson of Rome, Georgia leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 250 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 20-22 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama. Boaters will compete for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. The 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, 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, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Wade Amick & Zach Huffstetler Win CATT Lake Murray, March 19, 2022

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March 21, 2022

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Wade Amick & Zach Huffstetler Win CATT Lake Murray, March 19, 2022

his coming weekend March 26th is the Phantom Outdoors Invitational on Lake Murray at Dreher Island State Park! $5,000 1st Place with a minimum of 50 Boats entered! You can pay at the ramp or on line! Tap on the Phantom Logo below to view more info!

Also guys we are planning on boosting the Lake Murray Fall trail and make it HUGE! Stay tuned for details!

Wade Amick & Zach Huffstetler besting the 40 boat field with 5 bass weighing 22.22 lbs! They also weighed in the Academy BF at 5.74 lbs and took home $1,530.00! PLUS a $25 Academy Gift Card!

Ben Lee took 2nd with 19.88 lbs!

Ryan Raley & Brandon Jeffcoat claimed 3rd with a limit weighing 18.06 lbs!

Daniel Howell took the 4th spot with 17.70 lbs!

5th went to Kevin Banks & Wayne Jeffcoat with 16.71 lbs!

Jennings Green & Wesley Sandifer finished 6th with 16.57 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Wade Amick – Zach Huffstetler	5.74	22.22	$1,530.00	110
Ben Lee	4.67	19.88	$440.00	109
Ryan Raley – Brandon Jeffcoat	4.64	18.06	$325.00	108
Johnny Mayer – Chris Epting	5.32	17.75	$200.00	107
Daniel Howell	5.27	17.70	$140.00	106
Wayne Jeffcoat – Kevin Banks	5.64	16.71	$110.00	105
Wesley Sandifer – Jennings Green	4.10	16.57	$100.00	104
Scott Farmer – CJ Freeman	3.20	15.05	$90.00	103
Neil Huffstetler – Tim Huffstetler	4.18	14.81		102
Russ Padgett – Britton Padgett	3.93	14.76		101
Chad Hastings – Chris Neal	3.42	13.99		100
Dave Franklin – Gunnar Franklin	3.65	13.84		99
Matt Bickley – Delain Wooodward	3.56	13.60		98
Tanner Schultz – Trey Shultz	3.41	13.36	$280.00	97
CB Dreher – Jonah Bickley	3.11	12.82	$120.00	96
Winston Husband	2.91	10.22		95
Hunter Jeffcoat – Carson Krell	3.44	10.21		94
Bobby Edwards -Phillip Stutts	2.80	6.86		93
Trey Locklear – Jackson Locklear	0.00	5.49		92
Jason Ries – Roger McKee	0.00	5.29		91
Dalton Dowdy – Dylan Edenfield	0.00	0.00		81
Thomas MacWhinnie – Tyler Rathbun	0.00	0.00		81
Rusty Bullard	0.00	0.00		81
Sean Hall – Abigail Askew	0.00	0.00		81
Zachary Elliott – Jim Elliott	0.00	0.00		81
Donald Miller	0.00	0.00		81
Ronnie Mueller -Wayne Frierson	0.00	0.00		81
Brandon Stacey – Denny Stacey	0.00	0.00		81
Mark Richardson – Rhett Richardson	0.00	0.00		81
Josh Rennebaum	0.00	0.00		81
Trey Grantham – Jonathan Stokes	0.00	0.00		81
Joe Quinn – Justen Dunn	0.00	0.00		81
Andy Lake – Phillip Anderson	0.00	0.00		81
Jeremiah Jensen – Gage Spagnola	0.00	0.00		81
Jody Jones	0.00	0.00		81
Steve Pizzino – Curtis Jones	0.00	0.00		81
Josh Johnson – Jeff Massey	0.00	0.00		81
Sean Anderson – George Berry	0.00	0.00		81
Bernie Dreher – Reese Turner	0.00	0.00		81
Matt Mollohan	0.00	0.00		81
Total Entrys			$3,200.00
BONUS $			$650.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$3,335.00
Murray 2022 Spring Final Fund			$415.00
2022 CATT Championship Fund			$50.00
2022 Murray Spring Final Total			$1,505.00

Ranger’s Millsaps Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake Keowee

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March 21, 2022

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Boater David Millsaps of Ranger, Georgia, and Strike-King co-angler Jason Goldman of Commerce, Georgia

Georgia’s Goldman Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

SENECA, S.C. (March 21, 2022) – Boater David Millsaps of Ranger, Georgia, caught five bass Saturday weighing 19 pounds, 5 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Keowee. The tournament, hosted by Visit Oconee, was the season-opener for the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division. Millsaps earned $4,830 for his victory.

“I started out and caught four or five spotted bass on a homemade jig,” Millsaps said. “As the day went on, the wind picked up, and I fished rocky points where the wind was blowing bait and just kept upgrading all day.”

Millsaps said he caught 15 to 20 keepers during the course of the day by keeping the boat in 20 feet of water and casting to rocky points and banks and working the jig slowly.

“These events are hard to win,” said Millsaps, who now has four career BFL wins. “A win this early in the season always boosts you for the rest of the season.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:        David Millsaps, Ranger, Ga., five bass, 19-5, $4,830
2nd:       Jason Burroughs, Hodges, S.C., five bass, 18-3, $4,235 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd:       Bo Price, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 17-15, $1,609
4th:        Scott Browning, Franklin, N.C., five bass, 16-4, $1,127
5th:        Shannon Poore, Walhalla, S.C., five bass, 15-7, $925
5th:        Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., five bass, 15-7, $925
7th:        Derek Lehtonen, Woodruff, S.C., five bass, 15-4, $805
8th:        Derek Freeman, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 14-12, $724
9th:        Greg Glouse, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 14-10, $644
10th:     Kevin Whitmore, Easley, S.C., five bass, 14-7, $563

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Burroughs had a 7-pound, 15-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $720.

Jason Goldman of Commerce, Georgia, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,415 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 13 pounds, 10 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were:

1st:        Jason Goldman, Commerce, Ga., five bass, 13-10, $2,415
2nd:       Alan Poston, Travelers Rest, S.C., five bass, 13-5, $1,207
3rd:       Chris Wilson, Easley, S.C., five bass, 11-13, $806
4th:        Jody Hughes, Baldwin, Ga., five bass, 11-9, $523
4th:        Corey Veal, Royston, Ga., five bass, 11-9, $523
6th:        Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 11-3, $443
7th:        Scott Gardner, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 11-0, $402
8th:        Gerald Glouse, Easley, S.C., five bass, 10-13, $362
9th:        Gavin Ballew, Travelers Rest, S.C., five bass, 10-11, $322
10th:     Jacob Yaden, Evans, Ga., five bass, 10-7, $582

Nicholas Gurkin of Simpsonville, S.C, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $360.

After one event, David Millsaps of Ranger, Georgia, leads the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 250 points, while Jason Goldman of Commerce, Georgia, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 250 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 20-22 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama. Boaters will compete for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. The 2022 All-American will be held June 2-4 at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, 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, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.

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

Andy Montgomery Wins 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup in Knoxville on Outdoor Channel

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March 21, 2022

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Andy Montgomery Wins 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup in Knoxville on Outdoor Channel

South Carolina Pro Throws Strike King Thunder Cricket to Catch 16 Pounds, 10 Ounces and Win First MLF Cup Title of Career

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 21, 2022) – Blacksburg, South Carolina pro Andy Montgomery has been the model of consistency. In 17 career Major League Fishing Cup events, Montgomery made it to the Championship Round nine times, finishing second and third numerous times, but still searching for that elusive first win. Finally, on Tennessee’s Fort Loudoun Lake, Montgomery got it done.

In an episode that premiered Saturday on the Outdoor Channel and Monday on the MyOutdoorTV app, Montgomery caught nine bass weighing 16 pounds, 10 ounces, to win the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup Presented by Magellan Outdoors in Knoxville, Tennessee, and earn the first MLF Cup Championship of his career.

“We put so much into this, and I’ve been close so many times,” an emotional Montgomery said in his post-game interview. “I knew it was going to happen eventually, I just wanted it to happen a couple of years ago.

“I don’t know what it is about Fort Loudoun Lake, but I just jive with it,” the South Carolina pro continued. “I love fishing here, and I knew I was going to have a chance. I hate to get emotional, but I’m so happy that I finally won one.”

Montgomery landed a couple of bass in the first period that had him near the top of the leaderboard, then pulled away in the Period 2 with five bass to take a commanding lead. He caught the majority of his fish fishing docks with a ½-ounce blue craw-colored Strike King Thunder Cricket with a Strike King Rage Bug trailer.

“I used the Rage Bug because I was skipping so much – that bait skips really good – and I was also fishing wood, and it keeps it from hanging up,” Montgomery said. “One of the keys for me this week, though, was my line. I threw Strike King Contra fluorocarbon, and it was critical. I have confidence in that line, and I knew that it was not going to break off.”

The final eight anglers at the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup Presented by Magellan Outdoors in Knoxville, Tennessee finished:

1^st:          Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., nine bass, 16-10
2^nd:         Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., seven bass, 13-8
3^rd:         Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., seven bass, 8-12
4^th:         Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., six bass, 7-4
5^th:         Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., four bass, 7-4
6^th:         Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., four bass, 6-9
7^th:         Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., three bass, 3-12
8^th:         Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., zero bass, 0-0

Complete results along with photos from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Montgomery caught the Championship Round Berkley Big Bass – a chunky 3-pound, 4-ounce largemouth that bit a bladed swimjig.

Overall, there were 40 bass weighing 63 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the final eight pros during the Championship Round of competition on the upper reaches of Fort Loudoun Lake.

The 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup Presented by Magellan Outdoors was hosted by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission and Jefferson County, Tennessee and premiered on the Outdoor Channel as six, two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon debuting on Feb. 12, 2022, and running through March 19, 2022.

The event was shot over six days in October in Knoxville and featured 24 MLF pro anglers visiting the Knoxville area to compete on Douglas Lake and different zones of Fort Loudoun Lake on each day of competition. The locations were unknown to the anglers – they did not learn where they were competing until they arrived to the launch ramp each morning of competition.

All six episodes of the event are now available for viewing on the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) streaming app. The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the MLF Cup events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Cook Holds Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Santee Cooper As Big Bags Roll In

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March 21, 2022

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Cook Holds Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Santee Cooper As Big Bags Roll In

Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., is leading after Day 3 of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 80 pounds, 12 ounces.

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

March 20, 2022

Cook Holds Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Santee Cooper As Big Bags Roll In

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CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — When the threat of strong winds and storms postponed the third day of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes, Drew Cook watched from his rental house as boat after boat entered the area where he has dominated the event.

But despite the local boat traffic and a day off with no idea what happened to his area, Cook sacked a limit weighing 24 pounds, 3 ounces to maintain his lead with a three-day total of 80-12. With previous bags of 31-13 and 24-12, Cook holds more than a 4-pound lead over Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk (76-6) and Oklahoma pro Luke Palmer (76-3).

“I’m staying across the creek from the cove I’ve fished every day, and it was pretty brutal to sit there and watch it happen,” Cook said. “I can’t complain. I still have a 4-pound lead and we are one day away.

“Having that lead is nice, but a 4-pound lead here really isn’t much. I could go catch 20 pounds tomorrow and Luke (Palmer) could catch 24 pounds and there goes my lead. That is one bass here and there is a pile of 4-pounders.”

The Georgia resident continued sight fishing for bedding bass on Day 3, catching eight total fish with his biggest weighing approximately 7 pounds on BassTrakk. Throughout the week, Cook has struggled during the morning hours and one big bass he saw on Friday was gone when he went back Sunday.

While there are new fish, both males and females, Cook was surprised he didn’t see more.

“If you would have said there was going to be a day off, you would think there would be more bass pulling up than there was,” he said. “A lot of that could have been from the local pressure. There were still new ones up there, and I’m sure there will be new ones tomorrow too.”

Cook plans to start Championship Monday in the same area on a big bass he saw Sunday and give the rest of the area a look. But he will likely be fishing new water much of the day.

“I still have some stuff on the other side of the lake I haven’t been to yet,” he said. “I won’t be going to any fish I have marked anymore after my first one in the morning. I marked some males, but they were only 3-pounders, and we are going to need more than 3-pounders.”

With multiple 25-pound-plus bags weighed Sunday, Cook knows he will need to catch a big bag Monday to claim his first Elite Series victory.

“To win one would be a dream come true,” he said. “I have really busted my butt my whole career and been close a couple of times but haven’t had that event where everything goes right.

“I have had opportunities to win tournaments, but it has always been from behind. To finally not dig myself a hole on Day 1 and come out swinging has helped tremendously.”

While a tough morning on Day 2 left him scrambling to find bedding bass, Palaniuk started Day 3 strong and weighed in 27-7, increasing his three-day total to 76-6. He did most of his damage during the first two hours with a crankbait and a jerkbait.

After filling his limit, he made a crucial cull around 12:30 p.m. to fill out his bag.

“I changed it up today,” Palaniuk said. “Hopefully that plays out tomorrow. I could catch 30-plus in 15 or 20 minutes if the right ones would just bite. Or, I could go there and catch nothing.

“I thought I wasn’t going to catch anything and then I caught a 4-pounder. I made a change and caught a 6-pounder and a 5 1/2-pounder on back-to-back casts.”

The higher winds Saturday resulted in a cooler night, which Palaniuk believes helped his bite on Day 3. He is hoping an even cooler night Sunday will keep those bass in place.

“The nastier the better for me because I’m doing something different than most of the guys,” Palaniuk said. “I feel like that will give me the best chance. I hope we have a freeze warning tonight. That would be the best thing for me.”

Palaniuk also fished more than two hours Sunday for a bass that he believes could be bigger than the 8-12 he caught Saturday. But the smaller male bass bit instead, and he was unable to catch the lunker he wanted.

“I promise you I will go check it again tomorrow,” he said. “We are within striking distance. I mean someone is going to win with a 30-pound bag tomorrow.”

Palmer landed the current VMC Monster Bag of the Tournament on Day 3 with 33-5 — the biggest bag of his career and one that launched him into third place with a three-day total of 76-3. He also landed the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with a 9-4 largemouth.

With a Falcon Cara Amistad flipping stick in hand and Sunline spooled on his reel, Palmer said he finally got to fish to his strengths.

“It is almost like dreaming,” he said. “We don’t have that type of sack in Oklahoma. To do it with stuff I have used my whole life, it was fun. I have never gotten to do it (on tour) the way I really want to catch them.”

After ending Day 1 in 43rd place, Palmer recovered with 26-7 on Day 2. He tried to make the upper end of Lake Marion work on the first and second days. But with much dirtier water moving through that area, he found a home down lake and pitched a Yum Bad Mamma and Wooly Bug to catch the majority of his bass.

He added that many of the bass he is catching are spawning and while he can’t see them with his eyes, he can see them on his fish finder.

“It was my time today,” he said. “I have one more stretch where I caught a three, broke one off and then went to ‘Scoping trees and didn’t even flip for them because I could see how big they were.

“I thought if I could get to 75 pounds, I would have a chance at a Century Belt. I would love to have a trophy over the belt. Everything today was a big blessing.”

By making the Top 10, John Cox leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 283 points. David Mullins is second with 265 points and Stetson Blaylock is third with 257.

Jay Przekurat leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 232 points. Joseph Webster is second with 183 points and Jonathan Kelley is 167 points.

The Top 10 will launch from John C Land III Sport Fishing Facility starting at 7:30 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 3:30 p.m., with the winner earning a coveted blue trophy and a $100,000 first-place prize. Live coverage can be streamed on Bassmaster.com.

The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 3/17-3/20
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 80-12 100
Day 1: 5 31-13 Day 2: 5 24-12 Day 3: 5 24-03
2. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 76-06 99
Day 1: 5 26-02 Day 2: 5 22-13 Day 3: 5 27-07
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 76-03 98 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 26-07 Day 3: 5 33-05
4. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 14 73-14 97
Day 1: 5 29-10 Day 2: 4 13-00 Day 3: 5 31-04
5. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 15 68-01 96
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 28-13
6. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 67-03 95
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 24-02 Day 3: 5 22-13
7. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 15 67-01 94 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 26-04 Day 3: 5 22-01
8. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 66-10 93
Day 1: 5 27-14 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 18-09
9. John Cox DeBary, FL 15 66-03 92
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 26-13 Day 3: 5 20-03
10. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 64-13 91
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 22-15
11. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 64-11 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 26-13 Day 3: 5 21-01
12. Bryan New Saluda, SC 13 64-03 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 3 15-14 Day 3: 5 29-02
13. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 15 63-04 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 25-14
14. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 62-03 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 20-11
15. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 61-04 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 24-13
16. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 15 60-12 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 22-10
17. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 60-07 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 21-04 Day 3: 5 18-03
18. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 15 60-01 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 20-10 Day 3: 5 22-05
19. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 59-11 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 22-00
20. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 13 58-06 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 5 24-12 Day 3: 5 22-00
21. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 58-02 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 24-03
22. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 14 57-15 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-01 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 4 16-06
23. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 57-11 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 21-04
24. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 57-02 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 24-08 Day 3: 5 17-02
25. Mike Huff London, KY 15 56-12 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 19-10
26. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 14 56-04 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 08-15 Day 2: 5 25-10 Day 3: 5 21-11
27. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 15 55-12 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 18-05
28. David Williams Newton, NC 15 55-09 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 20-15 Day 3: 5 21-13
29. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 55-03 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 15-04
30. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 54-14 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 18-02 Day 3: 5 19-08
31. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 15 54-05 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 18-01
32. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 15 54-03 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 14-05
33. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 15 53-05 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 17-15
34. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 15 52-15 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 19-14
35. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 52-14 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 16-10
36. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 52-03 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 16-01
37. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 51-08 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 18-01
38. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 13 51-05 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 28-02 Day 3: 3 07-11
39. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 13 50-15 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-14 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 3 11-08
40. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 49-02 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 13-03
41. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 14 48-07 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 13-14 Day 2: 5 21-04 Day 3: 5 13-05
42. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 14 48-07 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 4 14-05
43. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 11 47-15 58 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 27-02 Day 2: 4 10-14 Day 3: 2 09-15
44. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 14 45-10 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 4 12-00
45. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 42-02 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-11 Day 2: 5 23-10 Day 3: 1 05-13
46. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 11 41-02 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 4 15-15 Day 3: 2 06-03
47. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 11 35-09 54 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 1 01-06
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 08-15 $1,000.00
2 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 09-10 $1,000.00
3 Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 09-04 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 74 424 1462-06
2 71 420 1557-06
3 38 214 891-10
———————————-
183 1058 3911-06

Sonny Beam & Butch Williams Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC March 19, 2022

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March 20, 2022

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Sonny Beam & Butch Williams Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC March 19, 2022

Next Lake Wateree CATT will be this coming weekend March 26th! We will move to the Lake Wateree State Park until further notice!

Sonny Beam & Butch Williams brought in 5 bass weighing 21.05 lbs good enough for the win and also they weighed the Academy BF at 4.71 lbs! Sonny & Butch took home $1,419.00!

Jeff & Jacob Norris finished 2nd with 5 bass weighing 17.34 lbs!

3rd went to Donald Hinson & John Coward with 16.64 lbs!

Greg Sigmon with some good ones!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Butch Williams & Sonny Beam	4.71	21.05	$1,419.00	110
Jeff Norris & Jacob Norris	4.05	17.34	$400.00	109
Donald Hinson & John Coward	4.13	16.64	$226.00	108
Brent Neal & Max Price	3.23	14.50		107
Donnie Maiers & Dean Benfield	3.91	14.34		106
Greg Sigmon – Jeff Reynolds	3.88	13.64		105
Chad Gainey & Mack Kitchens	3.55	13.04		104
Alan Fletcher – Tanner Fletcher	2.52	12.55		103
Danny Gibson – Steve Funderburk	3.07	11.30		102
Shane Cantley & Michael Richardson	3.20	11.29		101
Mark Healon – Ella Healon	3.84	11.23		100
Paul Wells & Craig Haven	3.91	10.51		99
Scott Floyd & Bob Weaver	3.98	9.39		98
Landon Murray – Ken Murray	2.70	6.81		97
Robbie English & Scott Williams	0.00	5.12		96
Jason McCoy – Casey Stevens	0.00	0.00		86
David Winters – Derek Lilly	0.00	0.00		86
Total Entrys			$2,040.00
BONUS $			$400.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$2,045.00
2022 Wateree Spring Final Fund			$300.00
2022 CATT Championship/Phantom Fund			$50.00
2022 Wateree Spring Fund Total			$775.00

John Campbell & Jared Boles Win CATT Cooper River, SC March 19, 2022

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March 20, 2022

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John Campbell & Jared Boles Win CATT Cooper River, SC March 19, 2022

We had 35 teams enter the March 19th Cooper River Qualifier! This is our largest field yet on the Cooper River! The last 2022 Spring Cooper River Qualifier is April 2 at Cypress Gardens! You only have to enter 1 Qualifier to be eligible to enter the Final so come on out and join us! Thanks for the support and thanks to Ferris Jennings for putting on the show! Check out these pictures of the participants yesterday!

John Campbell & Jared Boles win the Cooper River with 5 bass weighing 17.22 lbs! They alss weighed in the BF at 7.96 lbs and took home $1,400.00!

Joel Hopkins & Cooper Hopkins claimed 2nd with 5 bass weighing 16.76 lbs!

3rd Place went to Crystal & Johnny Brinson! They weighed in 5 at 15.75 lbs!

Chris Blanchette & Bill Foster came in 4th with 15.51 lbs!

Walter Cumbee & Brian Suroweic 5th Place 14.43 lbs!

6th Place went to Michael & Justin Craven with 12.58 lbs!

Last money spot was paid to Travis Gatlin & Grant Powel with 12.23 lbs!

John Corriveau & Cody Wilson with some nice Cooper River Bass!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
John Campbell – Jared Boles	7.96	17.22	$1,400.00	110
Joel Hopkins – Cooper Hopkins	0.00	16.76	$300.00	109
Johnny Brinson – Crystal Brinson	0.00	15.75	$200.00	108
Chris Blanchette – Bill Foster	0.00	15.51	$150.00	107
Brian Suroweic – Walter Cumbee	0.00	14.43	$125.00	106
Michael Craven – Justin Craven	0.00	12.58	$100.00	105
Grant Powell – Travis Gatlin	0.00	12.23	$75.00	104
Randy Gibson – Jeremey Hernandez	0.00	11.99		103
Wendell Lampkin – Jayden Lampkin	0.00	11.52		102
Jonathan Brindel – Justin Harvey	0.00	11.29		101
Landy Filyaw Jr. – Chris Weaver	0.00	10.88		100
Ira Lewis – Ricky Badger	0.00	10.86		99
J.W. Smith – Ben Nye	0.00	10.82		98
Cody Wilson – John Corriveau	0.00	10.45		97
Matt Baker – Andrew Baker	0.00	10.40		96
Scottie Mixon Winky Watford	0.00	10.32		95
David Driggers – Darrell Glenn	0.00	9.24		94
Harold Singletary	0.00	8.76		93
Tripp Meland	0.00	8.37		92
Michael Ard	0.00	8.10		91
Will Thompson – Willy T Bass	0.00	7.90		90
Dale Lovelace	0.00	7.80		89
Bubba Dennis Dean Graham	0.00	7.64		88
James Skelton	0.00	7.12		87
JT Crouse – Cody Crouse	0.00	6.76		86
Willie Weatherford – Wyatt Weatherford	0.00	5.89		85
Gabriel Hornet Pearson	0.00	3.01		84
Randall Drew Riley Drew	0.00	0.00		74
Nathan Mixon Zack Smith	0.00	0.00		74
Kyle Welch James Fender	0.00	0.00		74
Greg Benton – Logan Benton	0.00	0.00		74
Chris Wrenn	0.00	0.00		74
Fred Cruise Sam Cruise	0.00	0.00		74
Skeeter Wayne Crosby	0.00	0.00		74
Jimmy Bihlear	0.00	0.00		74
Total Entrys			$1,750.00
BONUS $			$725.00
Total Paid At Ramp			$2,350.00
Cooper River 2022 Spring Final Fund			$115.00
2022 CATT Championship Fund			$10.00
Cooper River 2022 Spring Final Fund Total			$505.00

Kirby talks about the 7.5lb Lunker & more Interviews from Anglers Choice SML

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March 20, 2022

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Kirby talks about the 7.5lb Lunker & more Interviews from Anglers Choice SML

Enjoy some more great interviews from the Anglers Choice VA Division Stop #1 on Smith Mountain Lake

HOBIE B.O.S. ANCHORED BY POWER-POLE TAKES AIM ON THE SANTEE COOPER LAKES

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March 20, 2022

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HOBIE B.O.S. ANCHORED BY POWER-POLE TAKES AIM ON THE SANTEE COOPER LAKES

Elite fleet of kayak anglers looks to cash in on warming waters at one of the country’s most renown bass havens.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (March 21, 2022) – The 2022 Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Anchored by Power-Pole rolls into South Carolina for its second event of the season. Once again featuring a bucket list destination for kayak anglers, March 26–27 are the dates, and the famed Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County is the place.

Known for both fast action and exceptionally big bass, there will be plenty on the line at this two-day, catch, photograph and release (C.P.R.) event. Cash payouts will go to the top 10% of the field, with the top three non-qualified competitors earning spots in the 2022 Tournament of Champions (T.O.C.) on Caddo Lake, Nov 11-13, in Shreveport- Bossier City, LA. Angler of the Year (A.O.Y.) points will also be distributed, and a $400 prize awaits the angler earning Bassin’ Big Bass honors. Additionally, all competitors have a chance to win a 2022 Hobie Outback in custom Orange and Black ‘BOS Camo’ color way, plus many prizes that will be randomly given away by event sponsors.

“To run a kayak tourney on such a famed chain of lakes at the perfect time of year is truly an exciting opportunity,” says tournament director A.J. McWhorter. “Our anglers are going to have a shot at some hefty limits and giant fish throughout the week and weekend, and they’ll have plenty of water to cover with the bass in both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie fair game. The fish are probably shallow already, and they’ll likely keep moving up onto the flats at this point. I don’t know that we could be here at a better time of year for great numbers and potential personal bests.”

While the 200-angler field is completely sold out, competitors should be able to find plenty of elbow room if they poke around. After all, Lake Marion covers more than 110,000 surface acres and Moultrie spreads across 60,000 more. The two lakes are connected by the Diversion Canal and together sport more than 525 miles of shoreline to explore. Of the two basins, Moultrie tends to be the deeper with an average depth of 18 feet compared to Lake Marion’s 13-foot average. The latter also has plenty of shallow flats, a generous amount of which is tough for motorized boats to access making it a haven for kayak bass fans.

“You look at Santee Cooper on satellite images and there appears to be a lot of big open areas,” says Jay Wallen, 37, of Pikeville, Kentucky. “Get up close, though, and you’ll discover plenty of backwaters and small tributaries cut into the shoreline. It’s amazing how much water is against the banks and deep back in those pockets. You can really get lost in that stuff using a kayak to find places that don’t see much pressure. Scout around and you’ll spot cypress trees, lily pads and various kinds of grass. That’s a perfect kayak fishing environment.”

Wallen plans to use his Hobie Pro Angler 14 360 to push way back and find some big fish that haven’t been lipped in a while. “I’ve been fishing this lake since I’m 10 years old, and I think we’ll be hitting it at the perfect time,” he states. “Catching limits shouldn’t be a problem, but you’re going to need a couple really special fish to finish atop the leader board and claim the first-place prize of $10,500. Hobie did an excellent job of timing this event for maximum bassin’ impact.”

Wallen expects to toss soft plastics, chatterbaits and some topwater favorites around vegetation and cypress trees, but suspects the soft baits will ultimately rule the weekend. “I’m counting on my Hobie Pro Angler 14 360 to give me an edge here,” he reveals. “It’s a super stable platform that I can stand and cast from, especially when the fish are on their beds. Plus, the combination of that Mirage Drive and Kick-Up Fins will get me anywhere I need to go.”

Vinny Ferreri, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, agrees that it will likely take a couple of true hawgs to put the winner over the top. If the bass are already on their beds and anglers can see them, he believes, it’s going to come down to picking one or two really big fish. If anglers can’t spot them, having prior knowledge of which creeks they favor for spawning should be a big help.

“I’m fortunate to fish here a couple of times a year, but with 200 competitors, you can bet there will be some local sharpies that know what they are doing. That home field advantage can be tough to beat,” says Ferreri. “Still,” he continues, “there’s nothing you can’t catch bass on in these two lakes at this time of year, so fish to your strengths. There are lilies, wood, grass, current, water willow, cypress trees, open water and creeks here. Any way you like to fish, opportunities abound.”

For Hobie B.O.S. reigning A.O.Y., Jordan Marshall, 26, from Maryville, Tennessee, start time can’t arrive fast enough. He has his heart set on enjoying some warm weather and active fish. “I’ve only fished here once before, so I’m pretty much coming in blind,” he reveals. “But that means I can just fish the way I like, which will entail power fishing with Z-Man Chatterbaits in shallow water, covering a few topwater prospects, and targeting some staging pre-spawn fish. I’m also going to look for backwaters that haven’t been hit by recent tournaments; places where I can fish alone.”

To cut down on his searching, Marshall plans to focus on Lake Marion. Like Wallen, he’ll be counting on his Hobie Pro Angler 14 180 to probe far back into the shallow grass. “That Mirage drive is just fantastic when it comes to pushing through brush, stumps and slop,” he offers. “It sheds the grass better than any other drive I’ve seen – and the kick-up fins are a big plus, too.”

Wallen, Ferreri and Marshall each admit that the competition is likely to be tough at this event. “I think the Hobie B.O.S. is the premiere kayak fishing series in the country,” sums up Wallen. “Every time you enter one of these tournaments, you’re competing against 199 other expert anglers. To come away in the money, you’ll need to fish hard, fish big and fish clean. If you hook ‘em, you better get them in the boat.”

“I’m really excited for the BOS series to be drawing so strongly,” adds Marshall. “It shows that good things come if you take care of the participants. Hobie certainly does it right.”

Justin Marlowe, Fishing Advisor for Clarendon County, is thrilled to have the Hobie BOS series coming to town. “These anglers are in for a real treat,” he states. “The Santee Cooper Lakes were ranked #3 for bass fishing lakes in the country last year by Bassmaster Magazine. It definitely is a bucket list destination with big fish and plenty of them. Over the years these waters have held the record for the largest four-day Bassmaster limit at over 100 pounds – and the record South Carolina bigmouth, a 16.2-pound brute, was caught here, too. So come on down, push back into those swampy areas and enjoy the bass and beautiful scenery. Then kick back and do a little camping and relaxing. If you love the water and being outdoors, there’s no place better to spend a few days.”

Despite Disappointment, Largen Wins Bassmaster Kayak Series On Harris Chain

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March 20, 2022

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Despite Disappointment, Largen Wins Bassmaster Kayak Series On Harris Chain

Virginia angler Justin Largen has won the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Harris Chain powered by TourneyX with a five-fish limit of 93.25 inches.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

March 19, 2022

Despite Disappointment, Largen Wins Bassmaster Kayak Series On Harris Chain

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LEESBURG, Fla. — Plan B delivered in a big way for Justin Largen of Roanoke, Va., who tallied 93.25 inches to win the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Harris Chain powered by TourneyX.

Edging Brandon Brylinsky by 4 1/2 inches, Largen entered five bass that measured 22.25, 21.5, 17.75, 16.25 and 15.50 inches and earned $4,000. The top seven finishers earned invitations to the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX (location TBD).

Launching his 12 1/2-foot Hobie Outback Mirage into Trout Lake — a smaller body on Lake Eustis’ northeast side — Largen split his time between a hydrilla bed in 3 to 5 feet and a residential seawall near a canal. Finding success in his secondary patterns made the win particularly sweet.

“This was very unexpected,” Largen said. “This was my backup plan. I had found big bed fish in practice, but they were all gone the day before the event. I heard a local went in there and (caught most of the bed fish).

“I was really excited when I found these fish, I was really dejected yesterday, but about halfway through today, I was back on Cloud 9 again.”

Largen said he started his day on a patch of hydrilla he located during practice after realizing his bed-fishing plan was gone. He caught his bass on a Strike King Hybrid Hunter crankbait.

“I was ripping it through the grass and they were crushing it,” Largen said.

While the grass yielded quality bites, Largen said a mid-morning adjustment helped seal his victory. As he explained, it was all about expanding his effort and recognizing a feeding scenario.

“There was a seawall a couple hundred yards past the grass and I found fish busting bait along that area,” Largen said. “I was seeing bait flickering and fish boiling, but it was hard to distinguish this from the waves breaking along the seawall. Once I got dialed in on what I was looking for, I started catching fish.”

Largen threw the Hybrid Hunter along the seawall, but he also made two afternoon upgrades with a 6 1/2-inch Missile Baits Quiver worm in junebug. He Texas-rigged the bait on a 2/0 hook with a 1/8-ounce weight.

“I would just pitch it and dead stick it for 10 to 15 seconds and if I didn’t get bit, I’d move on,” Largen said. “I caught my biggest fish and the 17.75 doing this.”

Largen said that, while he recently bought several Hybrid hunters for his Potomac River home waters, he noticed Texas pro Ray Hansleman used this bait to earn a third-place finish at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at the Harris Chain of Lakes.

“I really hadn’t played around with that bait much until I was down here,” Largen said. “I saw he had done well with it, so I figured I’d see if I could make that thing work around the grass.

“I also knew everybody throws a ChatterBait now, so that would be a little different look with a similar vibration.”

Hailing from Ithaca, N.Y., Brylinsky placed second with 88.75 inches. His top five fish measured 22.5, 18.25, 17, 15.75 and 15.25 inches and earned him $2,500.

Devoting his day to Lake Apopka, Brylinsky worked from a 14-foot Hobie Pro Angler 360 and spent his day around the lake’s dense hydrilla. Dialing in the sweet spot was the key to his success.

“I spent most of my time on a 1/2-mile stretch, but I caught all of my better fish in a 1000-yard area,” Brylinsky said. “This area had a good patch of reeds along the shoreline, with hydrilla out front.”

Brylinsky caught his bass on a 3/4-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer with a Berkley The Deal trailer and a 1/2-ounce Gambler Heavy Cover swim jig with an XZone Mega Swammer. White colors worked best because the fish were feeding on shad.

“The big thing seemed to be getting the bait hung up in the weed and then pop it free,” Brylinsky said. “They were grabbing it on the pop.”

Todd Patrick of Fairfield Township, Ohio, finished third, also with 88.75 inches. Ties are broken by the single largest fish and Patrick’s best bass measured 22.25. With his other four measuring 19, 16.25, 16.25 and 15 inches, he earned $1,500.

Fishing out of a 14-foot Hobie Pro Angler, Patrick stayed in Little Lake Harris and focused on cypress trees in 3 to 5 feet of water. He found his best success around trees standing behind a significant grass line.

“In practice, I got my better bites on a wacky-rigged 5-inch Strike King KVD Ocho in Okeechobee Craw color on a 1/0 VMC wacky hook,” Patrick said. “The Okeechobee craw was working better than any other color because of the water clarity. When I ran out, my bite slowed down.”

Patrick said his fish bit best in the first couple of hours before the rising sun diminished shadow pockets. His first fish was the 22.25 and he had a limit by 8:24 a.m. A noon cull finished his effort.

Thanking his travel friends, Mike Fink and Eric Siddiqi (winner of the 2022 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship powered by TourneyX on Richard B. Russell Lake), Patrick said: “I give all the honor and glory to God for my performance.”

James Busch of Carrsville, Va., won the $500 Big Bass award for his 25-inch fish. Busch placed 34th with 72.5 inches.Visit Lake, FL, the City of Leesburg and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission hosted the tournament.

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his coming weekend March 26th is the Phantom Outdoors Invitational on Lake Murray at Dreher Island State Park! $5,000 1st Place with a minimum of 50 Boats entered! You can pay at the ramp or on line! Tap on the Phantom Logo below to view more info!

Also guys we are planning on boosting the Lake Murray Fall trail and make it HUGE! Stay tuned for details!

Wade Amick & Zach Huffstetler besting the 40 boat field with 5 bass weighing 22.22 lbs! They also weighed in the Academy BF at 5.74 lbs and took home $1,530.00! PLUS a $25 Academy Gift Card!

Ben Lee took 2nd with 19.88 lbs!

Ryan Raley & Brandon Jeffcoat claimed 3rd with a limit weighing 18.06 lbs!

Daniel Howell took the 4th spot with 17.70 lbs!

5th went to Kevin Banks & Wayne Jeffcoat with 16.71 lbs!

Jennings Green & Wesley Sandifer finished 6th with 16.57 lbs!

Next Lake Wateree CATT will be this coming weekend March 26th! We will move to the Lake Wateree State Park until further notice!

Sonny Beam & Butch Williams brought in 5 bass weighing 21.05 lbs good enough for the win and also they weighed the Academy BF at 4.71 lbs! Sonny & Butch took home $1,419.00!

Jeff & Jacob Norris finished 2nd with 5 bass weighing 17.34 lbs!

3rd went to Donald Hinson & John Coward with 16.64 lbs!

Greg Sigmon with some good ones!

John Campbell & Jared Boles win the Cooper River with 5 bass weighing 17.22 lbs! They alss weighed in the BF at 7.96 lbs and took home $1,400.00!

Joel Hopkins & Cooper Hopkins claimed 2nd with 5 bass weighing 16.76 lbs!

3rd Place went to Crystal & Johnny Brinson! They weighed in 5 at 15.75 lbs!

Chris Blanchette & Bill Foster came in 4th with 15.51 lbs!

Walter Cumbee & Brian Suroweic 5th Place 14.43 lbs!

6th Place went to Michael & Justin Craven with 12.58 lbs!

Last money spot was paid to Travis Gatlin & Grant Powel with 12.23 lbs!

John Corriveau & Cody Wilson with some nice Cooper River Bass!

Enjoy some more great interviews from the Anglers Choice VA Division Stop #1 on Smith Mountain Lake

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