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Schmitt Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite Event On Lake Champlain

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July 10, 2021

Schmitt Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite Event On Lake Champlain

Bryan Schmitt, of Deale, Md., is leading after Day 3 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain with a three-day total of 62 pounds, 4 ounces.

July 10, 2021

Schmitt Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite Event On Lake Champlain

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PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — To hear Bryan Schmitt talk there isn’t a single bass left in Lake Champlain. They’re all gone. Just vanished.

But don’t buy any of it for a second.

The perennially pessimistic Maryland pro caught another big limit Saturday — this time five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 4 ounces — to increase his three-day total to 62-4 and maintain his lead at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.

He’ll lead a field of 10 qualifying anglers into Championship Sunday with a chance to claim his first Elite Series victory and a $100,000 first-place prize. But of course, he sounded less than confident about his chances.

“I don’t even know how we got it done today, to be honest with you,” Schmitt said. “Tomorrow’s the day. Whoever catches the big bag tomorrow. It’s still anybody’s tournament.”

Schmitt, who has been either first or second all week long, said he spent Saturday’s semifinal round fishing the same areas he fished the first two days. The areas produced big bites, but Schmitt had big bass break his line twice and he admitted he was starting to feel a bit defeated.

After going to an area where he knew he could catch some small fish “just to calm down,” he revisited more familiar areas and put together the bulk of his weight with largemouth.

“I can’t get my smallmouth to go,” Schmitt said. “Yesterday, they were there but it was too rough to fish for them. Today, they were just gone, not even there. I saw one or two fish on my electronics, but I’m not even sure they were smallmouth because they wouldn’t bite.”

Schmitt’s five-bass limit included three largemouth and two smallmouth. Those two smallies came late in the day after he had abandoned his largemouth pattern.

“I caught a 4-pound largemouth that made me feel a lot better, but I started feeling like my largemouth were just burned,” he said. “So, after I caught that 4-pounder, I went smallmouth fishing and caught two that helped me upgrade.

“I really feel in my heart that the largemouth won’t hold up tomorrow. I need to make the smallmouth bite.”

Schmitt entered the day with a lead of 2 1/2 pounds over his closest competition, and that lead stayed virtually the same as Texas pro Chris Zaldain moved into second place with a three-day total of 59-13 — just 2 pounds, 7 ounces back of Schmitt.

Zaldain stuck with his strategy of targeting small schools of alewives and the big smallmouth that were chasing them. But with the change in weather conditions — from cloudy and overcast the first two days to bright sunshine Saturday — he had a harder time staying on top of his fish.

Noticeably absent for the latter part of the day were the birds that had guided him to those baitfish the first two rounds.

“My bird activity only lasted about 45 minutes today,” Zaldain said. “This is my first time fishing an alewife-driven tournament, but it was kind of what I expected. It’s like a shad spawn down South. Once those clouds disappear, the bait kind of dissipates.”

Even with the short window, bird activity led Zaldain to one mega-school of smallmouth that helped him put most of his weight in the livewell. He said that school was far away from any of the waypoints he marked during practice or the first two days of competition.

Though many anglers had been wishing for sun all week, Zaldain believed the bluebird skies were to blame for a day that wasn’t quite as action-packed as the previous two.

“It hurt my numbers for sure,” he said. “The size is still there. There are still a lot of 3 3/4- to 4 1/4-pounders up there. But when it got slick and sunny, I could see a lot of them on my electronics following my bait that wouldn’t commit.

“With it being sunny, it gives them a lot of time to examine that bait.”

The biggest mover of the day was Texas pro Keith Combs who caught 20-14 and jumped from 16th into third with a three-day mark of 58-10.

Combs, who is known for catching giant largemouth, weighed in a bag of five smallmouth Saturday anchored by a gorgeous 5-pounder that claimed Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors for the day.

“A 5-even is rare on this place, so that was big,” Combs said. “It was a great day, but it was frustrating at the same time because minutes before I caught that 5, I saw another 5 behind my bait that wouldn’t commit to it.

“That stretch had some big ones. I could have had a huge bag.”

Minnesota pro Seth Feider caught 18-7 and stayed in sixth place for a second straight day with 57-9. With his fourth Top 10 of the season now assured, Feider has 697 points in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race and holds a 50-point lead over South Carolina pro Patrick Walters.

The Top 10 remaining anglers will takeoff for Championship Sunday at 7 a.m. ET from Plattsburgh City Marina. Weigh-in will be held back at the marina at 3 p.m.

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain 7/8-7/11
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 62-04 100
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 19-04
2. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 15 59-13 99
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 5 19-07
3. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 15 58-10 98 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 20-14
4. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 58-08 97
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 20-04
5. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 58-04 96
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 20-00 Day 3: 5 17-15
6. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 57-09 95 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 18-07
7. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 15 57-08 94
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 21-02 Day 3: 5 17-00
8. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 57-00 93
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 19-13
9. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 15 57-00 92
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 18-14
10. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 15 56-13 91
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 20-00 Day 3: 5 17-14
11. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 56-12 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 19-03 Day 3: 5 18-04
12. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 56-10 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 20-03
13. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 15 56-04 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 20-00
14. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 15 56-01 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 19-13 Day 3: 5 16-01
15. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 15 56-00 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 17-07
16. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 15 55-14 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 18-10
17. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 55-13 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 17-11
18. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 15 55-08 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 18-12
19. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 15 55-04 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 17-02
20. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 15 55-01 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 17-15
21. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 15 55-01 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 18-11
22. John Cox Debary, FL 15 55-00 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 20-03
23. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 54-14 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 17-04
24. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 15 54-10 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 19-14
25. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 15 54-01 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 18-03
26. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 15 54-01 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 17-15
27. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 54-00 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 16-10
28. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 53-08 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 15-06
29. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 53-06 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 17-04
30. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 15 53-03 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 14-06
31. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 15 52-13 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 15-04
32. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 52-12 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 17-10
33. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 15 52-02 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 17-03
34. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 15 52-02 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 16-00
35. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 15 51-11 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 17-01
36. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 51-05 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 14-13
37. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 15 50-08 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 14-04
38. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 15 50-07 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 16-08
39. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 50-04 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 5 15-11
40. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 15 49-11 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 15-03
41. David Fritts Lexington, NC 15 48-12 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 12-09
42. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 15 48-11 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 12-08
43. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 48-10 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-12 Day 3: 5 14-01
44. Frank Talley Temple, TX 13 42-07 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 3 07-12
45. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 12 40-08 56 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 2 06-03
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 05-15 $1,000.00
2 Seth Feider New Market, MN 05-11 $1,000.00
3 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 05-00 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 472 1633-14
2 94 470 1570-11
3 43 220 760-03
———————————-
231 1162 3964-12

Daiwa’s new premium Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept unseen by fish.

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July 10, 2021

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Daiwa’s new premium Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept unseen by fish.

Disappears into the Water Column

Daiwa’s new premium Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept unseen by fish.

Cypress, CA (July 9, 2021) – Monofilament is dead. The original nylon based, single thread fishing line was standard issue for decades…was. But a revolution started in saltwater with the introduction of fluorocarbon. It was narrower diameter, didn’t stretch or float, resisted abrasion, better transmitted strikes, reduced line memory, cast further, and most importantly, was less visible to fish. Freshwater anglers now embrace its performance, too.

A couple years back, Daiwa tipped the fluorocarbon line market on its ear with the launch of Samurai J-Fluoro^®, a superior Japanese developed and manufactured fishing line. And now, Daiwa changes the paradigm in fluorocarbon again with Samurai J-Fluoro^® Hidden Concept.

Aggregating all the principal features of the original Samurai J-Fluoro – narrow diameter, low-stretch, abrasion resistance, no float, minimal memory, strike indicating and long casting – the new Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept takes perceptibility to a new tier, virtually eliminating its visual presence in the water column.

Even though conventional fluorocarbon line reduces refraction, say compared to old school monofilament, light is still able to travel down the filament, causing a degree of illumination. Not so with Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept. The ingeniously cultivated line is constructed with technologically advanced color blending, with a repeating sequence of four shades of brown and green. The stealth coloration negates refraction and light traveling through the line, while fading into the background.

Whereas traditional clear fluorocarbon gets high-marks for its performance in clear water, Samurai J-Fluro Hidden Concept takes the lead in all other water conditions. And, honestly, how often do you fish in oxygen clear water? Most bodies of water, including coastal regions, present some degree of coloration. Tints range from murky backwaters to brackish stain to just minimally tinted water. In all instances, Samurai J-Fluro Hidden Concept excels, the breakup of green and brown shades camouflaging the line.

There’s another benefit, too. Underwater environments aren’t linear, either, meaning nothing in a fish’s natural world starts at the surface and travels to the bottom on a straight line. Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept’s breakup pattern doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, but rather blends seamlessly by breaking up against waterscapes.

It’s said that “a system is only as good as the weakest link.” Don’t let your fishing line be that weak link. Daiwa’s Samurai J-Fluoro stands to be the strongest link in your system, as well as the stealthiest.

Daiwa Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept is available in 220-yard filler spools from $23.99 – $54.99 and 1,000 yard bulk spools from $64.99 – $199.99, and weights ranging from 2-25lb test.

Daiwa Samurai J-Fluoro Hidden Concept Features:

Color Blending Technology
Camouflaged
Four Sequential/Repeating Shades of Green and Brown
Low Diameter
Sinking
Abrasion Resistant
Low Stretch
Ultra-Sensitive
Long-Casting
Low Memory

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

Another Mixed Bag Lifts Schmitt Into Lead In Elite Series Event At Lake Champlain

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July 10, 2021

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Another Mixed Bag Lifts Schmitt Into Lead In Elite Series Event At Lake Champlain

Bryan Schmitt, of Deale, Md., is leading after Day 2 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain with a two-day total of 43 pounds.

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

July 9, 2021

Another Mixed Bag Lifts Schmitt Into Lead In Elite Series Event At Lake Champlain

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PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Bryan Schmitt has insisted two days in a row that big smallmouth will be the key this week if he wins the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.

But he just keeps catching big largemouth.

The second-year Elite Series pro from Deale, Md., caught a five-bass limit Friday that weighed 21 pounds, 5 ounces and moved from second place into the lead with a two-day total of 43-0.

Once again, his bag was anchored by a big largemouth — this time a 4-15.

“I’ve burnt my largies down,” Schmitt said. “I got some lucky bites today. They happened on some places that I like fishing, but I know they were lucky bites.”

One of those lucky bites came late in the day and helped him upgrade into the lead.

“I pulled up on a spot this afternoon and made a cast with a spybait,” he said. “As I was reeling it in, something boiled out beside me and a baitfish jumped out of the water. I cast over there and caught a 4-pound smallmouth.

“That, to me, is very lucky. Little things like that have been happening for me this week.”

Besides good fortune, Schmitt has also benefited from the generosity of fellow Elite Series competitor John Crews.

The Virginia pro and founder of Missile Baits gave Schmitt a “goody bag” that was filled with Quiver Worms in the green pumpkin flash color. Schmitt said both species have been eating the worms when conditions will allow.

The smallmouth he expected to rely on Friday let him down, partly because of wind that blew much harder than it did on Thursday.

“My spot that I caught three big smallmouth off of yesterday, it was very rough and I couldn’t fish it the way I wanted to,” he said. “I still saw them on my (Garmin) LiveScope, but I just couldn’t do it right.

“Tomorrow, if it’s calm, I’m really going to have to make that happen.”

Like every angler in the field, Schmitt is also hoping for more sunshine during Saturday’s semifinal round. He said it would play a big role in making both species of bass more predictable.

“Sunlight and shade position my largemouth,” he said. “These big isolated clumps that I’m fishing, they’re going to be on them instead of roaming all around. It can maybe be better, but we don’t know.

“I’ve really got to catch some smallmouth tomorrow to keep it going.”

Schmitt can’t afford to slip with Pennsylvania pro Destin DeMarion just behind him in second with 40-8 and Texas pro Chris Zaldain in third with 40-6. Another Texas pro, Lee Livesay, is fourth with 40-5, while Canadian Jeff Gustafson is fifth with 40-0.

DeMarion, who caught 19-6 despite technical difficulties Thursday, got things straightened out and added 21-2 to his total Friday.

“I started where I caught my biggest largemouth yesterday and didn’t really do anything,” DeMarion said. “I started running some other stuff and ended up catching my biggest fish of the day right after I left that spot. I was pretty pumped.”

Though it was his second choice, the spot produced a solid limit of 17 pounds. Then as DeMarion was running new water, he caught enough big largemouth to cull up to his final mark of 21-2.

His bag included three smallmouth in the 4-pound range, one near 3 1/4 and a 5-pound largemouth.

“It was a blast,” he said. “A lot of people are starting with smallmouth and moving in when they see a good spot for largemouth. But I’m kind of bucking the trend and fishing for largemouth first. Then I’m using smallmouth to cull out the smaller largemouth.”

After noticing smallmouth were feeding on giant alewives, Zaldain has been using two of the baits he’s always most dangerous with — a big swimbait and a flutter spoon. They helped him 20-11 Thursday and 19-11 Friday.

“On the third day of practice, I realized they were keyed in on some really big baitfish — and that perked me up,” Zaldain said. “It’s kind of the same thing as Southern swimbait fishing when they’re keyed in on big gizzard shad. It’s the same thing up here with them eating 6- and 7-inch alewives.”

Zaldain said the bass he’s catching aren’t relating to structure. Instead, they’re roaming around chasing baitfish, and he’s using his electronics — plus the tell-tale signs of nature — to stay near them.

“I’ve got waypoints dropped on them, but they’re dropped more for the area than they are for a specific rock or a boulder,” he said. “I see birds working. I see signs of baitfish busting.

“That’s where my waypoints are, but the fish are never in the same area twice.”

The Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day, a 5-11 largemouth, was caught by Minnesota pro Seth Feider. With a Friday bag of 19-7 Friday, Feider is now in sixth place with a two-day total of 39-2.

With 697 points, Feider now holds a solid lead in the race for Bassmaster Angler of the Year over South Carolina pro Patrick Walters (640) and Oklahoma pro Jason Christie (628). Christie suffered a 2-pound penalty Friday for making a cast with six bass in his livewell.

Feider said he believes he might be one good day away from locking up the title.

“I think if I can catch 19 or 20 pounds tomorrow, it’ll just about be done,” he said. “If I can do that, I think it would take a breakdown or a disqualification or something like that the rest of the way to keep it from happening.

“If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”

The Top 45 remaining anglers will resume competition Saturday with takeoff scheduled for 7 a.m. ET from Plattsburgh City Marina. Weigh-in will be held back at the marina at 3 p.m.

After Saturday’s round, only the Top 10 pros will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.

Live coverage for each day of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.

The event is being hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain 7/8-7/11
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 43-00 100
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-05
2. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 10 40-08 99
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 21-02
3. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 40-06 98
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-11
4. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 40-05 97
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 20-00
5. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 40-00 96
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 19-13
6. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 39-02 95 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 19-07
7. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 38-15 94
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 20-00
8. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 38-13 93
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 17-00
9. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 38-09 92
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 18-04
10. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 38-08 91
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 19-03
11. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 38-04 90
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 20-01
12. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 38-02 89
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 17-02
13. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 38-02 88
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 20-09
14. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 38-02 87
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 19-07
15. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 38-02 86
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 19-04
16. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 37-12 85
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-13
17. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 37-10 84
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 17-09
18. Taku Ito Chiba 277-0862 JAPAN 10 37-09 83
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 17-02
19. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 37-06 82
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 19-06
20. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 37-04 81
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 17-15
21. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 37-03 80
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 19-01
22. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 37-02 79
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 17-12
23. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 36-12 78
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 19-01
24. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 36-08 77
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 17-00
25. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 36-07 76
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 19-06
26. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 36-06 75
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-05
27. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 36-04 74
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-00
27. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 36-04 74
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-04
29. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 36-03 72
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 19-07
30. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 36-03 71
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 18-11
31. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 36-02 70
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 18-14
32. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 36-02 69
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 17-09
33. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 36-02 68
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 17-13
34. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 35-14 67
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-13
35. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 35-02 66
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-00
36. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 34-15 65
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 19-07
37. John Cox Debary, FL 10 34-13 64
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 17-07
38. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 10 34-12 63
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 18-01
39. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 34-11 62
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-14
40. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 34-10 61
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 18-08
41. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 34-09 60
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-12
42. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 34-09 59
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 18-03
43. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 10 34-08 58
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-13
44. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 10 34-05 57 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
45. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 33-15 56
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 15-13
46. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 33-15 55 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 16-06
47. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 33-13 54 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 17-04
48. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 33-12 53 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-01
49. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 33-10 52 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 15-01
50. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 33-10 51 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 15-15
51. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 33-09 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 17-00
52. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 33-08 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 18-10
53. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 33-08 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 18-06
54. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 33-07 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 17-04
55. Mike Huff London, KY 10 33-06 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-01
56. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 33-05 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 15-12
57. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 33-04 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 14-12
58. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 33-03 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 16-00
59. Bryan New Belmont, NC 10 33-02 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 19-11
60. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 33-02 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-15
61. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 33-02 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 16-09
62. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 32-15 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 16-07
63. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 32-14 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 14-06
64. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 32-11 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 15-02
65. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 32-11 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 16-12
66. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 32-07 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 17-05
67. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 32-07 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-04
68. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 32-07 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 15-11
69. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 32-04 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 17-07
70. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 32-03 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 15-15
71. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 32-00 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 13-14
72. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 32-00 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 13-15
73. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 32-00 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 14-14
74. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 32-00 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 15-02
75. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 31-09 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 14-07
76. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 31-09 25
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 16-06
77. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 31-07 24
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 17-06
78. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 31-04 23
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 16-13
79. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 31-02 22
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 13-11
80. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 31-00 21
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-10
81. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 30-12 20
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 13-09
82. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 30-05 19
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 15-11
83. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 30-02 18
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 15-05
84. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 30-00 17
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 10-06
85. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 29-10 16
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 12-14
86. Rob Digh Denver, NC 10 29-07 15
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-10
87. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 28-03 14
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 11-08
88. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 26-15 13
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 14-01
89. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 26-13 12
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 14-11
90. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 26-01 11
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 12-10
91. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 10 24-15 10
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 11-01
92. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 24-15 9
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
93. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 22-10 8
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 04-14
94. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 16-11 7
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
95. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 7 16-04 6
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 5 11-03
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 05-15 $1,000.00
2 Seth Feider New Market, MN 05-11 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 472 1633-14
2 94 470 1570-11
———————————-
188 942 3204-09

Critical Decisions Likely To Impact Bassmaster Elite Series Event On St. Lawrence River

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July 10, 2021

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Critical Decisions Likely To Impact Bassmaster Elite Series Event On St. Lawrence River

Waddington, N.Y., will host the 2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River July 15-18.

Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.

July 9, 2021

Critical Decisions Likely To Impact Bassmaster Elite Series Event On St. Lawrence River

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WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Chris Johnston will soon return to the site of his historic 2020 victory, but he and the rest of the field will face a different scenario for this year’s Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

Competition days will be July 15-18 with daily takeoffs from Whittaker Park at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at the park at 3 p.m.

Etching his name in the B.A.S.S. record book, Johnston caught a four-day total of 97 pounds, 8 ounces at last year’s event and became the first Canadian to win an Elite trophy. While he’s expecting a productive event, the pro from Peterborough, Ontario, points to a couple of requisite considerations.

“The smallmouth are going to be catchable deep and shallow,” Johnston said two weeks before the tournament’s start. “Our fish only get a short (seasonal) window to feed. They’re spawning right now and when they come off the beds, they’re going to be gorging themselves.

“In the river, fish spawn in up to 20 feet of water and some of those fish never go shallow. Those fish can spawn out in 20 feet and the next day they can be out in 40. Some fish live deep year-round, some live shallow; so this tournament is going to have a lot of options.”

Noting the region experienced a relatively warm spring, Johnston said he expects most bass to be in the postspawn stage. Last year’s event was held a week later, but Johnston believes competitors will find a nearly identical scenario.

Regarding game plans, Johnston said this year’s X factor will be Lake Ontario. Same as 2020, tournament waters include the easternmost Great Lake, but it’s a much farther run this time.

In 2020, anglers launched out of Clayton, N.Y., literally at the river’s mouth. Waddington — the host site for the 2017-19 events — sits about 65 miles upstream, so anglers must carefully weigh their location strategies.

“You’re an hour and a half from the mouth, then it depends on how far you want to go (into Lake Ontario),” Johnston said. “You’ll need to get gas going out and coming back in.

“The big thing about the lake is if you get big winds, it can kill (your productivity). I’ll be surprised if anyone can do it for four days in a row. Someone might get two good days in the lake and then need two in the river, but to put all your eggs in one basket and say you’re going to the lake four days is too much of a gamble.”

With far less running time in 2020, Johnston spent four days on Lake Ontario. He’ll likely spend at least part of this year’s event there because the region’s hydrology creates the potential for better quality fish.

Summarily, Lake Superior drains into Lake Huron via the St. Marys River, with Huron sending its water to Lake Erie via the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers (passing through Lake St. Clair). With Erie draining into Ontario via the Niagara River, a massive volume of water flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River.

When Lake Ontario enters the northeast-flowing St. Lawrence, all that lake current becomes constricted and accelerates over its 744-mile course to the Atlantic Ocean. Spending their lives fighting current, river fish burn more calories than lake fish. But while that explains why fish over 4 pounds are more common in Lake Ontario, you still have to make them bite.

“A couple of people are going to catch them, but a lot of people are going to strike out,” Johnston said. “It can still be won in the river; you can catch 25 pounds any day.

“Personally, I think the fish in the lake get less pressure and I think there are some big ones grouped up. But you’re only going to get to fish for three or four hours out there, so you’ve got to be on ’em really good.”

This final 2021 Elite event stands unique from the previous eight in that the winner earns an automatic berth into the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, which is scheduled for March 4-6 on Lake Hartwell. Points earned at the St. Lawrence could help a few anglers qualify for the sport’s grandest event, but as Johnston points out, what’s on the line could influence strategic decisions.

“There will probably be a lot of guys who are outside the Classic (qualification) in Angler of the Year points and this tournament will be their last chance to be in the Classic,” Johnston said. “A lot of those people are probably going to say, ‘There’s so many big fish in the lake, I’m just going to gamble and go for a win.’

“The river’s a safer bet for numbers of fish, but if they get a Top 30 in the river, it’s not going to get them into the Classic.”

Those that stay in the St. Lawrence typically target main-river humps, sunken islands and rock/sand transitions in 20 to 40 feet with drop shots, Ned rigs and Carolina rigs. Anglers fishing shallow will throw jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and drop shots. In the lake, most will target isolated rocks with drop shots, Ned rigs and tubes.

Johnston said he expects three daily bags of 19 to 20 pounds to make the Top 10 cut. Considering travel to Lake Ontario will greatly reduce fishing time, he’s looking for a winning four-day total in the mid-80s.

Live coverage for all four days of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.

The Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 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. The tournament and all associated festivities are being planned to ensure the safety of anglers, marshals, staff and fans.

Zero Or Hero Your Choice T-Shirt – Order yours today

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July 9, 2021

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Zero Or Hero Your Choice T-Shirt – Order yours today

We are taking orders now for this amazing Soft Bass Cast T-Shirt. All Sizes are available from Small to 4Xl Just click the buy now button bellow to Pre-Order you T-Shirt or T-Shirts. All monies go to help support & promote The Bass Cast.

Please allow two weeks after Pre-Orders end to package & Ship via USPS.

Pre-Orders start July 9th – July 19th

Zero Or Hero Your Choice T-Shirt

$20.00 – $25.00

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Gross Hobbles To Day 1 Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Champlain

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July 9, 2021

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Gross Hobbles To Day 1 Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Champlain

Buddy Gross, of Chickamauga, Ga., is leading after Day 1 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain with 21 pounds, 13 ounces.

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

July 8, 2021

Gross Hobbles To Day 1 Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Champlain

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PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — This time last month, Buddy Gross was struggling to walk after suffering a freak ankle injury while horseback riding.

His right ankle is still grotesquely swollen, but it didn’t slow him down on the water Thursday as he caught five bass that weighed 21 pounds, 13 ounces to take the opening-round lead in the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.

“I made some good calls today,” said Gross, who weighed in four largemouth and one smallmouth. “I hit some stuff that I’d hit before and managed to catch a few.

“I had two smallmouth in my bag for the biggest part of my day, but I stopped on one more spot on the way in and caught another 4-pound largemouth to cull one of those fish.”

With three days left before the tournament is done, Gross didn’t go into specifics about where and how he was catching either species. But he did say he only hit about three of the 30 places he found to fish for largemouth during practice.

He had all but one of the bass he weighed in by noon.

“I’ve got a bunch of stuff left to fish, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be good,” said Gross, who picked up his first career Elite Series victory last year on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula. “They weren’t there like I expected them to be for most of practice, but they seem to be showing up now.

“If I can make it to Saturday when the sun is supposed to come out, I think it could be really good.”

As for the injured right ankle that dogged him during a 52nd-place finish at last month’s Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on Lake Ray Roberts, Gross said it is just a matter of being careful.

“If I hit it just wrong in the boat, it still sends a sharp pain,” he said. “It’s still swollen really badly. I know I need to see a specialist, but right now I just want to fish.”

Gross holds less than a 1-pound lead over second-place pro Bryan Schmitt of Maryland (21-11) and third-place angler Randy Pierson of California (21-0).

Unlike Gross who focused mainly on largemouth, Schmitt targeted smallmouth most of the day. But he switched occasionally to largemouth when he was near the right type of habitat, and it was a decision that paid big dividends.

“I sampled a bunch of stuff I thought I could get a bite on early,” Schmitt said. “Some of it worked, some didn’t. Then about 11 o’clock, I ran some new stuff and caught a couple of big smallmouth and a couple of big largemouth.

“I probably caught 20 or so fish, but a lot of small ones.”

Schmitt said he fished roughly half the areas he identified as good possibilities in practice. Then with a good limit already in his livewell, he spent about an hour idling and looking for new water before weigh-in.

While he admitted 4-pound-plus largemouth are hard to come by on Champlain, he said the talk that 4-plus smallmouth are hard to find is false.

“I caught three of them today, and I don’t even know what I’m doing,” Schmitt said. “There’s a lot more big smallmouth in here than largemouth.”

Pierson, the 2018 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship winner, weighed in all largemouth, but that wasn’t necessarily his plan. He spent his day targeting smallmouth and then switching tactics when he saw something he said looked “largemouthy.”

“I’m pretty much throwing four baits,” Pierson said. “I’m throwing a Senko, a drop shot, a River2Sea S-Waver and a River2Sea Rover. It was just a matter of bouncing around through smallmouth stuff and moving shallow when things looked right for largemouth.

“Everything just went exactly right. It was a special day.”

Nine anglers caught more than 20 pounds of bass Thursday, and Minnesota pro Seth Feider barely missed that benchmark, finishing in 10th place with 19-11.

That total was more than enough to help Feider maintain his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. The Minnesota pro, who was visibly nervous for the first 30 minutes on Bassmaster LIVE, has 693 points, while Oklahoma pro Jason Christie (627) and South Carolina pro Patrick Walters (622) trail distantly behind him.

“I feel a lot better now than I did this morning,” Feider said. “I scrapped my plan to fish for smallmouth right away. I gave it maybe an hour and just wasn’t feeling it.”

That’s when he switched to flipping for largemouth.

“When I decided to go flip milfoil, I caught one the first five minutes,” he said. “It wasn’t a big one, about 3 1/2 pounds. But at that point, I knew I was gonna do it the rest of the day and that made me feel a lot better.”

Oklahoma pro Dale Hightower took in the lead in the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass with a 5-15.

Competition will resume Friday with takeoff scheduled for 7 a.m. ET from Plattsburgh City Marina. Weigh-in will be held back at the marina at 3 p.m.

After Friday’s round, only the Top 45 pros will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round.

Live coverage for each day of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.

The Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain is being hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain 7/8-7/11
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 5 21-13 100
Day 1: 5 21-13
2. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 21-11 99
Day 1: 5 21-11
3. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 21-00 98
Day 1: 5 21-00
4. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 20-11 97
Day 1: 5 20-11
5. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 20-07 96
Day 1: 5 20-07
6. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 20-05 95
Day 1: 5 20-05
6. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 20-05 95
Day 1: 5 20-05
8. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 20-03 93
Day 1: 5 20-03
9. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 20-01 92
Day 1: 5 20-01
10. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 19-11 91
Day 1: 5 19-11
11. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 19-10 90
Day 1: 5 19-10
12. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 19-08 89
Day 1: 5 19-08
13. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 19-06 88
Day 1: 5 19-06
13. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 19-06 88
Day 1: 5 19-06
15. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 19-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05
15. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 19-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05
15. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 19-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05
18. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 19-01 83
Day 1: 5 19-01
19. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 18-15 82
Day 1: 5 18-15
19. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 18-15 82
Day 1: 5 18-15
21. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 18-14 80
Day 1: 5 18-14
22. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 18-11 79
Day 1: 5 18-11
23. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 5 18-09 78
Day 1: 5 18-09
23. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 18-09 78
Day 1: 5 18-09
25. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 18-08 76
Day 1: 5 18-08
25. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 18-08 76
Day 1: 5 18-08
27. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 18-05 74
Day 1: 5 18-05
28. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 18-04 73
Day 1: 5 18-04
29. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 18-03 72
Day 1: 5 18-03
30. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 18-02 71
Day 1: 5 18-02
30. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 18-02 71
Day 1: 5 18-02
30. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 18-02 71
Day 1: 5 18-02
33. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 18-01 68
Day 1: 5 18-01
33. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 18-01 68
Day 1: 5 18-01
35. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 18-00 66
Day 1: 5 18-00
35. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 18-00 66
Day 1: 5 18-00
37. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 5 17-12 64
Day 1: 5 17-12
38. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 17-11 63
Day 1: 5 17-11
38. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 17-11 63
Day 1: 5 17-11
38. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 17-11 63
Day 1: 5 17-11
38. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 5 17-11 63
Day 1: 5 17-11
42. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
42. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
42. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
42. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
46. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 17-08 55
Day 1: 5 17-08
47. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 17-07 54
Day 1: 5 17-07
48. John Cox Debary, FL 5 17-06 53
Day 1: 5 17-06
48. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 17-06 53
Day 1: 5 17-06
50. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 17-04 51
Day 1: 5 17-04
51. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 17-03 50
Day 1: 5 17-03
51. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 17-03 50
Day 1: 5 17-03
51. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 17-03 50
Day 1: 5 17-03
51. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 17-03 50
Day 1: 5 17-03
55. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 17-02 46
Day 1: 5 17-02
55. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 17-02 46
Day 1: 5 17-02
57. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 17-01 44
Day 1: 5 17-01
58. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 16-14 43
Day 1: 5 16-14
59. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 16-12 42
Day 1: 5 16-12
59. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 16-12 42
Day 1: 5 16-12
59. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 16-12 42
Day 1: 5 16-12
62. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 16-11 39
Day 1: 5 16-11
62. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 16-11 39
Day 1: 5 16-11
62. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 16-11 39
Day 1: 5 16-11
65. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 16-09 36
Day 1: 5 16-09
65. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 16-09 36
Day 1: 5 16-09
65. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 16-09 36
Day 1: 5 16-09
68. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 16-08 33
Day 1: 5 16-08
69. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 16-06 32
Day 1: 5 16-06
70. Mike Huff London, KY 5 16-05 31
Day 1: 5 16-05
71. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 16-04 30
Day 1: 5 16-04
72. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 16-03 29
Day 1: 5 16-03
73. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 16-02 28
Day 1: 5 16-02
73. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 16-02 28
Day 1: 5 16-02
75. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 15-15 26
Day 1: 5 15-15
76. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 15-13 25
Day 1: 5 15-13
76. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 15-13 25
Day 1: 5 15-13
78. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 15-08 23
Day 1: 5 15-08
79. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 15-03 22
Day 1: 5 15-03
80. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 15-02 21
Day 1: 5 15-02
80. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 15-02 21
Day 1: 5 15-02
82. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 14-14 19
Day 1: 5 14-14
83. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 14-13 18
Day 1: 5 14-13
83. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 14-13 18
Day 1: 5 14-13
83. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 14-13 18
Day 1: 5 14-13
86. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 14-10 15
Day 1: 5 14-10
87. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 14-07 14
Day 1: 5 14-07
88. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-01 13
Day 1: 5 14-01
89. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 13-14 12
Day 1: 5 13-14
90. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 13-12 11
Day 1: 5 13-12
91. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 13-07 10
Day 1: 5 13-07
91. Bryan New Belmont, NC 5 13-07 10
Day 1: 5 13-07
93. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 12-14 8
Day 1: 5 12-14
94. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 12-02 7
Day 1: 5 12-02
95. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 2 05-01 6
Day 1: 2 05-01
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 05-15 $1,0000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 472 1633-14
———————————-
94 472 1633-14

Buzzing Through Orlando Ever Green’s new LOUDBUZZ Buzzbait

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July 8, 2021

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Buzzing Through Orlando

Ever Green’s new LOUDBUZZ Buzzbait is ultra-loud, tracks straight, and fishes from slow to fast with ease.

Cypress, CA (July 8, 2021) – You won’t hear it in ICAST’s New Product Showcase, but imagine the buzz of the biggest, baddest bee making a scene on the surface, throwing water with its oversized wings. You won’t appreciate its beautiful rhythmic retrieve at both high and low speeds, either. And you won’t see how far it casts. But know that all are hallmarks of Ever Green’s best-in-class LOUDBUZZ surface buzzbait.

Buzzbaits are nothing new…and won’t be going away anytime soon. Why? They flat-out catch fish. No other lure can spit as much water rhythmically on a straight retrieve. And oftentimes, it’s this consistent whirring and spraying that captivates fish.

Bhite Delight

A classic buzzbait at first glance, LOUDBUZZ is constructed of premium components that not only endure hearty strikes, but also deliver a best-of-class performance.

Designed with unmatched Japanese lure technology, LOUDBUZZ’s custom offset aluminum prop hurls a wave of water while keeping the bait tracking on a straight plane. The prop is affixed with an aluminum rivet and mounted on a stainless-steel shaft, yielding unmatched toughness.

Daiwa and Ever Green pro Cody Meyer is a big fan of the new LOUDBUZZ, having caught countless fish on the MLF Tour thanks to its premium, fish-attracting performance.

Meyer comments: “For starters, the name is LOUDBUZZ, and it’s extremely loud. I’ve always liked loud buzzbaits, not the quiet ones. With the LOUDBUZZ you really aggravate the fish and draw them in from a far distance and thick cover. Second off, because of the keel design, the LOUDBUZZ always tracks straight and looks more natural, and the hook-up ratio is really, really good because of the way it tracks. A lot of buzzbaits will track off to the side, to the right or left, not so with the LOUDBUZZ.”

“The LOUDBUZZ also tracks straight and spits a lot of water at slow speeds. Most buzzbaits on the market you have to really crank to get that blade moving and keep the bait on the surface. The way the LOUDBUZZ is designed with the big blade and the whole head configuration, you can work it slow and keep it on top. It also features a premium hook, and I feel like we nailed it with the colors for any fishing situation. And all of the skirts are handtied. I’m just super impressed. It’s really a deadly buzzbait—everything I’ve been looking for in one and more.”

Fire Craw

Black

Daiwa Field Marketing Manager Marc Mills sums up the bait, “With the LOUDBUZZ, our lure designers worked long and hard on creating the ultimate design in buzzbaits. The goal was extreme volume and accuracy in tracking and solid hookups in a bait design that would draw strikes whether worked fast or slow.”

“One feature that may not stand out to a lot of anglers but is the shape of the head, which allows the bait to plane and come to the surface quickly and keep LOUDBUZZ in the strike zone longer. Also, the angle and design of the blade is a huge factor, much like the combination of the bow and the propeller of your bass boat. The result is a one-of-a-kind buzzbait that caters to the needs of pros and everyday anglers alike—and we know it’s going to quickly become a go-to lure.”

Clearwater Shad

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

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FOX Sports Expands Bassmaster Event Coverage Amid Booming Interest

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July 8, 2021

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FOX Sports Expands Bassmaster Event Coverage Amid Booming Interest

Nearly two million viewers watched live coverage of Hank Cherry’s historic win in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on the FOX broadcast network and FS1.

Photo by Shane Durrance/B.A.S.S.

July 8, 2021

FOX Sports Expands Bassmaster Event Coverage Amid Booming Interest

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Amid healthy ratings and booming interest in Bassmaster Elite Series live coverage on FS1, B.A.S.S. and FOX Sports have expanded their planned broadcasts to include three Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series tournaments and the revived Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter.

Since starting the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season on the FOX Sports networks, more than 4.5 million viewers have tuned-in for tournament action. Through the first seven events of the Elite Series season, fans have watched and streamed a staggering 358.5 million minutes of Bassmaster LIVE and weigh-in coverage, while also breaking single-day Elite event records for visits and video views.

“Participation in fishing is at an all-time high and that’s reflected in the huge appetite we’re seeing for live fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Our partnership with FOX Sports has allowed us to showcase the highest level of bass fishing in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Now we are thrilled to highlight the stars of the future with Opens coverage as well as exciting saltwater fishing!”

The announcement of additional programming comes just weeks after the iconic Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk reeled in nearly 2 million viewers to the FOX broadcast network and FS1 for eight hours of live coverage during the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing. The partnership has allowed B.A.S.S. to continue reaching new audiences, and almost 1.3 million people who watched Saturday Bassmaster LIVE coverage on FOX had not previously watched an Elite Series event on FS1.

Elite Series invitations as well as the Falcon Rods Angler of the Year title will be on the line when FS1 broadcasts live coverage of Championship Saturday from the divisional finals of the Bassmaster Opens Series. Fans can catch on-the-water action Sept. 11 at St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands in Clayton, N.Y. (Northern Division), Sept. 25 at Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C. (Southern Division), and Oct. 23 at Grand Lake in Grove, Okla. (Central Division).

After a 12-year hiatus, the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter will be held Nov. 12-14 in Port Aransas, Texas. FS1 will air seven hours of action across Nov. 13-14 as 10 teams target this powerful predator fish that reside in brackish water marshes and often reach weights of more than 40 pounds.

“With two Elite Series events to go in 2021, it continues to be a great first year with Bassmaster,” said Bill Wanger, FOX Sports EVP, Head of Programming & Scheduling. “We are excited to expand our programming and start to build on that momentum.”

For a full schedule of upcoming Bassmaster event coverage on the FOX Sports networks, visit Bassmaster.com/tv-schedule.

Cast Shallow, Reel Em to The Deep!

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July 8, 2021

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June & July Fishing Can Be Better Than Spring

At different lakes, the bass act a little different as far as when they move out and how far they move out. Just assume that they’re going to move to the first deeper water outside of a spawning area. Some lakes, they don’t get real deep. Some places, they get 20 or 25 feet deep.

Don’t be scared to fish deep. People tend to stay a little too shallow. You may catch some fish on a topwater early in the morning, but they’re going to be moving out. About 80 percent of the fish will be in deep water.

You’re looking for some kind of cover or structure that’s out on a sharp break, where the water drops pretty quickly off the end of a flat. Normally, the best places are going to have wood on them — not brush piles, which are better in the fall, but mostly stumps on rocky bottoms, hard bottoms. The key is finding out what kinds of places they’re on, where they’re ganging up, catching them, and then trying to find other spots that are the same kinds of places. The sharp break is the most-important part, however.

Bright is Right!

One thing to understand is that most bass fishermen think they can catch fish better in low-light conditions like early morning and late afternoon. But if you’re fishing deep structure, you want a bright, sunny day. I have caught a lot more fish over the years in the middle of the day and the afternoon when the sun has been out a while. They bite better on structure when the sun is out.

An interesting note. When you get on a nice gang of fish that are out there, a lot of times you catch the biggest bass first. And a lot of times, you catch a bunch of 3-pounders, then all the sudden you catch a 6-pounder. There is no rhyme or reason. But sometimes it works like that.

So get to your favorite lake and spend some time out away from the bank. The big fish are out in deep water, and that’s where you have to target them.

The other thing to key on this time of year is current. In a lot of manmade reservoirs the water is used to generate electricity. When they are generating power, the current is pulling shad and bait across those points and the bass will lock in on that. Bass will continue to key on these areas until they start going into their fall pattern.

Depending on how cold the spring was, start looking at points in the back of pockets. The colder the spring, the farther back in those pockets the bass will be. Start on those secondary points and work your way toward the main lake.

The big key here is to look at a lake map and find where the creek or river channel bumps into the point of hump. That’s the ticket right there, because those channels are the main highway for bass. Wherever the channel bumps into long, flat points that’s where the fish will be. There may be 20 fish at each of these. You might only be able to catch four or five at a time, but they will be there!

Keying on the points and humps during the summer transition can put a lot of fish in the boat and allow everyone on board to get in on some of the furious fishing action to be had this time of year. Start with the maps and find your spots and work them with these three baits and you’ll find schools sometimes really big schools and have a head start on everyone else who’s looking for big bass.

FRESH Scorpion – ALABAMA

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FRESH Beetle – Red Bug

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Scorpion Sampler Kit

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St. Croix Rod Announces New Team Members

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July 7, 2021

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St. Croix Rod Announces New Team Members

Savannah Stenlund and Chuck Cunningham join the business of making anglers more successful

PARK FALLS, Wisc. (July 7, 2021) – St. Croix Rod of Park Falls, Wisconsin – handcrafters of the Best Rods on Earth^® for nearly 75 years – announces the hiring of Savannah Stenlund as Angler Engagement Coordinator and Charles (Chuck) Cunningham as IT Manager.

Savannah Stenlund joined the St. Croix Team on May 10 in the all-new position of Angler Engagement Coordinator. Her primary responsibilities include working with St. Croix’s Marketing, Sales, and Customer Teams to ensure frequent and consistent communication with anglers. Stenlund also manages St. Croix’s Pro Staff – one of the deepest in the industry – as well as the company’s established Guide and Scholastic Programs.

“I’m here to make sure that all the touchpoints anglers have with our brand are positive ones,” says Stenlund, who grew up fishing, hunting and playing sports in Rapid River, Michigan before graduating from Lakeland University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Before coming to St. Croix, Stenlund worked as an HR Specialist at Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan, Wisconsin doing recruiting and handling special programs, as well as part-time at Bold Cycle in Kohler, Wisconsin as a Facility Attendant working in retail.

“Savannah is an athlete and an angler, so she understands the passions that drive our business,” says St. Croix Vice President of marketing, Jesse Simpkins. “She’s also proven to be an excellent communicator. She’s a patient listener, highly relatable, and seems to put anyone she interacts with at ease. We couldn’t be happier to welcome Savannah to the St. Croix family, and after being with us only a short time, she’s already having a positive influence on our angler engagement.”

Family is very important to Stenlund, who credits her parents and her brother for helping shape who she is today. “When researching St. Croix and going through the interview process, I could tell how much family meant to this company as well,” she relates. “I truly have been treated like family from day one. That genuine care and family feel is something you won’t find at many other companies.”

Stenlund grew up near the mouth of the Whitefish River, which leads into the famous Little Bay De Noc. “I’m definitely a multi-species angler but have a soft spot for walleye and smallmouth bass, because that’s what I grew up fishing for the most,” she says, adding that Legend Tournament Walleye is her favorite St. Croix rod series. “With so many new people going fishing these days due to last year’s pandemic, it’s an exciting time to be entering the fishing industry. I encourage all anglers to take someone new fishing at any opportunity. Share your knowledge and to let them experience the joy that comes with fishing. I am extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity to be working for such a great American company that makes it it’s mission to help anglers have more success and fun on the water.”

Chuck Cunningham also came to work at St. Croix on May 10 and serves as the company’s new IT Manager. He’s responsible for managing St. Croix’s company-wide IT infrastructure and overseeing all IT-related projects. Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, Chuck, his wife, Margie, and their four kids now reside in Bear Creek, Wisconsin.

Cunningham comes to St. Croix with an Associate’s degree in Computer Networking and over 20 years of information technology experience. He most recently worked at Ascension Healthcare as a Desktop Engineer.

“It’s great to add Chuck to our team,” says Paul Rybak, St. Croix Vice President of HR and Finance.

“He brings many years of experience and a thoughtful approach to keeping our systems running smoothly. Chuck’s experience and creativity are also helping us craft our IT strategy going forward.”

Cunningham agrees with Stenlund’s sentiments regarding the family atmosphere at St. Croix. “That culture played a big role in drawing me here,” he says. “It’s wonderful being a part of a company that not only understands that team members have lives away from work with their families and supports that, but also treats you like family when you’re here.”

Cunningham also appreciates working in an industry that he loves. “There’s something special that happens when your professional work intersects with a hobby or pastime you’re passionate about,” the walleye angler says. “It creates that extra spark, and in my case, knowing that I’m a part of a team that brings so much pride, satisfaction, and enjoyment to other anglers like me makes it really easy to do my best work every day. I’m excited to be a part of the St. Croix family and have the opportunity to drive our business forward in support of anglers.”

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