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Andy Wicker & Dan McGlohorn Win CATT Lake Monticello, SC May 22, 2021

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Andy Wicker & Dan McGlohorn Win CATT Lake Monticello, SC May 22, 2021

Next Lake Monticello CATT is June 12 at the Hwy 99 Ramp!

Andy Wicker & Dan McGlohorn took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 19.90 lbs! They also weighed in the BF at 6.94 lbs and took home $995.00!

2nd Place went to Jason & Michael Bateman with a limit weighing 17.37 lbs!

Team BF Weight Winnings Points
Andy Wicker – Dan McGlohorn 6.94 19.90 $995.00 110
Jason Bateman – Michael Bateman 6.21 17.37 $300.00 109
Andrew Fowler – Jeff Morris 4.07 16.35 108
Phillip Thompson – Chad Bradburn 0.00 14.21 107
Dustin Bannister – Adam Fincher 0.00 13.87 106
Mark Krengel – Ron Wood 4.61 13.12 105
Devin Black – Cory Vaughn 0.00 13.04 104
Tony Slack – Brent Helms 0.00 9.46 103
Tony Exall 0.00 8.98 102
Clay Palmer – Chris Belk 0.00 0.00 92
Steve Harris – Albert Darminius 0.00 0.00 92
Charlie Hendricks – Alston Wingate 0.00 0.00 92
Monticello Final $240.00

Roanoke River / Albermarle Sound and Pamlico Sound June Fishing Report by Capt. Scooter Lilley

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Roanoke River / Albermarle Sound and Pamlico Sound June Fishing Report by Capt. Scooter Lilley

Roanoke River / Albermarle Sound and Pamlico Sound

June Fishing Report 

Capt. Scooter Lilley

[email protected]

CWW Inshore Charters 252-799-9536

 

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Largemouth Bass update:
The largemouth bite has been incredible, the Roanoke River has been putting out large numbers of daily catches and some real quality fish mixed in. Not only the river, but most of the rivers and tributaries off the Albermarle sound have been doing well. The fishing lures of choice have been flipping style baits, worms and the trusty frog. It’s pretty much pick your on poison ! Looking forward to bite the continuing to be good and the frog bite to pick up as the water heats up. It’s a great place to experience largemouth bass fishing with so many different settings and types of structure to fish. Look me up for your day on the Albermarle Sound!
Striped Bass update:
The Striper bite is still continuing to carry on, the fish are heading back out of the river to there summer stomping grounds. On there way out they eat everything from top waters to swim baits! It can be a high number catch game and it can happen quick. If your into Stripers we are still catching them for the next couple weeks. If speckled trout is on your menu the bite is heating up on the Pamlico Sound, top waters , gulp, popping corks and small swim baits do great for success! The Slot Drum are on the banks to boot! Hope everyone has a great June on the water, see you soon!

Major League Fishing Returns to Lake Chickamauga for Bass Pro Tour B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler

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Major League Fishing Returns to Lake Chickamauga for Bass Pro Tour B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler

Fourth Event of Bass Pro Tour Season to Showcase 80 Pro Anglers Competing on Lake Chickamauga Over Six Days for Top Prize of $100,000, Fans Encouraged to Attend and ‘Hangout’ at Chattanooga Bass Pro Shops 

DAYTON, Tenn. (May 28, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to return to Lake Chickamauga and Dayton, Tennessee, next week, June 4-9, for the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler at Lake Chickamauga.

The six-day event, hosted by Fish Dayton and the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council, will feature 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including local favorites like Dayton’s Andy Morgan and Michael Neal, Spring City’s Wesley Strader and John Murray, and Harrison’s Jacob Wheeler, fishing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable points in hopes of qualifying for REDCREST 2022, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

As part of the event, fans will also be treated to the Stage Four Hangout at Bass Pro Shops in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Friday, June 4 from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 from Noon to 5 p.m. The free event includes the opportunity to interact with Bass Pro Tour anglers, enjoy activities and special fan-only giveaways provided by MLF sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities in fishing seminars. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information on the Stage Four Hangout hosted by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

“Rhea County is proud to host the top bass anglers in the world here on Lake Chickamauga, and we look forward to seeing the exciting Bass Pro Tour competition unfold. Our lakes are renowned for producing great largemouth bass, and we thank the TWRA for their stocking program that helped bring this about,” said Rhea County Executive George Thacker.

The tournament will be fished using MLF’s catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which the anglers try to catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The tournament is being filmed for broadcast later this year on the Discovery Channel.

When the MLF Bass Pro Tour last visited Lake Chickamauga in 2019, hometown favorite Andy Morgan boated 34 bass weighing 80 pounds even in the Championship Round to win by more than 19 pounds and claim the $100,000 top prize.  Although Lake Chickamauga has played host to dozens of MLF BIG5 (previously FLW) tournaments over the years, 2021 will mark just the second time that the Bass Pro Tour has visited BassTown USA.

“This is going to be a fun event,” said Spring City’s Strader, who has more than $2 million in career earnings in MLF competition. “The lake has had a lot of pressure on it, but that’s pretty much everywhere because of COVID. But the numbers will still be really good – it should be a typical June offshore bite – and we’re still going to see some Chickamauga giants.”

Strader said the key to doing well will be having multiple different patterns in play.

“The key will be mixing things up,” Strader said. “I don’t think you’re going to be able to rely on one spot – you’ll need several areas. Bait selection and timing will be important, and also the water flow situation. If it rains a lot before the tournament or there is a lot of power usage, the water will be flowing and that would be good.

“I’ll definitely have a Zoom Superfluke on a scrounger head jig tied on,” Strader continued. “A Zoom Ol’ Monster worm, a crankbait like a (Strike King) 6XD, and maybe even a mid-depth PH Custom Lures Balsa Crankbait.”

Anglers will take off from the Dayton Boat Dock, located at 175 Lakeshore St., in Dayton, at 6:30 a.m. ET each day of competition. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will also be held at the Dayton Boat Dock, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all takeoff and takeout ceremonies and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler at Lake Chickamauga will feature anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 76 of the top professional anglers in the world – joined at each event by 4 pros that qualify from the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit – competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2022 championship.

The four pros from the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit that will join the Bass Pro Tour to compete at the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler at Lake Chickamauga are Matt Becker, David Williams, Tai Au and Evan Barnes. Those anglers qualified via their finishes in the third Pro Circuit event of the year – the Googan Baits Stop 3 at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.

The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Lake Chickamauga on Friday and Sunday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Saturday and Monday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 20th place from both groups advance to Tuesday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advances directly to Wednesday’s Championship Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed and the remaining 38 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $100,000.

The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all six days of competition from 6:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLF NOW!®  will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.

Television coverage of the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four Presented by Wrangler at Lake Chickamauga will be showcased across two two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Oct. 9 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.

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

The Bass Cast Weekend Update for May 28,2021

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The Bass Cast Weekend Update for May 28,2021

Ish Monroe joins Next Gen Lithium Batteries Pro Staff

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Ish Monroe joins Next Gen Lithium Batteries Pro Staff

 Ish Monroe joins Next Gen Lithium Batteries Pro Staff

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Peoria, Ariz. – May 28, 2021 – Competing in bass fishing tournaments requires a lot of power.  Modern bass boats feature technological advancements from bow to stern.  Every single one of those components, requires a tremendous amount of electrical current to operate efficiently.  Having battery power that will run the accessories, and outlast the angler is a key, and being able to outwork a professional angler who makes his living on the pro circuits is not easy.

That reason is precisely why MLF Bass Pro Tour angler and winner of nine national tournament titles Ish Monroe has chosen to join the Next Gen Lithium Batteries pro staff.  Monroe is running a pair of Next Gen Lithium’s 36-volt, 40 amp hour models rigged in parallel to give him an 80 amp hour system that powers his Lowrance Ghost trolling motor.

Monroe said that believing in his product is essential and that is why he chose to represent Next Gen Lithium Batteries.  “I love the NextGen Lithium, their efficiency gives me the confidence to run two 36 volt batteries which gives me all the power I need, and more space in my Battery compartment,” Monroe said.  “Next Gen Lithium batteries are lighter, which allows my boat to run faster and draft shallower to allow me to go further and fish shallower.

Monroe added that he can fish longer with confidence.  “They also charge faster by design, which allows me to fish longer on practice days and still get a full charge.  To top it all off, the owner of the company is a tournament fisherman, so he understands and knows what is needed when I am out there on the water; I couldn’t be happier to be working with Next Gen Lithium Batteries.”

Kevin Johnson, President of Next Gen Lithium Batteries explains what goes into the product. “We have the most advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe PO4) batteries on the market and we have learned how to keep anglers on the water longer, go further, be able to fish harder and go faster all while eliminating the excess weight of conventional batteries,” said Johnson. “We did all of this while striving to keep our prices affordable and still be able to offer and industry best 12-year warranty.”

Johnson also explained and why they chose Monroe to be their primary spokesman. “Ish has earned a reputation for fishing hard, and for getting himself on the podium, and to do that brings the demand of the best equipment on the market,” said Johnson.  He also has a reputation of being one of the few professional anglers that works as hard for his sponsors as our batteries do for the angler, the combination of being a winner and his work ethic are why he is the perfect choice to run Next Gen Lithium Batteries, we are excited and proud to have Ish running our batteries.”

Find more information about Next Gen Lithium Batteries on their website, https://nextgenlithium.com/, on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NextGenLithium and on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/nextgenlithium/ or contact the company directly for information or to become a dealer at 623-999-4460, [email protected].

About Next Gen Lithium Batteries – At Next Gen Lithium we strive to bring you the world’s best and safest lithium batteries and chargers for the marine, RV, off road and UTV customer. Made with the highest-level materials and workmanship, when you purchase from Next Gen Lithium or any of our authorized dealers if you are not happy within 30 days of your purchase feel free to return your batteries for a refund.  Next Gen Lithium offers the industry’s best 12-year warranty that is easy to activate. We strive to show everyone the Next Gen way and lead with our customer service, we want everyone to be happy and we go the extra mile to deliver!

LAKE SAM RAYBURN TO CHALLENGE KAYAK ANGLERS WITH BIG BASS, HIGH WATER

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LAKE SAM RAYBURN TO CHALLENGE KAYAK ANGLERS WITH BIG BASS, HIGH WATER

LAKE SAM RAYBURN TO CHALLENGE KAYAK ANGLERS WITH BIG BASS, HIGH WATER

Will one of the country’s most famous bass-fishing waters give up her treasures, or will Mother Nature put a lid on the action? An elite field of kayak bass anglers is anxious to find out.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (May 28, 2021) – Lake Sam Rayburn in Jasper, Texas, is one of the premier largemouth bass-fishing destinations in the country, perhaps even the world. Bassmaster magazine, in fact, ranked it #1 in the U.S.A. back in 2018. It’s also the next stop for the Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Anchored By Power-Pole®, and a crew of elite kayak anglers simply can’t wait for the action to begin. Many grew up watching and reading about this 140,000-acre reservoir, the largest lake in the Lone Star State. They know it has a reputation for producing outlandishly heavy limits and personal bests. Indeed, there’s a good chance some B.O.S. records will fall during this event but, no matter what, you can bet just fishing on these famed waters will be a thrill for many.

“Getting to run tournaments all across the country certainly is a privilege,” says Hobie B.O.S. tournament director, A.J. McWhorter, “but when you see a lake with a pedigree like Sam Rayburn it creates a little extra excitement – not just for me as a director but for all our competitors as well. This lake has the potential to produce our biggest limits ever and every grass mat or laydown could be hiding the bigmouth of a lifetime. If this place doesn’t get your heart racing, nothing will. It’s so popular and productive that more than 300 bass tournaments are held here each year.”

While the potential for big bass and heavy hauls in this two-day catch, photo and release (C.P.R.) tournament are amazing, nothing is ever guaranteed in the world of competitive bass fishing. This area has endured unprecedented rainfall in recent weeks, and that’s likely to create challenges for the Hobie fleet. Still, McWhorter believes they can overcome the odds and make a great showing. “As we’ve seen time and again in destinations across the country,” he says, “these folks can fish. One way or another they always rise to the occasion and overcome the obstacles Mother Nature puts in their path. I have no doubt they’ll come out on top here, too.“

Photo courtesy of Joseph Sanderson.

Joseph Sanderson, 26, of Austin, Texas, agrees with McWhorter. “There are going to be quite a few elite anglers at this event, including a large contingent of Texas bass fans who want to really represent this state. It certainly will be interesting to see who steps up and gets the job done. The waters right now are about 9.5 feet above normal and still rising. That means even though this lake looks big, it’s going to fish smaller than usual since a lot of ramps and access points will be closed. Expect the open ramps to be busy, and their nearby waters to see plenty of pressure.”

Luckily, Lake Sam Rayburn has enough cover and structure to go around. Pre-impoundment timber remains standing, hydrilla is spread liberally across more than 12,000 acres, and there are another 2,500 acres of additional vegetation including coontail and pondweed. Add in 750 miles of shoreline, much of it sporting laydowns or covered in brush, plus some deep-water ledges, channels, humps and creek beds, and anglers are sure to have plenty of choices.

“We’ve had a much cooler winter and spring than usual,” Sanderson continues, “so the shad spawn might still come into play for those who fish shallow. We’re also in a transition period which could find bass in a foot of water along the shore or in 25-foot depths on submerged structure. The shoreline probably has the edge, but some big limits have been taken from deep water in recent tournaments, so go for it if that’s in your wheelhouse.”

The St. Croix pro plans to spend most of his time throwing moving baits in the shallows, an approach he says is among his strengths. No stranger to this lake, he had his best day of fishing ever in a 2018 tournament here in which he saw or hooked five fish topping 8 pounds. “I only decked one,” he says with a chuckle. “Lost a couple big ones I never saw, too. There are legitimate monsters here. An FLW tourney earlier this year produced a 13.5-pounder.”

Like Sanderson, Jim Ware, 52, from Rome, Georgia, is super excited about this Hobie B.O.S. event. “This one’s on my bucket list,” he says. “I’ve heard about Lake Sam Rayburn since I was a kid watching Roland Martin and all the legendary pros fishing in the Bassmaster Classic. To me, this is the epitome of bass fishing,” adds Ware, who fishes in a Hobie 360 PA14 because, “it has so much mobility.”

Ware has been studying the big lake and thinks he’s well prepared. His forte is deep-water fishing and that’s how he’ll start out on Day 1. He plans to drag a big plum-colored ribbon worm across the bottom around structure and cut in a Picasso Hog Snatcher spinnerbait or weedless frog if he needs to fish around vegetation.

“I know high water moves bass into the shoreline brush,” reveals Ware, “but some recent tournaments were won around offshore structure. I love that kind of fishing, so I’ll be working over ledges and humps, at least in the early going. This lake has produced 40-pound bags for tournament boat anglers. I’d be absolutely thrilled with a limit like that, but if I can just manage a personal best, that would be sweet, too. The Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Anchored By Power-Pole® is the best trail out there for kayak fishermen. It’s professional, fair, and I love the human-powered aspect of the competition. All around, it’s a good time, win or lose.”

In addition to substantial cash prizes, competitors at Lake Sam Rayburn will have plenty more on the line. The top three non-qualified anglers will punch their ticket to the Hobie Tournament of Champions (T.O.C.) at Lake Eufaula, Alabama, November 12 – 14. All-important points toward Angler of the Year (A.O.Y.), presented by FarWide, the Outdoor Access App, will be distributed to the top 100 competitors, and the largest bass of the two-day tournament will earn a $400 check for the Bassin’ Big Bass Award. Also up for grabs is the Dakota Lithium Power Move award, which recognizes the angler with the greatest leap up the leader board from Day 1 to Day 2. That prize is a Dakota Power Box with a 10-amp lithium battery.

“I can’t wait to see how this all plays out,” sums up McWhorter. “Hopefully, there will be more launch ramps and access points open by the time we kick off. Either way, these competitors are going to fish their hearts out. I’m sure we’ll see some great catches no matter the conditions. I wouldn’t expect anything less from such a stellar field.”

St. Lawrence Lands Bassmaster College National Championship

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St. Lawrence Lands Bassmaster College National Championship

New York’s scenic St. Lawrence River will host the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops August 12-14, 2021. 

Photo by B.A.S.S.

May 28, 2021

St. Lawrence Lands Bassmaster College National Championship

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Just weeks after the world’s top professional anglers do battle for a Bassmaster Elite Series victory on the St. Lawrence River, the country’s best college teams will converge in Waddington, N.Y., for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, which will be held Aug. 12-14, 2021. Clarkson University and its Bass Fishing Team are the local hosts along with the St. Lawrence County Chamber and Village of Waddington.

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship will field as many as 130 teams of anglers representing colleges and universities across the nation. Qualifications are based on the teams’ finishes in four college tour stops as well as a Wild Card event being held throughout the country.

“We’re excited to work with these great partners to offer college anglers an incredible championship tournament experience,” said College Series Senior Manager Hank Weldon. “I am thrilled that we are able to get these young anglers up to New York to experience the extraordinary St. Lawrence River as well as the legendary hospitality of this community as they compete for a national title and chance to fish the Classic.”

Competitors will not only be fighting for a national championship but also a berth in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell via the College Classic Bracket tournament.

The leading anglers in the Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year points standings will be determined after the four regular-season events. The Team of the Year will punch their ticket to the College Classic Bracket event, which will be held in September. The College Classic Bracket takes the Top 3 teams from the National Championship plus the Team of the Year, and individual anglers compete head-to-head in bracket-style competition for a berth in the Classic, where they will compete for a prize purse of over $1 million.

“Clarkson University and its Bass Fishing Team are thrilled to be hosting the Bassmaster collegiate national tournament on the St. Lawrence River and in St. Lawrence County,” said Kelly O. Chezum, Clarkson University Vice President for External Relations. “As New York reopens and with our St. Lawrence County Chamber partners welcoming collegiate anglers to the region, we will be paying tribute through the fan experience during the tournament to the volunteer first-responder community which has done so much for our region, state and country during the pandemic.”

B.A.S.S. has hosted 20 major events at this Upstate New York smallmouth paradise, which took the top spot in 2019 on Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 100 Best Bass Lakes list.

“Collegiate anglers and their families will have a great opportunity to experience New York’s Northern border on and off of the water during the peak of summer in St. Lawrence County,” said Brooke Rouse, St. Lawrence County Chamber Director of Tourism. “The River is internationally recognized and is surrounded by trails, museums, outdoor festivities and warm local charm.”

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops is being hosted by the Village of Waddington, St. Lawrence County Chamber and Clarkson University. This tournament is also 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 athletes, staff and guests.

Ott DeFoe Wins Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour – Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at Harris Chain

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Ott DeFoe Wins Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour – Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at Harris Chain

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Tennessee Superstar Boats 41 Pounds in Third Period to Earn Second Bass Pro Tour Victory of Season and Earn Another $100,000 Top Prize

LEESBURG, Fla. (May 26, 2021) – The Tennessee river rat did it again. Only this time, for the first time in his illustrious career, he did it in Florida. General Tire pro Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, caught 30 bass weighing 73 pounds, 14 ounces Wednesday to win the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida, and earn the top prize of $100,000.

Link to Photo Gallery of Best Shots from Championship Day
Link to Video of DeFoe’s Fish Catch Highlights from Day 6

“This is surreal right now. After the way this week started, this doesn’t even make sense,” said DeFoe, who earned his third career victory on the Bass Pro Tour – second this season. “I give God all of the glory and credit for this win. My decision-making process took me to Lake Griffin the first day, but I had a terrible first day and had to completely change strategies.

“On Day 2, I stayed here on Harris and pulled up to start on a grass point that had a dock nearby that I could almost cast to. It was divine intervention that told me to start there – I ended up catching almost 40 pounds off of that dock. I truly give God all of the credit for that. Sometimes he closes a window to open a door, and that’s what happened for me that day.”

DeFoe ended up staying in that general area on the south end of Lake Harris, targeting grass and docks for the remainder of the event.

“The area was really good, and you could work it in a lot of different places,” DeFoe said. “The big thing for me was not cranking my motor. Once I went into that stretch, I just put a bait in the water and I fished in and I fished out and really maximized my time. I ended up having two things going – a really, really shallow deal and a deal on the outside edges of the Kissimmee grass.”

DeFoe said he caught a number of scorable bass on a swimjig this week, but that his key bait was his signature series Rapala OG Slim Crankbait.

“It is so cool to win on a bait that I designed. I really thought it would happen at Lake Eufaula this year, but it ended up working well here and that is just a really cool deal for me,” DeFoe said. “The problem was that I was fishing a new color that’s coming out at ICAST and I only own six of them – and three are back at the house. I threw a couple of different colors this week – bream, hot copper green shad and regular copper green shad. The swimjig was a big deal and I caught a lot of fish on that, too, but that Slim was special – especially this afternoon.”

Going into the third and final period of competition Wednesday, DeFoe had a very slim lead, with Bobby Lane, Brent Chapman, Andy Montgomery, and Skeet Reese all looming and very much in contention. DeFoe mentioned to his cameraman that whoever caught the most fish in Period 3 would earn the victory. DeFoe then caught fire, catching 15 bass weighing 41 pounds, 6 ounces in the third period alone to run away from the pack.

“That third period was going to have to be my best period of the whole day, and I’m just so thankful that it was,” DeFoe went on to say. “That was a crazy end to this whole deal. This doesn’t happen often, so I am cherishing this moment.”

DeFoe earned the win by 27 pounds, 1 ounce – a new Bass Pro Tour record for largest margin of victory.

Finishing in second place for the second-consecutive event, after his runner-up finish to Jacob Wheeler at the Bass Pro Tour Stage Two at Lake Travis, was local favorite Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, who remains firmly in control of the 2021 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year race.

“Bridesmaid again, second place,” Lane said in his post-game interview. “I got to spend all week in Harris and Little Harris just flipping grass, and it was so much fun. But Ott DeFoe just ran away with this one. It was an awesome ending for me. I caught a 2-pounder and a 4-pounder with literally 2½ minutes left to jump from fourth to second. I caught them all week on a Berkley Powerbait Power Hawg and a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent General . I kept everything simple – black and blue, with a ½-ounce Bass Addiction screw in weight with a (Berkley) Fusion 4/0 hook. “

The top 10 pros at the Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three on the Harris Chain of Lakes finished:

1st:        Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 30 bass, 73-14, $100,000
2nd:       Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 22 bass, 46-13, $45,000
3rd:       Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 21 bass, 45-7, $38,000
4th:       Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 17 bass, 41-10, $32,000
5th:       Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif., 14 bass, 37-15, $30,000
6th:       Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 14 bass, 32-10, $26,000
7th:       Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, 12 bass, 28-14, $23,000
8th:       Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., eight bass, 27-14, $21,000
9th:       Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 12 bass, 26-10, $19,000
10th:     Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., nine bass, 21-0, $16,000

Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 159 bass weighing 382 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the final 10 pros on Wednesday.

Hite won Wednesday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award, weighing a 6-pound, 6-ounce largemouth that came on his EverGreen Grass Ripper swimjig in Period 2. General Tire pro Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, won the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the largest bass of the event with his 9½-pound largemouth that he weighed in on Day 1 of competition.

The MLF Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes was hosted by Lake County. The six-day tournament featured 80 of the top professional anglers from around the world competing for a purse of $805,000, including a top cash prize of $100,000 to the winner.

Television coverage of the Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes will be showcased across two two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Sept. 25 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.

The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 76 of the top professional anglers in the world – joined at each event by 4 pros that qualify from the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit – competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2022 championship. The next event for Bass Pro Tour anglers will be the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage Four at Lake Chickamauga, June 4-9 in Dayton, Tennessee.

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

The Versatile Stick Bait: Teaching the Next Generation by Bruce Callis

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The Versatile Stick Bait: Teaching the Next Generation by Bruce Callis

The Versatile Stick Bait:
Teaching the Next Generation
by Bruce Callis

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Catching fish is what we love to do! And getting to share our passion is what keeps this sport thriving. But getting others hooked is not always easy. For a lot of us, it isn’t just a simple thing. We have way too many baits, way too many rods, and we fish so many different ways, and all in a single day. But what one technique is the easiest to teach someone to do and have success with? And what secrets do we have we can share to others?

The Senko was invented by Gary Yamamoto and it changed fishing for the better. And it is THE most imitated bait on the market. So many companies have their version of a stick bait as it is generally know as, but none are quite the same. There is always some difference. And then some companies have a stick bait that is totally different, like the PowerTeam Lures Sick Stick or Missile Baits “The 48.”. But they can all be fished the same way.

The stick bait is generally fished on a spinning reel and with lighter line. This makes it a lot easier for beginners too. I’m not saying it can’t be fished a spin cast rod and reel, nor on a baitcaster, but a spinning reel makes it so much easier. Generally, a spinning reel spooled up with braid and a fluorocarbon leader is the preferred set up. I prefer to use a bright colored, 20 pound braid tied to a six to 10 foot 10 pound test fluorocarbon leader. This makes watching your line so much easier. Some prefer to use straight fluorocarbon while others like monofilament, but all will work.
One of the easiest ways to rig a stick bait is the Wacky Rig. It requires a simple hook that pierces the middle of the worm and is then thrown out and allowed to sink to the bottom. If it does not get bit right away, you hop it up and let it fall back to the bottom. You repeat this back to you and then cast it out again to repeat the process. This by far the easiest way to fish it, to teach others, and it catches fish. Some times it just blows you away! I showed my sister-in-law how to fish it, told her to cast it out and let it sink to the bottom. I was watching the line as she said “now what?” and told her to reel the fish in. It was a beautiful 4 pound bass and she was an instant believer.

As simple as it is, there are still plenty of methods to fish a wacky worm. The O-Ring that is placed across the center of the worm helps keep you from losing so many baits. Some worms, like Big Bites, have an O-Ring made into the worm. But the hook with these are turned to go along the worm instead of going across it. To change this, someone invented an o-ring with a tab on it that allows you to run the hook across the worm through a small eye and not damage the worm. VMC also invented a Crossover ring that allows you to fish it with the hooks going in either direction. It is also a little fatter and that helps hold more of the worm in it.
Another way to fish the Wacky Rig is by adding weight to it. There are plenty of options here as well. Power Team lures makes one called a Jacked Wackers, but this is just one style. WOO Tungsten makes one, the Wacky Head Weedless Jigs. The thing about the tungsten is that it is heavier, so it is so much smaller than lead weights. These offer a weed guard that helps protect the hook making it more weedless. But by adding the weight, it speeds up the drop. We are not talking a lot of weight either. We are talking 1/16th, 3/32nd, 1/8th, or 3/16th, depending on the depth you are fishing and how fast you want it to fall. But you fish it the same way as with no weight.

Another way to fish a stick bait is by inserting a nail weight into the bait. This can be done in a variety of way. You can insert a nail weight into the belly of the worm to just help speed up the fall. You can also insert a weight into one end of the worm, which will make the worm fall totally different. It will glide to the heavier end and noses down. This is more of a Neko rig, but unless you use an o-ring, it is more wacky.

One way that is still weightless is rigging it with a worm hook or EWG and just throwing it out without any weight. The worm glides and darts as it falls through the water column. The only weight is the hook itself. You can also put a small nail weight in the end opposite the hook that puts the hook up as it falls. It also changes the fall, making it dart down tail first. It is a killer technique on highly pressured bass.

Texas rigged is a great choice also. This makes it great for flipping around structure. It can also be skipped up under limbs and under docks. The faster you want it to fall, the more weight you use. It is also good for punching through mats, as it’s slender shape helps it get through the mat with ease.
One way I have found that also works is to rig it on a swimbait hook. It casts so easy and can be skipped under so many objects. I like to go as light as possible. Another is using it on a shakey head. You can fish behind so many anglers and catch bass that the have missed.

The stick bait is very versatile and can be used in so many ways. It can be used as a trailer on a jig, a spinnerbait or a vibrating jig. You can use it on a drop shot also. And don’t be afraid to use a big stick bait on the drop shot, it is something the bass don’t see a lot of.

When we are helping get others hooked on fishing, we have to make it simple and a stick bait is just the ticket. So simple to rig and use. There is no one way to rig it or fish it. And if they like to wind, as wacky rigged worm can be deadly doing just that. Just make sure to get it out and in the water and have fun.
Did I forget a way to use it that may help others? Did you learn something new? Comment below the story and let me know what it is and what you think.

Strengthening Lures, Line and Accessories 

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Strengthening Lures, Line and Accessories 

Strengthening Lures, Line and Accessories 

Daiwa expands relationship with Traditions Media to promote major growth categories.

Cypress, CA (May 26, 2021) – Daiwa – the world’s premier reel manufacturer and one of the most recognized brands in fishing – has branched out, and with great success. Premium fishing line, lures and exceptional accessories are now staple and living up to the iconic Daiwa name. And to strengthen the marketing charge, Daiwa has officially placed the fishing line, lures and accessories categories on the Traditions Media assignment desk.

“We watched what Traditions Media was doing for other premier fishing brands, including winning numerous ICAST awards, so I was pleased when the timing was right to have their team promote our brand and reels,” said Curt Arakawa, Daiwa’s Marketing Manager. “They’ve really proven themselves over the last two years, so we felt it was time to officially include fishing line, lures and accessories into our relationship. I look forward to what we’ll achieve together in the future.”

New Ever Green LOUDBUZZ

“Daiwa has been with me since childhood,” said Traditions Media president Noel Vick. “I caught my very first walleye on a Daiwa reel my grandfather, surprisingly, trusted me to use. It was his favorite and I was honored to fish it.”

Vick continues: “My honor for Daiwa continued when they chose Traditions Media to promote their reels two years ago. It’s been a fantastic relationship, too, leveraged by the fact Daiwa builds best-in-class product, so there’s truth in every word we write. And now, we look forward to helping market Daiwa’s lines, lures and fishing accessories.”

Daiwa has rapidly become a tip-of-tongue name in fishing lines, introducing several innovative products over the last few years. The Daiwa J-Braid series thoroughly disrupted the superline category, priced-perfectly while providing exceptional performance. As well, J-Fluoro Samurai and J-Fluoro Leader are stifling competing brands in fluorocarbon fishing lines. Maintaining the surge, Daiwa is introducing a spectacular new line at ICAST 2021.

Daiwa is also on a bull run bringing new lures to market. Developed with renowned Japanese ingenuity, Daiwa’s lure assortment is at the head of the class. Freshwater baits such as the TD Minnow, SC Shad, Double Clutch and Dr. Minnow Jerkbaits perform as awesomely as they look in the package. Daiwa covers saltwater in spades, too, with favorites like the FK Jig, Zakana Jig, Mr. Slow Jig, Salt Pro Minnow and popper varieties dealing up wins worldwide. And watch for new lure introductions at ICAST 2021.

To that, Daiwa has an exclusive distribution agreement with Ever Green, another prominent Japanese lure manufacturer. Baits like the new LOUDBUZZ, Gizmo and Piccolo have taken bass fishing by storm.

Daiwa has expanded into fishing tools and accessories, too. Last year’s Tackle Barn introduction was a smash hit. The imaginatively shaped tackle bag was instantly popular with anglers. Numbers of other accessories, like exceptional fishing tools, backpack tackle bags, boat bags and soft sided coolers and reel maintenance products round-out the current lineup, and there’s more to come…

“Watch for a windstorm of new product introductions in the coming months. And team is amped-up about helping bring them to market,” concludes Vick.

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 http://www.daiwa.com/us/
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